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Travis Perkins

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FY2016 Annual Report · Travis Perkins
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Annual Report  
& Accounts 2016

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6

 
 
 
 
CONTENTS

3

  HIGHLIGHTS

5

 STRATEGIC  
REPORT
 Group at a glance
 Chairman’s statement

6 
10 
12  How we create value
16 
18  Performance review
37 

 Chief Executive’s statement 

 Statement of principal risks 
and uncertainties
 Capturing the way things are done 
around here
 Keeping people safe
 Environmental sustainability

45 

50 
53 

57

 GOVERNANCE  
AND REMUNERATION

58  The board, committees 

and advisors
 Corporate governance report

62 
67  Audit committee report
74  Directors’ remuneration report
100    Nominations committee report
102  Directors’ report
106  Statement of directors’  

responsibilities

109 183

 FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

Independent auditor’s report

110 
114  Financial statements
121  Notes to the financial  

statements

 SHAREHOLDER 
INFORMATION

184  Five-year summary
186  Other shareholder information

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016

Jack Pickles – BSS, Leeds

Adam Raspass – Benchmarx, Luton

2
2

 
 
Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016

HIGHLIGHTS

Solid performance in mixed markets

£m

Revenue

Like-for-like revenue

Adjusted operating profit(1)

Adjusted operating profit excluding property profits(1)

Adjusted profit before taxation(1)

Adjusted profit after taxation(1)

Adjusted earnings per share(1)(2)

Dividend per share

Lease adjusted ROCE(3)

Free cash flow

Operating profit(4)

Property profits

Operating profit excluding property profits

Profit before taxation

Profit after taxation

Basic earnings per share(2)

Cash generated from operations

Note

4

37

5a

5a

5c

5d

11

12

36

34

2016

6,217

2.7%

409

392

381

301

120.4p

45.0p

10.9%

436

100

17

83

73

14

5.1p

495

2015

5,942

3.8%

413

389

382

307

124.1p

44.0p

11.6%

317

254

24

 230

224

168

 67.8p

350

Change

4.6%

(1.0)%

0.8%

(0.3)%

(2.0)%

(3.0)%

2.3%

(0.7)ppt

37.5%

(60.6)%

(29.2)%

(63.9)%

(67.4)%

(91.7)%

(92.5)%

41.4%

(1)    The term “adjusted” is used to signify that the effects of exceptional items, impairment of goodwill and other intangible and tangible assets, amortisation of intangible assets 

and the associated tax impacts have been excluded from the disclosure being made.

(2)  Weighted average share count in 2016 was 249,073,416 (2015: 247,302,865).

(3)   2015 restated for comparative purposes to allow for impairments in 2016 against goodwill and other intangible and tangible assets in City Plumbing Supplies, PTS, F & P, Solfex, 

Tile Giant and Bathrooms.com made in 2016.

(4)   Including non-cash impairment charge of £235m recognised against goodwill and other intangible and tangible assets in City Plumbing Supplies, PTS, F & P, Solfex,  

bathrooms.com and Tile Giant.

Full year highlights

•   Revenue increased by 4.6%, like-for-like revenue up 2.7%  

•  Network expansion continued, with net 25 new branches and 

(6.6% two-year like-for-like)

stores opened (82 gross)

•  Adjusted operating profit, excluding property profits,  

increased by £3m to £392m (2015: £389m)

•  The balance sheet was further strengthened with net debt 
reduced by £69m to £378m and the issue of a £300m 
sterling bond giving significant liquidity headroom

•  Strong free cash flow generation of £436m at a cash 

conversion rate of 107% (2015: 77%), used to fund £187m  
of growth capital expediture 

•  Full-year dividend increased 2.3% to 45.0p per share, reflecting 

confidence in cash generation

•  Lease adjusted return on capital employed reduced to 10.9% 
reflecting continued investment in network expansion, store 
refits and IT which will underpin future earnings growth and 
cash generation

•  An exceptional non-cash impairment charge of £235m has 
been taken against the goodwill and intangible and tangible 
assets, principally in the plumbing & heating and tile businesses

•  An exceptional charge was taken to the income statement 
of £57m to cover the previously announced closure of 
underperforming branches, supply chain rationalisation and 
central restructuring

3

 
 
4

STRATEGIC 
REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

  6  Group at a glance 

 10  Chairman’s statement

12   How we create value

 16   Chief Executive’s statement 

18   Performance review

 37 

 Statement of principal risks 
and uncertainties

 45 

 Capturing the way things 
are done around here

 50  Keeping people safe

 53 

 Environmental  
sustainability

5

Strategic ReportTravis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016

Strategic Report

GROUP AT  
A GLANCE

Travis Perkins plc (the Group) is the UK’s largest product supplier to the building, 
construction and home improvement markets. Having grown primarily through 
acquisition in the last decade, the Group is now focussed on extracting value 
from those acquisitions by growing organically through investing in more 
compelling customer propositions, optimising its network and using its scale 
advantage to improve returns for shareholders. These investments should 
enable the Group to outperform the market on a sustainable basis, increasing 
market share and increasing returns. This will ensure the Group continues with 
its mission to become the first choice distributor of building materials in the UK.

The cornerstones of how the Group does business

The Group has built an inclusive working environment where 
everyone can contribute because everyone is listened to, valued  
and respected. It is founded on five Cornerstones:

Keeping people safe 

 Safety will always be at the top of the agenda

Upholding family values 

A way of working and treating people

Making decent returns 

 Creating value for shareholders, employees, 
customers and suppliers

Working for our customers 

 The Group’s business is based on  
strong relationships

Being the best 

6

 Setting the bar high and making employees  
and customers feel special

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Divisional structure

The Group’s businesses, across over 2,000 sites, are organised and managed 
through four divisions.

General Merchanting £2.1bn sales, 833 branches

Market leading general merchant  

to trade customers

Kitchen distributor to trade

Consumer £1.5bn sales, 617 stores

Fastest growing national DIY retailer

Tile retailer

Integrated multi-channel trade counter

Contracts £1.3bn sales, 167 branches

Fastest growing specialist distributor  
of ceilings, insulation and drywall

Leading specialist distributor  
of pipeline and heating solutions

Leading specialist distributor of civils,  
heavy building materials and drainage

Plumbing & Heating £1.4bn sales, 436 branches

Leading distributor  
to domestic installers

Leading distributor  
to contract installers

Leading wholesaler to trade distributors

Renewable heating 
distributors

More than 28,000 colleagues serving trade customers and retail customers  
from over 2,000 trading outlets throughout the UK.
Performance target setting is managed at a Group level with each business responsible for developing strategic plans to meet those ambitions. 
As the Group grows, operational decision making is increasingly being devolved to strengthened management teams in each business, allowing 
every business to better respond to its customers’ needs, manage its costs and capital and meet the challenges of each market. The business 
management teams draw on a number of centrally based support teams including property, supply chain, IT, HR, legal and finance.

7

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report The Group’s businesses

General Merchanting

The Group’s core business supplies products for all types of 
repair, maintenance and improvement projects (“RMI”) as well 
as new residential and commercial construction. The customer 
base is largely made up of professional tradesmen, ranging from 
sole traders to national housebuilders whose key requirements 
are locally stocked product ranges (immediately available for 
collection or delivery), access to extended ranges (often delivered 
direct to site), competitive pricing, credit services and problem 
solving expertise.

Market leading merchant for trade customers – supplying 
more than 100,000 product lines to trade professionals and 
self-builders through 661 branches around the UK

A distributor of kitchens to specialist joiners, kitchen installers, 
local authorities and national house builders from 172 branches 
around the UK

Contracts

Consumer

The customers of the three Contracts businesses, Keyline,  
BSS and CCF, are typically main contractors and sub-contractors 
in the residential, infrastructure, commercial and industrial 
construction sectors. The products supplied from the three 
businesses are generally used in large construction projects 
ranging from new road and rail infrastructure, power generation 
construction, public service infrastructure such as hospitals 
and schools, through to commercial and high rise residential 
construction and refurbishment.

The Consumer Division supplies domestic building and 
decorative materials through its store network to DIY and trade 
customers. It differentiates itself by providing the best value in 
each of its respective channels through operating efficient stores 
and delivery services, a superior online proposition, high levels of 
availability of the brands and products that customers demand  
in a modern customer shopping environment.

Market leading suppliers of civils, heavy building materials and 
drainage solutions in the UK for trade professionals and specialist 
contractors which together with Rudridge operates out of  
65 branches around the UK

Fastest growing national DIY retailer, with 241 stores throughout 
the UK and the market’s leading online DIY channel

Market leader in the distribution of pipeline, heating and 
mechanical services equipment in the UK. The business  
has a nationwide network of 61 branches 

A rapidly growing retailer of lightside building materials with  
a current network of 267 stores. Its fully integrated multichannel 
operating model is class leading and enables the business to 
offer the lowest prices and best availability. Operates 12 stores  
in the Netherlands and online businesses in France and Germany

A fast growing distributor of drywall solutions, insulation,  
interior partitions and external rendering and cladding products  
to the drylining, insulation installer and internal fit out contractors  
in the UK from its 41 branches

One of the UK’s fastest growing suppliers of ceramic and natural 
stone tiles available to both retail and trade customers through  
109 stores around the UK with a rapidly expanding online presence

8

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Plumbing & Heating

Plumbing Trade Supplies and City Plumbing Supplies are the main brands in the Division. They supply a wide range of customers 
including domestic plumbers, independent plumbing merchants, large plumbing contractors and local authorities.  
As well as selling branded products, the Division has developed successful own brand products including a comprehensive range of 
plumbing and bathroom products under the iflo brand.

The Plumbing & Heating Division has four principal business streams.

1.  Domestic Installer business

3.  Renewable heating businesses

A nationwide merchant serving the locally based domestic 
plumbing and heating trades, heating engineers and bathroom 
installers through 336 branches

A distributor of renewable technology

An online ‘pure-play’ distributor of under-floor heating systems

A leading distributor of domestic heating spares in the UK from 
its national distribution centre

A leading ‘pure-play’ online supplier of plumbing and heating 
products from its national distribution centre

Providers of integrated solutions for low carbon construction, 
energy efficient building and renewable energy projects

2.  Contract Installer business

4.  Independent wholesalers 

Supplies a wide range of heating, plumbing and bathroom 
products from 88 branches around the UK and Ireland serving 
private sector plumbing installation contractors who in turn 
supply national house builders, residential developers and  
the public sector

A leading wholesaler of hand tools, clothing and site 
equipment. BPT develops products and brands which are sold 
both exclusively within the Group and through independent 
merchants and national DIY chains

The leading distributor of heating, plumbing and bathroom 
products to the independent merchant sector and retailers 
of fires and bathrooms which operates out of 7 distribution 
locations nationally

9

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report CHAIRMAN’S 
STATEMENT

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

I am pleased to introduce the Company’s Annual Report for the year  
ended 31 December 2016, a year that was characterised by political upheaval  
leading to uncertainties in the UK economy and the markets in which our  
businesses compete. Against these once-in-a-generation changes,  
our businesses have performed well, with most continuing to outperform  
their major competitors, yet again.

Group sales grew by 4.6% to £6.2 billion. On a like-for-like basis, 
Group sales grew by 2.7%. Challenging conditions led to adjusted 
operating profit of £409 million, broadly in line with the previous 
year, and adjusted earnings per share of 120.4p, compared  
to 124.1p a year ago. Among the Group’s various businesses,  
there were particularly strong performances in Wickes, 
Toolstation, Keyline, CCF and Benchmarx. Our core Travis 
Perkins business also traded well throughout the year.

2016 saw the Group half way through the five year strategic 
plan that was outlined in December 2013. Much has been 
accomplished. Our supply chains have been reorganised and 
revitalised, with procurement across the Group benefitting from 
scale and strong supplier relationships; our branch networks, 
particularly at Wickes, Toolstation and Travis Perkins, continued 
to expand their footprint, and trading formats were modernised, 
leading to improved customer scores. We continued to take 
advantage of freehold site availability to increase the Group’s 
freehold percentage (19% by year end) and recycle our less 
attractive freehold locations and leasehold sites. Importantly, 
we also committed to a four year IT investment programme in 
the Group’s core systems to ensure they are fully fit for the future. 

We continued to maintain strong capital discipline throughout the 
year; Group capital investment for 2016 was  
£237 million, £169 million net of investment in freehold sites.

As I mentioned in last year’s statement, plumbing and heating 
markets remained challenging throughout the year. Lower levels  
of customer demand, new trading formats and over capacity in 
the sector have led to disappointing trading despite the Group’s 
leading position and the on schedule and on budget completion of 
the re-segmentation of the branch networks of our City Plumbing 
Supplies and PTS businesses. As a result, we announced a number 
of branch closures in October 2016, and plan to complete a more 
radical review of these businesses by mid-year 2017. 

No strategy is set in stone and we will take the opportunity to 
review and recalibrate the Group’s future direction during the 
course of 2017. Significant progress has been made over the past 
three years and we need to ensure this is properly reflected in 
shareholder value.

10

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Dividend

Board of Directors

The Board is taking a prudent view of the range of outcomes for 
the UK economy in 2017 and 2018 and, coupled with the Group’s 
performance in 2016, we are proposing a 2.3% increase in the 
full year dividend.

A final dividend of 29.75p, payable on 26 May 2017 to 
shareholders on the register on 18 April 2017, will give a full year 
dividend of 45p (2015: 44p). This dividend is covered 2.7 times 
by adjusted earnings per share, with dividend cover comfortably 
inside the Board’s target range of 2.5x to 3.25x.

Corporate Governance

There is now a growing trend to rate and score larger  
companies in the UK across a wide range of corporate 
responsibility factors. We very much welcome this  
development. During the year the Investment Association  
ranked Travis Perkins in the top quartile of FTSE 100  
companies in more than three quarters of the areas assessed.  
Unfortunately, a similar process conducted by the Institute 
of Directors ranked Travis Perkins 94th out of the FTSE 100, 
accompanied by disappointing publicity. A follow up meeting  
with the IoD discovered that the IoD’s assessment was based  
on inaccurate and out of date information. Had the correct  
data been used, we believe Travis Perkins would have been 
comfortably ranked in the top quartile of the FTSE100 companies.

Employees

We employ almost 30,000 people across the UK and take 
our responsibility to our colleagues very seriously. We have  
now been recognised for eight years in a row by the Great 
Place to Work Institute, a significant acknowledgement of the 
hard work and commitment of all our colleagues, particularly 
our branch managers and supporting HR teams. In addition, 
we have continued to improve the Group’s programmes 
focused on colleague health and safety, career development, 
diversity and flexible benefits.

I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Board, 
to thank all our colleagues for their commitment, energy 
and hard work during the past year.

The Group continues to have a settled Board of executive 
and non-executive directors following the appointments made 
in 2013 and 2014. 

During 2016, we started the process to plan for longer term 
executive succession. As part of this longer term process, 
Tony Buffin has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer 
to run our Toolstation and Plumbing and Heating businesses. 
Over the past three years, Tony has contributed significantly to 
the strategic development of our businesses, the quality of our 
finance teams and the strength of the Group’s balance sheet. 
Following an extensive search process, Tony’s position as CFO 
has been assumed by Alan Williams, who joined the Group from 
Greencore Group plc where he was CFO for six years. 

During the year, we also welcomed Cheryl Millington to the 
Executive Committee as Chief Digital Officer. Further changes 
were made in the senior executive team to plan for long 
term succession.

Outlook

The political developments in 2016 have undoubtedly created 
significant uncertainty for the UK economy as a whole and 
the individual markets in which our businesses compete. 
Our management teams are highly experienced in operating in 
a variety of market conditions and have taken appropriate steps 
for their businesses to react to and take advantage of changes 
in market conditions.

However, the core foundations of long term demand for 
building materials remain solid, with continued demand for 
housing, and a large and ageing housing stock requiring 
renovation. The majority of our businesses also operate in 
fragmented market structures.

With this backdrop, I am confident that the investments  
we have made and will continue to make to improve our 
customer propositions, optimise our property network and 
leverage our scale advantage will enable the Group to further 
outperform the markets in which we compete. 

Robert Walker 
Chairman 
14 March 2017

11

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016

Strategic Report

HOW WE CREATE VALUE

The UK’s largest distributor of building materials  
with room to grow

Whilst the Group is the largest distributor of building materials in the UK, its businesses 
are not always the first choice for many of its customers and many of the markets in 
which the Group operates remain fragmented. These opportunities present compelling 
routes to improve and grow many of the Group’s businesses. The Group remains 
committed to building on its core expertise as a distributor of building materials.  
Given the opportunities to grow, the UK will remain the key focus for the Group’s 
merchant businesses for the foreseeable future. The Group has begun to diversify 
beyond the UK and this will continue with the organic expansion of its integrated 
multichannel business Toolstation. The Group will only enter markets beyond the 
UK where one of the Group’s businesses has a disruptive and compelling customer 
proposition and where strong returns can be generated. 

Be the first choice distributor of building materials in the UK

First Choice

Distributor

The Group is the largest distributor of building materials,  
but not the first choice for the majority of customers

With the exception of some minority investments the 
Group is a distribution business with complementary 
supply chains

Building Materials

UK

The products the Group sells are used in the repair, 
maintenance or improvement of existing buildings and the 
construction of new building and infrastructure projects

The advantages the Group and its businesses enjoy 
are generally not scalable outside the UK

12

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Business model
The core of all of the Group’s businesses is distribution, meaning they are engaged  
in buying, moving and selling building materials.

buy

move

sell

Source products from over 
50 countries and over 
9,000 suppliers

Distribute 400,000 product 
lines from over 4 million ft2 
distribution space using  
4,000 delivery vehicles

Sell goods and services to over 
280,000 account customers 
and millions of cash customers 
from more than 2,000 branches

The markets each of the Group’s businesses operate within 
have distinct characteristics based on the type of customers 
they serve, what products they sell, the basis of pricing and 
the fulfilment channel. The Group organises its businesses 
by customer group. Retail customers are served through the 
Consumer division and large contract led customers are served 

through the Contracts division. Customers who range from local 
tradesmen through to national developers are served through 
two merchant divisions; Travis Perkins and Benchmarx within the 
General Merchanting division and specialist plumbing customers 
through the Plumbing & Heating division.

Consumer

Merchants

Contracts

Wickes

Toolstation

Travis  
Perkins
Benchmarx

PTS, CPS
F & P, 
Connections, 
Primaflow

Keyline, 
BSS, CCF

Sales = £1.5bn

Sales = 2.1bn

Sales = 1.4bn

Sales = £1.3bn

Medium -  large trade

Variable by customer to
templates / guided

Tendered /
framework
agreements

Customers

Small tradesperson / consumer

Pricing

Fixed

Ranging

Mandated

Delivery

35%

50%

Variable

85%

13

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report The Group’s ambition
Whilst demand in markets the Group’s businesses operate 
within remains a key driver of the volume of building materials 
sold and in the Group’s continued success, the Group’s growth 
is not constrained by market growth. The Group has relatively 
low market shares in many sectors, which presents an excellent 
opportunity for the majority of the Group’s businesses to gain 
market share. These businesses are well positioned to take 
advantage of this opportunity to gain share because of the 

significant structural advantages the Group enjoys, which include 
the scale of its buying, its distribution infrastructure and the 
breadth of its property portfolio, enabling operating businesses 
to access good quality sites which other competitors may not 
be able to access, quickly and cost effectively. In addition, 
each operating business is guided to develop superior 
customer propositions though better ranging, value for money, 
convenience and advantaged delivery and service expertise.

1

2

3

Market 
fragmentation

•  The majority of the markets in which the Group competes are highly fragmented
•  Proliferation of small family-owned businesses
•  The Group’s businesses are no. 1 or no. 2 in each of their markets, but with relatively low market shares

Structural 
advantages

•  Sourcing & supply chain: sourcing terms, range, stocking and distribution efficiency
•  Branch network:  2,000 locations in the UK with strong financial position underpinning tight rent yields  

•  IT: selective sharing of software platforms and volume hardware purchasing

and site access

Superior 
propositions

•  Range & value: improved promotions and KVI pricing, range extension, own label development, availability
•  Space: new branch and store opening programme with implants intensifying space
•  Channel, format and customer service: investment in online channels, new formats and better service

Fragmented markets + structural advantage +  
superior proposition = sustainable market share gains

As a result of its strategic and structural advantages the  
Group expects to outperform the underlying level of market 
growth and furthermore to add additional capacity in selected 
markets. The Group identifies opportunities to continue to 
add capacity in Wickes, Toolstation, through online channels, 
in Benchmarx, Keyline and selectively in Travis Perkins and 
CCF. However, its ability to outperform the market is against 
a backdrop of uncertainty in its markets, with difficult to forecast 
price inflation and market volume. Price inflation and volume 
are clearly linked and the Group will remain agile in its trading 
approach in order to maximise its cash earning potential.

Based on the Group’s experience in recent years and 
evolving market dynamics the Group remains committed 
to delivering the following in its Consumer, Contracts 
and General Merchanting divisions: 

•  Outperforming the market sales growth in these markets

•  Growing operating margins in its Contracts and 

Consumer divisions

•  Maintaining its sector leading margins in the General 

Merchanting division

•  Delivering low double digit growth in EBITA per annum  
in each of these divisions and increases in LAROCE of 
200-300 basis points over the medium term, subject  
to modest market growth

Owing to the underperformance of the Plumbing & Heating 
division in recent years the Group is reviewing its operations  
in order to better address customer demand and optimise  
the value to be created for shareholders in this market.  
The Group will be giving a fuller update on its plans at the  
2017 interim results announcement.

14

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Levers of value creation
In order to deliver its ambitions, the Group developed a strategy 
in 2013 which remains in place today with components of the 
strategy being accelerated or moderated depending on market 
conditions and performance in each of its businesses.  
The chart below sets out the levers the Group is using to create 
value for its shareholders.

Optimising 
Network
•  TP expansion  

Scale  
Advantage
•  Supply chain investment

Portfolio 
Management
•  Streamlined central 

functions

•  Leverage property 

•  Devolved management 

and modernisation

capability

responsibility

•  Wickes national footprint

•  Group sourcing  

benefits

•  Disciplined planning  
and capital allocation

•  Shared technology 

•  Regular market  

investment

updates

•  Plumbing & Heating 

format clarity

•  Implants intensify returns

•  Trade parks

Customer 
Innovation
•  Improved value

•  Extended range

•  Product development

•  Format renewal

•  Technology enabled

•  Multi-channel

Enabled through people and evolution of unique culture

Comparing performance  
with strategy
The Group’s ambition is to deliver long term, sustainable value 
to shareholders. There is a comrehensive series of financial 
and non-financial measures which the Group tracks to monitor 
operational performance. All of these indicators are aligned to 
achieving the Group’s strategic ambition. The Group’s actual 
performance for 2016 is shown in the performance review 
sections on pages 18 to 35. Executive Director remuneration is 
linked to strategy and performance, which is explained further in 
the Director’s Remuneration Report on page 74.

Risks
The Statement of Principal Risks and Uncertainties on pages 
37 to 43 sets out the key risk factors that are considered by the 
Directors to be material to the business and may impact upon 
the successful delivery of this strategy. 

15

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report CHIEF
EXECUTIVE’S 
STATEMENT

We are now just past the mid-way point of the five-year investment and growth 
programme we set out in December 2013. This investment programme focused  
on four key strands that would strengthen our competitive position and underpin  
our ability to outperform the markets in which we compete and grow returns  
to shareholders on a sustainable basis over the medium term. 

In order to achieve this we had to increase the pace of investing 
your capital in your businesses. In the last three years we have 
invested nearly £700 million. The majority of this investment has 
been to expand and modernise the branch and store network,  
which is a central enabler to sustainable revenue growth over the 
medium to long term. Having the best located and most efficient 
sites for our distribution and retail businesses is of paramount 
importance in providing our customers with convenience and our 
businesses with a mechanism to deliver products effectively. 

We have also created the only nationwide distribution centre 
network for building materials. We believe this provides us 
with a significant long term structural advantage to ensure our 
customers are able to get the right materials, in the right place, 
at the right time at a competitive price. Our customers’ demands 
for access to broader ranges, shorter lead times and more 
convenience is accelerating all of the time as they respond to the 
demands placed on them. Our distribution infrastructure provides 
us with the capability to service these requirements both now and 
as we increasingly provide customers with multichannel ordering 
capabilities in the future. 

The four strands of our strategy remain unchanged and we are 
committed to making further improvements in our customer 
propositions, optimising our branch and store networks, further 
leveraging our position as the largest distributor of building 
materials in the UK and further refining our Group operating model. 

We have made good progress on all of these tenets of our 
strategy over the last three years in our Consumer, Contracts  
and General Merchanting divisions. We have however 
experienced a changing competitor and customer landscape in 
our Plumbing & Heating division and we are not satisfied with our 
performance. We are reviewing all of our plans in this area of the 
business and will update the market and our shareholders on our 
plans at the 2017 interim results announcement.

16

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Contracts
Keyline, BSS and CFF within our Contracts division delivered 
another strong year and remain the relatively unsung heroes 
of our Group. Whilst BSS has faced tougher market conditions, 
Keyline and CCF have continued to gain market share.  
Although it is difficult to predict demand for infrastructure, 
commercial and industrial project spend in 2017, I have complete 
faith that our Contracts businesses will continue to significantly 
outperform the market.

Consumer
Wickes continued the transformation it began in 2014 with 
another very strong year of growth. The team led by Simon King 
has made wide reaching improvements in the product range,  
the store formats and both absolute prices and the perception 
of our prices. Wickes also launched deliveries with guaranteed 
1-hour delivery slots, which can be available same-day. 
The Wickes online store is now amongst the best performing 
amongst its global peers. Toolstation also had another strong 
year of growth with a further 36 new UK stores added, bringing 
the total to 267.

The years ahead

I am truly privileged to say that this is now my 39th year  
with this amazing company. During this time I have seen many 
different market conditions, from the low growth but chronically 
high inflation of 1980 to the unprecedented deflationary 
environment of the last few years. During these changing 
market conditions, our businesses have consistently performed 
better than their peers and I have no doubt this will continue. 
Unfortunately we cannot control the markets, but through 
selective investments to improve each of our businesses we  
will always aim to perform better than our competitors.

John Carter 
Chief Executive 
14 March 2017

Our markets

The outcome of the EU Referendum in June has undoubtedly  
caused significant economic uncertainty, for the country  
as a whole and for the markets in which our businesses compete.  
It has proven difficult in recent months to accurately predict  
the demand for building materials, something which we have 
proven to be relatively adept at doing. Given this lack of clarity  
of demand we have to ensure that our businesses remain  
agile in order react to and take advantage of whatever 
conditions prevail.

Whilst the year ahead may prove challenging to predict with 
certainty, I remain confident in the long term growth opportunity 
within UK building materials distribution markets for a few 
key reasons:

•  We compete in fragmented market structures

•  We have and are extending significant structural advantages 

through our supply chain, branch network and system capability

•  We are developing superior customer propositions through  
the right product range, innovative formats in both physical  
and virtual stores and better value

Our performance

Whilst the first five months of 2016 were strong for all of our 
businesses, the second half of the year has been more mixed. 

General Merchanting
Travis Perkins has performed well throughout the year and  
in line with my expectations. During 2014 and 2015 we created 
unique supply chain infrastructure with the ability to deliver  
an extended range of over 30,000 products the next day,  
which is still unmatched in the UK. These investments are now 
only in their second year and are performing well. In 2016 we 
also began making some improvement to our pricing structures 
to provide customers with greater clarity and certainty.  
Our kitchen distribution business, Benchmarx, continued its 
strong growth with a further 18 branches opened in the year.

Plumbing & Heating
In January 2016 we completed what has been the biggest 
transformation programme I have seen in our sector. 
This involved the conversion of more than 160 branches in 
18 months and training of over 1,000 colleagues in a different 
operating model. Whilst this programme was delivered 
successfully, the plumbing and heating markets have deteriorated 
further and faster than I expected, leading to performance 
in 2016 significantly below my expectations. Tony Buffin has 
recently become Group COO with operational responsibility for 
the Plumbing & Heating division and we will update you in due  
course on our plans to improve performance. 

17

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The Group tracks its performance using two operating KPIs, three financial KPIs and four funding targets that the Board believes are key 
indicators of its progress against its strategic and financial targets. In addition the Group has a number of guidance measures at a Group, 
divisional and business level, details of which are set out in this section and in the financial performance section on pages 27 to 35. 
These are non-GAAP measures, the derivation of which is shown in the notes referenced in the heading to each measure.

Operating 
Key Performance Indicators

Like-for-like sales growth 2.7%  
(Note 37)

Performance Trend

7.3

5.0

3.8

2012
-1.4

2013

2014

2015

2.7
2016

Definition
Revenue growth adjusted for 
new branches, branch closures 
and trading day differences. 
Revenue included in like-for-like 
is for the equivalent periods in 
both years under comparison. 
Branches are included in 
like-for-like sales once they 
have traded for more than 
12 months. When branches 
close, revenue is excluded from 
the prior year figures for the 

number of months equivalent 
to the post closure period in the 
current year.

Reason
Calculating like-for-like sales 
enables management to 
monitor the performance trend 
of the underlying business 
year-on-year. It also gives 
management a good indication 
of the health of the business 
compared to competitors. 

Financial 
Key Performance Indicators

Lease adjusted return on capital employed* 10.9%1 
(Note 36)

Performance Trend

11.0

11.2

11.6

11.6

10.9

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Definition
Adjusted operating profit after 
adding back 50% of annual 
property lease rentals, divided 
by the combined value of 
balance sheet debt, equity and 
eight times annual property 
rental expense. 

Reason
This ratio allows management 
to measure how effectively 
capital is used in the business 
to generate returns for 
shareholders. It takes into 
account both balance sheet 
debt and off-balance sheet 
long term obligations, being 
principally property leases.

Adjusted operating profit £409m  
(Note 5a)

Performance Trend

Adjusted earnings per share* 120.4p 
(Note 11b)

Performance Trend

326

348

384

413

409

119.0

124.1

120.4

103.6

90.6

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Definition
Profit before tax, financing 
charges; and income, 
intangibles, amortisation 
and exceptional items.

Reason
Operating profit is adjusted  
to exclude non-trading items, 
such as exceptional items and 
the amortisation of goodwill 
and other intangible assets 
arising on the acquisition of a 
business, so management can 
monitor the Group’s underlying 
trading performance.
1 The figures for 2012 to 2015 have been restated to reflect the changes to capital employed as explained in note 36.
KPIs marked * are measurements used in determining elements of directors’ remuneration, details of which are set out on pages 74 to 98.

Definition
Profit after tax, adjusted 
to exclude the effects of 
amortisation and exceptional 
items, divided by the weighted 
average number of shares in 
issue during the period.

Reason
Adjusted earnings per share 
is an indicator of the Group’s 
underlying profitability, which is 
important in understanding the 
earnings attributable to each 
shareholder and determining 
the earnings available for 
distribution via the dividend.

18

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Financial Key Performance Indicators continued

Free cash flow £436m (Note 34)

Performance Trend

436

317

242

240

255

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

FUNDING TARGETS

Definition 
Net cash flow before dividends, 
growth capital expenditure, 
pension deficit repair 
contributions, exceptional cash 
flows and financing cash flows.

Reason
The Group needs to  
generate strong free cash 
flows to enable it to invest and 
expand its operations, settle 
financing charges from debt 
providers, pay dividends to 
shareholders and access the 
best property locations.

Dividend cover 2.7 times (Note 12)

Fixed charge cover 3.3 times (Note 35)

Performance Trend

Performance Trend

3.6x

3.3x

3.1x

2.8x

2.7x

2.8x

2.9x

3.2x

3.3x

3.3x

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Definition
The ratio of adjusted earnings 
per share to dividends per share.

Reason
Dividends are the primary 
method for returning capital 
to shareholders. The Board 
aims to balance retaining 
profits in the business for 
future investment with giving 
shareholders an acceptable 
return on their investment.  
The Group’s target range for  
its dividend cover ratio is 
2.5x to 3.25x.

Definition
The ratio of earnings after 
adding back property lease 
rentals, but before interest, 
tax, depreciation, amortisation 
and exceptional items,  
to finance charges plus 
property lease rentals.

Reason
Fixed charge cover is used 
by management, lenders and 
debt rating agencies when 
determining the ability of the 
Group to pay fixed financing 
charges. The Group is targeting 
a ratio of 3.5x.

Leverage ratio 2.7 times (Note 35)

Performance Trend

Net debt £378m (Note 32)

Performance Trend

3.3x

3.0x

2.8x

2.8x

2.7x

452

344

358

447

378

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Definition
The ratio of lease adjusted 
net debt to earnings before 
tax, interest, depreciation, 
amortisation property lease 
rentals and exceptional items 
(“EBITDAR”).

Reason
The leverage ratio is an 
indicator for management, and 
lenders, of the Group’s ability 
to support its debt. The Group 
has a target of below 2.5x.

Definition
The amounts owed to lenders 
of finance less cash held by 
the Group.

Reason
The value of debt in the 
balance sheet is an indication 
of financial efficiency. In 
general, the return paid to 
lenders is below the return 
demanded by equity investors.  
The Group has not set a 
debt target.

19

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Business Performance
Summary
The macro-economic and political environment, along with  
a number of fiscal changes such as the additional stamp duty 
charges on second homes, resulted in significant volatility in 
end-user demand across the Group’s various markets in 2016. 
Trading conditions were strong in the first half of the year, but 
were followed by a period of weaker trading in the third quarter, 
ahead of an improvement in the final quarter. Given these 
dynamics, Group revenue growth was good in 2016, increasing 
by £275m, or 4.6%, to £6,217m with like-for-like sales growth 
of 2.7%.

The combined profits of the Consumer, Contracts and General 
Merchanting businesses surpassed those achieved in 2015 
reflecting good strategic momentum. The performance of the 
Plumbing & Heating division was unsatisfactory, and although 
significant changes have been made to the branch estate 
there remains considerable work to do to improve the Group’s 
customer propositions in order to maintain a competitive position 
in the market and enhance returns.

The Group demonstrated strong cash flow in 2016, with free cash 
flow generation of £436m at a cash conversion of 107%, leading 
to a reduction in net debt of £69m to £378m. The balance sheet 
was further strengthened in 2016, with significant headroom in 
the Group’s facilities.

Progress on strategy

The Group’s strategic plan is focused on making investments in 
the businesses that should deliver improving returns throughout 
the economic cycle. Four levers of value creation have been 
identified: enhancing customer propositions, optimising store 
and branch networks, building on its scale advantage and better 
managing the portfolio.  

These four levers of value creation remain the focus. The majority 
of the investments made in recent years have been in businesses 
with headroom to grow capacity, where their propositions were 
already strong and could be enhanced further and with either  
low cost operating models or superior service propositions.  
The businesses earmarked for investment included Travis 
Perkins, CCF, Keyline, Benchmarx, Wickes and Toolstation.  
These investments and businesses have yielded strong 
improvements in returns and, despite volatility in market activity 
which may have an impact on the exact timing of investments, 
the Board considers that continuing to invest selectively in this 
way will create significant shareholder value over the medium 
and long term.

The Group is committed to better managing its portfolio of 
businesses with near-term focus on the Plumbing & Heating 
transformation plan.

Progress against the four levers of value creation is set out below:

Innovation in customer propositions

•  An additional 600 product lines have been added to the 

General Merchanting heavyside range centre network and  
are now available to customers on a next-day basis 

•  Travis Perkins launched a transactional website with a two-hour 
Click & Collect service available nationwide on 19,000 locally 
stocked products

•  Wickes and Toolstation continued to improve value for 
customers through investments in price and focused 
promotional offers resulting in continued market share gains

•  A further 46 Wickes stores were refitted in 2016, bringing the 
total number of new format stores to 62. The new formats 
are providing different customer groups with more focused 
propositions: simplifying access for trade customers and 
inspiring DIY customers through much improved kitchen and 
bathroom displays and design centres

•  Wickes online proposition was further enhanced during the year, 
with nationwide Click & Collect now available within one hour, 
one hour time slots for home deliveries and same day delivery 
on up to 7,000 products

•  Toolstation developed its first online only range introducing 
over 1,000 products in addition to the 12,000 lines available 
in store with plans to further extend the online range in 2017. 
Toolstation enhanced its Click & Collect service; speeding  
up guaranteed delivery times from one hour to 20 minutes,  
often making product available for immediate collection

•  The significant increase in CCF capacity during late 2015 

enabled the branch teams to offer broader product ranges  
to more customers on faster lead times

•  Benchmarx further simplified its product ranges whilst at the 

same time introducing new appliance, worktop and door ranges 
to better meet customer demands

Optimising the Group’s network

•  In line with the Group strategy, 25 net new branches, stores  

and implants were added to the network in 2016, with openings 
and acquisitions adding 1.6% to revenue growth in the year 
(2015: 2.8%). Network expansion was focused on businesses 
that have good long-term growth characteristics and provide 
opportunities to improve returns. A further 43 Toolstation 
stores were opened in 2016, including 36 in the UK and seven 
in the Netherlands. Seven new Wickes stores were opened in 
2016, broadening the brand’s network into new catchments  
and expanding the reach of the Click & Collect service

•  The programme to co-locate businesses continued with  

a new trade park opened in Bedford in 2016, taking the total 
across the UK to twelve 

•  18 Benchmarx branches were opened including five implants 
within Travis Perkins branches, increasing sales densities from 
additional footfall, profits and returns from these sites 

•  An exceptional charge of £57m has been taken in the year 
of which £46m was to cover the costs of the branch and 
distribution centre closures across the Group in line with the 
announcement in October 2016

20

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Leveraging the Group’s structural advantage

Managing the portfolio

•  The Group continues to develop and rationalise its distribution 

network to ensure it can replenish branches providing customers 
with better availability, offering even faster deliveries on its 
extended ranges, and can underpin the continuing development 
of online transactional channels. This work included the  
closure of ten smaller distribution and fabrication centres,  
and rationalisation of the Wickes distribution centre network, 
reducing from three sites to one national distribution centre

•  The heavyside range centre network supporting the 

Travis Perkins merchant business continues to mature,  
with an extended range of 3,500 heavyside products available 
next-day, with a further 3,000 available within 48 hours

•  The three range centres in Warrington, Cardiff and Tilbury 
continued to support around two thirds of Travis Perkins 
branches throughout 2016. Further stock and route optimisation 
work at these sites means that the time until the opening of the 
fourth range centre will now be extended

•  The Group’s direct sourcing operations have been restructured, 
with exclusive and own brand operations now brought under 
the direct control of the business units. This is already creating 
benefits for customers in terms of availability and value for 
money and enabling the businesses to better meet customers’ 
needs through clearer and more defined ranges

•  Investment in technology improvement programmes also 

continued, including better network connectivity, supply chain 
systems improvements and multichannel applications 

The Group continued to focus on lease adjusted return on  
capital as a critical measure of performance, ensuring that  
capital is employed across the business in the most effective  
and efficient manner:

•  Capital investments were focused in Travis Perkins, Wickes, 

CCF, Toolstation and Benchmarx, and these businesses have 
continued to achieve significant market share gains and 
improved returns 

•  In other areas of the business where the opportunity for 

significant growth is more limited, such as certain businesses 
within Plumbing & Heating, employed capital has been reduced 
and reallocated. There may be further opportunities to extract 
capital to improve returns and investors will be updated on 
these plans during 2017

•  The property portfolio is managed to provide the best operating 

locations for each business whilst maximising the returns 
from each site. The Group reduced its investment in freehold 
property in 2016 to £68m (2015: £104m). The pipeline of new 
freehold sites is strong following the investments made since 
2014 and will allow the Group to benefit from flexibility of site 
use, ensure control of strategically important sites and add 
value to the acquired freehold assets through development

•  The programme of recycling ‘fully developed’ property assets 
continued, with property divestments generating cash receipts 
of £36m

•  The Group is in the final design stage of new IT systems  

Plumbing & Heating transformation

for its merchant businesses. These systems will be piloted in 
early 2018 in one of the Group’s smaller merchant businesses. 
The new systems should enable all of the merchant businesses 
to serve customers faster, provide real-time stock transparency, 
improve efficiency and digitise the ordering, invoicing, despatch 
and receipting of stock and payments

The plumbing and heating market has been broadly flat over 
recent years with declines in the social housing sector offset by 
growth in private new build and more modest growth in repairs, 
maintenance and improvement volumes. Both the contract and 
local installer markets are increasingly competitive, with the 
traditional plumbing merchant channels under pressure from the 
significant expansion of online, fixed price multichannel operators 
and strong local and regional independents. As a result of these 
market changes, improvements are required to the propositions 
the Group offers and therefore the Group is developing a 
comprehensive transformation plan that will be communicated at 
the 2017 interim results announcement.

21

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Market outlook

Technical guidance for 2017

The Group is providing the following technical guidance for 2017:

•  Effective tax rate of around 20%

•  The Group’s interest charge will be similar to 2016

•   Capital expenditure of around £170m – £190m, excluding 

investment in freehold property

•  Property profits of around £20m

•  Progressive dividend policy, underpinned by strong  

cash generation

The outlook for the Group’s end markets remains mixed although 
the long term requirement for more homes in the UK remains 
unchanged as does the structural underinvestment in the repair 
and maintenance of existing dwellings, commercial and industrial 
buildings and infrastructure. 

The depreciation of sterling, particularly against the US dollar 
and Euro, is driving cost price inflation pressures.  The Group is 
employing numerous strategies to deal with cost price inflation, 
including switching to UK sourced products where possible, 
increasing sourcing direct from manufacturers and improving 
efficiency, as well as passing genuine cost inflation through 
to customers where it cannot be avoided. Given all UK based 
building material distributors are likely to be in a similar position; 
the Group is well placed to deal with these effects.

The Group anticipates that pressure on consumer discretionary 
spending from rising inflation could impact secondary housing 
transactions in the second half of 2017. Fewer housing 
transactions will have a direct impact on merchant sales volume 
and it is generally accepted that this impacts merchant volumes 
with a 6-9 month lag. Any significant reduction in consumer 
confidence is likely to have a more pronounced impact on 
big-ticket purchases such as kitchens and bathrooms which 
make up around 10% of the Group’s sales. The Group anticipates 
that potential volume reductions in 2017 will be broadly offset  
by price inflation.

The Group’s Contracts businesses are more sensitive to the rate 
of new commercial, industrial and infrastructure construction. 
Uncertainty in this sector is both to the upside and downside and 
no clear pattern has yet emerged as to which projects might be 
accelerated or deferred or the extent to which the Government 
will support infrastructure investment.

Given the mixed outlook for the Group’s end markets, the 
Group has adopted a cautious stance until end market demand 
becomes clearer. Despite current uncertainty, significant 
investment opportunities remain to achieve strong incremental 
returns on capital and the Group will maintain its discipline in 
allocating capital to those businesses where significant structural 
competitive advantage can be built.  The Group believes that 
these investments will underpin continued outperformance in its 
end markets, increase market share and improve profitability and 
returns in the future. 

22

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Divisional Performance
General Merchanting

2016

2015

Change

Total revenue

£2,073m £1,972m

Like-for-like growth

5.1%

1.7%

Adjusted operating profit

£207m

£199m

4.0%

Property profit

£14m

£17m

Adjusted operating profit 
excluding property

Adjusted operating margin 
excluding property profit

LAROCE

Branch network

£193m

£182m

6.0%

9.3%

9.2%

10bps

15%

833

16%

813

(1)ppt

20

General Merchanting demonstrated continued market 
outperformance with revenue growth of 5.1% and 1.7% on  
a like-for-like basis. 

Operational highlights

•  The programme to modernise Travis Perkins branch formats 
continued, with 52 branches now operating with the new 
shop and yard layouts. Initial returns from these investments 
are encouraging with strong sales growth and positive 
customer feedback

•  The business also trialled a new branch concept at Staples Corner 

in London with a new counter format, significantly extended 
lightside ranges, a new pricing structure, a new layout and extended 
seven-day opening hours 

•  Utilisation of the heavyside range centre network continued to 

improve driving strong revenue growth as customers took advantage 
of faster access to a broader range of products. The heavyside 
product range available to customers on a next-day basis was 
increased by over 15% to 3,500 products, with a further 3,000 
products available within 48 hours. The Benchmarx business further 
refined the range of kitchens leading to robust like-for-like revenue 
growth and market share gains in the trade kitchen market

•  Further progress was made on improving the multi-channel 

proposition for Travis Perkins, with a transactional website now 
offering a two-hour Click & Collect service being launched 
nationwide for 19,000 locally stocked SKUs 

•  An initiative to more closely align the distribution network with 

the businesses led to improved inventory control, allowing more 
efficient stock holding across the network, as demonstrated 
by Group inventory being broadly held flat despite the growth 
in sales. Further work was carried out to ensure that the right 
ranges are available in branch with extended ranges held 
upstream alongside direct to customer deliveries managed 
through suppliers

•  In 2016, thirteen former Keyline branches were rebranded 
as Travis Perkins. Travis Perkins opened six new branches, 
relocated seven to more suitable sites and closed fourteen 
underperforming branches and the Group’s timber supply 

centre at Ferndown. Eighteen new Benchmarx branches 
were opened in 2016, including five as implants in existing 
Travis Perkins sites or located as part of a Travis Perkins trade 
park. The marginal return on investment in new Benchmarx 
branches continues to be very strong.

Financial performance

•   General Merchanting adjusted operating profits increased  

by £8m to £207m in 2016 (2015: £199m). There was a £3m 
reduction in property profit to £14m (2015: £17m).

•  Excluding property, operating profit grew by 6% to £193m 

(2015: £182m), marginally ahead of revenue growth. A modest 
improvement in gross margin driven by mix was partially offset 
by higher operating costs.

•  LAROCE reduced modestly to 15% (2015: 16%), with growth 
in operating profits offset by the increase in capital employed 
following the investments made in the branch and distribution 
networks, store formats, and the growth in trade debtors in line 
with higher credit sales. These investments are expected to 
drive market outperformance in 2017 and beyond.

Plumbing & Heating

2016

2015*

Change

Total revenue

£1,359m £1,371m

(0.9)%

Like-for-like growth

(1.6)%

Adjusted operating profit

£39m

£46m

(15.2)%

Property profit

£3m

-

Adjusted operating profit 
excluding property profit

Adjusted operating margin 
excluding property profit

LAROCE*

Branch network

£36m

£46m

(21.7)%

2.6%

3.3%

(70)bps

10%

436

11%

463

(1)ppt

(27)

*  2015 restated for comparative purposes to allow for 2016 impairment against 

goodwill and other intangible and tangible assets in City Plumbing Supplies, PTS,  
F & P and Solfex.

Revenue in the Plumbing & Heating division declined by 0.9% in 
2016 and by 1.6% on a like-for-like basis.

Operational highlights

•  The branch conversion programme was completed at the 

end of 2015. This work aligned PTS to the contract installer 
market offering a lower cost to serve on larger volumes. The 
CPS business was aligned to the local installer market offering 
expertise, local delivery, good access to extended ranges such 
as boiler spares and assistance to bathroom installers in 
designing bathrooms for their retail customers.

•  Although CPS grew its sales during the year, the growth in sales 
was below the Group’s expectations. The branches converted 
from the PTS format in 2014 grew well, but the branches 
converted in 2015 delivered more modest increases in sales 
and profit.

23

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report  
 
•  The social housing boiler and heating replacement market 
has remained difficult with traditional merchants competing 
aggressively on price for business impacting PTS. The PTS 
management team developed a lower cost branch operating 
model in the year and trialled the model in a small number 
of locations.

Financial performance

•  Adjusted operating profits fell by £7m to £39m (2015: £46m). 

Property profit was £3m (2015: nil).

•  Adjusted operating profit excluding property profit, fell by 21.7% 
to £36m. Adjusted operating margin excluding property, fell 
by 70bps to 2.6% (2015 3.3%) driven by higher overall cost to 
serve in the division.

Operational highlights

•  Keyline achieved strong like-for-like sales growth in 2016, 

with the growth rate increasing in the second half of the year 
demonstrating further market share gains in the heavy civils 
and drainage market. Overall sales were modestly reduced 
following 13 branches transferring to Travis Perkins, reducing 
the remaining branch network to 64. 

•  BSS sales grew modestly in 2016, a creditable performance 
in a difficult market with continued reduced government 
spending on infrastructure projects. There was significant 
focus on cost reduction and operating efficiency, with 
progress made in simplifying the interaction with customers, 
reducing administrative workload in the ordering, delivery and 
receipting processes.

•  LAROCE fell to 10% (2015: 11% restated for impairment to 

•  CCF delivered a strong revenue performance in the year, 

goodwill and intangible and tangible assets in 2016) principally 
driven by the reduction in operating profits

•  The division incurred £19m of exceptional charges in the year 
within the £57m Group charge. These costs included £6m 
in respect of 28 branch closures, £12m cost in relation to the 
reorganisation of the F & P distribution business and £1m of 
other associated costs.

•  Following a review of the cash flow projections of the division, 
and in light of the continuing difficult market conditions and 
growth of online and fixed price operators an impairment 
charge of £213m has been recognised. All of the remaining 
assets in PTS and F & P have been impaired, excluding those 
assets which are genuinely transferable, and a charge of £189m 
has been taken against goodwill in the CPS business.

The Group is developing a comprehensive transformation plan 
to address the challenges in the Plumbing & Heating division and 
will provide regular updates as to the plan and progress against it, 
starting at the 2017 interim results announcement.

Contracts

2016

2015

Change

Total revenue

£1,267m £1,214m

Like-for-like growth

4.4%

5.0%

Adjusted operating profit

£76m

£83m

(8.4)%

Property profit

-

£5m

Adjusted operating profit 
excluding property profit 

Adjusted operating margin 
excluding property profit

LAROCE

Branch network

£76m

£78m

(2.6)%

6.0%

6.4%

(40)bps

12%

167

14%

(2)ppts

181

(14)

Sales growth in the Contracts division was 4.4%, and 5.0% on a 
like-for-like basis. 

although like-for-like sales growth was diluted by the opening 
of eight new CCF branches in 2015. Customer fulfilment was 
transferred to the new branches to better ensure the timely 
and efficient delivery of customer orders, freeing up capacity 
in the existing network which has subsequently enabled these 
branches to win new business.

•  The CCF team continued to focus on developing a deeper 
understanding of customer requirements, and in doing so 
forming closer customer relationships, which has enabled 
further significant market share gains

•  The three businesses in the Contracts division continue to  

work more closely together, sharing information on projects  
and building deeper relationships with customers throughout 
the project lifecycle

Financial performance

•  Adjusted operating profit reduced by £7m to £76m (2015: 

£83m). No property profit was recognised in 2016  
(2015: £5m).

•  Adjusted operating profit, excluding property profit, fell by 2.6% 
to £76m (2015: £78m), with the transfer of 13 Keyline branches 
to Travis Perkins. This was partially offset by volume growth.

•  Adjusted operating margin, excluding property profit,  

declined by 40bps to 6.0%. This was driven by business mix  
as CCF and Keyline are structurally lower gross margin 
businesses than BSS. The mix of business however supported 
improved operating leverage as did excellent cost control 
across all businesses.

•  Divisional LAROCE reduced to 12% driven by the absence of 
property profits (2015: £5m) and the significant expansion of 
the CCF branch network at the end of 2015. These branches 
are expected to deliver significant marginal returns as they 
mature and provide capacity for further growth.

•  The division incurred £10m of exceptional charges in the year 
within the £57m Group charge. These costs included £5m 
in respect of branch closures, £2m cost in relation to the 
reorganisation of the distribution network and £3m of other 
associated costs.

24

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report  
 
Consumer

Financial performance 

2016

2015*

Change

Total revenue

£1,518m £1,386m

Like-for-like growth

Adjusted operating profit

£101m

£95m

Property profit

-

£2m

9.5%

6.4%

6.3%

Adjusted operating profit 
excluding property profit

Adjusted operating margin 
excluding property profit

LAROCE*

Branch network

£101m

£93m

8.6%

6.7%

6.7%

8%

617

7%

571

-

1ppt

46

*  2015 restated for comparative puposes to allow for 2016 impairment against 

goodwill and other intangible and tangible assets in Tile Giant and Bathrooms.com

The Consumer division delivered strong revenue growth of 9.5%, 
up 6.4% on a like-for-like basis, resulting in continued strong 
market share gains for both Wickes and Toolstation.

Operational highlights

•  The continued rollout of new Wickes store formats is offering 
customers with a simpler shopping experience with access 
to improved ranges. The new format is also providing Wickes’ 
trade customers with a faster way to buy their products and 
get back to work. A further 46 new Wickes store formats were 
opened in 2016, bringing the total number of new format 
stores to over 62. The new formats provide more inspiration for 
DIY customers through much improved kitchen and bathroom 
displays and design centres. The programme to roll out further 
new formats will continue in 2017. 

•  The Wickes’ distribution centre network was rationalised, 

reducing to a single centre in Northampton which now serves 
all store and direct to customer deliveries

•  Wickes continued to invest in its value propositions in order to 
maintain market-leading prices and drive continued growth 
in market share. The business undertook further range review 
activity in 2016 in tandem with the further development of its 
new store format with particular success in bricks and blocks 
and garden maintenance.

•  The online proposition in Wickes continues to evolve, with 

nationwide Click & Collect within 1 hour, one hour time slots 
for home deliveries and same day delivery on up to 7,000 
products. Initial customer feedback has been very positive,  
and Wickes has achieved over £100m of online sales in 2016 
for the first time.

•  Expansion of the Toolstation network continued in 2016, with  

a further 36 stores opened in the UK, and seven shops opened 
in the Netherlands. Online only ranges were introduced for 
the first time with over 1,000 products available to customers 
along with improved marketing campaigns. Click & Collect 
order availability was improved to within 20 minutes with many 
orders available almost instantaneously. Further online range 
extension is planned in 2017 and the store opening programme 
will accelerate further in the Netherlands.

•  Adjusted operating profits increased by £6m to £101m 

(2015: £95m). No property profit was recognised in 2016 
(2015: £2m).

•  Adjusted operating profits, excluding property profit, increased 

by 8.6% 

•  Adjusted operating margin, excluding property profit, was 
unchanged with further investment in value for customers 
offset by operating leverage and further improvements in 
operating efficiency 

•  Lease Adjusted Return on Capital for 2016 improved to 8% 

(2015: restated 7%). The division continued to increase returns 
through highly accretive investments in store openings and 
reformats together with improvements to customer value 
and range.

•  The division incurred £14m of exceptional charges in the year 
within the £57m Group charge. These costs included £10m 
of costs in relation to the reorganisation of the distribution 
business and £4m of other associated costs.

•  Following its review of the cash flow projections of Tile Giant 
and in light of the continuing difficult market conditions an 
impairment charge of £19m has been recognised against 
goodwill, and a £3m impairment charge has been taken 
against the assets of Bathrooms.com

25

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report  
 
 
 
 
Travis Perkins – Tilbury Range Centre

26

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Financial Performance

Revenue

Group revenue growth was good in 2016, increasing by £275m, or 4.6%, to £6,217m.

Volume, price and mix analysis

Total revenue growth

Volume

Price and mix

Like-for-like revenue growth

Network expansion and acquisitions

Trading day impact

Total revenue growth

General 
Merchanting 
(%)

Plumbing  
& Heating 
(%)

Contracts 
(%)

Consumer 
(%)

1.4

0.3

1.7

3.0

0.4

5.1

(0.3)

(1.3)

(1.6)

0.3

0.4

(0.9)

5.2

(0.2)

5.0

(1.0)

0.4

4.4

8.5

(2.1)

6.4

3.1

-

9.5

Group 
(%)

3.3

(0.6)

2.7

1.6

0.3

4.6

New branch and store openings contributed 1.6ppts to revenue 
growth, with one extra trading day in the merchant business 
adding a further 0.3ppts resulting in like-for-like sales growth  
of 2.7%. Like-for-like volume growth of 3.3% was partially offset 
by a 0.6% reduction in price and mix.

Group like-for-like volume growth was primarily driven by the 
strong trading momentum in the Contracts and Consumer 

divisions. The reduction in price and mix was mainly owing to 
commodity deflation in plumbing related businesses including 
BSS, continued value investment in Wickes and Toolstation and 
competitive pricing pressure in Plumbing & Heating. In General 
Merchanting, like-for-like volumes increased through strong 
growth in heavyside sales, and prices increased modestly through 
improved pass through of inflation in the second half of the year.

Quarterly like-for-like revenue analysis

Like-for-like revenue growth

General 
Merchanting 
(%)

Plumbing  
& Heating 
(%)

Contracts 
(%)

Consumer 
(%)

Group 
(%)

Q1 2016

Q2 2016

Q3 2016

Q4 2016

First half 

Second half

Full year 2016

4.7

1.1

0.6

0.3

2.9

0.5

1.7

2.2

(1.4)

(4.1)

(2.7)

0.4

(3.4)

(1.6)

2.1

3.1

5.7

9.2

2.7

7.3

5.0

7.3

6.4

6.3

5.8

6.5

6.2

6.4

4.2

2.3

2.0

2.5

3.1

2.2

2.7

27

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group like-for-like sales growth slowed through the middle of 
2016 owing to the uncertainty in the lead up to and following the 
referendum to leave the EU. Sales growth in the fourth quarter  
of the year was more encouraging.

In General Merchanting, the rate of like-for-like revenue 
growth slowed through the year, particularly with respect to 
larger customers purchasing heavyside products. In a difficult 
market, the advantage created through the light and heavyside 
distribution network provided customers with access to next-day 
availability on an extended range of products. 

The end markets of the Plumbing & Heating division remained 
difficult throughout the year with significant competitive pricing 
pressure across all businesses. Whilst the division experienced 
deflation in commodity-rich products, such as copper, steel 
and plastic tube, and boilers in the early part of the year, 
the depreciation of sterling led to import inflation and higher 
buying costs towards the end of the year.

In the Contracts division like-for-like sales momentum 
accelerated throughout 2016 as the businesses leveraged the 
formation of deeper relationships with customers and through 
utilisation of capacity in the existing CCF network freed up  
by the opening of new branches. 

Strong Consumer like-for-like sales growth continued throughout 
the year. This was driven by investments in Wickes store refits 
and the maturity of new stores opened in previous years, 
together with improvements in range and investments in the 
value proposition in Wickes and Toolstation. 

Operating profit and margin and profit before tax

Operating profit fell to £100m, a reduction of 61% (2015: £254m), 
due to exceptional and impairment charges increasing by £151m to 
£292m (2015: £141m). These charges caused profit before tax to 
fall to £73m in 2016, £151m lower than 2015  (2015: £224m).

Adjusted operating profit and margin
Adjusted operating profit reduced by 1.0% to £409m.  
Excluding property profits, adjusted operating profit increased 
by 0.8%. At a divisional level, adjusted operating profit grew 
in the General Merchanting and Consumer divisions, offset by 
a reduction in Contracts and Plumbing & Heating.

Group adjusted operating margins reduced by 30bps primarily 
owing to a reduction in property profits and a reduction in gross 
margin driven by value investment in the Consumer businesses 
and mix of category growth in the Contracts division. In General 
Merchanting, the strong gross margin performance was driven 
by good growth in tool hire and Benchmarx, together with higher 
sales price inflation on heavyside products in the second half of 
the year. 

Group operating costs were broadly flat. The operating leverage 
in both the Consumer and Contracts businesses and strong cost 
control were offset by the conversion of Plumbing & Heating 
branches to the City Plumbing Supplies format which have a 
higher cost to serve and a service oriented operating model. 

In 2016 the majority of the Group’s property profits were recognised 
in the General Merchanting division (2016: £14m; 2015: £17m)  
as old merchant sites were divested and branches were relocated to 
better sites as part of the on-going modernisation programme. 

Exceptional items
In October 2016 the Group announced that owing to the difficulty 
in predicting future demand caused by the vote for the UK to 
leave the EU, the Group had chosen to implement a number 
of efficiency programmes and branch and distribution centre 
closures to manage costs and optimise the network. As a result 
the 2016 financial statements reflect an exceptional charge of 
£57m arising from:

•  The closure of 51 branches and 10 distribution centres, £26m

•  Asset write downs, £16m

•  Redundancy, restructuring and other costs, £15m

The cash cost of the exceptional items recognised in 2016 was 
£9m. At the 31 December 2016 £33m of accruals and provisions 
were held in the balance sheet.

2015 adjusted operating margin

Change in gross margin

Margin impact of change in operating costs

Adjusted operating margin excluding change  
in property profits

Margin impact of change in property profits

2016 adjusted operating margin

General 
Merchanting 
(%)

Plumbing  
& Heating 
(%)

Contracts 
(%)

Consumer 
(%)

Group 
(%)

10.1

0.2

(0.1)

10.2

(0.2)

10.0

3.3

0.0

(0.6)

2.7

0.2

2.9

6.9

(0.7)

0.2

6.4

(0.4)

6.0

6.8

(0.7)

0.7

6.8

(0.1)

6.7

6.9

(0.2)

-

6.7

(0.1)

6.6

28

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report  
 
 
Amortisation and impairment of goodwill  
and other intangible assets 

In 2015 the Group wrote down the value of goodwill and other 
intangible assets associated with its plumbing and heating 
businesses by £140m. In the principal risks and uncertainties 
section reference was made to the continuing uncertainty in the 
plumbing and heating market.

The decision to leave the European Union, even greater 
competition in the Group’s traditional markets by online and 
fixed price merchants, further reductions in social housing spend 
by local authorities and the continued disintermediation of the 
merchant channel by certain manufacturers, have contributed 
to the Group’s view that the situation has become even more 
challenging than previously envisaged.

A new management team has been appointed to the Plumbing 
& Heating division, which has reassessed the prospects of 
each of its businesses and has determined that it is appropriate 
to further impair the carrying value of assets in the division. 
Accordingly an impairment charge of £213m has been made in 
the income statement. £189m relates to City Plumbing Supplies 
where the benefits of the 2015 restructuring have not been as 
significant as originally expected and in addition the remaining 
non-transferrable tangible and intangible assets of PTS, F & P  
and another small business have been fully impaired.

As part of its annual impairment review, the Group has 
reassessed the prospects of its tile retailing business. Whilst 
it expects it to remain profitable, competitive pressures and 
significant inflation on imported products suggest that it is 
appropriate to recognise a £19m impairment charge in respect  
of the goodwill associated with the business. A £3m impairment 
charge has been taken against the assets of bathrooms.com.

As set out in note 13, and noted in the Audit Committee report 
on page 71, after consideration by the Audit Committee and the 
Board, the Directors concluded that the expected future cash 
flows of all other businesses in the Group will be sufficient to 
support the balance sheet carrying value of goodwill and other 
intangible assets. 

The annual amortisation charge was £17m (2015: £18m).

Finance charge

Net finance charges, shown in note 9, were £28m (2015: £31m). 
Interest costs on borrowings reduced to £23.6m (2015; £24.5m), 
with increased bond coupon payments from the additional 
£300m sterling bond issued in May offset by repayment 
of $200m of US private placement senior notes and lower 
borrowings on the revolving credit facility. 

The impact of marking-to-market currency forward contracts 
used to hedge commercial transactions, which remained 
outstanding at the year-end reduced finance charges by £0.3m 
(2015: £1.2m loss). Other financing type costs were broadly 
similar to last year at £4.4m (2015: £4.6m).

The average interest rate on the Group’s borrowings during  
the year was 3.4% (2015: 3.6%).

Taxation

The underlying tax charge, excluding the benefit of the rate change 
and the effect of exceptional items and impairments, was £77m 
(2015: £72m), which represents an effective rate of 21.2% (2015: 
19.7%). This is slightly above the standard rate of corporation 
tax of 20.0% (2015: 20.25%) applicable to profits in the United 
Kingdom. The difference is mainly caused by the effect on the 
tax rate of the reduction of a deferred tax asset held in relation to 
outstanding share options caused by the reduction in the Group’s 
share price. A full reconciliation of the actual to standard tax rates 
is included in note 10 to the financial statements.

The Group has a number of unresolved disputes with 
H.M. Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”) about the tax treatment 
of several commercial transactions undertaken in previous 
years. Based on legal and tax technical advice the Group claimed 
tax benefits in its tax returns for several years and reduced its 
tax payments accordingly. HMRC have disputed the Group’s 
interpretation of the tax legislation. The Group has provided HMRC 
with all information requested and discussions have continued 
during the year in order to reach a conclusion on the differing 
interpretations. Despite the discussions it appears unlikely that the 
Group and HMRC will reach an agreed interpretation and litigation 
is a likely outcome if such agreement cannot be reached. 

During the year, following a change to tax legislation in 2015, 
the Group paid £42m to HMRC in respect of these unresolved 
disputes and offset an unrelated £10m payment on account 
against HMRC’s payment demand. Furthermore, the Group has 
retained in its balance sheet a £19m provision for unpaid tax 
on an unresolved dispute, which will only become payable if the 
dispute is resolved in HMRC’s favour.

The Group is determined to pursue the cases, but given the lack 
of agreement with HMRC at this stage in the interpretation of key 
areas, coupled with the current tax litigation environment and 
HMRC’s policy for pursuing such a route the Group has continued 
to recognise a provision for the disputed amounts. The Group has 
not recognised any potential upside in its income statement for 
the amounts paid over, which it hopes will be repaid in future. This 
is considered appropriate given the uncertainty involved in this 
process and meets the requirements of IAS 12.46 for recognition 
of a provision.

Should the Group’s filed tax positions be agreed by HMRC or the 
Group prevail in the litigation process then the tax charge  
in the group income statement in a future period will be reduced 
by the repayment of the £52m referred to above and the 
release of £19m of tax provisions for which payment cannot be 

29

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Balance sheet and cash flow

The Group continued to make solid progress towards the 
targeted financial metrics laid out in 2013. 

demanded under current legislation unless HMRC are successful. 
If after concluding all possible avenues available to the Group, 
it becomes necessary to amend the Group’s filed tax position 
then there should be no significant impact on the tax charge in 
the group income statement.

Earnings per share

Profit after taxation decreased by 91.7% to £14m with £13m 
(2015: £168m) attributable to shareholders, resulting in basic 
earnings per share decreasing by 92.5% to 5.1 pence (2015: 
67.8 pence) principally due to the effect of the £235m non-cash 
impairment charge and £57m of exceptional charges. There is no 
significant difference between basic and diluted basic earnings 
per share.

Net debt

Lease debt

Lease adjusted  
net debt

Medium 
term 
guidance

2016

2015

£378m

£447m

£1,506m

£1,443m

£1,884m

£1,890m

Adjusted profit after tax reduced by 2% to £301m (2015: £307m) 
(note 5c) with £300m attributable to shareholders (2015: £307m)
resulting in adjusted earnings per share (note 11) decreasing by 
3.0% to 120.4 pence (2015: 124.1 pence). There is no significant 
difference between adjusted basic and adjusted diluted earnings 
per share.

2016

2015

Earnings
(£m)

EPS
(pence)

Earnings
(£m)

EPS
(pence)

13

5.1

168

67.8

17

6.8

30

12.0

4

6

1.7

2.5

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

235

94.4

141

57.0

17

6.6

18

7.3

(3)

(1.2)

(3)

(1.2)

(15)

(6.1)

(8)

(3.2)

(4)

(1.4)

(9)

(3.6)

300

120.4

307

124.1

Reconciliation  
from reported to  
adjusted earnings

Basic earnings  
and EPS

Exceptional items:

   Branch closure 
programme

   Supply chain 
restructuring

   Central restructuring 
costs

   Write off of amounts 
held in current assets

   Impairment of 
acquired intangible 
assets

Amortisation  
of acquired  
intangible assets

Tax on amortisation  
of acquired  
intangible assets

Tax on  
exceptional items

Deferred tax  
rate change

Adjusted earnings  
and EPS attributable  
to shareholders

30

Lease adjusted gearing

45.3%

47.2%

Fixed charge cover

LA net debt : EBITDAR

3.5x

2.5x

3.3x

2.7x

3.3x

2.8x

The Group has set out four areas for improvement in 2013 with  
a number of clear targets:

  1.  To target fixed charge cover of 3.5x

  2.  To target LA net debt : EBITDAR of 2.5x

  3.   To increase the proportion of freehold to leasehold property

  4.   To reduce the Weighted Average Lease Expiry term of leases 

(from 10.5 years in 2013)

Good progress has been made towards achieving all of 
these targets.

Overall lease adjusted net debt decreased by £6m since 
31 December 2015. There was a reduction in on-balance 
sheet debt of £69m, primarily driven by strong working capital 
management and continued recycling of capital through the 
active property management strategy. 

Lease debt increased by £63m from the position as at 
31 December 2015. The increase in lease debt was principally  
the result of the continued optimisation of the property portfolio 
to access the best operating sites for the Group’s businesses 
whilst realising cash from non-strategic and fully developed 
or ‘dry’ properties. New leases supporting the expansion of 
Benchmarx, Wickes and Toolstation and the continued sale and 
leaseback of dry assets were the principal drivers of the increase 
in lease debt. The gross lease expense in the year increased to 
£194m (2015: £185m). The Group’s weighted average lease 
expiry term on all leases reduced to 9 years. 

Lease adjusted gearing (note 33) reduced by 1.9ppts in 2016 
to 45.3%, due to lease adjusted equity increasing as a result of 
further investment in the business. 

The lease adjusted net debt to EBITDAR ratio (note 35) reduced 
to 2.7x owing to an increase in earnings before rentals and the 
modest reduction to lease adjusted debt.

Fixed Charge Cover (note 35), despite the increase in lease  
debt, was maintained at 3.3x and will benefit as the currently 
non-operational freehold properties are commissioned over  
the coming 18 months.

The Group has an ambition to strengthen its balance sheet 
by increasing the mix of freehold to leasehold assets, and has 
invested consistently in freehold assets over the last three years. 
Within these freehold property investments there are properties 

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At 31 December 2016 the Group’s committed funding comprised:

•   £250m guaranteed notes due September 2021, listed on the 

London Stock Exchange

•  £300m guaranteed notes due September 2023, listed on the 

London Stock Exchange

•  A revolving credit facility of £550m, refinanced in December 

2015, which runs until December 2020, advanced by a 
syndicate of 8 banks

At 31 December 2016, the Group had undrawn committed 
facilities of £550m (2015: £440m) and deposited cash of 
£185m. The Group’s credit rating, issued by Standard and Poors, 
was maintained at BB+ stable during 2016. The next review is due 
in the spring of 2017.

In October 2016 the Group cancelled the interest rate swaps used 
to convert its £250m sterling bond from fixed to floating interest 
rates and received a cash settlement of £17m. This returned the 
bond to a fixed coupon of 4.375%. There was no impact on net 
debt as the balance sheet carrying value of the bond was fixed at 
£267m. This will amortise back to £250m over the remaining term 
of the bond to offset the increased interest payments incurred on 
the bond fixed coupon. This will result in an effective interest rate for 
the remaining term of the bond of 3.0% (fixed coupon: 4.375%).

The Group has a policy of funding through floating interest rate 
facilities owing to the significant implicit fixed interest charges 
within its leases. However, owing to the uncertainty surrounding 
the UK’s decision to leave the EU and historically low fixed 
interest rates achieved on its bonds it has taken a decision to 
fix all of its interest rate costs other than the rates it receives 
through drawings on its revolving credit facility which were nil as 
at 31 December 2016.

with a value of £70m which have yet to be commissioned. When 
these assets are brought into use they will further underpin future 
growth in earnings and returns.

Free cash flow

(£m)

EBITA

Depreciation of PPE and other non-cash 
movements

Disposal proceeds in excess of property 
profits

Change in working capital*

Maintenance capital expenditure

Net interest

Current income tax paid

Free cash flow

Cash conversion rate

2016

2015

409

124

25

13

(50)

(22)

(63)

436

107%

413

98

25

(96)

(55)

(20)

(48)

317

77%

*  Excludes £8m in relation to the development of cloud-based software.

The Group generated £436m of free cash flow in 2016, with  
a conversion rate of 107% to EBITA (2015: 77%).

Net working capital reduced by £13m. Trade receivables 
increased in line with expectations as more trade credit was 
extended to customers along with increased sales to larger 
contractors partially offset by improvements made in reducing 
overdue debts. Inventory was broadly flat despite both higher 
sales and an increase in the number of stores and branches, 
demonstrating very good stock control achieved through better 
management, devolved accountability and the benefits of 
investments made in distribution infrastructure allowing more 
efficient use of stock across the Group. Trade payables increased 
largely in-line with the volume of purchases.

Maintenance capital expenditure was broadly flat at £50m as  
the Group continued to maintain its branch network to a standard 
that is safe and secure for colleagues, suppliers and customers. 
Net interest payments increased by £2m.

Net debt, funding and liquidity

Net debt reduced in 2016 and finished the year at £378m 
(2015: £447m), a reduction of £69m (2015: £89m increase).

The Group’s funding arrangements were restructured in the 
first half of 2016 with the repayment of its $200m US private 
placement in January and the issue of a £300m sterling 
denominated public bond in May 2016 at a fixed coupon of 4.5%. 
Short-term bilateral bridging loans of £221m raised in early 2016 
were repaid. The length and tenor of the Group’s facilities means 
that the Group has significant liquidity headroom until 2020.

31

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report The new systems will be piloted in one of the Group’s smaller 
merchant businesses in early 2018.

Property

The Group acquired 11 (2015: 25) freehold properties for around 
£23m (2015: £77m) and invested a further £45m in construction 
work to develop new branches. The investment was financed 
through free cash flow and through the sale of properties 
that were not strategic and had no further opportunities 
for development. 

The decision to increase the level of freehold property assets  
is enabling the Group to secure attractive operating sites that 
might otherwise not be available, providing operational flexibility, 
and allowing the Group to benefit from capital appreciation 
and development upside. Many of these assets are not yet in 
operation, but provide the Group with the opportunity to grow 
earnings and improve returns as they are brought into use. In 
2016 a new trade park was opened in Bedford, co-locating a 
number of the Group’s brands in a single trade destination. 
The Group has acquired a significant number of properties over 
the last 3 years including sites for a further 7 trade parks which 
will be developed and delivered in 2017 and 2018, as well as sites 
for individual branches and stores.

The value of leasehold properties based on applying a 
valuation of 8 times the annual lease charge was £1,506m 
(2015: £1,443m), an increase resulting from the sale and 
leaseback of properties in the second half of 2015, a small 
number of site disposals in 2016 and the opening of new stores 
on leased sites, particularly in Toolstation and Wickes.

The Group continues to realise value from its property assets 
once developments have been completed, when there is 
limited strategic value in holding sites for alternative planning 
consent and where returns on capital can be improved by 
investing elsewhere. During the year property disposal proceeds 
were £54m (2015: £43m) realising gains on disposal of 
£18m (2015: £24m). 

Dividend

Following successive significant rises in the annual dividend, 
in early 2016 the Group announced that future dividend 
increases would be more in line with underlying earnings 
growth. The proposed dividend for the full year 2016 of 
45.0 pence (2015: 44.0 pence) results in a 2.3% increase 
(2015: 16% increase). An interim dividend of 15.25 pence was 
paid to shareholders in November 2016 at a cost of £38m. 
If approved, the proposed final dividend of 29.75 pence 
will be paid on 26 May 2017, the cash cost of which will be 
approximately £75m. 

Capital investments

The Group made two small acquisitions in 2016 with an 
aggregate value of £3.2m which are outlined in note 28.

Investments to provide best-in-class customer propositions and 
drive continued outperformance continued throughout 2016, with 
£187m invested in growth capex, including further investments in 
freehold properties and construction to sustain the future pipeline 
of network expansion.

(£m)

2016

2015

Extending 
leadership

New TP / Wickes / 
Toolstation / CCF / 
Benchmarx branches

Benchmarx implants / 
showrooms / Tool Hire 
implants

New Wickes /  
TP formats

41

49

Investing  
to grow

Distribution centres

30

57

Plumbing & Heating 
branch conversions

Re-engineering 
and 
infrastructure 
build

Multi-channel 
development

IT infrastructure 
upgrades

Growth capital 
investment

Freehold 
property

Maintenance

Total capital 
investment

48

28

119

68

50

237

134

104

55

293

The expansion of the Group’s branch network continued with 
new branches opened in Travis Perkins, Benchmarx, Wickes and 
Toolstation. Under the Group’s ‘Investing to grow’ plans, further 
work was completed in opening new formats in Wickes and 
Travis Perkins. 

Improving the IT infrastructure of the Group remained a key 
area of investment in 2016. Online investment in the Consumer 
division continued, with the development of Click & Collect 
services in Wickes and Toolstation now offering a one hour 
service and 20 minute service respectively, and same day 
delivery options and one-hour delivery slots from Wickes.co.uk. 
Travis Perkins now offers a fully transactional website, with 
customers able to purchase products from both the in-branch 
and extended heavyside ranges online as well as launching a 
two-hour Click & Collect service to customers with existing price 
framework agreements in October 2016. 

The Group has also been working steadily to develop the 
blueprint for new systems which will enable branches to search, 
select, order and deliver products using a modern user interface 
more rapidly and efficiently for customers. This system will also 
replace the Group’s core ledgers and stock management systems 
replacing the current systems which were implemented in 1986. 

32

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report  
 
 
 
A 45.0 pence full year dividend reduces dividend cover to 
2.7 times (2015: 2.8 times) adjusted earnings per share and 
towards the lower end of the Board’s target cover range of 
between 2.5x and 3.25x.

Return on capital

Net assets at the end of 2016 were £2,656m (2015: £2,796m), 
which contributed to capital employed of £3,136m (2015: £3,054m).

Pensions

The Group made £22m (2015: £40m) of cash contributions  
to its defined benefit schemes and £17m (2015: £14m) to  
its defined contribution pension scheme during the year.  
At 31 December 2016 the combined gross accounting deficit 
for the Group’s final salary pension schemes was £127m 
(2015: £52m), which equated to a net deficit after tax of  
£103m (2015: £42m). 

2015* 
(£m)

(84)

256

Whilst the returns during the year significantly increased the 
fair value of scheme assets, a large fall in gilt rates meant 
that the discount rate applied to liabilities reduced to 2.65% 
(2015: 3.85%) which significantly increased the value of scheme 
liabilities. Notwithstanding this, the combined net deficit of Group 
schemes was only 4.8% of shareholders’ funds.

Group capital structure at  
31 December 

Cash and cash equivalents

£250m listed sterling bond  
maturing 2021

£300m listed sterling bond  
maturing 2023

US private placement notes

Revolving credit facility

Finance leases

Liability to pension scheme

Pension fund deficits

Mark-to-market adjustments  
on borrowings

Finance charges netted off debt

Goodwill and other intangibles  
written off in 2016*

Tax on impairment of goodwill  
and intangibles

2016 
(£m)

(251)

266

300

-

-

34

35

103

-

(7)

-

-

Equity attributable to shareholders

Total balance sheet capital employed

Property operating leases (8x rentals)

Total lease adjusted capital employed

2,656

3,136

1,506

4,642

-

137

110

19

35

42

(20)

(6)

(235)

4

2,796

3,054

1,443

4,497

*  2015 capital employed has been adjusted by the impairment of goodwill and 

intangible assets made in 2016 to ensure comparability between 2016 and 2015.

Revised lease adjusted ROCE (note 36), restated to account for 
the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets principally 
in the Plumbing & Heating division, decreased to 10.9% from 
11.7%. The reduction was largely driven by on-going capital 
investment which is expected to underpin growth in returns over 
the medium and longer term, in particular the investments in 
freehold sites. A number of these sites are not yet contributing 
to earnings, but they will, pending development, as they become 
operational over the next 12 to 18 months. 

Following the actuarial valuations of both schemes, finalised at 
30 September 2014, the Group is obliged to pay recovery plan 
contributions of £10m p.a. until September 2021, and voluntarily 
agreed to pay additional contributions of £4m p.a.

Supplier income

Fixed price discounts, volume rebates, customer sales support 
and similar promotional arrangements (“Supplier Income”) are 
a common component of trading agreements in the building 
product supply industry. As part of its on-going business 
activities, the Group has entered into such arrangements with  
a significant number of its goods for resale suppliers.

Only two of the Group’s Supplier Income arrangements are not 
co-terminus with the Group’s year end, which reduces the level  
of judgement required when determining the value of income  
to be recognised in any year.

The overwhelming majority of Supplier Income, in excess of 
85% by value, is determined by reference to fixed supplier price 
discounts on actual purchases, with approximately 4% being 
volume rebates that are subject to stepped targets for actual 
purchases, the net rebate percentage increasing as values or 
volumes purchased reach pre-agreed targets. However, by the 
year-end the Group knows whether those targets were reached.

Fixed price discounts and rebates on purchases that remain in 
stock are deducted from the cost of inventory, so reducing cost of 
sales in the income statement in the period in which the inventory 
is expensed. Due to the complexity of the terms of some 
supplier arrangements and the number of products affected, 
some judgement is required to determine the amount of fixed 
price discount and rebate applicable to each product that is due 
from the supplier at the year-end and the value that should be 
deducted from the gross value of inventory held at the balance 
sheet date. The methodologies applied by the Group are well 
established and consistently applied from year-to-year.

33

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report The Group also receives customer sales support which equates 
to approximately 10% of total Supplier Income (i.e. payments 
that are made entirely at the supplier’s option, that are requested 
by the Group when a specific product is about to be sold to 
a specific customer and for which payment is only received 
after the sale has been completed). These are recognised as 
a deduction from cost of sales when the sale to the third party 
takes place and do not require any judgement to be made. 

Supplier income

Other receivables

Inventory

Trade payables

Net balance sheet position

2016 
(£m)

272

(209)

52

115

2015 
(£m)

244

(179)

51

116

Effective financial risk management

The overall aim of the Group’s financial risk management policies 
is to minimise potential adverse effects on financial performance 
and net assets. The Group manages the principal financial and 
treasury risks within a framework of policies and operating 
parameters reviewed and approved annually by the Board of 
Directors. The Group does not enter into speculative transactions.

The Group’s policy is to enter into derivative contracts only 
with members of its bank facility syndicate, provided such 
counterparties meet the minimum rating set out in the Board 
approved derivative policy.

Following the UK vote to leave the European Union, the Group 
reassessed its interest hedging policy in the light of possible 
trends for inflation and interest rates. It decided that the potential 
downside of a significant interest rate increase is now far more 
likely than any limited upside arising from rate reductions in the 
medium term. Accordingly the Group changed its strategy from 
having primarily floating rate borrowings to having fixed rate 
borrowings and as a result it cancelled interest rate swaps on its 
£250m bond and left its new £300m bond at a fixed coupon. 

At the year-end, the Group had £nil (2015: £302m) notional 
value of interest rate derivatives resulting in interest rates being 
fixed on 100% (2015: 23%) of the Group’s cleared gross debt 
(before cash and cash equivalents). 

The Group settles its currency denominated purchases using  
a combination of currency purchased at spot rates and currency 
bought in advance on forward contracts. It purchases forward 
contracts for approximately 90% of its committed requirements 
six months forward based on the firm placement of forward 
stock purchases. At 31 December 2016 the nominal value of 
currency forward contracts, all of which were $US denominated, 
was $60m (2015: $72m).

The Group is a substantial provider of credit to a large portfolio 
of small and medium size businesses throughout the UK together 
with some of the country’s largest construction companies. 
It manages its exposure to credit risk through a strong credit 
control function that works closely with the business and its 
customers to ensure the Group offers credit sufficient for 
the needs of those customers without exposing the Group to 
excessive risk. The bad debt charge in 2016 was approximately 

34

0.3% (2015: 0.4%) of credit sales, which is at the lower end of 
results previously achieved by the Group.

In summary, the key aspects of the Group’s financial risk 
management strategy are to: 

•  Run the business to investment grade credit parameters

•  Reduce the Group’s reliance on the bank market for its funding 

by having a diverse mix of funding sources with a spread 
of maturities

•  Seek to maintain a strong balance sheet

•  Place a high priority on effective cash and working 

capital management

•  Maintain liquidity headroom of over £250m and build and 

maintain good relationships with the Group’s banking syndicate

•  Manage counterparty risk by raising funds from a syndicate 
of lenders, the members of which maintain investment grade 
credit ratings

Operate banking covenants attached to the Group’s revolving 
credit facilities within comfortable margins:

•  The ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA (earnings before 

interest, tax depreciation and amortisation) has to be lower than 
3.0x; it was 0.7x (2015: 0.8x) at the year-end (note 35)

•  The number of times operating profit covers interest  

charges has to be a least 3.5x and it was approximately 20x  
at 31 December 2016 (31 December 2015: 21x)

•  Have a conservative hedging policy that reduces the Group’s 
exposure to currency fluctuations, whilst allowing it to benefit 
from low interest rates

Tax strategy and tax risk management

The Group’s objectives in managing and controlling its tax affairs 
and related tax risks are as follows:

•  Ensuring compliance with all applicable rules, legislation and 

regulations under which it operates

•  Maintaining an open and co-operative relationship with the UK 

Tax Authorities to reduce its risk profile

•   Paying the correct amount of tax as it falls due

Tax policies and risks are assessed as part of the formal 
governance process and are reviewed by the Chief Financial 
Officer and reported to the Group’s Audit Committee on a 
regular basis.

Significant tax risks, implications arising from these risks 
and potential mitigating actions are considered by the Board 
when strategic decisions are taken. In particular the tax risks 
of proposed transactions or new areas of business are fully 
considered before proceeding.

The Group employs professional tax specialists to manage 
tax risks and takes appropriate tax advice from reputable 
professional firms where it is considered to be necessary.

Following recent legislation the Group will publish its tax strategy 
on its website during 2017.

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report The Corporate Plan which is prepared annually on a rolling basis 
considers the Group’s future profitability, cash flows, liquidity 
headroom, availability of funds and covenant compliance. 

For the purposes of the viability review, the Board has performed 
a robust sensitivity analysis to stress test the downside scenario 
based upon falls in revenue and gross margin akin to those 
experienced in the 2008/2009 financial crisis and the mitigating 
actions that were adopted at that time. These were the worst 
reductions in revenue and gross margin experienced by the 
business in its long history and the mitigating actions adopted 
remain relevant now and in the near future. These mitigating 
actions include reducing costs, capital and revenue investment 
and payments to shareholders.

Based upon the assessment undertaken, the Directors confirm 
that they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be 
able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall 
due over the three year period of their assessment. 

Viability assessment

In accordance with provision C2.2 of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, published by the Financial Reporting Council 
in September 2014, the Board of Directors has undertaken an 
assessment of the viability of the Group.

As part of its deliberations the Board undertook a robust review 
of the Principal Risks and Uncertainties facing the Group, how 
they are managed and the actions that could be taken to mitigate 
their effect or avoid them altogether. The resulting disclosures, 
which include those risks that could threaten the Group’s 
business model, performance, solvency and liquidity are shown 
on pages 37 to 43 of the Annual Report. The Board believes the 
Group is well placed to manage those risks successfully.

The Board has decided that it is appropriate to assess the 
performance of the Group over a three year period from 
28 February 2017, the month end date closest to the approval of 
the 2016 annual results. Three years has been chosen because 
the Board believes that is the period of the Group’s approved 
Corporate Plan that it is reasonably possible to forecast forward 
with a degree of accuracy and because the Group is subject to 
the vagaries of the economic cycle and property market which 
cannot reasonably be forecast with certainty further than three 
years forward. Whilst the Board has no reason to believe the 
Group not will remain viable over a longer period, the inherent 
uncertainty involved, particularly in the light of the UK referendum 
vote, means three years is the most appropriate period over 
which to give users of the Annual Report a reasonable degree 
of confidence. 

35

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Connor Wylde – Travis Perkins, Tilbury Range Centre

Donald Wood – Travis Perkins, Staples Corner

Richard Wallace – CCF, Leeds

Daniel Underwood– Toolstation, Northampton

36

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report STATEMENT OF  
PRINCIPAL RISKS  
AND UNCERTAINTIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

The Group operates in markets and an industry which by  
their nature are subject to a number of inherent gross risks.  
The Group is able to mitigate those risks by adopting different 
strategies and by maintaining a strong system of internal control. 
However, regardless of the approach that is taken, the Group 
has to accept a certain level of risk in order to generate suitable 
returns for shareholders and for that reason the risk management 
process is closely aligned to the Group’s strategy.

The Board has a risk reporting framework that ensures it has 
visibility of the Group’s key risks, the potential impacts on the 
Group and how and to what extent those risks are mitigated.  
As part of its risk management process, the principal risks stated 
in the Group’s risk register are reviewed, challenged and updated 
by the Board and monitored throughout the year. Each operating 
business within the Group monitors a separate risk register. 
This risk register is used to determine strategies adopted by the 
Group’s various businesses to mitigate the identified risks and 
these are embedded in their operating plans.

Details of the Group’s risk management processes are given in the 
Corporate Governance report on page 65.

In common with most large organisations the Group is subject 
to general commercial risks; for example, political and economic 
developments, changes in the cost of goods for resale, increased 
competition in its markets and the threat of emerging and 
disruptive competitors, material failures in the supply chain, failure 
to secure supply of goods for resale on competitive terms,  
cyber-security breaches and failure of the IT infrastructure.

The risk environment in which the Group operates does not 
remain static. The nature of risk is that its scope and potential 
impact will change over time. As such the list on pages 38 to 
43 should not be regarded as a comprehensive statement of all 
potential risks and uncertainties that may manifest themselves 
in the future. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not 
presently known to the Directors, or which they currently deem 
immaterial, could also have an adverse effect on the Group’s 
future operating results, financial condition or prospects.

The table on pages 38 to 43 sets out, in no particular order, the 
current principal risks that are considered by the Board to be 
material, their potential impacts and the factors that mitigate 
them. The inherent risk (before the operation of control) is stated 
for each risk area together with an indication of the current trend  
for that risk.

37

Daniel Underwood– Toolstation, Northampton

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Inherent Risk, Level and Trend

Risk Description

Impact

Risk Mitigation

Market Conditions

Inherent Risk: l l l

Trend: ▲

Competitive pressures place 
pressure on prices, margins  
and profitability

Inherent Risk: l l l

Trend: 

The Group’s products are sold to businesses, tradesmen and retail customers for a broad 
range of end uses in the built environment. The Group’s markets are cyclical in nature and 
the performance of those markets is affected by general economic conditions and a number 
of specific drivers of construction, RMI and DIY activity, including mortgage availability and 
affordability, housing transactions and the timing and nature of government activity to stimulate 
activity, net disposable income, house price inflation, consumer confidence, interest rates 
and unemployment.

A significant downturn in economic conditions or alternatively major uncertainty about 
the future outlook could affect the Group’s markets levels of construction activity and the 
confidence levels of the Group’s customers, which could reduce their propensity to purchase 
products and services from the Group’s businesses.

Market trends, particularly in respect of customers’ preferences for purchasing materials 
through a range of supply channels and not just through the Group’s traditional competitors 
may affect the Group’s performance so making traditional branch based operations less 
relevant or profitable.

Increased price transparency could cause customers to perceive that the Group is less 
competitive than some other competitors.

Public sector buying groups could reduce sales if public bodies choose to buy direct from 
manufacturers. Disintermediation may become more of a threat if manufacturers decide  
to deal directly with end users.

The Group faces the risk of new entrants to any of its markets, including from businesses 
currently operating outside its industry or only in overseas markets.

Information technology  
capabilities impact the Group’s  
ability to trade profitably

Inherent Risk: l l

Trend: ▲

The Group depends on a wide range of complex IT systems, both in terms of the availability  
of hardware and the efficient and effective operation of software.

The rapid expansion of the Group together with an increasing demand for IT services, 
particularly as the Group embraces modern platforms such as multi-channel, updates its 
point of sale systems and develops its supply chain capabilities, could result in development 
programmes being delayed or new IT systems and change management systems not being 
successfully implemented.

Should a system become unavailable for an extended period either through deliberate act  
or through accidental failure it could impact the business’ ability to trade.

Incidents of sophisticated cyber-crime represent a significant and increasing threat to all 
businesses including the Group. A major breach of system security could result in system 
disruption to systems and / or the theft and misuse of confidential data with consequential 
impacts on the Group’s reputation or ability to trade.

Inherent risk: High ••• Medium •• Low • 

Trend: Increasing 

 Static 

 Reducing 

38

Adverse effect on financial results.

The Board conducts an annual review of strategy, which includes an assessment of likely 

competitor activity, market forecasts and possible future trends in products, channels of 

distribution and customer behaviour.

Adverse effect on financial results.

Changes to market practice are tracked on an on-going basis and reported to the Board  

The Group maintains a comprehensive tracking system for lead indicators that influence the 

market for the consumption of building materials in the UK.

Significant events including those in the supply chain that may affect the Group are monitored 

by the Executive Committee and reported to the Board monthly by the Group CEO. 

Should market conditions deteriorate then the Board has a range of options dependent upon 

the severity of the change. Historically these have included amending the Group’s trading 

stance, cost reduction, lowering capital investment and cutting the dividend.

each month.

that best suit their needs.

ensure they remain competitive.

The Group is building multi-channel capabilities that complement its existing operations  

and provide its customers with the opportunity to transact with the Group through channels 

Pricing strategies across the Group are regularly reviewed and where necessary refined to 

The development of new, innovative and competitive supply solutions is a key strength  

of the Group. It works closely with customers and suppliers on a programme of continuous 

improvement designed to improve its customer proposition.

The Group’s strategy allows it to use sites flexibly. Alternative space utilisation models 

are possible, including maintaining smaller stores and implanting additional services into 

existing branches.

Plans that require continual investment in the IT infrastructure have been approved and are 

being implemented. Maintenance is undertaken on an on-going basis to ensure the resilience 

of Group systems, with escalation procedures operating to ensure any performance issues are 

resolved at an early stage. 

The Group’s two data centres mirror each other with data processing capable of being 

switched from one site to the other. An IT disaster recovery plan exists together with a 

business continuity plan. Arrangements are in place for alternative data sites for both trade 

and consumer businesses. Off-site back-up routines are in place.

The Group has a data security committee responsible for monitoring and maintaining cyber 

security. In addition a programme of risk oriented reviews is undertaken to ensure the level  

of control around IT systems remains robust.

The Group has a team in place to deliver a comprehensive security architecture to protect it 

from cyber crime. Investments in best of breed solutions have been made that continually 

adapt to mitigate the risk associated with the most advanced threats. Furthermore, the 

Information Security team has the full support of senior management acting as an important 

gateway to ensure the development of new systems is performed according to industry 

standard security practices.

Adverse effect on financial results.

The strategic demands of the business, the resources available to IT, the performance levels 

of key systems and IT security are kept under review by the Executive Committee. 

Adverse effect on the Company’s 

reputation.

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Market Conditions

Inherent Risk: l l l

Trend: ▲

Competitive pressures place 

pressure on prices, margins  

and profitability

Inherent Risk: l l l

Trend: 

ability to trade profitably

Inherent Risk: l l

Trend: ▲

The Group’s products are sold to businesses, tradesmen and retail customers for a broad 

range of end uses in the built environment. The Group’s markets are cyclical in nature and 

the performance of those markets is affected by general economic conditions and a number 

of specific drivers of construction, RMI and DIY activity, including mortgage availability and 

affordability, housing transactions and the timing and nature of government activity to stimulate 

activity, net disposable income, house price inflation, consumer confidence, interest rates 

and unemployment.

A significant downturn in economic conditions or alternatively major uncertainty about 

the future outlook could affect the Group’s markets levels of construction activity and the 

confidence levels of the Group’s customers, which could reduce their propensity to purchase 

products and services from the Group’s businesses.

Market trends, particularly in respect of customers’ preferences for purchasing materials 

through a range of supply channels and not just through the Group’s traditional competitors 

may affect the Group’s performance so making traditional branch based operations less 

relevant or profitable.

Increased price transparency could cause customers to perceive that the Group is less 

competitive than some other competitors.

Public sector buying groups could reduce sales if public bodies choose to buy direct from 

manufacturers. Disintermediation may become more of a threat if manufacturers decide  

to deal directly with end users.

The Group faces the risk of new entrants to any of its markets, including from businesses 

currently operating outside its industry or only in overseas markets.

The rapid expansion of the Group together with an increasing demand for IT services, 

particularly as the Group embraces modern platforms such as multi-channel, updates its 

point of sale systems and develops its supply chain capabilities, could result in development 

programmes being delayed or new IT systems and change management systems not being 

successfully implemented.

Should a system become unavailable for an extended period either through deliberate act  

or through accidental failure it could impact the business’ ability to trade.

Incidents of sophisticated cyber-crime represent a significant and increasing threat to all 

businesses including the Group. A major breach of system security could result in system 

disruption to systems and / or the theft and misuse of confidential data with consequential 

impacts on the Group’s reputation or ability to trade.

Inherent Risk, Level and Trend

Risk Description

Impact

Risk Mitigation

Adverse effect on financial results.

The Board conducts an annual review of strategy, which includes an assessment of likely 
competitor activity, market forecasts and possible future trends in products, channels of 
distribution and customer behaviour.

The Group maintains a comprehensive tracking system for lead indicators that influence the 
market for the consumption of building materials in the UK.

Significant events including those in the supply chain that may affect the Group are monitored 
by the Executive Committee and reported to the Board monthly by the Group CEO. 

Should market conditions deteriorate then the Board has a range of options dependent upon 
the severity of the change. Historically these have included amending the Group’s trading 
stance, cost reduction, lowering capital investment and cutting the dividend.

Adverse effect on financial results.

Changes to market practice are tracked on an on-going basis and reported to the Board  
each month.

Information technology  

The Group depends on a wide range of complex IT systems, both in terms of the availability  

capabilities impact the Group’s  

of hardware and the efficient and effective operation of software.

Adverse effect on financial results.

Adverse effect on the Company’s 
reputation.

The Group is building multi-channel capabilities that complement its existing operations  
and provide its customers with the opportunity to transact with the Group through channels 
that best suit their needs.

Pricing strategies across the Group are regularly reviewed and where necessary refined to 
ensure they remain competitive.

The development of new, innovative and competitive supply solutions is a key strength  
of the Group. It works closely with customers and suppliers on a programme of continuous 
improvement designed to improve its customer proposition.

The Group’s strategy allows it to use sites flexibly. Alternative space utilisation models 
are possible, including maintaining smaller stores and implanting additional services into 
existing branches.

The strategic demands of the business, the resources available to IT, the performance levels 
of key systems and IT security are kept under review by the Executive Committee. 

Plans that require continual investment in the IT infrastructure have been approved and are 
being implemented. Maintenance is undertaken on an on-going basis to ensure the resilience 
of Group systems, with escalation procedures operating to ensure any performance issues are 
resolved at an early stage. 

The Group’s two data centres mirror each other with data processing capable of being 
switched from one site to the other. An IT disaster recovery plan exists together with a 
business continuity plan. Arrangements are in place for alternative data sites for both trade 
and consumer businesses. Off-site back-up routines are in place.

The Group has a data security committee responsible for monitoring and maintaining cyber 
security. In addition a programme of risk oriented reviews is undertaken to ensure the level  
of control around IT systems remains robust.

The Group has a team in place to deliver a comprehensive security architecture to protect it 
from cyber crime. Investments in best of breed solutions have been made that continually 
adapt to mitigate the risk associated with the most advanced threats. Furthermore, the 
Information Security team has the full support of senior management acting as an important 
gateway to ensure the development of new systems is performed according to industry 
standard security practices.

39

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Inherent Risk, Level and Trend

Risk Description

Impact

Risk Mitigation

Colleague recruitment,  
retention and succession plans  
do not deliver the required skills 
and experience

Inherent Risk: l

Trend: 

The ability to recruit, retain and motivate suitably qualified staff is an important driver of  
the Group’s overall performance. 

The strength of the Group’s customer proposition is underpinned by the quality of people 
working throughout the Group. Many of them have worked for Travis Perkins for some 
considerable time, during which they have gained valuable knowledge and expertise. 

The Group faces competition for the best people from other organisations. Ensuring the 
retention and proper development of employees and succession for key positions is important 
if the Group is not to suffer an adverse effect on future prospects.

Supplier dependency could result 
in shortages of product

Inherent Risk: l l

Trend: 

The Group is the largest customer to many of its suppliers. In some cases, those suppliers  
are large enough to cause significant supply difficulties to the Group if they are unable to meet 
their supply obligations due to either economic or operational factors. 

Alternative sourcing may be available, but the volumes required and the time it may take 
those suppliers to increase production could result in significant stock-outs for some 
considerable time.

The Group has become more reliant on overseas factories producing products as the Group 
has rapidly expanded its direct sourcing capabilities. This has increased the Group’s exposure 
to sourcing, quality, trading, warranty and currency issues.

There is a potential for European anti-dumping legislation to be extended to encompass 
further Asian countries which could increase the cost of some imported products.

Defined benefit pension 
scheme funding could increase 
significantly

The Group is required by law to maintain a minimum funding level in relation to its on-going 
obligations to provide current and future pensions for members of its defined benefit 
pension schemes. 

Adverse effect on  

financial condition.

Inherent Risk: l l

Trend: 

The level of contributions required from the Group to meet the benefits promised in the  
final salary schemes will vary depending upon the funding position of those schemes.

The funding of pension obligations could increase significantly due to a number of factors 
including poor performance of the pension fund investments, falling corporate bond and  
gilt yields and increasing longevity of pension scheme members.

Future expansion plans are  
not implemented due to the 
unavailability of funding or do 
not achieve the desired sales and 
profit improvements

Inherent Risk: l

Trend: 

The Group’s strategic plans are predicated on the continued expansion of its UK branch 
network and the development of its supply chain capabilities. 

Large scale acquisitions in existing UK markets are unlikely due to the Group’s size and the 
potential concerns of the competition authorities to ensure competitive markets. Therefore 
the Group will rely on developing smaller scale opportunities, in new catchment areas or in 
new formats within existing sites or on expanding into adjacent markets in which it does not 
have a presence.

The Group also needs to ensure that funding is available to support its plans. The Group 
has been reliant on the banking market for funding, a market that has contracted in recent 
years and which may continue to contract in the future. It has an established bond issuance 
capability, but the availability of funds from that market at a sensible cost may depend upon 
the Group’s rating which can be affected by its trading performance.

Inherent risk: High ••• Medium •• Low • 

Trend: Increasing 

 Static 

 Reducing 

40

Inability to develop and  

execute development  

and succession plans.

The Group’s employment policies and practices are kept under regular review.

Staff engagement and turnover by job type is reported to the Executive Committee regularly 

and to the Board regularly. Succession plans are established for the most senior positions 

Competitive disadvantage.

within the Group and these are reviewed annually.

The Group’s reward and recognition systems are actively managed to ensure high levels of 

employee engagement.

A wide range of training programmes are in place to encourage staff development, whilst 

management development programmes are available to those identified for more senior positions.

Salaries and other benefits are benchmarked regularly to ensure that the Group remains 

competitive and the Group operates incentive structures to ensure that high performing 

colleagues are adequately rewarded and retained.

Adverse effect on  

financial results.

The commercial and financial teams have established strong relationships with the Group’s 

key suppliers and work closely with them to ensure the continuity of quality materials.

Adverse effect on reputation.

To spread the risk where possible contracts exist with more than one supplier for key products. 

The Group has made a significant investment in its Far East infrastructure to support its direct 

sourcing operation which allows the development of own brand products, thereby reducing the 

reliance on branded suppliers.

Comprehensive checks are undertaken on the factories producing products and the quality 

and the suitability of that product before it is shipped to the UK.

Adverse effect on  

financial results.

Responsibility for identifying and implementing opportunities to expand the Group’s operations 

rests with each of the divisional boards, with capital being deployed to those projects giving the 

best return on capital.

All of the Group’s final salary pension schemes are closed to new members.

For the Travis Perkins scheme, pensionable salary inflation has been capped at 3% per annum.

The schemes’ investment policies are kept under regular review by the trustees in conjunction 

with the Group to ensure asset portfolios produce the desired level of return within an 

acceptable risk profile.

The Group has agreed deficit reduction payment plans for each of its defined benefit pension 

schemes with the Trustees of the schemes. The repayment plans will remain in place until the 

next actuarial valuation, when in conjunction with the Scheme Trustees they will be reassessed 

to take into account the circumstances at the time. 

In 2015 the Group agreed with the Trustees to align future member contributions more closely 

to the cost of the accrual and in so doing capping the current service contribution of the  

Group. Notwithstanding this, the Group remains exposed to movements in member longevity, 

the value of pension scheme investments and falling corporate bond and gilt rates.

The Group has identified a significant number of opportunities for expansion throughout 

the United Kingdom and continues to develop alternative trading formats that will open up 

additional opportunities in future.

The Group continues to invest in its leading supply chain infrastructure. Its capabilities in this 

area allow it to source directly from manufacturers, offer superior availability to customers 

and operate cost efficient mechanisms to deliver products to customers when they most 

need them.

It is the responsibility of the treasury function to manage the Group’s liquidity, funding 

availability and treasury risk by reference to the policies and plans set out in the board 

approved funding strategy.

Regular reporting of a series of key metrics is designed to monitor treasury activities  

and maintain opportunities to diversify sources and access suitable funding.

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Colleague recruitment,  

The ability to recruit, retain and motivate suitably qualified staff is an important driver of  

retention and succession plans  

the Group’s overall performance. 

do not deliver the required skills 

and experience

Inherent Risk: l

Trend: 

The strength of the Group’s customer proposition is underpinned by the quality of people 

working throughout the Group. Many of them have worked for Travis Perkins for some 

considerable time, during which they have gained valuable knowledge and expertise. 

The Group faces competition for the best people from other organisations. Ensuring the 

retention and proper development of employees and succession for key positions is important 

if the Group is not to suffer an adverse effect on future prospects.

Inherent Risk: l l

Trend: 

Alternative sourcing may be available, but the volumes required and the time it may take 

those suppliers to increase production could result in significant stock-outs for some 

considerable time.

The Group has become more reliant on overseas factories producing products as the Group 

has rapidly expanded its direct sourcing capabilities. This has increased the Group’s exposure 

to sourcing, quality, trading, warranty and currency issues.

There is a potential for European anti-dumping legislation to be extended to encompass 

further Asian countries which could increase the cost of some imported products.

significantly

Inherent Risk: l l

Trend: 

pension schemes. 

The level of contributions required from the Group to meet the benefits promised in the  

final salary schemes will vary depending upon the funding position of those schemes.

The funding of pension obligations could increase significantly due to a number of factors 

including poor performance of the pension fund investments, falling corporate bond and  

gilt yields and increasing longevity of pension scheme members.

Future expansion plans are  

not implemented due to the 

unavailability of funding or do 

not achieve the desired sales and 

profit improvements

Inherent Risk: l

Trend: 

The Group’s strategic plans are predicated on the continued expansion of its UK branch 

network and the development of its supply chain capabilities. 

Large scale acquisitions in existing UK markets are unlikely due to the Group’s size and the 

potential concerns of the competition authorities to ensure competitive markets. Therefore 

the Group will rely on developing smaller scale opportunities, in new catchment areas or in 

new formats within existing sites or on expanding into adjacent markets in which it does not 

have a presence.

The Group also needs to ensure that funding is available to support its plans. The Group 

has been reliant on the banking market for funding, a market that has contracted in recent 

years and which may continue to contract in the future. It has an established bond issuance 

capability, but the availability of funds from that market at a sensible cost may depend upon 

the Group’s rating which can be affected by its trading performance.

Inherent Risk, Level and Trend

Risk Description

Impact

Risk Mitigation

Supplier dependency could result 

The Group is the largest customer to many of its suppliers. In some cases, those suppliers  

in shortages of product

are large enough to cause significant supply difficulties to the Group if they are unable to meet 

their supply obligations due to either economic or operational factors. 

Adverse effect on  
financial results.

The commercial and financial teams have established strong relationships with the Group’s 
key suppliers and work closely with them to ensure the continuity of quality materials.

Adverse effect on reputation.

To spread the risk where possible contracts exist with more than one supplier for key products. 

Inability to develop and  
execute development  
and succession plans.

Competitive disadvantage.

The Group’s employment policies and practices are kept under regular review.

Staff engagement and turnover by job type is reported to the Executive Committee regularly 
and to the Board regularly. Succession plans are established for the most senior positions 
within the Group and these are reviewed annually.

The Group’s reward and recognition systems are actively managed to ensure high levels of 
employee engagement.

A wide range of training programmes are in place to encourage staff development, whilst 
management development programmes are available to those identified for more senior positions.

Salaries and other benefits are benchmarked regularly to ensure that the Group remains 
competitive and the Group operates incentive structures to ensure that high performing 
colleagues are adequately rewarded and retained.

Defined benefit pension 

The Group is required by law to maintain a minimum funding level in relation to its on-going 

scheme funding could increase 

obligations to provide current and future pensions for members of its defined benefit 

Adverse effect on  
financial condition.

The Group has made a significant investment in its Far East infrastructure to support its direct 
sourcing operation which allows the development of own brand products, thereby reducing the 
reliance on branded suppliers.

Comprehensive checks are undertaken on the factories producing products and the quality 
and the suitability of that product before it is shipped to the UK.

All of the Group’s final salary pension schemes are closed to new members.

For the Travis Perkins scheme, pensionable salary inflation has been capped at 3% per annum.

The schemes’ investment policies are kept under regular review by the trustees in conjunction 
with the Group to ensure asset portfolios produce the desired level of return within an 
acceptable risk profile.

The Group has agreed deficit reduction payment plans for each of its defined benefit pension 
schemes with the Trustees of the schemes. The repayment plans will remain in place until the 
next actuarial valuation, when in conjunction with the Scheme Trustees they will be reassessed 
to take into account the circumstances at the time. 

In 2015 the Group agreed with the Trustees to align future member contributions more closely 
to the cost of the accrual and in so doing capping the current service contribution of the  
Group. Notwithstanding this, the Group remains exposed to movements in member longevity, 
the value of pension scheme investments and falling corporate bond and gilt rates.

Adverse effect on  
financial results.

Responsibility for identifying and implementing opportunities to expand the Group’s operations 
rests with each of the divisional boards, with capital being deployed to those projects giving the 
best return on capital.

The Group has identified a significant number of opportunities for expansion throughout 
the United Kingdom and continues to develop alternative trading formats that will open up 
additional opportunities in future.

The Group continues to invest in its leading supply chain infrastructure. Its capabilities in this 
area allow it to source directly from manufacturers, offer superior availability to customers 
and operate cost efficient mechanisms to deliver products to customers when they most 
need them.

It is the responsibility of the treasury function to manage the Group’s liquidity, funding 
availability and treasury risk by reference to the policies and plans set out in the board 
approved funding strategy.

Regular reporting of a series of key metrics is designed to monitor treasury activities  
and maintain opportunities to diversify sources and access suitable funding.

41

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Inherent Risk, Level and Trend

Risk Description

Impact

Risk Mitigation

Business transformation projects 
fail to deliver the expected 
benefits, cost more or take longer 
to implement than expected

The Group is undertaking a large number of strategic projects throughout its business. 
These projects are intended to transform the Group’s infrastructure and its information 
technology systems and to develop its supply chain operations and its branch and 
store networks. 

Inherent Risk: l l

Trend: 

By their nature, strategic projects are often complicated, interlinked and require considerable 
resource to deliver them. As a result the expected benefits and the costs of implementation  
of each project may deviate from those anticipated at their outset.

Plumbing & Heating business 
performance adversely affects 
Group returns

The market supplying boilers to large contract customers, served by the PTS business,  
is highly competitive, offers low margins and certain manufacturers exercise a degree of 
control through disintermediation.

Adverse effect on  

financial results.

Adverse effect on  

financial results.

All potentially significant projects are subject to detailed investigation, assessment and 

approval prior to commencement.

Inherent Risk: l l l

Trend: ▲

Competition in the plumbing and heating (“P&H”) markets remains intense, with margins being 
adversely affected and is likely to continue to be so for the foreseeable future.

The provision of plumbing and heating product to the secondary P&H market, which is 
undertaken by F & P, is becoming increasingly competitive.

Low margins, pressure on sales and a high fixed cost base mean the Plumbing and Heating 
business’ profit could be more muted than some of the Group’s other businesses.

UKs decision to leave  
the European Union

Inherent Risk: l l l

Trend: ▲

The result of the UK vote to leave the European Union has caused considerable market 
uncertainty, which has resulted in a significant weakening of sterling against the US dollar  
and the Euro, the main currencies used by the Group for imported goods.

The effect on the Group’s operations is unlikely to become clear until full details emerge about 
how the UK will seek to engineer its exit from the EU and the EU responds.

Legislation

Inherent Risk: l l

Trend: 

The Group is subject to a broad range of existing and evolving governance, environmental, 
health and safety and other laws, regulations, standards and best practices which affect the 
way the Group operates and give rise to significant compliance costs, potential legal liability 
exposure and potential limitations on the development of the Group’s operations.

Corporation tax

Inherent Risk: l

Trend: 

The Group has a number of unresolved disputes with HMRC about the tax treatment of several 
commercial transactions undertaken in previous years. Based on legal and tax technical advice 
the Group claimed £72m of tax benefits in its tax returns over several years and reduced 
its tax payments accordingly, although following a change in legislation in 2015, the Group 
subsequently paid HMRC £52m of the amount withheld. HMRC have disputed the Group’s 
interpretation of the tax legislation.

Whilst the Group believes it has acted appropriately when submitting its tax returns, HMRC has 
the power to levy penalties in circumstances where it believes a taxpayer has been negligent.

Inherent risk: High ••• Medium •• Low • 

Trend: Increasing 

 Static 

 Reducing 

42

Adverse effect on  

financial results.

It is too early to determine the effect of the decision to leave, but the Board is closely 

monitoring market conditions and will react accordingly.

Dedicated teams are allocated to each project, with additional expertise being brought into the 

Group to supplement existing resource when necessary.

All strategic projects are closely monitored by the Executive Committee with regular reporting 

to the Board.

A new management team has been appointed to the Plumbing & Heating division, which is 

conducting a fundamental review of all P&H businesses and activities. It is due to report its 

findings in August 2017, but in the meantime greater focus is being placed on developing 

the customer proposition ensuring there is a renewed focus on serving existing customers 

well, tight management of operating costs and capital expenditure and ensuring the basics of 

ranging and pricing are carefully managed.

Projects are underway to tailor branch processes in the PTS business to better meet the  

needs of contracting customers and improve the customer offer which should drive an 

increase in sales.

The branch network of the F & P / Primaflow business is going through a major rationalisation 

programme to better meet the needs of customers, whilst reducing costs.

The Board has already taken steps to reduce some costs, but is carefully balancing the current 

needs of the business against what may or may not occur in the future. 

The Group continues to invest in the business where those investments are expected to 

realise acceptable returns, but it is prepared to reduce activity levels should market conditions 

so dictate.

Where the cost of goods increases due to the exchange rate deteriorating, the Group will seek 

to pass those price increases through to its customers, but its ability to do so will depend upon 

market conditions at the time.

The Group’s legal team is responsible for monitoring changes to laws and regulations that 

affect the business.

The Group has policies in place that set out the ways employees and suppliers are expected 

to conduct themselves. Those expectations are widely disseminated using a range of 

methodologies to ensure colleagues and suppliers understand their responsibilities to comply 

with the law and other regulations affecting the Company at all times.

The Board and the Executive Committee regularly monitor compliance with laws and regulations.

The Group operates a whistleblowing process that allows the anonymous reporting of 

noncompliance with health and safety, environmental, bribery and other laws and regulations.

Given the lack of agreement with HMRC about the interpretation of key areas of the disputed 

transactions, coupled with the current tax litigation environment and HMRC’s policy for pursuing such 

a route the Group has recognised a £20m provision for the disputed amounts claimed by HMRC and 

has not recognised any benefit in its income statement for the £52m tax legislation required it to pay 

to HMRC in respect of the disputed amounts, which it hopes will be repaid in future.

The Group has a governance structure that requires specialist third party technical advice 

to be obtained on significant tax treatments before the Board of Directors agrees to the tax 

position to be adopted by the Group. Accordingly, it does not believe that its actions can be 

considered negligent and therefore should the Group’s views ultimately not prevail it does not 

believe HMRC will have any basis for levying penalties or additional assessments.

In the event that the Group’s view does not prevail, interest will be payable on previously unpaid 

amounts. Given the current uncertainty interest has been fully accrued in the financial statements.

Adverse effect on the 

Company’s reputation.

Adverse effect on  

branch operations. 

Adverse effect on  

financial performance. 

Adverse effect on the  

Company’s reputation. 

Adverse effect on  

financial performance.

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Inherent Risk, Level and Trend

Risk Description

Impact

Risk Mitigation

Business transformation projects 

The Group is undertaking a large number of strategic projects throughout its business. 

fail to deliver the expected 

These projects are intended to transform the Group’s infrastructure and its information 

benefits, cost more or take longer 

technology systems and to develop its supply chain operations and its branch and 

to implement than expected

store networks. 

Inherent Risk: l l

Trend: 

By their nature, strategic projects are often complicated, interlinked and require considerable 

resource to deliver them. As a result the expected benefits and the costs of implementation  

of each project may deviate from those anticipated at their outset.

Plumbing & Heating business 

performance adversely affects 

The market supplying boilers to large contract customers, served by the PTS business,  

is highly competitive, offers low margins and certain manufacturers exercise a degree of 

Group returns

control through disintermediation.

Inherent Risk: l l l

Competition in the plumbing and heating (“P&H”) markets remains intense, with margins being 

Trend: ▲

adversely affected and is likely to continue to be so for the foreseeable future.

The provision of plumbing and heating product to the secondary P&H market, which is 

undertaken by F & P, is becoming increasingly competitive.

Low margins, pressure on sales and a high fixed cost base mean the Plumbing and Heating 

business’ profit could be more muted than some of the Group’s other businesses.

UKs decision to leave  

the European Union

Inherent Risk: l l l

Trend: ▲

The result of the UK vote to leave the European Union has caused considerable market 

uncertainty, which has resulted in a significant weakening of sterling against the US dollar  

and the Euro, the main currencies used by the Group for imported goods.

The effect on the Group’s operations is unlikely to become clear until full details emerge about 

how the UK will seek to engineer its exit from the EU and the EU responds.

Legislation

Inherent Risk: l l

Trend: 

The Group is subject to a broad range of existing and evolving governance, environmental, 

health and safety and other laws, regulations, standards and best practices which affect the 

way the Group operates and give rise to significant compliance costs, potential legal liability 

exposure and potential limitations on the development of the Group’s operations.

Corporation tax

Inherent Risk: l

Trend: 

The Group has a number of unresolved disputes with HMRC about the tax treatment of several 

commercial transactions undertaken in previous years. Based on legal and tax technical advice 

the Group claimed £72m of tax benefits in its tax returns over several years and reduced 

its tax payments accordingly, although following a change in legislation in 2015, the Group 

subsequently paid HMRC £52m of the amount withheld. HMRC have disputed the Group’s 

interpretation of the tax legislation.

Whilst the Group believes it has acted appropriately when submitting its tax returns, HMRC has 

the power to levy penalties in circumstances where it believes a taxpayer has been negligent.

Adverse effect on  
financial results.

All potentially significant projects are subject to detailed investigation, assessment and 
approval prior to commencement.

Adverse effect on  
financial results.

Dedicated teams are allocated to each project, with additional expertise being brought into the 
Group to supplement existing resource when necessary.

All strategic projects are closely monitored by the Executive Committee with regular reporting 
to the Board.

A new management team has been appointed to the Plumbing & Heating division, which is 
conducting a fundamental review of all P&H businesses and activities. It is due to report its 
findings in August 2017, but in the meantime greater focus is being placed on developing 
the customer proposition ensuring there is a renewed focus on serving existing customers 
well, tight management of operating costs and capital expenditure and ensuring the basics of 
ranging and pricing are carefully managed.

Projects are underway to tailor branch processes in the PTS business to better meet the  
needs of contracting customers and improve the customer offer which should drive an 
increase in sales.

The branch network of the F & P / Primaflow business is going through a major rationalisation 
programme to better meet the needs of customers, whilst reducing costs.

Adverse effect on  
financial results.

It is too early to determine the effect of the decision to leave, but the Board is closely 
monitoring market conditions and will react accordingly.

Adverse effect on the 
Company’s reputation.

Adverse effect on  
branch operations. 

Adverse effect on  
financial performance. 

Adverse effect on the  
Company’s reputation. 

Adverse effect on  
financial performance.

The Board has already taken steps to reduce some costs, but is carefully balancing the current 
needs of the business against what may or may not occur in the future. 

The Group continues to invest in the business where those investments are expected to 
realise acceptable returns, but it is prepared to reduce activity levels should market conditions 
so dictate.

Where the cost of goods increases due to the exchange rate deteriorating, the Group will seek 
to pass those price increases through to its customers, but its ability to do so will depend upon 
market conditions at the time.

The Group’s legal team is responsible for monitoring changes to laws and regulations that 
affect the business.

The Group has policies in place that set out the ways employees and suppliers are expected 
to conduct themselves. Those expectations are widely disseminated using a range of 
methodologies to ensure colleagues and suppliers understand their responsibilities to comply 
with the law and other regulations affecting the Company at all times.

The Board and the Executive Committee regularly monitor compliance with laws and regulations.

The Group operates a whistleblowing process that allows the anonymous reporting of 
noncompliance with health and safety, environmental, bribery and other laws and regulations.

Given the lack of agreement with HMRC about the interpretation of key areas of the disputed 
transactions, coupled with the current tax litigation environment and HMRC’s policy for pursuing such 
a route the Group has recognised a £20m provision for the disputed amounts claimed by HMRC and 
has not recognised any benefit in its income statement for the £52m tax legislation required it to pay 
to HMRC in respect of the disputed amounts, which it hopes will be repaid in future.

The Group has a governance structure that requires specialist third party technical advice 
to be obtained on significant tax treatments before the Board of Directors agrees to the tax 
position to be adopted by the Group. Accordingly, it does not believe that its actions can be 
considered negligent and therefore should the Group’s views ultimately not prevail it does not 
believe HMRC will have any basis for levying penalties or additional assessments.

In the event that the Group’s view does not prevail, interest will be payable on previously unpaid 
amounts. Given the current uncertainty interest has been fully accrued in the financial statements.

43

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016

Strategic Report 

Brendan Cowlam – BSS, Leeds

44

 
Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016

Strategic Report 

CAPTURING THE WAY 
THINGS ARE DONE 
AROUND HERE

S

i

t
r
a
t
e
g
c
R
e
p
o
r
t

The success of the Group is built upon the hard work and dedication of 
thousands of people that work in its branches, stores, warehouses and offices. 
Therefore, it is critically important that the Group is able to attract, develop  
and retain the best people to work in its different businesses. 

Attracting the right people
The Group takes great strides to ensure it attracts the  
right people to work for it. Its efforts have been recognised 
by a number of external parties. In particular the Group 
was recognised:

•  As a Top Employer for the 8th year running and this year  

was noted as one of the top 5 of all entrants

•  In the top 25 UK companies in LinkedIn’s first-ever 

 ‘Top Attractors’ list

During 2016 innovation, technology advances and new people 
initiatives commenced that will enable the Group to remain agile, 
increase productivity and enable colleagues to keep providing 
excellent customer service.

The Group continued the programme to modernise its core 
business systems. This project will deliver a digital transformation 
programme aimed at helping colleagues serve customers better. 

It will also make it easier for the Group to attract and retain people 
because of leading edge systems and processes. 

The Group has launched a programme to support the future 
growth of the business and its people through implementing 
next generation Payroll and HR services and software. The 
programme is focusing on doing things more simply, quickly and 
effectively whilst ensuring the Group is meeting the aspirations 
of its Cornerstones. By providing an efficient ‘one stop shop’ for 
HR related tasks, colleagues and managers will have more time to 
focus on the Group’s customers and core business activities.

Being at the forefront of finding innovative solutions to the 
problems its customers face gives the Group a competitive 
advantage and helps drive growth. Therefore, the Group is 
passionate about promoting innovation from colleagues, suppliers, 
customers and others, including students, university research 
groups and entrepreneur inventors. By this means it can partner 
with innovators, manufacturers and customers to bring new 
products to market. 

45

 
 
Retaining and developing talent

In 2016 the Group created over 1,000 new roles across all 
businesses and central functions. In addition more than 2,300 
colleagues were promoted to a new role and over 460 were 
successful in taking up roles in another brand.

Investing in early career and talent pipelines and ensuring the 
highest quality of experience for those going through these is 
extremely important to the Group.

All 12 programme participants in the Group’s Fast Track 
Programme ‘graduated’ successfully during the year. 
The programme provided a personalised and flexible 
management and development programme designed to nurture 
the individual talents of the participants.

In addition 585 new management apprentices joined the Group 
during the year and a further 101 existing apprentices graduated 
from the programme. 

Travis Perkins Group were Highly Commended for the Midlands 
Region – Macro Apprentice Employer of the year for 2016,  
and were also accredited as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer 
2016, both for the second year running.

The Group also actively built its relationship with the Career 
Transition Partnership, the official providers of resettlement  
for all Armed Forces personnel.

In partnership with Barclays Bank the Group undertook 
research to understand the financial health and awareness of 
its colleagues. As a consequence a new Financial Wellbeing 
programme for colleagues was launched. 

The programme will engage with colleagues to provide assistance, 
support and guidance through some of the financial challenges 
that life and individual circumstances can sometime create:

46

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report The Group continued to build upon its commitment to provide 
even more benefit options and choices for colleagues through its 
online benefits hub My Perks Plus.

March 2016 saw the introduction of a green car salary sacrifice 
scheme, provided by Car Salary Exchange. The scheme allows 
colleagues to lease a brand new environmentally friendly (‘green’) 
car through a salary exchange scheme.

through discounts arranged via affinity schemes and corporate 
partnerships or via its suite of voluntary benefits.

During the autumn the Group announced a small number 
of branch closures in the trade businesses and the closure 
of 10 smaller distribution and fabrication centres. Around 
600 colleagues were impacted by this change, but all those who 
wished to remain in the Group have been redeployed. 

The Group seeks to ensure its benefits programmes 
are advantageous to as many employees as possible. 
The introduction of the national living wage impacted the 
number of colleagues who were previously eligible to take up 
salary sacrifice arrangements. To counter this the Group sought 
to provide them with alternative arrangements where possible 

Workforce with a Difference

The Group is committed to ensuring diversity amongst its 
workforce and believes diversity is a strategic enabler that will 
advance its competitive position and support its identity as an 
employer of choice.

The Group’s on line learning and development platform iLearn 
has many modules to support our building of a workforce with 
a difference.

During the year Wickes demonstrated particular leadership in 
this area by launching the ‘Making Wickes Inclusive’ programme. 
The aim is to make people feel that working at Wickes supports 
their lifestyle and respects their home life. To achieve this a range 
of initiatives have been introduced including:

•  Supporting women before, during and after their maternity 
leave, and ensuring that guidance is given for working more 
flexibly at Wickes 

•  Recognising everyone’s culture and celebrating with them on 

the days that really matter

•  Delivering a programme of unconscious bias training to 

the business

•  Teaming up with Europe’s largest LGBT+ rights charity to 

become champions of all forms of diversity across our business

47

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Statutory reporting of gender diversity 

Whilst there remains much to do, the Group is proud of the 
progress it has made with almost one-third of the Board and 

senior managers being women. In 2016 55% of the intake to the 
Group’s graduate schemes were women. 

Statutory reporting requirement for gender diversity 2016

Director

Manager

Colleague

Grand Total

Central Services

Consumer Division

Contracts Division

General Merchanting Division

Plumbing & Heating Division

Group Supply Chain

Grand Total

F

M

Total

Number

%

Number

%

Number

2

238

7,091

7,331

25.0%

26.8%

24.9%

24.9%

6

650

21,433

22,089

75.0%

73.2%

75.1%

75.1%

8

888

28,524

29,420

F

M

Total

Number

%

Number

%

Number

747

3,923

642

1,238

696

85

7,331

45.7%

35.8%

19.3%

13.7%

18.6%

11.9%

24.9%

886

7,038

2,681

7,799

3,057

628

22,089

54.3%

64.2%

80.7%

86.3%

81.4%

88.1%

75.1%

1,633

10,961

3,323

9,037

3,753

713

29,420

%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Trisann Ho-Sang – Travis Perkins, Staples Corner

48

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Charities and communities

The Group raised nearly £1.2 million in 2016 for its charity 
partners. Although the Group is incredibly proud to be the UK’s 
largest supplier of building materials it is also proud of how it 

does business, how it treats its people and how it supports the 
charities and communities around it.

Our Shared Successes – Charity Partnerships

£1.2  

MILLION

Why this matters

Giving something back and making decent returns

The Group continues to empower each of its businesses to 
support different charities which mean something special to 
them and enter into a partnership, usually for 3 years or more. 
The selection criteria are those charities that support children 
and/or adults, affected by poverty, disability or disease in the UK.

Group colleagues also support additional charitable activity 
through Payroll giving and via a Colleague Lottery. The popularity 
of these schemes remains undiminished.

49

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report KEEPING  
PEOPLE  
SAFE

Our approach

Keeping people safe is a cornerstone of the business. The Group’s 
underlying philosophy that ‘all those affected by its business 
should return home safe and well at the end of every day’ 
remains unchanged.

Travis Perkins recognises that good safety and good business 
leadership behaviours are indistinguishable from each other and 
through its now well established ‘Stay Safe’ brand the Group 
continues to challenge its thinking and approach to continually 
improve its safety performance.

Stay Safe governance

Throughout 2016 Stay Safe performance was reviewed at board 
meetings, by the Executive Committee and also as part of the 
Group’s regular divisional leadership meetings.

The Board Stay Safe Committee continued to monitor 
performance, through review of the risk profile of the business, 
monitoring progress against 2016 objectives and establishing  
a number of leading Stay Safe objectives for 2017 relating to:

•  Continued implementation of divisional Stay Safe strategies, 

aligned to the Group Stay Safe Vision

•  Further de-risking of the Group’s operations 

•  Workplace transport and driver behaviour

•  Safety training delivery and effectiveness measures for:

•  All colleagues 

•  Occupational drivers 

•  Front line management 

•  Senior leaders

50

Progress against these objectives will form part of the 
Remuneration Committee’s overall assessment of executive 
performance in 2017. 

In addition to the Group’s internal governance process an 
independent external audit of safety strategy, planning and 
internal assurance processes was commissioned towards the end 
of 2016. In addition, a review of the effectiveness of the Stay Safe 
Committee was undertaken as part of the wider review of the 
Board’s effectiveness. 

Fatal accident of Mark Pointer

Following the tragic death of a customer at the Group’s 
Travis Perkins, Milton Keynes North branch in November 2012, 
the Company pleaded guilty to breaches of health and safety 
legislation and therefore causing the death of Mr Mark Pointer, 
being sentenced by Aylesbury Crown Court (sitting at Amersham 
Law Courts) in April 2016. In judgement, the court recognised 
that appropriate training systems and procedures were in place 
and that the failure was implementation at a local level. Similarly 
it was accepted that ‘substantial change’ had been made at the 
branch since the incident. In sentencing the Company was fined 
£2 million and ordered to pay costs of £115,000.

The sentencing provided a poignant opportunity for the Group’s 
Executive Committee and senior leaders to reflect on the 
consequences when safety processes are not effective,  
the progress made over the 4 years since the accident and 
where the organisation is today on its safety journey.

Whilst the Group cannot change the tragic events of November 
2012 it can commit to learn from them and in addition to its 
own activities the Group has undertaken to openly share its 
experience within its own and other industries facing similar risks. 

With the permission of Mrs Pointer the Group shared her Court 
impact statement with the Group’s business leaders to create a 
deeper emotional connection to the importance of its Stay Safe 
programme and their role as leaders in influencing safe working 
practices for colleagues and customers in all of the Group’s 
branches and stores.

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Stay Safe performance
2016 saw an increase in reported lost time incidents to 469 
compared to 457 in 2015, which is an overall increase in the 
Group long term injury frequency rate (LTIFR) from 8.53 in 
2015 to 9.42 in the last 12 months. The Group’s Severity Rate 
also increased from 0.11 in 2015 to 0.13 in 2016. The Group’s 
near misses reporting continues to go from strength to strength, 
increasing by 60% on 2015. 

The increase in injury numbers and associated frequency  
rates is disappointing, but not completely unexpected.  
The Group has continued to test and challenge throughout  
the year as to whether there is an underlying reason for this  
small increase. However the Group believes that its culture, 
processes and consistency have continued to improve,  
and that it must maintain its focus on these same areas.  
The Group’s headline figures mask the different performance 
of its operational Divisions and businesses, all of which are 
at different points in their improvement journey. General 
Merchanting, Plumbing & Heating and Tile Giant all saw 
significant reductions in lost time injuries, with associated 
frequency rates lower by 14%, 34% and 24% respectively.  
In contrast Contracts, Wickes and Supply Chain have all seen 
an increase in lost time frequency rates of 27%, 35% and 
92% respectively.

For those businesses in the earlier stages of improvement  
a focus on the development of a Just Culture continues to 
drive improved reporting. This results in an initial increase and 
characteristic spike in incidents before then seeing a genuine  
and sustainable reduction.

The most significant challenge across the Group remains  
its ability to engage colleagues. Consensus from Divisions,  
Executive and Board is that the Stay Safe strategy and plan 
remains sound, it targets the principal causes of accidents, 
a revised Risk Assessment process, learning from accidents 
through application of the Just Culture model as well as 
continuing to tackle the low frequency, high impact events 
related to traffic management. Culture change takes time 
and expectations have always been it would take a minimum 
of two years to make a material difference to performance. 
The challenge is to stay on course and not be tempted to  
‘try a new approach’ as the Stay Safe teams are starting  
to be effective and leading indicators are turning positive. 

The Group continues to lead in the transport arena,  
maintaining gold accreditation as part of the Fleet Operators 
Recognition Scheme (FoRS) for the sixth consecutive year.  
It also continues to champion the Construction Logistics  
and Cycle Safety (CLOCS) programme which brings together 
developers, construction companies, operators, vehicle 
manufacturers and regulatory bodies to ensure a road safety 
culture is embedded across the construction industry.

Group Lost Time Injury Frequency Rates

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

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2016 Month LTIFR

2015 Month LTIFR

2016 Current YTD LTIFR

2015 YTD LTIFR

51

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report  
 
Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016

Strategic Report 

Innovation & collaboration

The Group’s businesses continue to take the Stay Safe 
philosophy and translate this into specific actions that are tailored 
to their operations and the safety issues that they face. Some of 
the activity completed in 2016 and planned for 2017 includes:

Case studies from 2016

Primary authority
•  In August the Group signed a Primary Authority Partnership 

for Health & Safety with Northampton Borough Council and in 
September a Primary Authority Partnership for Fire Safety with 
London Fire Brigade. Both of these partnerships will allow for 
closer working with enforcement authorities, the provision of 
assured advice concerning the Group’s approach and to agree 
national standards for implementation.

Transport safety
•  In 2015 Travis Perkins joined forces with 3D Driving Awareness 
to support safety in the local community through the ‘Wheels 
& Skills’ programme, including the sponsorship of a safety 
truck. Over the past 12 months Group colleagues have 
attended 53 schools / colleges engaging with 15,000 students, 
educating them on the safety issues and giving them first 
hand experience sitting in the cab of an HGV to understanding 
the challenges to drivers of blind spots and associated risks 
to cyclists and pedestrians. For 2017, the Safety Truck will be 
based at the British Motor Museum allowing even greater 
engagement with visiting schools and the general public.

Health & wellbeing
•  In March Travis Perkins signed up as a partner for NHS England’s 
‘One You’ programme, promoting their on-line ‘How Are You?’ 
health assessment and supporting resources for use by 
all colleagues.

•  Pilot activity with Northamptonshire County Council saw the 

Group providing free medical checks for colleagues over 40 at 
its Head Office and Northamptonshire distribution centres. 

Operational divisions
•  This year all divisions have focused on further de-risking the 

business with a focus on workplace transport, manual handling 
and more broadly on revitalising its Risk Assessment process 
to encourage colleague engagement and generation of 
improvement actions. In addition the following local successes 
were recognised:

•   Contracts saw all three businesses recognised through Royal 
Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Keyline and 
CCF both receiving gold awards and BSS Industrial a silver 
award.

•   BSS Industrial also won Safety Initiative of the Year in 
the H&V News Awards for their LiFT (manual handling 
training) programme.

•   Over 600 commercial delivery drivers competed for 

‘Driver of the Year’, based on their safe driving standards 
and levels of customer satisfaction. Ashley Tomlinson from 
PTS Preston was presented with the award at the Group’s 
annual awards ceremony.

•   Two mechanical handling equipment operators from the 

Group’s Omega distribution centre in Warrington participated 
in the RTITB International Operator of the Year competition 
in September. One finished second in the heats, securing his 
place in the international grand final to be held in 2017.

•   Travis Perkins Pimlico was the first of the Group’s London 

branches to receive the London Healthy Workplace 
Charter award at commitment level. The award recognises 
the involvement of colleagues in developing the health 
and wellbeing programme, senior management support, 
wellbeing champions, a focus on a fun approach to activities 
and providing an exercise area.

Planned activity for 2017

De-risking the Group’s operations
•  Work will continue to embed the Group’s new risk assessment 
process, encouraging greater colleague engagement in local 
improvement activity. During 2017 risk assessment data will 
be analysed to better risk profile the Group’s operations and 
better target intervention activity focusing on high and medium 
risk locations.

•  Continuing the focus on workplace transport, drivers and 

driving behaviour, an improved transport key performance 
indicators dashboard will be implemented, delivering  
internal JAUPT accredited Driver CPC training targeting safe 
loading and delivery as well as dynamic risk assessment.  
A comprehensive driver profiling and risk management tool  
will also be implemented.

•  Work will also continue to review the Group’s wider safety 
training programme and how the effectiveness of training  
for all colleagues, occupational drivers, front line management  
and senior leaders will be measured.

Health & wellbeing
•  The Group will continue to develop its broader health and 

wellbeing programme further enhancing colleague benefits 
available via My Perks including a financial wellbeing offering 
and online GP service.

•  Supply Chain have agreed to work with ‘Let’s Get Healthy’ in 
2017 to provide a comprehensive wellbeing programme for 
5,000 colleague across Supply Chain. 

52

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report 
Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016

Strategic Report 

ENVIRONMENTAL 
SUSTAINABILITY

S

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The Group’s cornerstones continue to shape its decisions to help the businesses grow.  
The cornerstones ensure responsible decisions are taken and the Group’s management 
systems aim to ensure all aspects of the Group’s activities across the product lifecycle 
are considered1. 

Cornerstones

Making decent returns

Working for our customers

In 2016 the Group published a revised set of Supplier 
Commitments increasing the expectation on supplier partners 
to manage responsible, resilient and resource efficient sourcing. 
As a result of its better understanding of product lifecycle 
impacts, the Group is now asking for Environmental Product 
Declarations (EPD) from its resource intense supply chains.  
The Group believes EPDs will stimulate better conversations  
on making meaningful resource reductions. 

Keeping people safe

A lifecycle approach means that in 2016 the Group was involved 
in safely disposing of its customers’ waste from spent batteries 
to plasterboard off cuts and, for a small number of customers, 
returned packaging.

Upholding family values

In 2016 the Group developed a new awareness raising and 
skills programme to help colleagues get more out of helping the 
environment as well as introducing a set of divisional targets to 
make sure improvement is owned at the right place.

The Group continued to engage with stakeholders in 2016 
attending various workshops with organisations such as the 
Buildings Research Establishment (BRE) and Construction 
Products Association (CPA). It was also involved in a collaborative 
problem solving session to help customers and to better 
understand how they measure and value environmental 
sustainability success. As part of the ARUP Circular building 
session the Group contributed some timber products and 
examined them on site after the building was disassembled 
to understand reuse potential and the reality of the circular 
economy in construction product distribution.

Being the best

Following the Group’s 3 trees award from the WWF in 2015  
in recognition of acting responsibly in timber trading, the WWF 
also described the Wickes business as an industry leader in 2016.  
The Group also scored well above the sector average in its 
Supply Chain Sustainability School self assessment and 
was recognised as a sustainability leader for its behaviour 
change activities and its innovative approach to power 
purchase agreements.

1   This report includes data for companies where Travis Perkins plc has operational control. It excludes activities and data relating to The Mosaic Tile Company Ltd (49%), 

Toolstation Europe Ltd (49%), Toriga Ltd (49%) and Staircraft (15%)

53

 
 
Materiality and context
The Group’s approach is driven by:

•   Being part of someone else’s supply chain

•   Making its colleagues proud

•   Finding efficiencies 

•   Being responsible

The Group recognises that for sustainable growth; a reducing 
cost base and a resilient supply chain are important and that a 
product lifecycle focus on resource efficiency is a key aspect of 
delivering this.

Key performance indicators

Carbon

The Group re-ran its modelling of the supply chain’s embodied 
carbon with product lifecycle analysis over 2016. The Group’s 
revised estimate for its product for resale supply chain CO2e 
emissions is 4.8 million tonnes2, 15.5% less than the previous 
estimate as a result of substantial efficiency improvements 
across many product supply categories. The Group estimates 
that 12% of the 15.5% reduction is attributable to suppliers and 
supplier country carbon actions and 3.5% is more likely to be 
due to variation in purchases between categories. The Group is 
championing Environmental Product Declarations as the way  
to improve supply chain communication in this area. In the direct 
operations, the Group’s focus was on distribution efficiency where 
129,611 litres of road fuel were removed through better route 
planning and driver behaviour challenges. In the Group’s property 
estate, the effort continued with refitting LED lighting.

The Group’s scope 1 and 2 emissions have increased slightly 
in absolute terms, but reduced by 6% in intensity (tonnes of 
CO2e per million pounds of inflation adjusted sales). The Group 
remains confident of achieving its 2020 ambition of reducing its 
scope 1 and 2 intensity to 28% of 2013 levels and continues to 
explore the best way of setting a meaningful reduction target  
for scope 3.

The Group has reported on all of the emissions sources 
required under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and 
Directors’ Reports) Regulations 2013. Scope 1 and 2 emissions 
are calculated using the UK Government Conversion Factors 
for Company Reporting 20163 on an operational control basis. 
95% of Scope 1 and 2 data is from measured sources4 with 
the remainder extrapolated from expenditure on fuel. 

Timber

Over 2016 the Group maintained the rate at which it purchased 
well managed timber at 97%. In 2017 the Group has started with 
a revised management structure within the General Merchanting 
Division in this area which consolidates responsible buying 
behaviours and ensures improvement continues. Group ambition 
remains that all timber and timber products are sourced 
responsibly and legally, and without causing deforestation 
or degradation.

Travis Perkins plc CO2e Emissions

21.1

19.5

19.2

18.5

18.6

17.8

16.2

14.7

28.6

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

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2

2013

2014

Transport

2015
Year

Energy

2016

2020

Combined
target

2015 data is Office of National Statistics deflated figures. It uses best available 
financial data at the time the report was produced.

Mandatory Carbon Report Table

Carbon Dioxide Equivalent 
(CO2e) Tonnes

Comparison 
year 2015

Reporting 
year 2016

138,859

139,434

65,631

65,381

35.4

33.2

Scope 1 
Direct emissions from 
burning gas and solid fuel 
for heating and from road 
fuel use for distribution5
Scope 2 
Indirect emissions from  
our use of electricity

Intensity6 
Tonnes of CO2e from 
scope 1 and 2 sources per 
million pounds of inflation 
adjusted sales

%
100

80

60

40

20

0

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Travis Perkins plc Timber Purchases 

18

13

16

16

75

84

81

81

96

2013

2014

Other certified

2015
Year

FSC

2016

2017

Combined
target

2  Scope 3 not verified by LRQA.
3  Fugitive emissions from domestic refrigeration, vehicles and building air conditioning have been excluded as they were not material to the Group’s overall emissions.
4  10% of the energy data is estimated due to supplier data provision issues.
5   Scope 1 CO2e emissions include 25,068 tonnes from buildings and 114,366 tonnes from transport.
6   Carbon intensity is referenced to turnover, which is adjusted to allow for inflation, relative to the baseline year. It uses best available financial data at the time the report was produced.

54

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Waste

Travis Perkins plc Waste Tonnage

In 2016 landfill diversion rates increased to 91% (from 88%  
in 2015), but absolute tonnage disposed of also rose to 
53,207 tonnes. However, this represents an improved waste 
intensity (tonnes of waste disposed of per million pound of 
inflation adjusted yard and core sales) of 10.2 tonnes (10.4 tonnes 
in 2015) partly attributed to the multi award nominated Golden 
Envelope behaviour campaign run at the half year. The Group’s 
view now is that a lifecycle approach to the products is likely to 
yield solutions to reduce intensity further and that exiting the year 
in a waste management partnership that is sending zero waste to 
landfill remains achievable.

In early 2016 the Group set out to benchmark how much 
construction waste would be created by its growth plans. 
The Group found that industry standards matched its own 
experience of waste created by store and branch developments 
and that, it is therefore reasonable to estimate waste arising from 
project values. In 2016 the Group estimates that 3,800 tonnes of 
construction waste7 was generated as a result of its development 
activities. This waste is not included in the overall waste figures.

Incidents

The Group operates over 2,000 sites, of which in 2016 
two were timber treatment and two were timber machining 
operations which require permitting by environmental regulators. 
The majority of sites operate under waste exemptions in order 
to responsibly handle and process Group and customer waste.

Despite the diversity and complexity in the Group’s operations, 
including operating one of the largest vehicle fleets in the UK, 
the Group’s ISO 14001 certified environmental management 
system has ensured compliance and also an encouraging 
reduction in the number of incidents (31 in 2016 from 39 in 
2015). Of the 11 incidents which were reported to environmental 
regulators, 5 involved spillages of hydraulic or fuel oil, each less 
than 100 litres, and where small amounts may have entered 
controlled waters. The rest involved paint spillages on public 
highways. There are no current or ongoing investigations by 
regulators and no part of the Group was prosecuted or received 
civil sanction in 2016.

Assurance

The content of this report (with the exception of scope 
3 GHG emissions and construction waste estimates) has been 
assured against LRQA verification procedure which is based on 
AA1000AS (2008) and ISAE3000. A copy of their verification 
statement is available at: 
http://www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk/responsibility/environment-
hub/resource-library1.aspx

Strategic Report Approval

The Strategic Report on pages 5 to 55 was approved by the 
Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by:

John Carter 
Chief Executive  
14 March 2017 

Tony Buffin 
Chief Operating Officer 
14 March 2017

7  Figure not verified by LRQA.

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

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6.1

7.5

8.9

9.2

1.5

2013

0.9

2014

1.5

2015

1.0

2016

Diverted from landfill

Landfill

Year

2016 data is Office of National Statistics deflated figures. It uses best available 
financial data at the time the report was produced. A proportion of the Group’s waste  
data is estimated.

Travis Perkins plc Environmental Incidents and Complaints 

60

50

40

30

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20

10

0

13

12

11

27

40

28

11

20

2013

2014

2015

2016

Year

Reportable incidents
and complaints

Non-reportable incidents
and complaints

55

Strategic Report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Strategic Report  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liam Thompson – Travis Perkins, Tilbury Range Centre

56

GOVERNANCE  
& REMUNERATION

The Board, committees and advisors  58

Corporate governance report   62

Audit committee report   67

Directors’ remuneration report  

74 

Nominations committee report   100

Directors’ report   102

Statement of directors’ responsibilities   106

57

Governance & Remuneration 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE BOARD, COMMITTEES  
AND ADVISORS

The Board

Robert Walker
Non-executive Chairman

Nationality
British

John Carter
Chief Executive

Nationality
British

Tony Buffin
Chief Operating Officer

Nationality
British

Appointment date
30 September 2009, Chairman  
from 17 May 2010

Appointment date
1 July 2001, Chief Executive  
from 1 January 2014

Appointment date
8 April 2013, Chief Operating Officer 
from 1 March 2017

Committee membership
Nominations Committee Chairman, 
Stay Safe Committee and 
Remuneration Committee

Skills and experience
Robert was appointed as a non-executive 
director in 2009 and became Chairman 
in 2010. He is also chairman of Enterprise 
Inns plc and Eagle TopCo Limited.  
He was previously chairman of  
W H Smith PLC, Williams Lea Group Ltd, 
Americana International Holdings Ltd and 
BCA Marketplace, senior independent 
director of Tate & Lyle PLC and Group 
Chief Executive of Severn Trent Plc. 
Previously, he spent over 30 years with 
Procter & Gamble, McKinsey and PepsiCo 
and has also served as a non-executive 
director on a number of other FTSE 100 
and 250 boards. 

Committee membership
Executive Committee Chairman  
and Stay Safe Committee

Committee membership
Executive Committee

Skills and experience
John joined Travis Perkins plc in 1978 
as a Management Trainee and was 
appointed Chief Executive Officer in 
January 2014. With over 38 years 
experience in the business, John has 
held various senior strategic roles in 
Sales, Marketing and Operations and 
has managed sector-leading functions 
such as Procurement, Supply Chain, 
International Sourcing and Category 
Management. During his career John has 
also been responsible for a number of 
key strategic acquisitions for the Group, 
including Keyline in 1999, Wickes in 2005 
and BSS Group in 2010.

Skills and experience
Tony joined Travis Perkins plc in 
April 2013 as Chief Financial Officer.  
He was appointed Chief Operating Officer 
effective from 1 March 2017 following a 
three month transition of the CFO role 
to Alan Williams. Prior to joining the 
Group, Tony was CFO of the Coles Group, 
the leading Australian grocery retailer, 
where he was accountable for finance, 
property, IT and strategy. Tony is a 
qualified accountant and a non-executive 
director of the Dyson family businesses. 
Tony was previously CEO of the Loyalty 
Management Group and prior to that held 
senior finance positions at Alliance Boots. 

58

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationNon-executive Directors

Alan Williams
Chief Financial Officer

Nationality
British

Appointment date
3 January 2017, Chief Financial Officer 
from 3 January 2017

Committee membership
Executive Committee

Skills and experience
Alan joined Travis Perkins plc as 
Chief Financial Officer in January 2017 
and is a member of the Executive 
Committee. Prior to joining the business 
Alan served as CFO at Greencore 
Group plc for 6 years. Alan also 
previously worked at Cadbury plc in 
a variety of financial roles in the UK, 
France and the USA. Alan is a qualified 
accountant and treasurer and has a 
strong background in leading strategic 
initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, 
integration and business transformation. 

Ruth Anderson
Non-executive Director

Nationality
British

Appointment date
24 October 2011

Coline McConville
Non-executive Director

Nationality
Australian

Appointment date
1 February 2015

Committee membership
Audit Committee Chairman, Nominations 
Committee and Stay Safe Committee

Committee membership
Remuneration Committee Chairman, Audit 
Committee and Nominations Committee

Skills and experience
Ruth was appointed as a non-executive 
director in 2011. She is a non-executive 
director of Ocado Group plc and Coats 
Group plc. She is also a trustee of  
The Royal Parks and of the charity,  
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Ruth is 
a chartered accountant, and held a 
number of positions in KPMG (UK) from 
1976 to 2009, being a member of its 
board from 1998 to 2004 and Vice 
Chairman from 2005 to 2009.

Skills and experience
Coline was appointed as a non-executive 
director in February 2015. Coline is 
currently a non-executive director of 
TUI AG, Inchcape PLC and Fevertree 
Drinks PLC and was formerly a 
non-executive director of UTV Media 
plc, Wembley National Stadium Limited, 
TUI Travel Limited, Shed Media PLC  
and HBOS PLC, and a global advisor and 
director of Grant Thornton International 
Limited. Previous to that Coline was 
Chief Operating Officer and Chief 
Executive Officer Europe of Clear Channel 
International Limited. She holds an MBA 
from Harvard Business School, where she 
was a Baker Scholar. 

59

Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationNon-Executive Directors continued

Pete Redfern
Non-executive Director

Nationality
British

Appointment date
1 November 2014

Committee membership
Stay Safe Committee Chairman, 
Nominations Committee and 
Remuneration Committee

Skills and experience
Pete was appointed as a non-executive 
director in November 2014. He is currently 
Chief Executive of Taylor Wimpey plc 
and is also a Chartered Accountant. Pete 
was previously Chief Executive of George 
Wimpey Plc and prior to that, he held 
the roles of Chief Executive and Finance 
Director of its UK Housing division.  
He is also a Trustee of the homelessness 
charity Crisis and a member of the Home 
Builders Federation.

Christopher Rogers
Senior Independent Non-executive Director

John Rogers
Non-executive Director

Nationality
British

Appointment date
1 September 2013

Committee membership
Audit Committee and  
Nominations Committee

Skills and experience
Christopher was appointed as a 
non-executive director in September 
2013. Christopher was Managing Director 
of Costa Coffee from 2012 to 2016 
and a director of Whitbread PLC from 
2005 to 2016 where he also served 
as Group Finance Director. He was 
Group Finance Director of Woolworth 
Group PLC from 2001 to 2005 and 
previously held senior roles in both 
finance and commercial functions in 
Comet Group PLC and Kingfisher PLC. 
He was also a non-executive director of 
HMV Group PLC from 2006 to 2012.

Nationality
British

Appointment date
1 November 2014

Committee membership
Audit Committee, Nominations Committee 
and Remuneration Committee

Skills and experience
John was appointed as a non-executive 
director in November 2014 and is 
currently Chief Executive Officer  
of Sainsbury’s Argos and a member 
of the J Sainsbury’s plc Board and 
Sainsbury’s Bank plc Board. Prior to 
his appointment as CEO of Sainsbury’s 
Argos, John was Chief Financial Officer 
of J Sainsbury plc for six years and during 
his career at Sainsbury’s he also held  
the posts of Property Director, Director  
of Group Finance and Director of 
Corporate Finance. Before joining 
Sainsbury’s, John held a variety of 
financial, operational and strategy roles. 

60

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationExecutive Committee
John Carter Chief Executive 

Tony Buffin Chief Operating Officer

Alan Williams Chief Financial Officer

Advisors
Investment Bankers / Advisors HSBC Bank plc; Morgan Stanley

Corporate Brokers Citibank; JP Morgan Cazenove

Solicitors Linklaters LLP, London; Herbert Smith LLP, London

Norman Bell   Strategy Director Future Merchant  

Auditor KPMG LLP, Birmingham

Registrar Capita Registrars, Beckenham

& Core Systems

Frank Elkins  CEO, Contracts Division

Deborah Grimason   Company Secretary & General Counsel 

Andrew Harrison   Group Commercial & Business  

Development Director

Carol Kavanagh  Group HR Director

Simon King  MD, Wickes 

Martin Meech  Group Property Director

Cheryl Millington  Chief Digital Officer

Neil Pearce  Chief Information Officer

Paul Tallentire  CEO, General Merchanting Division 

61

Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationTravis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016

Governance & Remuneration

CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE
REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

As Chairman of the Board, I am pleased once again to have the opportunity to report  
on our approach to corporate governance, and our key activities in this area during 2016.

UK Corporate Governance Code

In the year ended 31 December 2016 the Board was in full 
compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code (Code),  
with the exception of the part of Code provision E.1.1 
which requires that the senior independent director (SID) 
attends sufficient meetings with a range of major shareholders 
to listen to their views in order to help develop a balanced 
understanding of the issues and concerns of major shareholders. 
Our SID, Christopher Rogers, has not attended any meetings with 
major shareholders during the year due to a lack of appetite from 
shareholders for such meetings. I plan to invite Christopher  
to join me at a selection of shareholder meetings in 2017.

A copy of the Code is available on the FRC’s website,  
www.frc.org.uk

Governance highlights

The following pages detail how the Company has applied 
the principles and provisions of the Code over the past 
twelve months.

By way of introduction, I would make the following points:

•  We now have a settled Board at Travis Perkins following  

a number of new appointments in 2013 and 2014.  
I am pleased to report that the Board is working well and 
providing both robust challenge and support to our executive 
leadership team. The skills around the Board table represent 
a powerful combination of current and past, but relevant, 
experience and we are fortunate in having such a strong team.

•  An internal evaluation of the Board’s performance was 

conducted again this year, in a fully open and transparent 
process. The conclusions and recommended actions from the 
review are summarised on page 65. The Board was judged to 
be performing well, and the key priority for 2017 is to recalibrate 
and reset the Group’s strategy in anticipation of continued 
market uncertainty.

•  I am pleased to report that Board attendance has improved,  
as expected, during 2016 and we anticipate this will continue.

•  Following on from last year’s report, our initiative in having 

individual non-executive directors (including myself) mentoring 
and adopting businesses within the Group on an ad-hoc basis 
has now been reinvigorated and each Non-executive Director 
has been allocated responsibility for key parts of the business. 
This initiative continues to work well.

•  As a Board, we encourage regular and frequent contact with 

as wide a range of shareholders as possible. From a business 
viewpoint, we plan to hold a capital markets day in 2017 in 
order to present the outcome of our strategic planning exercise. 
From a governance viewpoint, the usual and regular meetings 
with investors will be held during the first quarter of 2017.

The following pages summarise the Company’s governance 
practices by reference to the five main sections of the Code.

62

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration1. Leadership

Role of the Board 
The Board is responsible for the long-term success of the 
Company and is accountable to our shareholders for ensuring  
that the Group is appropriately managed and governed. 
Principally this is achieved through:

•  Setting the overall Group strategy

•  Setting the policy on corporate governance

•  Approval of expansion plans and major capital expenditure

•  Consideration of significant financial and operational matters 

and the Group’s exposure to key risks

Our governance framework establishes a clear division of 
responsibilities on the Board. The Board has approved a written 
statement of the division of key responsibilities between the 
Chairman, and the Chief Executive and a statement of the role 
of the Senior Independent Director. These are reviewed annually 
and were last updated in December 2016.

The Board has a schedule of matters reserved to it, which is 
reviewed annually. Revisions were made in December 2016 to reflect 
latest best practice and the operations of the Group. The schedule of 
matters reserved to the Board is available in the governance section 
on our corporate website: www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk.

The Company maintains Directors & Officers’ insurance in 
respect of the risk of claims against Directors which is reviewed 
annually. All Directors have direct access to the Company 
Secretary & General Counsel and may take independent 
professional advice in the furtherance of their duties if required.

Board meetings
The Board held ten scheduled meetings in 2016. Regular items 
at Board meetings included detailed updates on health and 
safety, reports on progress towards strategic objectives, reviews 
of the Company’s financial position and performance against 
KPIs. Other topics considered included strategic reviews of 
business divisions, funding, capital expenditure, investor feedback, 
risk and governance. During the year, the Board visited a number 
of operational sites and held a two-day strategy meeting.

I agree the agenda for meetings in conjunction with the 
Chief Executive and the Company Secretary & General Counsel. 
Agendas are based on an annual plan, but also include topical 
items and matters of particular interest or concern to the Board. 

Key financial and other relevant information is circulated to the 
Directors outside of formal meetings. I monitor the information 
provided to the Board both at and outside of meetings to ensure 
it is sufficient, timely and clear.

Between Board meetings I maintain frequent direct contact  
with the Executive Directors and keep the Non-executive 
Directors informed of material developments. During the year 
I held a number of meetings with the Non-executive Directors 
without the Executive Directors being present. 

I generally contact all the Non-executive Directors in advance 
of Board meetings, to discuss the key issues under consideration.  
In particular, I discuss the meeting papers with any Director who 
is unable to attend a meeting to obtain that Director’s views which 
I share with the rest of the Board at the meeting. At the meetings, 
as Chairman, I ensure that each Director is able to make an 
effective contribution within an atmosphere of transparency and 
constructive debate. 

The Company typically sets its meeting dates 18 months prior 
to the start of the year and liaises closely with the Non-executive 
Directors to ensure as far as possible that clashes with external 
appointments are avoided. Directors are able to attend meetings 
by video or telephone conference if there is an issue with location 
or travel.

Four out of eight Directors had full attendance and average 
attendance for the Board and Committees combined was 96%. 
Ruth Anderson missed the September Stay Safe Committee as 
this had to be rescheduled at short notice. Pete Redfern missed 
the January Board meeting due to a prior arrangement and 
the June Nominations Committee due to the proximity of this 
meeting to the Taylor Wimpey results. John Rogers missed the 
March plc Board and Nominations Committee due to Sainsbury’s 
bid for Home Retail Group plc and the November Audit 
Committee due to ‘Black Friday’. 

plc  
Board

Audit 
Committee

Nominations 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Stay Safe 
Committee

Overall 
attendance (%)

Number of meetings

Attendance:

R. Anderson

A. Buffin

J. Carter

C. McConville

P. Redfern

C. Rogers

J. Rogers

R. Walker

10

10

10

10

10

9

10

9

10

5

5

-

-

5

-

5

4

-

4

4

-

-

4

3

3

3*

4

7

-

-

-

7

7

-

7

7

3

2

-

3

-

3

-

-

3

* Chairman did not attend meeting discussing the Chariman’s succession.

95%

100%

100%

100%

92%

95%

88%

100%

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Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remunerationdetails on our policy can be found in the section of the annual 
report entitled “Capturing the way things are done around here”  
on pages 45 to 49.

Non-executive Directors are appointed for a period until the third 
Annual General Meeting (AGM) following their appointment, at 
the end of which the appointment may be renewed by mutual 
agreement. It is the Board’s policy that non-executive directors 
should generally serve for six years (two three-year terms) and 
that any term beyond this should be subject to a rigorous review. 
This review takes into account the need for progressive refreshing 
of the Board, maintenance of a balance of skills and experience 
and the particular requirements of the Company at the time of 
the possible extension. 

Non-executive directors do not have a service contract, but each 
has received a letter of appointment. These appointments expire 
on the following dates, and the length of service at that date is 
also shown.

Expiry  
Date

Length of service  
at expiry date

Ruth Anderson

May 2018

6 years 7 months

Coline McConville

May 2018

3 years 4 months

Peter Redfern

May 2018

3 years 7 months

Christopher Rogers

May 2020

6 years 9 months

John Rogers

May 2018

3 years 7 months

Robert Walker

May 2018

8 years 8 months

All Directors are required to allocate sufficient time to the 
Company to discharge their responsibilities effectively. The time 
commitment expected of each Director is set out in their letter 
of appointment. The letters of appointment will be available for 
inspection at the AGM. 

Induction and development
The Group has an induction process for new directors, which 
is facilitated by the Company Secretary & General Counsel. 
In particular, this includes a programme of meetings with  
senior management in both operations and central functions, 
and visits to a range of branches and stores. I ensure that all 
directors receive an appropriate induction on appointment and 
then subsequent development and training as required, taking 
into account the need to update their skills and their knowledge  
of the Company’s business. 

The Board as a whole is also regularly provided with information 
on forthcoming legal and regulatory changes, corporate 
governance developments and briefings on the key risks  
facing the Company, including those identified in the  
Statement of Principal Risks and Uncertainties on pages 37 to 43. 
The Directors may take independent professional advice at the 
Company’s expense at any time.

Robert Walker did not attend the December Nominations 
Committee meeting as this meeting was to consider the 
Chairman’s succession. Christopher Rogers did not attend 
the December Nominations Committee meeting as this was 
scheduled at short notice.

The number of Board and Committee meetings attended by  
each Director during the year is detailed in the table on page 63.

Board committees
In line with the UK Corporate Governance Code, certain  
Board responsibilities are delegated to our Board Committees, 
which play an important role in supporting the Board.  
The Board has four Committees: Audit, Nominations, 
Remuneration and Stay Safe. All committees operate  
within defined terms of reference which are reviewed  
annually and these are available on our corporate website  
www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk. The minutes of committee  
meetings are circulated to all the Directors. 

The Board has delegated responsibility for the execution of 
the Group’s strategy and the day-to-day management and 
operation of the Group’s business to the Chief Executive and 
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is chaired 
by the Chief Executive and its members are listed on page 61. 
Other executives are invited to attend Executive Committee 
meetings from time to time in relation to specific matters. 
The main purpose of the Executive Committee is to assist the 
Executive Directors in the performance of their duties in relation 
in particular to:

•  Strategy, operational plans, policies, procedures and budgets

•  The monitoring of operational and financial performance

•  The assessment and control of risk

•  The prioritisation and allocation of resources

2. Effectiveness

In the year ended 31 December 2016 the Board was made up 
of six Non-executive Directors (including myself as Chairman) 
and two executive Directors. Alan Williams joined as CFO on 
3 January 2017 bringing the Executive Directors on the Board 
to three. Christopher Rogers is the Senior Independent Director. 
The biographies of the Board are listed on pages 58 to 60.  
The composition of the Board is kept under regular review  
by the Nominations Committee and the Committee considers 
that the Board has the appropriate balance of skills, experience, 
independence and knowledge to meet the needs of the business.

Appointment of directors
Appointments of new directors are made by the Board on the 
recommendation of the Nominations Committee. I chair the 
Nominations Committee and all other members are independent 
non-executive Directors. The Committee’s report can be found 
on page 100.

The Company’s policy is to recruit people of the highest calibre, 
with a breadth of skills and experience appropriate for the 
business. The Group supports the principles of the Davies Review 
and the need for a diverse board, although it does not intend 
to commit to specific quotas. The Group uses search firms 
who abide by the voluntary code of conduct which followed the 
Davies Review. The Board diversity policy is summarised in the 
Nominations Committee Report on pages 100 to 101 and further 

64

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationEvaluation of Board performance
Each year, the Board undertakes an evaluation of its performance 
and the performance of its committees and individual directors. 
The Board’s policy is to engage an external facilitator to assist this 
process every three years. In 2007, 2011 and in 2014, the Board’s 
performance was reviewed externally by Egon Zehnder. 

In 2016 the Board carried out an internal review of its 
performance. This entailed each Director and the Company 
Secretary & General Counsel completing a questionnaire about 
the performance of the Board and its Committees, followed 
by individual conversations with me. I produced a report, 
summarising the outcome and recommendations which the 
Board discussed and agreed an action plan for 2017.

The Non-executive Directors led by the Senior Independent 
Director conducted a review of my own performance which 
followed a similar process of questionnaires, individual meetings 
with directors and a meeting of the Non-executives without 
my presence to discuss the findings. The Non-executive 
Directors and I conducted the review of the performance of the 
Executive Directors.

There was a generally high level of satisfaction and positive 
feedback on relationships, freedom to contribute, transparency 
and business and strategic priorities. Members welcomed 
an increased focus on strategic issues in 2016 and determined 
that it had effectively managed the priorities from the last review. 
A number of key themes came through in the evaluation and 
these will be our focus in the coming year:

•  Articulation of the Group’s future strategic direction

•  A greater focus on customer and digital issues and risk

•  Further consideration of how to develop greater diversity  

of thinking on the Board

•  More succinct board papers

In 2017 there will be an external evaluation of the Board.

Re-election of directors
The Board considers on an annual basis the time commitments 
of each non-executive director and whether each remains 
independent in character and judgement in light of any 
relationships or circumstances which are likely to affect each 
Director’s judgement. None of the circumstances set out in Code 
provision B.1.1 apply and the Board is satisfied that they all remain 
independent and have sufficient time available  
to fulfil their duties. 

As a result of the Board evaluation exercise, as Chairman  
I am satisfied that there is presently a blend of skills and 
experience which is appropriate for the Group and that each 
Director continues to show the necessary level of performance 
and commitment to the Group to justify their election or 
re-election. The other Directors, in the process led by the  
Senior Independent Director, reached the same view with  
regard to my own re-election.

Therefore, all Directors will submit themselves for re-election 
at the 2017 AGM. 

3. Accountability

A review of the performance of the Group’s businesses and the 
financial position of the Group is included in the Strategic Report 
on pages 6 to 55. The Board uses it to present a full assessment 
of the Group’s position and prospects, its business model, and its 
strategy for delivering that model. The Directors’ responsibilities 
for the financial statements are described on page 106. 

Going concern
After reviewing the Group’s forecasts and risk assessments and 
making other enquiries, the Board has formed a judgement at 
the time of approving the financial statements, that there is a 
reasonable expectation that the Group and the Company have 
adequate resources to continue in operational existence for 
the 12 months from the date of signing this Annual Report & 
Accounts. For this reason, the Board continues to adopt the going 
concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

In arriving at their opinion the Directors considered:

•  The Group’s cash flow forecasts and revenue projections

•  Reasonably possible changes in trading performance

•  The committed facilities available to the Group and the 

covenants thereon

•  The Group’s robust policy towards liquidity and cash flow 

management

•  The Group management’s ability to successfully manage the 
principal risks and uncertainties outlined on pages 38 to 43 
during periods of uncertain economic outlook and challenging 
macro-economic conditions

Risk management and internal control 
The Board is responsible for the Group’s system of internal 
control and for reviewing its effectiveness. In the design of 
the system of internal control, consideration has been given 
to the significant risks to the business, the probability of these 
risks manifesting themselves and the most cost effective 
means of controlling them. The threat posed by those risks, 
and any perceived change in that threat, is reviewed half yearly 
by both the Executive Committee and the Board. The system 
manages rather than eliminates risk and therefore can only 
provide reasonable, and not absolute, assurance against material 
misstatement or loss.

The day-to-day operation of the system of internal control  
is delegated to Executive Directors and senior management,  
but the Audit Committee discuss internal controls on a regular 
basis. The system of internal controls is reviewed in a process 
that accords with the FRC Guidance “Risk Management, Internal 
Control and Related Financial & Business Reporting”.

It is the responsibility of the Board to establish the risk framework 
within which the Group operates. The Board and the Executive 
Committee review the risk register twice and the risk appetite at 
least once in each year. Members of the Audit Committee also 
receive reports of Internal Audit reviews. If appropriate, these 
reports include recommendations for improvement in controls 
or for the management of those risks. Measures to integrate risk 
management processes into the Group’s operations, to extend 
awareness of the importance of risk management and to ensure 
that recommended improvements are implemented, are regularly 
reviewed and refreshed. 

65

Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationTravis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 

Governance & Remuneration

As part of its viability review, the outcome of which is set out  
on page 35, the Board considered the principal risks and 
uncertainties and mitigating factors set out on pages 38 to 43. 

In conjunction with the Audit Committee, the Board has carried 
out an annual review of the overall effectiveness of the system 
of internal control and risk management, during the year and up 
until the date of approval of this Annual Report. 

Audit Committee and Auditors 
The Board has established an Audit Committee consisting of 
four independent Non-executive Directors. Its key responsibilities 
and a description of its work in 2016 are contained in its report, 
which is set out on pages 67 to 73.

The Board’s fair, balanced and understandable declaration
At the Board meeting during which the Group’s results for the 
year were presented by the Chief Executive, the Chief Operating 
Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the Board also considered 
whether the annual report and accounts, when taken as a whole, 
present a fair, balanced and understandable overview of the 
Group and its performance. After:

•  Hearing from the Executive Directors

•  Receiving a report from the Chairman of the Audit Committee 
on that Committee’s meeting to discuss the preparation and 
content of the year-end financial statements and the audit 
conducted upon them

•  Discussing the contents of the Annual Report and Accounts 

The Board concluded that the annual report and accounts are 
fair, balanced and understandable and accordingly the Directors’ 
declaration to that effect can be found in the Statement of 
Directors Responsibilities on page 106.

4. Remuneration

The Board has established a Remuneration Committee  
consisting of three independent Non-executive Directors 
and myself. Its responsibilities include setting the Company’s 
remuneration policy, approving the remuneration of 
executives and reviewing the performance against targets 
prior to determining the pay-outs on incentive arrangements. 
The remuneration of the Non-executive Directors other than 
the Chairman is determined by the Chairman and the Executive 
Directors. The Remuneration Committee determines the 
Chairman’s fee. No Director plays a part in the discussion 
about his or her own remuneration. 

The Committee’s key responsibilities and a description of its  
work in 2016 are contained in its report, which is set out on  
pages 74 to 98.

5. Relations with shareholders

The Company encourages two-way communication with both 
its institutional and private investors and responds promptly to 
all enquiries received. The Board receives regular updates on the 
shareholder register and the views of shareholders, and each year 
the Company reviews its strategy for engaging with shareholders 
to ensure that we are meeting their needs. The Board also 
reviews reports discussing governance matters such as the 
Good Governance Report published by the Institute of Directors 
and engages with these bodies to contribute to the debate and 
development of good governance practices.

In 2016, the Executive Directors and I, either separately or together, 
attended a large number of meetings with shareholders and 
analysts. The Group held two briefings on results which were 
attended by shareholders, equity analysts and debt holders. Copies 
of these presentations are available from the investor relations 
section of the Group’s website at www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk

The Group makes the Senior Independent Director available 
as a direct contact for investors and shareholders, if they wish. 
However, no meetings have taken place between the Company’s 
investors and the Senior Independent Director due to lack of 
appetite for such meetings among the investors, and accordingly 
the Company has not complied with provision E.1.1 of the Code  
in this respect. 

As Chairman, I aim to meet with major shareholders every year 
and I am always available to our shareholders if they have any 
issues they wish to discuss. In 2016, few shareholders chose 
to engage on governance matters on the basis that they had 
no concerns. 

As well as sending the annual report & accounts to shareholders, 
during the year the Group published its interim results on its 
website and issued two trading updates. Shareholders receive 
more than twenty working days’ notice of the Annual General 
Meeting at which all Directors are available for questions and a 
short business presentation takes place. Each substantive issue 
considered at the AGM is the subject of a separate resolution. 
I announce the numbers of proxy votes for and against each 
resolution at the meeting, after the voting has taken place, and 
these numbers are subsequently published on the Company’s 
website. Last year the majority of resolutions were passed with 
over 90% in favour with only short notice general meetings and 
disapplication of pre-emption rights below this level at 89% and 
87% respectively.

The AGM this year will be held on Wednesday 24 May at the 
Northampton Rugby Football Club in Northampton. As always, 
I look forward to meeting shareholders at the AGM, where I 
will be available to address concerns and take suggestions you 
may have.

Robert Walker 
Chairman 
14 March 2017

66

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration 
Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 

Governance & Remuneration

AUDIT
COMMITTEE
REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

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Dear Shareholder

As Chairman of the Audit Committee, I am pleased to present 
the Audit Committee’s report for 2016. This report describes how  
the Committee has carried out its work during the year. 

There were no changes to the Committee’s membership in 
2016. It is a committee with considerable experience in financial 
and corporate governance matters as can be seen from the 
biographies on pages 58 to 60.

The Committee has continued to play a key role within the 
Group’s governance framework to support the Board in matters 
delegated by it in respect of internal control, risk management, 
financial reporting and significant estimates and judgements  
as well as overseeing the internal and external audit processes.

As a result of the change of external auditor for the 2015 
year-end, the significant new systems programmes being 
undertaken across the Group and changes in Internal Audit,  
the Committee has also had a particular focus during 2016 on:

•  Overseeing the bedding in of new external audit processes  

led by KPMG, who were appointed in 2015

•  The enhancement of internal controls and the continued review 

and development of financial controls 

•  Reviewing the Internal Audit function to ensure it has the 

resources to operate effectively, including recruiting a new head 
of Internal Audit to start in 2017

I will be available at the Annual General Meeting to answer any 
questions about the work of the Committee.

Ruth Anderson  
Chairman, Audit Committee 
14 March 2017

67

 
 
 
Role of the Audit Committee

The key responsibilities of the Committee are to:

•  Monitor the integrity of the financial statements of the Company 

and any formal announcements relating to the Company’s 
financial performance, reviewing significant financial reporting 
judgements contained in them

During the year, the Committee reviewed the:

•  Group’s systems of internal control, the effectiveness 
of controls and management’s continuing controls 
improvement programme

•  Group’s key risks and the effectiveness of the risk  

management framework

•  Review the Company’s internal financial controls and the 

•  Internal audit plan

systems of internal control and risk management

•  Monitor and review the effectiveness of the Company’s  

internal audit function

•  Maintain an appropriate relationship with the Company’s 

external auditors and to review the independence, objectivity 
and effectiveness of the audit process, taking account of 
relevant professional, regulatory and ethical guidance

The Committee’s terms of reference are reviewed annually  
and were updated in February 2016.

•  Group’s tax strategy and compliance

•  Effectiveness of Internal Audit, the external auditors and  

of the Committee itself

In addition, there are a number of standing agenda items which 
the Committee considered at each of its meetings:

•  Internal Audit and risk reports

•  Whistleblowing, fraud and bribery

Committee membership and meeting attendance 

internal and external audit work

•  Progress on implementing recommendations arising from 

Ruth Anderson chaired the Committee and Coline McConville, 
Christopher Rogers and John Rogers were members of the 
Committee throughout 2016. 

All members are independent Non-executive Directors and, 
in the Board’s view, all members have recent and relevant 
financial experience and expertise relevant to the Company’s 
sector, gained through a variety of corporate and professional 
appointments as required by the UK Corporate Governance Code 
(see biographies on pages 59 and 60).  

The Deputy Company Secretary was Secretary to the 
Committee throughout 2016. 

The Committee held five formal meetings during 2016. 
The Group Chairman, Chief Executive and Chief Financial 
Officer, Company Secretary & General Counsel, Group Financial 
Controller, Head of Internal Audit and external auditors also 
attended the Committee’s meetings at the invitation of the 
Committee. Separate meetings with the Head of Internal 
Audit and with the external auditors without the presence of 
management were also held with the Committee Chairman and 
with the Committee, providing the opportunity for open dialogue.

Work of the Committee

The Audit Committee adheres to an annual work plan in order 
to fully discharge its obligations. This work plan is regularly 
reviewed by the Committee to ensure that it encompasses all 
matters the Committee needs to consider to fulfil its corporate 
governance responsibilities.

The Committee gives due consideration to the annual report and 
financial statements and preliminary results announcements 
prepared by management and the associated press releases 
issued at the half-year and year-end. In relation to financial 
reporting, the Committee reviewed accounting policies and 
compliance with accounting standards, going concern and 
viability assumptions and significant financial reporting estimates 
and areas of judgement made during the preparation of the 
Group’s interim and annual accounts.

•  Non-audit fees

As well as attending the Audit Committee meetings, the 
Committee members met with operational and finance team 
members during the year.

In carrying out these activities, the Committee places reliance on 
regular reports from management, Internal Audit and the external 
auditors. The Committee is satisfied that it received sufficient, 
reliable and timely information from all three groups to enable it 
to fulfil its responsibilities during the year.

The Committee Chairman updates the Board on key matters and 
recommendations following each Audit Committee meeting.

Significant issues related to the financial statements

The Audit Committee has assessed whether suitable accounting 
policies have been adopted by the Group and whether 
management has made appropriate judgements and estimates.

The table on pages 70 to 71 sets out the key judgement areas 
associated with the Group’s financial statements for the year-
ended 31 December 2016 that were considered by the Audit 
Committee. The list is not a complete list of all accounting issues, 
estimates and policies, just those the Audit Committee believes 
are the most significant ones.

In reaching its conclusions, set out in more detail below, 
the Committee considered papers and explanations given 
by management, discussed each matter in detail, challenged 
assumptions and judgements made and sought clarification 
where necessary. It reviewed and discussed any internal audit 
reports in respect of the matters under consideration and the 
Committee also received a report from the external auditors on 
the work undertaken to arrive at the conclusions set out in their 
audit report on page 110 and had the opportunity to discuss  
it with them in depth.

68

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationIuliana Ciulpan – 
Travis Perkins,  
Staples Corner

Travis Perkins – Staples Corner

Elijah Crabtree, Gina Hayes – CPS, Stafford

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 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
 
Matter

Inventory  
valuation

Accounting for 
rebate income and 
fixed price discounts 
(“Supplier Income”)

Exceptional items

70

Issue and Nature of Judgement

Factors Considered and Conclusion Reached

To meet customer expectations the Group 
carries a wide range of stock in over 
2,000 locations. Stock should be included 
in the balance sheet at the lower of cost or 
net realisable value. The determination of 
cost is complicated when rebate and fixed 
priced discount agreements are in place (see 
below). Furthermore, determining the net 
realisable value of the wide range of products 
held in many locations requires judgement to 
be applied.

The terms of supplier agreements result in 
a significant value of Supplier Income being 
received by the Group. The calculation of 
the value receivable and the value deferred 
into stock is complicated due to the number, 
nature and structure of the agreements in 
place. However, only two agreements are not 
co-terminous with the Group’s accounting 
year end. Furthermore, approximately 80% 
of amounts due to the Group are received 
during the course of the year. Therefore the 
key judgements relate to the calculation of the 
total value of rebates and fixed price discounts 
still to be received at the year-end and the 
value of fixed price discounts and rebates to be 
set against the gross value of inventory in the 
balance sheet.

To maintain the integrity and comparability of the 
income statement, items of income and expenditure 
should be classed as exceptional and excluded from 
underlying profits only in the specific circumstances 
set out in the Group’s accounting policy on page 122.

As set out in note 5 to the financial statements, 
the Group charged £56.6m of exceptional 
reorganisation costs to the income statement 
in 2016, which were excluded when calculating 
adjusted profits and earnings per share. 

Judgement is required to ensure the correct 
classification of income and expenditure 
between underlying profits and exceptional 
items,  Furthermore, where provisions are 
established for future settlement the Directors 
need to be certain that the Group has a present 
obligation as a result of a past event, that it can 
estimate it accurately and that it is probable that 
an outflow of resources embodying economic 
benefits will be required to settle the obligation.

In 2015 management presented a detailed 
paper to the Committee that enabled it to review, 
question and understand how stock is controlled 
and accounted for throughout the Group. It 
incorporated both qualitative and quantitative 
information such that the Committee could 
understand how management determined that 
stock was in existence, owned by the Group, valued 
appropriately and recorded in completeness. The 
paper included how provisions were determined to 
ensure that stock was held at the lower of cost and 
net realisable value.

Management continued to regularly report on 
stock valuation and provisioning to the Committee 
and did so again at its meeting to discuss the 
year-end annual report and accounts. 

The Committee concluded from the information it 
had received and its discussions with management 
and the Auditors that stock was fairly stated in the 
balance sheet.

During the year the Committee discussed 
reports presented by management about 
the progress of improvements to systems, 
controls and processes and in particular the 
implementation of a new rebate management 
system. It also received reports that enabled 
it to monitor Supplier Income collection rates 
and compare them with the prior year and 
it discussed the Group’s adherence to its 
accounting policies and procedures.

A summary update of the year-end position was 
given to the Committee at the meeting held to 
consider the year-end results.

The Committee concluded that the controls 
over recognising and recovering Supplier 
Income were appropriate and that the 
values included in the financial statements 
were appropriate.

Management presented the Committee with  
a report that outlined the basis for establishing 
the exceptional charge and explained the 
judgements made in determining which items 
to classify as exceptional. The report included 
an analysis of cash and non-cash costs and 
between costs incurred in 2016 and provisions 
required at the balance sheet date.

The Committee questioned management on 
each category of exceptional item and, after 
taking into account management’s explanations, 
concluded that the classification of exceptional 
items was appropriate and where necessary 
provisions had been properly established. 

The Committee reviewed the disclosure of the 
exceptional items in the financial statements 
and concluded that it was appropriate.

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationMatter

Issue and Nature of Judgement

Factors Considered and Conclusions Reached 

The carrying  
value of goodwill  
and other intangibles

The Group balance sheet contains a significant 
value of goodwill and other intangible assets 
associated with historical acquisitions.

The Directors are required to determine 
annually whether those assets have suffered 
any impairment. They do so by comparing the 
present value of future cash flows for each cash 
generating unit with the carrying value of its 
goodwill and other intangible assets.

The calculations undertaken to help arrive at a 
conclusion incorporate a consideration of the 
risks associated with each cash generating unit 
and are based upon forecasts of their long term 
future cash flows, which by their nature require 
judgement to be exercised and are subject to 
considerable uncertainty. As a result of the 
annual review, at 31 December 2016, the Group 
recognised an impairment to goodwill and other 
intangible assets of £235.4m.

The cash flow forecasts used for impairment 
considerations are prepared from the strategic 
business plans presented to, and approved by, 
the Board of Directors annually.

Management presented the Committee with 
papers setting out the results of the work done, 
the assumptions made and the conclusions 
reached. They explained to the Committee how 
the cash flow and discount rate calculations 
were prepared, the key assumptions and 
judgements that were made, how sensitive 
those cash flows were to changes in the key 
assumptions and how a deterioration in the 
performance of the Plumbing & Heating division 
and the Group’s tile business and a weak 
outlook for the individual business’s respective 
markets had resulted in an impairment of 
£235.4m being made against the carrying  
value of goodwill and other intangible and 
tangible assets.

After reviewing management’s papers, and 
obtaining further explanation where necessary 
the Committee concluded that management 
had taken a consistent, balanced and reasoned 
approach to preparing its calculations and 
that the judgements made were acceptable. 
Furthermore, the Committee concluded that it 
was appropriate to impair the goodwill and other 
intangible assets associated with Plumbing & 
Heating division and the Group’s tile business. 
The Committee considered there was no 
indication of impairment in any other business.

71

Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationInternal audit

Risk management and internal controls

During 2016, Internal Audit continued to focus on reviewing 
financial controls in areas which the Audit Committee considered 
higher risk as well as other areas of high risk included in the 
Group risk register or highlighted by Internal Audit evaluation or 
from consultation with the Executive Committee. All core key 
financial control areas are audited every year including balance 
sheet control accounts, key internal financial control statements, 
rebates and fixed price discounts.

The risk management process facilitates the identification 
and control of risks. Details of risks faced by the Group are 
maintained in Group or business unit risk registers. Those risks 
are regularly reviewed by the Executive Committee and also 
by the Board to assess the potential impact and likelihood of 
occurrence, after taking into account key controls and mitigating 
factors. Additional mitigating actions are identified where 
necessary and agreed with relevant business owners. 

Internal Audit’s review of the design and implementation of 
a new supplier rebate and fixed price discount management 
system, that commenced in 2015, continued in 2016. The use 
of computer assisted audit techniques also increased in 2016, 
focussing on major spend areas such as IT and fleet costs.

Audits were undertaken by both the in-house Internal Audit 
team with operational audit support and the Group’s co-source 
partners. The allocation of work was dependent on the specialist 
skills required, particularly in areas such as IT, data protection, 
tax and treasury and the available resource. The new head of 
Internal Audit and Risk, who joined the Group in January 2017, 
will review how best to ensure that the appropriate resources are 
available for Internal Audit’s programme of work.

The Committee reviewed the proposed audit approach,  
coverage and allocation of resources and at each Committee 
meeting Internal Audit reports were considered. 

The Committee also continued to review the effective 
implementation of recommendations agreed by management, 
through an Internal Audit system which tracks activity on all 
active recommendations. This system provides a single point of 
reference for tracking recommendations resulting from internal 
audit reviews, and other control reviews performed by certain 
third parties and so enables recommendations to be monitored in 
respect to both their age and implementation activity. 

The trial to evaluate the effectiveness of moving branch and store 
compliance teams from central control to divisional management 
control was completed successfully for the Contracts division in 
the year. Accordingly the Committee approved the rollout of the 
approach to the other divisions in the Group. 

The Committee was satisfied with the overall effectiveness of the 
Internal Audit function.

Risks are managed at a Group level or within the business units 
on an ongoing basis. The principal risks and uncertainties are set 
out on pages 37 to 43, together with information on how those 
risks are mitigated.

The Audit Committee monitors the key elements of the 
Company’s internal control framework throughout the year and 
has conducted a review of the effectiveness of the Company’s 
risk management and internal controls. The internal control 
framework is intended to manage rather than eliminate the 
risk of failure to achieve business objectives and can only 
provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material 
misstatement or loss. 

The Group’s control framework has developed over many years 
and there are a significant number of systems replacements 
underway. The changes will improve control processes and 
ensure greater consistency across the control environment. 

Management has also continued its programme of work to 
improve the control environment and this will continue in 2017. 
The Audit Committee will monitor progress through the year.

Given the level of change the Audit Committee has tasked 
Internal Audit to take a more active role in reviewing 
these programmes. 

External auditor

KPMG LLP was appointed at the 2015 AGM following a 
competitive tender exercise conducted during late 2014 and 
early 2015. There are no contractual restrictions on the Group 
with regard to this appointment. In accordance with current 
professional standards, the partner responsible for the audit will 
change every 5 years. The Company intends to put the external 
audit out to tender every 10 years in the future. 

Audit scope and effectiveness
The scope of the external audit was presented by the external 
auditor to the Committee in advance of the year-end so the 
Committee had the opportunity to discuss the planned  
approach with them and management to ensure it was robust 
and complete.

The Committee considers the effectiveness of the external 
auditor on an ongoing basis during the year. As part of the 
process the Committee received input from management who 
gave positive views of the effectiveness of the audit process and 
generally on the work of the external auditors. 

72

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
Independence and objectivity
One of the Committee’s responsibilities is to ensure compliance 
with the Board’s policy in respect of services provided by, and 
fees paid to, the external auditor. There has been no material 
change to this policy, save to update it in November 2016 to 
comply with new EU regulation introducing a cap on non-audit 
fees paid to the external auditor of 70% of the average of the 
current and prior two years audit fee. The policy is summarised 
below.

General principle
The process for approving all non-audit work provided by 
the Group’s auditor is overseen by the Committee in order to 
safeguard the objectivity and independence of the auditor. Prior to 
approval, consideration is given to whether it is in the interests of 
the Company that the services are purchased from KPMG rather 
than another supplier. Where KPMG has been chosen, this is as 
a result of their detailed knowledge of the Group’s business and 
understanding of its industry as well as demonstrating that they 
have the necessary expertise and capability to undertake the 
work cost effectively. 

Areas of work 

Permitted work

Audit related

Non-audit related

Prohibited work

Activities required 
by law or legislation 
to be undertaken by 
the Auditors

Reviews of interim 
financial information

Managed service reports 
to housing associations 
and local authorities

Reviews of internal 
controls and corporate 
governance

Public reporting on 
circulars, prospectuses 
and listing particulars 
and similar documents

Private reporting to 
sponsors and similar 
parties in connection 
with investment 
circulars, prospectuses 
and similar documents

Book-keeping and work related to the preparation of accounting 
records

Financial system or system of internal control design 
or implementation

Tax compliance and advisory services

Appraisal and valuation services

Internal audit and legal services

Financing, capital structure and investment strategy services

Actuarial services

Forensic work

Recruitment services

Secondment of staff to a supervisory or management position

Provision of investment advice or broking services 

Value of work
Non-audit fees payable to the external auditor in any particular 
year cannot exceed 70% of the average of the current and prior 
two years audit fee. Non-audit services provided by the external 
auditor require approval as follows:

•  <£5,000 may be incurred without further approval

•  £5,001 to £25,000 – Chief Financial Officer

•  >£25,000 – Audit Committee

Fees above £50,001 for new work must be subject to a 
competitive tender.

Formal approval by the Committee is also required for any piece 
of non-audit work performed by the external auditor, regardless 
of value, if the aggregate level of fees for non-audit services 
exceeds or would exceed £100,000 in any financial year.

Reporting
The Chief Financial Officer reports to the Committee on 
fees for non-audit services payable to the external auditor at 
every meeting.

As shown in note 5 to the accounts, during the year the Auditors 
were paid £900,000 (2015: £520,000) for audit-related work, 
and £242,000 (2015: £139,000) for non-audit work.

The principal items of non-audit fees paid to the external auditors 
relate to the interim review and the provision and maintenance 
of the Group’s employee benefits system, MyPerks. In addition, 
£3.0m (2015: £0.8m) of fees were paid to other accounting 
firms for non-audit work. The total fees paid by the Group to 
KPMG LLP in 2016 amount to less than 0.07% of KPMG’s UK 
fee income.

Assessment of the external auditor
Having considered the external auditor’s performance, the level 
of non-audit fees paid to them and representations from the 
auditors about their internal independence processes the 
Committee concluded that it was satisfied with the independence, 
objectivity and effectiveness of the external auditor and 
recommended to the Board that KPMG be re-appointed by 
shareholders at the AGM on 24 May 2017.

73

Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationTravis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016

Governance & Remuneration

DIRECTORS’ 
REMUNERATION 
REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

Dear Shareholders,

As Chairman of the Remuneration Committee I am very pleased  
to introduce the 2016 Directors’ Remuneration Report.

The Group’s previously stated ambition to deliver long term 
sustainable value to shareholders remains at the heart 
of the Committee’s approach to executive remuneration. 
A fundamental aspect of this is the link between the Group’s 
strategy and remuneration with each part of the remuneration 
package playing a role in driving performance beyond the 
short and medium terms to deliver long term ambition and 
shareholder returns. 

The Committee believes that incentive pay-outs are strongly 
aligned with the Group’s performance and the value created 
for shareholders. The Committee is also pleased that recent 
feedback from analysts and shareholders, during the review of 
the current policy, has been supportive of the strong alignment 
between executive incentive outcomes and group performance. 
This alignment is illustrated in the following charts:

%
100

80

60

40

20

0

140

120

100
80

60
40
20
0

)
p
(
S
P
E
d
e
t
s
u
d
A

j

Chart: historical annual bonus, PSP and CIP vesting  
as a percentage of maximum for the CEO

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Avg

Annual
Bonus

PSP

Co-Investment Plan

Chart: TSR (% increase) 
and Adjusted EPS performance (p) 

%
300

250

200

150

100

50

0

e
c
n
a
m
r
o
f
r
e
p
R
S
T

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Adjusted EPS

TSR performance

(TSR re-based to 100 at 1 January 2010)

74

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
 
 
Review of remuneration arrangements

The Committee undertook a review of the Group’s executive 
remuneration framework during the year to ensure that it 
continues to be aligned with its strategy and represents pay for 
performance. The Committee very carefully considered a range 
of approaches, overall however, it concluded that Group’s current 
remuneration framework, which has been consistently supported 
by its shareholders over the last three years, remains the right 
one for Travis Perkins. 

The Group is therefore resubmitting its Remuneration Policy 
largely unchanged to shareholders at the 2017 AGM and it plans 
to continue to incentivise long-term performance through the 
Performance Share Plan (PSP) and the Co-Investment Plan (CIP). 
No changes are proposed to the overall incentive opportunities.

The Committee understands that some shareholders 
prefer that companies simplify their remuneration 
structures and only operate one long-term incentive plan. 
However, the Co-Investment Plan is considered to be a very 
effective reward tool within the organisation. Under the plan 
senior managers and executives voluntarily invest their own cash 
into company shares thereby ensuring that management has real 
‘skin in the game’ and is more closely aligned to the investment 
choices and risks shareholders take. In 2016 investment was 
taken up by 80% of the eligible senior managers and executives.

In light of shareholders preference for simplification of 
remuneration arrangements for Executive Directors, the 
Commitee has made the following changes to the Group’s 
incentive plans in order to simplify the more complex areas  
of the Policy and to bring the structure more in line with 
investor expectations:

•  Remove the secondary performance test that applies to deferred 
shares under the deferred annual bonus plan and amend the 
vesting period so that all deferred shares vest over the longer 
three year vesting period subject to continued employment. 
The double performance test structure was considered overly 
complicated, is not well understood by participants and therefore 
does not serve as an effective incentive. 

•  Reduce the level of vesting for Threshold performance under 
the long-term incentives from 30% of maximum to 25% of 
maximum to better reflect prevailing market practice.

•  Delink the EPS annual growth targets from RPI for the 

PSP in order to simplify the approach and provide greater 
transparency in relation to targets set for participants 
and shareholders. Given that RPI is no longer the main 
measure of inflation in the UK the Committee did not consider 
it appropriate to continue to link tartgets to this measure. 

In order to strengthen the alignment of executives with 
shareholders over the long-term the Committee has decided 
to introduce a post vesting holding period for PSP awards 
granted from 2017 onwards. For 2017 awards, executives will be 
required to hold any shares that vest for a further one year period 
following vesting. This period will be extended to two years for 
2018 awards onwards.

The targets that apply to the 2017 PSP and CIP awards are 
disclosed in this report on page 86.

The Committee believes that the current framework with the 
minor modifications outlined above optimises the link between 
strategy and remuneration. Ensuring this link continues to be  
a key focus during my tenure. This link is shown below.

The Committee consulted extensively with the Group’s largest 
shareholders and proxy advisory bodies regarding the proposed 
remuneration framework and was pleased with the level of 
support received. The modifications made to the framework this 
year reflect that consultation.

Strategy

Financial 
Ambition

Annual 
Incentive

Customer 
Innovation

Double digit 
EBITA growth

EPS

Optimise Network

Scale Advantage

Portfolio 
Management

Investment grade 
credit metrics

150-250 bps 
LAROCE 
improvement over 
medium term 
(3-5 years)

Prospective 
dividend growth 
to within 2.5-3.25x 
cover

Co-investment 
Plan

PSP

EPS

Aggregate 
cash flow

LAROCE

CROCE

TSR

Personal 
objectives aligned  
to operational 
delivery

75

Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationSalary review

John Carter’s and Tony Buffin’s salaries were increased by 1% 
with effect from 1 January 2017. This increase reflects salary 
increases received throughout the Group. The CEO’s current 
salary is therefore £690,131 and the COO’s salary is £533,283.

Non-executive Directors’ base fees were also increased by 1% 
from 1 January 2017.

2016 Remuneration outcomes

In 2016 the political landscape was dominated by the result  
of the EU referendum. The resultant economic uncertainty 
acutely impacted the construction and housing markets,  
and has been particularly difficult for domestic UK businesses.  
Against these substantial challenges the Group’s performance 
has stood up well and it delivered the following against key 
financial objectives:

•  Adjusted EPS of 120.4p (2015: 124.1p) 

•  LAROCE of 10.7% (2015: 10.5%) 

•  EBITA of £409m (2015: £413m)

2016 Bonus Payout
Bonuses for Executive Directors are based on EPS (60%), 
LAROCE (20%) and performance against our strategic 
tracker (20%). Adjusted EPS fell by 3% which was just below the 
threshold target resulting in no bonus being earned for this element 
of bonus. LAROCE was 10.7% and resulted in 27.5% of maximum 
bonus potential for this element being earned.

Performance against the strategic tracker was particularly strong 
during this period with targets relating to online sales growth, 
sales from new space, customer satisfaction and commercial 
programmes all met or exceeded. The strategic tracker is an 
important part of the short term incentive. It focuses short-term 
management effort towards delivering on strategic goals which 
are considered critical for delivering long term returns and 
sustainability of performance. It is closely aligned to the corporate 
plan and the levers of value creation and so provides an 
important bridge from annual bonus to long term incentive plans. 
Payout against the strategic tracker was assessed at 90% for the 
CEO and 87.1% for the CFO.

Overall bonus for 2016 was therefore 22.4% of maximum for 
the CEO (42.3% of salary) and 22.9% of maximum for the 
CFO (34.4% of salary). Half of this bonus will be paid as cash 
following the year end. The remaining half will be deferred as 
shares which will vest after three years.

The Committee considered that this level of bonus was 
appropriate reflecting strong progress against strategic 
objectives and resilient financial performance in a challenging 
economic environment.

Deferred Share Bonus Plan Awards Vesting
The share price growth targets attached to the deferred share 
award relating to bonus earned in 2014 were achieved and 
accordingly these awards will vest in full in March 2017. 

(FTSE 50-150 companies) so none of the TSR element vested. 
The Group acheived excellent aggregate cash flow over the three 
year period of £907m resulting in the full 40% of the cash flow 
element vesting.

Overall 54% of PSP awards granted in 2014 vested.

2014 Co-Investment Awards
The CEO and CFO invested the maximum amount possible 
under the Co-Investment Plan in 2014 and awards were made 
under the plan of twice the gross value of the investments 
made. Co-Investment awards granted in 2014 were subject to 
CROCE performance. CROCE performance over the three year 
period was 9.3% reflecting strong cash performance and capital 
discipline. This resulted in 97% of awards vesting.

Appointment of CFO and COO

Alan Williams joined the Board in the role of CFO on 
3 January 2017. Alan’s salary has been set at £500,000 
per annum, his pension contribution will be 25% of base salary 
and his benefits are in-line with those set out in the Group’s 
remuneration policy. The Committee considers that this salary 
is a fully effective salary for the role reflecting Alan’s experience 
and calibre. As such it is intended that any future salary 
increases would be in-line with those received throughout the 
wider organisation.

His maximum annual bonus will be 150% of base salary and  
he will receive a maximum award of 150% of base salary under 
the Performance Share Plan. Alan will also be eligible to invest 
up to 50% of his net salary under the Co-Investment Plan and 
receive a maximum matching award of up to 100% of salary.  
This is the same incentive arrangements that operate for 
the COO.

On leaving his former employer Alan forfeited outstanding 
incentives under his deferred bonus and performance share 
plans. The Committee determined that it was appropriate to  
‘buy-out’ these incentives. The buy-out awards have been 
structured as far as possible to be on a ‘like-for-like’ basis with 
awards he has forfeited being compensated in accordance with 
the Group’s remuneration policy. In addition Alan agreed to make 
a significant personal investment in Travis Perkins shares prior to 
the awards being granted.

Further details in relation to Alan’s package are provided  
on page 93.

Following Alan’s appointment Tony Buffin transitioned to the role 
of COO. His remuneration arrangements remain unchanged.

The Committee will be submitting its remuneration report 
and policy to the 2017 AGM where the report will be subject 
to advisory shareholder vote and the revised policy subject to 
a binding vote. I look forward to receiving your support. The 
Committee is seeking approval for new share plans following 
the expiry of the current plans. These plans include a revised 
Deferred Share Bonus Plan, which reflects the changes outlined 
above as well as approval to renew the Group’s current long-term 
incentive plans: the Co-Investment Plan and Performance Share 
Plan (PSP).

2014 PSP Vesting
PSP awards granted in 2014 were subject to adjusted EPS (40%), 
TSR (20%) and cash flow (40%) performance. Adjusted EPS 
grew by 16.7% over the three year period resulting in 14% of the 
adjusted EPS element vesting. The Company’s TSR performance 
was ranked below the median of the comparator group 

I look forward to receiving your support.

Coline McConville 
Remuneration Committee Chairman 
14 March 2017

76

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationPolicy report

The following sets out the Group’s Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
(the ‘Policy’). The Policy is subject to a binding shareholder vote 
on 24 May 2017 and, if approved by shareholders, will apply  
to payments made on and from this date. This Policy will  
replace in full the directors’ remuneration policy set out in the 
2013 Annual Report, which was approved by shareholders at the  
2014 AGM with 93.3% shareholder support. If approved,  
the Committee would then put a policy to shareholders again  
no later than the 2020 AGM.

Remuneration Philosophy
The principles of the Group’s remuneration policy 
remain unchanged:

•  Remuneration should be competitive and contribute to the 
delivery of short and long term superior financial returns 
for shareholders

•  Remuneration should contain significant performance related 

incentive elements

Element

Link to Strategy

Operation

Base Salary

Core element  
of total package, 
essential to support 
recruitment and 
retention of high 
calibre executives.

Benefits

Maintain a 
competitive 
package with  
a range of 
benefits for the 
director and 
their family.

Normally reviewed 
annually as at 1 January. 
Factors influencing the 
decision include: 

•  Role, experience and 

individual performance

•  Pay awards elsewhere  

in the Group

•  Salary levels at other 

companies of a similar size

•  General economic 
environment and 
performance of 
the business

Directors are currently entitled 
to benefits including:

•  Private medical insurance

•  Income protection

•  Annual leave – up to 

30 days

•  Fully expensed company 
car (or cash alternative)

•  Life insurance of up to 

5 times salary

•  All employee share plans 
such as SAYE and BAYE

Executive Directors shall 
be reimbursed for all 
reasonable expenses and the 
Company may settle any tax 
incurred in relation to these 
where appropriate.

•  Reward mechanisms should ensure that a significant  

proportion of variable pay is delivered in deferred shares  
with malus and clawback provisions ensuring that executives 
retain a meaningful personal stake in the Group’s success

•  All colleagues should be able to share in the success of the 
Group through participation in both annual bonus schemes  
and longer term share plans

•  The approach to basic salary increases should be consistent 

across all colleagues 

These principles apply across the Group. In addition to 
competitive base salary and bonus programmes, colleagues 
also have access to an extensive range of benefits under the 
Group’s MyPerks colleague benefit programme. This includes a 
wide range of flexible and voluntary benefits, retirement benefits, 
the ever popular all-colleague Sharesave Scheme and a range 
of recognition programmes.

Performance  
Metrics

None.

None.

Maximum 
Potential 
Value

In the  
normal course 
of events the 
maximum 
salary increase 
for Executive 
Directors will 
be in line with 
the general 
employee 
increase.

Benefit levels 
reflect those 
typically 
available 
to senior 
managers 
within the 
Group and 
may be 
subject to 
change. The 
maximum 
potential 
value being 
the cost to the 
Company to 
provide those 
benefits.

Remuneration 
Committee Discretion

The Committee retains 
discretion to award salary 
increases in excess of  
the general population
where necessary to  
reflect performance 
or significant changes 
in market practice, to 
recognise changes in 
roles and responsibilities 
or where a new Executive 
Director has been 
appointed to the Board 
at a lower than typical 
market salary to allow for 
growth in the role.
The Committee may 
remove benefits that
Executive Directors 
receive or introduce 
other benefits if it is 
considered appropriate to 
do so taking into account 
the circumstances. 

77

Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Element

Pension

Annual Bonus 
and Deferred 
Share Bonus 
Plan

Link to Strategy

Operation

No director actively 
participates in a defined 
benefit pension scheme. Up 
to 25% of salary is provided 
either as a cash allowance in 
lieu of pension or as part cash 
allowance in lieu of pension 
and part contribution to a 
personal pension plan.

Pension allowances will not be 
included in the salary figure to 
be used to calculate bonus or 
the level of award under long 
term incentive plans.
Total bonus level is 
determined after the year 
end, based on achievement 
of targets.

Normally up to 50% of the 
total bonus is paid in cash. 
The remainder of the bonus is 
deferred as shares for 3 years. 

The deferred element may 
be granted in the form of nil 
cost options or conditional 
share awards.

Targets are set annually in line 
with the performance metrics. 

Dividend equivalents on 
vesting shares may be paid.

Malus and clawback 
provisions apply as  
explained further on page 81.

Helps executives 
provide for 
retirement and 
aids retention.

Rewards 
achievement 
of annual 
financial and key 
business strategy 
objectives. 
Rewards personal 
performance 
measured against 
key objectives. 
Deferred element 
encourages longer 
term shareholding 
and aligns reward 
to shareholder 
interests.  
Malus and 
clawback and 
performance 
based forfeiture 
provisions 
discourage 
excessive risk 
taking and short 
term outlook 
ensuring that 
executive and 
shareholder 
interests 
are aligned.

Maximum 
Potential 
Value

Performance  
Metrics

Remuneration 
Committee Discretion

25% of salary. None.

None.

Maximum 
bonus 
opportunity 
under the 
plan is 180% 
of annual 
salary for 
the CEO 
and 150% 
for the COO 
and CFO.

The Committee retains 
the discretion to 
review the measures, 
the weighting of 
measures and to set the 
performance targets and 
ranges for each measure.

The Committee will 
determine financial 
targets and the amount 
of bonus which can be 
earned for achievement 
of the Group’s annual 
operating plan. This 
determination will 
be based upon an 
assessment of the 
degree of difficulty in 
achieving the plan taking 
into account market 
conditions, improvement 
on prior year performance 
required, and other 
relevant factors.

Bonus measures 
typically include:

•  Financial targets

•  Individual or Group 
targets pertaining 
to delivery of the 
business strategy 

Financial targets will 
account for at least 
50% of the bonus.

Performance below 
threshold results in 
zero bonus. Bonus 
earned rises from 0% 
to 100% of maximum 
bonus opportunity for 
levels of performance 
between threshold 
and maximum 
targets.

Performance 
measures and 
weightings are set out 
in the Statement of 
Implementation of the 
Remuneration Policy.

78

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Element

Link to Strategy

Operation

Performance 
Share Plan

Incentivises 
participants 
to deliver key 
financial targets 
over a longer 
term, with 
particular focus 
on shareholder 
return and the 
generation of 
cash to fund 
investment in 
growth and 
long term 
sustainability.

Helps retain 
high performing 
executives.

Awards are normally granted 
in the form of nil cost options, 
annually to participants. 

Awards will normally vest 
after 3 years subject to the 
satisfaction of performance 
conditions.

For Executive Directors a 
post-vesting holding period 
will apply to awards granted 
under the PSP. For 2017 
awards, shares that vest will 
not be released to executives 
for a further one year period 
from the date of vesting. 
This period will be extended 
to two years for 2018 
awards onwards.

Awards may also be granted 
in conjunction with a tax-
advantaged “CSOP” option up 
to the HMRC limits (currently 
£30,000) as a “Qualifying 
PSP Award”. The vesting of a 
Qualifying PSP Award will be 
scaled back to take account of 
any gain made on exercise of 
the associated CSOP option. 
A Qualifying PSP Award will 
enable the executive and the 
Company to benefit from tax 
advantaged treatment on part 
of their PSP award without 
increasing the pre-tax value 
delivered to the executive or 
cost to the Company. 

The tax advantaged options 
are subject to the same 
performance measures as the 
non-tax advantaged element.

The Committee may decide 
to scale back participation 
where the shareholding 
requirement set by the 
Committee is not met.

Dividend equivalents on 
vesting shares may be paid.

Malus and clawback provisions 
apply as explained further on 
page 81.

Maximum 
Potential 
Value

The maximum 
annual award 
for all executive 
directors is 
150% of salary.

Performance  
Metrics

Remuneration 
Committee Discretion

The Committee retains 
discretion to review the 
performance measures, 
the weighting applied 
to measures, and to set 
the target ranges for 
each measure.

In addition the Committee 
will review and select the 
appropriate comparator 
group for relative 
performance measures.

Performance measures 
are typically based 
around key financial 
and/or share price 
metrics which reflect 
the Group strategy.

Vesting criteria 
are set against a 
target range based 
on performance 
levels determined 
by the Group’s 
projections for the 
next 3 years for the 
relevant measure.

Where relative 
performance 
measures are used 
(for example TSR) 
threshold target levels 
will be set at the 
median performance 
level.

Performance below 
the threshold target 
results in zero vesting. 
From the threshold 
target level the 
amount of the award 
vesting rises from 
25% to 100% of 
maximum opportunity 
for levels of 
performance between 
lower and maximum 
targets.

Performance 
conditions and 
weightings are set out 
in the Statement of 
Implementation of the 
Remuneration Policy. 

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Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration 
Committee Discretion

The Committee retains 
discretion to review the 
performance measures, 
the weighting applied 
to measures, and to set 
the target ranges for 
each measure.

In addition the Committee 
will review and select the 
appropriate comparator 
group for relative 
performance measures.

The Committee 
retains discretion to 
increase shareholding 
requirements.

Performance  
Metrics

Performance measures 
are typically based 
around key financial 
and/or share price 
metrics which reflect 
the Group strategy.

Vesting criteria 
are set against a 
target range based 
on performance 
levels determined 
by the Group’s 
projections for the 
next 3 years for the 
relevant measure.

Where relative 
performance 
measures are used 
(for example TSR) 
threshold target 
levels will be set 
at the median 
performance level.

Performance below 
the threshold target 
results in zero 
vesting. From the 
threshold target 
level the amount of 
the award vesting 
rises from 25% to 
100% of maximum 
opportunity for levels 
of performance 
between lower and 
maximum targets.

Performance 
conditions and 
weightings are set out 
in the Statement of 
Implementation of the 
Remuneration Policy.
Executive directors 
are expected to 
hold shares valued 
at two times salary 
within 5 years of 
appointment to 
the Board.

Maximum 
Potential 
Value

Participants 
may invest 
up to 50% 
of their 
net salary.

Maximum 
matching 
awards of 
twice the 
gross salary 
equivalent of 
the amount 
invested 
(i.e. 100% of 
gross salary).

Element

Link to Strategy

Operation

Co-
Investment 
Plan

Encourages 
a mutual 
commitment 
whereby 
participants 
build up a 
shareholding in 
the Company and 
are incentivised 
to deliver 
key financial 
targets over a 
longer term. 

Helps retain high 
calibre executives.

Executives may be invited 
to participate in the Co-
Investment Plan annually.
Each participant buys shares 
from their own resources. 
These shares are designated 
as “Investment Shares” for 
the purposes of the Co-
Investment Plan.

A matching share award 
(normally in the form of 
a nil cost option) is made 
to each participant, which 
vests after 3 years subject to 
achievement of performance 
measures. The number of 
matching shares will lapse 
pro rata to the disposal of any 
associated Investment Shares 
by the participant prior to 
the vesting of the associated 
matching share award.

Dividend equivalents on 
vesting shares may be paid.

Malus and clawback provisions 
apply as explained further on 
page 81.

Shareholding 
Requirements

Aligns the 
interests of 
executives and 
shareholders.

N/A

Formal requirements  
(not voluntary guidelines) 
apply to directors and senior 
executives. Participation in 
long-term incentives may be 
scaled back or withheld if the 
requirements are not met 
or maintained. 

For the purposes of assessing 
compliance with the 
shareholding requirement 
vested, but unexercised 
awards will be considered.

80

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes to policy

The key changes to this Policy compared to the 2014 Policy  
are as follows:

•  The secondary share price performance test that applies  

to deferred shares under the deferred annual bonus plan has 
been removed. The vesting period has also been increased  
so that all deferred shares vest over the longer three year 
vesting period subject to continued employment. This change 
will apply to bonuses paid and deferred shares awarded in 
respect of 2016 performance.

•  The level of vesting for threshold performance under the 

long-term incentives has been reduced from 30% of maximum 
to 25% of maximum to better reflect prevailing market practice

•  For Executive Directors a post vesting holding period has been 
introduced for PSP awards. For 2017 awards, executives will 
be required to hold any shares that vest for a further one year 
period from vesting. This period will be extended to two years 
for 2018 awards onwards.

•  Other minor changes have been made to the wording of the 

policy to aid operation and to increase clarity

Performance metrics

In considering appropriate performance metrics for the short 
and long term incentives the Committee seeks to incentivise and 
reinforce delivery of the Company’s strategic objectives achieving 
a balance between delivering annual return to shareholders and 
ensuring sustainable long term profitability and growth. Measures 
will therefore reflect a balance of direct shareholder value, such 
as TSR and those which reflect appropriate investment strategies, 
for example, CROCE as well as measures focused on meeting 
specific strategic objectives aligned to long term growth.

The Committee calibrates these targets by due reference to 
market practice, the Group’s strategic plan, general and bespoke 
market intelligence, lead indicators and other indicators of the 
economic environment such that targets may represent relative, 
as well as absolute, achievement.

Malus and clawback

Malus and clawback provisions are included in the Annual Bonus, 
Deferred Share Bonus Plan, the Co-Investment Plan and the 
Performance Share Plan. The circumstances in which malus and 
clawback could apply include:

•  A material misstatement resulting in an adjustment to the 

Company’s audited consolidated accounts

•  The determination of the number of shares subject to an award 
or the assessment of any performance condition was in error or 
based on inaccurate or misleading information

•  The Board determining in its reasonable opinion that any action or 
conduct of the Participant amounts to serious misconduct, fraud 
or gross misconduct, or

•  Any other circumstances which the Board in its discretion 

considers to be similar in their nature or effect

Malus and clawback provisions can be applied to an award if one 
or more of the relevant circumstances occurs between the start 
of the performance / bonus period and until the third anniversary 
of payment of any cash bonus or the date of award under the 
Deferred Share Bonus Plan and the sixth anniversary of award 
under the Performance Share Plan and the Co-Investment Plan. 

Discretion 

Areas where the Committee has discretion have been outlined 
in the Policy. The Committee may also exercise operational and 
administrative discretions under relevant plan rules approved by 
shareholders as set out in those rules. A number of Committee 
discretions apply to awards granted under each of the Company’s 
share plans, including:

•  That awards may be granted as conditional share awards or 
nil-cost options or in such other form that the Committee 
determines has the same economic effect

•   That awards may be settled in cash at the Committee’s 

discretion

•   That awards may be adjusted in the event of any variation 
of the Company’s share capital or any demerger, delisting, 
special dividend or other event that may affect the Company’s 
share price

In addition, the Committee has the discretion to amend the Policy 
with regard to minor or administrative matters where it would be, 
in the opinion of the Committee, inappropriate to seek or await 
shareholder approval.

The Committee retains discretion to amend or substitute 
performance measures and targets and the weightings attached 
to performance measures part-way through a performance year 
if one or more events occurs (for example an acquisition) which 
causes the Committee to believe an amended or substituted 
performance measures, weightings or targets would be more 
appropriate and not materially less difficult to satisfy. Discretion 
may also be exercised in cases where the Committee believes 
that the outcome is not a fair and accurate reflection of business 
performance. Any exercise of this discretion will be explained in 
full to shareholders.

The Committee reserves the right to make any remuneration 
payments and / or payments for loss of office (including 
exercising any discretions available to it in connection with such 
payments) notwithstanding that they are not in line with the 
Policy set out above where the terms of the payment were agreed 
(i) before 28 May 2014 (the date the Company’s first shareholder-
approved directors’ remuneration policy came into effect); 
(ii) before the Policy set out above came into effect, provided that 
the terms of the payment were consistent with the shareholder-
approved directors’ remuneration policy in force at the time they 
were agreed; or (iii) at a time when the relevant individual was not 
a director of the Company and, in the opinion of the Committee, 
the payment was not in consideration for the individual 
becoming a director of the Company. For these purposes 
“payments” includes the Committee satisfying awards of variable 
remuneration and, in relation to an award over shares, the terms of 
the payment are “agreed” at the time the award is granted.

81

Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationIllustration of the Application of the Remuneration Policy

Non-executive Directors’ fees

Fees for the Non-executive Chairman and Non-executive 
Directors are set at an appropriate level to recruit and retain 
directors of a sufficient calibre to guide and influence board level 
decision making without paying more than is necessary to do so. 
Fees are set taking into account the following factors:

•  The time commitment required to fulfil the role

•  Typical practice at other companies of a similar size to 

Travis Perkins

Non-executive fees will normally be reviewed on an annual 
basis in line with general movement of pay within the Company. 
Non-executive Director fees policy is to pay:

•  A basic fee for membership of the Board

•  An additional fee for the Chairman of a Committee and the  

Senior Independent Director to take into account the additional 
responsibilities and time commitment of the role

Additional fees may be paid to reflect additional Board or 
Committee responsibilities as appropriate. The Non-executive 
Chairman receives an all-inclusive fee for the role.

Current fees are detailed within the Statement of Implementation 
of the Remuneration Policy.

A minimum of 25% of Non-executive Director fees is paid in 
shares. Non-executive Directors do not receive any other benefits 
(other than a staff discount card for purchasing products) and are 
not eligible to join a company pension scheme. No compensation 
is payable on termination of office, which may be without 
notice from the Company. They cannot participate in any of 
the Company’s share plans. The Company will pay reasonable 
expenses incurred by the Chairman and Non-executive Directors 
(including any tax incurred in relation to these where appropriate).

Recruitment remuneration

It is the Group’s policy to recruit the best candidate possible for 
any executive board position. It seeks to avoid paying more than 
is considered necessary to secure the candidate and will have 
regard to guidelines and shareholder sentiment when formulating 
the remuneration package.

Generally the Group structures salary, incentives and benefits 
for candidates in line with the above remuneration policy and 
accordingly participation in short and long term incentives will  
be on the same basis as existing directors. In all cases the Group 
commits to providing shareholders with timely disclosure of the 
terms of any new executive hires including the approach taken 
to determine a fair level of compensation. The table opposite 
outlines the Group’s normal recruitment policy.

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4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0

Chief Executive Officer

£3.88m

£2.61m

44%

41%

24%

35%

32%

24%

In line with
expectations

Maximum

£0.91m

100%

Minimum

Long term 
variable 
remuneration

Annual
variable
remuneration

Chief Operating Officer

Fixed
remuneration

£2.82m

47%

28%

25%

£1.93m

43%

21%

36%

In line with
expectations

Maximum

£0.70m

100%

Minimum

Long term 
variable 
remuneration

Annual
variable
remuneration

Chief Financial Officer

Fixed
remuneration

£2.65m

47%

28%

25%

£1.80m

43%

21%

36%

In line with
expectations

Maximum

£0.65m

100%

Minimum

Long term 
variable 
remuneration

Annual
variable
remuneration

Fixed
remuneration

•  Fixed remuneration includes basic salary, pension provision  

and other benefits

•  Annual variable remuneration includes annual bonus potential 
under the Deferred Share Bonus Plan, and includes that part  
of the bonus which is deferred as shares and may be subject  
to malus

•  Long term variable remuneration includes potential awards 
under the Performance Share Plan and Co-Investment Plan

•  Performance ‘in line with expectations’ assumes, for annual 
variable remuneration, performance in line with annual 
operating plan. For long term variable remuneration it assumes 
mid-range performance relative to the targets set for each plan.
Maximum performance means performance at or in excess  
of maximum performance targets

82

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration  
Element

Base Salary  
and Benefits

Pension

Annual Bonus

Basis of Determination

The pay of any new recruit would be determined following the principles set out  
in the remuneration policy table.

The appointee will be able to receive either a contribution to a personal pension scheme  
or cash allowance in lieu of pension benefits in line with the Company's policy as set out  
in the remuneration policy table.

The appointee will be eligible to participate in the Annual Bonus and Deferred Share Bonus Plan  
as set out in the remuneration policy table. Awards may be granted up to the maximum opportunity  
allowable in the remuneration policy table at the Remuneration Committee’s discretion.

Long-Term Incentives

The appointee will be eligible to participate in the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plans  
as set out in the remuneration policy table. Awards may be granted up to the maximum  
opportunity allowable under scheme rules at the Remuneration Committee’s discretion.

Share Buy-outs/ 
Replacement Awards

The Group’s policy is to carefully consider whether a buy out is appropriate. Should the Committee 
determine that the individual circumstances of recruitment justify the provision of a buy out, 
generally buy out awards will be made on a comparable basis to those awards forfeited taking into 
account the following:

•  The form of the award

•  The proportion of the performance period completed on the date of the Director’s cessation  

of employment

•  The performance conditions attached to the vesting of these incentives and the likelihood of them 

being satisfied 

•  Any other terms and conditions having a material effect on their value (“lapsed value”)

The Performance Share Plan allows for awards to be made outside of the plan limit to facilitate the 
recruitment of an Executive Director. To the extent that it was not possible or practical to provide the buy out 
within the terms of the Company’s existing incentive plans, a bespoke arrangement may be used (including 
granting an award under the Listing Rule 9.4.2 which allows for the granting of awards, to facilitate, in unusual 
circumstances, the recruitment of an Executive Director). Any buy out award made under the Company’s 
Deferred Share Bonus Plan or Long-Term Incentive Plans will not count towards the individual’s maximum 
opportunity under those plans.

Relocation

Where the Group requires a candidate to relocate in order to take up an executive position it will normally 
reimburse the reasonable costs of the relocation. This may include ongoing expenses such as schooling 
or housing for a reasonable period of time.

The Group classifies terminations of employment arising from 
death, ill health, disability, injury, retirement with Company 
agreement, redundancy or the transfer from the Group of 
the employing entity as ‘good leaver’ reasons. In addition the 
Committee retains discretion under incentive plan rules to 
determine ‘good leaver’ status in other circumstances. In the 
event such discretion is exercised a full explanation will be 
provided to shareholders.

Where an internal candidate is promoted to an executive position 
the Group will honour any contractual commitments made 
through their employment prior to the promotion.

Recruitment remuneration for Non-executive Directors would 
be assessed following the principles set out in the policy for 
non-executive director fees.

Policy on payment for directors leaving employment

Contractual notice periods for directors are normally set at 
6 months’ notice from the director and 12 months’ notice 
from the Company and the Company would normally honour 
contractual commitments in the event of the termination of a 
director. Notwithstanding this approach it is Company policy to 
seek to minimise liability in the event of any early termination 
of a director’s employment.

83

Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationLeaver reason may impact treatment of the various remuneration elements as follows:

Remuneration 
Element

Salary

Good Leaver Reason

Other Leaver Reason

Ceases on cessation of employment (salary may be paid in lieu of notice) 
unless a pre-existing contractual term applies.

Ceases on cessation of 
employment (salary may be paid 
in lieu of notice) unless a pre-
existing contractual term applies.

Bonus including 
Deferred Share  
Bonus Plan*

Unpaid bonus from a completed performance period prior to cessation  
will be paid in full. For the performance period in which cessation occurs 
a pro rata bonus may be paid, subject to normal performance conditions.

All unpaid bonus payments lapse. 
Any unvested deferred bonus 
shares also lapse on leaving.

Any unvested deferred bonus share awards will normally continue until the 
normal vesting date and vest in full. The Committee may determine that 
awards should vest on cessation of employment. The Committee may also 
apply time prorating.

Benefits

Provision or accrual of benefits will cease on cessation of employment or, if 
later, at the end of the relevant subscription period.

Performance  
Share Plan*

Unvested awards will normally vest at the normal vesting date and remain 
subject to performance. Awards will be prorated for time unless the 
Committee decides otherwise. Awards would remain subject to any applicable 
holding period.

The Committee may determine that awards should vest and be released  
at cessation of employment taking into account the extent to which 
performance targets have been met and unless the Committee decides 
otherwise the period of time elapsed since award.

Where a participant ceases employment during any holding period (other than 
for reason of gross misconduct) they will continue to retain their award in full 
and it will be released at the end of the holding period unless the Committee 
determines that the award should be released at the time of cessation.

For awards in the form of options participants will have 6 months from vesting 
to exercise their award.

Provision or accrual of benefits 
will cease on cessation of 
employment or, if later, 
at the end of the relevant 
subscription period.

Unvested awards lapse at 
cessation of employment.

Where a participant ceases 
employment during any holding 
period (other than for reason 
of gross misconduct) they will 
continue to retain their award in 
full and it will be released at the 
end of the holding period unless 
the Committee determines that 
the award should be released at 
the time of cessation.

For awards in the form of options, 
participants will have 6 months 
to exercise any vested awards.

Co-Investment 
Plan*

Unvested awards will normally vest at the normal vesting date and remain 
subject to performance. Awards will be prorated for time unless the 
Committee decides otherwise.

Unvested awards lapse at 
cessation of employment.

The Committee may determine that awards should vest at cessation of 
employment taking into account the extent to which performance targets 
have been met and unless the Committee decides otherwise the period of 
time elapsed since award.

For awards in the form of options participants will have 6 months from 
vesting to exercise their award.

* Leaver vesting provisions are fully defined in the appropriate plan documents.

The Committee reserves the right to make additional payments 
where such payments are made in good faith in discharge of an 
existing legal obligation (or by way of damages for breach of such 
an obligation); or by way of settlement or compromise of any 
claim arising in connection with the termination of a director’s 
office or employment. In addition, the Company may pay any 
fees for outplacement assistance and/or the Director’s legal 
or professional advice fees in connection with his cessation of 
office or employment. Where a Director was required to relocate 
to take up their role then reasonable repatriation expenses may 
be included.

84

In the event of a takeover or winding up of the Company, share 
awards may vest early. For the PSP and the Co-Investment Plan 
the Committee will determine the extent to which awards shall 
vest taking into account the extent to which the performance 
conditions have been satisfied and unless the Committee 
determines otherwise, the proportion of the performance period 
that has elapsed. Deferred share awards will normally vest in full. 
In the case of a winding-up, demerger, delisting, special dividend 
or similar circumstances, awards may, at the Committee’s 
discretion, vest early on the same basis as for a takeover.

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationConsidering colleagues’ views

Considering shareholders’ views

The Committee reviews information regarding the typical 
remuneration structure and reward levels for other UK based 
employees to provide context when determining executive 
remuneration policy.

The Company undertakes an annual engagement survey for  
all Group employees to understand their views on working for 
Travis Perkins and how this can be improved. Feedback on 
employee reward is provided as part of this survey.  
The Company currently does not consult directly with  
colleagues when developing the Directors’ Remuneration Policy.  
A significant portion of colleagues are shareholders so are able  
to express their views in the same way as other shareholders.

April Knowles – Travis Perkins, Tilbury Range Centre

The Committee believes that it is very important to maintain 
open dialogue with shareholders on remuneration matters.  
The Committee regularly consults with significant shareholders 
regarding potential changes to remuneration arrangements and 
the views of shareholders are important in determining any final 
changes. The Committee intends to continue to engage with 
shareholders regarding any material changes to remuneration 
arrangements.

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85

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
 
Annual Remuneration Report
The following sets out the Group’s Annual Remuneration Report for 2016 which includes details of how its policy was implemented in 
2016 and how it intends to implement its policy in 2017. This report shall be subject to an advisory shareholder vote on 24 May 2017.

Statement of implementation of the remuneration policy in 2017

Individual Maximum  
Opportunity in 2017

Measures  
and Weighting

Operation

Plan

Base Salary

Benefits
Pension

Annual Bonus

CEO – £690,131  
(2016: £683,298)

COO – £533,283  
(2016: £528,003 as CFO)

CFO – £500,000
N/A
25% of salary allowance  
or contribution:
CEO – 180% max

COO – 150% max

CFO – 150% max

N/A

N/A
N/A

The 2017 bonus will be based 
on the following measures:

•  Adjusted EBITA 60%

•  LAROCE 20%

•  Business strategy 20%

John Carter’s and Tony Buffin’s salaries 
were increased by 1% with effect from 
1 January 2017.

This increase is in line with the increase 
received by other colleagues.

Benefit entitlement for 2017 is as per policy. 
Directors participate in a defined contribution 
arrangement or receive a cash allowance.
For 2017 the Committee decided to replace 
adjusted EPS with adjusted EBITA as the main 
financial metric for the annual bonus plan to 
focus management on driving operational 
profitablility and cost management.

Targets are determined in relation to the 
Group’s Annual Operating Plan (‘AOP’).

Threshold payment is made for performance 
just below AOP with maximum only being 
made for performance in excess of AOP.

For 2017 the strategic tracker includes 
measures related to the Group’s people, 
customers, multi-channel, cost of goods for 
sale and strategic IT systems’ objectives.

50% of bonus earned is deferred as shares for 
three years.
Awards are subject to performance over a  
three year performance period. Vesting awards 
are subject to a further 12 month holding period.

Adjusted EPS – threshold target of 3% p.a. 
growth over 3 years with full vesting at 
10% growth.

For 2017, the Committee has decided to 
delink adjusted EPS targets from RPI to make 
assessment of performance simpler and more 
transparent.

The aggregate cash flow range is threshold 
£867m to maximum £959m.

Relative TSR – relative position in FTSE 50-150

•  Threshold is median relative position

•  Maximum is upper quartile relative position
CROCE performance range is target  
8.4% to 9.4%.

Performance 
Share Plan

CEO – 150%

COO – 150%

CFO – 150%

The 2017 PSP award will 
be based on the following 
measures:

•  Adjusted EPS growth – 40%

•  Aggregate cash flow – 40%

•  Relative TSR – 20%

Co-Investment 
Plan

Participants may invest up 
to 50% of their net salary.

Maximum matching 
awards of twice the gross 
salary equivalent of the 
amount invested (i.e. 100% 
of gross salary).

The 2017 Co-Investment 
matching award will be based 
on the following measures:

•  Cash Return on Capital 
Employed (CROCE)

86

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
 
Long term incentive targets for awards made in 2017 reflect 
the current economic uncertainty and the poorer outlook for 
the construction market since the Group presented its three 
year plan; the latest forecast from the ‘Construction Products 
Association’ is for a contraction in growth for housing repairs and 
maintenance spend across 2017-2019. This is attributed to rising 
inflation and a weaker employment market impacting consumer 
confidence and the decline in the savings ratios during a period 
of macro-economic uncertainty. Given these external economic 
factors, the plan is underpinned by the market outlook on housing 
transactions (Council of Mortgage Lenders latest forecast) 
which the Committee views as a good indicator of future repair, 
maintenance and improvement spend. Over the past 10-15 years 
there has been a strong correlation between this index and the 
Group’s revenues. Whilst transaction trends in 2016 were difficult 
to read, due to the step-up in stamp duty on the purchase of 
second homes in March 2016 and the subsequent steep declines 
following the result of the EU referendum, housing transactions 
significantly decreased towards the end of 2016 and this decline 
has been forecast to continue into 2017, levelling in 2018 before  
a modest rise in 2019. 

This decline will make the Group’s trading environment much 
more challenging over the next three years.

Given the market challenges faced the Committee decided to 
keep aggregate cashflow and CROCE targets at the same level 
as for 2016 awards. As noted above the Committee decided to 
remove the adjusted EPS target’s link to RPI. Given that adjusted 
EPS growth in excess of 30% is required to achieve maximum 
performance, the Committee believes the targets continue to be 
challenging and appropriate.

The Company operates different performance measures for 
the PSP and the CIP as it considered that it is important that 
the incentives are used to drive performance in different areas. 
This has been the case since the CIP was introduced and is well 
understood by management.

Bonus targets are considered to be commercially sensitive, 
and disclosure of such may provide an unfair advantage to the 
Company’s competitors. However targets, and the corresponding 
level of vesting or bonus earned, will be disclosed retrospectively, 
in the relevant reporting period.

For Non-executive Directors

Fees and 
Benefits

In line with the Group’s remuneration policy Non-executive Directors’ fees were reviewed and increased by 1%,  
in line with general increases across the Group, with effect from 1 January 2017. The Committee chair fees were 
increased further to recognise the more significant work and time commitment required in these roles.

•  Chairman – £282,326 (2016: £279,531)

•  Non-executive Director basic fee – £57,511 (2016: £56,942)

•  Chairs of Audit and Remuneration Committees – £17,000 (2016: £12,424)

•  Senior Independent Director – £12,500 (2016: £10,353)

•  Chairman of Health & Safety Committee – £10,000 (2016: £8,000)

Remuneration elsewhere in the Group

The Committee takes into account remuneration packages 
available to all colleagues when considering executive pay. As with 
many companies, senior management participate in a wider range 
of incentives than the majority of colleagues. The Group recognises 
that it has to operate on this basis to attract and retain high-quality 
managers, but ensures that a significantly higher proportion of 
reward for this group is placed on variable incentive outcomes.

All colleagues are entitled to a competitive remuneration 
package that includes basic pay, bonus, pension and the 
Group’s comprehensive ‘MyPerks’ benefits offering. To provide 
the Group’s colleagues easy access to their benefits the Group 
operates an online benefits platform which can be accessed 
through work or home computers, mobile phones or tablets. 
The hub is open to all employees of the Group and it provides 
detailed information about all the rewards and benefits that are 
included in the MyPerks scheme as well as specific access to 
colleague rewards, flexible benefits (where employees can ‘trade’ 
some of their benefits in favour of others or elect to increase or 
decrease their benefits to suit their lifestyle or circumstances), 
discounts, advice and guidance.

Over 23,000 colleagues are active members of a Group pension 
scheme. Under the defined contribution scheme contribution rates 
made by the Group range from 1% to 20% of qualifying earnings 
with all employees able to maximise company contributions to 
at least 6% of qualifying earnings. The defined benefits schemes 
are closed to new members. The Group recognises that many 
colleagues find the pension environment complex. Consequently 
one of the key aims of the Group’s financial wellbeing programme, 
launched in 2017, is to provide a broad range of financial education 
and guidance including, but not limited to, retirement provision. 

The Group’s Sharesave scheme continues to be a great success. 
In 2016, 6,531 colleagues took up the invitation to participate on 
either 3 or 5 year contracts committing to savings contracts of 
£29.5m. Plans maturing in 2016 delivered gains of approximately 
£2.8m shared across the 3,334 participating colleagues.

87

Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationAudited information

Single total figure of remuneration

Executive Directors

John Carter

Tony Buffin

Non-executive Directors

Ruth Anderson

Coline McConville1

Pete Redfern

Christopher Rogers

John Rogers

Andrew Simon2

Robert Walker

Total 

Notes:

Salary  
2016
£000

Salary  
2015
£000

Benefits  
2016
£000

Benefits  
2015
£000

Bonus  
2016
£000

683

528

69

69

64

67

57

-

280

1,817

673

520

68

53

57

58

56

69

275

1,829

44

25

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

44

24

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

289

182

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

69

68

471

475

2,294

2,813

305

296

Bonus  

2015

£000

289

186

LTI  

2016

£0003

1,312

982

LTI  

2015

£0004

1,186

1,627

Pension  

Pension  

2016

£000

2015

£000

171

134

168

128

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total  

2016

£000

2,499

1,851

69

69

64

67

57

-

280

4,956

Total 

2015

£000

2,360

2,485

68

53

57

58

56

69

275

5,481

1.  Coline McConville was appointed a non-executive director on 1 February 2015

2.  Andrew Simon retired on 31 October 2015

3.   LTI reported for 2016 for John Carter and Tony Buffin include LTI awards vesting in March 2017. The value of these awards has been 

calculated based on the average share price for the last quarter of 2016 of £14.19683

4.   LTI reported for 2015 for John Carter and Tony Buffin were reported on an estimated basis using the average share price of the final 

quarter of 2015. They are restated here reflecting the actual share price on vesting

Kimberley Evans – Toolstation, Northampton

88

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationAudited information

Single total figure of remuneration

Executive Directors

John Carter

Tony Buffin

Non-executive Directors

Ruth Anderson

Coline McConville1

Pete Redfern

Christopher Rogers

John Rogers

Andrew Simon2

Robert Walker

Total 

Salary  

2016

£000

Salary  

2015

£000

Benefits  

Benefits  

2016

£000

2015

£000

Bonus  

2016

£000

683

528

69

69

64

67

57

-

280

1,817

673

520

68

53

57

58

56

69

275

1,829

44

25

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

44

24

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

289

182

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Bonus  
2015
£000

289

186

LTI  
2016
£0003

1,312

982

LTI  
2015
£0004

1,186

1,627

Pension  
2016
£000

Pension  
2015
£000

171

134

168

128

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

69

68

471

475

2,294

2,813

305

296

Explaining the single figure table

Benefits

Benefits for 2016 for John Carter and Tony Buffin include  
private medical insurance and the provision of a company car  
or car allowance.

Annual bonus for 2016

The tables below provide a summary of the performance 
achieved under the annual bonus for 2016:

Maximum 
Bonus 
Opportunity

180%

150%

Actual Bonus
(% of salary)

Actual  
Bonus

42.3%

34.4%

£289,035

£181,527

Director

John Carter

Tony Buffin

All bonus earned in respect of 2016 performance is included in 
the annual bonus column in the single figure table. Half of the 
bonus earned is deferred as shares for three years.

Total  
2016
£000

2,499

1,851

69

69

64

67

57

-

280

4,956

Total 
2015
£000

2,360

2,485

68

53

57

58

56

69

275

5,481

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Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
 
 
 
Bonus earned is based upon achievement of the following Group financial targets:

Performance 
Measure

Weighting

Threshold

Adjusted EPS

60%

122.6p

Targets

Plan

129p

Maximum

Actual 
Performance

Pay-out (as a  
% of maximum)

135.5p

120.4p

0%

LAROCE

20%

10.5%

10.9%

11.3%

10.7%

27.5%

Business 
Strategy

20%

The Committee assessed performance against a number  
of strategic targets which were set at the start of the year.  
A summary of performance is provided below.

90.0% (CEO)
87.1% (CFO) 

LAROCE for the year ended 31 December 2016 was 10.7%. For comparative purposes in the report and accounts the opening capital 
employed at 1 January 2016 was restated to reflect the impairment charge in respect of goodwill and other assets made at 31 December 
2016. This restatement resulted in LAROCE increasing to 10.9% for accounting purposes. Further details are given in note 36.

Measure

Summary of Performance

People

Customer

Network

Multi-Channel

There was good deployment of the Stay Safe strategy across the operational 
divisions during 2016.
The framework for Stay Safe risk assessments was implemented across most of 
the Group. Based on these risk assessments there were a number of areas identified 
where improvements could be made.
Plans were implemented which resulted in a reduction in speeding offences and 
rest break and other tachograph infringements across a number of business units. 
Targets to implement plans to improve safety around manual handling were mostly 
met across all divisions.

The overall customer satisfaction score improved 7% over 2015 and was 
significantly ahead of target demonstrating strong progress against our customer 
proposition objectives.

Delivering growth from new space is an important generator of long-term 
shareholder value. The new stores opened during 2016 have delivered strong 
sales resulting in the total Group sales growth delivered from new space target 
being met in full.

Year-on-year growth for online sales in Wickes, Toolstation, Plumbnation, 
Tile Giant, Tile HQ, Tile Magic and Insulation Giant has been very strong. The rate 
of growth was almost 50% ahead of performance last year and was significantly 
ahead of target.

Committee’s 
Assessment

Met in part

Met in full

Met in full

Met in full

COGS/GNFR* Savings

Annualised savings from COGS and GNFR programmes were achieved, resulting 
in improvements to the business in many areas.

Met in full

Delivery of a broad and significant portfolio of IT programmes was achieved, 
resulting in improvements to the business in many areas.

Good progress

Individual objectives specific to individual priorities:
CEO 
The CEO’s objective related to the implementation and execution of plans to 
increase the strength of the management team. The Committee was pleased 
with the progress made in identifying and developing high potential individuals 
and judged that this had been met in full.
CFO 
The CFO’s personal objective related to improvements in systems as well 
as reducing costs in relation to these to further support performance. The 
Committee judged that good performance had been made against these metrics.

Met in full 

Good progress

IT System

Personal

*Goods Not For Resale

90

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
 
 
 
In 2016 the political landscape was dominated by the result of the EU referendum. The resultant economic uncertainty acutely 
impacted the construction and housing markets, and has been particularly difficult for domestic UK businesses. In this context, the 
Group delivered a resilient financial performance. Adjusted EPS was slightly behind 2015 and just below the threshold target for bonus 
purposes. The Group delivered strong LAROCE performance ahead of 2015 and the threshold targets.

As outlined above, the Committee judged that there was strong performance against the strategic tracker particularly in relation to 
online sales growth, sales from new space, customer satisfaction and commercial programmes. The strategic tracker is an important 
part of the short term incentive. It focuses short-term management effort towards delivering on strategic goals which are considered 
critical for delivering long term returns and sustainability of performance.

The Committee considered that the level of bonus awarded was appropriate, reflecting strong progress against strategic objectives and 
resilient financial performance in a challenging economic environment.

Long-term incentive plans (‘LTIP’)

The long-term incentive figure in the single figure is made up of the following plans:

John Carter

Tony Buffin

Performance Share 
Plan

Co-Investment  
Plan

Deferred Share  
Bonus Plan

£443,801
(28,857 shares plus 
£34,123 cash in lieu  
of dividends)

£342,948
(22,299 shares plus 
£26,359 in lieu  
of dividends)

£540,122
(35,120 shares plus 
£41,529 in lieu  
of dividends)

£417,364
(27,138 shares plus 
£32,091 in lieu  
of dividends)

£328,333
(21,349 shares plus 
£25,245 in lieu  
of dividends)

£221,324
(14,391 shares plus 
£17,017 in lieu  
of dividends)

Total

£1,312,256

£981,636

The value of shares vesting has been calculated with reference to the average price over the last quarter of 2016 of £14.19683.

Performance Share Plan

The following table sets out the performance targets, achievements and vesting levels for the Performance Share Award granted in 
2014 and vesting in 2017 in respect of performance period ending in 2016:

Measure

EPS Growth

Relative TSR

Aggregate Cash 
Flow

Total Vesting

Weighting

Threshold

Maximum

RPI +3% pa

RPI +10% pa

Actual

16.7%

Median

£802m

Upper quartile

Below median

 £887m

£903m

40%

20%

40%

Vesting 

14%

0%

40%

54%

Relative total shareholder return performance was measured against companies ranked 50-150 in the FTSE index on the date of award.

Co-Investment Plan

The following table sets out the performance targets, achievements and vesting levels for the matching awards granted in 2014 and 
vesting in respect of 2017: 

Measure

Weighting

Threshold

Maximum

Cash Return on 
Capital Employed

Total Vesting

100%

 8.37%

9.37%

Actual

9.32%

Vesting 

97%

97%

91

Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
Director’s pension entitlements

The Company’s defined benefit pension (DB) schemes are closed to new members. John Carter ceased DB accrual on 31 December 2010 
and took his benefits from the scheme on 1 November 2016.

In lieu of pension contribution gross cash allowance of 25% of salary was paid to John Carter. Tony Buffin received 25% of salary paid 
as a mix of pension contributions to the DC scheme and a cash allowance.

Pension value in the year from company contributions to DC scheme

Pension value in year from cash allowance (salary supplement in place of Employer 
pension contributions)

Total Pension Benefit Accrued in 2016

Share interests awarded during the financial year

Performance Share Plan

John Carter
£000

Tony Buffin
£000

N/A

171

171

17

117

134

Date of 
Award

Type of 
Award

Basis

% Vesting 
at Lower 
Target

Face  
Value

Performance  
Period 

John Carter

Tony Buffin

4 March 
2016

Performance 
Shares

150% 
of Salary

30%

£988,353
(55,432 shares at 
£17.83 p/share)

£763,730
(42,834 shares at 
£17.83 p/share)

1 January 2016
to 
31 December 2018

Performance Share Plan awards are subject to the following performance measures:

Measure

Weighting

Target Range

Vesting Range

Adjusted EPS Growth

40%

Aggregate Cash Flow over  
the performance period

Company TSR Relative to  
FTSE 50-150 Index

40%

20%

Co-Investment Plan

Lower target – RPI + 3% 
per annum over the 
vesting period
Maximum target –  
RPI + 10% per annum over 
the vesting period

Lower target £867m 
Maximum target £959m

Lower target – median 
performance (top 50%)
Maximum target –  
upper quartile performance 
(top 25%)

No vesting below lower target

Lower target – 30% vests

Maximum target – 100% vests

Pro rata vesting between these points

Date of 
Award

Type of 
Award

Basis

1 April  
2016

Matching 
Shares

Up to 2:1 
matching  
of shares 
purchased

% Vesting 
at Lower 
Target

30%

Face  
Value

Performance  
Period 

£669,330
(37,000 shares at 
£18.09 p/share)

£517,229
(28,592 shares at 
£18.09 p/share)

1 January 2016
 to 
31 December 2018

John Carter

Tony Buffin

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Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Co-Investment Plan matching awards are subject to the following performance measure:

Measure

Weighting

Target Detail

Matching Range

Cash Return on  
Capital Employed (CROCE)  
over the performance period

100%

Lower target 8.4%

Maximum target 9.4%

0.6:1 matching at lower target

2:1 matching at maximum target

Pro rata matching between these points

Deferred Share Bonus Plan
Shares awarded during 2016

Half of the bonus earned in respect of 2015 performance was awarded as deferred shares as follows:

John Carter

Tony Buffin

Date of Award

Face Value

Number of shares**

Share price*

4 March 2016

£192,973

£124.276

9,767

6,290

£19.76

£19.76

*  The share price used to calculate the number of shares awarded was the average share price for the last 30 days of the Company’s financial year.

**  The shares awarded are split into two equal tranches. Tranche 1 will vest after one year if the target share price of £21.31 is met for a 30 day period during that year. Tranche 2 will vest after 

two years if the target share price of £22.31 is met for a 30 day period during the two years following grant. The relevant 30 day average share price will be inflated to include any dividends 

paid per share during the relevant period. If the target share price is not met, 50% of the award will lapse. The remaining shares under Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 which are not subject to the 

above forfeiture conditions will vest at the end of the two year vesting period, subject to continued employment in the Travis Perkins Group. 

Half of the bonuses earned in 2016 will be issued as deferred shares as follows:

John Carter

Tony Buffin

Type of Award

Basis

Shares

50% of 2016 bonus

Shares vest three years from grant.

Face Value

£144,518

£90,764

No new grants were made to the Executive Directors under the all employee Sharesave (SAYE) plan during 2016.

Unaudited information

Remuneration arrangements for the CFO

Alan Williams was appointed to the role of CFO with effect 
from 3 January 2017.

Salary, pension and benefits – Alan’s salary is £500,000 per 
annum, his pension contribution is 25% of base salary and his 
benefits are in line with those set out in our remuneration policy.

Performance incentives – These remain unchanged from the 
approved arrangements for the former CFO, Tony Buffin. His 
maximum annual bonus will be 150% of base salary and he will 
receive a maximum award of 150% of base salary under the 
Performance Share Plan. Alan will also be eligible to invest up 
to 50% of his post-tax salary under the Co-Investment Plan and 
receive a maximum matching award of up to 100% of salary. 

Forfeited incentives – On leaving his former employer Alan forfeited 
outstanding incentives under his deferred bonus and performance 
share plans. The Committee determined that it was appropriate to 
‘buy-out’ these incentives. The buy-out awards have been structured 
as far as possible to be on a ‘like-for-like’ basis with awards he has 
forfeited being compensated in accordance with our remuneration 
policy. In addition Alan made a significant personal investment in 
Travis Perkins shares prior to the awards being granted.

•  Deferred bonus shares – Alan will be made an award of 

shares with a value of £573,002 (the value of awards forfeited 
including dividends on these awards) to compensate him 
for deferred shares awarded in respect of 2014 and 2015. 
This is equivalent to 39,900 shares. These shares will vest in 
December 2017 and December 2018 in line with the vesting 

timing for the forfeited awards. These shares will be subject 
to continued employment and have no further performance 
conditions (reflecting the terms of the forfeited awards). 

•  Performance Share Plan – Alan will also be made an award  
of shares with a value of £740,796 (the value of awards 
forfeited including dividends on these shares). This is  
equivalent to 51,584 shares. These awards compensate him  
for Performance Share awards made in 2014 and 2015.  
An assumed vesting rate of 80% has been applied based on an 
estimate of vesting for these awards at his former employer.  
As a condition of this award, Alan was required to purchase 
shares in the Company with a value of at least half the award 
using his own funds and retain these shares for the vesting 
period. Prior to joining Alan invested £557,600 to purchase 
40,000 shares. The shares awarded will vest 12 months and 
24 months after the award is made and will be subject to 
continued employment and the achievement of stretching role 
specific objectives over these periods. 

The value of these ‘buy-out’ awards were calculated based 
on the average Greencore and Travis Perkins share prices 
between the date on which Alan’s appointment was announced 
(20 September 2016) and 3 January 2017 when he joined. The 
value of this buy-out is lower than originally announced due to a 
fall in Greencore’s share price over this period.

The ‘buy-out’ awards outlined above will be made in March 2017 
under the Listing Rules provision 9.4.2 which allows for awards 
on a one-off basis in exceptional circumstances. Details of the 
awards and the performance targets will be included in the 2017 
Annual Remuneration Report.

93

Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
Payments to past directors 

No payments were made to past directors.

Payments for leaving directors

No payments for loss of office were made during 2016. 

Director’s shareholding and share interests – 
executive directors

Formal shareholding requirements (not voluntary guidelines) apply 
to executive directors and senior executives. The committee may 

decide to scale back or withhold participation in long-term incentives 
if the requirements are not met or maintained. Executive directors are 
required to hold shares valued at 2 times annual salary within 5 years. 
As at 31 December 2016 John Carter’s shareholding was in excess of 
5 times salary and Tony Buffin’s 3 times salary. On appointment Alan 
Williams purchased 40,000 shares equivalent to 1.2 times salary.

Directors’ shareholdings and share interests as at 
31 December 2016 were as follows:

Executive  
Director

Beneficial 
Owner

Conditional 
Shares 
Granted Under 
LTI Plans1

Unconditional 
Shares 
Granted Under 
LTI Plans2

Unvested 
Options 
Subject to 
Performance 
Conditions3

Vested but 
Unexercised 
Options

Total  
Interests

Interests 
Qualifying 
Towards 
Shareholder 
Requirement

John Carter

258,044

284,984

Tony Buffin

123,149

218,926

21,723

14,708

1,573

0

6,776

5,007

573,100

 264,820

361,790

128,157

1.   Includes awards made under Deferred Share Bonus Plan (subject to a share price performance test), Unapproved Performance Share Plan and Co-Investment Plan.
2.  Includes awards made under Deferred Share Bonus Plan (which are not subject to a performance condition) and Sharesave.
3.   Market value options awarded under the HMRC tax-advantaged CSOP element of the PSP. These awards are subject to the same performance conditions as outlined below 

for the PSP award.

There were no changes in executive directors’ share ownership between 31 December 2016 and 13 March 2017, with the exception of:

•  John Carter who exercised 21,348 options and sold 10,055 shares under the 2014 and 2015 Deferred Share Bonus Plans on  

9 March 2017 bringing his beneficial shareholding to 269,337;

•  Tony Buffin who acquired 10,000 shares on 2 March 2017 and exercised and sold 5,007 shares under the 2014 Deferred Share 

Bonus Plan on 7 March 2017 bringing his beneficial shareholding to 133,149; and

• Alan Williams whose spouse acquired 30,000 shares on 3 March 2017 bringing his beneficial shareholding to 70,000.

During 2016 the following awards vested and were then exercised:

John Carter

Performance Share Plan

Performance Share Plan

Deferred Share Bonus Plan

Deferred Share Bonus Plan

Share Matching Scheme

Tony Buffin

Performance Share Plan

Performance Share Plan

Deferred Share Bonus Plan

Vested & Exercised

Price per Share

50,055

4,326

6,777

3,102

16,485

£17.82

£19.26

£17.82

£18.04

£17.82

Vested & Exercised

Price per Share

46,779

4,042

5,007

£18.32

£18.01

£17.82

Director’s shareholding and share interests – non-executive directors

Non-executive Director

Ruth Anderson

Coline McConville

Pete Redfern

Christopher Rogers

John Rogers

Robert Walker

Beneficial Shareholding
(as at 31 December 2016)

Beneficial Shareholding
(as at 13 March 2017)

2,873

939

8,017

6,173

928

77,703

3,040

1,106

8,174

6,342

1,065

78,649

Between 31 December 2016 and 13 March 2017 non-executive directors’ share ownership increased in accordance with the Company’s 
non-executive director fee structure.

94

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outside appointments

Travis Perkins recognises that its Executive Directors may be 
invited to become non-executive directors of other companies. 
Such non-executive duties can broaden a director’s experience 
and knowledge which can benefit Travis Perkins.

Subject to approval by the Board, Executive Directors are  
allowed to accept non-executive appointments, provided that these 
appointments will not lead to conflicts of interest, and they may 
retain the fees received. John Carter does not currently hold any 
non-executive appointments. Tony Buffin has been a non-executive 
director of the Dyson family business since 2014. Tony earned and 
retained fees of £40,000 during 2016 (2015: £40,000).

Funding of equity awards

Executive incentive arrangements are funded by shares 
purchased in the market. Entitlements under the HMRC approved 
all colleague Sharesave scheme are satisfied by newly issued 
shares. Where shares are newly issued, the Company complies 
with Investment Association dilution guidelines on their issue. 
The current dilution usage of all share plans is c.5.4% of shares 
in issue. There is no dilution due to discretionary executive plans 
as shares are purchased in the market to satisfy these awards. 
Where shares are purchased in the market, these are held by 
a trust in which case the voting rights relating to the shares are 
exercisable by the Trustees in accordance with their fiduciary 
duties. At 31 December 2016 the Trust held 729,680 shares.

Performance graph and table 

For comparative purposes the FTSE 100 Index has been selected 
as this is the index of which the Company was a member during 
the reporting year.

Service contracts
Each of the Executive Directors has a service contract, which 
will be available for inspection at the Annual General Meeting 
or at the Company’s registered office. These contracts provide 
for 6 months’ notice from the Directors and 12 months’ notice 
from the Company. They do not specify any particular level of 
compensation in the event of termination or change of control. 
The date these contracts were entered into are as follows:

•  John Carter – 1 January 2014

•  Tony Buffin – 8 April 2013

•  Alan Williams – 3 January 2017

Non-executive Directors do not have a service contract, 
but each has received a letter of appointment which will be 
available for inspection at the Annual General Meeting or at 
the Company’s registered office. These appointments expire 
on the following dates:

Director

Expiry of Appointment Letter

Ruth Anderson

Coline McConville

Pete Redfern

Christopher Rogers

John Rogers

Robert Walker

May 2018

May 2018

May 2018

May 2020

May 2018

May 2018

In accordance with best practice, the Non-executive Directors 
stand for re-election annually. 

No compensation is payable on termination of the employment 
of non-executive directors, which may be with or without notice.

Total shareholder return

Total Shareholder Return

Travis Perkins plc

FTSE 100

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

TSR is rebased to 100 from 1 January 2008

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Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationHistoric CEO pay

Single Figure Remuneration 
(£’000)

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

£1,412

£1,423

£1,938

£3,506

£2,044

£2,634

£2,360

£2,499

Annual Bonus Payout (% of maximum)

100%

100%

75.9%

27.0%

62.9%

89%

31.9%

23.8%

Vesting of Share Options  
(% of maximum)

Vesting of Performance  
Share Plan (% of maximum)

Vesting of Co-Investment Plan (SMS) 
(% of maximum)

0%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0%

0%

80.0%

37.4%

44.8%

96.8%

54%

0%

0%

51%

100%

0%

0%

44.2%

97%

Data for 2014-16 relates to John Carter, earlier data relates to the previous CEO, Geoff Cooper.

Change in remuneration of director undertaking the role of CEO

Percentage Change  
in Salary Earned  
(2016 full year compared  
to 2015 full year)

Percentage Change  
in Bonus Opportunity Earned  
(2016 full year forecast compared 
to 2015 full year)

Percentage Change  
in Taxable Benefits Received  
(2015/16 tax year compared  
to 2014/15 tax year)

CEO

Comparative  
Employee Group*

1.5%

1.95%

-8.1%

-0.2%

6.1%**

0.8%

*   Comparator group is all colleagues within the Travis Perkins Merchanting Division. This division is the largest division within the Company, covers roles at all levels of the 

organisation, and has wide geographic coverage within the UK and consequently provides a broad and diverse basis for comparison.

**   The provision of benefits to the CEO has not changed across the two periods The increase value is entirely attributable to the increased BIK charge associated with allocated 

company car and fuel.

Relative importance of spend on pay

2016

2015

900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0

111

Distribution
to
Shareholders

840

242

Capex

62

Corporation
Tax

Employee
Remuneration

900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0

100

Distribution
to
Shareholders

780

293

Capex

48

Corporation
Tax

Employee
Remuneration

Capital expenditure is shown, for comparison, as an indicator  
of investment by the Company in future growth. It includes funds 
invested in the purchase of property, plant and equipment. 

Corporation tax is included as indicator of wider societal 
contribution facilitated by the Company’s operations and 
is the actual amount of corporation tax paid in the relevant 
reporting periods.

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Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationGovernance

Remuneration Committee and consideration by the 
Directors of matters relating to directors’ remuneration
During the year the Committee comprised Coline McConville 
(Chairman), Peter Redfern and John Rogers, all of whom 
are independent non-executive directors, and the Company 
Chairman Robert Walker. 

Deloitte was appointed by the Committee in December 2015  
to provide independent advice on executive remuneration. 
Deloitte was selected following an interview process.

Deloitte are founding members of the Remuneration Consultants 
Code of Conduct and adhere to this Code in its dealings with the 
Committee. The Committee is satisfied that the advice provided 
by Deloitte is objective and independent. The Committee is 
comfortable that the Deloitte engagement partner and team 
that provides remuneration advice to the Committee do not 
have connections with the Company that may impair their 
independence. The Committee reviewed the potential for 
conflicts of interest and judged that there were appropriate 
safeguards against such conflicts.

Fees are charged on a time and materials basis. During the year 
Deloitte was paid £68,650 for advice provided to the Committee.

Deloitte provided additional services to the Company in 
relation to remuneration including support in developing 
and implementing remuneration proposals, compensation 
benchmarking and other tax and consulting services. 

In addition John Carter (CEO), Tony Buffin (CFO during 2016), 
Deborah Grimason (Company Secretary), Carol Kavanagh (Group 
Human Resources Director), Helen O’Keefe (Deputy Company 
Secretary) and Paul Nelson (Group Head of Reward) have 
assisted the Committee in its work, but never in respect of their 
own remuneration.

Responsibilities

The Remuneration Committee is responsible for developing 
and implementing the remuneration policy within the Company. 
It determines all aspects of the remuneration of executive 
directors and reviews with the Chief Executive the remuneration 
of other senior executives. The Committee also oversees the 
administration of the Company’s share plans. The Committee’s 
terms of reference are available on the Company website or from 
the Company Secretary.

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Key items discussed in 2016 meetings

In 2016 the Remuneration Committee formally met four times with additional conference calls as required. The Committee discussed 
amongst others the following matters:

Month

February

Key Issues Considered

•  Co-Investment Plan vesting

•  Bonus outcomes and personal objectives

•  LTIP targets for 2016 awards

•  Executive and leadership salaries

March

•  2015 bonus achievement

•  2016 bonus plans

•  2015 Directors’ Remuneration report

•  LTIP vesting and awards

•  Remuneration policy renewal in 2017

•  Remuneration policy renewal in 2017 and outcomes of shareholder consultation

•  Review of progress against 2016 annual bonus targets

May

July

September

•  Remuneration policy renewal in 2017 and outcomes of shareholder consultation

•  Executive Committee appointments

November

•  Salary review 2017

•  Review of remuneration trends and issues

•  Review of 2016 performance

•  Remuneration policy renewal in 2017 and outcomes of shareholder consultation

•  Format for Directors’ Remuneration report 2017

December

•  Director’s salary review 2017

•  Remuneration policy renewal in 2017 and outcomes of shareholder consultation

•  Directors’ Remuneration Report

•  Committee governance

Shareholder voting

At the last AGM the following resolutions in relation to remuneration were put by the Company:

Resolution

To receive and approve the  
Directors’ Remuneration Report

To receive and approve the  
Directors’ Remuneration Policy (2014 AGM)

Votes  
For

%  
For

Votes Against

%  
Against

Votes Withheld

169,930,556

97.8%

3,873,640

2.2%

1,310,991

147,358,040

93.3%

10,622,997

6.7%

3,478,935

The Director’s Remuneration Report has been approved by the Board of Directors and is signed on its behalf.

Coline McConville 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
14 March 2017

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Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
 
Wickes, Rugby

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Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016

Governance & Remuneration

NOMINATIONS
COMMITTEE
REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

Dear Shareholder,

Nominations Committee highlights

Role of the Committee

The Committee’s principal responsibility is to ensure that the 
Board comprises individuals with the most appropriate balance 
of experience, skills and knowledge to help develop and support 
the Company strategy. In order to achieve this, the Committee 
requires procedures to be in place that enable the nomination, 
selection and succession of the most capable directors and 
senior executives.

The Committee is also responsible for considering, and 
making recommendations to the Board on succession planning 
for directors and other senior executives; in this sense the 
Nominations Committee undertakes a broader role.

The Nominations Committee comprises all the Non-executive 
Directors and is chaired by me, other than when it is dealing with 
matters in relation to me or the chairmanship of the Company. 
The Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and Group HR 
Director are invited to attend when appropriate.

The Committee operates under formal terms of reference  
which are available on our corporate website:  
www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk

A few words of introduction to summarise the work of the 
Nominations Committee during the past year. Compared with 
only one meeting in 2015, the Nominations Committee held four 
in 2016. This heightened level of activity was for three reasons:

•  The search for a new Chief Financial Officer to replace 

Tony Buffin, who was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, 
responsible for the Group’s Toolstation and Plumbing 
and Heating businesses. Following an extensive search, 
we announced the appointment of Alan Williams as 
Group CFO, joining the business on 3rd January 2017.  
He was previously CFO of Greencore Group plc. Alan has a 
broad range of experience in both corporate and operational 
roles within large complex and global businesses. He brings  
a strong background in leading strategic initiatives, mergers  
and acquisitions, integration and business transformation.

•  The continuing need to review the pipeline and development 

of executive talent below the Board. A number of transfers and 
new appointments to the executive leadership team were made 
during the year as a result of this review.

•  Finally, and most importantly, the need to prepare and put in 
place a process to plan for the medium term succession of 
Chairman and top management. The previous process from 
2011 to 2013, which led to the appointment of John Carter as 
Group CEO, was judged to have been executed smoothly and 
transparently, consistent both with best practice externally 
and also with the unique culture and values of the Company. 
We fully intend that the current process will be managed to 
the same high standard.

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 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationActivities in 2016

2017 objectives

The Committee held four formal meetings during the year. 
The principal matters discussed at the meetings were:

•  Current and future Board composition requirements in light 

of the evolving business strategy

•  Development planning for the Chief Financial Officer

•  Appointment of a new CFO following the decision to promote 

the existing CFO to Chief Operating Officer

Process for appointments

The Committee guides the Board in regularly assessing whether 
there is an appropriate balance of expertise and skills on the 
Board. A rigorous selection process precedes the appointment 
of all Directors by the Board, and their recommendation by the 
Nominations Committee, ensuring that appointments to the 
Board are made on merit and assessed against objective criteria. 

A description of how appointments are typically made to the 
Board is set out below and this was followed in connection with 
the recent appointment of Alan Williams to the Board as CFO.

The Committee oversees on behalf of the Board, and advises 
the Board on, the identification, assessment and selection 
of candidates for appointment to the Board. The process of 
appointment includes: 

•  The preparation of a role description in light of existing and 

required capabilities for the role and the Board

In 2017 we will continue to review succession plans and look 
further ahead to the future retirement of the current CEO.  
The Non-executive Directors will also plan my own succession.

Board diversity

It is the Group’s firm belief that having Executives and 
Non-executives on the Board that are diverse in experience, 
nationality or gender provides us with different perspectives, 
which promotes a healthy culture with a good balance between 
challenge and support and minimises the risk of ‘group-thinking’. 
This does not just make good commercial and business sense, 
but it is good for the Group’s colleagues and its customers 
as well.

Job specifications, search processes and selection criteria are 
also focused on appointing candidates that meet the criteria for 
the role and who offer different perspectives. Therefore, diversity, 
including gender diversity, is actively considered, and will continue 
to be so. The Board is committed to appointing the best people 
and ensuring all employees are able to develop their careers 
within the Group regardless of their background, gender, age or 
ethnicity and we therefore do not believe it is appropriate to set 
targets in this area.

The Group currently has two female Board directors (22%) and 
three women on its operating executive (23%). Further details of 
the Group’s workforce diversity are set out in the “Capturing the 
way things are done around here” section on pages 45 to 49.

•  The engagement of independent recruitment consultants 
who have no other connection to the Company. The Miles 
Partnership was used in the selection process for Alan Williams.

Robert Walker 
Chairman 
14 March 2017

•  The preparation of a ‘long list’ of potential candidates which 
takes into account diversity considerations and the outcome  
of the Committee’s latest review of the composition and skill 
sets of the Board 

•  The selection of a shortlist of suitable candidates meeting  

the Committee’s criteria 

•  Interviews of those candidates by a selection of members  

of the Board

•  Following selection of the proposed candidate, interviews  
with the remaining members of the Board and the taking  
up of detailed references

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Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationTravis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016

Governance & Remuneration

DIRECTORS’ 
REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

The Directors present their annual report and audited accounts for the year  
ended 31 December 2016.

The Corporate Governance statement on pages 62 to 66 forms part of the 
Directors’ Report.

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 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationBusiness review

Directors and their interests

A review of the Group’s position, developments, activities in the 
field of research and development and future prospects can be 
found in the Strategic Report on pages 6 to 55. Whilst the Group 
operates predominantly in the UK it does have a few branches in 
the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland.

Greenhouse gas emissions reporting

Details of the Group’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions can be found 
in the Environmental Report on pages 53 to 55. 

Results and dividends

The Group results for the year ended 31 December 2016 and 
dividends for the year ending 31 December 2016 are set out in 
the income statement and note 12 respectively on pages 114 and 
141. If approved at the Annual General Meeting, the final dividend 
will be paid on 26 May 2017 to those shareholders on the register 
at the close of business on 18 April 2017.

Balance sheet and post balance sheet events

The balance sheet on pages 116 and 117 shows the Group’s 
financial position. No important events have occurred since 
the balance sheet date.

Principal risks and uncertainties

A review of the Group’s principal risks and uncertainties  
is on pages 37 to 43.

Financial risk management 

Details of the Group’s approach to capital management and the 
alleviation of risk through the use of financial instruments are 
given in the Financial Performance Section on pages 27 to 35. 
Specific quantitative information on borrowings and financial 
instruments is given in notes 22 and 23 on pages 152 to 160 of 
the annual financial statements.

The UK Corporate Governance Code (“the Code”) requires that 
all directors of FTSE 350 companies are subject to re-election 
at the Company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year and 
therefore all Executive Directors and Non-executive Directors will 
seek re-election at the AGM with the exception of Alan Williams 
who will be standing for election. 

The names of the Directors at 31 December 2016, together with 
their biographical details are set out on pages 58 to 60. All of 
these Directors held office throughout the year with the exception 
of Alan Williams who joined the Board on 3 January 2017. The 
Executive Directors have rolling 12 month notice periods in their 
contracts. The Non-executive Directors do not have service 
contracts. In light of the formal evaluation of their performances 
and the results of the process described on page 65, Robert 
Walker, Chairman, confirms on behalf of the Board that all 
directors continue to be effective in, and committed to, their roles.

Directors and officers of the Company are entitled to be 
indemnified out of the assets of the Company in respect of any 
liability incurred in relation to the affairs of the Company, or any 
associate company, to the extent the law allows. In this regard, 
the Company is required to disclose that under article 140 of the 
Company’s Articles of Association, the Directors have the benefit 
of an indemnity, to the extent permitted by the Companies Act 
2006 against liabilities incurred by them in the execution of their 
duties and exercise of their powers. This indemnity is currently in 
force. In addition, if proceedings against Directors are instituted 
subsequent to any person acquiring control of the Company, 
the Company has agreed with each of the Directors that pursuant 
to article 140(D) of the Company’s Articles of Association, 
the Company shall provide a Director with funds (subject to 
certain restrictions) to meet expenditure incurred by that Director 
in defending any criminal or civil proceedings.

A copy of the Company’s Articles of Association (which contains 
this indemnity) is available for inspection at the Company’s 
registered office during normal business hours and will be 
available for inspection at (and during the period of 30 minutes 
prior to) the Company’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting. 

None of the Directors had an interest in any contract to which the 
Company or any of its subsidiaries was a party during the year.

The Company has undertaken to comply with the best practice 
on approval of directors’ conflicts of interests in accordance with 
the Company’s Articles of Association. These provisions have 
operated effectively. Under the Companies Act 2006, a director 
must avoid a situation where they have, or can have, a direct or 
indirect interest that conflicts, or possibly may conflict, with the 
Company’s interests. 

The disclosable interests of Directors at 31 December 2016, 
including holdings, if any, of spouses and of children aged under 
18, were as detailed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on 
page 94.

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Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationSubstantial shareholdings

Modern slavery

As at 14 March 2017, the Company had been notified of the 
following interests amounting to 3% or more of the voting rights 
in the issued ordinary share capital of the Company (as at this 
date no other such notification from any other shareholder had 
been received by the Company):

BlackRock Inc

Harris Associates L.P.

OppenheimerFunds Inc

Sprucegrove Investment  
Management Ltd

Close company status

%

5.03

5.08

5.06

4.78

The close company provisions of the Income and Corporation 
Taxes Act 1988 do not apply to the Company.

Employees 

The issue of slavery and human trafficking is a global issue 
and no business sector will be able to eliminate or be free of 
slavery within their supply chain without working collaboratively 
with industry and interested organisations. The Group will not 
accept slavery or human trafficking and works with suppliers 
and colleagues to ensure positive steps are taken to ensure that 
slavery has no place in the business or supply chain.

The Group’s approach is based on its five Cornerstones which, 
in essence, come down to doing the “right thing”. Suppliers are 
required to take positive steps to ensure slavery and human 
trafficking is not present in their supply chains and all centrally 
managed suppliers are required to sign up to the Group’s policies 
for “Supplier Commitments” and undertake an online risk 
assessment to help identify potential risks in the supply chain. 
The Group has taken a risk based approach to consider  
its exposure to modern slavery and periodically audits the 
factories producing products under the Travis Perkins brands, 
prioritising these based on previous results, risk, performance 
and capability. An awareness programme has also been rolled 
out to commercial and product supply colleagues who are most 
likely to be confronted with this issue.

Statements on employee matters are contained in the section 
of the annual report entitled “Capturing the way things are done 
around here” on pages 45 to 49. 

If issues are identified, investigations and remedial actions will 
be taken. No instances of slavery or human trafficking have 
been identified.

Details of the number of employees and related costs can be 
found in note 7 to the financial statements. 

Political donations

The Company is committed to equality of opportunity and 
recognises the benefit of diversity within its workforce. Its 
approach to the matter of diversity on company boards is set 
out in the Nominations Committee report on page 101 and in the 
section of the annual report entitled “Capturing the way things 
are done around here” on pages 45 to 49. The Company has an 
equal opportunities policy aimed at ensuring that employment 
decisions are based on ability and potential regardless of gender, 
race, colour, ethnic origin or sexual orientation, age or disability. 
In particular, applications for employment by disabled persons 
are always fully and fairly considered, bearing in mind the 
aptitudes of the person concerned. In the event of a member 
of staff becoming disabled, every effort is made to ensure that 
their employment with the Group continues and that appropriate 
training is arranged. It is the policy of the Company that the 
training, career development and promotion of disabled persons 
should, as far as possible, be identical to that of other employees.

The Group’s policies and practices have been designed 
to keep employees informed on matters relevant to them 
as employees through regular meetings and newsletters. 
Employee representatives are consulted regularly on a wide 
range of matters affecting their interests. 

The Group did not give any money for political purposes nor did 
it make any donations to political organisations or independent 
candidate or incur any political expenditure during the year. 

Auditor

KPMG LLP is the Company’s auditor at the date of this report, 
having been appointed following the outcome of the tender 
for the role of external auditor conducted during late 2014 
and early 2015. Resolutions will be proposed at the Annual 
General Meeting to re-appoint KPMG LLP as the Company’s 
auditor, and to authorise the Audit Committee to fix the 
auditor’s remuneration. 

Statement on disclosure of information to the auditor

Each of the persons who is a director at the date of approval 
of this report confirms that:

•  So far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit 

information of which the Company’s auditor is unaware; and

•  The director has taken all reasonable steps that they ought to 
have taken as a director in order to make themselves aware 
of any relevant audit information and to establish that the 
Company’s auditor is aware of that information

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance 
with the provisions of s.418 of the Companies Act 2006. 

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Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
Share capital and change of control

As at 31 December 2016 the Company had an allotted and 
fully paid share capital of 250,804,680 ordinary shares of 
10 pence each, with an aggregate nominal value of £25,080,468 
(including shares owned by the Travis Perkins Employee Share 
Ownership Trust). The ordinary shares are listed on the London 
Stock Exchange. All the shares rank pari passu. The rights and 
obligations attaching to the shares are set out in the Company’s 
Articles of Association. Fully paid shares in the Company are 
freely transferable. There are no persons that hold securities 
carrying special rights with regard to the control of the Company. 
Details of the structure of the Company’s share capital and 
changes in the share capital during the year are also included 
in note 19 to the annual financial statements.

As at 31 December 2016 the Travis Perkins Employee Share 
Ownership Trust owned 729,680 shares in the Company (0.3%) 
of issued share capital for use in connection with the Company’s 
share schemes (aggregate nominal value £72,968). Any voting or 
other similar decisions relating to those shares would be taken by 
the Trustees, who may take account of any recommendation of 
the Company.

There are no restrictions on voting rights attaching to the 
Company’s ordinary shares. The Company is not aware of any 
agreements between holders of securities that may result in 
restrictions on the transfer of securities or on voting rights.

The rules governing the appointment and replacement of board 
members and changes to the Articles of Association accord 
with usual English company law provisions. The powers of the 
Company’s Directors are set out in the Company’s Articles of 
Association. In particular, the Board has the power to issue shares 
and to purchase the Company’s own shares and is seeking 
renewal of these powers at the forthcoming Annual General 
Meeting in accordance with the restrictions and within the limits 
set out in the notice of that meeting.

There are a number of agreements to which the Company is a 
party that may take effect, alter or terminate upon a change of 
control following a takeover bid. None of these agreements is 
considered significant in the context of the Company as a whole. 

There are no agreements providing for compensation for 
Directors or employees on change of control. As set out in the 
Directors Remuneration Report on page 95, service contracts 
for Executive Directors do not specify any particular level of 
compensation in the event of termination following change of 
control of the Company. As noted above, the Company has 
agreed with each of the Directors that it shall provide a director 
with funds (subject to certain restrictions) to meet expenditure 
incurred in defending any criminal or civil proceedings if such 
proceedings are instituted subsequent to any person acquiring 
control of the Company.

By order of the Board

Deborah Grimason 
Company Secretary & General Counsel 
14 March 2017

Stephen Maguire – Travis Perkins, Tilbury Range Centre

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Governance & Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & RemunerationSTATEMENT  
OF DIRECTORS’ 
RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report 
and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law 
and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare such financial 
statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors 
are required to prepare the group financial statements in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and Article 4 of the 
IAS Regulation and have also chosen to prepare the parent 
company financial statements under IFRSs as adopted by the 
European Union. Under company law the Directors must not 
approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a 
true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of 
the profit or loss of the Company for that period. In preparing 
these financial statements, International Accounting Standard 1 
requires that directors:

•  Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently

•  Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent

•  State whether the financial statements have been prepared 

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity 
of the corporate and financial information included on the 
Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing 
the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may 
differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Directors’ responsibility statement

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

1.   The financial statements, prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted 
by the EU, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 
financial position and profit or loss of the Company and 
the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as 
a whole; and

2.  The Strategic Report, which is incorporated into the 

Directors’ Report, includes a fair review of the development  
and performance of the business and the position of the 
Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal 
risks and uncertainties that they face

in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU

3.  The annual report and financial statements taken as a 

•  Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis 
unless it is inappropriate to presume the Group and the 
Company will continue in business

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

Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also 
responsible for preparing a strategic report, a directors’ report, 
a directors’ remuneration report and a corporate governance 
statement, which comply with that law and those regulations.

whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provide 
the information necessary for shareholders to assess 
the Company’s position, performance, business model 
and strategy

Declaration

We consider that the Annual Report and Accounts, when taken 
as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides 
the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s 
position, performance, business model and strategy.

By order of the Board

John Carter 
Chief Executive  
14 March 2017 

Tony Buffin 
Chief Operating Officer 
14 March 2017

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Miles Dowson – Travis Perkins, Tilbury Range Centre

Richard Jackson – 
Travis Perkins, Tilbury Range Centre

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 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016 Governance & Remuneration 
 
Weronika Narbut  –  
Travis Perkins, Staples Corner

108

FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

110 

Independent auditor’s report

114  Financial statements

121  

 Notes to the financial statements

109

Financial StatementsINDEPENDENT 
AUDITOR’S REPORT

TO THE MEMBERS OF TRAVIS PERKINS PLC ONLY

Opinions and conclusions arising  
from our audit

1.  Our opinion on the financial statements is unmodified

We have audited the financial statements of Travis Perkins plc for 
the year ended 31 December 2016 set out on pages 114 to 181. 
In our opinion:

Overview

Materiality:
group financial statements  
as a whole

Coverage

•  The financial statements give a true and fair view of the 

state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as 
at 31 December 2016 and of the Group’s profit for the year 
then ended;

•  The group financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as 
adopted by the European Union (IFRSs as adopted by the EU);

•  The parent company financial statements have been properly 
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and 
as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies 
Act 2006; and

•  The financial statements have been prepared in accordance 
with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006; and, 
as regards the group financial statements, Article 4 of the 
IAS Regulation.

£17m (2015: £18m)
5% (2015: 5%) of group 
profit before tax adjusted 
for impairment of intangible 
assets and exceptional items 
as disclosed on the face of the 
income statement

94% (2015: 95%) of group 
profit before tax adjusted 
for impairment of intangible 
assets and exceptional items 
as disclosed on the face of the 
income statement

Risks of material misstatement

vs 2015

Recurring risks

Valuation of  
goodwill and other  
non-current assets

Recognition of  
supplier income

Valuation of inventory

2.  Our assessment of risks of material misstatement

In arriving at our audit opinion above on the financial statements, the risks of material misstatement that had the greatest effect on our 
audit, in decreasing order of audit significance, were as follows (unchanged from 2015):

The risk

Valuation of goodwill  
and other non-current assets
(£2,848 million; 2015: £2,983 million)

Refer to pages 67 to 73 (Audit Committee 
Report), pages 126 to 127 (Critical 
judgements and key sources of estimation 
and uncertainty) and pages 142 to 144 
(Financial disclosures).

Forecast based valuation
A worsening in the UK economy, fall in 
consumer confidence, the impact of cost 
price inflation or being slow to respond to 
changes in customer buying behaviours 
may impact the performance of certain 
businesses to the extent that the goodwill 
balance could become impaired.

Our response

Our procedures included:

•  Historical comparisons: Considering 
historical forecasting accuracy, by 
comparing forecast cash flows to those 
currently being achieved by the CGUs.

110

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
The risk

Our response

In particular the plumbing & heating 
market has faced significant challenges. 
The re-segmentation programme (Building 
the Best) completed in early 2016 has 
not achieved all of the expected benefits 
and the City Plumbing business is facing 
competition from fixed price retailers and 
loss of market share due to not having a 
transactional website.

In the Consumer division performance 
in the Tile Giant business has been lower 
than expected and for Wickes, whilst the 
headroom has grown year-on-year, the 
value in use is still sensitive to certain 
assumptions, such as market and revenue 
growth and capital expenditure.

The estimated recoverable amount is 
subjective due to the inherent uncertainty 
involved in forecasting and discounting 
future cash flows.

The Group’s annual impairment reviews 
are based on the three year plan, risk 
adjusted for observed changes to the 
relevant markets. This review has resulted 
in an impairment of £235 million, 
principally in the City Plumbing and 
Tile Giant cash generating units, being 
recorded in the financial statements.

•  Our sector experience: Assessing 

whether future cash flows, specifically 
revenue growth, margin assumptions 
and maintenance capital expenditure, 
reflect known or probable changes in the 
business environment.

•  Benchmarking assumptions: Using our 
own valuation specialists to challenge 
the key inputs used in the calculation of 
the discount rates used by the Group, 
including comparisons with external data 
sources for comparable companies.

•  Sensitivity analysis: Performing our 

own sensitivity analysis on these CGUs, 
including a reduction in assumed growth 
rates, increased capital expenditure, 
reduced ability to pass through cost price 
inflation and an increased discount rate.

•  Assessing transparency: Assessing 

whether the Group’s disclosures regarding 
the sensitivity of the impairment 
assessment, to changes in key 
assumptions, appropriately reflected the 
risks inherent in the valuation of goodwill 
and non-current assets.

Recognition of supplier rebate income

Subjective estimate

Our procedures included:

Refer to pages 67 to 73 (Audit Committee 
Report), pages 126 to 127 (Critical 
judgements and key sources of estimation 
and uncertainty) and page 150 (Financial 
disclosures).

As a result of the wide range of products 
and suppliers to the Group, there are a 
significant number of complex and varying 
purchase agreements within the business 
specifically involving fixed price discounts, 
volume rebates and customer sales 
support. We consider the risk to relate to 
the calculation of the income receivable, 
including and recoverability of the year end 
receivables from suppliers in respect of 
these agreements. The risk is driven by the 
complexity of this calculation across the 
range of products and divisions and the 
estimation relating to the collection rate of 
this income, including recoverability of the 
amounts outstanding at the year end.

•  Historical comparisons: Considering 
the success of rebate collection in 
previous periods for significant balances 
outstanding at the date of signing 
the audit report, and agreeing the 
calculation of the amount accrued to 
contractual agreements.

•  Tests of details: Agreeing a statistical 
sample of the total amount of rebate 
income recorded in the year, including 
amounts outstanding at the year end 
to cash received or credit note raised. 
Agreeing the calculation of the amount 
accrued to contractual agreements for 
balances outstanding at the year end on 
a sample basis.

•  Enquiry of customers: Requesting 

a sample of supplier rebate balance 
confirmations. We compared the 
confirmations to the related receivables 
and challenged management’s 
explanations of any variances.

•  Assessing transparency: Considering 
the adequacy of the Group’s disclosures 
about the degree of estimation involved in 
arriving at the amounts recognised which 
are based on historic collection rates.

111

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Valuation of inventory

Substantive estimate

The risk

Our response

Our procedures included:

(£768 million; 2015: £762 million)

Refer to pages 67 to 73 (Audit Committee 
Report), pages 126 to 127 (Critical 
judgements and key sources of estimation 
and uncertainty)

There is a risk that items are not recorded 
at the lower of cost and net realisable 
value. The impact of rebate accounting and 
overheads allocations makes the inventory 
valuation complex in the various group 
businesses. In addition the competitive 
market and changes in consumer tastes 
may impact the saleability of the product.

•  Methodology choice: Evaluation of the 
appropriateness of the methodologies 
applied in determining product cost 
and critically assessing the calculation 
(including the allocation of rebates)

•  Tests of details: Comparing the 

amounts at which a sample of items is 
stated with the invoiced cost, adjusted for 
any subsequent rebates and compared 
that with sales prices achieved after the 
year-end

•  Assessing transparency: Considering 

the adequacy of the Group’s disclosures 
about the degree of estimation involved 
in arriving at the valuation

3.   Our application of materiality and an overview  

of the scope of our audit

The materiality for the group financial statements as a whole was 
set at £17 million (2015: £18 million), determined with reference 
to a benchmark of Group profit before taxation adjusted for 
impairment of intangible assets and exceptional items as 
disclosed on the face of the income statement of £364.7 million 
of which it represents 5%.

We reported to the Audit Committee any corrected or 
uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding £0.5 million 
(2015: £0.5 million) in addition to other identified misstatements 
that warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. 

Of the Group’s 64 (2015: 63) reporting components, 17 (2015: 15) 
were subject to audit for group reporting purposes. The components 
within the scope of our work accounted for 93% (2015: 93%) of total 
group revenue; 96% (2015: 95%) of group profit before taxation*; 
and 86% (2015: 91%) of total group assets. For the remaining 
components, we performed analysis at an aggregated group level 
to re-examine our assessment that there were no significant risks of 
material misstatement within these.

The Group audit team instructed component auditors as to 
the significant areas to be covered, including the relevant risks 
detailed above and the information to be reported back. The 
Group audit team approved the component materialities, which 
ranged from £1.0 million to £12.8 million (2015: £1.7 million to 
£10 million) , having regard to the mix of size and risk profile 
of the Group across the components. The work on 2 of the 17 
components (2015: 2 of the 14 components) was performed by 
component auditors and the rest by the Group team. The group 
team performed procedures on the items excluded from adjusted 
group profit before tax.

The Group audit team visited component locations (all UK based) 
of all 17 (2015: 15) in scope components and arranged calls to 
assess the audit risk and strategy and, subsequently visited to 
discuss the findings reported to the Group audit team in more 
detail. Any further work required by the Group audit team was 
then performed by the component auditor

112

Adjusted Group 
profit before tax*
£364.7m (2015: £364.1m) 

Adjusted Group PBT*

Group materiality

Materiality
£17m (2015: £18m)

£17m
Whole financial
statements materiality 
(2015: £18m)

£12.8m
Range of materiality 
at 17 components 
(£1m to £12.8m)
(2015: £1.7m to £10m)

£0.5m
Misstatements reported 
to the Audit Committee 
(2015: £0.5m) 

*adjusted for impairment of intangible assets and exceptional 
  items as disclosed on the face of the income statement    

Group profit before tax 
impairment of intangible fixed 
assets and exceptional items 

96%

(2015: 95%)

95

96

Full scope for group audit purposes 2016

Full scope for group audit purposes 2015

Residual components

Group revenue 

93%

(2015: 93%)

93

93

Group total assets 

86%

(2015: 91%)

91

86

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 4.   Our opinion on other matters prescribed  

by the Companies Act 2006 is unmodified

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you 
if, in our opinion:

In our opinion:

•  The part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited 

has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006; and

•  The information given in the Strategic Report and the 

Directors’ Report for the financial year is consistent with the 
financial statements

Based solely on the work required to be undertaken in the course 
of the audit of the financial statements and from reading the 
Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report:

•  We have not identified material misstatements in those 

reports; and

•  In our opinion, those reports have been prepared in accordance 

with the Companies Act 2006

5.   We have nothing to report on the disclosures  

of principal risks

Based on the knowledge we acquired during our audit, we have 
nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to:

•  The directors’ statement of viability assessment on page 35, 
concerning the principal risks, their management, and, based 
on that, the directors’ assessment and expectations of the 
Group continuing in operation over the 3 years to 28 February 
2020; or

•  The disclosures in note 1 of the financial statements concerning 

the use of the going concern basis of accounting

6.   We have nothing to report in respect of the matters  
on which we are required to report by exception

Under ISAs (UK and Ireland) we are required to report to you if, 
based on the knowledge we acquired during our audit, we have 
identified other information in the annual report that contains 
a material inconsistency with either that knowledge or the 
financial statements, a material misstatement of fact, or that is 
otherwise misleading.

In particular, we are required to report to you if:

•  We have identified material inconsistencies between the 

knowledge we acquired during our audit and the directors’ 
statement that they consider that the annual report and 
financial statements taken as a whole is fair, balanced and 
understandable and provides the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, 
business model and strategy; or

•  The Audit Committee Report does not appropriately address 

matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee

•  Adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent 
Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been 
received from branches not visited by us; or

•  The Parent Company financial statements and the part of 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in 
agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

•  Certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law 

are not made; or

•  We have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:

•  The directors’ statements, set out on pages 35 and 65, in 
relation to going concern and longer-term viability; and

•  The part of the Corporate Governance Statement on page 
62 relating to the Company’s compliance with the eleven 
provisions of the 2014 UK Corporate Governance Code 
specified for our review

We have nothing to report in respect of the above responsibilities.

Scope and responsibilities

As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities 
Statement set out on page 106, the Directors are responsible for 
the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied 
that they give a true and fair view. A description of the scope 
of an audit of financial statements is provided on the Financial 
Reporting Council’s website at  
www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate. This report is made solely 
to the Company’s members as a body and is subject to important 
explanations and disclaimers regarding our responsibilities, 
published on our website at  
www.kpmg.com/uk/auditscopeukco2014a, which are 
incorporated into this report as if set out in full and should be 
read to provide an understanding of the purpose of this report, 
the work we have undertaken and the basis of our opinions.

Greg Watts (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants

One Snowhill 
Snowhill Queensway 
Birmingham 
B4 6GH

14 March 2017

113

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Income Statements

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

Notes

4

5(d)

5(a)

9

9

10(a)

Revenue

Operating profit before 
amortisation and impairment

Amortisation of goodwill  
and acquired intangible assets
Impairment of assets  
and other exceptional items

Operating profit 

Finance income 

Finance costs 

Profit before tax

Tax

Profit for the year

Attributable to:

Owners of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Earnings per ordinary share 

Basic

Diluted

Total dividend declared per 
ordinary share 

11(a)

11(a)

12

Pre- 
exceptional 
items 
£m

6,217.2

409.0

(16.6)

2016

Exceptional 
items 

£m

-

-

-

The Group 

Total 

£m

6,217.2

409.0

Pre- 
exceptional 
items
£m

5,941.6

412.6

(16.6)

(18.0)

2015

Exceptional 
items 

£m

-

-

-

Total

£m

5,941.6

412.6

(18.0)

-

(292.0)

(292.0)

-

(140.6)

(140.6)

(140.6)

254.0

392.4

(292.0)

0.7

(28.4)

364.7

(77.1)

287.6

286.2

1.4

287.6

-

-

(292.0)

18.5

(273.5)

(273.5)

-

(273.5)

394.6

1.2

(31.7)

364.1

(71.8)

292.3

292.2

0.1

292.3

100.4

0.7

(28.4)

72.7

(58.6)

14.1

12.7

1.4

14.1

5.1p

5.0p

45.0p

-

-

(140.6)

16.0

(124.6)

(124.6)

-

(124.6)

All results relate to continuing operations. Details of exceptional items are given in notes 5 and 10.

Notes

4

5(d)

9

9

10

The Company

2016
£m

338.8

317.7

(19.0)

298.7

0.6

(44.3)

255.0

10.6

265.6

Revenue

Operating profit before exceptional items

Exceptional items

Operating profit

Finance income 

Finance costs 

Profit before tax

Tax

Profit for the year

All results relate to continuing operations. Details of exceptional items are given in note 5.

114

1.2

(31.7)

223.5

(55.8)

167.7

167.6

0.1

167.7

67.8p

66.2p

44.0p

2015
£m

264.9

239.5

-

239.5

1.2

(47.5)

193.2

10.8

204.0

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
Statements of Comprehensive Income

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

Profit for the year

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss

Actuarial (losses) / gains on defined benefit pension schemes

Deferred tax rate change on actuarial movement

Income tax relating to items not reclassified

Notes

27(h)

10(b)

10(b)

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss

Cash flow hedges

Other comprehensive (loss) / income for the year net of tax

Total comprehensive (loss) / income for the year

All other comprehensive income is attributable to the owners of the Company.

The Group 

The Company 

2016 
£m

14.1

(86.9)

-

16.5

(70.4)

0.1

(70.3)

(56.2)

2015
£m

167.7

24.8

(1.4)

(4.7)

18.7

(0.3)

18.4

186.1

2016 
£m

265.6

2015 
£m

204.0

-

-

-

-

0.1

0.1

-

-

-

-

(0.3)

(0.3)

265.7

203.7

115

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements The Group

The Company

Notes

2016
£m

2015
 £m

2016
£m

2015
£m

13

14

15

23

16(a)

16(b)

16(c)

17

25

17

23

18

1,528.3

1,740.2

360.8

929.5

371.7

849.5

-

11.5

-

9.1

8.3

-

6.3

7.9

-

7.8

-

-

-

-

0.1

-

16.9

-

-

0.1

6.3

12.2

3,805.4

3,683.5

4.4

-

1.8

3.3

-

2.9

2,847.5

2,983.4

3,828.6

3,708.3

768.0

1,059.3

1.7

250.5

2,079.5

4,927.0

761.8

986.9

16.2

83.8

1,848.7

4,832.1

-

387.6

1.7

185.9

575.2

4,403.8

-

269.8

16.2

32.8

318.8

4,027.1

Balance Sheets

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2016

Assets

Non-current assets

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Derivative financial instruments

Interest in associates

Investment in subsidiaries

Investments

Other receivables

Deferred tax asset

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

116

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Equity and liabilities

Capital and reserves

Issued capital

Share premium account

Merger reserve

Revaluation reserve

Hedging reserve

Own shares

Other reserve

Accumulated profits

Equity attributable to owners of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Non-current liabilities

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Retirement benefit obligations

Long-term provisions

Amounts due to subsidiaries

Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Trade and other payables

Tax liabilities

Short-term provisions

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

The Group

The Company

Notes

2016
£m

2015
£m

2016
£m

2015
£m

19

21

21

21

21

21

21

22

27

24

25

22

26

24

25.1

528.5

326.5

16.8

-

(8.7)

-

1,760.1

2,648.3

7.3

25.0

518.9

326.5

18.4

(0.1)

(15.5)

(1.4)

1,918.1

2,789.9

5.9

25.1

527.4

326.5

-

-

(8.7)

-

587.0

1,457.3

-

25.0

517.8

326.5

-

(0.1)

(15.5)

-

421.5

1,275.2

-

2,655.6

2,795.8

1,457.3

1,275.2

621.1

127.3

21.2

-

45.8

815.4

6.9

1,348.3

43.8

57.0

1,456.0

2,271.4

4,927.0

411.4

52.2

7.4

-

61.3

532.3

139.8

1,235.5

90.2

38.5

1,504.0

2,036.3

4,832.1

559.0

360.2

-

-

-

-

2,368.4

2,231.6

-

-

2,927.4

2,591.8

-

19.1

-

-

19.1

2,946.5

4,403.8

137.0

23.1

-

-

160.1

2,751.9

4,027.1

The financial statements of Travis Perkins plc, registered number 824821, were approved by the Board of Directors on 14 March 2017 
and signed on its behalf by:

John Carter 
Director 

Tony Buffin 
Director

117

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

The Group

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a
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a
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£m I

l

a
t
i
p
a
c

i

m
u
m
e
r
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e
r
a
h
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t
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At 1 January 2015

24.9

510.5

326.5

Profit for the year 

Other comprehensive 
income for the period  
net of tax

Total comprehensive 
income for the year

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Issue of share capital

0.1

8.4

Realisation of revaluation 
reserve in respect of 
property disposals

Difference between 
depreciation of assets on 
a historical basis and  
on a revaluation basis

Deferred tax rate change

Tax on share based 
payments (note 10c)

Arising on acquisition

Foreign exchange

Credit for equity-settled 
share based payments

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

n
o
i
t
a
u
a
v
e
R

l

e
v
r
e
s
e
r

18.1

-

-

-

-

-

(0.5)

(0.1)

0.9

-

-

-

-

0.2

(28.5)

(1.5)

1,827.5

2,677.7

-

(0.3)

(0.3)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

13.0

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.1

167.6

167.7

-

18.7

18.4

0.1

186.3

186.1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(100.2)

(100.2)

(11.5)

10.0

0.5

0.1

-

1.9

-

(0.2)

13.7

-

-

0.9

1.9

-

(0.2)

13.7

y
t
i
u
q
e

l

a
t
o
T

2,677.7

167.7

18.4

186.1

(100.2)

10.0

-

-

0.9

1.9

5.9

(0.2)

13.7

2,795.8

14.1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5.9

-

-

5.9

1.4

At 31 December 2015

25.0

518.9

326.5

18.4

(0.1)

(15.5)

(1.4)

1,918.1

2,789.9

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive 
income for the period  
net of tax
Total comprehensive 
income for the year

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Issue of share capital

0.1

9.6

Realisation of revaluation 
reserve in respect of 
property disposals
Difference between 
depreciation of assets on 
a historical basis and  
on a revaluation basis

Deferred tax rate change

Tax on share based 
payments (10c)

Reserves adjustment

Own shares movement

Credit for equity-settled 
share based payments

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1.8)

(0.2)

0.4

-

-

-

-

At 31 December 2016

25.1

528.5

326.5

16.8

118

-

0.1

0.1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

6.8

-

(8.7)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1.4

-

-

-

12.7

12.7

(70.4)

(70.3)

-

(70.3)

(57.7)

(57.6)

1.4

(56.2)

(110.5)

(110.5)

-

1.8

0.2

-

(1.1)

(1.4)

(6.8)

17.5

9.7

-

-

0.4

(1.1)

-

-

17.5

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(110.5)

9.7

-

-

0.4

(1.1)

-

-

17.5

1,760.1

2,648.3

7.3 2,655.6

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of Changes in Equity

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

e
r
a
h
s
d
e
u
s
s
I

l

a
t
i
p
a
c

24.9

-

-

-

-

0.1

-

-

i

m
u
m
e
r
P
e
r
a
h
S

t
n
u
o
c
c
a

509.4

-

-

-

-

8.4

-

-

The Company

r
e
g
r
e
M

e
v
r
e
s
e
r

326.5

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

i

g
n
g
d
e
H

e
v
r
e
s
e
r

0.2

-

(0.3)

(0.3)

-

-

-

-

s
e
r
a
h
s

n
w
O

(28.5)

-

-

-

-

13.0

-

-

£m

At 1 January 2015

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income  
for the period net of tax

Total comprehensive  
income for the year

Dividends 

Issue of share capital

Tax on share based payments  
(note 10c)

Credit for equity-settled share  
based payments

At 31 December 2015

25.0

517.8

326.5

(0.1)

(15.5)

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income  
for the period net of tax

Total comprehensive income 
for the year

Dividends 

Issue of share capital

Own shares movement

Tax on share based payments  
(note 10c)

Credit for equity-settled share  
based payments

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.1

9.6

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

At 31 December 2016

25.1

527.4

326.5

-

0.1

0.1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

6.8

-

-

i

d
e
n
a
t
e
R

i

s
g
n
n
r
a
e

315.1

204.0

y
t
i
u
q
e

l

a
t
o
T

1,147.6

204.0

-

(0.3)

204.0

203.7

(100.2)

(11.5)

0.4

13.7

421.5

265.6

-

(100.2)

10.0

0.4

13.7

1,275.2

265.6

0.1

265.6

265.7

(110.5)

(110.5)

-

(6.8)

(0.3)

17.5

9.7

-

(0.3)

17.5

(8.7)

587.0

1,457.3

119

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Statements 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

The Group

Operating profit before amortisation and impairment of goodwill 
and other intangible assets and exceptional items
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Amortisation of internally generated intangibles

Other non cash movement – share based payments

Other non-cash movements - other

Losses / (gains) of associates

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

Operating cash flows before exceptional items

Increase in inventories

Increase in receivables

Increase / (decrease) in payables

Payments of exceptional items

Pension payments in excess of the charge to profits

Cash generated from operations

Interest paid

Current income taxes paid

One-off income tax payments (note 10)

Total income taxes paid

Net cash from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Interest received

Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

Development of computer software

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Interest in associates

Investments 

Acquisition of businesses net of cash acquired (note 28)

Net cash used in investing activities
Financing activities

Net proceeds from the issue of share capital

Net movement in finance lease liabilities

Debt arrangement fees 

Repayment of loan notes

(Decrease) / increase in loans and liabilities to pension scheme

Gain on settlement of swap contracts

Increase in sterling bonds

Dividends paid

Net cash from financing activities

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year (note 18)

120

2016
£m

409.0

97.6

7.5

17.5

0.2

1.1

(18.0)

514.9

(5.7)

(83.3)

93.9

(11.6)

(13.5)

494.7

(22.6)

(62.2)

(42.5)

(104.7)

367.4

0.4

42.9

(30.8)

(197.5)

(4.6)

(1.1)

(3.2)

(193.9)

9.7

15.9

(2.4)

(123.1)

(113.2)

16.8

300.0

(110.5)

(6.8)

166.7

83.8

250.5

2015
£m

412.6

83.0

3.1

13.7

0.7

(2.7)

(26.3)

484.1

(14.1)

(43.0)

(38.8)

(14.6)

(23.3)

350.3

(19.9)

(47.8)

-

(47.8)

282.6

0.2

50.8

(23.9)

(268.7)

(3.5)

(5.3)

(26.0)

(276.4)

10.0

(2.7)

(3.9)

(40.8)

106.9

-

-

(100.2)

(30.7)

(24.5)

108.3

83.8

The Company
2016
£m

317.7

0.1

-

6.0

-

-

-

323.8

-

(118.0)

(1.9)

-

-

203.9

(21.4)

-

-

-

2015
£m

239.5

0.1

-

3.4

-

(7.5)

-

235.5

-

(124.1)

(49.4)

-

-

62.0

(18.8)

-

-

-

182.5

43.2

0.4

-

-

(0.1)

(4.6)

(5.6)

-

(9.9)

9.7

(2.4)

(123.1)

(110.0)

16.8

300.0

(110.5)

(19.5)

153.1

32.8

185.9

0.2

-

-

(0.1)

(3.5)

(31.3)

-

(34.7)

10.0

-

(3.9)

(40.8)

110.0

-

-

(100.2)

(24.9)

(16.4)

49.2

32.8

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Notes to the financial statements

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Overview

Travis Perkins plc is a company incorporated in the United 
Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006. The address of the 
registered office is given on page 186. The nature of the Group’s 
operations and its principal activities are set out in the Strategic 
Report on pages 6 to 55.

These financial statements are presented in pounds sterling, 
the currency of the primary economic environment in which 
the Group operates.

Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). The financial 
statements have also been prepared in accordance with IFRS 
adopted by the European Union and therefore the Group financial 
statements comply with Article 4 of the EU IAS Regulations.

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historic 
cost basis, except that derivative financial instruments, available 
for sale investments, contingent consideration arising from 
business combinations and certain borrowings are stated at 
their fair value. The consolidated financial statements include 
the accounts of the Company and all entities controlled by the 
Company (its subsidiaries) (together referred to as “the Group”) 
from the date control commences until the date that control 
ceases. Control is achieved where the Company: 

•  Has the power over the investee

•  Is exposed or has rights to a variable return from the 

involvement with the investee

Based on their initial assessments, the Directors anticipate that 
adoption of these Standards and Interpretations in future periods 
will not have a material impact on the financial statements of the 
Group.

•  IFRS 16 – Leases

In January 2016 the IASB issued IFRS 16 – Leases which is yet 
to be endorsed by the European Union. This Standard will have a 
material effect on the Group because the value of the operating 
leases it has entered into will be included in the balance sheet 
in future (see note 29). The Group has initiated a project to 
determine the effect of this new Standard. Given the complexity 
of the Standard and the volume of leases, this project has not 
been completed at the date of these accounts.

The Directors are currently of the opinion that the Group’s 
forecasts and projections, show that the Group should be able  
to operate within its current facilities and comply with its banking 
covenants. The Group is however exposed to a number of 
significant risks and uncertainties, which could affect the Group’s 
ability to meet management’s projections. The Directors believe 
that the Group has the flexibility to react to changing market 
conditions and is adequately placed to manage its business 
risks successfully.

Detailed considerations of going concern, risks and uncertainties 
are provided in the Annual Report on pages 65 and 37 to 
43 respectively.

After making enquiries, the Directors have formed a judgement 
at the time of approving the financial statements, that there 
is a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group 
have adequate resources to continue in operational existence 
for the twelve months from the date of signing these accounts. 
For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in 
preparing the financial statements.

•  Has the ability to use its power to affect its returns

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

As such, the results of subsidiaries acquired during the year are 
included in the consolidated income statement from the effective 
date of acquisition.

At the date of the approval of these financial statements, 
the following Standards and Interpretations, which have not yet 
been applied in these financial statements, were in issue, but not 
yet effective: 

•  IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments 

•  Annual improvements to IFRS 2012—2014 cycle 

•  Amendments to IAS 12 – Amendments regarding the 
recognition of deferred tax assets for unrealised losses

•  Amendments to IAS 7 – Amendments as a result of the 

Disclosure initiative

•  IFRS 15 – Revenue Recognition

•  IFRS 2 – Amendments to clarify the classification and 
measurement of share-based payment transactions

•  Annual improvements to IFRS 2014—2016 cycle

The principal accounting policies adopted in preparing the 
financial statements are set out below.

Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognised when goods or services are received 
by the customer and the risks and rewards of ownership have 
passed to them. Revenue is measured at the fair value of 
consideration received or receivable and represents amounts 
receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course 
of business, net of discounts and value added tax. For the 
Group, services comprise tool hire and kitchen and bathroom 
installations. Tool hire revenue is recognised on a straight line 
basis over the period of hire. Revenue from the installation  
of kitchens and bathrooms is recognised when the Group has  
fulfilled all its obligations under the installation contract.  
For the Parent Company, revenue comprises management 
charges receivable and dividend income received.

121

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
continued 

Exceptional items

Exceptional items are those items of income and expenditure 
that by reference to the Group are material in size or unusual 
in nature or incidence, that in the judgement of the Directors, 
should be disclosed separately on the face of the financial 
statements (or in the notes in the case of a segment) to ensure 
both that the reader has a proper understanding of the Group’s 
financial performance and that there is comparability of financial 
performance between periods.

Items of income or expense that are considered by the Directors 
for designation as exceptional items include, but are not limited 
to, significant restructurings, onerous contracts, write-downs 
or impairments of current and non-current assets, the costs of 
acquiring and integrating businesses, gains or losses on disposals 
of businesses and investments, re-measurement gains or losses 
arising from changes in the fair value of derivative financial 
instruments to the extent that hedge accounting is not achieved 
or is not effective, material pension scheme curtailment gains 
and the effect of changes in corporation tax rates on deferred 
tax balances.

Supplier income 

Supplier income comprises fixed price discounts, volume rebates 
and customer sales support.

Fixed price discounts and volume rebates received and 
receivable in respect of goods which have been sold are initially 
deducted from the cost of inventory and therefore reduce cost 
of sales in the income statement when the goods are sold.  
Where goods on which the fixed price discount or volume rebate 
has been earned remain in inventory at the year-end, the cost of 
that inventory reflects those discounts and rebates (see inventory 
accounting policy).

The Group receives customer sales support payments that are 
made entirely at the supplier’s option, that are requested by the 
Group when a specific product is about to be sold to a specific 
customer and for which payment is only received after the sale 
has been completed. All customer sales support receipts received 
and receivable are deducted from cost of sales when the sale to 
the third party has been completed, i.e. when the customer sales 
support payment has been earned. 

Supplier income receivable is netted off against trade payables 
when there is a legally binding arrangement in place and it 
is management’s intention to do so, otherwise amounts are 
included in other receivables in the balance sheet.

Other promotional arrangements are not significant.

Customer rebates

Where the Group has rebate agreements with its customers, 
the value of customer rebates paid or payable, calculated in 
accordance with the agreements in place, is deducted from 
turnover in the year in which the rebate is earned.

Business combinations and goodwill

All business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition 
method. The cost of an acquisition represents the cash value 
of the consideration and / or the fair value of the shares issued 
on the date the offer became unconditional. The acquiree’s 
identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that 
meet the conditions for recognition under IFRS 3 (2008) are 
recognised at their fair value at the acquisition date except that:

•  Deferred tax assets or liabilities and liabilities or assets 

related to employee benefit arrangements are recognised and 
measured in accordance with IAS 12 Income Taxes and IAS 19 
Employee Benefits respectively

•  Liabilities or equity instruments related to the replacement by 
the Group of an acquiree’s share-based payment awards are 
measured in accordance with IFRS 2 Share-based Payments

Where a business combination is achieved in stages, the Group’s 
previously held interest in the acquired entity is remeasured to fair 
value at the acquisition date and the resulting gain or loss, if any, 
is recognised in the income statement.

Goodwill arising on acquisition represents the excess of the cost of 
acquisition over the share of the aggregate fair value of identifiable 
net assets (including intangible assets) of a business or a subsidiary 
at the date of acquisition. All material intangible fixed assets obtained 
on acquisition have been recognised separately in the financial 
statements. Goodwill is initially recognised as an asset and allocated 
to cash generating units or groups of cash generating units that are 
expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination and is 
then at least annually reviewed for impairment. Any impairment 
is recognised immediately in the income statement and is not 
subsequently reversed, as such, goodwill is stated in the balance sheet 
at cost less any provisions for impairment in value.

Goodwill arising on acquisitions before the date of transition to 
IFRS (1 January 2004) has been retained at the previous UK 
GAAP carrying value subject to being tested for impairment at 
that date. Goodwill written off to reserves prior to 1998 under 
UK GAAP has not been reinstated and would not be included in 
determining any subsequent profit or loss on disposal.

Liabilities for contingent consideration are classified as fair value 
through profit and loss.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets identified as part of the assets of an acquired 
business are capitalised separately from goodwill if the fair value 
can be measured reliably on initial recognition.

Intangible assets are amortised to the income statement on a 
straight-line basis over a maximum of 20 years except where 
they are considered to have an indefinite useful life. In the latter 
instance, they are reviewed annually for impairment.

The directly attributable costs incurred for the development of 
computer software for use within the business are capitalised 
and written off over their estimated useful life, which ranges from 
3 years to 10 years. Interfaces are amortised over the lower of 
the remaining estimated useful lives of the systems they operate 
between. Costs relating to research, maintenance and training are 
expensed as they are incurred.

No amortisation is charged on assets in the course of construction.

122

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Property, plant and equipment

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets 

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost or deemed cost 
less accumulated depreciation and any impairment in value. 
Assets are depreciated to their estimated residual value on a 
straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows:

•  Buildings - 50 years or if lower, the estimated useful life of the 

building or the life of the lease

•  Plant and equipment – 4 to 10 years

•  Freehold land is not depreciated

Assets held under finance leases are depreciated over their 
expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets, or 
where shorter, the term of the relevant lease. 

The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset 
is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds 
net of expenses and the carrying amount of the asset in the 
balance sheet and is recognised in the income statement. 
Where appropriate, the attributable revaluation reserve remaining 
in respect of properties revalued prior to the adoption of IFRS is 
transferred directly to reserves.

Leases

Finance leases, which transfer to the Group substantially all the 
risks and benefits incidental to ownership of the leased item, 
are capitalised at the inception of the lease at the fair value of 
the leased asset or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum 
lease payments. Lease payments are apportioned between the 
finance charges and reduction of the lease liability to achieve a 
constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. 
Finance charges are charged directly against income. Capitalised 
leased assets are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated 
useful life of the asset or the lease term. Leases where the lessor 
retains substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership of the 
asset are classified as operating leases. 

Operating lease rental payments are recognised as an expense in 
the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. 

Reverse lease premia and other incentives receivable for entering 
into a lease agreement are recognised in the income statement 
on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease.

A sale and leaseback transaction is one where the Group sells an 
asset and immediately reacquires the use of the asset by entering 
into a lease with the buyer. The accounting treatment of the sale 
and leaseback depends upon the substance of the transaction 
(by applying the lease classification principles described above) 
and whether or not the sale was made at the asset’s fair value. 

For sale and finance leasebacks, any profit from the sale  
is deferred and amortised over the lease term. For sale and 
operating leasebacks, generally the assets are sold at fair 
value, and accordingly the profit or loss from the sale is 
recognised immediately. 

The carrying amounts of the Group’s tangible and intangible 
assets with a definite useful life are reviewed at each balance 
sheet date to determine whether there is any indication of 
impairment. If such an indication exists, the asset’s recoverable 
amount is estimated and compared to its carrying value. 
Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are 
independent from other assets, the Group estimates the 
recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit (“CGU”) to 
which the asset belongs. The recoverable amount of an asset 
is the greater of its fair value less disposal cost and its value in 
use (the present value of the future cash flows that the asset is 
expected to generate). In determining value in use the present 
value of future cash flows is discounted using a pre-tax discount 
rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value 
of money in relation to the period of the investment and the 
risks specific to the asset concerned.

Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount 
a provision for the impairment loss is established with a charge 
being made to the income statement. When the reasons for 
a write down no longer exist the write down is reversed in the 
income statement up to the net book value that the relevant 
asset would have had if it had not been written down and if it had 
been depreciated.

For intangible assets that have an indefinite useful life the 
recoverable amount is estimated at each annual balance 
sheet date.

Inventories

Inventories, which consist of goods for resale, are stated at 
the lower of average weighted cost and net realisable value. 
Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct 
labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in 
bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. 
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less the 
estimated costs of disposal.

Financial instruments

Financial assets and liabilities are recognised in the balance sheet 
when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of 
the instrument.

Trade receivables

Trade receivables are measured at amortised cost, which is 
carrying amount less provision for irrecoverable amounts. 
Allowances for the estimated irrecoverable amounts are made 
in the income statement when the receivable is considered 
to be irrecoverable.

Impairment of financial assets

Financial assets are treated as impaired when, in the opinion 
of the Directors, the likelihood of full recovery is diminished by 
either events or change of circumstance.

123

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as effective 
hedges are marked-to-market at the balance sheet date, with any 
gains or losses being taken through the income statement.

Financial assets and financial liabilities

Financial assets are classified into the following specified 
categories: financial assets at ‘fair value through profit or loss’ 
(“FVTPL”), ‘available-for-sale’ (“AFS”) financial assets and ‘loans 
and receivables’. The classification depends on the nature and 
purpose of the financial assets and is determined at the time of 
initial recognition.

Financial liabilities are classified as either financial liabilities ‘at 
FVTPL’ or ‘other financial liabilities’ and trade and other payables.

The Group has defined the classes of financial assets to be other 
financial assets, cash and derivative financial instruments.

Financial assets and financial liabilities at FVTPL

Financial assets and financial liabilities are classified as at FVTPL 
where the financial asset or the financial liability is either held for 
trading or it is designated as FVTPL.

A financial asset or financial liability is classified as held for 
trading if it:

•  Has been acquired principally for the purpose of being sold or 

disposed of in the near future; or

•  Is a part of an identified portfolio of financial instruments that 

the Group manages together and has a recent actual pattern of 
short-term profit-taking; or

•  Is a derivative that is not designated and effective as a 

hedging instrument

Financial assets and financial liabilities at FVTPL are stated 
at fair value, with any resultant gain or loss recognised in the 
income statement unless it is an effective cash flow relationship. 
The net gain or loss recognised in the income statement 
incorporates any interest earned or paid on the financial asset 
and financial liability respectively.

Loans and receivables

Trade receivables and other receivables that have fixed or 
determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market 
are classified as loans and receivables. Loans and receivables are 
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, 
less any impairment. Interest income is recognised by applying 
the effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables, 
which applies to all amounts owed to the Group when the 
recognition of interest would be immaterial. 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
continued

Bank and other borrowings

Interest bearing bank loans and overdrafts, loan notes and other 
loans are recognised in the balance sheet at amortised cost. 
Finance charges associated with arranging non-equity funding 
are recognised in the income statement over the life of the facility. 
All other borrowing costs are recognised in the income statement 
in accordance with the effective interest rate method.

Trade payables

Trade payables are measured at amortised cost.

Foreign currencies

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded 
at the rates ruling on the date of the transaction.

At the balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate 
of exchange ruling at that date. Foreign exchange differences 
arising on translation are recognised in the income statement.

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting

The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its 
exposure to interest rate and foreign exchange risks arising from 
financing activities. The Group does not enter into speculative 
financial instruments. In accordance with its treasury policy, 
the Group does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments 
for trading purposes. 

Derivative financial instruments are stated at fair value.  
The fair value of derivative financial instruments is the estimated 
amount the Group would receive or pay to transfer to a market 
participant the derivative at the balance sheet date, taking into 
account current interest and exchange rates and the current 
creditworthiness of the counterparties. 

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments, 
that are designated and effective as hedges of the future variability 
of cash flows, are recognised in equity and the ineffective portion 
is recognised immediately in the income statement.

For an effective hedge of an exposure to changes in the fair value 
of a hedged item, the hedged item is adjusted for changes in fair 
value attributable to the risk being hedged with the corresponding 
entry in the income statement. 

For derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting, any gains 
or losses arising from changes in fair value are taken to the income 
statement as they arise.

Derivatives embedded in commercial contracts are treated as 
separate derivatives when their risks and characteristics are not 
closely related to those of the underlying contracts, with unrealised 
gains or losses being reported in the income statement. 

The fair value of hedged derivatives is classified as a non-current 
asset or non-current liability if the remaining maturity of the 
hedge relationship is more than 12 months, otherwise they are 
classified as current.

124

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Other financial liabilities

Other financial liabilities, including borrowings, are initially 
measured at fair value, net of transaction costs. Other financial 
liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the 
effective interest method, with interest expense recognised on an 
effective yield basis. The effective interest method is a method 
of calculating the amortised cost of a financial liability and of 
allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective 
interest is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash 
payments through the expected life of the financial liability, or, 
where appropriate, a shorter period to the net carrying amount 
on initial recognition.

Derecognition of financial assets and financial liabilities

The Group derecognises a financial asset only when the 
contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire; or it 
transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and 
rewards of ownership of the asset to another entity. If the Group 
neither transfers nor retains substantially all the risks and rewards 
of ownership and continues to control the transferred asset, 
the Group recognises its retained interest in the asset and an 
associated liability for amounts it may have to pay. If the Group 
retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of a 
transferred financial asset, the Group continues to recognise the 
financial asset and also recognises a collateralised borrowing for 
the proceeds received.

The Group derecognises financial liabilities when, and only when, 
the Group’s obligations are discharged, cancelled or they expire.

Taxation

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable 
and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. 
Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the income 
statement because it excludes items of income and expense that 
are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes 
items, which are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability 
for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been 
enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on 
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities 
in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used 
in the computation of taxable profit. This is accounted for using 
the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are 
generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and 
deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable 
that taxable profits will be available against which deductible 
temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities 
are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from 
goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business 
combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that 
affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected 
to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset 
realised based on tax laws and rates that have been enacted 
or substantially enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred tax 
is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it 
relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which 
case the deferred tax is also dealt within equity.

Retirement benefit costs

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes 
are recognised as an expense when employees have rendered 
services entitling them to the contributions.

For defined benefit schemes, the cost of providing benefits is 
determined using the projected unit credit method with actuarial 
valuations being carried out at the end of each reporting 
period. Remeasurement comprising actuarial gains and losses, 
the effects of asset ceilings and minimum funding payments and 
the return on scheme assets (excluding interest) are recognised 
immediately in the balance sheet with a charge or credit to the 
statement of comprehensive income. Remeasurement recorded 
in the statement of comprehensive income is not recycled. 
Net interest is calculated by applying a discount rate to the net 
defined benefit liability or asset. Net interest expense or income is 
recognised within finance costs.

Where the Group is committed to pay additional contributions 
under a minimum funding arrangement and it has no 
unconditional right to receive any surplus in a winding up of 
the scheme, the pension obligation recognised in the financial 
statements is the higher of the IAS 19 (revised 2011) obligation 
or the net present value of future minimum funding payments to 
which the Group is unconditionally committed, discounted using 
the IAS 19 (revised 2011) discount rate. 

Employee share incentive plans

The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments to 
employees (long-term incentives, executive share options and 
Save As You Earn). These payments are measured at fair value at 
the date of grant by the use of the Black Scholes option-pricing 
model taking into account the terms and conditions upon which 
the options were granted. The cost of equity-settled awards 
is recognised on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, 
based on the Group’s estimate of the number of shares that will 
eventually vest. 

Provisions

A provision is recognised in the balance sheet when the Group 
has a present legal or constructive obligation because of a past 
event, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will 
be required to settle the obligation. Provisions are measured at 
the Directors’ best estimate of the expenditure required to settle 
the obligation at the balance sheet date, and are discounted to 
present value where the effect is material.

125

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
continued 

3. CRITICAL JUDGEMENTS AND KEY SOURCES 
OF ESTIMATION AND UNCERTAINTY

Equity instruments and own shares 

Equity instruments represent the ordinary share capital of the 
Group and are recorded at the proceeds received, net of directly 
attributable incremental issue costs.

Consideration paid by the Group for its own shares is deducted 
from total shareholders’ equity. Where such shares vest to 
employees under the terms of the Group’s share incentive 
schemes or the Group’s share save schemes or are sold, any 
consideration received is included in shareholders’ equity.

Dividends

Dividends proposed by the Board of Directors and unpaid at 
the period end are not recognised in the financial statements 
until they have been approved by shareholders at the Annual 
General Meeting.

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. The preparation of 
financial statements requires the Directors to make estimates and 
assumptions about future events that affect the reported amounts 
of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and 
liabilities. Future events and their effects cannot be determined 
with certainty. Therefore, the determination of estimates requires 
the exercise of judgement based on various assumptions and 
other factors such as historical experience, current and expected 
economic conditions. The Directors frequently re-evaluate 
these significant factors and make adjustments where facts and 
circumstances dictate. The Directors believe that the following 
judgements are critical due to the degree of estimation required 
and / or the potential material impact they may have on the 
Group’s financial position and performance.

Supplier income

The overwhelming majority of supplier income, in excess of  
85% by value, is determined by reference to fixed price discounts 
on actual purchases with approximately 4% being volume rebates 
that are subject to stepped rebate targets, the rebate percentage 
increasing as values or volumes purchased reach pre-agreed 
targets. However, by the year-end the Group knows whether 
those targets were reached.

Approximately 80% of amounts receivable for supplier income 
are received during the year as they are earned and settled 
monthly, although some agreements may also stipulate quarterly, 
bi-annual or annual payments; with only two of the arrangements 
not being co-terminous with the Group’s statutory year-end. 
Therefore the key judgements relate to the total value of rebates 
and fixed price discounts still to be received at the year-end and 
the amount to be set against the gross value of inventory. These 
are determined using established methodologies and in the case 
of collectability management’s knowledge of the parties involved 
and historical collection trends.

Other supplier income relates to customer sales support received 
in respect of sales of specific products to specific customers 
which is included in the income statement when the relevant sale 
occurs, i.e. when all conditions for it to be earned have been met.

126

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Income taxes

Pension assumptions

The Group has chosen to adopt assumptions that the Directors 
believe are generally in line with comparable companies. If the 
difference between actual inflation and the actual increase in 
pensionable salaries is greater than that assumed, or if long 
term interest rates are lower than assumed, or if the average life 
expectancy of pensioners increases, then the pension deficit 
could be greater than currently stated in the balance sheet. 
Where the pension obligation is included in the balance sheet at 
the net present value of the minimum funding payments then the 
impact on the balance sheet of changes in these assumptions 
is reduced.

Inventories

In determining the cost of inventories the Directors have to make 
judgements to arrive at cost and net realisable value. 

The Group has entered into a large number of rebate and fixed 
price discount agreements, the effects of which have to be offset 
against the gross invoice price paid for goods. As explained in the 
section of this note setting out the judgements made in respect 
of supplier income, the calculation of the value deferred into 
stock is complicated due to the number, nature and structure of 
the agreements in place. However, the Group has a well tested 
methodology that is consistently applied and which the Directors 
believe recognises the appropriate deduction from the gross 
invoice cost of stock.

Furthermore, determining the net realisable value of the wide 
range of products held in many locations requires judgement 
to be applied to determine the likely saleability of the product 
and the potential price that can be achieved. In arriving at any 
provisions for net realisable value the Directors take into account 
the age, condition and quality of the product stocked and the 
recent trend in sales.

The Group is subject to the income tax laws of the 
United Kingdom. These laws are complex and subject to  
different interpretations by taxpayers and tax authorities.  
When establishing income tax liabilities, the Directors make a 
number of judgements and interpretations about the application 
and interaction of these laws to estimate the amount expected 
to be paid to (or recovered from) the tax authorities. In particular, 
as set out in the statement of principal risks and uncertainties 
on pages 42 to 43 and the financial performance section on 
pages 29 and 30, the Group has claimed approximately £72m 
of deductions in its submitted tax returns in previous years which 
HMRC are vigorously disputing. Accordingly, the Group has not 
recognised the benefit of the disputed amounts in its accounts.

Changes in tax laws or in their interpretation could affect the 
Group’s effective tax rate and the results of operations in  
a given period. Accordingly, future tax expense may be affected 
as the uncertain tax matters are resolved. 

Cash generating units

The Directors consider that individual assets do not generate 
cash flows that are largely independent of those from other 
assets and consequently that, for the purposes of impairment 
testing, each branch or distribution network in the Group is a cash 
generating unit (“CGU”). Impairment testing of property, plant 
and equipment is carried out at individual branch or distribution 
network level. Goodwill and other intangibles impairment testing 
is carried out at brand level as described in note 13.

Goodwill and other intangible assets

In testing for impairment, the recoverable amount of goodwill and 
intangible assets is determined by reference to the value in use 
of the CGU grouping to which they are attributed. In addition the 
Directors have made certain assumptions concerning discount 
rates and the future development of the business that are 
consistent with its corporate plan. Whilst the Directors consider 
their assumptions to be realistic, should actual results, including 
those for market volume changes, be different from expectations, 
for instance due to a worsening of the UK economy, then it is 
possible that the value of goodwill and other intangible assets 
included in the balance sheet could become impaired. 

The pre-tax discount rate is derived from the Group’s 
weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) calculated by the 
Group’s advisors. The WACC is based upon the risk free rate for 
twenty-year UK gilts, adjusted for the UK market risk premium, 
which reflects the increased risk of investing in UK equities and 
the relative volatilities of the equity of the Group compared 
to the market as a whole. In arriving at the discount rate the 
Directors have applied an adjustment to reflect their view of the 
relative risk of the Group’s operations. Further details concerning 
the judgements made by the Directors in respect of goodwill 
and other intangible assets and the impairment testing thereof, 
are given in note 13.

127

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 4. REVENUE AND OTHER INCOME

Sale of goods

Sales of services

Management charges

Dividends from subsidiaries

Revenue

Other operating income

Finance income

5. PROFIT
a. Operating profit 

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Selling and distribution costs

Administrative expenses

Profit on disposal of properties

Other operating income

Share of results of associate

Operating profit

Add back impairment of assets and other exceptional items 

Add back amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Adjusted operating profit 

Profit on disposal of properties

Adjusted operating profit excluding property profits

The Group
2016 
£m

6,049.9

167.3

-

-

2015
£m

5,793.2

148.4

-

-

6,217.2

5,941.6

5.7

0.7

5.0

1.2

The Company
2016
£m

-

-

8.4

330.4

338.8

-

0.6

2015
£m

-

-

8.4

256.5

264.9

7.5

1.2

6,223.6

5,947.8

339.4

273.6

The Group

The Company

2016
£m

6,217.2

(4,365.4)

1,851.8

(1,403.1)

(369.9)

17.0

5.7

(1.1)

100.4

292.0

16.6

409.0

(17.0)

392.0

2015 
£m

5,941.6

(4, 172.6)

1,769.0

(1,066.2)

(480.4)

23.9

5.0

2.7

254.0

140.6

18.0

412.6

(23.9)

388.7

2016 
£m

338.8

-

338.8

-

(21.1)

-

-

-

317.7

19.0

-

298.7

-

298.7

During the year the Group incurred the following costs for services provided by the Company’s auditor:

The Group

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company’s annual accounts

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries

Additional fees payable to Company’s auditor for the 2015 audit of the Company’s subsidiaries

Fees paid to the Company’s auditor for other services:

  Audit related assurance services

  Other services

2016

£000

130

595

175

55

187

1,142

128

2015 
£m

264.9

-

264.9

-

(32.9)

-

7.5

-

239.5

-

-

239.5

-

239.5

2015

£000

130

390

-

55

84

659

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements A description of the work of the Audit Committee is set out in the Audit Committee report on pages 67 to 73, and includes an 
explanation of how auditor objectivity and independence is safeguarded when the auditor provides non-audit services.

Operating profit has been arrived at after charging / (crediting):

The Group

The Company

Movement of provisions against inventories

2016
£m

4.1

2015
£m

(1.2)

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense

4,361.3

4,173.8

Pension costs in administration expenses

Pension costs in selling and distribution costs

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of internally generated intangible assets

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets

8.7

16.8

97.6

7.5

16.6

9.4

21.5

83.0

3.1

18.0

Impairment of goodwill and acquired intangible assets

231.3

140.6

Impairment of tangible fixed assets

Impairment of investments

Exceptional restructuring costs

Staff costs 

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Rental income

Hire of vehicles, plant and machinery

Other leasing charges – property

Auditor’s remuneration for audit services

b. Adjusted operating margin

4.1

-

56.6

814.5

(18.0)

(5.7)

46.3

194.0

0.7

-

-

-

748.8

(26.3)

(5.0)

47.3

185.4

0.5

2016
£m

-

-

0.2

-

0.1

-

-

-

-

19.0

-

10.9

-

-

-

-

-

2015
£m

-

-

0.4

-

0.1

-

-

-

-

14.3

-

11.8

-

-

-

-

0.1

General 
Merchanting

Contracts

Consumer

Plumbing  
& Heating

Unallocated

Group

2016
£m

2015
£m

2016
£m

2015
£m

2016
£m

2015
£m

2016
£m

2015
£m

Revenue

2,073.4

1,971.5 1,266.7

1,213.6 1,518.2 1,385.8 1,358.9 1,370.7

2016
£m

-

2015
£m

2016
£m

2015
£m

- 6,217.2 5,941.6

Segment result

196.2

198.8

60.0

77.3

59.6

89.9

(198.3)

(102.1)

(17.1)

(9.9)

100.4 

254.0

Amortisation of 
intangible assets

Exceptional items

Adjusted  
segment result

Property profits
Adjusted segment 
result excluding 
property profits

Adjusted  
operating margin
Adjusted segment 
margin excluding 
property profits

-

11.3

-

-

6.3

9.7

5.9

5.0

4.9

5.3

7.2

-

36.4

-

232.3

140.6

-

2.3

-

-

16.6

18.0

292.0

140.6

207.5

198.8

76.0

83.2

101.0

94.8

39.3

45.7

(14.8)

(9.9) 409.0

412.6

(13.6)

(16.8)

0.3

(4.6)

-

(2.4)

(3.3)

0.1

-

-

(16.6)

(23.9)

193.9

182.0

76.3

78.6

101.0

92.4

36.0

45.6

(14.8)

(9.9) 392.4

388.7

10.0%

10.1%

6.0%

6.9%

6.7%

6.8%

2.9%

3.3%

9.3%

9.2%

6.0%

6.5%

6.7%

6.7%

2.6%

3.3%

-

-

-

-

6.6%

6.9%

6.3%

6.5%

Segmental information including the definition of segment result is shown in note 6. 

129

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
5. PROFIT continued
c. Adjusted profit before and after tax

Profit before tax
Exceptional items 
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Adjusted profit before tax

Profit after tax

Exceptional items

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Tax on amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Tax on exceptional items
Effect of reduction in corporation tax rate on deferred tax
Adjusted profit after tax 

d. Exceptional items

Impairment of investments, goodwill, other intangible assets
and tangible fixed assets
Branch closure programme

Supply chain restructure

Central restructuring costs

Write off of amounts previously held in current assets

The Group

2016
£m
72.7
292.0
16.6
381.3

The Group

2016
£m

14.1

292.0

16.6
(2.9)
(15.1)
(3.4)
301.3

The Group

The Company

2016
£m

235.4

16.5

29.6

4.3

6.2

2015
£m

140.6

-

-

-

-

2016
£m

19.0

-

-

-

-

292.0

140.6

19.0

2015
£m
223.5
140.6
18.0
382.1

2015
£m

167.7

140.6

18.0
(3.4)
(7.5)
(8.5)
306.9

2015
£m

-

-

-

-

-

-

To enable readers of the financial statements to obtain a clear understanding of underlying trading, the Directors have shown the 
exceptional items separately in the group income statement. 

The Group

2016
Economic uncertainty, even greater competition in the Group’s traditional markets from online and fixed price merchants and the 
continued disintermediation of the boiler and plastics supply chains have contributed to the Group’s view that the plumbing and heating 
market has become even more challenging than previously envisaged.

Against this background the prospects of each business in the Plumbing & Heating division have been reassessed and the Group  
has determined that it is appropriate to impair further the carrying value of assets in the division. In addition the performance of the  
Group’s small tile business is expected to fall below previous expectations. Accordingly an impairment charge of £235.4m has been 
made in the income statement, an analysis of which is shown in note 13. 

In October 2016, as a result of the economic uncertainty, the Group announced a number of branch and distribution centre closures 
together with other cost reduction measures. In accordance with the accounting policy stated in note 2 the total cost of £56.6m has 
been treated as exceptional. The exceptional items consist of the following:

•  £16.5m of property, redundancy and other costs, together with asset write downs associated with the closure of 51 branches  

and 10 distribution centres

•  £29.6m of costs arising from the rationalisation of parts of the Group’s supply chain which resulted in the closure of ten distribution 
centres. The costs comprised onerous lease and dilapidation provisions, other property related costs, redundancy and reorganisation 
costs and asset write downs.

130

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
•  £4.3m of reorganisation costs associated with central functions

•  £6.2m of write downs in respect of amounts previously held in current assets

2015
In 2015 an impairment loss was recognised in the Plumbing & Heating segment on goodwill and other intangible assets totalling 
£140.6m. 

The Company

As a result of the impairment recognised in the Group, the Company has impaired the carrying value of investments in subsidiaries  
at 31 December 2016 by £19.0m.

6. BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS

As required by IFRS 8 the operating segments are identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the Group that  
are regularly reviewed by the Chief Executive to assess their performance. All four divisions sell building materials to a wide range of 
customers, none of which are dominant, and operate almost exclusively in the United Kingdom and consequently no geographical 
information is presented. The operating segments of the Group are aggregated into the four divisions, the reportable segments of the 
Group, based on shared economic characteristics and similarities in their customers and products.

Segment result represents the profit earned by each segment without allocation of certain central costs, finance income and costs  
and income tax expense. Unallocated segment assets and liabilities comprise financial instruments, current and deferred taxation,  
cash and borrowings and pension scheme assets and liabilities.

Inter-segment trading is eliminated. During 2016 an impairment loss was recognised in the Consumer and Plumbing & Heating 
segments in respect of goodwill and other assets totalling £235.4m. In 2015 an impairment loss was recognised in the  
Plumbing & Heating segment in respect of goodwill and other intangible assets totalling £140.6m. 

Revenue 

Result

Segment result 

Finance income

Finance costs

Profit before taxation

Taxation

Profit for the year

Segment assets

Segment liabilities

Consolidated net assets

Capital expenditure

Amortisation of acquired  
intangible assets
Impairment of goodwill  
and other non-current assets
Depreciation

2016

General 
Merchanting
£m

2,073.4

Contracts

Consumer 

£m

1,266.7

£m

1,518.2

Plumbing & 
Heating
£m

1,358.9

Unallocated

Consolidated

£m

-

£m

6,217.2

196.2

60.0

59.6

(198.3)

-

-

196.2

-

196.2

1,661.5 

-

-

60.0

-

60.0

831.4 

-

-

59.6

-

59.6

1,526.4 

-

-

(198.3)

-

(198.3)

613.1 

(17.1)

0.7

(28.4)

(44.8)

(58.6)

(103.4)

294.6 

100.4

0.7

(28.4)

72.7

(58.6)

14.1

4,927.0 

(388.5) 

(255.9) 

(409.0) 

(332.5) 

(885.5) 

(2,271.4) 

1,273.0

123.9

-

-

54.3

575.5 

14.6

6.3 

-

11.8

1,117.4 

56.2

5.0 

21.6

22.5

280.6 

(590.9) 

2,655.6 

9.1

5.3 

213.8

9.0

-

- 

-

-

203.8

16.6

235.4

97.6

131

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 6. BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS continued

2015

General 
Merchanting
£m

1,971.5

Contracts

Consumer 

£m

1,213.6

£m

1,385.8

Plumbing & 
Heating
£m

1,370.7

198.8

77.3

89.9

(102.1)

-

-

198.8

-

198.8

1,540.2

(437.8)

1,102.4

169.8

-

-

47.8

-

-

77.3

-

77.3

833.7

(244.8)

588.9

31.6

5.9

-

9.2

-

-

89.9

-

89.9

1,479.1

(283.8)

1,195.3

20.1

4.9

-

17.6

-

-

(102.1)

-

(102.1)

856.0

(293.4)

562.6

13.6

7.2

140.6

8.4

Unallocated

Consolidated

£m

-

(9.9)

1.2

(31.7)

(40.4)

(55.8)

(96.2)

123.1

(776.5)

(653.4)

-

-

-

-

£m

5,941.6

254.0

1.2

(31.7)

223.5

(55.8)

167.7

4,832.1

(2,036.3)

2,795.8

265.7

18.0

140.6

83.0

Revenue 

Result

Segment result 

Finance income

Finance costs

Profit before taxation

Taxation

Profit for the year

Segment assets

Segment liabilities

Consolidated net assets

Capital expenditure

Amortisation of acquired  
intangible assets
Impairment of goodwill  
and acquired intangibles

Depreciation

During 2016, 13 Keyline branches were transferred from the Contracts segment into Travis Perkins in the General Merchanting segment 
for their carrying value of £9m. There were no other inter segment transfers in 2016 or 2015. 

Unallocated segment assets and liabilities comprise the following:

Assets

Interest in associates

Financial instruments

Property, plant and equipment

Investments

Cash and cash equivalents

Unallocated corporate assets

Liabilities

Tax liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Retirement benefit obligations

Interest bearing loans and borrowings 

Unallocated corporate liabilities

132

2016
£m

11.5

1.7

0.7

9.1

250.5

21.1

294.6

(43.8)

(45.8)

(127.3)

(628.0)

(40.6)

(885.5) 

2015 
£m

7.9

22.5

0.4

7.8

83.8

0.7

123.1

(90.2)

(61.3)

(52.2)

(551.2)

(21.6)

(776.5)

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 7. STAFF COSTS
a. The average monthly number of persons employed (including executive directors)

Sales and distribution

Administration

b. Aggregate remuneration

Wages and salaries

Share based payments (note 8)

Social security costs 

Other pension costs (note 27m)

The Group

The Company

2016
No.

22,523

2,133

24,656

2015
No.

21,204

3,466

24,670

2016
No.

-

50

50

The Group

The Company

2016
£m

736.3

17.5

60.7

25.5

840.0

2015
£m

680.9

13.7

54.2

30.9

779.7

2016
£m

9.1

6.0

0.9

0.2

16.2

2015
No.

-

51

51

2015
£m

7.6

3.4

0.8

0.4

12.2

8. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS 

The Black-Scholes option-pricing model is used to calculate the fair value of the options and the amount to be expensed. The probability 
of the performance conditions being achieved was included in the fair value calculations. The inputs into the model for options granted 
in the year expressed as weighted averages are as follows:

Share price at grant date (pence) 

Option exercise price (pence) 

Volatility (%)

Option life (years) 

Risk-free interest rate (%)

Expected dividends  
as a dividend yield (%) 

Executive 
options

1,785

1,847

23.4%

3.0

0.5%

2.3%

2016

SAYE

1,569

1,342

28.2%

3.4

0.1%

2.6%

Nil price 
options

Executive 
options

1,797

-

23.7%

2.9

0.5%

2.3%

1,948

1,959

24.2%

3.0

0.7%

2.2%

2015

SAYE

2,022

1,616

23.4%

3.3

0.9%

2.1%

Nil price 
options

1,964

-

24.2%

2.9

0.7%

2.2%

Volatility is based on historic share prices over a period equal to the vesting period. Option life used in the model has been based on 
options being exercised in accordance with historical patterns. For executive share options the vesting period is 3 years. If options 
remain unexercised after a period of 10 years from the date of grant, these options expire. Options are forfeited if the employee leaves 
the Group before options vest. SAYE options vest after 3 or 5 years and expire 3½ or 5½ years after the date of grant. 

The risk-free interest rate of return is the yield on zero-coupon UK Government bonds on a term consistent with the vesting period. 
Dividends used are based on actual dividends where data is known and future dividends estimated using a dividend cover of three times 
(within the Board’s target range). 

The expected life of options used in the model has been adjusted, based upon management’s best estimate, for the effect  
of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

A description of the share schemes operated by the Group is contained in the remuneration report on pages 74 to 98. 

133

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
8. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS continued

SAYE options were granted on 22 September 2016. The estimated fair value of the shares under option at that date was £8.9m for the 
Group and £0.1m for the Company. 

Shares were granted under the share-matching scheme on 1 April 2016. The estimated fair value of the shares under option at those 
dates was £5.5m for the Group and £2.8m for the Company.

Shares were granted under the performance share plan on 4 March 2016 and 26 August 2016. The estimated fair value of the  
shares under option at those dates was £9.5m for the Group and £3.8m for the Company.

Shares were granted under the deferred share bonus plan on 4 March 2016. The estimated fair value of the shares at that date  
was £0.8m for the Group and £0.6m for the Company. 

Shares were granted under the Wickes and Toolstation long-term incentive plans on 18 March 2016. The estimated fair value  
of the shares at that date was £0.5m for the Group and £nil for the Company. 

The Group charged £17.5m (2015: £13.7m) and the Company charged £6.0m (2015: £3.4m) to the income statement in respect  
of equity-settled share-based payment transactions.

The number and weighted average exercise price of share options is as follows:

The Group

2016

Number of 
options

Number 
of nil price 
options

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price (p)

2015

Number of 
options

Number 
of nil price 
options

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price (p)

1,345

1,266

906

1,194

1,384

1,087

5,782

2,946

(1,401)

(1,078)

2,275

5,578

354

(250)

(545)

856

3,007  

408

1,124

1,226

791

1,633

1,345

740

5,979

3,872

(609)

(1,339)

1,751

5,782

222

(989)

(863)

926

2,946

253

In thousands of options

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year 

Granted during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

Share options were exercised on a regular basis throughout the year. The weighted average share price for options exercised during the 
year was 1,573 pence (2015: 2,000 pence).

Details of the options outstanding at 31 December 2016 is as follows: 

The Group

2016

2015

Executive 
options

SAYE

Nil price
 options

Executive 
options

SAYE

Nil price 
options

Range of exercise prices (pence)

201-1,958 657-1,616

Weighted average exercise price (pence)

1,697

1,376

-

-

201-2,018

657-1,616

1,503

1,335

-

-

Number of shares (thousands)

Weighted average expected remaining life (years)

Weighted average contractual remaining life (years)

292

5,286

3,007

339

5,444

2,946

1.0

7.5

2.1

2.6

1.0

7.6

1.9

7.5

2.1

2.6

1.1

7.9

134

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
If all 0.3m outstanding executive options vest and then are exercised on the date of vesting, or in the case of SAYE all 5.3m shares are 
acquired on the first possible day 5.6m of shares will be issued for a consideration of £77.4m in the years ending 31 December:

31 December

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Options

SAYE

No.
m

0.1

1.7

Value
£m

2.3

21.8

No.
m

0.1

1.0

Value
£m

1.5

15.7

No.
m

0.1

2.0

Value
£m

1.1

27.4

No.
m

-

0.2

Value
£m

-

2.5

No.
m

-

0.4

Value
£m

-

5.1

The table above shows theoretical amounts. For the Company to receive the cash indicated in the periods shown, the following 
must occur:

•  All performance conditions on executive share options must be fully met

•  Options must be exercised on the day they vest (option holders generally have a 7 year period post vesting to exercise the option)

•  The share price at the exercise date for SAYE options must exceed the exercise price and every holder must exercise

•  All option/SAYE holders must remain with the Company, or leave on good terms

If none of the requirements are met then the Company will receive no consideration.

The number and weighted average exercise price of share options is as follows:

The Company

2016

Number of 
options

Number  
of nil price 
options

Weighted 
average 
exercise  
price (p)

2015

Number of 
options

Number 
 of nil price 
options

Weighted 
average
exercise  
price (p)

1,481

1,569

1,274

1,592

1,543

909

64

(8)

(15)

19

60

4

1,195

(81)

(242)

407

1,279

30

892

1,168

462

1,722

1,481

913

121

(7)

(67)

17

64

2

1,631

(402)

(374)

340

1,195

169

In thousands of options

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Granted during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

Details of the options outstanding at 31 December 2016 is as follows:

The Company

Executive 
options

2016

SAYE

Nil price 
options

Executive 
options

SAYE

Nil price 
options

2015

Range of exercise prices (pence)

Weighted average exercise price (pence)

743-1,958

657-1,616

1,837

1,427

Number of shares (thousands)

Weighted average expected  
remaining life (years)
Weighted average contractual  
remaining life (years)

17

0.7

10.6

43

2.5

3.0

-

-

1,279

1.1

11.1

1,020-1,958

657-1,616

1,713

1,335

23

2.2

8.2

42

2.3

2.8

-

-

1,195

0.9

7.7

135

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 9. NET FINANCE COSTS
a. Finance costs and finance income

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts*

Interest on sterling bonds

Interest on obligations under finance leases

Unwinding of discounts - property provisions

Unwinding of discounts - SPV loan

Other interest

Other finance costs – pension scheme

Net loss on remeasurement of derivatives at fair value

Finance costs

Amortisation of cancellation receipt for swap accounted for as fair value hedge

Net gain on remeasurement of derivatives at fair value

Interest receivable

Finance income

Net finance costs

The Group

2016
£m

(6.1)

(16.1)

(0.6)

(0.3)

(2.4)

(1.2)

(1.7)

-

(28.4)

-

0.3

0.4

0.7

2015
£m

(14.0)

(7.4)

(0.7)

(0.3)

(2.5)

(2.7)

(2.9)

(1.2)

(31.7)

0.9

-

0.3

1.2

(27.7)

(30.5)

*  Includes £1.4m (2015: £3.8m) of amortised finance charges. An additional £0.5m of arrangement fees on bilateral loans was charged 

directly to the Income Statement.

b. Interest cover covenant

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts*

Interest on sterling bonds

Amortised bank finance charges

Other interest

Interest receivable

Adjusted interest for covenant purposes

Adjusted interest cover for covenant purposes

The Group

2016
£m

(6.1)

(16.1)

1.9

(0.9)

0.4

(20.8)

19.7x

2015
£m

(14.0)

(7.4)

3.8

(2.7)

0.3

(20.0)

20.6x

*  Includes £1.4m (2015: £3.8m) of amortised finance charges. An additional £0.5m of arrangement fees on bilateral loans was charged 

directly to the Income Statement.

Adjusted interest cover is calculated by dividing adjusted operating profit of £409.0m (2015: £412.6m) by the adjusted interest for 
covenant purposes.

136

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
c. Fixed charge cover interest

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts*

Interest on sterling bonds

Interest on obligations under finance leases

Unwinding of discounts - SPV loan

Loan note interest (included in other interest)

Interest for fixed charge ratio purposes

The Group

2016
£m

(6.1)

(16.1)

(0.6)

(2.4)

-
(25.2)

2015
£m

(14.0)

(7.4)

(0.7)

(2.5)

(0.3)
(24.9)

*  Includes £1.4m (2015: £3.8m) of amortised finance charges. An additional £0.5m of arrangement fees on bilateral loans was charged 

directly to the Income Statement.

The charge caused by the unwinding of the discounts relates to the property provisions created in 2008 and the liability to the pension 
scheme associated with the SPV (note 27).

d. The Company

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts*

Interest on sterling bonds

Interest payable to Group companies

Other interest

Net loss on re-measurement of derivatives at fair value

Finance costs

Amortisation of cancellation receipt for swap accounted for as fair value hedge

Net gain on remeasurement of derivatives at fair value

Interest receivable from Group companies

Interest receivable

Finance income

Net finance costs

The Company

2016
£m

(5.7)

(16.1)

(21.6)

(0.9)

-

(44.3)

-

0.3

0.1

0.2

0.6

2015
£m

(14.0)

(7.4)

(22.5)

(2.4)

(1.2)

(47.5)

0.9

-

0.1

0.2

1.2

(43.7)

(46.3)

*  Includes £1.4m (2015: £3.8m) of amortised finance charges. An additional £0.5m of arrangement fees on bilateral loans was charged 

directly to the Income Statement.

137

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
10. TAX
a. Tax charge in income statement

The Group

Pre-
exceptional 
items
£m

2016

Exceptional 
items

Total

£m

£m

Pre-
exceptional 
items
£m

The Company

2016

2015

2015

Exceptional 
items

Total

£m

£m

£m

£m

Current tax

UK corporation tax 

  - current year

  - prior year

Total current tax

Deferred tax

  - current year

  - prior year

Total deferred tax

74.4

(3.7)

70.7

2.6

3.8

6.4

(11.3)

-

(11.3)

(7.2)

-

(7.2)

63.1

(3.7)

59.4

(4.6)

3.8

(0.8)

71.8

(1.3)

70.5

(0.1)

1.4

1.3

-

-

-

(16.0)

-

(16.0)

71.8

(1.3)

70.5

(16.1)

1.4

(14.7)

(10.9)

(0.1)

(11.0)

0.6

(0.2)

0.4

(11.1)

0.2

(10.9)

(0.2)

0.3

0.1

Total tax charge

77.1

(18.5)

58.6

71.8

(16.0)

55.8

(10.6)

(10.8)

During the period, following a change in legislation, HMRC issued a payment demand for £52.5m of unpaid tax relating to historical tax 
disputes. As shown in the cash-flow statement, the Group made one-off tax payments of £42.5m. The remaining £10m was settled by 
allocating against the outstanding amount of £10m, historical tax overpayments that were already held by HMRC. 

The differences between the total tax charge shown above and the amount calculated by applying the standard rate of UK corporation 
tax to the profit before tax are as follows:

Profit before tax

Tax at the UK corporation tax rate 

Tax effect of expenses / credits that are not deductible / taxable in determining 
taxable profit

Depreciation of non-qualifying property

Impairment of goodwill

Impairment of intangibles

Share based payments

Deferred tax rate change

Property sales

Prior period adjustment

Tax expense and effective tax rate for the year

The Group

2016

2015

£m

72.7

14.5

0.8

2.6

42.7

0.5

3.9

(3.1)

(3.4)

0.1

58.6

%

20.0

1.1

3.6

58.7

0.7

5.2

(4.3)

(4.7)

0.3

80.6

£m

223.5

45.3

1.1

1.9

20.0

0.9

-

(8.5)

(5.0)

0.1

55.8

%

20.3

0.5

0.9

8.9

0.4

-

(3.8)

(2.2)

-

25.0

The tax charge for 2016 includes an exceptional credit of £3.4m arising from the reduction in the rate of UK corporation tax effective on 
1 April 2020 from 18% to 17%. 

The standard rate of corporation rate for 2015 of 20.25% was a blended rate of 21% up to 1 April 2015 and 20% thereafter. The tax  
charge for 2015 included an exceptional credit of £8.5m arising from the reduction in the rate of UK corporation tax from 20% to 19% 
on 1 April 2017 and a further reduction to 18% on 1 April 2020. In addition the 2015 tax charge included an exceptional credit of £7.5m  
in respect of the exceptional impairment of other intangible assets.

138

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Profit before tax

Intercompany dividends

Loss before tax and dividends received

Tax at the UK corporation tax rate

Tax effect of expenses / credits that are not deductible / taxable in determining 
taxable profit

Impairment of investments

Prior period adjustment

Deferred tax rate change

Share based payments

Tax credit and effective tax rate for the year

b. Tax charge in statement of comprehensive income

The Company

2016

2015

£m

%

255.0

(330.4)

(75.4)

(15.1)

(0.1)

3.8

(0.3)

-

1.1

(10.6)

20.0

0.1

(5.0)

0.4

-

(1.5)

14.0

£m

193.2

(256.5)

(63.3)

(12.8)

(1.5)

2.9

0.5

0.1

-

(10.8)

%

20.2

2.4

(4.6)

(0.8)

(0.1)

-

17.1

In addition to the amounts charged to the income statement the following amounts relating to tax have been recognised in other 
comprehensive income:

Deferred tax

Items that may not be reclassified

Deferred tax rate change on actuarial movement 

Income tax relating to items not reclassified 

c. Tax credited directly to equity

The Group

2016
£m

2015
£m

The Company

2016
£m

2015
£m

-

16.5

16.5

(1.4)

(4.7)

(6.1)

-

-

-

-

-

-

In addition to the amount charged to the income statement and other comprehensive income, the following amounts relating to tax have 
been recognised in equity:

Current tax

Excess tax deductions related to share based payments on exercised options

Deferred tax

Share based payments

Tax rate change impact on revaluation reserve

The Group

The Company

2016
£m

1.1

(2.2)

0.4

(0.7)

2015
£m

4.8

(2.9)

0.9

2.8

2016
£m

0.4

(0.7)

-

(0.3)

2015
£m

1.1

(0.7)

-

0.4

139

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
 
 
 
 
 
11. EARNINGS PER SHARE
a. Basic and diluted earnings per share

Earnings for the purposes of basic and diluted earnings per share being net profit attributable to 
equity holders of the Parent Company

2016
£m

12.7

2015
£m

167.6

Weighted average number of shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share

249,073,416

247,302,865

Dilutive effect of share options on potential ordinary shares

4,029,146

5,681,972

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of diluted earnings per share

253,102,562

252,984,837

Earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

5.1p

5.0p

67.8p

66.2p

280,952 share options (2015: no share options) had an exercise price in excess of the average market value of the shares during the 
year. As a result, these share options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

b. Adjusted earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share is calculated by excluding the effect of the exceptional items and amortisation from earnings.

Earnings for the purposes of basic and diluted earnings per share being net profit attributable to 
equity holders of the Parent Company

Exceptional items

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Tax on amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Tax on exceptional items

Effect of reduction in corporation tax rate on deferred tax

Adjusted earnings

Adjusted earnings per share

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

2016
£m

12.7

292.0

16.6

(2.9)

(15.1)

(3.4)

299.9

120.4p

118.5p

2015
£m

167.6

140.6

18.0

(3.4)

(7.5)

(8.5)

306.8

124.1p

121.3p

140

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
12. DIVIDENDS

Amounts were recognised in the financial statements as distributions to equity shareholders as follows:

Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2015 of 29.25p (2014: 25.75p) per ordinary share

Interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2016 of 15.25p (2015: 14.75p) per ordinary share

Total dividend recognised during the year

The Company is proposing a final dividend of 29.75p in respect of the year ended 31 December 2016. 

2016
£m

72.5

38.0

110.5

2015
£m

63.7

36.5

100.2

Dividend cover of 2.7x (2015: 2.8x) is calculated by dividing adjusted earnings per share (note 11) of 120.4p (2015: 124.1p) by the total 
dividend for the year of 45.0p (2015: 44.0p). 

There are no income tax consequences in respect of the dividends declared, but not recognised in the financial statements. 
The dividends for 2016 and for 2015 were as follows:

Interim paid
Final proposed

Total dividend for the year

The anticipated cash payment in respect of the proposed final dividend is £74.6m (2015: £72.7m).

13. GOODWILL

2016
Pence
15.25
29.75

45.0

2015
Pence
14.75
29.25

44.0

The Group

General 
Merchanting

Contracts

Consumer

P&H

Total

£m

466.4

-

466.4

1.8

-

468.2

1.9

10.4

-

£m

172.9

-

172.9

8.1

-

181.0

-

(10.4)

£m

829.5

-

829.5

2.1

-

£m

345.1

2.9

348.0

10.4

£m

1,813.9

2.9

1,816.8

22.4

(99.0)

(99.0)

831.6

259.4

1,740.2

-

-

-

-

1.9

-

-

(20.9)

(192.9)

(213.8)

480.5

170.6

810.7

66.5

1,528.3

At 1 January 2014

Recognised on acquisitions during the year 

At 1 January 2015

Recognised on acquisitions during the year

Impairment charged to the income statement as an 
exceptional item

At 1 January 2016

Recognised on acquisitions during the year

Transferred between segments

Impairment charged to the income statement as an 
exceptional item

At 31 December 2016

The Company has no goodwill. 

Cash generating units

The Directors consider that each branch or distribution network in the Group is an individual Cash Generating Unit (“CGU”).  
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives have been allocated and monitored for impairment testing purposes  
to groups of individual CGUs within the same brand. The following table analyses goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite  
useful lives by CGU grouping. 

141

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 13. GOODWILL continued

CGU grouping

Contracts:

CCF

Keyline

BSS Industrial

General Merchanting:

Travis Perkins

Consumer:

Tile Giant

Bathrooms.com

Toolstation

Wickes

Plumbing & Heating:

PTS

City Plumbing Supplies

Plumbnation

Primaflow

Solfex

Underfloor Heating

F & P

Other

Intangibles with 
indefinite useful life
(note 14)
£m

-

-

49.3

-

-

-

-

162.5

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3.5

215.3

2016

Goodwill

£m

43.6

100.2

27.8

Total 

£m

43.6

100.2

77.1

479.5

479.5

5.8

-

103.4

701.5

-

51.5

1.7

2.9

-

10.4

-

-

5.8

-

103.4

864.0

-

51.5

1.7

2.9

-

10.4

-

3.5

1,528.3

1,743.6

Intangibles with 
indefinite useful life
(note 14)
£m

-

-

49.3

-

-

-

-

162.5

2.7

-

-

-

-

-

8.3

3.9

226.7

2015

Goodwill

£m

43.6

109.6

27.8

Total 

£m

43.6

109.6

77.1

468.2

468.2

24.6

2.1

103.4

701.5

-

240.4

1.7

2.9

4.0

10.4

-

-

24.6

2.1

103.4

864.0

2.7

240.4

1.7

2.9

4.0

10.4

8.3

3.9

1,740.2

1,966.9

During the year 13 Keyline branches were transferred to Travis Perkins. The goodwill of £9.4m associated with those branches has 
been reallocated.

Measuring recoverable amounts

The Group tests goodwill and other non-monetary assets with indefinite useful lives for impairment annually or more frequently  
if there are indications that an impairment may have occurred. The recoverable amounts of the goodwill and other non-monetary assets 
with indefinite useful lives are determined from value in use calculations. The key assumptions for the value in use calculations are 
those regarding the discount rates, growth rates and like-for-like market volume changes which impact sales and therefore cash flow 
projections and maintenance capital expenditure. Management estimates pre-tax discount rates that reflect current market assessments 
of the time value of money and the risks specific to the CGU groupings that are not reflected in the cash flow projections.

At the beginning and end of the financial year the recoverable amount of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives in all 
segments was in excess of their book value after the adjustment for impairment at 31 December 2016 outlined below. In the absence 
of a binding agreement to sell the assets and active reference market on which fair value can be determined the recoverable amount 
of the goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives was determined according to value in use. The Directors’ calculations 
have shown that no impairments have occurred other than detailed in the table opposite. The key variables applied to the value in use 
calculations were:

•  Cash flow forecasts, which were derived from the most recent board approved corporate plan updated for changes in current trading conditions

•  The sales market volume assumptions underlying the cash flow forecasts are the Directors’ estimates of likely future changes based 
on historic performance (excluding future investment and enhancements) and the current outlook for both the UK economy and the 
UK building materials industry. This is viewed as the key operating assumption because the state of the building materials market 
determines the Directors’ approach to margin and cost maintenance.

•  A risk adjusted pre-tax discount rate is calculated by reference to the weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) of the Group. For 2016, the 
pre-tax discount rate ranged between 9.6% and 11.1% (2015: 9.0% to 9.8%), which is not significantly different for any individual CGU or CGU 
grouping. That is because each CGU operates in the same market, selling the same product types therefore the risk profiles are not dissimilar.

142

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements •  For 2016, cash flows beyond the corporate plan (2020 and beyond) have been determined using a growth rate of 2.1%, which is the average 

long-term forecast GDP growth outlined in the Economic and Fiscal Outlook report produced by the Office for Budget Responsibility. 
The Directors believe this is the most appropriate indicator of long-term growth rates that is available (2015 growth rate: 2.1%). 

Impairment

Following the annual impairment review of goodwill and intangible assets, the Group has recognised an impairment charge in  
respect of goodwill and other intangible assets of £231.3m (2015: £140.6m) and £4.1m (2015: £nil) in respect of tangible fixed assets. 
Trading conditions in the Plumbing and Heating and Tile markets have been challenging and as a consequence expectations of future 
profitability were reduced in the value in use calculations. The impairment charge is analysed as follows:

Cash generating unit

F & P

PTS
CPS

Solfex
Tile Giant
Bathrooms.com

Acquired  
brands 
£m
9.9

Acquired 
customer 
relationships 
£m
3.5

Tangible 
fixed 
assets 
£m
0.1

2.5
-

0.9
-
0.7
14.0

-
-

-
-
-
3.5

3.9
-

-
-
0.1
4.1

Goodwill 
£m
-

-
188.9

4.0
18.8
2.1
213.8

Total 
£m
13.5

6.4
188.9

4.9
18.8
2.9
235.4

Sensitivity of results to changes in assumptions

Whilst management believe the assumptions are realistic, it is possible that a further impairment would be identified if any of the above 
key assumptions were changed significantly. For instance factors which could cause an impairment are:

•  Significant underperformance relative to the forecast results

•  Changes to the way the assets are used or changes to the strategy for the business

•  A deterioration in the UK economy

The impairment review calculations are based upon anticipated discounted future cash flows. For most of the CGU groupings, given the 
prudence already built into the Group’s corporate plan and the level of headroom they show, the Directors do not envisage reasonably 
possible changes to the key operating assumptions that are sufficient to generate a different outcome to the impairment calculations 
undertaken. However, for the CGU groupings listed in the table below this is not the case as the Directors consider that reasonably 
possible changes in key assumptions could result in discounted future cash flows being insufficient to allow full recovery of the carrying 
value of the CGU’s goodwill and other intangible assets.

The Directors have conducted a sensitivity analysis to determine the specific value for each assumption, all other assumptions 
remaining the same, that would result in the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets equalling their recoverable amounts 
and these are shown in the tables below and on page 144. The sole market value adjustment is the average annual change incorporated 
in the corporate plan of each CGU grouping.

31 December 2016

CGU Grouping

Headroom

Like-for-like market volume
(Average per annum)

Discount rate

Long-term growth rate

Assumption

Sensitivity

Assumption

Sensitivity

Assumption

Sensitivity

Wickes

£291m

0.5%

(4.4%)

10.0%

11.3%

2.1%

(1.9%)

An increase in maintenance capital expenditure of £1m per annum will reduce headroom by £13m.

143

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13. GOODWILL continued

The only significant CGU where an impairment has been recognised and where reasonably possible changes to key operating 
assumptions could generate a materially different impairment charge is CPS. The impact on the impairment charge recognised of a 
1.0% change in each assumption, all other assumptions remaining the same, is shown in the table below.

CGU Grouping

CPS

31 December 2015

Like-for-like market volume
(Average per annum)
Change in 
assumption
(1.0%)

£3.0m

Impact

Discount rate

Change in 
assumption
1.0%

Impact

£6.6m

Long-term growth rate
Change in 
assumption
(1.0%)

£4.5m

Impact

CGU Grouping

Headroom

Like-for-like market volume 
(Average per annum)

Discount rate

Long-term growth rate 

Assumption

Sensitivity

Assumption

Sensitivity

Assumption

Sensitivity

Tile Giant
Wickes
PTS

£10m
£100m
£44m

3.2%
-
1.9%

(3.5%)
(1.7%)
(3.0%)

9.6%
9.6%
9.8%

12.5%
10.3%
12.5%

2.1%
2.1%
2.1%

(2.2%)
1.1%
(2.2%)

144

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 14. OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Cost or valuation

At 1 January 2015

Recognised on acquisitions in the year 

Additions

At 31 December 2015

Additions

Transfers between categories

Disposals

Reclassifications

At 31 December 2016

Amortisation

At 1 January 2015
Charged to operating profit in the year on acquired 
intangibles
Charged to operating profit in the year on internally 
generated intangibles
Impairment charged to the income statement as an 
exceptional item
At 31 December 2015
Charged to operating profit in the year on acquired 
intangibles
Charged to operating profit in the year on internally 
generated intangibles
Reclassification
Impairment charged to the income statement as an 
exceptional item (note 13)
At 31 December 2016

Net book value

At 31 December 2016

At 31 December 2015

Brand

£m

302.4

3.7

-

306.1

-

-

-

-

306.1

6.2

2.5

-

38.5

47.2

2.4

-

-

14.0

63.6

242.5

258.9

The Group

Computer 
software
£m

Customer 
relationships
£m

Assets under 
construction
£m

26.2

-

14.6

40.8

13.6

7.9

(0.1)

5.2

67.4

11.5

0.9

3.1

-

15.5

1.0

7.5

2.4

-

26.4

41.0

25.3

147.6

-

-

147.6

-

-

-

-

147.6

56.6

14.6

-

3.1

74.3

13.2

-

-

3.5

91.0

56.6

73.3

4.9

-

9.3

14.2

17.2

(7.9)

-

(2.8)

20.7

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

20.7

14.2

2016

£m

215.3

37.7

253.0

Total

£m

481.1

3.7

23.9

508.7

30.8

-

(0.1)

2.4

541.8

74.3

18.0

3.1

41.6

137.0

16.6

7.5

2.4

17.5

181.0

360.8

371.7

2015

£m

226.7

40.9

267.6

Cost of brands with an indefinite useful life (note 13) (net of impairment losses)

Cost of brands being amortised (net of impairment losses)

Where a brand, which is a leading brand in its sector and has significant growth prospects, has not been established for a significant 
period of time, the Directors do not have sufficient evidence to support a contention that it will have an indefinite useful life.  
Accordingly for Toolstation, Plumbnation, Primaflow, Underfloor Heating and certain product related brands the Directors have decided 
it is appropriate to amortise their brand costs over their estimated useful lives. The useful lives of those brands being amortised range 
from 10 to 20 years with the remaining lives ranging from 3 to 13 years.

The Directors consider that the other brands, which are also all leading brands in their sectors with significant histories and significant 
growth prospects, have an indefinite useful life. They are reviewed annually for impairment; details of impairment testing and the 
impairments recognised in 2016 are shown in note 13. Acquired customer relationships are amortised over their estimated useful lives, 
which range from 5 to 15 years. The remaining lives of amortised customer relationships range from 1 to 9 years. The Company has no 
intangible assets.

Assets under construction consist of software being developed for use by the Group, which is not yet ready to be used. No amortisation 
is charged on assets under construction.

145

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 15. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The Group

Freehold
£m

Long leases
£m

Short leases
£m

Plant and 
equipment
£m

Cost or deemed cost

At 1 January 2015

Additions

Additions from acquired businesses

Disposals

At 1 January 2016

Additions

Disposals

Reclassification

At 31 December 2016

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 January 2015

Charged this year

Disposals

At 1 January 2016

Charged this year
Impairment charged to the income 
statement as an exceptional item (note 5)

Disposals

Reclassification

At 31 December 2016

Net book value

At 31 December 2016

At 31 December 2015

377.7

101.8

1.9

(27.6)

453.8

68.5

(24.0)

(0.8)

497.5

51.6

4.6

(8.5)

47.7

6.0

-

(7.8)

-

45.9

Total
£m

1,167.7

265.7

2.5

(75.8)

1,360.1

203.8

(69.1)

(2.4)

605.8

140.1

0.6

(40.1)

706.4

107.9

(39.1)

(2.4)

772.8

1,492.4

349.6

66.5

(36.1)

380.0

78.4

4.1

(37.8)

(2.4)

478.4

83.0

(50.4)

511.0

97.6

4.1

(47.4)

(2.4)

37.0

0.4

-

-

37.4

0.4

-

-

37.8

12.9

0.8

-

13.7

0.7

-

-

-

147.2

23.4

-

(8.1)

162.5

27.0

(6.0)

0.8

184.3

64.3

11.1

(5.8)

69.6

12.5

-

(1.8)

-

The Company

Plant and 
equipment
£m

0.7

0.1

-

(0.1)

0.7

0.1

-

-

0.8

0.6

0.1

(0.1)

0.6

0.1

-

-

-

0.7

0.1

0.1

14.4

80.3

422.3

562.9

451.6

406.1

23.4

23.7

104.0

92.9

350.5

326.4

929.5

849.1

The cost element of the fixed assets carrying value is analysed as follows:

At deemed cost

At cost

The Group

The Company

Freehold
£m

Long leases
£m

Short leases
£m

22.2

475.3

497.5

3.9

33.9

37.8

-

184.3

184.3

Plant and 
equipment
£m

-

772.8

772.8

Total
£m

26.1

1,466.3

1,492.4

Total
£m

-

0.8

0.8

Included within freehold property is land with a value of £149m (2015: £157m) which is not depreciated. No assets are pledged as 
security for the Group’s liabilities.

The carrying amount of assets held under finance leases is analysed as follows:

The Group

The Company

Long
 leases
£m
0.8

0.8

Short 
 leases
£m
5.0

6.0

Plant and 
equipment
£m
14.1

4.3

Total
£m
19.9

11.1

Total
£m
-

-

2016

2015

146

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 16. INVESTMENTS
a. Interest in associates

Equity investment

Loan facility

Share of losses

The Group

The Company

2016

2015

£m

1.2

15.7

(5.4)

11.5

£m

1.2

11.0

(4.3)

7.9

2016

£m

1.2

15.7

-

16.9

Travis Perkins plc holds a 49% investment in The Mosaic Tile Company Limited, a 49% investment in Toriga Limited and 
a 49% investment in Toolstation Europe Limited. There is no impairment in the carrying value of the investment in and loan 
to Toolstation Europe because the future profitability forecasts fully support the current carrying value.

The Group’s share of associates’ assets, liabilities, income and expenses are as follows:

Current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current assets

Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Group share of net assets (49%)

Goodwill

Carrying amount of investment in associates

Income

Expense

Net expense of equity accounted investments

Group share of revenue (49%)

Group share of net expense (49%)

The reconciliation of investments in associates is given below:

At 1 January

Additions of investments

Reversal of impairment 

Share of losses

At 31 December

The Group

2016
£m

12.6

(8.1)

1.8

(0.6)

5.7

2.8

8.7

11.5

30.3

(32.8)

(2.5)

14.9

(16.0)

The Group

2016
£m

7.9

4.7

-

(1.1)

11.5

2015

£m

1.2

11.0

-

12.2

2015
£m

7.8

(5.0)

1.1

(0.7)

3.2

1.6

6.3

7.9

18.1

(21.3)

(3.2)

8.9

(10.4)

2015
£m

1.7

3.5

4.2

(1.5)

7.9

147

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
16. INVESTMENTS continued
b. Investment in subsidiaries

Cost

At 1 January

Additions

At 31 December

Provision for impairment 

Net book value at 31 December

The Company

2016
£m

3,714.9

140.9

3,855.8

2015 
£m

3,676.6

38.3

3,714.9

(50.4)

(31.4)

3,805.4

3,683.5

In 2016 the Group recognised an impairment charge in respect of some plumbing and heating businesses (note 13) and its tile 
businesses. The associated impairment has been recognised on the Company’s investments.

During the year 100% of the issued share capital of Wickes Building Supplies Limited was transferred to the Company from 
Wickes Holdings Limited, a susidiary undertaking, for its carrying value of £125.0m.

In 2015 the company placed some dormant subsidiaries into members voluntary liquidation and consequently an impairment was 
recognised on these investments.

A full listing of all related undertakings is provided in note 38.
c. Investments

Available for sale investments at fair value

Investments in property entities

Shares held in invested entities

Loans to property entities

Loans to invested entities

The Group

The Company

2016

2015

2016

2015

£m

3.4

1.0

1.3

3.4

9.1

£m

3.5

1.0

1.0

2.3

7.8

£m

-

1.0

-

3.4

4.4

£m

-

1.0

-

2.3

3.3

The investments in property entities represent minority holdings in property owning entities that acquired properties from the Group in 
2006 and 2015. These investments present the Group with an opportunity to generate returns through both income and capital gains. 
The Directors consider that the carrying amount of these investments approximates to their fair value. The Group provides loans to one 
of the property entities totalling £1.0m and charges interest at rates of between 10% and 12%. 

On 20 February 2015 the Group acquired a strategic non-controlling interest of 15% in Staircraft Limited, a major supplier of timber 
staircases to house builders for a consideration of £1.0m. These shares are not held for trading and accordingly are classified as 
available for sale. The Group provides a loan facility and charges interest at 3.0%.

148

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
17. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Current

Trade receivables

Allowance for doubtful debts

Amounts owed by subsidiaries

Other receivables

Prepayments and accrued income

Non-current

Prepayments

Trade and other receivables

The Group

The Company

2016

£m

709.2

(21.6)

687.6

-

290.5

81.2

8.3

1,067.6

2015

£m

690.4

(23.9)

666.5

-

246.1

74.3

-

986.9

2016

£m

2015

£m

-

-

-

-

-

-

387.6

269.8

-

-

-

-

-

-

387.6

269.8

The Group’s trade and other receivables at the balance sheet date comprise principally of amounts receivable from the sale of goods, 
together with amounts due in respect of rebates and sundry prepayments. The Directors consider the only class of asset containing 
significant credit risk is trade receivables. The average credit term taken for sales of goods is 57 days (2015: 55 days). The allowance 
for doubtful debts is estimated by the Group’s management based on prior experience and their assessment of the current economic 
environment. The Directors consider the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates to their fair values. The business 
has provided fully for all receivables outstanding for more than 90 days beyond agreed terms. Trade receivables which have been 
outstanding for less than 90 days and that are not considered recoverable are specifically provided for. No interest is charged on the 
trade receivable from the date of the invoice until the date the invoice is classified as overdue according to the trading terms agreed 
between the Group and the customer. Thereafter, the Group retains the right to charge interest at between 2% to 4% per annum above 
the clearing bank base rate on the outstanding balance.

Movement in the allowance for doubtful debts

At 1 January

Amounts written off during the year

Increase in allowance recognised in the income statement

At 31 December

The Group

2016

£m

23.9

(14.5)

12.2

21.6

2015

£m

25.3

(13.7)

12.3

23.9

In determining the recoverability of trade receivables, the Group considers any change in the credit quality of the trade receivable that 
may have occurred between the date credit was initially granted and the reporting date. The concentration of credit risk is limited due to 
the customer base being large. Accordingly, the Directors believe that no further credit provision is required in excess of the allowance 
for doubtful debts.

Included in the Group’s trade receivable balance are debtors unprovided against with a carrying amount of £44.3m (2015: £66.8m) 
which are past due at the reporting date for which the Group has not identified a significant change in credit quality and as such, the 
Group considers that the amounts are still recoverable and therefore there is no allowance for doubtful debts. Except for some instances 
of personal guarantees the Group does not hold any collateral over these balances. 

149

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 17. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES continued

Ageing of past due but not impaired receivables.

Days overdue

0 – 30 days

31 – 60 days

61 – 90 days

The Group

2016

£m

27.8

11.1

5.4

44.3

2015

£m

45.3

10.2

11.3

66.8

Included in the allowance for doubtful debts are specific trade receivables with a balance of £1.1m (2015: £3.9m) where the customer 
has been placed into liquidation. The impairment represents the difference between the carrying amount of the specific trade receivable 
and the amount it is anticipated will be recovered.

None of the Company’s debts are overdue. The Directors do not consider there to be any significant credit risk, as the majority of the 
debt is due from subsidiaries.

18. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and cash deposits with an original maturity of three months or less held by the 
Group and Company, net of overdrafts. The carrying amount of these assets approximates to their fair value.

19. SHARE CAPITAL

Ordinary shares of 10p

At 1 January 2015

Allotted under share option schemes

At 1 January 2016

Allotted under share option schemes

At 31 December 2016

The Group and the Company
Issued and fully paid

No.

248,702,988

1,111,734

249,814,722

989,958

250,804,680

£m

24.9

0.1

25.0

0.1

25.1

The Company has one class of ordinary share that carries no right to fixed income. The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive 
dividends as declared and are entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the Company. All shares rank equally with regard to the 
Company’s residual assets.

150

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
20. OWN SHARES

At 1 January 

Movement during the year

At 31 December 

Allocated to grants of executive options

Not allocated to grants of executive options

The Group and the Company

2016
No.

2015
No.

1,318,532

2,428,176

(588,852)

(1,109,644)

729,680

1,318,532

-

729,680

729,680

-

1,318,532

1,318,532

The own shares are stated at cost and held by the Employee Share Ownership Trust to satisfy options under the Group’s share option 
schemes. All rights attaching to own shares are suspended until the shares are reissued.

21. RESERVES

Details of all movements in reserves for both the Group and Company are shown in their respective Statement of Changes in Equity. 
A description of the nature and purpose of each reserve is given below:

•  The merger reserve represents the premium on equity instruments issued as consideration for the acquisition of BSS

•  The revaluation reserve represents the revaluation surplus that arose from property revaluations in 1999 and prior years

•  The hedging reserve comprises the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of cash flow hedging instruments 

(net of tax) related to hedged transactions that have yet to occur

•  The own shares reserve represents the cost of shares purchased in the market and held by the Employee Share Ownership Trust to 

satisfy options under the Group’s share option schemes

•  The other reserve represented anticipated gross outflow on potential exercise of the put option held over the noncontrolled 

24% shareholding in Plumbnation and was derecognised following the acquisition of the noncontrolling interest

The cumulative total of goodwill written off directly to reserves for acquisitions from December 1989 to December 1998 is £40.1m. 
The aggregate information for the accounting periods prior to this period is not available.

151

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 22. BORROWINGS

A summary of the Group’s objectives, policies procedures and strategies with regard to financial instruments and capital management 
can be found in the Strategic Report on pages 33 and 34. At 31 December 2016 all borrowings were denominated in Sterling (2015: 
Sterling except for the unsecured senior notes which were denominated in US dollars).
a. Summary

The Group

The Company

2016
£m

-

34.5

-

566.0

34.5

(3.0)

(4.0)

628.0

6.9

621.1

628.0

2015
£m
137.0

35.4

110.0

256.2

18.6

(3.8)

(2.2)

551.2

139.8

411.4

551.2

2016 
£m

-

-

-

566.0

-

(3.0)

(4.0)

559.0

-

559.0

559.0

2015 
£m
137.0

-

110.0

256.2

-

(3.8)

(2.2)

497.2

137.0

360.2

497.2

 The Group

Bank loans

Other borrowings

2016
£m

-

-

-

-

(3.0)

(3.0)

Bank loans

2016
£m

-

-

-

-

(3.0)

(3.0)

2015
£m

-

110.0

-

110.0

(3.8)

106.2

2016
£m

6.9

22.3

605.8

635.0

(4.0)

631.0

2015
£m

139.6

8.2

299.4

447.2

(2.2)

445.0

 The Company

Other borrowings

2015 
£m

-

110.0

-

110.0

(3.8)

106.2

2016
£m

-

-

566.0

566.0

(4.0)

562.0

2015
£m

137.0

-

256.2

393.2

(2.2)

391.0

Unsecured senior notes

Liability to pension scheme (note 27)

Bank loans (note 22c)

Sterling bonds

Finance leases (note 22d)

Finance charges netted off bank debt 

Finance charges netted off sterling bonds

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

b. Analysis of borrowings

Borrowings repayable

On demand or within one year

More than one year, but not more than five years

More than five years

Gross borrowings

Unamortised fees

Borrowings repayable

On demand or within one year

More than one year, but not more than five years

More than five years

Gross borrowings

Unamortised fees

152

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
c. Facilities

At 31 December 2016, the following facilities were available:

Drawn facilities

5 year committed revolving credit facility

£250m sterling bond

£300m sterling bond

Unsecured senior notes

Undrawn facilities

5 year committed revolving credit facility

Bank overdrafts

The Group

The Company

2016
£m

-

266.0

300.0

-

566.0

550.0

30.0

580.0

2015
£m

110.0

256.2

-

137.0

503.2

440.0

30.0

470.0

2016
£m

-

266.0

300.0

-

566.0

550.0

30.0

580.0

2015
£m

110.0

256.2

-

137.0

503.2

440.0

30.0

470.0

The Group’s £550m banking agreement with a syndicate of banks runs until December 2020. The $200m of unsecured senior notes 
were repaid on 26 January 2016. The disclosures in note 22(c) do not include finance leases, loan notes, or the effect of finance charges 
netted off bank debt.

d. Obligations under finance leases

Amounts payable under finance leases:

  Within one year

  In the second to fifth years inclusive

  After five years

Less: future finance charges

Present value of lease obligations

Less: Amount due for settlement within one year  
(shown under current liabilities)

Amount due for settlement after one year

The Group

Minimum  
lease payments

Present value of minimum 
 lease payments

2016
£m

7.2

19.8

17.4

44.4

(9.9)

34.5

2015
£m

3.6

10.6

14.0

28.2

(9.6)

18.6

2016
£m

6.9

21.0

6.6

34.5

-

34.5

(6.9)

27.6

2015
£m

2.8

8.5

7.3

18.6

-

18.6

(2.8)

15.8

The average loan term for properties held under finance leases is 49 years (2015: 49 years) and the average borrowing rate has 
been determined at the inception of the lease to be 9.0%. Interest rates are fixed at the contract date. All lease obligations, which are 
denominated in sterling, are on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.

153

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
 
22. BORROWINGS continued
e. Interest

The weighted average interest rates received on assets and paid on liabilities were as follows:

Assets:

Short term deposits

Liabilities:

Unsecured senior notes

£250m sterling bond

£300m sterling bond

Bank loans and overdrafts

Other borrowings

2016 
%

2015 
%

0.5

5.9

3.0

4.5

1.3

-

-

5.9

4.4

-

2.0

2.1

In October 2016, to manage the risk of interest rate rises, the Group exited the fixed to floating swap contracts which had swapped the 
£250m principal of the sterling bond maturing in 2021 into floating rates (note 23). 

The £300m sterling bond issued in May 2016 is maintained at a fixed coupon of 4.5%.

In respect of income earning financial assets and interest bearing financial liabilities, the following table indicates their effective interest 
rates at the balance sheet date. All assets and liabilities reprice within six months.

The Group

2016

2015

Effective 
interest rate

£m

Effective 
interest rate

0.39%

184.5

-

-

-

4.375%

4.5%

-

-

266.0

300.0

566.0

5.9%

1.38%

4.375%

-

The Company

2016

Effective 
interest rate 

2015

£m

Effective 
interest rate 

0.39%

184.5

-

-

-

4.375%

4.5%

-

-

266.0

300.0

566.0

5.9%

1.38%

4.375%

-

£m

-

137.0

110.0

256.2

-

503.2

£m

-

137.0

110.0

256.2

-

503.2

Assets

Short term deposits

Liabilities

Unsecured senior notes

Unsecured variable rate bank facilities

£250m sterling bond

£300m sterling bond

Assets

Short term deposits

Liabilities

Unsecured senior notes

Unsecured variable rate bank facilities

£250m sterling bond

£300m sterling bond

154

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements f. Fair values

For both the Group and the Company the fair values of financial assets and liabilities have been calculated by discounting expected cash 
flows at prevailing rates at 31 December. There were no significant differences between book and fair values on this basis and therefore 
no further information is disclosed.

Details of the fair values of derivatives are given in note 23c.

g. Guarantees and security

There are cross guarantees on the overdrafts between Group companies.

Travis Perkins Trading Company Limited, Wickes Building Supplies Limited, Travis Perkins (Properties) Limited, Keyline Builders Merchants 
Limited and Travis Perkins Plumbing and Heating LLP are guarantors of the following facilities advanced to Travis Perkins plc:

•  £250m sterling bond;

•  £300m sterling bond;

•  £550m revolving credit facility;

•  Currency derivatives (note 23)

The Group companies have entered into other guarantee and counter-indemnity arrangements in respect of guarantees issued in favour 
of Group companies by the clearing banks amounting to approximately £22m (2015: £22m).

155

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
23. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
a. Significant accounting policies

Details of the significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the basis of measurement and 
the basis on which income and expenses are recognised, in respect of each class of financial asset, financial liability and equity instrument 
are disclosed in note 2 to the financial statements.

b. The carrying value of categories of financial instruments

Financial assets

Derivative instruments in designated hedge accounting relationships

Designated as fair value through profit and loss (FVTPL)

The Group

The Company

2016

£m

-

1.7

2015

£m

21.2

1.3

2016

£m

-

1.7

2015

£m

21.2

1.3

Loans and receivables (including cash and cash equivalents)

1,228.6

999.7

186.0

304.9

Available-for-sale

Financial liabilities

Designated as fair value through profit and loss (FVTPL)

Borrowings (note 22a)

Trade and other payables at amortised cost (note 26)

4.4

4.5

-

-

1,234.7

1,026.7

187.7

327.4

-

1.2

-

1.2

628.0

1,124.9

551.2

1,061.9

1,752.9

1,614.3

559.0

18.4

577.4

497.2

21.9

520.3

Loans and receivables exclude prepayments of £89.5m (2015: £74.3m). Trade and other payables exclude taxation and social security 
and accruals and deferred income totalling £223.4m (2015: £172.4m). The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial 
statements, which is net of impairment losses, represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk. The Group has considered the 
impact of credit risk on its financial instruments and because the counterparties are banks with strong credit ratings considers its impact  
to be immaterial.

c. Fair value of financial instruments

The fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities are determined as follows:

•  Foreign currency forward contracts are measured using quoted forward exchange rates 

•  Interest rate swaps are measured at the present value of future cash flows estimated and discounted based on the applicable yield 

curves derived from quoted interest rates

The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, 
grouped into levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable:

•  Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

•  Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for 

the asset or liability either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices)

•  Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not 

based on observable market data (unobservable inputs)

156

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
There were no transfers between levels during the year.

Included in assets
Level 2
Interest rate swaps designated and effective as hedging instruments carried
at fair value
Cross currency interest rate swaps designated and effective as hedging 
instruments carried at fair value
Foreign currency forward contracts designated and effective as hedging 
instruments carried at fair value

Foreign currency forward contracts at fair value through profit and loss

Current assets

Non-current assets

Included in liabilities

Current liabilities

Level 3

The Group

2016
£m

2015
£m

The Company

2016
£m

2015
£m

-

-

-

1.7

1.7

1.7

-

1.7

6.3

11.7

3.2

1.3

22.5

16.2

6.3

22.5

-

-

-

1.7

1.7

1.7

-

1.7

6.3

11.7

3.2

1.3

22.5

16.2

6.3

22.5

Deferred consideration at fair value through profit and loss

-

1.2

-

1.2

d. Interest risk management

The Group is exposed to interest rate risk as entities in the Group borrow funds at both fixed and floating interest rates. The risk is 
managed by the Group by maintaining an appropriate mix between fixed and floating rate borrowings, by the use of interest rate swap 
contracts and forward interest rate contracts when appropriate. Hedging activities are evaluated regularly to align with interest rate views 
and defined risk appetite, ensuring optimal hedging strategies are applied, by either positioning the balance sheet or protecting interest 
expense through different interest rate cycles.

The Group adopts a policy of ensuring that its exposure to changes in interest rates on borrowings is on either a fixed rate basis or is 
subject to movements within pre-defined limits. To achieve its desired interest rate profile the Group uses interest rate swap contracts 
where necessary. 

Under interest rate swap contracts, the Group agrees to exchange the difference between fixed and floating interest rate amounts 
calculated on agreed notional principal amounts. Such contracts enable the Group to mitigate the risk of changing interest rates  
on the fair value of issued fixed rate debt held and the cash flow exposures on the issued variable rate debt held. 

On 15 September 2014 the Group and Company entered into interest rate swap contracts with seven syndicate banks which swapped 
the fixed rate payable on the listed £250m sterling bond of 4.375% maturing in 2021, to floating rates based on 6 month libor. 
On 12 October 2016 these swap contracts were cancelled to mitigate the impact of expected increases in interest rates from historically  
low levels in the medium term. At the point of cancellation the fair value of the interest rate derivatives was measured at £16.8m.  
On cancellation of the swaps the bond was held on the balance sheet at its fair value of £266.8m, and the Group received £16.8m of cash.

During the remaining life of the bond the balance sheet carrying value will amortise from £266.7m to £250m with an annualised P&L 
credit of approximately £3.4m. This will partially offset the increase in interest charges caused by moving the bond from floating interest 
rates to a higher fixed interest rate of 4.375%, giving an effective rate of 3.0%. At 31 December 2016, £0.7m of the settlement benefit had 
been amortised, matched by a fair value reduction in the carrying value of the associated sterling bond which had reduced to £266.0m. 

157

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
23. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued 

The following table details the notional principal amounts and remaining terms of interest rate swap contracts at the reporting date:

Interest rate swap contracts

Fair value hedges - receive fixed / pay floating contracts

Over five years

Average contract
floating interest
 rate

2016

%

-

2015

%

2.98

Notional principal 
amount

Fair value

2016

£m

-

2015

£m

250.0

2016

2015

£m

-

£m

6.3

The floating rate on the interest rate swaps outstanding at 31 December 2015 was six month LIBOR plus a basis point increment 
averaging 223.3. These interest rate swaps were settled in October 2016.

e. Cross currency swaps and currency forward contracts

The $200m unsecured senior notes hedged using cross currency swaps were repaid in January 2016 and the three currency forward 
contracts with a notional value of $30m each and one with a notional value of $20m were duly settled. The Group had no outstanding  
cross currency swaps at 31 December 2016.

The following table details the notional principal amounts and remaining terms of currency swap contracts accounted for as fair value 
hedges as at the reporting date: 

Fair value hedges – outstanding receive fixed pay floating contracts

Less than 1 year

Average contract
floating interest
rate

2016

2015

%

-

%

1.6

Notional principal 
amount

Fair value

2016

£m

-

2015

£m

52.0

2016

£m

-

2015

£m

11.7

The Group acquires goods for sale from overseas, which when not denominated in sterling are paid for principally in US dollars.  
The Group has entered into forward foreign exchange contracts (all of which are less than one year in duration) to buy US dollars 
to hedge the exchange risk arising from these anticipated future purchases. At the balance sheet date the total notional value of 
contracts to which the Group was committed was US$63.0m (2015: US$72.4m). The fair value of these derivatives was £1.7m  
(2015: £1.3m). These contracts are not designated cash flow hedges and accordingly the fair value movement has been reflected  
in the income statement.

158

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
f. Liquidity analysis

The following table details the Group’s liquidity analysis for its derivative financial instruments and other financial liabilities. The table has 
been drawn up based on the undiscounted net cash flows on the derivative instruments that settle on a net basis and the undiscounted gross 
cash flows on those derivatives that require gross settlement. When the amount payable or receivable is not fixed, the amount disclosed 
has been determined by reference to the projected interest and foreign currency rates as illustrated by the yield curves existing at the 
reporting date.

Gross settled:

Foreign exchange forward contracts

Total gross settled and total derivative  
financial instruments

Net settled:

Borrowings

Other financial liabilities (note 26)

Finance leases (note 22d)

Total financial instruments

Gross settled:

Interest rate swaps – receipts

Interest rate swaps – payments

Foreign exchange forward contracts

Total gross settled

Net settled:

Interest rate swaps

Total derivative financial instruments

Borrowings

Deferred consideration

Other financial liabilities (note 26)

Finance leases (note 22d)

Total financial instruments

0-1 year
£m

1-2 years
£m

2016

2-5 years
£m

49.5

49.5

-

(1,124.9)

(7.2)

(1,082.6)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(5.5)

(5.5)

(14.3)

(14.3)

5+ years
£m

-

-

Total
£m

49.5

49.5

(600.6)

-

(17.4)

(600.6)

(1,124.9)

(44.4)

(618.0)

(1,720.4)

0-1 year
£m

1-2 years
£m

2015

2-5 years
£m

5+ years
£m

62.8

(52.4)

10.4

(47.6)

(37.2)

3.5

(33.7)

(125.6)

(1.2)

(1,061.9)

(3.6)

(1,226.0)

-

-

-

-

-

2.6

2.6

-

-

-

(3.6)

(1.0)

-

-

-

-

-

4.5

4.5

-

-

-

-

-

0.5

0.5

(106.2)

(289.4)

-

-

(7.0)

(108.7)

-

-

(14.0)

Total
£m

62.8

(52.4)

10.4

(47.6)

(37.2)

11.1

(26.1)

(521.2)

(1.2)

(1,061.9)

(28.2)

(302.9)

(1,638.6)

159

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 23. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued 
g. Interest rate sensitivity analysis

A sensitivity analysis has been determined based on the exposure to interest rates for both derivatives and non-derivative financial 
instruments at the balance sheet date. For floating rate liabilities, the analysis is prepared assuming that the amount of liability 
outstanding at the balance sheet date was outstanding for the whole year. A 1.0% increase or decrease is used when reporting interest 
rate risk internally to key management personnel.

At the 31 December 2016 the Group had no floating rate liabilities, after the repayment of the US private placement in January, the cancellation 
of the interest rate swaps on the £250m sterling bond and no drawdown on the revolving credit facility at 31 December 2016. There was 
£184.5m on short term deposit at 31 December 2016.

A 1.0% increase / decrease in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, would have the following impact on:

•  Profit before taxation for the year ended 31 December 2016 would have increased / decreased by £1.8m (2015: decreased / increased 

by £4.1m) due to the short term deposits;

•  Net equity would have increased / decreased by £1.5m (2015: decreased / increased by £3.2m)

24. PROVISIONS

At 1 January 2015

Additional provision charged to the income 
statement

Utilisation of provision

Unwinding of discount

At 31 December 2015

Additional provision charged to income statement

Utilisation of provision

Unwinding of discount

At 31 December 2016

Included in current liabilities

Included in non-current liabilities

The Group

Property
£m

Insurance 
£m

Exceptional
£m

Other
£m

22.1

-

(9.3)

0.3

13.1

7.4

(4.4)

0.2

16.3

9.7

6.6

16.3

30.1

10.5

(12.2)

-

28.4

9.4

(8.9)

-

28.9

28.9

-

28.9

16.1

-

(11.9)

-

4.2

56.6

(27.9)

-

32.9

18.3

14.6

32.9

1.2

-

(1.0)

-

0.2

-

(0.1)

-

0.1

0.1

-

0.1

Total
£m

69.5

10.5

(34.4)

0.3

45.9

73.4

(41.3)

0.2

78.2

57.0

21.2

78.2

The Group has a number of vacant and partly sublet leasehold properties. Where necessary provision has been made for the residual 
lease commitments after taking into account existing and anticipated subtenant arrangements.

In 2016, as set out in note 5, the Group established additional exceptional provisions as a result of reorganising parts of its branch and 
distribution networks.

The Group recognised in 2014 an exceptional provision of £16.1m relating to the reconfiguration of the Plumbing & Heating division. The 
provision covered expected property costs, legal costs and IT costs arising from the reconfiguration.

Should a provision ultimately prove to be unnecessary then it is credited back into the income statement. Where the provision was 
originally established as an exceptional item, any release is shown as an exceptional credit. 

It is Group policy to insure itself using policies with a high excess against claims arising in respect of damage to assets, or due to 
employers or public liability claims. The nature of insurance claims means they may take some time to be settled. The insurance claims 
provision represents management’s best estimate, based upon external advice of the value of outstanding claims against it where the 
final settlement date is uncertain.

160

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements The following table details the Group’s liquidity analysis of its provisions. The table has been drawn up based on the undiscounted net 
cash outflows.

2016

Property

Insurance

Exceptional

Other

2015

Property

Insurance

Exceptional

Other

0-1 year
£m

1-2 years
£m

2-5 years
£m

5+ years
£m

10.0

28.9

18.3

0.1

57.3

8.0

28.4

2.1

0.2

38.7

2.0

-

4.4

-

6.4

1.6

-

2.1

-

3.7

3.0

-

8.2

-

11.2

3.0

-

3.2

-

6.2

2.8

2.4

-

-

-

-

-

-

2.8

2.4

Total
£m

18.0

28.9

34.1

0.1

81.1

14.8

28.4

4.2

0.2

47.6

The Company has no provisions.

25. DEFERRED TAX

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets fully recognised by the Group and movements thereon during the current 
and prior reporting periods.

(Asset) / liability

Capital allowances

Revaluation of property

Share-based payments

Provisions

Property assets acquired  
in business combinations

Brand

Pension scheme liability

Deferred tax

At
1 Jan 2016
£m

Arising on 
acquisition
£m

The Group

Recognised
in income
£m

Recognised
in equity
£m

At
31 Dec 2016
£m

2.6

8.0

(8.5)

0.3

7.5

61.2

(9.8)

61.3

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1.2)

-

2.1

5.6

(0.9)

(8.6)

2.2

(0.8)

-

(0.4)

2.2

-

-

-

(16.5)

(14.7)

1.4

7.6

(4.2)

5.9

6.6

52.6

(24.1)

45.8

161

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
25. DEFERRED TAX continued

Capital allowances

Revaluation of property

Share based payments

Provisions

Property assets acquired in business 
combinations

Brand

Pension scheme liability

Deferred tax

At
1 Jan 2015
£m

Arising on 
acquisition
£m

The Group

Recognised
in income
£m

Recognised
in equity
£m

At
31 Dec 2015

1.6

8.9

(11.1)

(0.6)

8.8

78.3

(19.2)

66.7

-

-

-

-

0.4

0.8

-

1.2

1.0

-

(0.3)

0.9

(1.7)

(17.9)

3.3

(14.7)

-

(0.9)

2.9

-

-

-

6.1

8.1

2.6

8.0

(8.5)

0.3

7.5

61.2

(9.8)

61.3

At the balance sheet date the Group had unused capital losses of £43m (2015: £42.3m) available for offset against future capital 
profits. No deferred tax asset has been recognised because it is improbable that future taxable profits will be available against which  
the Group can utilise the losses. £42.1m arose prior to the Group acquiring Wickes the remainder arose in PTS in 2015. 
Those businesses own no assets that may generate a future capital gain against which the losses can be offset.

Other than disclosed above, no deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset. 

The Company

At
1 Jan 2016
£m

Recognised
in income
£m

Recognised
in equity
£m

At
31 Dec 2016
£m

(2.8)

(0.1)

(2.9)

0.6

(0.2)

0.4

0.7

-

0.7

(1.5)

(0.3)

(1.8)

The Company

At
1 Jan 2015
£m

Recognised 
in income
£m

Recognised 
in equity
£m

At
31 Dec 2015
£m

(3.3)

(0.4)

(3.7)

(0.2)

0.3

0.1

0.7

-

0.7

(2.8)

(0.1)

(2.9)

(Asset) / Liability

Share-based payments

Other timing differences

Share-based payments

Other timing differences

162

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 26. OTHER FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Trade payables

Other taxation and social security

Deferred consideration payable 

Other payables

Accruals and deferred income

Trade and other payables

The Group

The Group

The Company

2016

£m

940.2

71.8

-

184.7

151.6

2015

£m

904.6

58.2

1.2

157.3

114.2

1,348.3

1,235.5

2016

£m

-

-

-

18.4

0.7

19.1

2015

£m

-

-

1.2

21.9

-

23.1

Trade and other payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. The Directors consider that 
the carrying amount of trade payables approximates to their fair value. The Group has financial risk management policies in place to 
ensure that all payables are paid within the credit timeframe.

The Company

Trade and other payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. The Directors consider that 
the carrying amount of trade payables approximates to their fair value.

163

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 27. PENSION ARRANGEMENTS

Defined benefit schemes
The Group operates four final salary schemes being The Travis Perkins Pensions and Dependants’ Benefit Scheme (“the TP DB scheme”) 
and the immaterial Platinum pension scheme (“the TP Schemes”) and the “BSS Schemes” being the BSS Defined Benefit Scheme (“the 
BSS DB Scheme”) and the immaterial BSS Ireland Defined Benefit Scheme. All defined benefit schemes are closed to new members. 
The TP scheme is for the majority of members a 1/60th scheme. The assets of the TP DB schemes are held separately from those of 
the Group under the control of the scheme’s trustees. Employees are entitled to start drawing a pension, based on their membership of 
a scheme, on their normal retirement date. If employees choose to retire early and draw their pension, then the amount they receive is 
scaled down accordingly. 

The TP schemes are funded by contributions from Group companies and employees. Contributions are paid to the Trustees on the basis 
of advice from an independent professionally qualified actuary who carries out a valuation every three years. A full actuarial valuation of 
the TP DB scheme was carried out on 30 September 2014. The IAS 19 valuation has been based upon the results of the 30 September 
2014 valuation, and then updated to 31 December 2016 by a qualified actuary. The present values of the defined obligations, the related 
current service costs and the past service costs for the scheme were measured using the projected unit method.

The assets of the BSS schemes are held separately from those of the Group in funds under the control of the schemes’ trustees. 
The most recent actuarial valuations of the BSS schemes’ assets and the present value of the defined benefit obligations were carried 
out at 30 September 2014. The present value of the defined benefit obligation, and the related current service cost and past service cost, 
were measured using the projected unit method with a control period equal to the future working lifetime of the active members.

In June 2010, an agreement was reached with the Trustees of the TP DB scheme to fund £34.7m of the deficit using a Group-controlled 
special purpose vehicle (“SPV”). The pension scheme is entitled to receive the income of the SPV for a period of up to 20 years, subject 
to funding levels. This income is backed by the security of 16 Travis Perkins freehold properties. As the SPV is consolidated into the Travis 
Perkins plc group accounts, advantage has been taken of Regulation 7 of The Partnership (Accounts) Regulations 2008 and accounts for 
the SPV will neither be audited or filed. 

The TP schemes and the BSS schemes expose the Group to actuarial risks such as investment risk, interest rate risk, longevity risk and 
salary risk. A summary of the risks and the management of those risks is given below.

Investment risk

Interest risk

Longevity risk

The present value of the defined benefit liabilities of the schemes is calculated using a discount rate 
predetermined by reference to high quality corporate bond yields. If the return on scheme assets is below 
this rate it may create a plan deficit. Currently the schemes have investments in equity securities, debt 
instruments and real estate. Due to the long term nature of the scheme liabilities the trustees of the pension 
funds previously considered it appropriate that a reasonable portion of the scheme assets should be invested 
in equities. However, following a review of the investment strategy, a derisking exercise is currently being 
undertaken that will result in a higher proportion of the largest two pension schemes’ assets being invested in 
gilts and corporate bonds (‘liability driven investments’).

A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase the schemes’ liabilities, but the effect will be partially offset 
by an increase in the return on the schemes’ debt assets.

The present value of the liabilities of the schemes is calculated by reference to the best estimate of mortality 
of pension scheme members both during and after their employment. An increase in the life expectancy of 
the schemes’ members will increase the schemes’ liabilities.

Salary risk

The present value of the defined benefit schemes’ liabilities is calculated by reference to the future salaries of 
scheme members. As such an increase in salaries of scheme members will increase the schemes’ liabilities.

164

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements a. Major assumptions used by the schemes’ actuaries at the balance sheet date (in nominal terms)

Rate of increase in pensionable salaries

Rate of increase of pensions in payment post 2006

Rate of increase of pensions in payment 1997 - 2006

Discount rate

Inflation assumption - RPI

Inflation assumption - CPI

At 31 December 
2016

At 31 December  
2015

2.65%

2.25%

3.30%

2.65%

3.40%

2.40%

2.45%

2.20%

3.10%

3.85%

3.20%

2.20%

In respect of longevity, the valuation adopts the S2PA year of birth tables with improvements in life expectancy to continue in the 
medium term, with base year appropriate to the member’s date of birth. This results in the following life expectancies at illustrative ages:

Weighted average life expectancy for mortality tables used to determine pension liabilities at 31 December 2016:

Member age 65 (current life expectancy) - TP Schemes

Member age 45 (life expectancy on reaching age 65) - TP Schemes

Member age 65 (current life expectancy) - BSS Schemes

Member age 45 (life expectancy on reaching age 65) - BSS Schemes

b. Amounts recognised in income in respect of the defined benefit schemes

Current service costs charged to operating profit in the income 
statement

Past service gains from settlements

Net interest expense

Total pension charge

TP
Schemes
£m

(6.7)

-

-

(6.7)

2016

BSS
Schemes
£m

(2.0)

-

(1.7)

(3.7)

Male

Years

22.2

23.9

22.2

23.9

Group
£m

(8.7)

-

(1.7)

(10.4)

Female

Years

25.0

27.0

24.2

26.1

2015

Group
£m

(18.8)

2.2

(2.9)

(19.5)

The Directors have agreed with the Schemes’ Trustees to pay £10m more than ongoing contributions in 2017 to reduce the deficit in 
the BSS schemes. In addition the Company has agreed to pay voluntary excess contribution of £1.5m to the BSS schemes and £2.3m 
to the TP DB schemes. These contributions can be stopped at any time with one months notice at the Company’s sole discretion. 
Accordingly in 2017, the excess of funding over the on-going service contributions will be between £10.0m and £13.8m in total for the 
Group.

Note 5 shows where pension costs have been charged in the income statement. Actuarial gains and losses have been included in the 
Statement of Comprehensive Income.

165

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
27. PENSION ARRANGEMENTS continued
c.  The amount included in the balance sheet arising from the Group’s obligations in respect of all of its defined benefit schemes and the 

movements during the year

Fair value of plan assets

2016

2015

TP
Schemes
£m

BSS
Schemes
£m

Group
£m

TP
Schemes
£m

BSS
Schemes
£m

1,076.9

291.5

1,368.4

913.8

247.5

Group
£m

1,161.3

Present value of defined benefit obligations

(1,138.6)

(357.1)

(1,495.7)

(879.4)

(283.0)

(1.162.4)

Actuarial (deficit) / surplus

Restriction an asset recognised

Additional liability recognised for minimum funding 
requirements

(61.7)

(65.6)

(127.3)

-

-

-

-

-

-

Gross pension liability at 31 December

(61.7)

(65.6)

(127.3)

Deferred tax asset

Net pension liability at 31 December

24.1

(103.2)

34.4

(34.4)

(0.2)

(0.2)

(35.5)

(1.1)

-

(34.4)

(16.5)

(16.7)

(52.0)

(52.2)

9.8

(42.4)

In finalising the 30 September 2014 actuarial valuations the Trustees of the two material defined benefit schemes reached agreement 
with the Company that in order to eliminate the funding shortfalls at that date the Company would pay recovery plan contributions to 
each scheme. Amounts receivable by each scheme from 1 January 2017 are as follows:

•  TP DB Scheme – nil

•   BSS DB Scheme - £10.0m p.a. payable in monthly instalments until 1 September 2021

The Company has agreed to make voluntary recovery plan contributions of £2.3m per annum to the TP DB Scheme and £1.5m per 
annum to the BSS scheme both paid in equal monthly instalments until September 2023. These contributions are not contractual and 
can be stopped at any time with one month’s notice at the Company’s sole discretion.

2016

2015

TP
Schemes
£m

BSS
Schemes
£m

Group
£m

TP
Schemes
£m

BSS
Schemes
£m

Group
£m

At 1 January actuarial asset / (deficit)

34.4

(35.5)

(1.1)

(38.9)

(56.7)

(95.6)

Restriction of asset recognised

(34.4)

-

(34.4)

Additional liability recognised for minimum funding 
requirements

(0.2)

(16.5)

(16.7)

-

(1.9)

-

-

-

(1.9)

Current service costs and administration expenses charged 
to the income statement
Past service gains from settlements credited to the income 
statement

Net interest expense

Contributions from sponsoring companies

Foreign exchange

Return on scheme assets (excluding amounts included in 
net interest)
Actuarial gain arising from changes in demographic 
assumptions
Actuarial (loss) / gain arising from changes  
in financial assumptions

Actuarial gain / (loss) arising from experience adjustments

Reduction / (increase) in minimum funding  
requirement liability

(0.2)

(52.0)

(52.2)

(40.8)

(56.7)

(97.5)

(6.7)

(2.0)

(8.7)

(15.9)

(2.9)

(18.8)

-

-

8.3

-

-

(1.7)

13.9

-

-

(1.7)

22.2

-

1.9

(1.1)

27.4

-

154.5

29.8

184.3

(25.8)

-

4.8

4.8

(255.5)

(80.1)

(335.6)

1.9

36.0

4.5

17.2

6.4

53.2

39.6

27.2

19.4

0.3

(1.8)

12.5

0.1

3.0

8.2

8.0

(6.2)

2.2

(2.9)

39.9

0.1

(22.8)

47.8

35.2

13.2

(32.1)

(16.5)

(48.6)

At 31 December actuarial deficit

(61.7)

(65.6)

(127.3)

(0.2)

(52.0)

(52.2)

166

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements d. Major categories and fair value of scheme assets

The major categories and fair values of scheme assets at the end of the reporting period for each category are as follows:

At 31 December 2016

At 31 December 2015

TP
Schemes
£m

BSS
Schemes
£m

TP 
Schemes
£m

BSS
Schemes
£m

Level 1

Domestic equities 

Overseas equities

Fixed interest government bonds

Corporate bonds

Diversified growth funds

Liability driven investments

Level 3

Property

SPV asset

Cash and other

e. Actual return on scheme assets

TP Schemes

BSS Schemes

f. Movements in the fair value of scheme assets in the current period

250.4

304.6

1.4

130.3

130.1

108.1

46.7

18.5

86.8

16.6

167.9

-

24.3

73.4

-

0.5

-

8.8

1,076.9

291.5

2016

£m

189.3

39.3

2016

20.7%

15.9%

218.8

247.8

-

116.6

125.4

75.5

44.8

21.7

63.2

913.8

2015

£m

8.2

11.5

2015

TP
Schemes
£m 

BSS
Schemes
£m

Group
£m

TP
Schemes
£m 

BSS
Schemes
£m

247.5

1,161.3

908.9

230.9

At 1 January 

Interest on scheme assets

Return on scheme assets not included above

Foreign exchange

Administration expenses

Contributions from sponsoring companies

Contributions from members

Benefits paid

At 31 December 

913.8

34.8

154.5

-

(0.9)

8.3

0.1

9.5

29.8

1.3

-

13.9

0.1

44.3

184.3

1.3

(0.9)

22.2

0.2

(33.7)

(10.6)

(44.3)

1,076.9

291.5

1,363.4

8.5

3.0

(0.3)

-

12.5

0.1

34.0

(25.8)

-

(0.6)

27.4

-

(30.1)

913.8

16.6

133.2

-

20.7

71.2

-

0.4

-

5.4

247.5

0.9%

4.6%

Group
£m

1,139.8

42.5

(22.8)

(0.3)

(0.6)

39.9

0.1

(7.2)

(37.3)

247.5

1,161.3

167

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
27. PENSION ARRANGEMENTS continued
g. Movements in the present value of defined benefit obligations in the current period

At 1 January

Service cost

Interest cost

Foreign exchange

Contributions from members

Experience adjustments

Actuarial gain arising from changes 
in demographic assumptions
Actuarial (loss) / gain arising from changes  
in financial assumptions

Benefits paid

At 31 December 

2016

2015

TP
Schemes
£m

BSS
Schemes
£m

Group
£m

TP
Schemes
£m 

BSS
Schemes
£m

Group
£m

(879.4)

(283.0)

(1,162.4)

(947.8)

(287.6)

(1,235.4)

(5.8)

(33.4)

-

(0.1)

1.9

-

(2.0)

(10.5)

(1.3)

(0.1)

4.5

4.8

(7.8)

(43.9)

(1.3)

(0.2)

6.4

4.8

(255.5)

(80.1)

(335.6)

33.7

10.6

44.3

(13.4)

(34.5)

-

-

19.4

39.6

27.2

30.1

(2.6)

(10.3)

0.4

(0.1)

(6.2)

8.2

8.0

7.2

(16.0)

(44.8)

0.4

(0.1)

13.2

47.8

35.2

37.3

(1,138.6)

(357.1)

(1,495.7)

(879.4)

(283.0)

(1,162.4)

h. Amounts recognised in the statement of other comprehensive income are as follows:

2016

2015

TP
Schemes
£m

BSS
Schemes
£m

Group
£m

TP
Schemes
£m

BSS
Schemes
£m

Return on scheme assets (excluding amounts included  
in net interest)
Actuarial gain arising from changes  
in demographic assumptions
Actuarial (loss) / gain arising from changes  
in financial assumptions

Actuarial gain arising from experience adjustments

Decrease / (increase) in minimum funding  
requirement liability

154.5

29.8

184.3

(25.8)

-

4.8

4.8

(255.5)

(80.1)

(335.6)

1.9

36.0

4.5

17.2

6.4

53.2

39.6

27.2

19.4

Group
£m

(22.8)

47.8

35.2

13.2

3.0

8.2

8.0

(6.2)

(32.1)

(16.5)

(48.6)

Remeasurement of net defined pension liability

(63.1)

(23.8)

(86.9)

28.3

(3.5)

24.8

i. Reconciliation of asset ceiling / additional liability

2016

TP
Schemes
£m

BSS
Schemes
£m

(34.6)

(16.5)

(1.4)

36.0

-

(0.7)

17.2

-

Group
£m

(51.1)

(2.1)

53.2

-

2015

TP
Schemes
£m

BSS
Schemes
£m

(1.9)

(0.6)

(32.1)

(34.6)

-

-

(16.5)

(16.5)

Group
£m

(1.9)

(0.6)

(48.6)

(51.1)

At 1 January

Interest expense

Change in asset ceiling

 At 31 December

168

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
j. Maturity profile of obligations

The weighted average duration of the schemes’ liabilities are:

TP Schemes – 18.3 years

BSS Scheme – 18.5 years

The maturity profile of the defined benefit obligations for the schemes are as follows:

2017 – 2026

2027 – 2036

2037 – 2046

2047 – 2056

2057 – 2066

2067 – 2076

2077 – 2086

2087 – 2096

k. Sensitivities 

TP Schemes 
%
15.3

BSS Schemes 
%
14.7

22.9

24.0

20.1

12.4

4.5

0.9

0.1

23.3

24.8

20.3

12.2

4.1

0.6

0.0

The estimated effects of changing the key assumptions (discount rate, inflation and life expectancy) on the IAS19 (revised 2011) balance 
sheet position as at 31 December 2016 is given below.

Assumption

Discount rate

Increase of 0.1%

Inflation

Decrease of 0.1%

Increase of 0.1%

Decrease of 0.1%

Longevity

Increase of 1 year

Decrease of 1 year

l. Defined contribution schemes

TP Scheme

BSS Schemes

22.7

(23.4)

(10.0)

14.5

(46.8)

48.0

6.9

(7.1)

(3.9)

6.0

(14.4)

14.7

The Group operates two defined contribution schemes for all qualifying employees. The pension cost, which represents contributions 
payable by the Group, amounted to £16.8m (2015: £14.3m).

m. Pension scheme contributions for year

The total charge to the income statement disclosed in note 7 of £25.5m (2015: £30.9m) comprises defined benefit scheme current and 
past service costs of £8.7m (2015: £16.6m) and £16.8m (2015: £14.3m) of contributions made to the defined contribution schemes.

169

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
28. ACQUISITION OF BUSINESSES

During the year the Group made two acquisitions for £3.2m:

On 12 April 2016, the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of W. Gaunt Limited, a builders’ merchant, for total consideration  
of £0.7m.

On 1 May 2016, the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of T&T (Sussex) Plant Hire Limited, which trades as a builders’ 
merchant and tool hire business, for total consideration of £2.5m. 

All acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The net assets acquired totalled £1.3m and £1.9m of 
goodwill has been recognised.

In 2015 the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Rudridge Limited, IJM Enterprises Limited and Garratt Timber Supplies 
Limited and 55% of the issued share capital of The Underfloor Heating Store Limited for total consideration of £27.9m, all satisfied by 
cash. The net assets acquired totalled £11.4m. Goodwill of £22.4m and a non-controlling interest of £5.9m were recognised as a result of 
these transactions.

29. OPERATING LEASE ARRANGEMENTS 

The Group has entered into a significant number of property operating leases for its trading sites, the commercial terms for which tend 
to vary. The leases, at inception, are typically 25 years in duration, although some have lessee only break clauses of between 10 and 15 
years. No leases place any commercial restriction on the Group’s ability to conduct its business in the manner it sees fit (for instance 
restrictions on dividends, debt levels or further leases). No lease has clauses that link rental payments to performance, for instance 
turnover leases and no lease contains contingent rent clauses.

All leases include rent escalation clauses setting out the basis for future rent reviews. Typically these are based on open market 
conditions or are linked to RPI or CPI. The Group has a small number of leases that are subject to fixed reviews, but these are 
not material.

There are no significant pre-emption rights in any of the Group’s leases. 

The Group also leases certain items of plant and equipment. The Company has no operating lease arrangements.

a. The Group as lessee

Minimum lease payments under equipment operating leases recognised in income for the year

Minimum lease payments under property operating leases recognised in income for the year

2016
£m

35.5

194.0

2015
£m

38.8

185.4

At the balance sheet date, the Group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under noncancellable 
operating leases. The table below sets out the lease commitments of the Group as they fall due up until the end of the existing leases 
and do not include the effect of possible lease renewals:

2016
£m

194.2

656.2

532.0

252.4

127.8

2015
£m

191.4

662.2

524.8

377.8

42.1

1,762.6

1,798.3

Within one year

In the second to fifth years inclusive

In the sixth to ten years inclusive

In the eleventh to fifteenth years inclusive

After fifteen years

170

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
 
b. The Group as lessor

The Group sublets a number of ex-trading properties to third parties. Property rental income earned during the year in respect of these 
properties was £5.7m (2015: £5.0m).

At the balance sheet date, the Group had contracts with tenants for the following future minimum lease payments:

Within one year

In the second to fifth years inclusive

After five years

30. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS 

Contracted for but not provided in the accounts

2016
£m

5.2

15.1

15.4

35.7

The Group

The Company

2016
£m

14.9

2015
£m

39.2

2016
£m

-

2015
£m

5.2

16.7

17.9

39.8

2015
£m

-

171

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 31. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Group has a related party relationship with its subsidiaries, its Directors and with its pension schemes (note 27). Transactions 
between Group companies, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note. 
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries are disclosed below. In addition the remuneration of the Directors, and the details 
of their interests in the share capital of the Company are provided in the audited part of the remuneration report on pages 88 to 94.

The remuneration of the key management personnel of the Group is set out below in aggregate for each of the categories specified in 
IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures. 

Short-term employee benefits

Post employee benefits

Share-based payments

2016
£m
10.9

0.2

4.2

15.3

2015
£m
10.7

0.4

4.2

15.3

The Company undertakes the following transactions with its active subsidiaries: 

•  Providing day-to-day funding from its UK banking facilities 

•  Paying interest to members of the Group totalling £21.6m (2015: £22.5m) 

•  Levying an annual management charge to cover services provided to members of the Group of £8.4m (2015: £8.4m)

•  Receiving annual dividends totalling £330.4m (2015: £256.5m) 

Details of balances outstanding with subsidiary companies are shown in note 18 and in the Balance Sheet on pages 116 and 117. 

Other than the payment of remuneration there have been no related party transactions with directors. 

The Group advanced a total of £4.7m (2015: £3.5m) to all the Group’s associate companies in 2016. Operating transactions with the 
associates during the year were not significant.

172

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 32. NET DEBT
a. Movement in net debt

At 1 January 2015

Cash flow

Exchange movement

Fair value movement
Finance charges 
amortised
Amortisation of swap 
cancellation receipt
Discount unwind on 
liability to pension 
scheme

At 1 January 2016

Cash flow

Exchange movement

Fair value movement

Exchange gain on 
settlement of US$ 
notes
Finance charges 
movement
Amortisation of swap 
cancellation receipt
Discount unwind on 
liability to pension 
scheme

The Group

Cash 
and cash 
equivalents

Finance 
leases

Revolving 
credit facility 
and loan 
notes

Unsecured 
senior US$ 
notes and 
sterling bonds

Liability to 
pension 
scheme

Exchange 
and fair value 
adjustments 
on derivatives 
hedging net 
debt items

£m

(108.3)

24.5

-

-

-

-

-

£m

21.3

(2.7)

-

-

-

-

-

£m

37.6

65.2

-

-

3.4

-

-

£m

388.6

-

3.9

(1.0)

0.4

(0.9)

£m

36.0

(3.1)

-

-

-

-

-

2.5

(83.8)

(166.7)

18.6

15.9

106.2

(110.0)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.8

-

-

391.0

191.2

(3.5)

(16.5)

(0.1)

0.6

(0.7)

-

35.4

(3.3)

-

-

-

-

-

2.4

34.5

£m

(17.1)

-

(3.9)

1.0

-

-

-

(20.0)

-

3.5

16.5

-

-

-

-

-

31 December 2016

(250.5)

34.5

(3.0)

562.0

Total

£m

358.1

83.9

-

-

3.8

(0.9)

2.5

447.4

(72.9)

-

-

(0.1)

1.4

(0.7)

2.4

377.5

173

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 32. NET DEBT continued
b. Balances at 31 December

Cash and cash equivalents

Non-current interest bearing loans and borrowings

Current interest bearing loans and borrowings

Exchange and fair value adjustments on derivatives hedging net debt items

Net debt

c. Net debt under coventant calculations 

Net debt before exchange and fair value adjustments

Finance leases arising from the implementation of IAS 17

Liability to pension scheme

Fair value adjustment to debt

Finance charges netted off borrowings

Net debt under covenant calculations

33. LEASE ADJUSTED GEARING

Net debt before exchange and fair value adjustments

Exchange and fair value adjustments

Net debt

Property operating lease rentals x8 

Lease adjusted net debt

Property operating lease rentals x8 

Closing net assets

Goodwill and amortisation impairment

Tax in impairment of goodwill and intangibles

Lease adjusted equity

Gearing

174

The Group

2016

£m

250.5

(621.1)

(6.9)

-

(377.5)

2015

£m

83.8

(411.4)

(139.8)

20.0

(447.4)

The Group

2016

£m

2015

£m

(377.5)

(467.4)

12.8

34.5

-

(7.0)

14.3

35.4

20.0

(6.0)

(337.2)

(403.7)

The Group

2016

£m

377.5

-

377.5

1,506.4

1,883.9

1,506.4

2,655.6

-

-

2015
Restated  
(note 36)
£m

467.4

(20.0)

447.4

1,443.2

1,890.6

1,443.2

2,795.8

(235.4)

3.8

4,162.0

4,007.4

45.3%

47.2%

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
 
34. FREE CASH FLOW

Net debt before exchange and fair value adjustments at 1 January

Net debt before exchange and fair value adjustments at 31 December

Decrease / (increase) in net debt before exchange and fair value adjustments

Dividends paid

Net cash outflow for expansion capital expenditure*

Net cash outflow for acquisitions

Net cash outflow for investments

Amortisation of swap cancellation receipt

Discount unwind on liability to pension scheme

Cash impact of exceptional items

One-off income tax payments

Increase in interest in associate

Shares issued and sale of own shares

(Decrease) / increase in fair value of debt and exchange

Movement in finance charges netted off bank debt

Special pension contributions

Free cash flow 

The Group

2016
£m

(467.4)

(377.5)

89.9

110.5

185.8

3.2

1.1

(0.7)

2.4

11.6

42.5

4.6

(9.7)

(20.0)

1.4

13.5

436.1

*  Expansion capital expenditure includes £8.3m in relation to the development of cloud-based software classified as  

a prepayment (note 17).

Net debt before exchange and fair value adjustments is reconciled to the financial statements in note 32.

35. LEVERAGE RATIOS
a. The adjusted ratio of net debt to earnings before interest, tax and depreciation (“EBITDA”)

Profit before tax

Net finance costs

Depreciation and amortisation

EBITDA 

Exceptional operating items

Adjusted EBITDA under covenant calculations

Net debt under covenant calculations (note 32c)

Adjusted net debt to EBITDA under covenant calculations

The Group

2016
£m

72.7

27.7

121.7

222.1

292.0

514.1

337.2

0.66x

2015
£m

(375.2)

(467.4)

(92.2)

100.2

237.6

26.0

5.3

(0.9)

2.5

14.6

-

3.5

(10.0)

2.9

3.8

23.3

316.6

2015
£m

223.5

30.5

104.1

358.1

140.6

498.7

403.7

0.81x

175

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 35. LEVERAGE RATIOS continued
b. Adjusted ratio of net debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and operating lease rentals (“EBITDAR”)

The Group

2016 

£m

514.1

188.3

702.4

377.5

-

377.5

1,506.4

2015 
Restated 
(note 36) 
£m

498.7

180.4

679.1

467.4

(20.0)

447.4

1,443.2

1,883.9

1,890.6

2.7x

2.8x

The Group

2016 

£m

702.4

188.3

25.2

213.5

3.3x

2015 
Restated 
(note 36) 
£m

679.1

180.4

24.9

205.3

3.3x

Adjusted EBITDA 

Property operating lease rentals net of rent receivable

Adjusted EBITDAR

Net debt before exchange and fair value adjustments

Exchange and fair value adjustments

Net debt

Property operating lease rentals x8

Lease adjusted net debt

Lease adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDAR

c. Fixed charge cover

Adjusted EBITDAR

Property operating lease rentals net of rent receivable

Interest for fixed charge calculation (note 9)

Fixed charge cover net of rent receivable

176

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
 
 
 
36. RETURN ON CAPITAL RATIOS

Group return on capital employed is calculated as follows:

Operating profit

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Exceptional items

Adjusted operating profit

Opening net assets

Net pension deficit

Net debt before exchange and fair value adjustments 

Exchange and fair value adjustment

Opening capital employed

Closing net assets

Net pension deficit 

Net debt before exchange and fair value adjustments

Exchange and fair value adjustment

Closing capital employed

2016

£m
100.4

16.6

292.0

409.0

2016

£m
2,795.8

42.4

467.4

(20.0)

3,285.6

2,655.6

103.2

377.5

-

2015 
Restated*
£m
254.0

18.0

140.6

412.6

2015 
Restated*
£m
2,677.7

78.3

375.2

(17.1)

3,114.1

2,795.8

42.4

467.4

(20.0)

3,136.3

3,285.6

*The average capital employed at 31 December 2015 has been restated to exclude £92.7m written off to reserves in 1998 that was 
previously added back to the opening and closing capital employed when calculating lease adjusted capital employed. 

Opening capital employed

Goodwill amortisation and impairment

Tax on impairment of goodwill and intangibles

Revised opening capital employed

Closing capital employed

Goodwill amortisation and impairment

Tax on impairment of goodwill and intangibles

Revised closing capital employed

Revised average capital employed

2016
£m

3,285.6

(235.4)

3.8

2015 
Restated*
£m

3,114.1

(376.0)

11.3

3,054.0

2,749.4

3,136.3

-

-

3,136.3

3,095.2

3,285.6

(235.4)

3.8

3,054.0

2,901.7

*  In calculating the lease adjusted return on capital employed, the opening capital employed at 1 January 2015 and the closing capital 
employed at 31 December 2015 have been revised to exclude £376.0m and £235.4m of impaired goodwill respectively in order to 
provide a comparable calculation basis.

177

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
36. RETURN ON CAPITAL RATIOS continued

Revised Group lease adjusted return on capital employed is calculated as follows:

Adjusted operating profit 

50% of property operating lease rentals 

Lease adjusted operating profit

Average capital employed

Property operating lease rentals x8

Lease adjusted capital employed

Lease adjusted return on capital employed

* Revised for the changes to the capital employed calculation detailed above.

37. REVENUE RECONCILIATION AND LIKE FOR LIKE SALES

2016
£m

409.0

94.1

503.1

3,095.2

1,506.4

4,601.6

10.9%

2015
Restated*
£m

412.6

90.2

502.8

2,901.7

1,443.2

4,344.9

11.6%

2015 revenue

Like-for-like revenue

Network expansion

Trading days

2016 revenue

General 
Merchanting 
£m

Plumbing & 
Heating 
£m

1,972

34

2,006

60

7

1,371

(21)

1,350

4

5

Contracts 

Consumer

£m

1,213

59

1,272

(10)

5

£m

1,386

88

1,474

43

1

Total

£m

5,942

160

6,102

97

18

2,073

1,359

1,267

1,518

6,217

Like-for-like sales are a measure of underlying sales performance for two successive periods. Branches and stores contribute to like-for-
like sales once they have been trading for more than 12 months. Revenue included in like-for-like is for the equivalent times in both 
years being compared. When branches close, revenue is excluded from the prior year figures for the months equivalent to the post 
closure period in the current year.

178

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements  
 
 
38. RELATED UNDERTAKINGS 

The registered office of all subsidiary undertakings is Lodge Way House, Lodge Way, Harlestone Road, Northampton NN5 7UG  
except for companies with a superscript where the registered office is given after the list of subsidiary companies and investments.

Active subsidiary companies (100% ownership and UK registered) 

Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery Limited
Built for Trade Limited
CCF Limited
City Plumbing Supplies Holdings Limited
Connections (AML) Limited
Garratt Timber Supplies Limited
Hunter Estates Limited
IJM Enterprises Limited
Keyline Builders Merchants Limited9
Plumbnation Limited
Primaflow Limited
Property Newco (SLAD) Limited
PTS Group Limited
Rudridge Limited
Solfex Limited 
T&T (Sussex) Plant Hire Limited
The Cobtree Scottish Limited9 Partnership
Tile Giant Limited

Toolstation Limited
Travis Perkins Acquisitions Company Limited
Travis Perkins Bridge Properties LLP
Travis Perkins Finance Company Limited
Travis Perkins Financing Company No.2 Limited
Travis Perkins Financing Company No.3 Limited
Travis Perkins Leasing Company Limited
Travis Perkins P&H Partner Limited
Travis Perkins Plumbing & Heating LLP
Travis Perkins Trading Company Limited
Travis Perkins (Properties) Limited
Travis Perkins (PSL 2015) Limited
Wickes Building Supplies Limited
Wickes Developments Limited
Wickes Holdings Limited
Wickes Properties Limited

Dormant & non-trading subsidiary companies (100% ownership and UK registered) 

A. Warren & Sons Limited
A.M. Supplies (Pumps And Controls) Limited
Actionbridge Limited
Ahed Limited
Angelery Limited
B. & G. (Heating & Plumbing) Limited
Baird Lindsay Limited9
Basic Partition Systems Limited
Basildon Heating Services Limited
Birchwood Group Holdings Limited
Birchwood Products Limited
Blyth & Taylor (Hants) Limited
BMSS Limited
Bondco 909 Limited
Bonham Lilley Timber Limited
Border Building Supplies Limited
Boston (2011) Limited
Boxbrook Holdings Limited
Brasscapri Limited
Brassware Sales Limited
British Steam Specialties (International) Limited (The)
British Steam Specialties Limited(The)
Broombys Limited
BSS (UK) Limited
Builders Mate Limited
Builders Traders Limited
Bulwell Timber Company Limited
Burt Boulton (Timber) Limited
Buywell Building Supplies Limited
C & C Building Supplies (Marple) Limited
C & G Building Supplies Limited
C.H. Crees and Son Limited
Carmichael Browne Associates Limited
Central England Supplies Ltd
Chandler Forest Products Limited
Mayalls Limited
Chinnor Plumbing Supplies Limited

Christie & Vesey Limited
City Plumbing Supplies (Poole) Limited
City Plumbing Supplies (Salisbury) Limited
City Plumbing Supplies (Scotland) Limited
City Plumbing Supplies Limited
Cobtree Nominees Limited
Commercial Ceiling Factors (Midlands) Limited
Commercial Ceiling Factors Limited
Contract Supplies (North East) Limited
Coppas Controls (UK) Limited
County Hire Services (Wollaton) Limited
County Landscape Products Limited
Curran Sawmills Limited - The11
D.W. Archer Limited
Direct Building Supplies Truro Limited
Direct Heating Spares Limited
Domestic Heating Supplies (Warrington) Limited
Downpatrick Timber Slate & Coal Company Limited3
Dyfed Building and Plastic Supplies Limited
E Fletcher (Timber) Limited
E. Salisbury Limited
Edwards & Company (Longfield) Limited
Elecnation Limited formerly Malden Timber Limited
Elias Wild & Sons Limited
F W Darby & Co (Tunbridge Wells) Limited
Fishguard Building Supplies Limited
Floorsystems Limited
Flortek Limited
Four Oaks Timber and Joinery Supplies Limited
Fry & Pollard Limited
Gisowatt UK Limited
Graylin Limited
Greenwell Building Supplies Limited
Grundy & Pilling Limited
Hardleys Timber & Building Supplies Limited
Harris of Stirchley Limited
Harrison Trenery Limited

179

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 38. RELATED UNDERTAKINGS continued

Dormant & non-trading subsidiary companies (100% ownership and UK registered) continued

Harvey Building Supplies (Scotland) Limited
Heatek Labone Cadel Limited
Heatstall Limited
HT (1995) Limited
HTG (1996) Limited
Hunter Limited
IJM Holdings Limited
Index Timber & Building Supplies Limited9
Instox Limited
Ivco Process Valves Limited
J & B. Labone Limited
J T Stanton & Co., Limited
J.H. Walker & Co. (York) Limited
James Ladd & Sons Limited
Jayhard Holdings Limited
Jayhard Ltd
John Clements (Builders Merchants) Limited
John Dove & Co. Limited
John H. Turner & Lisney Limited
Joseph Spark & Son Limited
K X Company Limited
Kelmar (Plumbing & Heating Supplies) Limited
Keyline (CML) Limited
Kisling Limited
Lord Street Building Supplies (Leigh) Limited
M & H (North East) Limited
M G Bailey (Building Materials) Limited
Malden Timber (West) Limited
Manor Building & Plumbing Supplies Limited
Manor Copper Supplies Limited
May & Hassell (Cumbria) Limited
May & Hassell (North West) Limited
May & Hassell (Scotland) Limited9
May & Hassell Limited
Mayalls Limited
MD (1995) Group Limited9
MD (1995) Limited
MD (Park Street) Limited
MD-DOR3 Limited
MD-DOR4 Limited
Monteith Building Services Limited9
NAGS Building Supplies Limited
Nailnole Limited
Neptronik Controls Ltd
Newcastle Tile Centre Limited
Norman Mackenzie (Building Supplies) Limited9
O J Williams (Merchants) Limited
P.C.P. Harris (Builders Merchants) Limited
P.C.P. Harris (Holdings) Limited
Plumbstall Limited
P.T.S. Plumbing Trade Supplies Limited
Passmore Drywall & Insulation Limited
Peck & Goodwin Limited
Peckham Timber and Builders Merchants Limited
Plasterers & Builders Merchants Limited
Plumbing Parts Limited
Price & Brown (Heating) Limited
Price Tool Sales Limited
Primaflow (Birmingham) Limited
Property Newco Two Limited

180

R A Thomas (Joinery) Limited
Renpye Limited
S & M Bathrooms Limited
S & M Builders Merchant (Batley) Limited
Sandell Perkins + Newmans Limited
Seales McLean Limited
SES Southern Limited
Sharpe & Fisher (Properties) Limited
Sharpe & Fisher Limited
Shires Timber Co. Ltd
Simmons of Stoke-on-Trent Limited
SLBM Systems Limited
Smiths Building Supplies Limited
Spendlove C. Jebb1
Spendlove C. Jebb Holdings Limited
Stearns (Shipton Green) Limited
T Butt & Son Limited
T J Willets (Timber) Limited
Tavistock Building Supplies Limited
Taylor Building Supplies Ltd
Terant Supplies Limited
The BSS Group Limited
The Delta Limited
Tile Giant Holdings Limited
Tile HQ Limited
Tile It All (UK) Limited
Tile Magic Holdings Limited
Tile Magic Limited
TP Directors Ltd TP  
TP General Partner (Scotland) Limited9
The Yard Building Supplies Limited
Tile Beta Limited
TPG Management Services Limited
Travis & Arnold Limited
Travis Perkins Capital Partner Limited
Travis Perkins Installation Services Limited
Travis Perkins Marketing Company Limited
Travis Perkins Quest Trustees Limited
Tricom Group Limited
Tricom Supplies Limited
UGS Limited
UGS South East Limited
Vaner Holdings Limited
W.A. Hawke & Son Limited
W.H. Newson & Sons Limited
W.H. Newson Holding Limited
W.S. Shuttleworth (Maidenhead) Limited
W.S. Shuttleworth (Slough) Limited
W.S. Shuttleworth (Timber) Limited
Water Street Home Improvements Limited
Whittaker & Co. (Builders Merchants) Limited
W. Gaunt Limited
Wickes Limited
Wickes Group Trustees Limited
Wickes Retail Sourcing Limited
William Bird Holdings Limited
William Bloore & Son Limited
Zenith Plumbpoint Limited

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements Other subsidiary companies

Company Name 
City Investments Limited4 
BSS (Ireland) Limited12 
Travis Perkins Hong Kong Limited8 
Travis Perkins Sourcing (Shanghai) Ltd6 
Underfloor Heating Store (The) Limited 

Investments

Company Name 
Bombala Limited5 
The Mosaic Tile Company Limited5 
Toolexpert Benelux BV10 
Toolstation Europe Limited2 
Toolstation Europe BV10 
Toriga Energy Limited 
Toriga Limited 
Independent Construction Technologies Limited7 
P H Properties Limited7 
Staircraft (Midlands) Limited7 
Staircraft Integrated Solutions Limited7 

Registered 
Jersey 
Ireland 
Hong Kong 
China 
UK 

Registered 
UK 
UK 
Netherlands 
UK 
Netherlands 
UK 
UK 
UK 
UK 
UK 
UK 

% Ownership 
100 
100 
100 
100 
55 

% Ownership 
49 
49 
49 
49 
49 
49 
49 
15 
15 
15 
15 

Status
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active

Status
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active

1 

2 

107-127 Grosvenor Road, Belfast, BT12 4GT, Northern Ireland

16-18 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2LG, England

3  Marlborough House, 30 Victoria Street, Belfast, BT1 3GS, Northern Ireland

4  Ogier House, The Esplanade, St Helier, JE4 9WG, Jersey

5 

Project House, Armley Road, Leeds, LS12 2DR, England

6  Room 5702-Q, 1486 West Nanjing Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai, China

7 

Staircraft Building, Dunns Close, Nuneaton, CV11 4NF, England

8  Suite 2401, 24/F, China Insurance Group Building, 141 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong

9  Suite S3, 8 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, G66 1XT, Scotland

10  Touwbaan 40, 2352CZ Leiderdorp, Netherlands

11  Tughans, Marlborough House, 30 Victoria Street, Belfast, BT1 3GS, Northern Ireland

12  White Heather Industrial Estate, South Circular Road, Dublin, 8, Republic of Ireland

181

Financial Statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Financial Statements 182

SHAREHOLDER 
INFORMATION

Five-year summary 

184 

Other shareholder information 

186

183

 
 
Five-year summary

Consolidated income statement

2016
£m

2015
£m

2014
£m

2013
£m

2012
£m

Revenue

6,217.2

5,941.6

5,580.7

5,148.7

4,844.9

Operating profit before amortisation  
and exceptional items

Amortisation

Exceptional items

Operating profit

Exceptional investment income

Net finance costs 

Profit before tax

Income tax expense

Net profit

Basic earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share

Dividend declared per ordinary share

Number of branches at 31 December 
(Includes branches of associates)

Average number of employees (FTE)

Consolidated cash flow statement

Cash generated from operations

Net interest paid

Income taxes paid

Net purchases of investments, property and plant

Interest in associates

Acquisition of businesses net of cash acquired

Proceeds from issuance of share capital

Dividends paid

Bank facility finance charges

Movement in finance lease liabilities

Repayment of unsecured loan notes

Increase / (decrease) in loans

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Net debt at 1 January

Non cash adjustment

Cash flow from debt and debt acquired 

Net debt before exchange and fair value adjustments  
at 31 December

409.0

412.6

384.0

(16.6)

(292.0)

100.4

-

(27.7)

72.7

(58.6)

14.1

5.1p

120.4p

45.0p

2,053

(18.0)

(140.6)

254.0

-

(30.5)

223.5

(55.8)

167.7

67.8p

124.1p

44.0p

2,028

(17.6)

(23.3)

343.1

-

(21.7)

321.4

(62.7)

258.7

105.9p

119.0p

38.0p

1,975

347.6

(17.9)

-

329.7

9.4

(26.5)

312.6

(47.9)

264.7

109.9p

103.6p

31.0p

1,939

325.7

(17.4)

(8.7)

299.6

39.5

(39.9)

299.2

(50.5)

248.7

104.3p

90.6p

25.0p

1,896

24,656

24,670

23,480

21,937

21,632

2016
£m

494.7

(22.2)

(104.7)

(186.5)

(4.6)

(3.2)

9.7

2015
£m

350.3

(19.7)

(47.8)

(247.1)

(3.5)

(26.0)

10.0

(110.5)

(100.2)

(2.4)

15.9

-

80.5

166.7

(467.4)

17.1

(93.9)

(3.9)

(2.7)

(40.8)

106.9

(24.5)

(375.2)

(8.3)

(59.4)

2014
£m

310.2

(15.0)

(49.9)

(134.1)

(2.1)

(15.7)

14.3

(81.1)

(2.6)

(2.5)

-

7.0

28.5

(347.6)

(54.2)

(1.9)

2013
£m

319.2

(20.5)

(59.2)

(90.3)

(2.9)

(9.3)

13.9

(65.1)

-

(2.1)

-

(143.0)

(59.3)

(452.2)

18.8

145.1

2012
£m

327.6

(27.3)

(64.5)

(49.7)

(2.9)

(24.5)

8.9

(51.2)

-

5.7

-

(61.6)

60.5

(583.2)

14.6

55.9

(377.5)

(467.4)

(375.2)

(347.6)

(452.2)

Free cash flow

436.1

316.6

254.7

239.6

241.8

184

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Shareholder Information Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Shareholder Information Consolidated balance sheet

Assets

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Goodwill and other intangible assets

Derivative financial instruments

Interest in associates

Other receivables

Investment property and other investments

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Capital and reserves

Issued capital

Share premium account

Merger reserve

Own shares

Other reserves

Accumulated profits

Equity attributable to owners of the Company

Noncontrolling interests

Total equity

Non-current liabilities

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Retirement benefit obligations

Long-term provisions and other payables

Deferred tax liabilities

Current liabilities 

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Trade and other payables

Tax liabilities

Short-term provisions

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

2016
£m

2015
£m

2014
£m

2013
 £m

2012
£m

929.5

1,889.1

-

11.5

8.3

9.1

768.0

1,059.3

1.7

250.5

4,927.0

25,1

528.5

326.5

(8.7)

16.8

1,760.1

2,648.3

7.3

849.5

2,111.9

22.5

7.9

-

7.8

761.8

986.9

-

83.8

4,832.1

25.0

518.9

326.5

(15.5)

16.9

1,918.1

2,789.9

5.9

689.3

2,223.6

609.9

2,223.7

578.4

2,232.3

21.2

1.7

-

3.6

742.7

931.8

-

108.3

4,722.2

24.9

510.5

326.5

(28.5)

16.8

1,827.5

2,677.7

-

9.3

7.3

-

3.1

687.7

822.9

-

79.8

12.8

6.7

-

2.8

637.1

746.4

-

139.1

4,443.7

4,355.6

24.7

498.0

326.5

(40.6)

16.7

1,689.9

2,515.2

-

24.5

487.2

326.5

(62.4)

18.5

1,461.3

2,255.6

-

2,655.6

2,795.8

2,677.7

2,515.2

2,255.6

621.1

-

127.3

21.2

45.8

6.9

-

411.4

-

52.2

7.4

61.3

139.8

-

440.0

0.5

97.5

7.8

66.7

43.5

-

1,348.3

1,235.5

1,255.2

43.8

57.0

2,271.4

4,927.0

90.2

38.5

2,036.3

4,832.1

71.6

61.7

2,044.5

4,722.2

421.6

4.5

71.4

22.6

61.3

5.8

1.8

1,218.1

73.2

48.2

1,928.5

4,443.7

195.2

4.9

125.9

67.0

69.1

396.1

2.6

1,107.6

74.8

56.8

2,100.0

4,355.6

185

Shareholder Information Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Shareholder Information Other shareholder information

FINANCIAL DIARY

Ex-dividend date 

Record date 

Trading statement 

Annual General Meeting 

Payment of final dividend 

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS

13 April 2017

Company Website

18 April 2017

27 April 2017

24 May 2017 

26 May 2017 

Travis Perkins plc Annual and Interim Reports, results 
announcements and presentations are available on the Investor 
Relations section of our website at www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk. 
The website also carries a range of information about the Group 
and its principal brands, products and services which can be 
accessed via the “Our Businesses” section. 

Announcement of 2017 interim results 

2 August 2017* 

Trading statement 

19 October 2017* 

Announcement of 2017 annual results 

28 February 2018* 

*  These are provisonal dates. The Travis Perkins financial calendar can be found online 

under the Investor Relations section of our website: www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (“AGM”)

The AGM will be held on 24 May 2017 at 12.00 noon 
at Northampton Rugby Football Club, Franklins Gardens, 
Weedon Road, Northampton NN5 5BG. The notice and proxy 
card for the meeting is enclosed with this report. A hot luncheon 
will be served following the AGM. 

REGISTRARS

For Information about shareholdings, dividends and to 
report changes to personal details please contact the 
Company’s registrars:

Capita Asset Services, 
The Registry,  
34 Beckenham Road,  
Beckenham, 
Kent,  
BR3 4TU

Email: shareholderenquiries@capita.co.uk

Telephone: 0371 664 0300 

Calls will be charged at the standard geographic rate and will 
vary by provider. Calls from outside the United Kingdom will be 
charged at the applicable international rate; lines are open  
9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Please inform Capita if there are any changes to your address, 
bank details or any other account information. You can view and 
manage your shareholder account online via the shareholder 
portal at www.travisperkins-shares.com. You will need to register 
to use this service and to do so you will require your unique 
investor code (IVC), which can be found on your share certificate, 
proxy card or dividend confirmation.

It is more secure to have your dividends paid directly  
into your bank account than by cheque. If you do not already  
have your dividends paid directly into your account and would  
like to do so, you can do this on the shareholder portal at  
www.travisperkins-shares.com or you can contact Capita and 
they will send you the relevant form to complete.

Annual Report

The Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 is published 
on our website at www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk/investor-relations 
and a hard copy has been posted to shareholders who have 
requested it in paper copy format. All other shareholders have 
been notified of its availability on the website, either in writing or 
by email.

A paper copy is available by writing to the Company Secretary 
at the Company’s registered office: Lodge Way House, Lodge Way, 
Harlestone Road, Northampton NN5 7UG or you can email your 
request to cosec@travisperkins.co.uk.

Electronic Shareholder Communications

The Company prefers that you receive your shareholder 
communications electronically. This is a much faster, 
environmentally-friendly and cost effective way to communicate 
with you. If you have received a hard copy of this report, or 
notification of its availability by post and would like to receive fully 
electronic communication, please register your preference on the 
shareholder portal at www.travisperkins-shares.com and follow 
the instructions. Terms and conditions apply. If you have any 
queries please telephone Capita Asset Services on the number 
provided opposite.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

The Company’s registrars, Capita Asset Services (“Capita”), 
provide a number of other services that, as a shareholder, 
might be useful to you:

Duplicate Share Register Accounts

If you are receiving more than one copy of our report, it may 
be that your shares are registered in two or more accounts on 
our register of members. If that is not your intention you may 
wish to consider merging the accounts into one single entry. 
Please contact Capita who will be pleased to help you.

Dividend Re-Investment Plan (“DRIP”)

This is a scheme which allows you to use your dividends  
to buy further shares in Travis Perkins. For any shareholders 
who wish to reinvest dividend payments in the Company, a 
facility is provided by Capita IRG Trustees Ltd in conjunction with 
Capita Asset Services. Full details are available from Capita on 
0371 664 0381 (calls are charged at the standard geographic 
rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom 
will be charged at the applicable international rate); lines are open 
from 9am to 5.30pm Monday – Friday.  
Email shares@capitaregistrars.com

186

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Shareholder Information Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Shareholder Information SHARE FRAUD – WARNING TO SHAREHOLDERS

In recent years, share fraud has been increasing, with 
shareholders receiving unsolicited correspondence concerning 
investment matters. Fraudsters use persuasive and high-pressure 
tactics to lure investors into scams; offering to sell shares that 
turn out to be worthless or non-existent, or to buy shares at 
an inflated price in return for an upfront payment. Sometimes 
these individuals imply that they represent Travis Perkins, but 
in fact they have no connection with the Company and have no 
authority to claim or imply that they are. 

If you are approached by fraudsters, please tell the Financial 
Conduct Authority using the share fraud reporting form at  
www.fca.org.uk/scams, where you can also find out more about 
investment scams.

Alternatively, you can sign up for this service on the shareholder 
portal or visit www.travisperkins-shares.com (by clicking on 
‘reinvest your dividends’ and following the on screen instructions). 

Please note that this facility is only available to shareholders with 
an address in the UK or EEA. The value of shares and income 
from them can fall as well as rise and you may not recover the 
full amount of money you invested.

Overseas Shareholders

Capita has partnered with Deutsche Bank to provide you with 
a service that will convert your sterling dividends into your 
local currency at a competitive rate. You can choose to receive 
payment directly into your local bank account, or alternatively, 
you can be sent a currency draft.

You can sign up for this service on the share portal (by clicking 
on ‘manage your account’ and ‘Change your dividend details’ 
and following the on screen instructions) or by contacting the 
Customer Support Centre. Further details are available from 
Capita Asset Services: by telephone: 0371 664 0300 (calls 
are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by 
provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the 
applicable international rate). Lines are open 9am to 5.30pm, 
Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

SHARE DEALING SERVICES

There are two share dealing services that you may wish to use 
to buy or sell shares in Travis Perkins (but alternatively there are 
many other options that you could use):

•  Capita offers an on-line and telephone share dealing service 
which is available by logging on to www.capitadeal.com or 
telephoning 0371 664 0445 (calls are charged at the standard 
geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the 
United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international 
rate; lines are open 8am to 4.30pm, Monday - Friday). 

•  These services are only available to private shareholders 

resident in the EEA, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. 
Further details including costs are available at  
www.capitadeal.com 

187

Shareholder Information Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2016Shareholder Information Travis Perkins plc,  

Lodge Way House, Harlestone Road,  

Northampton. NN5 7UG

01604 752424

www.travisperkinsplc.com

The paper and board used in the production of this 
publication are all FSC accredited.

The printing process used in the production  
of this publication was carbon neutral and used 
vegetable based inks.

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