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Travis Perkins

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FY2018 Annual Report · Travis Perkins
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Annual Report 
& Accounts 2018

Front Cover:
Zack Varney – CPS, St Albans 
Oana Bizic – Travis Perkins, Staples Corner 
Joe Ogunjobi – CCF, Harmondsworth

Above:
Ben Steward (top right) – Travis Perkins, Tool Hire
Bill Battison – Travis Perkins, Gowerton Road

Highlights

Revenue

£6,741m

Like-for-like revenue growth

4.9%

Adjusted operating profit

£375m

Net debt

£354m

Dividend per share

47.0p

Stronger second half 
profit performance – well 
positioned in uncertain 
market conditions

£m

Revenue

Like-for-like revenue growth

Adjusted operating profit

Adjusted operating profit  
excluding property profits

Adjusted earnings per share

Net debt

Dividend per share

Lease adjusted ROCE

Adjusting items

Operating (loss) / profit

(Loss) / profit before taxation

2018

6,741

4.9%

375

348

114.5p

(354)

 47.0p

10.5%

387

(22)

(49)

2017

6,433

3.3%

380

Change

4.8%

(1.3)%

 351

(0.9)%

3.7%

(12)

2.2%

(0.2)ppt

 110.4p

(342)

 46.0p

10.7%

41

327

290

Basic (loss) / earnings per share

 (34.4)p

 93.1p

•  Strong Group revenue growth of 4.8% and 4.9% on a like-for-like basis

•  Continued market outperformance in Contracts division and 

Toolstation

•  Adjusted operating profit declined by 1.3% while adjusted EPS grew 

by 3.7%

•  Adjusted operating profit excluding property profits grew by 10.7% 
in the second half of the year, underpinned by successful cost 
reduction activities

•  Adjusting items includes a non-cash impairment of £246m against 
the goodwill in Wickes and restructuring costs across the Group

•  Full-year total dividend increased by 2.2% to 47.0p per share

•  Good progress has been made on the strategic actions set out in 

December 2018, including simplification through the removal of the 
divisional structure above the merchant businesses

•  2019 adjusted operating profit expected to be similar to 2018

Alternative performance measures are used to provide a guide to underlying performance. 
Details of the calculations can be found in in the Performance review on pages 18 and 19  
and the notes to the financial statements.

1

Contents

3

97

STRATEGIC REPORT

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 Divisional structure
 Chairman’s statement
Simplifying our Group to create value
 Chief Executive’s statement 

4 
6 
8 
16 
18  Performance review
34 
42 
45  Charities and communities
46  Cornerstones
47 
50 

 Keeping people safe
 Environmental sustainability

 Statement of principal risks and uncertainties
 Our people

55

Independent auditor’s report

98 
106  Financial statements
116 
Income and Expenses
126  Assets and Liabilities
142  Capital
152  Risks
159  Group Structure
165  People
169  Other

173

GOVERNANCE AND REMUNERATION

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 Corporate governance report

56  The Board of Directors
59 
66  Audit Committee report
72  Directors’ remuneration report 
90     Nominations Committee report
92  Directors’ report
96  Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

174  Five-year summary
176  Other shareholder information

2

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Strategic 
report

4 

6 

 Divisional structure

 Chairman’s statement

8  Simplifying our Group to create value

16  Chief Executive’s statement 

18  Performance review

34 

 Statement of principal risks and uncertainties

42 

 Our people

45  Charities and communities

46  Cornerstones

47 

 Keeping people safe

50 

 Environmental sustainability

3

Paul Gillard - Travis Perkins, Tool Hire

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Divisional structure
The Group’s businesses are organised  
and managed through four divisions

General Merchanting

£2.1bn
sales

837
branches

9,700
colleagues

Contracts

£1.5bn
sales

164
branches

4,300 
colleagues

4

Market-leading general merchant to 
trade customers

Kitchen distributor to trade

The General Merchanting division supplies products for all types of repair, maintenance and 
improvement projects as well as new residential and commercial construction. The customer base  
is largely made up of trade professionals, 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 
accounts and problem-solving expertise.

Leading specialist distributor of 
civils, heavy building materials  
and drainage

Leading specialist distributors of 
pipeline and heating solutions

Specialist distributor of ceilings, 
insulation and drywall

The customers of the three large Contracts businesses, Keyline, BSS and CCF, are typically 
main contractors and sub-contractors in the residential, infrastructure, commercial and industrial 
construction sectors. The products they supply 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 residential construction 
and refurbishment.

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Consumer

£1.6bn
sales

672
stores

12,000
colleagues

Home improvement retailer

Fully integrated multichannel retailer

Tile retailer

The Consumer division supplies domestic building and decorative materials through its store network 
to DIY and trade customers. It is differentiated by providing the best value in each of its respective 
channels through operating efficient stores and delivery services, a superior online proposition and 
high levels of availability of the brands and products that customers demand in a modern customer 
shopping environment, with an increasing focus on providing a comprehensive Kitchen and Bathroom 
design and installation service.

Toolstation has a rapidly growing European business, with 40 stores in the Netherlands and France 
and online businesses in Belgium and Germany.

Plumbing & Heating

£1.5bn
sales

377
branches

2,800
colleagues

Digital footprint

Physical network

Leading wholesaler to trade distributors

The Plumbing & Heating division delivers a coherent and consistent proposition to installer and 
contract customers through an integrated national branch network and online capability, as well as 
being a leading wholesaler to trade distributors, enabled by an industry-leading supply chain.

The division has an extended category reach including its successful own brand products and 
expanding electrical offering enabling improved customer convenience.

5

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Chairman’s statement

I am pleased to introduce the Company’s Annual Report for the  
year ended 31 December 2018, a year in which the Group announced 
a new strategic direction, focusing on its advantaged trade businesses 
and simplifying the organisation. The Group is taking positive 
action to respond to the ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty and 
deliver financial performance in the short-term, whilst positioning its 
businesses to take advantage when market conditions improve, and 
to maximise value creation in the future.

Stuart Chambers
Chairman
25 February 2019

2018 performance
Starting with safety, we were encouraged by another year of 
improvement with our accident frequency rate declining again 
for the fifth year running. Our Stay Safe Committee (chaired by 
Pete Redfern) signed off our new Health and Safety strategy, with 
further details on pages 47 and 48 of this report. 

Strategy
The Group has grown considerably in recent years, both organically 
and through acquisitions, expanding our reach into new markets 
but leading to increasing levels of complexity. This has resulted 
in a higher cost base and has challenged the effectiveness of the 
Group’s management focus and capital allocation.

One key consideration is that 25% of our lost time incidents 
occurred “out of branch” last year, up from 17%. Furthermore, the 
importance of focus in this area was highlighted in August 2018 
when a cyclist, Dr Peter Fisher, tragically lost his life in an accident 
involving one of the Group’s commercial vehicles at slow speed 
in London. This all serves to remind us that safety must be at the 
forefront of our minds in everything we do, and our aim remains to 
cause zero harm to our employees, and to everyone with whom we 
interact as we go about our work. 

Turning now to financials, the Group produced a solid overall 
performance in 2018 against a market backdrop of considerable 
uncertainty. Sales grew by 4.8% to £6,741m, and by 4.9% on a 
like-for-like basis. 

Group adjusted operating profit, excluding property profits, 
declined by 1.3% in the year, although with a distinct half on half 
split. An 11.5% decline in the first half of the year was followed 
by growth of 10.7% in the second half, with earnings progression 
driven by the improved trading and cost reduction. Adjusted 
earnings per share increased by 3.7% to 114.5p.

In response to this, and following a comprehensive strategic 
review, the Board concluded that the purpose of the Travis 
Perkins Group should be defined more tightly, to provide  
best-in-class service to trade customers. 

At a Capital Markets day in December we outlined our plans for 
this future direction under two key themes: to focus on trade 
customers through advantaged businesses and simplify the  
Group. The main initiatives underway to drive this strategy are:

•  To reinvigorate the Travis Perkins merchant business, by placing 

trade customers at the heart of our strategy and thinking

•  To explore options to divest the Plumbing and Heating division

•  To improve the performance of Wickes to create optionality  

for the future

•  To reduce above-branch costs throughout the Group with the 
aim of speeding up decision making and simplifying the Group

•  To continue to invest in the growth of Toolstation

•  To continue to upgrade our IT systems and improve our  

digital capability

In parallel with these significant workstreams we remain 
committed to delivering on our day to day performance.

6

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Dividend
The Board takes a balanced view between the ongoing 
uncertainty in the UK’s political and economic climate and 
the continued strong cash generation of the Group. Whilst the 
Group’s adjusted operating profit declined modestly in 2018, 
the earnings per share increased by 3.7%, and the Board 
recommends a final dividend of 31.5p, payable on 17 May 2019 to 
shareholders on the register on 5 April 2019. This will give a full-
year dividend of 47p (2017: 46p) per share. This modest increase 
in dividend reflects the Board’s confidence in the ongoing positive 
cash generation of the Group and its robust balance sheet.

Employees
At Travis Perkins our people are, of course, our greatest resource. 
We have nearly 30,000 employees across the Group, and we 
take our responsibility to all of our colleagues very seriously.  
We were recently recognised as a Top Employer by the Great 
Place to Work Institute for the 10th year running, which is a huge 
credit to all of our colleagues’ hard work, particularly in the HR 
function and across the branch network. As a Group we continue 
to push for continuous improvement in colleague support, with 
specific programmes dedicated to colleague health, safety,  
career development, diversity, flexible benefits and financial 
planning and assistance.

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 course of 2018, and look forward to further 
success in 2019 and beyond. 

Main image: Segou Grant – Wickes, Cricklewood 
Bottom image: Shiap Bajgora & John Deighton – Wickes, Cricklewood 

Board of Directors
I am leading a review of Board composition at the Nomination 
Committee, which was started in 2018, in order to plan the 
evolution of the Board and to ensure that we have the right 
balance of skills, experience and diversity going forwards.

Outlook
The fundamental drivers of the Group’s end markets remain 
robust, the level of new house building in the UK is not 
keeping pace with demand, and there remains a significant 
underinvestment in the existing stock of 27 million homes.  
At the same time, customer habits are changing, with consumers 
increasingly likely to engage a tradesperson to carry out repair, 
maintenance or improvement work on their home. 

In the near-term, the Group is planning for the current levels 
of market uncertainty to continue. It is therefore vital that the 
Group concentrates its efforts on the self-help actions laid out 
in the strategic update in December 2018. These actions, to 
simplify the Group and streamline decision making, will underpin 
performance in the short-term, whilst focusing on advantaged 
trade businesses will enable the Group to take advantage as 
market conditions improve and maximise shareholder value in 
the medium and long-term. 

Stuart Chambers 
Chairman 
25 February 2019

7

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
Simplifying our  
Group to create value

In December 2018 the Group laid out its 
strategic vision to deliver best-in-class 
service to trade customers through 
businesses with clear competitive 
advantages in their markets.

Rationale for change 

The Group’s strategy is designed to deliver profitable growth 
through market outperformance, building on the momentum 
in the Contract Merchanting businesses, the continuing strong 
growth in Toolstation and the reinvigoration of our market-leading 
General Merchanting division.

The Group has delivered good sales growth, with all businesses 
contributing at some point during the five year cycle. The 
consistent contributions from the Group’s Contract Merchanting 

businesses and the ongoing growth of Toolstation are of 
particular note. 

Profits have not grown as fast and the Group has not 
demonstrated the expected operational leverage. This is due  
in part to external reasons including flat market volumes  
and internal factors including cost levels being increased to 
support growth. In the current challenging market environment 
the Group must simplify to increase agility and reduce cost.

Positive long-term drivers  
and short-term challenges

The Group has grown and  
become more complex

Focus on advantaged  
positions in key areas

•  Ageing and underinvested 
building stock in the UK

•  Increasing willingness  

to use trade professionals

•  Strong sales growth over 

the period

•  Profits have not grown at the 

same rate as sales

•  Market disruption from 

•  Costs have grown too  

new entrants

•  EU referendum outcome  
has impacted consumer  
and business confidence

quickly – significant investments 
in a low growth environment

•  Capital allocation has 
proved challenging

•  Portfolio has many businesses 
with #1 or #2 market positions

•  Group needs to be  

more focused

•  Concentrate time  
and capital on  
leadership positions

•  Exploit business scale rather 

than Group scale

The outcome of this is that the Group needs to be more focused: 
on key markets, on leading businesses and on more selective 
opportunities. The Group needs to focus less on extracting 

benefits from the overall size of the Group and instead to ensure 
that the businesses are focused on generating competitive 
advantage based on their own scale.

8

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Our markets

UK annual  
household formation

159k

UK home- 
building shortfall

90k

Average age of UK 
residential property

70
years

Fundamentals 
The fundamental long-term growth drivers of the Group’s 
business remain robust, with a continued shortage of  
housing in the UK and underinvestment in the maintenance and 
improvement of the UK’s existing ageing housing stock. 

Current conditions 
In the short-term market conditions remain uncertain, 
impacting secondary housing market transactions and 
consumer confidence.

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110

105

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95

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-10

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Market channels 
The markets addressed by the Group’s businesses have grown 
at an estimated compound annual rate of 4% over the last five 
years. This growth however can be divided into two periods, 
with significant volume growth from 2013 to mid-2016 as the 
economy recovered from the global financial crisis, followed by a 

2015

2016

2017

2018

Sources: GfK Consumer Confidence Index, HMRC seasonally-adjusted UK property transactions

period with marginal volume growth as the economy slowed after  
the EU Referendum in June 2016.

Within the overall market, the channel mix has changed as 
different models emerge and customer preferences drive change.

Market channel mix

£58bn 

1

2

3

4

5

23% 

4% 

4% 

22% 

28% 

19% 

Retail 

Pure Play Online 

Fixed Price Operators 

General Merchants 

Specialist Merchants 

Direct to site 
via merchant 

Source: Travis Perkins plc 2018 estimates

Anticipated market direction

Where Group businesses operate

Falling given DIY move 
to DIFM and competitor activity 

Limited future gains given recent 
difficulties of some players 

Clearer growth trajectory 

Growth in independents, 
regionals and Travis Perkins 

Clearer growth trajectory 

Remains an important part 
of our addressable market

1

2

3

Retail  

Pure Play Online  

General Merchants  

Specialist Merchants  

4

5

Fixed Price Operators  

Retail 
The proportion of the market supplied 
by retail channels has decreased as 
consumers increasingly prefer ‘Do It 
For Me’ (“DIFM”) solutions and the 
market has been disrupted by the 
impact of the Bunnings purchase 
and disposal of Homebase. In these 
challenging conditions our Wickes 
business has performed well relative 
to its market.

Trade formats 
Offsetting the decline of retail is a 
growth in trade formats, both generalist 
and specialist. Merchant sectors have 
performed well (general, specialist 
and direct to site via merchant), with 
Travis Perkins Group businesses well 
represented. Trade customers continue 
to perform well, with large customers 
in particular providing a slightly larger 
share of sales. 

New models 
New business models have also 
prospered. Fixed Price Operators 
including Toolstation have grown 
impressively and offer enhanced 
propositions to customers, including 
extended hours and extensive ranges 
with high availability and competitive 
fixed pricing.

9

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
Group strategy – clarifying our purpose

Following a comprehensive review the Board concluded that the purpose of the Group is to provide best-in-class service to trade 
customers. To deliver this the Group will focus on serving trade customers through advantaged businesses in attractive markets 
and will simplify the Group to reduce complexity and drive growth in shareholder returns.

Two major themes

Focus on 
the trade

Simplify 
the Group

Developing businesses 
that are well placed to 
win in their markets

Positioning the Group 
for enhanced returns 
and long-term growth

Focus on trade

The heritage of the Travis Perkins Group is serving UK trade 
customers and this represents the majority of the Group’s activity 
today. Generalist and specialist merchants continue to see the 
largest share of industry growth, with returns remaining resilient 
over time. Whilst trade customers are becoming increasingly 
demanding of the quality of service they receive, they still place 
considerable value on a convenient, reliable and competitive 
supply relationship that supports growth of their businesses. 

All of the Group’s businesses serve trade customers to a greater 
or lesser extent. Some are entirely focused on trade customers 
due to the markets and products served (e.g. Keyline and 

Primaflow F&P) and some have a strong majority of  
trade customers but will serve consumers when requested  
(e.g. Travis Perkins). Two businesses are particularly noteworthy: 

•    Toolstation is reported as part of our Consumer division 

today, however Toolstation is a majority trade business with 
approximately 70% of its sales going to trade customers

•    Wickes is a minority trade business with approximately 70% 
of its sales going to non-trade customers. Its sales are evenly 
split three ways, between kitchen and bathroom sales to 
homeowners, DIY sales and trade sales

•  Trade is the Group’s heartland

•  Margins more resilient in trade

•  Trade cycle is more predictable

•  Customers demand competitive 
prices but still recognise value of 
good service

•  DIY customers moving to DIFM: 
trade channels are filling the gap

•  Digital is an untapped opportunity  

in trade markets: potential  
to differentiate

100% trade

Majority
trade

Minority
trade

10

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Delivering best-in-class services to trade customers

The Group is dedicated to delivering fantastic service to our customers and to continuously improving its customer offer to ensure that 
the business continues to grow. 

Deep understanding of customer needs
Significant effort is made to understand and meet customer 
needs. The most important need articulated by our trade 
customers is a deep relationship with their channel of choice. 
This is often a personal relationship but increasingly digital 
relationships are becoming important. The Group will be 
monitoring and listening to customer requirements to ensure 
that their needs continue to be met. Teams that love selling and 
serving customers are vital to the success of the Group. 

Delivery of leading propositions
All elements of the Group’s proposition are subject to continuous 
review to ensure they remain relevant in dynamic markets. 
Value, Range, Service and Convenience are blended in different 
proportions across the Group’s businesses to deliver propositions 
that are market-leading and promote performance ahead of the 
market average. 

Development of advantaged business models
The Group’s businesses generally hold a #1 or #2 position in 
their markets and capitalising on the competitive advantages 
of our businesses is vital to the Group’s economic success. 
This includes: 

•  the empowerment and incentivisation of colleagues and 

businesses to outperform the market

•  leveraging infrastructure to provide nationwide networks and 

optimised supply chains

•  innovations in technology that drive efficiency and accuracy 

The capabilities of the Group deliver a meaningful difference 
across all points of the value chain. 

Optionality around Wickes
In the short-term management is focused on strengthening the 
performance of Wickes in a market environment with significant 
challenges. It is important that Wickes continues to capitalise 
on its clear competitive advantages in the DIY, small trade and 
Kitchen & Bathroom markets, with an aim to return to profitable 
growth. 

As it is a predominantly consumer-focused business, the Board 
will review the options for maximising the value of Wickes in the 
medium-term.

Recovery and response  
to market environment

Capitalise on  
advantaged model

Exploit medium-term  
opportunities

•  Significant competitor disruption, 

•  Best-value price model

especially pricing

•  Ongoing customer shift 

from DIY to DIFM

•  Growing market share of  

fixed price operators

•  Tactical trading  
plan underway

•  Customer base split  

between trade and DIY

•  Efficient network of  
right-sized stores

•  Tight SKU count in store,  
extended online range

•  Digital leadership

•  Advantage as sole provider  
of end-to-end K&B service

•  Use experience to extend  
DIFM service beyond K&B

•  Greater focus on  

customer inspiration

•  Leverage digital strength

•  Extend trade offer

Review of the options to maximise value in the medium-term

11

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Simplifying the Group

Six key priorities

1. Focus on trade

4. More focused capital allocation

2. Divestment of P&H

5. Faster decision making

3. Simpler IT operating model

6. Overhead cost reduction

Simplifying the Group to improve returns

Creating a more focused Group

1. Focusing on trade
Focusing on trade will clarify the purpose of the Group. In 
a challenging market environment, it is important that the 
Group’s purpose is clearly and tightly defined. This will facilitate 
faster decision making and allow prioritisation decisions to be 
made more efficiently, including the allocation of capital to 
businesses which will deliver the strongest returns and enhance 
shareholder value. 

3. Simpler IT operating model

2. Sale of the Plumbing & Heating division
The Plumbing & Heating transformation programme has 
delivered significant success in improving the performance of the 
division, and the Board has decided that this is the right time to 
explore the potential sale of the division. This will facilitate more 
focused management attention and capital deployment in higher 
returning areas of the Group and creates significant opportunities 
to simplify and reduce costs. 

Preparing for divestment requires a substantial amount of separation 
work, with activities expected to be successfully completed in the 
first half of 2019. Close consultation with customers, suppliers 
and colleagues will ensure that this is a smooth process with due 
consideration given to the requirements of all.

Common IT platform underpinning common practices across  
generalist and specialist merchants

Bespoke 
platform

Standalone 
retail system

The Group’s technology strategy is centred on the simplification 
of the IT operating model. This involves aligning the merchanting 
businesses around common practices and shared technology to 
deliver both operational benefits and efficiency. 

Toolstation will remain on the bespoke platform that is central to 
its successful model. Wickes will separate as part of the broader 
strategy and will be based on a standalone retail platform. 

This technology strategy is based on annual IT capital spend of 
£40-50m over the next three years.

12

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Benefits of simplification

4. More focused capital allocation
Capital allocation is a key role of the Group centre. The Group 
has high-performing management teams with plans to grow and 
sustain their businesses, including many investment opportunities 
that are worthy of support. The challenge this presents across a 
broad Group is one of “too many mouths to feed”, and simplifying 
the Group will enable management to act with greater discipline 
in allocating capital to the opportunities with the best strategic fit 
that deliver the highest returns. The priorities are:

•  Continued investment in the Toolstation and specialist 

merchanting businesses

•  Re-allocation of capital within the General Merchant business 
to ensure an efficient and high-performing branch estate 

Overall future capital expenditure will be lower than in recent years.

5. Faster decision making
Clarifying the purpose and reducing the scale of the Group will 
speed up decision making. Closer proximity of management to 
businesses and to the Group’s customers, will make the Group 
more nimble and better able to respond in a dynamic market. 

Improving returns

6. Overhead cost reduction
Significant work was undertaken in 2018 to reduce overheads, 
with annualised cost savings of £20m in General Merchanting 
and £18m in Wickes already announced. These have helped 
to reduce the overhead cost to sales ratio, which increased in 
2016 and 2017 as the Group invested behind a plan predicated 
on a growing economy in a market environment with restricted 
volume growth.

Overhead cost to sales ratio

23.8%

23.3%

23.1%

23.3%

23.5%

23.3%

24.2%

25%

24%

23%

22%

21%

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Simplification of the Group will facilitate further reductions in 
above-branch and distribution costs. The Group is targeting 
additional annualised cost savings of £20–30m . which will 
underpin earnings progression and drive operating cost leverage.

Sales

Profit

Cash flow

•  Continued sales growth in 

Toolstation and the specialist 
merchanting businesses

•  Return to market outperformance 
in General Merchanting as the 
strategy develops, momentum 
builds and selective investments 
are made

•  Stable gross margin at a Group 
level, with modest medium-term 
gross margin decline driven by sales 
mix and some price investment 
offset by the sale of P&H

•  Cost reductions further improve 
the ratio of overheads to sales

•  Sales momentum and operating 
cost leverage create sustainable 
operating profit growth 

•  Disciplined capital expenditure 
that prioritises growth in trade 
businesses and supports 
Toolstation’s expansion

•  Self-funded property investment

•  Stable working capital

•  Significant free cash flow 

generation over the medium-term

Generating returns from property
The Group operates from over 2,000 trading locations and 
successful management of the property portfolio is a core 
capability of the Group. Securing the best sites tailored to 
the specific needs of the Group’s businesses is a key pillar in 
delivering the Group’s strategic objectives.

The expertise in the purchase, development and recycling of 
freehold assets generates considerable value for the Group, with 
investments fully financed by disposals and delivering sustainable 
annual profits of around £20m. 

Property book value to market value

Property NBV
Estimated market value

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

13

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Focus on improving performance

General Merchanting
The General Merchanting division is a powerful driver of profit 
and cash generation within the Group. The management team 
has a clear plan to improve returns by rebalancing decision-
making and empowering branch managers and local sales 
teams. Ensuring branch managers are at the heart of our 

Retuning the engine

merchant business with flexibility on pricing and branch stock 
and lower administrative burdens will enable them to focus more 
closely on the customer and to win in their local market.

A greater focus on effective recycling of capital gives additional 
opportunities to enhance growth and returns.

Winning share in a flat market

Exploit the advantages  
of the merchant business

•  Clear focus on the needs of the general builder: building on existing key relationships  

and delivering services tailored to local requirements

•  Utilise key supply chain and supplier relationship economies of scale

Ensure the right balance 
between central control  
and local empowerment

•  Rebalance the business to ensure quick and efficient decisions are made locally to win  

and retain business

•  Empower branch managers to make the right price and range decisions quickly to ensure  

their customers receive exceptional service and attention 

Address customer  
needs on pricing

•  Improve price perception by investing selectively in key categories and customers
•  Address concerns on price consistency and focus on delivering consistent prices to customers 

across all sales channels

Win a greater share  
of wallet from customers

•  Capitalise on research insight into ‘share of wallet’ trends by customer type to grow through 

smarter ranging, service and pricing

Recycle capital  
to enhance growth

•  Take opportunities to consolidate clustered small branches into trading hubs designed  

to increase local share of business and improve efficiency

•  Recycle capital from the forced closure of the Tilbury range centre into trading space,  

local stocking points and selective credit extension

Rebalancing the business

Central Control

•  Operational and business support
•  Focus on economies of scale  

where achievable

•  Disciplined capital allocation
•  Reduced costs above-branch
•  Efficient operating model

14

Local Empowerment 

•  Branch managers at the heart of merchant 

business – closer to the customer
•  Winning the best builders in town
•  Empowered to make faster decisions  

in the interests of the customer

•  Incentivised to grow sales and profits
•  Encourage flexibility on pricing  

and stock

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Contract Merchanting 

The Contract Merchanting businesses are well placed to continue 
their outstanding performance, growing both sales and returns 
for the Group. Strategic plans build on recent success, enhancing 
the strength of existing customer relationships and specialist 
propositions, sharing best practice between businesses and 

developing a high-performing and efficient branch network. 
Ensuring that product ranges meet customer demands and 
maintaining an excellent level of customer service fulfilment will 
sustain the strong relationships between colleagues, customers 
and suppliers which is key to achieving continued growth.

Customer  
and proposition

•  Focused account 
management

•  Range and depth of stock

•  Civils and drainage focus

•  New customers

•  Leverage technical expertise

•  Account management 

•  ‘Everyday range’ extension

•  Delivery fulfilment – OTIF

•  Heating, Ventilation  
& Air-conditioning

excellence

•  Range extension to insulation 

and fixings

•  New customers

Network

cost sites

•  Relocations to larger, lower 

•  Maintain leadership

•  Selective branch openings

•  Earlier tracking of large projects

•  Digital enhancement to customer journey

•  Improved fleet efficiency

•  Tool hire growth

Best practice

Toolstation 

The Toolstation model has a competitive advantage in its market 
and serves as a platform for growth in the UK and Europe. 
Customer needs are well understood and are met by a leading 
proposition based on value and availability. With the business 

delivering attractive returns and market outperformance,  
the strategy is to continue to invest in network expansion in the 
UK, the development of the newer European businesses and 
continuous improvement of the proposition.

The Toolstation model

Customer need

Proposition

Advantaged model

Value

Range

Service

•  Fixed low prices

•  Price leadership

•  Wide in-shop range
•  Trade quality
•  100% availability

•  12,000 products in store
•  3,000+ online extension
•  c. 98% availability

•  Fast in-store service
•  Online product search
•  Trade credit

•  Serviced in < 3 minutes
•  Online & catalogue
•  Trade credit card

Convenience

•  Long opening hours
•  Delivery flexibility
•  Shops nationwide
•  Click & Collect

•  c. 90 hours per week
•  Free delivery > £10
•  330+ branches
•  C&C time < 10 minutes

Low cost, capital light

•  Small shops

•  Simple fit out

•  Open source IT

•  Unique stock depth

Formulaic efficiency

•  Uniform shop range

•  In shop logistics

•  Auto-replenishment

•  Auto-ranging

•  Intuitive systems

15

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
Chief Executive’s statement

Whilst 2018 has been a challenging year for the Group, with continued 
market uncertainty and a challenging macroeconomic backdrop,  
we have worked extremely hard to take appropriate actions across all 
of our businesses to deliver a good performance. 

John Carter
Chief Executive
25 February 2019

In December we set out the Group’s plan for the coming years 
with two main pillars; focusing on delivering best-in-class-
service to trade customers, and simplifying the Group to reduce 
complexity, speed up decision making and reduce costs. These 
self-help initiatives will enable us to underpin performance 
in the short-term, and position the Group strongly to achieve 
sustainable, profitable growth in the future.

At Travis Perkins we always put the customer at the heart of 
our business, and whilst there are always improvements to be 
made, I am extremely proud of the feedback we receive from our 
customers. This has always been, and will always be, an industry 
built upon strong relationships, and it is key to our ongoing 
success that we retain our focus on delivering excellent service 
for customers, whether through traditional branch channels or 
through our growing digital platforms. 

Our philosophy is very much that it’s our people who make our 
business great, and I, and my fellow leaders across the business, 
are inspired on a daily basis by their commitment and dedication 
to delivering a fantastic service to customers. We continue 
to develop a pipeline of future talent, with our apprenticeship 
scheme giving generally younger people opportunities at every 
level of the business.

Developing this pipeline is vital to the ongoing success of Travis 
Perkins, and I am delighted with the progress we continue to 
make. We are also making progress in improving the diversity 
of our team, with our ‘Workforce with a Difference’ programme 
making positive changes within the Group.

Keeping people safe is a cornerstone of our Group, and we 
continue to make our sites safer for all of our stakeholders. It 
is through the dedicated and rigorous efforts of our business 
leaders, line managers, our colleagues and the Stay Safe function, 
that we are able to report a modest reduction in the number and 
frequency of lost time accidents in 2018. Nevertheless we remain 
totally committed to seeing further and continued improvement 
in this area.

A key focus of 2018 was to set out a refreshed Group strategy for 
the years ahead. At a capital markets event in December 2018 we 
set out a clear plan with two main pillars; to focus on delivering 
best-in-class service to our trade customers, and to simplify the 
Group. Serving the trade is the Group’s heritage, with over 200 

16

years of experience, and traditionally trade markets have been 
proven to be more resilient, and generate higher margins and 
returns. Our trade businesses hold strong positions in attractive 
markets, and we therefore plan to focus management time and 
prioritise capital investment in the highest returning businesses. 

The success of the transformation programme in the Plumbing 
& Heating division has provided the opportunity for the Group to 
explore the disposal of the business during the course of 2019.

Our businesses in 2018 
General Merchanting

I am very pleased with how Travis Perkins performed through  
the year, and is extremely well positioned heading into 2019.  
I would categorise 2018 as a tale of two halves; with the first 
being impacted by both a sustained period of poor weather 
with ‘the Beast from the East’, and a higher cost base driven 
by inflationary pressures and investments we have made, 
particularly the additional cost to offer the Heavyside Range 
Centre proposition to customers across all branches in England 
and Wales. In the second half the benefits of some of the 
self-help initiatives began to come through, with savings made 
through greater efficiency in the distribution network and the 
streamlining of some central functions. This focus on managing 
costs ensured that Travis Perkins showed positive profit growth 
period on period in the second half of 2018.

As we look into 2019 I am confident that we can build on the 
investments we have made to improve the business in recent 
years, with the aim of growing sales ahead of the market. We 
will achieve this by increasing local empowerment of the branch 
manager and sales teams, enabling faster decision making closer 
to the local customer base – what we call “winning the best 
builders in town”. 

Our kitchen distribution business, Benchmarx, had a challenging 
first half of the year, mainly due to competitive pricing pressure, 
but performance improved in the second half of the year, with our 
strongest ever promotional campaign in October.

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Plumbing & Heating

The transformation programme has excelled in 2018 with 
growth across all three main channels; the branch network, the 
wholesale business and the specialist online businesses. Strong 
sales growth, with significant market share gains, combined with 
tight control of costs has resulted in excellent profit growth year 
on year. Building on the network restructuring work completed 
in 2015, the transformation team have made significant 
improvements to the customer proposition, with broader branch 
stock range, improved product availability and the modernisation 
of ranges in the Bathroom Showroom network. 

We announced in December 2018 that we believe it is the right 
time to explore the divestment of the P&H division during the 
course of 2019. Significant work has already been completed to 
separate the business from the Group, and this work should be 
completed in the first half of 2019. 

Contracts
Our Contracts division delivered another year of excellent trading 
performance, with all three businesses, Keyline, BSS and CCF, taking 
market share and improving profits. Following a challenging start 
to the year, with significant uncertainty caused by the collapse of 
Carillion, the division rebounded well despite the market uncertainty.

The success of the Contracts division is built on the foundations 
of the understanding of customer requirements, and the laser-
like focus on delivering a market leading service. There is a 
philosophy of continuous improvement, with trials of new and 
innovative ways of supporting and working with our customers, 
and a constant drive to improve efficiency.

The commercial construction market has a later cycle than some 
of our markets, but the order book for 2019 remains robust. The 
Contracts businesses have done a great job in diversifying their 
end markets in recent years, growing revenues in infrastructure, 
residential house building and industrial projects, and I am 
certain that our Contracts businesses will continue to significantly 
outperform the market and produce profitable growth in 2019.

Main image: Alan Copperwheat – Travis Perkins, Tool Hire

Consumer
Wickes had a challenging year, as a result of uncertainty in the wider 
macro environment, declining consumer confidence and intense 
competitive pricing pressure. The management team did an excellent 
job of managing the cost base, and the turnaround in performance in the 
second half of the year was extremely pleasing. The recovery in trading 
in the second half of the year, particularly in Kitchen & Bathrooms, 
drove profit growth year on year in the second half of the year, and I am 
confident that we can continue to improve the performance of Wickes to 
create options to maximise value over the medium-term. 

Toolstation UK has had another extremely successful year with double 
digit revenue and like-for-like sales growth. We opened our 335th 
store, a third distribution centre to give capacity for 500 stores, and 
we plan to open up to 60 further stores in 2019. We are also working 
hard to improve the proposition, increase the extended range available 
online and the number of trade brands stocked in store. We launched 
a trade credit card to extend credit to smaller trade customers and 
launched a new website in December 2018. 

The years ahead
I feel truly blessed to be in my 41st year working with this amazing 
company and having such fantastic people around me, be it at the 
branches, head offices, distribution centres or anywhere else in the 
Group. I have seen significant change in the Group during my time, 
but one thing has always remained; our unending commitment to 
understand and serve our customers in the best way possible. I 
again thank all our colleagues for their hard work and contributions 
towards the Group’s performance.

The current market uncertainty is likely to continue and it is 
therefore vital that the Group concentrates on self-help to underpin 
performance in the near-term, and to build a strong foundation for 
when market conditions improve. The fundamental drivers of the 
Group’s end markets remain robust, and our strategic plan to focus 
on the trade and to simplify the Group will help us to generate the 
greatest value for our shareholders over the long-term.

John Carter 
Chief Executive 
25 February 2019

17

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
Performance review

Key performance indicators (KPIs)

The Group tracks its performance using two operating KPIs, four financial KPIs and one funding target that the Board believes are key 
indicators of progress against the Group’s 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 the financial performance section on pages 28 to 31. These 
include non-GAAP measures, the derivation of which is shown in the notes to the financial statements referenced in the heading to each 
measure. Where the Group’s KPI is based on a non-GAAP measure, rather than its GAAP equivalent, this is because in the Directors’ 
view the non-GAAP measure provides a better indicator of the performance of the underlying business.

Operating key performance indicators

Adjusted operating profit

Like-for-like sales growth

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

2014 

£375m 

£380m 

£409m 

£413m 

£384m

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

2014 

4.9%

3.3% 

2.7% 

3.8% 

7.3% 

Definition (note 2a)
Profit before tax, financing charges and income, amortisation of 
acquired intangibles and adjusting items.

Definition (note 1b)
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. 

Reason
Operating profit is adjusted to exclude non-trading items, such as 
adjusting items and the amortisation of other intangible assets arising 
on the acquisition of a business, so management can monitor the 
Group’s underlying trading performance.

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. 

Funding key performance indicator

Leverage ratio

2.7x 

2.7x 

2.7x 

2.8x 

2.8x 

Definition (note 24b)
The ratio of lease adjusted net debt to earnings before tax, 
interest, depreciation, amortisation, property lease rentals and 
adjusting 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  2.5x.

Target 2.5x

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

2014 

18

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
 
Financial key performance indicators

Lease adjusted return on capital employed*†

Free cash flow 

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

2014 

10.5% 

10.7% 

11.3% 

 12.1% 

12.3% 

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

2014 

£340m 

£407m 

£436m 

£317m 

£255m

Definition (note 25)
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. 

Definition (note 22)
Net cash flow before dividends, growth capital expenditure, 
pension deficit repair contributions, adjusting cash flows and 
financing cash flows.

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.

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

Adjusted earnings per share*

Fixed charge cover 

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

2014 

114.5p 

110.4p 

120.4p 

124.1p 

119.0p 

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

2014 

3.2x 

3.1x 

3.3x 

3.3x 

3.2x 

Target 3.5x

Definition (note 18b)
Profit after tax, adjusted to exclude the effects of amortisation 
and adjusting items, divided by the weighted average number of 
shares in issue during the period.

Definition (note 24c)
The ratio of earnings after adding back property lease rentals, 
but before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and adjusting 
items, to finance charges plus property lease rentals.

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.

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

*KPIs used in determining elements of Directors’ remuneration, details of which are set out on pages 72 to 89.
†Prior year ratios are restated to include the 2018 impairment of Wickes and Tile Giant goodwill (note 27) for comparability purposes.

19

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
Business performance

The Group produced a solid performance in 2018 against a market 
backdrop of considerable uncertainty. Sales growth was strong,  
with overall growth of 4.8% to £6,741m, and growth of 4.9% on  
a like-for-like basis. The Group continued the exceptional growth 
in the Contracts businesses and Toolstation throughout the year, 
outperforming their end markets. 

The successful transformation in Plumbing & Heating delivered 
significant sales growth, winning market share through the branch 
network, the wholesale business and through the specialist online 
businesses. Sales and operating profit improved in the General 
Merchanting division in H2 and whilst the UK DIY market was 
particularly challenging due to both macro and competitive 
pressures, the Wickes business performance also improved in 
the second half of the year.

Group adjusted operating profit, excluding property, declined by 
1.3%, with an 11.5% decline in the first half of the year followed 
by growth of 10.7% in the second half. Operating profit 
progression in the second half of the year was driven by the 
improved trading performance and the successful cost reduction 
actions carried out, primarily in the General Merchanting division 
and Wickes, which reduced the overhead cost to sales ratio 
below recent years and helped to mitigate overhead inflationary 
pressure in the year.

The Group demonstrated good cash generation in 2018, with free 
cash flow of £340m. Net debt increased modestly by  
£12m to £354m, primarily due to working capital investment in 
the year.

The Board recommends full year dividend of 47.0p (2017: 46.0p), 
reflecting the Board’s confidence in the future cash generation 
and prospects of the Group.

Strategic progress
At a Capital Markets event in December 2018, the Group set 
out its strategy for the years ahead with two main pillars. The 
core purpose of the Group will be to deliver best-in-class service 
to trade customers. Supplying trade customers is the Group’s 
traditional heartland, with the trade markets typically being more 
resilient and generating higher margins and returns. The second 
pillar is to focus on simplifying the Group to reduce business 
complexity, reduce the above-branch cost base and speed up 
decision making.

20

Changes to Group structure
Through simplification, the Group expects to achieve cost 
reduction of £20m–£30m from the above-branch cost base  
by mid-2020. A number of actions were initiated towards this 
target in Q4 2018 which will deliver c.£5m of the annualised 
benefits in 2019.

A key component of the simplification of the Group is the 
removal of the existing divisional structure above the Merchanting 
businesses which will reduce costs and speed up decision making. 
Central functions will be streamlined to support businesses directly, 
enabling branch managers and their teams to provide the best 
possible service to customers.

The revised structure will alter how the businesses are managed 
and reported. From 2019, the Group will report under the following 
segments: Merchanting, Toolstation, Retail and Plumbing & Heating.

The Group’s Merchant businesses, which focus on close trade 
customer relationships and offering customer-specific pricing 
and product sourcing tailored to local customer demands, will be 
grouped for reporting purposes, but will be managed as individual 
businesses, placing decision making as close as possible to 
the customer. 

Toolstation will remain as an autonomous business within 
the Group. It will be reported separately from the Retail 
segment to reflect that it is predominantly a fixed price, trade 
customer business.

Wickes and Tile Giant will be reported as a Retail segment,  
with a different operating model from the merchant businesses,  
with fixed ranges, and a fixed, national price framework.  
The retail businesses primarily target retail consumers, both 
through traditional methods and increasingly by providing  
end-to-end Do-It-For-Me services from design to installation, 
particularly in Kitchens and Bathrooms. 

In December 2018, the Group announced its intention to divest 
the P&H division during the course of 2019, and significant work 
has been undertaken to separate the P&H businesses from the 
remainder of the Group. These actions include separation of 
commercial agreements, creating designated back office support 
functions and creating a P&H specific version of the existing  
IT platform. This work should be completed during Q2 2019.

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018S

t
r
a
t
e
g
c

i

r
e
p
o
r
t

Ian Sharkey - Travis Perkins, Warrington

21

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
2019 reporting structure

Merchants

Toolstation

Retail

Plumbing & Heating

Trade focused businesses

Seeking disposal in 2019 

Outlook
The long-term drivers of market growth remain favourable, 
supported by the ongoing requirement for more homes in the 
UK, and the underinvestment in the repair, maintenance and 
improvement (RMI) of existing dwellings and infrastructure. 
In the near-term, however, considerable economic uncertainty 
remains, which is driving the current mixed backdrop of market 
lead indicators. Levels of mortgage approvals and housing 
transactions remain subdued, house price growth is inconsistent 
across the UK and depressed consumer confidence continues 
to put pressure on wider retail sales figures across many UK 
consumer-facing markets. 

Investments made in the business in recent years have 
created a market-leading customer proposition which will drive 
outperformance of the market. In the short-term, the Group is 
focusing on self-help initiatives which will underpin performance, 
and position the Group strongly for the future.

At this early stage in the year, and given current market 
uncertainty, the Group expects adjusted operating profit in  
2019 to be similar to 2018. 

The Group will continue to prioritise investment in future 
growth opportunities such as Toolstation, with progress on cost 
reduction activities mitigating inflationary pressures on rent, rates 
and wages. 

Technical guidance

The Group’s technical guidance for 2019 is as follows:

•  Effective tax rate of 19%

•  Finance charges similar to 2018

•  Capital expenditure, excluding freehold property investments,  

of around £110m to £130m

•  Property profits of around £20m

•  Progressive dividend underpinned by strong cash generation

•  H1 / H2 EBITA split more normalised in 2019

This guidance has been given before the impact of IFRS 16. For 
details of the impact of IFRS 16 on the 2018 results, please refer 
to note 39.

22

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Divisional performance
General Merchanting

2018

2017

Change

Total revenue

£2,137m £2,109m

1.3%

Like-for-like growth

1.4%

1.2%

0.2ppt

Adjusted operating profit*

£179m

£183m

(2.2)%

reduced by 30 basis points in the year as a whole, driven by the 
higher cost base and the impact of sustained poor weather in H1, 
offset by a 50bp H2 on H2 improvement in operating margin.

For Benchmarx the market environment was particularly 
challenging in the first half of the year, with a tougher macro 
backdrop and competitor pricing pressure. This pressure eased in 
H2, with volumes returning to growth and the strongest ever  
Big Bang promotional event in October.

Adjusted operating margin*

8.4%

8.7%

(30)bps

Operational performance

LAROCE

Branch network

12%

837

12%

849

-

(12)

* Divisional adjusted operating profit figures are presented excluding property profits

Financial performance

Total revenue grew by 1.3% in the year, and by 1.4% on a 
like-for-like basis. Growth was driven by pass through of cost 
price inflation of 2.8%, offset by a modest decline in volume. 
Regionally, the South East was most heavily impacted by the 
challenging macro environment, with declining house prices 
and significantly lower secondary housing transactions. Volume 
trends were stronger in H2 following significant weather impacts 
on volume in the first half. 

Adjusted operating profit declined by 2.2% in the year, but with 
differing performance half-on-half. In the first half, the business 
was impacted by an increase in the cost base, driven by inflation 
on wages, rent, rates and utilities, and also by investments in 
the business including the additional cost to offer the Heavyside 
Range Centre service throughout the TP branch network in 
England and Wales. In the second half, there was a concerted 
focus on controlling and reducing costs, with savings made 
through greater efficiency in the distribution network, streamlining 
central functions and some branch consolidation. These cost 
savings, together with the stronger volume trends, drove year-on-
year profit growth in the second half of 8.1%.

Gross margins were stable across the year, despite stronger 
growth in sales to large, lower margin customers, and with the 
selective price investments in dedicated categories in 2017 
showing a positive impact on volumes. Adjusted operating margin 

Four new Travis Perkins branches were opened in the year, plus 
one added through acquisition, and an additional three Managed 
Services sites. This was offset by 19 closures, including eight 
Managed Services sites at the end of fixed term contracts.  
The remaining branch closures focused on consolidation of the 
network as part of ongoing estate management, with smaller 
branches closed and resources and customer relationships 
moved to larger local branches with a very encouraging transfer 
of sales. Three branches were refitted to the modern format,  
with a further four relocated to more optimal trading sites  
within their catchments.

The process to devolve more power to branch managers is 
underway, with initial communications being well received and 
work being undertaken to streamline central support services 
enabling branch colleagues to spend more time with customers. 
In addition, improvements are being made to branch stock 
ranges, with more products specified for local customers in the 
right quantities, particularly for heavy building materials.

Planned changes to the delivery of the extended heavyside range 
proposition in the South East are underway, in response to the 
operational issues at the Tilbury HRC. A combination of local  
stock investment and management, together with regional 
transport planning will ensure customers retain access to the 
proposition, and will reduce the cost burden to the business in  
the medium-term. 

23
23

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Contracts

2018

2017

Change

Total revenue

£1,472m £1,369m

7.5%

Like-for-like growth

7.0%

8.4%

(1.4)ppt

Adjusted operating profit*

£94m

£86m

9.3%

At this early stage in the year, whilst the order book for 2019 
remains robust, the Group remains cautious on the outlook 
for commercial construction, and continues to look out for any 
changing dynamics in the market.

LAROCE increased to 15%, driven by higher profitability 
on a similar capital base.

Adjusted operating margin*

6.4%

6.3%

10bps

Operational performance

LAROCE

Branch network

15%

164

14%

169

1ppt

(5)

* Divisional adjusted operating profit figures are presented excluding property profits

Financial performance

Strong revenue growth continued in the Contracts division, 
growing 7.5% in total, and by 7.0% on a like-for-like basis. Sales 
growth was good across all three businesses, with price growth 
of 4.5% to mitigate input cost inflation and 2.5% volume growth 
reflecting continued market share gains. After a difficult start to 
the year in Q1, with markets suffering uncertainty following the 
collapse of Carillion, the division maintained a strong like-for-like 
growth rate throughout the remainder of the year.

Adjusted operating profit grew by 9.3% to £94m. Gross margin 
declined modestly in the year, reflecting a shift in customer mix, 
with stronger sales growth to larger customers. This was more 
than offset by tight control of costs, continued success from 
ongoing activities to improve efficiency, and operating leverage 
which improved overall adjusted operating margin to 6.4%.

The Tool Hire business delivered a strong performance in the 
year as it continues to mature, with 17% growth in revenue. 

Network developments continue in Keyline as the business aims 
to relocate and consolidate branches into lower cost sites, and 
providing fit-for-purpose branches for customers and colleagues. 
In 2018, eight branches were closed (including one transferred 
to the Travis Perkins brand), with two new, low cost branches 
opened.

The acquisition of TF Solutions in 2017 added air conditioning 
systems to the product range. The business generated 
outstanding growth of over 30%. A fourth TF Solutions branch 
was opened in 2018 and another branch was extended. 

The focus on outstanding customer service continued, with a 
trial in two branches to give customers transparency of their 
delivery fulfilment. Feedback was excellent, and further work will 
be completed to develop the offering in 2019. A Work Winning 
initiative is also in place to make sure we deliver the right service 
to the right customer, differentiating customer needs and 
providing a tailored service that is valued by customers.

A unique efficient driver bonus scheme was implemented, which 
has led to a 1% reduction in diesel usage across the Contracts 
delivery fleet. This is a significant saving for businesses where the 
vast majority of sales are delivered, and sharing the benefits with 
drivers has driven a change in culture across the division. 

24

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Consumer

2018

2017

Change

Total revenue

£1,604m £1,589m

0.9%

Like-for-like growth

(1.3)%

3.0%

(4.3)ppt

Adjusted operating profit*

£69m

£82m

(15.9)%

Adjusted operating margin*

4.3%

5.2%

(90)bps

understand, and is improving customer loyalty, helping to support 
core sales through 2018. In 2019 the digital experience for trade 
customers will be enhanced, giving access to the discount for 
online transactions to drive higher participation.

A further 24 store refits were completed in 2018, bringing  
the total number of stores in the modern format to 121.  
The proportion of kitchens sold with a full installation service 
increased to 54% (up from 44% in 2017), reflecting the high-
quality turnkey service provided to end customers. 

LAROCE**

Branch network***

7%

712

8%

666

(1)ppt

46

Toolstation

Financial performance

* Divisional adjusted operating profit figures are presented excluding property profits

**LAROCE calculations exclude property profits from the EBITA figure (2017 figure 
restated on this basis)

***Branch network includes 40 stores relating to Toolstation Europe  
(2017: 23 Stores), an associate of the Group

Toolstation revenue grew by 18% in 2018, and by 11.4% on a 
like-for-like basis. Sales growth was driven by the continued 
expansion of the store network, existing stores continuing to 
mature, and through the extended ranges available to customers 
on a next-day basis. 

Wickes 

Financial performance

Wickes revenues declined by 2.5% in 2018, and by 4.4% on a 
like-for-like basis. The UK DIY market environment has been 
extremely challenging, driven by the wider macro environment, 
with declining consumer confidence, and through competitive 
pricing pressure. The first half was particularly difficult, with 
poor weather conditions in March and April impacting the Easter 
trading period. 

The negative sales impact was felt across the business, but with 
Kitchen & Bathroom (K&B) showroom sales being hard hit in H1, 
partially in response to the poor promotional period in Q4 2017 
and also reflecting a challenging retail environment. Delivered 
K&B sales reduced by 10% in H1. 

In the second half of the year, K&B “leads activity” strengthened 
in response to improved promotional activity in Wickes, and 
through competitor decisions to exit the design and install service 
for end-consumers. This activity began to develop into improved 
sales in Q4, and sets the business up well heading into 2019. 
Selective price investments in specific core DIY categories, 
combined with early signs of the competitive price pressure 
easing, helped to drive positive sales growth in H2, with an 
encouraging trend throughout Q4.

Adjusted operating profit declined by 19% in the year, but this 
was split between a 39% decline in H1, followed by 15% growth 
in H2. This recovery can be attributed mainly to the level of 
cost reduction that was achieved in the year, with significant 
reductions in central support service, reduction in shrinkage 
and efficiency gains in the distribution network, as well as the 
improved trading in Q4.

Gross margins declined in the year, driven by sales mix, as 
K&B sales declined more than core sales in H1, and due to the 
competitive pricing environment. This was more than offset in 
H2 by the cost reduction actions that were taken to reduce the 
overhead burden on the business.

Operational performance

The Wickes TradePro scheme was launched 18 months ago, 
and has been well received by customers. Giving a 10% discount 
on all purchases, it is a simple mechanism for customers to 

Adjusted operating profit was broadly flat year-on-year,  
as anticipated, as additional volume growth was offset by 
investment in the higher operating costs associated with the  
40 additional stores and a new distribution centre which will 
support further network expansion. 

Gross margin was unchanged, despite maintaining Toolstation’s 
value leadership position.

Operational performance

An additional 4,000 products were added to the range, with 
a key focus on trade relevant ranges, with an extra 58 trade 
brands added, contributing over £25m of additional sales. The 
product range available for next-day delivery or dropship was 
also extended, with categories including bathrooms, garden sheds 
and radiators. A trade credit card was launched in 2018 providing 
small trade customers with access to up to 116 days of credit on 
purchases in Toolstation and other Travis Perkins brands.

Development of IT systems continued, with a new EPOS system 
implemented in store, and a new website launched in December 
2018, alongside providing 6 day deliveries to customers. 
Multichannel transactions increased by over 30%, with strong 
growth in click and collect, and the new website has improved 
conversion rates by over 1%.

A third distribution centre was opened, increasing capacity to over 
500 stores. 40 new stores were opened in 2018, including the 
successful trials of smaller format and high street concepts, with 
branch performance in line with growth expectations. 

Toolstation Europe
The expansion of Toolstation Europe continued, with 12 stores 
opened in the Netherlands taking the total to 32, and supported 
by a new distribution centre. Growth characteristics for both 
stores and online are extremely encouraging, and mirroring the 
experience of the UK business.

A further 5 stores were added to the network around Lyon in 
France, bringing the trial up to 8 in total and developing brand 
recognition with local trade customers. The Belgian website 
continues to develop well, and some trial stores will be added in 
2019, to be serviced from the Dutch distribution centre.

25

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Plumbing & Heating

2018

2017

Change

Operational performance

Total revenue

£1,528m £1,366m

11.9%

Like-for-like growth

16.1%

2.1%

14.0ppt

Adjusted operating profit*

£39m

£31m

25.8%

Adjusted operating margin*

2.6%

2.3%

30bps

LAROCE

Branch network

11%

377

9%

391

2ppt

(14)

* Divisional adjusted operating profit figures are presented excluding property profits

Financial performance

The transformation programme in the Plumbing & Heating 
division was highly successful in 2018, generating total revenue 
growth of 11.9%, and growth of 16.1% on a like-for-like basis. 
Growth was strong across the division, through the branch 
network, wholesale business and the specialist online businesses.

Adjusted operating profits increased by 25.8% to £39m, 
reflecting both the improved trading performance and tight 
control of the cost base, which benefited from the branch 
closures carried out in late 2017 and from combining and 
simplifying management and support team structures. This 
improved cost performance offset a modest reduction in gross 
margins, primarily driven by the change in business mix, with 
strong wholesale revenues and increased promotional activity to 
underpin the proposition in branches.

LAROCE increased by 2ppt to 11% reflecting the higher 
profits on a stable capital base.

Improvements to branch stock range and depth, and increasing 
product availability through the supply chain to 98% has 
improved credibility with customers. A catalogue with 12,000 
SKUs was launched, broadening customer awareness of the 
ranges available, and providing visible, competitive pricing. A 
trial to introduce a greater range of electrical products across 13 
branches, reflecting the increasing role of electrical work required 
within domestic plumbing projects was successful, and further 
implants are planned for 2019.

Bathroom Showroom ranges have been modernised and updated 
across the 240-branch showroom network, combined with a 
more focused drive to interact with end customers.

The Specialist online businesses continued to grow strongly, 
particularly the Underfloor Heating Store, Direct Heating Spares 
and National Shower Spares businesses. The City Plumbing 
Supplies online transactional website continues to grow after its 
launch in July 2017. 

Significant work has been undertaken to separate the P&H 
businesses from the remainder of the Group. These actions 
include separation of commercial agreements, creating 
designated back office support functions and creating  
a P&H specific instance of the existing IT platform. This work 
should be completed during Q2 2019.

26
26

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Central costs
Unallocated central costs remained broadly unchanged in 2018, at £33m (2017: £31m). Investment continues in developing 
the Group’s IT capabilities and digital platforms, in particular the new ERP system for the Merchant businesses.

Property transactions
The Group continues to recycle its freehold property portfolio to provide the best trading locations for its businesses, 
whilst managing the level of capital allocated to owning and developing freehold sites. 

Ten new freehold sites were purchased in 2018 at an investment of £38m (2017: £41m), with a further £10m of construction 
costs to develop sites ready for trading (2017: £20m). These investments were fully funded in the year by property disposals of £98m, 
which also generated property profits of £27m.

Andrew Gearey - Toolstation, Banbury

27

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial performance

Revenue

Group revenue grew by 4.8% in 2018, and by 4.9% on a like-for-like basis, primarily driven by the strong growth in the Plumbing & Heating 
and Contracts divisions and the Toolstation business, partially offset by the challenges faced by the Wickes business in the first nine 
months of the year.

Volume, price and mix analysis

Total revenue growth (%)

Volume

Price and mix

Like-for-like revenue growth

Network expansion and acquisitions

Total revenue growth

General 
Merchanting

Plumbing  
& Heating

Contracts

Consumer

Group

(1.4)

2.8

1.4

(0.1)

1.3

13.3

2.8

16.1

(4.2)

11.9

2.5

4.5

7.0

0.5%

7.5

(2.0)

0.7%

(1.3)

2.2%

0.9

2.2

2.7

4.9

(0.1)

4.8

The continued expansion of the Toolstation network was offset by the branch closures in P&H in 2017. There was no difference in the 
number of trading days in 2018 compared to 2017. The Group maintained its stance to recover input cost inflation across the trade-focused 
businesses in 2018, with overall price inflation across the Group of 2.7%. The highest inflation was experienced in the Contracts division 
where commodity price inflation had the most concentrated impact, but this tempered over the course of the year.

Pricing in the UK DIY market was extremely competitive through the year, with Wickes making targeted investments in price in certain 
categories to drive volume. This was successful, particularly in core categories in the fourth quarter of the year, but had a detrimental 
impact on gross margins. The competitive pressures began to ease towards the end of 2018 and market pricing became more rational.

Quarterly like-for-like revenue analysis

Like-for-like revenue growth (%)

General 
Merchanting

Plumbing  
& Heating

Contracts

Consumer

Group

Q1 2018

Q2 2018

Q3 2018

Q4 2018

H1 2018

H2 2018

FY 2018

(1.3)

3.0

1.3

2.8

0.6

2.0

1.4

19.7

20.1

14.8

12.0

19.8

12.9

16.1

0.9

9.5

8.9

8.8

5.1

8.9

7.0

(4.6)

(3.1)

(4.2)

5.6

(4.2)

1.0

(1.3)

3.0

5.9

4.1

6.9

4.2

5.5

4.9

The quarterly like-for-like sales trend across the Group shows the impact of the severe weather in the first quarter, which negatively 
impacted General Merchanting, Contracts, Wickes and Toolstation, but supplied a modest boost to P&H.

28

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating profit and margin

£m

General Merchanting

Plumbing & Heating

Contracts

Consumer

Property

Unallocated costs

Adjusted operating profit

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

Adjusting items

Operating (loss) / profit

2018

179

39

94

69

27

(33)

375

(10)

(387)

(22)

Change

(2.2)%

25.8%

9.3%

(15.9)%

(6.9)%

6.5%

(1.3)%

2017

183

31

86

82

29

(31)

380

 (12)

(41)

327

Adjusting items

Earnings per share

Adjusting items in 2018 were £387m, including £252m of 
goodwill impairment in Wickes and Tile Giant. A full breakdown 
of adjusting items is included in note 3.

Finance charge
Net finance charges, shown in note 6, were £24m (2017: £35m). 
While interest costs on borrowings were broadly unchanged 
from 2017 at £24m, interest received was higher in the year at 
£2.4m, reflecting higher rates earned on higher average cash 
balances and interest received on the investment made in 
Toolstation Europe. 

The impact of marking-to-market currency forward contracts 
outstanding at 31 December 2018 was a gain of £1.8m 
(2017: charge of £2.9m). These contracts are used to hedge 
commercial currency transactions. 

Net interest on the pension deficit decreased by £2.3m due to a 
lower valuation of the pension liability.

Taxation

The tax charge for the year ended 31 December 2018  
including the effect of adjusting items is £34.1m (2017: £55.7m). 
This represents an effective tax rate (ETR) of negative 69.2% 
(2017: positive 19.2%).

The tax charge for the year before adjusting items is £58.2m 
(2017: £63.5m) giving an adjusted ETR of 17.3% (standard rate 
19%, 2017 actual: 19.2%). The adjusted ETR rate is lower than the 
standard rate due to the release during the year of tax provisions 
held for uncertain tax positions that have now been agreed with 
HMRC, partially offset by a reduced deferred tax asset related to 
employee share schemes following a decline in the share price 
in 2018.

The impairment of goodwill of £252.1m included in the financial 
statements as an adjusting item does not attract a tax deduction 
and so does not affect the tax charge for the period.

The Group reported a loss after taxation of £84m (2017: profit 
after tax of £234m) resulting in a basic loss per share of 34.4 
pence (2017: earnings per share of 93.1 pence). The reduction is 
primarily due to the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets 
in the Wickes business by £246m in 2018. There is no significant 
difference between basic and diluted basic earnings per share. 

Adjusted profit after tax increased by 3.3% to £285m (2017: 
£276m) resulting in adjusted earnings per share (note 18b) 
increasing by 3.7% to 114.5 pence (2016: 110.4 pence). There is 
no significant difference between adjusted basic and adjusted 
diluted earnings per share.

Reconciliation of reported to adjusted earnings

£m
Basic (loss) / earnings and EPS 
attributable to shareholders
Plumbing & Heating division 
transformation

Restructuring costs

IT-related impairment charge 

Pension related items 

Loss on disposal of BPT 
Impairment of Wickes and Tile 
Giant goodwill 

Adjusting items
Amortisation of acquired 
intangibles
Tax on amortisation  
of acquired intangibles

Tax on adjusting items

Adjusted earnings

2018

2017

Earnings

Earnings

(86)

45

59

16

5

10

252

387

10

(1)

(24)

285

233

41

-

-

-

-

-

41

12

(2)

(8)

276

29

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Cash flow and balance sheet 

Free cash flow

Capital investments

The Group generated good free cash flow of £340m, at a cash 
conversion rate of 91%. 

£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

Tax paid

Free cash flow

Underlying cash conversion rate

2018

375

138

72

(107)

(57)

(26)

(55)

340

91%

2017

380

130

83

(54)

(48)

(27)

(57)

407

107%

The primary driver of the year-on-year change in cash generation 
is the increase in net working capital. Around two-thirds of this 
difference can be attributed to trade-related net working capital, 
with growth in the customer debtor book moving in line with the 
growth in sales in the trade-focused merchant businesses, and 
higher inventory resulting from stock build activities ahead of the 
UK leaving the EU at the end of March 2019.

An increase in non-trade related net working capital was primarily 
driven by higher rebate receivables, impacted by both higher 
sales and the phasing of payments over the year end.

The Group has not seen an appreciable change in its bad debt 
rate year-on-year, which remains at 0.4% of trade credit sales. 
There has been some disruption in the construction industry 
through the course of 2018, and the Group continues to support 
customers with tailored payment plans as required, and remains 
vigilant for any signs of payment practices changing over time.

Maintenance capex increased modestly to £57m, reflecting the 
timing of vehicle replacements across the Group.

The Group continues to make investments to deliver a new  
ERP system to support the Group’s merchant businesses.  
The initial launch of the new platform into the BSS business has 
been delayed until the autumn of 2019 in order for the scope 
of the programme to be extended to include a number of the 
applications used by the Group’s businesses which need to 
link into the new system. Reducing the total number of linked 
applications requires more work in the near-term, and will extend 
the overall programme by around one year, but will mitigate 
significant risk in the implementation phase of the project.

£m

Maintenance

IT

Growth capex

Base capital expenditure

Freehold property

Gross capital expenditure

Property disposals

Net capital expenditure

2018

2017

57

42

44

143

48

191

(107)

84

48

49)

69

166

61

227

(114)

113

Growth capex spend of £44m was lower than in 2017 (£69m), 
as expected, and reflects a tighter approach to investing new 
capital during a period where market volume growth is weak. 
Growth capex was focused on the Group’s main growth priorities, 
in particular the continued expansion of the Toolstation network 
in the UK, with a further 40 stores opened. A small number of 
new Travis Perkins branches were opened, but mainly focused on 
relocation or consolidation of existing branches. The refitting of 
Travis Perkins branches and Wickes stores continued, albeit at a 
slower rate.

New property purchases were lower in 2018, with purchases 
focused on sites that will be strategically important in the  
long-term. Property disposals continued, with £98m received  
in the year. The Group has now disposed of nearly all of the  
retail sites as the risk of significant rent inflation in a challenging 
UK retail environment is low.

30

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Net debt and funding

Net debt of £354m at 31 December 2018 was a modest increase 
of £12m from the end of December 2017, reflecting the good 
cash generation and tighter control on capital investment. 

At 31 December 2017 the Group’s committed funding of  
£1,100m 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. 

As at 31 December 2018, the Group had undrawn committed 
facilities of £550m (2017: £550m) and cash on deposit of 
£190m (2017: £215m). 

In January 2019, the Group agreed a new revolving credit facility, 
replacing the previous £550m facility. The new agreement 
provides committed funding of £400m until January 2024 from 
a syndicate of eight banks, with options in place to extend funding 
to £550m if required, and two one-year extension options to be 
exercised in Q1 2020 and Q1 2021. This refinancing process was 
completed early in order to remove the potential refinancing risk 
surrounding the UK’s exit from the EU.

The Group’s credit rating, issued by Standard and Poors, was 
maintained at BB+ stable following its review in April 2018. 

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 took a decision in 2016 
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 2018. 

The Group’s lease debt reduced modestly, down £46m from  
the end of 2017. Overall branch numbers increased modestly in 
the year from 2,076 to 2,091; while the Group reduced the overall 
number of merchanting branches, the number of Toolstation 
units grew. These units are typically smaller with shorter 
lease terms.

Lease-adjusted net debt modestly reduced compared with 
31 December 2017 as the lower lease obligations offset the 
modestly higher net debt position.

Lease adjusted gearing (note 23) increased by 1.1ppts in 2018 
to 43.7%, primarily due to the write off of goodwill in the Wickes 
business, which has reduced the lease adjusted equity through 
the course of the year. 

The Group’s fixed charge cover ratio (note 24c) rose to 3.2x, with 
broadly stable earnings on a lower interest charge, with broadly 
stable rent charge. The LA net debt / EBITDAR ratio (note 24b) 
was stable year on year, at 2.7x.

Net debt

Lease debt

Lease adjusted net debt

Lease adjusted gearing

Fixed charge cover (medium-term target: 3.5x)

LA net debt to EBITDAR (medium-term target: 2.5x)

Dividend

2018

£354m

£1,479m

£1,833m

43.7%

3.2x

2.7x

2017

£342m

£1,525m

£1,867m

42.6%

3.1x

2.7x

Change

£12m

£(46)m

£(34)m

1.1ppt

0.1x

-

At the Capital Markets event in December 2018 the Group reiterated its commitment to a progressive dividend policy, which is 
supported by the Board’s confidence in the Group’s expected future cash flow generation. The proposed dividend for the full 
year 2018 of 47.0 pence (2017: 46.0 pence) results in a 2.2% increase (2017: 2.2% increase). 

An interim dividend of 15.5 pence was paid to shareholders in November 2018 at a cost of £38m. If approved, the proposed  
final dividend of 31.5 pence per share will be paid on 17 May 2019 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on  
5 April 2019, the cash cost of which will be approximately £78m. 

Pensions

The Group made £7m (2017: £11m) of additional cash contributions to its defined benefit schemes in 2018. At 31 December 2018, the 
combined gross accounting surplus for the Group’s final salary pension schemes was £81m (31 December 2017: deficit of £28m), which 
equated to a net surplus after tax of £66m (31 December 2017: net deficit of £23m). During the year, the Group closed its two principal 
UK Defined Benefit Schemes to future accrual resulting in a curtailment gain of £4.7m as described in the adjusting items note (note 3). 
The Group also agreed the triennial actuarial reviews as at 30 September 2017 with the trustees of both schemes resulting in a 
modest reduction in funding contributions required over the period to September 2020.

31

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018•  The number of times adjusted operating profit covers interest 
charges has to be a least 3.5x and it was approximately 14x  
(31 December 2017: 16x) 

•  Have a conservative hedging policy that reduces the Group’s 

exposure to currency fluctuations 

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 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. The Group’s tax strategy is published on 
its website.

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 34 to 41 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  
1 January 2019. Three years has been chosen because the 
Board believes that it is the period that it is possible to forecast 
with a sufficient degree of confidence in order to make a viability 
assessment. The Group is subject to the vagaries of the economic 
cycle and property market which cannot reasonably be forecast with 
sufficient certainty further than three years. Whilst the Board has 
no reason to believe the Group not will remain viable over a longer 
period, the inherent uncertainty involved means three years is the 
appropriate period over which to give users of the Annual Report a 
reasonable degree of confidence.

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 negotiated a new revolving credit facility with a 
syndicate of eight banks in January 2019. The new facility is 
for a total value of £400m and matures in January 2024. Built 
into the agreement is an option to extend the size of the facility 
to £550m, and two one-year extension options which can be 
activated in April 2020 and April 2021.

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. At the year-end the Group had no 
interest rate derivatives and its borrowings were fixed on 100% 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 2018 the nominal value of currency 
forward contracts, all of which were US dollar denominated, was 
$41m (2017: $76m). 

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 2018 was approximately 0.4% (2017: 0.4%) of 
credit sales.

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

•  Run the business to investment grade credit parameters 

•  Reduce reliance on the bank market for 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 has to be lower than 
3.0x and it was 0.65x (2017: 0.62x) at the year-end (note 24a) 

32

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018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 
the 2008/2009 financial crisis and the mitigating actions that 
were adopted at that time to protect the Group’s viability, which it 
is assumed would again be available to it. Those 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.

S

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33

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018

Statement of principal 
risks and uncertainties

For the year ended 31 December 2018

The Group operates 
in markets and an 
industry which by their 
nature are subject  
to a number of  
inherent 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 must 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.

Connor Wylde - Travis Perkins, Tilbury Distribution Centre 

34

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018

S

t
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i

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o
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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. The Board has assessed its risk appetite, which is set 
to balance opportunities for growth and business development in 
areas of potentially higher risk and return, whilst maintaining its 
reputation, legal and regulatory compliance and high levels  
of customer service and satisfaction. 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. These risk registers are used to determine strategies 
adopted by the Group’s various businesses to mitigate the 
identified risks and are embedded in their operating plans.

Details of the Group’s risk management processes are given in 
the Corporate Governance report on page 59.

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 our IT infrastructure.

The risk environment in which the Group operates does not 
remain static. During the year, the Directors have reviewed the 
Group’s principal risks and have concluded that as the nature 
of the business and the environment in which it operates 
remain broadly the same, the principal risks it faces are 
largely unchanged. However, following the announcement 
in December 2018 that the Group strategy is being refined 

to achieve greater simplification and focus on serving trade 
customers through advantaged businesses, activities are 
underway to reshape the portfolio with the proposed divestment 
of the Plumbing & Heating businesses. As a result, the Directors 
have concluded that acquisition and disposal activity, previously 
combined with risks associated with business transformation 
projects, is a key area of focus and heightened risk for the Group 
and it is now described separately. The Directors have also 
extended the description of health and safety risk to consider in 
more detail the transport related risk faced by the Group, due to 
the scale of the fleet it operates and the associated regulatory 
and compliance requirements. Finally, the reduction in the deficit 
for the Group’s two main defined benefit schemes, supported 
by the closure of the schemes to future accrual in 2018 and a 
continued focus on liability management, means that the Board 
no longer believes that this area represents a principal risk.

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

The table on pages 36 to 41 sets out, in no particular order,  
the current principal risks that the Board considers to be  
material, their potential impacts, the factors that mitigate them 
and those areas of the businesses’ strategies they potentially 
impact. 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.

35

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
Changing customer 
and competitor landscape

INHERENT RISK:

RISK DESCRIPTION

RISK MITIGATION

HIGH

TREND:

STATIC

STRATEGY:

IMPACT:
Adverse effect  
on financial results

Loss of market share

The Group sells and distributes building materials 
through a number of channels. The number of 
outlets and channels where building materials 
can be purchased continues to grow with new 
competitors entering the market. These new 
entrants may operate business models which differ 
significantly from the traditional merchanting,  
retail and online formats from which the Group 
operates and may take market share.

At the same time, customer purchasing habits 
continue to evolve with increasing online 
transactions. Customers’ preference for purchasing 
materials through a range of supply channels and 
not just through the Group’s traditional competitors 
may affect the Group’s performance and adversely 
impact the profitability of branch-based operations. 

Increasing price transparency could lead to a 
perception that the Group is less price competitive 
leading to downward pressure on price and margins.

Changes to market practice are tracked on an  
ongoing basis and reported to the Board.

The Group continues to build 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.

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 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.

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

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

INHERENT RISK:

RISK DESCRIPTION

RISK MITIGATION

MEDIUM

TREND:

STATIC

STRATEGY:

IMPACT:
Inability to develop and  
execute development  
and succession plans

Adverse effect on delivery 
of strategy

Competitive disadvantage

The ability to recruit, develop, retain and motivate 
suitably qualified staff is an important driver of 
the Group’s overall performance. The Group may 
also be exposed to skills shortages in certain 
areas which can result in salary cost pressures. 
The availability of suitably qualified commercial 
drivers is one such area of focus for the Group, 
which is critical to the operation of its fleet to meet 
customer delivery expectations.

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

The Group faces competition for the best people 
from other organisations. Ensuring the retention 
and development of employees and that robust 
succession plans exist for key positions is important 
for the Group to deliver on its strategic objectives.

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

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

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.

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.

36

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Supplier dependency, relationship and disintermediation 
leading to adverse impacts on ranging and price

INHERENT RISK:

RISK DESCRIPTION

RISK MITIGATION

MEDIUM

TREND:

STATIC

STRATEGY:

IMPACT:
Adverse effect on  
financial result

Adverse effect  
on reputation

The Group is the largest customer to a number 
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 
leading to poor customer service.

The Group has increased the sourcing of products 
from overseas factories. This has increased the 
Group’s exposure to sourcing, quality, trading, 
warranty and currency issues, which again may  
lead to an adverse impact on customer service.

Manufacturers of building materials sold by the 
Group may also look to sell their products directly 
to end customers in the future diminishing the 
role of distributors such as merchanting and retail 
distribution businesses.

Making decent returns is one of the Group’s 
cornerstones which requires it to treat both 
customers and suppliers fairly. The commercial 
and financial teams have established strong 
relationships with the Group’s key suppliers and 
work closely with them to ensure contracts that 
are beneficial to both parties and the continuity of 
quality materials.

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. The Group has also adopted a 
conservative hedging policy to reduce its exposure 
to currency fluctuations.

Comprehensive checks are undertaken on the 
factories manufacturing products and the quality 
and the suitability of those products before they are 
shipped to the UK.

Unsafe practices result in harm to colleagues, 
customers, suppliers or the public

INHERENT RISK:

RISK DESCRIPTION

MEDIUM

TREND:

STATIC

STRATEGY:

IMPACT:
Harm to our colleagues, 
customers and the 
wider community

Potential legal action,  
fines and penalties

Adverse effect on  
financial results

Adverse effect 
on reputation

Keeping the Group’s colleagues, customers, 
suppliers and the public safe is a cornerstone  
of the business. The Group operates over 2,000 
sites, many with complex and busy yards. It also 
operates one of the largest vehicle fleets in the 
UK, distributing heavy and bulky materials. Poorly 
implemented safety practices on site, on the road 
or at delivery locations could result in significant 
harm to people which would damage the Group’s 
reputation and could impact trading performance.

RISK MITIGATION

The Group continues to challenge its thinking and 
approach to improving its safety performance 
through its ‘Stay Safe’ brand.

Governance of Stay Safe is well-established and 
designed to promote a continual focus on health 
and safety. Stay Safe performance is reviewed at all 
Board meetings, by the Executive Committee and 
by the dedicated Stay Safe Committee, which is 
chaired by a Non-executive Director. 

The Group’s regular Divisional leadership meetings 
also focus on performance and continuous 
improvement in this area. These forums also 
monitor the achievement of transport-related 
compliance requirements, including driver licencing 
and professional competence. 

Incidents are monitored, investigated and corrective 
action taken to reduce the likelihood of similar 
incidents in future. Stay Safe assurance reviews are 
regularly undertaken at sites by dedicated safety 
professionals with any resulting improvement 
actions tracked to completion.

De-risking the Group’s operations, improving health 
and safety awareness and implementing improved 
ways of working are at the forefront of the Group’s 
activities. Further information on progress made 
during 2018 can be found in the Health and Safety 
report on pages 47 to 49.

Link to strategy:  

 Best-in-class service 

 Focus on trade 

 Advantaged businesses 

 Simplifying the Group 

 Financial strength

37

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018The Group allocates capital inefficiently or under invests in advantaged business  
and does not achieve desired returns

INHERENT RISK:

RISK DESCRIPTION

RISK MITIGATION

MEDIUM

TREND:

STATIC

STRATEGY:

IMPACT:
Adverse effect on  
financial results

The Group operates a number of different 
businesses in the UK which operate in different 
but complementary channels. As the Group’s 
markets continue to develop, it is investing to 
enhance its existing businesses and to develop new 
propositions to better serve its customers.

Whilst the Group operates a disciplined capital 
allocation process, there is a risk that it may be 
over-investing in channels which may decline or 
that it may not be allocating sufficient capital to 
new propositions resulting in sub-optimal returns 
on capital.

Return on capital is one of the Group’s key 
performance indicators as shown on page 19.  
The Group’s decision to refine its strategy and 
focus on trade customers in the most advantaged 
businesses will impact the allocation of capital with 
more focused management attention and capital 
deployment in areas of higher return. 

Responsibility for identifying and implementing 
opportunities to expand, improve or modify the 
Group’s operations rests with each of the Divisional 
Boards. Capital is deployed or re-deployed through 
a Group-led forum to the strategically-aligned 
opportunities expected to achieve the best return 
on capital.

Major projects are kept under review to monitor 
progress and ensure the deployment of capital 
remains appropriate.

Post-implementation reviews are undertaken on 
all major projects and returns are monitored on an 
ongoing basis to ensure that the expected returns 
are achieved and allow the Group to modify its 
capital allocation when appropriate.

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

INHERENT RISK:

RISK DESCRIPTION

RISK MITIGATION

MEDIUM

TREND:

STATIC

STRATEGY:

IMPACT:
Adverse effect on  
financial results

Adverse effect on 
shareholder value

The Group undertakes a variety of projects 
throughout its business in order to generate returns 
for its shareholders. These projects include the 
transformation of the Group’s core IT systems and 
infrastructure, ongoing development of its supply 
chain operations and its branch and store networks, 
and the simplification of the Group to speed up 
decision making and reduce costs.

By their nature, such strategic projects are 
often complicated, interlinked and may require 
considerable resource to deliver them. As a result, 
the expected benefits, timescale for delivery and 
costs of implementation of each project may 
deviate from those anticipated at their outset. 
Colleague engagement may be impacted during a 
period of significant change and cost-focus.

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

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

All strategic projects are supported by an 
appropriate governance structure and are closely 
monitored by the Executive Committee with regular 
reporting to the Board.

Regular communications are undertaken to keep 
affected colleagues informed.

38

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Uncertainty caused by the UK’s decision to leave the European Union

INHERENT RISK:

HIGH

TREND:

INCREASING

STRATEGY:

IMPACT:
Adverse effect on  
financial results

RISK DESCRIPTION

RISK MITIGATION

The result of the UK vote to leave the European 
Union and the subsequent process to determine 
the terms of the withdrawal agreement continues to 
cause considerable market uncertainty. It remains 
difficult to predict the economic outlook and 
impact to the Group in the short-term. The Group 
continued to experience significant volatility in the 
value of Sterling against the principal currencies 
used to pay for imported goods during 2018.

Future trading relationships with foreign markets 
have yet to be determined and these may result in 
higher tariffs or duties on imports of construction 
products as well as extended lead times on 
imported supplies or result in the need to source 
some products elsewhere. These risks have the 
potential to impact the Group significantly. Of less 
risk to the Group, but potentially significant for its 
customers, are the significant numbers of non-UK 
nationals employed in the construction industry 
and the distribution and logistics markets. If the 
UK becomes a less attractive place for them to 
work this could result in labour shortages and 
consequent salary cost pressures and could  
change dynamics in our key markets. Whilst 
significant changes to product standards and 
legislative requirements more generally are not 
anticipated in the short-term, they could impact  
the Group if introduced in the future.

The continued uncertainties that surround Brexit 
mean that a more precise assessment of the 
impact on the Group’s operations is unlikely to 
be possible until the terms of the withdrawal 
agreement are confirmed.

It remains too early to determine the full impact of 
the UK’s decision to leave the European Union,  
but the Board is closely monitoring market conditions 
and will react accordingly.

The Board has undertaken a process to assess the 
known and proximate risks associated with Brexit. 
This includes assessment of existing risk mitigations 
and actions in progress and is updated on a 
regular basis.

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.

Exercises have been undertaken by the divisional 
leadership teams to assess the level of stock 
holding required in each business unit to minimise 
disruption to customers. A customer statement is 
in place and will be reassessed as the terms of the 
UK’s withdrawal are clarified. Engagement with the 
Group’s key suppliers is ongoing. 

Where the cost of goods increases due to the 
exchange rate deteriorating or additional tariffs 
and duties, 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 processes in place around the recruitment and 
retention of people are set out in the principal risk 
pertaining to such matters on page 36.

Link to strategy:  

 Best-in-class service 

 Focus on trade 

 Advantaged businesses 

 Simplifying the Group 

 Financial strength

39

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Market conditions leading to demand uncertainty

INHERENT RISK:

RISK DESCRIPTION

RISK MITIGATION

HIGH

TREND:

INCREASING

STRATEGY:

IMPACT:
Adverse effect on  
financial results

The Group’s products are sold to businesses, 
trade professionals 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 specific 
drivers of construction, Renovation, Maintenance 
and Improvement and DIY activity. These 
include 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 levels of construction 
activity in the Group’s markets and the confidence 
levels of the Group’s customers, which could reduce 
their propensity to purchase products and services 
from the Group’s businesses.

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.

Execution of planned disposals and potential acquisitions fails to deliver  
the expected benefits to the expected cost and timescale

INHERENT RISK:

RISK DESCRIPTION

RISK MITIGATION

All merger, acquisition and disposal activities  
are subject to a detailed appraisal process and 
ultimate approval by the Board. 

A formal programme of work with dedicated 
resource has been put in place to support the 
execution of the Plumbing & Heating disposal. 
External expertise and advisors are involved  
as required to support the programme team.

All activity of this kind is supported by robust 
governance and monitoring. The Plumbing & Heating 
programme is closely monitored by a programme 
Steering Committee, with Executive sponsorship 
and representation. There is regular reporting to the 
Executive Committee and Board.

The Group undertakes acquisition and disposal 
activity to optimise its portfolio of businesses 
and drive shareholder return. In December 2018, 
the Group announced its intention to explore the 
potential divestment of the Plumbing & Heating 
division, as part of the broader strategy of 
simplifying the Group. This division comprises a 
number of businesses of varying size which operate 
on a range of systems, some of which are shared 
with the wider Group.

The programme to separate the Plumbing 
& Heating businesses for a potential sale is 
complex with many linkages to Group systems 
and processes. The Group has not undertaken a 
restructure and disposal on this scale for some 
time and it requires careful management. The 
costs and timescale for the separation may deviate 
from those originally planned, which could in turn 
impact the progression of a sale process and the 
value realised.

MEDIUM

TREND:

INCREASING

STRATEGY:

IMPACT:
Adverse effect  
on financial results

Adverse effect on 
shareholder value

40

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Data security

INHERENT RISK:

RISK DESCRIPTION

RISK MITIGATION

Incidents of sophisticated cyber-crime represent a 
significant and increasing threat to all businesses 
including the Group. A major breach of cyber 
security could result in disruption to customer-
facing, supplier-facing and financial systems 
through theft and misuse of confidential data, 
damage to or manipulation of operationally critical 
data or interruption to IT services, any of which may 
have serious impacts on the Group’s reputation or 
ability to trade.

MEDIUM

TREND:

INCREASING

STRATEGY:

IMPACT:
Adverse effect  
on financial results

Adverse effect on  
the Group’s reputation

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, with responsibility 
for monitoring and maintaining cyber security 
delegated to a data security committee.

Investments in best-of-breed solutions are made 
that continually adapt and are updated to mitigate 
the risk associated with the most advanced threats 
and the evolution of Group technology adoption.

Cyber security controls are in place to protect 
IT systems and data including firewalls, virus 
protection and penetration testing. A programme 
of risk-oriented reviews is undertaken to ensure the 
level of control around IT systems remains robust.

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 changing regulatory framework increases  
the risk of non-compliance and fines

INHERENT RISK:

RISK DESCRIPTION

MEDIUM

TREND:

STATIC

STRATEGY:

IMPACT:
Adverse effect on the  
Company’s reputation 

Adverse effect on financial 
and operational performance 

Potential legal action, fines 
and penalties

The Group is subject to a broad range of 
existing and evolving governance requirements, 
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 
for non-compliance and potential limitations on the 
development of the Group’s operations.

RISK MITIGATION

The Group’s in-house legal team is responsible  
for monitoring changes to laws and regulations 
that affect the business and is supported by 
external advisors.

The Group has a comprehensive framework of 
policies in place that sets out the ways employees 
and suppliers are expected to conduct themselves. 
Those expectations are widely disseminated using 
a range of methods to ensure colleagues and 
suppliers understand their responsibilities to

comply with the law and other regulations affecting 
the Group at all times.

The Group provides online training to colleagues 
in key areas of legal and regulatory compliance, 
including a suite of mandatory training for those 
that join the Group. During 2018 Group-wide 
training was undertaken in respect of GDPR.

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

The Group operates a whistleblowing process 
that allows the anonymous reporting through an 
independent hotline of any suspected wrongdoing 
or unethical behaviour, including reporting instances 
of non-compliance with laws and regulations. All 
reported cases are investigated.

Link to strategy:  

 Best-in-class service 

 Focus on trade 

 Advantaged businesses 

 Simplifying the Group 

 Financial strength

41

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Our people

The key to the Group’s success has 
always been its people. The Group has 
the best people and is the best place  
to work in its industry and as a result  
is well placed to win in the market.

Branch managers at the 
heart of the business

Customer obsessed

Simple, lean and efficient

Fast, flexible and responsive

The best people and the 
best place to work

Branch managers at the heart of  
the business 

Branch managers are at the heart of the business and play  
a pivotal role in making the Travis Perkins Group the best place 
to work in its industry. They create the conditions that enable 
colleagues to thrive, be their best and deliver outstanding 
service to the Group’s customers. Branch managers are at the 
centre of the Group’s strategy, with a clear plan to rebalance 
decision-making and empower branch managers and local 
sales teams.

42

In 2018 a cross-section of managers and leaders were engaged 
in a programme to crystallise what makes the best branch 
managers so successful. This high-quality research forms the 
basis of the Group’s leadership development agenda, helping 
make the most of the Group’s culture so customers can continue 
to get the great service they deserve. 

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Over 40 promotions 
to senior leadership 
roles from the Group’s 
internal talent pool in 
2018 including three 
Managing Directors

the Open University. The Group is proud that 50% gained a 
distinction in their final assessment against the national standard 
in 2018.

50%

Distinction

Developing the best branch managers  
and leaders 

Development investment has focused on strengthening the 
leadership pipeline at all levels. This has been delivered  
through a tailor-made approach, with programmes  
and activities in each of the Group’s businesses. For example: 

Making life easier for colleagues 

The Group has continued to help colleagues focus on delivering 
for customers, by making it easier to “do business” internally and 
building an energising environment where everyone is welcome 
and valued for their contribution. To support this the Group: 

•  Implemented a new HR System to streamline the 

administration of important work-life events 

•  In the Contract Merchanting division over 100 leaders attended 
a Leading Change programme focused on strategy, wellbeing 
and coaching 

•  Made significant enhancements to the Group’s digital learning 
system so learning support is universally available and easy 
to use 

•  In the General Merchanting division over 300 leaders 

•  Encouraged community engagement through involvement 

have benefited from the newly developed Brilliant Branch 
Manager programme 

with the Group’s chosen charities and participation in nationally 
recognised initiatives like the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award

•  Across the Group, the launch of an exciting new 

Chief Executive’s Challenge enabled high-potential leaders 
to increase their networking skills and their profile by  
working together to solve real business issues on behalf  
of the Executive 

All of these developments help build high levels of engagement 
and foster a climate of trust. 

Recruiting the best people 

This approach has already created benefits, with particular 
delight at 60% of all appointments to senior leadership roles in 
2018 being made from home-grown talent. The Group has been 
able to make more than 40 promotions to senior leadership roles 
from its internal talent pool, including three Managing Directors. 

Whilst the Group is proud of its track record of developing from 
within, it’s equally committed to bringing in fresh talent and 
different perspectives. The in-house resourcing team supports 
business managers and leaders and helped recruit over 5,000 
new colleagues in 2018. 

In 2019 the Group will continue to invest in its leadership pipeline, 
including making even more use of the industry-leading LEAP 
apprenticeship programmes. 

LEAP apprenticeships 

The Group continued to make significant progress with the Learn  
& Earn Apprenticeship Programme (“LEAP”) introduced in 
2017. LEAP enables colleagues – from new work entrants to 
Managing Directors – to gain the skills and experience they need 
to capitalise on the opportunities that the Group offers whilst 
continuing to earn. 

These programmes are a key part of the Group’s strategy  
to develop great leaders and build on its proud heritage.  
Over 800 colleagues enrolled on them this year, including  
12 on a new degree-level programme run in conjunction with 

This team has been instrumental in widening reach and raising 
awareness of the Group’s businesses and the opportunities they 
offer to grow, develop and build a career. To support this major 
upgrades were made to the Group’s career websites in 2018 and 
these were nominated for ‘Best Careers Site’ awards by leading 
recruitment industry bodies. 

People drive the success of  
the Group. Passion for “the best  
people and the best place to work”  
means colleagues who love coming 
to work, to the benefit of the Group’s 
customers and communities.

43

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
Gender diversity reporting 2018

Group head count

Age bands

= 28,885

Under 25

25-39

40-59

0

Men
21,354

Women
7,531

60 and over

2,029

Women in  
senior management*

Ethnicity

Flexible work 
patterns

Full time

5,104

10,051

11,701

Part time

23,632

5,253

19,367

1,276

1,725

6,517

%
6
6
1

.

%
3
7
1

.

%
7
8
1

.

%
4
9
1

.

2015

2016

2017

2018

White British

Non-white 
British

Non-British

Unknown

Executive

Manager

Colleague

Total

Central Services

Consumer

Contract Merchanting

General Merchanting

Plumbing & Heating

Total

 Men

Women

Number

15

632

20,707

21,354

Men

Number

552

6,929

2,691

7,882

3,300

21,354

%

75

74

74

74

%

53

62

81

85

80

74

Number

5

222

7,304

7,531

Women

Number

485

4,234

614

1,373

825

7,531

%

25

26

26

26

%

47

38

19

15

20

26

Total

Number

20

854

28,011

28,885

Total

Number

1,037

11,163

3,305

9,255

4,125

28,885

* The “Women in senior management” comparative figures have been restated as the Group adopted a more restrictive definition of senior management in 2018.  
Senior management is now defined as Directors and department heads.

44

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018S

t
r
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t
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c

i

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t

The business raised 
more than  

£2.5 million 

in 2018 through a variety of 
activities principally driven 
and supported by Group 
colleagues, customers 
and local communities.

Charities and communities

The Group is incredibly proud of how it supports the charities 
and communities around it. It continues to empower each of the 
Group’s businesses to support charities that mean something 
special to them and enter into a partnership, usually for three years 
or more.

Group colleagues also support charitable activity through payroll 
giving and via a colleague lottery. The popularity of these schemes 
remains undiminished and in 2019 the Group will be looking at 
ways to make these schemes even more accessible to colleagues.

Our shared successes - charity partnerships

45

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
Cornerstones

The Group’s business is built upon five cornerstones. 
The cornerstones provide strong values and foundations for 
the development of everything we do.

Upholding 
family  
values

Keeping 
people safe

Making 
decent  
returns

Working 
for our 
customers

Being 
the best

This is what makes the Group different. Everyone works hard together to 
deliver results and have some fun along the way. It’s about doing the right 
thing. The Group is straightforward and values honesty, trust and kindness. 
It’s ‘new-fashioned’ family values built on the Group’s heritage.

Safety is everything. The Group expects everyone to go home to their 
families exactly as they arrived at work.

Making a decent return is less about making money and more about 
creating value for shareholders, employees, customers and suppliers. 
It depends on building business relationships based on trust and respect; 
strong enough to keep going through bad and good times.

The success of the Group’s business relies on strong relationships. 
This is about a ‘can do, will do’ attitude and understanding the lifelong 
value of each customer relationship.

The aim is to set the bar high and make the Group’s customers feel special. 
The business is built on maintaining good relationships with customers and 
suppliers. It’s essential the Group attracts and retains the best people to 
enable the Group to operate the best business in every catchment area.

46

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Keeping people safe

As Chairman of the Stay Safe Committee I am pleased to present the Committee’s 
Health and Safety report for 2018. 

Keeping people safe is at the very heart of how the Group operates and the Committee 
continues to help, support and challenge the Executive Team in continually improving 
workplace standards as well as managing the risks associated with out-of-branch activities 
which affect customers, members of the public and colleagues.

This year the Committee approved the Group’s new Health and Safety strategy and continued 
to monitor performance including the progress made by each business across a range  
of key risks areas. Whilst there is still much to do, I am pleased with the progress made and the 
momentum and colleague engagement the Group has in this important area.

Pete Redfern
Chairman, Stay Safe Committee
25 February 2019

Performance

In 2018 415 lost time incidents (“LTIs”) were reported  
across the Group compared to 438 in 2017 and 502 in 2016. 
Consequently the number of LTIs per million hours worked 
(the “Accident Frequency Rate”) decreased by 3%, continuing  
the downwards trend.

The Group lost 6,127 work days in 2018 as a result of LTIs; this 
compares favourably to 2017 when 6,518 work days were lost. 
Despite this improvement in absolute numbers, a reduction in the 
number of hours worked means that the number of lost work days 
per 1,000 hours worked (the “Severity Rate”) remained stable at 0.11.

The mix of LTIs the Group is experiencing is changing.  
In 2018 25% of incidents occurred out-of-branch (2017: 19%), 
typically in the final part of delivery to the customer, so reducing 
risks associated with out-of-branch activities is an increasing 
priority for the Group.

The Group continues to embed the safety assurance programme 
that is gathering pace. In 2018 635 locations underwent a 
detailed safety review comparing local arrangements to the 
Group’s expectations in a range of key risk areas. 

The Group remains committed to managing occupational road 
risk, with the Contract Merchanting and General Merchanting 
divisions retaining their Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme 
(FORS) Gold accreditation. The importance of road risk was 
highlighted in August 2018 when a cyclist, Dr Peter Fisher, 
tragically lost his life in an accident involving one of the Group’s 
commercial vehicles travelling at slow speed in London.

Strategy

The Group’s Stay Safe strategy has been in place since 2015 and 
has delivered significant cultural and performance improvement as 
well as raising local standards. The Group reviewed its approach in 
2018 and decided to evolve this strategy. Each business will continue 
to focus on risk assessment, safety leadership and embedding 
a fair and just culture. Over the next three years the Group’s 
businesses will be given more flexibility in how they improve safety 
and wellbeing, enabling them to take into account their specific risk 
profiles, accident experience and colleague wellbeing needs. 

Moving more accountability to the businesses will enable them 
to focus more closely on the unique challenges and opportunities 
that each face and facilitate a continued reduction in the number 
and severity of incidents.

47

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Accident frequency rate

Severity rate

d
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I
T
L

10.0

9.0

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0

9.2

8.9

7.7

7.5

d
e
k
r
o
w
s
r
u
o
h
d
n
a
s
u
o
h
t

r
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p
s
y
a
d
k
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w

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L

0.120

0.115

0.110

0.105

0.100

0.115

0.114

0.109

0.110

2015

2016

2017

2018

2015

2016

2017

2018

Improvements and innovation

Throughout 2018 there has been significant Health and Safety 
innovation and improvement across the Group.

Manual handling
Manual handling continues to be one of the major accident 
categories involving colleagues. Whilst focus continues on 
reducing the amount of lifting and handling colleagues have to 
do, resources are also being deployed to provide more innovative 
solutions and support effective training.

The Contract Merchanting division worked with Soter Analytics to 
pilot the use of wearable technology that helps make colleagues 
aware of their ergonomic injury risk and provides personalised 
insights to reduce the chances that they will suffer an injury.  
The pilot delivered impressive results and investment is now being 
made to deploy the technology more widely across the division.

Delivery safety
With an increasing number of LTIs occurring out-of-branch, 
the Plumbing & Heating division undertook a ‘hands on’ review 
of the final 25 yards of delivery, holding listening groups with 
drivers and learning from other organisations that carry out home 
deliveries of large and bulky items.

As a result the division is rolling out a complete ‘tool kit’ for 
drivers that helps them reduce the amount they have to lift and 
carry as well as a driver-led training programme. 

Wickes have invested in two new driver training venues to improve 
safety and the customer delivery experience. Every kitchen and 
bathroom home delivery driver will receive training at one of these 
venues in 2019 covering real-life product lifting, handling up and 
down stairs, risk awareness and product placement.

Workplace transport
For a number of years the Group has been working hard to 
improve pedestrian safety at branches and stores by keeping 
them apart from vehicle movements. This work continues, 
with six Travis Perkins branches relocating in 2018 to sites with 
safety designed in. More broadly, a significant amount of money 
continues to be invested in improving local arrangements across 
the Group.

48

Wellbeing and Mental Health
A number of business units have engaged with colleagues to 
understand their wellbeing needs using the Vitality Health Survey. 
Each achieved strong response rates that provide the businesses 
with insight into how to best shape their wellbeing plans.

Recognising the importance of mental health, BSS Industrial  
gave their front line managers the opportunity to complete 
mental health awareness training with their chosen corporate 
charity, MIND, providing managers and colleagues with tools 
to help improve their mental health and to spot signs and 
symptoms in others.

The Group partnered with Neyber, one of the UK’s largest 
financial wellbeing companies, to help colleagues improve their 
financial wellbeing and happiness in the workplace by providing 
financial guidance and education and offering affordable loans, 
repaid directly from colleagues’ salaries. 

External recognition

All of the Group’s merchanting businesses have had their 
Health and Safety management systems subjected to external, 
independent scrutiny to the Safety Schemes in Procurement 
(SSiP) standard. Having successfully passed this annual review 
they can now provide further confidence to customers that their 
arrangements meet or exceed legal requirements.

The businesses in the Contract Merchanting division and the 
primary distribution hubs for the General Merchanting and 
Plumbing & Heating divisions received awards from the Royal 
Society for the Prevention of Accidents for their arrangements 
and continued cultural development and performance.

Achieving external recognition is more than a certificate for 
the sites and business units that take part. They use it as an 
important external benchmark as well as an opportunity to thank 
those colleagues who have been champions and ambassadors 
for health and safety. 

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
S

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49

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
Environmental sustainability

The Group1 retains an ambition to:

Send zero waste 
direct to landfill

Buy only responsibly 
sourced timber

28%

Reduce scope 1 and scope 2 
carbon emissions by 28% of 
2013 levels by 2020

Process

Materiality
Since the Group last formally checked on stakeholder priorities 
in 2017 there has been the beginnings of a collective response 
to plastic pollution, a new and alarming United Nations report on 
climate change, a Construction Sector Deal with a focus on whole 
life impacts and a revised approach in the UK to funding material 
recovery and reuse. This report reflects the issues identified in 
2017 and those arising in the year.

KPIs
The Group progressed against its environmental KPIs in 2018  
as the result of action plans governed by the Group’s  
ISO 14001 certified environmental management system (“EMS”). 
Governance processes were strengthened by successfully 
transferring to the 2015 standard, which significantly extends the 
requirements of the previous 2004 standard.

Tonnes of waste per £m of yard sales and core sales2

Timber and timber products for resale (£)

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

10.0

10.1

6.1

1.5

0.6

0.6

2013

2017

2018

Diverted from
landfill

Landfill

100%

75%

50%

25%

0%

18%

75%

18%

79%

21%

76%

2013

PEFC

2017

FSC

2018

1. 
2. 

This report includes data for companies where Travis Perkins plc has operational control.
 2018 data is Office of National Statistics deflated figures. It uses best available financial data at the time the report was produced. A proportion of waste data  
is estimated and 2017 intensity has been recalculated based on better information. Previously the 2017 intensity figure reported was 9 tonnes/£m of yard or 
core sales.

50

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Tonnes CO2e per £m deflated sales3

Recorded incidents & complaints

21.11

18.58

40

30

20

10

0

17.40

17.06

12.78

11.08

40

30

20

10

0

12

27

10

25

9

18

2013

2017

2018

Transport

Energy

2020 Target

2013

2017

2018

Reportable incidents
& complaints

Non-reportable incidents
& complaints

Carbon Disclosure

Incidents

Carbon Disclosures Project
The Group participated in the Carbon Disclosures Project 
disclosure exercise in 2018, as it has every year since 2010, 
and received a B- rating for climate change and timber and a 
C rating for water security. The Group restated its commitment 
to developing a set of “Science Based Targets” for future 
carbon reductions.

Carbon reporting table

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 20184 on an operational control basis. 
95% of Scope 1 and 2 data is from measured sources5 with 
the remainder extrapolated from either expenditure on fuel or 
distance travelled. 

In 2018 the Group recorded and followed up on 18 non-
reportable incidents and nine incidents or complaints meeting 
internal guidelines as being reportable to competent authorities. 
Of the reported incidents, five were of spillages involving fuel, 
hydraulic oil or paint where small amounts may have entered 
controlled waters, two resulted in the issuing of fixed penalty 
notices for minor waste management issues, while the Group 
received a single noise complaint and abandoned shopping 
trolley complaint. The Group referred one of its businesses, 
Primaflow, to the Environment Agency for breaches to the 
packaging regulations and a civil sanction proceeding is currently 
underway. No part of the Group was prosecuted or received a 
civil sanction in 2018 for any environmental offence. 

Scope 1
Direct emissions from burning gas and solid fuel for heating and 
from road fuel use for distribution

Scope 2
Indirect emissions from our use of electricity

Intensity8
Tonnes of CO2e from scope 1 and 2 sources per million pounds of 
inflation adjusted sales

Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) Tonnes

2018

2017 

131,2846

129,7567

45,672

28.14

57,205

30.199

3. 

4. 
5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 
9. 

 2018 data is Office of National Statistics deflated figures. It uses best available financial data at the time the report was produced. 2017 Carbon intensities  
have been recalculated with better fuel consumption data and previously were reported at 18.76 for Transport. 
 Fugitive emissions from domestic refrigeration, vehicles and building air conditioning are excluded as they are not material to the Group’s overall emissions.
 5% of the energy data is estimated due to supplier data provision issues. 
Scope 1 CO2e emissions include 24,017 tonnes from buildings and 107,267 tonnes from transport.
Corrected from previously stated figure of 138,160 tCO2e with increased accuracy around road fuel consumption accounting.
 Carbon intensity is referenced to turnover, which is adjusted to allow for inflation, relative to baseline year. It uses best available financial data at the time the report was produced.
Corrected from previous figure of 31.55 tCO2e per £m of inflation adjusted sales because of scope 1 changes.

51

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
Plastic
A number of customers have asked the Group about plastic use 
in its products. Many construction products use the properties 
of plastics to good effect, creating durable building products and 
tools with a long design life. Plastics are also used to package 
products and allow for safe and convenient delivery and storage. 
These benefits however have to be set against the growing and 
significant problem of plastic pollution.

The Group directly recycled over 1,600 tonnes of plastic 
packaging in 2018 and in recognition of UK wide system 
deficiencies identified by the National Audit Office, started 
discussions with its producer responsibility compliance scheme 
on the current and future use of Packaging Export Recovery 
Notes. In 2019 the Group will accelerate its work identifying 
opportunities to reduce the amount of single use plastic 
packaging used and will use its influence with suppliers to make 
material reductions. 

Timber
The Group was disappointed to see the winding up of the WWF’s 
flagship timber and paper supply chain platform UKGFTN12 in 
2018, but pleased that the WWF is still planning to publish a 
2019 timber scorecard. The Group secured a best possible  
“3 trees” rating in the previous two scorecards, demonstrating  
the Group’s understanding of the issues and its commitment  
to implementing solutions. Over 97% of timber and timber fibre 
products purchased by the Group in 2018 were certified as 
responsibly sourced (76% FSC and 21% PEFC).

The Group has operated a timber chain of custody certification 
scheme since July 2003. With over 750 sites currently 
participating, the Group is the largest UK merchant certified to 
buy and sell FSC and PEFC timber products. FSC and PEFC 
certificates are issued by BM TRADA on a 5 year cycle and are 
subject to annual checks of the Group’s management and control 
systems, as well as a random audit of 31 sites. The Group’s latest 
certificates were issued in July 2018 and go through to July 2023. 
The Group invests in training and internal audits of all branches 
on an annual basis. 

Used material recycled or recovered in 2018

Material

Wood

Cardboard

Aggregate, plaster, 
metal and ceramics

Plastic

Paper

Hazardous materials  
(e.g. paint, oil other 
chemical substances)

Mixed materials for 
recovery

Weight  
(000 tonnes)

Contribution to 
total arising

12.0

6.2

4.4

1.6

0.8

0.8

28

21%

11%

8%

3%

1%

1%

50%

Products 

Life cycle carbon (scope 3)10
The Group estimates that life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions 
associated with its products equate to: 

0.2 million tonnes disposing  
of them after their useful life

5.0 million tonnes of carbon  
to make and ship products  
to TP each year

0.3 million tonnes 
over the product 
lifetime once 
installed

0.1 million tonnes to build  
with them or install them

0.5 million tonnes to get  
them on building sites

In 2016 the Group started asking for Environmental Product 
Declarations (‘EPDs’) from suppliers of cement, gypsum, 
timber and insulation products. Since that time the number of 
construction material EPDs produced has increased by over 
250%. BREEAM11 standard credits and the Construction Sector 
Deal have also made the production and use of EPDs in material 
selection more likely. The Group welcomes this increased sharing 
of information as it allows meaningful conversations to take place 
throughout the construction value chain that will lead to reduced 
environmental impacts, including reducing carbon emissions 
across product life cycles. 

Material efficiency and circularity
Packaging accounts for 75% of all the material the Group sends 
for recycling or recovery. The Group estimates that 20% is 
damaged product and was pleased to see a 4% reduction in used 
material being sent to landfill in comparison to 2017. 

For a circular economy to function there needs to be a market for 
the recycled material. Certain products the Group sells have high 
recycled content: plasterboard at 90%, blocks as high as 80%, 
chipboard at 40% and all steel hangers and components  
at 56%. The Group will continue to ask for more use of non-virgin 
materials in both products and packaging to ensure that it 
remains tax efficient and that the material requirements for 
construction products are reduced.

10.  Not verified by LRQA.
11. 
12.  WWF Global Forest & Trade Network-UK.

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.

52

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Trucks and transport

Lighting up buildings 

Carbon (scope 1)
82% of the Group’s scope 1 carbon emissions come from 
distribution, where real efficiency improvements were made in 
2018 through scheduling and driver behaviour change that may 
have accounted for 4% of the Group’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) 
reduction. The adoption of fuel efficiency benchmarks into the 
Group’s fleet compliance management has helped deliver this 
benefit and suggests greater reductions are possible. 

Air quality
25% of diesel engines in the Group’s HGV fleet now meet 
the Euro 6 emissions standard (2017: 20%) as the result of 
investment in new vehicles. The Group is well placed to meet low 
emission zone requirements of major towns and cities. 

Electric vehicles
The Group will deploy its first 26 tonne zero emission truck in the 
CCF business in 2019. The Electra vehicle will be one of the first 
electric distribution commercial vehicles of its type in the UK, with 
both the drive train and the lorry-mounted forklift powered by its 
batteries. The truck will have a range of approximately 250 miles 
and will go into service initially in London. 

People

The Group carries out environmental training to ensure all 
colleagues are aware of the environmental impacts associated 
with their activities. The Group builds on that base knowledge 
using the tools and programme available from the Supply Chain 
Sustainability School. The Group is a Gold member of the 
School, reflecting how much the Group accesses the learning 
opportunities the School offers. 

Carbon (scope 2)
The Group continues to invest in LEDs with over 60 installations 
in 2018. An estimated 65% of Wickes retail space now uses 
LED lighting. Reduced electricity consumption in 2018 over 2017 
resulted in a reduction in GHG emissions of almost 700 tonnes.

Renewables
The Group generates about 120 MWh of renewable energy from 
solar PV on its sites, which represents less than 0.1% of electricity 
consumed. The Group will continue to invest in on-site generation 
on new builds and make internal investments in energy efficiency 
as this is the most cost effective way of achieving targeted scope 
2 carbon reductions.

Assurance

The content of the Environmental Sustainability report (with the 
exception of supply chain carbon emissions values) has been 
assured against LRQA verification procedure which is based on 
AA1000AS (2008) and ISAE 3000. 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 3 to 53 was approved by the 
Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by:

John Carter 
Chief Executive 
25 February 2019 

Alan Williams 
Chief Financial Officer 
25 February 2019

Investing in one of the UK’s  
first electric distribution lorries

53

Strategic report Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 201854

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Governance  
& Remuneration

56  The Board of Directors

59  Corporate governance report

66  Audit Committee report

72  Directors’ remuneration report 

90  Nominations Committee report

92  Directors’ report

96  Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

55

Main Image:
Will Pincombe - CCF, Harmondsworth

From top left to bottom right:
Emma Walmsley - BSS, Leeds
George Brown - Keyline, Telford 
Warren Sedgwick - Keyline, Telford

Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018The Board of Directors

Stuart Chambers
Non-executive Chairman

John Carter
Chief Executive

Tony Buffin
Group Chief Operating Officer

Nationality British

Nationality British

Nationality British

Appointment Date 
1 September 2017 (Non-executive Director)  
7 November 2017 (Chairman)

Appointment Date 
1 July 2001 (Executive Director) 
1 January 2014 (Chief Executive)

Appointment Date 
8 April 2013 (Chief Financial Officer)  
1 March 2017 (Chief Operating Officer)

Committee membership 
Executive (Chairman) 
Stay Safe

Committee membership 
Executive

Skills and experience 
John has extensive management and 
in-depth merchanting and construction 
experience as well as expansive 
knowledge of the Travis Perkins Group. 
John joined Travis Perkins plc in 1978 
as a Management Trainee. With over 40 
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 
headed up the integration of key strategic 
acquisitions for the Group including 
Keyline in 1999, Wickes in 2005 and BSS 
Group in 2010. John is a Non-executive 
Director of McCarthy & Stone plc. 

Skills and experience 
Tony is a qualified Chartered Accountant 
and has a strong financial background 
and extensive retail experience. 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, Strategy and the 
Group’s online, financial services and hotel 
businesses. Prior to this Tony was the CFO 
and then CEO of the Loyalty Management 
Group and held senior finance roles at 
The Boots Group plc. Tony has been a 
Non-executive Director on the Dyson 
Shareholder Board since 2013.

Committee membership 
Nominations (Chairman) 
Remuneration 
Stay Safe

Skills and experience 
Stuart has extensive global executive 
management and boardroom experience 
across industrial, logistical and consumer 
sectors. He is currently Chairman of 
Anglo American plc and a member of the 
UK Takeover Panel. Stuart was Chairman 
of Rexam plc from 2012 to 2016 and 
ARM Holdings plc from 2014 to 2016. 
He served as a Non-executive Director 
on the Boards of Tesco plc, Tesco Bank, 
Manchester Airport Group, Smiths Group 
plc and Associated British Ports  
Holdings plc. Stuart’s executive career 
included 10 years with Shell and 10 years 
with the Mars Corporation. Stuart then 
joined Pilkington plc in 1996, where he 
was appointed Group Chief Executive 
in 2002. Pilkington was acquired by 
Nippon Sheet Glass in 2006 and Stuart 
became Group Chief Executive of the new 
combined group until 2010.

56

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alan Williams
Chief Financial Officer

Ruth Anderson
Non-executive Director

Coline McConville
Non-executive Director

Nationality British

Nationality British

Nationality Australian

Appointment Date 
3 January 2017

Appointment Date 
24 October 2011

Appointment Date 
1 February 2015

Committee membership 
Executive

Committee membership 
Audit (Chairman) 
Nominations 
Stay Safe

Committee membership 
Remuneration (Chairman) 
Audit  
Nominations

Skills and experience 
Alan is a qualified Accountant and 
Treasurer and in addition to having 
a strong finance background, he has 
extensive experience in leading strategic 
initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, 
integration and business transformation. 
Prior to joining the Group, 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. 

Skills and experience 
Ruth is a Chartered Accountant and 
has extensive financial and taxation 
experience as well as strong boardroom 
and audit committee experience. Ruth has 
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. Ruth is a 
Non-executive Director of Ocado plc and 
The Royal Parks, which is a charitable 
public corporation, and a trustee of the 
charity The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Skills and experience 
Coline has a wealth of international 
experience with a background in 
management, marketing and media 
as well as extensive remuneration and 
boardroom experience. Coline is currently 
a Non-executive Director of TUI AG, 
Inchcape plc, Fevertree Drinks plc and  
3i Group plc and was formerly a  
Non-executive Director of UTV Media plc, 
Wembley National Stadium Limited,  
Shed Media plc and HBOS plc and a 
global advisor and Director of Grant 
Thornton International Limited. Prior 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.

57

Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pete Redfern
Non-executive Director

Christopher Rogers
Senior Independent Non-executive Director

John Rogers
Non-executive Director

Nationality British

Nationality British

Nationality British

Appointment Date 
1 November 2014

Appointment Date 
1 September 2013

Appointment Date 
1 November 2014

Committee membership 
Stay Safe (Chairman)  
Nominations 
Remuneration

Committee membership 
Audit 
Nominations 
Remuneration

Committee membership 
Audit  
Nominations

Skills and experience 
Pete has extensive financial, operational 
and management experience as well 
as strong construction and property 
expertise. Pete is a Chartered Surveyor, 
as well as a Chartered Accountant and 
is currently Chief Executive of Taylor 
Wimpey plc. He was previously Chief 
Executive of George Wimpey plc and 
prior to that, successively held the 
posts of Finance Director and Chief 
Executive of George Wimpey’s UK 
Housing business. Pete is also a Trustee 
of the homelessness charity Crisis and 
Chairman of the Youth Adventure Trust. 

Skills and experience 
Christopher has extensive financial, 
operational and retail experience and 
expertise in corporate governance and 
strategic planning. Chris is currently 
Interim Executive Chairman of Walker 
Greenbank plc until a new chief executive 
is appointed, a Non-executive Director of 
Vivo plc and Kerry Group, and a visiting 
fellow at Durham University. Prior to this,  
Chris was a Director of Whitbread plc 
from 2005 to 2016 where he served as 
Group Finance Director from 2005 to 
2012 and Managing Director of Costa 
Coffee from 2012 to 2016. He was Group 
Finance Director of Woolworth Group 
plc and Chairman of the Woolworth 
Entertainment businesses from 2001  
to 2005 and previously held senior roles 
in both finance and commercial functions 
in Comet Group plc and Kingfisher.

Skills and experience 
John has extensive finance, strategy, 
digital online, property and retail 
experience. John 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 
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. 

58

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate  
governance report

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Stuart Chambers
Chairman
25 February 2019

I am pleased to present our Corporate Governance Report for the 
year ended 31 December 2018. 

Good governance is essential to the successful delivery of our 
long-term strategy and the way in which our business operates 
on a day-to-day basis. The Board is committed to maintaining 
the highest standards across the Group for the benefit of all our 
stakeholders. 

Over the past year, the primary focus of the Board has been the 
development of our strategy to simplify the Group and improve 
returns by focusing on our trade customers. The Board has also 
been preparing for the succession of the Group CEO. Whilst vital 
at all times, strong and effective governance will be especially 
critical to managing the volume of change and the delivery of our 
commitments during the implementation of our strategy.

We were due to carry out an external Board evaluation in 2017. 
However, due to the timing of my appointment, we decided to 

defer this. I am pleased to report that we have completed an 
externally-facilitated evaluation of the Board, its Committees and 
individual Directors. Further details are set out on page 63.

Looking forward, the Board and I welcome the Financial 
Reporting Council’s updated UK Corporate Governance Code 
(the ‘new Code’). The new Code places an explicit requirement 
on us as Directors and as a Board to consider the views of 
our stakeholders and the impact of our activities on wider 
society. The new Code aligns with our focus on colleagues 
and customers, who are central to our strategy. The new Code 
applies to the Company from the 2019 financial year so we are 
reporting against the 2016 UK Corporate Governance Code in 
this Governance Report.

All members of the Board will be available at the Annual General 
Meeting to answer any questions.

59

Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Other colleagues 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,  
particularly in relation to:

•  Development and implementation of 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

The Company maintains Director’s & Officer’s insurance  
in respect of the risk of claims against Directors which is  
reviewed annually. 

Board meetings
The Board held eight scheduled meetings in 2018. 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 units and divisions, funding, capital expenditure, investor 
feedback, risk and governance. 

During the year the Board visited a number of operational sites 
and held an offsite strategy meeting. The agenda for meetings is 
agreed by the Chairman in conjunction with the Chief Executive 
and the Company Secretary and General Counsel. Agendas 
are based on an annual plan and 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. The Chairman monitors 
the information provided to the Board both at and outside of 
meetings to ensure it is sufficient, timely and clear.

Between Board meetings the Chairman maintains frequent 
direct contact with the Executive and Non-executive Directors 
and keeps the Non-executive Directors informed of material 
developments. At meetings the Chairman ensures that each 
Director is able to make an effective contribution within an 
atmosphere of transparency and constructive debate.

UK Corporate Governance Code
Throughout the year ended 31 December 2018, the Company 
was in full compliance with the provisions set out in the April 
2016 edition of the UK Corporate Governance Code issued by 
the Financial Reporting Council available at www.frc.org.uk

1. Leadership

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

•  Setting the overall Group strategy

•  Setting the tone and approach to 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

The Board also has a schedule of matters reserved to it, which 
is reviewed annually. Revisions were made in December 2018 to 
reflect latest best practice and the operations of the Group. The 
schedule of matters reserved to the Board is available on the 
Group’s corporate website www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk.

In line with the UK Corporate Governance Code, certain Board 
responsibilities are delegated to the Board’s 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 the Group’s corporate website. The minutes of all committee 
meetings are circulated to all 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 Executive Committee. The Executive 
Committee is chaired by the Chief Executive and its members are: 

John Carter

Chief Executive Officer

Tony Buffin

Group Chief Operating Officer

Frank Elkins

Chief Operating Officer, Merchanting

Andrew Harrison

Deputy CEO, Plumbing and Heating

Carol Kavanagh

Group Human Resources Director

Simon King

Managing Director, Wickes

Patrick Knight

Chief Information Officer

Martin Meech

Group Property Director

Robin Miller

Company Secretary and General Counsel

Alan Williams

Chief Financial Officer

60

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018The Company 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. 
The number of Board and Committee meetings attended by each 
Director during the year is detailed in the table below.

plc  
Board

Audit  
Committee

Nominations 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee*

Stay Safe 
Committee

Overall 
attendance

Number of meetings

Ruth Anderson

Tony Buffin

John Carter

Stuart Chambers

Coline McConville

Pete Redfern

Christopher Rogers

John Rogers

Alan Williams

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

5

5

-

-

-

5

-

5

5

-

8

-

-

-

8

8

7

8

8

-

4

-

-

-

4

4

4

4

-

-

3

3

-

3

3

-

3

-

-

-

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

96%

100%

100%

100%

Eight out of nine Directors had full attendance and the average 
attendance for the Board and Committees combined was 99%. 

Pete Redfern was unable to attend one Nominations Committee 
meeting which was arranged at short notice. 

Division of responsibilities

The roles of the Chairman and Chief Executive are split and 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 are available on the Group’s 
corporate website. 

Role of the Chairman
The Chairman leads the Board and ensures its effectiveness.  
The Chairman, Stuart Chambers, was independent at appointment.

Role of Non-executive Directors
Meetings are held between the Non-executive Directors in the 
absence of the Executive Directors and in the absence of the 
Chairman. The Senior Independent Director, Christopher Rogers, 
is available as a sounding board to the Chairman and other 
Non-executive Directors and is also available to shareholders 
should they wish to raise any matters through a different channel. 
No shareholders have expressed any concerns or asked to speak 
to the Senior Independent Director.

2. Effectiveness

Board composition
As at 31 December 2018 the Board comprised six Non-executive 
Directors and three Executive Directors. The biographies for 
the Board are listed on pages 56 to 58. 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, diversity 
and knowledge to meet the needs of the business. 

The Board considers on an annual basis whether each 
Non-executive Director 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 all Directors remain independent.

61

Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Appointment of Directors
Appointments of new Directors are made by the Board 
on the recommendation of the Nominations Committee. 
The Chairman normally chairs the Nominations Committee and 
all other members are independent Non-executive Directors. 
The Committee’s report can be found on page 90. 

The Group’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 Hampton Alexander Review and the need for a diverse 
board, although it does not intend to commit to specific quotas. 
The Board diversity policy is summarised in the Nominations 
Committee Report. 

Non-executive Directors have letters of appointment and are 
appointed for the period to the third Annual General Meeting 
following their election, 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.

The tenure of each Director is shown below:

Board Tenure 
At 31 December 2018

Tony Buffin 

John Carter 

Alan Williams 

2 yrs

Ruth Anderson 

5 yrs 9 m

5 yrs

7 yrs 2 m

Stuart Chambers 

1 yr 4 m

Coline McConville 

3 yrs 11 m

Pete Redfern 

Christopher Rogers 

John Rogers 

4 yrs 2 m

4 yrs 2 m

5 yrs 4 m

1 

2 

3  

4 

5  

6 

7  

8 

0 

Years

* John Carter’s tenure in the chart above reflects his tenure as CEO. He has been  
a member of the Board for 17 years and 6 months.

Time commitments 
The Company allows Executive Directors to hold no more than 
one external non-executive directorship at a listed entity. 

All Non-executive Directors are required to allocate sufficient time 
to the Company to discharge their responsibilities effectively and 
the time commitment expected is set out in each Non-executive 
Director’s letter of appointment. The letters of appointment will 
be available for inspection at the Annual General Meeting.

The Board considers on an annual basis the time commitments 
of each Non-executive Director. The Board is satisfied that all 
Directors continue to have sufficient time available to fulfil their 
duties. New external appointments in the year were given careful 
consideration, taking into account the number and scale of each 
Director’s other commitments and the Board was satisfied that 
the new external appointments would not impact the attendance 
of Directors or their contribution to the Company. 

Induction and development
The Group has an induction process for new Directors, which is 
facilitated by the Company Secretary and General Counsel. This 
includes a programme of meetings with senior management in 
both operations and central functions and visits to a range of 
branches and stores. The Chairman ensures that all Directors 
receive an appropriate tailored 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 34 to 41. In the year 
the Board attended training sessions on audit and accounting 
developments and artificial intelligence and machine learning. 
Ongoing development needs are considered when setting the 
Board forward planner and include deep-dives, topic briefings 
and site visits. 

Provision of information and support 
All Directors have direct access to the Company Secretary and 
General Counsel and may take independent professional advice 
at the Company’s expense in the furtherance of their duties 
if required.

62

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
Evaluation of Board performance 
Each year, the Board undertakes an evaluation of its  
performance and the performance of its Committees and 
individual Directors. This provides an opportunity to identify 
efficiencies, maximise strengths and highlight areas for further 
development. The Board’s policy is to engage an external 

facilitator to assist this process every three years. An external 
evaluation was undertaken in 2018 facilitated by Lisa Thomas 
at Independent Board Evaluation following the process outlined 
below. Neither Lisa Thomas nor Independent Board Evaluation 
has any other connection with the Group.

Stage 1 
Programme design
The Chairman 
and Independent 
Board Evaluation 
held meetings to 
discuss and agree 
the programme 
objectives and areas 
of particular focus

Stage 2
Observation
Board and 
Committee meetings 
were observed 
by Independent 
Board Evaluation

Stage 3
Interviews
Detailed interviews 
with every Board 
member which were 
structured around a 
set agenda

Interviews with other 
key contributors 
to gain a broader 
perspective of the 
Board’s work

Stage 4
Feedback
Discussion of draft 
conclusions with 
the Chairman

Discussion of 
feedback on the 
Chairman with the 
Senior Independent 
Director

Stage 5
Reporting
Detailed reports presented to: 

•  the Board on the findings, best 

practice and a proposed action plan

•  the chairman of each Committee  

on the performance of their 
Committee

•  the Senior Independent Director on 
the performance of the Chairman

•  the Chairman on the performance 

of individual Directors

Overall the Board’s feedback was positive. The Board was 
thought to be functioning well and effectiveness has improved 
over the last year with more rigour and structure in the 
boardroom. Reaching alignment on strategy had been important 
and helpful in positioning the Board to move forward.

The key areas identified by this year’s external evaluation for 
extra focus and development during the 2019 financial year are 
set out below. 

Focus area

Review Board 
and Committee 
responsibilities, 
composition 
and diversity

Build on the progress 
made with strategy

Actions being or to be taken in 2019
•  Deeper mapping of existing skills 
against future business needs

•  Planning for Non-executive 

Director refreshment

•  Review of Committee structures  

and responsibilities

•  Increasing the proportion of Board 

time focused on core brands, 
stakeholders and culture

Succession planning

•  Broadening of talent programmes to 

include more diversity initiatives

Board engagement 
with the business

•  Review of stakeholder 
engagement processes

•  Planning Board operational visits 

around updated strategic priorities 

Feedback confirmed that each Director brings considerable 
expertise and experience to Board discussions and the Board 
is satisfied that each one continues to contribute effectively to 
Board debate and guide and challenge management’s strategic 
plans and their implementation.

Re-election of Directors
In light of the assessment that all Directors continue to perform 
and provide a valuable contribution to the Board and its 
Committees, all Directors will be eligible to submit themselves for 
re-election at the 2019 AGM.

3. Accountability

Financial and business reporting
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 20 to 31. 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 96. 

Going concern
After reviewing the Group’s forecasts and risk assessments and 
making other enquiries, the Board has formed the 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 and 
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’s ability to successfully manage the principal 
risks and uncertainties outlined on pages 34 to 41 during 
periods of uncertain economic outlook and challenging 
macroeconomic conditions

63

Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018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 reviews and discusses internal controls on 
a regular basis. The system of internal controls is reviewed by 
the Board in a process that accords with the Financial Reporting 
Council guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and 
Related Financial and 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 and risk appetite at least 
once each year. Members of the Audit Committee also receive 
reports of Internal Audit reviews. If appropriate these reports 
include recommendations for improvements 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.

As part of its viability review, the outcome of which is set out 
on page 32, the Board considered the principal risks and 
uncertainties and mitigating factors set out on pages 34 to 41.

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 2018 are contained in its report, which 
is set out on pages 66 to 70.

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 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 
Director’s Responsibilities on page 96.

64

Annabelle Halton  
City Plumbing Supplies,  
St Albans

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 20184. Remuneration

The Board has established a Remuneration Committee  
consisting of three independent Non-executive Directors and the 
Chairman of the Board. 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 2018 are contained in its report, which is set out on  
pages 72 to 89.

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 Investor Relations team 
has an ongoing programme of engagement with shareholders. 
The Board receives regular updates on the shareholder register 
and the views of shareholders. At least once each year the 
Company reviews its strategy for engaging with shareholders to 
ensure that their needs are being met. The Board also reviews 
reports discussing governance matters and engages with 
governance bodies to contribute to the debate and development 
of good governance practices.

In 2018 the Executive Directors and Investor Relations team 
attended a large number of meetings. The Group held two 
briefings on results and a Capital Markets Day attended by  
a large number of shareholders, equity analysts and debt 
holders. Copies of the presentations are available on the Investor 
Relations section of the Group’s corporate website. 

The Chairman is always available to the Group’s shareholders 
if they have any issues they wish to discuss and the Senior 
Independent Director is also available as a direct contact 
for investors and shareholders, if they wish. During the year 
the Chairman met with a number of shareholders to discuss 
governance matters.

Annual General Meeting

Shareholders receive more than twenty working days’ notice 
of the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) 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. The numbers of proxy 
votes for and against each resolution are announced at the 
meeting and the final votes are subsequently published on the 
Company’s website.

There was strong support from shareholders for the majority 
of resolutions at last year’s meeting with over 90% of votes 
in favour. However 18% of shareholders voted against the 
disapplication of pre-emption rights for an additional 5% of the 
issued capital. The Board has noted the voting outcomes from 
last year and this year we are again proposing that the Company 
continues to be given authority for the disapplication of pre-
emption rights authority for up to 5% of the issued capital but 
the authority allowing the disapplication for an additional 5% in 
connection with acquisitions and specified capital investments 
will not be sought.

The Governance Report has been approved by the Board of 
Directors and is signed on its behalf by:

Stuart Chambers 
Chairman 
25 February 2019

Andrew Love  
Toolstation,  
Wellingborough

65

Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Audit Committee report

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Ruth Anderson
Chairman, Audit Committee
25 February 2019

I am pleased to present the Audit Committee’s report for the year 
ended 31 December 2018, which sets out our work in relation 
to financial reporting, internal audit and risk management and 
oversight of the external audit process.

This year saw further preparation for the new accounting 
standard IFRS 16 – Leases which will be significant for the Group 
because of the large number of leases it holds, the value of which 
will be included in the balance sheet in future. Although IFRS 16 
– Leases did not come into force until 1 January 2019, because of 
the scale and significance of the work, the Audit Committee has 
monitored progress in preparing for this new standard as well as 
agreeing the approach to implementing it.

Also during the year the Group recruited a new Director of 
Internal Audit and Risk. Nicola Bartley joined mid-year and, 
with management’s and the Committee’s support, has focused 
on adding further Internal Audit resources now needed in the 
business, reassessing the Internal Audit strategy and starting work 
on refreshing the Group’s risk management framework. Work on 
developing further the Group’s risk management processes will 
continue in 2019.

I will be available at the Annual General Meeting to answer any 
questions about the work of the Committee. 

Role of the Audit Committee

The Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight 
responsibilities. 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

•  Review the Company’s internal financial controls and the 

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 review the independence, objectivity and 
effectiveness of the audit process, taking account of relevant 
professional, regulatory and ethical guidance

The Committee operates under formal terms of reference which 
are reviewed annually. They were last updated in December 2018 
and are available on the Group’s corporate website.  
www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk

66

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Committee membership and  
meeting attendance 

The Committee comprised Ruth Anderson, who chaired the 
Committee, Coline McConville, Christopher Rogers and John 
Rogers throughout 2018.

All members are independent Non-executive Directors. Three 
of the members have recent and relevant financial experience 
and all members have 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 56 and 58). 

The Deputy Company Secretary was Secretary to the Committee 
throughout 2018.

The Committee held five formal meetings during 2018. Attendance at 
meetings is set out in the Governance Report on page 61. The Group 
Chairman, Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel 
& Company Secretary, Director of Group Finance, Director of Internal 
Audit, Group Chief Accountant and external auditors also attended the 
Committee’s meetings at the invitation of the Committee. Separate 
meetings with the Director of Internal Audit and with the external 
auditors without the presence of management were also held with the 
Committee Chairman and with the Committee.

As well as attending the Audit Committee meetings, the 
Committee members met with operational and finance team 
members during the year.

Work of the Committee

There is an annual work plan which 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 results announcements prepared 
by management and the associated press releases issued at 
the half-year and year-end. In discharging its financial reporting 
responsibilities the Committee reviewed accounting policies 
and compliance with accounting standards, going concern and 
viability assumptions, significant financial reporting estimates and 
judgements made during the preparation of the Group’s interim 
and annual accounts.

In addition, during the year, the Committee reviewed:

•  The Group’s systems of internal control, the effectiveness 

of controls and management’s continuing control 
improvement programme

•  The control framework for new IT systems under development

•  Management’s approach to accounting developments and 
the Group’s readiness for their implementation, notably the 
implementation of IFRS 16 – Leases

•  The Group’s approach to risk, key risks and the effectiveness of 

the risk management framework

•   The external audit plan, audit conduct and audit findings

•   The internal audit plan and resourcing, alongside a revised 
strategy for the development of Internal Audit’s activities

•   The Group’s tax strategy and compliance

•   The Group’s cyber attack response

•   The effectiveness and independence of Internal Audit and the 

external auditors

The Committee reviewed management’s approach to mitigating 
the risks created by the Group’s ageing systems and reviewed 
system, process and control changes introduced by management in 
response to these risks. The Committee has asked for the inclusion 
of a review of the key preventative and detective controls related to 
the legacy systems in the 2019 Internal Audit plan. 

In addition there are a number of standing agenda items which 
the Committee considered at each of its meetings:

•   Internal Audit reports

•  criminal activity investigations, bribery, whistleblowing, and 

cyber attack reports

•   progress on implementing recommendations arising from 

internal and external audit work

•   non-audit fees

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 to enable it to fulfil its 
responsibilities during the year.

The Board is updated 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 overleaf sets out the key judgement areas associated  
with the Group’s financial statements for the year-ended 
31 December 2018 that were considered by the Audit Committee. 
This is not a complete list of all accounting issues, estimates and 
policies, but includes those which the Committee believes are the 
most significant.

In reaching its conclusions, set out in more detail in the table, 
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 pages 98 to 105 and had the opportunity to 
discuss it with them in depth.

The process of replacing ageing systems in the Group’s major 
businesses with new systems began in 2018 and will continue for 
several years. The Committee reviewed the judgements made 
in accounting for the development of these new systems and 
assessed the judgements made by management in determining 
which elements of ongoing software development activity had 
ceased to meet the criteria in IAS 38 – Intangible Assets for 
capitalisation as development spend and so required impairment. 

67

Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Area

Issue and Nature of Judgement

Factors Considered and Conclusions Reached

Accounting for inventory 
and inventory valuation

To meet customer expectations 
the Group carries a wide range of 
inventory in over 2,000 locations.

During the year management regularly reported on inventory 
valuation and provisioning to the Committee and did so again at 
its meeting to discuss the year-end Annual Report & Accounts.

Accounting for rebate 
income and fixed  
price discounts  
(“supplier income”)

Inventory should be included in the 
balance sheet at the lower of cost or 
net realisable value. At 31 December 
inventory was valued at £0.9bn.

The determination of cost is 
made more difficult by the ageing 
accounting systems and also by 
material rebate and fixed price 
discount agreements, so requiring 
regular reconciliations in areas  
such as goods received not 
invoiced accruals.

The Committee reviewed and discussed the information 
presented about gross inventory values and the adjustments 
made by management to reduce inventory carrying values 
to allow for rebates and fixed price discounts attributable 
to inventory and provisions to reflect obsolescence or slow 
moving inventory.

The Committee assessed the judgements made by management 
and concluded from the information it had received and its 
discussions with management and the Auditors that inventory 
was fairly stated in the balance sheet.

Further information is given in the balance sheet on page 107 and 
in the notes to the financial statements (note 10 – inventories and 
note 11 – supplier income). 

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.

During the year the Committee discussed reports presented by 
management about the progress of improvements to systems, 
controls and processes which included the implementation of 
a new deal tracking and 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.

However, only two agreements are 
not coterminous 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.

A summary of supplier income received during the year and 
amounts included in the balance sheet at 31 December 2018 was 
given to the Committee at the meeting held to consider the year- 
end results. The Committee reviewed management’s judgements 
regarding the estimates of supplier income and amounts included 
in the balance sheet.

The Committee concluded that the controls over recognising and 
recovering supplier income were appropriate, that the £381m  
of supplier income included in debtors or offset against creditors 
was recoverable and that the amount set against the gross 
carrying value of stock was appropriate.

Further information is given in the financial statements  
(note 11 – supplier income).

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Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Area

Issue and Nature of Judgement

Factors Considered and Conclusions Reached

The carrying value 
of goodwill and other 
intangibles and tangible 
fixed assets

The Group balance sheet contains 
£1.5bn of goodwill and other 
intangible assets with indefinite 
useful lives that arose from historical 
acquisitions and £0.9bn of tangible 
fixed assets.

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 assets.

In addition, the Company 
balance sheet contains £3.6bn of 
investments in subsidiaries. The 
Directors compare the net present 
values of future cash flows from each 
investment to the carrying value of 
the investment in the balance sheet.

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.

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 and how sensitive 
those cash flows were to changes in the key assumptions.

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. It noted that the value in use model used 
by management showed that all material cash generating units 
except for Wickes and Tile Giant had significant headroom.  
The Committee concurred with the £252m impairment 
recognised in respect of Wickes and Tile Giant.

The Committee also discussed the calculations supporting the 
carrying value of investments held by the parent Company and 
concurred with management’s conclusions.

Further information is given in the financial statements:

•  note 8 – goodwill and other intangible assets, which sets out 
details of the Group’s intangible fixed assets and associated 
accounting policies

•  note 27 – impairment, which outlines key variables applied 
to the value-in-use calculations and sensitivity of results to 
changes in assumptions.

Internal audit

Internal Audit executed a risk-based audit plan, focused on areas 
of significant risk, development and change within the Group. 
The annual plan of activity, reviewed and approved by the Audit 
Committee, is constructed through Internal Audit evaluation 
and consultation with the Executive Committee and other key 
stakeholders in the business. Audit activities are reviewed at 
each Committee meeting and updated as business priorities 
and risks change. The 2018 audit plan covered a broad range of 
operational, legal and regulatory, IT and transformation activities, 
as well as a continued focus on reviewing financial controls in 
areas considered higher risk. Core key financial control areas are 
audited regularly, with annual reviews of balance sheet control 
accounts and statements by the divisions on their compliance 
with internal financial controls.

Audits were delivered by the in-house Internal Audit team and the 
Group’s co-source partners. The allocation of work was dependent 
on the specialist skills required, particularly in areas such as IT and 
data protection.

At each meeting the Committee considered reports from Internal 
Audit setting out the findings from the audits carried out. It also 
continued to review the implementation of recommendations 
proposed by Internal Audit and agreed by management, through 
an Internal Audit system which tracks activity on all active 
recommendations by age and level of risk to the business.

During 2018 the Committee reviewed and approved a revised 
strategy for the development of Internal Audit activities, which 
is designed to support the team’s ongoing conformance to 
professional standards, to continue to align the work of Internal 
Audit with key risks and business priorities and to move to greater 
use of technology in the delivery of audits. The Committee will 
review progress in 2019. Taking into account these developments, 
along with the performance of the Internal Audit team, the 
Committee was satisfied with the overall effectiveness of the 
Internal Audit function during the year.

Risk management and internal controls

Details of risks faced by the Group are maintained in Group or 
business risk registers. These risks are regularly reviewed by 
the Executive Committee and 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. The Group’s approach to risk was reviewed in 2018 and 
risk identification workshops were run with the major business 
units. As a result of this the processes to capture and assess risks 
will be refreshed during 2019.

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 34 to 41, together with information on how those 
risks are mitigated.

69
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Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018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 continued its programme of work to improve 
the control environment. The Audit Committee will monitor 
progress through the year and reviewing these programmes will 
continue to be an area of focus for Internal Audit. 

External auditor

KPMG LLP has been the external auditor since 2015. There are 
no contractual restrictions on the Group with regards to this 
appointment. In accordance with current professional standards, 
the partner responsible for the audit will change every 5 years. 
The Company will re-tender the external audit in accordance with 
the timescales set out in Financial Reporting Council guidance. 

Audit scope and effectiveness
The scope of the external audit of the 2018 Annual Report 
and Accounts was presented by the external auditor to the 
Committee in September 2018 so the Committee had the 
opportunity to discuss and challenge the audit plan and gain 
a good understanding of the key elements. 

The Committee considers the effectiveness of the external 
auditor during the year and, with input from management, carries 
out a formal review of its performance after the year-end audit 
has been completed.

In undertaking this assessment the Committee considers:

•  the experience and expertise of the auditor

•  the completion of the agreed external audit plan

•  the content, quality of insights and added value of external 

audit reports

•  the robustness and perceptiveness of the external auditor in 

their handling of key accounting and audit judgements

•  the interaction between management and the auditor

•  the provision of non-audit services

Independence and objectivity
One of the Committee’s responsibilities is to ensure compliance 
with the Board’s policy on services provided by and fees paid 
to the external auditor. The policy, which was reviewed by the 
Committee during the year, sets out the work that is permitted 
to be performed by the external auditor and the work which 
is prohibited.

The process for approving all non-audit work provided by 
the external 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. In 2018 KPMG did not provide any 
services not connected to the audit except for the maintenance of 
the Group’s employee benefits system.

From 2019 KPMG will no longer provide any services that are 
not connected to the audit except for maintenance of the Group’s 
employee benefits system which will continue until the current 
maintenance contract ends in 2021.

Non-audit fees require approval and the amount payable to the 
external auditor in any particular year cannot exceed 70% of the 
average of the current and prior two years audit fee.

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 £1,101,000 (2017: £935,000) for 
audit-related work, and £119,000 (2017: £120,000) for non-
audit work. Non-audit work related to the review of the Group’s 
interim financial statements and the maintenance of the Group’s 
employee benefits system. In addition, £3.7m (2017: £3.7m) of 
fees were paid to other accounting firms for non-audit work. The 
total fees paid by the Group to KPMG LLP in 2018 amount to less 
than 0.05% of KPMG’s UK fee income.

Assessment of the external auditor
Having considered the external auditor’s performance 
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 it 
recommend KPMG be reappointed by shareholders at the Annual 
General Meeting on 8 May 2019.

This report has been approved by the Board of Directors and 
signed on its behalf by:

Ruth Anderson  
Chairman, Audit Committee 
25 February 2019

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Mindaugas Joga - Travis Perkins, Gowerton Road

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 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
Directors’ 
remuneration report

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Coline McConville
Chairman, Remuneration Committee
25 February 2019

Dear Shareholders,
As Chairman of the Remuneration Committee I am pleased to 
introduce the 2018 Directors’ Remuneration Report.

No changes to remuneration policy
Our current remuneration framework was approved by 
shareholders at the 2017 AGM and the Committee continues to 
believe that this framework supports the link between strategy 
and reward.

No changes are proposed to policy or the approach to 
implementation (including quantum and metrics) this year.  
In accordance with the remuneration reporting regulations we  
are required to submit a new remuneration policy to shareholders 
at the 2020 AGM. During the forthcoming year, therefore, 
the Committee will undertake a detailed review of policy to 
ensure it supports the new strategic approach outlined at the 
Capital Markets day in December 2018. We plan to consult with 
shareholders on any changes towards the end of the year.

Link between pay and performance
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 the long-term ambition and improve 
shareholder returns. 

The Committee believes that there has been good alignment 
between the Group’s incentive payouts and performance and the 
value created for shareholders in recent years. In the Quick View 
of remuneration set out on page 74 the link between the Group’s 
strategic ambition and corresponding incentive KPIs is detailed.

Salary review
With effect from 1 January 2019 John Carter, Tony Buffin and 
Alan Williams salaries were increased by 2% in line with the 
general increase applied across the Group. New salaries are 
£703,934, £543,949 and £510,000 respectively. 

The annual review date for Non-executive Directors’ fees has 
been moved to 1 July and therefore Non-executive Directors’  
fees are unchanged.

72

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 20182018 remuneration outcomes

Uncertainty following the triggering of article 50 in March 2017 
has continued largely unabated with significant impact for 
domestic UK businesses heavily exposed to the economic cycle 
such as Travis Perkins. In the face of these continued market 
headwinds and declining consumer confidence, the Group has 
delivered robust financial performance, broadly in line with our 
expectations for the year.

Performance against key financial objectives is as follows:

•  EBITA of £375m (2017: £380m)

•  LAROCE of 9.9%1 (2017: 10.1%)

2018 bonus payout
Bonuses for Executive Directors are based on EBITA (60%), 
LAROCE (20%) and performance against our strategic tracker 
(20%). The Group EBITA achievement of £375m resulted in a 
payout of 17.5% of maximum bonus potential for this element 
and LAROCE of 9.9% led to a 62.5% payment reflecting strong 
cash control throughout the year. 

There was solid progress against the strategic tracker during 
2018. Highlights include:

•  A comprehensive deployment of our Stay Safe safety 

assurance and risk assessment programmes

•  Achievement, albeit towards the lower end, of our employee 
engagement target. We view this as a positive result in the 
context of challenging markets and significant change activity 
within the Group.

•  Overall growth in customer satisfaction, as measured by 

account growth

•  Strong year-on-year growth for online sales across the Group

•  Reduction in overheads as a percentage of sales.

Further details are provided on page 80. The strategic tracker 
is an important part of the short-term incentive. It focuses 
management effort towards delivering strategic goals which are 
considered critical for delivering sustainable growth in returns 
over the long-term but which may require short-term investment. 
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 by the Committee to be 60% of maximum.

This performance has resulted in bonuses of 35% of maximum 
for the Executive Directors. For the CEO this equates to 63% of 
salary and for the COO and CFO 52.5% of salary. Half of this 
bonus will be paid in cash following the year end. The remaining 
half will be deferred as shares which will vest after three years. 

The Committee considered that these levels of bonus were an 
appropriate reflection of the resilient financial performance and 
progress against strategic objectives achieved in 2018.

Long-term incentives
Vesting of 2016 long-term incentive awards has been impacted 
by the current market uncertainty following the UK’s decision to 
leave the European Union. In this context, EPS growth and relative 
total shareholder return targets have not been achieved. Against 
this backdrop however the cash generation has remained robust 
supporting strong CROCE performance. Further details on each 
element of the long-term incentives is provided below:

2016 PSP vesting
PSP awards granted in 2016 were subject to Adjusted EPS (40%), 
TSR (20%) and cash flow (40%) performance. Both the Adjusted 
EPS performance and the TSR performance were below the trigger 
required for any vesting of these elements of the award. Aggregate 
cash flow over the three year period was £1.1bn which was above the 
maximum target and resulted in the full 40% of the cash flow element 
vesting. Overall 40% of PSP awards granted in 2016 vested.

2016 Co-investment awards
The CEO and COO invested the maximum amount possible under the 
Co-Investment Plan in 2016 and awards were made under the plan 
of twice the gross value of the investments made. These awards were 
subject to CROCE performance. CROCE performance over the three 
year period was 11% reflecting strong cash generation underpinned 
by improvements in working capital, judicious capital expenditure and 
asset recycling. This performance was above the maximum target set 
and resulted in 100% of awards vesting. 

The Committee considered that the level of vesting under 
the PSP and Co-Investment Plan in respect of 2018 to be an 
appropriate reflection of performance over the last three years 
and in particular the work management have undertaken to 
deliver strong cash performance. 

The Group will implement the new lease accounting standard 
IFRS 16 from January 2019 which will have an impact of the 
financial metrics for LTIP awards granted in 2017 and 2018.  
The impact will be considered by the Remuneration Committee 
to ensure that performance continues to be measured on a like 
for like basis and that targets remain appropriately stretching.  
Any adjustments required will be set out in next year’s report.

UK Corporate Governance Code
A key focus for the Committee during the year will be considering 
the application of the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code 
(“the Code”) including new areas such as post-employment 
shareholding requirements. 

We already comply with the Code in many areas, for example 
our PSP awards are subject to a post vesting holding period of 
two years and we have the ability to exercise discretion under 
our policy. In addition, the Committee has decided that for any 
new external appointments to the Board our pension policy will 
be reduced from the current level of 25% to 10% of base salary 
which is more closely aligned with the rate available across the 
wider workforce.

The Committee will be submitting its remuneration report to 
the 2019 AGM where the report will be subject to an advisory 
shareholder vote. We look forward to receiving your support.

Coline McConville 
Remuneration Committee Chairman 
25 February 2019

1. 

 LAROCE for performance against key financial objectives is stated before the effect of the impairment of Wickes and Tile Giant goodwill. Performance has been assessed 
on this basis as this was the basis on which the target was set.

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Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Quick view – Remuneration in 2018

Measuring performance

Ambition

Profit growth

Delivery against investments

Strategic KPI
Earnings before interest, tax and  
amortisation (EBITA)
Earnings per share (EPS) Growth
Lease Adjusted Return on Capital Employed 
(LAROCE)
Cash Return on Capital Employed (CROCE)

Strategic delivery
Turning profit into cash
Delivering value to shareholders Relative Total Shareholders Return

Strategic trackers
Aggregate Cash Flow

Bonus Weighting

LTIP Weighting

60%

-

20%

-

20%
-
-

-

40% PSP

-

100% CIP

-
40% PSP
20% PSP

2018 outcomes

Element
Base salary
Annual bonus (% of Max)
LTIP (% of Max)

John Carter
£690,131
35%
64%

Tony Buffin
£533,283
35%
64%

Alan Williams
£500,000
35%
n/a

Annual Bonus Outcome
The maximum bonus opportunity for the CEO is 180% of salary 
and 150% of base salary for other Executive Directors. Half of 
bonus earned is deferred into shares for three years. All bonus 
is subject to malus and clawback. Performance weighting and 
measures are unchanged from the previous year.

LTIP Outcome
The maximum PSP award for Executive Directors is 150% of 
base salary. The maximum award under the Co-Investment Plan 
is 100% of base salary subject to an Executive investing 50% of 
their net salary.

% achieved

% achieved

EBITA

LAROCE

Strategy

EPS Growth

nil

Aggregate 
Cashflow
TSR

CROCE

nil

Threshold

Target

Max

Threshold

Target

Max

Share Ownership Guidelines
Executive Directors are required to hold shares valued at two times annual salary within 5 years of appointment. All Executive Directors 
meet this requirement.

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Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
Remuneration policy report

Annual remuneration report

The Group’s Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the ‘Policy’) was 
approved by 97% of shareholders at the AGM held on 24 
May 2017. The policy can be found on pages 77 to 85 of the 
Annual Report & Accounts 2016, available on the company 
website. A summary of the policy is also provided below under 
the ‘Statement of Implementation of Remuneration Policy in 
2019’ section.

The following sets out the Group’s Annual Remuneration 
Report for 2018 which includes details of how its policy was 
implemented in 2018 and how it intends to implement its policy 
in 2019. This report is subject to an advisory shareholder vote at 
the 2019 AGM.

Statement of implementation of the 
remuneration policy in 2019

Executive Directors:
The following provides a summary of the Group’s remuneration 
policy and how the Group intends to implement the policy 
during 2019.

Individual Maximum 
Opportunity in 2019

Measures  
and Weighting

Operation

Plan

Base Salary

Benefits

CEO – £703,934 
(2018: £690,131)
COO – £543,949  
(2018: £533,283)
CFO – £510,000 
(2018: £500,000)
n/a

n/a

n/a

Pension

25% of salary, allowance 
or contribution

n/a

Annual Bonus

Maximum annual bonus 
opportunity:
CEO – 180% of salary
COO – 150% of salary
CFO – 150% of salary

The 2019 bonus will be 
based on the following 
measures:

•  EBITA 60%

•  LAROCE 20%

•  Business  

strategy 20%

The remuneration committee agreed a 2% increase for the 
Executive Directors in line with salary increases applied across 
the Group.

Directors continue to be entitled to benefits in-line with policy, 
including private medical insurance, income protection, annual 
leave, company car (or cash alternative), life insurance of up to 
5 times salary and participation in all-employee share plans 
operated such as Sharesave (SAYE) and BAYE.
Directors participate in a defined contribution arrangement  
or receive a cash allowance.

The Committee has decided that for any new external 
appointments to the Board our pension policy will be reduced 
from the current level of 25% to 10% of base salary which 
is more closely aligned with the rate available across the 
wider workforce.
Targets are determined in relation to the Group’s budget.

Threshold payment is made for performance just below 
the Group’s budget with maximum only being made 
for performance well in excess of the Group’s budget. 
Performance below threshold results in zero bonus. 

For 2019 the strategic tracker includes measures related 
to the Group’s strategy announced at the Capital Markets 
day: Group simplification, major IT change programmes and 
safety and people related objectives.

50% of bonus earned is deferred as shares for three years.

Malus and clawback provisions apply.

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Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Plan

Individual Maximum 
Opportunity in 2019

Measures  
and Weighting

Operation

Performance 
Share Plan

Maximum annual award 
of 150% of base salary

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 2019 PSP award 
will be based on the 
following measures 
(these are unchanged 
from 2018):
•  Adjusted EPS  
growth 40%

•  Aggregate  

cash flow 40%

•  Relative TSR 20%

Awards are subject to performance over a three year 
performance period. Awards that vest are subject to a further 
2 year holding period.

Performance below threshold results in zero vesting. From 
the threshold level the amount of the award vesting rises 
from 25% to 100% of maximum opportunity for levels of 
performance between threshold and maximum.

2019 awards will be subject to the following performance 
conditions and targets:

Adjusted EPS - threshold target of 3% p.a. growth over 3 
years with full vesting at 10% p.a. growth.

The aggregate cash flow range is £1,100m to £1,200m

Relative TSR - relative position in FTSE 50-150

•  Threshold is median relative position

•  Maximum is upper quartile relative position

As noted above, the Group will implement the new lease 
accounting standard IFRS 16 from January 2019. Targets for 
2019 PSP awards have been set taking this into account. 

The 2019  
Co-investment  
matching award  
will be based on:

Cash Return on Capital 
Employed (CROCE)

Malus and clawback provisions apply.
Awards are subject to performance over a three year 
performance period. 

Performance below threshold results in zero vesting. From 
the threshold level the amount of the award vesting rises 
from 25% to 100% of maximum opportunity for levels of 
performance between threshold and maximum.

2019 awards will be subject to:

CROCE target performance range 8.3% to 9.3%

As noted above, the Group will implement the new lease 
accounting standard IFRS 16 from January 2019. Targets for 
2019 Co-Investment awards have been set taking this into 
account. It is estimated that IFRS 16 will have an impact of 
c.3.2ppt on CROCE performance and therefore on a pre-IFRS 
16 basis the CROCE targets are equivalent to 11.5% to 12.5%. 

Malus and clawback provisions apply.

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 bonus earned, will be disclosed retrospectively, in the 
relevant reporting period.

Shareholding guidelines apply to Executive Directors as set out 
on page 84.

The Company operates different performance measures 
for the PSP and the CIP as it considers it important that the 
incentives drive performance in different areas. This has been 
the case since the CIP was introduced and is well understood 
by management.

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Non-executive Directors:  

Fees and 
Benefits

•  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. 

•  The Non-executive Chairman receives an all-inclusive fee for the role. The Group also pays part of the 

employment costs of the Chairman’s assistant.

•  A minimum of 25% of Non-executive Director and Chairman 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.

•  The review date for Non-executive Directors’ fees has been changed to 1 July. Therefore there are no changes 

with effect from 1 January 2019.

•  Chairman – Upon appointment on 7 November 2017, it was agreed that the Chairman’s fee will be fixed  
at £320,000 for a period of three years. His fee will next be reviewed with effect from 1 January 2021. 

•  Non-executive basic fee - £57,511 

•  Chairs of Audit and Remuneration Committees - £17,000 

•  Chair of Health & Safety Committee - £10,000

•  Senior Independent Director - £12,500 

Remuneration elsewhere in the Group
In 2017 the Group launched its Group Employee Consultation 
Forum which gives voice to a representative cross-section of 
colleagues from our business divisions, in relation to a broad 
range of matters, but with a strong focus on remuneration 
topics. The Forum helps inform the design of new initiatives 
and raise areas for consideration (including areas of concern) 
in relation to remuneration issues. The Forum complements 
existing mechanisms by which colleague views on issues are 
sought; examples include business’s Managing Director listening 
groups, regional and business consultation forums as well as 
engagement surveys which are undertaken annually and which 
allow colleagues to provide feedback on employee reward. The 
Group’s ‘MyPerks’ Google community delivers feedback on the 
Group’s benefits arrangements from a membership of around 
1,800 community members. 

The Committee takes into account remuneration packages 
available to all colleagues when considering executive pay.  
As with many companies, executives and senior management 
participate in a wider range of incentives than the majority of 
colleagues. The Group believes that it is necessary to operate on 
this basis to attract and retain high-quality managers, but ensures 
that a significantly higher proportion of reward for this group of 
colleagues is placed on variable incentive outcomes as illustrated 
in the chart at the top of the adjacent column.

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.  
This platform 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. 

100%

75%

50%

25%

0%

Colleagues

Managers Senior Managers

(below executives)

Fixed

Variable

Over 25,000 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. In 2018, as 
part of this programme, the Group launched an employee loan 
proposition with its partner Neyber. This provides affordable and 
responsible lending to colleagues who might otherwise struggle 
to secure support. In 2019 we plan to launch a range of employee 
savings products.

The Group’s Sharesave scheme continues to be a great 
success. In 2018 over 6,300 colleagues took up the invitation to 
participate on either 3 or 5 year contracts committing to savings 
contracts of £34.1m. 

77

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
Audited information

Single total figure of remuneration

£000

Salary 

Benefits 

Bonus 

LTI4

Pension 

Buy-out6

Total 

2018

Executive Directors

John Carter

Tony Buffin

Alan Williams1

Non-executive Directors

Ruth Anderson

Stuart Chambers2

Coline McConville

Pete Redfern

Christopher Rogers

John Rogers

Robert Walker3

Total 

Notes:

690

533

500

75

320

75

68

70

58

-

49

35

19

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

435

280

263

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

686

531

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

173

133

125

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

272

 2,033

1,512

 1,179

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

75

320

75

68

70

58

-

2,389

103

978

1,217

431

272

5,390

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

Alan Williams was appointed CFO from 3 January 2017.

 Stuart Chambers was appointed Chairman on 7 November 2017 having been appointed Non-executive Director, Chairman Designate on 1 September 2017.  
Between 1 September 2017 and 7 November 2017 he was paid one-third of his chairman fee (£106,666 per annum).

Robert Walker retired on 6 November 2017.

 LTI reported for 2018 for John Carter and Tony Buffin include LTI awards vesting in March 2019. The value of these awards has been calculated based on the average share 
price for the last quarter of 2018 of £10.60. Further details are provided on page 85.

 LTI reported for 2017 for John Carter (£890k) and Tony Buffin (£687k) and the PSP element of buyout awards reported for 2017 for Alan Williams (£1,024k) were 
calculated on an estimated basis using the average share price of the final quarter of 2017 of £15.16. They are restated here to reflect the actual share prices on 
vesting (PSP £12.27, Co-investment Plan £12.29 and Buyout PSP awards £13.07) giving revised figures of £734k, £568k and £966k for John Carter, Tony Buffin and 
Alan Williams respectively.

6. 

 On appointment Alan Williams was made awards to buy-out remuneration forfeited on leaving his previous employer. Further details are provided on page 81.  
This amount relates to a portion of the buy-out (24,036 shares) which is due to vest on 15 March 2019 as the performance conditions have been met.

Explaining the single figure table

Benefits
Benefits for 2018 for John Carter, Tony Buffin and Alan Williams include private medical insurance and the provision of a company car 
and fuel (or allowance alternative).

78

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Salary 

Benefits 

Bonus 

2017

LTI5

Pension 

Buy-out6

Total 

690

533

500

75

68

75

68

70

58

289

2,396

47

29

20

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

888

572

536

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

734

568

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

173

133

125

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

966

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

96

1,996

1,302

431

966

2,532

1,835

2,147

75

68

75

68

70

58

259

7,187

Annual bonus for 2018
The tables below provide a summary of the performance achieved under the annual bonus for 2018:

Director

John Carter

Tony Buffin

Alan Williams

Maximum Bonus  
Opportunity (% of salary)

Actual Bonus 
(% of salary)

180%

150%

150%

63%

52.5%

52.5%

Actual Bonus

£434,783

£279,974

£262,500

All bonus earned in respect of 2018 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.

Bonus earned is based upon achievement of the following Group financial targets:

Performance 
Measure

Weighting

EBITA

LAROCE

60%

20%

Business Strategy

20%

Targets

Threshold
(0% bonus)

Plan
(50% bonus)

Maximum  
(100% bonus)

Actual  
Performance

Pay-out  
(as a % of maximum)

£370m

£385m

£404m

£375m

9.4%

9.8%

9.9%7
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 on the following page.

10.2%

17.5%

62.5%

60%

7. 

 LAROCE for performance against key financial objectives is stated before the effect of the impairment of Wickes and Tile Giant goodwill. Performance has been assessed 

on this basis as this was the basis on which the target was set.

79

Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Area

Measure

Summary of Performance 

People

Stay Safe 

Colleague 
engagement

Customer

Overall customer 
satisfaction

Multi-Channel

Online sales growth

Overheads

Cost management

IT 

Delivery of key 
strategic programmes

Stay Safe strategy deployment with effective safety assurance 
programmes and risk assessment
Colleague engagement, as measured by our engagement 
surveys, exceeded the industry average but was towards the 
lower end of the target range set.
Customer satisfaction score is measured by overall trading 
account growth in each business. There were areas of strong 
growth in some of our Merchant but in others growth was flat. 
Strong year-on-year growth for online sales across the Group 
with particularly strong performance in Travis Perkins and 
Toolstation.
The target was a zero year on year increase in overheads as a 
% of sales, and this was exceeded. 
Achievement against three major IT programmes namely 
core systems, HR / payroll and multichannel programmes. 
Significant progress in HR and Multichannel programmes but 
slower progress in core systems.

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 

£257,536
(24,298 shares including 2,126 
dividend equivalents added in 
the vesting period)
£199,008
(18,776 shares including 1,643 
dividend equivalents added in 
the vesting period)

£428,806
(40,457 shares including 3,457 
dividend equivalents added in 
the vesting period)
£332,079
(31,331 shares including 2,739 
dividend equivalents added in 
the vesting period)

The value of shares vesting has been calculated with reference to the average price over the last quarter of 2018 of £10.60

Committee’s  
Assessment

Met at around target

Met in part

Met in part

Mostly met

Exceeded

Met in part

Total

£686,342

£531,087

80

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Performance share plan

The following table sets out the performance targets, achievements and vesting levels for the Performance Share Award granted in 
2016 and vesting in 2019 in respect of performance period ending on 31 December 2018:

Measure

Weighting

Threshold

Maximum

Adjusted EPS Growth

Relative TSR

Aggregate Cash Flow

Total Vesting

40%

20%

40%

 RPI +3%pa

 RPI +10% pa

 Median

 £867m

 Upper quartile

Below median

 £959m

£1,150m

Actual

(8.2%)

Vesting

0%

0%

40%

40%

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 2016 and 
vesting in 2019 in respect of performance period ending on 31 December 2018: 

Measure

Weighting

Threshold

Maximum

Actual

Vesting

Cash Return on 
Capital Employed 
(3 year average)
Total vesting

100%

 8.4%

9.4%

11.0%

100%

100%

Alan Williams’ buy-out arrangements

On leaving his former employer Alan Williams 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 were structured as far as possible to be on a ‘like-for-like’ 
basis with awards he forfeited, in accordance with the Group’s 
remuneration policy.

Deferred bonus shares
Alan Williams was made an award of 39,900 shares to 
compensate him for deferred shares forfeited, which were awarded 
in 2014 and 2015 in respect of bonuses earned. 24,583 (61.6%) 
shares vested on 2 December 2017 and the balance of 15,317 
(38.4%) shares vested on 4 December 2018. These shares were 
subject to continued employment and had no further performance 
conditions (reflecting the terms of the forfeited awards).

These awards were included in the single figure table for 2017 
based on the value of these shares at the date of award (total value 
of £593,712) (share price £14.88). 

Performance share plan
Alan Williams was also made an award of 51,584 shares.  
This award was to compensate him for Performance Share 
awards forfeited, which were awarded in 2014 and 2015. In 
determining this amount the Committee applied an assumed 
vesting rate based on the anticipated level 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. Vesting of awards is subject to 
achievement of stretching role specific performance conditions.

27,548 shares vested on 15 March 2018 and were reported in the 
single figure table for 2017. The remaining 24,036 shares are due 
to vest on 15 March 2019. 

The Committee assessed that Alan has continued to perform well 
and has built on his achievements in 2018, in particular leading 
the Board review of strategy culminating in the redefinition of 
Company’s strategy which was communicated at the Capital 
Market’s Day in December 2018. Alan has also met objectives set 
around the finance operating model and organisational design.

On this basis the Committee determined that the second half of 
the award should vest in full.

The portion of the buy-out (24,036 shares) that vests on 
15 March 2019 has been included in the single figure table on 
the basis of the average share price for the last quarter of 2018 
of £10.60. The value disclosed also includes 1,621 shares, with a 
value of £17,181, based on a share price of £10.60, to reflect the 
dividend equivalents accrued since award, giving a total value 
of £271,940.

81

Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Directors’ pension entitlements

In lieu of pension contribution, a gross cash allowance of 25% of salary was paid to John Carter and Alan Williams. 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 2018

n/a

173

173

10

123

133

n/a

125

125

John Carter
£000

Tony Buffin
£000

Alan Williams
£000

Share interests awarded during the financial year

Performance share plan

Date  
of Award

Type  
of Award

Basis

% vesting at 
lower target

Face  
Value*

Performance 
Period 

John Carter

Tony Buffin

13 March 2018

Performance Shares  
- nil cost option

150%  
of Salary

25%

Alan Williams

£1,035,197
(79,624 shares at 
£13.001/share)
£799,925
(61,527 shares at 
£13.001/share)
£750,000
(57,687 shares at 
£13.001/share)

1 January 2018
 to  
31 December 2020

Awards are subject 
to an additional  
2 year holding 
period post vesting

On the same date, John Carter was also awarded 592 market value options under the HMRC tax-advantaged CSOP element of the PSP with a face value of £7,697 and an 
exercise price of £13.001 (the average market value over the 5 dealing days prior to the award). This award is subject to the same performance conditions as the PSP award.  
If the options vest they are exercisable until the tenth anniversary of grant.

*  Face value is calculated based on the lower of the share price on the day prior to the award and the average share price over the five days prior to the date of the award. 

Awards are increased at each dividend payment date to reflect the dividends that would have been paid on vested shares between grant and vesting. 

Performance Share Plan awards are subject to the following performance measures:

Measure

Weighting

Target Range

Vesting Range

Adjusted EPS Growth

Aggregate Cash Flow over  
the performance period

Company TSR Relative  
to FTSE 50-150 Index

40%

40%

20%

Lower target – 3% per annum over the 
vesting period

Maximum target – 10% per annum over 
the vesting period
Lower target £953m 

Maximum target £1,053m
Lower target – median performance 
(top 50%)

Maximum target – upper quartile 
performance (top 25%)

No vesting below lower target

Lower target – 25% vests

Maximum target – 100% vests

Pro-rata vesting between 
these points

82

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
Co-investment plan

Date  
of Award

Type  
of Award

Basis

% vesting at 
lower target

Face  
Value*

Performance 
Period 

John Carter

Tony Buffin

29 March 2018

Matching Shares - nil 
cost option

up to 2:1 
matching of 
shares  
purchased

25%

Alan Williams

£685,324
(55,403 shares at 
£12.3698/share)
£529,551
(42,810 shares at 
£12.3698/share)
£496,499
(40,138 shares at 
£12.3698/share)

1 January  
2018
 to 
31 December  
2020

* Face value is calculated based on the lower of the share price on the day prior to the award and the average share price over the five days prior to the date of the award. Awards 
are increased at each dividend payment date to reflect the award that would have been paid on vested shares between grant and vesting. 

Co-investment Plan matching awards are subject to the following performance measure:

Measure

Weighting

Target Detail

Matching Range

Cash Return on Capital 
Employed (CROCE)

100%

Lower target 9.7% 
Maximum target 10.7%

0.5:1 matching at lower target

2:1 matching at maximum target

Pro-rata matching between 
these points

As noted in the Chairman’s statement, the Group will implement the new lease accounting standard IFRS 16 from 1 January 2019 which 
will have an impact on the financial metrics for LTI awards granted in 2017 and 2018. The impact will be considered by the Committee 
to ensure that performance continues to be measured on a like-for-like basis and that targets remain appropriately stretching. Any 
adjustment required will be set out in next years’ report.

Susan Walker - Wickes, Cricklewood

83
83

Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
Deferred share bonus plan 

Shares awarded during 2018

Half of the bonus earned in respect of 2017 performance was awarded as deferred shares as follows:

Date of Award

Face Value

Number of shares**

Share price*

John Carter

Tony Buffin

Alan Williams

13 March 2018

£443,888

£285,837

£267,998

29,280

18,854

17,677

£15.16

£15.16

£15.16

*The share price used to calculate the number of shares awarded was the last 30 days of the Company’s financial year.

** Shares vest three years from the date of award. Awards are increased at each dividend payment date to reflect the dividends that would have been paid on vested shares 

between grant and vesting.

Half of the bonuses earned in 2018 will be issued as deferred shares as follows:

John Carter

Tony Buffin

Alan Williams

Type of Award

Basis

Shares

50% of 2018 bonus

Face Value

£217,391

£139,987

£131,250

Shares vest three years from the date of award.

Payments to past Directors

No payments were made to past Directors.

Payments for leaving Directors

No payments for loss of office were made during 2018. 

Directors’ 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 two times annual 
salary within 5 years of appointment. As at 31 December 2018 
John Carter’s shareholding was 5.7 times salary, Tony Buffin held 
2.9 times salary and Alan Williams held 2.8 times salary based 
on the average share price for the last quarter of 2018 (£10.60). 
All senior executives also met their shareholding requirements. 
Executive Directors’ shareholdings are illustrated in the chart below:

y
r
a
l
a
s

f
o
%

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

84

John Carter

Tony Buffin

Alan Williams

Actual shareholding (% of salary)

Shareholding requirement (% of salary)

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
Directors’ shareholdings and share interests as at 31 December 2018:

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

John Carter

Tony Buffin

Alan Williams

368,536

147,580

131,630

363,459

279,062

213,782

42,283

28,532

19,868

1,034

2,016

2,016

3,939

1,573

-

Total  
Interests

779,251

458,763

367,296

Interests 
Qualifying 
Towards 
Shareholder 
Requirement4
371,176

148,413

131,630

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Includes unapproved Performance Share Plan awards, Co-Investment Plan awards and buyout awards which are subject to performance conditions.

 Includes awards made under Deferred Share Bonus Plan (which are not subject to further performance conditions), Sharesave and buyout awards not subject to 
performance conditions.

 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.

 Interests qualifying towards shareholding requirement comprise ordinary shares beneficially held at 31 December 2018 by the executive and their spouse/partner, vested 
but unexercised SAYE options and the post-tax value (53%) of any share options or awards which have vested but have not been exercised.

There were no changes in Executive Directors’ share ownership between 31 December 2018 and 25 February 2019.

During 2018 the following awards were exercised:

John Carter

Exercise date

Number of shares

Price per share

Performance Share Plan

Deferred Share Bonus Plan

Co-investment Plan

27 March 2018

27 March 2018

27 March 2018

20,308

17,016

33,447

£12.3385

£12.3385

£12.3385

Tony Buffin

Exercise date

Number of shares

Price per share

Performance Share Plan

Deferred Share Bonus Plan
Co-investment Plan

27 March 2018

15 March 2018
27 March 2018

15,940

10,956
25,847

£12.3385

£13.1050
£12.3385

Alan Williams

Exercise date

Number of shares

Price per share

Buy-out Award - PSP

Buy-out Award - bonus

3 May 2018

18 December 2018

27,548

15,317

£12.8600

£10.9877

Directors’ shareholding and share interests – Non-executive Directors

Non-executive Director

Ruth Anderson

Stuart Chambers

Coline McConville

Pete Redfern

Christopher Rogers

John Rogers

Beneficial Shareholding
(as at 31 December 2018)

Beneficial Shareholding
(as at 25 February 2019)

4,446

3,796

2,498

9,432

7,634

2,088

4,608

4,411

2,655

9,574

7,774

2,194

A minimum of 25% of Non-executive Director fees is paid in shares. Between 31 December 2018 and 25 February 2019 Non-executive 
Directors’ share ownership increased due to the payment of a portion of their fees in shares.

85

Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018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 one non-executive directorship or other significant 
appointment, provided that these appointments will not lead to 
conflicts of interest, and they may retain the fees received. John 
Carter was appointed a Non-executive Director of McCarthy 
& Stone on 1 October 2017. He earned and retained fees of 
£54,600 during 2018 (£13,650 2017). Tony Buffin has been 
a Non-executive Director of the Dyson family business since 
2014. Tony earned and retained fees of £42,000 during 2018 
(£42,000 2017). Alan Williams held no external appointments 
during 2018.

Funding of equity awards
Executive incentive arrangements are funded by shares 
purchased in the market. Entitlements under the HMRC approved 
all colleague Sharesave scheme were satisfied by newly issued 
shares until May 2018 but are now funded by shares purchased 
in the market. 

Shares purchased in the market are held by a trust and the voting 
rights relating to the shares are exercisable by the Trustees in 
accordance with their fiduciary duties. At 31 December 2018 the 
Trust held 3,803,841 shares.

At 31 December 2018 the historical dilution usage was 4.8% of 
shares in issue. The dilution usage will fall to nil over the next 
10 years as shares are purchased in the market to satisfy all 
share plan awards.

Unaudited information

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. 
Details of the Group’s policy on payments in respect of loss of 
office are provided in the Group’s Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
on pages 77-85 of the Annual Report & Accounts 2016. 

The dates Executive Directors service 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

Stuart Chambers

2021 AGM

2021 AGM

2021 AGM

2020 AGM

2021 AGM

2021 AGM

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.

86

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Performance graph and table 
For comparative purposes the FTSE 350 index has been selected as this is the index of which the Company was a member during the 
reporting year.

Total Shareholder Return

Travis Perkins plc

FTSE 350

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

Jan
2009

Dec
2009

Dec
2010

Dec
2011

Dec
2012

Dec
2013

Dec
2014

Dec
2015

Dec
2016

Dec
2017

Dec
2018

TSR is rebased to 100 from 1 January 2009

Historic CEO pay

Single Figure Remuneration 
(£’000)

Annual bonus payout  
(% of maximum)

Vesting of Share Options 
(% of maximum)

Vesting of Performance  
Share Plan (% of maximum)

Vesting of Co-investment  
Plan (% of maximum)

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

£1,412

£1,423

£1,938 £3,506 £2,044 £2,634 £2,360 £2,575 £2,532 £2,033

100%

100%

75.9%

27.0%

62.9%

89%

31.9%

23.8%

71.5%

35%

0%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0%

0%

80.0%

37.4%

44.8% 96.8%

54%

40%

40%

0%

0%

51%

100%

0%

0%

44.2%

97%

100%

100%

Data for 2014-2018 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  
(2018 full year compared  
to 2017 full year)
2.0%

Percentage Change in Bonus 
Opportunity Earned  
(2018 full year forecast 
compared to 2017 full year)
(36.5)ppt

Percentage Change in Taxable 
Benefits Received (2017/18  
tax year compared to  
2016/17 tax year)
5.4%

CEO

Comparative Employee Group*

2.2%

(1.1)ppt

0.9%**

* Comparator group is all colleagues within the Travis Perkins General 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. 

**Based on a matched sample across the two periods.

87

Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
Relative importance of spend on pay

1000

800

600

400

200

0

2017

2018

-4.1%

882

846

-15.9%

227

191

Capex

+2.7%

113

116

Distribution
to
Shareholders

-1.8%

56

55

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.

Governance
During the year the Committee comprised Coline McConville 
(Chair), Pete Redfern and Christopher Rogers, all of whom are 
independent Non-executive Directors, and Stuart Chambers, 
Chairman of the Board, who was independent on appointment. 

Deloitte was appointed by the Committee in December 2015, 
following an interview process, to provide independent advice on 
executive remuneration. 

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.

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 mainly in the 
area of digital strategy, innovation, operating model design and 
change management. 

Fees are charged on a time and materials basis. During the year 
Deloitte was paid £26,400 for advice provided to the Committee.

In addition John Carter (CEO), Alan Williams (CFO), Deborah 
Grimason (Company Secretary) until she left the business on 
4 May 2018 and Robin Miller (Company Secretary) from when 
he joined the business on 24 September 2018, Carol Kavanagh 
(Group Human Resources Director), Helen O’Keefe (Deputy 
Company Secretary), Jon Erb (Director of Group Finance) 
and Paul Nelson (Group Head of Reward) have assisted the 
Committee in its work and attended Committee meetings where 
appropriate. No individual is involved in the setting of their own 
remuneration.

Responsibilities
The Remuneration Committee is responsible for developing 
and implementing the remuneration policy within the Company. 
It determines and recommends to the Board the policy for the 
remuneration and benefits of the Chairman of the Company, 
Executive Directors and executive committee members and 
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 
www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk or from the Company Secretary.

88

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Key items discussed in 2018 meetings

In 2018 the Remuneration Committee formally met four times, with additional conference calls as required. The Committee discussed 
amongst others the following matters:

Month

Key Issues Considered

January

•  2018 incentive targets

•  Committee Governance

•  Review of 2017 performance against targets and determining annual and long-term incentive outcomes

•  Annual bonus and LTIP targets for 2018

February

•  Directors’ salary review 2017

•  2017 Directors’ Remuneration Report

•  Committee governance

•  Review of performance for 2017

•  Annual bonus and LTI targets for 2018

•  Committee governance

September

•  Corporate governance including the new UK Corporate Governance Code

December

•  Salary review 2019

Items normally discussed in December including:

•  Review of remuneration trends and issues;

•  Review of 2018 performance against targets and considering annual and long-term incentive outcomes Format for Directors’ 

Remuneration Report 2018;

•  Committee governance; 

•  Corporate governance including the new UK Corporate Governance Code; and

•  Group consultation forum,

 were considered at a meeting in January 2019.

Shareholder Voting
The following resolutions in relation to remuneration were put by the Company’s AGM (2018 Directors’ Remuneration Report and 2017 Policy):

Resolution

Votes For

% For

Votes Against

% Against

Votes Withheld

To receive and approve the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report 
(2018 AGM)
To receive and approach the 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
(2017 AGM)

190,070,174

97.32%

5,231,337

2.68%

5,011,722

183,055,598

96.97%

5,725,210

3.03%

51,858

The Director’s Remuneration Report has been approved by the Board of Directors and is signed on its behalf:

Coline McConville 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee 
25 February 2019

89

Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Nominations 
Committee report

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Stuart Chambers
Chairman
25 February 2019

As Chairman of the Nominations Committee, I am pleased to 
present the Nominations Committee’s report for the year ended 
31 December 2018. The Nominations Committee performs 
an important role, demonstrated by the fact that in addition to 
myself, all of the Non-executive Directors are also members of 
the Committee. 

Our current Board members each bring a variety of  
individual skills, knowledge and experience to the Board  
and the Committees on which they serve. During the year the  
Committee reviewed the size and composition of the Board  
and created a skills matrix setting out the core skills of the 
Board members against the broad range of skills required for 
running the business. This provides a framework for considering 
the skills the Committee may wish to prioritise when preparing 
Non-executive Director role briefs and when evaluating  
potential new candidates. A summary of the skills of serving  
Non-executive Directors can be found in the biographies  
on pages 56 to 58.

The Committee started planning for the succession of the  
CEO in 2018 and this process will be concluded in 2019. 

The Committee will continue to review the composition of the 
Board and its Committees and the Group’s long-term succession 
planning at Board and executive level. Supporting our strategy to 
simplify the business and improve returns will remain  
a key priority for 2019.

Role of the nominations committee

The principal responsibilities of the Committee are to regularly 
review the structure, size and composition of the Board, to 
support the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities to ensure that 
effective succession planning processes are in place for Directors 
and other senior executives and to ensure there are formal, 
rigorous and transparent processes in place for the appointment 
of Directors to the Board and other senior executives. 

The Committee operates under formal terms of reference  
which are available on the Group’s corporate website  
www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk

90

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Committee membership  
and meeting attendance

The Nominations Committee comprises all Non-executive 
Directors (see biographies on pages 56 to 58) and is chaired 
by Stuart Chambers, the Chairman of the Board, other than 
when it is dealing with matters in relation to the chairmanship 
of the Company. Directors, other employees of the Company, 
and external advisors are invited to attend meetings when 
appropriate.

The Committee held eight formal meetings during the year. 
Attendance is set out in the Governance Report on page 61.

Activities in 2018

The principal activities undertaken by the Committee in the 
year were:

•  planning for the succession of the CEO 

•  reviewing the size, diversity, skills and experience of the Board  

in light of the future needs of the business

In 2019 the Committee will be focused on:

•   completing the CEO succession process

•  planning Board composition changes

•  succession planning for Board Committee chairman roles, 

notably the Audit Committee

•  developing a central talent programme with diversity initiatives

Process for appointments

The Committee guides the Board in regularly assessing whether 
there is an appropriate balance of skills and experience on the 
Board. A rigorous selection process precedes the appointment 
of all Directors by the Board, ensuring that appointments to the 
Board are made on merit and assessed against objective criteria.

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 appointment 
process includes:

•  Agreeing the key skills, attributes and business experience 

required for the role 

•  The preparation of a role description

•  The engagement of independent recruitment consultants 

•  A market search conducted by the recruitment consultant 

•  The preparation of a ‘long list’ of potential candidates taking 
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

•  Candidate assessments 

•  Following selection of the proposed candidate, interviews with 
the remaining members of the Board and the taking up of 
detailed references

Board diversity
The Committee has noted the recommendations of the Davies 
Review and Hampton-Alexander Review. It is the Group’s firm 
belief that having diversity in the Executives and Non-executives 
on the Board 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 positive for the Group’s colleagues and its customers 
as well.

It is part of the Committee’s policy when making new Board 
appointments to consider the importance of diversity, including 
gender diversity. 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. 
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. 
The Group believes that diversity should be considered broadly 
and not just focusing on one element such as gender and the 
Group therefore does not believe it is appropriate to set targets in 
this area.

The Group currently has two female Board directors (22%)  
and one woman on its Executive Committee (9%). Further  
details of the Group’s workforce diversity are set out in the  
Our People section on pages 42 to 44. The Group’s gender  
pay gap report is available on the Group’s corporate website.

The Nominations Committee Report has been approved by the 
Board of Directors and is signed on its behalf by:

Stuart Chambers  
Chairman  
25 February 2019

91

Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Directors’ report

For the year ended 31 December 2018

The Directors present their annual report and audited accounts for 
the year ended 31 December 2018. The Corporate Governance 
report on pages 59 to 65 forms part of the Directors’ Report. 

Business review

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 4 to 53. Whilst the Group 
operates predominantly in the UK, it does have a small number 
of branches in the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland and its 
associate company Toolstation Europe has 40 branches in The 
Netherlands and France.

Information to be disclosed under LR 9.8.4R 
Listing  
rule
9.8.4R (1-2)(5-11)(14)

Detail
Not applicable

Page  
reference

9.8.4R (4)

9.8.4R (12)

9.8.4R (13)

Long-term  
incentive schemes
Dividend waiver

Dividend waiver

73

143

143

Board of Directors

The names of the Directors at 31 December 2018 together  
with their biographical details are set out on pages 56 to 58.  
All of these Directors held office throughout the year.  
The Executive Directors have rolling 12 month notice periods in 
their contracts. The Non-executive Directors do not have service 
contracts. In the light of the results of the formal evaluation of 
their performances described on page 63 and due to the skills 
and experience that each Director brings to their role, the Board 
concluded that each Director’s contribution is, and continues to 
be, important to the Company’s long-term sustainable success.

Directors’ conflicts of interest
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 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 he or she has, 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 2018 including holdings if any, of spouses 
and of children aged under 18 are contained in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 72 to 89.

92

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
Directors’ indemnities
Article 141 of the Company’s Articles of Association permits the 
Company to indemnify any person who is or was a Director of 
the Company or of any associated company in respect of any 
liability incurred in relation to the affairs of the Company or any 
associated company to the extent the law allows (including in 
connection with any associated company’s activities as trustee 
of an occupational pension scheme). The Company maintains 
Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance which gives appropriate 
cover for legal action brought against its Directors. The Company 
has granted indemnities to its Directors and Directors of 
associated companies to the extent permitted by law and these 
remained in force in the year ended 31 December 2018.

Greenhouse gas emissions reporting 
Details of the Group’s greenhouse gas emissions can be found in 
the Environmental report on pages 50 to 53. 

Results and dividends 
The Group results for the year ended 31 December 2018 and 
dividends for the year ending 31 December 2018 are set out in the 
income statement and note 19 respectively on pages 106 and 144.  
The final dividend will be paid on 17 May 2019 to those shareholders 
on the register at the close of business on 5 April 2019.

BlackRock, Inc.

Harris Associates L.P.

Investec Asset Management

OppenheimerFunds, Inc.

Sanderson Asset Management LLP

Sprucegrove Investment Management Ltd

TIA-CREF Investment Management/ Teachers Advisors,  
LLC/ Nuveen Asset Management, LLC 

Balance sheet and post balance sheet events 
The balance sheet on page 107 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 set out 
in the strategic report which can be found on pages 34 to 41.

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 Review on pages 28 to 33. Specific 
quantitative information on borrowings and financial instruments 
is given in notes 20 and 26 on pages 145 to 147 and 152 to 155 
of the financial statements.

Substantial shareholding
As at 31 December 2018, 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:

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Indirect

Not disclosed

Direct

Number

%

Not disclosed

Less than 5%

12,689,670

12,741,837

12,381,080

12,321,382

12,006,659

10,475,466

5.04

5.05

4.91

4.89

4.76

4.16

Between 31 December and 25 February 2019, the following notifications were received by the Company:

TIA-CREF Investment Management/ Teachers Advisors, 
 LLC/ Nuveen Asset Management, LLC 

Number

%

Direct

10,337,496

4.10

Close company status 
The close company provisions of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 do not apply to the Company.

Employees 
Statements on employee matters are contained in the section of 
the annual report entitled Our People on pages 42-44.

Details of the number of employees and related costs can be 
found in note 34 to the financial statements.

The Company is committed to equality of opportunity and 
recognises the benefit of diversity within its workforce. Its 
approach to the matter of diversity is set out in the Nominations 
Committee report on pages 90 to 91 and in the section of 
the annual report entitled Our People on pages 42 to 44. 
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.

93

Governance and Remuneration Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
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. To achieve a common 
awareness of the financial and economic factors affecting the 
performance of the Group, employees are briefed on the Group’s 
financial performance and strategy. This is carried out through 
emails, webcasts and personal briefings which take place during 
half year and full year results announcements. All employees 
with more than three months’ service are eligible to participate 
in the Company’s Sharesave and Buy As-You-Earn plans. Details 
can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration report on page 77.

Modern slavery
The Group recognises the harmful impact that Modern Slavery 
and human trafficking has on society and is committed to 
eliminating this criminal activity from the business and supply 
chain. The Group produces a slavery and human trafficking 
statement each financial year. The latest statement is available on 
the Group’s corporate website www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk

Political donations 
The Group has a policy of not making donations to political 
parties. The Group did not give any money for political purposes 
nor did it make any donations to political organisations or 
independent candidates or incur any political expenditure during 
the year.

Auditor
KPMG LLP, appointed in 2015, is the Company’s auditor at the 
date of this report. 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.

Share capital and change of control

As at 31 December 2018 the Company had an allotted and fully 
paid share capital of 252,143,923 ordinary shares of 10 pence 
each, with an aggregate nominal value of £25,214,392 (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 17 to the financial statements.

As at 31 December 2018 the Travis Perkins Employee Share 
Ownership Trust owned 3,803,841 shares in the Company  
(1.5% of issued share capital) for use in connection with the 
Company’s share schemes. 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. 
The Company does not have agreements with any Director or 
employee that would provide compensation for loss of office or 
employment resulting from a takeover except that provisions of 
the Company’s share schemes and plans may cause options and 
awards granted to employees under such schemes and plans to 
vest on a takeover.

The Directors’ Report has been approved by the Board of 
Directors and is signed on its behalf by:

Robin Miller  
Company Secretary & General Counsel 
25 February 2019

94

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018G
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

a
n
d
R
e
m
u
n
e
r
a
t
i
o
n

Shona Brock - Toolstation, Banbury

95

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
Statement of  
Directors’ responsibilities

For the year ended 31 December 2018

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 (IFRS) as adopted 
by the European Union and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation and 
have also chosen to prepare the Company financial statements 
under IFRS 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 in 

accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU

•  Assess the Group and Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern; and

•  Use the going concern basis of accounting unless they either 
intend to liquidate the Group or the Company or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

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 such internal control 
as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of 
financial statements that are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error, and have general responsibility for 
taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard 
the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect 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 and a Corporate Governance 
statement, which comply with that law and those regulations.

96

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.

3.  The annual report and financial statements taken as a 

whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provide 
the information necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Company’s performance, business model and strategy.

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.

The Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities has been approved 
by the Board of Directors and is signed on its behalf by:

John Carter 
Chief Executive 
25 February 2019 

Alan Williams 
Chief Financial Officer 
25 February 2019

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial 
statements

98 

Independent auditor’s report

106  Financial statements

116  Income and Expenses

126  Assets and Liabilities

142  Capital

152  Risks

159  Group Structure

165  People

169  Other

Nicole Dambra - Wickes, Cricklewood

97
97

INDEPENDENT 
AUDITOR’S REPORT

TO THE MEMBERS OF TRAVIS PERKINS PLC

1.  Our opinion is unmodified

We have audited the financial statements of Travis Perkins plc 
(“the Company”) for the year ended 31 December 2018 which 
comprise the Consolidated Income Statement, the Consolidated 
and Company Statements of Comprehensive Income, the 
Consolidated and Company Balance Sheets, the Consolidated 
and Company Statements of Changes in Equity, the Consolidated 
and Company Cash Flow Statements and the related notes,  
including the accounting policies. 

In our opinion: 

•  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 2018 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.

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law.  
Our responsibilities are described below. We believe that the audit 
evidence we have obtained is a sufficient and appropriate basis 
for our opinion. Our audit opinion is consistent with our report to 
the audit committee. 

We were appointed as auditor by the shareholders on 
28 May 2015. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is 
for the four financial years ended 31 December 2018. 

We have fulfilled our ethical responsibilities under, and we 
remain independent of the Group in accordance with, UK ethical 
requirements including the FRC Ethical Standard as applied to 
listed public interest entities. No non-audit services prohibited by 
that standard have been provided in the last three years.

Overview

Materiality:

Group financial statements  
as a whole

Coverage

£16m (2017: £17m)

5% (2017: 5%) of Group loss 
before tax and adjusting items 
as disclosed on the face of the 
income statement

95% (2017: 94%) of Group loss 
before tax and adjusting items 
as disclosed on the face of the 
income statement

Risks of material misstatement

vs 2017

New risks

Recurring risks

New

New

The impact of 
uncertainties due to the 
UK exiting the European 
Union on our audit

Going Concern

Valuation of  
Wickes goodwill

Parent Company’s key 
audit matter: 
Recoverability of the 
parent Company’s 
investments in 
subsidiaries 

Recognition of supplier 
income and recoverability 
of respective receivables

Costing of inventory

98

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements 2.  Key audit matters: including our assessment of risks of material misstatement

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements 
and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by us, including 
those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of 
the engagement team. We summarise below the key audit matters in arriving at our audit opinion above, together with our key audit 
procedures to address those matters and, as required for public interest entities, our results from those procedures. These matters were 
addressed, and our results are based on procedures undertaken, in the context of, and solely for the purpose of, our audit of the financial 
statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and consequently are incidental to that opinion, and we do not provide a 
separate opinion on these matters. 

The impact of uncertainties  
due to the UK exiting the 
European Union on our audit 

Refer to pages 34 to 41 
(principal risks), pages 32 
to 33 (viability statement), 
pages 66 to 71 (Audit 
Committee Report). 

The risk

Our response

Unprecedented levels of uncertainty 

All audits assess and challenge the 
reasonableness of estimates, in particular as 
described below with respect to the key audit 
matters outlined below related to the valuation 
of Wickes goodwill and recoverability of the 
parent Company’s investments in subsidiaries, 
and related disclosures and appropriateness 
of the going concern basis of preparation of 
the financial statements (see below). All of 
these depend on assessments of the future 
economic environment and the group’s future 
prospects and performance. 

In addition, we are required to consider the 
other information presented in the Annual 
Report including the principal risks disclosure 
and the viability statement and to consider 
the Directors’ statement 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.

Brexit is one of the most significant economic 
events for the UK and at the date of this report 
its effects are subject to unprecedented levels 
of uncertainty of outcomes, with the full range 
of possible effects unknown. 

We developed a standardised firm-wide approach to the 
consideration of the uncertainties arising from Brexit in planning and 
performing our audits. Our procedures included:

Our Brexit knowledge – We considered the Directors’ assessment of 
Brexit-related sources of risk for the Group’s business and financial 
resources compared with our own understanding of the risks. We 
considered the Directors’ plans to take action to mitigate the risks. 

Sensitivity analysis – When addressing the valuation of Wickes 
goodwill and recoverability of the parent Company’s investments in 
subsidiaries and other areas that depend on forecasts, we compared 
the Directors’ analysis to our assessment of the full range of 
reasonably possible scenarios resulting from Brexit uncertainty and, 
where forecast cash flows are required to be discounted, considered 
adjustments to discount rates for the level of remaining uncertainty. 

Assessing transparency – As well as assessing individual 
disclosures as part of our procedures on the valuation of Wickes 
goodwill and of the recoverability of the parent Company’s 
investments in subsidiaries we considered all of the Brexit related 
disclosures together, including those in the strategic report, 
comparing the overall picture against our understanding of the risks. 

Our results

As reported under rthe valuation of Wickes goodwill and 
recoverability of the parent Company’s investments in subsidiaries, 
we found the resulting estimates and related disclosures of the 
valuation of Wickes goodwill and of the recoverability of the parent 
Company’s investments in subsidiaries and disclosures in relation 
to going concern to be acceptable. However, no audit should be 
expected to predict the unknowable factors or all possible future 
implications for a company and this is particularly the case in 
relation to Brexit. 

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 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements  
2.  Key audit matters: including our assessment of risks of material misstatement (continued)

Going concern  
(driven by Brexit)

Refer to pages 66 to 71  
(Audit Committee 
Report) and page 114 
(accounting policy).

The risk

Disclosure quality

The financial statements explain how the 
Board has formed a judgement that it is 
appropriate to adopt the going concern  
basis of preparation for the Group and 
parent Company.

That judgement is based on an evaluation 
of the inherent risks to the Group’s and 
Company’s business model and how 
those risks might affect the Group’s and 
Company’s financial resources or ability 
to continue operations over a period of at 
least a year from the date of approval of the 
financial statements. 

The risks most likely to adversely affect the 
Group’s and Company’s available financial 
resources over this period were: 

•  The impact of a significant business 
continuity issue affecting the Group’s 
suppliers; and

•  The uncertainty of Brexit and knock on 
impact on consumer demand and the 
Group’s supply chain. 

The risk for our audit was whether or not 
those risks were such that they amounted 
to a material uncertainty that may have cast 
significant doubt about the ability to continue 
as a going concern. Had they been such, then 
that fact would have been required to have 
been disclosed.

Our response

Our procedures included:

Funding assessment:

Assessing the current and available committed facilities to 
understand the financial resources available to the Group during the 
forecast period. Considering any related covenants requirements and 
the evidence available regarding whether they will be met.

Market analysis:

We performed inquiries with key management personnel and our 
own restructuring specialists to better understand the implications 
of the Company’s share price performance and implied market 
expectations on the Company’s going concern assessment. 

Historical comparisons: 

Assessing historical forecasting accuracy, by comparing forecast 
cash flows to those actually achieved by the Group.

Sensitivity analysis: 

Considering sensitivities over the level of available financial 
resources indicated by the Group’s financial forecasts taking account 
of reasonably possible (but not unrealistic) adverse effects that 
could arise from these risks individually and collectively resulting 
from Brexit; 

Benchmarking assumptions: 

Comparing the Group’s assumptions used in the cash flow 
projections to externally derived data in relation to key inputs such as 
projected growth and cost inflation;

Assessing transparency:

Assessing the completeness and accuracy of the Going concern 
disclosures in the Annual Report and considering whether they reflect 
the position of the Group’s financing and the risks associated with the 
Group‘s ability to continue as a going concern.

Our results: 

We found the going concern disclosure without any material 
uncertainty to be acceptable.

100

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Valuation of  
Wickes goodwill

(Goodwill: £455 million; 
2017: £702 million)

Refer to pages 66 to 71 
(Audit Committee Report), 
pages 126 and 157 
(Critical judgements and 
key sources of estimation 
uncertainty) and pages 
126 to 128 and 156 to 157 
(financial disclosures).

Recoverability of the parent 
Company’s investments 
in subsidiaries

(£3,545 million;  
2017: £3,805 million) 

Refer to pages 66 to 71 
(Audit Committee Report), 
pages 126 and 156 to 157 
(accounting policy) and 
pages 126 to 128 and 157 to 
158 (financial disclosures)

The risk

Our response

Forecast based valuation 

Our procedures included:

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 are 
factors that could impact the performance 
of certain of the Group’s businesses in a 
manner that the related goodwill could become 
impaired. In particular, in the Consumer 
division performance in the Wickes business 
has been lower than forecast. The headroom 
has decreased year-on-year and has resulted 
in an impairment being recognised during 
the year. The recoverable amount which is 
based on value in use remains sensitive to 
certain assumptions, such as discount rate, 
forecast revenue growth, profit margins and 
maintenance capital expenditure and so further 
impairments may arise.

The estimated recoverable amount is 
subjective due to the inherent uncertainty 
involved in forecasting and discounting future 
cash flows.

The effect of these matters is that, as part 
of our risk assessment, we determined that 
the valuation of goodwill has a high degree 
of estimation uncertainty, with a potential 
range of reasonable outcomes greater than 
our materiality for the financial statements as 
a whole.

•  Historical comparisons: Assessing the reasonableness of the 

forecast used by considering the historical accuracy of previous 
forecasts and the results currently being achieved.

•  Our sector experience: Assessing whether assumptions used, in 

particular those relating to forecast revenue growth, profit margins 
and maintenance capital expenditure, reflect our knowledge of the 
business and industry, including known or probable changes in the 
business environment.

•  Benchmarking assumptions: Challenging, using our own valuation 
specialists, the key inputs used in the Group’s calculation of the 
discount rate by comparing it to externally derived data, including 
available sources for comparable companies.

•  Sensitivity analysis: Performing our own sensitivity analysis on the 
forecast, including a reduction in assumed growth rates, increased 
capital expenditure, reduced ability to pass through cost price 
inflation and an increased discount rate to identify key assumptions 
to consider further. 

•  Assessing transparency: Assessing whether the Group’s disclosures 
regarding the sensitivity of the impairment assessment, to changes 
in key assumptions, appropriately reflects the risks inherent in the 
valuation of goodwill.

Our results 

We found the resulting estimate of the valuation of Wickes goodwill to 
be acceptable (2017: acceptable).

Subjective estimate

Our procedures included: 

The carrying amounts of the parent Company’s 
investments in subsidiaries are significant 
and at risk of irrecoverability due to the risk 
factors described above, which resulted in an 
impairment being recognised during the year. 
The estimated recoverable amount of these 
balances is subjective due to the inherent 
uncertainty in forecasting trading conditions 
and cash flows used in the budgets.

 The effect of these matters is that, as part 
of our risk assessment, we determined 
that the recoverable amount of the cost of 
investments in subsidiaries has a high degree 
of estimation uncertainty, with a potential 
range of reasonable outcomes greater than 
our materiality for the financial statements as 
a whole.

•  Benchmarking assumptions: Where net assets of the subsidiary 
do not support the total value of the investment, challenging the 
assumptions used in the budgets supporting the carrying value 
of the investment based on our knowledge of the Group and the 
markets in which the subsidiaries operate; 

•  Historical comparisons: Assessing the reasonableness of the 
budgets by considering the historical accuracy of the previous 
forecasts; 

•  Our sector experience: Evaluating the current level of trading, 
including identifying any indications of a downturn in activity, 
by examining the post year end management accounts and 
considering our knowledge of the Group and the market; and

•  Assessing transparency: Assessing the adequacy of the parent 

Company’s disclosures in respect of the investments in subsidiaries.

Our results 

We found the resulting estimate of the recoverable amount 
of the parent’s investments in subsidiaries to be acceptable 
(2017: acceptable).

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2.  Key audit matters: including our assessment of risks of material misstatement (continued)

Recognition of supplier 
rebate income and 
recoverability of 
respective receivables 

Refer to pages 66 to 
71 (Audit Committee 
Report), page 131 (Critical 
judgements and key 
sources of estimation 
uncertainty) and page 131 
(financial disclosures).

The risk

Our response

Subjective estimate

Our procedures included: 

•  Tests of details: Agreeing a statistical sample of rebate income 

recorded in the year, including amounts outstanding at the year end, 
to cash received or credit notes raised. 

•  Historical comparisons: For a sample of supplier balances 

outstanding post the year end, assessing the success rate of 
previous years collections.

•  Third party confirmations: Comparing a sample of supplier rebate 
balances to the third party confirmations and challenging the 
explanations of variances, if any.

•  Assessing transparency: Considering the adequacy of the 

Group’s disclosures about the degree of estimation involved in 
the recognition of the supplier rebate income receivable and its 
respective recoverability.

Our results 

We consider the amount of supplier income recognised and 
the estimated recoverability of the respective receivables to be 
acceptable (2017: acceptable).

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 businesses specifically 
involving fixed price discounts, volume rebates 
and customer sales support. 

We consider the risk relates to the calculation 
of the income receivable, including the 
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.

The effect of these matters is that, as part 
of our risk assessment, we determined 
that the recoverability of the year end 
receivables from suppliers has a high degree 
of estimation uncertainty, with a potential 
range of reasonable outcomes greater than 
our materiality for the financial statements as 
a whole.

Costing of inventory

Complex calculation

Our procedures included: 

(£806 million; 2017: £806 
million)

Refer to pages 66 to 
71 (Audit Committee 
Report), page 130 (Critical 
judgements and key sources 
of estimation uncertainty).

As the Group carries a wide range of stock, 
the volume of supplier income and fixed price 
discounting agreements that are required 
to be deducted from the cost make the 
inventory cost accounting a significant audit 
risk. Additional complexities include overhead 
allocations and ageing accounting systems.

•  Accounting analysis: Evaluating the appropriateness of the 

methodologies applied in determining product cost and critically 
assessing the respective calculations (including the allocation of 
rebates attributable to inventory at the year end as described in the 
supplier rebate income recognition risk above).

•  Data analytics: Recalculating the merchanting inventory net 

purchase cost at year end from the full year’s product cost database.

We consider the risk to relate to the accuracy 
of the inventory cost held on the balance sheet 
at the year end.

•  Tests of details: For a statistical sample of recalculated stock cost 
vouching the product cost to third party purchase documentation.

•  Assessing transparency: Considering the adequacy of the Group’s 
disclosures regarding the degree of estimation involved in arriving 
at the cost.

Our results 

As a result of our work, we consider the costing of inventory to be 
acceptable (2017: acceptable).

102

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements  
3.   Our application of materiality and an overview  

of the scope of our audit

Materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole was 
set at £16 million (2017: £17 million), determined with reference 
to a benchmark of Group profit before taxation adjusted for 
impairment of intangible assets and adjusting items as  
disclosed on the face of the income statement (‘Adjusted Group 
profit before tax*’) of £337.3 million of which it represents  
4.7% (2017: 5.1%). 

Materiality for the parent Company financial statements as a 
whole was set at £8.0 million (2017: £9.1 million), determined 
with reference to a benchmark of Company total assets, of which 
it represents 0.2% (2017: 0.2%). 

We reported to the Audit Committee any corrected or 
uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding £0.5 million, 
in addition to other identified misstatements that warranted 
reporting on qualitative grounds. 

Of the Group’s 67 (2017: 50) reporting components, we subjected 
10 (all UK based) (2017: 10 (all UK based)) to full scope audits for 
Group purposes.

The components within the scope of our work accounted for 
the percentages illustrated opposite which refer to the total 
adjusted profit and adjusted losses that made up the total Group 
loss before tax and before adjusting items, total revenue and 
total assets.

The remaining 12% of total Group revenue, 5% of adjusted 
Group profit before tax and before adjusting items* and 11% of 
total Group assets is represented by 40 reporting components, 
none of which individually represented more than 4% of any 
of total Group revenue, adjusted Group profit before tax and 
before adjusting items* or total Group assets. For these residual 
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 £1.5 million to £8.0 million, having regard to the mix 
of size and risk profile of the Group across the components. The 
work on 2 of the 10 components (2017: 2 of the 10 components) 
was performed by component auditors, and the rest, including 
the audit of the parent Company, was performed by the Group 
team. The Group team performed procedures on the items 
excluded from adjusted Group profit before tax. 

The Group audit team visited 1 of the 2 (2017: 2 of 2) component 
locations subject to full scope audits to assess the audit risk and 
strategy. Telephone conference meetings were also held with 
these component auditors. At these visits and meetings, the 
findings reported to the Group audit team in more detail, and 
any further work required by the Group audit team was then 
performed by the component auditor.

Group loss before tax 
and adjusting items*
£337.3m (2017: £330.6m) 

Group Materiality
£16.0m (2017: £17.0m)

£16.0m
Whole financial
statements materiality 
(2017: £17.0m)

£8.0m
Range of materiality 
at 10 components 
(£1.5m to £8.0m)
(2017: £0.8m to £9.1m)

Group LBT before 
adjusting items*

Group materiality

£0.5m
Identified misstatements 
reported to the  Audit 
Committee (2017: £0.5m)

*adjusting items as disclosed on the face  of the 
  income statement.    

Group revenue 

Group loss before tax 
and before adjusting items* 

88%

(2017: 92%)

92

88

Group total assets 

89%

(2017: 87%)

87

89

95%

(2017: 94%)

94

95

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Full scope for group audit purposes 2017

Full scope for group audit purposes 2018

Residual components

103

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements  
 
4.   We have nothing to report on going concern 

The Directors have prepared the financial statements on the 
going concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate the 
Company or the Group or to cease their operations, and as they 
have concluded that the Company’s and the Group’s financial 
position means that this is realistic. They have also concluded 
that there are no material uncertainties that could have cast 
significant doubt over their ability to continue as a going concern 
for at least a year from the date of approval of the financial 
statements (“the going concern period”). 

Our responsibility is to conclude on the appropriateness of the 
Directors’ conclusions and, had there been a material uncertainty 
related to going concern, to make reference to that in this 
audit report. However, as we cannot predict all future events or 
conditions and as subsequent events may result in outcomes 
that are inconsistent with judgements that were reasonable at 
the time they were made, the absence of reference to a material 
uncertainty in this auditor’s report is not a guarantee that the 
Group and the Company will continue in operation.

We identified going concern as a key audit matter (see section 3 
of this report). Based on the work described in our response to 
that key audit matter, we are required to report to you if:

•  we have anything material to add or draw attention to in relation 
to the Directors’ statement in notes to the financial statements 
on the use of the going concern basis of accounting with no 
material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt over 
the Group and Company’s use of that basis for a period of at 
least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial 
statements; or 

•  the related statement under the Listing Rules set out on pages 
32 to 33 is materially inconsistent with our audit knowledge.

 We have nothing to report in these respects.

5.   We have nothing to report on the other information  

in the Annual Report

The Directors are responsible for the other information presented 
in the Annual Report together with the financial statements. Our 
opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other 
information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion 
or, except as explicitly stated below, any form of assurance 
conclusion thereon. 

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in 
doing so, consider whether, based on our financial statements 
audit work, the information therein is materially misstated or 
inconsistent with the financial statements or our audit knowledge. 
Based solely on that work we have not identified material 
misstatements in the other information. 

Strategic report and Directors’ report 

Based solely on our work on the other information: 

•  we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic 

report and the Directors’ report; 

104

•  in our opinion the information given in those reports for the 

financial year is consistent with the financial statements; and 

•  in our opinion those reports have been prepared in accordance 

with the Companies Act 2006.

Directors’ remuneration report 

In our opinion the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to 
be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006. 

Disclosures of principal risks and longer-term viability 

Based on the knowledge we acquired during our financial 
statements audit, we have nothing material to add or draw 
attention to in relation to:

•  the Directors’ confirmation within the viability statement pages 
32 to 33 that they have carried out a robust assessment of 
the principal risks facing the Group, including those that would 
threaten its business model, future performance, solvency 
and liquidity; 

•  the Principal Risks and uncertainties disclosures describing 
these risks and explaining how they are being managed and 
mitigated; and 

•  the Directors’ explanation in the viability statement of how they 
have assessed the prospects of the Group, over what period 
they have done so and why they considered that period to be 
appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a 
reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in 
operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period 
of their assessment, including any related disclosures drawing 
attention to any necessary qualifications or assumptions. 

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the viability 
assessment. We have nothing to report in this respect. 

Our work is limited to assessing these matters in the context 
of only the knowledge acquired during our financial statements 
audit. As we cannot predict all future events or conditions and as 
subsequent events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent 
with judgments that were reasonable at the time they were made, 
the absence of anything to report on these statements is not a 
guarantee as to the Group’s and Company’s longer-term viability 

Corporate governance disclosures 

We are required to report to you if:

•  we have identified material inconsistencies between the 

knowledge we acquired during our financial statements 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 section of the annual report describing the work of the 
Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters 
communicated by us to the Audit Committee.

We are required to report to you if the Corporate Governance 
Statement does not properly disclose a departure from the 
eleven provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
specified by the Listing Rules for our review. 

We have nothing to report in these respects. 

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements 6.   We have nothing to report on the other matters on 

Irregularities – ability to detect

which we are required to report by exception

Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required to report to you 
if, in our opinion: 

•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent 
Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been 
received from branches not visited by us; or 

•  the parent Company financial statements and the part of 

the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in 
agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

•  certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law 

are not made; or 

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit.

We have nothing to report in these respects.

7.   Respective responsibilities 

Directors’ responsibilities

As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 96, 
the Directors are responsible for: the preparation of the financial 
statements including being satisfied that they give a true and 
fair view; such internal control as they determine is necessary to 
enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; assessing 
the Group and parent Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern; and using the going concern basis of accounting unless 
they either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent Company 
or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do 
so. 

Auditor’s responsibilities 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or other irregularities (see 
below), or error, and to issue our opinion in an auditor’s report. 
Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but does 
not guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs 
(UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. 
Misstatements can arise from fraud, other irregularities or error 
and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, 
they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial statements. 

A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the FRC’s 
website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities

We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably 
be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements 
from our general commercial and sector experience and through 
discussion with the Directors and other management (as required 
by auditing standards), from inspection of the Group’s Stay Safe 
Committee minutes and legal and regulatory correspondence and 
discussed with the Directors and other management the policies 
and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations. 

We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our 
team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance 
throughout the audit. This included communication from the 
Group to component audit teams of relevant laws and regulations 
identified at Group level.

The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial 
statements varies considerably.

The Group is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the 
financial statements including financial reporting legislation (including 
related companies legislation), distributable profits legislation, taxation 
legislation, health and safety regulation and employment law and we 
assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as 
part of our procedures on the related financial statement items. 

Whilst the group is subject to many other laws and regulations, 
we did not identify any others where the consequences of 
non-compliance alone could have a material effect on amounts 
or disclosures in the financial statements. 

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable 
risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements 
in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned 
and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. 
For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and 
regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected 
in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited 
procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. In addition, 
as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection 
of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional 
omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We 
are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be 
expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.

8.   The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe our 

responsibilities 

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in 
accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. 
Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the 
Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them 
in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent 
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone 
other than the Company and the Company’s members, as a body, for 
our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Greg Watts (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor 

Chartered Accountants

One Snowhill 
Snow Hill Queensway 
Birmingham 
B4 6GH

25 February 2019

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 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements  
Consolidated Income Statement

For the year ended 31 December 2018

£m
Revenue

Adjusted operating profit

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Adjusting items

Operating (loss) / profit

Share of associates’ result

Finance income 

Finance costs 

(Loss) / profit before tax

Tax

(Loss) / profit for the year

Attributable to:

Owners of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Earnings per ordinary share: 

Basic

Diluted

Notes

1

3

2(a)

6(a)

6(a)

7(a)

18(a)

18(a)

2018 

6,740.5

374.5

(9.5)

(386.7)

(21.7)

(4.0)

4.2

(27.9)

(49.4)

(34.1)

(83.5)

(85.6)

2.1

(83.5)

(34.4)p

(34.4)p

All results relate to continuing operations. The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 December 2018

£m
(Loss) / profit for the year

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss:

Actuarial gains on defined benefit pension schemes

Income tax relating to other comprehensive income

Other comprehensive income for the year net of tax

Total comprehensive (loss) / income for the year

Notes

16(h)

7(b)

All other comprehensive income is attributable to the owners of the Company.

2018

(83.5)

102.0

(19.3)

82.7

(0.8)

2017

6,433.1

380.1

(12.3)

(40.9)

326.9

(2.2)

0.7

(35.7)

289.7

(55.7)

234.0

232.8

1.2

234.0

93.1p

92.2p

2017

234.0

90.8

(17.1)

73.7

307.7

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Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements  
 
Notes

2018

2017

Consolidated Balance Sheet

As at 31 December 2018

£m
Assets
Non-current assets
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Interest in associates
Investments
Retirement benefit asset
Other receivables
Total non-current assets
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Total current assets
Total assets

Equity and liabilities
Capital and reserves
Issued share capital
Share premium account
Merger reserve
Revaluation reserve
Own shares
Other reserve
Retained earnings
Equity attributable to owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
Non-current liabilities
Interest bearing loans and borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Retirement benefit obligations
Deferred tax liabilities
Long-term provisions
Total non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Interest bearing loans and borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other payables
Tax liabilities
Short-term provisions
Total current liabilities
Total liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

8(a)
8(b)
9
30(a)
30(c)
16(c)
12

10
12
21(b)

17
17
17
17
17
17
17

20
26
16
14
13

20
26
15

13

 1,289.2 
 385.4 
 913.2 
 34.2 
 6.6 
 81.2 
 43.3 
 2,753.1

 855.3 
1,253.8 
 255.4 
 2,364.5 
 5,117.6 

 25.2 
 545.4 
 326.5 
 14.7 
(47.8)
(5.6)
 1,847.5 
2,705.9 
 11.8 
2,717.7 

 605.2 
 0.9 
 - 
 77.8 
18.4 
 702.3 

 3.8 
 4.7 
 1,603.2
 25.9 
 60.0 
 1,697.6 
 2,399.9 
 5,117.6 

The financial statements of Travis Perkins plc, registered number 824821, were approved by the Board of Directors on  
25 February 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

John Carter 
Director 

Alan Williams 
Director

1,539.2
387.1
932.0
20.3
9.5
-
30.4
2,918.5

816.3
1,130.2
276.8
2,223.3 
5,141.8

25.2
543.4
326.5
15.7
(15.3)
(4.9)
1,958.0
2,848.6
11.7
2,860.3

612.1
4.9
28.3
61.0
17.1
723.4

6.2
1.2
1,453.6
44.5
52.6
1,558.1
2,281.5
5,141.8

107

Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 December 2018

e
r
a
h
S

l

a
t
i
p
a
c

i

m
u
m
e
r
p

e
r
a
h
S

r
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g
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e
v
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r

n
o
i
t
a
u
a
v
e
R

l

e
v
r
e
s
e
r

25.1

528.5

 326.5 

16.8

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 -

-

-

-

(1.1)

 -

 -

 -

 -

 -

e
r
o
f
e
b
y
t
i
u
q
e

l

a
t
o
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g
n

i
l
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o
r
t
n
o
c
-
n
o
n

t
s
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r
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t
n

i

i

d
e
n
a
t
e
R

i

s
g
n
n
r
a
e

1,760.1

2,648.3

 232.8 

 232.8 

 73.7 

73.7 

r
e
h
t
O

- 

-

-

g
n

i
l
l

o
r
t
n
o
c
-
n
o
N

t
s
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r
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t
n

i

7.3

1.2 

-

y
t
i
u
q
e
l
a
t
o
T

2,655.6

234.0

73.7

 -

 306.5 

 306.5 

 1.2 

307.7 

-

-

-

 -

-

(4.9)

-

 -

-

(113.0)

(113.0)

-

-

 1.1 

 15.7 

 -

 -

 0.2 

(12.6)

15.0

(19.2)

 -

15.7

(4.9)

 -

 0.2 

 -

 -

 -

-

 -

 -

-

 3.2 

 -

 -

(113.0)

15.0

(19.2)

 -

15.7

(4.9)

3.2 

0.2 

-

s
e
r
a
h
s

n
w
O

(8.7)

-

-

 -

-

-

(19.2)

 -

-

 -

 -

 -

 12.6 

Issue of share capital

0.1

14.9

£m

At 1 January 2017

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income  
for the period net of tax

Total comprehensive  
income for the year

Dividends

Purchase of own shares
Adjustments in respect  
of revalued fixed assets
Equity-settled share-based 
payments, net of tax

Options on non-controlling interest

Arising on acquisition

Foreign exchange

Own shares movement

At 31 December 2017

IFRS 9 adoption (note 12)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(2.4) 

(2.4) 

-

(2.4) 

At 31 December 2017 (restated)

 25.2 

 543.4 

 326.5 

 15.7 

(15.3) 

(4.9)   1,955.6 

 2,846.2 

 11.7 

 2,857.9 

25.2

543.4  326.5 

15.7 

(15.3)

(4.9)   1,958.0 

 2,848.6

 11.7 

2,860.3

 - 

 - 

 - 

-

-

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

-

-

 2.0 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

-

-

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

-

-

 - 

 - 

(1.0)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

-

-

(43.4) 

 - 

-

 - 

 - 

 10.9 

 - 

 - 

 - 

-

-

 - 

 - 

 - 

-

(85.6) 

(85.6) 

 2.1 

(83.5)

 82.7 

 82.7 

-

 82.7 

(2.9) 

(2.9) 

 2.1 

 (0.8) 

(114.1)

(2.0) 

(116.1)

(114.1)

(0.8)

 - 

 - 

 1.0 

(0.8)

2.0

(43.4) 

 - 

 19.7 

 19.7

(0.7)

 - 

 - 

(0.1) 

(10.9)

(0.7)

(0.1) 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

-

 - 

 - 

(0.8)

2.0

(43.4) 

 - 

 19.7 

(0.7)

(0.1) 

 - 

 25.2 

 545.4 

 326.5 

 14.7 

(47.8) 

(5.6)   1,847.5 

 2,705.9

 11.8 

2,717.7

Loss for the year

Other comprehensive income  
for the period net of tax

Total comprehensive  
(loss) / income for the year

Dividends

Dividend equivalent payments

Issue of share capital

Purchase of own shares
Adjustments in respect  
of revalued fixed assets
Equity-settled share-based 
payments, net of tax
Option on  
non-controlling interest

Foreign exchange

Own shares movement

At 31 December 2018

108

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

For the year ended 31 December 2018

£m

Cash flows from operating activities

Adjusted operating profit

Adjustments for:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Amortisation of internally-generated intangibles

Share-based payments

Other non-cash movements

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

Adjusted operating cash flows

Increase in inventories

Increase in receivables

Increase in payables

Payments in respect of adjusting items

Pension payments in excess of the income statement charge

Cash generated from operations

Interest paid

Current 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

Dividends received

Acquisition of businesses

Disposal of business

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from the issue of share capital

Purchase of own shares

Repayment of finance lease liabilities

Payments to pension scheme

Dividends paid

Net cash from financing activities

Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December (note 21b)

2018

374.5

 101.0

15.5

19.6

2.1

(26.8)

485.9

(49.5)

(141.4)

83.8

(40.6)

(7.2)

331.0

(26.2)

(55.1)

249.7

0.7

98.4

(44.4)

(146.9)

(17.6)

 - 

(3.0)

 9.0 

(103.8)

2.0

(43.4)

(6.5)

(3.3)

(116.1)

(167.3)

(21.4)

276.8

255.4

2017

380.1

102.0

12.6

15.6

0.2

(30.6)

479.9

(47.0)

(106.3)

76.8

(20.2)

(11.3)

371.9

(27.6)

(57.2)

287.1

0.5

113.9

(48.1)

(179.0)

(11.3)

0.3 

(9.7)

-

(133.4)

15.0

(19.2)

(7.0)

(3.2)

(113.0)

(127.4)

26.3

250.5

276.8

109

Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Company Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 December 2018

£m
Revenue

Adjusted operating profit

Adjusting items

Operating profit

Finance income 

Finance costs 

Profit before tax

Tax

Profit for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

Notes

1

3

2(a)

6(a)

6(a)

7(a)

2018

385.8 

367.1 

(274.7)

92.4 

4.1 

(48.3)

48.2 

12.9

61.1 

61.1 

2017

328.2

308.3

(10.5)

297.8

0.6

(48.9)

249.5

12.2

261.7

261.7 

All results relate to continuing operations and are attributable to the owners of the Company. The accompanying notes form an integral 
part of these financial statements.

110

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements  
 
Company Balance Sheet

As at 31 December 2018

£m

Assets

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Interest in associates

Investment in subsidiaries

Investments

Deferred tax asset

Total non-current assets

Current assets

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Equity and liabilities

Capital and reserves

Issued capital

Share premium account

Merger reserve

Own shares

Other reserve

Accumulated profits

Equity attributable to owners of the Company

Total equity

Non-current liabilities

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Amounts due to subsidiaries

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities

Derivative financial instruments

Trade and other payables

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

Notes

2018

2017

9

30(b)

30(c)

14

12

17

17

17

17

17

17

20(a)

26

26

15

0.4 

46.4 

3,558.3 

4.6 

1.5 

3,611.2

615.4 

177.4 

 792.8 

4,404.0 

25.2 

544.3 

326.5 

(47.8)

(5.6)

693.2 

1,535.8 

1,535.8

555.2 

0.9 

2,285.6 

2,841.7 

4.7 

21.8 

26.5

2,868.2 

 4,404.0

0.2 

28.2 

3,814.3 

4.5 

1.9

3,849.1 

407.9 

226.8 

634.7 

4,483.8 

25.2 

542.3 

326.5 

(15.3)

(4.9)

738.8 

1,612.6 

1,612.6 

557.1 

4.9 

2,287.4 

2,849.4 

1.2 

20.6 

21.8 

2,871.2 

4,483.8 

111

The financial statements of Travis Perkins plc, registered number 824821, were approved by the Board of Directors on  
25 February 2019 and signed on its behalf by:

John Carter 
Director 

Alan Williams 
Director

Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements  
Company Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 December 2018

i

m
u
m
e
r
p

e
r
a
h
S

r
e
g
r
e
M

e
v
r
e
s
e
r

527.4

326.5

e
r
a
h
S

l

a
t
i
p
a
c

25.1

-

-

-

-

0.1 

14.9

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

s
e
r
a
h
s

n
w
O

(8.7)

-

-

-

(19.2)

12.6 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

25.2 

542.3 

326.5 

(15.3)

-

-

-

- 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2.0 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(43.4)

10.9 

-

-

-

25.2 

544.3 

326.5 

(47.8)

r
e
h
t
O

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(4.9)

(4.9)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(0.7)

(5.6)

i

d
e
n
a
t
e
R

i

s
g
n
n
r
a
e

y
t
i
u
q
e

l
a
t
o
T

587.0

1,457.3

261.7

261.7

(113.0)

(113.0)

-

-

(12.6)

15.7

-

15.0

(19.2)

-

15.7

(4.9)

738.8 

1,612.6 

61.1 

61.1 

(114.1)

(0.8)

-

-

(10.9)

(0.5)

19.6 

-

(114.1)

(0.8)

2.0 

(43.4)

-

(0.5)

19.6 

(0.7)

693.2

1,535.8

£m

At 1 January 2017

Profit and total comprehensive income 
for the year

Dividends 

Issue of share capital

Purchase of own shares

Own shares movement

Equity-settled share-based payments,  
net of tax

Options on non-controlling interest

At 31 December 2017

Profit and total comprehensive income  
for the year

Dividends 

Dividend equivalent payments

Issue of share capital

Purchase of own shares

Own shares movement

Foreign exchange

Equity-settled share-based payments,  
net of tax

Options on non-controlling interest

At 31 December 2018

112

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Cash Flow Statement

For the year ended 31 December 2018

£m

Cash flows from operating activities

Adjusted operating profit

Adjustments for:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Share-based payments

Adjusted operating cash flows

Increase in receivables

Decrease in payables

Cash generated from operations

Interest paid

Net cash from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Interest received

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Interest in associates

Investments 

Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities

Proceeds from the issue of share capital

Purchase of own shares

Dividends paid

Net cash from financing activities

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents 1 January

Cash and cash equivalents 31 December

2018

367.1

-

5.7

372.8

(193.6)

(29.7)

149.5

(26.2)

123.3

0.6

(0.2)

(17.6)

-

(17.2)

2.0

(43.4)

(114.1)

(155.5)

(49.4)

226.8

177.4

2017

308.3

0.1

6.9

315.3

(7.9)

(100.8)

206.6

(26.8)

179.8

0.6

(0.2)

(11.3)

(10.8)

(21.7)

15.0

(19.2)

(113.0)

(117.2)

40.9

185.9

226.8

113

Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2018

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 162. The nature of the Group’s 
operations and its principal activities are set out in the Strategic 
report on pages 3 to 53.

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 and other financial instruments 
and contingent consideration arising from business combinations 
are stated at fair value through profit and loss and also 
designated financial instruments are stated at fair value through 
other comprehensive income. 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

•  Has the ability to use its power to affect its returns

As such, the results of subsidiaries acquired during the year are 
included in the consolidated income statement from the effective 
date of acquisition.

Key judgements and estimates

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 
and current and expected economic conditions. The Directors 
frequently re-evaluate these significant factors and make 
adjustments as facts and circumstances dictate. 

114

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.

Going concern 
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, including uncertainty caused 
by the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, 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.

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 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.

Detailed considerations of going concern and principal risks and 
uncertainties are provided in the Annual Report on pages 63 and 
34 to 41 respectively.

Significant accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in preparing the 
financial statements are provided throughout the notes to the 
financial statements.

Some financial information is produced by finance systems  
that were first implemented by the Group over 30 years ago. 
As the business has grown, these have been amended to cope 
with significantly higher transaction levels and more complicated 
ways of doing business. This has made the systems unwieldy 
and could result in a material misstatement in the information 
calculated by those systems in areas such as supplier income, 
and inventories. There are processes and controls in place to 
mitigate these risks. 

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Key estimates which are material to the financial statements are 
found in the following notes:

Key judgements which are material to the financial statements 
are found in the following notes:

Page

Note

Description

130

131

136

156

10

11

16

27

Cost of inventories

Calculation of supplier income

Pension assumptions

Impairment of goodwill

Notes to the financial statements

The notes are organised into the following sections:

Income and expenses: Provides a breakdown of individual line 
items in the income statements and summarises the accounting 
policies, judgements and estimates relevant to understanding 
these items.

Assets and liabilities: Provides a breakdown of individual line 
items in the balance sheets and summarises the accounting 
policies, judgements and estimates relevant to understanding 
these items. 

Capital: Provides information about the capital management 
practices of the Group and shareholder returns for the year. 

Significant items 

Page

156

127

Note

Description

27

8

Definition of cash-generating units

Derecognition of software assets  
under construction

Other significant judgements made in the preparation of these 
financial statements include the equity accounting for Toolstation 
Europe (note 30) and the applicability of IFRIC 14 to the BSS DB 
Scheme (note 16).

Risks: Discusses the Group’s impairment testing and the 
exposure to various financial risks, explains how these affect the 
Group’s financial position and performance and what the Group 
does to manage these risks. 

Group structure: Explains aspects of the Group structure 
and how changes have affected the financial position and 
performance of the Group. 

People: Provides information about people costs. 

Other: Provides information on items which require disclosure, 
but are not considered critical in understanding the financial 
performance or position of the Group.

During the year ended 31 December 2018 the following 
significant items took place that are relevant to the understanding 
of the Group’s results and financial position: 

Pensions (note 16): The Group’s accounting for defined benefit 
pension schemes in 2018 has been affected by a number of 
events and judgements: 

Impairment of Wickes goodwill (note 27): In challenging market 
conditions, the Wickes business underperformed its forecasts 
in 2018 and the impairment review identified an impairment of 
£246.3m in the Wickes CGU. The impairment model continues 
to be sensitive to key assumptions. 

Group transformation and restructuring (note 3): In August 
2017 the Group announced a transformation programme for the 
Plumbing & Heating division and, following the success of this, in 
December 2018 the Group announced its intention to explore the 
disposal of the Plumbing & Heating division.

The Group has completed a series of cost reduction programmes 
in the second half of 2018, including significant rationalisation 
of the Merchanting supply chain, reductions in support centre 
headcount and the closure of some branches.

The costs associated with these transformation and restructuring 
activities have been disclosed as adjusting items.

•  The closure of the two largest schemes to further accrual, 

which resulted in the recognition of a £4.7m curtailment gain

•  The recognition of a £9.6m past service cost from the 

equalisation of benefits relating to guaranteed minimum 
pensions (“GMP”)

•  An additional £25.1m recognised as a scheme asset following 

the removal of contingency on payments to the  
TP DB Scheme from a special purpose vehicle

•  New deficit funding agreements for the two largest schemes

•  Following the receipt of further legal advice, the Group 

concluded that it has an unconditional right to receive any 
surplus in a winding up of the BSS DB Scheme

IFRS 16 – Leases (note 39): The new lease accounting standard 
will have a material impact on the Group’s income statement  
and balance sheet. The note includes an update on the  
Group’s implementation of this standard and the results of the 
Group’s modelling of the impact of this standard, which will 
become effective on 1 January 2019.

115

Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements 1. Revenue

Accounting policy

Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognised when the Group has satisfied its 
performance obligations to the customer and the customer 
has obtained control of the goods or services being 
transferred. Revenue is measured at the transaction price 
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. 

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 based on the 
most likely outcome, is deducted from turnover in the year in 
which the rebate is earned.

Comparative policy under IAS 18 – Revenue
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. 

a. Revenue

£m

Sale of goods

Sale of services

Management charges

Dividends from subsidiaries

Dividends receivable

b. Revenue reconciliation and like-for-like sales

£m

2017 revenue

Like-for-like revenue

Network change

2018 revenue

The Group

2018

6,546.6 

 193.9 

-

-

-

2017

6,250.6 

182.5

- 

- 

-

6,740.5 

6,433.1

The Company

2018

-

-

-

385.8 

-

385.8 

General 
Merchanting

Contracts

Consumer

Plumbing  
& Heating 

2,109.5

1,369.0

1,589.1

1,365.5

28.8

94.9

(20.7)

210.0

2,138.3

1,463.9

1,568.4

1,575.5

2017

-

-

4.5 

323.4 

0.3

328.2 

Total

6,433.1

313.0

6,746.1

(1.0)

7.6

35.6

(47.8)

(5.6)

2,137.3

1,471.5

1,604.0

1,527.7

6,740.5

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, including changes to the number of trading days. When branches close, revenue is excluded from the 
prior year figures for the months equivalent to the post-closure period in the current year. 

Network change includes the impact of the disposal of the BPT business of £6m (see note 32).

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Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements 
2. Profit

a. Operating profit 

£m
Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Selling and distribution costs

Administrative expenses

Profit on disposal of properties

Other operating income

Operating (loss) / profit

Adjusting items (note 3)

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Adjusted operating profit 

Profit on disposal of properties

Adjusted operating profit before property disposals

Other operating income consists of rents receivable. 

b. Adjusted profit

£m
(Loss) / profit before tax
Adjusting items 

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Adjusted profit before tax
Tax
Tax on adjusting items
Tax on amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Adjusted profit after tax 

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The Company

2018
 6,740.5 

(4,812.7) 

 1,927.8 

(1,607.4)

(375.0) 

 26.8 

 6.1 

(21.7) 

 386.7 

 9.5 

 374.5 

(26.8) 

 347.7 

2017 
6,433.1

(4,527.5)

1,905.6

(1,239.7)

(374.0)

29.4

5.6

326.9

40.9

12.3

380.1

(29.4)

350.7

2018
 385.8 

 - 

 385.8 

 - 

(293.4) 

 - 

 - 

 92.4 

 274.7 

 - 

 367.1 

 - 

 367.1 

The Group

2018
(49.4) 
 386.7 

 9.5 
 346.8 
(34.1) 
(24.2) 
 (1.6) 

286.9

2017 
328.2

-

328.2

-

(30.4)

-

-

297.8

10.5

-

308.3

-

308.3

2017
289.7
40.9

12.3
342.9
(55.7)
(7.8)
(2.1)
277.3

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 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
3. Adjusting items

Accounting policy
Adjusting items are those items of income and expenditure 
that, by reference to the Group, are material in size or 
unusual in nature or incidence and 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 adjusting items include, but are 
not limited to, significant restructurings, onerous contracts, 

£m

Plumbing & Heating transformation  
and disposal preparation

Impairment of investments and Wickes  
and Tile Giant goodwill (note 27)

IT-related impairment charge

Restructuring costs

Pension-related items (note 16)

Loss on disposal of BPT (note 32)

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.

Adjusting items were previously referred to as exceptional 
items by the Group. The change of the name does not 
represent a change in accounting policy.

The Group

The Company

2018

45.3

252.1

15.7

58.4

4.9

10.3

386.7

2017

40.9

 -

 -

 -

 -

 -

2018

 -

274.7

 -

 -

 -

 -

2017

 -

10.5

 -

 -

 -

 -

40.9

274.7

10.5

Plumbing & Heating transformation and disposal preparation
In August 2017 the Group announced that, following a comprehensive strategic review of the Plumbing & Heating division, it would 
reduce capacity, integrate the CPS and PTS businesses, overhaul the division’s customer proposition and create a dedicated Plumbing & 
Heating supply chain. In accordance with the Group’s accounting policy the total cost of £36.4m (2017: £40.9m) has been treated as an 
adjusting item. The adjusting item consisted of the following:

•  £1.2m of property, redundancy and other costs (2017: £12.0m) associated with the closure of six branches

•  £22.8m of costs (2017: £19.1m) arising from the separation and rationalisation of the Plumbing & Heating supply chain and the 

integration of the CPS and PTS businesses. The costs comprised property-related costs, redundancy and reorganisation costs and 
inventory write-downs and provision adjustments

•  £12.4m of central and divisional costs (2017: £9.8m) including people-related, consultancy and other restructuring costs

Further to this, the Group has embarked on a significant program to create a Plumbing & Heating specific version of the Group’s existing 
IT platform and designated back office support functions and in December 2018 the Group announced its intention to explore the 
opportunities to dispose of the P&H division. Costs of £8.9m incurred in 2018 in relation to these activities have been disclosed as an 
adjusting item.

An assessment has been made as to whether the Plumbing & Heating division meets the criteria in IFRS 5 – Non-cur rent Assets Held 
for Sale and Dis con tin ued Op er a tions for classification as held for sale. The Directors concluded that at 31 December 2018 the division 
was not available for immediate sale in its present condition and accordingly it has not been classified as held for sale.

Impairment of goodwill
During 2018 the Group has recognised an impairment charge in respect of the Wickes and Tile Giant goodwill, due to underperforming 
forecasts. This is discussed further in note 8 and note 27.

IT-related impairment charge
The intangible fixed asset impairment charge arises from the termination of certain IT projects in the Wickes business (£6.5m) and in 
the central IT function (£2.5m) and the charge arising from two specific components of the Group’s ERP project where the development 
activities no longer meet the criteria in IAS 38 – Intangible Assets for capitalisation as development costs (£6.7m).

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Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements 
3. Adjusting items (continued) 

Restructuring costs
The restructuring charge relates to the cost-reduction programmes announced for the Wickes business in May 2018 and for the wider 
Group in July 2018. The adjusting items consist of the following:

•  £16.0m relating to rationalisation of the merchanting supply chain, which includes the costs of consolidating the Gowerton Road and 

Mercury Drive distribution hubs, consolidating the Cardiff Range Centre and Cardiff Timber Centre and closing the Tilbury Range Centre. 
The Group has made a claim against the developer in respect of the closure of the Tilbury Range Centre as disclosed in note 13 

•  £16.3m of costs relating to the closure of twenty seven branches and a reduction in support centre headcount in the merchanting 

businesses. The costs comprised property-related costs, redundancy costs and inventory write-downs

•  £12.8m of redundancy and reorganisation costs in the Wickes business

•  £13.3m of Group costs, including people-related costs and consultancy

Pension-related items
The £4.9m pension-related charge consists of a £4.7m curtailment gain recognised as a result of the closure of the Group’s two main 
defined benefit pension schemes to future accrual and a £9.6m charge for the equalisation of guaranteed minimum pension (“GMP”) 
benefits between men and women. Further details on the Group’s defined benefit pension schemes are given in note 16.

The Company
As a result of the impairment recognised in the Group, the Company impaired the carrying value of investments in subsidiaries by 
£274.7m (2017: £10.5m).

4. Expenses

Operating profit has been arrived at after charging / (crediting):

The Group

The Company

£m

Movement of provisions against inventories

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense

Pension costs in administration expenses

Pension costs in selling and distribution costs

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Rental income

Hire of vehicles, plant and machinery

Other leasing charges – property

2018

6.0

2017

1.1

4,806.7

4,526.4

1.4

22.1

(26.8)

(6.1)

35.7

184.9

7.7

19.2

(30.6)

(5.6)

49.8

196.2

During the year the Group incurred the following costs for services provided by the Company’s auditor:  

£000

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for audit services:

Audit of the Company’s annual accounts

Auditor for the audit of the Company’s subsidiaries

Additional fees payable for the prior period audit 

Fees paid to the Company’s auditor for other services:

Audit-related assurance services

Other services

2018

2017

-

 -

0.1

 -

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 -

0.1

 -

 -

 -

 -

 -

2018

2017

150

770

151

55

78

1,204

130

670

135

59

61

1,055

A description of the work of the Audit Committee is set out in the Audit Committee report on pages 66 to 70 and includes an 
explanation of how auditor objectivity and independence is safeguarded when the auditor provides non-audit services.

119

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 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5. Operating segments

a. Segment information 

£m

Revenue

Segment result
Amortisation of acquired  
intangible assets

Adjusting items

Adjusted segment result

Less property profits
Adjusted segment result  
excluding property profits

Adjusted operating margin
Adjusted segment margin  
excluding property profits

General 
Merchanting

2,137.3

 152.0 

Contracts

Consumer 

2018

Plumbing & 
Heating

1,471.5

 85.7 

1,604.0

(187.8) 

1,527.7

(5.4) 

 - 

 28.9 

180.9

(2.4)

178.5

8.5%

8.4%

 6.3 

 5.5 

97.5

(3.9)

93.6

6.6%

6.4%

 2.4 

 272.3 

86.9

(17.7)

69.2

5.4%

4.3%

 0.8 

46.3

41.7

(2.8)

38.9

2.7%

2.5%

Lease adjusted capital employed
Lease adjusted operating profit 
excluding property profits

 1,601.5 

 680.4 

 1,824.4 

 436.3 

 193.4 

 100.6 

 128.1 

 49.7 

Segment assets

Segment liabilities
Consolidated net assets

Capital expenditure
Amortisation of acquired  
intangible assets
Depreciation and amortisation  
of software

1,848.0

(490.8)
1,357.2 

131.0 

 - 

 63.9

910.3

(318.9)
591.4 

 12.8 

 6.3 

 14.5

1,333.9

(458.2)
 875.7 

 47.1 

 2.4 

 29.1

645.2

(392.2)
253.0

4.7

 0.8 

8.8 

Unallocated

Consolidated

-

(66.2) 

 - 

 33.7 

(32.5)

-

(32.5)

-

-

(74.4) 

(31.6) 

380.2

(739.8)
 (359.6) 

 1.9 

 - 

 0.2 

6,740.5

(21.7) 

 9.5 

386.7

374.5

(26.8)

347.7

5.6%

5.2%

 4,468.2 

 440.2 

 5,117.6 

 (2,399.9) 
 2,717.7 

 197.5 

 9.5 

 116.5 

During 2018 an impairment loss was recognised in the Consumer segment in respect of goodwill totalling £252.1m (see note 27). 

120

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements 
 
5. Operating segments (continued)

£m

Revenue

Segment result
Amortisation of acquired  
intangible assets

Adjusting items

Adjusted segment result

Less property profits
Adjusted segment result  
excluding property profits

Adjusted operating margin
Adjusted segment margin  
excluding property profits

Lease adjusted capital employed*
Lease adjusted operating profit 
excluding property profits

Segment assets

Segment liabilities

Consolidated net assets

Capital expenditure
Amortisation of acquired  
intangible assets
Depreciation and amortisation  
of software

General 
Merchanting

Contracts

Consumer 

2,109.5

200.6 

 1,369.0 

 81.3 

1,589.1

 79.4 

2017

Plumbing & 
Heating

1,365.5

(3.5) 

-

-

200.6

(18.0)

182.6

9.5%

8.7%

6.3

 - 

87.6

(1.9)

85.7

6.4%

6.3%

5.0

 - 

84.4

(1.9)

82.5

5.3%

5.2%

1.0

40.9

38.4

(7.6)

30.8

2.8%

2.3%

Unallocated

Consolidated

 - 

(30.9) 

 - 

 - 

(30.9)

 - 

 (30.9) 

 - 

 - 

6,433.1

326.9

12.3

40.9

380.1

(29.4)

350.7

5.9%

5.5%

 1,624.5 

 671.6 

 1,827.6 

 436.7 

(107.1) 

 4,453.3 

 202.0 

 93.0 

 142.4 

 41.0 

(31.0) 

 447.4 

1,811.0

(441.5)

1,369.5

152.9

 - 

67.5

867.2

(323.5)

543.7

1,544.6

(403.6)

1,141.0

14.3

6.3

11.8

57.3

5.0

26.4

592.3

(317.8)

274.5

3.6

1.0

8.8

326.7

(795.1)

(468.4)

2.3

 - 

0.1

5,141.8

(2,281.5)

2,860.3

230.4

12.3

114.6

*Restated for comparability purposes to include 2018 goodwill impairment.

121

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 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
5. Operating segments (continued)

b. Unallocated segment assets and liabilities 

Unallocated segment assets and liabilities comprise the following:

£m

Assets

Interest in associates

Financial instruments

Property, plant and equipment

Investments

Cash and cash equivalents

Retirement benefit surplus

Unallocated corporate assets

Liabilities

Financial instruments

Tax liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Retirement benefit obligations

Interest bearing loans, borrowings and loan notes 

Unallocated corporate liabilities

c. Reportable segments 

2018

2017 

34.2

0.6

0.4

6.6

255.4

81.2

1.8

380.2

(0.9)

(25.9)

(77.8)

-

(609.0)

(26.2)

 (739.8)

20.3

 - 

0.2

9.5

276.8

-

19.9

326.7

(4.9)

(44.5)

(61.0)

(28.3)

(618.3)

(38.1)

(795.1)

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 four divisions, based on shared economic characteristics and similarities in their 
customers and products.

Segmental operating profit represents the profit earned by each segment without allocation of certain central costs, finance income 
and costs and income tax expense. Inter-segment trading is eliminated. Unallocated segment assets and liabilities comprise financial 
instruments, current and deferred taxation, cash and borrowings and pension scheme assets and liabilities. 

122

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements 
6. Net finance costs

a. Finance costs and finance income

£m

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts*

Interest on Sterling bonds

Interest on obligations under finance leases

Unwinding of discounts – property provisions

Unwinding of discounts – pension SPV loan

Other interest

Other finance costs – pension scheme

Net loss on remeasurement of derivatives at fair value

Finance costs

Net gain on remeasurement of derivatives at fair value

Net gain on remeasurement of foreign exchange

Interest receivable

Finance income

Net finance costs

The Group

2018

(2.7)

(21.0)

(0.4)

(0.2)

(2.1)

(0.7)

(0.8)

- 

(27.9)

1.8

0.7

1.7 

4.2 

2017

(4.1)

(21.0)

(0.8)

(0.7)

(2.4)

(0.7)

(3.1)

(2.9)

(35.7)

-

-

0.7

0.7

(23.7)

(35.0)

* Includes £1.5m (2017: £1.5m) of amortised finance charges.

The charge caused by the unwinding of the discounts relates to the property provisions and the liability to the pension scheme 
associated with the pension SPV loan (note 16).

£m

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts

Interest on Sterling bonds

Interest payable to Group companies

Other interest

Net gain / (loss) on re-measurement of derivatives at fair value

Finance costs

Net gain on remeasurement of derivatives at fair value

Net gain on remeasurement of foreign exchange

Interest receivable

Finance income

Net finance costs

The Company

2018

(3.4)

(21.0)

(23.3)

(0.6)

- 

(48.3)

1.8

0.7

1.6

4.1

2017

(3.9)

(21.0)

(20.5)

(0.6)

(2.9)

(48.9)

-

-

0.6

0.6

(44.2)

(48.3)

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 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6. Net finance costs (continued)

b. Fixed charge cover interest charge

£m

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts

Interest on Sterling bonds

Interest on obligations under finance leases

Unwinding of discounts – pension SPV loan

Fixed charge cover interest charge

7. Tax

Accounting policy

The Group

2018

2.7

21.0

0.4

2.1

26.2

2017

4.1

21.0

0.8

2.4

28.3

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 of other assets and liabilities 
in a transaction (other than in a business combination) 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.

The Group

The Company

2018

47.1

(10.4)

36.7

(2.7)

0.1

(2.6)

34.1

2017

57.5

0.4

57.9

(2.5)

0.3

(2.2)

55.7

2018

(12.1)

(1.2)

(13.3)

0.4

-

0.4

2017

(12.2)

0.2 

(12.0)

(0.2)

-

(0.2)

(12.9)

(12.2)

a. Tax charge in income statement

£m

Current tax:

  Current year

  Prior year

Total current tax

Deferred tax:

  Current year

  Prior year

Total deferred tax

Total tax charge / (credit)

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Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements 
 
7. Tax (continued)

The differences between the total tax charge and the amount calculated by applying the standard rate of UK corporation tax to the profit 
before tax for the Group and Company are as follows: 

The Group

2018

2017

Loss before tax

Tax at the UK corporation tax rate 

Tax effect of expenses / credits that are not deductible / taxable

Depreciation of non-qualifying property

Impairment of goodwill

Impairment of intangible fixed assets

Share-based payments

Deferred tax rate change

Property sales

Losses

Prior period adjustment

%

19.0

£m

 (49.4)

(9.4)

2.0

3.0

47.9

0.8

3.8

0.2

(5.0)

1.1

 (10.3)

Tax expense and effective tax rate for the year

 34.1

 (69.0)

£m

289.7

55.8

1.2

2.5

-

-

0.9

(5.4)

0.7

55.7

The Company

2018

2017

Profit before tax

Dividends from subsidiaries

Loss before tax and dividends from subsidiaries

Tax at the UK standard corporation tax rate

Tax effect of expenses / credits that are not deductible / taxable

Impairment of investments

Prior period adjustment

Share based payments

Tax credit and effective tax rate for the year

£m

48.2

 (385.8)

(337.6)

(64.1)

0.1

52.0

(1.2)

 0.3

(12.9)

%

19.0

£m

249.5 

(323.7)

(74.2)

(14.3)

(0.1)

2.0 

0.2 

-

%

19.3

19.2

%

19.3 

3.8

(12.2)

16.5 

b. Tax charge in the statement of comprehensive income

The following amounts relating to tax have been recognised in other comprehensive income:

£m

Items that may not be reclassified:

Deferred tax charge on actuarial movement 

Income tax relating to other comprehensive income 

c. Tax credited directly to equity

The following amounts of tax have been recognised in equity:

£m

Current tax: Excess tax deductions for share-based payments on exercised options

Current tax: Share-based payments

The Group

The Company

2018

2017

2018

2017

(19.3)

(19.3)

(17.1)

(17.1)

-

-

-

-

The Group

The Company

2018

2017

2018

2017

0.1

(0.1)

-

0.4

(0.3)

0.1

-

-

-

0.2

(0.1)

0.1

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8. Goodwill and other intangible assets

a. Goodwill by reportable segment 

Accounting policy
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 reviewed at least annually for 
impairment. Any impairment is recognised immediately 
in the income statement and is not reversed. Goodwill is 
accordingly 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.

The Group

Contracts

Consumer

General 
Merchanting

480.5

-

480.5

2.1

 -

170.6

7.8

178.4

 -

 -

482.6

178.4

Plumbing  
& Heating

66.5

3.1

69.6

 -

 -

69.6

Total

1,528.3

10.9

1,539.2

2.1

(252.1)

1,289.2

810.7

-

810.7

 -

(252.1)

558.6

£m
At 1 January 2017

Recognised on acquisitions during the year

At 1 January 2018

Recognised on acquisitions during the year  
(note 31)

Impairment charged to the income statement  
as an adjusting item (note 27)

At 31 December 2018

The Company has no goodwill. 

b. Other intangible assets

Accounting policy
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 controlled by and for use within the 
business are capitalised and written off over their estimated 
useful life, which range 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. 

Amounts paid to third parties in respect of the development 
of assets not controlled by the Group are expensed over the 
period where the Group receives the benefit of the use of 
these assets. License fees for using third-party software are 
expensed over the period the software is in use.

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 7 years. No amortisation is charged on computer 
software under construction.

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8. Goodwill and other intangible assets (continued)

b. Other intangible assets (continued)

Brand

Computer 
software

The Group
Customer 
relationships

Assets under 
construction

£m

Cost or valuation

At 1 January 2017

Additions 

Transfers between categories

Reclassifications

At 1 January 2018

Additions

Transfers between categories

Reclassifications

Disposals

Derecognition (note 3)

At 31 December 2018

Amortisation

At 1 January 2017
Charged to operating profit in the year  
on acquired intangibles
Charged to operating profit in the year  
on internally-generated intangibles

At 1 January 2018
Charged to operating profit in the year  
on acquired intangibles
Charged to operating profit in the year  
on internally generated intangibles

Disposals
Impairment charged in the year as an  
adjusting item (note 3)

At 31 December 2018

Net book value

At 31 December 2017

At 31 December 2018

The Company has no intangible assets. 

306.1

-

-

-

306.1

-

-

 -

(4.2)

-

301.9 

63.6

2.1

-

65.7 

2.1 

-

-

-

67.8

240.4 

234.1 

67.4

14.3

9.0

3.1 

93.8

10.8 

9.7 

-

(1.4)

-

112.9 

26.4

1.1

12.6

40.1 

0.9 

15.5 

(0.2)

2.7 

59.0

53.7 

53.9

147.6

-

-

-

147.6

-

-

-

(5.8)

-

141.8 

91.0

9.1

-

100.1 

6.5 

-

 (4.1)

-

102.5

47.5 

39.3 

Total

541.8

48.1

-

3.1

593.0

44.4 

-

(0.1)

(11.4)

(11.2)

614.7 

181.0

12.3

12.6

205.9 

9.5 

15.5 

 (4.3)

2.7 

229.3

20.7

33.8 

(9.0)

-

45.5 

33.6 

(9.7)

(0.1)

-

(11.2)

58.1 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

45.5 

58.1 

387.1 

385.4 

Where a brand 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 1 to 10 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 tests are shown in note 27.

Key judgement – Derecognition of software assets under construction
The charge of £11.2m in respect of the derecognition of assets under construction includes £6.7m in respect of two specific 
components of the Group’s ERP project. An assessment of whether the remaining £48.7m of capitalised spend continued to meet 
the criteria of IAS 38 – Intangible Assets for capitalisation as development costs at 31 December 2018 concluded that no further 
derecognition was needed.

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8. Goodwill and other intangible assets (continued)

c. 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 fixed 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 fixed assets with indefinite useful lives by 
CGU grouping. 

£m

CGU grouping

Contracts

CCF

Keyline

BSS Industrial

TF Solutions

General Merchanting

Travis Perkins

Consumer

Tile Giant

Toolstation

Wickes

Plumbing & Heating

City Plumbing Supplies

Plumbnation

FPC

Underfloor Heating Store

National Shower Spares

Birchwood Price Tools

Intangibles 

2018
Goodwill

Total 

Intangibles 

Goodwill

Total 

2017

 -

 -

49.3

 -

 -

 -

 -

162.5

 -

 -

 -

 -

 -

 -

43.6

100.2

26.8

7.8

43.6

100.2

76.1

7.8

482.6

 482.6

 -

103.4

455.2

51.5

1.7

2.9

10.4

3.1

 -

 -

103.4

617.7

51.5

1.7

2.9

10.4

3.1

 -

211.8

1,289.2

1,501.0

-

-

49.3

-

-

-

-

162.5

-

-

-

-

-

3.5

215.3

43.6

100.2

26.8

7.8

43.6

100.2

76.1

7.8

480.5

480.5

5.8

103.4

701.5

51.5

1.7

2.9

10.4

3.1

-

5.8

103.4

864.0

51.5

1.7

2.9

10.4

3.1

3.5

1,539.2

1,754.5

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 
retained earnings.

9. Property, plant and equipment

Accounting policy

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. 

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Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements9. Property, plant and equipment (continued)

Freehold

Long 
leasehold

The Group
Short 
leasehold

Plant and 
equipment

£m

Cost or deemed cost

At 1 January 2017

Additions

Additions from acquired business

Disposals

Reclassifications from current assets

At 1 January 2018

Additions

Disposals

Reclassifications from current assets

At 31 December 2018

Accumulated depreciation

At 1 January 2017

Charged in the year

Disposals

Reclassification from current assets

At 1 January 2018

Charged in the year

Disposals
Impairment charged in the year  
as an adjusting item (note 3)
At 31 December 2018

Net book value

At 31 December 2017

At 31 December 2018

497.5

63.9 

0.8 

(78.0)

-

484.2 

50.1 

(61.5)

2.3

475.1 

45.9 

5.0 

(3.5)

-

47.4 

5.8 

(3.8)

-

49.4 

436.8 

425.7 

37.8

-

-

(2.3)

-

35.5 

0.7 

(0.1)

(0.1)

36.0 

14.4 

1.0 

(1.8)

-

13.6 

1.1 

(0.1)

-

14.6 

21.9 

21.4 

Total

1,492.4

182.3 

1.1 

(120.6)

10.6 

1,565.8 

153.1 

 (122.3)

2.2 

184.3

25.3 

-

(6.1)

-

203.5 

44.8 

(9.8)

 0.2

772.8

93.1 

0.3 

(34.2)

10.6 

842.6 

57.5 

(50.9)

(0.2) 

238.7 

849.0 

1,598.8 

80.3 

11.9 

(1.4)

-

90.8 

12.2 

(5.8)

-

422.3 

84.1 

(29.0)

4.6 

482.0 

81.9 

(41.0)

1.5

562.9 

102.0 

(35.7)

4.6 

633.8 

101.0 

(50.7)

1.5

97.2 

524.4 

685.6 

112.7 

 141.5

360.6 

324.6 

932.0 

913.2 

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Plant and 
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0.3 

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0.1 

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0.1 

0.2

0.4 

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9. Property, plant and equipment (continued)

The cost element of the tangible fixed assets carrying value is analysed as follows:

£m

At deemed cost

At cost

Freehold

 21.9 

 453.2 

 475.1 

The Group

Short  
leases

 - 

 238.7 

 238.7 

Long 
leases

 3.7 

 32.3 

 36.0 

Plant and 
equipment

The Company
Total

Total

 - 

 849.0

 849.0 

 25.6 

 1,573.2

 1,598.8

-

0.5

 0.5

Included within freehold property is land with a value of £205m (2017: £176m) 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:

Long 
leasehold

3.7

0.6

The Group
Short 
leasehold

0.6

2.9

Plant and 
equipment

18.0

12.9

The Company
Total

-

-

Total

22.3

16.4

£m

At 31 December 2017

At 31 December 2018

10. Inventories

Accounting policy 

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.

£m
Inventories

2018 

855.3

2017 

816.3

Key estimate – Cost of inventories
In determining the cost of inventories the Directors have to 
make estimates 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 are 
offset against the gross invoice price paid for goods. As 
explained in note 11 setting out the estimates 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. The Directors believe that the £260m deduction 
from the gross invoice cost of stock (2017: £210m) 
is appropriate.

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.

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Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements 
 
11. Supplier income

Accounting policy

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.

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 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.

Supplier income balances included within the Group balance sheet are as follows:

£m
Other receivables
Inventories
Trade payables
Net balance sheet position

Key estimate – Calculation of 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, because the 
agreements with suppliers are almost entirely coterminous 
with the Group’s financial year end, by the year-end the 
Group knows whether those targets were reached.

Approximately 80% of supplier income is receivable during 
the year as it is 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. 

2018 

310.0
(260.0)
71.0
121.0

2017 

288.0
(210.0)
66.0
144.0

Therefore the key estimates 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. Changes in the assessment 
of the collectability of outstanding balances may result in 
adjustments to receivables and stock in the next financial 
year, however these would not be expected to be material.

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12. Trade and other receivables

Accounting policy

Trade and other receivables
The Group’s trade and other receivables at the balance sheet 
date comprises principally of amounts receivable from the 
sale of goods, amounts due in respect of rebates in relation 
to unbilled work in progress and sundry prepayments. Non-
current prepayments represent capitalised licence fees in 
relation to the new ERP system.

 Impairment of financial assets
Trade receivables are subject to the new expected credit loss 
model in IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments and therefore the Group 
has revised its impairment methodology. The impact of the 
change in impairment methodology on the Group’s retained 
earnings and equity is a reduction of £2.4m in retained earnings 
and net assets at 1 January 2018.

The Group applies the IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments 
simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses. 

This uses a lifetime expected loss allowance for all trade 
receivables. To measure the expected credit losses trade 
receivables have been grouped based on shared credit 
risk characteristics and the days past due. 

On that basis, the loss allowance as at 1 January 2018 
was determined to be £2.4m higher than those previously 
recognised under the incurred loss model of IAS 39 – 
Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. The 
amount restated represents the impairment loss recognised 
on current trade receivables. 

Trade receivables are written off when there is no  
reasonable expectation of recovery. Indicators that there is 
no reasonable expectation of recovery include the failure of 
a debtor to engage in a repayment plan with the Group and 
the commencement of legal proceedings. 

£m

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

2018

2017

2018

2017

 824.6 

(18.7)

 805.9 

 - 

 356.6 

 91.3 

 1,253.8 

 43.3 

 1,297.1 

770.2

(17.2)

753.0

-

291.4 

85.8

1,130.2

30.4

1,160.6

 - 

 - 

 - 

 614.3 

 1.1 

 - 

 615.4 

 - 

 615.4 

-

-

407.9

-

-

407.9

-

407.9

The Directors consider that the only class of asset containing significant credit risk is trade receivables. The average credit term taken 
for sales of goods is 60 days (2017: 57 days). 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
The loss allowance at 31 December 2018 is £18.7m. Under the incurred loss model of IAS 39 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and 
Measurement it would have been £15.5m. 

£m

At 1 January

Opening IFRS 9 transition adjustment

Amounts written off during the year

Charge in the year

At 31 December

*Comparatives have been restated to reflect the actual movement in the year.

132

2018

 17.2 

 2.4 

(16.9)

 16.0

 18.7 

2017
*restated

21.6

-

(22.5)

18.1

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Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements 
12. Trade and other receivables (continued)

Expected credit loss assessment

The following table provides information about the exposure to credit risk and expected credit losses for trade receivables as at 
31 December 2018.

£m
Current (not past due)
Days overdue:
1 – 30
31 – 60
61 – 90
91 – 120
More than 120

Gross  
carrying amount
692.5

Weighted  
average loss rate
0.3%

Loss  
allowance
(2.2)

78.1
19.5
10.0
3.6
20.9
824.6

2.1%
6.8%
13.5%
32.2%
52.6%

(1.6)
(1.3)
(1.4)
(1.2)
(11.0)
(18.7)

Credit impaired

No

No
No
No
No
Yes

Loss rates are based on actual credit loss experience over the past three years. 

Comparative information under IAS 39 

The ageing of past but not impaired trade receivables as at 31 December 2017 is as follows.

£m

Days overdue:

0 – 30 days

31 – 60 days

61 – 90 days

2017

 26.5 

 11.4 

 8.3 

46.2

Impact of adoption IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers:
Provisions for customer returns were previously presented on a net basis, as part of accruals and deferred income. Following adoption 
of IFRS 15 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers they are now shown on a gross basis and liabilities for the full amount expected to 
be refunded to customers (£7.7m as at 1 January 2018) are included in trade and other payables. Subsequently assets for the value of 
goods expected to be returned are included in trade and other receivables (£4.4m as at 1 January 2018).

13. Provisions

Accounting policy

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.

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 adjusting item,  
any release is shown as an adjusting credit. 

The Group has a number of vacant and partly sublet 
leasehold properties. Where necessary a provision has been 
made for the residual lease commitments after taking into 
account existing and anticipated subtenant arrangements.
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.

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13. Provisions (continued)

£m

At 1 January 2017
(Release) / charge to  
income statement

Charge to income statement - adjusting

Utilisation of provisions

Unwinding of discount

At 1 January 2018

Charge to income statement

Utilisation of provision

Unwinding of discount

At 31 December 2018

Included in current liabilities

Included in non-current liabilities

The Company has no provisions.

Property

16.3

(0.9)

17.8

(5.4)

0.7

28.5

11.1

(10.0)

0.2

29.8

11.4

18.4

29.8

The Group

Insurance 

Restructuring

29.0

7.5

-

(7.5)

-

29.0

9.0

(6.7)

 -

31.3

31.3

 -

31.3

32.9

-

11.6

(32.3)

-

12.2

 17.5

 (12.4)

 -

17.3

17.3

 -

17.3

Total

78.2

6.6

29.4

(45.2)

0.7

69.7

37.6

(29.1)

0.2

78.4

60.0

 18.4

78.4

As set out in note 3, in 2017 the Group recognised an adjusting charge relating to the transformation of its Plumbing & Heating division and in  
2018 the Group announced its intention to dispose of the Plumbing & Heating division and a wider cost-reduction programme. The adjusting 
provision relates to these items. It excludes property-related provisions and inventory and trade creditor amounts which are separately classified.

Should a provision ultimately prove to be unnecessary then it is credited back to the income statement. Where the provision was originally 
established as an adjusting item, any release is disclosed as an adjusting credit. The 2018 adjusting charge to property provisions of £11.1m  
is presented after a credit of £3.5m relating to the release of property provisions originally created through adjusting items.

The following table details the Group’s liquidity analysis of its provisions, based on the undiscounted net cash outflows.

£m

2018:

Property

Insurance

Restructuring

2017:

Property

Insurance

Restructuring

0-1 year

1-2 years

2-5 years

5+ years

Total

11.4

31.3

17.3

60.0

11.4

29.0

12.2

52.6

8.7

 -

 -

8.7

5.0

 -

 -

5.0

7.4

 -

 -

7.4

10.6

 -

 -

10.6

2.9

 -

 -

2.9

1.9

 -

 -

1.9

30.4

31.3

17.3

79.0

28.9

29.0

12.2

70.1

In December 2018 one of the Group’s subsidiaries, Travis Perkins (Properties) Limited, commenced proceedings against Roxhill (Tilbury) 
Limited and Roxhill Developments Limited in the Technology and Construction Court in respect of defective external hardstanding at 
the Group’s Tilbury Range Centre. Due to the inherent uncertainty associated with legal disputes, it is not possible to be virtually certain that 
the Group will recover all costs associated with this defective external hardstanding. Accordingly no asset has been recognised in respect of the 
£30.0m that the Group is seeking to recover. 

134

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements14. Deferred tax

The following are the major deferred tax assets and liabilities recognised by the Group and movements thereon during the current and 
prior reporting periods.

The Group

7
1
0
2
n
a
J

1

i

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i

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R

y
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o
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R

r
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h
t
o
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i

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m
o
c
n

i

(0.7)

-

0.1

(0.4)

(0.5)

(2.3)

1.6

(2.2)

-

-

0.3

-

-

-

-

0.3

-

-

-

-

-

-

17.1

17.4

t

£m 
(Asset) / liability: A
Capital 
allowances
Revaluation  
of property
Share-based 
payments

1.4

7.6

(4.2)

Provisions
Property assets 
acquired  
in business 
combinations

Brand
Pension  
scheme asset

Deferred tax

5.9

6.6

52.6

(24.1)

45.8

8
1
0
2
n
a
J

1

t

A

0.7

7.6

(3.8)

5.5

6.1

50.3

(5.4)

61.0

i

d
e
s
n
g
o
c
e
R

e
m
o
c
n

i

n

i

(2.9)

-

1.7

0.5

(0.6)

(2.8)

1.5

(2.6)

i

d
e
s
n
g
o
c
e
R

y
t
i
u
q
e
n

i

i

e
v
s
n
e
h
e
r
p
m
o

i

d
e
s
n
g
o
c
e
R

r
e
h
t
o
n

i

e
m
o
c
n

i

-

-

-

-

-

 -

19.3

19.3

0.1

0.1

8
1
0
2
c
e
D
1
3

t

A

(2.2)

7.6

(2.0)

6.0

5.5

47.5

15.4

77.8

At 31 December 2018 the Group had unused capital losses of £40.6m (2017: £40.6m) 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. £38.7m arose prior to the Group acquiring Wickes and 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. 

£m 
(Asset) / liability:

Share-based payments

Other timing differences

The Company

At
1 Jan 2017

Recognised 
in income

Recognised 
in other 
comprehensive 
income

At
1 Jan 2018

Recognised
in income

Recognised
in other 
comprehensive 
income

(1.5)

(0.3)

(1.8)

(0.1)

(0.1)

(0.2)

0.1

-

0.1

(1.5)

(0.4)

(1.9)

0.4

-

0.4

-

-

-

At
31 Dec  
2018

(1.1)

(0.4)

(1.5)

15. Trade payables and other liabilities

Accounting policy

Trade and other payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs and are measured at 
amortised cost. 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.

£m

Trade payables

Other taxation and social security

Other payables

Accruals and deferred income

Trade and other payables

The Group

2018

1,136.6 

 62.4 

 201.8 

 202.4 

2017

1,065.9

54.6

176.0

157.1

 1,603.2 

1,453.6

The Company

2018

2017

-

-

20.9

0.9

 21.8

-

-

20.0

0.6

 20.6 

135

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16. Pension arrangements

Accounting policy
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. 

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 and future accrual.

The assets of the TP DB schemes are held separately from 
those of the Group under the control of the schemes’ 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, or late 
and defer drawing their pension, then the amount they receive is 
scaled down or up accordingly. 

 A full actuarial valuation of the TP DB scheme was carried out 
as at 30 September 2017. The IAS 19 valuation has been based 
upon the results of the 30 September 2017 valuation and then 
updated to 31 December 2018 by a qualified actuary. The present 
values of the defined benefit obligations, the related current 
service costs and the past service costs for the TP Schemes 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 as at 30 September 2017. 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.

In June 2010, an agreement was reached with the Trustees of 
the TP DB scheme to fund £34.7m of the funding 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. This entitlement was previously contingent 
and subject to funding levels, which resulted in a restriction in the 
amount recognised as a scheme asset. These payments were 
guaranteed in December 2018, which is the primary reason for 
an additional £25.1m being recognised as a scheme asset. 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 

136

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 and continued overleaf.

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. Following a review of 
the investment strategy, a derisking 
exercise is currently being undertaken 
with a higher proportion of the largest 
two pension schemes’ assets being 
invested in gilts and corporate bonds 
(‘liability driven investments’). Currently 
the schemes have investments in equity 
securities, secured finance assets, bonds, 
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. 

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’ 
bond and gilt 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.

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements16. Pension arrangements (continued)

The investment strategy for the UK scheme is controlled by the 
Trustee in consultation with the Company. The scheme assets  
do not include any of the Group’s own financial instruments. 

manager in accordance with relevant guidance. Other  
significant assets are valued based on observable inputs such  
as yield curves.

All fair values are provided by the fund managers. Where 
available, the fair values are quoted prices (e.g. listed equity, 
sovereign debt and corporate bonds). Unlisted investments 
(e.g. private equity) are included at values provided by the fund 

The liability-driven investments, which comprise fixed interest 
and index-linked gilts, futures, interest and inflation rate swaps, 
repurchase agreements and liquidity funds, are all daily priced 
and traded.

a.  Major actuarial assumptions:

The Directors have agreed with the BSS Schemes’ Trustees to make contributions of £10.0m in 2019, £8.8m in 2020 and £4.1m in 
2021 with the aim of eliminating the deficit in the BSS Schemes by September 2021. In addition the Company has agreed to make 
contributions of £0.8m per annum to the TP DB schemes until 30 September 2022 with the aim of eliminating the deficit in these 
schemes by that date. The Group has also agreed to make monthly contributions to cover the ongoing management and administrative 
expenses of the BSS Schemes and the TP DB Schemes. 

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 
2018

At 31 December  
2017

n/a

2.10%

3.10%

2.90%

3.25%

2.25%

2.50%

2.20%

3.15%

2.55%

3.25%

2.25%

The yield curve used in setting the discount rate, which includes bonds with an average AA rating and excludes bonds which are sub-
sovereign or issued by universities to reflect the credit risk of the defined benefit schemes. 

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 at age 65 for mortality tables used to determine pension liabilities at 31 December 2018: 

Current member age
45
45
65
65

Sex
Male
Female
Male
Female

Life expectancy
23.3
26.2
21.9
24.6

137

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16. Pension arrangements (continued)

b.  Amounts recognised in income

£m

Current service costs

Past service costs – GMP equalisation

Past service costs – curtailment gains

Net interest income / (expense)

Total pension charge

TP
Schemes

2018

BSS
Schemes

Group

TP
Schemes

2017

BSS
Schemes

Group

(4.4)

(7.5)

3.1

1.2 

(7.6)

(2.1)

(2.1)

1.6

(0.8)

(3.4)

(6.5)

(9.6)

 4.7

0.4 

(11.0)

(7.0)

(2.6)

(9.6)

-

-

(1.5)

(8.5)

-

-

(1.6)

(4.2)

-

-

(3.1)

(12.7)

Guaranteed Minimum Payments (“GMP”) are a special tranche of pension for contracted-out service prior to 6 April 1997, intended 
to replace a sacrificed part of the state pension. On 26 October 2018 the High Court issued a ruling on GMP equalisation clarifying 
that pension scheme trustees are under a duty to equalise for GMPs between members of different sexes and setting out a number of 
different lawful methods for equalisation. 

The Group has recognised a past service cost for the impact of this ruling, which has been calculated by qualified actuaries assuming 
that the Schemes are able to limit back-payments to a maximum of 28 years and using Method C2. The past service cost of £9.6m 
represents 0.7% of the accounting liability. If the impact of this ruling had been calculated using one of the other potentially suitable 
methods the past service cost would still have represented 0.7% of the accounting liability. Future changes in this estimate will be 
recognised as an actuarial gain or loss. 

The £4.7m pension curtailment gain, recognised as a result of the closure of the Travis Perkins Pensions and Dependants’ Benefit 
Scheme and the BSS Defined Benefit Scheme to future accrual, is stated net of £0.5m of associated administrative expenses.

The curtailment gain and the charge for GMP equalisation have been recognised as adjusting items and are discussed further in note 3 
and on page 31.

c.  Amounts included in the balance sheet

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:

£m

Fair value of plan assets
Present value of defined  
benefit obligations

Gross actuarial surplus / (deficit)
Additional liability recognised for minimum 
funding requirements
Gross pension asset / (liability)  
at 31 December

Deferred tax asset / (liability) (note 14)

Net pension liability at 31 December

TP
Schemes

2018

BSS
Schemes

Group

TP
Schemes

2017

BSS
Schemes

Group

1,103.8 

322.8 

1,426.6 

1,128.9

324.3

1,453.2

(1,021.5)

(323.9)

(1,345.4)

(1,122.3)

(350.0)

(1,472.3)

82.3 

-

82.3 

(1.1)

-

(1.1)

81.2 

-

81.2 

(15.4)

65.8 

6.6

-

6.6

(25.7)

(9.2)

(34.9)

(19.1)

(9.2)

(28.3)

5.4

(22.9)

The deferred tax liability of £15.4m has been recognised at the standard rate of corporation tax and not the 35% rate applicable for 
refunds from pension schemes, as this rate best reflects the rate at which the liability will unwind.

138

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements 
 
TP
Schemes

2018

BSS
Schemes

Group

TP
Schemes

2017

BSS
Schemes

Group

(25.7)

(19.1)

(61.7)

(65.6)

(127.3)

16. Pension arrangements (continued)

c.  Amounts included in the balance sheet (continued) 

£m

At 1 January actuarial (deficit) / asset
Additional liability recognised for minimum 
funding requirements

Current service costs and administration 
expenses charged to the income statement

Past service costs

Net interest income / (expense)

Contributions from sponsoring companies
Return on plan assets (excluding amounts 
included in net interest)
Actuarial gain / (loss) arising from changes in 
demographic assumptions
Actuarial gain / (loss) arising from changes in 
financial assumptions
Actuarial gain / (loss) arising from  
experience adjustments
Reduction / (increase) in minimum funding  
requirement liability
Gross pension asset / (liability)  
at 31 December

6.6 

-

6.6 

(4.4)

(4.4)

1.2 

5.1 

(9.2)

(34.9)

(2.1)

(0.5)

(0.8)

13.4 

(9.2)

(28.3)

(6.5)

(4.9)

0.4 

18.5 

(15.7)

(10.1)

(25.8)

3.3 

74.5 

16.1 

-

82.3 

(7.3)

(4.0)

25.0 

99.5 

7.0 

9.2 

(1.1)

23.1 

9.2 

81.2 

-

(61.7)

(7.0)

-

(1.5)

7.0 

56.7 

20.2 

(2.2)

(4.9)

-

-

(65.6)

(127.3)

(2.6)

-

(1.6)

13.9 

24.2 

6.6 

1.1 

(1.7)

(9.6)

-

(3.1)

20.9 

80.9 

26.8 

(1.1)

(6.6)

(9.2)

-

(9.2)

6.6 

(34.9)

(28.3)

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:

£m

Level 1:

Cash

Level 2:

Equities

Secured finance

Corporate bonds

Diversified growth fund

Liability driven investments

Repurchase agreements

Property

Level 3:

SPV asset

Other

At 31 December 2018

At 31 December 2017

TP
Schemes

BSS
Schemes

TP
Schemes

BSS
Schemes

2.0 

104.4 

109.0 

319.6 

108.7 

712.9

(388.3)

98.9 

36.6 

-

1,103.8 

1.3 

36.6 

28.8 

98.8 

31.5 

267.0

 (169.6)

28.4 

-

-

322.8 

1.3

123.5

106.7

336.3 

115.1

620.3

(288.3)

73.1

15.3 

25.6

1,128.9 

2.5

39.5

28.2

99.3

39.6

184.2

(88.9)

19.9

- 

- 

324.3

139

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%

7.9

10.9

Group

1,368.4

35.7

80.9

0.4

(0.9)

20.9

0.3

(52.5)

1,453.2

Group

(1,495.7)

(8.7)

-

(38.8)

(0.4)

(0.3)

(6.6)

26.8

(1.1)

52.5
(1,472.3)

291.5

7.6

24.2

0.4

(0.1)

13.9

0.1

(13.3)

324.3

2017

BSS
Schemes

(357.1)

(2.5)

-

(9.2)

(0.4)

(0.1)

(1.7)

6.6

1.1

13.3
(350.0)

16. Pension arrangements (continued)

e. Actual return on scheme assets

TP Schemes

BSS Schemes

f. Movements in the fair value of scheme assets

£m

At 1 January 

2018

£m

 13.8

(1.5)

%

1.2

(0.5)

2017

£m

84.8

31.8

TP
Schemes 

2018
BSS
Schemes

Group

TP
Schemes 

2017

BSS
Schemes

1,128.9 

324.3 

1,453.2 

1,076.9

Interest on scheme assets

Return on scheme assets not including interest

Foreign exchange

Administration expenses

Contributions from sponsoring companies

Contributions from members

29.5 

(15.7)

-

(1.5)

5.1 

0.2 

8.6 

(10.1)

0.2 

(0.7)

13.4 

0.1 

38.1 

(25.8)

0.2 

(2.2)

18.5 

0.3 

28.1

56.7

-

(0.8)

7.0

0.2

Benefits paid

At 31 December 

(42.7)

1,103.8 

(13.0)

322.8 

(55.7)

1,426.6 

(39.2)

1,128.9

g. Movements in the present value of defined benefit obligations

£m

At 1 January

Service cost

Past service costs

Interest cost

Foreign exchange

Contributions from members

Experience adjustments

Actuarial gain / (loss) arising from  
changes in demographic assumptions

Actuarial gain / (loss) arising from  
changes in financial assumptions

Benefits paid
At 31 December 

TP
Schemes

2018

BSS
Schemes

Group

(1,122.3)

(350.0)

(1,472.3)

(3.4)

(3.9)

(28.3)

-

(0.2)

16.1 

(1.5)

(0.5)

(8.7)

(0.1)

(0.1)

7.0 

(4.9)

(4.4)

(37.0)

(0.1)

(0.3)

23.1 

TP
Schemes 

(1,138.6)

(6.2)

-

(29.6)

-

(0.2)

(4.9)

3.3 

(7.3)

(4.0)

20.2

74.5 

42.7 
(1,021.5)

24.3 

13.0 
(323.9)

98.8 

55.7 
(1,345.4)

(2.2)

39.2
(1,122.3)

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16. Pension arrangements (continued) 

h. Amounts recognised in the statement of other comprehensive income

TP
Schemes

2018

BSS
Schemes

Group

TP
Schemes

2017

BSS
Schemes

Group

(15.7)

(10.1)

(25.8)

56.7

24.2

80.9

3.3 

(7.3)

(4.0)

20.2

74.5 

16.1 

-

25.0 

99.5 

7.0 

9.2 

23.1 

9.2 

78.2 

23.8 

102.0 

(2.2)

(4.9)

-

69.8

6.6

1.1

(1.7)

(9.2)

21.0

26.8

(1.1)

(6.6)

(9.2)

90.8

£m

Return on scheme assets  
(excluding amounts included in net interest)

Actuarial gain / (loss) arising from  
changes in demographic assumptions

Actuarial gain / (loss) arising from  
changes in financial assumptions
Actuarial gain / (loss) arising from  
experience adjustments

Reduction / (increase) in minimum  
funding requirement liability
Remeasurement of  
net defined pension liability

i. Maturity profile of obligations

The maturity profile and weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligations for the schemes are as follows:

2018 – 2027

2028 – 2037

2038 – 2047

2048 – 2057

2058 – 2067

2068 – 2077

2078 – 2087

2018

TP  
Schemes

BSS 
Schemes

18.0%

25.8%

25.0%

19.0%

9.7%

2.3%

0.2%

18.5%

25.5%

24.5%

18.9%

9.7%

2.6%

0.3%

2017 – 2026

2027 – 2036

2037 – 2046

2047 – 2056

2057 – 2066

2067 – 2076

2077 – 2086

2017

TP  
Schemes

BSS 
Schemes

17.0%

24.5%

24.6%

19.6%

10.7%

3.1%

0.4%

16.6%

25.1%

25.4%

19.8%

10.4%

2.6%

0.2%

Weighted average duration

18.5 years

18.7 years

Weighted average duration

19.8 years

19.8 years

j. Sensitivities 

The estimated effects of changing the key assumptions (discount rate, inflation and life expectancy) on the IAS 19 – Employee Benefits 
(revised 2011) balance sheet position as at 31 December 2018 is given below.

£m  
Assumption

Discount rate

Inflation

Longevity

Increase of 0.1%

Decrease of 0.1%

Increase of 0.1%

Decrease of 0.1%

Increase of 1 year

Decrease of 1 year

TP  
Schemes

BSS  
Schemes

18

(19)

(12)

8

(32)

28

6

(6)

(5)

3

(10)

9

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16. Pension arrangements (continued)

k. Defined contribution schemes

The Group operates two defined contribution schemes for 
all qualifying employees. The pension cost, which represents 
contributions payable by the Group, amounted to £17.0m 
(2017: £17.3m).

l. Pension scheme contributions for year

The total charge to the income statement disclosed in note 4 
of £23.5m (2017: £26.9m) comprises defined benefit scheme 
current service costs of £6.5m (2017: £9.6m) and £17.0m  
(2017: £17.3m) of contributions payable to the defined 
contribution schemes. 

m. Reassessment of right to refund

The Group previously assessed that it had no unconditional right 
to receive any surplus in a winding up of the BSS DB Scheme 
and accordingly the pension obligation recognised in the financial 
statements was the higher of the IAS 19 obligation and the net 
present value of future minimum funding payments to which 
the Group was unconditionally committed, discounted using the 
IAS 19 discount rate.

In 2018 further legal advice was received on the applicability 
of IFRIC 14 to this scheme and, based on an analysis of the 
operation of law in the event of a winding up of the scheme on 
the resulting trust, the Directors concluded that the Group has 
an unconditional right to receive any surplus in a winding up of 
the scheme following a gradual settlement which has triggered a 
reassessment of the IAS 19 obligation. 

The additional minimum funding requirement liability recognised 
compared to the IAS 19 obligation at 31 December 2017  
was £9.2m and this had arisen through a cumulative charge  
of £9.2m in the statement of other comprehensive income.  
It had no impact on the income statement for the year ended 
31 December 2017. In accordance with the requirements of 
IAS 8 – Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates 
and Errors, as the impact on the 2017 financial statements was 
considered immaterial the comparative period has not been 
restated and the impact of this change has been recognised 
in 2018. 

The impact of this reassessed judgement is a remeasurement 
credit of the net defined benefit pension liability of £9.2m in 
the statement of other comprehensive income in 2018 and a 
consequential reduction in the obligation recognised. 

Key estimate over 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.  
The sensitivity of the balance sheet position to changes in key assumptions is disclosed in note 16(j).

17. Share capital and reserves

Accounting policy
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.

a. Share capital  

Ordinary shares of 10p

At 1 January 2017

Allotted under share option schemes

At 1 January 2018

Allotted under share option schemes

At 31 December 2018

The Group and the Company
Issued and fully paid

No.

250,804,680

1,190,028

251,994,708

149,215

252,143,923

£m

25.1

0.1

25.2

-

25.2

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.

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b. Own Shares 

No.

At 1 January 

Acquired

Reissued

At 31 December 

The Group and the Company

2018

1,216,331

3,503,378

(915,878)

3,803,831

2017.

729,680

1,295,639

(808,988)

1,216,331

None of the own shares have been allocated to grants of executive options. 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.

Details of all movements in reserves for both the Group and Company are shown in their respective Statement of Changes in Equity. 

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.

c. Reserves

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 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 represents anticipated gross outflow on the potential exercise of the put options held over the non-controlled 

shareholdings in TF Solutions and National Shower Spares

18. Earnings per share

a. Basic and diluted earnings per share

£m
Earnings for the purposes of basic and diluted earnings per share being  
net profit attributable to equity holders of the Parent Company

Weighted average number of shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share

Dilutive effect of share options on potential ordinary shares

2018

(85.6)

248,681,183

345,820

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of diluted earnings per share

249,027,003

(Loss) / earnings per share

Diluted (loss) / earnings per share

(34.4)p

(34.4)p

2017

232.8

250,100,896

2,468,248

252,569,144

93.1p

92.2p

5,284,836 share options (2017: 978,010 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.

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18. Earnings per share (continued)

b. Adjusted earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share is calculated by excluding the effect of adjusting items and amortisation of acquired intangible assets 
from earnings.

£m
Earnings for the purposes of basic and diluted earnings per share being  
net profit attributable to equity holders of the Parent Company

Adjusting items

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Tax on adjusting items

Tax on amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Adjusted earnings

Adjusted earnings per share

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

19. Dividends

2018

(85.6)

386.7 

9.5 

(24.2)

(1.6)

284.8

114.5p

114.4p

2017

232.8

40.9

12.3

(7.8)

(2.1)

276.1

110.4p

109.3p

Accounting policy
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.

Amounts were recognised in the financial statements as distributions to equity shareholders as follows:

£m

Final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2017 of 30.50p (2016: 29.75p) per ordinary share

Interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2018 of 15.50p (2017: 15.50p) per ordinary share

Total dividend recognised during the year

2018

75.6

38.5

114.1

The Directors are recommending a final dividend of 31.5p in respect of the year ended 31 December 2018. The anticipated cash 
payment in respect of the proposed final dividend is £79.4m (2017: £76.9m). 

There are no income tax consequences in respect of the dividends declared, but not recognised in the financial statements.

The dividends for 2018 and for 2017 were as follows:

Pence

Interim paid

Final proposed

Total dividend for the year

2018

15.5

31.5

47.0

2017

74.7

38.3

113.0

2017

15.5

30.5

46.0

Distributable reserves
The distributable reserves of the Company approximate to the accumulated profits of £693.4m (2017: £740.5m). When required the 
Company can receive dividends from its subsidiaries to further increase distributable reserves. In 2018 the Company received £385.8m 
of dividends from its subsidiaries (2017: £323.7m). A corporate restructuring exercise was undertaken in 2018 to maximise the 
Company’s ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries.

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20. Borrowings

Accounting policy
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.

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 34 to 41. At 31 December 2018 all borrowings were denominated in Sterling (2017: Sterling).

a. Summary

£m

Liability to pension scheme (note 21a)

Sterling bonds

Finance leases (note 20d)

Finance charges netted off borrowings

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

b. Analysis of other borrowings

£m

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

£m

Borrowings repayable:

More than one year, but not more than five years

Gross borrowings repayable in more than five years

Unamortised fees

*Restated to correct the ageing classification of borrowing.

The Group

The Company

2018

32.8

559.2

21.0

(4.0)

609.0

3.8

605.2

609.0

2017

33.7

562.6

27.5

(5.5)

618.3

6.2

612.1

618.3

2018

-

559.2

-

(4.0)

555.2

-

555.2

555.2

2017 

-

562.6

-

(5.5)

557.1

-

557.1

557.1

The Group

2018

2017 
*restated

 3.8 

572.8

36.4

613.0

(4.0)

609.0

6.2

279.3

338.3

623.8

(5.5)

618.3

The Company
2018

2017 
*restated

559.2

-

(4.0)

555.2

262.6

300.0

(5.5)

557.1

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20. Borrowings (continued)

c. Facilities

At 31 December 2018, the following facilities were available:

£m

Drawn facilities:

£250m Sterling bond

£300m Sterling bond

Undrawn facilities:

5 year committed revolving credit facility

Bank overdrafts

The Group

The Company

2018

2017

2018

2017

259.2

300.0

559.2

550.0

30.0

580.0

262.6

300.0

562.6

550.0

30.0

580.0

259.2

300.0

559.2

550.0

30.0

580.0

262.6

300.0

562.6

550.0

30.0

580.0

The Group’s £550m banking agreement with a syndicate of banks was replaced in January 2019 with a new £400m agreement that 
runs until January 2024. The disclosures in note 20(c) do not include finance leases, loan notes, or the effect of finance charges netted 
off bank debt.

d. Obligations under finance leases

£m

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

2018

2017

2018

2017

4.4

14.9

6.7

26.0

(5.0)

21.0

7.0

18.4

7.8

33.2

(5.7)

27.5

 3.8 

 13.6 

 3.6 

21.0

-

21.0

 (3.8) 

 17.2 

6.2

16.7

4.6

27.5

-

27.5

(6.2)

21.3

The average loan term for properties held under finance leases is 48 years (2017: 49 years). 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.

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20. Borrowings (continued) 

e. Interest

The weighted average interest rates received on assets and paid on liabilities were as follows:

%

Assets:

Short-term deposits
Liabilities:

£250m Sterling bond

£300m Sterling bond

Bank loans and overdrafts

2018

2017

0.7

3.0

4.5

1.8

0.3

3.0

4.5

1.1

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 and the Company

2018

2017

Effective 
interest rate

£m

Effective 
interest rate

£m

0.7%

190.0

0.5%

215.0

4.4%

4.5%

259.2

300.0

559.2

4.4%

4.5%

262.6

300.0

562.6

The Group companies have entered into other guarantee and 
counter-indemnity arrangements in respect of guarantees issued 
in favour of Group companies by several banks amounting to 
approximately £25m (2017: £22m).

In January 2019 the Group renegotiated its revolving credit 
facility and as a result there was a change in the guarantors of the 
above facilities. The new guarantors are: Travis Perkins Trading 
Company Limited, Wickes Building Supplies Limited, Travis 
Perkins (Properties) Limited, Keyline Builders Merchants Limited, 
Toolstation Limited, The BSS Group Limited and City Plumbing 
Supplies Holdings Limited.

Assets:

Short-term deposits

Liabilities:

£250m Sterling bond

£300m Sterling bond

f. Fair values

For both the Group and the Company the fair values of financial 
assets and liabilities have been determined based on the market 
prices 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 26.

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 and  
Keyline Builders Merchants Limited are guarantors of the 
following facilities advanced to Travis Perkins plc:

•  £250m Sterling bond

•  £300m Sterling bond

•  £550m revolving credit facility

•  Currency derivatives (note 26)

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21. Net debt

Accounting policy
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.

The Group

Cash 
and cash 
equivalents

Finance 
leases

Term loan 
and revolving 
credit facility 
and loan 
notes

(250.5)

(26.3)

34.5

(7.0)

-

-

-

(276.8)

21.4

 - 

 - 

 - 

-

-

-

27.5

(6.5)

 - 

 - 

 - 

(3.0)

-

0.8

-

-

(2.2)

 - 

0.8

 - 

 - 

Unsecured 
senior US$ 
notes and 
Sterling 
bonds

562.0

-

0.7

(3.4)

-

559.3

 - 

0.7

(3.4)

 - 

(255.4)

21.0

 (1.4)

556.6

Liability to 
pension 
scheme

34.5

(3.2)

-

-

2.4

33.7

3.3

 - 

 - 

(4.2)

32.8

a. Movement in net debt

£m

At 1 January 2017

Cash flow

Finance charges movement
Amortisation of swap cancellation 
receipt
Discount unwind on liability  
to pension scheme

At 1 January 2018

Cash flow

Finance charges movement
Amortisation of swap  
cancellation receipt
Discount unwind on liability  
to pension scheme

31 December 2018

b. Balances at 31 December

£m

Cash and cash equivalents

Total

377.5

(36.5)

1.5

(3.4)

2.4

341.5

18.2

1.5

(3.4)

(4.2)

353.6

2017

276.8

(612.1)

(6.2)

(341.5)

9.5

33.7

(5.5)

The Group

2018

255.4

(605.2)

(3.8)

(353.6)

8.0

32.8

(4.0)

(316.8)

(303.8)

Non-current interest bearing loans and borrowings

Current interest bearing loans and borrowings

Net debt

Finance leases arising from the implementation of IAS 17 - Leases

Liability to pension scheme

Finance charges netted off borrowings

Net debt under covenant calculations

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22. Free cash flow

£m

Net debt before exchange and fair value adjustments at 1 January

Net debt before exchange and fair value adjustments at 31 December

Increase in net debt before exchange and fair value adjustments

Dividends paid

Net cash outflow for expansion capital expenditure and related items*

Net cash outflow for acquisitions

Net cashflow for investments

Disposal of business

Amortisation of swap cancellation receipt
Discount unwind on liability to pension scheme

Cash impact of adjusting items

Interest in associates

Purchase of shares

Shares issued

Movement in finance charges netted off bank debt

Special pension contributions

Free cash flow 

The Group

2018

(341.5)

(353.6)

(12.1)

116.1

134.9

3.0

-

(9.0)

(3.4)
2.3

40.6

17.6

43.4

(2.0)

1.5

7.2

2017

(377.5)

(341.5)

36.0

113.0

201.5

9.7

(0.3)

 -

(3.4)
2.4

20.2

11.3

19.2

(15.0)

1.5

11.3

340.1

407.4

* Expansion capital expenditure includes £nil (2017: £22.1m) in relation to the development of cloud-based software classified as  
a non-current prepayment (note 12).

Net debt is reconciled to the financial statements in note 21(b).

23. Lease-adjusted gearing

£m

Net debt
Property operating lease rentals x8 

Lease-adjusted net debt

Property operating lease rentals x8 

Closing net assets

Lease-adjusted equity

Gearing

The impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 - Leases on 1 January 2019 on the Group is discussed in note 39(a).

The Group

2018

353.6
1,479.2

1,832.8

1,479.2

2,717.7

4,196.9

2017

341.5
1,524.8

1,866.3

1,524.8

2,860.3

4,385.1

43.7%

42.6%

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24. Leverage ratios

a. Net debt to adjusted EBITDA

The adjusted ratio of net debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (“EBITDA”):

£m

(Loss) / profit before tax

Net finance costs

Depreciation and amortisation

EBITDA 

Adjusting operating items

Adjusted EBITDA under covenant calculations

Net debt under covenant calculations (note 21b)

Adjusted net debt to EBITDA under covenant calculations

b. Lease adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDAR

The Group

2018

(49.4) 

 23.7 

 126.0 

 100.3 

 386.7 

 487.0 

 316.8 

 0.65x 

2017

289.7

35.0

126.9

451.6

40.9

492.5

303.8

0.62x

The adjusted ratio of lease adjusted net debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and operating lease rentals (“EBITDAR”):

£m

Adjusted EBITDA under covenant calculations

Share of associates’ results

Property operating lease rentals net of rent receivable

Adjusted EBITDAR

Net debt

Property lease rentals x8

Lease adjusted net debt

The Group

2018

 487.0 

 4.0 

 184.9 

 675.9 

 353.6 

1,479.2 

 1,832.8 

2017

492.5

2.2

190.6

685.3

341.5

1,524.8

1,866.3

Lease adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDAR

 2.7x

2.7x

c. Fixed charge cover

£m

Adjusted EBITDAR

Property operating lease rentals net of rent receivable

Interest for fixed charge cover calculation (note 6b)

The Group

2018

 675.9

184.9 

 26.2 

 211.1 

2017

685.3

190.6

28.3

218.9

Fixed charge cover net of rent receivable

3.2x

3.1x

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25. Return on capital ratios

Group return on capital employed is calculated as follows:

£m

Operating profit

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Adjusting items

Adjusted operating profit

Opening net assets

Net pension deficit

Net debt before exchange and fair value adjustments

Exchange and fair value adjustment

Goodwill amortisation and impairment

Tax on impairment of goodwill and intangibles 

Opening capital employed 

Closing net assets

Net pension (surplus) / deficit

Net debt

Goodwill amortisation and impairment

Closing capital employed

Average capital employed

Group lease adjusted return on capital employed is calculated as follows:

£m

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

2018

(21.7)

 9.5 

 386.7 

 374.5 

2017
*restated

 326.9 

 12.3 

 40.9 

 380.1 

2,860.3 

2,655.6 

22.9 

341.5 

-

103.2 

377.5 

-

(252.1)

(252.1)

-

-

2,972.6 

2,884.2

2,717.7 

2,860.3

(65.8)

353.6 

-

22.9 

341.5 

(252.1)

3,005.5 

2,972.6

2,989.0

2,928.4

2018

 374.5 

92.5 

 467.0 

 2,989.0

 1,479.2 

4,468.2

2017
*restated

380.1 

95.3 

475.4 

2,928.4 

1,524.8 

4,453.2

Lease adjusted return on capital employed

10.5%

10.7%

*Goodwill amortisation and impairment restated to include 2018 impairment for comparability purposes.

The anticipated impact of implementation of IFRS 16 on return on capital ratios is disclosed in note 39(a).

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26. Financial instruments

Accounting policy

Investments and other financial assets

Classification:
From 1 January 2018, the Group classifies its financial assets in 
the following measurement categories:

•  those to be measured subsequently at fair value (either 

through Other Comprehensive Income ‘‘FVOCI’’, or through 
profit or loss “FVTPL”); and

•  those to be measured at amortised cost.

The classification depends on the business model for 
managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of the 
cash flows.

For assets measured at fair value, gains and losses will either 
be recorded in profit or loss or OCI. For investments in equity 
instruments that are not held for trading, this will depend on 
whether the Group has made an irrevocable election at the 
time of initial recognition to account for the equity investment 
at FVTPL or at FVOCI. 

The Group reclassifies debt investments when and only when its 
business model for managing those assets changes.

Measurement:
At initial recognition, the Group measures a financial asset 
at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair 
value through profit or loss (FVTPL), transaction costs that are 
directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. 
Transaction costs of financial assets carried at FVTPL are 
expensed in profit or loss. 

Debt instruments
Subsequent measurement of debt instruments depends on the 
Group’s business model for managing the asset and the cash 
flow characteristics of the asset. There are two measurement 
categories into which the Group classifies its debt instruments:

•  Amortised cost: Assets that are held for collection of 

contractual cash flows where those cash flows represent 
solely payments of principal and interest are measured at 
amortised cost. Interest income from these financial assets 
is included in finance income using the effective interest 
rate method. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition is 
recognised directly in profit or loss and presented in finance 
income or finance costs, together with foreign exchange 
gains and losses. Impairment losses are presented as a 
separate line item in the income statement. 

•  FVTPL: Assets that do not meet the criteria for amortised 
cost or FVOCI are measured at FVTPL. A gain or loss on a 
debt instrument that is subsequently measured at FVTPL is 
recognised in profit or loss and presented net within other 
gains / (losses) in the period in which it arises. 

152

Equity instruments
The Group subsequently measures all equity investments 
at fair value. Where the Group’s management has elected to 
present fair value gains and losses on equity investments in 
OCI, there is no subsequent reclassification of fair value gains 
and losses to profit or loss following the derecognition of the 
investment. Dividends from such investments continue to be 
recognised in profit or loss when the Group’s right to receive 
payments is established.

Changes in the fair value of financial assets at FVTPL are 
recognised in finance income or finance costs in the income 
statement as applicable. Impairment losses (and the reversal 
of impairment losses) on equity investments measured at 
FVOCI are not reported separately from other changes in fair 
value.

Put options on non-controlling interests
Put options on non-controlling interests are initially recognised 
directly in equity at the present value of the redemption liability. 
Subsequent movements in fair value are recognised directly 
in equity. 

Impairment:
From 1 January 2018, the Group assesses on a forward 
looking basis the expected credit losses associated with its 
debt instruments carried at amortised cost and FVOCI. The 
impairment methodology applied depends on whether there 
has been a significant increase in credit risk. 

For trade receivables, the Group applies the simplified 
approach permitted by IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments, which 
requires expected lifetime losses to be recognised from initial 
recognition of the receivables. 

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 derivative 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. 

Foreign currency forward contracts are marked-to-market at 
the balance sheet date, with any gains or losses being taken 
through the income statement.

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. 

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements26. Financial instruments (continued) 

a. Impact of adoption of IFRS 9 - Financial instruments

As at 1 January 2018 (the date of initial application of IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments) the Group’s management assessed which 
business models apply to the financial assets held by the Group and has classified its financial instruments into the appropriate IFRS 9 - 
Financial Instruments categories. The main effects resulting from this reclassification are as follows:

Note

Original classification

New classification under  
IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments

Financial Assets:

Derivative financial instruments

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Available-for-sale investments

Financial Liabilities:

Derivative financial instruments

a

b

c

a

Designated as FVTPL

Mandatorily at FVTPL

Available-for-sale

Amortised cost

Loans and receivables

Amortised cost

Available-for-sale

Designated instrument by instrument as either 
FVOCI or FVTPL

Designated as FVTPL

Mandatorily at FVTPL

a 

b 

c 

 Under IAS 39 - Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, these foreign currency forward contracts were designated as 
fair value through profit and loss (FVTPL) because they were managed on a fair value basis and their performance was monitored 
on this basis. These assets have been classified as mandatorily measured at FVTPL under IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments.

 Trade and other receivables that were classified as loans and receivables under IAS 39 - Financial Instruments: Recognition and 
Measurement are now classified at amortised cost as the business model is to hold the financial asset to collect contractual cash 
flows which represent solely the payment of principal and interest. An increase of £2.4m in the allowance for impairment over 
these receivables was recognised in opening retained earnings at 1 January 2018 on transition to IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments. 

 These equity securities represent investments that the Group intends to hold for the long-term for strategic purposes. As permitted 
by IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments, the Group has designated these investments on an instrument by instrument basis as either fair 
value through other comprehensive income (‘’FVTOCI’’) or FVTPL.

b. The carrying value of categories of financial instruments

£m

Financial assets:

Mandatorily at FVTPL

Loans and receivables (including cash and cash equivalents)  
at amortised cost

Designated instrument-by-instrument as either FVTPL or FVOCI

Financial liabilities:

Mandatorily at FVTPL

Borrowings (note 20a)

Put options on non-controlling interests

Trade and other payables at amortised cost (note 15)

The Group

The Company

2018

2017

2018

2017

 0.6 

-

 0.6 

-

 1,422.3 

 2.2 

 1,425.1 

 - 

 609.0 

 5.6 

 1,343.1 

 1,957.7 

1,326.0

4.7

1,330.7

1.2

618.3

4.9

1,241.9

1,866.3

 195.3 

 1.0 

 196.9 

 - 

555.2

 5.6 

-

560.8

230.3

1.0

231.3

1.2

557.1

4.9

20.4 

583.6

Loans and receivables exclude prepayments of £134.6m (2017: £116.2m). Trade and other payables exclude taxation and social security and 
accruals and deferred income totalling £290.7m (2017: £220.4m). 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.

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26. Financial instruments (continued) 

c. Fair value of financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities designated as FVTPL 
comprise foreign currency forward contracts and are measured 
using quoted forward exchange 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

£m

Included in liabilities:

Level 2
Foreign currency forward contracts at fair value through  
profit and loss

Level 3

Deferred consideration at fair value through equity

•  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)

There were no transfers between levels during the year.

The Group

The Company

2018

2017

2018

2017

 - 

 5.6 

 5.6 

1.2

4.9

6.1

 - 

 5.6 

 5.6 

1.2

4.9

6.1

d. Interest risk management

e. Currency forward contracts

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 and 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. At 31 December 2018 no interest rate risks 
were hedged (2017: none).

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 rate 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$41.1m (2017: US$75.8m). The fair value of these derivatives 
was £0.6m asset (2017: £1.2m liability). These contracts are 
not designated cash flow hedges and accordingly the fair value 
movement has been reflected in the income statement.

f. 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 2018 the Group had no floating rate liabilities. There was £190m on short-term deposit at 31 December 2018.

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 2018 would have increased / decreased by £1.9m  

(2017: increased / decreased by £2.2m) due to the short-term deposits

•  Net equity would have increased / decreased by £1.5m (2017: increased / decreased by £1.8m) 

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26. Financial instruments (continued) 

g. 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.

£m

0-1 year

1-2 years

2-5 years

5+ years

Total

2018

Total gross settled - foreign exchange forward contracts

(31.5) 

Net settled

Put options on non-controlling interests

Total derivative financial instruments

Net settled:

Borrowings

 - 

 - 

(31.5) 

 - 

Trade and other payables at amortised cost (note 26b)

(1,343.1) 

Finance leases (note 20d)

Total financial instruments

(4.4) 

(1,379.0) 

 - 

 - 

(5.6) 

(5.6) 

 - 

 - 

(4.3) 

(9.9) 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(31.5) 

 - 

(5.6) 

(37.1) 

(559.2) 

(32.8)

 - 

(10.6) 

 - 

(6.7) 

(592.0) 

(1,343.1) 

(26.0) 

(569.8) 

(39.5) 

(1,998.2)

2017

£m

0-1 year

1-2 years

2-5 years

5+ years

Total gross settled - foreign exchange forward contracts

(57.1)

-

Net settled

Put options on non-controlling interests

Total derivative financial instruments

Net settled:

Borrowings

-

(57.1)

-

Trade and other payables at amortised cost (note 26b)

(1,241.9)

Finance leases (note 20d)

Total financial instruments

(7.0)

(1,306.0)

(4.9)

(4.9)

-

-

(4.4)

(9.3)

 -

 -

 -

-

-

(14.0)

(14.0)

Total

(57.1)

(4.9)

(62.0)

 -

 -

 -

(596.3)

-

(7.8)

(596.3)

(1,241.9)

(33.2)

(604.1)

(1,933.4)

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27. Impairment

Accounting policy

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets 
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 to their value. 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. 

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.

•  Cash flows beyond the corporate plan period (2022 and 

beyond) have been determined using a growth rate of 1.5% 
(2017: 2.0%). This represents the forecast 2022 GDP growth in 
the Office for Budget Responsibility’s October 2018 Economic 
and Fiscal Outlook report.

Impairment 
As disclosed in 2018 interim financial statements, the Group has 
recognised an impairment charge in respect of Wickes goodwill 
of £246.3m due to Wickes underperforming its forecasts. The 
Directors have revisited the value-in-use calculation for this 
CGU as at 31 December 2018 and concluded that no further 
impairment was needed.

An impairment charge of £5.8m was also recognised in relation 
to Tile Giant goodwill.

Cash generating unit

Wickes

Tile Giant

Total

£m

246.3

5.8

252.1

Measuring recoverable amounts 
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 except 
for Wickes and Tile Giant as 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 below. The key variables applied to the value 
in use calculations were: 

•  Cash flow forecasts, which were derived from the most recent 

board approved corporate plans 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 pre-tax discount rate is calculated by reference to the 
weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) of the Group.  
For 2018 the pre-tax discount rate ranged between 8.5% and 
9.3% (2017: 8.3% to 8.6%), which is not significantly different 
for any individual CGU or CGU grouping. 

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Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements27. Impairment (continued) 

The key variables applied to the value-in-use calculations for 
Wickes were: 

The performance of kitchen and bathroom sales and forecast 
cost savings are key drivers of operational cash flows.

•   Cash flow forecasts are risk-adjusted and 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 historical performance (excluding future investment 
and enhancements) and the current outlook for both the UK 
economy and the UK DIY market. This is a key operating 
assumption because the state of the DIY market determines 
the Directors’ approach to margin and cost maintenance.  

•  A pre-tax discount rate is calculated by reference to the 
weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) of the Group 
calculated with reference to market information and 
equals 8.65% (2017: 8.58%).

•  Cash flows beyond the corporate plan period (2022 and 

beyond) have been determined using a growth rate of 1.5% 
(2017: 2.0%). This represents the forecast 2022 GDP growth in 
the Office for Budget Responsibility’s October 2018 Economic 
and Fiscal Outlook report.

Sensitivity of results to changes in assumptions
Whilst the Directors believe the assumptions are realistic, it is possible that a materially different impairment would have been identified in the 
impairment review undertaken as at 30 June 2018 if any of the above key assumptions were changed significantly in Wickes value-in-use 
calculations. The impact on the impairment charge recognised of a change in each assumption, all other assumptions remaining the same, is 
shown in the table below.

CGU grouping

Terminal value

Discount rate

Long-term growth rate

Wickes

Reduction

5%

Impact

£30m

Increase

1%

Impact

£119m

Reduction

0.5%

Impact

£54m

The Directors further conducted a sensitivity analysis on the value-in-use calculation used at 31 December 2018 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 fixed assets equalling their recoverable amounts. These are shown in the following table. 

CGU grouping

Headroom

Like-for-like market volume
Sensitivity
Assumption

Discount rate

Long-term growth rate

Assumption

Sensitivity

Assumption

Wickes

£16m

1.5

1.4

8.65%

8.81%

1.50%

Sensitivity

1.35%

The impairment review calculations are based upon anticipated discounted future cash flows. For all other material 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.

Key estimates over assumptions used in value-in-use calculations 
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 estimates concerning discount rates, 
future cash flows 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. 
The Directors have applied risk-based adjustments to cash flows to reflect their view of the relative risk of the Group’s operations. 

Key judgement over cash generating unit
In the Directors’ judgement individual assets do not generate cash flows that are largely independent of those from other assets. 
Consequently each branch or distribution network in the Group is a cash generating unit (“CGU”) for the purposes of impairment 
testing of property, plant and equipment. Goodwill and other intangibles impairment testing is carried out at brand level as 
described in note 8. Different judgements on the definition of the Group’s CGUs and the levels at which impairment testing should 
be performed could result in material differences in the conclusions of the Group’s impairment testing. 

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28. Operating lease arrangements 

Accounting policy
Finance leases, which transfer to the Group substantially all 
the risks and benefits incidental to ownership of the leased 
items, are capitalised at the inception of the lease at the 
fair value of the leased assets or, if lower, at the present 
value of the minimum lease payments. Lease payments 
are apportioned between 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 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  
15 - 25 years in duration, although some have lessee-only 
break clauses of between 5 and 10 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

£m 

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

2018

35.7

194.5

2017

34.7

196.6

At the balance sheet date, the Group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable 
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 does not include the effect of possible lease renewals:

2018

 204.0 

 684.1 

 909.6 

2017

200.8

668.2

963.1

 1,797.7 

1,832.1

£m

Within one year

In the second to fifth years inclusive

After five years

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28. Operating lease arrangements (continued)

b. The Group as lessor

The Group leases a number of ex-trading properties and surplus units in trade parks owned by Group to third parties. Property rental 
income earned during the year in respect of these properties was £5.6m (2016: £5.7m).

At the balance sheet date, the Group had contracts with lessees for the following future minimum lease payments:

£m

Within one year

In the second to fifth years inclusive

After five years

29. Capital commitments 

£m

Contracted for but not provided in the accounts

30. Investments

a. Interest in associates

The reconciliation of interests in associates is given below:

£m

At 1 January

Additions to investments

Disposal of investments

Impairment of investments

Dividends received

Share of losses

At 31 December

2018

6.1

16.0

14.0

36.1

2017

5.6

14.6

14.1

34.3

The Group

The Company

2018

20.7

2017

46.4

2018

-

2017

-

The Group

2018

20.3

21.0

(0.6)

(2.5)

-

(4.0)

34.2

2017

11.5

11.3

-

-

(0.3)

(2.2)

20.3

Travis Perkins plc holds a 34% investment in The Mosaic Tile Company Limited, a 49% investment in Toriga Limited and a 47.5% 
investment in Toolstation Europe Limited. The interest in associates includes £44.9m (2017: £27.0m) of loans. 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 and liabilities are as follows:

£m

Current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current assets

Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Group share of net assets 

Goodwill

Carrying amount of investment in associates

The Group

2018

25.6

(14.6)

6.1

-

17.1

7.8

26.4

34.2

2017

20.6

(10.9)

3.8

(1.3)

12.2

6.0 

14.3

20.3

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30. Investments (continued)

The Group’s share of associates’ income and expenses are as follows:

£m

Income

Expense

Net expense of equity accounted investments

Group share of revenue

Group share of net expense

The Group

2018

53.9

(63.6)

(9.7)

22.2

(26.2)

2017

40.5

(45.1)

(4.6)

19.9

(22.1)

The Group owns 47.5% of the ordinary share capital of Toolstation Europe and has an option to acquire a majority equity stake in 2020. 
The Directors have considered whether the Group has a current ability to direct the relevant activities of Toolstation Europe and as a 
result has control per the definition of IFRS 10 – Consolidated Financial Statements. As the option is not currently exercisable and as 
the Group’s loans do not confer substantive rights, the Directors concluded that it does not control Toolstation Europe. The Group has 
significant influence and accordingly the Group has continued to equity account for its investment in Toolstation Europe.

b. Investment in subsidiaries

£m

Cost

At 1 January

Additions

At 31 December

Provision for impairment 

Net book value at 31 December

The Company

2018

3,875.2

19.7

3,894.9

(336.6)

3,558.3

2017 

3,855.8

19.4

3,875.2

(60.9)

3,814.3

During 2017 the Company acquired control of 75% of the issued share capital of National Shower Spares Limited and 77.5% of the 
issued share capital of TFS Holdings Limited, see note 31 for further details. 

In 2018 the Group recognised an impairment charge in respect of Wickes and its tile businesses (note 27). The associated impairment 
was recognised on the Company’s investments.

A full listing of all related undertakings is provided in note 33.

c. Investments

£m

Equity securities designated as FVTPL

Investments in property entities

Shares held in invested entities

Loans receivable at amortised cost:

Loans to property entities

Loans to invested entities

The Group

The Company

2018

2017

2018

2017

 1.2

1.0

0.8

3.6

6.6

3.7 

1.0 

1.3 

3.5 

9.5 

-

1.0

-

3.6

4.6

-

1.0 

-

3.5 

4.5 

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%.

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31. Acquisition of businesses

Accounting policy
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 – Business Combinations 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.

Liabilities for contingent consideration are classified as fair 
value through profit and loss.

On 28 September 2018 the Group acquired 100% of the issued 
share capital of E. East & Son Limited for total consideration  
of £3.0m, all satisfied by cash. The net assets acquired totalled 
£0.9m and goodwill of £2.1m was recognised as a result of 
these transactions. 

On 13 October 2017 the Group acquired control of 75% of the 
issued share capital of National Shower Spares Limited, a leading 
online retailer of shower spares, for total cash consideration of 
£2.7m. On 28 April 2017 the Group acquired 77.5% of the issued 
share capital of TFS Holdings Limited, an air conditioning and 
refrigeration distributor, for total cash consideration of £7.8m. 
All acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of 
accounting. The net assets acquired totalled £2.8m and £10.9m 
of goodwill and a non-controlling interest of £3.2m have been 

recognised. The goodwill represents the benefits from forecast 
growth and the assembled workforces. A non-current liability 
of £4.9m has been recognised in respect of put options on the 
non-controlling interests. For the period from acquisition the 
combined revenue and operating profit for the above acquisitions 
total £12.6m and £1.4m respectively. If the acquisitions had been 
completed on the first day of 2017, Group revenue would have 
been £6,443.5m and Group operating profit for 2017 would have 
been £327.8m.

On 2 January 2019 the Group acquired the remaining 25% of the 
issued share capital of National Shower Spares Limited for total 
cash consideration of £1.3m. This is a non-adjusting post balance 
sheet event.

32. Sale of business

On 30 September 2018 the Group sold the trade and assets of 
Birchwood Price Tools business for the total cash consideration 
of £9.0m, generating a loss on disposal of £10.3m, which has 
been disclosed as an adjusting item. Total net assets sold consist 
of £12.5m of working capital, £0.6m of other debtors and other 
creditors and £0.3m of fixed assets. As a result of the above disposal 
£5.9m of Group’s intangible fixed assets were derecognised.

The disposal is not a discontinued operation under IFRS 5 – Non-
current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations as the 
sale of Birchwood Price Tools does not represent either a separate 
major line of the Group or a geographical area of operations. 

161

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33. 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
E.East & Son Limited13
Hunter Estates Limited
IJM Enterprises Limited
Keyline Builders Merchants Limited1
Primaflow Limited
PTS Group Limited
Rudridge Limited
Solfex Limited
The Cobtree Scottish Limited Partnership1
Tile Giant Limited

Toolstation Limited
TP Property Company Limited
Travis Perkins (Properties) Limited
Travis Perkins (PSL2015) Limited
Travis Perkins Acquisitions Company Limited
Travis Perkins Finance Company Limited
Travis Perkins Financing Company No.2 Limited
Travis Perkins Leasing Company Limited
Travis Perkins P&H Holdings Limited
Travis Perkins P&H Partner Limited
Travis Perkins Plumbing & Heating LLP
Travis Perkins Trading Company Limited
Wickes Building Supplies Limited
Wickes Developments 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 Limited1
Basic Partition Systems Limited
Basildon Heating Services Limited
Blandford Builders & Decorators Merchants 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
BSS GPS Trustee 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
Chinnor Plumbing Supplies Limited
Christie & Vesey Limited
City Plumbing Supplies (Poole) Limited

162

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 - The5
D.W. Archer Limited
Direct Building Supplies Truro Limited
Direct Heating Spares Limited
Domestic Heating Supplies (Warrington) Limited
Downpatrick Timber Slate and Coal Company Limited5
Dyfed Building and Plastic Supplies Limited
E Fletcher (Timber) Limited
E. Salisbury Limited
Edward Henthorne and Company Limited
Edward Jones (Crowthorne) Limited
Edwards & Company (Longfield) Limited
Elecnation 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
Gammon & Smith Limited
Garratt Timber Supplies Limited
Gestion Toolstation inc.12 
Gisowatt Uk Limited
Graylin Limited
Greenwell Building Supplies Limited
Grundy & Pilling Limited

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements33. Related undertakings (continued)

Dormant & non-trading subsidiary companies (100% ownership and UK registered) continued

Hardleys Timber & Building Supplies Ltd.
Harris of Stirchley Limited
Harrison Trenery Limited
Harvey Building Supplies (Scotland) Limited
Heatek Labone Cadel Limited
HT (1995) Limited
HTG (1996) Limited
Hunter Limited
IJM Holdings Limited
Index Timber & Building Supplies Limited1
Instox Limited
Ivco Process Valves Limited
J & B. Labone Limited
J T Stanton & Co., Limited
J.H. Walker & Co. (York) Limited
James Ladd & Sons (Property) 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
KA Venture 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) Limited1
May & Hassell Limited
Mayalls Limited
MD (1995) Group Limited1
MD (1995) Limited
MD (Park Street) Limited
MD-DOR3 Limited
MD-DOR4 Limited
Monteith Building Services Limited1
NAGS Building Supplies Limited
Nailnole Limited
Neptronik Controls Ltd
Newcastle Tile Centre Limited
Norman Mackenzie (Building Supplies) Limited1
O J Williams (Merchants) Limited
P.C.P. Harris (Builders Merchants) Limited
P.C.P. Harris (Holdings) 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
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 (1989) Limited
Sharpe & Fisher (Building Supplies) 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. Jebb7
Spendlove C. Jebb Holdings Limited
Stearns (Shipton Green) Limited
T & T (Sussex) Plant Hire 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 Yard Building Supplies Limited
Tile Beta Limited
Tile 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 General Partner (Scotland) Limited1
TP Shelfco No.2 Limited
TP Shelfco No.3 Limited
TPG Management Services Limited
Travis & Arnold Limited
Travis Perkins Bridge Properties LLP
Travis Perkins Capital Partner Limited
Travis Perkins Financing Company No.3 Limited
Travis Perkins Installation Services Limited
Travis Perkins Marketing Company Limited
Travis Perkins Merchant Holdings Limited
Travis Perkins Quest Trustees Limited
Tricom Group Limited
Tricom Supplies Limited
UGS Limited
UGS South East Limited
Vaner Holdings Limited
W. Gaunt Limited
W.A. Hawke & Son Limited
W.H. Newson & Sons Limited
W.H. Newson Holding Limited

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Status
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active

Status
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active

33. Related undertakings (continued) 

Dormant & non-trading subsidiary companies (100% ownership and UK registered) continued

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
Wickes Group Trustees Limited
Wickes Holdings Limited
Wickes Limited

Other subsidiary companies
Company Name 
BSS (Ireland) Limited3 
City Investments Limited4 
Travis Perkins Sourcing (Shanghai) Ltd11 
TFS Holdings Limited 
Tools & Fastener Solutions Limited 
National Shower Spares Limited1 
The Underfloor Heating Store Limited 
Travis Perkins Hong Kong Limited10 

Investments
Company Name 
Bombala Limited2 
Toriga Energy Limited 
Toriga Limited 
Toolexpert Benelux BV8 
Toolstation Europe BV8 
Toolstation Europe Limited9 
The Mosaic Tile Company Limited2 
Independent Construction Technologies Limited6 
P H Properties Limited6 
Staircraft Group Limited6 
Staircraft Integrated Solutions Limited6 

Wickes Retail Sourcing Limited
William Bird Holdings Limited
William Bloore & Son Limited
Zenith Plumbpoint Limited

Registered 
Ireland 
Jersey 
China 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
Hong Kong 

Registered 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
Netherlands 
Netherlands 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 

% Ownership 
100 
100 
100 
78 
78 
75 
55 
50 

% Ownership 
49 
49 
49 
48 
48 
48 
34 
15 
15 
15 
15 

Registered offices (not Lodge Way House) 

1 

2 

Suite S3, 8 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, Scotland, G66 1XT, United Kingdom

Project House, Armley Road, Leeds, England and Wales, LS12 2DR, United Kingdom

3  White Heather Industrial Estate, South Circular Road, Dublin, 8, Ireland

4  Ogier House, The Esplanade, St Helier, JE4 9WG, Jersey

5 

Tughans, Marlborough House, 30 Victoria Street, Belfast, BT1 3GS, United Kingdom

6  Staircraft Building, Dunns Close, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 4NF, United Kingdom

7 

8 

9 

107-127 Grosvenor Road, Belfast, BT12 4GT, United Kingdom

Touwbaan 40, 2352CZ Leiderdorp, Netherlands

16-18 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2LG, United Kingdom

10  Suite 2401, 24/F, China Insurance Group Building, 141 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong

11  Building No.17, No. 800 Changde Road, JingAn District, Shanghai 200040

12  5303 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal Québec H2T1S5, Canada

13  43-45 Chiltern Avenue, Woodside Road, Amersham, Bucks, HP6 5AF

164

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Financial statements34. Staff costs

a. Average number of persons employed

The average full-time equivalent monthly number of persons employed (including Executive Directors):

No.

Sales and distribution

Administration

b. Aggregate remuneration

£m

Staff costs — wages and salaries

Staff costs — social security costs 

Staff costs — other pension costs (note 16m)

Share-based payments (note 35)

35. Share-based payments

The Group

2018

25,687

1,614

27,301

2017

25,979

1,774

27,753

The Group

2018

759.6

62.6

23.5

19.6

865.3

2017

772.9

64.5

26.9

15.6

879.9

The Company

2018

2017

-

63

63

-

64

64

The Company

2018

2017

7.1

1.0

0.1

6.5

14.7

7.9

1.1

0.1

6.6

15.7

Accounting policy
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 using 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.

a. Fair value of options 

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:

2018

SAYE

Executive 
options

Share price at grant date (pence) 

1,272.0

1,089.0

Option exercise price (pence) 

Volatility (%)

Option life (years) 

Risk-free interest rate (%)
Expected dividends  
as a dividend yield (%) 

-

29.2%

2.2

1.2%

3.3%

909.0

30.2%

3.3

1.2%

3.8%

Nil price 
options

1,295.0

1,300.0

29.3%

2.2

1.2%

3.2%

Executive 
options

 1,487 

 1,488 

29.2%

 3.0 

0.1%

2.9%

2017

SAYE

 1,434 

 1,185 

28.4%

 3.3 

0.1%

3.1%

Nil price 
options

 1,487 

 - 

31.0%

 2.9 

0.2%

2.9%

165

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35. Share-based payments (continued

a. Fair value of options (continued)

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.

b. Income statement charge and shares granted 

A description of the share schemes operated by the Group is contained in the remuneration report on pages 72 to 89. The estimated 
fair values of the shares under option granted under the Group’s share schemes in 2018 are as follows:

Share scheme

SAYE

Co-investment plan

Performance share plan

Deferred share bonus plan

Wickes and Toolstation long-term incentive plans

Grant date

26 November 2018

29 March 2018

13 March 2018  
24 August 2017
13 March 2018

13 March 2018

Fair value for the Group 
£m
7.2

Fair value for the Company 
£m
0.1

6.2

10.6

1.9

0.2

2.6

3.7

1.1

-

The Group charged £19.7m (2017: £15.7m) and the Company charged £6.9m (2017: £6.9m) to the income statement in respect of 
equity-settled share-based payment transactions.

c. Share options for the Group 

The number and weighted average exercise price of share options is as follows:

Weighted 
average exercise 
price (p)

2018
Number 
of 
options

The Group

2017

Number 
of nil price 
options

Weighted  
average exercise 
price (p)

Number 
of  
options

Number  
of nil price 
options

1,486

1,467

1,274

918

1,152

1,809

5,580

(3,011)

(179)

3,831

6,221

322

3,330

(574)

(746)

1,498

3,508

191

1,384

1,532

1,248

1,197

1,486

1,314

5,578

(1,545)

(1,209)

2,756

5,580

393

3,007

(362)

(793)

1,478

3,330

395

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 1,281 pence (2017: 1,539 pence).

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35. Share-based payments (continued)

c. Share options for the Group (continued)

Details of the options outstanding at 31 December 2018 are as follows: 

2018

SAYE

Executive 
options

473–1,958

818–1,616

1,512

262

1.1

8.02

1,136

5958

2.6

3.04

The Group

Nil price
 options

Executive 
options

2017

SAYE

-

-

3654

1.3

6.93

201–1,958

657–1,616

1,670

292

1.1

7.98

1,296

5,288

2.4

2.83

Nil price 
options

-

-

3,329

1.2

8.01

Range of exercise prices (pence)
Weighted average exercise  
price (pence)

Number of shares (thousands)
Weighted average expected 
remaining life (years)
Weighted average contractual 
remaining life (years)

d. Impact of vesting and exercise 

If all 0.3m outstanding executive options vest and then are exercised on the date of vesting, or in the case of SAYE all 5.7m shares are 
acquired on the first possible day 6.0m of shares will be issued for a consideration of £66.8m in the years below:

2019

2020

2021

Options

SAYE

No.
m

 0.1 

 0.7 

Value
£m

 1.0 

 11.2 

No.
m

 0.1 

 1.1 

Value
£m

 1.3 

 15.2 

No.
m

 0.1 

Value
£m

 1.1 

2022

No.
m

 - 

Value
£m

 - 

2023

No.
m

 - 

Value
£m

 - 

 3.0 

 28.3 

 0.2 

 2.2 

 0.7 

 6.5 

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.

e. Share options for the Company 

The number and weighted average exercise price of share options is as follows:

In thousands of options
Outstanding at the beginning  
of the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year
Transferred from other  
Group companies

Granted during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

Weighted 
average 
exercise  
price (p)

1,412

1,436

-

-

951

1,158

1,533

2018
Number of 
options

The Company

Number  
of nil price 
options

Weighted 
average
exercise  
price (p)

2017
Number of 
options

Number 
 of nil price 
options

64

(19)

-

-

31

76

3

1,337

(109)

(268)

-

565

1,525

1

1,543

1,541

1,240

1,591

1,297

1,412

1,613

60

(17)

(12)

2

31

64

5

1,279

(136)

(411)

103

502

1,337

102

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35. Share-based payments (continued)

e. Share options for the Company (continued)

Details of the options outstanding at 31 December 2018 is as follows:

2018

SAYE

Executive 
options

1,300-1,958

909-1,616

1,477

1,058

14

1.3

8.3

46

2.5

3.5

The Company

Nil price 
options

Executive 
options

2017

SAYE

-

-

1,448

1.4

8.4

433-2,018

818-1,616

1,251

22

1.3

11.1

1,103

41

2.5

3.0

Nil price 
options

-

-

1,330

1.3

11.2

Range of exercise prices (pence)
Weighted average exercise  
price (pence)

Number of shares (thousands)
Weighted average expected  
remaining life (years)
Weighted average contractual  
remaining life (years)

36. Key management personnel

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. 

£m

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Share-based payments

2018

 15.8 

 0.4 

8.4

24.6

2017

14.2

0.4

10.9

25.5

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37. Related party transactions

The Group has a related party relationship with its subsidiaries, its Directors and with its pension schemes (note 16). 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 78 to 85.

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 £23.3m (2017: £20.5m)

•  Receiving annual dividends totalling £385.8m (2017: £323.7m)

Details of balances outstanding with subsidiary companies are shown in note 12 and in the Balance Sheet on pages 107 and 111.

Other than the payment of remuneration there have been no related party transactions with Directors.

The Group advanced a total of £21.0m (2017: £11.3m) to all the Group’s associate companies in 2018. Operating transactions with the 
associates during the year were not significant.

38.  New and amended standards adopted by the Group

A number of new or amended standards became applicable for the current reporting period and as a result the Group has applied the 
following standards: 

•  IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments

•  IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers

•  Annual Improvements to IFRS 2014–2016 cycle

•  Amendments to IAS 40: Transfers of Investment Property

•  Amendments to IFRS 2: Amendments to clarify the classification and measurement of share-based payment transactions

•  IFRIC 22 – Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration

The below explains the impact of the adoption of IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments and IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers on the Group’s financial statements. The new standards, other than described below, did not have a material impact on the 
Group and have been adopted without restating comparative information. 

a. IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments
The reclassifications and the adjustments arising from the new impairment rules are not reflected in a restated balance sheet as at 
31 December 2017, but are recognised in the closing balance sheet as at 31 December 2018 or, for the change to the Group’s financial 
asset impairment model necessitated by IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments, have been recognised in the opening Balance Sheet at 
1 January 2018.

IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments replaces the provisions of IAS 39 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement that relate 
to the recognition, classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, derecognition of financial instruments, 
impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting. The adoption of IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments from 1 January 2018 resulted  
in changes in accounting policies and adjustments to the amounts recognised in the financial statements. The new accounting policies 
are set out in note 26. In accordance with the transitional provisions in IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments, comparative figures have not 
been restated. 

169

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38.  New and amended standards adopted by the Group (continued) 

a. IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments (continued)

Classification and measurement 

On 1 January 2018 (the date of initial application of IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments), the Group’s management has assessed which 
business models apply to the financial assets held by the Group and has classified its financial instruments into the appropriate  
IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments categories. The main effects resulting from this reclassification are as follows:

Note

Original classification

New classification under 
IFRS 9 -  
Financial Instruments

Old carrying 
amount

New carrying 
amount
under IFRS 9

Difference

a

Designated as FVTPL

Mandatorily at FVTPL

-

-

Available-for-sale

Amortised cost

276.8

276.8

-

-

b

c

a

Loans and receivables

Amortised cost

1,049.2

1,046.8

(2.4)

Available - for-sale

Designated instrument 
by instrument as either 
FVOCI or FVTPL

4.7

4.7

Designated as FVTPL

Mandatorily at FVTPL

(1.2)

(1.2)

-

-

£m

Financial Assets:

Derivative financial 
instruments

Cash and cash 
equivalents

Trade and other 
receivables

Available-for-sale 
investments

Financial Liabilities:

Derivative financial 
instruments

a   Under IAS 39 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, these foreign currency forward contracts were designated as 

fair value through profit and loss (FVTPL) because they were managed on a fair value basis and their performance was monitored on 
this basis. These assets have been classified as mandatorily measured at FVTPL under IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments.

b   Trade and other receivables that were classified as loans and receivables under IAS 39 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and 
Measurement are now classified at amortised cost as the business model is to hold the financial asset to collect contractual cash 
flows which represent solely the payment of principal and interest. An increase of £2.4m in the allowance for impairment over these 
receivables was recognised in opening retained earnings at 1 January 2018 on transition to IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments. 

c   These equity securities represent investments that the Group intends to hold for the long-term for strategic purposes. As permitted by 
IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments, the Group has designated these investments on a instrument by instrument basis as either fair value 
through other comprehensive income (‘’FVTOCI’’) or FVTPL.

Impairment of financial assets
Trade receivables are subject to the new expected credit loss model in IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments and therefore the Group has 
revised its impairment methodology, as explained in the note 12.

b. IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Impact of adoption
The Group has adopted IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers from 1 January 2018 which resulted in changes in 
accounting policies and the reclassification of amounts recognised in the financial statements, as explained in note 12. None of the 
adjustments impacted the Group’s retained earnings and this standard does not have a significant impact on the Group. The new 
accounting policy is included in note 1. 

Provisions for customer returns were previously presented on a net basis, as part of accruals and deferred income. Following adoption 
of IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers they are now shown on a gross basis and liabilities for the full amount expected 
to be refunded to customers (£7.7m as at 1 January 2018) are included in trade and other payables. Subsequently assets for the value of 
goods expected to be returned are included in trade and other receivables (£1.3m as at 1 January 2018).

170

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39. Impact of standards issued but not yet applied by the entity

A number of new standards are effective for annual periods 
beginning after 1 January 2018 and earlier application is 
permitted; however, the Group has not early adopted the new 
or amended standards in preparing these consolidated financial 
statements. Of those standards that are not yet effective, IFRS 
16 – Leases is expected to have a material impact on the Group’s 
financial statements in the period of initial application.

a. IFRS 16 – Leases

In January 2016 the IASB issued IFRS 16 – Leases and this 
was endorsed by the European Union in October 2017. It will 
be effective from 1 January 2019. 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. The Group has a project team working to implement 
the processes and systems necessary to comply with 
its requirements. 

The impact of adopting the standard on 1 January 2019 may 
change from current estimates because: 

•  the Group’s lease portfolio is frequently changing

•  the new accounting policies are subject to change until the 

Group presents its first financial statements that include the 
date of initial application

IFRS 16 – Leases introduces a single, on-balance sheet lease 
accounting model for lessees. A lessee recognises a right-of-use 
asset representing its right to use the underlying asset and a 
lease liability representing its obligation to make lease payments. 
There are elective recognition exemptions for short-term leases 
and leases of low-value items. Lessor accounting remains similar 
to the current standard: lessors continue to classify leases as 
finance or operating leases.

IFRS 16 – Leases replaces existing leases guidance including IAS 
17 – Leases and IFRIC 4 – Determining whether an Arrangement 
contains a Lease. 

i. Leases in which the Group is a lessee 
The Group will recognise new assets and liabilities for its 
operating leases of properties, vehicles and tool hire assets. 
The nature of the expenses recognised in respect of these leases 
will change because the Group will recognise a depreciation 
charge for right-of-use assets and an interest expense on 
lease liabilities. 

Previously the Group recognised operating lease expense on 
a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, and recognised 
assets and liabilities only to the extent that there was a timing 
difference between actual lease payments and the expense 
recognised. In addition, the Group will no longer recognise 
provisions for operating leases that it assesses to be onerous as 
described in note 13 and will instead recognise an impairment of 
the right-of-use asset. 

No significant impact is expected for the Group’s finance leases. 

ii. Leases in which the Group is a lessor 
No significant impact is expected for leases in which the Group is 
a lessor.

iii. Transition
The Group plans to apply IFRS 16 – Leases initially on 1 January 
2019 using the “modified retrospective” approach as described 
in paragraph C5(b) of the standard. Therefore the cumulative 
effect of adopting IFRS 16 will be recognised as an adjustment 
to the opening balance of retained earnings at 1 January 2019, 
with no restatement of comparative information. On transition the 
Group’s intention is to measure the right-of-use on a retrospective 
basis for circa 300 of the Group’s most material property leases 
and measure the right-of-use of the remaining leases on a fully 
prospective basis.

The Group plans to apply the practical expedient to grandfather 
the definition of a lease on transition. This means that it will apply 
IFRS 16 – Leases to all contracts entered into before 1 January 
2019 and identified as leases in accordance with IAS 17 – Leases. 
The Group will elect to apply the practical expedient available for 
short-term leases and leases of low-value items and recognise 
the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense 
on a straight-line basis without recognising a right-of-use asset or 
a lease liability.

iv. Impact of the new standard
Given the complexity of the Standard and the number of leases 
held by the Group, the implementation project is not fully 
completed at the date of these financial statements. However, 
based on the information and modelling currently available, the 
Group has estimated the potential impact that initial application 
of IFRS 16 – Leases will have on key financial metrics including 
its return on capital employed. This modelling has assumed:

•  IFRS 16 – Leases has been effective from 1 January 2018

•  The transition options set out in this note

•  Incremental borrowing rates calculated on the basis of market 

conditions on 1 January 2018

The modelling has not taken into account any interactions 
between IFRS 16 – Leases and the Group’s existing onerous lease 
provisions nor has it considered the impact of the new standard 
on rent reviews. 

Using lease data from 1 January 2018 rolled forward to the 
year end, the expected impact on the balance sheet position 
is the recognition of a right of use asset of circa £1.2bn and 
an additional lease liability of circa £1.35bn, with an expected 
tolerance of circa plus or minus £50m on these amounts.

Profits on the disposal of properties recognised as a result of 
sale and leaseback transactions will be lower under the new 
measurement rules of IFRS 16 – Leases. 

This modelling indicates that the Group’s return on capital 
employed would have been broadly in line with the currently 
disclosed lease adjusted return on capital employed. 

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39. Impact of standards issued but not yet applied by the entity (continued)

a. IFRS 16 – Leases (continued)

Impact on return on capital employed

£m
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

Impact on income statement 

£m
Revenue

Gross profit

Adjusted operating profit

Share of associates’ results

Interest

Adjusted profit before tax

b. Other standards

Current basis  
(note 25)
375

Indicative IFRS 16 – 
Leases basis
430

92

467

2,989

 1,479

4,468

10.5%

-

430

4,189

-

4,189

10.3%

Current  
basis
6,741

1,917

375

(4)

(24)

347

Remove  
rent
-

Add depreciation  
and interest
-

Indicative IFRS 16 - 
Leases basis
6,741

-

210

-

-

210

-

(155)

-

(60)

(215)

1,917

430

(4)

(84)

342

The following amended standards and interpretations are not 
expected to have a significant impact on the Group’s consolidated 
financial statements.

•  IFRIC 23 – Uncertainty over Tax Treatments. 

•  Prepayment Features with Negative Compensation 

(Amendments to IFRS 9). 

•  Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures 

(Amendments to IAS 28). 

•  Plan Amendment, Curtailment or Settlement  

(Amendments to IAS 19). 

•  Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2015–2017 Cycle  

– various standards.

•  Amendments to References to Conceptual Framework  

in IFRS Standards. 

•  IFRS 17 – Insurance Contracts.

172

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Shareholder 
information

174   Five-year summary 
176   Other shareholder information

From left to right:

Emma Borton, -Travis Perkins, Salthouse Road 
Theresa Costello - Travis Perkins, Salthouse Road

173

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018

Five-year summary

Consolidated income statement 

Revenue

Adjusted operating profit

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Adjusting items

Operating profit

Share of associates’ results

Net finance costs 

Profit before tax

Income tax expense

Net (Loss) / profit

Basic (Loss) / 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

Disposal of business

Proceeds from issuance of share capital

Purchase of own shares

Dividends paid

Movement in finance lease liabilities

Repayment of unsecured loan notes

Increase / (decrease) in other liabilities

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

Free cash flow

2018
£m

6,740.5

374.5

(9.5)

(386.7)

(21.7)

(4.0)

(23.7)

(49.4)

(34.1)

(83.5)

(34.4)p

114.5p

47.0p

2,050

27,301

2018
£m

331.0

(25.5)

(55.1)

(92.9)

(17.6)

(3.0)

9.0

2.0

(43.4)

(116.1)

(6.5)

-

(3.3)

(21.4)

(341.5)

6.1

3.2

(353.6)

340.1

2017
£m

6,433.1

380.1

(12.3)

(40.9)

326.9

(2.2)

(35.0)

289.7

(55.7)

234.0

93.1p

92.2p

46.0p

2,076

27,753

2017
£m

371.9

(27.1)

(57.2)

(112.9)

(11.3)

(9.7)

-

15.0

(19.2)

(113.0)

(7.0)

-

(3.2)

26.3

(377.5)

(0.5)

10.2

(341.5)

407.4

2016
£m

6,217.2

409.0

(16.6)

(292.0)

100.4

-

(27.7)

72.7

(58.6)

14.1

5.1p

120.4p

45.0p

2,053

27,352

2016
£m

494.7

(24.6)

(104.7)

(186.5)

(4.6)

(3.2)

-

9.7

-

(110.5)

15.9

-

80.5

166.7

(467.4)

17.1

(93.9)

(377.5)

436.1

2015
£m

5,941.6

412.6

(18.0)

(140.6)

254.0

-

(30.5)

223.5

(55.8)

167.7

67.8p

124.1p

44.0p

2,028

26,943

2015
£m

350.3

(23.6)

(47.8)

(247.1)

(3.5)

(26.0)

-

10.0

-

(100.2)

(2.7)

(40.8)

106.9

(24.5)

(375.2)

(8.3)

(59.4)

(467.4)

316.6

2014
£m

5,580.7

384.0

(17.6)

(23.3)

343.1

-

(21.7)

321.4

(62.7)

258.7

105.9p

119.0p

38.0p

1,975

25,441

2014
£m

310.2

(17.6)

(49.9)

(134.1)

(2.1)

(15.7)

-

14.3

-

(81.1)

(2.5)

-

7.0

28.5

(347.6)

(54.2)

(1.9)

(375.2)

254.7

174

174

 Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
 
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

Retirement benefit asset

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

Non-controlling 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

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018

2018
£m

2017
£m

2016
£m

2015
£m

2014
 £m

913.2

1,674.6

-

34.2

43.3

6.6

81.2

855.3

1,253.8

-

255.4

5,117.6

25.2

545.4

326.5

(47.8)

9.1

1,847.5

2,705.9

11.8

2,717.7

605.2

0.9

-

18.4

77.8

3.8

4.7

932.0

1,926.3

-

20.3

30.4

9.5

-

816.3

1,130.2

-

276.8

5,141.8

25.2

543.4

326.5

(15.3)

10.8

1,958.0

2,848.6

11.7

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

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

-

2,860.3

2,655.6

2,795.8

2,677.7

612.1

4.9

28.3

17.1

61.0

6.2

1.2

621.1

-

127.3

21.2

45.8

6.9

-

1,603.2

1,453.6

1,348.3

25.9

60.0

2,399.9

5,117.6

44.5

52.6

2,281.5

5,141.8

43.8

57.0

2,271.4

4,927.0

411.4

-

52.2

7.4

61.3

139.8

-

1,235.5

90.2

38.5

2,036.3

4,832.1

440.0

0.5

97.5

7.8

66.7

43.5

-

1,255.2

71.6

61.7

2,044.5

4,722.2

175

Shareholder information Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018 
Other shareholder information

Financial diary

Ex-dividend date 

Record date 

Annual General Meeting 

Trading statement 

Payment of final dividend 

4 April 2019

5 April 2019 

8 May 2019 

8 May 2019

17 May 2019 

Annual General Meeting (“AGM”)

The AGM will be held on Wednesday 8 May 2019 at 12:30 at:

Northampton Rugby Football Club  
Franklin’s Gardens  
Weedon Road  
Northampton  
NN5 5BG

Registrars

For Information about shareholdings and dividends and to report 
changes to your address, bank details or any other account 
information please contact the Company’s registrars: 

Link Asset Services 
The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham 
Kent 
BR3 4TU

Email: enquiries@linkgroup.co.uk

Telephone: +44 (0) 371 664 0300* 

You can view and manage your shareholder account online via 
the shareholder portal (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 or dividend confirmation.

Dividends
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 or you can contact Link Asset 
Services and they will send you the relevant form to complete.

Shareholder communications

Company Website
Travis Perkins plc Annual and Interim Reports, results 
announcements and presentations are available on the Investor 
Relations section of our website (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. 

Annual Report
The Annual Report is published on our website and a hard copy  
will be posted to shareholders who have requested it in paper  
copy format. All other shareholders will be 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 

Email: cosec@travisperkins.co.uk 

Electronic Shareholder Communications
The Company prefers that you receive your shareholder 
communications electronically. This is a faster, more 
environmentally-friendly and more 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.

Shareholder services

The Company’s registrars 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 Link Asset Services 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 
shares in Travis Perkins. For any shareholders who wish to re-
invest dividend payments in the Company, a facility is provided 
by Link Market Services Trustees Limited in conjunction with the 
Company’s Registrar. Full details are available by calling Link 
Asset Services on +44 (0) 371 664 0381*. Alternatively,  
you can sign up for this service on the shareholder portal 
(by clicking on ‘Manage your account’ followed by ‘Dividend 
payments’ and following the on screen instructions).

Share dealing services

Share dealing services are available from the Company’s Registrar. 
For on-line dealing: www.linksharedeal.com  
For telephone dealing: +44 (0) 371 664 0445* 

These services are only available to private shareholders resident in 
the EEA, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. 

*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 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday with the exception of share dealing lines which are open from 8.00am to 4.30pm.

176

Travis Perkins plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018Above (anticlockwise): 
Vanessa Bromham, Richard Sutton,
Travis Perkins, Gowerton Road
Paul Gillard - Travis Perkins, Tool Hire  
Luke Henry - Travis Perkins, Gowerton Road

Travis Perkins plc  
Lodge Way House, Harlestone Road,  
Northampton. NN5 7UG
01604 752424
www.travisperkinsplc.com

The papers used in this document are 
FSC® mixed sources certified.

The stock is derived from well managed 
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They are manufactured at mills which 
carry ISO 14001 certification.

Designed by Design Print & Digital,  
part of Travis Perkins plc.

JB2232352 03/19