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Travis Perkins

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FY2019 Annual Report · Travis Perkins
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Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Against a challenging market 
backdrop the Group has delivered a 
positive trading performance and 
made significant strategic progress

Our continued progress on this journey 
will allow us to deliver on our purpose of 
providing best-in-class service to trade 
customers through advantaged 
businesses in attractive markets

www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk

What’s in our report

Strategy...14
Sustainability...52
Governance...70
Financials...120
Shareholder information...193

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Shareholder information
Shareholder information

Our tools

The right people

The right strategy

The right culture

The right systems

The right focus

The right locations

Merchants

Toolstation

Retail

Plumbing 
& Heating

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

11

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportContents

Strategic report
3  Highlights
4  At a glance
6  Chairman’s statement
8  Chief Executive’s report
10 
Investment case
11  Market dynamics
12  Business model
14  Our strategy and purpose
18  Strategy in action
20  Key performance indicators (KPIs)
22  Business performance and priorities

22  Business performance
26  Merchanting
28  Plumbing & Heating
29  Toolstation
31  Retail

34  Financial performance
40  Statement of principal risks and 

uncertainties

52  Sustainability overview
67  Section 172 statement
69  Non-financial information statement

Governance
72  Board of Directors
74  Chairman’s introduction
75  Corporate governance report
80  Nominations Committee report
82  Audit Committee report
88  Directors’ remuneration report
92  Remuneration policy report
102  Annual remuneration report
116  Directors’ Report
119  Statement of Directors’ responsibilities
Financial statements
122  Independent Auditor’s report
131  Consolidated income statement
131  Consolidated statement of comprehensive 

income

132  Consolidated balance sheet
133  Consolidated statement of changes in equity
134  Consolidated cash flow statement
135  Company statement of comprehensive 

income

136  Company balance sheet
137  Company statement of changes in equity
138  Company cash flow statement
139  Notes to the financial statements
Shareholder information
194  Five year summary
196  Other shareholder information

The Group is reporting its 2019 accounts under the new lease accounting rules, IFRS 16 – Leases, which 
significantly impacts income statement and balance sheet metrics, including adjusted operating profit and profit 
after tax. The impact of this new standard is discussed in the Financial performance section (pages 22 to 39) 
and in note 10 to the financial statements. Throughout the strategic report, and consistent with prior years, 
alternative performance measures (“APMs”) are used to describe the Group’s performance. These are not 
recognised under IFRS or other generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Board manages and 
assesses the performance of the business on these measures and believes they are more representative of 
ongoing trading and facilitate meaningful year-on-year comparisons and hence provide more useful 
information to shareholders. APMs are defined in the notes to the financial statements and reconciled to the 
closest GAAP measure. 

www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk

22

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Financial highlights

Operational highlights

Shareholder information

 –  Merchant businesses outperformed 

challenging markets, benefitting from 
business simplification and greater 
local empowerment

 – Acceleration of Toolstation UK 

expansion continued with 65 new 
branches opened and the  
acquisition of a controlling share  
of Toolstation Europe

 – Process to demerge Wickes well 

progressed and due for completion in 
Q2 2020

 – Process to divest the Plumbing & 

Heating business paused during this 
period of significant uncertainty. Sale of 
the plumbing & heating wholesale 
business completed in January 2020

 – Cost reduction activities are on track; 
streamlining above-branch operations 
and increasing the agility of the Group

Revenue

£6,956m

2018: £6,741m

Adjusted operating profit

£442m

2018: £375m

Covenant net debt

£344m

2018: £300m

Profit after tax

£123m

2018: loss of £84m

Dividend per share

48.5p

2018: 47.0p 

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

33

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportTravis Perkins plc

At a glance

Travis Perkins* is the 
largest distributor 
of building 
materials in 
the UK

Serving a broad range 
of end markets from 
generalist to 
specialist propositions

Providing building 
material customers 
across the length and 
breadth of the UK with 
best-in-class service

Supplying a full range 
of materials to enable 
our customers to 
complete their projects

1,800
branches

20k
colleagues

£5.4bn
 revenue*

SPLIT OF END MARKET BY SALES

RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

New build

Repair maintenance and improvement

15%

60%

15%

5%

5%

0%

Over
200k
trade credit  
customers

M

SE

N+S

SW

Regional Split
South-East: 31%
South-West: 20%
North & Scotland: 25%
Midlands: 24%

Product %

Timber

Lightside

Heavyside

Plumbing & Heating

Delivery %

Collect

Credit / Cash %

Deliver

£

Credit

*  The figures on this page exclude Wickes and Primaflow F&P as the Group has announced an intention to demerge Wickes in Q2 
2020 and sold Primaflow F&P in January 2020. For details of Wickes’ strategy, performance and leadership see pages 30 to 33.

4

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

TOOLSTATION

MERCHANTS

PLUMBING & HEATING

Branches

People

466

4,000

642

8,000

181

1,100

64

1,400

42

1,000

55

900

Revenue

£0.5bn

£2.2bn

£0.1bn

£0.4bn

£0.5bn

£0.6bn

370

3,300

£1.1bn

MAINLY FOCUSED ON DOMESTIC RMI 

LARGE PROJECTS

DOMESTIC RMI

– New build residential
– Commercial
– Infrastructure

MANY CUSTOMERS

FEW CUSTOMERS

MANY CUSTOMERS

Small trade 
(c.70%) and 
consumer 
(c.30%)

Smaller local builders to 
the largest construction 
businesses

Large trade customers with specific 
product and service requirements

Smaller local plumbers 
to large trade 
customers

WIDE SKU BASE

NARROW SKU BASE

Timber Heavy Lightside

Specialist product set

Lightside

Delivery %

Delivery %

Collect

Deliver

Collect Deliver

Credit %

£

Credit %

£

Credit

Delivery %

C Deliver

Credit %

£ Credit

Plumbing & Heating

Delivery %

Collect

Deliver

Credit %

£

Credit

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

5

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportChairman’s statement

Stuart Chambers
Chairman

LFL revenue 
growth

3.8%

6

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Dividend 
per share

48.5p

I am pleased to introduce the Company’s 
Annual Report for the year ended 
31 December 2019, a year in which the 
Group has achieved a positive trading 
performance against a challenging market 
backdrop. We have welcomed a new CEO 
to the Group as well as two new Non-
executive Directors and have made 
significant progress towards the strategic 
aims set in 2018. 

Performance
The Group produced a good performance 
in 2019 against a challenging market 
backdrop, with encouraging signs of 
progress from the strategic initiatives set out 
in 2018. Total Group revenues grew by 3.2% 
in 2019 to £6,956m and by 3.8% on a 
like-for-like basis, with growth driven by 
market outperformance in the Merchant 
businesses, further excellent growth in 
Toolstation and a strong recovery in Wickes. 

On a statutory basis operating profit 
increased to £232m (2018: loss of £22m 
including £246m goodwill impairment), as 
the impact of halting the ERP replacement 
programme and restructuring charges 
partially offset the positive trading 
performance.

Adjusted operating profits grew by 7.8% to 
£442m with growth across all segments, 
including the strong recovery in Wickes and 
the benefits of the transformation 
programme in Plumbing & Heating. 

Board of Directors
In August, our CEO John Carter left the 
Group after 40 years of invaluable service 
helping to grow and develop our 
businesses into what they are today, 

leaving us well placed to address the 
demands of our customers and to 
implement our strategic plans. 

We welcomed Nick Roberts as the 
incoming CEO in July and his leadership 
and contribution to the business has already 
proven beneficial at this time of significant 
change. In addition, in November we 
appointed Marianne Culver and Blair 
Illingworth as Non-executive Directors, 
bringing experience and expertise in building 
products, distribution and logistics. 

In February 2019, Tony Buffin stepped 
down from the Board as COO and left  
the business, having successfully led  
the transformation of the Plumbing & 
Heating Division. 

On 3 March 2020, Ruth Anderson, who is in 
her ninth year as a Non-executive Director, is 
stepping down from the Board. I would like 
to thank Ruth for her significant and 
valuable contributions, particularly her skillful 
Chairmanship of the Audit Committee for 
more than six years. 

Finally, I would like to thank Chris Rogers for 
his six years of service, including serving as 
our Senior Independent Director, as he steps 
down at the 2020 AGM to start as the 
Chairman of Wickes plc following its 
demerger from the Travis Perkins Group.

Strategy
In December 2018 the Group laid out its 
future plans for the years ahead, clearly 
defining its purpose to be the first choice 
supplier of building materials to trade 
customers. The strategy has two 
overarching aims: to focus on trade 
customers through our advantaged trade 
businesses and to simplify the Group to 
speed up decision-making and increase the 
agility of the Group.

The Group has made good progress 
towards these aims, including significant 
progress towards demerging Wickes, a 
positive start on the regeneration of the 
Travis Perkins general merchant business 
that is already yielding positive results, and 
the January 2020 sale of the PF&P 
wholesale business from the P&H segment.

Dividend
At the Capital Markets event in December 
2018 the Group reiterated its commitment 
to a progressive dividend policy, supported 
by the Board’s confidence in the Group’s 
continued strong cash generation and robust 
balance sheet. The Board recommends a 
full-year dividend for 2019 of 48.5 pence 
representing a 3.2% increase. This increase 
would give a final dividend of 33.0 pence 
payable on 13 May 2020 to shareholders 
on the register on 5 April 2020.

Colleagues
At Travis Perkins, the strength of relationships 
built with customers, suppliers and other 
stakeholders is key to our success and in 
achieving this our people are our greatest 
resource. Today, we have nearly 30,000 
colleagues and it is a huge credit to their hard 
work that Travis Perkins has been recognised 
as a Top Employer by the Great Place to 
Work Institute for the 11th year running. 

I would like to take this opportunity, on 
behalf of the Board, to thank all our 
colleagues for their engagement with the 
Group’s strategic direction and their 
commitment, energy and hard work during 
the course of 2019 towards achieving the 
Group’s goals. 

Outlook
The underlying, fundamental drivers of our 
end markets remain strong, with continued 
underinvestment in the construction of new 
housing, and the repair, maintenance and 
improvement of existing dwellings. The 
unprecedented level of political and 
economic uncertainty in the UK in recent 
years has made the trading environment 
increasingly challenging, and whilst there are 
early signs of recovery in some RMI market 
lead indicators, the Group retains a cautious 
outlook towards near-term trading 
conditions. As a Group, we remain focused 
on delivering on our self-help initiatives 
which will support our near-term financial 
performance and position the business well 
to outperform its end markets and generate 
sustainable value growth in the long term.

Shareholder information

Our year in review

–   Nick Roberts welcomed as 

CEO following John Carter’s 
retirement after 40 years of 
invaluable service

–    Marianne Culver and Blair 

Illingworth appointed as NEDs, 
bringing experience and 
expertise in building products, 
distribution and logistics

–    Dividend of 48.5 pence 

reflecting the Group’s strong 
cash generation and balance 
sheet

–   Good progress towards 

strategic goals: demerger of 
Wickes, separation of P&H  
and reinvigoration of merchant 
businesses

–    Recognised as a Top Employer 

for the 11th year running

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

7

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
Chief Executive’s report

“Our people make the 
Group great and I 
couldn’t be more proud
of the team we have”

Nick Roberts
Chief Executive Officer

8

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Adjusted operating 
profit growth

7.8%

Introduction 
I am delighted to be introducing my first 
CEO Statement for Travis Perkins. Since 
joining the Group in July 2019, I have 
immersed myself within the business and 
spent time with colleagues from all areas. 
I have been truly amazed at the quality of 
people we have; ranging from apprentices 
up to colleagues with over 40 years 
service in the Group.  One thing will never 
change: our people make the Group great 
and I couldn’t be more proud of the team 
we have.

Our mantra of putting customers at 
the heart of everything we do has been 
evident to me across all areas of our 
business. Whilst there will always be work 
to do, this industry is heavily dependent on 
strong relationships and this is something I 
fully endorse and encourage.

Safety
Keeping people safe is the most important 
cornerstone of the Group and I am 
delighted to be able to report that the 
accident frequency rate improved by 
25% in 2019.  This improvement is a real 
achievement and it has happened through 
the dedication and rigorous efforts of our 
business leaders, line managers, colleagues 
and the Stay Safe function.

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Shareholder information

Our year in review

–   Adjusted operating profit 
growth of 7.8% driven by  
cost reduction activity, the 
recovery in Wickes and  
P&H transformation

–   Merchant businesses 

outperformed challenging end 
markets, benefitting from 
business simplification and 
more empowered teams

–   Acceleration of Toolstation 
expansion with 65 new 
branches and the acquisition of 
Toolstation Europe

–   Process to demerge Wickes 
well progressed, due for 
completion in Q2 2020

–   Plan to divest the P&H business 

paused during period of 
significant uncertainty; sale of 
the PF&P wholesale business in 
January 2020

–   Cost reduction are streamlining 

above-branch operations  
and increasing the agility  
of the Group 

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

9

Sustainability
During 2019 we launched a reinvigorated 
approach to sustainability, highlighting 12 
sustainability focus areas grouped under 
four pillars: people, social, environmental 
and industry. Our focus in these areas 
will enable the Group to build resilience 
and operational efficiencies, underpinning 
a robust social offer to customers and 
improving behaviour in the supply chain.

Performance against strategy
At a Capital Markets event in 2018, the 
Group laid out its plans for the years 
ahead, with two overarching strategic aims:
i.  To focus on serving trade customers 
through advantaged trade businesses
ii.  To simplify the Group to increase agility, 
speed up decision-making and enable a 
leaner cost base. 

These strategic aims will enable us to 
allocate capital in businesses serving trade-
focused end markets to create maximum 
value for shareholders. I believe this is the 
right plan and I am fully committed to it. We 
have made good progress in 2019, which 
is reflected in the encouraging financial 
performance in the year.

The proposed demerger of Wickes is 
progressing well, the regulatory process 
is on track with the prospectus due 
for publication in late March and the 
demerger process expected to complete 
in Q2 2020.

There has been good progress on the 
transformation and divestment of the 
Plumbing & Heating businesses. In January 
2020 the Group completed the sale 
of Primaflow F&P, the wholesale P&H 
business, for £50m which will enable our 
remaining P&H businesses to focus on 
delivering market-leading service to direct 
trade customers. In Q4 2019 the Board 
paused the process to divest the remaining 
P&H business at a time of significant 
political and economic uncertainty in the 
UK, and whilst there remains an intention 
to make a divestment, the Group’s focus is 
on maximising value for shareholders not 
on the specific timeframe. 

Streamlining the above-branch cost base 
is a key part of the simplification of the 
Group and we are making good progress 
towards this, although there remains more 
to do. The Group’s target of £20m–£30m 
of annualised cost savings by mid-2020 
will be achieved, as by the end of 2019 all 
of the planned actions were in place, which 
will realise annualised savings modestly 
exceeding expectations. These savings 
are the result of removing the divisional 
structure, operational cost savings from the 
closure of the heavyside range centres and 
the streamlining of head-office functions.

As I take a step back and assess the 
Group’s short-term strategic direction, there 
is a need to focus on the key priorities for 
the Group and deliver them at pace. We 
need to focus on the regeneration of the 
Travis Perkins general merchant, accelerate 
the expansion of Toolstation and deliver 
an organisational model fit for the future. 
If we focus on these priorities and execute 
successfully we will continue to win market 
share, drive growth and enhance returns for 
our shareholders.

ERP platform
I am fully aware of the disappointment 
around the halting of the development of 
the new ERP platform for the Merchant 
businesses, but the risk to the Group 
in implementing it was too high and 
something that we could not chance the 
performance of the business on. We are 
developing our approach to improving 
the IT and technology landscape across 
the Group, to create new capabilities with 
which to serve our customers in the future.

Outlook
The long-term fundamental drivers of the 
Group’s end markets remain strong, with 
too few domestic homes being built in the 
UK and ongoing underinvestment in the 
existing housing stock. I remain confident in 
the Group’s ability to deliver on its strategy 
and, whilst we are experiencing challenging 
market conditions in the near term, the self-
help initiatives on which we are focused are 
positioning our businesses well for the future. 
The overall aim is for our businesses to 
outperform their end markets, demonstrating 
strong cost discipline and good free cash 
flow generation in all market conditions.

Investment case

Solid foundations

The fundamental long-term market 
drivers remain strong with ongoing 
underinvestment in the UK in building new homes  
and maintaining existing homes

The Group operates in highly fragmented 
markets with over 50% of market share held by 
small, independent businesses

The Group’s businesses all hold #1 or 
#2 positions in their markets with growth in 
most businesses outperforming their end markets

A strong balance sheet that enables  
disciplined investments in high-return opportunities, 
such as Toolstation

The Group generates strong, 
sustainable cash flow which supports  
a progressive dividend policy

10

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Market dynamics

Serving all areas

The Group serves all areas of the construction market

Residential

Commercial

Infrastructure

New build

Repair, maintenance  
and improvement 
(“RMI”)

√

√

√

√

√

√

Fundamentals
The fundamentals of each area remain robust and will grow in the medium and longer 
term, driven by demand from end users.

Residential
Projected annual demand for UK homes 
UK annual household formation 
UK home-building shortfall  

270,000
(180,000)
 90,000

Infrastructure
Underlying demand for major infrastructure (rail, airports, power 
stations, communication networks and utilities) remains strong with 
investment planned in many areas.

70 years

Average age of UK residential property

Commercial
Commercial buildings are needed to drive growth in a modern 
economy. Investment in new commercial buildings and refurbishment 
of existing stock will increase as the economy recovers.

Current conditions
•  The strength of the domestic housing market and consumer 

confidence are leading indicators for over half of Group revenues

•  Recent political and macroeconomic uncertainty has impacted 
both factors, causing consumers to be very thoughtful about 
spend on big-ticket items

•  Greater certainty and confidence combined with strong 

underlying fundamentals will push the building materials market 
back to growth once conditions are favourable

’

)
s
0
0
0
(

s
n
o
i
t
c
a
s
n
a
r
t

y
t
r
e
p
o
r
p
y
l
h
t
n
o
M

190

160

130

100

70

8

6

4

2

0

-2

-4

-6

-8

-10

-12

-14

-16

C
o
n
s
u
m
e
r

c
o
n
fi
d
e
n
c
e

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

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

Addressable markets
•  The Group’s addressable market for building materials sold 

through distribution channels increased at a compound annual 
growth rate of 3.4% from 2013 to 2019

•  All trade-focused channels have grown in absolute terms and as 

a proportion of the market

•  The market grew more quickly from 2013 to mid-2016 as it 

recovered from the global financial crisis

•  Growth slowed after the EU referendum in 2016

•  The prospect for each of the trade-focused channels remains 

positive, with share improving in all sectors apart from Retail and 
direct to site

200

150

100

50

0

£76bn

£62bn

2013

Online only

Retail

Specialist

Fixed price

2019

Direct to site

General merchants

BSS  |  CFF  |  Keyline  |  Benchmarx

Toolstation

Travis Perkins

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

11

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
 
 
 
Business model

Strong and lasting customer and supplier relationships, combined 
with the strength of Travis Perkins’ network and unique culture allow 
value creation and growth in a self-reinforcing cycle

What we do
Collaborative value chain

Inputs
Competitively advantaged 
resources and relationships

Customers
Deep customer relationships 
and understanding of needs

–  Collaborate 
–  Specify
–  Quote
Collaborate with  
our customers, help  
specify their projects  
and quote at tailored  
or fixed low prices

– Negotiate
– Convert
– Sell
Empower and incentivise 
businesses and branch 
managers to negotiate 
and sell on the right 
payment terms

–  Range 
–  Source
Source the right ranges 
for changing building 
practices and customer 
needs from reliable 
long-term partners

–  Assort
–  Procure
Give businesses and 
branch managers the 
flexibility to stock the right 
products, procured at 
prices reflecting our scale

Supported by

Responsible and sustainable approach
 For more information see page 52

Resources
 – Nationwide branch network, 
embedded in communities

 – 28,000 engaged colleagues, and a 

unique and open culture

 – Industry leading supply chain
 – Strong balance sheet
 – Disciplined capital allocation
 – 200+ year heritage and 

businesses that are #1 or #2 in 
their market

Suppliers
Deep and lasting supplier 
relationships with ability to connect 
to customers across the country

1212

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Outputs

Self-reinforcing model generating 
growth and value for stakeholders

Reinvest

–  Fulfil
– Collect
– Deliver 
Project manage and fulfil customer orders through 
collection or delivery from high-accuracy and 
high-availability branches, efficient distribution 
centres and direct suppliers.

Fulfilled customers
Getting the right value, range,  
service, convenience and credit

Engaged colleagues
 – An empowering environment 

for colleagues

Enriched communities
 – Over £2m raised for charities  

and community projects

Valued shareholders
 – A track record of  

progressive dividends

Satisfied suppliers
 – Paid on time and confident about 
investing in their relationship with 
the Group

Reinvest

Sound corporate governance
 For more information see page 75

Robust risk management
 For more information see page 40

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

1313

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportOur strategy and purpose

Getting it right

Our purpose
Following a comprehensive review in 2018 the Board 
concluded that the purpose of Travis Perkins plc is:

To deliver best-in-class service 
to trade customers through 
advantaged businesses in 
attractive markets

•  Best-in-class service: Service that inspires loyalty 

and goes beyond the supply of products

•  Trade customers:: Ranging from smaller local 

builders to the largest and most complex businesses 
working in the construction sector 

•  Advantaged businesses: Businesses well placed to 
win and gain share through strong propositions and 
cost economics

•  Attractive markets: Markets with strong underlying 
fundamentals which are well placed to grow through 
the cycle

14

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Two major strategic 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

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

15

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportOur strategy and purpose

Getting it right

continued

Focus on  
the trade

Focus on the trade

Rationale 
•  The heritage and heartland of the Group is serving 

UK trade customers and this represents the 
majority of the Group’s activity today

•  Trade-focused market sectors continue to see the 
largest share of industry growth with more resilient 
margins and a more predictable business cycle

•  Trade customers demand competitive prices but 
still recognise the value of best-in-class service 
and will use partners that can offer this

A focused Group is a winning Group

•  Management attention
•  Capital allocation
•  Prioritisation of activities
•  Delivery of results

Future plans
The Group is committed to developing the trade-
focused business in the future. The goal is to evolve 
our propositions alongside the changing needs of  
our customers. We know that their needs will change, 
driven by factors such as changes to technology,  
new construction methods, the sustainability  
agenda and the mix of available skills. We are 
committed to remaining the first choice partner  
for the construction industry. 

16

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Delivery: 2019 achievements
Preparation for the demerger of Wickes: 
As a business Wickes has a majority consumer focus 
(70%) and so, whilst a great business which has 
significant advantages, it does not fit our purpose.

Reinvigoration of the performance of Travis Perkins 
General Merchanting:
Travis Perkins General Merchanting is the heart of the 
Group and we were not happy with performance up 
to 2018. The new management team has worked 
hard and delivered ten months of market 
outperformance.

Continued to develop and grow specialist merchants:
Our specialist plumbing & heating and heavyside 
merchants have evolved their propositions, taken 
market share and focused hard on their customers. 

Accelerated the roll out of Toolstation UK:
The team opened a phenomenal 65 branches in 
2019, closing the year with the 400th Toolstation 
up and trading. This was combined with further 
progress on commercial, people and digital initiatives.

Expanding the Toolstation proposition in Europe: 
With the acquisition of 97% of the Toolstation Europe 
business, the Group is expanding the Toolstation 
offer to trade customers in France, Belgium and  
the Netherlands.

Toolstation UK
new branches
in 2019

65

Toolstation Europe 
holding

97%

Shareholder information

Simplify
the group

Simplify the Group

Rationale 
Up to 2018 the Group had grown and become more 
complex. Sales growth had not translated into profit 
growth and costs had grown too quickly. Significant 
investments had been made which were not suited to 
a lower growth market and capital allocation was 
challenging. The Group needed to become simpler 
with three clear aims:

1.  More focused capital allocation
2.  Faster decision making
3.  Overhead cost reduction

Future plans
The Group is committed to continuing the journey of 
simplification. This means that costs will be kept 
under close review to ensure that further reductions 
can be realised. Whilst the Merchant ERP programme 
has been halted, this commitment also means that 
investment in modernising the IT estate will continue 
as this is a key component in process simplification.

Delivery: 2019 achievements
•  Sale of Primaflow F&P: The sale of Primaflow 
F&P, the Group’s wholesale plumbing & heating 
business, to Newbury Investments completed on 
31 January 2020. This marks an important step 
in the simplification journey as Primaflow F&P was 
the only wholesale business in the Group.

•  Simplification of the organisation: Over the 
course of 2019 the Group has been able to 
further clarify its organisational model, allowing the 
removal of some layers and the exit of some 
smaller business. This has streamlined decision-
making and clarified accountability.

•  Reduction of cost base: As a result of the 

organisational changes and an increased focus on 
efficiency it has been possible to remove 
significant cost from the organisation. The Group 
remains on track to achieve £20-30m of 
annualised savings by mid-2020.

•  Attempted sale of Plumbing & Heating:  

In 2018 the Group announced the intention 
to dispose of the Plumbing & Heating division 
as part of the move to simplify the Group. 
Despite running a good process with 
attractive expressions of interest, the level of 
political uncertainty in the second half of 
2019 meant that the process was paused in 
October 2019.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

17

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStrategy in action

Making an impact

Focus on  
the trade

Demerger of Wickes

Clarify the Group’s purpose: to focus on Trade customers

Announce intention to generate optionality for the 
Group around Wickes

Revitalise the business and enhance performance 
through a series of people, commercial and digital 
initiatives

Begin to plan demerger activities and assign 
necessary resources

Announce intention to demerge and proceed on 
track towards execution in Q2 2020

18

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Since announcing the two major strategic themes in 
December 2018 the Group has worked hard to deliver 
significant impact in each area.

Shareholder information

Simplify
the Group

Sale of wholesale Plumbing 
& Heating business

Restructure organisation to increase 
efficiency and to reduce cost base

Announce requirement to simplify the Group 
to achieve greater efficiency and focused 
capital allocation

•  Begin work to separate the 

Plumbing & Heating division 

•  Initiate sale process for the 
Plumbing & Heating division
•  Pause process due to market 

uncertainty

•  Maintain process to sell 

wholesale Plumbing & Heating

•  Determine revised organisational 
model to deliver operational 
synergies

•  Identify and quantify available 
benefits including achievable 
cost savings

•  Test and refine the new model
•  Communicate clearly and put 

plans in place to deliver
•  Monitor results and refine 

Execute successfully with a good outcome for all concerned

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

19

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportKey performance indicators (KPIs)

Measuring 
& checking
to get it
right

The Group tracks its performance using two operating KPIs, three 
financial KPIs and one non-financial KPI 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, segmental and business level, details of which are set 
out in the financial performance section on pages 34 to 39. 

Operational

Adjusted operating profit*

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2019

2018

2018

2018

£442m

£375m

£380m

£409m

£413m

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

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.

Like-for-like sales growth

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2019

2018

3.8%

4.9%

3.3%

2.7%

3.8%

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 once 
they have traded for more than 12 months.

Reason
Like-for-like sales help management 
monitor the performance trend of the 
underlying business and gives a good 
indication of the health of the business 
compared to competitors.

2020
20

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019
Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Financial

Leverage ratio*

Free cash flow

Accident frequency rate

Non-financial

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2019

2018

2018

2018

2.5x

2.7x

2.7x

2.7x

2.8x

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

£195m

£168m

£154m

£232m

£156m

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2019

2018

2018

2018

5.6

7.5

7.7

8.9

9.2

2018

Definition (note 25)
The ratio of net debt to earnings before tax, 
interest, depreciation, amortisation and 
adjusting items (“EBITDA"). The 
comparative figure is calculated as the ratio 
of lease-adjusted net debt to EBITDA 
adjusted for rent (“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.

Return on capital employed*

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2019

2018

2018

2018

10.1%

10.5%

10.7%

11.3%

12.1%

Definition (note 27)
Adjusted operating profit divided by the 
combined value of balance sheet debt and 
equity. The comparative figure is EBITDA 
less 50% of property rent divided by debt, 
equity and eight times annual property 
rental expense.

Reason
This ratio allows management to measure 
how effectively capital is used in the 
business to generate returns for 
shareholders.

Definition (note 24)
Net cash flow before dividends, capital 
expenditure and disposal proceeds on 
freehold property, pension deficit repair 
contributions, adjusting cash flows and 
financing cash flows.

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

Definition
The number of lost-time incidents (“LTIs”) 
per million hours worked.

Reason
Keeping people safe is the Group’s first 
priority. This ratio allows management to 
measure progress in ensuring a safe 
workforce.

*  These KPIs have been impacted by 
the adoption of IFRS 16 – Leases on 
1 January 2019. Details of the impact 
of this new accounting standard are 
given in note 38. Details of how this 
has affected the individual KPIs are 
given in the relevant notes.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

21

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
Business performance and priorities

Business 
performance

 – Like-for-like revenue growth of 3.8%  
with total revenue growth of 3.2%

 – Good growth in the Merchant businesses 
despite challenging market conditions, 
continued excellent growth in Toolstation  
and a strong recovery in Wickes

 – Adjusted operating profit growth of 7.8%  

driven by Wickes recovery, the transformation 
programme in P&H and the positive impact of 
cost reduction activities

 – Net adjusting items of £187m including a 
£108m impairment relating to halting of  
the ERP replacement programme

 – Return on Capital Employed increased by 
50bps to 10.1% against a 2018 IFRS 16 
comparative figure

 – Continued strong free cash flow generation  

of £195m 

2222
22

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019
Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Basis of preparation
The Group’s 2019 audited results are reported on the 
following basis:
•  The Group is reporting for the first time under 

IFRS 16 – Leases, which treats all lease obligations 
as debt, leading to changes in the income statement 
and balance sheet. Illustrative comparatives have 
been presented as if the new standard had applied 
in 2018. These have been calculated assuming 
transition on 1 January 2018, using the same data 
and lease accounting software as used for the 2019 
Annual Report. Consistent accounting policy options 
and transition methods have been used where 
possible and the same methodology has been used 
to calculate incremental borrowing costs.

•  The acquisition of a majority holding in Toolstation 

Europe was completed on 30 September 2019 and 
since that date the financial results have been fully 
consolidated. 

•  The financial results for the Plumbing & Heating 
business have been consolidated into the Group 
results, reflecting the pause of the intended sale 
process in late 2019 due to high levels of uncertainty 
in the UK macro environment.

Financial performance
The Group produced a positive performance in 2019 
against a challenging market backdrop, with early signs 
of progress from the strategic initiatives set out in 
December 2018. 

Total Group revenues grew by 3.2% in 2019 to 
£6,956m, and by 3.8% on a like-for-like basis. Sales 
growth was driven by a good performance from the 
Merchant businesses in a challenging market 
environment, with continued very strong growth in 
Toolstation and a strong recovery in Wickes. The P&H 
business recorded a modest reduction in sales across 
the year, but this reduction was concentrated in the lower 
margin wholesale business, whilst the branch-based 
business continued to grow.

Shareholder information

£m (unless otherwise stated)

Revenue
Like-for-like revenue growth

Adjusted operating profit
Adjusted earnings per share
ROCE
Covenant net debt
Dividend per share

Operating profit / (loss)
Total profit / (loss) after tax
Basic earnings per share

Adjusted operating profits grew to £442m, an increase of 7.8% when 
compared to the 2018 illustrative comparative (including the impact 
of IFRS 16 –Leases). The increase of £32m was driven by 
improvements in all segments, with the biggest increase coming 
from the strong recovery in Wickes. Toolstation UK also grew profits 
strongly, but this was offset by the consolidation of Toolstation 
Europe for the last three months of the year and the corresponding 
losses of around £4m. The transformation of P&H continued to 
make good progress, improving the balance of business and 
improving margins.

Statutory operating profit of £232m (2018: £22m loss) includes 
adjusting items of £200 million (2018: £387 million). The most 
significant adjusting items are discussed on page 35 of the Strategic 
Report. They include a £108m charge relating to the halting of the 
ERP replacement programme. For a full list refer to note 3.

The Group continued to generate good free cash flow of £195m in 
2019, after capital expenditure but before freehold activity, at a cash 
conversion rate of 54% (2018: 46%). Covenant net debt increased 
by £44m to £344m, primarily driven by higher net working capital, 
with additional inventory held by the Group as a mitigation against 
the risk of a “no deal” exit from the EU. There was also higher  
spend on acquisitions in the year, with further payments relating to 
Underfloor Heating Store and National Shower Spares, and the 
acquisition of a majority stake in Toolstation Europe. Underlying net 
debt, excluding the inventory build and acquisitions, would have 
improved by around £45m.

Adjusted earnings per share were 112.7 pence for 2019  
(2018 illustrative comparative: 106 pence), an increase of 6.3%. 
This increase in adjusted EPS was modestly lower than the 
increase in adjusted operating profits due to higher financing 
charges in the year, primarily driven by the marking-to-market of 
foreign exchange contracts.

The Board recommends a full-year dividend of 48.5 pence  
(2018: 47.0 pence), an increase of 3.2% reflecting the Board’s 
confidence in the future cash generation and prospects of the Group.

2019

6,956
3.8%

442
112.7p
10.1%
344
48.5p

232
123
48.9p

2018

2018 (illustrative)

Change vs illustrative 
comparatives

6,741
4.9%

410
106.0p
9.6%

3.2%
(1.1)ppt

7.8%
63%
0.5ppt
44
3.2%

6,741
4.9%

375
114.5p
10.5%
300
47.0p

(22)
(84)
(34.4)p

Strategic progress
At the Capital Markets event in December 2018, the Group  
laid out its plans for the years ahead, with two overarching strategic 
aims being 
i.  To focus on serving trade customers through advantaged trade 

businesses

ii.  To simplify the Group to increase agility, speed up decision-

making and enable a leaner cost base. 

The Group has made good progress towards its strategic goals, and 
this is reflected in the encouraging financial performance in 2019.

Simplifying the Group
Wickes demerger
The Travis Perkins plc Board has been clear on the Group’s purpose 
to focus on its advantaged trade businesses, with the intention  
to concentrate the allocation of capital in businesses serving 
trade-focused end markets to create maximum value for 
shareholders. Providing best-in-class service to trade customers 
represents the Group’s heartland, where it has the most experience 
and advantages in understanding and delivering on specific 
customer requirements.

The propositions required for trade customers and consumers are 
different. Trade-focused businesses provide tailored propositions  
to satisfy diverse customer requirements on a regional, local and 
often individual level. As a consumer-facing retail business, Wickes 
deploys a centrally controlled proposition, providing a market-
leading service to local trade, Do-It-For-Me and DIY customers.  
The Travis Perkins plc Board believes that the demerger of Wickes 
will underpin the creation of enhanced value for shareholders in 
both Travis Perkins and Wickes by maximising the performance of 
both businesses through focused capital allocation decisions by 
dedicated management teams. 

The demerger project is proceeding smoothly. Wickes has always 
operated as a more autonomous business within the Group, in 
commercial, HR and IT areas. Given Wickes’ high lease 
commitments, the Group has agreed a positive opening cash 
balance of £130m which will realise an appropriate capital structure 
and leverage position in line with Wickes’ retail peers over time.

The prospectus is due for publication in late March and the 
demerger process is expected to be completed in April 2020.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

23

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportBusiness performance and priorities continued

IT modernisation
The programme to implement a new ERP platform to support the 
Merchant businesses was halted in 2019, primarily reflecting 
significant risks relating to the performance of the system. An 
impairment charge of £108m has been recognised in respect of 
the cancellation of the programme. The Group has terminated its 
relationship with the software provider and does not expect to incur 
any further liabilities. The Group is investigating alternative ways to 
modernise the IT landscape across the Group to bring benefit to 
customers and colleagues with a lower risk profile. 

Trade-focused priorities
The Group’s strategy to focus on its advantaged trade businesses  
is built on its strong heritage of a deep understanding of trade 
customers, and a proven track record of providing excellent 
customer service. These solid foundations are core to the Group, 
and have been particularly evident in the specialist merchants in 
recent years. A number of key priorities have been identified to drive 
sustainable growth across all the trade-focused businesses in the 
medium term, improving market share and best positioning the 
businesses to compete successfully in the future.

Actions towards achieving the immediate priorities of the Group  
are well under way with encouraging early signs of progress feeding 
through to the performance of trade businesses in 2019. There 
remains much to do, and the process to build solid foundations 
from which to grow the Group will continue throughout 2020.

Regeneration of the Travis Perkins’ general merchant
•  Greater empowerment of branch managers, enabling them to 
make quicker, more relevant decisions on behalf of customers 
and the Group
Investing in the right areas across branches and sales teams to 
better understand customer requirements and to tailor trade 
propositions to best match specific customer groups

• 

•  Co-ordinating on a local and regional basis to understand the 
competitive environment, and developing plans to strengthen 
the proposition to win local market share

•  Ensuring that branches stock the right products in the right 

volumes to fulfil local customer requirements

•  Reducing the administrative burden on branch colleagues by 
simplifying processes and reducing reporting requirements

P&H divestment
In January 2020, the Group announced the sale of Primaflow F&P, 
the wholesale business within the Plumbing & Heating segment, for 
cash consideration of £50m. The sale completed on 31 January 
2020. This allows the remaining Plumbing & Heating branch and 
digital businesses to focus on delivering market-leading service to 
direct trade customers.

The Board paused the process to divest the P&H business in Q4 
2019 at a time of significant political and economic uncertainty in 
the UK. The intention to divest the P&H business remains in place 
and the 2019 results demonstrate a continued improvement in 
financial performance. The Group’s focus is to maximise value for 
shareholders, and not on the specific timeframe of divestment. In 
the meantime, the transformation programme has continued, to 
drive greater efficiency and improve the balance of business 
towards the higher returning branch and digital businesses.

Cost reduction activities
A key driver for the simplification of the Group is the opportunity to 
streamline the above-branch cost base, reducing the overall 
operating cost of the Group, offsetting overhead cost inflation in a 
low volume growth environment, and making the business more 
agile. In 2019, the divisional structure over the trade merchanting 
businesses has been removed, reducing costs but also speeding up 
decision-making.

In 2019, the cost base has benefited from the annualisation of cost 
reduction activities taken in Wickes and Travis Perkins in 2018, with 
around £15m of cost savings rolling into the first half of the year. In 
December 2018, the Group committed to enacting actions to 
achieve £20m–£30m of annualised cost reductions by mid-2020. 
By the end of 2019 all of the planned actions are in place, which will 
realise annualised savings modestly exceeding expectations, with 
around two-thirds of the savings achieved in the 2019 results.. As 
well as removing the divisional structure, these savings include 
operational cost savings relating to the closure of the heavyside 
range centre network and the restructuring and streamlining of 
support functions.

As anticipated, in 2019 these savings have partially mitigated 
inflationary pressure in the overhead cost base with increases in 
rent and rates, and higher salary costs, in part due to the increase in 
the National Living Wage. The Group continues to selectively invest 
in businesses to improve customer service and drive growth, 
including the continued expansion of Toolstation and additional 
investment in front line branch and sales colleagues in Travis 
Perkins. It remains a Group priority to maintain focus on the 
simplification of processes and tight control of costs to offset the 
impact of inflation in the cost base. The programmes to demerge 
Wickes and create autonomy in the P&H business have led to 
around £15m of dis-synergy costs, which the Group will be taking 
action to mitigate over the course of the next two years..

24

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Accelerate the growth of Toolstation
Toolstation continues to demonstrate excellent growth and, in line 
with the strategic intent to focus on advantaged trade businesses, it 
remains a priority to which the Group will continue to deploy capital. 
•  Continue to expand the branch network in the UK, further 

improving customer convenience

•  Further extension to the trade-focused product range,  

both in branch and online, including the addition of more 
trade-focused brands

•  The acquisition of a majority stake in Toolstation Europe, enabling 
the further expansion of the business in continental Europe

Deliver an organisational model fit for the future
Strengthening the Group’s operational foundations is vital to 
delivering sustainable future growth. This starts with the Group’s 
people, building on the existing strengths and experience of 
colleagues to ensure that the right knowledge and skills are in place 
to continue to deliver excellent service in fulfilling our customers’ 
changing requirements. 

There is further work to be completed on the structure and 
operation of the Group’s support functions, including the 
improvements required to core IT and digital platforms to enable 
the businesses to perform, and to adapt their propositions as 
customer demands change. This will be underpinned by the careful 
management of the corresponding overhead cost base as the 
Group aims to drive efficiency and improve financial performance. 

Sustainability is becoming increasingly fundamental to the Group’s 
long-term strategy, particularly around the environmental impact  
of building efficiency, and the Group is positioning itself to partner 
with customers and suppliers to develop sustainable solutions for 
the future. 

Outlook
The long-term fundamental drivers of the Group’s end markets 
remain strong. The number of new homes built in the UK continues 
to lag underlying demand and ongoing underinvestment in the 
existing, ageing housing stock has led to pent up demand for 
domestic repair, maintenance and improvement activities.

The Group’s end market environment became increasingly 
challenging through the second half of 2019, although the outcome 
of the UK general election in December 2019 has now created  
a more certain political environment. Whilst there has been an 
improvement in some of the Group’s key lead indicators in the 
near-term, the Group retains a cautious stance, particularly as  
there is a natural lag between increasing housing transactions  
and consumer confidence and improvement in the Group’s 
end-market performance.

Shareholder information

The Group is monitoring the potential impact of COVID-19 carefully 
and will continue to review the possible effects on the business and 
refine its contingency plans as more information about the 
epidemic emerges.

The Group remains confident in its ability to deliver on its strategy 
and, notwithstanding challenging market conditions in the near term, 
the initiatives which are underway to focus on advantaged trade 
business and improve efficiency are positioning the Group’s 
businesses well for the future. The Group’s overall aim is for its 
businesses to outperform their end markets, with strong cost 
discipline and continued good free cash flow generation in all 
market conditions.

Technical guidance
The Group’s technical guidance is given on the basis of the  
Wickes demerger being completed in Q2 2020.
•  The results of Wickes in 2020 to the point of demerger  

will be shown as a discontinued operation

•  Consolidation of Toolstation Europe will include a c.£20m  

loss in the Toolstation segment

•  Excludes all Primaflow F&P results following the sale  

completion at the end of January 2020

•  Effective tax rate of 20%
•  Underlying finance charges before the impact of IFRS 16 – 

Leases will be similar to 2019

•  Base capital expenditure in 2020 excluding Wickes  

of £100m to £120m

•  Property profits of around £20m (after the application of 

IFRS 16 – Leases)

•  Progressive dividend underpinned by strong cash generation

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

25

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
2020 
strategic priorities

  Aiming to be the first choice trade 

merchant

  Increasing empowerment of local 
branch managers to bring decision 
making closer to the customer

  Focus on customer relationships: 
tailoring proposition of range, 
pricing and delivery to fulfil 
individual customer requirements

  Streamlining support functions to 
remove “pain-points” for branches

Business performance and priorities continued

Merchanting

Total revenue
Like-for-like growth
Adjusted operating profit2 
Adjusted operating margin2 
Return on capital employed
Branch network

2019

20181

£3,703m
3.3%
£284m
7.7%
12%
984

£3,609m
3.6%
£279m
7.7%
12%
1001

Change

2.6%
(0.3)ppt
1.4%
–
–
(17)

1 2018 figures used are illustrative comparatives including the impact of IFRS 16 – Leases as previously disclosed
2 Segmental adjusted operating profit figures are presented excluding property profits

Overall
Merchanting sales grew by 2.6% in 2019, 
and by 3.3% on a like-for-like basis. 
Like-for-like sales growth slowed through the 
course of the year, with growth of 6.4% in H1 
reflecting an easier H1 2018 comparator. 
This was followed by increasingly 
challenging market conditions in the second 
half of the year as the significant levels of 
political uncertainty impacted consumer 
confidence, and increasingly led to larger 
projects being postponed or delayed. The 
specialist merchants continued the ongoing 
trend of winning market share in their 
respective markets. Sales in CCF and 
Keyline were however impacted by the slow 
down in larger projects in the fourth quarter. 
LFL sales growth was split evenly between 
volume and price. 

Adjusted operating profits grew by 1.8% to 
£284m, representing a stable adjusted 
operating margin of 7.7%. Pressure on 
operating margins was driven by changes to 
customer mix, with stronger sales growth to 
larger customers in Travis Perkins and a 
greater proportion of direct-to-site deliveries, 
also to larger customers, in Keyline and CCF, 
which represents comparatively lower 
margin business but at a lower cost to serve 
and a high return on capital. This mix effect 
was offset by a focus across the Merchant 

businesses on controlling the above-branch 
cost base, eliminating the divisional structure, 
making savings through the supply chain 
transformation plan in Travis Perkins with 
the ongoing closure of the heavyside range 
centre network, and working to improve 
efficiency across the business. 

Travis Perkins
Travis Perkins’ performance was 
encouraging throughout the year, with signs 
that the early changes made to reinvigorate 
the business have positively impacted 
performance. In a challenging second half, 
Travis Perkins maintained flat LFL sales in 
Q4, demonstrating continued 
outperformance of the wider market, a trend 
that has been achieved through much of 
2019. The main areas of progress have been 
around definition and local stocking of the 
right product ranges to satisfy local 
customers, and in the right stock depth to 
engender real credibility, particularly in 
heavyside categories.

The mix of sales growth varied by customer 
type, with stronger growth in larger, national 
customers, and through the Managed 
Services proposition providing service to 
local councils and housing authorities.

Revenue

LFL growth

£3,703m

2018: £3,609m

3.3%

2018: 3.6%

2626
26

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019
Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Specialist
The specialist merchants continued the 
ongoing trend of winning market share in 
their respective markets. For CCF a strong 
LFL performance in the first half was 
followed by a flat second half, impacted by 
the market slow down and the continued 
constraint around plasterboard supply 
which constricted sales volumes. Flat LFL 
sales still represented a significant market 
share gain during a difficult period. 

In 2019 Keyline continued to focus on its 
core civils and drainage specialism. Over 
the year, total sales grew modestly, but from 
a consolidated branch network (five fewer 
branches) with lower generalist sales and 
with share gains in all key product 
categories. The Rudridge brand was fully 
integrated into the Keyline branch network, 
simplifying the business and unifying 
business processes.

BSS performed well in 2019, with positive 
LFL growth in both halves of the year 
despite project delays continuing to impact 
the business across all regions. Growth was 
driven by the introduction of new product 
ranges into branches, and further 
development and growth of the specialist 
tool hire offering. 

2020 
strategic priorities

  Relentless customer focus 

– putting the customer at the  
heart of all decision-making

  Business models tailored to  

match customer demands with 
efficient cost-to-serve

  Appropriate network footprint, 
stocking the right specialist  
ranges combined with reliable 
delivery service

  Specialist merchants are a proven 
success story, replicable across  
the Group

Adjusted operating profit

Return on capital employed

£283m

2018: £279m

12%

2018: 12%

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019
Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

2727
27

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
 
2020 
strategic priorities

  Transformation programme 

driving earnings growth through 
cost reduction and improved 
efficiency

  Balance of sales moving 
increasingly towards 
higher-margin branch business

  Complementary digital platforms 
providing breadth in specialist 
categories 

  Operating as a stand-alone 
business with independent 
support functions, enabling a sale 
at the right time

Business performance and priorities continued

Plumbing & Heating

Total revenue
Like-for-like growth
Adjusted operating profit
Adjusted operating margin
Return on capital employed
Branch network

2019

20181

Change

£1,465m
(1.7%)
£48m
3.3%
13%
375

£1,528m
16.1%
£44m
2.9%
11%
373

(4.1)%
(17.8)ppt
9.1%
40bps
2ppt
2

1 2018 figures used are illustrative comparatives including the impact of IFRS 16 – Leases as previously disclosed.

In January 2020, the Group announced the 
sale of Primaflow F&P, the wholesale 
business within the Plumbing & Heating 
segment, for cash consideration of £50m. 
The sale completed on 31 January 2020. 
Sale of the wholesale business enables the 
remaining Plumbing & Heating branch and 
digital businesses to focus on delivering 
market-leading service to direct trade 
customers

Although total revenue in the P&H business 
fell by 4.1% in 2019, and by 1.7% on a 
like-for-like basis, the majority of the sales 
decline was concentrated in the low-margin 
PF&P wholesale business. The higher-
margin branch and digital businesses grew 
in like-for-like terms, with the branch-based 
merchant business demonstrating 
encouraging like-for-like growth of 3.3%.

The transformation programme has 
continued, driving greater efficiency and 
improving the balance of business towards 
the higher-returning branch and digital 
businesses. Adjusted operating profit 
increased by 9.1% to £48m despite the 
decrease in sales, benefitting from the 
change to business mix, improvements to 
product ranges and ongoing actions to 
tightly manage the overhead cost base.

The separation of the Plumbing & Heating 
business has progressed to plan in 2019, 
enabling the business to operate 
autonomously from the Group. The Board 
paused the process to divest the P&H 
business in late 2019 at a time of significant 
political and economic uncertainty in the 
UK. Whilst the intention to divest the P&H 
business remains, the 2019 results 
demonstrate continued improvement in 
financial performance and the focus for the 
Group is to realise a suitable valuation for 
shareholders, rather than a specific 
timeframe for divestment. 

Revenue

Adjusted operating profit

£1,465m

2018: £1,528m

£48m

2018: £44m

2828
28

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019
Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Toolstation

Toolstation total segment

Total revenue
Like-for-like growth
Adjusted operating profit
Adjusted operating margin
ROCE
Branch network (UK)
Branch network (Europe)

2019

£445m
16.3%
£25m
5.6%
7%
400
66

20181

£354m
11.4%
£24m
6.8%
10%
335
40

Change

25.7%
4.9ppt
4.2%
(120)bps
(3)ppt
65
26

1 2018 figures used are illustrative comparatives including the impact of IFRS 16 – Leases as previously disclosed.

UK
In 2019, Toolstation demonstrated outstanding revenue growth of 25.7%, and 16.3% on a 
like-for-like basis. Growth was driven by the acceleration of the UK network expansion, with 
65 branches opened in 2019, bringing the overall network up to 400. This opening profile 
reflects a branch opening every six days, with new branches demonstrating strong growth 
trends, including trials of smaller-format branches in smaller catchment areas. 

The range available online and through the catalogue was extended by an additional 4,000 
products, with added ranges being primarily trade-focused brands which are popular with 
trade customers. These new products included extension into new categories, including 
bathrooms, kitchens and home automation.

Toolstation maintained its market-leading value position, with its “Always Low” pricing model 
keeping a differential to peers across both the core product range and a wider basket of 
products. The new website launched in December 2018 drove strong growth in click & collect 
transactions throughout 2019, as well as steadily increasing conversion rates of site visitors. 

At a headline level, adjusted operating profits grew by 4.2%, but this included the consolidation 
of the start-up losses in Toolstation Europe in Q4 of around £4m. Excluding these losses UK 
profits grew by around 20% with operating margin remaining broadly stable. The business 
continues to invest heavily not only through capital investment to develop new branches,  
but also in operating costs for teams to run the growing network.

2020 
strategic priorities

  Accelerated network growth 

– over 100 new branches in the 
last two years – significant runway 
for further growth

  Proposition focused on trade 

customers with expanding range 
of trade-focused brands

  Digital platform supporting branch 

network

  Acquisition of Toolstation Europe 
brings opportunity to expand the 
format in new markets

The development of the Toolstation 
business in Europe continued, with a further 
26 branches opened, bringing the total to 
66. In the Netherlands the network rollout 
continues, with 22 branches opened which 
continue to perform strongly. The branch 
trial in France continues to perform well and 
a first trial branch was opened in Belgium.

Branches

The inclusion of Toolstation Europe assets and losses in Q4 2019 also impacted ROCE, 
reducing it by 3ppts. UK ROCE was stable at 10%.

400

Europe
The Group acquired a further 50% share in Toolstation Europe at the end of September 2019 
giving a majority 97% share in the business. Since Q4 2019 Toolstation Europe results have 
been fully consolidated into the Group’s results (previously accounted for as an associate).

Revenue

£445m

2018: £354m

LFL growth

16.3%

2018: 11.4%

 UK
 Holland
 Belgium
 France

54

1

11

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019
Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

2929
29

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportBusiness performance and priorities continued

Key highlights 

2019 revenue

Like-for-like 2019 growth

of our sales are digitally-led

£1.3bn
8.7%
> 50%
235stores with 135 stores in our new 
c.500k
28,000 
sq ft

TradePro members

format

average store size

Digitally-led,  
service-enabled, home 
improvement business

30

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Retail

Total revenue2
Like-for-like growth
Adjusted operating profit
Adjusted operating margin
Return on capital employed
Store network – Wickes

2019

20181

£1,342m
8.6%
£97m
7.2%
7%
235

£1,250m
(4.3%)
£77m
6.2%
5%
241

Change

7.4%
12.9ppt
26.0%
100bps
2ppt
(6)

1 2018 figures used are illustrative comparatives including the impact of IFRS 16 – Leases as previously disclosed.
2 These figures are presented including the immaterial Tile Giant business, which generated sales of £47m in 2019.

Wickes demonstrated a strong recovery in 
performance in 2019, with revenue growth 
of 7.7% and 8.7% on a like-for-like basis. 
Growth was primarily driven by self-help 
actions supported by beneficial changes  
in the competitive market and extreme 
weather conditions in Q1 2018. Like-for-like 
growth was strong in both Core at +6.5% 
and Do It For Me (DIFM) categories  
at +14.1%. 

The strong Core sales performance 
benefitted from a clear and well balanced 
trading plan combined with the addition of 
new ranges, particularly in decorating and 
landscaping, and improvements made in 
the supply chain to increase product 
availability in store. TradePro continues to be 
an attractive proposition for our trade 
customers with membership now at around 
half a million members at the end of 2019. 

Kitchen & Bathroom showroom (“K&B”) 
deliveries remained strong throughout the 
year, benefitting from an improved range 
and service proposition and the strong 
order book carried forward from Q4 2018. 
The proportion of Kitchens sold with a full 
installation service increased  
to 56% (up from 54% in 2018), reflecting 
the high-quality turnkey service provided to 
end consumers. 

Twelve additional Wickes refits were 
completed in the year with one new store 
opened, bringing the total number of new 
store formats up to 135 of an overall 
network of 235 stores. There was continued 
development of digital capability and 
customer service channels, including 
“online-in-store” capability, allowing 
colleagues to sell the full online range of 
products to customers in store, either for  
in store collection or home delivery. This 
enables colleagues to provide full project 
service to all customers, whilst maintaining 
a tight SKU range in store. Over half of 
Wickes sales are digitally-led, with 95% of 
sales touching the physical store.

Adjusted operating profit for the Retail 
segment showed a significant improvement 
over 2018, with growth of 26.0% to £97m, 
whilst adjusted operating profit margin 
improved by 100bps to 7.2%. In Wickes 
gross margin pressure in 2018 from 
competitor pricing activity has stabilised 
through 2019. Improved profitability 
reflected volume growth in Core and DIFM 
categories driving operating leverage, 
combined with the benefits of significant 
overhead cost reduction carried out in the 
first half of 2018. The improvement in 
adjusted operating profit drove a 2ppt 
increase in return on capital employed.

The Board proposes to demerge Wickes to 
shareholders as a standalone listed business 
in Q2 2020. Further information on Wickes’ 
investment case from the Capital Markets 
Day on the 29 January 2020 can be found 
on the Investor Relations section of the 
Travis Perkins plc website.

Shareholder information

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

31

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportBusiness performance and priorities continued

Wickes has a compelling 
investment case and a clear 
framework to win

Investment case

Distinctive and hard 
to replicate customer 
proposition

Uniquely balanced 
business

Low cost and efficient 
operating model

Proven levers 
for growth

Our mission is to 
be the partner of 
choice for home 
improvers and 
local trade

Framework to win

Vision
A Wickes project in every home

Mission
To be the partner of choice for home improvers and local trade

Customer 
proposition

Local Trade
From trade-trusted branches to  
always being 10% cheaper, we can  
save you time and money when you 
shop with TradePro

Do it for me (“DIFM”)
From concept to completion  
plus all the finishing touches,  
we can help you with your project  
every step of the way

DIY
From our curated range to  
bringing you the right quality products 
at the right prices, we can help you  
to tackle your project providing  
service guidance and knowledge

Enabler

 Engaged colleagues, winning culture and growing responsibly

Foundations

Curated  
product ranges

Digitally-led

Distinctive service 
model providing 
inspiration, service  
and fulfilment

Low cost right-sized 
physical estate

Simple, clear pricing 
offering value to 
customers

32

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

The store model is 
complementary to the digital 
journey with c.95% of sales 
touching the stores

4. DIFM
Space to dream and 
visualise your project with 
expert help at hand

Shareholder information

1. Order fulfilment
Orders picked and ready 
for collection or delivery

3. Assisted selling
Support to find exactly 
what you need

2. Self service
Simple, quick and easy 
to shop

2020 strategic objectives

  Successful demerger from Travis Perkins plc

  Accelerating DIFM – Natural growth extensions

  Developing digital capability

  DIY category wins – Getting our fair share in underweight categories

  Winning for the trade – TradePro growth

 

 Maintaining a winning culture

Guided by strong leadership

David Wood
Chief Executive Officer
David Wood joined Wickes as CEO in May 
2019. With almost 30 years in the retail and 
consumer sector, David is a highly experienced 
executive with extensive board level 
experience in both the UK and internationally, 
having worked for Tesco, Unilever, Kmart and 
Mondelez. David was Group President of 
Kmart Holding Corp from 2015 to 2017 and 
CEO of Mothercare plc from April 2018 until 
November 2018.

Julie Wirth
Chief Financial Officer
Julie Wirth joined Wickes as CFO in November 
2018 having held Board and senior finance 
roles at Group and divisional level in the retail 
sector. This included 20 years at Home Retail 
Group plc, five years at Musgrave GB Ltd and 
three years at Countrywide Farmers plc, with 
responsibility across finance, IT, legal and 
secretariat and change management.

Christopher Rogers
Chairman Designate
Christopher has extensive financial, operational 
and retail experience and expertise in corporate 
governance and strategic planning. Chris is 
currently a Non-executive Director of Vivo plc, 
Kerry Group and Walker Greenbank plc. He is 
also a visiting fellow at Durham University. 

Prior to this Chris was an Executive Director of 
Whitbread plc from 2005 to 2016 where he 
served as Group Finance Director from 2005 
to 2012 and Global 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. 

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

33

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial performance

Revenue analysis
Group revenue grew by 3.2% in total and by 3.8% on a like-for-like basis. There was a good performance from the Merchant businesses 
against a challenging market backdrop, continued excellent growth in Toolstation and a strong recovery in Wickes.

Volume, price and mix analysis

Total revenue growth (%)

Volume
Price and mix

Like-for-like revenue growth
Network expansion and acquisitions

Trading days

Total revenue growth

Merchanting

Toolstation

Retail

Plumbing & Heating

1.7%
1.6%

3.3%
(0.7)%

–

2.6%

15.7%
0.6%

16.3%
9.3%

–

25.6%

8.9%
(0.3)%

8.6%
(1.2)%

–

7.4%

(4.1)%
2.4%

(1.7)%
(2.4)%

–

(4.1)%

Group

2.3%
1.5%

3.8%
(0.6)%

–

3.2%

The continued expansion of the Toolstation network was offset by branch closures from the rest of the Group. There was no difference in 
the number of trading days in 2019 compared to 2018. The Group maintained its stance to recover input cost inflation across the 
trade-focused businesses in 2019, with overall price inflation across the Group of 1.5%. 

Quarterly like-for-like revenue analysis

Like-for-like revenue growth (%)

Merchanting

Toolstation

Retail

Plumbing & Heating

Total Group

Q1 2019
Q2 2019
Q3 2019
Q4 2019

H1 2019
H2 2019

FY 2019

10.6%
2.7%
1.6%
(1.4)%

6.4%
0.2%

3.3%

19.1%
15.7%
15.4%
15.3%

17.3%
15.4%

16.3%

10.0%
9.4%
9.7%
4.6%

9.7%
7.2%

8.6%

(4.0)%
(3.9)%
0.0%
0.9%

(3.9)%
0.4%

(1.7)%

7.3%
3.4%
3.4%
1.2%

5.3%
2.3%

3.8%

For the Group as a whole quarterly like-for-like sales slowed through the course of the year reflecting a strong start from the impact of poor 
weather setting a low comparator in Q1 2018. This was followed by market conditions growing more challenging in the second half of the 
year as the significant levels of political uncertainty impacted consumer sentiment, and increasingly led to larger projects being postponed 
or delayed.

Operating profit and margin

£m

Merchanting
Toolstation
Retail
Plumbing & Heating
Property
Unallocated costs

Adjusted operating profit
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Adjusting items

Operating profit

2019

284
25
97
48
21
(33)

442
(9)
(200)

233

2018 as reported 
(pre-IFRS 16)

2018 illustrative IFRS 
16 adjustment

2018 IFRS 16  
illustrative comparatives

273
22
47
39
27
(33)

375

6
2
30
5
(10)
2

35

279
24
77
44
17
(31)

410

Change*

1.8%
4.2%
26.0%
9.1%
23.5%
6.5%

7.8%

* Changes calculated versus FY 2018 illustrative comparatives including the impact of IFRS 16 – Leases as previously disclosed

34

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Adjusting items
Adjusting items of £200m in 2019 (2018: £387m) included:
•  An IT-related impairment charge and associated costs of £108m 

relating to the cancelled Merchant ERP project

•  Adjusting items of £47m relating to the separation and disposal 

Earnings per share
The Group reported statutory profit after tax of £123m (2018: loss 
after tax of £84m) resulting in a basic earnings per share of 48.9 
pence (2018: loss per share of 34.4 pence). There is no significant 
difference between basic and diluted basic earnings per share.

preparation of the P&H business

•  Restructuring costs of £22m relating to the simplification and 
streamlining of above-branch support structures, including the 
closure of the the heavyside ranges network

•  Adjusting items totalling £13m relating to the closure of the Built 

business in April 2019

•  Adjusting items of £12m relating to increasing the autonomy of 

Adjusted profit after tax was £281m resulting in adjusted earnings 
per share (note 20) increasing by 6.3% to 112.7 pence when 
compared with an illustrative comparative figure for 2018 of  
106.0 pence.* There is no significant difference between adjusted 
basic and adjusted diluted earnings per share.

the Wickes business

Reconciliation of reported to adjusted earnings

In addition, a fair value gain of £40m was recognised as an 
adjusting item in associate income on the acquisition of Toolstation 
Europe. Deferred tax on prior year adjusting items was £27m.

Finance charge
Net finance charges, shown in note 6, were £87m (2018: £24m).  
Of this £63m year-on-year difference around £57m was due to  
the interest charge on leased assets recognised as a result of the 
implementation of IFRS 16 – Leases.

Net finance costs before lease interest were higher in 2019 by 
around £7m, primarily reflecting the difference in the fair value 
remeasurement of foreign exchange and derivatives. In 2019,  
the mark-to-market was a loss of £5m compared to a £3m gain  
in 2018.

There was an additional charge of £2m relating to the early 
refinancing of the Group’s revolving credit facility that was completed 
in January 2019, offset by a pension interest credit in 2019.

Taxation
The tax charge for continuing activities for the period to 
31 December 2019 including the effect of adjusting items is £58m 
(2018: £34m). This represents an effective tax rate (“ETR") of 32.1% 
(2018: negative 69.0%).

The tax charge for the year before adjusting items is £69m (2018: 
£60m) giving an adjusted ETR of 19.7% (standard rate 19%, 2018 
actual 17.1%). The adjusted ETR rate is higher than the standard rate 
due to the effect of expenses not deductible for tax purposes (such 
as depreciation of property) and unutilised overseas losses, although 
these are mostly offset by the increase in the deferred tax asset 
related to employee share schemes following an increase in the 
share price in 2019.

£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

Adjusting deferred tax

Tax on adjusting items

Tax on amortisation of acquired intangible 
assets

Earnings for adjusted earnings per share

2019
Earnings

2018
Earnings

121

160

9

27

(36)

(2)

279

(86)

387

10

–

(24)

(2)

285

*This unaudited illustrative comparative figure has been restated from 104.0 pence in the 
leases update given on 23 May 2019 as an error was identified in the calculation of tax on the 
impact of IFRS 16 – Leases.

Central costs
Unallocated central costs increased modestly by £2m to £33m 
(2018: £31m when adjusted for IFRS 16 – Leases). The increase 
was primarily driven by the additional costs required to manage the 
separation activities to increase the autonomy of the P&H and 
Wickes businesses. These costs and the changes to central 
allocations combined with inflationary pressure, offset cost 
reduction actions taken to rightsize the central function in line with 
the Group’s simplification plans, whilst also focusing on delivering an 
efficient support service to branches.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

35

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial performance continued

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.

Capital investments
In line with the Group’s guidance for 2019, capital investment was 
lower than in prior years, with £121m of base capital expenditure 
(2018: £143m).

Four new freehold sites were purchased in 2019 at an investment 
of £6m (2018: £38m), with a further £15m of construction costs to 
develop sites to be ready for trading (2018: £10m). These 
investments were fully funded in the year by asset disposals of 
£87m, which also generated property profits of £21m. The 
application of IFRS 16 – Leases defers an element of the property 
profits recognised on sale and leaseback transactions. For 2018, the 
comparative property profit figure would have been £17m when 
adjusted for IFRS 16 – Leases (2018 reported: £27m).

£m

Maintenance
IT
Growth capex

Base capital expenditure
Freehold property

Gross capital expenditure
Disposals

Net capital expenditure

2019

2018

56
12
53

121
22

143
(82)

61

57
42
44

143
48

191
(98)

93

297

296

Uses of free cash flow

Maintenance capital expenditure was broadly stable at £56m 
(2018: £57m), primarily driven by the required maintenance and 
replacement of the Group’s vehicle fleet.

Growth capex investment was £9m higher than in 2018. 
Investment in 2019 was focused towards the Group’s key priorities: 
the acceleration of the Toolstation branch network expansion and 
investments required in the Merchanting branch network to improve 
convenience for customers and optimise branch returns. 

Capex spend on IT was lower in 2019 following the halting of the 
Merchant ERP programme. The Group is investigating alternative 
ways to modernise the IT landscape across the Group whilst 
maintaining a lower business risk profile.

Free cash flow (£m)

Investments in freehold property
Disposal proceeds from freehold transactions
Acquisitions and disposals
Dividends
Pensions’ payments
Purchase of own shares
Cash payments on adjusting items
Other

Change in cash and cash equivalents

195

(22)
64
(43)
(116)
(10)
(8)
(90)
(18)

(48)

Property transactions in 2019 yielded a net cash inflow of £42m 
(2018: £36m inflow). The cash cost of acquisitions was higher in 
2019 at £43m (2018: £6m inflow), including the acquisition of a 
controlling share of Toolstation Europe and further payments 
towards the previous acquisitions of Underfloor Heating Store and 
National Shower Spares.

Cash flow and balance sheet
Free cash flow
The Group redefined its basis for measuring free cash flow (“FCF") 
in 2019 to better reflect the cash generation of the business. Under 
the new definition FCF excludes all freehold property transactions, 
both investments and disposals, and includes all base capex: the 
sum of maintenance and investment capital expenditure.

£m

Group adjusted EBITA excluding property profits
Depreciation of PPE and other non-cash 
movements
Change in working capital
Net interest paid (excluding lease interest)
Interest on lease liabilities
Tax paid

Adjusted operating cash flow

Capital investments
Capex excluding freehold transactions
Proceeds from disposals excluding freehold 

transactions

Free cash flow

2019

421

141
(129)
(26)
(57)
(53)

2018

348

137
(107)
(26)
–
(55)

(121)

(143)

19

195

14

168

Under the new definition, FCF of £195m was generated in  
2019 (2018: £168m). The increase was primarily driven by the 
higher operating profits generated by the Group and lower base 
capital expenditure.

As expected there was an increase in working capital in 2019. 
Inventories, which have been held broadly stable in recent years, 
increased by around £80m in the year, with over £60m relating to 
the Group’s inventory planning to mitigate the risk of a no-deal exit 
from the EU. This elevated level was maintained throughout 2019 
as the potential risk was delayed by a prolonged period of political 
uncertainty. Going forwards, the Group expects the period of 
uncertainty to continue and will make decisions regarding the 
optimal level of inventory to protect customers’ access to materials 
in 2020. Trade receivables grew in line with the growth in credit 
sales, with around two thirds of Group sales being conducted 
through a customer credit account.

36

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Additional cash contributions to the defined benefit pension 
schemes above the income statement charge, excluding the annual 
payment against the pension SPV, were £10m (2018: £7m).  
The cash cost of 2019 adjusting items, and utilisation of prior year 
provisions for adjusting items was £90m, with costs incurred 
towards the transformation and separation of the P&H business; 
increasing the autonomy of the Wickes business ahead of demerger; 
and in the streamlining and simplification of above-branch services, 
including the removal of the Merchanting divisional structure and 
the programme to close the heavyside range centre network.

Funding 
As at 31 December 2019, the Group’s committed funding of 
£950m 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 £400m, which was refinanced in 

January 2019 and runs until 2024, advanced by a syndicate of 
eight banks. 

Under the new policy initiated in 2018 for the Group to purchase 
shares in the market for employee share schemes; £8m of shares 
were purchased in the period.

As at 31 December 2019, the Group had undrawn committed 
facilities of £400m (2018: £550m) and cash deposits of £140m 
(2018: £190m).

Dividend
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 2019 
of 48.5 pence (2018: 47.0 pence) results in a 3.2% increase (2018: 
2.2% increase).

Following the demerger of Wickes, the Board will be reviewing the 
capital structure and dividend policy of the Group and will provide 
an update with the interim results in August 2020.

An interim dividend of 15.5 pence was paid to shareholders in 
November 2019 at a cost of £38m. If approved, the proposed final 
dividend of 33.0 pence per share will be paid on 13 May 2020 to 
shareholders on the register at the close of business on 3 April 
2020, the cash cost of which will be approximately £82m.

Net debt and funding
The move to accounting under IFRS 16 – Leases has changed the 
balance sheet metrics around debt. The Group has defined new 
debt measures as follows:
•  Covenant net debt: a new KPI which matches the definition  
of net debt in the Group’s banking and bond covenants. 2018 
covenant net debt has been recalculated as a direct  
comparative figure.

•  Net debt: The Group has stopped reporting lease adjusted net 
debt as the implementation of IFRS 16 – Leases means that  
the effect of leases is already reflected in the statutory measure 
of net debt. 2018 results have not been restated.

Covenant net debt increased by £44m year-on-year, primarily 
driven by the increase in inventory, the cash costs relating to 
adjusting items in 2018 and 2019 and higher acquisition costs. The 
net debt to adjusted EBITDA metric under IFRS 16 – Leases, with 
net debt now including all lease obligations, reduced to 2.5x, 
achieving the Group’s medium term leverage target of 2.5x. The 
Group’s balance sheet will change significantly when the Wickes 
business is demerged, and the Group will consider the suitability of 
the existing medium term leverage target for the future.

Medium 
Term 
Guidance

2019

2018

Change

Covenant net debt

£344m

£300m

£44m

Net debt

£1,788m

£354m

Lease-adjusted net debt

n/a  £1,833m

Net debt : Adjusted 
EBITDA*

2.5x

2.5x

2.7x

(0.2)x

*2018 comparative figure is calculated as Lease-adjusted net debt to EBITDAR with a lease 
adjustment based on 8x the annual net rent charge. Whilst not directly comparable, the two 
methods are broadly consistent.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

37

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportFinancial performance continued

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.

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 

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 2019 the nominal value of currency 
forward contracts, all of which were US dollar denominated, was 
$41m (2018: $41m).

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 2019 was approximately 0.4% (2018: 0.4%) of  
credit sales.

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 0.71x (2018: 0.65x) at the year end

•  The number of times adjusted operating profit covers interest 
charges has to be a least 3.5x and it was approximately 16x 
(31 December 2018: 14x)

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

exposure to currency fluctuations

The financial ratios are calculated under IFRS as adopted by the EU 
as it was immediately before the adoption of IFRS 16 –Leases.

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.

38

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Viability assessment
In accordance with provision 31 of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code, published by the Financial Reporting Council in 2018, 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 40 to 51 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 
29 February 2020, the month end date closest to the approval of 
the 2019 annual results. Three years has been chosen because this 
is the period that it is reasonably possible to forecast forward with a 
degree of accuracy. This is because the Group is subject to the 
vagaries of the economic cycle and property market which cannot 
reasonably be forecast with certainty further than three years 
forward. Whilst the Board has no reason to believe the Group will 
not 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.

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 the 
business would take to protect the Group’s viability. These actions 
include restricting credit and 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.

Shareholder information

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

39

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStatement of principal risks and uncertainties

Risk management is a key factor in the 
successful delivery of the Group’s 
strategic objectives

The Group’s risk management activities continue 
to be developed to support management in 
identifying both threats and opportunities that 
could materially impact strategic delivery, 
performance, compliance and reputation.  
The Group operates in markets and an industry 
which, by their nature, are subject to a number  
of inherent risks. In common with most large 
organisations the Group is also subject to general 
commercial, political and economic risks. The 
Group is able to mitigate those risks by adopting 
different strategies and by maintaining a strong 
system of internal control which is routinely tested 
and assured. 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.

Risk management framework
The Board has developed 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. 
Further details of the Group’s risk management processes and 
oversight are given in the Corporate Governance Report on  
page 79.

The Board undertook an enhanced exercise during 2019 to 
consider the nature and level of risk it is prepared to accept to 
deliver the strategy. Risk appetite is set across a suite of risk 
categories directly relevant to the Group, supported by high-level 
risk statements which set out the expectations for the management 
and control of each category of risk. The resulting assessment of 
risk appetite has been set to balance opportunities for growth and 
business development in areas of potentially higher risk and return, 
whilst prioritising safety and maintaining the Group’s reputation, legal 
and regulatory compliance and the desired high levels of customer 
service and satisfaction. 

Principal risks
At least twice a year, the Board and Group Leadership Team 
formally assess the Group’s principal risks. 

The table on pages 42 to 51 sets out, in no particular order, the 
principal risks that are currently considered by the Board to be 
material to the achievement of the Group’s objectives, their potential 
impacts, mitigating factors and those areas of the businesses’ 
strategies that are potentially impacted. The inherent risk (before the 
operation of mitigating controls) is stated for each risk area together 
with an indication of the current trend for that 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.

40

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Key changes in the year 
The risk environment in which the Group operates does not remain 
static. As part of the ongoing risk review process, the Board and 
Group Leadership Team: identify new risks for the Group, assess the 
inherent risk associated with each principal risk, and determine 
whether the risk trend facing the Group is increasing, decreasing  
or unchanged.

Whilst the risk profile for the Group remains relatively stable relative 
to 2018, the following key changes were identified in 2019:
•  One additional principal risk has been disclosed in relation to IT 
systems and infrastructure. This risk previously formed part of 
the risk associated with change management and has been 
separated given the Group’s plans to modernise its IT 
infrastructure and replace a number of legacy systems 
•  The inherent risk associated with business transformation 

initiatives, including the IT modernisation programme, has been 
reassessed as “high” to reflect the scale of change activities 
ongoing or planned within the Group

•  The inherent risk associated with cyber threats and data security 
has been increased to “high” to acknowledge that the continual 
changes in both threat sources and the tactics employed by 
cyber criminals present an ongoing challenge for all companies, 
including the Group

Emerging risks 
The Board is required to undertake a robust assessment of the 
emerging risks that may impact the Group under the 2018 UK 
Corporate Code, which is effective from 1 January 2019. In response 
to this requirement, consideration of emerging risk has been 
integrated into the Group’s current risk management practices, 
which continue to be developed and refined. The Board regularly 
considers the latest risk research alongside views on emerging risks 
collated from assessments made by the business unit and 
functional leadership teams. These risks are monitored but are not 
currently assessed as sufficiently material to be considered as 
principal risks.

The Group is monitoring the potential impact of COVID-19 carefully. 
The Group will continue to review the possible impacts on the 
business and refine its contingency plans as more information 
about the epidemic emerges.

Risk workshops are undertaken periodically with the most 
significant business units and are structured to consider a number 
of risk categories, including “disruption”, being the risks that may 
emerge and impact the viability of a strategy or business model. 
The current statement of principal risks recognises the potential for 
such disruption in the competitor and customer landscape, as well 
as in relation to suppliers.

Category

External

Strategic

Technological

Operational

Principal risks

Changing customer and competitor landscape
Supplier risks
Brexit
Market conditions

Capital allocation
Change management
Portfolio management 

IT systems and infrastructure
Cyber threat and data security

Health and safety 
Talent management 
Legal compliance

Risk trend

Inherent risk

High
Medium
High
High

Medium
High
Medium

High
High

Medium
Medium
Medium

Key disruptive risks are also identified and mitigated by the Group. None of them are currently considered to be principal risks.

Risk trend: 
	 	 – Increasing
	 	 – Decreasing
  – Unchanged

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

41

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStatement of principal risks and uncertainties continued

Inherent risk
High

Trend
Unchanged

Strategy
A B C

Impact
Adverse effect on 
financial results

Loss of market share

Changing customer and competitor landscape

Risk description
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 currently 
operates and may take market share.

The demerger of the Wickes business will change 
the risk profile of the Group in the coming year, as 
exposure to the retail sector is reduced.

Customer purchasing habits also continue to evolve 
with an increasing percentage of transactions for the 
Group now originating online. Customers’ preference 
for purchasing materials through a range of supply 
channels and not just through the Group’s traditional 
competitors may adversely impact the profitability of 
branch-based operations and the Group’s overall 
performance.

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

Risk mitigation
The Board is cognisant of the risks and opportunities 
presented by the changing customer and competitor 
landscape and evaluates developments both in terms of 
threats and opportunities for the Group.. One example of 
this in 2019 is the decision to pursue the demerger of 
the Wickes business, and for the Group to focus on the 
service of trade rather than retail customers.

The Group continues to build multi-channel capabilities 
that complement its existing operations and enable 
customers to transact with the Group through channels 
that best suit their needs.

The Group is able to use its sites flexibly to respond to 
changes. Alternative space utilisation models are 
possible, including maintaining smaller stores and 
implanting additional services into existing branches. 
During 2019, Toolstation opened its first high street store.

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 to enhance the customer 
proposition.

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

Link to Strategy: 
A  – Best-in-Class Services
B  – Focus on Trade
C  – Advantaged Businesses
D  – Simplifying the Group
E  – Financial Strength

42

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Inherent risk
Medium

Trend
Unchanged

Strategy
A B D

Impact
Adverse effect on 
delivery of strategy

Competitive disadvantage

Talent management

Risk description
People are key to the Group’s success. The ability to 
recruit, develop, retain and motivate suitably qualified 
and experienced 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. This may be 
compounded by Brexit if significant numbers of EU 
citizens decide to leave the UK (see also page 47). In 
particular, the availability of suitably qualified 
commercial drivers is an area of ongoing 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 branch and 
other customer-facing roles. Many colleagues have 
worked for Travis Perkins for many years, 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 colleagues and that robust 
succession plans exist for key positions is important 
for the Group to ensure it has the right skills and 
experience to deliver on its strategic objectives.

Risk mitigation
The Group’s employment policies and practices are 
kept under regular review. Staff engagement and 
turnover by job type is reported regularly to the Group 
Leadership Team and the Board. A Group-wide talent 
and succession exercise was undertaken in 2019 and 
reviewed by the Board. Succession plans are reviewed 
annually; the process was reviewed for 2020 to ensure 
that plans are in place for the Board, senior management 
positions and other critical roles and to promote the 
development of diverse and inclusive pipelines.

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. Management 
development programmes are available to those 
identified for more senior positions. The Group’s “Learn 
and Earn” Apprenticeship Programme (“LEAP”) has 
been in place for a number of years and has a track 
record of successful delivery of apprenticeships in both 
branch-based and functional roles.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

43

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStatement of principal risks and uncertainties continued

Inherent risk
Medium

Trend
Unchanged

Strategy
A B D E

Impact
Adverse effect on 
financial results

Adverse effect on 
reputation

Supplier risks

Risk description
The Group faces a number of supplier risks in 
relation to key dependencies and relationships, 
overseas sourcing and disintermediation, all of which 
could adversely impact upon ranging and price.

The Group is the largest customer to a number of its 
suppliers. In some cases, those suppliers are large 
enough to cause the Group significant difficulties 
and disruption 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 a considerable time, 
adversely impacting customer service and, 
potentially, leading customers to switch to a 
competitor in the short- or long-term.

The Group sources a number of products from 
overseas factories, which increases the Group’s 
exposure to sourcing, quality, trading, warranty and 
currency issues. This again may adversely impact 
customer service and choice.

Manufacturers of materials and products sold by the 
Group may also look to sell directly to end customers 
in the future, diminishing the role of distributors..

The Group’s intended demerger of the Wickes 
business, as well as the potential future sale of its 
Plumbing & Heating businesses, will reduce the size 
of the Group, which may impact on its ability to 
renegotiate future supply contracts on equivalent or 
favourable terms.

Risk mitigation
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 
agree contracts that are beneficial to both parties and 
facilitate continuity of quality materials. This interaction 
continues as the Wickes demerger is progressed and 
revised contractual arrangements are put in place.

Where possible, contracts exist with more than one 
supplier for key products, to reduce the risks of 
dependency on a sole supplier.

The Group has made a significant investment in its Far 
East infrastructure to support its direct sourcing 
operation. This 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.

Independent checks are undertaken on the factories 
producing products for the Group, including the quality 
and suitability of those products before they are 
shipped to the UK. The results of these checks are kept 
under review with action taken as necessary to address 
any concerns.

44

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Health and safety

Risk description
Keeping the Group’s colleagues, customers, suppliers 
and the public safe is a cornerstone of the business 
and at the heart of how it operates. The Group 
expects everyone to go home to their families  
safely everyday.

The Group operates over two thousand 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 and at delivery 
locations could result in significant harm to people 
which would damage the Company’s reputation and 
could impact trading performance.

Inherent risk
Medium

Trend
Unchanged

Strategy
A E

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

Shareholder information

Risk mitigation
The Group continues to challenge its thinking and 
approach to improving its safety performance through 
its now well established “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 Group Leadership Team and by the 
dedicated Stay Safe Committee, which is chaired by a 
Non-executive Director. Safety performance is a focus 
at the leadership meetings for each of the Group’s 
business units, with regular consideration of continuous 
improvement plans in this area. These forums also 
monitor the achievement of transport-related 
compliance requirements, including driver licensing and 
professional competence. In addition, a number of the 
business units, including Travis Perkins, have retained 
FORS accreditation of their vehicle fleets.

During 2019 a programme of “Safety Deep Dive” 
reviews was introduced to assess how effectively key 
safety risks are managed and to benchmark the Group 
to leading practice. Safety management arrangements 
are periodically assessed and accredited by members 
of the Safety Schemes in Procurement Forum.

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 all 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 
the year can be found in the Health and Safety report 
on page 55.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

45

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStatement of principal risks and uncertainties continued

Inherent risk
Medium

Trend
Decreasing

Strategy
B C E

Impact
Adverse effect on 
financial results

Capital allocation

Risk description
The Group manages 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 also to develop new 
propositions to better serve its customers.

While 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 and advantaged businesses resulting in 
sub-optimal returns on capital.

Inherent risk
High

Trend
Increasing

Strategy
A C D E

Impact
Adverse effect on 
financial results

Adverse effect on 
shareholder value

Change management

Risk description
The Group undertakes a variety of projects 
throughout its business in order to generate returns 
for its shareholders. These projects include the 
modernisation of the Group’s core IT systems and 
infrastructure, on-going development of its supply 
chain operations and 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. As a result, the 
expected benefits, timescale for delivery and the 
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. 

Following the announcement in 2019 to delay the 
Merchant ERP replacement programme, the Group  
is considering its approach to implementation  
of the various elements of an ERP system, after 
modernisation of the core IT architecture. The results 
and delays to this programme are illustrative of the 
challenges associated with major transformation 
projects in Group with a number of complex  
legacy systems.

46

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Risk mitigation
Return on capital is one of the Group’s key performance 
indicators as shown on page 21. The Group’s decision to 
refine its strategy and focus on trade customers in the 
most advantaged businesses has influenced the 
allocation of capital during 2019, with more focused 
management attention and capital deployment in areas 
of higher return. This capital allocation policy is also a 
driver for the Wickes demerger, enabling both Wickes 
and the remaining Group to pursue separate strategies 
and priorities for investment and growth.

Responsibility for identifying and implementing 
opportunities to expand, improve or modify the Group’s 
operations rests with each of the business unit leadership 
teams. Capital is deployed or re-deployed through a 
Group-led forum to strategically-aligned projects expected 
to achieve the best return on capital. Projects are required 
to present a comprehensive business case and, for the 
largest investments, Board approval is sought.

Major projects are reviewed by the Group Leadership 
Team, which introduced a monthly programme review 
during 2019. Progress against plan is kept under  
close review. 

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

Risk mitigation
As set out in relation to capital allocation, 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 
being brought into the Group to supplement existing 
resource when necessary. 

All strategic projects are supported by an appropriate 
governance structure and are closely monitored 
through the Group Leadership Team’s programme 
review with regular reporting to the Board.

Regular communications are undertaken to keep 
colleagues informed.

When projects do not deliver against expectations, 
exercises are undertaken to capture the “lessons 
learned” which are fed into future projects.

 
Inherent risk
High

Trend
Unchanged

Strategy
A E

Impact
Adverse effect on 
financial results

Shareholder information

Brexit

Risk description
The result of the UK vote to leave the European Union 
(“Brexit”) and the subsequent process to determine the 
terms of the withdrawal agreement has caused 
considerable market uncertainty throughout 2019 and 
continues to do so. It remains difficult to predict the 
economic outlook and impact to the Group in the short 
term or long term. The Group continued to experience 
significant volatility in the value of sterling against the 
principal currencies used to pay for imported goods 
during 2019.

Future trading relationships with overseas 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 Group operates a small number of branches in 
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. During 
2019, the Group acquired a controlling share of the 
Toolstation Europe business. Whilst not material to the 
Group, business operations in these territories may be 
impacted by the final agreements made with the EU 
including those in respect of borders, tariffs and 
information flow.

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 further 
detail becomes available in respect of the future trading 
relationships of the UK after the transition period. 

Risk mitigation
It remains difficult to determine the full impact of  
Brexit on the Group. The Board continues to monitor 
developments and market conditions and will react 
accordingly.

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

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

Throughout 2019, exercises were undertaken by the 
business unit leadership teams to assess the level  
of stock holding required in each business unit to 
minimise disruption to customers as a consequence  
of Brexit. The Group has taken steps to minimise 
disruption to its imports from the EU and was granted 
Authorised Economic Operator status by HMRC in 
early 2019. 

Regular communication continues with both customers 
and key suppliers. A customer statement is in place 
and will be reassessed as agreements with the EU  
are clarified.

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 are set out in the related principal risk on 
page 43.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

47

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStatement of principal risks and uncertainties continued

Inherent risk
High

Trend
Unchanged

Strategy
A B C

Impact
Adverse effect on 
financial results

Inherent risk
Medium

Trend
Unchanged

Strategy
B C D E

Impact
Adverse effect on 
financial results

Adverse effect on 
shareholder value

Adverse effect on 
reputation

Risk mitigation
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 Group 
Leadership Team 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 reducing the dividend.

Risk mitigation
All portfolio management activities are subject to a 
detailed appraisal process and ultimate approval by  
the Board.

A formal programme of work, with dedicated resource 
is put in place for the larger-scale transactions including 
those in relation to Plumbing & Heating and Wickes. 
External expertise and advisers are involved as required 
to support the programme teams. 

The Plumbing & Heating businesses were successfully 
separated both functionally and in system terms during 
2019 to the agreed timescales. The Wickes demerger 
activity is progressing in line with plans.

All activity of this kind is supported by robust 
governance and monitoring. The largest programmes 
are closely monitored by a Steering Committee, with 
sponsorship and representation from members of the 
Group Leadership Team and, when appropriate based 
on the significance of a transaction, the Board. Both the 
Group Leadership Team and the Board receive regular 
updates on all portfolio management activities.

Market conditions

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

A significant downturn in economic conditions or 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.

Portfolio management

Risk description
The Group undertakes acquisition and disposal 
activity to optimise its portfolio of businesses and 
drive shareholder return. In December 2018, the 
Group announced a strategy to simplify the Group 
and concentrate on its trade-focused businesses. In 
the last year, the Group has:
•  Set out its intention to explore the potential 
divestment of the Plumbing & Heating 
businesses. The Group confirmed in January the 
sale of its Primaflow F&P wholesale business to 
Newbury Investments (UK) Ltd. Further activity  
in relation to the remaining businesses has been 
paused

•  Announced a proposed demerger of the Wickes 

business in 2020

•  Acquired a controlling shareholding in Toolstation 

Europe

Programmes to separate businesses for sale or 
demerger can be complex given the many linkages 
to Group systems and processes. 

Communication of the impacts to colleagues both  
in the affected and remaining businesses require 
careful consideration to ensure that colleagues 
remain informed, engaged and also that 
confidentiality is not breached.

The projected benefits, costs and timescale for 
portfolio management activities may deviate from 
those originally planned, which could in turn impact 
the progression of the process and the value realised 
or price paid.

48

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

IT systems and infrastructure

Shareholder information

Inherent risk
High

Trend
Increasing

Strategy
A D

Impact
Adverse effect on 
financial results

Adverse effect on 
reputation

Adverse effect on 
delivery of strategy

Competitive disadvantage

Risk description
The Group is dependent on a wide range of IT 
systems and supporting infrastructure for its 
day-to-day operations and technology plays a 
significant role in the future growth and success of 
the Group. The current IT landscape is complex and 
includes some legacy systems that lack the 
functionality of modern software and where 
expertise is diminishing.

System failures or outages could disrupt the 
day-to-day operations of the Group and, in turn, 
impact customer service and the Group’s financial 
performance.

The Group is developing a comprehensive 
modernisation plan that will include the replacement 
of a number of legacy systems. This will bring 
greater stability, capability and longevity to the 
Group’s systems and infrastructure. 

In its digital offerings, the Group’s ability to meet 
customer demand will impact longer-term growth 
and delivery of the strategy. 

There is significant risk associated with IT change 
programmes including risks in relation to prioritisation 
and sequencing, resource allocation, cost and time 
overruns, testing and business acceptance. These 
risks, alone or in combination, could impact the 
financial results and reputation of the Group, and 
achievement of the longer-term strategy.

Risk mitigation
To mitigate the risk of disruption in the event of a 
system failure, an IT disaster recovery plan is in place, 
together with broader business continuity plans. 
Arrangements are in place for alternative data sites. 
Off-site back-up routines are in place. Plans are 
regularly tested and the results assessed to drive 
further improvements. The incident management 
process is designed to prioritise and respond to any 
incident quickly and effectively, with escalation and 
communication protocols. Recovery targets are in 
place and are designed to minimise the operational 
and customer impact. Internal Audit reviewed the 
disaster recovery plans and incident management 
processes during the year.

In relation to the modernisation of the Group’s IT 
systems and infrastructure, the IT strategy is currently 
being updated. A governance structure is in place for 
change programmes from idea generation through to 
deployment. This includes protocols, reviewed by 
internal audit during the year, to ensure that upgrades 
and improvements are delivered to the business in a 
controlled manner and limit the potential for disruption.

The Group Leadership Team receives regular progress 
reports and larger programmes are reported to the 
Board. This structure has been refreshed during the 
year and is designed to ensure that programmes are 
appropriately resourced and progress to plan. 

Any system change is rigorously tested in respect of 
functionality and that it meets business requirements 
before it is implemented.

Following the cancellation of the Merchant ERP 
replacement programme, a full lessons learned 
exercise was undertaken, as is standard at the end of 
every programme, with insights captured and rolled 
into future change programmes.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

49

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportStatement of principal risks and uncertainties continued

Cyber threat and data security

Inherent risk
High

Trend
Increasing

Strategy
A E

Impact
Adverse effect on 
financial results

Adverse effect on 
reputation

Potential legal action, 
fines and penalties

Risk description
Incidents of sophisticated cyber-crime represent a 
significant and increasing threat to all businesses 
including the Group. The tactics of cyber criminals 
evolve on a daily basis, finding new ways to 
compromise organisations, which presents a 
continuous challenge for Information Security teams 
in terms of cyber risk protection and preparation for 
potential incidents. Threat sources change 
continually such that, while the Group may be 
targeted by cyber-criminals, it may also be impacted 
by attacks aimed at impacting the UK’s infrastructure 
more generally.

Information Security incidents can be caused 
externally or internally, accidentally or deliberately. 
The Group’s business activities are heavily 
dependent on IT systems that are available when 
needed, based on accurate and complete data. An 
external cyber-attack or insider threat (or an 
equivalent incident at a third party with whom Group 
data is shared legitimately) 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 consequential impacts on 
the Group’s reputation, ability to trade and 
compliance with data protection regulations.

Whilst cyber incidents have not significantly 
impacted the Group to date, these threats continue 
to evolve and can, in turn, impact the effectiveness 
of mitigating actions. The Group continues to be 
vigilant and assess its exposure.
.

Risk mitigation
The Group takes its responsibilities and legal 
obligations in respect of data security and protection 
seriously and continues to make investments to protect 
data, including customer data, and ensure that its 
confidentiality, integrity and availability is maintained.

The Group takes a two-pronged approach to data 
security: through technology (protective tools and 
countermeasures) and people (awareness and training).

Best of breed technical solutions are deployed across 
the Group’s infrastructure including firewalls, virus 
protection, email threat protection, intrusion detection 
and vulnerability scanning. There is an ongoing  
review process to ensure that these solutions provide 
optimal benefit and protection to the Group, through 
appropriate tuning and configuration. An outsourced 
Security Operations Centre has recently launched to 
provide round the clock monitoring of the Group’s 
infrastructure using market-leading tools. This will 
deliver mature levels of threat intelligence to support 
proactive defence against cyber threats.

New IT projects are scrutinised and supported by the 
Information Security team, ensuring security by design. 
All changes to technology solutions require information 
security review and approval.

An information security improvement project was 
initiated in 2019 with the objective of continuously 
advancing the Group’s information security profile and 
maturity against the recognised National Institute of 
Standards and Technology – Cyber Security 
Framework. This has led to the introduction of a new 
governance framework, including a steering group and 
“Security Champion” forum, and the development of a 
new policy framework. 

The Group continues to maintain compliance with the 
Payment Card Industry – Data Security Standard.

The Group has a comprehensive set of data protection 
and information security policies in place and all 
colleagues are required to undertake regular training 
regarding the protection of information. This emphasises 
the importance of keeping personal information safe 
and secure in whatever format it is held by the Group.  
A Data Governance Committee is in place to support 
the Group’s data governance and information security 
framework. Its remit includes reviewing and approving 
key information security policies, supporting 
development of a positive culture of compliance 
(including by promoting awareness of key information 
security policies) and, where appropriate, reviewing the 
response to data security breaches.

In the event of an incident, the response protocols and 
recovery plans in place are designed to mitigate the 
impact and support a rapid and efficient recovery of 
systems and service.

50

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Legal compliance

Risk description
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 exposure for non-compliance and  
potential limitations on the development of  
the Group’s operations. 

Inherent risk
Medium

Trend
Increasing

Strategy
A B C D E

Impact
Adverse effect on 
reputation

Adverse effect on 
financial and operational 
performance

Potential legal action, 
fines and penalties

Shareholder information

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 advisers.

The Group has a comprehensive framework of policies 
in place that set out the ways colleagues 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.

In recognition of the ongoing changes and 
requirements across the Group’s regulatory compliance 
landscape, a Regulatory Risk Business Partner has 
recently been appointed who will support the business 
in meeting new requirements and continue to develop 
and improve the existing framework.

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. 

The Group Leadership Team 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 laws and regulations. All reported 
cases are investigated.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

51

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportSustainability overview

Doing the
right thing

The framework below highlights the 12 most 
material sustainability focus areas for the Group, 
organised around four pillars. They were 
determined through consultation with internal and 
external stakeholders, taking into account key risks 
and opportunities. They support success in both the 
short and long term. Progress in these areas will 
build resilience in the business, underpin a robust 
Social Value offer to customers and improve 
behaviours in the supply chain. 

Our pillars and why they’re 
important to us.

1
People 
Responsibility

2
Social 
Responsibility

3
Environmental 
Responsibility

4
Industry 
Responsibility

  People

Purpose

Be the best 
employer

Safety and 
well-being

Diversity and 
inclusion

Development

Reward and 
benefits

The safety and 
well-being of 
colleagues is the 
Group’s first priority.  
A workforce that is 
safe and physically 
and mentally healthy 
is the foundation  
of everything the 
Group does.

A diverse workforce 
and an inclusive 
workplace ensures 
everyone feels 
welcome, valued for 
their contribution and 
can perform at their 
best. It also allows 
the Group to build 
employee pride and 
mirror and better 
serve its customer 
base.

A strong pipeline of 
talented people 
protects the current 
and future success  
of the Group. In an 
industry that is keen 
to attract young 
talent, development 
programmes allow 
the Group to retain 
existing colleagues 
and nurture new 
recruits.

Effective reward and 
benefits’ programmes 
allow the Group to 
attract, motivate and 
retain the best talent 
in a competitive 
marketplace. 
Well-structured 
benefits’ packages 
support colleagues  
to meet their current 
and future financial 
needs.

Employee 
voice and 
engagement

A business should 
meet the needs of 
multiple stakeholders, 
not just shareholders. 
Colleague opinion 
and input is sought to 
support and inform 
our decision-making, 
increase engagement 
and drive innovation.

52

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

1 
Shareholder information

  Social

Purpose

Conduct all 
business with 
integrity

Human rights
and anti-slavery

Responsible
sourcing

Legal
compliance

Community
and charity

The Group employs over 
29,000 people. Ensuring 
colleagues and workers 
within the supply chain are 
protected from human rights 
abuses is a fundamental 
aspect of the Group’s social 
responsibility.

The Group sources
products and services from 
1,000s of suppliers. 
Responsible sourcing of 
quality products from 
approved suppliers is 
essential to establish resilient 
and transparent supply 
chains and protect the Group 
from interruption or 
reputational damage.

As a responsible business, it 
is Company policy to comply 
with all applicable laws in the 
countries in which the Group 
operates. Whether anti-
bribery and corruption, 
General Data Protection 
Regulation (“GDPR”), 
competition compliance or 
any other area of law, the 
Group will do the right thing.

The Group’s businesses are 
based on relationships. Local 
branches forge strong bonds 
with local communities. Sales 
teams collaborate with 
customers on Social Value 
propositions. Colleagues 
devote time and money to 
chosen charities. Being a 
good corporate citizen is core 
to the Travis Perkins Group.

  Environmental

Purpose

Carbon

Waste

Mitigate 
operational 
impacts on the 
environment

The Group operates a large 
vehicle fleet and property estate. 
The Group has a responsibility 
to address rising stakeholder 
concern around climate change 
and mitigate the impact of 
increasing energy prices and 
carbon taxes.

Millions of products pass 
through the Group’s businesses 
each year, generating 
operational, product and 
packaging waste. Public interest 
in plastics and packaging, 
increasing waste costs and new 
taxes all drive this agenda.

Environmental impacts within the supply chain are addressed 
through the Group’s Responsible Sourcing programme. 
Environmental impacts of products through their life cycle are 
addressed through the Group’s Sustainable Products and Services 
programme.

  Industry

Purpose

Sustainable products and services

Innovate to meet 
future needs

Building regulations, national commitments and construction 
methods are always evolving. The Group can support its 
customers with information, products and services to meet 
changing requirements.

How does this support the 
strategy?
By doing the right thing, the Group has 
confidence in a sustainable and value-
generating business model. The sustainability 
programme supports the Group’s long-term 
strategy of being the first choice partner for  
the construction industry, building on its  
200+ year heritage.

The Group delivers best-in-class service by 
investing in its colleagues and its unique and 
open culture, continually striving to be the best 
employer. The Group operates through a 
nationwide network of over 2,000 branches 
who win the custom of the “best builders in 
town” by building strong bonds with their 
customers and their local communities.

Being at the forefront of evolving industry 
trends and regulations is important for the 
Group’s customers and for maintaining the 
leadership positions of the Group’s businesses. 
The commitment to responsible sourcing 
supports the deep and lasting supplier 
relationships that enable the Group to provide 
quality products and services to its customers.

For more information on the business model 
and strategy see page 12.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

53

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report342 
Sustainability overview 
continued

How does this align with the cornerstones?
Everything the Group does is underpinned by the five cornerstones, or principles, of the business. The material focus areas highlight what 
the Group does on sustainability and the cornerstones define how the Group does it.

Upholding
family
values

Keeping  
people  
safe

Making
decent
returns

Working
for our
customers

Being
the 
best

Defining the material focus areas 
for the Group
The material focus areas of the Group’s 
sustainability programme were determined 
through in-depth consultation with a wide 
group of stakeholders. The materiality 
assessment was completed during 2019 
and involved colleagues, the Group 
Leadership Team, a range of different 
customers, suppliers and investors. The 
Group’s approach has been benchmarked 
against competitors, supply chain partners 
and leaders from other industries. Changing 
industry needs, upcoming regulation and 
macro-economic trends have been taken 
into account. The Group’s material focus 
areas will be reviewed on an ongoing basis 
to ensure that the Group stays focused on 
the most important topics for the business 
and its stakeholders.

Engaging with stakeholders
The Group actively engages with 
stakeholders to share progress, inform plans, 
listen to feedback and seek views.

Shareholders are encouraged to attend the 
Annual General Meeting to understand and 
ask questions about the Group’s 
performance, challenges and opportunities. 

Over 80 colleagues, customers, suppliers and 
investors were consulted as part of the 
materiality assessment for sustainability in 
2019. The “You Talk, We Listen” engagement 
survey held in 2019 sought the honest views 
of all colleagues and allowed the Group to 
understand and act on their opinions (see 
page 60). Customer events and supplier 
conferences hosted by businesses in the 
Group offer the opportunity to consult with 
key supply chain partners and understand 
how Travis Perkins can support.

Governance of sustainability
The Group Leadership Team and the Travis 
Perkins plc Board have overall responsibility 
for sustainability. A Head of Sustainability 
was appointed in 2019 to support the 
Group in evolving and delivering against its 
sustainability strategy. Progress is reported 
to the Group Leadership Team and the 
Board on each material focus area as 
needed to monitor and improve 
performance. A separate Stay Safe 
Committee of the Board oversees 
performance in health and safety.

Objectives or targets are set for each 
material focus area.

Assessing climate-related financial risk
The Group has submitted an annual climate disclosure to the Carbon Disclosure Project (“CDP”) for ten years, including a financial 
assessment of climate-related risks and opportunities. Work is underway to disclose climate-related financial risk in the Annual Report 
and Accounts by 2022, in line with the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosure (“TCFD”) recommendations.

Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
By doing the right thing, the Group is supporting a number of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”).  
Of the 17 UN SDGs, seven align most directly with the Group’s sustainability programme.

54

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Safety and well-being
2019 objectives
• 

In line with the three-year Safety and Well being strategy defined in 
2018, focus continued on managing key safety risks to reduce the 
Lost-Time Incident Frequency and Accident Severity Rates.
•  The Group committed to further developing its approach to 
colleague well being, with a particular focus on mental and 
financial health.

2019 progress
Performance in safety and well-being 
continued to improve during the year under 
review. LTI frequency rate improved by  
25% from 7.5 to 5.6 LTIs per million hours 
worked. The Severity rate improved by  
27%, from 0.11 to 0.08 lost work days per 
thousand hours worked. The Average Safety 
Review score improved from 6.0 to 6.3  
out of 8.

This was driven by continued focus on 
managing the most significant safety risks in 
each individual business.

Specific improvement actions taken during 
2019 included:
• 

the development of business-specific 
safety and well-being improvement plans

•  a programme of “Deep Dives” to 

understand how effectively key risks  
are managed and to externally 
benchmark performance

•  enhanced management of compact 

yellow plant suppliers and  
plant handovers

•  a restructure of HSE support to  
reflect the wider organisational  
structure changes

•  successfully establishing standalone 
H&S functions and systems in the 
Plumbing & Heating division (in 
readiness for divestment) and in Wickes 
(in readiness for demerger)

Business units continue to maintain a focus 
on managing the safety of their vehicle 
fleets. Many use external assurance 
accreditation schemes like FORS and the 
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency 
(“DVSA”) Earned Recognition scheme.

What’s next?
In 2020 the Group will maintain focus on 
reducing and managing key safety risks  
and will continue to externally benchmark 
performance and improvement activities.

The Group is committed to raising the bar 
on mental health awareness and businesses 
will progress with their defined 
improvement plans.

Having strengthened controls to address 
compact yellow plant safety, learnings will 
be shared externally in order to improve 
industry standards.

Case study:
External benchmarking
During 2019 the Group introduced a series 
of Safety Deep Dives to establish how 
effectively key safety risks are being 
managed. As part of the drive for continual 
improvement, practices were benchmarked 
with other leading organisations in different 
industry sectors. During the course of the 
year the business engaged with 12 other 
organisations including Network Rail, 
Siemens, DHL, Royal Mail and Ocado to 
explore ways to improve areas such as 
occupational road risk and safety in the 
final 25 yards of the delivery.

We have seen strong 
performance in 2019, 
outperforming previous years on 
the Group’s three main 
measures. Given the strategic 
changes taking place across the 
business this result is 
particularly pleasing and 
testament to the continuing 
commitment and passion of the 
Group Leadership Team and 
everyone in the business to keep 
people safe. From a governance 
perspective the newly 
introduced Safety Deep Dive 
programme is a particular 
highlight, mixing good quality 
safety assurance and external 
benchmarking to challenge 
continual improvement.

Pete Redfern
Chairman of Stay Safe Committee
Non-executive Director

Accident frequency rate

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

i
l
l
i

m

r
e
p
s
I
T
L

8.0

6.0

4.0

2.0

0.0

7.7

7.5

5.6

2017

2018

2019

Accident severity rate

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

r
e
p
s
y
a
d
k
r
o
w

t
s
o
L

0.125

0.100

0.075

0.050

0.025

0.000

0.11

0.11

0.08

2017

2018

2019

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

55

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportLTI frequency rate improved by25%Severity rate improved by27% 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Case study:
Asian Apprenticeships Award
At the 2019 Asian Apprenticeship Awards, presented at 
Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham, Travis Perkins plc 
won the Employer of The Year Award in the Retail, 
Hospitality & Tourism category. The award was won in 
recognition of work done to increase the Black and 
Minority Ethnicity (“BAME”) diversity of the Group’s 
apprenticeships. The same award scheme shortlisted 
Jogesh Jassi for the Apprentice award, after he started 
the Management Apprenticeship scheme at Benchmarx 
in Telford in 2016, where he is now an Assistant  
Branch Manager. 

The Asian Apprenticeship Awards aim to encourage 
more young British Asians to consider apprenticeships 
and more employers to provide opportunities to them. 
The Awards were launched in 2016 following the 
publication of a report by the then-business secretary 
Sajid Javid who set a target to increase BAME diversity of 
apprenticeships by 20%. Jogesh won the Travis Perkins 
Apprenticeship of the Year Award in 2018.

Sustainability overview continued

Development:
Apprenticeships
2019 objectives
• 

Invest in the leadership pipeline, optimising engagement with the 
Group’s industry-leading “Learn and Earn” Apprenticeship 
Programmes (“LEAP”).

2019 progress
Engagement with apprenticeship programmes continues to 
increase with 243 colleagues graduating during the year, 61% with 
distinction. The Group also gained recognition as “Asian Apprentice 
Employer of the Year”.
2019 improvements included:
•  The enrolment of 565 colleagues onto apprenticeship 

programmes, and an increase in the range of internally-delivered 
programmes

•  New partnerships with the Builders Merchant Federation (“BMF”) 
and the Building Services Research and Information Association 
(“BSRIA”) to support entry-level programmes

•  The development of a “Branch Counter to Boardroom” 

approach with accompanying internal qualifications ranging 
from certificate to master’s degree level

What’s next?
Develop new brand-specific, entry-level apprenticeships for each of 
the trade merchanting businesses applying the “Branch Counter to 
Boardroom” approach. A suite of apprenticeship programmes will 
be created to support the growth of the Toolstation business. 

For me the most enjoyable part of  
the scheme is working alongside  
other people in similar positions to  
me, helping me build new business  
relationships and work with people  
across other brands within the  
Travis Perkins Group.

Gemma Ridler 
Keyline Preston –  
Passed “Serving our Customers”  
Apprenticeship Level 2

Colleagues enrolled 
onto apprenticeship 
programmes

565

Graduates passing with 
“distinction” in 2019

61%

56

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Management and leadership development
2019 objectives
•  Design and launch a comprehensive development “curriculum” 
for all colleagues, managers and directors to enable them to 
deliver outstanding service to customers.

Talent and succession
2019 objectives
•  Create succession and retention plans for the most 

• 

senior positions within the Group. 
Invest in leadership pipelines creating strong and healthy 
internal talent pools.

2019 progress
The colleague, management and leadership agenda was agreed 
and scoped, taking into account feedback from branch managers, 
leadership teams and colleagues. 

A new “Winning Leaders” programme was launched, with a 
comprehensive two-year curriculum focused on cultural and 
leadership behaviours to drive sustainable learning. The suite of 
development opportunities is being tailored to different needs, 
beginning with leader development programmes such as “Coaching 
to Win” and “Winning People Decisions”. The first phase began 
during the year with three days’ training delivered to all  
regional leaders.

What’s next?
The full curriculum will be rolled out across Travis Perkins 
merchanting businesses over the course of 2020. This will include a 
further seven days training to all leaders and managers, as well as 
the launch of a comprehensive programme of learning for all 
colleagues in partnership with the Builders Merchants Federation 
focusing on core trading competencies. 

Tailored versions of this development suite will also be rolled out 
across the specialist merchanting businesses (BSS, CCF, Keyline 
and Benchmarx), as well as support functions. 

Phase two of the curriculum will be designed and piloted in the 
trade merchanting businesses. This will include the integration of the 
Group’s award-winning LEAP apprenticeship programmes, which 
will be rebranded as the “Travis Perkins, Counter to Boardroom” 
qualification suite.

It is great that Travis Perkins invest  
in people currently in the business  
and it is a great opportunity for me  
to develop my skills and progress  
in my career. 

Alan Mann 
Tool Hire Manager  
TP Pollokshaws Glasgow  
Passed “Managing a Team”  
Apprenticeship with a distinction

2019 progress
A refreshed talent and succession-planning process was 
defined and implemented across the Group. Future skills 
required for senior management and critical roles were 
identified in order to better deliver the strategy, adapt  
to changing market conditions and exceed the needs  
of customers.

Succession pipelines across all senior management and 
critical roles were reviewed and improved.

What’s next?
Ensure a well-balanced representation of backgrounds, 
nationalities, cultures, skills and experiences within 
succession pipelines and talent pools at all levels.

Continually improve the employee value proposition to 
offer a unique, competitive and compelling colleague 
experience to support the Group’s external talent 
attraction strategy.

62%

of senior leadership  
roles internally appointed 
in 2019.

Group awarded 

37promotions from  

senior leadership  
talent pool.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

57

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportSustainability overview continued

Reward and benefits
2019 objectives
Increase colleague awareness of the MyPerks benefits proposition and help colleagues to maximise the value they take from it.
• 
•  MyPerks benefits include, for example, life insurance, income protection and medical insurance; financial well-being support and 

education; colleague well-being hub; flexible benefits including an all-employee car scheme, cycle to work and childcare vouchers; a 
comprehensive range of voluntary benefits and discounts and employee recognition schemes.

2019 progress
A well-being hub was launched on the 
MyPerks employee benefits platform

Responding to colleague views in a financial 
well-being survey, a suite of savings products 
was launched on the well-being hub. 

Colleagues can also benefit from affordable 
loan products and financial education and 
guidance tools.

Leading-edge colleague communications 
were established to tailor the information 
sent to each colleague, highlighting  
relevant benefits.

A new rewards platform YourPerks was 
introduced for retired colleagues to provide 
an online community and continued access 
to discounts and savings

Assessment of rewards and benefits in the 
2019 engagement survey “You Talk, We 
Listen” increased by six percentage points.

What’s next?
• 

Increase the focus on colleague physical, 
emotional and financial well-being
•  Continue to improve and introduce 

benefits via MyPerks

•  Ensure bonus programmes deliver 

strategic benefit for the Group and allow 
colleagues to share in the Group’s 
success.

Group win award  
at the HR Brilliance 
Awards

Gold

“YourPerks” benefits 
platform won the  
“Most Innovative 
Benefits programme”  
Award at the 2019 
Engagement Excellence 
Awards

Case study:
Reward awards
The HR Brilliance Awards celebrate 
innovatively designed and superbly 
executed HR analytics strategies and 
how they can leverage business 
performance. 

The Award given to Travis Perkins 
recognises the Company’s focus on 
driving best practice through modern 
and innovative HR technologies. Travis 
Perkins won gold awards for Innovative 
use of Technology in HR and for being 
recognised as an Innovative Team of 
the year. 

The judges commended Travis Perkins’ 
work to improve processes around HR 
analytics and to place real and useful 
insights into the hands of stakeholders 
(using MySparx technology). 
Importantly, users are also now able to 
run their own reports and make 
decisions based on KPIs that matter.

Using a number of the methods 
recommended by Neyber and 
utilising every discount possible 
on MyPerks, I was able to clear 
all of my debt, finally get on the 
property ladder and more 
importantly learn how to budget 
so I’m not in a similar situation in 
the future.

Kirsty Lancaster
Transport Compliance Coordinator

58

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Diversity and inclusion
2019 objectives
•  During 2019, the Group’s key objective on diversity and 

inclusion was to continue to deliver improvements through 
the “Workforce with a Difference” programme.

Gender pay gap 
reduced to

10%

Increase in female  
branch managers

8%

2019 progress
In 2019, the business implemented 
recommendations for improving diversity 
that had been determined in the “Chief 
Executive Challenge” group. This group 
includes high-potential Regional Director-
level members. The recommendations 
included recruitment videos and new ways 
of describing and advertising roles.

The gender pay gap has reduced from 11% 
in 2018 to 10% in 2019 and seven out of 
nine businesses saw a reduction in the 
mean wage gap from 2018.

The gender diversity of branch managers 
improved with 8% more female branch 
managers in 2019 than in 2018.

We recognise that the overall percentage of 
women in senior management has been 
largely flat in the last 4 years. This is a focus 
area for the Group going forward.

What’s next?
In 2020, the Group will map the experience 
of current and future colleagues to identify 
focus areas to support the “Workforce with 
a Difference” programme.

A “Women’s Network” will be established to 
create an inclusive environment for all 
colleagues to sell the benefits of working for 
Travis Perkins and to attract talent and build 
more diverse teams.

Group head count

Men
21,526

Women
7,708

Ethnicity

= 29,234

  White British 
17,813
  Unknown 
8,613
  Non British 
1,629
  Non-White  
British 
1,179 

Women in senior management*

%
3
7.
1

%
7
8
1

.

%
4
9
1

.

%
6
8
1

.

2016

2017

2018

2019

* Senior management is defined as Directors and Managers 
(department heads).

Gender Diversity

Director
Manager
Colleague

Total

Central Services
Consumer
Plumbing & Heating
Trade Merchanting

Total

Female

4
66
7,638

%

Male

%

Total

15
21%
18%
292
26% 21,219

19
79%
82%
358
74% 28,857

7,708

26% 21,526

74% 29,234

Female

372
4,545
826
1,965

7,708

%

Male

%

Total

416
47%
7,491
38%
20%
3,215
16% 10,404

53%
788
62% 12,036
80%
4,041
84% 12,369

26% 21,526

74% 29,234

Apprenticeship programmes and local 
recruitment support will be aligned to this 
agenda to enable the business to attract 
and select from more diverse backgrounds.

Case study:
Armed Forces Gold 
After signing up to the Armed Forces 
Covenant in 2017, the Group was 
recognised in 2019 with a Defence 
Employer Recognition Scheme (“ERS’) Gold 
award for its work to support the Armed 
Forces following the recruitment of over 
600 service leavers across the Group  
since 2015. 

Travis Perkins sees this engagement as  
key to promoting diversity and tapping  
into a range of skills, such as teamwork, 
problem-solving, IT and many more. The 
respect for others, integrity, discipline and 
loyalty veterans have developed in the 
forces are also key values that match  
Travis Perkins’ own cornerstones. 

In addition to a well-established recruitment 
programme and CV and interview 
guidance for former forces personnel, Travis 
Perkins also works with a leading 
employment charity, The Poppy Factory, 
which supports wounded, injured and sick 
veterans into civilian work. This has in the 
past year resulted in five successful 
placements at Travis Perkins and BSS for 
wounded, injured and sick veterans, with a 
further 142 veterans hired across the Group 
in 2019. 

Flexible work patterns
Full time

Part time

23,695

5,539

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

59

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
Sustainability overview continued

Employee voice and engagement
2019 objectives
Primary objectives on employee voice and engagement in 2019 were:

• 
• 

to regularly report employee engagement to the Group Leadership Team and to the Board
to ensure colleague views on issues are sought via a variety of mechanisms. Examples include Managing 
Director listening groups, regional and business consultation forums and regular engagement surveys

These objectives reflect the Group’s ongoing commitment to stay tuned to the needs of colleagues. 

2019 progress
Board engagement with the workforce was 
strengthened through the formation of a 
“Colleague Voice Panel”. The Panel is made 
up of a designated Non-Executive Director 
and three members of the Group 
Leadership Team.

Colleague engagement surveys were 
conducted across 11 businesses and 
functions. The “You Talk, We Listen” 
colleague engagement survey scores 
improved across almost all businesses and 
functions, including an improvement of 8.9 
percentage points in the Travis Perkins 
engagement score. The improvement was 
largely driven by better communications 
and colleague empowerment in branches 
to focus on activities that mattered most to 
them, their branches and their customers.

Over 130 “Colleague Voice” listening forums 
were held where colleagues could express 
their views and contribute to decision-
making within the Group.

“Colleague Voice” 
listening forums held 

130

What’s next?
Continual assessment is a key priority and 
the Group will ensure colleague engagement 
surveys are undertaken for all businesses 
and functions every 12–18 months.

The “Colleague Voice” panel’s role is to listen 
to colleagues to understand how well the 
culture and values are embedded, the key 
issues that they are facing and the plans in 
place to address them..

The businesses will continue to offer a 
variety of “Colleague Voice” forums and 
two-way feedback opportunities, ensuring 
colleagues’ views and opinions are 
contributing to business decisions.

• 
• 

• 

Case study:
Improving colleague 
engagement
The Travis Perkins General Merchant 
colleague engagement score increased 
by nine percentage points to 62% 
engagement in 2019. To be classed as 
“engaged”, colleagues have to answer 
positively to four key questions: 
• 

I feel motivated to perform well in 
my job 
I am proud to work for this business 
I would recommend the business’s 
products and services 
I would recommend people to come 
and work here 

Colleague participation in the survey also 
increased by 4.4 percentage points, 
meaning more colleagues have had their 
say. This improvement was largely driven 
by better communications and through 
the empowerment of colleagues in 
branches to focus on value-adding 
activities that mattered most to them, 
their branches. 
and customers.

Our increased colleague 
engagement has really 
supported improvements to our 
service to the branch network. 
Attendance has improved 
dramatically, which makes 
operational planning easier and 
reduces the need for overtime. 
Increased training and 
development for our colleagues 
has resulted in a continuous 
improvement attitude and a 
willingness to suggest ideas that 
make the site ever more 
successful.

Percentage point 
improvement in Travis 
Perkins’ engagement score 

Guy Sambrook
General Manager
Brackmills Primary Distribution Hub

8.9

60

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Human rights and modern slavery
2019 objectives
In 2019 the Group committed to: 
•  revisit its supplier risk assessment process to ensure 
that mitigation efforts are applied most effectively 
•  set a KPI to measure performance in modern slavery 

due diligence

•  enhance its own-brand factory ethical audit approach.

2019 progress
The supplier risk assessment methodology was improved to 
take into account not only country risk (ie the Transparency 
International Corruption Perceptions Index and the Global 
Slavery Index) but also high-risk product and service 
categories (eg raw materials, cleaning services,  
freighting services).

A KPI has been established to track employee training on 
modern slavery from 2020. To date, employees in the most 
relevant roles such as commercial, QA and HR have 
completed an online training module on modern slavery. 

The Group began to accept internationally-recognised 
SMETA ethical audits from its own-brand factory sites. Work 
is ongoing to transition all own-brand factory sites onto a 
new ethical audit format (whether SMETA or the Group’s 
own format).

Additional modern slavery checks and requirements were 
put into place with labour agencies supporting the Group’s 
distribution centres.

What’s next?
In 2020, all suppliers will be assessed against the new risk 
assessment approach.

An improved training module on modern slavery will be 
launched and guidance will be available for all employees on 
spotting the red flags of modern slavery.

Work will continue to transition all own-brand factory sites to 
a new ethical audit format.

The Group will collaborate with its key customers to support 
their work in preventing modern slavery.

The protection of Human Rights and prevention 
of slavery, both within the business and its supply 
chain, is aligned with the Company’s core values. 
The Group’s Modern Slavery Statement can be 
found at www.travisperkinsplc.com, detailing due 
diligence undertaken in the year under review.

Megan Adlen
Head of Sustainability

Shareholder information

Legal compliance 
2019 objectives
•  The Group has well established policies and procedures 
governing regulatory compliance, eg Anti-Bribery and 
Corruption, Competition Law and Data Protection. These 
are underpinned by training, controls and a whistleblowing 
process to support its businesses and employees with 
legal compliance. 

•  The principal objective for 2019 was to recruit a Group 

Regulatory Risk Business Partner to proactively assist with  
the continued evolution of the control frameworks 
governing these areas.

2019 progress
Existing policies relating to legal compliance were re-
launched under the “Doing the Right Thing” brand. This 
achieved the principal aims of improving both awareness 
and accessibility of existing guidance material.

A Group Regulatory Risk Business Partner was appointed in  
Q4 2019.

Initial analysis on the regulatory control frameworks has 
commenced and is due to be finalised in 2020. 

During 2019, 24 incidents were raised via the Group 
whistleblowing line. These were primarily people-related 
issues and all reported concerns were managed in a  
timely manner.

What’s next?
A Regulatory Risk plan is under development to improve the 
maturity of processes and controls. This will be 
implemented in 2020 in order to:
• 

Improve Oversight – enhancing the information available 
to senior management
Improve Assurance – identifying and closing any gaps in 
the assurance framework
Improve Understanding – simplifying guidance and 
refreshing training to further embed the management of 
regulatory risk in the business.

• 

• 

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

61

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportSustainability overview continued

Responsible sourcing
2019 objectives
The Group has clear requirements for its suppliers (“Supplier Commitments”) and continues work to uphold them. This includes:
•  requiring centrally-managed product suppliers to complete an Online Risk Assessment (“ORA”) to demonstrate their compliance 

with the Supplier Commitments;

•  working with recognised independent auditors to assess own-brand factory sites against both technical and ethical criteria 
•  providing guidance to suppliers to support them in meeting Travis Perkins’ expectations
The Group remains committed to its corporate objective to buy only responsibly sourced timber.

Case study:
The Group was delighted to score the 
highest rating of “3 Trees” in WWF-UK’s 
2019 Timber Scorecard. This means Travis 
Perkins is performing well against its 
sustainable timber commitments and 
action. Find out more at  
www.wwf.org.uk/timberscorecard

Timber and timber products for resale (£)

100%

75%

50%

25%

0%

PEFC

18%

75%

21%

76%

97%

26%

71%

2018

2019

2013

FSC

Specific timber data points, marked with the 
’, have been assured against Lloyd’s 
logo ‘
Register verification procedures. For a link to 
the assurance statement see page 66.

2019 progress
In 2019 we appointed a Head of 
Sustainability who is working with the 
Quality Assurance teams in each of the 
businesses to bring consistency to supplier 
assessment approaches and tools.

The Group’s businesses began using 
separate technical and ethical audit formats 
to assess own-brand factory sites 
(previously one combined audit had been 
undertaken). This allows for a more 
comprehensive assessment of supplier 
operations, reducing the risk of human 
rights abuses in the supply chain.

An improved supplier risk assessment 
methodology was developed.

What’s next?
In 2020, the Group will assess all suppliers 
(whether product or service, for resale or 
not) against its new risk assessment 
approach.

The Online Risk Assessment tool will be 
improved and re-launched to suppliers 
based on their risk level.

The transition to separate technical and 
ethical audits for own-brand manufacturing 
sites will continue.

A Timber Roadmap will be developed to 
further increase the percentage of timber 
purchases from certified sources.

FSC or PEFC 
Certified Timber 
purchased  
in 2019

97%

As a major distributor of timber, 
the Group takes its responsibility 
to sourcing legal and sustainable 
timber very seriously. Besides 
being legally compliant, 97% of 
timber purchased in 2019 was 
certified. The Travis Perkins 
Group is also certified to FSC/
PEFC standards, allowing us  
to sell the timber on through 
Travis Perkins, Keyline and  
CCF branches with the full 
Chain of Custody.

Steve Ford
Group Timber Certification Manager

62

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Contributing to communities and charities
2019 objectives
•  Review the Group-wide payroll giving and lottery schemes  

and make them more accessible to colleagues.

•  Continue to support chosen charity and community partners 

through fundraising, donations and volunteering.

•  Continue to support Public Sector customers to meet their  

Social Value Act requirements.

£3.8m

raised for  
chosen charities

£100k

Generated by payroll  
and lottery schemes  
in 2019

Our partnership with Plumbing 
& Heating is remarkable. Thanks 
to the passion and commitment 
of everyone in the branches, 
offices and warehouse locations 
over the last seven years, 
together we’ve raised an 
incredible £2m. The continued 
and ongoing support means that 
we are ever closer to supporting 
every young person with cancer 
in the UK. On behalf of all of the 
young people we support, thank 
you Plumbing & Heating!

Jess Coombs
Head of High Value Fundraising
Teenage Cancer Trust

2019 progress
Group-wide schemes (payroll and lottery) 
continued and the businesses engaged with 
preferred charity partners to fundraise, 
volunteer and donate product and time.

What’s next?
In 2020, the Group’s approach to Social 
Value propositions and delivery will be 
reviewed to differentiate customer support 
and to improve positive impacts on society.

Charities supported by the businesses  
and funds raised in 2019 (to the nearest 
£’000) include:

The businesses will extend existing charity 
partnerships with Macmillan and Teenage 
Cancer Trust.

Product donations and outreach 
programmes will continue.

The Group’s approach to community and 
charity partnerships will be reviewed to 
optimise the value generated, align them 
with the business and best engage 
colleagues.

Macmillan Cancer Support (Travis 
Perkins & Benchmarx): £507,000 

Mind (BSS): £209,000

Alzheimer’s Society (CCF): £109,000 

The Teenage Cancer Trust (CPS, PTS): 
£386,000 

Whizz Kidz (Transport): £20,000

Prostate Cancer UK (Keyline): 
£180,000

Alzheimer’s Research UK (Wickes): 
£2,293,000

RNLI (Toolstation): £74,000

The payroll and lottery schemes generated 
£100k in 2019 to support the Group’s  
key charities.

The Group’s businesses continued to 
support Public Sector customers to meet 
Social Value Act requirements, driving 
economic, social and environmental 
benefits through publicly-funded projects.

Case study:
Living Livery Campaign 
Through its Living Livery campaign, which won the “Livery of the Year” Award in the 2019 
Motor Transport Awards,Travis Perkins has decked out a number of its trucks with livery 
representing Mind, Prostate Cancer and the Alzheimer’s Society, while educating its drivers 
to be ambassadors for these charities to raise awareness of key issues. As well as raising 
awareness of these issues to the general public, this campaign also targets key groups 
such as workers on the hundreds of construction sites it delivers to each day. 

Driver Richard Ellson, who drives 
CCF’s Alzheimer’s vehicle, has been 
overwhelmed with the amount of 
attention the vehicle attracts:  
“I’m approached by people sharing 
with me their own experiences and 
concerns. CCF has provided me with 
handout material from the charity, 
so that I can really help those people 
who need it. I feel I’m positively 
contributing towards such a great 
cause!” he said.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

63

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportSustainability overview continued

Carbon
2019 objectives
•  Continue progress toward the Group target to reduce scope 1 and scope 2 carbon emissions 

per £m deflated sales by 28% (from 2013 levels) by 2020.

•  Continue to invest in on-site generation for new builds and make internal investments in 

energy efficiency to support scope 2 carbon reductions.

•  Maintain the strong foundation in place with the dedicated environmental resources, Group 
Environmental Policy, ISO 14001 certification and mandatory training for all colleagues.

Carbon reduction  
per £m deflated sales 
since 2013

38%

2019 progress
The Group has achieved a 38% reduction 
in emissions per £m deflated sales since 
2013 (against a 28% target), surpassing its 
ambitious target one year early. New targets 
will be developed during 2020.

The roll-out of SMART Meters continued in 
order to monitor consumption and identify 
energy-saving opportunities. During 2019, 
LED lighting was installed at 84 sites. A 
monitoring and targeting system has been 
set up to track progress and prioritise sites 
for lighting upgrades. Another 52 sites are 
already in scope for upgrades. A new team 
member was appointed in 2019 to support 
the Group Energy Manager in delivering 
planned improvements.

A feasibility study was completed on the 
retrofit of heat pumps within the estate. This 
has led to a trial installation being planned.

Lighting and Heating “kill switches” were 
also assessed, resulting in a planned pilot of 
this technology.

On World Environment Day (5th June 
2019) the Group launched its “Environment 
Essentials” internal portal to enable all 
colleagues to access policies, procedures 
and guidance sheets and improve 
environmental performance.

What’s next?
In 2020, the Group will set a new long-term 
carbon reduction target, taking into account 
UK Government commitments to net-zero 
carbon. A detailed Carbon Roadmap will be 
developed to support achievement of the 
new target.

The planned LED replacements, heat pump 
trial and lighting and heating “kill switch” trial 
will be completed during the year.

Commercial vehicle manufacturers will be 
engaged to introduce commercial electric 
vehicles to the fleet. Electric Company cars 
will be added to the corporate fleet list for 
colleagues to select.

The fleet management system which was 
successfully deployed in the specialist 
merchanting brands will be rolled-out to the 
Travis Perkins brand in 2020 to monitor 
driver performance, help increase fuel 
efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

New environmental training packages will 
be launched for colleagues across a range 
of roles within the business.

Case study:
The installation of the 84 smart meters has 
allowed for improved understanding of 
where and how energy is being used across 
the estate. These smart meters will help to 
deliver 3.6mkWh savings to the business 
over a 12-month period. 

Tonnes of CO2e per £m deflated sales
21.11

l

s
e
a
s
d
e
t
a
fl
e
d
m
£
e
2
O
C

f
o
s
e
n
n
o
T

40

30

20

10

0

17.06

15.13

18.58

11.08

9.51

2013

2018

2019

Transport

Energy

2020 target

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

Scope 2
Indirect emissions from use of electricity

Intensity5
Tonnes of CO2e from scope 1 and 2 sources per £m of inflation 
adjusted sales

Carbon Dioxide Equivalent  
(CO2e) Tonnes
2019

2018

116,6894

131,284

38,736

45,672

24.64

28.14

Carbon data table1
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 20192 on 
an operational control basis. 94% of Scope 1 and 2 data is from measured sources3 with the remainder extrapolated from either 
expenditure on fuel or distance travelled. Specific data points in the carbon chart and the carbon data table, marked with the logo ‘
been assured against Lloyd’s Register verification procedures. For a link to the assurance report see page 66.

’, have 

1.  The numbers reported include data for companies where Travis Perkins plc has operational control.
2.  Fugitive emissions from domestic refrigeration, vehicles and building air conditioning are excluded as they are not material to the Group’s overall emissions.
3.  6% of data underpinning the 2019 carbon numbers is estimated due to supplier data provision issues.
4.  Scope 1 Co2e emissions include 21,249 tonnes from buildings and 95,441 tonnes from transport.
5.  Carbon intensity is reference to turnover, adjusted to allow for inflation, relative to baseline year. Adjusted sales figures use 2019 Office of National Statistics inflation data.

64

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder information

Waste
2019 objectives
•  Continue to strive for zero operational waste direct-to-landfill.

•  Revise and relaunch the successful “Waste Management Guide” to support branches in better managing and reducing waste.

•  For objectives on reducing product and packaging waste (particularly single-use plastic), see the next section on Sustainable 

Products and Packaging.

•  Maintain the core waste management programme, policies, systems and training.

2019 progress
In 2019, the Group introduced Biffa as its 
new waste services provider for wheelie bin 
collections. Biffa supports the Group’s waste 
reduction plans and zero waste to landfill 
aspiration. As a major influencer in the 
waste industry, Biffa is in a prime position to 
support Travis Perkins’ drive to encourage a 
more circular economy.

The backhaul of recyclable waste from 
branches to the distribution centres 
continued, enabling branches to return 
materials such as plastic, cardboard, wood 
and pallets. Over 6,500 tonnes of 
cardboard/paper and 1,796 tonnes of 
plastic were backhauled from branches in 
2019 and sent for recycling. This helped  
the Group to divert 94% of its waste  
from landfill.

Work continued with Recipro to donate 
surplus or unwanted products for reuse by 
community groups and educational centres.

Waste diverted  
from landfill

94%

What’s next?
In 2020, new targets will be set for waste 
reduction and a Waste Roadmap will detail 
the steps that the business will take to 
achieve its new targets.

Customer waste solutions already in place 
will be reviewed to ensure that customer 
expectations are continually met.

Travis Perkins will engage with relevant 
forums and industry partners to share best 
practices and to learn and develop shared 
solutions as the industry moves towards a 
more circular economy.

Case study:
During National Recycling Week (23– 
27 Sep 2019) the Group re-launched its 
revised “Waste Management Guide” to all 
branches. Posted out with a Kit Kat, yard 
supervisors were encouraged to “Take a 
Break”, read the guide, reduce waste and 
boost recycling. The guide helped achieve 
an 11% reduction in wheelie bin weights 
between October and November alongside 
an increase in backhauled recycling.

Tonnes of waste per £m of yard and  
core sales

l

s
e
a
s

f
o
m
£
r
e
p
e
t
s
a
w

f
o
s
e
n
n
o
T

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

10.1

8.3

6.1

1.5

0.6

0.5

2013

2018

2019

Diverted from landfill

Landfill

Specific data points in the waste chart and 
the “incidents” paragraph, marked with the 
logo ‘
’, have been assured against Lloyd’s 
Register verification procedures. For a link 
to the assurance report see page 66.

Reducing total waste volumes 
has been a key focus this year 
and the revised Waste 
Management Guide has really 
helped to raise awareness 
across the Group. In 2020  
we’re keen to explore the 
opportunities for circular 
economy solutions and continue 
our drive to eliminate waste 
from our activities.

James Vance
Group Head of Environment

Environment incidents 
In 2019 the Group recorded 29 environmental incidents with 13 classed as ‘reportable’ and 16 ‘non-reportable’. Of the 29, 13 were a result of  
“3rd party” sources (such as spillages from supplier or customer vehicles). Most incidents related to spillages such as hydraulic oil or paint.  
The other issues involve a seagull nuisance complaint, incorrect disposal of fridges from one site and a site drainage failure which resulted in a 
foul drain overflowing into a surface drain but which did not cause any pollution.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

65

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sustainability overview continued

Sustainable products and services
2019 objectives
•  Continue to support customers with tailored services, information and products to meet their changing 
needs. Whether net zero carbon, climate resilience, water management and flood resistance, improved 
materials or reduced packaging, there are many ways in which the Group can support its customers to 
deliver a more sustainable built environment.

•  Accelerate work to identify opportunities to reduce single-use plastic packaging and to influence 

suppliers to support improvements.

Case study:
The Energy Efficiency and Renewables 
team within the Plumbing & Heating 
business provide impartial advice, 
specifications and design services to the 
construction industry. Their vision is to 
make energy efficiency a staple part of any 
new build or retrofit project. 

An example project in 2019 was the 
provision of a complete support service to 
a social housing provider who wanted to 
install new heating and hot water systems 
at 16 social housing properties in Whitby. 
The team supported with funding advice, 
design, commission and installation of 
sustainable and energy-efficient air-source 
heat pumps. The skills and services offered 
by the team allows them to support 
customers in a variety of ways, saving them 
time, effort and cost.

2019 progress
In 2019, the Group began to work with 
housing association customers to 
understand and support their new 
commitments to net-zero carbon homes. 
Learnings from the Group’s own Carbon 
and Waste programmes are taken into 
account in developing customer services 
and relevant product ranges.

The Group’s businesses sell a wide range  
of products which support customers  
in delivering more sustainable  
construction projects.

The Supplier Commitments (which cover 
Waste & Efficiency) continued to be used 
with suppliers to influence reductions in 
unnecessary packaging and to seek more 
reusable solutions.

Commercial teams across the Group were 
engaged to collaborate on plastic packaging 
reduction programmes with key suppliers.

What’s next?
In 2020, the Group will”
•  continue to evolve product ranges and 

services to support customers to deliver 
against Government plans for Zero 
Carbon Homes. This includes improved 
information on business websites to 
more easily identify relevant products
•  engage with suppliers to reduce the 
amount of unnecessary packaging 
entering our supply chain, in particular 
single-use plastics 

•  set up an internal working group to 

ensure best practice is shared across our 
brands for wider implementation

•  develop its strategy and plans to optimise 

the solutions provided to customers.

A prominent trend affecting our 
customers’ decision-making is 
the desire to purchase 
sustainable products. To coincide 
with this we have introduced 
recycled glass worktops 
alongside recycling bins,waste 
disposal units and a flow 
restricted tap. We are already 
working with our suppliers to 
progress with new technologies 
that will enable our customers to 
reduce their negative impact on 
the environment.

Julia Trendell
Product Development Manager
Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery

Assurance
Specific data points in the Sustainability (or “Doing the Right Thing”) section, marked with the logo ‘
A copy of their Limited Assurance Statement is available at https://www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk/responsibility/environment.

’ have been verified by Lloyd’s Register.  

66

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Section 172 statement

Engaging with stakeholders
The success of our business is dependent on the support of all of 
our stakeholders. Building positive relationships with stakeholders 
that share our values is important to us, and working together 
towards shared goals assists us in delivering long-term  
sustainable success.

Our Group comprises a number of business units, all of which have 
extensive engagement with their own unique stakeholders as well 
as other businesses in the Group. The governance framework 
delegates authority for local decision-making at business unit level 
up to defined levels of cost and impact which allows the individual 
businesses to take account of the needs of their own stakeholders 
in their decision-making. 

The leadership teams of each business make decisions with a 
long-term view in mind and with the highest standards of conduct 
in line with Group policies. In order to fulfil their duties, the Directors 
of each business and the Group itself take care to have regard to 
the likely consequences on all stakeholders of the decisions and 
actions which they take. Where possible, decisions are carefully 
discussed with affected groups and are therefore fully understood 
and supported when taken.

Reports are regularly made to the Group Board by the business 
units about the strategy, performance and key decisions taken 
which provides the Board with assurance that proper consideration 
is given to stakeholder interests in decision-making.
At Group level, the Board is well informed about the views of 
stakeholders through the regular reporting on stakeholder views 
and it uses this information to assess the impact of decisions on 
each stakeholder group as part of its own decision-making process. 
Details of the Group’s key stakeholders and how we engage with 
them are set out below.

Shareholders
As owners of our Group we rely on the support of shareholders and 
their opinions are important to us. We have an open dialogue with 
our shareholders through one-to-one meetings, group meetings, 
webcasts and the Annual General Meeting. Discussions with 
shareholders cover a wide range of topics including financial 
performance, strategy, outlook, governance and ethical practices. 
Shareholder feedback along with details of movements in our 
shareholder base are regularly reported to and discussed by the 
Board and their views are considered as part of decision-making.

Colleagues
Our people are key to our success and we want them to be 
successful individually and as a team. There are many ways we 
engage with and listen to our people including colleague surveys, 
forums, listening groups, face-to-face briefings, internal communities, 
newsletters and through our anonymous colleague concern line. 
Key areas of focus include health and well-being, development 
opportunities, pay and benefits. Regular reports about what is 
important to our colleagues are made to the Board ensuring 
consideration is given to colleague needs. The newly formed 
“Colleague Voice Panel” will help in this regard.

Shareholder information

Customers
Our ambition is to deliver best-in-class service to trade customers. 
We build strong lasting relationships with our trade customers and 
spend considerable time with them to understand their needs and 
views and listen to how we can improve our offer and service for 
them. We use this knowledge to inform our decision-making, for 
example to tailor our proposition to suit customer demands, with 
fixed range/fixed price models for small trade customers, and more 
flexible access to a wider product range with volume-related 
discounting in the Merchant businesses.

Suppliers
We build strong relationships with our suppliers to develop mutually 
beneficial and lasting partnerships. Engagement with suppliers is 
primarily through a series of interactions and formal reviews and we 
also host regular conferences to bring suppliers and customers 
together to discuss shared goals and build relationships. Key areas 
of focus include innovation, product development, health and safety 
and sustainability. The Board recognises that relationships with 
suppliers are important to the Group’s long-term success and is 
briefed on supplier feedback and issues on a regular basis.

Communities
We engage with the communities in which we operate to build trust 
and understand the local issues that are important to them. Key 
areas of focus include how we can support local causes and issues, 
create opportunities to recruit and develop local people and help to 
look after the environment. We partner with local charities and 
organisations at a site level to raise awareness and funds. The key 
issues and themes across local communities are reported back to 
the Board. The impact of decisions on the environment both locally 
and nationally is considered with such considerations as the use of 
and disposal of plastic and how this might be minimised.

Government and regulators
We engage with the government and regulators through a range of 
industry consultations, forums, meetings and conferences to 
communicate our views to policy makers relevant to our business. 
Key areas of focus are compliance with laws and regulations, health 
and safety and product safety. The Board is updated on legal and 
regulatory developments and takes these into account when 
considering future actions.

Further information on the ways in which the Board engages with 
stakeholders is set out in the Governance Report on pages 75 to 79 
including the ways in which it plans to strengthen the employee 
voice at Board level and further information on environmental 
considerations can be found in the Sustainability Report on pages 
52 to 66.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

67

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportSection 172 statement continued

Decision-making in practice
One of the major decisions made by the Group this year was to demerge the Wickes business. In making this decision the Board 
considered the interests of and the impact on all stakeholders. To provide insight into the approach taken by the Board, a summary of 
stakeholder views and conclusions is set out below.

Stakeholder

Stakeholder views

Conclusions

Our shareholders want us to maximise 
returns in a responsible way and support 
our strategic aims to focus on advantaged 
trade businesses and to simplify the 
Group.

The demerger will create two separately listed and focused groups, 
each with separate boards and management teams and the 
autonomy to execute its own distinct strategy and allocate capital to 
its customer proposition and growth opportunities with a clear focus 
maximising the long-term success of both groups.

Shareholders

Colleagues

Our colleagues want to be kept informed 
of changes to the business and to be 
listened to in relation to changes which 
will affect them and their teams. They 
also want the business to provide security 
and opportunities to develop.

The Wickes business has historically operated relatively standalone 
with its own largely independent management team so the majority 
of colleagues will not be materially impacted by the demerger. 

Overall, the demerger will result in a small increase in roles. It has 
also created opportunities for colleagues to move between Wickes 
and the Group and both parties have fully supported colleague 
moves between them.

Views of colleagues across the Group affected by the demerger 
have been sought. This has resulted in action being taken to mitigate 
the impacts of the demerger and maximise opportunities resulting 
from it. For example, the Board intends to undertake a share 
consolidation immediately after the demerger to minimise the 
impact on colleague Share Schemes.

The propositions required for trade customers and consumers are 
different and there is minimal overlap between the Travis Perkins 
business and the Wickes business and their respective customer 
bases. The Group will focus on providing a best-in-class service to 
trade customers whereas Wickes has most experience and 
advantage in delivering on the consumer segments of Do-It-For-Me 
(“DIFM”), DIY and local trade customers.

Demerging into two separate groups, each with autonomy to execute 
its own distinct strategy with a clear focus, will allow each business  
to develop its own proposition tailored specifically for its own 
customer base.

The Wickes business has historically operated relatively standalone 
and has built its own strong relationships with suppliers. Suppliers 
unique to Wickes and those unique to the rest of the Group will not 
be impacted by the demerger. 

There are a number of shared suppliers across the Group, resulting 
in the need to separate contractual arrangements for the demerger. 
The Board agreed a programme of engagement, working with 
shared suppliers to agree separate contracts in an open and 
constructive way.

Customers

Our customers want propositions that 
work for them and for the business to 
operate in an ethical way.

Suppliers

Our suppliers want to understand the 
impact of the demerger on their 
relationships and contractual 
arrangements. They are mindful of the 
potential impact on their revenues and 
margins but also see an opportunity for 
future growth.

Communities

Our communities want our continued 
support with local causes and issues.

The work that both Wickes and the Group do in the community will 
not be affected as a result of the demerger.

Government and 
regulators

The government and regulators want us 
to operate in an ethical way and comply 
with laws and regulations.

The demerger will maximise the long-term success of Wickes and 
Travis Perkins which is in the public interest. 

The Group has appointed relevant expert advisers to ensure that all 
obligations relevant to Wickes and Travis Perkins in relation to the 
demerger are fulfilled.

68

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
Non-financial information statement

Shareholder information

The information below is intended to help users of these accounts understand our position on key non-financial matters and has been 
prepared in response to the reporting requirements contained in section 414C(7), 414CA and 414CB of the Companies Act 2006.

Reporting requirements

Principal risks

Policy embedding, outcomes and key performance indicators

Colleagues

Health and safety

Talent management

Business model
Key performance indicators – lost-time injury frequency rate
Safety and well-being
Apprenticeships
Management and leadership
Talent and succession
Reward and benefits
Diversity and inclusion
Employee voice and engagement
Chairman’s introduction – Engaging with stakeholders and the 
workforce
Directors’ remuneration report
Directors’ Report – Employees

Environment

Human rights, 
anti-bribery and 
anti-corruption

Social and 
community

Legal compliance

Business model
Carbon
Waste
Sustainable products and services 

Human rights and modern slavery
Legal compliance
Chairman’s introduction – Culture
Directors’ Report – Modern slavery

Business model
Contributing to charities and communities
Responsible sourcing

Link

Page 12
Page 21
Page 55
Page 56
Page 57
Page 57
Page 58
Page 59
Page 60
Page 75

Page 88
Page 117

Page 12
Page 64
Page 65
Page 66

Page 61
Page 61
Page 75
Page 117

Page 12
Page 63
Page 62

A description of the Group’s business model and how it creates sustainable value can be found on pages 12 to 13.

Most of the reporting on these topics and KPIs is contained in the Strategic Report under the sections Business Model, Doing the Right 
Thing and Statement of Principal Risks and Uncertainties or are incorporated into the Strategic Report by reference from the pages noted. 
The Group has appropriate policies and diligence procedures regarding all the non-financial information presented in this Annual Report.

Strategic Report approval
The Strategic Report on pages 3 to 69 was approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by:

Nick Roberts 
Chief Executive 
2 March 2020 

Alan Williams
Chief Financial Officer
2 March 2020

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

69

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
 
 
Governance & Remuneration

Getting it
right for everyone

Governance
72  Board of Directors
74  Chairman’s introduction
75  Corporate governance report
80  Nomination Committee report
82  Audit Committee report
88  Directors’ Remuneration report
92  Remuneration policy report
102  Annual remuneration report
116  Directors’ Report
119  Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

The right people

The right culture

The right focus

7070
70

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019
Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

71

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportBoard of Directors

Stuart Chambers
Non-executive Chairman
Nationality 
British
Appointment date
1 September 2017 (Non-executive Director)
7 November 2017 (Chairman)
Committee membership 

N

R

S

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 ten years with Shell and ten 
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.

Nick Roberts
Chief Executive
Nationality
British
Appointment date
1 July 2019
Committee membership
S

Skills and Experience 
Nick joined Travis Perkins from design, 
engineering and project management 
consultancy Atkins, where he was President. He 
has over 25 years of international consulting 
experience and is a passionate advocate for 
diversity and inclusion. A geologist by profession, 
Nick holds an MSc in Environmental Impact 
Assessment from Aberystwyth University and a 
BSc in Geology from the University of Reading. 
He is a Chartered Geologist, Fellow of the 
Geological Society and Honorary Fellow of the 
Institution of Civil Engineers. He is a Deputy 
Chair and Director of the Forces in Mind Trust in 
the UK.

Alan Williams
Chief Financial Officer
Nationality
British
Appointment date
3 January 2017
Committee membership
N/A
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 six years. Alan also previously worked at 
Cadbury plc in a variety of financial roles in  
the UK, France and the USA.

Committee membership key:

A

N

R

S

Audit 

Nominations

Remuneration 

Stay Safe

Chairman

Pete Redfern
Non-executive Director
Nationality
British
Appointment date
1 November 2014
Committee membership 

N

R

S

Ruth Anderson
Non-executive Director
Nationality 
British
Appointment date
24 October 2011
Committee membership

A

N

S

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 
Chairman of the Youth Adventure Trust and  
was a Trustee of the homelessness charity Crisis 
until 2019.

Skills and experience
Ruth is a Chartered Accountant and has 
extensive financial and taxation experience as 
well as strong boardroom and audit committee 
Chairman 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 The Royal 
Parks and was a Non-executive Director of 
Ocado Group plc from 2010 to 30 September 
2019 and of Coats Group plc from 2014 to May 
2018. Ruth was also a Trustee of the charity The 
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for ten years to 
31 March 2019. 

72

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Christopher Rogers
Senior Independent  
Non-executive Director
Nationality 
British
Appointment date
1 September 2013
Committee membership

A

N

R

Skills and experience
Christopher has extensive financial, operational 
and retail experience and expertise in corporate 
governance and strategic planning. Chris is 
currently a Non-executive Director of Vivo plc, 
Kerry Group and Walker Greenbank plc. He is 
also 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.

Coline McConville
Non-executive Director
Nationality 
Australian
Appointment date
1 February 2015
Committee membership 

John Rogers
Non-executive Director
Nationality 
British
Appointment date
1 November 2014
Committee membership

A

N

R

A

N

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, Fevertree 
Drinks plc and 3i Group plc and was formerly a 
Non-executive Director of Inchcape plc, UTV 
Media plc, Wembley National Stadium Limited, 
Shed Media plc and HBOS plc and a global 
adviser 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.

Skills and experience
John has extensive finance, strategy, digital online, 
property and retail experience. John has recently 
been appointed as Chief Financial Officer of 
WPP Plc and until October 2019 was Chief 
Executive Officer of Sainsbury’s Argos and a 
member of the J Sainsbury’s plc Board and 
Sainsbury’s Bank plc Board. Prior to his 
appointment as CEO of Sainsbury’s Argos, John 
was Chief Financial Officer of J Sainsbury plc for 
six years and during his career at Sainsbury’s he 
also held the posts of Property Director, Director 
of Group Finance and Director of Corporate 
Finance. Before joining Sainsbury’s, John held a 
variety of financial, operational and strategy roles.

Blair Illingworth
Non-executive Director
Nationality 
British
Appointment date
1 November 2019
Committee membership

Marianne Culver
Non-executive Director
Nationality 
British
Appointment date
1 November 2019
Committee membership

N

N

Skills and experience
Blair has extensive executive and board 
experience in the building products sector 
having been a Director of Marshalls plc, Chief 
Executive of Polypipe plc, and Chief Executive  
of Tarmac Building Products. His varied career 
includes military service as a commissioned 
officer in the Royal Marines and roles at the 
most senior level in public and private 
companies. He is Chief Executive and  
a Director of Stirling Industries plc.

Skills and experience
Marianne has extensive executive and board 
experience in the global distribution and logistics 
sectors. She has served as Chief, Global Supply 
Chain with Premier Farnell plc and as Chief 
Executive (UK & Ireland) of TNT. Marianne  
was latterly Global President of RS Components, 
the components trading and distribution division 
of Electrocomponents plc. Marianne’s 
Non-executive Directorship career to date has 
included membership of the Boards of Rexel SA 
(listed on Euronext Paris), The British Quality 
Foundation and EDS Corporation.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

73

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
Chairman’s introduction

I am pleased to present the Corporate 
Governance Report for the year ended  
31 December 2019.

We report this year against the Financial Reporting Council’s updated UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”). The Code places an explicit 
requirement on us, as Directors and as a Board, to consider the views of all 
of our stakeholders and the impact of our decisions on wider society. I am 
pleased to report compliance with the Code.

The Board receives regular briefings and updates on corporate governance 
at Board and Committee meetings and has processes in place to ensure 
compliance with applicable regulations and to meet the requirements of our 
shareholders.

Over the past year the Board has spent the majority of its time on the 
progress of the strategic decisions to “Focus on Trade” and “Simplify the 
Group” as announced at the Capital Markets Day in December 2018. Good 
governance has and will continue to be essential to the success of these 
plans to ensure the long-term sustainable success of the Group, generating 
value for shareholders and contributing to the communities in which  
we operate.

The coming year will prioritise the strategic plans for the trade merchanting 
business which will include a focus on empowering branch teams to win in 
their local markets.

74

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Stuart Chambers
Chairman
2 March 2020

There were a number of changes to the Board 
in 2019. In February, as a result of the changing 
shape and structure of the Group, the board 
level role of Chief Operating Officer was no 
longer required and Tony Buffin stepped down 
from the Board and left the business, having 
successfully led the transformation of the 
Plumbing & Heating division.

 In August we said goodbye to the outgoing 
CEO John Carter, whose 40 years of service to 
the business have had a significant impact on 
the growth and development of the Group. 
John left the business well placed to meet the 
demands of implementing our strategic plans.

We welcomed Nick Roberts as the incoming 
CEO in July and his leadership and contribution 
to the business have already proved beneficial 
at this time of significant change for the Group.

In addition, in November we appointed 
Marianne Culver and Blair Illingworth as 
Non-executive Directors.They bring a breadth of 
experience and expertise particularly in building 
products, distribution and logistics, from which 
we will surely benefit. 

On 3 March 2020 after nearly nine years with 
the Group, Ruth Anderson will be stepping 
down as Non-executive Director. Ruth has been 
invaluable in her role as a Non-executive but 
especially so in her role as Chairman of the 
Audit Committee for the past seven years. 

As announced by the Company in January 
2020, Chris Rogers has been appointed as 
Chairman Designate of Wickes and will be 
stepping down from the Board at the 2020 
AGM after six years as a Non-executive  
Director that included serving as Senior 
Independent Director. 

The Board was pleased to appoint Pete 
Redfern as “Colleague Voice” representative 
with a view to strengthening the consideration 
and representation of the views of all 
colleagues of the Group in decision-making. 
The Board and I look forward to further 
developing this link in the coming year. 

I look forward to meeting with shareholders on 
28 April 2020 at the Annual General Meeting 
and along with all members of the Board, I will 
be available to answer your questions at the 
meeting or at any other time.

Corporate governance report

UK Corporate Governance Code
Throughout the year ended 31 December 2019, the Company was 
in full compliance with the provisions set out in the July 2018 UK 
Corporate Governance Code issued by the Financial Reporting 
Council and available at www.frc.org.uk.

Leadership
Role of the Board
The Board is responsible for promoting the long-term sustainable 
success of the Company, generating value for shareholders and 
contributing to the wider society. It sets the overall Group Strategy, 
the tone and approach to corporate governance and considers the 
opportunities and risks to the future success of the business. The 
principal risks of the business are set out in more detail on pages 
40 to 51. The Board discusses strategic matters at every meeting 
and has an annual strategic off-site day to consider the Group’s 
strategic direction as a whole and the opportunities and risks faced 
by the Group. The Group’s Purpose, Strategy and Business Model 
are set out on pages 12 to 17.

The Board has a schedule of matters reserved to it which is 
reviewed annually. No changes were necessary in 2019. The 
schedule of matters reserved to the Board can be found on the 
Group’s corporate website at www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk.

In line with the Corporate Governance Code, the Board has a 
number of Committees through which it delegates certain 
responsibilities. There are four Committees: Audit, Nominations, 
Remuneration and Stay Safe. All Committees operate within 
defined terms of reference and these can be found on the Group’s 
corporate website. The minutes of all Committee meetings are 
made available to all Directors.

Culture
The Board strongly believes that it should, in addition to operating 
effectively, focus on the culture in our businesses. The Group builds 
its business upon five cornerstones which provide strong values and 
foundations for development in all activities. Further information on 
the cornerstones can be found on page 54.

The Board receives regular updates on cultural indicators to assist 
its understanding and oversight of the Group’s culture. These include 
the Colleague Voice Panel, the colleague engagement survey (“You 
Talk We Listen”), and a number of listening groups and colleague 
communities.

 Engaging with stakeholders and the workforce

Investors

Colleagues

Customers

Suppliers

Communities

Shareholder information

The Chairman met with various shareholders throughout the year 
to understand their views on governance and the Group’s 
performance against its agreed strategy. The Audit Committee 
Chairman engaged with the Financial Reporting Council in relation 
to the Group’s accounts whilst the Remuneration Committee 
Chairman engaged with shareholders in consultation and 
consideration of the plans to review the Remuneration Policy  
in 2020. 

The Executive Directors and investor relations team attended a 
large number of meetings with both institutional and private 
investors during 2019 and held two briefings on results. The investor 
relations team has an ongoing programme of engagement with 
shareholders and provides regular updates to the Board on the 
Shareholder Register and the views of shareholders. 
Feedback on these discussions is provided so that the entire Board 
has a clear understanding of the views of shareholders. The 
Chairman and the Senior Independent Director are always available 
throughout the year should shareholders wish to discuss matters 
with them.

The Board takes into account the views of its stakeholders when 
making decisions, liaising with various stakeholder groups 
throughout the year and particularly when strategic decisions are  
to be taken. Stakeholder groups such as analysts, investors, 
shareholders, customers, suppliers and colleagues were all engaged 
with in relation to the strategic direction of the Group, not only to 
communicate the future plans, but to gain feedback to inform the 
implementation and realisation of those plans. A statement on the 
ways in which the Group is meeting the Section 172 duty is 
described in the Strategic Report on page 67.

The Board has undertaken to highlight the Colleague Voice at 
Board level and Pete Redfern was appointed to the role of 
Colleague Voice Representative this year. Pete is engaging with 
colleagues through forums across the Group and commenced the 
feedback process to the Board in the latter part of the year. The 
Board looks forward to building and strengthening this link between 
colleagues and the Board, and using the outcome of the 
engagement to inform its decision-making going forward. 

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 last 
year’s meeting with an average of 96% votes in favour. In the event 
that a resolution at the Annual General Meeting results in 20% or 
more of votes cast against the Board’s recommendation, the Board 
would seek to take actions to consult with shareholders to 
understand the reasons behind their decision. No such result  
has occurred. 

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

75

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportCorporate governance report continued

Conflicts of interest and raising concerns
Declarations of any actual or potential conflicts of interest with items 
on the agenda are requested and made at the start of every Board 
and Committee meeting. 

Directors complete a questionnaire annually of potential or actual 
conflicts of interest and their activities throughout the year. Those 
potential conflicts are reviewed by the Board as a whole and if 
necessary, mitigating actions are taken and recorded on the 
Conflicts of Interest register. The impact of any relationships or 
involvements are considered carefully to ensure that they do not 
compromise or override the Directors’ ability to exercise 
independent judgement. 

Concerns in relation to the operation of the Board can be raised 
with the Chairman or the Senior Independent Director. No such 
concerns were raised during the year.

A Colleague Concern line is available for all staff should they need 
to raise an issue in confidence. A report is made at least annually to 
the Board to enable it to monitor the effective operation of this 
service and the investigation and resolution of the issues raised.

Division of responsibilities 
Chairman and Chief Executive
The Chairman leads the Board and ensures its effectiveness.  
The Chairman, Stuart Chambers, was independent on appointment 
as assessed against the circumstances set out in the Code.  
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 Chief Executive which is 
reviewed annually and is available on the Group’s corporate website.

Non-executive Directors
The Board ensures that at least half of its members are 
independent non-executives and annually reviews any relationships 
or circumstances which are likely to affect their judgement. None  
of the circumstances set out in the Code provision 10 apply and  
the Board is satisfied that all Non-executive Directors remain 
independent. 

The Senior Independent Director (“SID"), Christopher Rogers, acts as 
a sounding board for the Chairman and an intermediary for 
Directors and shareholders. The SID’s responsibilities are set out in 
writing and are available on the Group’s corporate website. The SID 
is available to shareholders should they wish to raise an issue 
through a different channel. The Non-executive Directors led by the 
Senior Independent Director meet without the Chairman present 
annually to discuss the Chairman’s performance and any other 
matters as required. 

The Non-executive Directors and Chairman meet regularly without 
the Executive Directors present to review the performance of the 
Executive Directors against agreed performance objectives.

Time commitment
When making new appointments to the Board the competing 
demands on candidates’ time is considered carefully. Candidates 
are required to disclose any significant commitments along with an 
indication of the time involved prior to appointment. Each Non-
executive Director’s letter of appointment sets out the time 
commitment expected of them and these letters will be available 
for inspection at the Annual General Meeting.

The Board considers on an annual basis the time commitments of 
each Director and it is satisfied that all Directors continue to have 
sufficient time available to fulfil their duties. Any new external 
appointments during the year are given careful consideration, taking 
into account the number and scale of each Director’s other 
commitments before approval is given and recorded. There was 
only one such consideration regarding John Rogers’ new position as 
Chief Financial Officer at WPP plc commencing in January 2020 
which was approved at the Board meeting in December 2019. 

The Company allows Executive Directors to hold no more than one 
external Non-executive Directorship with a listed entity.

So far as is practicable the Company liaises with the Non-executive 
Directors to ensure the schedule of meetings for the year does not 
clash with external appointments. Directors are able to attend 
meetings by video link or telephone conferencing if there is an issue 
with location or travel. 

Board and Committee meetings 
The Board held seven scheduled meetings in 2019. Regular items 
on the agenda included detailed updates on health and safety, 
progress against strategic objectives, financial position and 
performance against KPIs, and strategic reviews of business units 
and divisions. Other areas of consideration included funding, capital 
expenditure, investor feedback, risk and governance.

During the year the Board made a number of operational site visits 
and held an off-site strategy meeting. The agenda for meetings is 
agreed by the Chairman in conjunction with the Chief Executive and 
the General Counsel & Company Secretary. Agendas are based on 
an annual plan and incorporate topical items and matters of 
particular concern or interest to the Board.

Key financial and other relevant information is circulated to the 
Board outside of the scheduled meetings and is monitored by the 
Chairman to ensure that it is sufficient, timely and clear. 

The Chairman meets regularly with Board members between 
Board meetings and ensures that they are kept informed of 
material developments. At meetings the Chairman encourages 
debate and equal contribution from each Board member within a 
transparent and constructive atmosphere.

76

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

The number of Board and Committee meetings attended by each Director during the year is set out below.

Shareholder information

Number of meetings

Attendance:
R Anderson
A Buffin1
J Carter2
S Chambers
M Culver3
B Illingworth3
C McConville
P Redfern
N Roberts4
C Rogers
J Rogers
A Williams 

PLC Board

Audit Committee

Nominations 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Stay Safe Committee

Overall attendance 
(%)

7

7/7
1/1
5/5
7/7
1/1
1/1
7/7
7/7
3/3
7/7
7/7
7/7

6

6/6
–
–
–
–
–
6/6
–
–
6/6
6/6
–

6

6/6
–
–
6/6
–
–
6/6
6/6
–
6/6
6/6
–

6

–
–
–
6/6
–
–
6/6
6/6
–
6/6
–
–

3

3/3
–
2/2
3/3
–
–
–
3/3
1/1
–
–
–

100%

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

1  A. Buffin stepped down from the Board with effect from 26 February 2019.
2 
J. Carter stepped down from the Board with effect from 5 August 2019.
3  B. Illingworth and M. Culver joined the Board with effect from 1 November 2019.
4  N. Roberts joined the Board with effect from 1 July 2019.

All Directors had full attendance at Board and Committee meetings 
(noting that as indicated above, where Directors joined or stepped 
down during the year, they attended all required meetings for the 
period for which they served). The average attendance for the 
Board and Committees combined was 100%. 

Composition, succession and evaluation
Board composition
As at 31 December 2019 the Board comprised eight Non-executive 
Directors and two Executive Directors. The biographies of the Board 
are listed on pages 72 to 73. 

Group leadership team
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 CEO. The CEO has established and 
chairs the Group Leadership Team which comprises key business 
and functional leaders.

As announced by the Company in November 2019, Ruth Anderson 
will step down from her role as Non-executive Director with effect 
from 3 March 2020. Marianne Culver and Blair Illingworth joined as 
Non-executive Directors with effect from 1 November 2019. The 
Company announced in January 2020 that Chris Rogers had been 
appointed to the role of Chairman Designate at Wickes.

Other colleagues are invited to attend Group Leadership Team 
meetings from time to time in relation to specific matters. The main 
purpose of the Group Leadership Team is to assist the Executive 
Directors in the performance of their duties, particularly in relation to 
the development and implementation of strategy, operational plans, 
policies, procedures and budgets; the monitoring of operational and 
financial performance; the assessment of control of risk; and the 
prioritisation and allocation of resources.

Provision of information and support
All Directors have direct access to the General Counsel & Company 
Secretary who is responsible for advising the Board on all 
governance matters. Directors may also seek independent 
professional advice at the Company’s expense in the furtherance of 
their duties as required.

The Company further announced in February 2020 that on 
3 March 2020 Chris Rogers would step down from the Audit and 
Remuneration Committees, Pete Redfern would join the Audit 
Committee, Blair Illingworth would join the Stay Safe Committee 
and Marianne Culver would join the Remuneration Committee.

Appointments
Appointments of new Directors are made by the Board on the 
recommendation of the Nominations Committee. The Nominations 
Committee has undertaken a rigorous and comprehensive 
selection process for the Non-executive Directors with the 
assistance of Russell Reynolds Associates. Russell Reynolds 
Associates have no other connection to the Company or individual 
Directors save for any previous selection processes for which they 
have been engaged. The Nominations Committee’s responsibilities 
and a description of its work can be found in the Nominations 
Committee Report on pages 80 to 81.

Re-election of Directors
All Directors are considered to be eligible, on the basis of 
performance and contribution to the long-term sustainable  
success of the Company, to submit themselves for re-election  
at the 2020 Annual General Meeting. Marianne Culver and Blair 
Illingworth will be put forward for election. Chris Rogers is not 
seeking re-election and will have stepped down from the Board by 
the date of the meeting. 

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

77

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportCorporate governance report continued

Tenure

8yrs
2mths

6yrs
4mths
5yrs
2mths
4yrs
11mths

5yrs
2mths

 R Anderson  8 years 2 months

 M Culver 

2 months

 C McConville  4 years 11 months

 S Chambers  2 years 4 months

 P Redfern 

5 years 2 months

 B Illingworth  2 months

 C Rogers 

6 years 4 months

 N Roberts 

6 months

 J Rogers 

5 years 2 months

 A Williams 

3 years

Gender balance
As at 31 December 2019

Board

30%

70%

  Executives

  Non-executives inc. Chairman

  Female

  Male

Board effectiveness review
The Board Evaluation process undertaken this year focused on  
the progress made since the thorough external review in 2018  
and new opportunities to improve the Board’s effectiveness.  
The annual evaluation of the Board’s performance is an opportunity 
to identify efficiencies, maximise strengths and highlight areas for 
further development.

Following the evaluation in 2018 a number of key areas of focus 
were agreed by the Board:

Focus area

Actions 

Review Board and Committee 
responsibilities, composition and 
diversity

•  Deeper mapping of existing 

skills against future  
business needs

•  Planning for Non-executive 

Director refreshment
•  Review of Committee 

structures and responsibilities

Build on the progress made  
with strategy

• 

Increasing the proportion  
of Board time focused on  
core brands, stakeholders  
and culture

Succession planning

•  Broadening of talent 

Board engagement with the 
business

programmes to include more 
diversity initiatives

•  Review of stakeholder 
engagement processes

•  Planning operational  
visits around updated  
strategic priorities

78

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

The results showed significant improvement in three of the four 
focus areas, particularly in the Board’s clarity and alignment with the 
strategy and strategic issues, with significantly more time spent on 
this and emerging issues. 

The areas identified for more of the Board’s focus in 2020  
are as follows:
•  Company culture
•  People strategy and development
•  Trade Merchanting strategy
•  Key Performance Indicators for Trade Merchanting  

and Toolstation
IT strategy and project execution oversight

• 
An action plan will be agreed by the Board to ensure progress is 
made against these five focus areas in 2020.

The SID undertook an evaluation of the Chairman’s performance 
with input from the Executive and Non-executive Directors and the 
Non-executives reviewed the performance of the Chief Executive 
and Chief Financial Officer.

The Board concluded that each Director brings considerable 
expertise and exposure to Board discussions and the Board is 
satisfied that each Director continues to contribute effectively to 
Board debate and guide and challenge management’s strategic 
plans and their implementation.

Statement by the Board
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 34 to 39. 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 119.

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 risk  
and uncertainties outlined on pages 40 to 51 during periods  
of uncertain economic outlook and challenging  
macroeconomic conditions

 
Shareholder information

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 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 
Audit Committee Chairman on that Committee’s meeting to review 
the preparation and content of the year-end financial statements 
and the audit conducted upon them reviewing 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 
under the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities on page 119.

Audit, risk and control
The Board has established an Audit Committee comprising four 
independent Non-executive Directors. The Audit Committee’s 
responsibilities and a description of its work is set out in the Audit 
Committee Report on pages 82 to 87.

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 Group Leadership Team 
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 the Group Leadership Team 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 Group 
Leadership Team 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 39, the Board considered the principal risks and uncertainties 
and mitigating factors set out on pages 40 to 51. 

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 to the 
date of approval of this Annual Report, and concluded that they are 
effective.

Remuneration
The Board has established a Remuneration Committee comprising 
three independent Non-executive Directors and the Chairman of 
the Board. The Remuneration Committee’s responsibilities and a 
description of its work is set out in the Remuneration Committee 
Report on pages 88 to 115.

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

Stuart Chambers
Chairman
2 March 2020

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

79

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNominations Committee report

Activities in 2019

The principal activities 
undertaken by the 
Committee during the  
year were:
 – Concluding the CEO 
succession process

 – Succession planning and 
subsequent appointment 
of two new Non-executive 
Directors

Number  
of meetings  
during 2019

6

Overall attendance

100%

80

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Stuart Chambers
Chairman
2 March 2020

Dear Shareholder,

As Chairman of the 
Nominations Committee, I am 
pleased to present the 
Nominations Committee’s 
Report for the year ended  
31 December 2019. 

The Committee had a particularly busy year 
with the successful onboarding of the new 
CEO and two new Non-executive Director 
appointments to the Board. 

Part of the Committee’s role is to guide the 
Board in the assessment of the appropriate 
balance of skills and experience on the Board. 
The Committee plays a pivotal role in ensuring 
a diverse pipeline of talent to serve robust 
succession planning. It reviews and monitors 
the skills, knowledge and experience of current 
board members via a skills’ matrix, in order to 
assess potential gaps in expertise which may 
exist or arise in the future. A summary of the 
skills of serving Board members can be found 
in the biographies on pages 72 to 73.

With the strategic focus on trade merchanting 
and the departure of the previous CEO (who 
had extensive merchanting experience), the 
Committee felt that it was imperative that this 
expertise was identified in the search for new 
Non-executive Directors. Both Blair Illingworth 
and Marianne Culver bring with them extensive 
executive and board experience in the building 
products sector and the global distribution and 
logistics sectors respectively. 

The Committee will continue to review the 
composition of the Board, its Committees and 
the Group’s long-term succession planning at 
Board and executive level in order to support the 
implementation of the Group’s strategic plans.

Committee membership
The Committee comprises all the Non-executive Directors (see 
biographies on pages 72 to 73), demonstrating the importance of 
its role. The Chairman of the Committee is Stuart Chambers, the 
Chairman of the Board, who does not Chair the Committee when 
the matter of his own succession is being discussed. Directors, other 
employees of the Company and external advisers are invited to 
attend meetings when appropriate.

The Committee held six formal meetings during the year and 
details on attendance can be found on page 77.

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 plans 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 can be found on the Group’s corporate website  
www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk

Activities in 2019
The principal activities undertaken by the Committee during the 
year were:
•  Execution of the CEO succession process
•  Succession planning and subsequent appointment of two new 

Non-executive Directors

Number of meetings

Attendance:
R Anderson
C McConville
C Rogers
J Rogers

Nominations 
Committee

Overall  
attendance (%)

6

6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6

100%

100%
100%
100%
100%

Focus for 2020
The Committee will focus on the continual review and refresh of 
the Board and its Committees to ensure that it remains diverse in its 
thinking and operation, and effective in its role. 

Shareholder information

Process for appointments
Through a rigorous selection process, appointments to the Board 
are made on merit and against an agreed set of specific and 
objective criteria. The Committee oversees this process on behalf of 
the Board, and advises the Board on the identification, assessment 
and selection of candidates.

  The appointment process includes:

1. Agreeing the key skills, attributes and business experience 

required for the role

2. Preparing a role description

3. Engaging independent recruitment consultants

4. Conducting a market search via the recruitment consultant

5. Preparing a “long list” of candidates, taking into

account diversity considerations and the Committee’s
review of the composition and skill sets of the Board

6. Selecting a shortlist of candidates which meet the 

Committee’s criteria

7. A selection of Board members interviewing those 

candidates

8. Candidate assessments

9.

Interview with the remaining Board members

10. Taking up detailed references

In addition to relevant background information on the work of the 
Board and the business to date, appointees are provided with a 
programme of induction meetings and visits with key personnel and 
to key areas of the businesses within the Group. 

Board diversity
The Committee has noted the latest Hampton–Alexander Review 
and continues to believe that for the promotion of a healthy culture, 
different perspectives and a good balance between challenge and 
support are imperative and minimise the risk of “group thinking”.

With that in mind, the selection process for appointments to the 
Board takes into account diversity including gender diversity as well as 
focusing on the necessary skills and attributes required for the role. 
The Group believes that diversity should be considered broadly and 
not just be focused on one element such as gender and the Group 
therefore does not believe it is appropriate to set targets in this area. 

The progress made under the “Workforce with a difference” 
programme has been encouraging with a reduction in the gender 
pay gap and more women in senior roles throughout the business. 
As at 31 December 2019 the Board had three female Board 
Directors (30%) and one woman on its Group Leadership Team 
(11%). Further details of the Group’s workforce diversity are set out in 
the Sustainability section on page 59. 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
2 March 2020

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

81

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAudit Committee report

2019 focus areas

 – Corporate 

simplification activities 

 – ERP project financial 
reporting judgements

 – Internal audit and risk 
management progress

 – Implementation of 
IFRS 16 – Leases

Number  
of meetings  
during 2019

6

Overall attendance

100%

82

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Ruth Anderson
Chairman, Audit Committee
2 March 2020

Dear Shareholder,

I am pleased to present the 
Audit Committee’s Report for 
the year ended 31 December 
2019. The report sets out the 
Committee’s work in relation to 
financial reporting, internal 
audit and risk management 
and oversight of the external 
audit process.

The Committee has reviewed financial reporting 
judgements and monitored internal controls and 
management of risk associated with the activities 
undertaken to “simplify the Group” and “focus on 
the trade”. This has included financial reporting 
judgements relating to the sale of the Plumbing & 
Heating wholesale business, the planned 
demerger of Wickes, the Plumbing & Heating 
separation and sale process and the closure  
of Built.

The challenges in the Group’s ERP project and the 
significant impairment recognised in June 2019 
were a particular area of focus, with the 
Committee reviewing the associated financial 
reporting judgements throughout the year.

During the year the Committee has monitored 
the execution of the internal audit and risk 
management process plans, against which 
notable progress has been made. The 2020 
plans were approved by the Committee and 
aim to build on this. 

This year has also seen the implementation of the 
new accounting standard IFRS 16 – Leases, 
which is significant for the Group because of the 
large number of leases it holds. The Committee 
monitored progress in implementing this new 
standard and the judgements made in doing so. 

On 3 March 2020 I will be stepping down as 
Non-executive Director after nearly nine years 
on the Board. John Rogers, who has been 
appointed as Chairman of the Committee with 
effect from 3 March 2020 and who has been 
a member of the Committee for five years, will 
be available at the Annual General Meeting to 
answer any questions about the work of the 
Committee.

 
Shareholder information

Committee membership and attendance
The Committee comprised Ruth Anderson as Chairman of the 
Committee, Coline McConville, Christopher Rogers and John Rogers 
throughout 2019.

Ruth Anderson will step down from the Board and her role as Audit 
Committee Chairman in March 2020 and John Rogers will 
become Chairman of the Committee. Christopher Rogers will step 
down from the Committee in March 2020.

All members are independent Non-executive Directors. Three of the 
members have recent and relevant financial experience and all 
members have competencies 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 72 to 73.)

Work of the Committee
The Committee functions around an annual work plan.This work 
plan is regularly reviewed by the Committee to ensure that it 
continues to include all matters for which consideration must be 
given in order to meet the Committee’s corporate governance 
responsibilities.

The Committee duly considers the content of the Annual Report 
and Accounts, the 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.

The Deputy Company Secretary was Secretary to the Committee 
throughout 2019.

In addition, during the year, the Committee reviewed:
•  The Group’s systems of controls, the effectiveness of controls 

and management’s continuing controls improvement 
programme

•  The controls framework for new IT systems under development 

and accounting for the Group’s ERP project

•  Management’s approach to the implementation of IFRS 16 – 
Leases, which was reported on for the first time in 2019

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

the risk management framework

•  Progress reports on information security initiatives and other 
security matters reported by the Group’s security function

•  The external audit plan and findings
•  The internal audit plan and strategy for the development of 

internal audit activities

•  The effectiveness and independence of internal audit and the 

external auditors

In addition to the above specific matters, the Committee considered 
at each of its meetings a number of standing agenda items:
• 
•  Progress on implementing recommendations arising from 

Internal Audit reports

internal and external audit work

•  Non-audit fees

The Committee places reliance on regular reports from 
management, internal audit and the external auditors in order to 
carry out the activities set out above. The Committee is satisfied 
that it received sufficient, timely and reliable information to enable it 
to fulfil its responsibilities during the year.

At each meeting of the Committee, an opportunity is provided for 
the Committee to meet with the internal and external auditors 
without management present.

The Board is updated on key matters and recommendations 
following each Audit Committee meeting. 

The Committee held six formal meetings during 2019. Attendance 
is set out below. 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.  
The Committee held separate meetings with the Director of Internal 
Audit and external auditors without the presence of management 
and held separate meetings with management without the  
external auditors.

In addition to attending Committee meetings, the Committee 
Chairman met with operational and finance team members during 
the year.

Committee attendance

Number of meetings

Attendance:
R Anderson
C McConville
C Rogers
J Rogers

Audit Committee

Overall attendance 
(%)

6

6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6

100%

100%
100%
100%
100%

Role of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight 
responsibilities. The main roles and responsibilities of the 
Committee include:
•  To monitor the integrity of the financial statements of the 
Company and any formal announcements relating to the 
Company’s financial performance and to review significant 
financial reporting judgements contained within them

•  To review the effectiveness of the Company’s internal financial 
controls and internal control and risk management systems
•  To monitor and review the effectiveness of the Company’s 

internal audit function

•  To maintain an appropriate relationship with the Company’s 

external auditors and to review and monitor their independence, 
objectivity and effectiveness, taking into account relevant UK 
professional and regulatory requirements. 

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

83

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAudit Committee report continued

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 below sets out the key judgement areas associated with the Group’s financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019 
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 122 to 130 and had the 
opportunity to discuss it with them in depth.

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.

Inventory should be included in the balance sheet 
at the lower of cost or net realisable value. At 
31 December 2019 stock was valued at £938m.

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 accruals for goods received  
not invoiced.

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

The terms of supplier agreements result in a 
significant value of supplier income being received 
by the Group. The calculation of the amount that is 
receivable and the value deferred into stock is 
complicated due to the number, nature and 
structure of the agreements in place.

However, only two agreements are not 
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.

84

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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

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 notes to the 
financial statements (note 11 – inventories and 
note 12 – supplier income).

During the year the Committee received reports 
that enabled it to monitor supplier income 
collection rates and compare them with the prior 
year and it discussed the Group’s adherence to its 
accounting policies and procedures.

A summary of supplier income received during  
the year and amounts included in the balance 
sheet at 31 December 2019 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 £428m of supplier income 
included in debtors or offset against creditors was 
recoverable and that the amount set against the 
gross carrying value of inventory was appropriate.

Further information is given in the notes to the 
financial statements (note 12 – supplier income).

Area

Issue and nature of judgement

Factors considered and conclusions reached

Shareholder information

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

The Group balance sheet contains £1,697m of 
goodwill and other intangible assets and £882m 
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 
£3,589m of investments. 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.

Accounting for the Group’s 
ERP project

The Group announced a delay to its ERP 
programme in December 2018 and this project 
continued to face significant challenges in 2019. In 
this context, the Directors were required to consider 
whether it remained appropriate to continue to 
recognise an asset in respect of the development 
spend on this programme. 

The accounting for cloud-based intangible assets is 
a complex and developing area, with accounting 
practice and guidance continuing to evolve.

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 all material cash-generating 
units had significant headroom and concluded that 
there were no impairments.

The Committee considered advice received on the 
implications of the planned demerger of the Wickes 
business for the carrying value of goodwill and 
discussed this with management and the auditors. It 
concluded that the use of a value-in-use model was 
appropriate for the 31 December 2019 impairment 
review and that the disclosures in the Annual Report 
and Accounts on the possible accounting impact of 
the planned demerger in 2020 were suitable.

Further information is given in the financial 
statements (note 8 – goodwill and other intangible 
assets and note 29 – impairment)

During the year management regularly reported on 
the accounting judgements made in relation to this 
project and the associated accounting and legal 
advice received. The Committee assessed the 
judgements made by management and concluded 
from the information it had received and its 
discussions with management and the external 
auditors that the impairment recognised in June 
2019 was appropriate.

The Committee reviewed the disclosures proposed 
by management for the Group’s interim financial 
statements and Annual Report and Accounts and, 
having considered legal advice received by 
management on these disclosures, concurred with 
management’s judgements.

Further information is given in the notes to the 
financial statements (note 3 – adjusting items and 
note 8 – goodwill and other intangible assets).

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

85

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAudit Committee report continued

Internal audit
Activities to deliver the new strategy for internal audit developed in 
2018 have been delivered in 2019, with progress reported at each 
Committee meeting. Areas of focus include initiatives to ensure 
conformance with professional standards and improved alignment 
of activities to business risks and priorities. The focus for 2020 will 
be to make greater use of data and technology in audit delivery. 
Internal audits continue to be delivered by the in-house team, 
supported by co-source partners that are used to bring specialist 
knowledge and skills to audits in areas such as IT and data 
protection.

Alongside its development activities, internal audit executed an 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’s 
evaluation of risk against a comprehensive audit universe for the 
Group. The Group Leadership Team and other key stakeholders in 
the business are consulted to ensure that developments and key 
priorities for management have been considered. Audit activities 
and progress against the agreed audit plan are reviewed at each 
Committee meeting and updated as business priorities and  
risks change. 

The 2019 audit plan covered a broad range of operational, legal, 
regulatory, IT and transformation activities, as well as a continued 
focus on reviewing financial controls in areas considered higher risk. 
Core financial control areas are audited regularly. This includes 
annual reviews of balance sheet control accounts and of 
statements by the Group’s businesses on their compliance with key 
internal financial controls.

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 a 
system that tracks activity on all active recommendations by age 
and level of risk to the business. 

During the year the Committee reviewed the effectiveness of the 
internal audit function both in relation to delivery against its plans 
and against recognised attributes of a high-performing function. 
Based on the progress made, the Committee was satisfied with the 
overall effectiveness of the internal audit function in 2019. 

Risk management and internal controls
Details of risks faced by the Group are maintained in Group or 
business risk registers. Risks are managed at a Group level or within 
the businesses on an ongoing basis. These risks are regularly 
collated and reviewed by the Group Leadership Team 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 
continued to be refined during 2019 and this will continue in 2020. 

An updated risk methodology and supporting tools have been 
developed and successfully trialled. This will be rolled out across the 
Group in 2020. There has been a particular focus in 2019 on risks 
in relation to IT and the development of a risk capture and reporting 
process that management can use for active management of risks 
in areas of ongoing change. This has been used to inform the 
internal audit plan for IT in 2020 . 

86

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Significant time was spent in 2019 considering the risks associated 
with Britain’s exit from the European Union, with regular updates to 
the Board and Group Leadership Team to help assess the potential 
impacts and the steps taken by the Group. This will continue to be 
assessed through the transition period in 2020.

The principal risks and uncertainties are set out on pages 40 to 51, 
together with information on how those risks are mitigated and how 
emerging risks are assessed. 

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, concluding that they are effective. 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.

Management has continued its programme of work to improve the 
control environment, which has developed over many years. There 
are a number of system replacements under consideration that will 
enhance and improve the Group’s control framework and lead to 
greater consistency and automation of controls. The Audit 
Committee will monitor progress through the year and reviewing 
the system transformation programmes will remain 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. The Company will re-tender the external audit in 
accordance with the timescales set out in the Financial Reporting 
Council’s guidance.

Audit scope and effectiveness
The scope of the external audit of the 2019 Annual Report and 
Accounts was presented by the external auditor to the Committee 
in September 2019 so the Committee could discuss and challenge 
the audit plan and understand 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

Shareholder information

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 4 to the accounts, during the year the auditors 
were paid £1,100,000 (2018: £920,000) for audit-related work and 
£616,000 (2018: £133,000) for non-audit work. Non-audit work 
related to the review of the Group’s interim financial statements, the 
maintenance of the Group’s employee benefits system and the 
Wickes demerger. The total fees paid by the Group to KPMG LLP in 
2019 amount to less than 0.08% of KPMG’s UK fee income. In 
addition, £7.3m (2018: £3.7m) of fees were paid to other 
accounting firms for non-audit work, principally consulting services 
related to the ongoing sale, separation and demerger activity.

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 that KPMG 
LLP be reappointed by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting 
on 28 April 2020. 

Greg Watts, the previous external audit partner, retired in 2019 and 
a new audit partner, Anthony Sykes, was appointed in May 2019 
following a managed transition. 

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

Ruth Anderson
Chairman, Audit Committee
2 March 2020

Financial Reporting Council 
In 2019 the Financial Reporting Council (“FRC”) conducted a 
thematic review of disclosures relating to impairment of non-
financial assets. As part of this, the FRC carried out a limited scope 
review of the disclosures relating to the impairment of non-current 
assets in the Group’s 2018 Annual Report & Accounts and 
exchanged letters with the Group. This limited scope review 
considered compliance with reporting requirements and does not 
provide any assurance over the disclosures that were reviewed. The 
FRC (which includes the FRC’s officers, employees and agents) 
accepts no liability for reliance on them by the Company or any 
third party, including but not limited to investors and shareholders. 
As a result of this correspondence, the Group committed to making 
a number of enhancements to its disclosures relating to the 
impairment of non-current assets.

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 sets out the work that is permitted to be 
performed by the external auditor and the work that 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. The Committee 
considers whether it is in the interests of the Company that the 
services are purchased from KPMG LLP rather than another 
supplier. In 2019 KPMG was engaged to provide non-audit services 
in relation to the maintenance of the Group’s employee benefits 
system and the demerger of the Wickes business. All non-audit 
services were pre-approved by the Committee.

The audit firm was considered the most appropriate firm to carry 
out the reporting accountant work for the Wickes demerger given 
its knowledge of the Group and the synergies that arise from 
running this engagement alongside the main audit. 

The provision of non-audit services by KPMG in relation to the 
employee benefits system will continue until the current 
maintenance contract ends in 2021. The provision in relation to the 
Wickes demerger will cease on completion. 

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 previous two years’ audit fees.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

87

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report

2019 highlights

 – Nick Roberts appointed 

as CEO

 – Policy review to be 

undertaken in 2020 

 – Pensions for new 

executives aligned to 
the workforce

Number  
of meetings  
during 2019

6

Overall attendance

100%

88

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Coline McConville
Remuneration Committee Chairman
2 March 2020

Dear Shareholder,

As Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee,  
I am pleased to introduce  
the 2019 Directors’ 
Remuneration Report.

Policy review
The last 12 months have been a significant period 
of change for Travis Perkins. At our Capital 
Markets Day in December 2018 we announced 
our strategy of focusing on serving trade 
customers through advantaged businesses in 
attractive markets, and simplifying the Group to 
reduce complexity and cost to drive improved 
returns. Following this, on 31 July 2019 we 
announced our plans to demerge Wickes as a 
separate listed business. As part of our planned 
succession planning process Nick Roberts joined 
the business on 1 July 2019, stepping up to the 
CEO role on 5 August 2019 with John Carter 
continuing to support Nick’s transition until 
31 December 2019. 

Against this significant change backdrop – the 
strategic evolution of the Group, the ongoing work 
being undertaken to reshape the business to 
deliver value growth for shareholders through a 
simplified, leaner business as well as the 
appointment of a new CEO – the Committee 
concluded that now was not the right time to 
undertake a detailed review of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy. Once we have made further 
progress in implementing the strategic and 
operational changes communicated to 
shareholders the Committee intends to undertake 
a detailed review of the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy during 2020 to ensure that our policy 
continues to effectively support the execution of 
this strategy and the creation of shareholder value. 
We were pleased to gain the support of our major 
shareholders for this approach and we will be 
consulting with shareholders in relation to this 
review during 2020.

 
Shareholder information

The Directors’ Remuneration Policy for which we seek shareholder 
approval for at the AGM on 28 April 2020 is therefore largely 
unchanged from the 2017 Policy. The Committee believes that the 
existing arrangements continue to deliver reward for performance 
and are appropriate for the current environment and Company 
context. The Committee does however intend to make changes to 
the Policy in certain areas in order to align with best practice and to 
comply with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code. These 
changes are as follows:
•  Pension: new hires – As outlined in our 2018 Directors’ 

Remuneration Report we have reduced our pension allowance 
for new Executive Director hires to 10% of base salary, which is 
in-line with the pension provision available to the majority of the 
workforce. 

•  Pension: CFO – The current pension allowance for the CFO is 
25% of salary. Taking into account the evolving views of our 
shareholders in this area the Committee has agreed with the 
CFO that his pension will be reduced to 20% of salary from 
1 January 2020. This monetary amount (£103,530) will be 
frozen at this fixed level so that it does not attract future salary 
increases. The Committee believes that this change is the most 
appropriate action for Travis Perkins at this point in time. In 
making this decision the Committee took into consideration the 
views of our shareholders as well as the existing contractual 
commitments to Alan Williams, our highly performing CFO  
who is key to the delivery of the Group’s new strategy. The 
Committee intends to continue to monitor market practice and 
keep the pension provision for the CFO under review.

•  Holding period for the Co-Investment Plan – Awards granted 
under our Performance Share Plan (“PSP”) are already subject 
to a two-year holding period following vesting for Executive 
Directors. For 2020 awards onwards Co-Investment Plan (“CIP”) 
matching shares that vest (ie vesting in 2023 onwards) will also 
be subject to a two-year holding period following vesting. This 
results in a total vesting and holding period for Executive 
Directors for both the PSP and the CIP of five years in line with 
the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code.

•  Post-employment shareholding guidelines – In light of evolving 

market practice the Committee has introduced a post-
employment shareholding guideline. Following cessation of 
employment, Executive Directors will be required to maintain a 
minimum shareholding of 1 x base salary (or actual shareholding 
if lower) for a period of two years following stepping down from 
the Board. In most circumstances Executives who have been in 
role for three years or more will retain an interest in shares of 
more than 2x salary due to the post-vesting holding period that 
applies to our PSP and from 2020 our Co-Investment Plan 
matching awards. However, to safeguard against situations 
where this is not the case on leaving, the Committee has 
introduced this additional “underpin” requirement described 
above. The Committee believes that this proposed approach 
means that Executive Directors will continue to retain an 
appropriate level of shareholding in the Company to ensure that 
their interests remain aligned with shareholders following their 
departure from the business.

•  Malus and clawback – The circumstances in which malus and 
clawback may apply under the annual bonus plan, PSP and CIP 
have been extended to include material failure of risk 
management, serious reputational damage and material 
corporate failure to align with evolving best practice.

Leadership changes
As noted above, Nick Roberts joined the Board as CEO designate 
on 1 July 2019 taking over from John Carter as CEO on 5 August 
2019. Nick’s salary was set at £630,000 per annum which is lower 
than the salary level for the previous CEO. His pension allowance is 
10% of salary in-line with the pension provision available to the 
majority of the workforce. His annual bonus and long-term incentive 
opportunities are in-line with our policy. The Company has granted 
Nick “buy-out” awards to reflect awards forfeited on leaving his 
previous employer. The value and terms of these awards were on a 
like-for-like basis with the awards forfeited. Further details are 
provided on page 109. 

John Carter stepped down from the Board on 5 August 2019 but 
remained with the business until 31 December 2019 continuing to 
support Nick and the business. He remained eligible for an annual 
bonus for 2019 subject to performance. John did not receive a PSP 
or CIP award in respect of 2019. He has been treated as a good 
leaver in respect of his outstanding share awards.

Tony Buffin stepped down from the Board on 26 February 2019 by 
reason of redundancy. Tony continued to be paid a salary and 
contractual benefits until 12 May 2019 when payments ceased upon 
him taking up another role outside of the Group. Tony was not eligible 
to receive an annual bonus or LTIP awards for 2019. He was treated 
as a good leaver in respect of his outstanding incentive awards with 
normal pro-rating and performance testing being applied.

Salary review
With effect from 1 January 2020 Alan Williams’ salary was 
increased by 1.5% in line with the general increase applied across 
the Group. Nick Roberts’ salary was increased by 1% reflecting the 
fact that he joined mid-way through 2019. New salaries are 
£517,650 for Alan Williams and £636,300 for Nick Roberts. 

Non-executive Directors’ fees will next be reviewed in July 2020.

2019 Remuneration outcomes
Despite the prolonged uncertainty following the EU referendum in 
June 2016, which has had a significant impact for domestic UK 
businesses heavily exposed to the economic cycle such as Travis 
Perkins, the Group has delivered strong financial performance with 
significant profit growth achieved.

The performance against key financial objectives is as follows:
•  Adjusted operating profit of £442m (2018: £375m, on a 

pre-IFRS 16 basis)

•  ROCE of 10.1% (2018: ROCE of 9.6% on an illustrative  

IFRS 16 basis)

2019 Bonus payout
Bonuses for Executive Directors are based on adjusted operating 
profit (60%), ROCE (20%) and performance against our strategic 
tracker (20%). The Group adjusted operating profit achievement of 
£442m resulted in a payout of 98% of maximum bonus potential 
for this element and ROCE of 10.1% led to a maximum payment 
reflecting disciplined capital management throughout the year. 

There was solid progress against the strategic tracker during 2019, 
including good progress against the strategic objective of Group 
simplification and improved colleague engagement. Further details 
are provided on page 106.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
 
 
Remuneration report continued

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 50% of this portion 
of the bonus.

These results have generated bonuses of 88.7% of maximum for 
the Executive Directors. For the CEO this equates to 160% of salary 
(pro-rata for Nick Roberts) and 133% of salary for the CFO. 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 excellent financial performance and 
progress against strategic objectives achieved in 2019. No discretion 
was exercised by the Committee.

Long-term incentives
Vesting of 2017 long-term incentive awards continues to be 
impacted by market uncertainty following the UK’s decision to leave 
the European Union. In this context, the EPS growth and target has 
not been achieved. However strong share price appreciation and 
strong cash generation have resulted in long-term incentive plan 
targets being met for TSR and cash elements. Further details on 
each element of the long-term incentives is provided below:

2017 PSP vesting
PSP awards granted in 2017 were subject to adjusted EPS (40%), 
TSR (20%) and cash flow (40%) performance. The adjusted EPS 
performance was below the trigger required for any vesting of this 
element of the award. Aggregate cash flow over the three-year 
period was £1,068m which was above the maximum target and 
resulted in the full 40% of the cash flow element vesting, reflecting 
excellent cash performance in challenging market circumstances. 
TSR performance was at the 51st percentile resulting in vesting 
marginally above threshold for this element. Overall 46% of PSP 
awards granted in 2017 vested.

2017 Co-Investment awards
These awards were subject to CROCE performance. CROCE 
performance over the three-year period was 10.5% 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 2019 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. No discretion was exercised by the Committee.

The Group implemented the new lease accounting standard IFRS 
16 from January 2019 which will impact performance targets for 
2018 and 2019 PSP awards. In addition the Company is planning 
to demerge with Wickes business during Q2 2020. This will have 
an impact on the performance conditions for long-term incentive 
awards granted in 2018 and 2019. The Committee will be reviewing 
the impact of this transaction as well as the introduction of 
IFRS 16 – Leases during 2020 and the adjusted targets will be 
disclosed in due course. The guiding principle for any adjustment is 
that the revised targets should be no easier or more challenging 
than the previous targets set.

The Committee will be submitting its remuneration policy and 
report to the 2020 AGM where the policy will be subject to a 
binding shareholder vote and the report subject to an advisory 
shareholder vote. We look forward to receiving your support.

Coline McConville
Remuneration Committee Chairman
2 March 2020

90

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Quick view – remuneration in 2019

Measuring performance

Ambition

Profit growth

Strategic KPI

Adjusted operating profit

Earnings per share (“EPS”) growth

Delivery against investments

Return on capital employed (“ROCE”)

Strategic delivery

Cash return on capital employed (“CROCE”)

Strategic and operational objectives so that we continue 
to lay the foundations to deliver future success

Turning profit into cash

Aggregate cash flow

Delivering value to shareholders

Relative total shareholders return (“TSR”)

Bonus Weighting

LTIP Weighting

60%

–

20%

–

20%

–

–

–

40% PSP

–

100% CIP

–

40% PSP

20% PSP

2019 outcomes

Element

Base salary (annualised)

Annual bonus (% of Max)

LTIP (% of Max)3

Nick Roberts1

Alan Williams

John Carter2

Tony Buffin4

£630,000

£510,000

£703,934

£543,949

88.7%

n/a

88.7%

67.6%

88.7%

67.6%

n/a

67.6%

1.  Appointed to the Board and as CEO designate on 1 July 2019 and appointed as CEO on 5 August 2019.
2.  Stepped down from the Board as CEO on 5 August 2019 and continued to support the new CEO until 31 December 2019.
3.  Combined vesting across the PSP and Co-Investment plan.
4.  Tony Buffin stepped down from the Board on 26 February 2019. He was not eligible to receive a bonus or LTI award in 2019. His outstanding LTI awards have been pro-rated and are 

subject to performance testing in the normal way..

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. 

Adjusted operating profit

98

EPS growth

ROCE

Strategy

Aggregate cash flow

100

TSR

50

CROCE

nil

100

30

100

Threshold

Target

Max

Threshold

Target

Max

Share-ownership guidelines
Executive Directors are required to hold shares valued at two times annual salary within five years of appointment. 

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91

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportRemuneration policy report

Policy report
The following sets out the Group’s Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
(the “Policy”). The Policy is subject to a binding shareholder vote at 
the AGM 28 April 2020 and, if approved by shareholders, will apply 
to payments made on and from this date. This Policy will replace in 
full the Directors’ remuneration policy set out in the 2016 Annual 
Report, which was approved by 97% of shareholders at the AGM 
held on 24 May 2017.

Remuneration philosophy
The principles of the Group’s remuneration policy are:
•  Remuneration arrangements are determined taking into account 

the 2018 Corporate Governance Code, wider workforce 
remuneration and emerging best practice in relation to Executive 
Director remuneration

•  Remuneration should be clear and simple and support the 
execution of the strategy and contribute to the delivery of 
short- and long-term superior sustainable financial returns for 
shareholders

•  Remuneration should contain significant performance-related 

incentive elements. Award levels are capped with payout linked 
to performance against a limited number of measures which are 
well linked to our strategy. Stretching but fair targets are set. This 
ensures that potential reward outcomes are clear and aligned 
with performance achieved, with the Committee having the 
discretion to adjust payouts where this is not considered to be 
the case

•  Reward mechanisms should ensure that a significant proportion 
of variable pay is delivered in deferred shares ensuring that 
executives retain a meaningful personal stake in the  
Group’s success

•  Malus and clawback and discretion provisions, LTIP holding 

periods and shareholding guidelines, including post-employment 
should be in place to create alignment with shareholders and to 
mitigate reputational and other risk

•  Remuneration should be competitive and fair taking into 

account external market levels as well as internal practice to 
ensure pay remains competitive while being equitable within the 
Company. The approach to basic salary increases should be 
consistent across all colleagues

•  All colleagues should be able to share in the success of the 

Group through participation in both annual bonus schemes and 
longer term share plans

These principles apply across the Group. In addition to competitive 
base salary and bonus programmes, colleagues also have access to 
an extensive range of benefits under the Group’s MyPerks colleague 
benefit programme. This includes a wide range of flexible and 
voluntary benefits, retirement benefits, our all-colleague Sharesave 
Scheme and a range of recognition programmes.

Element

Link to Strategy

Operation

Maximum Potential Value

Performance Metrics

None.

Whilst there is no 
maximum salary 
level of increase, 
the increase for 
Executive Directors 
will normally be in 
line with the 
general employee 
increase.

Base Salary

Core element of 
total package, 
essential to support 
recruitment and 
retention of 
high-calibre 
executives.

The Committee sets base 
salary levels taking into 
account:
•  Role, experience and 

individual performance
•  Pay awards elsewhere in 

the Group

•  Salary levels at other 

companies of a similar size

•  General economic 
environment and 
performance of the 
business

Any salary increases are 
normally effective from 
1 January

Remuneration 
Committee Discretion

The Committee 
retains discretion to 
award salary 
increases in excess of 
the general 
population where this 
is considered 
appropriate to reflect 
performance or 
significant changes in 
market practice or 
the size of the 
Company, to 
recognise changes in 
roles and 
responsibilities or 
where a new 
Executive Director 
has been appointed 
to the Board at a 
lower than typical 
market salary to 
allow for growth in 
the role.

92

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Link to Strategy

Operation

Maximum Potential Value

Performance Metrics

Element

Benefits

Maintain a 
competitive package 
with a range of 
benefits for the 
Director and their 
family.

Shareholder information

Remuneration 
Committee Discretion

The Committee may 
remove benefits that 
Executive Directors 
receive or introduce 
other benefits if it is 
considered 
appropriate to do so 
taking into account 
the circumstances.

Income protection

Directors are currently entitled 
to benefits including:
•  Private medical insurance
• 
•  Annual leave
•  Fully expensed Company 
car (or cash alternative)
•  Life insurance of up to five 

times salary

•  All employee share plans 
such as SAYE and BAYE

The Committee may introduce 
other benefits if it is considered 
appropriate to do so.

Executive Directors shall be 
reimbursed for all reasonable 
expenses and the Company 
may settle any tax incurred in 
relation to these where 
appropriate.

Our policy is that for new 
Executive Directors up to 10% 
of salary is provided either  
as a cash allowance in lieu of 
pension or as or a contribution 
to a personal pension plan (or 
a combination of both) in line 
with the policy approved for 
the wider workforce.

None.

Benefit levels 
reflect those 
typically available 
to senior managers 
within the Group 
and may be 
subject to change. 
The maximum 
potential value 
being the cost to 
the Company to 
provide those 
benefits.

None.

The CEO receives 
a pension 
allowance of 10% 
of salary.

The CFO’s pension 
allowance is 
£103,530 (fixed at 
this level from 
2020).

Pension

Helps executives 
provide for 
retirement and aids 
retention.

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93

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportRemuneration policy report continued

Element

Link to Strategy

Operation

Maximum Potential Value

Performance Metrics

Maximum bonus 
opportunity under 
the plan is 180% 
of annual salary for 
the CEO and 
150% of annual 
salary for the CFO.

Annual Bonus 
and Deferred 
Share Bonus 
Plan

Rewards 
achievement of 
annual financial and 
key business 
strategy objectives. 
Rewards personal 
performance 
measured against 
key objectives. 
Deferred element 
encourages longer 
term shareholding 
and aligns reward to 
shareholder 
interests. Malus and 
clawback-based 
forfeiture provisions 
discourage excessive 
risk taking and 
short-term outlook 
ensuring that 
executive and 
shareholder  
interests are  
aligned.

Total bonus level is determined 
after the year end, based on 
achievement of targets.

Normally up to 50% of the 
total bonus is paid in cash. The 
remainder of the bonus is 
deferred as shares for three 
years. 

The deferred element may be 
granted in the form of nil cost 
options or conditional share 
awards.

Targets are set annually in line 
with the performance metrics.

Dividend equivalents on shares 
that are released may be paid.

Malus and clawback provisions 
apply as explained further in 
the notes to this table.

Bonus measures 
typically include:
•  Financial targets
Individual or 
• 
Group targets 
pertaining to 
delivery of the 
business strategy

Financial targets will 
account for at least 
50% of the bonus.

Performance below 
threshold results in 
zero bonus. Bonus 
earned rises from 
25% to 100% of 
maximum bonus 
opportunity for levels 
of performance 
between threshold 
and maximum 
targets.

Performance 
measures and 
weightings are set out 
in the Statement of 
Implementation of 
the Remuneration 
Policy.

Remuneration 
Committee Discretion

The Committee 
retains the discretion 
to review the 
measures, the 
weighting of 
measures and to set 
the performance 
targets and ranges 
for each measure .

The Committee will 
determine financial 
targets and the 
amount of bonus 
which can be earned 
for achievement of 
the Group’s plan. This 
determination will be 
based upon an 
assessment of the 
degree of difficulty in 
achieving the targets 
taking into account 
market conditions, 
improvement on 
prior year 
performance 
required, and other 
relevant factors.

The Committee may 
in its discretion, adjust 
annual bonus 
payments, if it 
considers that such 
level would not 
reflect the underlying 
performance of the 
executive or the 
Group or if such level 
would not be 
appropriate in the 
circumstances.

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Shareholder information

Remuneration 
Committee Discretion

The Committee 
retains discretion to 
review the 
performance 
measures, the 
weighting applied to 
measures, and to set 
the target ranges for 
each measure.

In addition the 
Committee will 
review and select the 
appropriate 
comparator group for 
relative performance 
measures.

The Committee may 
in its discretion, adjust 
the vesting level of an 
award (other than a 
CSOP option), if it 
considers that the 
vesting level would 
not reflect the 
underlying 
performance of the 
executive or the 
Group or if such level 
would not be 
appropriate in the 
circumstances.

Element

Link to Strategy

Operation

Maximum Potential Value

Performance Metrics

Performance 
Share Plan

Incentivises 
participants to 
deliver key financial 
targets over a longer 
term, with particular 
focus on 
shareholder return 
and the generation 
of cash to fund 
investment in growth 
and long-term 
sustainability.

Helps retain high 
performing 
executives.

The maximum 
annual award for 
all Executive 
Directors is 150% 
of salary.

Awards are normally granted 
in the form of nil cost options, 
annually to participants.

Awards will normally vest after 
three years subject to the 
satisfaction of performance 
conditions.

For executive directors a 
post-vesting holding period of 
two years will normally apply 
to awards granted under the 
PSP.

Awards may also be granted 
in conjunction with a 
tax-advantaged “CSOP” option 
up to the HMRC limits 
(currently £30,000) as a 
“Qualifying PSP Award”. The 
vesting of a Qualifying PSP 
Award will be scaled back to 
take account of any gain made 
on exercise of the associated 
CSOP option. A Qualifying 
PSP Award will enable the 
executive and the Company to 
benefit from tax advantaged 
treatment on part of their PSP 
award without increasing the 
pre-tax value delivered to the 
executive or cost to the 
Company.

The tax advantaged options 
are subject to the same 
performance measures as the 
non-tax advantaged element.

The Committee may decide to 
scale back participation where 
the shareholding requirement 
set by the Committee is not 
met.

Dividend equivalents on shares 
that are released may be paid.

Malus and clawback provisions 
apply as explained further in 
the notes to this table.

Performance 
measures are 
typically based 
around key financial 
and/or share price 
metrics which reflect 
the Group strategy.

Vesting criteria are 
set against a target 
range based on 
performance levels 
determined by the 
Group’s projections 
for the next three 
years for the relevant 
measure.

Where relative 
performance 
measures are used 
(for example TSR) 
threshold target 
levels will be set at 
the median 
performance level.

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

Performance 
conditions and 
weightings are set out 
in the Statement of 
Implementation of 
the Remuneration 
Policy .

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Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportRemuneration policy report continued

Element

Link to Strategy

Operation

Maximum Potential Value

Performance Metrics

Remuneration 
Committee Discretion

Co- 
Investment 
Plan

Encourages a 
mutual commitment 
whereby participants 
build up a 
shareholding in the 
Company and are 
incentivised to 
deliver key financial 
targets over a longer 
term. 

Helps retain 
high-calibre 
executives.

Shareholding 
Requirements

Aligns the interests 
of executives and 
shareholders.

Executive Directors may be 
invited to participate in the 
Co-Investment Plan annually.

Participants may 
invest up to 50% 
of their net salary

Maximum 
matching awards 
of twice the gross 
salary equivalent 
of the amount 
invested (ie 100% 
of gross salary)

N/A

The Committee 
retains discretion to 
increase shareholding 
requirements.

Executive Directors 
are expected to hold 
shares valued at two 
times salary within 
five years of 
appointment to the 
Board.

Each participant buys shares 
from their own resources. 
These shares are designated 
as “Investment Shares” for  
the purposes of the Co-
Investment Plan.

A matching share award 
(normally in the form of a nil 
cost option) is made to each 
participant, which vests after 
three years subject to 
achievement of performance 
measures. The number of 
matching shares will lapse pro 
rata to the disposal of any 
associated Investment Shares 
by the participant prior to the 
vesting of the associated 
matching share award.

For Executive Directors a 
post-vesting holding period of 
two years will normally apply 
to awards granted under the 
CIP for matching shares 
awarded from 2020.

Dividend equivalents on shares 
that are released may be paid.

Malus and clawback provisions 
apply as explained further in 
the notes to this table.

Formal requirements (not 
voluntary guidelines) apply  
to Directors and senior 
executives. Participation in 
long-term incentives may be 
scaled back or withheld if the 
requirements are not met or 
maintained. 

For the purposes of assessing 
compliance with the 
shareholding requirement 
vested but unexercised awards 
will be considered.

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Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Changes to policy
The key changes to this Policy compared to the previous policy are 
as follows:
•  For new Executive Director hires pension allowance has been 

reduced to 10% of base salary, which is in-line with the pension 
provision available to the majority of the workforce

•  The pension allowance for the CFO has been reduced from 
25% to 20% of salary from 1 January 2020. This monetary 
amount (£103,530) has been frozen at this fixed level so that it 
does not attract future salary increases

•  For Executive Directors a post-vesting holding period has been 

introduced for CIP matching awards. For 2020 awards onwards, 
executives will be required to hold any shares that vest for a 
further two year period from vesting 

•  Executive Directors that step down from the Board following the 
adoption of this policy will be expected to maintain a minimum 
shareholding of 1 x base salary (or actual shareholding if lower) 
for a period of two-years following stepping down from  
the board

•  The circumstances in which malus and clawback may apply 

under the annual bonus plan, PSP and CIP have been extended 
to include material failure of risk management, serious 
reputational damage and material corporate failure to align with 
evolving best practice

•  Other minor changes have been made to the wording of the 

policy to aid operation and to increase clarity

Summary of decision-making process
In determining the revisions to the Remuneration Policy the 
Committee followed a robust process which included discussions 
on the content of the Policy at Remuneration Committee meetings 
during the year. The Committee considered the input from 
management and our independent advisers, as well as considering 
best practice and guidance from major shareholders. 

Performance metrics
In considering appropriate performance metrics for the short- and 
long-term incentives the Committee seeks to incentivise and 
reinforce delivery of the Company’s strategic objectives achieving a 
balance between delivering annual return to shareholders and 
ensuring sustainable long-term profitability and growth. Measures 
will therefore reflect a balance of direct shareholder value, such as 
TSR and those which reflect appropriate investment strategies, for 
example, CROCE, as well as measures focused on meeting specific 
strategic objectives aligned to long-term growth.

The Committee calibrates these targets by due reference to market 
practice, the Group’s strategic plan, general and bespoke market 
intelligence, lead indicators and other indicators of the economic 
environment such that targets may represent relative as well as 
absolute, achievement.

Shareholder information

Malus and clawback
Malus and clawback provisions are included in all incentives: the 
Annual Bonus, Deferred Share Bonus Plan, the Co-Investment Plan 
and the Performance Share Plan. The circumstances in which 
malus and clawback could apply include:
•  a material misstatement resulting in an adjustment to the 

• 

• 

Company’s audited consolidated accounts
the determination of the number of shares subject to an award or 
the assessment of any performance condition was in error or 
based on inaccurate or misleading information
the Board determining in its reasonable opinion that any action or 
conduct of the Participant amounts to serious misconduct, fraud 
or gross misconduct
the Board determining that there has been a material failure of 
risk management (for 2020 bonus and incentive awards onwards)
the Board determining that there has been serious reputational 
damage (for 2020 bonus and incentive awards onwards)
the Board determining that there has been a material corporate 
failure (for 2020 bonus and incentive awards onwards)
•  any other circumstances which the Board in its discretion 

• 

• 

• 

considers to be similar in their nature or effect

Malus and Clawback and malus provisions can be applied to an 
award if one or more of the relevant circumstances occurs between 
the start of the performance / bonus period and until the third 
anniversary of payment of any cash bonus or the date of award 
under the Deferred Share Bonus Plan and the sixth anniversary of 
award under the Performance Share Plan and the Co-Investment 
Plan. 

Discretion  
Areas where the Committee has discretion have been outlined in 
the Policy. The Committee may also exercise operational and 
administrative discretions under relevant plan rules approved by 
shareholders as set out in those rules. A number of Committee 
discretions apply to awards granted under each of the Company’s 
share plans, including that:
•  awards may be granted as conditional share awards or nil-cost 
options or in such other form that the Committee determines 
has the same economic effect

•  awards may be settled in cash at the Committee’s discretion (for 
Executive Directors this provision will only be used in exceptional 
circumstances such as where for regulatory reasons it is not 
possible to settle awards in shares)

•  awards may be adjusted in the event of any variation of the 
Company’s share capital or any demerger, delisting, special 
dividend or other event that may affect the Company’s share price

In addition, the Committee has the discretion to amend the Policy 
with regard to minor or administrative matters where it would be, in 
the opinion of the Committee, inappropriate to seek or await 
shareholder approval.

The Committee retains discretion to amend or substitute performance 
measures and targets and the weightings attached to performance 
measures part-way through a performance year if one or more 
significant corporate events occurs which causes the Committee to 
believe that an amended or substituted performance measures, 
weightings or targets would be more appropriate and not materially less 
difficult to satisfy. Discretion may also be exercised in cases where the 
Committee believes that the outcome is not a fair and accurate 
reflection of business performance. Any exercise of this discretion will 
be explained in full to shareholders.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
 
Remuneration policy report continued

The Committee reserves the right to make any remuneration payments and/or payments for loss of office (including exercising any 
discretions available to it in connection with such payments) notwithstanding that they are not in line with the Policy set out above where 
the terms of the payment were agreed (i) before the policy set out above came into effect, provided that the terms of the payment were 
consistent with any applicable shareholder-approved directors’ remuneration policy in force at the time they were agreed or where 
otherwise approved by shareholders; or (ii) at a time when the relevant individual was not a Director of the Company (or other persons to 
whom the Policy set out above applies) and, in the opinion of the Committee, the payment was not in consideration for the individual 
becoming a Director of the Company or such other person. For these purposes “payments” include the Committee satisfying awards of 
variable remuneration and, in relation to an award over shares, the terms of the payment are “agreed” no later than the time the award is 
granted.  This Policy applies equally to any individual who is required to be treated as a director under the applicable regulations.

Illustration of the application of the Remuneration Policy 

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

)

m
£
(

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

5.0

4.5

4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

£4.3m

19%

37%

£3.5m

46%

£2.3m

43%

25%

32%

£0.7m

100%

33%

27%

21%

17%

)

m
£
(

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

5.0

4.5

4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0

£3.4m

19%

39%

£2.7m

48%

29%

23%

24%

19%

£1.8m
44%

21%

35%

£0.6m

100%

Minimum

In line with 
expectations

Maximum

Maximum 
+ share price 
growth

Minimum

In line with 
expectations

Maximum

Maximum
 + share price 
growth

Fixed remuneration            Annual variable remuneration            Long-term variable remuneration            Share price growth

• 
• 
• 

• 

• 

Fixed remuneration includes basic salary (from 1 January 2020), pension provision (from 1 January 2020) and other benefits (based on value disclosed in the single figure for 2019)
The “Minimum” scenario includes fixed remuneration only.
The “In line with expectations” scenario includes fixed remuneration plus target annual bonus (50% of maximum) plus mid-range performance for the Performance Share Plan and 
Co-Investment Plan (62.5% of maximum).
The “Maximum” scenario includes fixed remuneration plus maximum bonus (180% of salary for Nick Roberts and 150% of salary for Alan Williams) plus 100% vesting of the Performance 
Share Plan (150% of salary) and Co-Investment Plan (100% of salary).
The “Maximum + share price growth” scenario is as per the “Maximum” scenario and assumes share price growth of 50%.

Non-executive Directors’ fees
Fees for the Non-executive Chairman and Non-executive Directors 
are set at an appropriate level to recruit and retain Directors of a 
sufficient calibre to guide and influence Board level decision-making 
without paying more than is necessary to do so. Fees are set taking 
into account the following factors:
•  The time commitment required to fulfil the role
•  Typical practice at other companies of a similar size and 

complexity to Travis Perkins

Non-executive fees will typically be reviewed annually with increases 
normally being effective from 1 July each year. Non-executive 
Director fees policy is to pay:
•  A basic fee for membership of the Board
•  An additional fee for the Chairman of a Committee and the 

Senior Independent Director to take into account the additional 
responsibilities and time commitment of the role

Additional fees may be paid to reflect additional Board or 
Committee responsibilities as appropriate. The Non-executive 
Chairman receives an all-inclusive fee for the role.

Current fees are detailed within the Statement of Implementation of 
the Remuneration Policy.

A minimum of 25% of Non-executive Director fees is paid in shares. 
Non-executive Directors do not receive any other benefits (other 
than a staff discount card for purchasing products) and are not 
eligible to join a Company pension scheme. No compensation is 
payable on termination of office, which may be without notice from 
the Company. They cannot participate in any of the Company’s 
share plans. The Company will pay reasonable expenses incurred 
by the Chairman and Non-executive Directors (including any tax 
incurred in relation to these where appropriate).

98

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Shareholder information

Recruitment remuneration
It is the Group’s policy to recruit the best candidate possible for any executive Board position. It seeks to avoid paying more than is 
considered necessary to secure the candidate and will have regard to guidelines and shareholder sentiment when formulating the 
remuneration package.

Generally the Group will set salary, incentives and benefits for candidates in line with the above remuneration policy and accordingly 
participation in short- and long-term incentives will typically be on the same basis as existing Directors. In all cases the Group commits to 
providing shareholders with timely disclosure of the terms of any new executive hires including the approach taken to determine a fair level 
of compensation. The maximum level of variable remuneration which may be awarded (excluding any “buyout” awards referred to below) 
in respect of recruitment is 430% of salary, which is in line with the current maximum limit under the annual bonus and long-term 
incentives. The table below outlines the Group’s normal recruitment policy:

Base Salary and Benefits

Pension

Annual Bonus

Long-Term Incentives

Share Buy-outs / Replacement Awards

Relocation

The pay of any new recruit would be determined following the principles set out in the 
remuneration policy table.

The appointee will be able to receive either a contribution to a personal pension scheme or 
cash allowance in lieu of pension benefits in line with the Company's policy as set out in the 
remuneration policy table.

The appointee will be eligible to participate in the Annual Bonus and Deferred Share Bonus 
Plan as set out in the remuneration policy table. Awards may be granted up to the maximum 
opportunity allowable in the remuneration policy table at the Remuneration Committee’s 
discretion.

The appointee will be eligible to participate in the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plans as set 
out in the remuneration policy table. Awards may be granted up to the maximum opportunity 
allowable under scheme rules at the Remuneration Committee’s discretion.

Where an individual forfeits outstanding variable pay opportunities or contractual rights at a 
previous employer as a result of appointment, the Committee may offer compensatory 
payments or awards if after careful consideration it is determined that it is appropriate to offer 
a buy-out. Any buy-out may be in such form as the Committee considers appropriate, taking 
into account all relevant factors including the form of awards, expected value and vesting 
timeframe of forfeited opportunities.

When determining any such buy-out, the guiding principle would be that awards would 
generally be on a “like-for-like” basis unless this is considered by the Committee not to be 
practical or appropriate.

The Performance Share Plan allows for awards to be made outside of the plan limit to facilitate 
the recruitment of an Executive Director.

To the extent that it was not possible or practical to provide the buyout within the terms of the 
Company’s existing incentive plans, a bespoke arrangement may be used (including granting 
an award under the Listing Rule 9.4.2 which allows for the granting of awards, to facilitate, in 
unusual circumstances, the recruitment of an Executive Director). Any buyout award made 
under the Company’s Deferred Share Bonus Plan or Long-Term Incentive Plans will not count 
towards the individual’s maximum opportunity under those plans.

Where the Group requires a candidate to relocate in order to take up an executive position it 
will normally reimburse the reasonable costs of the relocation. This may include one-off 
ongoing expenses such as schooling or housing for a reasonable period of time.

Where an internal candidate is promoted to an executive position the Group will honour any contractual commitments made through their 
employment prior to the promotion including any accrued defined benefit pension provision. Future pension provision which will be aligned 
with our policy set out above. 

Recruitment remuneration for Non-executive Directors would be assessed following the principles set out in the policy for Non-executive 
Director fees.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportRemuneration policy report continued

Policy on payment for Directors leaving employment
Executive Directors’ contracts do not have a fixed expiry date but can be terminated by serving notice. Contractual notice periods for 
Directors are normally set at six months’ notice from the Director and 12 months’ notice from the Company and the Company would 
normally honour contractual commitments in the event of the termination of a Director. Notwithstanding this approach it is Company policy 
to seek to minimise liability in the event of any early termination of a Director.

The Group classifies terminations of employment arising from death, ill health, disability, injury, retirement with Company agreement, 
redundancy or the transfer from the Group of the employing entity as “good leaver” reasons. In addition the Committee retains discretion 
under incentive plan rules to determine “good leaver” status in other circumstances. In the event such discretion is exercised a full 
explanation will be provided to shareholders.

Leaver reason may impact treatment of the various remuneration elements as follows:

Remuneration element

Good leaver reason

Other leaver reason

Salary

Ceases on cessation of employment (salary may be 
paid in lieu of notice) unless a pre-existing contractual 
term applies.

Ceases on cessation of employment (salary may be 
paid in lieu of notice) unless a pre-existing contractual 
term applies.

Bonus including Deferred 
Share Bonus Plan*

Unpaid bonus from a completed performance period 
prior to cessation will be paid in full. For the 
performance period in which cessation occurs a 
pro-rata bonus may be paid, subject to normal 
performance conditions.

Any unvested deferred bonus share awards will 
normally continue until the normal vesting date and 
vest in full. The Committee may determine that 
awards should vest on cessation of employment.

All unpaid bonus payments lapse. Any unvested 
deferred bonus shares also lapse on leaving.

Benefits

Provision or accrual of benefits will cease on cessation 
of employment or, if later, at the end of the relevant 
subscription period.

Provision or accrual of benefits will cease on cessation 
of employment or, if later, at the end of the relevant 
subscription period.

Unvested awards lapse at cessation of employment.

Where a participant ceases employment during any 
holding period (other than for reason of gross 
misconduct) they will continue to retain their award in 
full and it will be released at the end of the holding 
period unless the Committee determines that the 
award should be released at the time of cessation.

For awards in the form of options, participants will 
have six months to exercise any vested awards.

Performance Share Plan* Unvested awards will normally vest at the normal vesting 
date and remain subject to performance. Awards will be 
pro-rated for a time unless the Committee decides 
otherwise. Awards will normally remain subject to any 
applicable holding period.

The Committee may determine that awards should vest 
and be released at cessation of employment taking into 
account the extent to which performance targets have 
been met and unless the Committee decides otherwise 
the period of time elapsed since award.

Where a participant ceases employment during any 
holding period (other than for reason of gross 
misconduct) they will continue to retain their award in 
full and it will be released at the end of the holding 
period unless the Committee determines that the 
award should be released at the time of cessation.

For awards in the form of options participants will 
have six months from vesting to exercise their award.

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Remuneration Element

Good Leaver Reason

Other Leaver Reason

Shareholder information

Unvested awards lapse at cessation of employment.

Co-investment Plan*

Unvested awards will normally vest at the normal 
vesting date and remain subject to performance. 
Awards will be pro-rated for time unless the 
Committee decides otherwise. Awards will normally 
remain subject to the applicable holding period.

The Committee may determine that awards should 
vest at cessation of employment taking into account 
the extent to which performance targets have been 
met and unless the Committee decides otherwise the 
period of time elapsed since award.

Where a participant ceases employment during any 
holding period (other than for reason of gross 
misconduct) they will continue to retain their award in 
full and it will be released at the end of the holding 
period unless the Committee determines that the 
award should be released at the time of cessation.

For awards in the form of options participants will 
have six months from vesting to exercise their award.

* 

Leaver vesting provisions are fully defined in the appropriate plan documents.

The Committee reserves the right to make additional payments where such payments are made in good faith in discharge of an existing 
legal obligation (or by way of damages for breach of such an obligation) or by way of settlement or compromise of any claim arising in 
connection with the termination of a Director's office or employment. In addition, the Company may pay any fees for outplacement 
assistance and/or the Director’s legal or professional advice fees in connection with his cessation of office or employment. Where a Director 
was required to relocate to take up their role then reasonable repatriation expenses may be included.

Post-employment shareholding
The Company has introduced a policy to support alignment with shareholder interests following an Executive Director stepping down from 
the Board. Executive Directors that step down from the Board following the adoption of this Policy will be expected to maintain a minimum 
shareholding of 1 x base salary (or actual shareholding if lower) for a period of two years following stepping down from the Board.

Non-executive Directors
The chairman and non-executive directors’ appointment letters provide for no compensation or other benefits on their ceasing to be director.

Change of control
In the event of a takeover or winding up of the Company, share awards may vest early. For the PSP and the Co-Investment Plan the 
Committee will determine the extent to which awards shall vest taking into account the extent to which the performance conditions have 
been satisfied and unless the Committee determines otherwise, the proportion of the performance period that has elapsed. Deferred share 
awards will normally vest in full. In the case of a winding-up, demerger, delisting, special dividend or similar circumstances, awards may, at 
the Committee’s discretion, vest early on the same basis as for a takeover.

Considering colleague views
The Committee reviews information regarding the typical remuneration structure and reward levels for other UK-based employees to 
provide context when determining executive remuneration policy.

The Company undertakes engagement surveys for all Group colleagues to understand their views on working for Travis Perkins and how 
this can be improved. Feedback on employee reward is provided as part of this survey. The Company established a Colleague Voice Panel 
in 2019 which includes within its terms of reference the aim of listening to colleague’s views when developing the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy. Pete Redfern, the panel Chairman, plans further colleague listening groups in 2020 and all relevant views will be incorporated into 
the 2020 Review. A significant portion of colleagues are shareholders meaning that they are also able to express their views in the same 
way as other shareholders. 

Considering shareholder views
The Committee believes that it is very important to maintain open dialogue with shareholders on remuneration matters. The Committee regularly 
consults with significant shareholders regarding our approach to executive remuneration and the views of shareholders are important in 
determining any final changes. The Committee engaged with shareholders regarding the changes proposed to the Policy and were pleased with 
the level of support received. We will be engaging with shareholders during 2020 following our detailed review of the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy. The Committee intends to continue to engage with shareholders regarding any material changes to remuneration arrangements.

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Annual remuneration report

The following sets out the Group’s Annual Remuneration Report for 2019 which includes details of how its Policy was implemented in 2019 
and how it intends to implement its Policy in 2020. This report is subject to an advisory shareholder vote at the 2020 AGM.

Statement of implementation of the Remuneration Policy in 2020
Executive Directors:
The following provides a summary of the Group’s remuneration policy and how the Group intends to implement the Policy during 2020.

Plan

Individual maximum opportunity in 2020 Measures and weighting

Operation

Base salary

CEO – £636,300  
(2019: £630,000)

CFO – £517,650  
(2019: £510,000)

Benefits

n/a

n/a

n/a

Pension

CEO 10% of salary in-line 
with the rate available 
across the wider workforce

n/a

CFO pension allowance is 
£103,530 per annum.

Annual Bonus Maximum annual bonus 

opportunity:
CEO – 180% of salary
CFO – 150% of salary

The 2020 bonus will be 
based on the following 
measures (these are 
unchanged from 2018):
•  Adjusted operating 

profit: 60%
•  ROCE: 20%
•  Business strategy: 20%

With effect from 1 January 2020 the Remuneration 
Committee agreed that Alan Williams’ salary would be 
increased by 1.5% in line with the general increase applied 
across the Group. Nick Roberts’ salary was increased by 1% 
reflecting the fact that he joined mid-way through 2019.

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 five 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.

Taking into account the evolving views of our shareholders in 
this area the Committee agreed with the CFO that his 
pension will be reduced to 20% of salary from 1 January 
2020. This monetary amount has been frozen at this fixed 
level so that it does not attract future salary increases. The 
Committee believes that this change is the most appropriate 
action for Travis Perkins at this point in time. In making this 
decision the Committee took into consideration the views of 
our shareholders as well as the existing contractual 
commitments. A 20% pension contribution level is consistent 
with a number of other key managers across the Group. The 
Committee intends to continue to monitor market practice 
and keep the pension provision for the CFO under review.

Targets are determined in relation to the Group’s budget.

Threshold payment is made for performance at 95% of the 
Group’s budget, with maximum payments only being made 
for performance well in excess of the Group’s budget. 
Performance below threshold results in zero bonus.

For 2020 the strategic tracker includes measures related to 
Group simplification, business strategy 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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Plan

Individual maximum opportunity in 2020 Measures and weighting

Operation

Shareholder information

Performance 
Share Plan

Maximum annual award of 
150% of base salary

The 2020 PSP award will 
be based on the following 
measures (these are 
unchanged from 2019):
•  Adjusted EPS growth 

40%

•  Aggregate cash flow 

40%

•  Relative TSR 20%

Co-Investment 
plan

Participants may invest up 
to 50% of their net salary 

Maximum matching 
awards of twice the gross 
salary equivalent of the 
amount invested (ie 100% 
of gross salary)

The 2020 Co-investment 
matching award will be 
based on:
•  Cash return on capital 
employed (“CROCE")

Awards are subject to performance over a three-year 
performance period. Awards that vest are subject to a further 
two-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.

2020 awards will be subject to the following performance 
conditions and targets:

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

The aggregate cash flow range is £770m to £850m

Relative TSR – relative position in FTSE 50–150
•  Threshold is median relative position
•  Maximum is upper quartile relative position

The Company is planning on demerging the Wickes business 
in Q2 2020. These targets have therefore been set on the 
basis that Wickes will no longer be part of the Group.

Malus and clawback provisions apply.

Awards are subject to performance over a three-year 
performance period. Matching awards granted in 2020 
onwards that vest are subject to a further two-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. 2020 
awards will be subject to:
•  CROCE target performance range 8.9% to 9.9%.

The Company is planning on demerging the Wickes business 
in Q2 2020. These targets have therefore been set on the 
basis that Wickes will no longer be part of the Group.

Malus and clawback provisions apply.

Shareholding guidelines including post-employment apply to Executive Directors as set out on pages 89 and 90.

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.

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.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAnnual remuneration report continued

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 2020
•  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 
•  Chairman of Audit and Remuneration Committees – £17,000 
•  Senior Independent Director – £12,500 
•  Chairman of Health & Safety Committee – £10,000 

Remuneration elsewhere in the Group
The Committee takes into account remuneration packages available to all colleagues when considering executive pay. As with many 
companies, 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 driven by variable incentive outcomes as illustrated in the chart below.

100%

90%
80%

70%
60%

50%
40%

30%
20%

10%
0%

Colleagues

Managers

Senior Managers
(below executives)

Variable            Fixed

The Group’s employee value proposition is underpinned by our colleague reward and benefits’ provision which in turn is strongly influenced 
by our Cornerstones.

Fairness underpins our salary positioning. All employee pay is generally reviewed as part of the annual salary review which takes into 
account individual contribution and salary position and is funded by a budget based on macro-economic factors, market analysis/outlook 
and affordability.  All colleagues are able to earn a bonus. Within the context of “making decent returns” this allows the company to create 
value for colleagues as well as other stakeholders. Bonuses at all levels are typically underpinned by profit performance.  We always seek to 
maintain a “line of sight” for colleagues to their bonus opportunity even where this is indirect. This helps optimise the bonus process as a 
means of communicating strategic priorities and focus. 

104

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

The Company operates a broad range of employee benefits through its MyPerks benefits platform. All colleagues are provided with life 
cover and pension,  and our focus for a number of years has been around more inclusive aspects of the benefit portfolio, particularly in 
relation to employee welfare. Our financial well being programme is well established and includes education and guidance as well as 
practical support such as savings and discounts on non-discretionary spend areas (for example groceries), affordable loans, easy access to 
savings vehicles (retirement, sharesave, ISAs etc) and more specific and individual employee support through our employee assistance 
programme. In 2019 we relaunched our Health and Well being hub which includes support, guidance and products related to emotional, 
mental and physical well being. Our approach here is strongly led by the “keeping people safe” cornerstone.

We regularly benchmark our colleague proposition. We aim to “be the best” in our benefits offering and have won numerous awards over 
the past few years for our benefit product launches and innovations. We seek out new partners and work with them to develop new 
offerings. Most recently this has been the deployment of “MySparx” which allows automated, segregated employee communications 
sending targeted and appropriate communications to the right colleagues and/or managers at the right time. 

Audited information
Single total figure of remuneration 

£000

Salary 

Benefits

Bonus 

LTI4

Pension 

Buy-out5

Total

Salary 

Benefits

Bonus

LTI6

Pension

Buy-out7

Total

2019

2018

Executive Directors
Nick Roberts1
John Carter2
Tony Buffin3
Alan Williams

315
420
87
510

Non–Executive Directors
Ruth Anderson
Stuart Chambers
Coline McConville
Pete Redfern
Chris Rogers8
John Rogers
Marianne Culver9
Blair Illingworth9

75
320
75
68
70
58
10
10

13
28
4
21

503
655
–
678

–
695
730
913

32
105
22
128

560 1,423
– 1,903
843
–
– 2,250

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

75
320
75
68
70
58
10
10

–
690
533
500

75
320
75
68
70
58
–
–

–
49
35
19

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
435
280
263

–
911
705
-

–
173
133
125

–
–
– 2,258
– 1,686
1,277

370

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

75
320
75
68
70
58
–
–

Total 

2,018

66 1,836 2,338

287

560 7,105 2,389

103

978

1,616

431

370 5,887

Notes:
1.  Nick Roberts was appointed as a Director of Travis Perkins and CEO designate on 1 July 2019 and appointed CEO on 5 August 2019.
2. 

John Carter stepped down as CEO and from the Travis Perkins’ Board on 5 August 2019. He received a total bonus of £1,123,267. Reported above is the pro-rata amount reflecting the 
period up to 5 August. Similarly the total value of his vesting LTIP award was £1,191,353; reported above is the pro-rata amount reflecting the period up to 5 August

3.  Tony Buffin stepped down from the Board and left the business on 26 February 2019. He was not eligible to receive an annual bonus for 2019.
4.  LTI reported for 2019 for John Carter, Tony Buffin and Alan Williams include LTI awards vesting in March 2020. The value of these awards has been calculated based on the average share 
price for the last quarter of 2019 of £14.82. LTI awards for Tony Buffin have been pro-rated based on his time in employment during the performance period and period of gardening leave 
until finding new employment. For co-investment plan awards, the share price on the date of grant of 30 March 2017 was £15.18.. For performance share plan awards, the share price on the 
date of grant of 15 March 2017 was £14.88. The share price used to value the LTIP for single figure purposes of £14.82 represents no increase and the proportion of the 2017 LTIP value 
disclosed in the single figure attributable to share price growth was therefore nil. No discretion has been exercised in respect of share price appreciation.

5.  Nick Roberts has been granted “buy-out” awards to compensate him for awards he forfeited on leaving his former employer. Such buy-out awards were determined on a like-for-like basis 

with the incentives he forfeited. Further details are provided on page 109. As part of his buy-out Nick received the following awards which have been included in the single figure for 2019 (1) 
a cash payment of £210,000 paid on joining to compensate him for a retention award he forfeited (2) a cash award of £175,000 and a share award of £175,000 which vest 28% in July 
2020 and 72% in July 2021. These awards are not subject to any further performance conditions and reflect the terms of the original awards and therefore have been disclosed in the 
single figure on grant. 

6.  LTI reported for 2018 for John Carter (£686k) and Tony Buffin (£531k) and the PSP element of buyout awards reported for 2018 for Alan Williams (£272k) were calculated on an 

estimated basis using the average share price of the final quarter of 2018 of £10.60. They are restated here to reflect the actual share prices on vesting (PSP £14.55, Co-investment Plan 
£13.79 and Buyout PSP awards £14.405) giving revised figures of £911k, £705k and £370k for John Carter, Tony Buffin and Alan Williams respectively. For co-investment plan awards, the 
share price on the date of grant was £18.34. For performance share plan awards, the share price on the date of grant was £18.49. For buyout awards, the share price on the date of grant 
was £14.41. The share price used to value the co-investment plan awards and PSP awards for single figure purpose represents no increase and the proportion of the 2017 LTIP value for 
John Carter and Tony Buffin disclosed in the single figure attributable to share price growth on these awards was therefore nil. The share price used to value the buyout awards for single 
figure purposes represents an increase of 0.3% and the proportion of Alan Williams’ 2017 LTIP value disclosed in the single figure attributable to share price growth was therefore 0.3%. The 
Remuneration Committee did not exercise discretion in respect of the share price appreciation.

7.  On appointment Alan Williams was made awards to buy-out remuneration forfeited on leaving his previous employer. Further details were provided in last year’s report.
8. 
9.  Marianne Culver and Blair Illingworth were appointed to the Board on 1 November 2019

In December Chris Rogers received a payment of £40,000 in respect of services provided in relation to the demerger of the Wickes business.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

105

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAnnual remuneration report continued

Explaining the single figure table

Benefits
Benefits for 2019 for Nick Roberts, John Carter, Tony Buffin and Alan Williams include private medical insurance and the provision of a 
Company car and fuel (or allowance alternative).

Annual bonus for 2019
The tables below provide a summary of the performance achieved under the annual bonus for 2019:

Director

Nick Roberts*
John Carter*
Alan Williams

Maximum Bonus 
Opportunity

180%
180%
150%

Actual Bonus
(% of salary)

79.8%
58.3%
133.0%

Actual Bonus

£502,646
£655,239
£678,198

* 

Stated figures are pro-rata based on date of commencement or date stepped down from the board. 

All bonus earned in respect of 2019 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:

Targets

Performance measure

Weighting

Threshold (0%)

Plan (50% bonus)

Maximum (100% 
bonus)

Actual performance

Pay-out (as a % of 
maximum)

Adjusted operating profit

ROCE

Business Strategy

60%

20%

20%

£413m

9.2%

£423m

9.6%

£443m

10.0%

£442m

10.1%

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 34 to 39.

98%

100%

50%

Measure

Summary of performance 

Committee’s assessment

Stay safe 
Colleague engagement
Simplification of the Group  Clearly defined strategy, good progress on Group restructuring, good progress on 

Good improvement in accident frequency and severity rates 
Strong improvement in colleague engagements’ scores

Achieved
Comprehensively achieved

IT strategy

Reset of core systems project; some progress in architecture modernisation

cost reduction measures

Comprehensively achieved
Limited achievement

Long-Term Incentive Plans (“LTIP”)
The long-term incentive figure in the single figure is made up of the following plans:

Performance Share Plan

Co-Investment Plan 

Total

John Carter

Alan Williams

Tony Buffin

£493,964 (33,330 shares including 3,108 dividend 
equivalents added in the vesting period)

£697,389 (47,056 shares including 4,413 dividend 

equivalents added in the vesting period) £1,191,353

£377,742 (25,488 shares including 2,303 dividend 
equivalents added in the vesting period)

£534,972 (36,097 shares including 3,385 dividend 
equivalents added in the vesting period)

£912,714

£302,232 (20,393 shares including 1,984 dividend 
equivalents added in the vesting period)

£427,924 (28,874 shares including 2,906 dividend 

equivalents added in the vesting period) £730,157

The value of shares vesting has been calculated with reference to the average price over the last quarter of 2019 of £14.82. 

106

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
Shareholder information

Performance Share Plan
The following table sets out the performance targets, achievements and vesting levels for the Performance Share Award granted in 2017 
and vesting in 2020 in respect of performance period ending on 31 December 2019: 

Measure

Adjusted EPS Growth

Relative TSR

Aggregate Cash Flow

Total vesting

Weighting

40%

20%

40%

Threshold

3% pa

 Median

 £866m

Maximum

10% pa

Actual

6%

 Upper quartile

51st percentile

 £958m

£1,068m

Vesting

0%

6%

40%

46%

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 2017 and vesting 
in 2020 in respect of performance period ending on 31 December 2019: 

Measure

Cash Return on Capital Employed (three-year average)

Weighting

100%

Threshold

 8.4%

Maximum

9.4%

Actual

10.5%

Total vesting

Vesting

100%

100%

When considering the level of annual bonus payout and long-term incentive vesting, the Committee also considered the underlying 
performance of the Group over the performance period, taking into account performance against key financial and non-financial indicators 
as well as the share price performance and the experience of shareholders and other stakeholders. The Committee also considered 
whether there had been a significant negative event (such as an ESG event) which would warrant an adjustment. The Committee 
concluded the proposed pay-out outcomes detailed above to be appropriate. 

Overall, the Committee considers that the Remuneration Policy has operated as it intended during 2019.

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. Nick Roberts receives 10% of salary paid as 
a mix of pension contributions to the DC scheme and a cash allowance. From 1 January 2020, Alan Williams’ pension provision will be fixed 
at £103,530.

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 2019

Nick Roberts
£000

5,000

26,500

31,500

John Carter
£000

n/a

105,022

105,022

Alan Williams
£000

n/a

127,500

127,500

Tony Buffin
£000

1.607

20,248

21,855

Share interests awarded during the financial year
Performance Share Plan

Date of Award

Type of Award

Basis

% Vesting 
at Lower 
Target

Nick Roberts**

Alan Williams

14 August 
2019

12 March 
2019

Performance 
Shares – nil 
cost option

150% of 
Salary

25%

Face Value*

Performance Period 

£944,997 
(78,423 shares at £12.05/share)

£764,997 
(53,911 shares at £14.19/share)

1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021

Awards are subject to an additional 
two-year holding period post 
vesting

*  Awards are increased at each dividend payment date to reflect the dividends that would have been paid on vested shares between grant and vesting.
**  On the same date, Nick Roberts was also awarded 2,489 market value options under the HMRC tax-advantaged CSOP element of the PSP with a face value of £30,000 and an exercise 
price of £12.05 (the market value on the day 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.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAnnual remuneration report continued

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

Measure

Weighting

Target range

Vesting range

Adjusted EPS growth

40%

Lower target – 3% pa 
over the vesting period

Maximum target – 10% pa over the 
vesting period

Aggregate cash flow 
over the performance period

40%

Lower target £1,100m 

Maximum target £1,200m

No vesting below lower target

Lower target – 25% vests

Maximum target – 100% vests

20%

Lower target – median performance (top 50%)

Pro-rata vesting between these points

Maximum target – upper quartile performance 
(top 25%)

Company TSR relative 
to FTSE 50–150 Index

Co-Investment Plan 

Date of award

Type of award

Basis

Nick Roberts

14 August 2019

Alan Williams

1 April 2019

Matching 
Shares 
– nil cost 
option

up to 2:1 
matching 
of shares 
purchased

% vesting 
at lower 
target

25%

Face value*

Performance period

£541,619 
(44,985 shares at £12.04/share)

£506,599
(36,978 shares at £13.70/share)

1 January 2019 to  
31 December 2021

Awards are subject to an 
additional two-year holding 
period post vesting

* Awards are increased at each dividend payment date to reflect the dividends 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

Cash Return on 
Capital Employed (“CROCE”)

Weighting

100%

Target detail

Lower target 8.3% 
Maximum target 9.3%

Matching range

0.5:1 matching at lower target
2:1 matching at maximum target
Pro-rata matching between these points

The Committee is currently reviewing the targets for 2018 and 2019 PSP and CIP matching awards in light of the introducing of IFRS 16 
and the demerger of Wickes. The adjusted targets will be disclosed in due course. The guiding principle for any adjustment is that the 
revised targets should be no easier or more challenging than the previous targets set.

Deferred Share Bonus Plan 
Shares awarded during 2019

Half of the bonus earned in respect of 2018 performance was awarded as deferred shares as follows:

John Carter

Tony Buffin

Alan Williams

Date of award

Face value

Number of shares**

Share price *

12 March 2019

£217,382

£139,979

£131,242

20,128

12,961

12,152

£10.80

£10.80

£10.80

*   The share price used to calculate the number of shares awarded was the last 30 days of the Company’s 2018 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 2019 will be issued as deferred shares as follows:

Nick Roberts

John Carter

Alan Williams

Shares vest three years from the date of award.

108

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Type of award

Basis

Shares 50% of 2019 bonus

Face value

£251,323

£327,620

£339,099

 
 
Shareholder information

Buyout arrangements for Nick Roberts
Nick Roberts joined the Board on 1 July 2019 and became CEO on 5 August 2019. On leaving his former employer Nick forfeited 
outstanding incentives. The Committee carefully considered whether it was appropriate to provide compensation for these forfeited awards 
and determined that this was a fair and reasonable approach. The “buy-out” awards made are summarised below. The value and terms of 
these awards were on a like-for-like basis with awards forfeited. 

•  On appointment Nick received a gross cash award of £210,000. This was to compensate for the forfeiture of a retention award granted 
to him by his previous employer. The forfeited award was in cash and not subject to any performance conditions. This award is reported 
in the single figure table for 2019.

•  To replace forfeited unconditional cash-settled awarrds, Nick was granted on appointment a cash award of £175,000 and a share award 
with a value of £175,000. The first £49,000 of each award will vest on 30 August 2020 with the balance of each award vesting on 
30 August 2021. These vesting dates reflect the original vesting dates of the forfeited awards. These awards are not subject to 
performance (as the forfeited awards they are in compensation for did not have performance conditions) but are subject to continued 
employment (and not being under notice) at the dates of vesting. These are awards reported in the single figure table for 2019.

•  On leaving his former employer Nick forfeited 2017 and 2018 awards which were due to vest in December 2019 and December 2020 
subject to performance. To replace these forfeited conditional LTIP awards Nick was granted an award with a value of £476,000 under 
the Performance Share Plan on 14 August 2019. This award vests after three years and is subject to the standard PSP performance 
measures (Aggregate cash, EPS growth and TSR) and rules which applied to all PSP awards made in 2019 to the senior management 
team earlier in the year. The Committee considered that it was appropriate to link this buy-out award to Travis Perkins’ performance to 
ensure Nick Roberts is incentivised to deliver value for our shareholders. The value of the forfeited awards were the same as the buy-out 
award. The forfeited awards were due to vest earlier than the vesting date of the compensatory award. These awards will be reported in 
the single figure table for 2021.

•  On tendering his resignation at his former employer Nick forfeited his right to receive incentive awards in respect of 2019. The 

Committee therefore considered that it was appropriate to granted him a PSP and CIP matching award under the 2019 Travis Perkins 
plans to compensate him for the fact that he did not receive full-year incentives at his former employer.

The following details the share awards granted to Nick Roberts in connection with his buy-out during the year:

Date of award

Type of award

% vesting at lower target

Face value

Performance period

Nick Roberts

14 August 
2019

Performance Shares 
– nil cost option

25%

£476,000
(39,502 shares 
at  
£12.05/share)

1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021

Subject to the same performance conditions as 
outlined above for 2019 awards

14 August 
2019

Buy-out award nil  
cost option

n/a

No performance conditions

£175,000
(14,522 shares at  
£12.05/share)

4,066 shares vesting on 30 August 2020 and 
10,456 shares vesting on 30 August 2021 
subject to continued employment

Remuneration arrangements for leaving Directors – in line with policy
John Carter stepped down as CEO and from the Board on 5 August 2019. He remained with the business until the end of 2019 to support 
transition. He continued to receive his salary, benefits and pension for this period. He did not receive a payment in lieu of notice. As he 
remained employed and working, he was eligible for a bonus for the period to 31 December 2019 on the same terms as normal.
John was treated as a good leaver for incentive purposes. He continues to be eligible to receive deferred bonus shares awarded in 2018, 
2019 and 2020 which vest at the normal time.

He also continues to be eligible to receive his 2018 PSP and CIP matching share awards. These awards have been pro-rated for time and 
remain subject to performance with vesting at the normal date. The PSP awards continued to be subject to holding periods. He did not 
receive PSP or CIP awards in 2019.

Tony Buffin stepped down from the Board on 26 February 2019 by reason of redundancy. As disclosed in the RNS announcing his 
departure, Tony continued to be paid salary and contractual benefits (including pension contributions / allowance) until 12 May 2019 when 
payments ceased upon him taking up alternative employment.

Tony was treated as good leaver for incentive purposes. He continues to be eligible to receive deferred bonus shares awarded in 2017, 2018 
and 2019 which vest at the normal time. He also continues to be eligible to receive his 2017 and 2018 PSP and CIP matching share 
awards. These awards are pro-rated for time, subject to performance and vesting at the normal date. The PSP awards continued to be 
subject to holding periods. He did not receive PSP or CIP awards in respect of 2019 but retained his all employee share awards. A fee of 
£3,250 (excluding VAT) was paid directly to third-party service providers in respect of legal services. Tony also received a statutory 
redundancy payment and £100 in consideration for enhanced post-employment undertakings. 

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

109

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAnnual remuneration report continued

Director’s shareholding and share interests – Executive Directors
Formal shareholding requirements (not voluntary guidelines) apply to Executive Directors and senior executives. The Committee may 
decide to scale back or withhold participation in long-term incentives if the requirements are not met or maintained. Executive Directors are 
required to hold shares valued at two times annual salary within five years of appointment. As at 31 December 2019 Nick Roberts’ 
shareholding was 0.3 times salary and Alan Williams’ was 4.6 times salary based on the average share price for the last quarter of 2019 
(£14.82). At the point of stepping down from the Board, the shareholdings of John Carter and Tony Buffin were 8.2 times and 4.0 times 
salary respectively. 

Directors’ shareholdings and share interests as at 31 December 2019 (or date of departure from Board if earlier):

Executive Director

Nick Roberts

Alan Williams

John Carter5

Tony Buffin5

Conditional 
Shares Granted 
Under LTI 
Plans1

Unconditional 
Shares Granted 
Under LTI 
Plans2

Unvested 
Options Subject 
to Performance 
Conditions3

Beneficial 
Owner

Vested but 
Unexercised 
Options

Total Interests

Interests 
Qualifying 
Towards 
Shareholder 
Requirement4

12,524

164,230

157,698

288,435

391,039

268,149

147,580

279,062

14,522

33,049

62,721

28,532

2,489

2,016

1,034

2,016

–

–

193,765

12,524

481,198

157,698

321

723,264

391,209

1,573

458,763

148,413

Includes unapproved Performance Share Plan awards, Co-Investment Plan awards and buyout awards which are subject to performance conditions.
1. 
2. 
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.
3.  Market value options awarded under the HMRC tax-advantaged CSOP element of the PSP. These awards are subject to the same performance conditions as the corresponding PSP award.
Interests qualifying towards shareholding requirement comprise ordinary shares beneficially held at 31 December 2019 by the executive and their spouse/partner, vested but unexercised 
4. 
SAYE options and the post tax value (53%) of any share options or awards which have vested but have not been exercised.
John Carter stepped down from the Board on 5 August 2019 and Tony Buffin stepped down from the Board on 26 February 2019 and their share interests are shown as at these dates.

5. 

There were no changes in Executive Directors’ share ownership between 31 December 2019 and 25 February 2020.

During 2019 the following awards were exercised:

John Carter

Performance Share Plan
Deferred Share Bonus Plan
Co-Investment Plan
Sharesave

Exercise Date

Number of Shares

Price per Share

4 March 2019
4 March 2019
1 April 2019
4 March 2019

24,298
2,441
40,547
1,177

£14.57
£14.57
£13.75
£12.74

Awards exercised up to 5 August 2019, the date on which John Carter stepped down from the Board.

Alan Williams

Buyout award

Exercise Date

Number of Shares

Price per Share

18 March 2019

25,657

£14.38

Nick Roberts did not exercise any awards during the year.
Tony Buffin had not exercised any awards on the date he stepped down from the Board.

Director’s shareholding and share interests – Non Executive Directors

Non-Executive Director

Ruth Anderson
Stuart Chambers
Marianne Culver
Blair Illingworth
Coline McConville
Pete Redfern
Christopher Rogers
John Rogers

Beneficial Shareholding
(as at 31 December 
2019)

Beneficial Shareholding
(as at 25 February 2020)

5,288
6,991
58
58
3,312
10,160
8,416
2,619

5,404
7,431
124
124
3,424
10,245
8,525
2,691

A minimum of 25% of Non-executive Director fees is paid in shares. Between 31 December 2019 and 27 February 2020 Non-executive 
Directors’ share ownership increased due to the payment of a portion of their fees in shares.

110

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

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 six 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.

The dates Executive Directors service contracts were entered into are as follows:
•  Nick Roberts – 1 July 2019
•  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

Ruth Anderson
Coline McConville
Pete Redfern
Christopher Rogers
John Rogers
Stuart Chambers

Expiry of Appointment Letter

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. Ruth Anderson and Christopher Rogers will not 
seek re-election at the 2020 AGM.

No compensation is payable on termination of the employment of Non-executive Directors, which may be with or without notice.

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. Nick Roberts holds a pre-
existing appointment as Director and Trustee of the Forces in Mind Trust. Nick receives no fee for this appointment. Alan Williams held no 
external appointments during 2019.

Funding of equity awards
Both executive incentive arrangements and entitlements under the HMRC-approved all-colleague Sharesave scheme are satisfied 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 2019 the Trust held 3,657,667 shares.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

111

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportAnnual remuneration report continued

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 09

Dec 09

Dec 10

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 13

Dec 14

Dec 15

Dec 16

Dec 17

Dec 18

Dec 19

TSR is rebased to 100 from 1 January 2009

Historic CEO pay

Single Figure Remuneration 

(£000)

Annual bonus payout (% of 

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

1,423

1,938

3,506

2,044

2,634

2,360

2,575

2,532

2,258

2,622

maximum)

100%

76%

27%

63%

89%

32%

24%

72%

35%

89%

Vesting of Share Options (% of 

maximum)

Vesting of Performance Share 

Plan (% of maximum)

Vesting of Co-Investment Plan 

(% of maximum)

–

0%

0%

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0%

80%

37%

45%

97%

54%

40%

40%

46%

51%

100%

0%

0%

44%

97%

100%

100%

100%

Data for 2019 relates to both Nick Roberts and John Carter, reflecting their tenure in the role of CEO during 2019. 2014–2018 relates to 
John Carter. Earlier data relates to the previous CEO, Geoff Cooper.

112

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
Shareholder information

CEO to all colleague pay ratio
The following table provides pay ratio data in respect of the CEO’s total remuneration compared to the 25th, median and 75th percentile 
colleague.

Financial Year

2019

Method 25th Percentile Pay Ratio

Median Pay Ratio 75th Percentile Pay Ratio

Option A

133

109

81

The colleagues used for the purposes of the table above were identified on a full-time equivalent basis as at 31 December 2019. Option A 
was chosen as it is considered to be the most accurate way of identifying the relevant colleagues.

Employee Pay includes salary, allowances, overtime, bonus, commission, benefits and share plan proceeds. For the purpose of the 
calculation, employee pay has been standardised to the equivalent of a 40 hour working week and where employees have started 
mid-period the employees’ pay has been restated on a full year basis to ensure a like-for like comparison.

The following table provides salary and total remuneration information in respect of the colleagues at each quartile.

Financial Year

2019

Element of Pay

Salary

Total remuneration

25th Percentile 
Colleague

Median Colleague

75th Percentile 
Colleague

19,760

19,760

20,706

24,154

21,080

32,332

The Board have confirmed that the ratio is consistent with the Company’s wider policies on colleague pay, reward and progression.

Change in remuneration of Director undertaking the role of CEO

Percentage change in salary earned 
(2019 full year compared to 2018 full year)†

Percentage change in bonus opportunity 
earned (2019 full-year forecast 
compared to 2018 full year)

Percentage change in taxable benefits received 
(2018–19 tax year compared 
to 2017–18 tax year)‡

CEO

Comparative Employee Group*

2%

2%

53.7%

14.5%

5.1%

7.7%

*   The comparator group is all colleagues within the merchanting businesses and central functions
†  Based on annual salary increases applied from 1 January 2019 
‡  Based on a match sample across the two periods

Relative importance of spend on pay
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 an 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.

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

846

781

-10.0%

116

116

+0%

Distribution to
Shareholders

2018         2019

191

143

-25.1%

Capex

55

53

Corporation
Tax

-3.6%

Colleague
Remuneration

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

113

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
Annual remuneration report continued

Governance
During the year the Committee comprised Coline McConville (Chairman), 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 £52,300 for advice provided to the Committee.
In addition John Carter (CEO to 5 August 2019), Nick Roberts (CEO from 5 August 2019), Alan Williams (CFO), Robin Miller (Company 
Secretary), Carol Kavanagh (Group Human Resources Director), Helen O’Keefe (Deputy Company Secretary), Jon Erb (Director of Group 
Finance) and Paul Nelson (Reward Director) 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 agrees with 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.

Key items discussed in 2019 meetings
In 2019 the Remuneration Committee formally met five times, with additional conference calls as required. The Committee discussed 
amongst others the following matters:

Month

January

February

September

October

December

Key Issues Considered

•  2019 incentive targets
•  Committee governance

•  Review of 2018 performance against targets and determining annual and long-term incentive outcomes
•  Annual bonus and LTIP targets for 2019
•  Directors’ salary review 2019
•  2018 Directors’ Remuneration Report
•  Committee governance

•  Review of performance for 2018
•  Annual bonus and LTI targets for 2019
•  Committee governance
•  Corporate governance including the new UK Corporate Governance Code
•  Review Directors’ Remuneration Policy for 2020

•  Review Directors’ Remuneration Policy for 2020
•  Approach to shareholder consultation

•  Salary review 2020
•  Review of performance targets for 2019 annual bonus and the 2017 long-term incentive awards
•  Review Directors’ Remuneration Policy for 2020
•  Review of shareholder feedback
•  Review of the impact of the Wickes’ transaction on incentive arrangements

114

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

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 (2019 AGM)

195,676,339

97.09%

5,862,852

2.91%

725,902

To receive and approach the Directors’ Remuneration 

Policy (2017 AGM)

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 by:

Coline McConville
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee
2 March 2020

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

115

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportDirectors’ Report
For the year ended 31 December 2019

The Directors present their Annual Report and audited accounts for 
the year ended 31 December 2019. The Corporate Governance 
Report on pages 75 to 79 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 34 to 39. Whilst the Group operates 
predominantly in the UK, it has a small number of branches in the 
Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland and the recently acquired 
company Toolstation Europe has 66 branches in Belgium, France 
and Holland.

Director’s conflict of interest
During the year, no Director had any material interest in any contract 
of significance to the Group’s business. The Company has 
undertaken to comply with best practice on approval of Directors’ 
conflicts of interest 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 2019 including holdings, if any, 
of spouses and of children under the age of 18 are contained in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 88 to 91.

Information to be disclosed under LR 9.8.4R

Listing rule

Detail

Page Reference

9.8.4R (1–2)(5–11)(14) Not applicable

9.8.4R (4)

9.8.4R(12)

9.8.4R (13)

Long-term incentive 
schemes

Dividend waiver

Dividend waiver

90

170

170

Articles of Association
The Company’s Articles of Association may only be amended by 
special resolution at a general meeting of the Shareholders. The 
Company has determined that all Directors should seek election or 
re-election at the Annual General Meeting. The Articles of 
Association of the Company further regulate the appointment and 
removal of Directors, in addition to the Companies Act 2006 and 
related legislation. The powers and responsibilities of the Directors 
are described in the Corporate Governance Report on pages  
75 to 79.

Board of Directors
The names of the Directors at 31 December 2019 together with 
their biographical details are set out on pages 72 to 73. With the 
exception of Marianne Culver and Blair Illingworth who joined the 
Board on 1 November 2019 all 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 light of the outcome of the evaluation of the Board’s 
effectiveness set out on page 78 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’ 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 remain in force in the year ended 
31 December 2019.

Greenhouse gas emissions’ reporting
Details of the Group’s greenhouse gas emissions’ reporting can be 
found in the Sustainability Report on pages 52 to 66.

Results and dividends
The Group results for the year ended 31 December 2019 and 
dividends for the year ending 31 December 2019 are set out in the 
income statement and note 21 respectively. The final dividend will 
be paid on 15 May 2020 to those shareholders on the register at 
the close of business on 2 April 2020.

Balance sheet and post balance sheet events
The balance sheet on page 132 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 40 to 51.

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 34 to 39. Specific quantitative 
information on borrowings and financial instruments is given in 
notes 22 to 28 on pages 171 to 172 and 175 to 179 of the financial 
statements.

116

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Substantial shareholdings
As at 31 December 2019, 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:

Shareholder information

BlackRock, Inc.
Investec Asset Management
Harris Associates L.P.
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
Sanderson Asset Management LLP
Sprucegrove Investment Management Ltd

Between 31 December and 29 February 2020 no notifications 
were received by the Company:

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

Colleagues
Statements on colleague matters are contained in the Sustainability 
section of the Annual Report on pages 52 to 66. 

Details of the number of colleagues 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 80 to 81 and in the Sustainability section of the 
Annual Report on pages 52 to 66.

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, 
marital status, pregnancy, gender reassignment, 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 colleagues.

Number

%

Indirect Not disclosed
12,741,837
Indirect
12,398,948
Indirect
12,381,080
Indirect
12,321,382
Indirect
12,006,659
Not disclosed

Less than 5%
5.05
4.92
4.91
4.89
4.76

The Group’s policies and practices have been designed to keep 
colleagues informed on matters relevant to them as colleagues 
through regular meetings and communications. There are various 
channels utilised across the Group and these include listening 
groups; colleague forums; workshops; conferences; internal 
newsletters and newspapers; and online communities. Colleagues 
representatives are consulted regularly on a wide range of matters 
affecting their interests through various channels including colleague 
forums. To achieve a common awareness of the financial and 
economic factors affecting the performance of the Group, 
Colleagues 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 colleagues 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 pages 88 to 90.

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

Political donations
The Group’s policy is not to make 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 set the auditor’s remuneration.

Stakeholder engagement
A summary of how the Group engages with stakeholders is  
set out in the Section 172 Statement on pages 67 to 68 of the 
Strategic Report.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

117

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportDirectors’ Report continued

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
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

• 

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 any 
colleague 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 colleagues 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
General Counsel & Company Secretary
2 March 2020

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 2019 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 and all 
shares rank pari passu.

The rights and obligations attaching to the shares are set out in the 
Company’s Articles of Association. Fully paid shares in the 
Company are freely transferable. There are no persons that hold 
securities carrying special rights with regard to the control of the 
Company. Details of the structure of the Company’s share capital 
and changes in the share capital during the year are also included in 
note 19 of the financial statements.

As at 31 December 2019 the Travis Perkins Employee Share 
Ownership Trust owned 3,657,667 shares in the Company (1.5% of 
the 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.

118

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities
in respect of the Annual Report and the financial statements

Shareholder information

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and 
the Group and Parent Company financial statements in accordance 
with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare Group and Parent 
Company financial statements for each financial year.  Under that 
law they are required to prepare the Group financial statements in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as 
adopted by the European Union (“IFRSs as adopted by the EU”) 
and applicable law and have elected to prepare the Parent 
Company financial statements on the same basis.

Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial 
statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view 
of the state of affairs of the Group and Parent Company and of their 
profit or loss for that period.  In preparing each of the Group and 
Parent Company financial statements, the Directors are required to:  
•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 

consistently  

•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable, relevant 

and reliable  

•  state whether they have been prepared in accordance with 

IFRSs as adopted by the EU  

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

•  use 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.  

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parent 
Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at 
any time the financial position of the Parent Company and enable 
them to ensure that its financial statements comply with the 
Companies Act 2006. They are 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, Directors’ Report, 
Directors’ Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance 
Statement that complies with that law and those regulations.  
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of 
the corporate and financial information included on the Company’s 
website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in 
other jurisdictions. 

Responsibility statement of the Directors in respect  
of the annual financial report
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:  
• 

the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the 
applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view 
of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the 
Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole  
the Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development 
and performance of the business and the position of the issuer 
and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a 
whole, together with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that they face  

• 

We consider the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is 
fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and 
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:

Nick Roberts 
Chief Executive 
2 March 2020 

Alan Williams
Chief Financial Officer
2 March 2020

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

119

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report  
 
 
 
 
Financial statements

Financial
statements

Financial statements
122  Independent Auditor’s Report
131  Consolidated income statement
131  Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income
132  Consolidated balance sheet
133  Consolidated statement of changes  

in equity

134  Consolidated cash flow statement
135  Company statement of comprehensive 

income

136  Company balance sheet
137  Company statement of changes in 

equity

138  Company cash flow statement
139  Notes to the financial statements

The right systems

120120
120

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019
Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Financial

statements

Shareholder information

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

121

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report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 2019 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 2019 and of the Group’s profit for the year then 
ended

the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 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

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 first appointed as auditor by the shareholders on 28 May 
2015. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is for the five 
financial years ended 31 December 2019. 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 were provided.

Overview

Materiality:
Group financial statements  
as a whole

Coverage

Key audit matters

Recurring risks

£16m (2018: £16m)

4.7% (2018: 5%) of Group 
profit before tax and adjusting 
items as disclosed on the face 
of the income statement.

95% (2018:95%) of Group 
profit before tax and adjusting 
items as disclosed on the face 
of the income statement

vs 2018

The impact of 
uncertainties due to 
Britain exiting the 
European Union

Going Concern  
(driven by Brexit)

Recoverability of 
Wickes Goodwill

Deferral of supplier 
rebates into Inventory

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

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Shareholder information

2.  Key audit matters: 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 risk

Our response

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

Refer to page 43 and 47 
(principal risks), 

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 the 
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 its 
effects are subject to unprecedented 
levels of uncertainty of consequences, 
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 the 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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Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report 
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to the members of Travis Perkins plc

2.  Key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material misstatement continued

Going Concern  
(driven by Brexit)

Refer to page 78  
(Corporate Governance 
Report) and page 139 
(accounting policy).

The risk

Our response

Disclosure quality

Our procedures included:

•  Funding assessment: Considering the current and 
available committed facilities, including the facility 
documentation, to assess their availability to the Group 
during the forecast period. Considering any related 
covenants requirements and the evidence available 
regarding whether they will be met.

•  Historical comparisons: Assessing historical 

forecasting accuracy, by comparing forecast cash flows 
to those actually achieved by the Group.

•  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.

•  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. 

•  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  
(2018: acceptable).

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, 
in particular, risks associated with Brexit, 
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 
mainly driven by Brexit and were:

•  The impact of a significant business 
continuity issue affecting the Group’s 
suppliers

•  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 
the above risks were such that they 
amounted to a material uncertainty that 
may have cast significant doubt about 
the ability of the Group and Company to 
continue as a going concern. Had they 
been such, then that fact would have 
been required to have been disclosed.

124

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Shareholder information

Recoverability of Wickes’ 
goodwill

(Goodwill: £455million;  
2018: £455 million)

Refer to page 85  
(Audit Committee Report),  
pages 139 to 140  
(Critical judgements and key 
sources of estimation 
uncertainty) and pages  
150 to 152 and 179 to 181  
(financial disclosures).

The risk

Our response

Subjective estimate

Our procedures included:

Notwithstanding the £246 million 
impairment charge recognised in FY18 
the Goodwill allocated to the Wickes 
Cash Generating Unit remains significant 
(£455 million) and represents one of the 
Group’s most significant assets. Despite 
improving financial performance in FY19, 
a worsening in the UK economy, fall in 
consumer confidence, the impact of cost 
price inflation or being slow to respond to 
changes in customer buying behaviours 
may impact the performance of the 
Wickes businesses over the short, 
medium and long term such that the 
remaining goodwill balance could be 
further impaired. As a result we anticipate 
that the recoverable amount in the year 
end impairment calculation (determined 
with reference to Value In Use) will be 
sensitive to key assumptions, notably; the 
discount rate, forecast revenue growth 
and forecast profit margins. We consider 
that the Wickes Value in Use calculation 
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 and possibly many times that 
amount.

•  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 and profitability 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, medium term profitability 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 carrying amount of Wickes’  
goodwill to be acceptable (2018: acceptable).

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportIndependent auditor’s report continued
to the members of Travis Perkins plc

2.  Key audit matters: our assessment of risks of material misstatement continued

Deferral of supplier rebates 
into Inventory

Refer to page 84  
(Audit Committee Report), 
pages 139 to 140 (accounting 
policy) and pages 158 to 159 
(financial disclosures)

The risk

Our response

Complex calculation

Our procedures included:

The Group carries a wide range of 
inventory and receives a significant value 
of supplier income from a large number 
of suppliers that are required to be 
deducted from the cost of inventory. The 
calculation of cost is made more difficult 
by the ageing accounting system.

We consider the risk to relate to the 
accuracy of the inventory cost held on  
the balance sheet at the year end.

•  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).

•  Reperformance: Recalculating the inventory net 

purchase cost for the entire population of inventory for 
in-scope components in Merchanting at year end from 
the full year’s product cost database.

•  Test of details: For a statistical sample of recalculated 
inventory 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 deferral of 
supplier rebates into inventory to be acceptable  
(2018: acceptable).

Recoverability of the Parent 
Company’s investments 
in subsidiaries

(£3,609 million; 2018: £3,558 
million)

Refer to pages 82 to 87 (Audit 
Committee Report), pages 182 
to 183 (accounting policy) and 
pages 182 to 183 (financial 
disclosures)

Subjective estimate

Our procedures included:

The carrying amounts of the Parent 
Company’s investments in subsidiaries 
are significant and may not be 
recoverable. The estimated recoverable 
amount of these balances is determined 
with reference to their net assets or value 
in use. The latter is.will be sensitive to key 
assumptions, notably; the discount rate, 
forecast revenue growth and forecast 
profit margins.

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 and possibly many times that 
amount.

•  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.

•  Assessing transparency: Assessing the adequacy of 
the Parent Company’s disclosures in respect of the 
investments in subsidiaries.

Our results
We found the carrying amount of the Parent’s investments 
in subsidiaries to be acceptable (2018: acceptable).

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Group Materiality
£16m (2018: £16m)

£16m
Whole financial
statements materiality
(2018: £16m)

£9.6m
Range of materiality at 10 
components (£3.2m-£9.6m)
(2018: £1.5m to £8.0m)

£0.8m
Misstatements reported to 
the audit committee 
(201X: £0.5m) 

Group revenue 

Group profit before tax 

and adjusting items*

91%

(2018 88%)

88

91

95%

(2018 95%)

95

95

Group total assets

Group profit before tax**

93%

(2018 89%)

89

93

90%

(2018 88%)

88

90

Full scope for group audit purposes 2019
Full scope for group audit purposes 2018
Residual components

Shareholder information

We continue to perform procedures over the recognition of supplier 
income and recoverability of respective receivables. However, the 
specific risk that is of most significance to the audit and which is 
reflected in the key audit matter described above is the deferral of 
supplier income into inventory. The quantum and timing of 
recognition of supplier income and recoverability of the related 
supplier income receivable does not involve significant estimation or 
judgement. As a result, we have not assessed supplier income or 
supplier income receivable as one of the most significant risks in 
our current year audit and, therefore, it is not separately identified in 
our report this year.

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 3 of the 3 (2018 1 of 2) component 
locations subject to full scope audits to assess the audit risk and 
strategy. Telephone conference meetings were also held with all 
component auditors. At these visits and meetings, the findings were 
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. 

3.  Our application of materiality and an overview  

of the scope of our audit

Gross profit before tax 
and adjusting items*
£340.9m (2018: £337.3m)

Materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole was set at 
£16 million (2018: £16 million), determined with reference to a 
benchmark of Group profit before tax and before adjusting items as 
disclosed on the face of the income statement (‘Adjusted Group 
profit before tax*’) of £340.9 million of which it represents 4.7% 
(2018:5.0%). 

Materiality for the Parent Company financial statements as a whole 
was set at £9.6 million (2018: £8.0 million), determined with 
reference to a benchmark of Company total assets, of which it 
represents 0.2% (2018: 0.2%). 

We reported to the Audit Committee any corrected or uncorrected 
identified misstatements exceeding £0.8 million (2018: £0.5 
million), in addition to other identified misstatements that warranted 
reporting on qualitative grounds. 

Of the Group’s 53 (2017: 50) reporting components, we subjected 
Gross profit before tax 
9 (all UK based) (2018: 10 (all UK based)) to full scope audits for 
and adjusting items*
Group purposes.
£340.9m (2018: £337.3m)

Group Materiality
£16m (2018: £16m)

£16m
Whole financial
statements materiality
(2018: £16m)

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 profit 
before tax and before adjusting items, total revenue and total assets.
The remaining 10% of total Group revenue, 5% of Group profit 
before tax and before adjusting items* and 17% of total Group 
£9.6m
assets is represented by 44 reporting components, none of which 
Range of materiality at 10 
components (£3.2m-£9.6m)
individually represented more than 3% of any of total Group 
(2018: £1.5m to £8.0m)
revenue, adjusted Group profit before tax and before adjusting 
items* or total Group assets. For these residual components, we 
Group PBT before…
performed analysis at an aggregated Group level to re-examine our 
£0.8m
Group materiality
assessment that there were no significant risks of material 
Misstatements reported to 
misstatement within these.
the audit committee 
(201X: £0.5m) 

*adjusting items as disclosed on the face of the income statement

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 
£3.2 million to £9.6 million, having regard to the mix of size and risk 
profile of the Group across the components. The work on 3 of the 
9 components (2018: 2 of the 10 components) was performed by 
component auditors, and the rest, including the audit of the Parent 

Group PBT before…
Group materiality

*adjusting items as disclosed on the face of the income statement
Group revenue 

Group profit before tax 
and adjusting items*

91%

(2018 88%)

88

91

95%

(2018 95%)

95

95

Group total assets

Group profit before tax**

93%

(2018 89%)

89

93

90%

(2018 88%)

88

90

Full scope for group audit purposes 2019
Full scope for group audit purposes 2018
Residual components

adjusting items as disclosed on the face of the income statement.

* 
**  90% (2018: 90% of the total profits and losses that made up group profit before tax.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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4.  We have nothing to report on going concern

5.  We have nothing to report on the other information 

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 the 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.

• 

the related statement under the Listing Rules set out on pages 
38 to 39 is materially inconsistent with our audit knowledge.

We have nothing to report in these respects.

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;

• 

• 

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 emerging and 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 page 39 
that they have carried out a robust assessment of the emerging 
and principal risks facing the Group, including those that would 
threaten its business model, future performance, solvency and 
liquidity;

the Principal Risks 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.

128

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the viability 
statement. We have nothing to report in this respect.

6.  We have nothing to report on the other matters on 

which we are required to report by exception

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:

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 identified material inconsistencies between the 

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we 

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

require for our audit.

We have nothing to report in these respects.

7.  Respective responsibilities

• 

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 
provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified by the 
Listing Rules for our review.

We have nothing to report in these respects.

Directors’ responsibilities
As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 119, 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, 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.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportIndependent auditor’s report continued
to the members of Travis Perkins plc

7.  Respective responsibilities continued
Irregularities – ability to detect

8.  The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe 

our responsibilities

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), and from inspection of the Group’s 
regulatory and legal 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.

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. 

Tony Sykes
(Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor

The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial 
statements varies considerably.

Chartered Accountants

Firstly, 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 and taxation legislation and we assessed the 
extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of  
our procedures on the related financial statement items.

15 Canada Square,
Canary Wharf,
London,
E14 5GL

2 March 2020

Secondly, the Group is subject to many other laws and regulations 
where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material 
effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for 
instance through the imposition of fines or litigation. We identified 
the following areas as those most likely to have such an effect: 
health and safety and employment law. Auditing standards limit  
the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with  
these laws and regulations to enquiry of the Directors and other 
management and inspection of regulatory and legal 
correspondence, if any. These limited procedures did not  
identify actual or suspected non-compliance.

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.

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Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Consolidated income statement
For the year ended 31 December 2019

Shareholder information

£m

Revenue

Adjusted operating profit
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Adjusting items – operating

Operating profit/(loss)
Adjusting items – remeasurement of associates
Share of associates’ result
Finance costs
Finance income

Profit/(loss) before tax

Adjusting items – deferred tax
Other tax

Total tax

Profit/(loss) for the year

Attributable to:
Owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests

Earnings per ordinary share:
Basic
Diluted

Notes

1

2(a)

3

2(a)
3

6(a)
6(a)

3

7(a)

20(a)
20(a)

2019

6,955.7

441.5
(9.0)
(200.4)

232.1
40.3
(4.3)
(92.2)
4.9

180.8

(27.1)
(30.9)

(58.0)

122.8

121.1
1.7

122.8

48.9p
48.4p

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 2019

£m

Profit/(loss) for the year
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss:
Actuarial (loss)/gain on defined benefit pension schemes
Income tax relating to other comprehensive income
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss:
Foreign exchange differences on retranslation of foreign operations
Other comprehensive income for the year net of tax

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

All other comprehensive income is attributable to the owners of the Company.

Notes

18(h)
7(b)

2019

122.8

(43.0)
8.3

3.2
(31.5)

91.3

2018

6,740.5

374.5
(9.5)
(386.7)

(21.7)
–
(4.0)
(27.9)
4.2

(49.4)

–
(34.1)

(34.1)

(83.5)

(85.6)
2.1

(83.5)

(34.4)p
(34.4)p

2018

(83.5)

102.0
(19.3)

–
82.7

(0.8)

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

131

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportConsolidated balance sheet
As at 31 December 2019

£m

Assets
Non-current assets
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right-of-use assets
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

Assets of disposals Group classified as held for sale

Total assets

Equity and liabilities
Capital and reserves
Issued share capital
Share premium account
Merger reserve
Revaluation reserve
Own shares
Foreign exchange reserve
Other reserve
Retained earnings

Equity attributable to owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Non-current liabilities
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Lease liabilities
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred tax liabilities
Retirement benefit liability
Long-term provisions

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Lease liabilities
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other payables
Tax liabilities
Short-term provisions

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Liabilities of disposal Group classified as held for sale

Total equity and liabilities

Notes

2019

2018

8(a)
8(b)
9
10(a)
31(a)
31(c)
18(c)
13

11
13
23(b)

14

19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19

22
10(a)
28
16
18(c)
15

22
10(a)
28
17

15

14

1,359.1
332.6
882.0
1,276.8
1.9
6.7
57.5
–

3,916.6

937.8
1,239.7
207.9

2,385.4

138.0

6,440.0

25.2
545.6
326.5
14.5
(50.8)
3.2
(4.1)
1,722.6

2,582.7
4.4

2,587.1

583.3
1,253.6
–
62.7
4.9
8.0

1,912.5

–
158.7
2.5
1,613.9
13.4
60.4

1,848.9

3,761.4

91.5

6,440.0

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 2 March 2020 and 
signed on its behalf by:

Nick Roberts 
Director   

Alan Williams
Director

132

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December 2019

Shareholder information

£m

At 1 January 2018

Loss for the year
Other comprehensive 

income for the period net 
of tax

Total comprehensive (loss) 

/income for the year

Dividends paid
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
Tax on equity-settled 

share-based payments
Option on non-controlling 

interest

Foreign exchange
Own shares movement

At 31 December 2018

At 1 January 2019

Impact of change in 
accounting policy

Adjusted balance at 1 

January 2019

Profit for the year
Other comprehensive 

income for the period net 
of tax

Total comprehensive
income for the year
Dividends paid
Dividend equivalent 

payments

Issue of share capital
Purchase of own shares
Adjustments in respect of 
revalued fixed assets
Arising on acquisition
Equity-settled share-based 

payments

Tax on equity-settled 

share-based payments
Option on non-controlling 

interest

Own shares movement

At 31 December 2019

Notes

Share 
capital

Share 
premium

Merger 
reserve

Revaluation 
reserve

Own 
shares

25.2 543.4 326.5

15.7

(15.3)

–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–
–

–
2.0
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–
–

–
–
–

(1.0)

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–
–

–

(43.4)

–

–

–

–
–
10.9

25.2 545.4 326.5

25.2 545.4 326.5

14.7

14.7

(47.8)

(47.8)

38

–

–

–

–

–

25.2 545.4 326.5

14.7

(47.8)

–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–
0.2
–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–
–
–

(0.2)
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–
–

–
–
(7.7)

–
–

–

–

–
4.7

–

–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

3.2

3.2
–

–
–
–

–
–

–

–

–
–

Foreign 
exchange 
reserve

Other

Retained 
earnings

Total equity 
before 
non–controlling 
interest

Non–
controlling 
interest

Total equity

(4.9)

1,955.6

2,846.2

11.7 2,857.9

(85.6)

(85.6)

2.1

(83.5)

82.7

82.7

–

82.7

–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–

(2.9)
(114.1)

(0.8)
–
–

1.0

19.6

0.1

(0.7)
–
–

–
(0.1)
(10.9)

(2.9)
(114.1)

(0.8)
2.0
(43.4)

–

19.6

0.1

(0.7)
(0.1)
–

2.1
(2.0)

–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

(0.8)
(116.1)

(0.8)
2.0
(43.4)

–

19.6

0.1

(0.7)
(0.1)
–

(5.6) 1,847.5

2,705.9

11.8 2,717.7

(5.6) 1,847.5

2,705.9

11.8 2,717.7

–

(106.1)

(106.1)

–

(106.1)

(5.6)

1,741.4

2,599.8

11.8 2,611.6

–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–

–

–

1.5
–

121.1

121.1

1.7

122.8

(34.7)

(31.5)

86.4
(116.2)

89.6
(116.2)

(0.1)
–

–

0.2
(11.9)

(0.1)
0.2
(7.7)

–
(11.9)

23.0

23.0

4.5

–
(4.7)

4.5

1.5
–

–

1.7
–

–
–
–

(31.5)

91.3
(116.2)

(0.1)
0.2
(7.7)

–
(9.1)

–
(21.0)

–

–

–
–

23.0

4.5

1.5
–

25.2 545.6 326.5

14.5 (50.8)

3.2

(4.1) 1,722.6

2,582.7

4.4 2,587.1

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

133

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportConsolidated cash flow statement
For the year ended 31 December 2019

£m

2019

2018

Cash flows from operating activities
Adjusted operating profit
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Depreciation of right-of-use assets*
Lease terminations and impairments*
Amortisation and impairment of internally-generated intangibles
Share-based payments
Foreign exchange
Other non-cash movements
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of toolhire assets

Adjusted operating cash flows
Increase in inventories
Decrease/(increase) in receivables
(Decrease)/increase in payables
(Decrease)/increase in supplier financing arrangements
Payments in respect of adjusting items
Pension payments in excess of the income statement charge

Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Interest on lease liabilities*
Debt arrangement fees
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
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 lease liabilities*
Payments to pension scheme
Dividends paid
Purchase of non-controlling interest

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 23b)

441.5

97.5
174.3
2.2
23.5
19.9
4.1
4.2
(20.6)
(9.2)

737.4
(104.2)
12.5
(36.4)
(0.1)
(90.0)
(9.9)

509.1
(27.0)
(57.0)
(2.9)
(52.9)

369.4

0.8
82.0
(8.4)
(125.2)
(20.6)
(23.0)
–

(94.4)

0.2
(7.7)
(175.6)
(3.4)
(116.2)
(19.8)

(322.5)

(47.5)

255.4
207.9

374.5

101.0
–
–
15.5
19.6
–
2.1
(26.8)
–

485.9
(49.5)
(141.4)
80.9
2.9
(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

* These are new or altered captions arising from the implementation of IFRS 16 - Leases. See notes 10 and 38 for details on this new 
standard and its impact on these financial statements.

134

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Company statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 31 December 2019

Shareholder information

£m

Revenue

Adjusted operating profit
Adjusting items

Operating profit
Finance income
Finance costs

(Loss)/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)

2019

80.0

56.9
(19.6)

37.3
2.3
(49.0)

(9.4)
13.3

3.9

3.9

2018

385.8

367.1
(274.7)

92.4
4.1
(48.3)

48.2
12.9

61.1

61.1

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.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

135

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportCompany balance sheet
As at 31 December 2019

£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
Amounts due to subsidiaries
Derivative financial instruments

Total non-current liabilities

Current liabilities
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other payables

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

Notes

2019

2018

9

31(b)
31(c)
16

13

19
19
19
19
19
19

22(a)

28

28
17

0.1
0.1
3,589.5
4.7
3.9

3,598.3

731.3
96.0

827.3

0.4
46.4
3,558.3
4.6
1.5

3,611.2

615.4
177.4

792.8

4,425.6

4,404.0

25.2
544.3
326.5
(50.8)
(4.1)
600.8

1,441.9

1,441.9

551.8
2,408.0
-

2,959.8

2.5
21.4

23.9

2,983.7

4,425.6

25.2
544.3
326.5
(47.8)
(5.6)
693.2

1,535.8

1,535.8

555.2
2,285.6
0.9

2,841.7

4.7
21.8

26.5

2,868.2

4,404.0

The financial statements of Travis Perkins plc, registered number 824821, were approved by the Board of Directors on 2 March 2020 and 
signed on its behalf by:

Nick Roberts 
Director   

Alan Williams
Director

136

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
Company statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December 2019

Shareholder information

£m

At 1 January 2018
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
Options on non-controlling interest

Share  
capital

Share  
premium

Merger  
reserve

25.2
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

542.3
–
–
–
2.0
–
–
–
–
–

326.5
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Own  
shares

(15.3)
–
–
–
–
(43.4)
10.9
–
–
–

Other

(4.9)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(0.7)

Retained 
earnings

738.8
61.1
(114.1)
(0.8)
–
–
(10.9)
(0.5)
19.6
–

Total  
equity

1,612.6
61.1
(114.1)
(0.8)
2.0
(43.4)
–
(0.5)
19.6
(0.7)

At 31 December 2018

25.2

544.3

326.5

(47.8)

(5.6)

693.2

1,535.8

Profit and total comprehensive income for the year
Dividends
Dividend equivalent payments
Purchase of own shares
Own shares movement
Equity-settled share-based payments
Tax on equity-settled share-based payments
Options on non-controlling interest

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
(7.7)
4.7
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1.5

3.9
(116.2)
(0.1)
–
(4.7)
23.0
1.7
–

3.9
(116.2)
(0.1)
(7.7)
–
23.0
1.7
1.5

At 31 December 2019

25.2

544.3

326.5

(50.8)

(4.1)

600.8

1,441.9

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

137

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportCompany cash flow statement
For the year ended 31 December 2019

£m

Cash flows from operating activities
Adjusted operating profit
Adjustments for:
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
Proceeds on disposal 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
Debt arrangement fees
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

2019

2018

56.9

10.5

67.4
(515.9)
584.3

135.8
(27.0)

108.8

0.6
–
0.3
(20.6)
(43.7)

(63.4)

–
(7.7)
(2.9)
(116.2)
(126.8)

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)

(81.4)

(49.4)

177.4
96.0

226.8
177.4

138

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 December 2019

Shareholder information

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 185. The nature of the Group’s operations and its principal activities are set out in the Strategic Report on pages 3 to 69..

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”) adopted by the 
European Union under current legislation 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 power over the investee
• 
•  Has the ability to use its power to affect its returns

Is exposed or has rights to a variable return from the involvement with the investee

As such, the results of subsidiaries acquired during the year are included in the consolidated income statement from the effective date 
of acquisition.

Following the Group’s decision to postpone the sale of the Plumbing & Heating business, announced in October 2019, the classification as 
held for sale of this business segment, introduced in 2019 interim statement, has been reversed in 2019 Annual Report and Accounts..

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. Detailed considerations of going concern and principal risks and uncertainties 
are provided in the Annual Report on pages 78 and 40 to 51 respectively.

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.

Significant accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted in preparing the financial statements are provided throughout the notes to the 
financial statements.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

139

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

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.
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.

Key estimates which are material to the financial statements are found in the following notes:

Page

158

162

163

179

Note

11

15

18

29

Description

Cost of inventories

Claims in respect of the merchant ERP programme

Pension assumptions

Impairment of goodwill

Key judgements which are material to the financial statements are found in the following notes:

Page

181

Note

29

Description

Definition of cash-generating units

Other significant judgements made in the preparation of these financial statements include contingent assets and liabilities in respect of the 
cancellation of the Merchant ERP replacement programme.

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.

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.

Significant items
During the year ended 31 December 2019 the following significant items took place that are relevant to the understanding of the Group’s 
results and financial position:

Group transformation and restructuring (note 3): 
As part of the strategy of focusing on the trade and simplifying the Group, a programme has been undertaken to demerge the Wickes 
business and separate the IT and support activities of the Plumbing & Heating segment. 

The costs associated with these transformation and restructuring activities have been disclosed as adjusting items.

As part of this programme the wholesale Plumbing & Heating business, Primaflow F&P, was sold in January 2020 for cash consideration of 
£50.1m. The assets and liabilities of this business have been classified as assets held for sale in the Group balance sheet as at 
31 December 2019.

140

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Acquisition of Toolstation Europe (note 32):
In September the Group acquired control of Toolstation Europe for cash consideration of £21.9m. This has resulted in the consolidation of 
this business, the derecognition of the previous investment in associates balance and the recognition of goodwill and other intangible assets 
of £92.2m.

A gain of £40.3m recognised as a result of the remeasurement of the previous investment in associates balance to fair value has been 
disclosed as an adjusting item.

IFRS 16 – Leases (note 10): 
The new lease accounting standard is now effective for the Group for the first time and it has had a material impact on the Group’s income 
statement and balance sheet as well as key ratios.

IT-related impairment charge (notes 3 and 8):
An impairment charge of £107.6m has been recognised in respect of the cancellation of the Merchant ERP replacement programme.  
The Group is negotiating the termination of its relationship with the software provider and does not expect to incur any further liabilities  
in respect of this.

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 amount which is highly probably not to reverse, is deducted from turnover in the year in which the 
revenue is recognised.

a.  Revenue

£m

Sale of goods
Sale of services
Dividends from subsidiaries

The Group

The Company

2019

6,739.0
216.7
–

6,955.7

2018

6,546.6
193.9
–

6,740.5

2019

–
–
80.0

80.0

2018

–
–
385.8

385.8

b.  Revenue reconciliation and like-for-like sales
As explained in note 5 the Group has changed its internal reporting structure and as a result has changed the definition of operating 
segments. The segmental information for revenue and like-for-like sales has been restated to reflect the new operating segments.

£m

2018 revenue
Like-for-like revenue

Network change

2019 revenue

Merchanting

3,608.8
116.7

3,725.5
(22.1)

3,703.4

Retail

Toolstation

1,249.6
105.1

1,354.7
(12.3)

1,342.4

354.4
57.5

411.9
33.2

445.1

Plumbing 
& Heating

1,527.7
(26.0)

1,501.7
(36.9)

1,464.8

Total

6,740.5
253.3

6,993.8
(38.1)

6,955.7

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.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

141

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

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 profit/(loss)
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

Profit/(loss) before tax
Adjusting items (note 3)
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Adjusted profit before tax
Total tax
Tax on adjusting items 
Adjusting items - deferred tax (note 3)
Tax on amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Adjusted profit after tax

The Group

The Company

2019

6,955.7
(4,921.1)

2,034.6
(1,475.9)
(353.6)
20.6
6.4

232.1
200.4
9.0

441.5
(20.6)

420.9

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

2019

80.0
–

80.0
–
(23.1)
–
–

56.9
19.6
–

76.5
–

76.5

The Group

2019

180.8
160.1
9.0

349.9
(58.0)
(36.3)
27.1
(1.6)

281.1

2018

385.8
–

385.8
–
(293.4)
–
–

92.4
274.7
–

367.1
–

367.1

2018

(49.4)
386.7
9.5

346.8
(34.1)
(24.2)
-
(1.6)

286.9

Adjusted profit excludes adjusting items and amortisation of acquired intangible assets.

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, 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.

142

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

The Group

The Company

Shareholder information

£m

2019

2018

Adjusting items – operating
IT-related impairment charge
Plumbing & Heating separation and disposal process
Wickes separation and demerger costs
Merchant supply chain and support centre restructuring
Loss on the sale and closure of businesses
Impairment of investments and goodwill
Pension-related items

Adjusting items – business acquisitions
Fair value gain on the acquisition of Toolstation Europe

Adjusting items – tax
Rollover relief deferred tax

107.6
46.5
11.7
21.5
13.1
–
–

200.4

(40.3)

(40.3)

27.1

27.1

187.2

15.7
45.3
–
58.4
10.3
252.1
4.9

386.7

–

–

–

–

2019

–
–
–
–
–
19.6
–

19.6

–

–

–

–

2018

–
–
–
–
–
274.7
–

274.7

–

–

–

–

386.7

19.6

274.7

IT-related impairment charge
The previous programme to develop a new ERP platform to support the Merchant businesses was halted in 2019. As a result the existing 
capitalised spend has been written off. The charge consists of the write-off of £59.7m of capitalised development spend (2018: £6.7m) and 
£44.3m of prepaid licence fees, as well as £3.6m of associated costs incurred in 2019.

Plumbing & Heating separation and disposal process
In 2019 the Plumbing & Heating business was separated from the Group’s central IT infrastructure and support functions to enable the 
business to operate autonomously and support any future disposal. Costs of £46.5m have been incurred in 2019 in relation to these 
activities, which have been disclosed as an adjusting item, and consists of the following:
•  £23.6m of costs related to the separation of IT systems including people costs and the cost of additional infrastructure
•  £9.8m of non-IT separation costs such as the carve out of support functions, people costs and parallel-running costs in the transition
•  £7.6m professional fees incurred in preparation for the sale of the segment and in support of the separation process
•  £5.5m of other costs, including a charge for share-based payments resulting from the restructuring activity

Wickes’ separation and demerger costs
In July 2019, the Group announced its intention to demerge the Wickes business as part of its strategy of simplifying the Group and 
focusing on the trade. In accordance with the Group’s accounting policy, the total cost of £11.7m has been disclosed as an adjusting item 
and consists of the following:
•  £9.8m of costs related to the separation of IT and support functions from the Group’s shared services. This includes a £0.7m 

impairment charge for IT assets that are no longer in use

•  £1.2m of fees incurred for professional services in preparation for demerger
•  £1.1m of restructuring costs related to redundancy payments and the outsourcing of services
•  Release of £0.4m related to the under-utilisation of a 2018 restructuring provision initially recognised as an adjusting item

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

143

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

3.  Adjusting items continued
Merchant supply chain and support centre restructuring
The restructuring charge of £21.5m relates to cost reduction activities in the supply chain and support centre of the merchant busineses 
and includes the costs of the closure of the Group’s range centres and timber network. The adjusting item consists of the following:
•  £5.3m of property costs relating to the range centre and timber network closures
•  £16.3m of other costs relating to the supply chain closures, including redundancy costs, asset disposal costs and inventory write-downs
•  £2.0m of other restructuring projects in the Merchant supply chain, including the cost of integrating Rudridge into the Keyline business
•  Release of £2.1m related to the under-utilisation of property closure provisions initially recognised as an adjusting item

Closure of the Built business
The closure of the Built business in April 2019 resulted in the recognition of £8.6m of property-related charges and redundancy, stock 
write-off and other closure costs of £4.5m.

Fair value gain on the acquisition of Toolstation Europe
The Group’s investment in associates balance for Toolstation Europe was re-measured at fair value when the Group obtained control. This 
resulted in the recognition of a gain of £40.3m which has been disclosed as an adjusting item due to its unusual nature and magnitude. 

Rollover relief deferred tax
The Group changed its property strategy and therefore its assessment of its ability to use rollover relief indefinitely on capital gains in 2019, 
resulting in creation of a deferred tax charge of £27.1m relating to 2018 and earlier. In accordance with Group accounting policies this is 
disclosed as an adjusting item. This has arisen due to a change in an estimate resulting from a change in facts and circumstances and not a 
change in an accounting policy.

2018
The following items were disclosed as adjusting in 2018:
• 
• 

Impairment charge of £252.1m in respect of goodwill in the Wickes and Tile Giant CGUs
Impairment charge related to intangible fixed assets of £15.7m arising from the termination of certain IT projects in the Wickes business 
(£6.5m) and in the central IT function (£2.5m) and from two specific components of the Group’s ERP project (£6.7m)

•  Costs of £45.3m incurred in 2018 in the Plumbing & Heating division to reduce capacity, integrate the CPS and PTS businesses, 

overhaul the division’s customer proposition, create a dedicated Plumbing & Heating supply chain and prepare for a future sale process
•  Restructuring costs of £58.4m related to cost-reduction programmes announced in 2018. This included £16.0m for Merchanting supply 
chain rationalisation, £16.3m for the closure of 27 branches, £12.8m of redundancy and reorganisation costs in the Wickes business and 
£13.3m of Group costs

•  Pension-related charge of £4.9m consisting 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

The Company
The Company has recognised an impairment of £19.6m in respect of investments in dormant entities as part of its ongoing project to 
simplify the Group’s legal structure during 2019. 

As a result of the impairment recognised in the Group, in 2018 the Company impaired the carrying value of investments in subsidiaries by 
£274.7m.

4.  Expenses
Operating profit has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):

£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*

The Group

The Company

2019

7.0
4,914.1
1.3
23.7
(20.6)
(6.4)
–
–

2018

6.0
4,806.7
1.4
22.1
(26.8)
(6.1)
35.7
184.9

2019

2018

–
–
0.1
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
0.1
–
–
–
–
–

* Following the implementation of IFRS 16 - Leases these are no longer applicable.

144

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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
Services relating to corporate finance transactions
Other services

Shareholder information

2019

160
940
155

55
502
59

1,871

2018

150
770
151

55

78

1,204

A description of the work of the Audit Committee is set out in the Audit Committee report on pages 82 to 87 and includes an explanation 
of how auditor objectivity and independence is safeguarded when the auditor provides non-audit services.

5.  Business segments
The operating segments are identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by the 
Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), which is considered to be the Board, to assess performance and allocate capital. From 
1 January 2019 the Group has changed its internal reporting structure and as a result has identified four operating segments:
•  Merchanting
•  Retail
•  Toolstation
•  Plumbing & Heating
These segments reflect the Group’s organisation around differences in products (general building versus plumbing & heating), customers 
(trade versus consumer) and price and range flexibility (fixed range and fixed price versus variable and variable range). 

All operating segments sell building materials to a wide range of customers, none of which are dominant, and operate almost exclusively in 
the United Kingdom. The information previously reported under the business segments note has been restated to reflect the new 
operating segments.

Segment result represents the result of each segment without allocation of certain central costs, finance income and costs and tax. 
Unallocated segment assets and liabilities comprise financial instruments, current and deferred tax, cash and borrowings and pension 
scheme assets and liabilities. 

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 segment margin
Adjusted segment margin excluding property profits

2019

Merchanting

Retail

Toolstation

Plumbing  
& Heating

Unallocated

Consolidated

3,703.4

1,342.4

445.1

1,464.8

–

6,955.7

275.4
6.1
23.5

305.0
(20.7)

284.3

8.2%
7.7%

85.0
–
11.6

96.6
–

96.6

7.2%
7.2%

22.0
2.6
–

24.6
–

24.6

5.5%
5.5%

3.7
0.3
45.4

49.4
(1.0)

48.4

3.4%
3.3%

(154.0)
–
119.9

(34.1)
1.1

(33.0)

232.1
9.0
200.4

441.5
(20.6)

420.9

–
–

6.3%
6.1%

Average capital employed

2,287.4

1,479.9

344.9

356.9

(82.3)

4,386.8

Segment assets
Segment liabilities

Consolidated net assets

3,037.3
(1,224.6)

1,705.5
(1,134.7)

1,812.7

570.8

552.4
(241.0)

311.4

860.2
(528.7)

331.5

284.6
(723.9)

(439.3)

6,440.0
(3,852.9)

2,587.1

Capital expenditure
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Depreciation and amortisation of software

89.0
6.1
67.4

23.8
–
27.8

13.2
2.6
4.3

15.8
0.3
8.0

1..0
–
9.4

142.8
9.0
116.9

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

145

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

5.  Business segments continued
a.  Segment information 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 segment margin
Adjusted segment margin excluding property profits

Merchanting

3,608.8

237.7
6.3
34.4

278.4
(6.3)

272.1

7.7%
7.5%

Average capital employed
Lease adjusted capital employed
Lease adjusted operating profit excluding property profits

1,930.9
2,281.9
300.2

2018*

Retail

Toolstation

1,249.6

(208.8)
1.5
272.3

65.0
(17.7)

47.3

5.2%
3.8%

712.9
1,543.9
116.9

354.4

21.0
0.9
–

21.9
–

21.9

6.2%
6.2%

169.3
280.4
28.8

Plumbing  
& Heating

1,527.7

(5.4)
0.8
46.3

41.7
(2.8)

38.9

2.7%
2.5%

263.8
436.4
52.5

Unallocated

Consolidated

–

6,740.5

(66.2)
–
33.7

(32.5)
–

(32.5)

–
–

(21.7)
9.5
386.7

374.5
(26.8)

347.7

5.6%
5.2%

(87.9)
(74.4)
(31.6)

2,989.0
4,468.2
466.8

Segment assets
Segment liabilities

Consolidated net assets

1,848.0
(490.8)

1,357.2

1,333.9
(458.2)

875.7

910.3
(318.9)

591.4

645.2
(392.2)

253.0

380.2
(739.8)

(359.6)

5,117.6
(2,399.9)

2,717.7

Capital expenditure
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Depreciation and amortisation of software

143.8
6.3
78.4

36.1
–
23.0

11.0
2.4
6.1

4.7
0.8
8.8

1.9
–
0.2

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 29).

* 

Restated for comparability purposes into the four new operating segments.

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

Non-current assets owned by Toolstation Europe Limited are located in foreign countries.

146

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

2019

2018

1.9
3.2
3.2
6.7
207.9
57.5
4.2

284.6

–
(13.3)
(62.7)
(4.9)
(583.3)
(59.7)

723.9

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)

c.  Reportable segments
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.

Shareholder information

6.  Net finance costs
a.  Finance costs and finance income

£m

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts
Interest on bonds
Unwinding of discounts – property provisions
Unwinding of discounts – pension SPV loan
Amortisation of issue costs of bank loans*
Other interest
Other finance costs – pension scheme
Net loss on remeasurement of foreign exchange
Net loss on remeasurement of derivatives at fair value

Finance costs before lease interest

Interest on lease liabilities
Interest on obligations under finance leases

Finance costs

Net gain on remeasurement of derivatives at fair value
Net gain on remeasurement of foreign exchange
Other finance income – pension scheme
Interest receivable

Finance income

Net finance costs

The Group

2019

(2.0)
(21.0)
(0.2)
(2.2)
(2.9)
(2.3)
–
(3.3)
(1.3)

(35.2)

(57.0)
–

(92.2)

–
–
2.4
2.5

4.9

2018

(1.2)
(21.0)
(0.2)
(2.1)
(1.5)
(0.7)
(0.8)
–
–

(27.5)

–
(0.4)

(27.9)

1.8
0.7
–
1.7

4.2

(87.3)

(23.7)

* 

Includes a £1.5m accelerated charge recognised as the result of the replacement of the Group’s previous banking agreement with a new £400m agreement in January 2019.

The charge caused by the unwinding of discounts relates to the property provisions and the pension scheme SPV loan (note 15).

£m

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts
Interest on bonds
Interest payable to Group companies
Amortisation of issue costs of bank loans
Other interest
Net loss on remeasurement of foreign exchange
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 Company

2019

(3.2)
(21.0)
(17.3)
(2.9)
–
(3.3)
(1.3)

(49.0)

–
–
2.3

2.3

2018

(1.9)
(21.0)
(23.3)
(1.5)
(0.6)
–
–

(48.3)

1.8
0.7
1.6

4.1

(46.7)

(44.2)

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

147

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

6.  Net finance costs continued
b.  Interest for non-statutory measures

£m

Interest on bank loans and overdrafts
Interest on bonds
Amortisation of issue costs of bank loans
Unwinding of discounts – liability to pension scheme

Interest for non-statutory measures

The Group

2019

2.0
21.0
2.9
2.2

28.1

2018*

1.2
21.0
1.5
2.1

25.8

* Interest for non-statutory measures has been restated for 2018 to exclude interest on obligations under finance leases.

7.  Tax
Accounting policy
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.

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)

The Group

The Company

2019

2018

2019

2018

44.0
(3.1)

40.9

(12.1)
29.2

17.1

58.0

47.1
(10.4)

36.7

(2.7)
0.1

(2.6)

34.1

(12.4)
(0.2)

(12.6)

(0.8)
0.1

(0.7)

(13.3)

(12.1)
(1.2)

(13.3)

0.4
–

0.4

(12.9)

Prior year charge for deferred tax includes £27.1m in relation to the adjusting items, as described in note 3.

148

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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:

Shareholder information

Profit/(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
Gain on TSE acquisition 
Prior period adjustment

Tax expense and effective tax rate for the year

(Loss)/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

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
Deferred tax: Share-based payments

The Group

2019

2018

£m

180.8

34.4
2.4
3.0
–
–
(1.3)
(0.7)
–
1.9
(7.8)
26.1

58.0

£m

(49.4)

(9.4)
2.0
3.0
47.9
0.8
3.8
0.2
(5.0)
1.1
-
(10.3)

34.1

%

19.0

(69.0)

%

19.0

32.1

The Company

2019

2018

£m

(9.4)
(80.0)

(89.4)

(17.0)
3.6
–
(0.1)
0.2

(13.3)

%

£m

%

48.2
(385.8)

(337.6)

(64.1)
0.1
52.0
(1.2)
0.3

(12.9)

19.0

19.0

19.0

3.8

The Group

The Company

2019

2018

2019

2018

8.3

8.3

(19.3)

(19.3)

1.7

1.7

–

–

The Group

The Company

2019

0.4
4.1

4.5

2018

0.1
(0.1)

–

2019

–
–

–

2018

0.1
(0.1)

–

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

149

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

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.

£m

At 1 January 2018
Recognised on acquisition
Impairment (note 29)

At 1 January 2019
Recognised on acquisitions (note 32)
Reclassified to assets held for sale (note 14)

At 31 December 2019

The Company has no goodwill.

The Group

Merchanting

Retail

Toolstation

658.9
2.1
–

661.0
–
–

661.0

707.3
–
(252.1)

455.2
–
–

455.2

103.4
–
–

103.4
72.0
–

175.4

Plumbing & 
Heating

69.6
–
–

69.6
0.8
(2.9)

67.5

Total

1,539.2
2.1
(252.1)

1,289.2
72.8
(2.9)

1,359.1

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 ranges from three to ten 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. Licence 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 one to seven years. No amortisation is charged on computer software under construction.

150

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

£m

Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2018
Additions
Transfers between categories
Reclassifications
Disposals
Derecognition

At 1 January 2019
Additions
Additions from acquired business (note 32)
Transfers between categories
Disposals
Derecognition (note 3)

At 31 December 2019

Amortisation
At 1 January 2018
Charged on acquired intangibles
Charged on internally generated intangibles
Disposals
Impairment 

At 1 January 2019
Charged on acquired intangibles
Charged on internally generated intangibles
Disposals
Impairment

At 31 December 2019

Net book value
At 31 December 2018
At 31 December 2019

The Company has no intangible assets.

Shareholder information

Brand

Computer 
software

The Group

Customer 
relationships

Assets under 
construction

306.1
–
–
–
(4.2)
–

301.9
–
16.8
–
–
–

318.7

65.7
2.1
–
–
–

67.8
2.2
–
–
–

70.0

93.8
10.8
9.7
–
(1.4)
–

112.9
6.4
–
7.2
(0.3)
–

147.6
–
–
–
(5.8)
–

141.8
–
3.4
–
–
–

126.2

145.2

40.1
0.9
15.5
(0.2)
2.7

59.0
0.9
19.4
(0.3)
4.1

83.1

100.1
6.5
–
(4.1)
–

102.5
5.9
–
–
–

108.4

45.5
33.6
(9.7)
(0.1)
–
(11.2)

58.1
2.0
–
(7.2)
(0.1)
(48.8)

4.0

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

Total

593.0
44.4
–
(0.1)
(11.4)
(11.2)

614.7
8.4
20.2
–
(0.4)
(48.8)

594.1

205.9
9.5
15.5
(4.3)
2.7

229.3
9.0
19.4
(0.3)
4.1

261.5

234.1
248.7

53.9
43.1

39.3
36.8

58.1
4.0

385.4
332.6

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, 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.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 29.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

151

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

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

Merchanting
CCF
Keyline
BSS Industrial
TF Solutions
Travis Perkins
Retail
Wickes
Toolstation
Toolstation UK
Toolstation Europe
Plumbing & Heating
City Plumbing Supplies
Plumbnation
PFP
Underfloor Heating Store
National Shower Spares
Reclassified to assets held for sale (note 14)

9.  Property, plant and equipment

2019

2018

Intangibles

Goodwill

Total

Intangibles

Goodwill

Total

–
–
49.3
–
–

43.6
100.2
26.8
7.8
482.6

43.6
100.2
76.1
7.8
482.6

–
–
49.3
–
–

43.6
100.2
26.8
7.8
482.6

43.6
100.2
76.1
7.8
482.6

162.5

455.2

617.7

162.5

455.2

617.7

–
20.2

103.4
72.0

103.4
92.2

–
–
–
–
–
–

51.5
1.7
2.9
11.2
3.1
(2.9)

51.5
1.7
2.9
11.2
3.1
(2.9)

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

103.4
–

103.4
–

51.5
1.7
2.9
10.4
3.1
–

51.5
1.7
2.9
10.4
3.1
–

232.0

1,359.1

1,591.1

211.8

1,289.2

1,501.0

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

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.

152

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Long
leasehold

The Group

Short
leasehold

Plant and
equipment

Total

The Company

Plant and
equipment

£m

Cost or deemed cost
At 1 January 2018
Additions
Disposals
Reclassifications from current assets

At 1 January 2019
Adjustment for change in accounting policy (note 38)
Adjusted balance at 1 January 2019
Additions
Acquisition through business combinations (note 32)
Disposals
Reclassified to assets held for sale (note 14)

At 31 December 2019

Accumulated depreciation
At 1 January 2018
Charged in the year
Disposals
Impairment charged in the year as an adjusting item

At 1 January 2019
Adjustment for change in accounting policy (note 38)
Adjusted balance at 1 January 2019
Charged in the year
Disposals
Impairment charged in the year as an adjusting item
Reclassified to assets held for sale (note 14)

At 31 December 2019

Net book value
At 31 December 2018
At 31 December 2019

Freehold

484.2
50.1
(61.5)
2.3

475.1
–
475.1
21.6
–
(42.9)
–

453.8

47.4
5.8
(3.8)
–

49.4
–
49.4
6.1
(4.8)
1.2
–

51.9

35.5
0.7
(0.1)
(0.1)

36.0
(0.8)
35.2
0.8
–
(1.5)
–

34.5

13.6
1.1
(0.1)
–

14.6
(0.3)
14.3
0.8
(0.5)
–
–

14.6

203.5
44.8
(9.8)
0.2

238.7
(23.1)
215.6
36.1
4.4
(18.2)
–

842.6
57.5
(50.9)
(0.2)

849.0
(26.0)
823.0
75.9
4.0
(43.6)
(6.6)

1,565.8
153.1
(122.3)
2.2

1,598.8
(49.9)
1,548.9
134.4
8.4
(106.2)
(6.6)

237.9

852.7

1,578.9

90.8
12.2
(5.8)
–

97.2
(20.2)
77.0
12.1
(4.2)
0.2
–

85.1

482.0
81.9
(41.0)
1.5

524.4
(11.1)
513.3
78.5
(45.3)
1.2
(2.4)

545.3

633.8
101.0
(50.7)
1.5

685.6
(31.6)
654.0
97.5
(54.8)
2.6
(2.4)

696.9

425.7
401.9

21.4
19.9

141.5
152.8

324.6
307.4

913.2
882.0

0.3
0.2
–
–

0.5
–

–
–
(0.3)
–

0.2

0.1
–
–
–

0.1
–

–
–
–
–

0.1

0.4
0.1

The cost element of the tangible fixed assets carrying value is analysed as follows:

£m

At deemed cost
At cost

Long
leases

3.6
30.9

34.5

The Group

Short
leases

-
237.9

237.9

Plant and
equipment

-
852.7

Total

25.1
1,553.8

852.7

1,578.9

The Company

Total

–
0.2

0.2

Freehold

21.5
432.3

453.8

Included within freehold property is land with a value of £200m (2018: £205m) which is not depreciated. No assets are pledged as 
security for the Group’s liabilities, other than 16 freehold properties, as disclosed in note 18.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

153

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

10. Leases
Accounting policy
Applicable from 1 January 2019
IFRS 16 – Leases establishes principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases, with the objective of 
ensuring that lessees and lessors provide relevant information that faithfully represents those transactions.

Identifying a lease
At the inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. A contract is, or contains, a lease if it conveys 
the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control is conveyed where the Group 
has both the right to direct the identified asset’s use and to obtain substantially all the economic benefits from that use.

At inception or on reassessment of a contract that contains a lease component, the Group allocates the consideration in the contract to 
each lease component on the basis of their relative stand-alone prices. However, for fleet leases in which it is a lessee, the Group has 
elected not to separate non-lease components and account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.

For each lease or lease component, the Group follows the lease accounting model as per IFRS 16 – Leases, unless the recognition 
exceptions can be used.

Recognition exceptions
The Group has elected to account for lease payments as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term or another systematic 
basis for the following two types of leases:
i) 
ii)  leases where the underlying asset has a low value when new – this election can be made on a lease-by-lease basis

leases with a lease term of 12 months or less and containing no purchase options – this election is made by class of underlying asset

For leases where the Group has taken short-term lease recognition exemption and there are any changes to the lease term or the lease is 
modified, the Group accounts for the lease as a new lease.

Lessee accounting
Upon lease commencement the Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability.

Initial measurement
The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments 
made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the 
underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset or the site on which it is located, less any lease incentives received.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments payable over the lease term, discounted at the rate implicit 
in the lease if that can be readily determined. If that rate cannot be readily determined, the Group uses the incremental borrowing rate.

Variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate are included in the initial measurement of the lease liability and are initially 
measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date. Amounts expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value 
guarantees are also included.

Variable lease payments that are not included in the measurement of the lease liability are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which 
the event or condition that triggers payment occurs, unless the costs are included in the carrying amount of another asset under another 
accounting standard.

Subsequent measurement
After lease commencement, the Group measures right-of-use assets using a cost model. Under the cost model a right-of-use asset is 
measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment.

The lease liability is subsequently remeasured to reflect changes in:
• 
• 
• 
• 

the lease term (using a revised discount rate)
the assessment of a purchase option (using a revised discount rate) 
the amounts expected to be payable under residual value guarantees (using an unchanged discount rate)
future lease payments resulting from a change in an index or a rate used to determine those payments (using an unchanged 
discount rate)

The remeasurements are matched by adjustments to the right-of-use asset.

Lease modifications may also prompt remeasurement of the lease liability unless they are determined to be separate leases.

154

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Depreciation
The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of 
the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of lease term. The estimated useful lives of right-of-use assets are determined on the 
same basis as those of property, plant and equipment. In addition the right-of-use asset is reduced by impairment losses, if any, and 
adjusted for certain remeasurements of the lease liability.

The payments related to leases are presented under cash flow from financing activities and cash flow from operating activities in the cash 
flow statement.

Lessor accounting
When the Group acts as a lessor, it determines at lease inception whether each lease is a finance or operating lease. To classify each lease, 
the Group makes an overall assessment of whether the lease transfers substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of an 
underlying asset. If this is the case, then the lease is a finance lease; if not, then it is an operating lease. As part of this assessment, the Group 
considers certain indicators such as whether the lease is for the major part of the economic life of the asset.

When the Group is an intermediate lessor, it accounts for its interests in the head lease and the sub-lease separately. It assesses the lease 
classification of a sub-lease with reference to the right-of-use asset arising from the head lease, not with reference to the underlying asset. 
If a head lease is a short-term lease to which the Group applies the recognition exemption, then it classifies the sub-lease as an 
operating lease.

If an arrangement contains a lease and non-lease components, the Group applies IFRS 15 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers to 
allocate the consideration in the contract.

The Group recognises operating lease payments as income on a straight-line basis over the lease term as part of “other income”.  
The Group recognises finance income over the lease term of a finance lease, based on a pattern reflecting a constant periodic rate of return 
on the net investment.

Upon lease commencement, the Group recognises assets held under a finance lease as a receivable at an amount equal to the net 
investment in the lease.

Sale and leaseback transactions
To determine whether the transfer of an asset is accounted for as a sale an entity applies the requirements of IFRS 15 – Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers for determining when a performance obligation is satisfied.

If an asset transfer satisfies the requirements to be accounted for as a sale the seller measures the right-of-use asset at the proportion of 
the previous carrying amount that relates to the right-of-use retained. Accordingly, the seller only recognises the amount of gain or loss that 
relates to the rights transferred to the buyer.

If the fair value of the sale consideration does not equal the asset’s fair value, or if the lease payments are not market rates, the sales 
proceeds are adjusted to fair value, either by accounting for prepayments or additional financing.

Applicable before 1 January 2019
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.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

155

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

10. Leases continued
a)  Amounts recognised in the balance sheet
Right-of-use assets:

£m

At 1 January 2019*
Additions
Acquired through business combinations
Disposals
Impairment
Depreciation
Right-of-use assets reclassified as held for sale (note 14)

At 31 December 2019

Lease liabilities:
Maturity analysis – contractual undiscounted cash flows

Less than one year
One to five years
More than five years

Total undiscounted lease liabilities at 31 December

Lease liabilities included in the statement of financial position at 31 December:

Current
Non-current
Liabilities reclassified as held for sale (note 14)

Land and 
buildings

1,326.9
54.5
14.9
(19.7)
(8.6)
(147.5)
(16.7)

Plant and 
equipment

79.1
23.0
–
–
–
(26.8)
(2.3)

Total

1,406.0
77.5
14.9
(19.7)
(8.6)
(174.3)
(19.0)

1,203.8

73.0

1,276.8

£m

275.7
919.4
1,020.6

2,215.7

£m

158.7
1,253.6
19.6

1,431.9

* 

In the previous year, the Group only recognised lease assets and lease liabilities in relation to leases that were classified as finance leases under IAS 17 – Leases. The assets were presented 
in property, plant and equipment and liabilities as part of the Group’s borrowings. For adjustments recognised on adoption of IFRS 16 – Leases on 1 January refer to note 38.

b)  Amounts recognised in the statement of profit and loss
The statement of profit and loss shows the following amounts relating to leases:

Depreciation of right-of-use assets
Interest expense (included in finance costs)
Expense relating to short-term leases
Expense relating to leases of low-value assets
Impairment of right-of-use assets

The total cash outflow for leases in 2019 was £232.6m.

2019
£m

174.3
57.0
3.3
3.4
8.6

c)  The Group’s leasing activities and how these are accounted for 
The Group leases various properties, motor vehicles and equipment. Rental contracts are typically made for fixed periods but may have 
extension options as described below. Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms 
and conditions.

Until the 2018 financial year, leases of property, plant and equipment were classified as either finance leases or operating leases. Payments 
made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) were charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the 
period of the lease.

From 1 January 2019 leases are recognised as a right-of-use asset with a corresponding liability at the date at which the leased asset is 
available for use by the Group. Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and finance cost. The finance cost is charged to profit 
or loss over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period. 
The right-of-use asset is depreciated over the shorter of the asset’s useful life and the lease term on a straight-line basis.

156

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net present value of the 
following lease payments:
•  Fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable 
•  Variable lease payments that are based on an index or a rate 
•  Amounts expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees 
•  The exercise price of a purchase option if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option 
•  Payments of penalties for terminating the lease if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising that option

The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease. If that rate cannot be determined, the lessee’s incremental 
borrowing rate is used, being the rate that the lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value in 
a similar economic environment with similar terms and conditions.

Right-of-use assets are measured at cost comprising the following:
•  The amount of the initial measurement of lease liability 
•  Any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received 
•  Any initial direct costs 
•  Restoration costs

Payments associated with short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense in profit or 
loss. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less. Low-value assets comprise mainly IT equipment, vending 
machines and paint-mixing machines. 

Extension and termination options 
Extension and termination options are included in a number of property and equipment leases across the Group. These terms are used to 
maximise operational flexibility. 

The Group has applied judgement to determine the lease term for some lease contracts in which it is a lessee that includes renewal 
options and break clauses. The assessment of whether the Group is reasonably certain to exercise such options impacts the lease term, 
which can significantly affect the amount of lease liabilities and right-of-use assets recognised.

Judgements in determining the lease term
In determining the lease term, management considers all facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive to exercise an 
extension option, or not exercise a termination option. Extension options (or periods after termination options) are only included in the lease 
term if the lease is reasonably certain to be extended (or not terminated).

For property leases the following factors are normally the most relevant:
•  The profitability of the leased store/warehouse and future plans for the business
• 

If there are significant penalties to terminate (or not extend), the Group is typically reasonably certain to extend (or not terminate).

Most termination options on leases with impaired right-of-use assets are considered as reasonably certain to be exercised and therefore the 
lease liabilities were calculated only to the break-clause date. 

The Group as lessor
The Group leases a number of ex-trading properties and surplus units in trade parks owned by the Group to third parties. Property rental 
income earned during the year in respect of these properties was £6.4m (2018: £6.1m).

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

2019

4.8
14.1
13.4

32.3

2018

6.1
16.0
14.0

36.1

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

157

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

11.  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

2019

937.8

2018

855.3

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 12 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 £305m deduction from the gross invoice cost of stock 
(2018: £260m) 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.

12. 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, ie 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, ie 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 and trade payables
Inventories

Net balance sheet position

2019

428.0
(305.0)

123.0

2018

381.0
(260.0)

121.0

158

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Key estimate – Calculation of supplier income
The overwhelming majority of supplier income, in excess of 85% (2018: 85%) by value, is determined by reference to fixed price discounts 
on actual purchases with approximately 7% (2018: 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 75% (2018: 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 coterminous with the 
Group’s statutory year end.

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.

13. Trade and other receivables
Accounting policy
Trade and other receivables
The Group’s trade and other receivables at the balance sheet date comprise 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. 

Impairment of financial assets
Trade receivables are subject to the expected credit loss model in IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments.

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.

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

2019

2018

2019

2018

743.0
(20.0)

723.0
–
444.4
72.3

824.6
(18.7)

805.9
–
356.6
91.3

1,239.7

1,253.8

–

1,239.7

43.3

1,297.1

–
–

–
655.3
76.0
–

731.3

–

731.3

–
–

–
614.3
1.1
–

615.4

–

615.4

The Directors consider that the only class of asset containing material credit risk is trade receivables. The average credit term taken for sales 
of goods is 57 days (2018: 60 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 4% pa above the clearing bank base rate on the outstanding balance.

Non-current prepayments in 2018 represented capitalised licence fees in relation to the new ERP programme. As discussed in note 3 they 
were written off as adjusting items during the year.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

159

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

13. Trade and other receivables continued
Movement in the allowance for doubtful debts

£m

At 1 January
Opening IFRS 9 – Transition Adjustment
Amounts written off during the year
Charge in the year

At 31 December

2019

18.7
–
(19.3)
20.6

20.0

2018

17.2
2.4
(16.9)
16.0

18.7

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 2019.

£m

Current (not past due)
Days overdue:
1–30
31–60
61–90
91–120
More than 120

Gross carrying  
amount

673.7

35.0
13.6
3.5
2.1
15.1

743.0

Weighted 
average  
loss rate

0.4%

4.2%
7.8%
17.9%
31.4%
91.4%

Loss  
allowance

(2.4)

(1.5)
(1.1)
(0.6)
(0.6)
(13.8)

(20.0)

Loss rates are based on actual credit loss experience over the past four years.

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

78.1
19.5
10.0
3.6
20.9

824.6

Weighted 
average  
loss rate

0.3%

2.1%
6.8%
13.5%
32.2%
52.6%

Loss  
allowance

(2.2)

(1.6)
(1.3)
(1.4)
(1.2)
(11.0)

(18.7)

Credit  
impaired

No

No
No
No
No
Yes

Credit  
impaired

No

No
No
No
No
Yes

14. Non-current assets held for sale
The Primaflow F&P wholesale business, which formed part of the Plumbing & Heating segment, was sold on 31 January 2020 for cash 
consideration of £50.1m. In accordance with IFRS 5 – Non-current Assets Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations, the assets and 
liabilities of this business have been classified as held for sale in the balance sheet as at 31 December 2019.

Assets of disposal group classified as held for sale

Goodwill (note 8)
Property, plant and equipment (note 9)
Right-of-use assets (note 10)
Inventories
Trade and other receivables

Total assets

160

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

£m

2.9
4.2
19.0
35.7
76.2

138.0

Liabilities of disposal group classified as held for sale

Non-current lease liability (note 10)
Current lease liability (note 10)
Trade and other payables

Total liabilities

Shareholder information

£m

17.5
2.1
71.9

91.5

No adjustment was made to write down the assets and liabilities held for sale to their fair value less cost to sell as this was in excess of their 
carrying value. The Group has not presented Primaflow F&P’s operations as discontinued as this business was not a major line of business 
or geographical area of operations, contributing £301.5m of the Group’s revenue.

15. 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 dates, 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 leased properties. Where necessary a provision has been made for the residual 
commitments for rates and other payments after taking into account existing and anticipated subtenant arrangements. 

It is Group policy to self insure 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, in line with IAS 37.

£m

At 1 January 2018
Charge to income statement
Utilisation of provisions
Unwinding of discount

At 1 January 2019
Adjustment for change in accounting policy (note 38)

At 1 January 2019 (adjusted)
Charge to income statement
Utilisation of provision
Unwinding of discount

At 31 December 2019

Included in current liabilities
Included in non-current liabilities

The Company has no provisions. 

The Group

Property

Insurance

Restructuring

28.5
11.1
(10.0)
0.2

29.8
(12.4)

17.4
8.0
(4.3)
0.1

21.2

13.2
8.0

21.2

29.0
9.0
(6.7)
–

31.3
–

31.3
7.8
(6.4)
–

32.7

32.7
–

32.7

12.2
17.5
(12.4)
–

17.3
–

17.3
20.3
(23.1)
–

14.5

14.5
–

14.5

Total

69.7
37.6
(29.1)
0.2

78.4
(12.4)

66.0
36.1
(33.8)
0.1

68.4

60.4
8.0

68.4

As set out in note 3, the Group recognised an adjusting charge relating to the Wickes’ separation and supply chain restructuring. The 
restructuring 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 2019 charge to property provisions of £12.6m is 
presented after a credit of £2.1m relating to the release of property provisions originally created through adjusting items.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

161

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

15. Provisions continued
The following table details the Group’s liquidity analysis of its provisions, based on the undiscounted net cash outflows.

£m

2019:
Property
Insurance
Restructuring

2018:
Property
Insurance
Restructuring

0–1 year

1–2 years

2–5 years

5+ years

10.5
32.7
14.5

57.7

11.4
31.3
17.3

60.0

5.1
–
–

5.1

8.7
–
–

8.7

5.6
–
–

5.6

7.4
–
–

7.4

0.5
–
–

0.5

2.9
–
–

2.9

Total

21.7
32.7
14.5

68.9

30.4
31.3
17.3

79.0

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. The Group expects to reach a settlement with the developers in 2020 that includes the remediation of the 
defective hardstanding.

Key estimate – Claims in respect of the merchant ERP programme
Following the change in approach to the replacement of the Group’s merchant ERP system announced in July 2019, the Group terminated 
its relationship with Infor (the software provider) in October 2019 and formally set out its damages claim. 

There is a contingent liability in respect of the Group’s possible obligations under the relevant contracts, which include break clauses limiting 
the Group’s maximum possible contractual exposure to c.£65m.

In the view of the Directors, it is probable that the Group will be able to successfully resolve this matter without making any payments to the 
software provider. Accordingly no provision has been made in respect of these contracts. The Directors expect this matter to resolve in the 
next 48 months.

16. 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

£m
(Asset)/liability:

Capital allowances
Trading losses
Revaluation of property
Share-based payments
Provisions
Property assets acquired in 
business combinations

Brand
Pension scheme asset (note 18)
Adjusting items – deferred tax 

(note 3)

Leases *

Deferred tax

Recognised 
in income

Recognised 
in equity

Recognised  
in other 
comprehensive 
income

(2.9)
–
–
1.7
0.5

(0.6)
(2.8)
1.5

–

–

–
–
–
0.1
–

–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
19.3

–

–

At  
1 Jan 
2018

0.7
–
7.6
(3.8)
5.5

6.1
50.3
(5.4)

–

–

61.0

(2.6)

0.1

19.3

At  
1 Jan  
2019

(2.2)
–
7.6
(2.0)
6.0

5.5
47.5
15.4

–

(21.3)

56.5

* 

The balance at 1 January 2019 includes the effect of initially applying IFRS 16 (see note 38)

Acquisitions

Recognised 
in income

Recognised 
in equity

Recognised in 
other 
comprehensive 
income

At 
31 Dec 
2019

(0.9)
(1.9)
7.6
(9.7)
1.5

4.9
48.4
8.9

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
(8.3)

–

–

27.1

(23.2)

(4.1)

(8.3)

62.7

–
(1.9)
–
–
–

–
3.4
–

–

–

1.5

1.3
–
–
(3.6)
(4.5)

(0.6)
(2.5)
1.8

27.1

(1.9)

17.1

–
–
–
(4.1)
–

–
–
–

–

–

At 31 December 2019, the Group had unused capital losses of £40.6m (2018: £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.

The Group also has unused trading losses of £50.5m in relation to its Toolstation Europe business. of these, no deferred tax asset has been 
recognised on £39.3m as it is considered, at the balance sheet date, improbable that sufficient taxable profits will be generated in a time 

162

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

frame suitable to allow for recognition. £21m of these losses are also subject to restricted carry forward rules reducing their likelihood of 
being utilised further. This position will be reviewed annually.

The Group’s deferred tax provision is measured at a rate of 17%, which is the current enacted statutory corporation tax rate for 2020 
onwards (rate reducing from 19% to 17% in April 2020). However, the UK Government has indicated that the reduction in rate planned for 
April 2020 will not now go ahead and should this become formal policy, the Group’s current deferred tax provision would increase to 
£70m. If the rate change to 19% does become substantively enacted then an increase in provision of £7.4m to that shown above will be 
reflected as an opening balance rate change adjustment in the Group’s 2020 Annual Report and Accounts.

£m
Liability/(asset):

Share-based payments
Other timing differences

The Company

At  
1 Jan  
2018

1.5
0.4

1.9

Recognised  
in income

Recognised  
in equity

(0.4)
–

(0.4)

–
–

–

At  
1 Jan  
2019

1.1
0.4

1.5

Recognised in 
income

Recognised 
 in equity

0.7
–

0.7

1.7
–

1.7

At  
31 Dec
2019

3.5
0.4

3.9

17. 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 time frame.

£m

Trade payables
Other taxation and social security
Other payables
Accruals and deferred income

Trade and other payables

The Group

The Company

2019

1,143.4
74.2
227.5
168.8

1,613.9

2018

1,136.6
62.4
201.8
202.4

1,603.2

2019

–
–
20.5
0.9

21.4

2018

–
–
20.9
0.9

21.8

Included in trade payables at 31 December 2019 are amounts of £177.9m (2018: £161.1m) which are due for settlement under supplier financing 
arrangements with third-party banks. Suppliers choose to enter into these arrangements which provide access to the option of early settlement of 
invoices at interest rates based on Travis Perkins’ credit rating. If suppliers do not elect for early payment, invoices are settled on the date agreed in 
the existing payment terms. In some cases, Travis Perkins has agreed extensions to payment terms with suppliers who regularly access the scheme, 
with the longest payment terms in place of 93 days, and extension of 31 days. 

The total net amount outstanding where terms have been extended at 31 December 2019 was £14.4m (2018: £14.5m). These arrangements 
do not provide the Group with a significant benefit of additional financing and have been put in place for the benefit of the Group’s suppliers, 
providing them with access to cost-efficient third-party funding. As such outstanding balances are classified as trade payables and form part of 
the operating cash flows movement in the Consolidated cash flow statement.. There are no significant judgements applied in the calculation of 
supplier finance balances.

18. Pension arrangements 
Accounting policy
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are recognised as an expense when colleagues 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.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

163

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

18. Pension arrangements continued
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. Colleagues are 
entitled to start drawing a pension, based on their membership of a scheme, on their normal retirement date. If colleagues 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 2019 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 an additional £25.1m was recognised as 
a scheme asset in 2018. This income is backed by the security of 16 Travis Perkins’ freehold properties. As the SPV is consolidated into the 
Travis Perkins plc Group accounts, advantage has been taken of Regulation 7 of The Partnership (Accounts) Regulations 2008 and 
accounts for the SPV will neither be audited or filed.

The TP Schemes and the BSS Schemes expose the Group to actuarial risks such as investment risk, interest rate risk, longevity risk and 
salary risk. A summary of the risks and the management of those risks is given below and continued overleaf.

Investment 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.

Interest risk

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.

Longevity risk

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.

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.

All fair values are provided by the fund managers. Where available, the fair values are quoted prices (eg listed equity, sovereign debt and 
corporate bonds). Unlisted investments (eg private equity) are included at values provided by the fund manager in accordance with relevant 
guidance. Other significant assets are valued based on observable inputs such as yield curves.

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.

The Directors have agreed with the BSS Schemes’ Trustees to make contributions of £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 pa  
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.

164

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

a.  Major actuarial assumptions

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

Shareholder information

At  
31 December  
2019

At  
31 December  
2018

n/a
2.05%
2.95%
2.00%
3.05%
2.05%

n/a
2.10%
3.10%
2.90%
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 2019:

Current member age

45
45
65
65

Sex

Male
Female
Male
Female

Life expectancy

23.4
26.2
22.0
24.7

b.  Amounts recognised in income

£m

Current service costs and administration expenses
Past service costs – GMP equalisation
Past service costs – curtailment gains
Net interest income/(expense)

Total pension charge

TP
Schemes

(0.9)
–
–
2.3

1.4

2019

BSS
Schemes

(0.5)
–
–
0.1

(0.4)

Group

(1.4)
–
–
2.4

1.0

TP
Schemes

(4.4)
(7.5)
3.1
1.2

(7.6)

2018

BSS
Schemes

(2.1)
(2.1)
1.6
(0.8)

(3.4)

Group

(6.5)
(9.6)
4.7
0.4

(11.0)

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 recognised a past service cost of £9.6m for the impact of this ruling, which was been calculated 
by qualified actuaries.

The £4.7m pension curtailment gain, recognised in 2018 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 were recognised as adjusting items in 2018.

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)

Gross pension asset/(liability) at 31 December
Deferred tax liability (note 16)

Net pension asset at 31 December

TP  
Schemes

1,220.4
(1,165.4)

55.0

55.0

2019

BSS  
Schemes

361.6
(364.0)

(2.4)

(2.4)

Group

1,582.0
(1,529.4)

52.6

52.6
(8.9)

43.7

TP  
Schemes

1,103.8
(1,021.5)

82.3

82.3

2018

BSS  
Schemes

322.8
(323.9)

(1.1)

(1.1)

Group

1,426.6
(1,345.4)

81.2

81.2
(15.4)

65.8

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

165

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

18. Pension arrangements continued
Defined benefit schemes continued
The deferred tax liability of £8.9m (2018: £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.

£m

At 1 January actuarial asset/(deficit)
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 (loss)/gain arising from changes in demographic 

assumptions

Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from changes in 

financial assumptions

Actuarial gain arising from experience adjustments
Reduction in minimum funding requirement liability

Gross pension asset/(liability) at 31 December

TP
Schemes

82.3

–

82.3

(0.9)
–
2.3
2.1

2019

BSS
Schemes

(1.1)

–

(1.1)

(0.5)
–
0.1
11.3

Group

81.2

–

81.2

(1.4)
–
2.4
13.4

TP
Schemes

6.6

–

6.6

(4.4)
(4.4)
1.2
5.1

2018

BSS
Schemes

(25.7)

(9.2)

(34.9)

(2.1)
(0.5)
(0.8)
13.4

Group

(19.1)

(9.2)

(28.3)

(6.5)
(4.9)
0.4
18.5

127.1

34.7

161.8

(15.7)

(10.1)

(25.8)

(0.9)

(0.3)

(1.2)

(161.5)
4.5
–

55.0

(48.3)
1.7
–

(2.4)

(209.8)
6.2
–

52.6

3.3

74.5
16.1
–

82.3

(7.3)

(4.0)

25.0
7.0
9.2

(1.1)

99.5
23.1
9.2

81.2

d.  Major categories and fair value of scheme assets
The major categories and fair values of scheme assets at the end of the reporting period for each category are as follows:

At 31 December 2019

At 31 December 2018

TP  
Schemes

BSS  
Schemes

3.7

3.2

65.0
172.8
336.5
119.6
1,040.1
(656.7)
100.5

38.9
–

1,220.4

20.6
48.9
105.6
34.7
323.0
(203.5)
29.1

–
–

361.6

TP  
Schemes

2.0

104.4
109.0
319.6
108.7
712.9
(388.3)
98.9

36.6
–

1,103.8

2019

£m

158.3
43.7

%

14.3%
13.5%

2018

£m

13.8
(1.5)

BSS  
Schemes

1.3

36.6
28.8
98.8
31.5
267.0
(169.6)
28.4

–
–

322.8

%

1.2
(0.5)

£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

e.  Actual return on scheme assets

TP Schemes
BSS Schemes

166

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

f.  Movements in the fair value of scheme assets

£m

At 1 January
Interest on scheme assets
Return on scheme assets not including interest
Foreign exchange
Administration expenses
Contributions from sponsoring companies
Contributions from members
Benefits paid

TP
Schemes

1,103.8
31.2
127.1
–
(0.7)
2.1
–
(43.1)

2019

BSS
Schemes

322.8
9.1
34.7
(0.6)
(0.5)
11.3
–
(15.2)

Group

1,426.6
40.3
161.8
(0.6)
(1.2)
13.4
–
(58.3)

TP
Schemes

1,128.9
29.5
(15.7)
–
(1.5)
5.1
0.2
(42.7)

2018

BSS
Schemes

324.3
8.6
(10.1)
0.2
(0.7)
13.4
0.1
(13.0)

Group

1,453.2
38.1
(25.8)
0.2
(2.2)
18.5
0.3
(55.7)

At 31 December

1,220.4

361.6

1,582.0

1,103.8

322.8

1,426.6

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 (loss)/gain arising from changes in 

demographic assumptions

Actuarial (loss)/gain arising from changes in 

financial assumptions

Benefits paid

At 31 December

TP  
Schemes

(1,021.5)
(0.2)
–
(28.9)
–
–
4.5

2019

BSS  
Schemes

(323.9)
–
–
(9.0)
0.6
–
1.7

Group

(1,345.4)
(0.2)
–
(37.9)
0.6
–
6.2

(0.9)

(0.3)

(1.2)

(161.5)
43.1

(48.3)
15.2

(209.8)
58.3

TP  
Schemes

(1,122.3)
(3.4)
(3.9)
(28.3)
–
(0.2)
16.1

3.3

74.5
42.7

2018

BSS  
Schemes

(350.0)
(1.5)
(0.5)
(9.4)
(0.1)
(0.1)
7.0

Group

(1,472.3)
(4.9)
(4.4)
(37.7)
(0.1)
(0.3)
23.1

(7.3)

(4.0)

25.0
13.0

99.5
55.7

(1,165.4)

(364.0)

(1,529.4)

(1,021.5)

(323.9)

(1,345.4)

h.  Amounts recognised in the statement of other comprehensive income

£m

Return on scheme assets (excluding amounts included in 

net interest)

Actuarial (loss)/gain arising from changes in 

demographic assumptions

Actuarial (loss)/gain arising from changes in 

financial assumptions

Actuarial gain arising from experience adjustments
Reduction in minimum funding requirement liability

Remeasurement of net defined pension liability

TP  
Schemes

2019

BSS  
Schemes

Group

TP  
Schemes

2018

BSS  
Schemes

Group

127.1

34.7

161.8

(15.7)

(10.1)

(25.8)

(0.9)

(0.3)

(1.2)

(161.5)
4.5
–

(30.8)

(48.3)
1.7
–

(12.2)

(209.8)
6.2
–

(43.0)

3.3

74.5
16.1
–

78.2

(7.3)

(4.0)

25.0
7.0
9.2

23.8

99.5
23.1
9.2

102.0

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

167

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

18. Pension arrangements continued
Defined benefit schemes continued
i.  Maturity profile of obligations
The maturity profile and weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligations for the schemes are as follows:

2019–2028
2029–2038
2039–2048
2049–2058
2059–2068
2069–2078
2079–2088

Weighted average duration

2018–2027
2028–2037
2038–2047
2048–2057
2058–2067
2068–2077
2078–2087

2019

TP  
Schemes

20.1%
26.4%
24.5%
18.1%
8.6%
2.1%
0.2%

BSS  
Schemes 

19.7%
26.9%
24.8%
18.1%
8.6%
1.8%
0.1%

19.2 years

19.2 years 

2018

TP  
Schemes

18.0%
25.8%
25.0%
19.0%
9.7%
2.3%
0.2%

BSS  
Schemes 

18.5%
25.5%
24.5%
18.9%
9.7%
2.6%
0.3% 

Weighted average duration

18.5 years

18.7 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 2019 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

(22)
23
14
(13)
50
(53)

(7)
7
6
(6)
16
(17)

k.  Defined contribution schemes
The Group operates two defined contribution schemes for all qualifying colleagues. The pension cost, which represents contributions 
payable by the Group, amounted to £20.7m (2018: £17.0m).

l.  Pension scheme contributions for year
The total charge to the income statement disclosed in note 4 of £25.0m (2018: £23.5m) comprises defined benefit scheme current 
service costs of £1.4m (2018: £6.5m) and £23.6m (2018: £17.0m) of contributions payable to the defined contribution schemes.

m. Reassessment of right to refund
In 2018 the Group reassessed its conclusion on its right to receive any surplus in a winding up of the BSS DB Scheme following legal 
advice. 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. There is an unconditional right to receive any surplus in a winding up of the TP 
DB Scheme.

168

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

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 18(j).

19. 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 colleagues under 
the terms of the Group’s share incentive schemes or the Group’s Sharesave schemes or are sold, any consideration received is included in 
shareholders’ equity.

a.  Share capital

Ordinary shares of 10p

At 1 January 2018
Allotted under share option schemes

At 1 January 2019
Allotted under share option schemes

At 31 December 2019

The Group and the Company authorised,  
Issued and fully paid

No.

251,994,708
149,215

252,143,923
–

252,143,923

£m

25.2
–

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.

b.  Own shares

No.

At 1 January
Acquired
Reissued

At 31 December

The Group and the Company

2019

2018

3,803,831
1,000,000
(859,687)

3,944,144

1,216,331
3,503,378
(915,878)

3,803,831

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.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

169

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

19. Share capital and reserves continued
c.  Reserves
A description of the nature and purpose of each reserve is given below:
•  The share premium represents the amounts above the nominal value received for shares sold
•  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

•  Foreign exchange reserve represents the exchange differences recognised on translation of the assets and liabilities of the foreign 

operations that have a functional currency different from the Group

•  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 Toolstation Europe.

20.  Earnings per share
a.  Basic and diluted earnings per share

£m

Earnings for the purposes of earnings per share

Weighted average number of shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share
Dilutive effect of share options on potential ordinary shares

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purposes of diluted earnings per share

Earnings/(loss) per share

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share

2019

121.1

2018

(85.6)

247,957,050
2,293,525 

248,681,183
345,820

250,250,575

249,027,003

48.9p

48.4p

(34.4)p 

(34.4)p

1,878,458 share options (2018: 5,284,836 share options) had an exercise price in excess of the average market value of the shares during 
the year. As a result, these share options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

b.  Adjusted earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share is calculated by excluding the effect of adjusting items and amortisation of acquired intangible assets 
from earnings.

£m

Earnings for the purposes of earnings per share
Adjusting items
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Tax on adjusting items
Adjusting deferred tax
Tax on amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Adjusted earnings

Adjusted earnings per share

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

2019

121.1
160.1
9.0
(36.3)
27.1
(1.6)

279.4

112.7p

111.6p

2018

(85.6)
386.7
9.5
(24.2)
-
(1.6)

284.8

114.5p

114.4p

21. Dividends
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 2018 of 31.50 pence (2017: 30.50 pence)  

per ordinary share

Interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2019 of 15.50 pence (2018: 15.50 pence)  

per ordinary share

Total dividend recognised during the year

2019

78.2

38.0

116.2

2018

75.6

38.5

114.1

The Directors are recommending a final dividend of 33.0 pence in respect of the year ended 31 December 2019. The anticipated cash 
payment in respect of the proposed final dividend is £83.2m (2018: £79.4m).

170

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

There are no income tax consequences in respect of the dividends declared, but not recognised in the financial statements. The dividends 
for 2019 and for 2018 were as follows:

Shareholder information

Pence

Interim paid
Final proposed

Total dividend for the year

2019

15.5
33.0

48.5

2018

15.5
31.5

47.0

Distributable reserves
The distributable reserves of the Company approximate to the accumulated profits of £620.4m (2018: £693.4m). When required the 
Company can receive dividends from its subsidiaries to further increase distributable reserves. In 2019 the Company received £80.0m of 
dividends from its subsidiaries (2018: £385.8m). A corporate restructuring exercise was undertaken in 2018 to maximise the Company’s 
ability to receive dividends from its subsidiaries.

22.  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 39. At 31 December 2019 all borrowings were denominated in sterling (2018: sterling).

a.  Summary

£m

Liability to pension scheme 
Sterling bonds
Finance leases 
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
Unamortised fees

The Group

The Company

2019

31.5
555.8
–
(4.0)

583.3

–
583.3

583.3

2018

32.8
559.2
21.0
(4.0)

609.0

3.8
605.2

609.0

2019

–
555.8
–
(4.0)

551.8

–
551.8

551.8

2018

–
559.2
–
(4.0)

555.2

–
555.2

555.2

The Group

2019

2018

–
555.8
31.5

587.3
(4.0)

583.3

3.8
572.8
36.4

613.0
(4.0)

609.0

The Company

2019

2018

555.8
(4.0)

551.8

559.2
(4.0)

555.2

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

171

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

22.  Borrowings continued
c.  Facilities
At 31 December 2019, the following facilities were available:

£m

Drawn facilities:
£250m sterling bond
£300m sterling bond

Undrawn facilities:
Five year committed revolving credit facility
Bank overdrafts

The Group

The Company

2019

2018

2019

2018

255.8
300.0

555.8

400.0
30.0

430.0

259.2
300.0

559.2

550.0
30.0

580.0

255.8
300.0

555.8

400.0
30.0

430.0

259.2
300.0

559.2

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 22(c) do not include leases, loan notes or the effect of finance charges netted off bank debt.

d.  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

2019

2018

0.8

3.0
4.5
1.6

0.7

3.0
4.5
1.8

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. 

Assets:
Short-term deposits

Liabilities:
£250m sterling bond
£300m sterling bond

The Group and the Company

2019

Effective  
interest rate

0.8%

4.4%
4.5%

£m

140.0

255.8
300.0

555.8

2018

Effective  
interest rate

0.7%

4.4%
4.5%

£m

190.0

259.2
300.0

559.2

e.  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 material 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 28.

f.  Guarantees and security
There are cross guarantees on the overdrafts between Group companies.

Travis Perkins Trading Company Limited, Wickes Building Supplies Limited, Travis Perkins (Properties) Limited, Keyline Civils Specialist 
Limited, Toolstation Limited, The BSS Group Limited and City Plumbing Supplies Holdings Limited are guarantors of the following facilities 
advanced to Travis Perkins plc:
•  £250m sterling bond
•  £300m sterling bond
•  £400m revolving credit facility
•  Currency derivatives (note 28)

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 (2018: £25m).

172

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

23.  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.

Shareholder information

a.  Movement in net debt

£m

At 1 January 2018
Cash flow
Finance charges movement
Amortisation of swap cancellation receipt
Discount unwind on liability to pension scheme

At 1 January 2019
Recognition of lease liability
Cash flow
Finance charges movement
Amortisation of swap cancellation receipt
Discount unwind on liability to pension scheme
Discount unwind on lease liabilities

31 December 2019

b.  Covenant net debt

The Group

Term loan  
and revolving 
credit facility  
and loan  
notes

Unsecured 
senior US$ 
notes and 
sterling bonds

(2.2)
–
0.8
–
–

(1.4)
–
(2.9)
2.2
–
–
–

(2.1)

559.3
–
0.7
(3.4)
–

556.6
–
–
0.7
(3.4)
–
–

553.9

Cash and cash 
equivalents

(276.8)
21.4
–
–
–

(255.4)
–
47.5
–
–
–
–

Leases

27.5
(6.5)
–
–
–

21.0
1,566.9
(232.6)
–
–
–
57.0

(207.9)

1,412.3

Liability to 
pension  
scheme

33.7
3.3
–
–
(4.2)

32.8
–
(3.4)
–
–
2.1
–

31.5

Total

341.5
18.2
1.5
(3.4)
(4.2)

353.6
1,566.9
(191.4)
2.9
(3.4)
2.1
57.0

1,787.7

Following the implementation of IFRS 16 – Leases, the Group has started reporting covenant net debt, a new KPI that matches the 
definition of net debt in the Group’s banking and bond covenants. The Group has stopped reporting lease adjusted net debt as the 
implementation of IFRS 16 – Leases means that the effect of leases is already reflected in net debt.

The Group

£m

Cash and cash equivalents
Non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Non-current lease liabilities (note 10a)
Current lease liabilities (note 10a)

Net debt
Less: Liability to pension scheme
Less: Lease liabilities

Covenant net debt

24.  Free cash flow

£m

Adjusted operating profit
Less: Profit on disposal of properties

Adjusted operating profit excluding property profit
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation and impairment of internally generated intangibles
Share-based payments
Movement on working capital
Other net interest paid
Interest on lease liabilities
Income tax paid
Capital expenditure excluding freehold purchase
Disposal of plant and equipment

Free cash flow

2019

2018

207.9
(583.3)
(1,253.6)
(158.7)

(1,787.7)
31.5
1,412.3

(343.9)

The Group

2019

441.5
(20.6)

420.9
97.5
 23.5
19.9
(128.7)
(26.2) 
(57.0)
(52.9)
(120.9)
19.4

195.5

255.4
(588.0)
(17.2)
(3.8)

(353.6)
32.8
21.0

(299.8)

2018
(restated*)

374.5
(26.8)

347.7
101.0
15.5
19.6
(106.1)
(25.5)
–
(55.1)
(143.1)
13.8

167.8

* 

The Group’s definition of free cash flow has been revised and is now defined as net cash flow before dividends, capital expenditure and disposal proceeds on freehold property, pension 
deficit repair contributions, adjusting cash flows and financing cash flows. Compared to the previous definition, free cash flow now excludes all freehold property related cash flows and 
includes growth capital expenditure. In the Directors’ view this revised metric better reflects the cash the Group needs in order to invest and expand its operations, pay dividends to 
shareholders and access the best property locations.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

173

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

25.  Net debt to adjusted EBITDA

Due to the impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 – Leases on 1 January 2019, net debt and adjusted EBITDA are not prepared on a consistent 
basis to previous years. The Group previously presented lease adjusted net debt to adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, 
amortisation and operating lease rentals (‘‘EBITDAR’’). This is shown below for the comparative year.

The Group

2019

232.1
300.2

532.3

200.4
(4.3)

728.4

1,787.7

2.5x

n/a

The Group

2019

728.4

n/a

n/a
147.5
28.1
57.0

232.6

3.1x

2018

(21.7)
126.0

104.3

386.7
(4.0)

487.0

353.6

0.7x

2.7x

2018

487.0

675.9

184.9
n/a
25.8
0.4

211.1

3.2x

£m

Operating profit
Depreciation and amortisation

EBITDA

Adjusting operating items (note 3)
Share of associates’ results

Adjusted EBITDA 

Net debt (note 23b)

Net debt to adjusted EBITDA

Lease adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDAR

26.  Fixed charge cover

£m

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDAR

Property operating lease rentals 
Depreciation of property right-of-use assets
Interest for fixed charge cover (note 6b)
Interest on lease liabilities/finance leases

Fixed charge cover 

174

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

27.   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 (surplus)/deficit
Net debt, including opening adjustment for change in accounting policy (note 38)
Goodwill amortisation and impairment

Opening capital employed

Closing net assets
Net pension surplus
Net debt
Closing capital employed

Average capital employed

Group return on capital employed is calculated as follows:

£m

Adjusted operating profit
Average capital employed

Return on capital employed

Shareholder information

2019

232.1
9.0
200.4

441.5

2,611.6
(65.8)
1,876.9
–

4,422.7

2,587.1
(43.7)
1,787.7
4,331.1

2018

(21.7)
9.5
386.7

374.5

2,860.3
22.9
341.5
(252.1)

2,972.6

2,717.7
(65.8)
353.6
3,005.5

4,376.9

2,989.0

2019

441.5
4,376.9

10.1%

2018

374.5
2,989.0

12.5%

28.  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”)

•  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.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

175

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

28.  Financial instruments continued
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.

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.

176

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

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
Available-for-sale
Loans and receivables
Available-for-sale

Mandatorily at FVTPL
Amortised cost
Amortised cost
Designated instrument by instrument as either 
FVOCI or FVTPL

Designated as FVTPL

Mandatorily at FVTPL

a  Under IAS 39 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, these foreign currency forward contracts were designated 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 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 22a)
Put options on non-controlling interests
Trade and other payables at amortised cost (note 17)

The Group

The Company

2019

–

1,320.7
2.2

1,322.9

0.7
583.3
1.8
1,293.9

1,879.7

2018

0.6

1,422.3
2.2

1,425.1

–
609.0
5.6
1,343.1

1,957.7

2019

–

100.0
1.0

101.0

0.7
551.8
1.8
20.5

574.8

2018

0.6

195.3
1.0

196.9

–
555.2
5.6
–

560.8

Loans and receivables exclude prepayments of £54.3m (2018: £134.6m). Trade and other payables exclude taxation and social security 
and accruals and deferred income totalling £243.0m (2018: £290.7m). The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial 
statements, which is net of impairment losses, represents the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk. The Group has considered the 
impact of credit risk on its financial instruments and because the counterparties are banks with strong credit ratings considers its impact to 
be immaterial.

c.  Fair value of financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities designated as FVTPL comprise foreign currency forward contracts and are measured using quoted 
forward exchange rates.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

177

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

28.  Financial instruments continued
Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting continued
The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, grouped 
into levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable:
•  Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
•  Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for 

the asset or liability either directly (ie as prices) or indirectly (ie 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.

£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

The Group

The Company

2019

2018

2019

2018

0.7

1.8

2.5

–

5.6

5.6

0.7

1.8

2.5

–

5.6

5.6

d.  Interest risk management
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk as entities in the Group borrow funds at both fixed and floating interest rates. The risk is managed 
by the Group by maintaining an appropriate mix between fixed and floating rate borrowings 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 2019 no interest rate risks were hedged (2018: none).

e.  Currency forward contracts
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$35.0m (2018: US$41.1m). The fair value of these derivatives was £0.7m liability (2018: £0.6m asset). 
These contracts are not designated cash flow hedges and accordingly the fair value movement has been reflected in the 
income statement.

Interest rate sensitivity analysis

f. 
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 2019 the Group had no floating rate liabilities. There was £140m on short-term deposit at 31 December 2019. 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 2019 would have increased/decreased by £1.4m (2018: increased/decreased by 

£1.9m) due to the short-term deposits

•  Net equity would have increased/decreased by £1.1m (2018: increased/decreased by £1.5m)

178

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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.

Shareholder information

£m

Total gross settled: foreign exchange forward contracts
Net settled: Put options on non-controlling interests

Total derivative financial instruments

Net settled:
Borrowings
Trade and other payables at amortised cost (note 28b)
Leases (note 10a)

Total financial instruments

£m

Total gross settled: foreign exchange forward contracts
Net settled:
Put options on non-controlling interests

Total derivative financial instruments

Net settled:
Borrowings
Trade and other payables at amortised cost (note 28b)
Finance leases 

Total financial instruments

2019

0–1 year

1–2 years

2–5 years

5+ years

Total

(32.0)
(1.8)

(33.8)

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

(32.0)
(1.8)

(33.8)

–
(1,293.9)
(275.7)

(1,603.4)

–
–
(259.5)

(259.5)

(555.8)
–
(659.9)

(31.5)
–
(1,020.6)

(587.3)
(1,293.9)
(2,215.7)

(1,215.7)

(1,052.1)

(4,130.7)

0–1 year

1–2 years

2–5 years

5+ years

2018

(31.5)

–

(31.5)

–
(1,343.1)
(4.4)

(1,379.0)

–

(5.6)

(5.6)

–
–
(4.3)

(9.9)

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total

(31.5)

(5.6)

(37.1)

(559.2)
–
(10.6)

(569.8)

(32.8)
–
(6.7)

(592.0)
(1,343.1)
(26.0)

(39.5)

(1,998.2)

29.  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 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.

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

179

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

29.  Impairment continued
At the 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. 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 value-in-use calculations require the use of assumptions. 

Key assumptions
The key financial assumptions used in the estimation of the recoverable amount are set out below. The values assigned to the key 
assumptions represent management’s assessment of current market conditions and future trends and have been based on historical data 
from both external and internal sources.

Pre-tax discount rate
Long-term growth rate

2019

7.4–9.3%
1.6%

2018

8.5–9.3%
1.5%

Management determined the values assigned to these financial assumptions as follows:
•  Pre-tax discount rates: these are calculated by reference to the weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) of the Group and reflect 

specific risks relating to the Group’s industries and the countries in which the Group operates

•  Long-term growth rate: This is the weighted average growth rate used to extrapolate cash flows beyond the budget period. This 

represents the forecast GDP growth for the final year considered in the Office for Budget Responsibility’s most recent Economic and 
Fiscal Outlook report.

Cash flow forecasts are derived from the most recent Board-approved corporate plans updated for changes in current trading conditions 
and adjusted for risks relevant to the cash flows. The key operating assumptions used in the estimation of future cash flows are:
•  Sales market volume growth on which the approved corporate plans are based are derived from a variety of sources including 

construction and consumer outlook reports, current and forecast housing market transaction numbers and mortgage approval levels. 
The Directors consider this to be the principal operating assumption as it determines management’s approach to the interlinked factors 
underlying the operating margin percentage.

•  Operating margin percentage is forecast in the context of the sales market volume assumptions and is based on historical experience of 

operating margins, adjusted for the impact of changes to product costs and cost-saving initiatives.

For Wickes’ impairment review cash flows were based on the Board-approved cash flow model used for the preparation of the documents 
for Wickes demerger for years 2020 and 2021. Wickes’ cash flows beyond 2022 and all other impairment reviews cash flows beyond the 
corporate plan period (2023 and beyond) have been determined using the long-term growth rate.

Impairment charge
At the end of 2019 financial year the recoverable amount of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives in all segments was in 
excess of their book value and therefore no impairment has been recognised. 

In June 2018 the Group recognised an impairment charge in respect of the Wickes CGU of £246.3m due to Wickes underperforming its 
forecasts. No further impairment of the Wickes CGU was required in December 2018. In December 2018 the Group recognised an 
impairment charge of £5.8m in relation to the Tile Giant CGU.

Sensitivity to changes in assumptions
Whilst the Directors believe the assumptions are realistic, there are reasonably possible changes in key assumptions that would cause the 
recoverable amount of the Wickes CGU to be lower than the carrying amount. The key variables applied to the value-in-use calculations for 
Wickes and the value at which the recoverable amount would be equal to the carrying amount of £564.3m, including the effect of lease 
liabilities £102.6m in excess of right-of-use assets, were:

Pre-tax discount rate 
Long-term growth rate
Sales market volume growth
Operating margin 

All other variables have been held equal.

2019

Value

9.3%
1.6%
1.0%
5.1%

Sensitivity

10.7%
0.3%
(0.1%)
4.3%

2018

Value

8.7%
1.5%
1.5%
4.3%

Sensitivity

8.8%
1.4%
1.4%
4.2%

The forecast sales market volume growth take into account the reduction of the impact of the significant market distortion and uncertainty 
caused by the acquisition of Homebase by the Australian retailer Bunnings in January 2016 for £340m and subsequent sale in May 2018 
for £1. The forecast sales market volume growth and its impact on Wickes also takes into account the annualisation of the impact of 
competitor withdrawal from the installed kitchens’ market.

180

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

In determining the operating margin assumption for the Wickes CGU as at 31 December 2019, the Directors took into account the 
continued benefits of the intensive overhead cost reduction activity carried out in the first half of 2018.

The Directors assessed whether, as a result of estimation uncertainty in the key assumptions used in the impairment reviews, there is a 
significant risk of a material adjustment to the carrying amount of the Wickes CGU or any other CGU in 2020 and concluded that this is 
not the case.

Sensitivity of June 2018 impairment to changes in assumptions
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 key assumptions were changed significantly in the value-in-use calculations for the Wickes CGU. The impact on the impairment 
charge recognised a change in each assumption, all other assumptions remaining the same are shown in the table below.

Assumption

Discount rate
Terminal value
Long-term growth rate

Change in assumption

100bps increase
5% reduction
50bps reduction

Decrease in the 
carrying value of the 
Wickes CGU (£m)

119
30
54

Proposed Wickes demerger
In July 2019 the Group announced its intention to demerge the Wickes business. This proposed activity remains on track and, if 
shareholders approve this demerger at the Extraordinary General Meeting, likely to be scheduled for 28 April 2020, the Wickes business 
will be distributed to the shareholders of the Group. Should this happen then, in accordance with IFRIC 17 – Distributions of Non-cash 
Assets to Owners, the Group will recognise the distribution at the fair value of the business. Any difference between the fair value of the 
Wickes business and the carrying amount of the assets distributed will be recognised in profit or loss.

This is a different valuation basis from that applied in the impairment test, which compares the carrying amount to the higher of value-in-
use and fair value less costs of disposal.

Other CGU groupings
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 from 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 WACC. 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 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.

30.  Capital commitments

£m

Contracted for but not provided in the accounts

The Group

The Company

2019

37.2

2018

20.7

2019

–

2018

–

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

181

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

31.   Investments
a.  Interest in associates
The reconciliation of the Group’s interest in associates is given below:

£m

At 1 January
Additions to investments
Disposal of investments
Impairment of investments
Derecognised following step acquisition (note 32)
Share of losses

At 31 December

The Group

2019

34.2
20.6
(0.7)
(0.3)
(47.6)
(4.3)

1.9

2018

20.3
21.0
(0.6)
(2.5)
–
(4.0)

34.2

Travis Perkins plc holds a 34% investment in The Mosaic Tile Company Limited. During the year the Group has disposed of its 49% 
investment in Toriga Limited and following the step acquisition of Toolstation Europe Limited (see note 32) the Group now owns 97.1% of 
the business and this is now accounted for as a subsidiary.

The interest in associates includes £nil (2018: £44.9m) of loans and preference shares.

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’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

b.  Investment in subsidiaries

£m
Cost

At 1 January
Additions
Disposals

At 31 December
Provision for impairment

Net book value at 31 December

The Group

2019

13.5
(8.4)
0.3
–

5.4

1.8
0.1

1.9

The Group

2019

66.4
(77.4)

(11.0)

27.0
(31.3)

2018

25.6
(14.6)
6.1
–

17.1

7.8
26.4

34.2

2018

53.9
(63.6)

(9.7)

22.2
(26.2)

The Company

2019

2018

3,894.9
79.4
(28.6)

3,945.7
(356.2)

3,875.2
19.7
–

3,894.9
(336.6)

3,589.5

3,558.3

The additions to investments in 2019 represent the increase in the share capital held in National Shower Spares Limited, The 
Underfloor Heating Store Limited and Toolstation Europe Limited, as discussed in note 32.

During 2019 the Company sold its investments in National Shower Spares Limited, KA Venture Limited and the Underfloor Heating Store 
Limited to other Group companies at book value for consideration left as intercompany balance. 

182

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

During 2019 the Company has recognised an impairment of £19.6m in respect of investments in dormant entities as part of its ongoing 
project to simplify the Group’s legal structure. 

The Company’s investment in Wickes Building Supplies Limited is subject to the same estimates and sensitivities as apply to the Wickes 
CGU in the Group’s consolidated accounts. See note 29 for details of these.

In 2018 the Group recognised an impairment charge in respect of Wickes and Tile Giant (note 29). The associated impairment was 
recognised on the Company’s investments.

A full listing of all related undertakings is provided in note 33.

Shareholder information

c.  Investments

£m

Equity investments designated as FVTPL:
Investment in property entity
Shares held in invested entities
Loans receivable at amortised cost:
Loans to property entities
Loans to invested entities

The Group

The Company

2019

2018

2019

2018

1.2
1.0

0.8
3.7

6.7

1.2
1.0

0.8
3.6

6.6

–
1.0

–
3.7

4.7

–
1.0

–
3.6

4.6

The investment in property entity represents a minority holding in a property-owning entity that acquired properties from the Group in 
2006 and 2015. This investment presents 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 this entity 
totalling £0.8m (2018: £0.8m) and charges interest at rates of between 10% and 12%.

32.  Business combinations
Accounting policy
All business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a subsidiary 
comprises the:
• 
•  equity interests issued by the Group 
• 
• 

fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement 
fair value of any pre-existing equity interest in the subsidiary

fair values of the assets transferred liabilities incurred to the former owners of the acquired business 

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

The excess of the consideration transferred, amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity, and acquisition-date fair value of 
any previous equity interest in the acquired entity over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. 

The Group recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis either at fair value or at the 
non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquired entity’s net identifiable assets. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

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.

a)  Acquisition of Toolstation Europe Ltd
On 30 September 2019 the Group acquired an additional 49.5% of the ordinary share capital of Toolstation Europe Limited for transferred 
cash consideration of £21.9m, giving the Group a controlling 97.1% share of the business. This investment will enable the Group to 
accelerate the expansion of the Toolstation network in Europe. 

In accordance with the requirements of the acquisition accounting method, the existing 47.5% investment in associate has been 
remeasured to fair value. This fair value has been calculated based on the amount paid for the additional 49% acquired, creating a gain of 
£40.3m that has been credited to the consolidated income statement as an adjusting item (see note 3).

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

183

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

32.  Business combinations continued
Consideration and assets and liabilities acquired
The consideration is as follows: 

Consideration transferred: cash paid
Fair value of pre-existing equity investment
Settlement of pre-existing loans and preference shares

Total consideration

Fair values ascribed to the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and the goodwill recognised are:

Property, plant and equipment (note 9)
Intangible assets – trade name (note 8)
Intangible assets – customer relationships (note 8)
Deferred tax liability (note 16)

Right-of-use assets (note 10)
Inventory
Trade and other receivables
Cash
Trade and other payables
Lease liabilities (note 10)

Net identifiable assets acquired 
Less: non-controlling interest
Goodwill (note 8)

Net assets acquired

£m

21.9
21.0
66.7

109.6

£m

8.4
16.8
3.4
(1.5)

14.9
14.3
4.0
1.4
(9.1)
(14.9)

37.7
(0.6)
72.0

109.1

The goodwill recognised is principally made up of the value of the assembled workforce and the value to be derived from recently-opened 
stores that have not yet reached maturity. It will not be deductible for tax purposes. 

Measurement of non-controlling interest
The Group has elected to recognise the non-controlling interest in Toolstation Europe Limited at its proportionate share of the acquired 
identifiable assets and liabilities. 

Revenue and profit contribution 
The acquired business contributed revenue of £11.2m and a net loss of £4.6m to the Group for the period from 1 October to 31 December 
2019. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 January 2019, the Group revenue for the year ended 31 December 2019 would have been 
£38.8m higher and the Group profit would have been £18.5m lower. These amounts have been calculated using the subsidiary’s results. No 
material adjustments were required as a result of differences in accounting policies or the effect of the fair value adjustments to the 
identified assets and liabilities, and no fair value gain or loss was recognised on settlement of previously advanced funds.

Outflow of cash to acquire subsidiary, net of cash acquired:

Cash consideration
Less: cash acquired

Net outflow of cash – investing activities

£m

21.9
(1.4)

20.5

Acquisition-related costs
Acquisition-related costs of £0.2m in relation to stamp duty and legal costs are included in administrative expenses in the consolidated 
statement of profit or loss and in investing cash flows in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

b)  Other business combinations and investment activity
On 2 January 2019 the Group acquired the remaining 25% of the issued share capital of National Shower Spares Limited for cash 
consideration of £1.3m. National Shower Spares Limited is now a wholly-owned subsidiary.

On 17 May 2019 the Group acquired an additional 35% of the issued share capital of the Underfloor Heating Store Limited for cash 
consideration of £18.5m. The Group now owns 90% of the issued share capital of this subsidiary. As a result of this transaction, the amount 
of non-controlling interest recognised in the Group’s equity was reduced by £6.8m.

184

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

On 15 January 2019 the Group acquired the trade and assets of Ambient Electrical Limited, an online retailer of electric underfloor heating 
products, for cash consideration of £1.0m, generating goodwill of £0.8m.

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. 

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 Civils Specialist Limited1
National Shower Spares 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 Merchant Holdings 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 Limited9
Wickes Developments Limited
Wickes Group Holdings Limited9
Wickes Group Limited9
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
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
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

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

185

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

33.  Related undertakings continued
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 EBT Company 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
Toolstation Holdings 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 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
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 Limited9
Wickes Limited9
Wickes Retail Sourcing Limited
William Bird Holdings Limited
William Bloore & Son Limited
Zenith Plumbpoint Limited

186

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Other subsidiary companies

Company Name

BSS (Ireland) Limited3
City Investments Limited4
TFS Holdings Limited
The Underfloor Heating Store Limited
Toolexpert Benelux BV8
Toolstation BV8
Tools & Fastener Solutions Limited
Toolstation
Toolstation Europe BV8
Toolstation Europe Limited
Toolstation GmbH14
Toolstation Netherlands BV8
Toolstation SAS15
Travis Perkins Hong Kong Limited10
Travis Perkins Sourcing (Shanghai) Ltd11

Investments

Company Name

Bombala Limited2
The Mosaic Tile Company Limited2
Independent Construction Technologies Limited6
P H Properties Limited6
Staircraft Group Limited6
Staircraft Integrated Solutions Limited6

Registered

% Ownership

Ireland
Jersey
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Netherlands
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Belgium
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Germany
Netherlands
France
Hong Kong
China

100
100
90
90
97
97
90
97
97
97
97
97
97
100
100

Registered

% Ownership

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

49
34
15
15
15
15

Status

Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Dormant
Active
Active
Active
Active 
Active 
Active
Active
Active
Active

Status

Active
Active
 Active 
Active
Active
Active

107–127 Grosvenor Road, Belfast, BT12 4GT, United Kingdom

Registered offices (not Lodge Way House)
1 
Suite S3, 8 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch, Scotland, G66 1XT, United Kingdom
2  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  Touwbaan 40, 2352CZ Leiderdorp, Netherlands
9  Vision House, 19 Colonial Way, Watford, United Kingdom, WD24 4JL
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
14  Regus Building, Kranhaus 1, Business Centre GmbH Co KG, Im Zollhafen 18, 50678 Koln, Germany
15  61 Route de Grenoble, 69800 Saint Priest, Lyon, France

34.  Staff costs
a.  Average number of persons employed

The average monthly number of persons employed (including Executive Directors):

No.

Sales and distribution
Administration

The Group

The Company

2019

28,544
1,515

30,059

2018*

28,114
1,634

29,748

2019

2018*

-
52

52

–
65

65

*The average number of persons employed for 2018 has been restated from the average full-tme equivalent number for comparability.

b.  Aggregate remuneration

£m

Staff costs – wages and salaries
Staff costs – social security costs
Staff costs – other pension costs (note 18)
Share-based payments (note 35)

The Group

The Company

2019

790.0
66.7
25.0
23.0

904.7

2018

759.6
62.6
23.5
19.6

865.3

2019

7.1
0.9
0.1
10.7

18.8

2018

7.1
1.0
0.1
6.5

14.7

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

187

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

35.  Share-based payments
Accounting policy
The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments to colleagues (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:

Share price at grant date (pence)
Option exercise price (pence)
Volatility (%)
Option life (years)
Risk-free interest rate (%)
Expected dividends as a dividend yield (%)

Executive 
options

1,294.0
1,405.5
32.2%
2.2
0.7%
3.7%

2019

SAYE

–
–
–
–
–
–

Nil price
options

1,249.2
–
31.8%
2.3
0.7%
3.7%

Executive 
options

1,272.0
1,300.0
29.2%
2.2
1.2%
3.3%

2018

SAYE

1,089.0
909.0
30.2%
3.3
1.2%
3.8%

Nil price
options

1,295.0
-
29.3%
2.2
1.2%
3.2%

Volatility is based on historic share prices over a period equal to the vesting period. Option life used in the model has been based on options 
being exercised in accordance with historical patterns. For executive share options the vesting period is three years.

If options remain unexercised after a period of ten years from the date of grant, these options expire. Options are forfeited if the colleague 
leaves the Group before options vest. SAYE options vest after three or five years and expire three and a half or five and a half 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 89 to 91. The estimated fair 
values of the shares under option granted under the Group’s share schemes in 2019 are as follows:

Share scheme

Co-investment plan

Performance share plan

Deferred share bonus plan

Executive retention plan

Grant date

1 April 2019
14 August 2019

12 March 2019
14 August 2019
30 August 2019

12 March 2019

12 March 2019

Fair value for the Group
£m

Fair value for the Company
£m

5.4

8.6

2.1

0.3

1.5

2.1

0.9

0.3

The Group charged £23.0m (2018: £19.7m) and the Company charged £10.7m (2018: £6.9m) to the income statement in respect of 
equity-settled share-based payment transactions.

188

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

c.  Share options for the Group
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
Granted during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

2019

Number
of options

6,221
(1,462)
(522)
119

4,356

162

The Group

Number
of nil price 
options

3,508
(467)
(619)
1,176

3,598

163

Weighted 
average
exercise price  
(pence)

1,486
1,467
1,274
918

1,152

1,809

Weighted 
average 
exercise price  
(pence)

1,152
1,225
1,499
1,407

1,092

1,401

2018

Number
of options

5,580
(3,011)
(179)
3,831

6,221

322

Number 
of nil price 
options

3,330
(574)
(746)
1,498

3,508

191

Details of the options outstanding at 31 December 2019 are as follows:

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)

2019

2018

The Group

Executive options

SAYE

473–1,958 909–1,616
1,069
4,054
1.9
2.4

1,420
291
1.2
8.0

Nil price 
options

–
–
3,737
1.6
8.2

Executive options

SAYE

473–1,958 818–1,616
1,136
5,958
2.6
3.0

1,512
262
1.1
8.0

Nil price 
options

–
–
3,654
1.3
6.9

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 0.3m shares are 
acquired on the first possible day 3.9m of shares will be issued for a consideration of £44.9m in the years below:

Options
SAYE

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

No. m

0.1
0.8

Value
£m

1.2
11.7

No. m

0.1
2.4

Value
£m

1.0
22.1

No. m

0.1
0.1

Value
£m

1.5
1.8

No. m

–
0.6

Value
£m

–
5.6

No. m

–
–

Value
£m

–
–

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 seven 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 
(pence)

2019

Number of
options

1,158
1,034
1,336
–
1,419

1,398

1,958

76
(35)
(5)
–
4

40

–

The Company

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
(pence)

2018

Number of
options

1,412
1,436
–
–
951

1,158

1,533

64
(19)
–
–
31

76

3

Number 
of nil price 
options

1,525
(300)
(247)
–
378

1,356

–

Number 
of nil price 
options

1,337
(109)
(268)
–
565

1,525

1

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

189

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

35.  Share-based payments continued
Details of the options outstanding at 31 December 2019 as follows:

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)

2019

2018

The Company

Executive options

SAYE

1,113-1,958
1,398
18
2.2
7.1

909-1,616
997
22
2.0
3.0

Nil price 
options

Executive options

SAYE

– 1,300-1,958
1,477
–
14
1,338
1.3
1.5
8.3
6.0

909-1,616
1,058
46
2.5
3.5

Nil price 
options

–
–
1,448
1.4
8.4

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

2019

12.5
0.3
14.1

26.9

2018

15.8
0.4
8.4

24.6

37.   Related party transactions
The Group has a related party relationship with its subsidiaries, its Directors and with its pension schemes (note 18). 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 89 to 91.

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 £17.2m (2018: £23.3m)
•  Receiving annual dividends totalling £80m (2018: £385.8m)

Details of balances outstanding with subsidiary companies are shown in note 13 and in the balance sheet on pages 159 and 160. Other 
than the payment of remuneration there have been no related party transactions with Directors.

The Group advanced a total of £20.6m (2018: £21.0m) to all the Group’s associate companies in 2019. Operating transactions with the 
associates during the year were not significant.

38.  Adoption of IFRS 16 – Leases 
This note explains the impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 – Leases on the Group’s financial statements and discloses the new accounting 
policies that have been applied from 1 January 2019.

The Group has adopted IFRS 16 – Leases using the modified retrospective approach as described in paragraph C5(b) of the standard. 
Therefore the cumulative effect of adopting IFRS 16 – Leases was recognised as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained 
earnings at 1 January 2019 with no restatement of comparative information. Comparative information continues to be reported under IAS 
17 – Leases and IFRIC 4 – Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease.

Practical expedients applied
In applying IFRS 16 – Leases for the first time, the Group has used the following practical expedients permitted by the standard: 
• 
• 
•  accounting for low-value operating leases and operating leases with a remaining lease term of less than 12 months as at 1 January 

the use of a single discount rate for portfolios of leases with reasonably similar characteristics
reliance on previous assessments of whether leases are onerous instead of performing an impairment review

2019 on straight-line basis as an expense without recognising a right-of-use asset or a lease liability
the use of hindsight in determining the lease term where the contract contains options to extend or terminate the lease. 

• 

The Group has also elected not to reassess whether a contract is, or contains, a lease at the date of initial application. Instead, for contracts 
entered into before the transition date the Group relied on its assessment made applying IAS 17 – Leases and IFRIC 4 – Determining 
whether an Arrangement contains a Lease.

For the details of changes in accounting policies please see note 10.

190

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Shareholder information

Measurement of lease liabilities
On adoption of IFRS 16 – Leases, the group recognised liabilities in relation to leases which had previously been classified as operating 
leases under the principles of IAS 17 – Leases. These liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, 
discounted using the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate as of 1 January 2019. The incremental borrowing rate represents the rate of 
interest that the entity within the Travis Perkins Group that entered into the lease would have to pay to borrow over a similar term and with 
a similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment. The 
weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied to the property leases on 1 January 2019 was 4.4% and for fleet and other leases 
was 1.8%.

For leases previously classified as finance leases the entity recognised the carrying amount of the lease asset and the lease liability 
immediately before transition as the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset and the lease liability at 1 January 2019. 

The reconciliation of differences between the operating lease commitments disclosed under the prior standard and the additional lease 
liabilities recognised on the balance sheet at 1 January 2019 is as follows: 

£m

Operating lease commitments disclosed as at 31 December 2018
Additional lease commitments not included in the 2018 Annual Report & Accounts

Restated operating lease commitments 

Impact of discounting 
Finance lease liabilities as at 31 December 2018 
Adjustments as a result of a different treatment of extension and termination options

Lease liability recognised as at 1 January 2019

Comprising:
Current lease liabilities
Non-current lease liabilities

1,797.7
95.0

1,892.7

(398.5)
21.0
8.1

1,523.3

170.5
1,352.8

1,523.3

Measurement of right-of-use assets
Right of use assets are measured at either:
•  Their carrying amount as if IFRS 16 had been applied since the lease commencement date, discounted by the lessees’ incremental 

borrowing rate as at 1 January 2019. The Group has applied this methodology to the Group’s 330 most material property leases where 
sufficient historical information has been available to facilitate this and the majority of plant and equipment leases.

•  At amounts equal to the lease liability, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments relating to that lease 

recognised on the balance sheet as at 31 December 2018. This has been applied to the remaining portfolio of leases. 

An impairment adjustment to the right-of-use assets of £11.3m in relation to previous onerous lease provisions was recognised at the date 
of initial application.
The recognised right-of-use assets relate to the following types of assets:

£m

Properties
Plant and equipment

Total right-of-use assets

1 January 
2019

1,326.9
79.1

1406.0

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

191

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportNotes to the financial statements continued
For the year ended 31 December 2019

38.  Adoption of IFRS 16 – Leases continued
Adjustments to balance sheet items
The change in accounting policy affected the following items in the balance sheet on 1 January 2019:

£m

Property, plant and equipment
Prepayments
Right-of-use assets
Deferred tax asset
Onerous lease and rent review provisions
Accruals
Finance lease creditor
Lease liabilities

Net impact on retained earnings

1 January 
2019

(18.3)
(35.2)
1,406.0
21.3
17.0
5.4
21.0
(1,523.3)

(106.1)

Impact on segment disclosures 
Segment assets and segment liabilities for December 2019 increased as a result of the adoption of IFRS 16 – Leases. Lease liabilities are 
now included in segment liabilities, whereas finance lease liabilities were previously excluded from segment liabilities. Segment assets and 
liabilities as at 1 January 2019 were affected as follows: 

£m

Merchanting
Retail
Toolstation
P&H
Unallocated

Total

Segment 
assets

390.4
745.4
90.7
118.3
29.0

Segment 
liabilities

(399.4)
(861.4)
(93.0)
(118.8)
(7.3)

1,373.8

(1,479.9)

Impact on the Group’s basic and diluted earnings per share 
If Group has applied IFRS 16 – Leases from 1 Janauary 2018 using the same transition options and accounting policy choices, and 
calculated using the same lease data and lease accounting system, then the Group’s basic and diluted earnings per share and adjusted 
earnings per share would have been lower by approximately 9 pence for the year ended 31 December 2018.

39.  Impact of new standards and interpretations 
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 16 – Leases
• 
• 
IFRIC 23 – Uncertainty over Income 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

The new standards, other than IFRS 16 – Leases described in note 38, did not have a material impact on the Group and have been 
adopted without restating comparative information.

At the date of the approval of these financial statements, the following standards and interpretations, which have not been applied in these 
financial statements, were in issue, but not yet effective:
•  Amendments to References to Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards.
• 
•  Definition of Material (Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8)
•  Definition of a Business (Amendments to IFRS 3)
•  Sale or contribution of assets between an investor and its associate or joint venture (Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28) 

IFRS 17 – Insurance Contracts.

Based on the initial assessment, the Directors anticipate that adoption of these standards and interpretations in future periods will not have 
a material impact on the financial statements of the Group.

192

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Shareholder information
Shareholder information

Shareholder information

Five year 
summary +

Shareholder information
194  Consolidated income statement
194  Consolidated free cash flow statement
195  Consolidated balance sheet
196  Other shareholder information

The right data

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019
Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

193193
193

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic report2019
£m

2018
£m

2017
£m

2016
£m

2015
£m

6,955.7

6,740.5

6,433.1

6,217.2

5,941.6

441.5
(9.0)
(200.4)

232.1
40.3
(4.3)
(87.3)

180.8
(27.1)
(30.9)

122.8

48.9
112.7p

48.5p

2,154

374.5
(9.5)
(386.7)

(21.7)
–
(4.0)
(23.7)

(49.4)
–
(34.1)

(83.5)

 (34.4p)
 (114.5p)

 47.0p

2,091

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

409.0
(16.6)
(292.0)

100.4
–
–
(27.7)

72.7
–
(58.6)

14.1

 5.1p
 120.4p

 45p

2,053

29,814

2016
£m

409.0
(17.0)

392.0
97.6
7.5
17.5
4.9
(22.2)
–
(104.7)
(161.0)
–

231.6

412.6
(18.0)
(140.6)

254.0
–
–
(30.5)

223.5
–
(55.8)

167.7

 67.8p
 124.1p

 44p

2,028

29,368

2015
£m

412.6
(23.9)

388.7
83.0
3.1
13.7
(95.9)
(19.7)
–
(47.8)
(169.0)
–

156.1

Five-year summary

Consolidated income statement

Revenue

Operating profit before amortisation and exceptional items
Amortisation
Exceptional items

Operating profit
Adjusting items – business acquisitions
Share of associates' results
Net finance costs

Profit before tax
Adjusting items – deferred tax
Income tax expense

Net profit

Basic earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share

Dividend declared per ordinary share

Number of branches at 31 December (includes branches of associates)

Average number of colleagues 

30,059

29,748

30,251

Consolidated free cash flow statement

Adjusted operating profit
Less: Profit on disposal of properties

Adjusted operating profit excluding property profit
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of internally generated intangibles
Share-based payments
Movement on working capital
Other net interest paid
Interest on lease liabilities
Income tax paid
Capital expenditure excluding freehold purchase
Disposal of plant and equipment

Free cash flow

2019
£m

441.5
(20.6)

420.9
97.5
23.5
19.9
(128.7)
(26.2)
(57.0)
(52.9)
(120.9)
19.4

195.5

2018
£m

374.5
(26.8)

347.7
102.0
15.5
19.6
(107.1)
(25.5)
–
(55.1)
(143.1)
13.8

167.8

2017
£m

380.1
(29.4)

350.7
102.0
12.6
15.6
(76.5)
(27.1)
–
(57.2)
(166.0)
–

154.1

194

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Consolidated balance sheet

Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Right-of-use assets
Derivative financial instruments
Interest in associates
Other receivables
Retirement benefit asset
Investment property and other investments
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Derivative financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents

Assets held for sale
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
Lease liability
Derivative financial instruments
Retirement benefit obligations
Long-term provisions and other payables
Deferred tax liabilities
Current liabilities 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Lease liability
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other payables
Tax liabilities
Short-term provisions

Total liabilities

Liabilities held for sale
Total equity and liabilities

Shareholder information

2019
£m

2018
£m

2017
£m

2016
£m

2015
£m

882.0
1,691.7
1,276.8
–
1.9
–
57.5
6.7

937.8
1,239.7
–
207.9

138.0
6,440.0

25.2
545.6
326.5
(50.8)
13.6
1,722.6

2,582.7
4.4

913.2
1,674.6
–
–
34.2
43.3
81.2
6.6

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

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

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

2,648.3
7.3

2,789.9
5.9

2,587.1

2,717.7

2,860.3

2,655.6

2,795.8

583.3
1,253.6
–
4.9
8.0
62.7

–
158.7
2.5
1,613.9
13.4
60.4

605.2
–
0.9
–
18.4
77.8

3.8

4.7
1,603.2
25.9
60.0

612.1
–
4.9
28.3
17.1
61.0

6.2

621.1
–
–
127.3
21.2
45.8

411.4
–
–
52.2
7.4
61.3

6.9

139.8

1.2
1,453.6
44.5
52.6

–
1,348.3
43.8
57.0

–
1,235.5
90.2
38.5

3,761.4

2,399.9

2,281.5

2,271.4

2,036.3

91.5
6,440.0

–
5,117.6

–
5,141.8

–
4,927.0

–
4,832.1

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

195

Financial statementsGovernanceStrategic reportOther shareholder information

Financial diary 

Ex-dividend date 

Record date

Annual General Meeting

Trading statement

Payment of final dividend

2 April 2020

3 April 2020

28 April 2020

28 April 2020

13 May 2020

Annual General Meeting (“AGM”)
The AGM will be held on Tuesday 28 April 2020 at 9:30 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 03001

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.

1  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.

Annual Report
The Annual Report is published on our website and a hard copy  
will be posted to shareholders who have requested it. 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 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 0381.1 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: 
On-line dealing: www.linksharedeal.com
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.

196

Travis Perkins plc  Annual Report and Accounts 2019

This report is printed on UPM Fine offset, a paper which is  
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Printer is also ISO 14001 certified, CarbonNeutral & Alcohol Free.

Travis Perkins plc
Lodge Way House, Harlestone Road,
Northampton. NN5 7UG
01604 752424

www.travisperkinsplc.com