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Treatt

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FY2018 Annual Report · Treatt
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TREATT PLC  
Annual Report & Financial Statements 2018

Contents

OVERVIEW 
Highlights 

At a Glance  

STRATEGIC REPORT
Chairman’s Statement 

Market Overview  

Business Model  

Chief Executive’s Review 

1

2

6

8

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Corporate Governance  

Nomination Committee Report  

Audit Committee Report  

Directors’ Remuneration Report  

Directors’ Report  

49

56

58

62

76

OTHER INFORMATION
Notice of Annual General Meeting  

Parent Company Information  
and Advisers  

Financial Calendar  

130

139

140

10

MAKING THE ORDINARY…

Group Income Statement  

22

82

85

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Independent Auditor’s Report  
to the Members of Treatt plc  

Principal Risks and Uncertainties 

26

Financial Review  

Five Year Summary  

Working Responsibly  

32

39

40

Group Statement  
of Comprehensive Income  

Group and Parent Company  
Statements of Changes in Equity  

Group and Parent  
Company Balance Sheets  

Group and Parent Company  
Statements of Cash Flows  

Group Reconciliation of Net Cash  
Flow to Movement in Net Debt  

Notes to the Financial Statements  

86

87

89

90

91

92

Read the latest investor information at  
www.treatt.com/investor-relations

Highlights

01

2018

2017

2016

£112.2m

£101.3m

£88.0m

2018

2017

2016

£12.6m

£11.7m

£8.8m

2018

2017

2016

5.10p

4.80p

4.35p

Revenue1

Adjusted profit before tax1,2

Dividends per share3 

£112.2m

Revenue represents the total sales of all 
businesses in the Group, and reflects both 
underlying business growth as well as  
the impact of movements in raw material 
prices and foreign exchange rates.

£12.6m

Adjusted profit before tax shows the  
trend in profits before tax (but ignoring 
exceptional items).

5.10p

Dividends per share shows the total  
dividend (interim plus final) per share  
relating to each financial year.

Net operating margin2,4

Return on capital employed2,4

Net cash balance 

12.4%

Net operating margin shows the operating 
profit of the continuing business (before  
financing costs, other losses, exceptional  
items and taxation) divided by revenue.

18.5%

Return on capital employed is a measure  
of the profitability of the continuing business 
(before finance costs, other losses, exceptional 
items and taxation) relative to the assets 
invested in the business.

£10.1m

The net cash balance represents the 
cash balances held by the Group, less all 
borrowings including overdrafts and loans.

1  Excludes discontinued operations in 2017 and 2018. Earlier periods not restated. 
2   Adjusted figures exclude exceptional items, details of which are given in note 9 of the financial statements.
3  The dividends per share relate to the interim dividend declared and final dividend proposed in relation to the corresponding financial year.
4 

 The methods of calculating key performance indicators are shown on pages 14 and 15.

Operational highlights

On track to deliver 2022 
strategic growth plan
New five-year plan approved in September 
2017 as 2015 plan delivered three years early.

Earthoil disposal  
completed
Earthoil was sold as non-core to Group 
operations – enterprise value of £11.3m 
represents good return for shareholders.

US expansion project  
on time and on budget
$14m expansion project at Treatt USA due to 
complete late 2018. This will double capacity 
for tea and sugar reduction.

Financing in place  
for expansion projects
10% share placing strengthened Group 
balance sheet, de-risked capital investment 
programme and widened shareholder base.

Environmental  
Impact
The Group has decided to record water 
consumption data whilst recording its 
greenhouse gas emissions in order to  
gain a greater understanding of its 
environmental impact.

OverviewWe are a trusted ingredients 
manufacturer and solutions 
provider to the global flavour, 
fragrance and consumer 
goods markets from our  
core bases in the UK,  
the US and China

Highlights

01

2018

2017

2016

£112.2m

£101.3m

£88.0m

2018

2017

2016

£12.6m

£11.7m

£8.8m

2018

2017

2016

5.10p

4.80p

4.35p

Revenue1

Adjusted profit before tax1,2

Dividends per share3 

£112.2m

Revenue represents the total sales of all 
businesses in the Group, and reflects both 
underlying business growth as well as  
the impact of movements in raw material 
prices and foreign exchange rates.

£12.6m

Adjusted profit before tax shows the  
trend in profits before tax (but ignoring 
exceptional items).

5.10p

Dividends per share shows the total  
dividend (interim plus final) per share  
relating to each financial year.

Net operating margin2,4

Return on capital employed2,4

Net cash balance 

12.4%

Net operating margin shows the operating 
profit of the continuing business (before  
financing costs, other losses, exceptional  
items and taxation) divided by revenue.

18.5%

Return on capital employed is a measure  
of the profitability of the continuing business 
(before finance costs, other losses, exceptional 
items and taxation) relative to the assets 
invested in the business.

£10.1m

The net cash balance represents the 
cash balances held by the Group, less all 
borrowings including overdrafts and loans.

1  Excludes discontinued operations in 2017 and 2018. Earlier periods not restated. 
2   Adjusted figures exclude exceptional items, details of which are given in note 9 of the financial statements.
3  The dividends per share relate to the interim dividend declared and final dividend proposed in relation to the corresponding financial year.
4 

 The methods of calculating key performance indicators are shown on pages 14 and 15.

Operational highlights

On track to deliver 2022 
strategic growth plan
New five-year plan approved in September 
2017 as 2015 plan delivered three years early.

Earthoil disposal  
completed
Earthoil was sold as non-core to Group 
operations – enterprise value of £11.3m 
represents good return for shareholders.

US expansion project  
on time and on budget
$14m expansion project at Treatt USA due to 
complete late 2018. This will double capacity 
for tea and sugar reduction.

Financing in place  
for expansion projects
10% share placing strengthened Group 
balance sheet, de-risked capital investment 
programme and widened shareholder base.

Environmental  
Impact
The Group has decided to record water 
consumption data whilst recording its 
greenhouse gas emissions in order to  
gain a greater understanding of its 
environmental impact.

OTHER INFORMATION
Notice of Annual General Meeting  

Parent Company Information  
and Advisers  

Financial Calendar  

130

139

140

Contents

OVERVIEW 
Highlights 

At a Glance  

STRATEGIC REPORT
Chairman’s Statement 

Market Overview  

Business Model  

Chief Executive’s Review 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties 

Financial Review  

Five Year Summary  

Working Responsibly  

1

2

6

8

10

22

26

32

39

40

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Corporate Governance  

Nomination Committee Report  

Audit Committee Report  

Directors’ Remuneration Report  

Directors’ Report  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Independent Auditor’s Report  
to the Members of Treatt plc  

Group Income Statement  

Group Statement  
of Comprehensive Income  

Group and Parent Company  
Statements of Changes in Equity  

Group and Parent  
Company Balance Sheets  

Group and Parent Company  
Statements of Cash Flows  

Group Reconciliation of Net Cash  
Flow to Movement in Net Debt  

Notes to the Financial Statements  

49

56

58

62

76

82

85

86

87

89

90

91

92

OverviewHighlights

01

2018

2017

2016

£112.2m

£101.3m

£88.0m

2018

2017

2016

£12.6m

£11.7m

£8.8m

2018

2017

2016

5.10p

4.80p

4.35p

Revenue1

Adjusted profit before tax1,2

Dividends per share3 

£112.2m

Revenue represents the total sales of all 
businesses in the Group, and reflects both 
underlying business growth as well as  
the impact of movements in raw material 
prices and foreign exchange rates.

£12.6m

Adjusted profit before tax shows the  
trend in profits before tax (but ignoring 
exceptional items).

5.10p

Dividends per share shows the total  
dividend (interim plus final) per share  
relating to each financial year.

Net operating margin2,4

Return on capital employed2,4

Net cash balance 

12.4%

Net operating margin shows the operating 
profit of the continuing business (before  
financing costs, other losses, exceptional  
items and taxation) divided by revenue.

18.5%

Return on capital employed is a measure  
of the profitability of the continuing business 
(before finance costs, other losses, exceptional 
items and taxation) relative to the assets 
invested in the business.

£10.1m

The net cash balance represents the 
cash balances held by the Group, less all 
borrowings including overdrafts and loans.

1  Excludes discontinued operations in 2017 and 2018. Earlier periods not restated. 
2   Adjusted figures exclude exceptional items, details of which are given in note 9 of the financial statements.
3  The dividends per share relate to the interim dividend declared and final dividend proposed in relation to the corresponding financial year.
4 

 The methods of calculating key performance indicators are shown on pages 14 and 15.

Operational highlights

On track to deliver 2022 
strategic growth plan
New five-year plan approved in September 
2017 as 2015 plan delivered three years early.

Earthoil disposal  
completed
Earthoil was sold as non-core to Group 
operations – enterprise value of £11.3m 
represents good return for shareholders.

US expansion project  
on time and on budget
$14m expansion project at Treatt USA due to 
complete late 2018. This will double capacity 
for tea and sugar reduction.

Financing in place  
for expansion projects
10% share placing strengthened Group 
balance sheet, de-risked capital investment 
programme and widened shareholder base.

Environmental  
Impact
The Group has decided to record water 
consumption data whilst recording its 
greenhouse gas emissions in order to  
gain a greater understanding of its 
environmental impact.

Overview02

At a glance

We manufacture and supply a diverse  
portfolio of flavour and fragrance ingredients 
to our customers across the globe

Who we are

FOUNDED IN THE UK IN 1886, WE CREATE FLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE 
SOLUTIONS DESIGNED AROUND THE NEEDS OF OUR CUSTOMERS.

Drawing upon deep technical knowledge amassed over Treatt’s 130 year history our 
experts work closely with customers across the global flavour, fragrance and consumer 
goods markets to help them create appealing and innovative products. 

Where we operate

WE SERVICE CUSTOMERS IN MORE 
THAN 90 COUNTRIES FROM OUR 
CORE FACILITIES IN THE UK, THE 
US AND CHINA CONTINENTS. 

Our global footprint and our integrated supply 
chain, whereby we manufacture as well as 
process sourced material, gives us flexibility  
and agility that is valued by customers.

SALES BY GEOGRAPHY

US
UK
Ireland

Germany
China
Other

ROUTES TO MARKET
Indirect via Flavour houses
Beverage
Personal care
Trader or Distributor
Chemicals
Food
Other

What we do

OUR FLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE INGREDIENTS ARE PRESENT IN COUNTLESS 
FOOD, BEVERAGE AND FRAGRANCE PRODUCTS AROUND THE WORLD. 
Bringing together the deep expertise from our long history and a mindset that embraces continuous improvement and 
innovation, we are able to meet customer specification with solutions that are off-the-shelf or bespoke, as appropriate.

Our ingredients transform end products 
in a number of applications. Experts  
work with customers across a range of 
markets to identify how we can best  
support new product development or  
match customer needs with our range  
of exciting, high-quality solutions.

Our expansive range of fragrance ingredients 
and blends bring household products and 
fine fragrances to life. In today’s competitive 
environment, brands rely on the power of 
perfume to entice consumers and drive sales. 
Our specialists support perfumers in the 
pursuit of the ideal ingredient that will make  
all the difference to the final blend.

We manufacture and supply over 3,000 
products to customers in over 90+ 
countries. Our flavour ingredients are 
the result of over a century of knowledge, 
experience and innovation, developed with  
an inspirational modern twist.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc03

Why invest in TREATT?
With longstanding customer relationships built upon our expertise and global presence, our clear strategy aims to create 
sustainable value for stakeholders.

RECOGNISED 
EXPERTISE
Renowned for our 
technical expertise 
and knowledge of 
ingredients, their 
origins and market 
conditions, we are 
recognised as a 
leader in our field.

130+

years of knowledge  
and innovation

4

sites on four 
continents

DIVERSIFIED 
BUSINESS
Our broad portfolio 
enables us to meet any 
customer specification, 
with ready-made or 
tailored solutions. We 
collaborate closely with 
our diversified, blue-
chip customer base, 
and our value-added 
solutions are sold 
around the world.

90+

countries in which  
our solutions are sold

47%

of our revenue is 
from our top 10 
customers

CLEAR  
STRATEGY
Our 2022 growth plan 
includes a renewed 
strategic focus on our 
three core product 
areas of citrus, 
sugar reduction and 
tea, which together 
represent 69% 
of revenues; and 
capital investment to 
accelerate transition 
from ingredients 
business to added-
value solutions 
manufacturer.

69%

of revenues 
represent our  
three core areas

STRONG 
PERFORMANCE
We have a track 
record of financial 
performance.

3yrs

early meeting 
the Group’s 2020 
strategic objectives

EXPERIENCED 
MANAGEMENT
Our executive 
Directors have  
deep experience  
of the sector.

42yrs

combined sector 
experience

SUSTAINABLE 
PRACTICES
We are continually 
looking at ways to 
minimise our impact 
on the environment 
and to build upon 
the positive effect 
we have on those 
that work for us and 
the communities in 
which we operate. 
The commitment 
to continuous 
improvement will 
have a positive effect 
on our ability to meet 
strategic objectives 
and create long-term 
shareholder value.

Our routes to market
We supply manufacturers of finished consumer goods products directly, and also indirectly via flavour 
and fragrance houses.

52%

SALES

FLAVOUR HOUSES 

Global flavour & fragrance houses represent our biggest 
customer base. These organisations buy our products and sell 
them on to FMCG customers. They look for competitive pricing 
and choose to work with us because of our technical, regulatory 
and application knowledge. 

48%

SALES

FMCG & OTHER CLIENTS 

We work closely with many of the global FMCG beverage brands, 
who are often international household names. They typically have 
multiple products under an umbrella brand and operate in several 
categories. They value our track record of innovation, technical 
knowledge and demonstrable market and regulatory awareness. 

FLAVOUR HOUSES 
RESELL OUR 
PRODUCTS TO 
FMCG CLIENTS

Overview04

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc05

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CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

BUSINESS MODEL

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REVIEW

06

10

22

Strategic Report

Corporate Governance
Financial Statements

Overview

100%

of used drums 
recycled

 
06

Chairman’s statement

A year of significant progress for Treatt, with 
funding in place to support future growth

Excellent results
This has been another year of significant progress 
for Treatt. The team met the targets that had been 
set, with revenues* up by 11% to a record £112.2m 
(2017:  £101.3m),  and  profit  before  tax*  reaching 
£12.6m (2017: £11.7m). 

We  also  completed  the  disposal  of  Earthoil 
Plantations, a non-core business, for an enterprise 
value of £11.3m. This provided additional growth 
capital and allows us to focus on the pursuit of 
our 2022 strategic plan based around our core 
markets of citrus, tea and sugar reduction.

This strong performance derives from a resolute 
focus  on  executing  our  clear  strategy  and  an 
uncompromising  commitment  to  operational 
excellence,  founded  on  supplying  high  quality, 
consistent products that meet customer needs, 
engineered for optimum value. 

Favourable market dynamics
political 
and 
economic 
Notwithstanding 
uncertainties around the world, long-term trends 
including  health  and  wellness,  an  increasing 
desire for innovative flavours and the burgeoning 
middle  class  in  emerging  markets,  point  to  a 
growing market for our customers’ products, and 
associated opportunities for Treatt’s inventive and 
value-adding solutions.

Our  specialist  focus  areas  of  citrus,  tea  and 
sugar  reduction  all  sit  at  the  centre  of  trends 
we are seeing in beverage markets across the 
90  countries  in  which  we  operate.  This  gives 
us confidence that Treatt is well positioned to 
deliver long-term growth.

Looking  back  on  the  last  financial  year,  our 
customers’  end  markets  were  buoyed  by  a 
particularly hot summer which drove beverage 
consumption in the northern hemisphere.

Successful placing
Last year we successfully raised net proceeds 
of £20.8m by way of an equity placing with new 
and existing shareholders in order to invest in 
expanding our operations in the US and UK. 

On-going expansion
Our expansion plans in the US are proceeding 
at pace and we are on schedule to increase our 
footprint in Florida substantially. The resulting 
increased capacity cannot come too soon and 
I am pleased to report we remain on time and 
on  budget.  In  addition,  plans  for  our  new  UK 
headquarters  are  underway  and  we  expect 
building to commence mid 2019.

from  our 

investment 

Aside 
in  physical 
infrastructure,  we  have  also  grown  our 
sales  teams  and  supporting  resource  in  the 
US,  to  capitalise  on  growth  opportunities 
in  North  America,  the  dominant  market  for 
new beverages.

Well placed for future growth
Treatt  is  well  positioned  for  future  growth. 
We  are  recognised  as  a  trusted  provider  of 
flavours that are natural, authentic and meet the 
aspirations of our customers, which is reflected 
in the attractive contracts we continue to secure.

54%

of staff own shares 
in the Company.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc07

DIVIDEND PER SHARE

REVENUE*

ADJUSTED PROFIT BEFORE TAX*

5.10p

£112.2m

8.1%

We have a clear strategy and know where our 
niches lie. With liquidity from our share placing 
and  the  divestment  of  Earthoil,  we  are  well 
placed to capitalise on the opportunities in the 
markets in which we participate. We have also 
made good progress in our newer territories in 
the  Far  East  and  India  and  have  plans  to  take 
advantage  of  the  sizeable  potential  in  those 
markets. Our expansion in the UK and US will 
put  in  place  the  resources  we  need  to  better 
serve  our  more  established  territories  as  well 
as new markets around the world.

We  have  a  very  well  balanced  Board,  with 
world-class  experience  and  depth  of  insight 
across functional as well as geographical areas. 
At our Annual General Meeting in January we 
will bid farewell to Anita Haines who first joined 
Treatt in 1988. Having been on the Board for 16 
years, firstly as HR Director and more recently 
as a Non-executive Director, Anita’s contribution 
to Treatt has been immense. We will all miss her 
wise counsel and wish her well in retirement. 
A  process  is  now  underway  to  recruit  a  new 
Non-executive Director.

An enabling culture
Treatt is a dynamic and exciting business, with a 
culture built on focus, passion and collaboration. 
Our teams are integrated and there is a holistic 
work  ethos,  with  colleagues  working  closely 
together  to  deliver  to  customers  the  right 
products, at the right time and at the right price. 

As  well  as  its  work  on  succession  planning, 
the Board places a high degree of importance 
on  the  culture,  values  and  essence  of  Treatt. 
Our culture is extremely important; our people 
genuinely  value  one  another  and  feel  part  of 
Treatt. That is also reflected in the collegiate yet 
challenging style of the Board, where we like to 
reach unanimous decisions. If something is not 
right, we keep at it until it is and we can all get 
to an agreed position.

The Board also engages regularly with the staff 
in the business. The entire Board visits the US 
at least once a year and are visible in our Bury 
St Edmunds head office. We get involved with 
fundraising initiatives such as Macmillan coffee 
mornings,  and  I  have  an  open  door  policy  for 
staff and individual Board members to approach 
me with any concerns or opportunities.

Working responsibly
Environmental,  social  and  governance  (ESG) 
matters are of particular importance to the Board 
and  to  Treatt  generally.  We  seek  to  operate  in  a 
sustainable,  low  carbon  way  and  of  course  we 
comply  with  regulatory  requirements.  Indeed  
this  is  an  important  design  requirement  for  our 
new  UK  site.  Treatt  are  adept  at  dealing  with 
issues around extreme weather events impacting 
crops by having a robust risk mitigation strategy 
on sourcing. 

We are also mindful of the communities in which 
we work, as well as those we serve. We focus 
on staff engagement, and a general awareness 
of sustainability. We aim to embed ESG matters 
more  fully  into  our  KPIs,  taking  account  of 
the  environmental  impact  of  our  decisions. 
For  example,  how  sustainable  is  a  particular 
product? Are we aware of any challenges and 
risks with sourcing? We are looking at how we 
can  reflect,  in  our  practical  motivations  and 
behaviours, the issues that are important.

Growing dividend
The  Directors  propose  to  pay  a  final  dividend 
of  3.50p  per  share  (2017:  3.35p),  increasing 
the total dividend for the year by 6.3% to 5.10p 
(2017: 4.80p). If approved by shareholders at the 
Annual General Meeting, the final dividend will 
be payable on 21 March 2019 to all shareholders 
on  the  register  at  the  close  of  business  on  8 
February  2019.  Shareholders  who  wish  to 
participate  in  the  dividend  re-investment  plan 
for this and future dividends should elect to do 
so by 28 February 2019.

Outlook
We have made a steady start to our new financial 
year. We know what our focus is, we know our 
markets, and we know we have to extend our 
capacity, and have clear plans to minimise any 
disruption during that process. There is plenty 
of  demand  and  innovation  in  our  established 
markets,  as  well  as  huge  growth  potential 
in  China  and  India.  There  are  uncertainties 
in  relation  to  factors  such  as  Brexit  and  US 
government policies, but in practice the desire 
of consumers to drink beverages is influenced 
far more by the weather than by politics.

We  operate  in  a  competitive  market,  but  our 
strong  relationships,  values  and  culture  are 
a  very  important  part  of  what  makes  Treatt 
successful.  On  behalf  of  the  Board,  I  wish  to 
pay  tribute  to  the  dedicated  people  that  make 
Treatt  such  a  special  Company,  and  we  look 
forward  to  further  success  in  the  year  ahead 
and beyond.

We  are  also  keen  to  work  with  local  schools, 
particularly on STEM projects and generally in 
promoting science.

Tim Jones
Chairman

26 November 2018

Our Culture

INTEGRITY

PRIDE & 

TEAMWORK

CHALLENGE

PASSION

Our values are the fuel that drives the culture and success of our growing global business. They are 
the cornerstones of our organisation, created and owned by our teams across four continents.

*  Adjusted to exclude exceptional items and discontinued operations, details of which are given in notes 9 and 11. 

Strategic Report08

Market overview

We operate in large and growing segments  
that are underpinned by long-term trends

GLOBALLY,  CONSUMERS  ARE  BEING  DRIVEN  TO  HEALTHIER  FOOD  AND  DRINK  CHOICES.  IN  ASIA,  THE  RISING 
AFFLUENCE IN THE MIDDLE CLASSES, PATTERNS OF URBANISATION AND INCREASINGLY YOUTHFUL POPULATIONS 
IS CREATING CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SIGNIFICANT GROWTH. 

NORTH AMERICA
A  mature  and  established  market  with  an 
increasing focus on new product development 
and innovation, North America presents us with 
continued opportunity for growth.

There  has  been  a  decided  shift  towards 
wellness  across  almost  every  pillar  of  the 
food  and  drink  market  in  the  US,  driven  by 
consumers’ desires to be more healthy, natural 
and sustainable. This movement has been more 
than a decade in the making and last year saw 
bottled  water  sales  overtake  all  carbonated 
soft  drinks  sales  for  the  first  time.  According 
to  industry  tracker,  Euromonitor,  carbonated 
soft drinks still generated more revenue in 2017, 
$39.5bn in retail sales compared with $21.3bn 
for  water,  but  this  remarkable  shift  signifies 
the  scale  of  the  appetite  for  ‘better-for-you’ 
products.

Increased  consumer  awareness  around  the 
subject  of  personal  health  and  wellbeing 
has  contributed  to  this  snowballing  trend. 
As  momentum  builds,  it  has  become  the 
hottest  topic  across  food,  beverage,  personal 
care,  fashion,  interior  and  travel  sectors  as 
consumers  look  to  improve  all  areas  of  their 
life. Being low sugar alone is no longer enough 
to tempt the health-conscious consumer. They 
also  want  the  ingredients  used  to  be  natural, 
know  where  they  are  grown  and  understand 
how they are processed. 

As such, brands across our customer base are 
reformulating, repackaging and rethinking their 
strategies  to  align  to  this  evolving  consumer 
mindset.  We  are  well-positioned  to  maximise 

opportunities  created  by  this  shift  with  our 
range of natural beverage ingredients, ideal for 
use in a health-focused product.

The appetite for iced tea, as well as ready-to-
drink  blended  tea,  continues  to  increase  due 
to  the  health  connotations  inherent  with  this 
ingredient.  Our  innovative  range  of  naturally 
caffeine  and  tannin-free  tea  solutions  are 
of  particular  interest  in  this  market.  With 
everything  from  delicate  green  teas,  light 
iced  teas  and  full-bodied  black  teas  to  Oolong 
and  Darjeeling  blends,  our  portfolio  gives 
formulators  the  ultimate  flexibility.  All  our 
solutions  are  100%  natural  and  are  wholly 
sourced from traditionally harvested teas.

UK and EUROPE
A  diverse  and  evolving  market,  the  UK  and 
Europe  present  multiple  opportunities  as 
several trends continue to gain traction. 

Reducing  sugar  levels  across  almost  every 
beverage  sector  continues  to  become  an 
increasing priority. According to data published 
late last year, 70% of European consumers say 
they  are  buying  ‘healthy’  foods  with  reduced 
levels of sugar, salt, fat and calories. 

behaviours 

Armed  with  a  greater  awareness  of  the  role 
beverages  play  in  general  health  and  wellness, 
incentivised 
consumers’ 
by  government  initiatives,  levies  and  taxes. 
Disruptive, market-changing brands are including 
‘sugar-free’ as part of their core product DNA, as 
established brands are reformulating to catch up 
with consumer demand.

are 

Our  growing  portfolio  of  100%  natural  sugar 
reduction  solutions  appeal 
formulators 
looking  to  achieve  clean  label  status  and 
reduce  sugar  levels,  without  compromising 
on  palatability  on  delivering  an  extraordinary 
experience for the consumer.

to 

ASIA
China, India and other emerging markets in Asia 
are increasingly a focus for Treatt.

Rising affluence in the middle classes, patterns 
increasingly  youthful 
of  urbanisation  and 
populations  are  all  contributing  to  new,  fast-
growing trends in the beverage industry across 
Asia.  Increasingly  driven  by  tastes  influenced 
by  Western  culture,  health  and  wellbeing 
are  starting  to  become  greater  concerns  for 
consumers.  Younger  generations  are  leading 
the charge for low sugar, healthy beverages that 
fit in with their broader lifestyle. 

Brands  are  adapting  to  shifting  consumer 
tastes  as  new  product  development  pipelines 
shorten, reflecting the growing competition for 
consumer spend. 

We  continue 
in 
to  grow  our 
this  opportunity  rich  region  as  our  core 
competences  are  closely  aligned  to  the  needs 
of the market places we operate in.

footprint 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc09

Tea
Tea  is  the  second  most  widely  consumed 
beverage  globally,  after  water.  In  particular, 
ready-to-drink teas have increased in popularity 
among consumers, with the market growing by 
40%  between  2011  and  2016,  and  forecast  to 
rise to 44 billion litres by 2020. Its growth has 
far  exceeded  that  of  carbonated  soft  drinks 
over  the  last  five  years,  and  the  scrutiny  over 
the  sugar  content  of  some  ready-to-drink  teas 
provides further opportunities for tea companies 
to  distinguish  themselves  with  healthy  and 
flavourful  alternatives.  Natural  energy  drinks, 
cold  brew  teas  and  kombucha  are  gaining 
popularity  driven  by  health  and  convenient 
functionality to suit hectic lifestyles. The US tea 
market is set to grow to $10 billion in 2022 from 
$8  billion  in  2017,  with  Asia  Pacific  leading  the 
rise of cold-brew teas. 

Citrus
All citrus grows in two narrow sub-tropic belts 
between 20 degrees and 40 degrees north and 
south  of  the  equator.  Growing  regions  in  both 
the northern and southern hemispheres mean 
that harvest periods can run concurrently, such 
that  production  can  be  almost  year-round. 
Global  weather  patterns  affecting  Brazil  and 
the US led to smaller orange crops for 2017/18. 
Conversely, 
favourable  weather  conditions 
in  China,  where  large  quantities  of  citrus  are 
grown, mainly for domestic consumption, have 
led to forecasts of an increase in production to 
7.3m tonnes. This reminds us that the essential 
oil market continues to compete with the fresh 
fruit  market  for  raw  material  and  of  the  near 
48m tonnes of oranges produced globally, some 
30m will be consumed fresh with the remainder 
heading to processors.

Sugar reduction
low  and  no  sugar 
The  development  of 
alternatives in both food and drink is being driven 
by  increasing  awareness  of  the  detrimental 
effects of sugar on overall health. Public health 
and  mass  media  campaigns  are  prevalent  in 
many countries. Despite consumers searching 
for natural and healthier products, global sugar 
consumption is predicted to reach 178mmetric 
tonnes  for  2018/2019,  a  huge  increase  from 
154m metric tonnes in 2009/2010. 

800,000 kgs  
of tea leaf 
processed  
last year

Global citrus 
fruit production 
exceeds 92m 
tonnes

Worldwide 
obesity has 
nearly tripled 
since 1975

Strategic Report10

Business model

Our clear and simple business model delivers 
value to all of our stakeholders

HOW WE CREATE VALUE

CUSTOMER 
CENTRICITY
is  structured  around 
Our  business 
effectively  understanding  and  meeting  the 
complex, evolving needs of our global food, 
beverage and fragrance customers. Every 
department  is  driven  by  a  common  goal 
of  delivering  excellence,  throughout  every 
step of our customers’ journey. 

FOCUSED 
STRATEGY
Our  clear  strategy  provides  focus  for 
our  global  business,  our  employees  and 
our  customers.  Strong  and  experienced 
leadership,  supported  by  a  diverse  and 
passionate  management  team,  provide 
clarity  and  purpose 
in  all  areas  of 
the Group. 

TECHNICAL 
EXCELLENCE
The  sharpest  minds  across  Research 
and  Development,  applications,  quality 
assurance  and  quality  control  deliver 
unrivalled 
for  our 
technical  solutions 
customers, challenging what is possible in 
our  industry.  Treatt  supplies  ready-made 
and  bespoke  solutions,  with  particular 
expertise in citrus, tea and sugar reduction. 
65%+  of  our  revenues  are  from  value-
the  remainder 
added  products,  with 
generated through trading in raw materials.

HOW WE SHARE VALUE WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS

EMPLOYEES 
Empowering  culture,  opportunities 
for  training  and  development,  and 
safe working environment.

INVESTORS 
We  have  a  strong  track  record  of 
delivering  consistent  growth 
in 
shareholder returns and our focus is 
on building long-term value.

CUSTOMERS
Tailored  product  range  and  service, 
built on our technical and regulatory 
expertise,  quality  standards  and 
market intelligence.

AVERAGE LENGTH OF SERVICE

DIVIDEND GROWTH SINCE 2017

9.75 years

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

360

6.3%

POSITIVE EXPERIENCE AND 
TRENDS OF GREAT SERVICE  
FROM OUR QUALITATIVE FEEDBACK 
FROM OUR CUSTOMERS

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc11

RESPONSIBLE 
MANUFACTURING
From  our  facilities  in  the  UK  and  US  we 
manufacture  and  also  process  sourced 
material 
to  create  consistently  high-
quality products. 

DIVERSE ROUTES TO 
GROWING MARKETS
We  have  a  presence  on  four  continents 
and  our  3,000  products  are  enjoyed  by 
consumers in over 90 countries. The broad 
appeal  of  our  product  offering  allows  us 
to  capitalise  on  growth  opportunities  in 
several  competitive  markets.  As  well  as 
our  sales  direct  to  end-users,  we  also  sell 
to  flavour  and  fragrance  houses,  traders  
and distributors.

COMMUNITIES 
Donations  of  time,  expertise  and 
money  to  charities  and  causes  that 
matter  to  our  employees  and  their 
families.

SUSTAINABLE 
SOURCING
Working directly with growers, processors 
and suppliers across the world guarantees 
the 
finest  quality  raw  materials  and 
standards  of  production.  We  work  hard 
to  develop  and  maintain  a  transparent 
and  stable  supply  chain,  mitigating  risk, 
maintaining 
providing 
maximum traceability.

integrity 

and 

SUPPLIERS 
Sustainable, 
rewarding 
outcomes for growers and processors.

and 

fair 

SUPPLIER VISITS

52

GROUP DONATIONS

£25,000

NUMBER OF COMMUNITY PROJECTS

20

Strategic Report12

Ambition and strategy

We will reach our newly extended goals  
by building on the successes of our  
proven strategy

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

DRIVE INNOVATION, 
WITH A FOCUS ON 
CORE CATEGORIES

INCREASE FOCUS ON 
TECHNICAL, VALUE-
ADDED SOLUTIONS

INVEST FOR  
FUTURE GROWTH

WHAT WE ARE DOING

Our  heritage  gives  us  firm  foundations  from 
which we can innovate with confidence, and we 
are committed to identifying and understanding 
market trends. We increased our research and 
development  team  during  the  year,  but  also 
see  innovation  as  a  responsibility  of  every 
department across the Group.

By dedicating the right resources to our leading 
product  categories  of  citrus,  tea  and  sugar 
reduction,  we  are  backing  our  winners  and 
putting everything we can behind their success 
–  without  taking  our  eyes  off  the  rest  of  the 
business.  An  example  of  this  in  action  is  the 
recent  formation  of  a  cross-functional  citrus 
team to drive our growth in this historically core 
part of our portfolio.

As  we  continue  our  transition  from  a  trading 
house  to  a  provider  of  value-added,  technical 
solutions,  we  have  added  to  our  team  of 
scientists  to  build  close,  mutually  beneficial 
relationships  with  our  customers  across  as 
many relevant touch points as possible. 

We  have  an  explicit  approach  to  segmenting 
our  customer  base  to  allocate  our  resources 
appropriately  and  ensure  we  capitalise  on  the 
most promising opportunities.

We continue to invest in growth markets such 
as North America, China and India, where our 
sales teams have a focused promotion strategy 
to capitalise on the trends forecast by analysts 
for growth in soft drinks. 

We have the funding in place to support our £45m 
capital investment programme for future growth.

function 

spanning 

We  are  also  developing  an  integrated,  global 
marketing 
creative, 
communications  and  operational  capabilities, 
in  order  to  drive  our  growth.  Working  with 
sales, customer service, category management, 
IT,  HR,  operations  and  corporate/community 
communications,  we  will  champion  Group-
wide  initiatives  to  improve  customer  intimacy, 
drive  effective  product  marketing,  grow  our 
reputation in our communities and successfully 
deliver our brand.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc13

READ ABOUT 
The KPIs we use to measure our 
performance on page 14

The principal risks and uncertainties that 
might knock us off course on page 26

How remuneration is linked to delivery 
of our strategy on pages 65 to 68

OUR OBJECTIVE
We aim to continue to grow Treatt in a sustainable manner, 
and to create benefits for all of our stakeholders.

INVEST IN OUR 
CULTURE

ENGAGE WITH  
OUR COMMUNITIES

REDUCE OUR 
ENVIRONMENTAL 
IMPACT

The  happiness  of  our  people  is  integral  to  the 
success  of  the  business  and  our  culture  of 
openness, innovation and collaboration attracts 
and  retains  the  brightest  candidates.  We  are 
proud  of  our  record  of  employee  engagement 
and  retention,  cultivated  with  a 
tailored 
training  and  development  programme  to  help 
individuals reach their potential, backed with an 
environment  of  genuine  support  and  care  for 
our people.

A core element of our cultural strategy is our 
engagement  with  our  local  communities,  as 
a  result  of  which  Treatt  is  becoming  widely 
recognised  both  as  a  desirable  employer  and 
a  business  that  is  committed  to  community 
responsibility.  Several  members  of  staff  are 
engaged  with  local  schools  and  colleges  in 
initiatives  that  deepen  our  relationships  and 
enhance  our  longer-term  talent  pipeline  for 
the business. 

In  the  UK  we  have  recently  been  awarded 
platinum  accreditation,  which  is  the  highest 
award  in  the  Best  Employers  Eastern  Region 
Awards,  as  well  as  the  Best  Manufacturing 
Employer award.

By  fostering  a  culture  of  innovation,  we  are 
seeing cross-functional teams working together 
to  identify  opportunities  to  grow  and  improve 
efficiency.  Whether  it  is  a  matter  of  improving 
processing  techniques,  reducing  waste  and 
maximising  training  to  develop  new  ways  of 
working,  consolidating  existing  resources  and 
getting the most out of our existing site – our 
people  are  delivering  sustainable  growth,  and 
there is a shared sense of forward momentum 
across the business.

We  manage  energy,  fuel  and  waste  disposal 
costs  with  the  aim  of  lessening  the  Group’s 
environmental impact while reducing cost and 
improving efficiencies. 

Our  Safety,  Health 
and  Environmental 
Champions, who undertake the role in addition 
to  their  day  to  day  responsibilities,  promote 
consideration 
impacts 
resulting from operations. Like Health & Safety, 
environmental  considerations  are  seen  as  the 
responsibility of all staff, not just the Champions 
and we strive to do our best.

environmental 

of 

Waste  management  has  been  an  area  of 
particular  focus  over  the  last  few  years,  with 
an  increase  in  recycling  of  hazardous  and 
non-hazardous  waste,  particularly  in  the  UK. 
The  site  expansion  project  at  Treatt  USA  and 
the  site  relocation  in  the  UK  provide  exciting 
opportunities  for  us 
incorporate  more 
efficient energy saving technology into the build 
and fit outs.

to 

Strategic Report14

Key performance indicators

We assess Group performance using a  
set of financial and non-financial KPIs

The Group has financial KPIs which it monitors on a regular basis at Board level and, where relevant, at operational executive management meetings. 
The key performance indicators shown below cover a period of five years which is reflective of the Board’s long-term thinking.

Growth in adjusted*  
profit before tax

tax 

Adjusted  profit  before 
is 
considered  the  most  appropriate 
underlying 
of 
measure 
performance of the Group.

the 

Growth in adjusted* basic 
earnings per share
Adjusted  earnings  per  share  is 
considered  the  most  appropriate 
measure of performance which is 
aligned with shareholder value.

Net operating  
margin*

Return on  
capital employed*

Net operating margin is considered 
an 
the 
important  measure  of 
profitability of the Group.

Return  on  capital  employed  is  an 
important measure used to assess 
the profitability of the Group relative 
to the capital being utilised.

8.1%

9.8% 12.4%

18.5%

2018

8.1%

2018

9.8%

2018

12.4%

2018

18.5%

2017

32.2%

2017

27.8%

2017

12.4%

2017

2016

11.3%

2016

7.5%

2015

15.2%

2014

10.9%

2015

2014

20.0%

15.2%

2016

2015

2014

10.8%

10.1%

9.6%

2016

2015

2014

22.1%

24.6%

22.1%

19.9%

Why we measure it
Adjusted  profit  before  tax  shows 
the  underlying  performance  of 
the  business  for  the  year.  We 
have a clear policy on exceptional 
items to ensure that only genuine 
one-off  items  (both  positive  and 
negative)  which  would  otherwise 
distort  the  reported  performance 
are excluded.

Why we measure it
is  widely 
Earnings  per  share 
the  most 
considered  one  of 
important  metrics 
by 
used 
investors in order to place a value 
on  a  company  and  therefore  in 
turn impact upon the share price. It 
lets shareholders know how much 
profit  was  made  for  each  share 
they own. 

Why we measure it
Net  operating  margin  shows  the 
operating profit as a percentage of 
revenue. This enables comparison 
between  different  businesses.  As 
it takes into account all the day-to-
day costs incurred in operating the 
business  it  demonstrates  whether 
growth in the business is profitable.

Why we measure it
Return 
employed 
capital 
on 
enables  stakeholders  to  see  the 
profitability  of  the  business  as  a 
function  of  how  much  capital  has 
been invested in the business.

How we measure it
We calculate the growth in adjusted 
profit before tax by comparing this 
year’s  figure  with  that  relating  to 
last year. The ‘adjusted’ references 
the  fact  that  we  do  not  include 
exceptional  items  or  discontinued 
operations* in this calculation.

tax  by 

How we measure it
the  adjusted  profit 
We  divide 
the  weighted 
after 
average 
shares 
which  ranked  for  a  dividend  in 
the  year.  Similarly  this  measure 
excludes  exceptional  items  and 
discontinued operations*.

number 

of 

How we measure it
We  divide  operating  profit  (which 
excludes 
items, 
discontinued operations and other 
gains and losses) by revenue from 
continuing operations*.

exceptional 

How we measure it
We  divide  profit  from  continuing 
operations before interest, tax and 
exceptional  items  by  the  capital 
employed  in  the  business  which 
we  calculate  as  shareholders’ 
funds (total equity) plus net debt.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc15

Average net debt to 
EBITDA*

Number of reportable 
accidents across the Group

Average number of sick 
days per employee

Average  number  of  sick  days 
enables us to monitor the welfare of 
our workforce and the effectiveness 
of our absence policies.

2.86

Average net debt is used to ensure 
that the level of debt is appropriate 
relative to the profits generated by 
the business.

of 

number 

The 
reportable 
accidents  is  used  to  monitor  the 
safety of our working environment.

0.01

2018

0.01

2017

0.42

2016

0.35

2015

2014

0.78

0.99

4

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

4

5

2

3

3

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2.86

3.06

4.29

3.66

3.39

Why we measure it
It  is  important  to  ensure  that  the 
level of borrowings in the business 
can be supported by the cash flow 
in  the  business.  EBITDA  is  widely 
recognised  as  a  good  indicator  of 
the  cash  generative  performance 
in the year.

of 

Why we measure it
The  health  and  safety  of  our 
is 
employees 
paramount 
importance 
to  us.  Recording 
accidents,  which  includes  those 
that  are  reportable,  assists  with 
their prevention and encourages a 
focus on safety. 

Why we measure it
The  recording  of  sickness 
is 
essential  for  proactive  absence 
management,  which  can  help  to 
reduce  sickness  absence  and 
ensure that employees are healthy 
and working effectively.

How we measure it

How we measure it

How we measure it

We  divide  the  average  net  debt 
in  the  year  (being  the  average 
of  the  opening  and  closing  net 
is 
debt)  by  EBITDA.  EBITDA 
tax, 
the  profit  before 
depreciation  and  amortisation  and 
excludes  exceptional  items  and 
discontinued operations.

interest, 

We  simply  record  the  number 
of  reportable  accidents,  which 
have  occurred  across  the  Group. 
Reportable  accidents  are  work-
related  accidents,  which  legally 
have to be reported to a statutory 
body  or  have  to  be  recorded  in  a 
specific format.

We divide the total number of sick 
days  recorded  across  the  Group 
by the total number of employees.

* 

 All KPIs are calculated excluding 
exceptional items (see note 9). They also 
exclude discontinued operations in 2017 
and 2018 – earlier years have not been 
restated for discontinued operations.

Strategic Report16

Treatt expertise

We source our teas from a number of premium  
global locations. Using our detailed knowledge of  
the different regions’ harvesting cycles, we obtain  
the highest quality teas available

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc17

Using  our  detailed  knowledge  of  the  different 
regions’  harvesting  and  flush  cycles,  we  obtain 
the highest quality teas available.

Working  with  growers  and  suppliers  at  the  world’s  best  Tea 
Gardens, our increasing library includes products from China, India, 
Indonesia,  Vietnam,  Africa  and  beyond,  giving  our  customers  a 
transparent, sustainable supply chain they can depend on.

Our  team  of  trained  and  accredited  Tea  Sommeliers  work  in 
partnership with our customers to understand exactly what their 
project needs before curating the perfect tailored solution.

With  an  unrivalled  understanding  of  international  tea  tastes, 
our  experts  have  their  finger  on  the  pulse  when  it  comes  to 
understanding  tea  trends,  which  helps  drive  innovation  and 
establish exciting new opportunities for our clients.

We processed about 

800,000 kgs

of tea last year

“ All  the  teas  come  from  the  same  plant  (Camellia 
Sienesis),  it  is  only  after  harvesting  that  the 
processing method “makes the tea”. From a delicate 
light peach note in white tea to a full body highly 
astringent black tea.”

Dave  Arnold,  Treattarome  Category  Manager  and 
THAC Certified Tea Sommelier

Strategic Report18

Treatt expertise

With a strong and established background in citrus, 
our capabilities, knowledge and techniques are 
internationally recognised and valued by those who 
need the best quality products at every level

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc19

Our reputation as a trusted solutions provider 
in  the  citrus  space  has  been  earned  over  our 
130  year  history  by  delivering  consistently 
high-quality ingredients in what has become an 
increasingly challenging marketplace.

We  develop  and  maintain  diverse,  positive  and  long-term 
relationships with citrus growers and processors across over 10 
countries to provide a stable and sustainable supply.

1,400

600

boxes to produce one drum 
of orange oil

Varieties of orange grown 
throughout the world

“ I have been privileged to work alongside, and be 
educated by, some of the most highly respected 
characters in the wider global industry, allowing 
me a fuller understanding of our products from 
‘grove to glass’.”

Paul Stott, Citrus Category Manager

Strategic Report20

Treatt plc

Annual Report & Accounts 2018

Treatt expertise

We give our customers the ultimate choice  
when it comes to developing solutions that reduce 
sugar in a number of flavour compositions and 
beverage applications

21

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

Improving flavour, while providing the required 
healthy attributes, is key to product success. 

Created  through  a  range  of  specialist  technologies,  including  a 
short duration/low temperature distillation process to maximise 
flavour  entrapment,  we  ensure  the  character  of  the  distillate 
reflects the original fresh food.

Most of the world’s population  

live in countries where being obese kills more people  
than being underweight.

Source: World Health Organization

“ Sugar reduction remains a hot topic, and great 
taste continues to be a key driver for consumers. 
Flavour is a complicated process, but our 100% 
natural,  calorie  free  sugar  reduction  range 
can  deliver  a  sugar  flavour  which  allows  our 
customers  to  bring  an  authentic  sucrose  or 
fructose  profile  to  natural  and  artificial  high 
intensity sweeteners.”

Charlotte Catignani, R&D Manager

 
22

Chief Executive’s review

A strong year for the Group as our efforts and 
performance delivered exciting new customer wins 
and give us further confidence for the future

I am delighted to report another year 
of strong growth for Treatt. Last year’s 
performance set the bar high, so I am 
delighted to report that Treatt’s teams 
from across the business have built 
upon that performance and secured 
further success in the year. 

Daemmon Reeve
Chief Executive Officer

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc 
23

EARNINGS PER SHARE*

NET OPERATING MARGIN*

ADJUSTED PROFIT BEFORE TAX*

    up 9.8% 

12.4%

    doubled in 5yrs

Another strong year
I am delighted to report another year of strong 
growth for Treatt. Last year’s performance set 
the  bar  high,  so  I  am  delighted  to  report  that 
Treatt’s  teams  from  across  the  business  have 
built  upon  that  performance  and  secured 
further  success  in  the  year.  Growth  in  key 
product  categories  of  citrus,  tea  and  sugar 
reduction  have  been  noteworthy  and  are  in 
line  with  our  strategy  and  we  also  continue 
to  achieve  success  in  exciting  newer  areas  of 
flavoured beverage growth such as tonic water 
and non-alcoholic spirits. 

Having  achieved  the  previous  goals  we  set 
ourselves three years early, the Board approved 
an updated version of our five-year strategy in 
September  2017.  One  year  on  and  the  results 
have  been  encouraging  with  revenue  growth 
from  continuing  operations  of  11%  to  £112.2m 
(2017: £101.3m). As we continue our transition 
from our trading house origins we are developing 
a  higher  proportion  of  more  technical,  value-
added solutions in partnership with customers. 
This  aspect  to  our  business  presents  exciting 
opportunities  and  growth  potential  as  owners 
and  brand  leaders  value  both  the  quality  and 
authenticity of Treatt’s products. 

Looking back over the last five years, we have 
delivered  a  total  shareholder  return  of  more 
than 330%. We are excited by such significant 
growth, and will aim to use our experience from 
the past five years to drive further growth and 
deliver  greater  value  for  shareholders  in  the 
long-term. 

As  the  focus  on  our  core  areas  of  business 
continues  to  sharpen  we  sold  a  non-core 
operation, Earthoil, to Univar for an enterprise 
value of £11.3m and look forward to seeing the 
business develop under new ownership. 

As part of this strategy, we have made progress 
on  the  development  of  our  sites  in  the  UK  and 
US, with our successful share placing helping us 
to raise the necessary funds to drive this growth.

increase 

in  revenue 

The  reported 
from 
continuing  operations  was  10.8%,  which  in 
constant  currency  terms  reflects  an  increase 
of  14.1%.  Reported  adjusted*  profit  before  tax 
increased  by  8.1%  to  £12.6m,  compared  with 
£11.7m  last  year,  resulting  in  adjusted*  basic 
earnings per share from continuing operations of 
18.02p up 9.8% relative to last year (2017: 16.41p).

Continued growth across  
core categories
All of our product areas performed well, with 
particular sales growth coming from our core 
categories  of  citrus,  tea  and  sugar  reduction 
which  saw  growth  of  9%,  8%  and  63% 
respectively. 

Citrus

Citrus  has  been  the  core  of  our  portfolio  for 
a  large  part  of  Treatt’s  history  but  there  is 
no  room  for  complacency  in  this  important 
category.  A  key  part  of  our  strategy  is  to 
provide  additional  cross  discipline  focus  in 
this area to drive greater growth and unearth 
future potential for the teams to drive towards. 
Citrus  as  a  flavour  family  remains  in  high 
demand  for  the  beverage  sector  across  the 
globe  and  continues  to  be  designed  in  new 
product  launches  across  a  wide  spectrum  of 
the beverage market. Treatt is benefitting from 
our  technical  and  commercial  teams  working 
very closely together in this space, alignment 
behind  category  management  has  further 
sharpened our focus and we are encouraged 
by our opportunities in this segment.

Summary
Encouraging  start  to  five-year  2022 
growth plan:

•  Growth across all product categories.

•  Funding  in  place  for  capital  investment 

programme to support growth.

•  US expansion to double capacity in key 
product categories nearing completion.

Tea

Sales  of  our  specialist  ingredient  solutions  have 
continued  to  increase,  buoyed  by  the  sustained 
growth  in  demand  for  ice  tea,  notably  in  North 
America,  where  the  category  has  continued  to 
gain share from carbonated soft drinks and where 
our  investment  in  expanded  capacity  will  help 
drive further growth. The authentic, fresh-brewed 
flavour  of  our  proprietary  natural  distillates  has 
been a key driver of our success in this segment. 
Whether  we  are  supplying  a  large  volume  black 
tea  for  an  established  product  or  a  matcha  tea 
for an innovative new line, we work closely with 
our clients, utilising our in-house tea sommeliers 
to ensure successful ‘concept commercialisation’ 
across a wide array of solutions.

No 
plastic cups
used at water stations 
& staff issued with 
reusable drinking 
bottles

* Excludes exceptional items and discontinued operations, details of which can be found in notes 9 and 11.

Strategic Report 
24

Chief Executive’s review continued

CAPITAL INVESTMENT

£6.6m

INCREASE IN REVENUE*

RETURN ON CAPITAL*

10.8%

18.5%

Sugar reduction

Growing  consumer  desire  for  natural  and 
authentic  and  a  societal  trend  towards  health 
and wellness are playing into the sweet spot of 
Treatt’s strategy and portfolio. Sugar reduction 
remains  the  hottest  topic  in  the  beverage 
industry.  Whether  sugar  taxes  have  been 
implemented  in  a  market  or  simply  mooted, 
the  debates  themselves  have  served  to  raise 
consumer  awareness  of  the  calorific  content 
of some beverages. The primary consideration 
–  and  holy  grail  –  for  beverage  brands  is  to 
reduce  sugar  while  maintaining  the  authentic, 
desirable, flavour profiles of the product. 

Treatt  plays  a  niche  and  technical  role  in  the 
scientifically complex sphere of sugar reduction. 
We  are  not  involved  with  the  sweetness  nor 
the bulk or mouthfeel of sugar, rather we play 
principally  in  the  flavour  and  aroma  of  sugar, 
which is difficult to reproduce without calorific 
impediment  and  we  are  forging  a  growing 
reputation in this important space.

Other categories

Demand for our solutions has been underpinned 
by  the  ongoing  dynamism  in  the  beverage 
market,  with  consumers  across  developed 
markets seeking ever more innovative flavours 
that  are  also  natural  and  authentic.  The 
choice  available  to  consumers  is  markedly 
greater  than  five  years  ago,  whether  in  the 
supermarket  aisle  or  in  on-trade  outlets,  with 
even traditional venues offering the likes of gin 
menus, pairing inventive varieties with a range 
of  complementary  mixers.  Challenger  brands 
coming  to  market  present  great  opportunities 
for Treatt, and there is a fit with our agility as 
an ingredients specialist. We have some highly 
technical  and  developed  processes  within 
our  technologies  and  know-how  that  enable 
beverage  formulators  to  bring  the  natural 
authenticity  to  beverages  that  consumers  are 

increasingly  demanding.  Other  areas  of  non 
beverage activity have also seen solid growth, 
whether  that  be  from  our  partner  Endeavour 
Chemicals,  the  high-impact  synthetic  aroma 
chemical  manufacturer, 
to  FMCG 
activity  with  non-beverage  household  goods 
manufacturers obtaining quality and value from 
our  citrus  processing  capabilities  into  markets 
such as fragrance for detergent. 

through 

Delivering on our  
reinvigorated strategy
Having reached our 2020 profit objective three 
years  early,  last  year  we  set  ourselves  new 
goals and refined our successful strategy. Our 
revised  strategy  gives  renewed  focus  to  our 
areas of particular strength, recognising that our 
capabilities  in  the  beverage  market  have  been 
the  core  drivers  of  our  performance.  Within 
that  sector,  we  are  giving  additional  resource 
to our winning citrus, tea and sugar reduction 
propositions.  This  does  not  mean  that  we  are 
backing  away  from  other  categories,  rather 
we are prioritising those that have contributed 
most  to  the  recent  success  of  Treatt,  as  well 
as offering the most potential for growth in the 
context  of  the  evolving  consumer  habits  with 
an increased general demand for healthier and 
natural products.

As we have increasingly focused on technical, 
value-added  solutions,  our  scientists  are 
engaging  with  peer  scientists  at  beverage 
companies  more  than  ever.  Our  historical 
trading  activity  remains  an  important  part  of 
our  business,  but  we  engage  in  this  only  in 
opportunistic  areas  where  there  is  a  benefit 
to  doing  so.  For  example,  we  are  known  as 
a  trader  of  orange  oil,  and  our  activity  in  this 
area  means  we  are  able  to  enjoy  economies 
from  higher  volume  sourcing  that  benefit  our 
business as a whole.

Another  key  pillar  of  our  strategy  is  that  we 
are looking to grow our global footprint. Aside 
from  generating  pleasing  growth  in  our  more 
established  North  American  and  European 
markets,  we  are  encouraged  by  the  contract 
wins  achieved  since  we  invested  in  a  local 
presence  in  each  of  China  and  India.  We  see 
significant  potential  in  these  vast  and  growing 
markets, and have explicit ‘game plans’ for how 
best to direct our resources to capitalise on this.

Our physical infrastructure is another important 
element of our strategy and capacity expansion 
of our US and UK facilities is a core facilitator of 
our growth plans.

The  US  expansion  at  our  facility  in  Lakeland, 
Florida is progressing to plan with construction 
nearing  completion.  This  much  needed 
50,000sq  ft  manufacturing  and  15,000sq  ft 
laboratory  and  office  expansion  will  give  us 
significant  additional  capacity  to  help  meet 
existing  demand,  as  well  as  the  platform 
to  support  our  growth  in  the  future.  The 
construction is expected to be completed by the 
end  of  2018  with  the  plant  fully  operational  in 
early 2019.

Much  detailed  planning  work  has  gone  on 
in  value  engineering  our  options  for  our  UK 
site relocation to deliver the optimum solution 
for  all  our  stakeholders.  Our  latest  estimate 
for  construction  to  commence  is  mid  2019 
with  a  move-in  date  anticipated  for  summer 
2020. The benefits of moving from six discrete 
buildings  on  our  Bury  St  Edmunds  estate 
where  we  have  been  present  since  1971,  to 
a  single  purpose-built  science-led  facility  are 
significant  and  wide  ranging  and  will  push 
our  efficiencies,  culture  and  collaboration 
opportunities  to  ever  greater  heights.  The 
new  site  will  be  modular  in  design,  thereby 

* Excludes exceptional items and discontinued operations, details of which can be found in notes 9 and 11.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc25

allowing for future expansion in the most cost 
effective  way,  and  the  multiple  operational 
improvements  should  help  to  deliver  margin 
improvements over the medium-term.

A  key  thread  that  runs  through  our  strategy 
is  our  people,  and  a  culture  that  we  can  be 
genuinely  proud  of.  One  of  the  reasons  we 
have  performed  so  well  is  the  amount  of 
discretionary effort made by our people, who 
are  very  aligned  and  engaged  with  what  we 
are doing, particularly since the majority of our 
staff are shareholders. A happy and engaged 
workforce has been the fuel for the Group in 
the last few years and we see that element as 
key to our future success too. Our people are 
trusted and empowered, and we do what we 
can  to  support  them,  both  in  and  outside  of 
work. We harvest ideas and allow our people 
to shape our culture, rather than imposing one 
on them. The benefits of better communication 
and  working  closely  together  are  reflected 
in  our  strong  performance,  and  have  truly 
been  the  underpinning  of  it.  Our  efforts  to 
succeed as a business have been recognised 
both  locally  and  nationally.  Our  corporate 
culture was at the forefront when we won the 
Business Weekly ‘Business of the Year’ award 
which is aimed at showcasing the very best of 
East of England businesses.

Engagement between the Board and employees 
is a regular feature of life at Treatt. The Board 
are  around  the  Company  often,  which  is 
something  the  Board  and  staff  appreciate  and 
is a core part of our transparent culture. 

The work that we do with our local communities 
is very important to us and we are increasingly 
recognised as a business which takes genuine 
responsibility  as  a  large  employer,  particularly 
in Bury St Edmunds, where our headquarters 
are based. 

This  year  we  have  worked  closely  with  West 
Suffolk  Hospital’s  MyWiSH  charity  to  raise 
money  for  their  new  cardiac  unit.  We  also 
recently  took  part  in  the  MyWiSH  Soapbox 
Challenge, giving us a great team-building event 
and  fun  day.  Treatt  is  a  regular  supporter  of 
UpBeat  Heart  Support,  St  Nicholas  Hospice 
Care, Breast Cancer Awareness and MIND. At 
our Lakeland site, staff are given time off to help 
pack food parcels for kidsPACK which provides 
meals to children when not at school. The team 
there  also  continues  to  fundraise  for  the  local 
Women’s Resource Centre, helping women and 
their families.

Treatt  continues  to  support  local  events  such 
as  Bury  in  Bloom  as  well  as  working  closely 
with  schools  and  colleges,  encouraging  local 
schoolchildren  to  spend  time  with  us  through 
visits  and  work  experience  placements.  We 
are  always  keen  to  share  our  expertise  with 
students  at  careers  fairs,  science  fairs  and 
through our STEM Ambassadors. 

As  a  Company  we  continue  to  endorse  sport 
in  the  workplace  and  offer  a  programme  of 
sporting activities. As a result, staff have been 
involved in bike rides, running, sponsored walks 
and golf days.

All our staff have been trained by Suffolk Needs 
Met, backed up by equipping all Team Leaders 
and Managers to be able to support staff with 
mental  health  and  wellbeing.  We  encourage 
proactive  health  management,  running  health 
education  sessions  and  offering  free  NHS 
medicals for those over 45 years old.

Promising outlook
The  trends  we  are  seeing  in  the  external 
environment  play  to  our  strengths,  with  our 
emphasis  on  natural  ingredients.  The  Group 
has had a steady start to the new financial year 

with a number of attractive opportunities in our 
pipeline of projects with both existing and new 
customers. We are well placed to capitalise on 
these opportunities with our capacity expansion 
in the US expected to complete in the coming 
weeks.  Whilst  still  early  in  the  financial  year, 
the Group continues to perform in line with the 
Board’s expectations for the full year. 

We are hungrily growing Treatt and building the 
business  for  the  long-term.  We  have  enjoyed 
much  success  in  the  past  five  years  but  it  is 
the  future  we  continue  to  focus  our  attention 
on.  There  is  no  room  for  complacency  in  the 
dynamic  markets  we  serve  and  the  great 
endeavours  by  the  teams  across  Treatt  will 
ensure  we  are  relentlessly  striving  to  grow 
this  business  further,  working  with  agility  and 
intelligence as well as passion and dedication.

I  wish  to  extend  my  heartfelt  thanks  to  my 
talented and driven colleagues, who have once 
again  delivered  encouraging  progress  against 
our  strategic  objectives;  their  efforts  impress 
me every day.

Daemmon Reeve
Chief Executive Officer

26 November 2018

Reuse  
& Reduce
initiative encourages 
staff to reduce 
envelopes, printing 
papers & double 
sided printing

Strategic Report26

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Board has overall responsibility for the 
management of risk at Treatt

THE BOARD HAS OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF RISK AT TREATT. THIS INCLUDES THE 
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN APPROPRIATE RISK CULTURE, SETTING THE GROUP’S RISK APPETITE AND OVERSEEING 
ITS  RISK  MANAGEMENT  AND  INTERNAL  CONTROL  SYSTEMS.  DAY  TO  DAY  RISK  MANAGEMENT  IS  DELEGATED 
TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS WHO WORK CLOSELY WITH SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAMS IN REVIEWING AND 
MONITORING RISK AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES ACROSS THE BUSINESS
Risk  appetite  is  an  expression  of  the  type  and 
amount  of  risk  we  are  willing  to  accept  to 
achieve  our  strategic  objectives.  The  Board 
sets  the  appetite  for  risk  across  the  business 
by  reviewing  and  challenging  the  risk  register, 
ensuring that risks are considered and mitigated 

to  an  appropriate  degree  and  that  they  are 
consistent  with  the  strategic  objectives  of  the 
business.  The  register  inherently  defines  the 
level of risk the Board is content for the business 
to be subjected to and is a key consideration in 
decision-making across the Group. It also helps 

to  define  and  monitor  the  actions  required  to 
mitigate our risks. Effective risk management is 
inherent in the culture of the Group and the way 
in which we do business. 

Risk Management Framework

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Review of operational controls

All employees have a role 
in the management of risk 
within the Group

Our risk management framework 
incorporates a top-down approach,  
setting the risk appetite and identifying  
our principal risks, and a bottom-up 
approach to identify our operational risks

We operate in a competitive market and recognise 
that  strategic,  commercial  and 
investment 
risks  will  be  required  to  seize  opportunities 
and deliver results. As a consequence, we are 
prepared  to  accept  certain  risks  in  pursuit  of 
our  strategic  objectives,  but  acceptance  of 
these risks is subject to ensuring that potential 
benefits  and  risks  are  fully  understood,  and 
appropriate  mitigation  strategies  are  in  place 
to  minimise  the  effects  of  these  risks,  should 
they  materialise.  An  understanding  of  risk 
encourages clear decision-making. 

Risk Management Framework
Our  risk  management  framework  provides  a 
consistent and structured process for identifying, 
assessing,  responding  to  and  monitoring  risk. 
The senior management teams are responsible 
for  compiling  Group  risk  registers  to  identify 
risks  facing  the  business,  their  effects  and 
determining  appropriate  and  proportionate 
risk  mitigation  strategies.  Responsibility  for 
monitoring and reviewing each risk is taken by 
a designated senior member of staff, ensuring 
that there is appropriate accountability. The risk 
register includes over 80 risks which are rated 
on  their  probability  and  impact  and  re-rated 
after mitigation. Those responsible for each risk 
will use a variety of tools to monitor their risk at 
a  more  granular  level,  including  more  detailed 
sub-registers  and  pertinent  Key  Performance 
Indicators (KPIs). 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc 
 
 
 
 
 
 
27

How we manage risks
The management of risk is embedded 
within the framework of the Group, 
which includes:

•   the process of strategy setting;

•   a clear understanding of market 

conditions and raw material prices;

•   the quality of our people and culture;

•   established policies, procedures and 

internal controls;

•  a dedicated team reviews adherence 

to internal procedures and operational 
controls, requiring action where non-
conformances are identified; 

•   processes for identification, review and 

monitoring of risk; 

•   regular dissemination of financial and 
non-financial information and KPIs; and

•   oversight of risk by the Board.

The Board has also conducted a review of the 
effectiveness of the Group’s system of internal 
controls. The Board reviewed and discussed a 
paper on the Group’s internal controls, covering 
all material controls, including those which are 
financial,  operational  and  compliance  related. 
The  Board  has  monitored  and  reviewed  the 
effectiveness  of  the  Group’s  overall  approach 
to  risk  management  and  has  solicited  the 
views of a number of senior managers relating 
to  commercial  and  financial  matters  and  the 
management  of  those  risks.  The  Board  has 
concluded that it has taken all reasonable steps 
necessary to satisfy itself that the current risk 
management  procedures  for  identifying  risks 
and considering risk mitigation are appropriate.

During the year the Board reviewed the process 
of  risk  management  and  whether  risk  should 
fall  within  the  remit  of  the  Audit  Committee, 
with  the  Board  retaining  overall  responsibility. 
It was decided that due to the size of the Group, 
risk  management  should  remain  with  the  full 
Board but as the Group continues to grow, this 
will remain under review as set out on page 60 
of the Audit Committee Report. 

External Risks
Foreign  exchange  continues  to  be  a  risk  to 
the  business  which  requires  managing.  The 
majority of the Group’s raw material purchases 
are  made  in  US  dollars  as  are  the  majority 
of  the  Group’s  sales.  The  Group  has  hedging 
policies  in  place  which  mitigate  the  impact  of 
movements  in  the  US  dollar  exchange  rate. 
Further information on how the Group manages 
its foreign exchange risk is given in the Financial 
Review on pages 32 to 38.

With

360employees working 

across the globe

Where significant projects are undertaken, such 
as the current site expansion at Treatt USA and 
the  pending  site  relocation  in  the  UK,  specific 
project risk registers are established to record 
all  risks  that  could  have  a  significant  effect 
on  the  success  of  the  project.  This  ensures 
that  there  is  accountability  for  the  mitigation 
strategies  that  are  put  in  place  and  enables 
regular monitoring of risk identification and the 
effectiveness  of  mitigating  actions  throughout 
the project. 

Any  risks  that  remain  classified  as  high  or 
medium  post  mitigation  form  the  Board  risk 
register, providing details of those risks that may 
impact  upon  the  performance  of  the  business 
and  its  strategic  direction.  The  Board  reviews 
this register twice a year and upon any material 
change,  with  any  amendments,  control  issues, 
accidents  or  commercial,  financial,  regulatory 
or  reputational  issues  being  reported  to  the 
Board in the meantime. 

Board Review of Risk
During  the  year  the  Board  selected  a  number 
of risks from the Board risk register to review 
in  detail,  including  risks  related  to  Health  and 
Safety  in  the  UK  and  US  and  R&D.  The  risk 
owners  presented  their  mitigation  strategies 
to  the  Board,  providing  the  Board  with  an 
opportunity  to  challenge  and  ensure  that 
is 
appropriate  mitigation 
effective.  Having  undertaken  an 
internally 
led  review  last  year  of  risks  associated  with 
product  quality,  procurement  and  IT  security, 
the  Board  is  content  that  risk  mitigation  is 
inherent  in  our  policies  and  procedures  and 
that those responsible for risk explore ways of 
continuously improving our internal systems to 
ensure that we work within the risk appetite set 
by the Board. 

in  place  and 

is 

Strategic Report28

Principal risks and uncertainties continued

Following  the  decision  of  the  United  Kingdom 
to  leave  the  European  Union  the  Board  and 
management  team  have  continued  to  monitor 
the impact that this may have on the business 
and beyond the impact of currency movements 
there remains no visible impact on the business 
from Brexit to date. Whilst the UK government 
continues  to  negotiate  Britain’s  exit  from  the 
EU,  management  believes  that  Treatt’s  global 
footprint gives it flexibility to face any challenges 
that may arise. 

We  will  continue  to  monitor  the  situation 
regarding  Brexit  closely,  including  the  following 
areas of potential impact on our business:

•  Short-term volatility in exchange rates. The 
continued  weakness  of  Sterling  against 
the  currencies  in  which  the  Group  trades, 
compared  with  pre-Brexit 
referendum 
levels,  would  be  positive  for  revenues  and 
profitability.  With  the  increasing  revenue 
flows 
from  our  US  business,  which 
continues  to  grow,  Treatt  has  benefitted 
from  the  strengthening  of  the  US  Dollar  in 
this  respect  and  we  regard  a  stronger,  but 
stable,  Dollar  as  being  beneficial  for  our 
business. As Richard Hope reports in more 
detail  in  his  Financial  Review,  our  foreign 
exchange  (FX)  hedging  model  mitigates 
short-term  volatilities.  A  large  majority  of 
our inventory is US Dollar denominated.  Our 
policy  is  to  hedge  a  material  proportion  of 
estimated  net  foreign  currency  cash  flows, 
on a rolling basis. 

•   Increases  or  decreases  to  import  or  export 
tariffs  both  with  EU  countries  and  globally, 
dependent upon the outcome of future trade 
negotiations.  As  well  as  potential  increases 
to  cost,  new  customs  procedures  and 
paperwork might result in increased shipping 
times.  However,  having  manufacturing 
locations  in  the  UK  and  US  gives  us  some 
flexibility to respond to this.

•   Potential changes to immigration rules within 
the EU have the potential to cause us some 
short-term  disruption.  The  ability  to  attract 
the  best  possible  talent  from  around  the 
world is important for Treatt’s future growth.

Principal Risks
The Board has carried out a robust assessment 
of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the 
business, including those that would threaten the 
business  model,  future  performance,  solvency 
or liquidity. The following list of principal risks 
and  uncertainties  are  those  which  individually 

or  collectively  might  be  expected  to  have 
the  most  significant  impact  on  the  long-term 
performance  of  the  business  and  its  strategic 
priorities. It is not intended to be an exhaustive 
list and additional risks not presently known to 
management,  or  risks  currently  deemed  to  be 
less material, may also have potential to cause 
an adverse impact on the business.

Despite the continued investment in IT security 
we  have  increased  the  perceived  level  of  risk 
in  this  area  due  to  the  external  environment. 
Organisations,  in  all  sectors,  are  seeing  an 
increase  in  the  volume  and  sophistication  of 
cyber  attacks,  which  in  certain  cases  have 
caused  major  disruption  to  factory  operations 
and supply chains. 

The risk climate in respect of the commoditisation 
of  existing  Treatt  products  increased  last  year 
as  customers  continued  to  consider  ways  of 
reducing the cost of existing products. The risk 
is unchanged this year as Treatt continues to see 
some  stiffer  competition  for  existing  business, 
as  well  as  the  need  to  be  highly  competitive 
on  price  in  order  to  win  new  business,  as  our 
competitors  seek  to  reduce  the  cost  of  their 
products. Additionally, some products that Treatt 
traditionally  saw  as  value-added  are  now  seen 
as standard in the industry, with customers able 
to put out to tender or manufacture themselves. 
Our  response  is  to  capitalise  on  areas  of  the 
market  where  we  are  particularly  strong  and 
to  continue  to  drive  process  and  efficiency 
improvements.  The  planned 
in 
facilities  will  be  instrumental  in  this  and  in 
enhancing our ability to expand our value-added 
offering to customers.

investment 

As  our  business  encompasses  so  many 
products derived from natural sources, weather 
continuously  has  an  effect  on  the  availability 
and pricing of our raw materials. Some recent 
examples  include  a  significant  drought  in  Sao 
Paulo,  Brazil  which  decreased  the  orange 
crop  by  over  30%;  hurricane  Irma,  which  hit 
Florida in mid-September 2017, resulting in the 
largest and longest-lasting price increase ever 
seen  for  grapefruit  oils;  and  unusual  weather 
patterns in Florida during the first half of 2018 
causing  a  delay  in  the  regular  processing  of 
spring crops such as cucumbers, watermelons, 
peppers  and  cantaloupe.  The  key  to  working 
with  natural  crops,  where  movements 
in 
the  market  can  be  unexpected,  is  ensuring 
the  availability  of  alternative  supply  sources; 
establishing and maintaining relationships with 
alternative suppliers is a core responsibility of 
the procurement function. 

We have seen a very challenging year in terms 
of both supply and pricing of natural and nature 
identical  chemicals,  as  well  as  non-citrus 
essential oils. Very strong efforts by the Chinese 
government  to  control  pollution  has  led  to 
thousands of manufacturing plants being closed 
in China, many with little or no notice. Some of 
these plants will reopen within a year but many 
smaller  ones  will  not  survive.  These  closures 
have  put  immense  pressure  on  the  supply 
chain worldwide for these raw materials. That, 
coupled with two very damaging fires at major 
chemical  manufacturing  facilities  in  Germany 
and  India,  has  caused  price  increases  ranging 
from 10% to 400% for hundreds of chemicals, 
their  derivatives  and  essential  oils.  Whilst  we 
do  expect  to  see  these  markets  slowly  move 
down in price as both plants come back online, 
the lack of supply is likely to keep many prices 
higher than historical averages. Whilst this has 
increased the risk in respect of these materials, 
which  we  will  continue  to  manage,  the  overall 
risk  to  the  business  of  the  movement  in  raw 
material prices has not increased.

Treatt  is  particularly  experienced  in  managing 
volatility  in  raw  material  price  and  availability 
and  strategic  decisions  are  regularly  taken  to 
mitigate  price  movements,  which,  whilst  not 
eliminating risk, have a history of being effective. 

Treatt  has  a  well-established  Apprenticeship 
Programme,  which  has  been  successful  in 
developing  home-grown  talent  and  we  will 
continue  to  develop  the  programme  to  attract 
the  best  candidates.  Work  on  employee 
engagement has continued this year; we are not 
complacent  and  appreciate  that  engagement 
requires  ongoing  focus  and  we  must  be 
ahead  of  workplace  trends  and  utilise  various 
attraction tools. We have had very encouraging 
engagement survey results and in October 2018 
achieved  Platinum  Accreditation  at  the  Best 
Employer  Eastern  Region  Awards.  In  growing 
training  opportunities 
talent  and  providing 
there  is  always  a  risk  that  others  will  poach 
our  employees  and  this  year  we  have  seen  a 
small  number  of  employees  in  key  positions 
leaving  the  business,  attracted  by  significant 
pay  increases  or  opportunities  for  career 
progression. However, we were able to fill some 
of  these  roles  through  internal  succession 
and  we  continue  to  offer  internal  progression 
opportunities where we are able. 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc29

Strategic Objective and Priorities Key

CC  Core Categories
 Val  Value Added Solutions 

I

 Invest for Growth 

C  Culture 

Co  Communities
E  Environmental Impact 

Risk Climate Key (post mitigation)
No change

Increase

New Risk 

One  of  the  principal  risks  identified  for  the 
business  is  from  structural  damage  to  our 
from  adverse  weather  events, 
facilities 
particularly  from  hurricanes  and  storms  in 
Florida,  where  our  subsidiary  Treatt  USA  is 
based.  The  facility  is  in  Lakeland,  which  is 
inland,  meaning  that  the  main  threat  is  likely 

to be from wind rather than flood damage. We 
have  detailed  hurricane  plans  for  mitigating 
damage  which  were  put  into  action  in  2017 
when  we  saw  the  worst  hurricane  in  Florida 
since 2005. There was no significant damage to 
the facility and only 36 hours of production was 
impacted. Nevertheless, the weather in Florida 

remains unpredictable and we must recognise 
this continued risk and ensure that we are ready 
to  respond  to  it.  The  site  expansion  project 
includes an upgrade to the existing buildings to 
improve their ability to withstand storm damage, 
including a complete replacement of the roof to 
the older of the two existing buildings. 

Effect

Strategic 
Impact

Mitigation

Risk  
Climate

Key developments during the year

Risk

People

Poaching of  
key staff

As our highly skilled 
and experienced staff 
become increasingly 
customer facing the 
risk of them being 
headhunted increases.

Financial

Overspend on UK 
site relocation and 
US site expansion

Increased costs, 
reduction in working 
capital headroom and 
a need to cut costs in 
other areas.

CC

Val

C

Co

I

Ensure we secure an emotional 
attachment to the business, 
that remuneration packages 
are appropriate to the position, 
that staff are empowered and 
have opportunities within the 
business.

Specify projects to 
achievable budgets before 
commencement and ensure 
suitable contingencies are 
included. 

Specialist Project Managers to 
be appointed to run the project.

Robust contracts to be put in 
place with contractors. 

Regular budget meetings with 
Directors to ensure project 
remains on budget.

Movements in 
commodity raw 
material price

Impact on contribution, 
possible stock 
shortages.

CC

Val

Regular stock meetings 
and inventory control with 
experienced members of staff. 

Monitoring and communication 
of market conditions, long-term 
commodity contracts.

Continued focus on engagement.

Introduction of employee of the quarter 
awards in the UK following success in 
the US. Employees are nominated by 
colleagues for their contribution to our 
values.

Continuation of staff training, enabling 
upskilling and providing career 
development opportunities.

Close monitoring of the US site expansion 
through regular site meetings with 
Project Managers and contractors, 
ensuring that the project remains on time 
and on budget.

Internal control processes in place to  
fully evaluate additions to the schedule  
of works.

A thorough due diligence process 
implemented on the plans for the UK site 
to ensure that the project is specified 
within budget.

Maintaining close relationships with 
suppliers.

Continuing to identify new suppliers 
for key raw materials or those where 
shortages exist.

Assisting our customers with managing 
price volatility or raw material shortages 
as part of the Treatt service. 

Expansion of the internal Citrus Team to 
provide greater management across the 
Group of Treatt’s largest raw material. 

Strategic Report30

Principal risks and uncertainties continued

Risk

Effect

Strategic 
Impact

Mitigation

Risk  
Climate

Key developments

Operational

Pressure on 
infrastructure for 
strategic business

Loss of revenue, 
damage to reputation, 
loss of key strategic 
customer. 

Structural damage to 
production facilities, 
particularly at Treatt 
USA, which suffers 
storms

Loss of use of 
buildings, danger to 
staff, loss of equipment 
and product. Major 
incident due to type of 
products stored.

Inadequate 
documentation of 
processes and/
or adherence to 
required processes

IT issues including 
network, hardware, 
data and security

Failure of BRC, HACCP 
or regulatory audits and 
damage to reputation as 
problem-free supplier.

Investment in 
rectification of any non-
compliances noted.

Loss of IT systems 
and/or data, impacting 
on the ability of the 
business to function 
effectively. 

Reputational damage 
and litigation in respect 
of data protection also 
possible.

Commercial

Product failure

Potential product recall 
causing financial and 
reputational loss.

CC

Val

I

CC

Val

I

E

CC

Val

I

CC

Val

I

Ensure correct infrastructure 
in new site in UK and 
expansion in the US. 

Keep close communication 
between sales and operations 
to determine likelihood of 
large order and capacity 
restraints to manage customer 
expectations. 

Manage sub-contractor 
relationships.

Regularly inspect and maintain 
building components.

Implement hurricane action 
plan when necessary. 

Sufficient spread of inventory 
between production facilities in 
UK and US.

Strong commitment Group-
wide to disciplined compliance 
with internal quality programs.

Commitment to permit third-
party auditing. 

Well-constructed IT 
infrastructure with failover 
capabilities, supported by 
a comprehensive asset 
management database and best 
practice maintenance processes.

Multi-layered security 
protection system in place. 

Security Team continuously 
searches for and fixes 
vulnerabilities, including 
those reported by third-party 
security consultants.

Strong supplier qualification 
process, intake testing/analysis. 

Regular review of risk matrix 
for every raw material handled. 

Use of barcode scanners on all 
orders to avoid mispicks.

Range of testing to detect 
contamination. 

Obtain up-to-date information 
for all suppliers via SAQ 
documentation. 

Supplier risk assessment 
to determine in-house test 
schedule.

US expansion will deliver increased 
capacity in 2019.

New molecular still in the UK, which is 
transferable to the new site, now fully 
operational.

Project Manager working on Group 
inventory to ensure that we have the  
right inventory to be able to meet 
customer demands, whilst not carrying 
unnecessary inventory.

Improvements to the structure of existing 
buildings at Treatt USA, in addition to 
current expansion.

Comprehensive maintenance 
programmes across the UK  
and US sites.

Eight third-party certification and 
regulatory audits were facilitated  
and any non-conformances rectified.

Eight customer audits undertaken by 
large multi-national companies.

Internal auditing of systems and processes 
against Standard Operating Procedures.

Review of the Group-wide IT policy.

Continued investment in infrastructure 
and particularly software security.

Continued focus on raising of staff 
awareness of cyber security through  
test scenarios.

Insurance cover taken to protect the 
business against the highest cyber risks 
and consequent business interruption.

Ad hoc hacking attempts by third-party 
security consultants to identify potential 
threats.

Continuation of visits to suppliers. 

Thorough investigation of errors leading 
to appropriate action such as retraining 
or amendment of procedures. 

Review and renewal of recall insurance.

Annual desk top testing of product recall 
procedure.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc31

Strategic Objective and Priorities Key

CC  Core Categories
 Val  Value Added Solutions 

I

 Invest for Growth 

C  Culture 

Co  Communities
E  Environmental Impact 

Risk Climate Key (post mitigation)
No change

Increase

New Risk 

Risk

Effect

Strategic 
Impact

Mitigation

Risk  
Climate

Key developments

Commercial continued

Commoditisation  
of established  
Treatt products

Effect on revenues and 
margin attrition.

Shortening value 
chain and new 
entrants in SCC 
based aqueous 
distillates

Customers 
demonstrating 
increased competence 
to fold, fractionate, 
break bulk. Increased 
competition.

Single-sourced for 
synthetic speciality 
chemicals, many 
Treattarome® 
raw materials 
and materials for 
applications work

Potential loss of 
primary supply source.

The nature of the 
materials concerned 
would indicate 
individual company IP 
is involved.

Natural products

Loss of supply, 
increase in market 
price or impact on 
quality resulting from 
fluctuations in yields 
caused by weather, 
disease, etc. Squeeze 
on margins.

Legal and regulatory

Failure to comply 
with relevant UK and 
US environmental, 
H&S and other 
applicable legislation 

HSE / EA investigation. 
Probable enforcement 
action involving fines, 
enforcement notices. 
Risk of site closure.

CC

Val

CC

Val

CC

Val

Val

CC

CC

Val

Co

E

Innovation and development  
of new products. 

Broaden into other associated 
sectors.

Continued value-added in-
house innovation.

Rationalisation of product 
portfolio to eradicate low 
margin commoditised 
products. 

Strengthen product 
knowledge/sourcing.

Closer collaboration with 
existing suppliers. 

Continued focus on citrus as area of 
strength. 

Identification and implementation 
of process improvements and new 
equipment to increase efficiency.

Increasing value-added proposition.

Further rationalisation of SKUs to  
remove low margin products and  
improve efficiency.

Working with customers on make or buy 
decisions where Treatt has the expertise 
available, enabling customers to buy 
rather than process in house.

Building relationships with alternate 
suppliers.

Identifying alternative suppliers 
where possible.

Strengthened relationships with 
incumbent suppliers.

Investigate alternate sources 
of supply of, if not identical, 
similar materials. 

Creation of alternate blends 
using substitutes. 

Long-term supply agreements 
put in place.

Enhancing relationships 
with competitors / brokers 
and other supply channels, 
combined with forward 
purchasing contracts for 
medium to longer-term supply.

Detailed understanding of 
legislative requirements 
with internal involvement, 
consultative support and 
capital investment. 

Pro-active role in ensuring 
the Group’s systems and 
procedures are adapted to 
ensure compliance. 

Developing new blends.

Visits to existing and new suppliers for 
key product groups.

Attendance at industry conferences and 
seminars providing opportunities to meet 
with potential new suppliers.

Strategic buying of core products.

Working closely with the Environment 
Agency and relevant authorities in 
respect of Comah. 

Continuation of relevant training and 
assessment of employee skills across 
the Group. 

The Group regularly reviews its commercial insurance programme and maintains an appropriate and adequate portfolio of insurance policies in line 
with the nature, size and complexity of the business, which provides further mitigation in certain areas of risk.

During the year, a full-scale review of the Group’s business continuity plans took place with the assistance of an external consultant, the cost of 
which was covered by the Group’s insurers. A full business impact analysis was conducted improving our understanding of the business’ resilience 
and how to minimise the impact and disruption of an incident or crisis to both operations and reputation. A new robust and fit for purpose business 
continuity plan has been designed to incorporate emergency response, crisis management and business recovery and strategic IT disaster recovery 
aligned with best principles set out in ISO22301, the international standard for Business Continuity.

Strategic Report32

Treatt plc

Annual Report & Accounts 2018

Financial review

Revenue* grew by 10.8% resulting in adjusted* 
earnings per share up by 9.8%

Richard Hope
Chief Financial Officer

33

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

REVENUE*

ADJUSTED* PROFIT BEFORE TAX 

£112.2m

10.8% increase

£12.6m

8.1% increase

KEY PERFORMANCE 
INDICATORS

NET OPERATING MARGIN*

12.4%

(2017: 12.4%)

RETURN ON CAPITAL  
EMPLOYED*

18.5%

(2017: 22.1%)

CASH/(NET DEBT) 

£10.1m

(2017: Debt – £10.2m)

Income Statement*
Revenue and profit

Revenue for the year from continuing operations 
grew by 10.8% to £112.2m (2017: £101.3m) with 
growth  continuing  across  all  of  the  Group’s 
main product categories. Sugar reduction saw 
strong double digit growth in particular, driven 
by new FMCG wins. In constant currency terms, 
revenue  from  continuing  operations  grew  by 
14.1%,  with  3.3%  of  the  revenue  growth  being 
reflective  of  a  weaker  US  Dollar  in  2018  as 
compared to 2017.

Strong  revenue  growth  in  mainland  Europe 
(+24%) to £27.7m and the UK (+43%) to £11.0m 
was  partly  offset  by  a  6%  decline  in  China  to 
£5.4m.  The  Group’s  largest  market,  being  the 
US, was marginally up at £41.0m (2017: £40.6m).

Gross  profit  grew  by  9.9%  with  gross  profit 
margins  decreasing  marginally  from  25.0% 
to  24.7%.  This  fall  in  margins  resulted  from 
the  combined  effect  of  movements  in  foreign 
exchange  rates  and  new  business  wins  with 
large  FMCG  businesses  at 
lower 
margins. In respect of the latter, the subsequent 
improvements  and  strengthened 
process 
procurement typically leads to stronger margins 
over  time.  We  have  a  strong  track  record  of 
growing margins with new clients through our 
collaborative, science-led approach.

initially 

Administrative  expenses  grew  by  8.6%  in  the 
year  to  £13.8m  (2017:  £12.7m),  although  on 
a  constant  currency  basis  the  increase  was 
higher at 9.4%. Approximately half of the £0.9m 
increase in administrative expenses was driven 
by increases in employment costs (see note 6), 
with  headcount  numbers  increased  across  the 
Group – up by 10% globally. This investment in 
people has been driven by our growth over the 
last five years as well as our move up the value 
chain and is focussed primarily around science 
and sales.

Following five years of continued improvement, 
net  operating  margin*  remained  unchanged 
in  the  year  at  12.4%  (2017:  12.4%).  This 
compares to 9.6% five years ago. Consequently, 
operating  profit*  increased  by  11.1%  to  £13.9m 
(2017: £12.5m).

The  Group’s  capital  employed 
increased 
substantially  as  a  result  of  the  share  placing 
referred  to  below.  Consequently,  based  upon 
the  capital  employed  at  30  September  2018, 
return on capital employed* decreased to 18.5% 
(2017: 22.1%). 

During the year the planning work commenced 
for the relocation of the Group’s UK headquarters 
to  a  new  10-acre  site  in  Bury  St.  Edmunds. 
Consequently  the  estimated  useful  lives  of 
property, plant and equipment were reassessed 
resulting in an accelerated depreciation charge 
of  £0.2m.  In  addition  legal  and  professional 
fees,  including  lawyers,  planning  consultants, 
architects  and  manufacturing  plant  and 
machinery  specialists  have  been  engaged  at 
a total cost to date of £0.9m. These expenses, 
totalling £1.1m are included in exceptional items 
(see note 9). There were no exceptional costs in 
the prior year. Profit before tax and exceptional 
items  from  continuing  operations  rose  by 
8.1%  to  £12.6m  (2017:  £11.7m).  On  an  adjusted 
basis,  which  excludes  exceptional  costs, 
earnings  before  interest,  tax,  depreciation  and 
amortisation for the year increased by 5.5% to 
£14.9m (2017: £14.1m). 

1,606

tonnes of material sent 
to anaerobic digester

*  

 All measures are based on continuing operations and adjusted to exclude exceptional items, details of which are given in note 9.

 
 
 
 
34

Financial review continued

The proposed final dividend of 3.50p per share 
(2017: 3.35p) increases the total dividend per 
share for the year by 6.3% to 5.10p

Foreign exchange gains and losses

Whilst  the  Group’s  functional  currency  is  the 
British Pound (‘Sterling’), the amount of business 
which is transacted in other currencies creates 
foreign  exchange  exposure,  particularly  the  US 
Dollar  and,  to  a  more  limited  extent,  the  Euro. 
Although weaker on average over the year, the 
US  Dollar  ended  the  year  3%  stronger  against 
GBP at £1=$1.30 (2017: £1 = $1.34). As explained 
further  under  ‘Financial  Risk  Management’  set 
out below, the Group hedges its foreign exchange 
risk  at  R  C  Treatt  by  holding  and  managing 
US  Dollar  borrowings  and  taking  out  forward 
currency contracts and options. This can result 
in timing differences in the short-term, giving rise 
to  re-translation  gains  or  losses  in  the  income 
statement. This has resulted in a loss on foreign 
exchange contracts and re-translation losses in 
aggregate of £1.1m (2017: £0.3m gain), of which 
£0.7m related to ineffective hedges (see note 7). 

There was a substantial currency impact, a gain 
of  £0.9m  (2017:  £1.1m  loss),  in  the  ‘Statement 
of  Comprehensive  Income’  in  relation  to  the 
Group’s  investment  in  overseas  subsidiaries, 
principally in respect of Treatt USA.

Finance costs

The Group’s net finance costs for the year fell 
by 33% to £0.57m (2017: £0.85m) as a result of 
the  Group  becoming  cash  positive  in  the  year, 
due to the combined effect of the share placing 
in December 2017 and the disposal of Earthoil 
Plantations  in  May  2018.  Although  in  a  cash 
positive  position,  there  are  a  number  of  fixed 
costs  for  maintaining  facilities  for  future  use 
including  facility  fees  and  non-utilisation  fees 
which  are  funded  from  operating  cash  flows. 
During  the  year  the  Group  settled  its  interest 
swap which had previously been used as part 
of the Group’s risk management processes, but 
was no longer required. Following the decrease 

in net finance costs, interest cover for the year 
before  exceptional  items  and  discontinued 
operations  increased  to  24.6  times  (2017:  
14.7 times). 

Group Tax Charge
The current tax charge of £2.9m (2017: £3.2m) 
represents  an  effective  rate  (based  on  profit 
before  tax  and  exceptional  items)  of  24.3% 
(2017:  27.5%).  After  providing  for  deferred 
tax,  the  overall  tax  charge  reduced  by  £0.7m 
to £2.3m (2017: £3.1m); an overall effective tax 
rate  (after  exceptional  items)  of  19.8%  (2017: 
26.8%).  As  we  announced  in  April  2018,  the 
significant change in the year was the sizeable 
reduction in US corporation tax rates with effect 
from  1  January  2018  from  35%  to  21%.  This 
had the effect of both reducing the current year 
tax charge on US profits as well as creating a 
one-off  deferred  tax  gain  on  US  deferred  tax 
liabilities  of  £0.3m.  There  were  no  significant 
adjustments required to the previous year’s tax 
estimates. With corporation tax rates continuing 
to fall in the UK until they reach an expected 17% 
in 2020, the Group’s overall effective rate of tax 
is expected to fall over the course of the next 
three  years  assuming  the  profit  mix  between 
tax jurisdictions remains broadly unchanged.

Disposal of Earthoil Plantations
As  part  of  the  Group’s  updated  strategy  for 
the  five  years  through  to  2022,  the  Board 
determined  that  Earthoil  was  non-core  to 
Group  operations.  In  May  2018,  therefore,  the 
Group  sold  Earthoil  Plantations  Limited  for 
cash  consideration  of  £10.1m  of  which  £1m  is 
held  in  escrow  for  a  period  of  12  months.  A 
further balance of £1.2m was also received in 
October  2018  from  the  purchasers  in  respect 
of the settlement of what were previously inter 
company  balances.  The  total  enterprise  value 
received for Earthoil will therefore total £11.3m. 

The  gain  on  disposal  of  Earthoil  Plantations, 
which  has  been  included  within  discontinued 
operations, totalled £2.4m. Further information 
on  discontinued  operations  is  shown  in  note 
11.  As  part  of  the  sale  agreement,  Earthoil’s 
subsidiaries  remained  part  of 
the  Treatt 
Group  and  entered  into  a  three-year  supply 
agreement with the purchasers and continue to 
be  considered  as  discontinued  operations  and 
held for sale.

Earnings per share

Adjusted  basic  earnings  per  share  (excluding 
exceptional items and discontinued operations, 
as set out in note 11) for the year increased by 
9.8%  to  18.02p  (2017:  16.41p).  The  calculation 
of  earnings  per  share  excludes  those  shares 
which are held by the Treatt Employee Benefit 
Trust  (EBT)  and  Treatt  SIP  Trust  (SIP)  which 
are not beneficially owned by employees since 
they do not rank for dividend, and is based upon 
adjusted profit after tax.

Dividends 

The proposed final dividend of 3.50p per share 
(2017:  3.35p)  increases  the  total  dividend  per 
share for the year by 6.3% to 5.10p, representing 
dividend  cover  of  3.4  times  continuing  pre-
exceptional earnings for the year and a rolling 
three-year cover after exceptional items of 3.1 
times. The Board’s policy has been to maintain 
dividend cover on a consistent basis at between 
2.0  and  2.5  times  three-year  rolling  cover. 
However, as per last year, in light of the Group’s 
capital 
this  year’s 
dividend  increase  has  been  set  with  a  more 
prudent  level  of  dividend  cover.  The  Board 
considers this to be appropriate given the equity 
fund  raise  which  took  place  during  the  year 
and the forthcoming cash requirements of the 
business in order to fund the UK site relocation 
and US expansion.

investment  programme, 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc35

DIVIDEND 

5.10p

6.3% increase

ADJUSTED* BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE

18.02p

9.8% increase

Whilst  short-term  working  capital  swings 
are  affected  by  the  factors  referred  to  in  the 
previous  paragraph,  and  the  free  cash  flow  in 
the year was an outflow of £6.0m, the net free 
cash  flow  generated  over  the  last  five  years 
totals £6.1m.

Net cash position
As  a  result  of  the  movement  in  cash,  as 
described above, the Group moved from a net 
debt  position  of  £10.2m  in  2017,  to  a  net  cash 
positive position of £10.1m in 2018. Although the 
Group currently has a net cash position, this is 
due  to  the  fact  that  the  major  expenditure  on 
the UK site has yet to commence, with only the 
land  (£3.7m)  and  some  preliminaries  having 
been  incurred  to  date.  The  Group  therefore 
retains  a  mix  of  secured  and  unsecured 
borrowing  facilities  totalling  £25.0m,  of  which 
£4.3m expires in one year or less. The Group’s 
borrowing  facilities  are  held  with  HSBC,  Bank 
of America and Lloyds Banking Group with the 
majority of facilities now held on three to five-
year terms with expiry dates staggered to fall in 
different  years.  The  Group  continues  to  enjoy 
positive relationships with its banks and expects 
all facilities to be renewed when they fall due. 

Balance Sheet 
As referenced above, during the year the Group 
undertook  an  equity  fund  raise  in  order  to 
secure  funding  to  support  the  Group’s  capital 
investment  programmes  in  the  UK  and  US.  In 
December 2017 the Group placed 5.3m shares 
(approximately  10%  of  the  pre-existing  share 
capital) at a placing price of £4.10 per share. Net 
of  costs  this  generated  £20.8m.  Consequently 
shareholders’  funds  grew  by  £35.1m  (2017: 
£9.3m)  in  the  year  to  £81.6m  (2017:  £46.5m), 
with  net  assets  per  share  increasing  by  56% 
to  137p  (2017:  88p).  Over  the  last  five  years 
net  assets  per  share  have  grown  by  162%. 
The Board has chosen not to avail itself of the 
option under IFRS to revalue land and buildings 
annually  and,  therefore,  all  the  Group’s  land 
and buildings are held at historical cost, net of 
depreciation, on the balance sheet. 

Cash Flow
As  referred  to  earlier,  during  the  year  the 
Group  raised  £20.8m  from  the  equity  fund 
raise  and  as  at  year  end  had  received  £8.7m 
net  of  costs  in  relation  to  the  sale  of  Earthoil 
Plantations. The level of capital expenditure in 
the  year  was  £6.6m  compared  with  £5.2m  in 
2017, and included £6.0m for the US expansion 
project  which  is  due  to  complete  at  the  end 
of  2018  .  No  major  capital  projects  in  the  UK 
were  commenced  in  the  year,  with  the  UK 
site relocation being at the planning stage and 
capital expenditure tending to be related to on-
going routine renewal and maintenance whilst 
plans progress towards the intended relocation. 

The cash flow benefit of delaying certain capital 
projects in the UK in anticipation of the new site 
will  inevitably  reverse  (as  explained  below)  as 
both  delayed  projects,  and  brought  forward 
capital  expenditure,  will  occur  as  part  of  the 
site  relocation.  Of  the  £13m  of  planned  capex 
at the new UK site, approximately £6m relates 
to projects which would have been undertaken 
at the current site in the last five years, had the 
impending site move not been on the horizon. 
This  includes  rationalising  tanks,  implementing 
clean-in-place 
technology  and  computer-
controlled stills.

There was an overall working capital outflow 
in the year of £12.7m which was driven by an 
outflow in relation to trade debtors and other 
receivables  of  £9.9m.  Some  of  this  relates 
to  timing  as  invoiced  sales  in  the  last  two 
months  of  the  financial  year  were  stronger 
than  the  comparative  period,  but  the  more 
significant  impact  concerned  large  FMCG 
clients  requiring  longer  payment  terms  than 
was previously the case. 

Inventory  held  at  the  year  end  was  £39.6m 
(2017: £42.9m), a decrease of £3.3m. Excluding 
Earthoil, inventory rose by £1.6m on a like-for-
like basis. The level of inventory, which is highly 
significant in cash terms, arises because as an 
ingredients specialist, Treatt takes many annual, 
and in some cases longer-term, contracts with 
customers  as  well  as  servicing  the  immediate 
spot  needs  of  its  diverse  customer  base.  The 
success  of  the  business  has  been  built  upon 
managing  geographic,  political  and  climatic 
risk  of  supply  for  our  customers  by  judicious 
purchasing  and 
to 
ensure  continuity  of  supply  and  availability. 
Therefore,  it  is  part  of  the  Group’s  business 
model to hold significant levels of inventory. 

inventory  management 

*  

 All measures are based on continuing operations and 
adjusted to exclude exceptional items.

Strategic Report36

Financial review continued

Compound 
10 year Growth*

REVENUE*

EBITDA*

8.5%pa

12.7%pa

UK Site Relocation
Work  towards  relocating  our  UK  business 
from its current site in Bury St. Edmunds, UK, 
to  a  brand  new  purpose-built  facility  nearby 
continues.    The  Group  acquired  a  ten-acre 
green field site on the new Suffolk Park in Bury 
St.  Edmunds  in  mid  2017.  We  are  currently  in 
the process of refining our proposals in order 
to ensure we deliver best value to shareholders. 
This  is  a  project  which  the  Board  believes  is 
essential  in  order  to  deliver  our  growth 
objectives over the medium to long-term. 

for 

The  following  table  breaks  down  the  cost 
estimates 
  These  cost 
the  project. 
estimates  remain  unchanged  from  the  prior 
year as the Board are committed to delivering 
this  project  through  a  disciplined  process  of 
value  engineering.  As  referenced  earlier,  the 
project  includes  costs  to  upgrade  our  plant 
and  machinery  and  new  technologies.    As  a 
business we keep abreast of new technologies 
which can add value to our operations and the 
move gives us the opportunity to incorporate 
some  of  these  in  the  design  and  build  of  the 
new  facility.  The  level  of  investment  in  this 
area is still subject to final review but current 
estimates  are  in  the  order  of  £13m,  of  which 
approximately  half  relates  to  projects  held 
back  from  the  current  site,  with  the  balance 
being new and enhanced technologies.  

The overall estimated costs of this move break 
down into four key elements with the estimated 
costs (see below for further information as to 
the basis of these estimates) as follows:

New site acquisition  
and build costs

Plant, machinery and technical 
capability enhancements

Relocation expenses

Disposal of current site  
following completion of move

Total net relocation  
budget (estimate)

£26m

£13m

£1m

(£5m)

£35m

Of  the  total  budget,  £4.2m  has  been  spent 
to  date  in  relation  to  acquiring  the  land  and 
professional  fees.  We  now  hope  to  appoint 
the  main  contractors  for  the  project  in  early 
2019  with  a  view  to  taking  occupation  in  mid 
2020.  This  is  some  six  months  later  than 
previously  anticipated  as  the  ultimate  designs 
have  taken  longer  to  finalise  than  had  been 
expected.  Consequently,  the  cash  outflows  for 
the project have moved back by between six–
nine  months.  We  now,  therefore,  expect  net 
debt to EBITDA to peak at 1.4x in March 2020.

Whilst  the  detailed  costs  for  the  project  have 
been prepared in full quantity surveyor detail, 
the  Board  recognises  the  risks  inherent  in  a 
project of this scale. The Board has reviewed 
the  level  of  contingency  allowed  for  in  the 
project,  being  7.5%,  and  considered 
the 
flexibility  built  into  the  plant  and  machinery 
spend.  These  factors,  combined  with  the 
funding  now  in  place  following  the  share 
placing,  give  the  Board  confidence  that  risks 
inherent  in  the  UK  relocation  project  have 
been mitigated as far as practicable. 

US Site Expansion
As reported last year, the US expansion project 
began  earlier  in  the  year  in  order  to  double 
our  capacity  for  the  key  product  categories 
of  tea  and  sugar  reduction,  with  space  for 
further  expansion,  as  well  as  expanding  our 
laboratory  and  office  facilities  which  are  now 
full  to  capacity.  This  project  is  now  nearing 
completion and remains in line with the budget 
we  reported  last  year  of  $14m  and  equally 
importantly it remains on time with completion 
due by the end of 2018, and with the new plant 
expected to be fully operational in spring 2019.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc37

PROFIT BEFORE TAX*

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE*

15.2%pa

16.6%pa

*  All measures exclude exceptional items and 

discontinued operations in 2018, 2008 not restated.

Treatt Employee Benefit Trust and 
Treatt SIP Trust
The  Group  has  an  HMRC-approved  Share 
Incentive  Plan  (SIP)  for  its  UK  employees, 
and as far as practicable, also offers a similar 
scheme to its US staff. All UK staff with a year’s 
service  were  awarded  £575  (2017:  £550)  of 
‘Free  Shares’  during  the  year  as  part  of  the 
Group’s  employee  incentive  and  engagement 
programme as the Board is firmly of the view 
that  increased  employee  share  ownership  is 
an important tool for driving positive employee 
engagement in the business. A similar scheme 
exists  for  US  staff  who  were  awarded  $875 
(2017:  $850)  of  Restricted  Stock  Units  during 
the  year.  These  shares  are  forfeited  by 
employees  who  leave  within  three  years  from 
the date of grant.

Under  the  SIP,  UK  employees  could  also 
purchase  up  to  £1,800  (or  10%  of  salary, 
whichever  is  lower)  of  Treatt  shares  out  of 
gross income at no cost to the Company which 
the Company matched on a one and a half for 
one basis. In the year a total of 48,000 (2017: 
28,000) matching shares were granted.

During  the  year,  230,000  (2017:  150,000) 
shares were issued to the SIP at par (2 pence 
per  share).  The  SIP  currently  holds  540,000 
shares  (2017:  356,000),  of  which  215,000 
(2017:  84,000)  are  beneficially  owned  by  the 
Company and are available for future awards. It 
is anticipated that going forward the obligations 
under the SIP will be satisfied through the issue 
of new shares.

In  addition,  the  Group  continued  its  annual 
programme  of  offering  share  option  saving 
schemes  to  staff  in  the  UK  and  US.  Under 
US tax legislation, staff at Treatt USA are able 
to  exercise  options  annually,  whilst  the  UK 
schemes provide for three-year saving plans. 

Under  the  Long  Term  Incentive  Plans  which 
were  approved  by  shareholders  at  the  2014 
Annual  General  Meeting,  Executive  Directors 
and  certain  key  employees  were  granted 
205,000 (2017: 252,000) nil cost share options 
during  the  year  which  will  vest  after  three 
years on a sliding scale, subject to performance 
conditions.  In  total,  options  were  granted  over 
341,000 (2017: 370,000) shares during the year, 
whilst 873,000 (2017: 323,000) were exercised 
from options awarded in prior years which have 
now vested. 

During  the  year,  1,070,000  (2017:  100,000) 
shares  were  issued  to  the  Employee  Benefit 
Trust (EBT) at par (2 pence per share). The EBT 
currently holds 542,000 shares (2017: 353,000) 
in order to satisfy future option schemes. It is 
anticipated  that  going  forward,  all-employee 
savings-related  share  schemes  will  continue 
to  be  satisfied  by  shares  held  within  the  EBT, 
but that when necessary further shares will be 
issued to the EBT.

Final Salary Pension Scheme
The R C Treatt final salary pension scheme (the 
“scheme”) has not been subject to any further 
accruals since 31 December 2012 and instead 
members  of  the  final  salary  pension  scheme 
were  offered  membership  of  the  UK  defined 
contribution  pension  plan  with  effect  from  1 
January  2013.    This  means  that  the  defined 
benefit scheme has been de-risked as far as it 
is practicable and reasonable to do so.

The three-year actuarial review of the scheme 
was carried out during the year as at 1 January 
2018, the result of which was that the scheme 
had an actuarial surplus of £473,000 (1 January 
2015:  £314,000).  This  represents  a  funding 
level  of  102%.  Consequently,  the  Group  has 

been able to agree with the trustees that with 
effect  from  1  October  2018  it  would  continue 
not  to  make  any  further  contributions  to  the 
scheme. It was further agreed that if the annual 
actuarial  funding  updates,  before  the  next  full 
actuarial review in 2021, reveal that the funding 
level  has  fallen  to  95%  or  less  of  the  scheme 
liabilities,  then  the  Company  would  voluntarily 
resume contributions.

As  required  by  The  Pension  Regulator,  the 
actuarial  review  was  updated  on  a  consistent 
basis as at 30 September 2018 which showed a 
small improvement to a surplus of £0.7m (2017: 
deficit of £0.3m), being a funding level of 103% 
(2017: 98%). 

Alongside this, the IAS 19, “Employee Benefits” 
pension  liability  in  the  balance  sheet,  net  of 
deferred  tax,  fell  in  the  year  from  £4.8m  to 
£2.9m. The decrease in the deficit was largely 
the result of updating the IAS 19 calculations in 
line  with  the  scheme’s  latest  actuarial  results, 
and an increase in the value of scheme assets. 

55%

hazardous waste 
recycled

Strategic Report38

Financial review continued

In 2012 we began a new journey for Treatt by 
establishing a focused strategy of growing  
our profits in a sustainable manner

Summary
In  2012  we  began  a  new  journey  for  Treatt 
by  establishing  a  focused  strategy  of  growing  
our  profits  in  a  sustainable  manner.  Following 
a  very  strong  performance  in  2017  we  set 
ourselves  new  goals  and  targets  to  aim  for 
with our 2022 growth strategy.  A major part of 
that strategy is the extensive capital investment 
programme in both the UK and US, which the 
Board believes will provide the scalable platform 
to drive the long-term growth in the business.

It  is  therefore  pleasing  to  report  on  a  year  of 
solid  progress  with  a  number  of  milestones 
achieved. Profits are up for the sixth successive 
year;  we  successfully  raised  over  £20m  from 
the share placing to support the Group’s capital 
investment  programme;  the  US  expansion  is 
nearing completion on time and on budget, and 
the sale of Earthoil Plantations was completed. 

Richard Hope
Chief Financial Officer

26 November 2018

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
The  Group  operates  conservative  treasury 
policies to ensure that no unnecessary risks are 
taken with the Group’s assets.

No  investments  other  than  cash  and  other 
short-term  deposits  are  currently  permitted. 
Where  appropriate 
these  balances  are 
held  in  foreign  currencies,  but  only  as  part 
of  the  Group’s  overall  hedging  activity  as 
explained below.

The nature of Treatt’s activities is such that the 
Group could be affected by movements in certain 
exchange rates, principally between Sterling and 
the US Dollar, but other currencies such as the 
Euro can have a material effect as well. This risk 
manifests itself in a number of ways.

Firstly,  the  value  of  the  foreign  currency  net 
assets of Treatt USA can fluctuate with Sterling. 

Secondly, with R C Treatt exporting throughout 
the  world,  fluctuations  in  Sterling’s  value  can 
affect both the gross margin and operating costs. 
Sales are principally made in two currencies in 
addition  to  Sterling,  with  the  US  Dollar  being 
the  most  significant.  Even  if  a  sale  is  made  in 
Sterling,  its  price  may  be  set  by  reference  to 
its  US  Dollar  denominated  raw  material  price 
and  therefore  has  an  impact  on  the  Sterling 
gross  margin.  Raw  materials  are  also  mainly 
purchased in US Dollars and therefore US Dollar 
bank accounts are operated, through which US 
Dollar denominated sales and purchases flow. 

Hence  it  is  Sterling’s  relative  strength  against 
the  US  Dollar  that  is  of  prime  importance.  As 
well  as  affecting  the  cash  value  of  sales,  US 
Dollar  exchange  movements  can  also  have  a 
significant  effect  on  the  replacement  cost  of 
stocks,  which  affects  future  profitability  and 
competitiveness.

When  the  Group  is  in  a  net  debt  position,  the 
Group has a policy of maintaining the majority 
of  cash  balances,  including  the  main  Group 
overdraft  facilities,  in  US  Dollars  and,  to  a 
lesser extent in Euros, as this is the most cost-
effective  means  of  providing  a  natural  hedge 
against  movements  in  exchange  rates.  Where 
it  is  more  cost  effective  to  do  so,  the  Group 
will  enter  into  forward  currency  contracts 
and  options  as  well.  Consequently,  during  the 
year  forward  currency  contracts  have  been 
entered  into  which  hedge  part  of  R  C  Treatt’s 
foreign  exchange  risk.  These  contracts  and 
options have been designated as formal ‘hedge’ 
arrangements,  with  movements  in  mark-to-
market  valuations  initially  taken  to  equity  and 
re-cycled to the income statement to match with 
the  appropriately  hedged  currency  receipts. 
However,  under  the  technical  provisions  of 
IFRS,  a  number  of  forward  contracts  were 
deemed to be ‘ineffective’ whilst still achieving 
the Group’s objectives. Consequently a foreign 
exchange  loss  of  £0.7m  is  included  in  other 
gains  and  losses  in  the  income  statement. 
Currency  accounts  are  also  run  for  the  other 
main currencies to which R C Treatt is exposed. 
This  policy  is  expected  to  protect  the  Group 
against short-term swings in currencies.

Notes:
*  All adjusted measures exclude exceptional items and discontinued operations, details of which are given in notes 9 and 11.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plcGroup Five Year Trading Record*

39

* 2017 and 2018 show discontinued operations separately. Earlier years have not 
been restated.

2014
£’000

2015
£’000

2016
£’000

2017
£’000

2018
£’000

INCOME STATEMENT

Revenue

EBITDA1

Operating profit

Adjusted2 profit before taxation

Growth in adjusted2 profit before taxation 

Exceptional items

PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION

Taxation

Discontinued operations

Profit for the year attributable to owners of the Parent Company

BALANCE SHEET

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Net deferred tax (liability)/asset

Non-current trade and other receivables

Current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current trade and other payables

Non-current bank loans

Post-employment benefits

Non-current derivative financial instruments

Non-current redeemable loan notes (net)

Total equity

CASH FLOW

Cash generated from operations

Taxation paid

Net interest paid

Dividends paid

Additions to non-current assets net of proceeds

(Acquisition)/disposal of subsidiaries

Purchase of redeemable loan notes

Net sale of own shares by share trust

Proceeds on issue of shares

Other

Movement in net debt

Total net (debt)/cash

RATIOS

Net operating margin3

Return on capital employed4

Average net debt to EBITDA5

Adjusted2 basic earnings per share

Growth in adjusted2 basic earnings per share

Dividend per share6

Dividend cover (adjusted to exclude exceptionals)6

Net assets per share

79,189

9,022

7,928

6,904

10.9%

(1,402)

5,502

(1,553)

–

3,949

1,075

726

10,994

(611)

586

43,590

(16,005)

(23)

(7,857)

(2,529)

(511)

(675)

85,934

10,109

8,690

7,950

15.2%

(174)

7,776

(1,786)

–

5,990

1,075

661

10,998

(390)

–

45,045

(13,481)

–

(7,065)

(2,959)

(699)

–

28,760

33,185

3,528

(1,552)

(724)

(1,899)

(746)

–

–

91

–

12

(1,290)

(8,584)

9.6%

19.9%

0.99

9.95p

15.2%

3.84p

2.58

55.0p

8,667

(1,469)

(740)

(1,978)

(1,027)

–

–

180

–

(204)

3,429

(6,155)

10.1%

22.1%

0.78

11.94p

20.0%

4.04p

2.94

63.0p

88,040

101,250

11,038

9,549

8,846

11.3%

(553)

8,293

(2,144)

–

6,149

2,727

637

11,361

325

–

54,435

(16,388)

–

(7,755)

(7,401)

(754)

–

37,187

10,804

(2,022)

(703)

(2,095)

(788)

(752)

–

265

–

(208)

4,501

(1,654)

10.8%

24.6%

0.35

12.84p

7.5%

4.35p

2.94

71.0p

14,083

12,547

11,696

32.2%

–

11,696

(3,129)

978

9,545

2,727

604

14,821

616

–

68,230

(27,003)

–

(7,293)

(5,821)

(403)

–

46,478

4,683

(2,822)

(913)

(3,025)

(5,203)

(900)

(675)

355

–

(71)

(8,571)

(10,225)

12.4%

22.1%

0.42

16.41p

27.8%

4.80p

3.40

87.9p

112,163

14,853

13,944

12,642

8.1%

(1,105)

11,537

(2,284)

2,976

12,229

–

752

20,038

672

–

102,402

(35,781)

–

(3,001)

(3,457)

–

–

81,625

3,581

(2,978)

(610)

(2,876)

(6,579)

8,746

–

586

20,833

(419)

20,284

10,059

12.4%

18.5%

0.01

18.02p

9.8%

5.10p

3.42

137.3p

Notes:
1 EBITDA is calculated as profit before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and exceptional items.

2 All adjusted measures exclude exceptional items – see note 9.

3 Operating profit divided by revenue.

4 Profit before interest, taxation and exceptional items divided by total equity plus net debt.

5 Average of net debt at start and end of financial year divided by EBITDA1.

6 The dividend per share shown relates to the interim dividend declared and final dividend proposed for the corresponding financial year.

Strategic Report40

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc41

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

Working responsibly 
means continuously 
evaluating ways of 
improving the Group’s 
commitment to the 
environment, our people 
and the communities  
we work in

33%

women in senior  
management 
positions

67%

Kenya Diesel  
Kg CO2e 
2018: 710 KgCO2e 
2017: 2,132 KgCO2e

22%

UK General  
Waste 
2018: 33t  
2017: 42.5t

 
42

Working responsibly

The Group is committed to  
good environmental practice

Environmental Improvements in 2018
The Group continuously evaluates ways of reducing its impact on the environment and during the 
year a number of improvements and initiatives have been implemented at each of its subsidiaries:

R C Treatt
•  operates under the threshold limits of the 

Solvent Emissions Directive 1999/13/EC for 
the industry at less than 0.5t (2017: 2t) due to 
a decrease in processing; the threshold limit 
is 10t;

•   1,606t of material sent to anaerobic digester 

(2017: nil);

•   55% hazardous waste recycled (2017: 54%);

•   100% of used drums recycled (2017: 100%);

•   cardboard skip for production packaging 
introduced in August 2018 as a dedicated 
waste stream. 670kg leaving site in 
September 2018 for waste recovery 
(previously included in general waste);

•   general waste reduced to 33t (2017: 425t) 
with 100% of the waste diverted from 
landfill and sent to an energy recovery 
facility for electricity generation;

•   Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) 
Champions replaced Waste Champions 
to enable greater consideration of 
environmental impacts resulting from 
operations; and

•   plastic cups no longer used at water 

stations and all staff issued with reusable 
drinking bottles. 

Treatt USA 
•   installation of a liquid ring vacuum pump has 
reduced  Volatile  Organic  Compound  (VOC) 
emissions for blending tank filling operations 
to virtually zero. Other front-end separation 
units have also reduced emissions; the pump 
eliminates oil spillage which is beneficial to 
the surrounding environment;

•   installation of a boiler blow-down separator 
(flash tank) and associated piping to the 
sewer system eliminates overflows from a 
collection tote used to cool the boiler water; 
the system also improves the condition of 
the boilers;

•  installation of an A&D Pot Cooling system, 
designed to improve efficiency by lowering 
the time to cool down the still for cleaning and 
condensing residual VOCs;

•   installation of a steam evacuation 

system also reduces VOCs entering the 
environment;

•  installation of replacement still receiver 

gauges , which reduce the risk of spills; and

•  repair of existing injection well, as part of a 
larger effort to increase well water capacity, 
has eliminated ground water leakage 
benefitting the surrounding area.

SUSTAINABILITY

and 

We  take  our  social  responsibility 
seriously  and  have  a  reputation 
in  an 
for  behaving  ethically  and 
socially 
environmentally 
responsible  way.  Operating 
in  a 
responsible  manner  is  an  important 
aspect  of  our  ability  to  deliver  our 
strategic  objectives  and  in  creating 
long-term  value.  Our  activities  are 
focused  on  the  areas  where  we  feel 
we  can  make  a  real  difference  –  the 
environment,  our  employees  and  the 
local communities in which work.

Environment
The Group is committed to good environmental 
practice.  It  places  importance  on  the  impact 
of  its  operations  on  the  environment  and  on 
ensuring that it operates and adopts responsible 
practices. Group performance and risk reviews 
are  undertaken  and  monitored  on  a  regular 
basis and reported to the Board.

Environmental Performance  
and Strategy
The  Group  continues  to  manage  energy,  fuel 
and  waste  disposal  costs  with  the  aim  of 
lessening  the  Group’s  environmental  impact 
whilst reducing cost and improving efficiencies. 
In  accordance  with  The  Companies  Act  2006 
(Strategic  Report  and  Directors’  Report) 
Regulations 2013, the Group is required to report 
its  greenhouse  gas  emissions.  The  release 
of  greenhouse  gases,  notably  carbon  dioxide 
generated by burning fossil fuels, is understood 
to  have  an  impact  on  global  temperatures, 
weather  patterns  and  weather  severity,  which 
can  directly  and  indirectly  affect  the  Group’s 
business.  As  a  supplier  of  natural  ingredients, 
adverse  weather  conditions  and  disease 
can  affect  crop  yields  resulting  in  higher  raw 
material prices and limited supply. A significant 
drought  in  Sao  Paulo,  Brazil,  decreased  the 
2018 orange crop by over 30%. Hurricane Irma 
hit Florida mid-September 2017 and resulted in 
the highest and most sustained price increase 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc43

for  grapefruit  oil  ever  seen.  Unusual  weather 
patterns  in  Florida  in  the  first  half  of  2018 
delayed the regular processing of spring crops 
including  cucumber,  watermelon,  pepper  and 
cantaloupe.  Alternative  sources  are  utilised 
when  usual  conditions  are  compromised  and 
having  access  to  these  sources  is  key  when 
working with natural crops.

In  measuring  the  Group’s  greenhouse  gas 
emissions,  the  sales  office  in  China  has  been 
excluded on the basis that emissions from utility 
consumption,  which  is  included  in  the  rent,  is 
estimated to be less than a materiality threshold 
of  5%  of  overall  Group  emissions.  Data  has 
been accurately recorded from invoices, meter 
and mileage readings. 

GHG  emissions  detailed  in  the  table  have 
been  calculated  using  the  appropriate  2018 
DEFRA 
for 
overseas  electricity  which  used  the  2015  IEA 
conversion factor.

conversion 

factors, 

except 

in 

Following  a  significant  decrease 
total 
emissions  in  2017,  by  2,554  tonnes  of  CO2e, 
there  has  been  a  further  decrease  in  2018  of 
18  tonnes  of  CO2e.  The  increase  in  Scope  1 
emissions  is  largely  due  to  the  site  expansion 
being  carried  out  at  Treatt  USA  coupled  with 
production  in  the  US  increasing  from  a  24/5 
pattern 
to  24/7.  Electricity  consumption 
remained  consistent  in  the  UK  and  Kenya 
and increased in the US, again due to the site 
expansion  and  increase  in  production  hours. 
Scope  2  emissions  decreased  across  all  sites 
due  to  a  reduction  in  the  conversion  factors 
used to calculate the emissions. 

the  year 

An increase of 644,748 kgs of product shipped 
during 
to  8,184,729  kgs  (2017: 
7,539,981 kgs) reflects the continued growth of 
the business. 

Additionally,  the  reduction  in  the  number  of 
printed  copies  of  the  report  and  accounts 
required to be posted to shareholders has been 
maintained by giving them the option to receive 
the  annual  report  electronically  through  the 
Treatt  website.  The  75%  reduction  has  saved 
several thousand pounds per year and reduced 
the  environmental  impact  of  the  financial 
reporting process.

The  intended  site  relocation  of  Treatt’s  UK 
operation and site expansion, underway at Treatt 
USA,  provides  an  opportunity  to  modernise 
facilities and build in appropriate and cost-effective 
infrastructures  to  reduce  the  environmental 
impact of the buildings as far as possible. 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The  Group  has  adopted  a  greenhouse  gas 
reporting  policy  and  a  management  system 
based  on  the  ISO  14064-1:2006  methodology, 
which  has  been  used 
the 
Group’s  Scope  1  and  2  emissions  in  2018  for 
activities  within  the  operational  control  of  the 
Group.  It  is  not  currently  intended  to  report 
Scope 3 emissions.

to  calculate 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Scope 1 – Direct CO2 emissions (tonnes CO2e)

Scope 2 – Indirect CO2 emissions (tonnes CO2e)

Total tonnes CO2e emissions

gCO2e emissions per kg of product shipped  

2018

1,589

1,336

2,925

357

2017

1,394

1,549

2,943

390

Kenya
•   florescent tube lighting in the factory 

replaced with LED lighting;

•   halogen and energy consuming lights in 

offices and farm compound replaced with 
LED lighting and solar flood lights;

•   two internal appointments to Champions 
of Environment and Waste Management;

•  waste management incorporated into 

internal quarterly all staff refresher training;

•   inefficient seed dryer decommissioned 
and more efficient seed dryer installed 
to reduce biomass fuel consumption and 
environmental pollution;

•   forklift fuel usage monitoring log 

introduced to monitor use of petrol;

•  gasifier wood stoves provided to growers to 
minimize use of firewood achieving Carbon 
Zero Certification for both Kenyan sites;

•   fabrication of biochar kilns to convert 

distilled tea tree waste into biochar (through 
pyrolysis) for use on tea tree fields for 
carbon sequestration improving soil structure 
and nutrient loss through leaching;

•   winner of KAM (Kenya Association of 

Manufacture) Gala award for implementing 
good energy management practices under 
the ‘Savings Made’ category;

•   hosted the United Nation Industrial 

Development Organization’s (UNIDO) 
four African countries delegation show, 
in conjunction with the Kenya National 
Cleaner Production Center (KNCPC), to 
showcase best waste management;

•   environmental management lessons 

continue to be included in environmental, 
health and safety training;

•   annual environmental audits continue for 
compliance with statutory regulations; and

•   the “Reuse & Reduce” initiative 

encourages staff to reuse envelopes, 
printing papers and double sided printing. 

Strategic Report44

Working responsibly continued

The Group is committed to a policy of 
recruitment and promotion on the basis of 
aptitude and ability without discrimination

Waste

Treatt  USA  aims  to  recycle  as  much  of  its 
waste  as  possible.  A  consistent  theme  in  the 
environmental  improvements  made  during  the 
year is the reduction of waste streams.

At  R  C  Treatt  all  waste  streams  continue  to 
work towards a zero land fill waste strategy. In 
addition, R C Treatt’s waste oil with a calorific 
value is sent for use as biomass, thereby further 
reducing  the  Company’s  carbon  footprint  and 
eliminating disposal costs.  

In Kenya, distillation biomass waste is converted 
to  biochar,  mixed  with  farm  yard  manure  and 
composted  for  use  on  the  farm.  The  biochar 
reduces  the  carbon  footprint  by  sequestering 
carbon into the soil. Some of the waste is also 
used as mulch on the tea tree farm.

Water

recording 

The  Group  has  decided  to  record  water 
its 
consumption  data  whilst 
greenhouse  gas  emissions  in  order  to  gain  a 
greater  understanding  of  its  environmental 
impact.  The  largest  consumer  of  water  in  the 
Group is Treatt USA, which uses large quantities 
in its manufacturing processes and the cleaning 
of  its  specialist  equipment.  Due  to  its  high 
consumption,  Treatt  USA  uses  a  closed  loop 
cooling  water  circuit  with  direct  cooling  from 
deep  well  water  on  all  still  condensers.  This 
well water is then recycled back into the aquifer 
via  a  second  deep  well.  The  system  provides 
significant 
local  environmental  benefits  as 
well as reduced energy usage. The previously 
mentioned  increase  in  production  hours  at 
Treatt  USA  has  significantly  contributed  to 
the  higher  level  of  water  consumption  during 
the year.

The  Group’s  own  crop  growing  area  in  Kenya 
uses  rain  water  harvested  in  its  own  dam,  a 
borehole  and  water  pumped  from  a  nearby 
river, for which it pays a small annual fee. It does 
not purchase any water from a water treatment 
company. Distillation waste water is re-used as 
irrigation water on the farm vegetable garden.

In recording water consumption for the Group, 
the sales office in China has been excluded on 
the  basis  that  water  usage  is  included  in  the 
rent.  Data  has  been  accurately  recorded  from 
invoice information and meter readings. 

is  committed 

EMPLOYMENT POLICIES
The  Group 
to  a  policy  of 
recruitment  and  promotion  on  the  basis  of 
aptitude  and  ability  without  discrimination. 
Applications  for  employment  received  from 
people  with  disabilities  are  given  full  and  fair 
consideration  for  suitable  vacancies,  having 
regard to their particular aptitudes and abilities. 

The  focus  on  training  continued  in  2018  in 
order to continuously improve the skills of our 
employees  through  both  general  and  targeted 
training  programmes  provided  by  internal  and 
external  providers.  Lunch-and-learn  style 
training provides the opportunity for knowledge 
sharing  across  the  Group  on  a  variety  of 
subjects  relevant  to  our  business,  whilst  also 
providing  the  opportunity  for  staff  to  spend 
time  together.  By  improving  communication 
between  colleagues  these  initiatives  are  vital 
to  the  sustainable  growth  of  the  business. 
The  Group  supports  ongoing  qualifications  by 
providing funding and study time to employees 
across the business from NVQs to professional 
qualifications in Procurement and Supply Chain 
Management and Company Secretarial.

Water efficiency

Total water used (m3)

Water efficiency (litres per Kg of product shipped)

2018

43,475

5.31

2017

36,946

4.90

its  commitment 

The  Group  continues 
to 
students  and  apprentices  in  the  UK  and  US 
and  offers  internships  in  sales  and  technical. 
There  are  currently  four  apprentices  across 
the  business  at  the  UK  site  who  are  provided 
with  a  structured  training  and  qualification 
programme.  There  are  also  two  interns  who, 
whilst  developing  their  knowledge  and  gaining 
practical  experience,  are  providing  a  valuable 
resource  to  the  technical  department.  These 
initiatives  also  strengthen  the  Group’s  links 
with  universities  and  develop  relationships 
with the next generation of talented candidates. 
Educational support is provided in the UK and 
schoolchildren  encouraged  to  spend  time  in 
the  business  through  educational  visits  and 
work experience placements. Expertise is also 
shared  with  students  at  careers  and  science 
fairs.  Colleagues  from  various  departments 
held  mock  interviews  with  13  and  14  year-
old  students  at  a  local  school  to  help  the 
students  develop  their  communication  skills 
and confidence. 

EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT
Executive  Directors  make  half  yearly  results 
presentations  to  all  colleagues  and  encourage 
questions and dialogue on every aspect of the 
Group’s performance and activities. At R C Treatt 
the  Information  Exchange  Committee  (IEC) 
enables  an  exchange  of  ideas  and  information 
between the Company and its employees. The 
IEC is chaired by the CEO and its members are 
all  colleagues  below  management  level  who 
represent  every  department  and  area  of  the 
business  in  the  UK.  The  Executive  Directors 
regularly  have  lunch  with  colleagues  to  hear 
their  views  on  the  business.  At  Treatt  USA 
the  Vice  Presidents  regularly  hold  “town  hall 
meetings” to communicate a variety of subjects 
and  provide  colleagues  with  the  opportunity 
to  ask  questions  and  challenge  management. 
Board  members  make  a  point  of  visiting 
all  Group  affiliates  and  regularly  carry  out 
site  visits  and  tours,  engaging  in  meaningful 
discussions with colleagues of all levels within 
the organisation. 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc45

All-employee  bonus  schemes,  based  on  the 
performance  of  the  business,  remain  in  place 
and  employees  are  encouraged  to  become 
involved  in  the  success  of  the  Group  through 
share-save  schemes  and  the  Share  Incentive 
Plan (see note 29). 

The  Share  Incentive  Plan  is  run  for  all 
UK  employees,  with  a  similar  plan  for  US 
employees.  Under  these  plans,  all  eligible  UK 
and  US  employees  have  received  free  shares 
(or their US equivalent) since 2014 and will do 
so in December 2018; UK staff will also be able to 
buy additional partnership shares, which Treatt 
will  match  on  a  1:1.5  basis  in  accordance  with 
the rules of the plans. The Directors believe that 
by encouraging greater employee shareholding 
the  interests  of  employees  is  further  aligned 
interests.  As  employees 
with  shareholder 
based in the US can find it problematic to sell 
shares  in  a  UK  listed  company  the  Company 
has set up a Vested Share Trust Account. This 
provides  a  platform  from  which  US  employee 
shareholders can sell their shares more easily 
which  should  encourage  higher 
levels  of 
employee ownership in the US. 

DIVERSITY
Appointments  within  the  Group  are  made  on 
merit  according  to  the  balance  of  skills  and 
experience  offered  by  prospective  candidates. 
Whilst  acknowledging  the  benefits  of  diversity, 
individual appointments are made irrespective of 
personal characteristics such as race, disability, 
gender, sexual orientation, religion or age. 

As  a  manufacturing  business,  it  is  rare  for 
women  to  apply  for  positions  within  the 
production and despatch areas, where manual 
handling  is  a  significant  part  of  the  role.  The 
number of women remains at 37% (2017: 37%) 
of the Group workforce. The number of women 
in Group senior management positions is 33% 
(2017:  restated  at  33%).  Senior  management 
has been redefined as Group Leadership Team 
and  restated  for  2018  to  ensure  a  consistent 
reporting approach. 

Diversity  is  a  key  aspect  of  our  approach  to 
resourcing the needs of the business, developing 
our  colleagues  and  recruiting  new  talent  but 
gender diversity is only part of the story. We aim 
to  create  an  inclusive  environment  that  values 
all  differences  in  people  as  diverse  teams  are 
more likely to be innovative when drawing from 
cultural differences and experiences. 

We  recognise  that  our  employees  have  lives 
outside  of  work  and  aim  to  provide  a  flexible 
workplace  that  enables  them  to  achieve  a 
balance  between  their  role  with  Treatt  and 
their  responsibilities  outside  of  work.  Our 
flexible  working  policy  enables  employees,  as 
far  as  their  roles  permit,  to  work  from  home 
and  provides  general  flexibility.  Such  policies 
assist  in  the  recruitment  and  retention  of  a 
diverse workforce.

Strategic Report46

Working responsibly continued

Community funds provide additional  
benefits to the farmers and their families

SOCIAL, COMMUNITY AND  
HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES
The  Group  endeavours  to  have  a  positive 
impact on the communities in which it operates 
and  over  the  last  few  years  has  significantly 
increased  its  presence  in  these  communities.   
During  the  year  the  Group  made  charitable 
donations  of  £25,000  (2017:  £23,000)  to  local 
and national causes. and has been involved in 
many initiatives across its locations. 

The Treatt Community Spirit Initiative goes from 
strength to strength and provides opportunities 
local  causes. 
to  support 
for  employees 
Activities  carried  out  include  litter  picks  and 
assistance in a charity’s warehouse as well as 
supporting local fundraising events both during 
working hours and in colleagues’ own time. The 
Company  donates  additional  funds  to  money 
raised  by  colleagues  during  the  fundraising 
activities through its matching scheme.

“Payroll Giving”, operates in the UK and enables 
colleagues  to  donate  regularly  to  their  chosen 
charities  from  their  gross  pay;  money  is  also 
raised for a local charity via a monthly lottery 
administered via payroll. 

The charities Treatt continually supports include:  
kidsPACK children’s charity, Florida Youth Fair, 
the Grow into you Foundation for teens leaving 
the  foster  system,  Toys  for  Tots-Boxes  in  the 
US  and  East  Anglia’s  Children’s  Hospice,  My 
Wish Charity supporting West Suffolk Hospital, 
UpBeat Heart Support, St Nicholas Hospice and 
MIND and Bury in Bloom in the UK. 

In support of a charitable initiative, UK colleagues 
were  invited  to  enjoy  a  locally  roasted  coffee 
and  homemade  brownie  with  a  percentage  of 
the proceeds being donated to the Upbeat Heart 
Support  Group.  Similar  initiatives  take  place 
in  the  US,  and  a  party  of  volunteers  regularly 
give their own time to collect rubbish on local 
roads  as  part  of  the  Florida  Department  of 
Transportation’s “Adopt A Highway” scheme.

The  Kenya  companies  are  committed 
to 
purchasing  oils  directly  from  source  at  a 
fair  and  sustainable  price  and  work  closely 
with  growers  in  under-developed  countries 
through  Fair  for  Life  social  and  Fair  Trade 
certification.    Long-term  and  trusted  support 
and  co-operation  has  also  been  a  driver  for 
positive change which has led to their partner, 
the  Kenyan  Organic  Oil  Farmers  Association 

(KOOFA), increasing from its initial 90 members 
to over 900 producers.  Our Kenyan businesses 
have  helped  deliver  over  300  new  3,000  litre 
water  tanks  to  members  of  KOOFA  to  enable 
them to store valuable water, with the remaining 
farmers to receive water tanks as part of this 
long-term project. Over 3,000 family members 
utilise  the  new  water  tanks,  freeing  up  time 
usually  spent  fetching  or  buying  water  for 
other activities. 

Additionally,  through  the  donation  of  efficient 
gasifier  stoves  to  Kenyan  farmers,  the  Kenya 
companies  continue  to  be  certified  carbon 
neutral;  all  carbon  dioxide  emissions  from 
Kenyan activities having been neutralised. As a 
direct consequence, dozens of Kenyan farming 
families are now living in healthier homes free 
from  smoke  and  carbon  monoxide  formerly 
produced from open fires.

Community  funds  provide  additional  benefits 
to  the  farmers  and  their  families,  such  as 
scholarships  and  sanitary  products  to  a  local 
primary  school.  Tanks  and  taps  have  also 
been  gifted  to  KOOFA  farmers  and  shopping 
vouchers issued. 

Diversity

Position

Group Directors

Senior Managers

Other Employees

Total Employees

Male

6

6

212

224

Female

1

3

132

136

Total

7

9

344

360

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc47

Ethical concerns and human rights issues have 
always  played  an  important  role  in  Treatt’s 
company  philosophy  and  the  Group’s  Supplier 
Code  of  Conduct  details  the  standards  of 
behaviour which Treatt regards as acceptable. 
Provision of a safe, clean working environment, 
free  from  discrimination,  coercion  and  the 
use  of  child  or  forced  labour  is  a  basic  right 
of  all  employees,  which  Treatt  expects  of  its 
business partners as a minimum standard.   The 
Group  is  often  audited  by  its  customers  to 
assess  compliance  with  minimum  acceptable 
standards,  including  ethical  and  human  rights 
considerations.  The  Group  is  committed  to 
combatting  the  risk  of  modern  slavery  and 
human  trafficking  in  its  supply  chain  and  all 
parts  of  the  business.  The  Modern  Slavery 
Statement  is  available  on  the  Treatt  website, 
www.treatt.com.

This  Strategic  Report  was  approved  by  the 
Board on 26 November 2018.

Signed on behalf of the Board.

Anita Steer
Secretary

Strategic Report48

Treatt plc Annual Report & Accounts 2018

49

GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

REMUNERATION REPORT

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

52

62

76

Corporate GovernanceFinancial Statements

Overview
Strategic Report

Leadership
Effectiveness
Accountability
Relations with shareholders
Remuneration

50

Board of Directors

DAEMMON REEVE 
Chief Executive Officer

TIM JONES
Non-executive Chairman

 Chair 

RICHARD HOPE 
Chief Financial Officer

Appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2012.

Led Treatt’s Board as its Chairman since his 
appointment in 2012.

Appointed to the Board in 2003.

Daemmon joined RC Treatt & Co Ltd, the Group’s UK 
operating  subsidiary,  in  1991  and  gained  extensive 
industry  experience  and  knowledge  from  his  time 
in 
technical,  operational,  sales  and  purchasing 
disciplines.  He was appointed CEO of Treatt USA in 
2010 and became Group CEO in 2012. 

A key part of his role is to help provide the cultural 
environment for the success of Treatt and its fantastic 
team, making Treatt a fun place to work along the way.  
It is the output of the engaged teams which is driving 
the  success  of  Treatt.    Seeing  our  excellent  team 
succeed is what excites Daemmon most about Treatt.

Tim  began  his  career  in  financial  services  with 
Royal  Insurance  and  subsequently  held  posts  in  the 
Middle East, the US and Europe before entering the 
beverage/water  bottling  sector  in  the  early  1990s, 
including a joint venture in the Balkans.

He  is  Deputy  Chairman  of  Allia,  a  charitable 
organisation providing resources to the third sector 
through  Stock  Exchange  listed  Bonds,  business 
mentoring  and  the  provision  of  workspace.  He 
remains  actively  involved  in  the  City  of  London 
where he is a Mansion House Scholarship Scheme 
Mentor  and  a  Court  Assistant  at  the  International 
Bankers Company.

Richard qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1990 
at  PWC  and  was  certified  a  Fellow  of  the  Institute 
of  Chartered  Accountants  in  England  and  Wales  in 
2010.    Prior  to  joining  Treatt,  Richard  held  several 
senior  finance  positions  for  almost  20  years  in 
value-added  manufacturing  businesses,  including 
Hampshire Cosmetics Limited. 

He  was  awarded  Finance  Director  of  the  Year  at 
the  14th  Grant  Thornton  Quoted  Company  Awards 
in February 2018 and was a Finalist for the Shares 
Magazine Finance Director of the Year award, part of 
the UK Stock Market Awards, in 2017. 

Richard  gets  a  sense  of  pride  walking  into  a 
supermarket  with  the  knowledge  that  Treatt  has 
large  number  of  well-known 
ingredients 
consumer products.

in  a 

Key External Appointments:

No external appointments.

Key External Appointments:

Key External Appointments:

Non-executive Director of Retail Charity Bonds plc.

No external appointments.

BOARD GENDER DIVERSITY

BOARD INDEPENDENCE

BOARD EXPERIENCE

  Female  
  Male  

14% 
86%

  Independent 
57%
  Non-Independent  43%

  0 – 5 yrs 
  6 – 10 yrs  
  Over 10 yrs 

28.5%
43%
28.5%

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc 
 
51

JEFF ILIFFE
Non-executive Director

DAVID JOHNSTON 
Non-executive Director*

ANITA HAINES 
Non-executive Director

RICHARD ILLEK 
Non-executive Director

 Chair

 Chair 

Appointed to the Board in 2013.

Appointed Non-executive Director  
in 2011. 

Appointed to the Board as HR Director 
in 2002 and became Non-executive 
Director in 2014.

Appointed to the Board as  
Non-executive Director in 2016.

Jeff  has  widespread  experience  of 
the  City,  industry  and  internet-based 
acquisitions, 
businesses, 
including 
business 
investor 
integration  and 
relations.

He was CFO of Abcam plc from 2007 
until  2016,  as  the  company  delivered 
huge  growth  to  become  a  world-
leading life sciences business.

Previously,  he  was  a  corporate 
financier  at  Panmure  Gordon  &  Co, 
during  which  time  he  advised  Treatt, 
and has held senior financial positions 
in  environmental,  biotechnology  and 
internet-based businesses.

David  started  his  career  working  as 
a  biochemist  for  the  UK  government 
prior  to  transferring  to  Switzerland 
where  he  worked  on  an  international 
programme  to  enhance  the  resistance 
of plants to pathogens.

He then joined one of the leading flavour 
and  fragrance  companies,  Firmenich 
SA,  in  a  variety  of  commercial  and 
technical  roles  over  13  years.    He 
finished his career at Firmenich SA as 
head of flavour innovation globally.  He 
then  started  his  own  company,  Natural 
Taste  Consulting  SARL,  which  focuses 
on  the  development  and  sales  of  taste 
modifying compounds.

in  1988. 

Anita  joined  RC  Treatt  &  Co  Ltd  as 
Company  Secretary 
In 
2000  she  was  appointed  as  Human 
Resources  Manager  and  HR  Director 
for  the  Group  in  October  2002.    She 
retired  as  an  Executive  Director  in 
February  2014  but  remained  on  the 
Board  as  a  Non-executive  Director.  
Anita  has  announced  her  intention  to 
retire from the Board at the conclusion 
of the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

What  excites  Anita  about  Treatt  is  the 
people.    When  she  joined  there  were 
only  66  people  on  the  payroll,  all 
working out of Northern Way, and while 
subsequently  numbers  have  grown, 
and  Treatt  has  become  international, 
people  are  still  at  the  heart  of  the 
business. 

retired 

from  PepsiCo 

in 
Richard 
March  2016,  following  28  years  with 
the  company.  During  that  time  he 
served  in  various  senior  positions 
around 
including  Plant 
Manager,  QA  Manager  and  Technical 
Services  Director,  culminating  in  his 
most recent role as Senior Director of 
Manufacturing and Formulations.

the  world 

Key External Appointments:

Key External Appointments:

Key External Appointments:

Key External Appointments:

Non-executive  Director  of  Cambridge 
Nutraceuticals Limited.

Non-executive  Director  of  James 
Finlay Limited. 

No external appointments.

No external appointments.

Trustee of Cambridge Arts Theatre.

.

An experienced Board with over 

59 years’ 

combined experience at Treatt

Committee Membership key

 Nomination committee

 Remuneration committee

 Audit committee

*  Senior Independent Director

Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
52

Corporate Governance Statement

Introduction from the Chairman

As the business continues to grow it needs 
a strong, effective and engaged Board, with 
the  right  skills  and  experience  to  oversee 
the  strategy,  governance,  risk  and  financial 
frameworks across the business.

I  aim  to  ensure  that  there  is  an  appropriate 
level  of  support,  oversight  and  challenge,  a 
focus  on  entrepreneurship  as  much  as  on 
risks,  a  commitment  to  transparency  and  a 
culture of continuous improvement.  

Effective governance drives the Company in 
balance  with  the  interests  of  shareholders 
employees, 
stakeholders; 
and  wider 
customers,  suppliers  and  the  communities 
in  which  the  Company  does  business.  At 
Treatt  our    commitment  to  high  standards 
of  corporate  governance  throughout  the 
Group is reflected in our principles, policies 
and  practices.  I  am  clear  that  effective 
governance  right  across 
the  business, 
ultimately  produces  a  better  Company  and 
optimum long-term performance.

As  Chairman,  it  is  my  task  to  ensure  that 
the  Board  upholds  high  standards  of 
corporate  governance  and  that  it  operates 
effectively in accordance with the principles 
of  the  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code.    A 
new  Corporate  Governance  Code  has 
been  published  in  2018,  which  comes  into 
effect on 1 January 2019; references to the 
Corporate Governance Code in this section 
and throughout this annual report are to the 
2016 Code, unless otherwise stated.     

Board Effectiveness
This  year  saw  us  increase  the  number  of 
formal Board meetings to ensure that we had 
sufficient time to fully discuss the additional 
matters of the equity fundraise and the sale of 
Earthoil Plantations, both important strategic 
decisions.  I  am  in  regular  contact  with  the 
executive team and the rest of the Board as 

Our  annual  Board  meeting  at  Treatt  USA 
took  place  in  March,  enabling  colleagues 
and  me  to  meet  with  the  Project  Manager 
of  the  site  expansion  at  commencement  of 
the works and to see first-hand the scale of 
the  project,  which  will  bring  much  needed 
additional capacity.  This visit also provided 
the  Board  with  an  opportunity  to  engage 
with  our  US-based  employees  and  to  chat 
to  them  about  the  business.    Similarly, 
there have been opportunities to meet with 
employees  in  the  UK,  enabling  the  Board 
to  get  a  view  of  how  well  the  strategy  has 
embedded in the business.  

There were no changes to the composition 
of the Board during the year and I have met 
with  the  Non-executive  Directors  without 
the  presence  of  the  Executives.    The 
Nomination  Committee  continues  to  review 
the  Board’s  composition  to  ensure  that  it 
maintains    appropriate  skills,  experience, 
independence  and  diversity.  The  culture  of 
the  Board  is  based  on  accountability  and 
is  open  and    collegiate  whilst  allowing  for 
constructive debate and challenge.

taken  place  with 

The  evaluation  of  the  Board  and  the 
Directors  has 
the 
assistance  of  the  Company  Secretary,  with 
all  Directors  undergoing  a  360  evaluation 
on  their  individual  performance.    Further 
information  is  provided  in  my  Nomination 
Committee Report on page 57.

Compliance with the Corporate 
Governance Code
Throughout  the  year  ended  30  September 
2018  the  Group  has  complied  with  the 
provisions  set  out  in  the  2016  Corporate 
Governance  Code  (a  copy  of  which  can 
be 
found  at  www.frc.org.uk)  except 
for  provision  D2.2,  as  explained  in  the 
Directors’  Remuneration  Report.  The 
remuneration  of  Group  senior  managers 
was determined by the Executive Directors, 
with  an  oversight  review  of  the  proposals 
by  the  Remuneration  Committee  reporting 
back  to  the  full  Board.  The  bonus  and 
LTIP  awards  of  all  senior  managers  in  the 
Group were approved by the Remuneration 
Committee.      With  effect  from  2019,  the 
salaries and benefits of all senior managers 
will  be  determined  by  the  Remuneration 
Committee,  in  accordance  with  the  2018 
Corporate Governance Code and the terms 
of reference of the Remuneration Committee 
have  been  amended  to  reflect  this  change.  
Furthermore,  the  Group  already  complies 
with a number of the new provisions of the 
2018 Code. In accordance with provision 5, 
myself  and  David  Johnston  are  designated 
as the Non-executive Directors responsible 
for  workforce  engagement  and  all  staff 
are  aware.  Additionally,  all  Directors  will 
stand for re-election at the Annual General 
Meeting in January 2019 in accordance with 
provision 18.

Tim Jones

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc53

Attendance at Meetings
The members of the Board during the year and its committees, together with their attendance, are shown below:

Board 

Audit  
Committee

Nomination 
Committee 

Remuneration 
Committee

Chairman

Number of meetings held in year

Daemmon Reeve – Chief Executive Officer

Richard Hope – Chief Financial Officer

Tim Jones – Non-executive Director and Chairman

Anita Haines – Non-executive Director

Jeff Iliffe – Non-executive Director

Richard Illek – Non-executive Director

David Johnston –  Senior Independent  

Non-executive Director

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

3

N/A

N/A

3

N/A

3

N/A

3

1

1

N/A

1

1

1

1

1

5

N/A

N/A

5

N/A

5

5

5

As permitted by the Articles of Association, Directors may participate in the minuted decisions via telephone or video communication where it 
is impractical for them to attend in person. 

Committees
The  Board  has  three  sub-committees;  the 
Nomination  Committee  chaired  by  Tim  Jones, 
the  Audit  Committee  chaired  by  Jeff  Iliffe  and 
the Remuneration Committee chaired by David 
Johnston.  Further  details  of  the  committees 
can be found on pages 56 to 75. The terms of 
reference of all the Committees can be found on 
the Treatt website at www.treatt.com.

Leadership 
Roles and Responsibilities
Details of the Directors who served during the 
year, the positions they hold, and the Committees 
of which they are members are shown on pages 
50 and 51. The Board consists of Non-executive 
Chairman,  Tim  Jones,  and  four  further  Non-
executive Directors. Daemmon Reeve is CEO.

There  is  a  clear  division  of  responsibility 
between  the  CEO,  who  is  required  to  develop 
and  lead  business  strategies  and  processes 
to  enable  the  Group’s  business  to  meet  the 
requirements  of  its  shareholders,  and  the 
Chairman  who  is  responsible  for  leadership 
of  the  Board  and  ensuring  that  appropriate 
conditions  are  created  to  enable  the  Board 
to  be  effective  in  providing  entrepreneurial 
leadership  to  the  Group.  The  key  functions  of 
the Chairman are to ensure the Board and its 
committees are effective and operate under the 
highest standards of corporate governance; to 
set the Board agenda and ensure that adequate 
time  is  allowed  for  discussion,  in  particular, 
of  strategic,  complex  or  contentious  issues  in 
anticipation of which accurate, timely and clear 
information  has  been  circulated  in  good  time; 
to  ensure  appropriate  delegation  of  authority 
from the Board to executive management and 
constructive,  open  relations  between  them; 
to  act  at  the  same  time  as  a  sounding  board, 
counsel and mentor to the CEO; to ensure that 
the  Company  maintains  a  dialogue  with  its 
principal shareholders about strategy, direction, 
Directors’  and  senior  managers’  remuneration 
and 
issues  or 
concerns; to ensuring that the performance of 
individual  Directors  and  the  whole  Board  and 

is  aware  of  shareholders 

its  committees  is  evaluated  at  least  annually 
and  that  Directors  are  continually  encouraged 
to  update  their  skills  and  the  knowledge  and 
familiarity with the Company as required to fulfil 
their role. 

The  Chairman  has  regular  contact  with  the 
Non-executive  Directors  without  the  presence 
of  the  Executive  Directors.  Concerns  relating 
to  the  executive  management  of  the  Group  or 
the  performance  of  the  other  Non-executive 
Directors  may  be  raised  with  David  Johnston, 
Independent  Director 
who 
(“SID”).  The  role  of  the  SID  is  also  to  provide 
a  sounding  board  for  the  Chairman,  to  serve 
as an intermediary for the other Directors and 
to lead the performance evaluation process for 
the Chairman.

the  Senior 

is 

the  Group 

Matters Reserved for the Board
Day-to-day  management  of 
is 
delegated to the Executive Directors. However, 
the Board has a schedule of matters reserved 
to it for decision and the requirement for Board 
approval  on  these  matters  is  communicated 
widely  throughout  the  senior  management  of 
the Group. These matters, which are reviewed 
periodically, include:

•  material capital commitments.

•  commencing or settling major litigation.

•  business acquisitions and disposals.

•  appointments to subsidiary company boards.

•  dividend policy.

•  annual and half year results.

Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
54

Corporate Governance Statement continued

The Board typically 
meets between 
seven and ten times 
each year and more 
frequently where 
business needs 
require

Effectiveness
Board Composition
The Board has been regularly refreshed since 
2011 to ensure that it has an appropriate balance 
of skills and experience with financial, technical, 
industry-specific 
business 
disciplines  being  represented.  The  structure 
of  the  Board  ensures  that  no  one  Director  is 
dominant  in  the  decision-making  process  and 
that open debate and discussion is encouraged. 
There is a suitable balance between the number 
of Executive and Non-executive Directors. 

general 

and 

The  importance  of  Board  diversity,  which  has 
been  the  subject  of  recent  debate  in  respect 
of  Board  composition, 
is  recognised  and 
supported by the Directors of Treatt. Our policy 
is to recruit the best possible candidate for each 
individual  role  having  regard  to  qualifications, 
experience  and  personality,  without  prejudice 
to a candidate’s characteristics. Further details 
on  the  Group  approach  to  diversity  are  given 
on page 45. 

The Board considers that, with the exception of 
Anita  Haines,  all  the  Non-executive  Directors 
are independent of management and free of any 
relationship which could materially interfere with 
the  exercise  of  their  independent  judgement.  
Anita Haines is not regarded as independent, as 
defined by the 2016 UK Corporate Governance 
Code,  having  recently  served  as  an  Executive 
Director.  Accordingly,  Anita  Haines  does  not 
serve  on  either  the  Audit  or  Remuneration 
Committees.  All  Non-executive  Directors 
receive a fixed fee for their services. However, 
in exceptional circumstances, where significant 
additional  time  commitment  is  required,  a 
Non-executive  Director  may,  if  approved  by 
the  Board  or  Remuneration  Committee,  be 
paid  an  additional  fee  in  accordance  with  the 
Remuneration  Policy.  The  Board  is  satisfied 
that the Chairman’s other commitments do not 
detract from the extent or the quality of the time 
which he is able to devote to the Group.

Appointments to the Board
Directors  are  provided  with  access 
to 
appropriate external training and to advice from 
the  Group’s  solicitors  in  respect  of  their  role 
and  duties  as  a  public  company  director.  All 
new Directors receive an induction to acquaint 
them  with  the  Group.  This  takes  the  form  of 
site tours, meetings with other Board members 
and  senior  management  and  the  provision 
of  an  induction  pack,  which  contains  general 

information about the Group, its structure and 
key personnel, together with copies of relevant 
policies  and  procedures,  financial  information 
and briefings on Directors’ responsibilities and 
corporate governance. 

Commitment
The  Board  typically  meets  between  seven 
and  ten  times  each  year  and  more  frequently 
where  business  needs  require;  attendance  is 
required  in  person  or  by  video  conference  at 
each  meeting.  In  addition,  regular  contact  is 
maintained by email and telephone with written 
updates provided in respect of ongoing issues, 
enabling regular input from all Board members. 
The Board recognises the importance of holding 
a meeting at Treatt USA at least annually in light 
of  the  increasing  contribution  to  Group  profits 
generated there. 

Development
The  Chairman  is  responsible  for  ensuring  that 
all  Non-executive  Directors  receive  ongoing 
training and development. During the year all of 
the  Board  became  members  of  the  Institute  of 
Directors, and registered with the IoD Academy, 
providing  a  range  of  learning  and  development 
programmes  to  expand  and  update  directors’ 
knowledge  and  skills.  Directors  are  able  to 
access appropriate CPD content from a variety 
of sources in addition to attendance at seminars 
and  workshops.  Our  Directors  understand  the 
need  to  keep  themselves  properly  briefed  and 
informed about current issues. Regular updates 
on  regulatory  and  legislative  developments  are 
provided to the Board by the Company Secretary.

Information and Support
To enable the Board to function effectively and 
Directors  to  discharge  their  responsibilities, 
full  and  timely  access  is  given  to  all  relevant 
information.  In  the  case  of  Board  meetings, 
this consists of a comprehensive set of papers, 
including  regular  business  progress  reports 
and  discussion  documents  regarding  specific 
matters.  Board  meetings  are  of  sufficient 
duration  to  enable  debate  and  discussion, 
ensuring adequate analysis of issues during the 
decision-making  process.  Further  opportunity 
for  more  informal  and  extended  discussion 
is  provided  at  lunches  which  take  place  after 
every  Board  meeting  and  also  provide  the 
Board with an opportunity to meet members of 
staff, who are invited to attend.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc55

During the year 
all of the Board 
became members 
of the Institute 
of Directors, and 
registered with the 
IoD Academy

If  necessary,  there  is  an  agreed  procedure 
for  Directors  to  take  independent  professional 
advice at the Group’s expense. This is in addition 
to the access which every Director has to the 
Company Secretary. The Secretary is charged 
by  the  Chairman  with  ensuring  that  Board 
procedures  are  followed  and  that  there  are 
good information flows within the Board and its 
committees  and  between  senior  management 
and Non-executive Directors.

Evaluation
The  Board,  committees  and  the  Directors 
individually  have  been  evaluated  during  the 
year,  full  details  of  which  can  be  found  in  the 
report of the Nomination Committee on page 57.

Re-election
Any  Director  appointed  during  the  year  is 
required,  under  the  provisions  of  the  Articles 
of  Association,  to  retire  and  seek  election 
by  shareholders  at  the  next  Annual  General 
Meeting. The Articles also require that one third 
of the Directors retire by rotation each year and 
seek re-election at the Annual General Meeting 
provided  always  that  all  Directors  must  be 
subject  to  re-election  at  intervals  of  no  more 
than  three  years.  Any  Non-executive  Director 
having been in post for nine years or more is 
subject  to  annual  re-election.  The  Directors 
required  to  retire  are  those  in  office  longest 
since  their  previous  re-election,  however  in 
anticipation of the 2018 Corporate Governance 
Code, all Directors will offer themselves for re-
election at the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

This  report  was  approved  by  the  Board  on  
26 November 2018.

Anita Steer
Secretary

Governance56

Nomination Committee
Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee is responsible for the 
annual evaluation of the Board, its committees and 
its Directors

Tim Jones
Chairman Nomination Committee

MEMBERS

Tim Jones

Chairman 

Daemmon Reeve

Chief Executive Officer

Anita Haines

Non-executive Director

Jeff Iliffe

Non-executive Director

Richard Illek

Non-executive Director

David Johnston

Non-executive Director

MEETINGS THIS YEAR

ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2018

COMMITTEE EXPERIENCE

•  review of the results of the 

Board evaluation process and 
consideration of training needs;

•  review of the performance of 

the Directors; and

•  continuation of structured 

succession plans. 

1

Attendance

100%

 Management  6 
2
 Industry 
1
 Finance 
1
 HR 
1
 Operations 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plcMeetings
The  Nomination  Committee  has  met  once 
during  the  course  of  the  year.  The  committee 
has worked extensively on succession planning 
since 2016 and will be selecting candidates to 
succeed  Anita  Haines  who,  sadly,  retires  with 
effect from the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

Role and Responsibilities
The  main  responsibilities  of  the  Nomination 
Committee are:

•  to  review  regularly  the  structure,  size  and 
composition (including the skills, knowledge, 
experience  and  diversity)  of  the  Board  and 
its  committees  and  make  recommendations 
to the Board with regard to any changes that 
are deemed necessary;

•  to  identify  and  nominate  candidates  for 
the  approval  of  the  Board  to  fill  Board  and 
committee vacancies as and when they arise;

•  succession  planning 

for  Directors, 

in 
the  Executive  Directors  and 
particular 
senior  management,  taking  into  account 
the  challenges  and  opportunities  facing  the 
Group and the skills and expertise needed on 
the Board for the future; and

•  review 

the  results  of 

the  Board  and 
committee  performance  evaluation  process 
that  relate  to  the  composition  of  the  Board 
and  committees  and  to  assess  whether 
the  Non-executive  Directors  are  dedicating 
sufficient time to fulfilment of their duties.

Activities since the last report
•  analysis of the results of the Board evaluation 
process and consideration of training needs 
and action points;

•  receive  a  report  from  the  Chairman  on  the 

individual evaluation of the Directors; 

•  review of the performance of the committee; 

•  review  of  the  terms  of  reference  of  the 

committee; and

•  update on CEO and CFO succession plans.

57

Appointments to the Board 
Appointments  to  the  Board  of  both  Executive 
and  Non-executive  Directors  are  considered 
by  the  Nomination  Committee,  which  consults 
with  Executive  Directors  and  ensures  that  a 
wide range of candidates are considered.  The 
committee, using the skills matrix of the Board, 
considers the skills mix to identify potential gaps 
or areas where increased strength is required.  
The  skills  matrix  requires  Board  members  to 
rate the strength of their experience in sixteen 
skills  across  areas  such  as  strategy,  finance, 
risk management, stakeholder engagement and 
corporate  governance  and  ethics.    The  skills 
matrix  is  reviewed  annually  by  each  Director 
and the Chairman.

In  accordance  with  Treatt’s  Board  Diversity 
Policy,  and  having  recognised  the  benefit  of 
having  an  appropriate  level  of  diversity  on 
the  Board  to  support  the  achievement  of 
its  strategic  objectives,  the  committee  also 
considers the benefits of all aspects of diversity, 
race,  disability,  gender,  sexual 
including 
orientation,  religion,  belief,  age  and  culture.  
When appointing Non-executive Directors, their 
independence is a key consideration.

When a vacancy on the Board exists or where 
additional  skills  are  required  an  appropriate 
independent  search  and  selection  agency 
will  be  engaged  to  assist  in  the  search  for 
suitable candidates. Members of the committee 
will  be  involved  in  the  interview  process 
and  the  recommendations  of  the  committee 
are  ultimately  made  to  the  full  Board  which 
considers  them  before  any  appointment  is 
made.    The  committee  has  not  previously 
involved shareholders or other stakeholders in 
the appointment process.

Board and Committee Evaluation
The  Nomination  Committee 
is  responsible 
for  the  annual  evaluation  of  the  Board,  its 
committees and its Directors.  During the year 
an  evaluation  of  the  Board,  its  committees 
and  each  individual  Director  was  carried  out 
internally,  with  the  assistance  of  the  Company 
Secretary.    The  Board    will  undertake  an 
external  evaluation  during  the  2019  financial 
year.    The  Board  and  committee  reviews 
are  conducted  under  the  supervision  of  the 

appropriate  Chairman.  In  2017  the  Company 
invested in Evalu8, an online tool which allows 
boards,  committees  and  directors  of  quoted 
companies to perform formal and rigorous self-
assessment in a productive and secure manner.  
It  enables  the  evaluation  process  through  a 
range of comprehensive questionnaires, which 
can be tailored to meet a board or committee’s 
needs, and provides an analysis of responses. 

that 

The  Board  evaluation  process  used  a  tailored 
questionnaire 
reviewed  effectiveness 
through  selected  questions  focusing  on  the 
principles  of  corporate  governance,  and 
results  compared  against  the  prior  year’s 
evaluation.  The results were discussed by the 
Nomination  Committee  and  recommendations 
for  continuous  improvement  made  to  the 
Board.  In  addition,  the  skills  matrix  of  each 
of  the  Directors  was  reviewed  and  the  skills 
and  experience  mix  discussed  in  relation  to 
performance of the Board.  

The  performance  of  individual  Directors  was 
evaluated  by  the  Chairman.    The  Chairman 
was  evaluated  by  the  Senior  Independent 
Director,  having  sought  input  from  the  other 
Non-executive Directors. The process involved 
completion  of  a  self-assessment  and  a  360 
evaluation  by  other  Board  members  and  the 
Company Secretary.  In addition, the CEO and 
CFO were each evaluated in an anonymous 360 
evaluation completed by the senior management 
teams  in  the  UK  and  US.    The  results  of  the 
evaluations formed the basis of the discussions 
with  the  Chairman  and  in  the  identification  of 
objectives for the coming year.

Having  used  Evalu8  questionnaires  last  year, 
the performance evaluation of each committee 
was led by the Chairman of the committee. The 
results of the evaluation process demonstrated 
that  the  performance  of  the  Directors,  the 
Board  and  the  committees  is  effective  overall, 
but  action  points  have  been  agreed  to  further 
improve performance.  

Tim Jones
Chairman
Nomination Committee

Governance 
 
58

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is an essential part of 
Treatt’s governance framework which oversees 
accounting and financial reporting processes

Jeff Iliffe
Chairman Audit Committee

; 

MEMBERS

Jeff Iliffe

Non-executive Director

Tim Jones

Chairman 

David Johnston

Non-executive Director

MEETINGS THIS YEAR

ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2018

COMMITTEE EXPERIENCE

•  review the content of the annual 
report and advise on whether, 
taken as a whole, it is fair, 
balanced and understandable; 

•  oversee the relationship 

with the external auditor and 
monitor their independence and 
objectivity.

3

Attendance

100%

 Management  3
1
 Industry 
1
 Finance 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc59

the  year 

the  committee  and 

Financial Reporting
During 
the 
Board  monitor  the  integrity  of  any  formal 
announcements relating to the Group’s financial 
performance.  Reports  are  requested  from 
management  on  particular  matters,  especially 
where  a  significant  element  of  judgement  is 
required.  Additionally,  the  Chairman  of  the 
committee  has  regular  contact  with  the  audit 
partner  and  the  committee  meets  with  the 
audit  partner  without  the  presence  of  the  
Executive Directors.

In  respect  of  the  annual  report,  the  Chairman 
of  the  committee  reviews  early  drafts  to  keep 
appraised  of  its  key  themes  and  to  raise  any 
issues  early  in  the  process.  The  2018  annual 
report  was  reviewed  at  a  Committee  meeting 
in  November  2018;  after  due  challenge  and 
debate  the  committee  was  content  with  the 
appropriateness  of  the  accounting  policies 
adopted,  and  that  the  key  judgements  applied, 
which  where  possible  are  supported  by 
external advice or other corroborative evidence, 
are  reasonable  and  therefore  agreed  with 
management recommendations.

to 

judgement  and 

Having discussed the key judgements and risk 
areas  monitored  by  the  auditors,  the  Board 
concluded that, as in prior years, the half year 
results  would  not  be  subject  to  an  external 
audit or a formal audit review. In reaching that 
conclusion,  regard  was  given  to  the  matters 
subject 
the  processes 
established for addressing and supporting these, 
the  output  of  the  enhanced  work  undertaken 
on  risk  identification  and  management,  the 
consistent application of accounting policies, and 
the practice of similarly-sized listed companies. 
The  review  by  the  Board  prior  to  approval  of 
the  half  year  report  included  the  receipt  of  a 
report  from  management  on  the  key  areas  of 
judgement  made  for  the  half  year  results  and 
how the outputs were arrived at. 

ACCOUNTABILITY
Membership and Meetings
Each  of  the  members  of  the  Audit  Committee 
is  deemed  to  be  independent.  Jeff  Iliffe  joined 
the  committee  as  Chairman  in  February  2013 
and is deemed by the Board to have significant, 
recent and relevant financial experience. He is 
a  Chartered  Accountant  with  over  20  years’ 
experience in the financing and management of 
companies,  both  in  the  City  of  London  and  in 
industry. The other members of the committee 
have  financial  and  commercial  expertise,  with 
David  Johnston  having  significant  industry 
knowledge and experience.

The committee met three times during the year. 
The auditor attended two of these meetings other 
than when their appointment or performance was 
being reviewed. The CEO, CFO and other senior 
finance staff were invited to attend as appropriate. 
The  committee  has  discussions  at  least  once  a 
year with the auditor without management being 
present.  Furthermore,  the  committee  Chairman 
meets  informally  with,  and  has  access  to,  the 
CFO  to  discuss  matters  considered  relevant  to 
the  committee’s  duties  and  maintains  a  regular 
dialogue with the audit partner.

Role and Responsibilities
The main responsibilities of the Audit Committee 
during the year were:

•  to monitor the integrity of the annual report 
of  the  Group  and  to  review  and  report  to 
the  Board  on  significant  financial  reporting 
issues  and  judgements  which  it  contains, 
having regard to matters communicated to it 
by the auditor;

•  to  review  the  content  of  the  annual  report 
and advise the Board on whether, taken as a 
whole, it is fair, balanced and understandable, 
and  provides  the  information  necessary 
for  shareholders  to  assess  the  Group’s 
performance, business model and strategy;

the  effectiveness  of 

•  to  oversee  the  relationship  with  the  auditor 
and  assess 
the 
external  audit  process,  including  making 
recommendations  to  the  Board  on  their 
appointment,  remuneration  and  terms  of 
engagement.  The  committee  also  monitors 
their independence and objectivity;

•  to make recommendations to the Board on the 
requirement for an internal audit function; and

•  to  ensure  that  procedures  are  in  place 
whereby staff of the Group may, in confidence, 
raise  concerns  about  possible  improprieties 
in  matters  of  financial  reporting  or  other 
matters. The committee has arrangements in 
place for the proportionate and independent 
investigation  of  such  matters  and 
for 
appropriate follow-up action.

Activities since the last report
•  meeting with the audit partner to agree the 

audit plan and identification of risk;

•  reviewing the auditor’s findings, management’s 

response and ensuring robust challenge;

•  reviewing  the  auditor’s  performance  and 
the audit process to ensure that they remain 
objective and independent, and to assess the 
effectiveness of the audit; 

•  approval of the fees paid to the auditors for 

audit and non-audit work;

•  review  of  and  report  to  the  Board  on  the 
Group’s annual report for 2018 to ensure that, 
taken  as  a  whole,  it  was  fair,  balanced  and 
understandable.  This  included  consideration 
of a report from the auditor on their audit and 
review of the financial statements, significant 
financial  reporting  issues  and  judgements 
contained  therein,  and  discussions  with 
management;

•  giving  consideration  to  any  whistleblowing 
reports  (of  which  there  were  none  during 
the year); 

•  reviewing  the  potential  requirement  for  an 
internal  audit  function.  Given  the  size  and 
structure  of  the  Group,  and  the  level  of 
control exercised by the management team, 
the  establishment  of  a  formal  internal  audit 
function was not considered to be necessary 
at present. As the Group develops, the need 
for such a function will be kept under review; 

•  consideration  of  the  process  for  auditor 

rotation and the audit tender process;

•  reviewing  the  operation  of  the  policy  on 
the  provision  of  non-audit  services  by  the 
external auditor;

•  reviewing  the  performance  of  the  Audit 

Committee; and

•  reviewing  the  terms  of  reference  of  the  

Audit Committee.

Governance60

Audit Committee continued

the  matters  considered  by 

Significant Judgements and Issues
Amongst 
the 
committee  were  the  key  accounting  issues, 
matters and judgement in relation to the Group’s 
2018  annual  report  and  financial  statements 
relating to:

•  the  sale  of  Earthoil  Plantations  Limited  in 
order to ensure that the gain on disposal is 
calculated accurately and in accordance with 
the disclosure requirements of IFRS 5 ‘Non-
current assets held for sale and discontinued 
operations’.  Discussions  took  place  with 
the  auditors  to  ensure  that  they  critically 
reviewed the disclosure on this point;

•  the level of materiality to which the auditors 
work.    In  order  to  remain  consistent  with 
previous years, the committee requested that 
the  auditors  reduce  the  level  of  materiality, 
determined  by  the  standard  method  for 
calculating  materiality, 
to  a  substantially 
lower  level  to  provide  the  committee  with 
additional comfort;

•  the level of provisions against obsolete, slow 
moving  and  defective  inventory,  and  for 
onerous customer contracts which are likely 
to result in a loss to the Group.  This involved 
discussions with management on the detailed 
exercises undertaken to identify the relevant 
provision  levels,  and  with  the  auditors  on 
their  findings  following  their  review  of  the 
work  done  and  the  controls  in  place  over 
these processes; and

•  the  assumptions  used 

to  calculate 

the 
Group’s  pension  liability  in  accordance  with 
IAS 19 arising from the final salary pension 
scheme.  This  included  confirming  that  they 
are in accordance with advice received from 
the scheme actuaries, Barnett Waddingham, 
and 
these  assumptions  had  been 
critically reviewed by the auditors.

that 

Fair, Balanced and Understandable
In assessing whether the annual report, 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 committee ensures that:

•  an  experienced  team  is  responsible  for 
co-ordination of content, which is subject to a 
detailed cross functional review;

•  senior management confirm that the content 
in  respect  of  their  areas  of  responsibility 
is  considered  to  be  fair,  balanced  and 
understandable; and

•  the  committee  receives  an  early  draft  of 
the  annual  report  to  enable  timely  review  
and comment.

These processes allowed the Audit Committee 
to provide an assurance to the Board to assist 
them  in  making  the  statement  required  by  the 
2016 UK Corporate Governance Code.

The  Committee  also  reviewed  compliance 
with the disclosure requirements on Directors’ 
remuneration and the Strategic Report. 

Risk Management and Internal 
Controls
The  committee  continues  to  consider  the 
requirements  of 
the  2016  UK  Corporate 
Governance  Code  (“the  Code”)  and  the  FRC 
Guidance  on  Audit  Committees.  Following 
a  review  in  2015,  the  Board  has  once  again 
reviewed  delegation  of  risk  and 
internal 
controls to the committee and decided that due 
to the size of the Group, risk management and 
internal  controls  should  remain  with  the  full 
Board, rather than being delegated to the Audit 
Committee.  Consistent  with  this  approach,  the 
Board  also  retains  responsibility  for  reviewing 
the  assumptions  underlying  both  the  going 
concern  and  longer-term  viability  statements 
made  in  the  annual  report  as  detailed  on 
page  77.  As  the  Group  continues  to  grow,  the 
delegation  of  these  matters  will  remain  under 
review. The principal risks and uncertainties are 
set out on pages 26 to 31.

External Auditor Assessment
The committee has oversight of the relationship 
with the external auditor and is responsible for 
monitoring  their  independence,  objectivity  and 
compliance  with  professional  and  regulatory 
requirements.  The  committee  undertakes 
an  annual  assessment  of  the  effectiveness 
of  the  external  auditor  to  facilitate  continued 
improvement in the external audit process. This 
assessment considers:

•  the  delivery  of  an  efficient,  robust  audit 
in  compliance  with  the  agreed  plan  and 
timescale;

•  the  provision  of  perceptive  advice  on  key 
areas of judgement, and technical issues; 

•  the  demonstration  of  a  high 

level  of 

professionalism and technical expertise; 

•  continuity within the audit team; and

•  adherence  to  independence  policies  and 

other regulatory requirements.

During  the  year  the  committee  has  monitored 
and  discussed  RSM’s  performance  and  were 
satisfied that the above requirements had been 
met  and  that  they  demonstrated  continued 
commitment to perform high-quality work.

External Auditor Independence and 
Consideration of a Tendering Process 
RSM has, in one form or another through various 
changes of name and consolidation with other 
audit firms, been Treatt’s auditor for 31 years. 
There  has  of  course  been  a  succession  of 
different personnel involved with Treatt through 
these  years,  although  a  small  number  of  RSM 
employees,  who  are  no  longer  involved  in  the 
provision of audit services, have been with the 
firm for a significant period during this time and 
continue to be employed by RSM. 

The continued engagement of RSM is compliant 
with  legislative  and  governance  requirements 
and  in  accordance  with  the  requirement  to 
rotate the audit partner every five years, a new 
audit partner, who had no previous connection 
with Treatt, was appointed in 2017. The Board 
and the external auditor have arrangements to 
safeguard the independence and objectivity of 
the external auditor, which were reviewed and 
deemed satisfactory. 

Treatt’s  Audit  Committee  undertakes  an 
annual  assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of 
RSM’s  performance 
to  facilitate  continued 
improvement  in  the  external  audit  process. 
Following its 2018 review of their performance 
and relationship with Treatt, the committee was 
satisfied that RSM continues to deliver a robust 
audit and remains independent of Treatt. 

In  2017 
the  committee  considered  The 
Statutory Auditors and Third Country Auditors 
Regulations  2016  which  will  result  in  the 
mandatory  rotation  of  the  auditors  by  2020, 
and  whether  an  audit  tender  process  should 
be  undertaken  prior  to  2020.  Subject  to  the 
annual  review  of  RSM’s  performance  and  the 
Audit  Committee  remaining  happy  with  their 
continued independence, and having consulted 
with  major  shareholders  on  this  point  during 
2017,  it  is  not  currently  planned  to  rotate 
auditors or tender the audit until 2020. 

The  committee  has  therefore  recommended 
to  the  Board  that  RSM  UK  Audit  LLP  be 
reappointed in 2019. 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc61

Whistleblowing
The  committee  is  satisfied  that  appropriate 
arrangements  are  in  place  so  that  employees 
of the Group may, in confidence, raise concerns 
about  possible  improprieties  in  matters  of 
financial reporting or other matters.  During the 
year the Board undertook a biennial review of 
the Whistleblowing Policy, which provides staff 
with a direct means of contacting the Chairman 
of the Board, the Audit Committee Chairman or 
the Senior Independent Director.

Effectiveness of the Committee
The  effectiveness  of 
the  committee  was 
considered  as  part  of  the  Board  evaluation 
detailed on page 57 and reviewed as part of the 
committee’s  own  processes.  The  committee 
received  positive  feedback  on  the  way  it 
challenges the business and was seen as open, 
transparent and effective.

Jeff Iliffe
Chairman
Audit Committee

The level of non-audit fees and their effect on 
the  auditor’s  independence  or  objectivity  is 
also  considered  on  a  regular  basis.  The  split 
between audit and non-audit fees for the year 
under review appears in note 5. Following the 
publication of the FRC Revised Ethical Standard 
2016, RSM no longer provides tax compliance 
and  other  tax  services  to  the  Group.  The 
committee  has  a  policy  for  the  provision  of 
non-audit  services  to  ensure  that  objectivity 
and  independence  are  not  compromised  and 
that it is in line with the Standard. Under the 
policy, all non-audit services to be contracted 
with  the  external  auditor  will  require  the 
approval of the committee. When considering 
the  use  of  the  auditor  to  undertake  such 
assignments, consideration will be given at all 
times  to  the  provisions  of  the  FRC  Guidance 
on  Audit  Committees  with  regard  to  the 
preservation of independence.

RELATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS

The Group places a great deal of importance on communication with its shareholders and recognises the important role that shareholders play in 
safeguarding the Company’s governance. The Board receives updates on the views of our shareholders expressed during our interactions with 
them and from our brokers.

In the event that shareholders have any concerns, which they do not wish to address through the CEO or CFO, the Chairman or Senior Independent 
Director are available to address them. Both make themselves available, when requested, for meetings with shareholders on issues relating to the 
Company’s governance and strategy.

Interaction with shareholders may take place through:

Results Presentations

Shareholder Meetings

Annual General Meeting

Consultation

We  hold  three  days  of  analyst 
and 
investor  meetings 
and 
presentations 
the 
following 
release of our annual and half-year 
results in which we aim to see as 
many  institutional  shareholders 
as  possible,  providing  them  with 
an  opportunity  to  ask  questions 
about  the  Company.    We  make 
these  presentations  available  on 
our website for all shareholders.

and 

existing 

During  the  year,  conference  calls 
and  meetings  at  the  Company’s 
took  place 
registered  office 
with 
potential 
shareholders.  These  meetings 
the 
were  attended  by  either 
CEO  or  the  CFO  or  both.  The 
meetings  provide  an  overview 
of  our  business  and  the  industry 
in  which  we  operate  and  focus 
on  the  implementation  of  our 
strategy.  Directors  meet  with 
shareholders  both  before  and 
after annual general meetings.

In recent years we have consulted 
with  our  major  shareholders  in 
relation  to  Director  remuneration 
and auditor rotation.  Consultation 
provides  us  with  an  opportunity 
to gauge shareholder opinion and 
respond to any concerns raised.

In  a  change  to  recent  years  the 
2018  Annual  General  Meeting 
was held off site due to increasing 
attendance.  However,  the  2019 
Annual  General  Meeting  will 
return to our registered office on 
Friday  25  January  at  10.30am.  
The Annual General Meeting gives 
the  opportunity 
shareholders 
to  hear  about 
the  general 
development of the business and 
to ask questions to the Board.

Governance62

Directors’ Remuneration Report

The policy is to ensure that remuneration 
structures are transparent and proportionate

David Johnston
Chairman Remuneration Committee

MEMBERS

MEETINGS THIS YEAR

ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2018

COMMITTEE EXPERIENCE

David Johnston

Non-executive Director

Tim Jones

Chairman 

Jeff Iliffe

Non-executive Director

Richard Illek

Non-executive Director

5

Attendance

100%

•  review of the remuneration 

policy;

•  review of and the remuneration 
arrangements for the Executive 
Directors and Chairman; and

•  review of  the rules of the 2019 

Treatt LTIP.

 Management  4
1
 Industry 
1
 Finance 
1
 Operations 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc63

Annual Statement of Remuneration

As Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, 
I am pleased to present our report on Directors’ 
remuneration for 2018. 

Remuneration
2018 Directors’ Remuneration Policy

At the Annual General Meeting last year we proposed a new Remuneration 
Policy,  which  is  detailed  on  pages  65  to  69,  and  this  received  strong 
shareholder approval, with 99.83% of votes cast in favour.   We engaged 
with  shareholders  prior  to  the  publication  of  the  policy  and  we  do  not 
propose any changes at the 2019 Annual General Meeting; the policy will 
apply for a period of three years from the date of approval, subject to any 
changes being made in the intervening period.  The Implementation Report, 
which details the remuneration paid to the Directors during the financial 
year under review, will be put to an advisory vote at the Annual General 
Meeting on 25 January 2019.

Performance outcome for 2018 
As detailed elsewhere in this report, the Group continued to perform well 
in  2018,  with    growth  in  revenue  and  adjusted  pre-tax  profit    in  excess 
of  the  average  growth  rate  within  our  industry,  which  historically  rarely 
exceeds 2.5%. In addition, the Group successfully sold Earthoil Plantations 
Limited, a non-core part of the business. In accordance with the rules of 
the Executive Directors’ Annual Bonus Scheme, the committee concluded 
that performance in the year justified a bonus payment of 92.5% of salary 
for the Executive Directors. Additionally, the grant of LTIPs made to the 
Executive Directors in 2015 will vest in full in December 2018, following 
achievement of the EPS growth performance target over the three year 
performance period (average annual growth of 10% or more over three 
financial years for full vesting). These awards are subject to a further one-
year holding period following vesting, save that a proportion of the shares 
will be permitted to be sold in order to satisfy any tax liability arising upon 
exercise.  LTIP  awards  granted  from  2017  will  be  subject  to  a  two  year 
holding period. 

Looking ahead to 2019
For financial year 2019, no changes on remuneration for our Directors are 
proposed other than where we have previously informed shareholders 
of prospective actions.

In last year’s Annual Statement, I set out in detail our proposal to increase 
our  Executive  Directors’  salaries  on  a  phased  basis  over  a  two-year 
period, and the related rationale for this change.  The second phase of 
this increase was dependent upon continued strong performance by our 
Group and by the individual Directors. Having reviewed performance in 
the 2018 financial year, the committee concluded that it was appropriate 
to  confirm  the  second  phase  of  the  proposed  increases.    Accordingly, 
for financial year 2019, our Executive Directors’ salaries are as follows:

•  Daemmon Reeve – £330,000 (FY2018: £305,000)

•  Richard Hope – £220,000 (FY2018: £202,000)

We  are  grateful  for  the  support  given  by  our  shareholders  for  this 
proposal at our 2018 Annual General Meeting.

The only other action which we have taken on pay levels in 2018 relates 
to the Chairman’s fees. In last year’s Directors’ remuneration report we 
indicated that a further review of the Chairman’s fees would be carried 
out.  Having  considered  the  Group’s  sustained  performance  and  the 
increased complexity of the  role which our Chairman continues to play 
in leading and guiding our Board, the Remuneration Committee felt that 
it was appropriate to move the Chairman’s fee to £100,000 p.a. for the 
2019 financial year  (2018: £80,000).  

We believe that this fee level is fair and approaches the lower end of the 
“market rate” for a FTSE SmallCap Company Chairman (i.e. it is below 
the  £120,000  lower  quartile  fee  level  for  Chairmen  of  FTSE  SmallCap 
companies).   Treatt has continued to perform well in 2018 with our TSR 
performance remaining above that of the FTSE SmallCap over the 2017 
and 2018 financial years, as shown in the table on page 72.

At the 2019 Annual General Meeting shareholders will be asked to approve 
the rules of the Treatt LTIP for a further period of five years.  The rules 
are largely unchanged from the current LTIP, with only minor amendments 
made to take account of changes in executive remuneration since 2014, 
when the last rules were approved by shareholders. Potential award levels 
are not increased. A summary of the 2019 rules can be found in the notice 
of Annual General Meeting.  

Governance64

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Annual Statement of Remuneration continued

In Conclusion
Even though there was strong support for the Remuneration Policy at 
the 2018 Annual General Meeting, the committee will continue to review 
the Remuneration Policy annually to ensure that it continues to deliver 
value  for  the  business  and  rewards  management  appropriately  within 
the context of remuneration best practice, and in the 2019 financial year 
we will be further considering the remuneration aspects of the new UK 
Corporate Governance Code.  We believe the policy continues to be fit 
for  purpose  and,  as  stated  above,  it  will  therefore  remain  unchanged  
this year.

We  are  happy  to  receive  feedback  from  shareholders  at  any  time  in 
relation to our remuneration policies and hope to receive your support 
for the resolutions referred to above at the forthcoming Annual General 
Meeting. I will be available at the Annual General Meeting to answer any 
questions you may have.

David Johnston
Chairman 
Remuneration Committee

Note

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 (“the Act”) and Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) 
Regulations 2008 (the “Regulations”), as amended. The report also meets the relevant requirements of the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and describes how the Board 
has applied the principles of the 2016 UK Corporate Governance Code relating to Directors’ remuneration. In accordance with the Act, the Remuneration Report is divided into three 
sections, the Annual Statement, a Remuneration Policy Report, which sets out our Directors’ remuneration policy and an Implementation Report, which details the remuneration paid to 
the Directors during the financial year under review. 

Activities since the last report
•  approval of the 2018 Directors’ Remuneration Report; 

•  agreement of the bonuses payable for the 2018 financial year;

•  grant of options to Directors under the Treatt LTIP and the setting of 

performance conditions;

•  grant  of  options  to  senior  management  and  key  employees  and  the 

setting of performance conditions;

•  review of the remuneration policy and the remuneration arrangements 

for the Executive Directors and Chairman; 

•  discussing the new remuneration requirements of the 2018 Corporate 
Governance  Code  and  The  Companies  (Miscellaneous  Reporting) 
Regulations 2018;

•  reviewing Executive Directors shareholdings against the requirements 

of the Share Retention Policy; 

•  discussing  potential  non-financial  performance  targets  for  future 

awards under the LTIP and bonus; 

•  reviewing the terms of reference of the Remuneration Committee; and

•  reviewing the performance of the Remuneration Committee.

•  reviewing salary levels for the Executive Directors and Chairman and 
agreement of salary and fee increases for the 2019 financial year; 

External Advisors

•  oversight review of the salary increases of Group senior managers 

for the 2019 financial year;

•  reviewing  the  rules  of  the  2019  Treatt  LTIP  and  recommendation  to 

the Board;

•  consideration  of  the  award  of  free  and  matching  shares  to  UK 
employees  under  the  Share  Incentive  Plan  and  equivalent  awards 
of  restricted  stock  units  to  US  employees  under  the  Long-Term 
Incentive Plan; 

•  reviewing  the  quality  of  the  advice  received  from  FIT  Remuneration 

Consultants and whether it was objective and independent; 

During the year, the committee continued to engage the services of FIT 
Remuneration Consultants LLP, which were appointed in the latter stages 
of 2017, following a selection process undertaken by the Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee.   FIT Remuneration Consultants are a founder 
member of the Remuneration Consultants’ Group and adhere to its Code 
of Conduct and do not provide any other services to Treatt.  Fees totalling 
£31,800 have been paid for their services during the year for the provision 
of advice to the Committee on various aspect of remuneration within the 
FTSE SmallCap sector.  The committee has reviewed the quality of the 
advice  provided  and  whether  it  properly  addressed  the  issues  under 
consideration and is satisfied that the advice received during the year was 
objective and independent.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc65

Policy Section

Remuneration Policy Report: Provided for Information

As Approved at the 2018 Annual General Meeting and not Subject to Further Approval at the Annual General Meeting 
in 2019
The committee’s policy is to ensure that remuneration structures are simple, transparent and proportional to the size and complexity of the business 
whilst ensuring that Executive Directors are fairly rewarded for the role they undertake. The main principles of the remuneration policy are:

•  salaries should be competitive but not excessive when compared to similar sized companies;

•  remuneration packages should align the interests of Directors with shareholders by using stretching performance metrics that provide a strong 

link to the creation of shareholder value;

•  there should be appropriate balance between fixed and performance-related pay to ensure delivery of results over the short, medium and longer-term;

•  performance metrics should not encourage a culture of excessive risk taking;

•  Directors should invest in and retain shares in Treatt; and

•  salaries should be reasonable compared with those offered to others of the senior management team and the wider workforce.

The  committee  reviews  its  policy  annually  to  determine  whether  it  remains  effective,  is  aligned  to  the  Group  strategy  and  that  it  promotes  the 
long-term success of the Group. Emphasis will continue to be placed on longer-term share-based incentives to more closely align the interests of 
Directors with shareholders and provide stretching longer-term targets to encourage strong performance.

The current intention is that the framework of this remuneration policy will apply for three years from the date of the 2018 Annual General Meeting. 

Executive Directors’ remuneration

The table sets out a summary of each element of the Executive Directors’ remuneration, how it operates, the maximum opportunity available, and 
applicable performance metrics: 

Element: Base Salary

Purpose and link to strategy

Help recruit and retain high-calibre Executive Directors

To provide a competitive salary relative to the size of the Group

Reflects individual experience and the role

Operation

Reviewed annually by the committee with changes taking effect from 1 October unless a change in 
responsibility requires an interim review

Influenced by complexity of the role, personal performance and by the increase in salaries  
of other Group employees 

Benchmarked against companies of similar size and complexity at appropriate intervals

Maximum Opportunity

Any basic salary increases are applied in line with the outcome of annual reviews

Annual increases should not normally exceed the average salary increase of employees within the 
Group. Exceptions can be made when a review is required by a change in role or responsibility, or 
where there is a significant change in the role and/or size, value or complexity of the Group which has 
resulted in material market misalignment

Performance Metrics

Not applicable

Element: Benefits

Purpose and link to strategy

Help recruit and retain high-calibre Executive Directors

Operation

Entitlement to the following benefits on the same terms as employees in the country in which the 
Director is resident:

Private Healthcare – except that Daemmon Reeve also receives Family Cover; Life Assurance; Permanent 
Health Insurance; Car Allowance; All-employee share schemes

Life Assurance for UK tax resident Directors will be provided by means of a Lifetime Plus Policy

Any new benefits introduced to staff generally shall be provided to Directors on equal or comparable terms

Maximum Opportunity

Except as otherwise stated these are on the same terms as the benefits received by other employees in 
the country in which the Director is resident

Performance Metrics

Not applicable

Governance66

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Element: Pension

Purpose and link to strategy

Help recruit and retain high-calibre Executive Directors and to provide a competitive package 

Operation

Maximum Opportunity

Entitlement to receive employer contributions into a defined contribution pension scheme on the same 
terms as employees in the country in which the Director is resident

UK employees 9% base salary contribution or 15% where previously a member of the defined benefit 
pension scheme (no personal contribution required in either case)

Performance Metrics

Not applicable

Element: Annual Bonus (See Notes)

Purpose and link to strategy

Provides an element of at risk pay, which incentivises the achievement of good annual financial results 

Aligns Directors’ interests with shareholders 

Operation

The rules of the Executive Directors’ Bonus Scheme and the performance targets are reviewed annually

Maximum Opportunity

Performance Metrics

Annual bonuses are calculated by reference to the achievement of performance targets for the financial 
year and each Director is entitled to a percentage of salary based upon this calculation, subject to the 
maximum opportunity

Bonuses are subject to determination by the committee in accordance with scheme rules after year end 
and are paid in cash in December 

100% of salary per annum

Bonuses are based on the growth in adjusted Group profit before tax compared to the prior financial 
year, which aligns with all employee bonus schemes across the Group

Bonus payments are based against financial performance on a sliding scale. No bonus is payable unless 
a minimum level of financial performance is achieved

Different performance measures and/or weightings may be used for the annual bonus in future years 
to help drive the strategy of the business during the period of this policy, although the Remuneration 
Committee would expect to consult with leading shareholders before making material changes to the 
current performance measures applied

The committee has discretion to reduce bonuses where circumstances have created a sufficiently 
significant impact on the reputation of the Group to justify, in the view of the committee, the operation of 
this discretion

Element: Long Term Incentive Plan 
(See Notes)

Purpose and link to strategy

Incentivises Directors to achieve returns for shareholders over a longer time frame

Operation

Maximum Opportunity

Performance Metrics

Aligns Directors’ interests with shareholders 

The committee will consider awards of shares under the LTIP annually and will review the quantum of 
awards to ensure that they are in line with market rates

Awards will be made at nil cost, with vesting dependent on the achievement of performance conditions 
over a period determined by the committee, which shall be a minimum of three years

Awards will be subject to a two-year holding period following vesting, net of any tax liability arising on 
either vesting or exercise

The committee may also exercise the specific discretions contained within the rules of the scheme, as 
approved by shareholders

100% of salary per annum based on market value of shares at date of grant

The vesting of the awards will normally be based on growth in adjusted basic EPS exceeding a minimum 
level during the period from date of grant to date of vesting 

Targets are set by the committee for each award on a sliding scale basis. No more than 25% of awards 
will vest for threshold performance, with full vesting taking place for equalling or exceeding maximum 
performance conditions

Different performance measures and/or weightings may be used for future LTIP awards to help drive 
the strategy of the business during the period of this policy, although the Remuneration Committee 
would expect to consult with leading shareholders before making material changes to the current 
performance measures applied

Awards lapse if performance criteria are not met at the end of the three-year performance period

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc67

Element: Share Retention Policy

Purpose and link to strategy

Aligns Directors’ interests with shareholders 

Operation

Holding requirements:

CEO – 200% of basic salary

CFO – 150% of basic salary

Directors are required to retain shares acquired under share-based incentive awards until the holding 
requirements are met, save that they are permitted to sell sufficient shares to pay any exercise price and 
all applicable taxes due in respect of that award

Maximum Opportunity

Performance Metrics

Not applicable

Not applicable

Element: Recruitment of  
Executive Directors

Purpose and link to strategy

Enable recruitment of high-calibre Executive Directors able to contribute to the success of the Group 

Operation

Maximum Opportunity

Performance Metrics

Element: Clawback

Salary will be set to reflect skills and experience of incoming Director and market rate for the role to be 
undertaken

Existing benefits and incentives of the Group to be used with participation on the same basis as existing 
Directors

Payment of relocation expenses where relevant; each element will be detailed in the relevant 
remuneration report

In the event of an internal promotion any commitments made prior to promotion may continue to be 
honoured when they would otherwise be inconsistent with this policy 

Discretion may be exercised in exceptional circumstances and existing entitlements with a current 
employer, such as bonus and share schemes, may be bought out on a like-for-like basis and subject to 
comparable performance conditions and time vesting requirements where appropriate. Exceptionally, 
where necessary, this may include making a guaranteed bonus payment in the year of joining

Buy-out awards are subject to the maximum value of any outstanding awards forgone by the recruit

Based on existing Treatt performance conditions when appropriate

Purpose and link to strategy

To ensure Executive Directors do not benefit from errors or misconduct 

Operation

Provisions are included in performance-related remuneration to enable clawback of remuneration  
which has been overpaid due to material misstatement of the Group’s accounts, errors made in  
calculation or a Director’s misconduct

Maximum Opportunity

Performance Metrics

Not applicable

Not applicable

Notes:

1 

2 

3 

 The committee considers that the forward-looking targets for the annual bonus are 
commercially sensitive and has, therefore, chosen not to disclose them in advance. Details 
of the targets will be set out retrospectively in next year’s Remuneration Report. However, 
the committee considers that the level of performance required for the annual bonus is 
appropriately stretching. 

 The bonuses of staff and senior management are restricted to a maximum of between 12%  
and 60% of base salary depending on seniority, role and market conditions.

 Performance targets for LTIP awards are set by the committee at the date of grant of the 
options to ensure that they are appropriately stretching. The committee considers adjusted 
basic EPS to be a complete and appropriate measure of performance, capturing revenue 
growth and operating margin. EPS targets are aligned with the Board’s strategy. 

4 

 For both annual bonus and LTIP, while performance conditions will generally remain unchanged 
once set, the Remuneration Committee has the ability to amend the measures, weightings 
and targets in exceptional circumstances (such as a major transaction) where the original 
conditions would cease to operate as intended. 

5 

 The committee retains discretion, consistent with market practice in regard to the operation 
and administration of the annual bonus and LTIP, including:

– the timing and size of awards (within the overall limits of this policy); 

– the determination of performance measures and targets and resultant vesting; 

–  when dealing with a change of control (e.g. the timing of testing performance conditions) or 

restructuring of the Group; 

 Subject to the achievement of the applicable performance conditions, Executive Directors are 
eligible to receive payment from any award made prior to the approval and implementation of 
the Directors’ remuneration policy detailed in this report.

–  determination of a good/bad leaver based on the rules of each plan and the appropriate 

treatment chosen; and 

–  adjustments in certain circumstances, such as rights issues, corporate restructuring events 

and special dividends.

Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
68

Annual Statement of Remuneration Committee

Non-executive Directors’ remuneration

Element: Fees

Purpose and link to strategy

To recruit high-calibre Non-executive Directors

To reward additional responsibility by virtue of position as Chairman of the Board or Chairman of a 
Committee

Operation

Excluding the Chairman, subject to an aggregate limit within the Articles of Association, which was last 
approved at £225,000 by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in February 2014

Reviewed annually for each Non-executive Director with changes taking effect from 1 October 

The Chairman’s fees are reviewed by the committee and the other Non-executives’ fees are reviewed by 
the Board (excluding the Non-executives) 

Influenced by the increase in salaries of other Group employees and by personal performance

Benchmarked against companies of similar size and complexity at appropriate intervals

Additional fees may be paid in respect of increased responsibility or time commitment required by the 
role or in respect of invoiced consultancy fees, where relevant

Maximum Opportunity

Any fee increases are applied in line with the outcome of annual reviews 

Illustration of remuneration policy
The graph to the right provides estimates of the potential future reward 
for  each  of  the  Executive  Directors  based  on  their  current  roles,  the 
remuneration policy outlined on pages 65 to 69 and base salaries as at 
1 October 2018. 

The assumptions used in preparing this chart are as follows:

Minimum 
•  basic salary, pension or cash in lieu of pension and benefits, no bonus 

and no vesting of the LTIP;

On target  
•  basic salary, pension or cash in lieu of pension, benefits, and

•  a bonus of 50% and an LTIP of 100% of basic salary (with notional 

vesting at 50%); and

Maximum  
•  basic salary, pension or cash in lieu of pension, benefits, and

•  a bonus of 100% and an LTIP of 100% of basic salary (with notional 

vesting at 100%).

Maximum plus  
•  as maximum plus effect of 50% share price growth compared to share 

price at date of grant.

£’000

1,300

1,200

1,100

1,000

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

Remuneration Policy Illustration

501

334

330

330

169

165

330

330

330

330

336

224

220

220

114

110

220

220

220

220

Minimum

On target

Maximum Maximum 

Minimum

On target

Maximum

Maximum 

 plus

 plus

Chief Executive Officer 
Daemmon Reeve

Chief Financial Officer 
Richard Hope

Salary

Benefits

Pension

Bonus

Share Options

Comparison of Directors’ remuneration policy with 
arrangements for employees
This policy sets out the remuneration structure applicable to Directors of 
the Group. Salary levels and incentive arrangements applicable to other 
Group  employees  are  determined  by  reference  to  local  employment 
conditions for comparative roles. 

Budgeted  salary  increases  for  Group  employees  are  taken  into 
consideration when determining increases for the Executive Directors.

Employees  are  provided  with  a  competitive  benefits  package  including 
healthcare,  life  assurance  and  pension.  Consistent  with  Directors, 
employees  are  eligible  to  participate  in  an  annual  bonus  scheme  with 
conditions linked to the performance of their operating subsidiary and the 
Group overall. Employee share ownership is encouraged across the Group 
and  participation,  particularly  in  the  UK,  is  strong.  The  Share  Incentive 
Plan is designed to further encourage employee share ownership. Eligible 
employees,  including  Executive  Directors,  are  able  to  participate  in  the 

all-employee  share  schemes  on  equal  terms.  Executive  Directors  and 
key employees with the greatest potential to influence achievement of the 
Group’s strategic objectives are provided with share options or long-term 
incentives designed to encourage strong Group performance. 

The Group does not consult with employees in respect of the Executive 
Directors remuneration policy. However, the committee receives regular 
updates on salary and bonus levels across the Group and is aware of 
how the remuneration of Directors compares to employees. 

In a departure from provision D2.2 of the 2016 UK Corporate Governance 
Code, the remuneration of Group senior management was determined 
by the Executive Directors in 2018. The bonuses of all senior managers 
in  the  Group  are  approved  by  the  committee.  With  effect  from  2019, 
the salaries and benefits of all senior managers will be determined by 
the  Remuneration  Committee,  in  accordance  with  the  2018  Corporate 
Governance Code.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc 
 
69

Directors’ Contracts
Executive Directors

The  committee  reviews  the  contractual  terms  of  new  and  existing 
Executive  Directors  to  ensure  that  they  reflect  best  practice  and  are 
designed  to  attract  and  retain  suitable  candidates.  The  committee 
considers that a rolling contract terminable on 12 months’ notice by either 
party is appropriate. 

Summary of Directors’ service contracts as at 30 September 2018:

Date of contract

Notice period

Daemmon Reeve

Richard Hope 

6 April 2016

 1 October 2013

12 months

 12 months

Summary of the key elements of Directors’ service contracts:

Provision

Summary

Notice period

Termination  
payment

Salary

Benefits

12 months by either party

Daemmon Reeve –  
No provision for payment in lieu of notice

Richard Hope –  
No provision for payment in lieu of notice

Reviewed annually with effect from  
1 October each year

Private healthcare, life assurance,  
permanent health insurance, pension

Participation in discretionary incentive 
arrangements determined by the committee

The  Directors’  contracts  are  available  for  inspection  at  the  Parent 
Company’s registered office during normal business hours.

Future contracts are to provide for remuneration obligations comparable 
to those set out above taking into consideration role and responsibility. 

Non-executive Directors

All Non-executive Directors are subject to the same terms and conditions 
of appointment which provide for the payment of fees for their services 
in connection with Board and Board Committee meetings. In their Non-
executive  capacities  they  do  not  qualify  for  participation  in  any  of  the 
Group’s bonus, share option or other incentive schemes, and they are not 
eligible for pension scheme membership. 

The terms and conditions of the appointment of Non-executive Directors 
are  available  for  inspection  at  the  Parent  Company’s  registered  office 
during normal business hours.

Payments for loss of office
In  accordance  with  the  2016  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code,  notice 
periods shall not exceed a maximum of 12 months.

In  normal  circumstances  it  is  expected  that  termination  payments  for 
Executive  Directors  should  not  exceed  current  salary  and  benefits  for 
the notice period. When determining termination payments in the event 
of  early  termination,  the  committee  will  take  into  account  a  variety  of 
factors including length of service, personal and Group performance, the 
Director’s obligation to mitigate his loss, statutory compensation to which 
a Director may be entitled and legal fees and other payments which may 
be payable under a settlement agreement. 

A  Director  who  has  been  given  notice  by  the  Group  for  any  reason 
other  than  on  the  grounds  of  injury,  disability,  redundancy  or  change 
of control shall only be eligible to a payment under the bonus scheme 
at  the  discretion  of  the  committee,  which  will  take  into  account  the 
circumstances leading to the notice.

Directors  have  no  entitlement  to  performance-related  share-based 
incentives, the unvested portion of which will generally lapse following 
termination of employment. However, in certain circumstances, such as 
injury, disability or redundancy, share options, which shall be pro-rated 
by reference to the proportion of the performance period completed and 
subject to performance conditions, may be exercised within six months 
of termination. Where termination is for any other reason, share options 
may only be exercised at the discretion of, and to the extent permitted by 
the committee, acting fairly and reasonably.

External appointments
Whilst  neither  of  the  Executive  Directors  currently  serve  as  Non-
executive Directors on the boards of other companies, it is recognised 
that  such  appointments  would  provide  an  opportunity  to  gain  broader 
experience outside of Treatt which would benefit the Group. In the event 
that the Directors are offered such positions and providing that they are 
not likely to lead to a conflict of interest or significant constraints on time, 
Executive  Directors  may,  with  the  prior  approval  of  the  Board,  accept 
Non-executive appointments and retain the fees received.

Shareholder views
The  Remuneration  Committee  engaged  pro-actively  with  the  Group’s 
major  shareholders  in  respect  of  the  committee’s  first  remuneration 
policy in 2013 and changes to the Executive Directors’ base salaries in 
2017,  as  set  out  above.  The  views  of  these  shareholders  were  taken 
into consideration in adopting the share retention policy, clawback and 
the two-year holding period for LTIPs. The committee will also consult 
with  major  shareholders  prior  to  any  further  material  changes  to  the 
remuneration policy which might be necessary in the future.

Governance70

Annual Statement of Remuneration Committee continued

IMPLEMENTATION REPORT
Implementation of Policy in 2019

Element of 
Remuneration policy

Implementation of policy for 2019

Base Salaries

•  Daemmon Reeve – £330,000 (FY2018: £305,000)

•  Richard Hope – £220,000 (FY2018: £202,000)

Benefits

•  Unchanged from FY2018.  Private Healthcare (including Family Cover for Daemmon Reeve); Life Assurance; Permanent 

Health Insurance; Car Allowance; All-employee share schemes

Pensions

Unchanged from FY2018.

•  Daemmon Reeve – 15% of salary (as a former member of the Defined Benefit plan)

•  Richard Hope – 9% of salary

Contributions are paid as cash and reduced for the impact of Employers’ NICs, giving actual contribution rates of 13.2% and 
7.9% of salary respectively.

Annual Bonus

•  Operation is unchanged from FY2018

•  Maximum is 100% of base salary for Executive Directors

•  FY2019 targets are based on adjusted Group profit before tax and are calibrated by reference to the performance of the 

Group in FY2018

•  Bonuses are paid in cash after finalisation of the Group’s results for FY2019

•  The  committee  considers  that  the  forward-looking  targets  for  the  annual  bonus  are  commercially  sensitive  and  has, 
therefore,  chosen  not  to  disclose  them  in  advance.    Details  of  the  targets  will  be  set  out  retrospectively  in  next  year’s 
Remuneration Report. 

LTIP

Operation is unchanged from FY2018

•  Annual LTIP award to Executive Directors over shares worth 100% of base salary (calculated using share prices at the 

time of award)

•  FY2019 awards will be subject to performance conditions measured over three financial years to FY2021

•  The performance condition will again be based on growth in adjusted basic Earnings per Share measured from FY2018 as 

the base point and with a performance range as follows:

–  Threshold (25% vests) – average 2.5% p.a. growth

–  Maximum (100% vests) – average 10% p.a. growth 

•  After performance vesting at 3 years, LTIP awards are subject to a further 2 year holding period

Changes to the Treatt 2019 LTIP rules increase the Remuneration Committee’s ability to adjust LTIP awards under enhanced 
malus and clawback provisions. 

Share Retention 
Policy

•  Daemmon Reeve – 200% of basic salary

•  Richard Hope – 150% of basic salary

•  Both Executive Directors have shareholdings with values above these levels.

Clawback

•  Applies to all performance-related elements of Executive Directors’ remuneration

Chairman and 
Non-executive 
Directors’ fees

As set out in the committee’s annual statement, the Chairman’s fees have been reviewed in light of the increased complexity 
of the role and the sustained performance of the business.

The fee for Tim Jones, Chairman is £100,000 in FY2019 (FY2018: £80,000)

The base fee for Non-executive Directors for FY2019 has been increased by 3% in line with the general rate of base pay 
increase for staff.  Accordingly, fee levels for Non-executive Directors in FY2019 are as follows:

•  Base fee – £41,200 (FY2018: £40,000) 

•  Audit Committee Chair fee – £7,725 (FY2018: £7,500)

•  Remuneration Committee Chair fee – £5,150 (FY2018: £5,000)

•  Senior Independent Director – £2,575 (FY2018: £2,500)

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc71

The following section of this report provides details of the implementation of the policy for the year ended 30 September 2018.

Directors’ Remuneration (audited)
The tables below report a single figure for total remuneration for each individual Executive and Non-executive Director respectively. 

Executive Directors:

Salary

Taxable benefits1

Annual bonus2

Share options vesting in the financial year3

Pension4

Daemmon Reeve

Richard Hope

2018 
£’000

305

16

282

1,114

40

1,757

2017 
£’000

282

1

282

–

38

603

2018 
£’000

202

15

187

650

16

1,070

2017 
£’000

185

–

185

8

15

393

1  

Taxable benefits provided to Executive Directors relate to private medical insurance and car allowances. 

2  Details relating to the annual bonus are as follows:

The annual bonus for Executive Directors is calculated based on the annual growth in profit before tax, adjusted for exceptional and other items at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee.  
The annual bonus is capped at a maximum of 100% of annual basic salary. The annual bonus, as a percentage of the maximum achievable, was as follows:

Daemmon Reeve

Richard Hope

2018

92.5%

92.5%

2017

100%

100%

Bonus payments range from 5% of salary at threshold level, being 96% of prior year’s adjusted Group profit before tax rising incrementally to a maximum of 100% of salary where adjusted Group profit 
before tax is 110% or more of prior year. The proportion of fixed and variable pay, exclusive of pension, benefits and share options, is shown below for the Executive Directors:

Daemmon Reeve

Richard Hope

Basic Salary

Annual Bonus

2018

52%

52%

2017

50%

50%

2018

48%

48%

2017

50%

50%

3  

 Options which vested in 2018 included those granted in 2014 and in the case of Daemmon Reeve also in 2012, during which times share price growth has been 246% and 511% respectively.  The 
maximum average adjusted EPS growth required was 10% per annum, and the actual EPS growth achieved was 23.3% and 22.1% per annum respectively.  Details of share options which vested in 
the year are shown on page 74. 

4   Pension contributions relate to pay in lieu of pension after deduction of employers’ NI.

Non-executive Directors:

Tim Jones

Anita Haines

Jeff Iliffe

Richard Illek

David Johnston

Fees

2018 
£’000

80

40

48

40

48

256

2017 
£’000

62

33

39

33

37

204

Governance72

Annual Statement of Remuneration Committee continued

Performance Graph
This performance graph shows Treatt plc’s performance, measured by total shareholder return, compared with that of the FTSE All Share Index, 
which has been selected by the Board as being the most appropriate measure against which to benchmark its performance.

Total shareholder return 2013–2018

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

September  
2014

September  
2015

September  
2016

September  
2017

September  
2018

Treatt plc

FTSE All Share

CEO Remuneration
The following table provides historical data on remuneration in respect of the Director(s) performing the role of Chief Executive Officer for each of 
the years covered by the performance graph:

Total remuneration (£'000)

Annual bonus as % of maximum

Share options vesting as % of maximum

2018

1,757

92.5%

100%

2017

603

100%

N/A2

2016

580

88%

N/A2

2015

470

92%

100%1

2014

436

95%

100%1

1   All share options vested in full as they were all-employee share options which were not subject to performance conditions.

2   There were no options which vested during the year.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc73

The percentage change in remuneration for 2018 of the Director undertaking the role of CEO, compared to employees as a whole was as follows:

CEO

Employees1

Salaries

8.2%

3.9%

Bonus

0%

See below2

1  

2 

 The employees used for comparison are those UK and US employees who, for the salary comparison, were employed for the whole of the 2018 financial year. 

 Employee bonuses are based on a combination of Group performance and the performance of the entity they are employed by.  US all staff bonuses were 11.5% of salary (2017: 12%) and UK all staff 
bonuses were 3.5% of salary (2017: 12%). 

Relative importance of spend on pay
Wages and salaries are the most significant overhead cost in the Group. The following table sets out, in a manner prescribed by the regulations, the 
relative importance of employee remuneration, as compared to distributions to shareholders and other significant uses of profit, the most significant 
of which, taxation, has therefore been selected:

Total remuneration1

Dividends2

Current tax3

2018 
£’000

13,497

2,876

2,999

2017 
£’000

11,131

3,025

3,444

Movement

+3%

-5%

-13%

1 

Total remuneration includes wages, salaries and pension costs as disclosed in note 6.

2  Dividends paid in the financial year as disclosed in note 12.  The prior year included three dividends as the one-off result of bringing forward the dividend timetable on a permanent basis.

3  Current tax charge in respect of the financial year as disclosed in note 10.  The reduction in current tax resulted from a significant reduction in the rate of US corporation tax.

Directors’ Interests (audited)
The Directors who held office at 30 September 2018 had the following interests in the shares of the Parent Company:

Shares held outright  
or vested

Unvested share options  
with performance conditions

Unvested all-employee  
share options

2018

2017

2018

2017

2018

2017

Executive Directors

Daemmon Reeve

Richard Hope

Non-executive Directors

Tim Jones

Anita Haines

Richard Illek

302,910

291,615

120,751

50,680

64,000

163,080

211,226

120,751

50,680

55,000

389,446

223,760

565,346

307,470

13,043

7,377

13,043

14,719

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Between 1 October 2018 and 22 November 2018, the latest date practicable to obtain the information prior to publication of this document, there 
were no changes in the Directors’ interests.

The table below shows the value of Executive Directors’ interests in shares as at 30 September 2018 as a percentage of their base salary:

Value of shares held  
outright or vested

2018 
£’000

1,463 

1,409 

2017 
 £’000

752

974

Base salary1

2018  

£’000

305

202

2017 
 £’000

282

185

Value of Interest as  
% of base salary2

2018  
%

480%

697%

2017  
%

Target % of 
base salary

267%

526%

200%

150%

Daemmon Reeve

Richard Hope

1   Base salary is the average basic gross pay for the corresponding year. 

2  Based upon a share price of £4.83 as at 30 September 2018.

Governance74

Annual Statement of Remuneration Committee continued

Share Option Schemes (audited)
The following share options were granted to Executive Directors during the financial year:

Scheme

Basis

Date of Grant

Share Price  
at date of 
grant

Face Value  
£’0003

Min  
Performance 
Award

Performance  

End date

Daemmon Reeve

Richard Hope

LTIP 20171

Executive

18 Dec 17

SAYE 20182

All-staff

9 Jul 18

LTIP 20171

Executive

18 Dec 17

£4.55

£4.45

£4.55

305

7

202

25%

N/A

25%

30/9/20

N/A

30/9/20

1   Executive LTIPs are granted at Nil cost, subject to performance conditions. 

2  

 SAYE (Save As You Earn) share options are offered to UK employees (subject to tax exempt limits) at a discount of 20% of the average share price for the three days  
preceding the date of grant and are exercisable after three years.

3  

 Face value is calculated based upon share price at date of grant as shown above.

The performance conditions for Executive LTIP options are as follows:

Average  annual  growth  in  adjusted  basic  earnings  per  share  for  the  three  financial  years  ending  on  the  performance  end  date  shown  above.  
The options shall vest on a linear sliding scale: 25% where average annual growth equals or exceeds 3%, increasing to 100% where average annual 
growth equals or exceeds 10%. If the average annual growth in adjusted EPS is less than 3%, the options will lapse.

The share options of the Directors in office during the year are as set out below:

Exercise Dates

Exercise  
Price

At  

1 Oct 2017

Granted 
During  

the Year

Exercised 
During  

the Year

Expired 
During  

the Year

At 
30 Sep 2018

Daemmon Reeve

Sep 2019 – Feb 2020

Dec 2017 – Dec 2022

Dec 2018 – Dec 2023

Dec 2017 – Mar 2018

Dec 2018 – Dec 2025

Dec 2019 – Dec 2026

Dec 2020 – Dec 2027

Richard Hope

Sep 2017 – Feb 2018

Sep 2018 – Feb 2019

Sep 2019 – Feb 2020

Sep 2020 – Feb 2021

Sep 2021 – Feb 2022

Dec 2017 – Dec 2024

Dec 2018 – Dec 2025

Dec 2019 – Dec 2026

Dec 2020 – Dec 2027

138.0p

79.0p

147.2p

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

138.0p

132.0p

138.0p

413.0p

373.0p

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

13,043

78,195

41,575

165,182 

176,040

104,354

–

578,389

4,434

4,500

4,304

1,481

–

128,400

110,678

68,392

–

322,189

–

–

–

–

–

–

67,477

67,477

–

–

–

1,592

–

–

–

44,690

46,282

–

(78,195)

–

(165,182)

–

–

–

(243,377)

(4,434)

(4,500)

–

–

–

(128,400)

–

–

–

(137,334)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

13,043

–

41,575

–

176,040

104,354

67,477

402,489

–

–

4,304

1,481

1,592

–

110,678

68,392

44,690

231,137

The aggregate amount of gains made by the Directors on the exercise of share options in the year was £1,764,000 (2017: £8,000).

There have been no further changes in the interests of the Directors to subscribe for or acquire shares between 1 October 2018 and 22 November 
2018, the latest date practicable to obtain the information prior to publication of this document.

The market price of the shares at 30 September 2018 was £4.83 and the range during the financial year was £3.95 to £5.08. All market price figures 
are derived from the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc75

Pensions (audited)
The Chief Executive Officer is a deferred member of the R C Treatt & Co Limited Pension & Assurance Scheme following its closure to future 
accruals on 31 December 2012. The plan was a non-contributory, H M Revenue & Customs approved, defined benefit occupational pension scheme. 

The pension entitlement is as follows:

Daemmon Reeve

Normal Retirement Date

24 Sep 2036

Accrued Total Pension at

2018 
 £

13,740

2017  
£

13,339

The transfer values have been calculated on the basis of actuarial advice in accordance with Statutory Instrument 2013 No 1981 – The Large and 
Medium-Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013. Further details of the scheme are included in note 30.

In addition, contributions to defined money purchase pension plans were made as follows:

Daemmon Reeve

Richard Hope

2018 
£’000

40

16

2017 
£’000

38

15

Pension contributions include pay in lieu of pension after deduction of employers’ NI in order to be cost neutral to the Group.

Statement of voting
At the Annual General Meeting held on 26 January 2018, the votes cast in respect of the resolution to approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
and the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, were as follows:

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Directors’ Remuneration Policy

For 99.95%

For 99.83%

Against 0.05%

Against 0.17%

Votes withheld 30,820

Votes withheld 149,909

Audit notes 
In  accordance  with  Section  421  of  the  Companies  Act  2006  and  the  Regulations,  where  indicated,  certain  information  contained  within  the 
Implementation Section of this report has been audited. The remaining sections are not subject to audit.

This report was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf on 26 November 2018.

Anita Steer
Secretary 

Governance76

Directors’ Report

Financial statements
The  Directors  present  their  report  and  the 
audited  financial  statements  for  the  Group  for 
the year ended 30 September 2018.

Substantial shareholders
In accordance with Rule 5 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority, 
the Parent Company has been notified of the following holdings of 3% or more of the voting rights at 21 
November 2018 (the latest practicable reporting date prior to publication of this document).

Results and dividends
The  results  of  the  Group  for  the  year  are  set 
out  on  page  85.  Profit  before  tax  for  the  year 
excluding  exceptional  items  and  discontinued 
(2017: 
operations 
£11,696,000).

£12,642,000 

was 

The  Directors  recommend  a  final  dividend  of 
3.50p  (2017:  3.35p)  per  ordinary  share.  This, 
when  taken  with  the  interim  dividend  of  1.60p 
(2017: 1.45p) per share paid on 16 August 2018, 
gives a total dividend of 5.10p (2017: 4.80p) per 
share for the year ended 30 September 2018.

Corporate governance
The Corporate Governance Statement on pages 
52 to 55 forms part of this Directors’ Report.

Directors
The  Directors  of  the  Parent  Company  are 
shown on pages 50 and 51. 

Appointment and replacement  
of Directors
Rules  about  the  appointment  and  replacement 
of Directors are set out in the Parent Company’s 
Articles  of  Association.  Further  details 
are  provided  in  the  Corporate  Governance 
Statement on page 54.

Details  of  the  Executive  Directors’  contracts 
and  notice  periods  are  given  in  the  Directors’ 
Remuneration  Report  on  page  69.  The 
Executive  Directors’  contracts  are  terminable 
by the Group giving the required notice period 
of one year.

themselves 

In  accordance  with  the  2018  UK  Corporate 
Governance  Code  and  best  practice  all 
Directors  will  submit 
for  re-
election  at  the  forthcoming  Annual  General 
Meeting,  with  the  exception  of  Anita  Haines 
who is retiring as a Non-Executive Director at 
the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting.  
More  information  is  provided  in  the  Notice  of 
Meeting.  The Nomination Committee confirms 
that  the  individuals’  performances  continue  to 
be effective and to demonstrate commitment to 
the role, including commitment of time for Board 
and committee meetings and other duties.

Directors’ interests in shares
The  interests  of  Directors  in  shares  of  the 
Parent  Company  are  shown  in  the  Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on page 73.

Blackrock Inc

Discretionary Unit Fund Managers

Canaccord Genuity Group Inc

Miton Group plc

Hargreaves Lansdown Plc

Liontrust Asset Management

BMO Global Asset Management

James Sharp & Co

Conflicts of interest
No Director had an interest in any contract of 
significance  during  the  year.  The  Group  has 
procedures  in  place  for  managing  conflicts 
of  interest.  If  a  Director  becomes  aware  that 
they,  or  a  connected  party,  have  an  interest 
in  an  existing  or  proposed  transaction  with 
the  Group,  they  should  notify  the  Company 
Secretary as soon as possible. Directors have a 
continuing obligation to update any changes to 
conflicts and the Board formally reviews them 
annually.  Details  of  other  directorships  held 
by members of the Board can be found in the 
Director profiles on pages 50 and 51.

Directors’ and officers’  
liability insurance
The  Group  maintains  Directors’  and  Officers’ 
liability  insurance  which  is  reviewed  annually. 
The insurance covers the directors and officers 
of  the  Parent  Company  and  its  subsidiaries 
against the costs of defending themselves in civil 
proceedings taken against them in their capacity 
as a director or officer of a group company and 
in respect of damages or civil fines or penalties 
resulting from the unsuccessful defence of any 
proceedings.

and 

research 

Research and development
Product 
and 
innovation 
development are a critical part of the Group’s 
strategy  and  business  model  as  outlined  in 
the  Strategic  Report  on  pages  6  to  47.  The 
main  research  and  development  activity 
undertaken by the Group is in the area of new 
product development. 

Number

Issued %

Voting %

6,456,889

4,250,000

 3,228,979 

 2,765,718 

 2,288,923 

 1,976,004 

1,872,833

 1,801,351 

10.86%

7.15%

5.43%

4.65%

3.85%

3.32%

3.15%

3.03%

11.06%

7.28%

5.53%

4.74%

3.92%

3.38%

3.21%

3.08%

its  strong 

The  Group  utilises 
technical 
capabilities to develop innovative products that 
provide  solutions  for  customers,  particularly 
in  the  food  and  beverage  sectors.  In  this  way 
it  seeks  to  make  itself  indispensable  to  a  key 
group of major global multi-national companies. 
In  the  opinion  of  the  Directors,  continuity  of 
investment  in  this  area  is  essential  for  the 
maintenance of the Group’s market position and 
for future growth.

Financial and Internal Control
The Board confirms that a process for the on-
going identification, evaluation and management 
of significant risks faced by the Group has been 
in place throughout the year and to the date of 
approval of this report, which complies with the 
“Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control 
and Related Financial and Business Reporting” 
issued  by  the  FRC  in  September  2014.  The 
process  is  subject  to  regular  review  by  the 
Board  and  there  were  no  significant  internal 
control issues identified during the year.

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  the  Group’s 
system  of  internal  control,  the  effectiveness 
of  which  is  reviewed  by  them  annually.  This 
covers  all  controls  including  those  in  relation 
to  financial  reporting  processes  (including 
the  preparation  of  consolidated  accounts). 
In  addition  to  monitoring  reports  received 
via  the  Executive  Directors  they  consider  the 
risks  faced  by  the  Group,  whether  the  control 
systems are appropriate and consult with those 
responsible for environmental, insurance, legal 
and health and safety compliance as appropriate.  
However,  such  a  system  can  only  provide 
reasonable,  but  not  absolute,  assurance 
against material misstatement or loss. The key 
procedures that the Directors have established 
internal  controls  are  
to  provide  effective 
as follows:

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc77

Financial Reporting

Our top five investor questions

A  detailed  formal  budgeting  process  for  all 
Group  businesses  culminates  in  an  annual 
Group  budget  and  a  five-year  forecast  which 
is  approved  by  the  Board.    Results  for  the 
Group  and  its  main  constituent  businesses 
are  reported  monthly  against  the  budget  to 
the  Board  and  revised  forecasts  for  the  year 
are  prepared  through  the  year.    The  Group 
uses  a  standardised  consolidation  system 
for  the  preparation  of  the  Group’s  monthly 
management  accounts,  half  year  and  annual 
consolidated  financial  statements,  which  is 
subject  to  review  by  senior  management 
throughout the consolidation process.

released  by 

The Board monitors the integrity of all financial 
announcements 
the  Group, 
ensuring that, among other things, appropriate 
accounting  standards  and  policies  are  applied 
consistently,  that  all  material  information  is 
presented and that the disclosures are accurate. 

Financial and Accounting Principles

Financial  controls  and  accounting  policies  are 
set  by  the  Board  so  as  to  meet  appropriate 
levels of effective financial control.  Compliance 
with  accounting  policies  is  reviewed  where 
necessary as part of the external audit.

Information Technology

The  Group  operates  on  a  common  centrally 
managed  computer  platform.  This  provides 
common  reporting  and  control  systems  and  the 
ability  to  manage  and  interrogate  businesses 
remotely.  However, there are associated risks with 
having the entire group IT systems on a common 
platform,  such  as  IT  security,  access  rights  and 
business continuity.  These risks are mitigated by 
an on-going focus on IT security through a process 
of continuous investment in IT facilities.

Capital Investment

The  Group  has  clearly  defined  guidelines  for 
capital  expenditure.    These  include  annual 
budgets,  appraisal  and  review  procedures,  and 
levels  of  authority.    Post-investment  appraisals 
are performed for major investments.  In respect 
of the two major capital investment projects - the 
US expansion and the UK relocation - please see 
the Financial Review on page 36.

Risk Assessment and Information

Operational management, in conjunction with 
the Executive Directors who report regularly 
to the Board, are responsible for identification 
and  evaluation  of  significant  risks  applicable 
to  their  area  of  the  business  and  the  design 
and operation of suitable internal controls.  

Q Can you update us on the progress of the new site following the fund raise last 

year?

A The fund raise has provided us with the flexibility to invest in new premises in the 
UK and also expand capacity in the US. The US expansion is close to completion 
and in the UK we are nearing the conclusion of finalising plans and designs and we 
expect to deliver this project on budget and to become operational at the new site 
in the mid-2020.

Q What are the key drivers of growth for Treatt and can you continue to grow at 

historic rates?

A We have, for the past two years, had a very clear focus on citrus, tea and sugar 
reduction. Each of these markets are multi billion pound markets, fast growing and 
driven by innovation.

Q Can we expect more restructuring after the sale of Earthoil? Have you considered 

acquisitions?

A Earthoil  is  a  great  business  which  we  grew,  invested  in  and  ultimately  sold  for 
a  good  price.  The  Board  constantly  reviews  ways  in  which  we  can  enhance  our 
profitability – at the moment our focus is on infrastructure and human talent as we 
see these as accelerators to our growth.

Q Can you continue to drive margin growth after several years of improvement?

A Key drivers to this improvement will be the benefits of the new UK and US operations, 
a  continued  focus  on  innovation  and  higher  value  add  products  and  a  continued 
investment in our people and processes.

Q Will Brexit have any impact on your business?

A We  believe  Treatt’s  global  footprint  gives  it  flexibility  to  face  any  challenges  that 

may arise.

Details  of  the  principal  risks  associated  with 
the Group’s activities are given in the Strategic 
Report on pages ●26 to 31.

The Board conducted this review for a period of 
five years, which is consistent with the longer-
term financial plans for the Group.

Financial instruments
financial  risk 
the  Group’s 
Information  on 
management  objectives  and  policies  and  on 
the  exposure  of  the  Group  to  relevant  risks  in 
respect  of  financial  instruments  is  set  out  in 
note 33 of the financial statements.

Going concern and viability statement
The  Group’s  business  activities,  together  with 
the factors likely to affect its future development, 
performance  and  position  are  set  out  in  the 
Strategic Report on pages 6 to 47. Information 
on the principal risks and uncertainties and how 
they are managed can be found in the Strategic 
Report on pages 26 to 31.

In  accordance  with  the  2016  UK  Corporate 
Governance Code, the Directors have assessed 
the prospects of the Group over a longer period 
than the 12 months required by the Code. 

the  Directors  considered 

In  determining  the  longer-term  viability  of 
the 
the  Group, 
Group’s  business  activities,  together  with  the 
factors  likely  to  affect  its  future  development, 
performance  and  position.  The  review  also 
included the financial position of the Group, its 
cash flows, and available sources of finance.

The process adopted to assess the viability of 
the  Group  involved  the  modelling  of  a  series 
of  theoretical  “stress  test”  scenarios  linked  to 
the Group’s principal risks, which are shown on 
pages  26  to  31.  Consideration  was  also  given 
to the impact of mitigating risk, as well as their 
interdependencies.  In  assessing  the  Group’s 
prospects  and  resilience,  the  Directors  have 
done so with reference to its current financial 
position and prospects, its recent and historical 
financial  performance  and 
the 
Board’s risk appetite and the principal risks and 
mitigating factors described on pages 26 to 31.

forecasts, 

Governance78

Directors’ Report continued

The  key  factors  considered  by  the  Directors 
within the five-year review were:

•  the implications of the challenging economic 
environment,  the  likely  potential  outcome 
of  Brexit  and  future  uncertainties  on  the 
Group’s revenues and profits;

•  the  implications  of  fluctuating  prices  of  the 

Group’s strategic raw materials;

•  the implication of the proposed site relocation 

in the UK and site expansion in the US; 

•  the  impact  of  the  competitive  environment 
within which the Group’s businesses operate;

•  the  potential  actions  that  could  be  taken  in 
the  event  that  revenues  are  worse  than 
expected, to ensure that operating profit and 
cash flows are protected; 

•  the Group’s positive cash balances following 
the equity fund raising in November 2017 and 
the sale of Earthoil Plantations Limited;

•  the  Group’s  access  to  short,  medium  and 
long-term borrowing facilities to meet day-to-
day working capital requirements and capital 
expenditure  on  the  UK  and  US  site  projects, 
as well as long-term investment requirements;

•  the  Group’s  ability  to  access  equity  as  a 

source of finance; and

•  a sensitivity analysis which involves flexing a 
number of the main assumptions underlying 
the  five-year  plan  and  considering  the 
implications of a number of risks materialising 
during a short-term period.

The  current  expectations  regarding  the  costs 
of  the  proposed  UK  site  relocation  and  US  site 
expansion, and the funding of these projects are 
set out in the Financial Review on page 36. Given 
the levels of debt finance available to the Group 
to  fund  these  investments  and  the    raising  of 
equity finance in November 2017, as at the date 
of  this  report,  the  Directors  have  not  identified 
any material uncertainties which would affect the 
Group and Parent Company’s ability to continue 
as a going concern for a period of 12 months from 
the date of this annual report. Furthermore, the 
Directors have a reasonable expectation that the 
Group has adequate resources available to it to 
continue in business and meet its liabilities over 
the five-year period of their viability assessment. 

Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt the 
going concern basis in preparing these financial 
statements.

Health and safety
The  Group’s  ongoing  investment  in  health  and 
safety  continued  during  the  financial  year  and 
forms an integral part of the Group’s strategy, 
remaining at the forefront of all our operations. 
Particular emphasis is placed upon continuous 
improvement by way of a comprehensive Safety 
Management  System  designed  to  monitor  and 

measure over-arching policies and procedures, 
and  a  range  of  key  indicators  are  maintained 
and reported at every Board meeting. 

The UK manufacturing facility is designated as a 
top-tier site under the Control of Major Accident 
Hazards Regulations 1999 (“COMAH”), enforced 
by the Competent Authority, being the Health and 
Safety Executive and the Environment Agency. 
The main aim of the regulations is to prevent and 
mitigate the effects of major accidents involving 
substances which can cause damage/harm to 
people  and/or  the  environment.  Accordingly, 
Treatt is regulated under the stringent COMAH 
regulations  and  works  closely  with  the  Health 
and  Safety  Executive  and  the  Environment 
Agency.  As  safety  and  our  environment  are 
of  paramount  importance,  members  of  the 
Treatt team have established a COMAH forum 
to  enable  collaboration  between  COMAH  sites 
where experience and ideas are shared.

A  top  to  bottom  culture  of  safety  awareness 
and  responsibility  is  actively  promoted  within 
the  business.  Appropriate  health,  safety  and 
environmental  training  and  development  is 
in  place  across  the  workforce.  All  staff  are 
engaged  to  help  underpin  the  efforts  of  the 
health  and  safety  professionals  employed 
within the Group. Across the Group, members 
of staff hold additional responsibility as Safety, 
Health  and  Environment  Champions  providing 
additional representation, monitoring capability 
and  support  to  staff  on  a  day-to-day  basis. 
These additional responsibilities, for which the 
Champions receive payment, ensure that safety 
remains a top priority of the business. 

Employee  health  and  well-being  is  monitored 
and  dedicated,  bespoke  support  is  provided 
where required. 

Greenhouse gas emissions
The  Group’s  disclosures  on  greenhouse  gas 
emissions  have  been 
included  within  the 
Working Responsibly section on page 43.

Employees

The Group’s disclosures on employees have 
been included within the Working Responsibly 
section on page 44.

Structure of share capital
The Parent Company’s share capital comprises 
59,470,670  ordinary  shares  with  a  nominal 
value  of  2  pence  each.  All  of  the  Parent 
Company’s  issued  ordinary  shares  are  fully 
paid  up  and  rank  equally  in  all  respects.  The 
rights  attached  to  them,  in  addition  to  those 
conferred  on  their  holders  by  law,  are  set  out 
in the Articles, a copy of which can be found on 
the Treatt website or obtained on request from 
the Company Secretary.

Details  of  the  issued  ordinary  share  capital  of 
the  Parent  Company  and  movements  during 
the year are set out in note 26 of the financial 
statements. During the current period the Parent 
Company  issued  5,265,500  shares  under  a 
placing (2017:Nil), 230,000 shares to Treatt SIP 
Trustees Limited (2017: 150,000) and 1,070,000 
to the Employee Benefit Trust (2017: 100,000).

Restrictions on transfer of securities
There  are  no  restrictions  on  the  transfer  of 
ordinary  shares  or  on  the  exercise  of  voting 
rights  attached  to  them,  except  (i)  where  the 
Parent  Company  has  exercised  its  right  to 
suspend their voting rights or to prohibit their 
transfer following the omission of their holder 
or any person interested in them to provide the 
Parent  Company  with  information  requested 
by  it  in  accordance  with  Part  22  of  the 
Companies Act 2006 or (ii) where their holder 
is  precluded  from  exercising  voting  rights  by 
the Financial Conduct Authority’s Listing Rules 
or the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.

Rights and obligations of ordinary shares
On a show of hands at a general meeting every 
holder of ordinary shares present in person or 
by proxy and entitled to vote shall have one vote 
and on a poll, every member present in person 
or by proxy and entitled to vote shall have one 
vote  for  every  ordinary  share  held.  Subject 
to  the  relevant  statutory  provisions  and  the 
Articles, holders of ordinary shares are entitled 
to  a  dividend  where  declared  or  paid  out  of 
profits available for such purposes.

Articles of Association
The  powers  of  the  Directors  are  conferred 
on  them  by  UK  legislation  and  the  Articles  of 
Association.  Changes  to  the  Articles  must  be 
approved  by  shareholders  passing  a  special 
resolution at a general meeting.

Powers of the directors and purchase 
of own shares
At the forthcoming Annual General Meeting in 2019, 
the Parent Company will be seeking a renewal of 
the  shareholder  authority  for  the  Directors  to 
purchase  up  to  10%  of  the  Parent  Company’s 
ordinary shares, although at present the Directors 
have no plans to buy back any shares. It is, however, 
considered prudent to have the authority in place 
so that the Parent Company is able to act at short 
notice if circumstances warrant.

A resolution will also be proposed at the 2019 
Annual  General  Meeting  to  renew  the  power 
given to the Directors to issue new shares up 
to  an  amount  of  33%  of  the  existing  issued 
share capital, in line with the latest institutional 
guidelines 
the  Association  of 
British  Insurers  (ABI),  of  which  5%  of  the 
existing issued share capital can be issued by 
disapplying pre-emption rights. 

issued  by 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plcIt is the Directors’ intention to seek renewal of 
these general authorities annually.

Treatt Employee Benefit Trust  
(the “EBT”)
The  EBT  holds  ordinary  shares  in  the  Parent 
Company  in  order  to  meet  obligations  under 
the  Group’s  employee  share  option  schemes. 
No  shares  (2017:  Nil)  were  purchased  by  the 
EBT during the year ended 30 September 2018. 
During the year 1,070,000 (2017:100,000) shares 
were  issued  under  a  block  listing  application. 
The trustees have waived their voting rights and 
their right to receive dividends in respect of the 
ordinary shares held by the EBT. 

Treatt SIP Trustees Limited  
(the “SIP Trust”) 
in 
The  SIP  Trust  holds  ordinary  shares 
the  Parent  Company  in  order  to  meet  the 
obligations  under  the  Group’s  Share  Incentive 
Plan  in  the  UK  which  was  approved  at  the 
2014  Annual  General  Meeting.  During  the 
year  230,000  (2017:  150,000)  shares  were 
issued under a block listing application. Voting 
rights are waived on all shares held in the SIP 
Trust  whether  or  not  allocated  to  participants 
under  the  rules  of  the  Share  Incentive  Plan. 
Dividends are only waived in respect of shares 
which  have  not  been  allocated  to  participants; 
dividends received by the SIP Trust on behalf of 
participants are reinvested in shares at market 
value on the date of reinvestment.

Annual General Meeting and 
restrictions on voting deadlines
The Annual General Meeting will be held at Treatt 
plc, Northern Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP32 
6NL on 25 January 2019. The Notice of Meeting 
and explanatory notes are given on pages 130 to 
138. The notice of any general meeting will specify 
the  deadline  for  exercising  voting  rights  and 
appointing a proxy or proxies to vote in relation to 
resolutions to be proposed at a general meeting. 
The number of proxy votes for, against or withheld 
in respect of each resolution are announced and 
published on the Treatt website after the meeting.

Auditors
RSM UK Audit LLP has indicated its willingness 
to  continue  in  office.  On  the  recommendation 
of  the  Audit  Committee,  resolutions  are  to  be 
proposed  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting  for 
the  re-appointment  of  RSM  UK  Audit  LLP  as 
auditors  of  Treatt  plc  and  its  subsidiaries,  and 
to authorise the Board to fix their remuneration. 
The  remuneration  of  the  auditors  for  the  year 
ended 30 September 2018 is disclosed in note 5 
of the financial statements.

Statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities
The  Directors  are  responsible  for  preparing 
the Directors’ Report, the Strategic Report, the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report, the Corporate 
Governance  Statement  and 
financial 
statements  in  accordance  with  applicable  law 
and regulations.

the 

Company law requires the Directors to prepare 
Group and Parent Company financial statements 
for  each  financial  year.  The  Directors  are 
required under the listing rules of the Financial 
Conduct  Authority  to  prepare  Group  financial 
statements  in  accordance  with  International 
Financial  Reporting  Standards  (“IFRS”)  as 
adopted  by  the  European  Union  (“EU”)  and 
have  elected  under  company  law  to  prepare 
the  Parent  Company  financial  statements  in 
accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU.

The  Group  financial  statements  are  required 
by law, and IFRS adopted by the EU, to present 
fairly the financial position of the Group and the 
Parent  Company  and  the  financial  performance 
of the Group. The Companies Act 2006 provides, 
in  relation  to  such  financial  statements,  that 
references  in  the  relevant  part  of  that  Act  to 
financial statements giving a true and fair view are 
references to their achieving a fair presentation.

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  the 
Parent Company and of the profit of the Group 
for that period. 

In  preparing  each  of  the  Group  and  Parent 
Company  financial  statements,  the  Directors 
are required to:

a. 

b. 

c. 

d. 

 select  suitable  accounting  policies  and 
then apply them consistently;

 make  judgements  and  estimates  that  are 
reasonable and prudent;

 state whether they have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs adopted by the EU;

 prepare  the  financial  statements  on  the 
going concern basis unless it is inappropriate 
to  presume  that  the  Group  and  the  Parent 
Company will continue in business.

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  keeping 
adequate accounting records that are sufficient 
to show and explain the Group’s and the Parent 
Company’s  transactions  and  disclose  with 
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial 
position of the Group and the Parent Company 
and  enable  them  to  ensure  that  the  financial 
statements  and  the  Directors’  Remuneration 
Report comply with the Companies Act 2006 
and, as regards the Group financial statements, 
Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. They are also 

79

responsible for safeguarding the assets of the 
Group and the Parent Company and hence for 
taking reasonable steps for the prevention and 
detection of fraud and other irregularities.

for 

responsible 

the 
The  Directors  are 
maintenance and integrity of the corporate and 
financial  information  included  on  the  Treatt 
plc  website.  Legislation  in  the  United  Kingdom 
governing the preparation and dissemination of 
financial statements may differ from legislation 
in other jurisdictions.

Directors’ statement pursuant to the 
Disclosure and Transparency Rules
Each  of  the  Directors,  whose  names  and 
functions  are  listed  in  the  Directors’  Report, 
confirms that, to the best of their knowledge:

a. 

b. 

c. 

in 
financial  statements,  prepared 
 the 
accordance  with  IFRS  as  adopted  by  the 
EU, give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities,  financial  position  and  profit  of 
the  Group  and  Parent  Company  and  the 
undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole; 

 the  Strategic  Report  contained  in  the 
Annual  Report  includes  a  fair  review 
of  the  development  and  performance 
of  the  business  and  the  position  of  the 
Group  and  the  undertakings  included 
in  the  consolidation  taken  as  a  whole, 
together  with  a  description  of 
the 
principal  risks  and  uncertainties  that 
they face; and

the 

report 

 consider 
and 
annual 
accounts,  taken  as  a  whole,  is  fair, 
balanced  and  understandable  and 
provides 
information  necessary 
for shareholders to assess the Group’s 
position  and  performance,  business 
model and strategy.

the 

Statement as to Disclosure of 
Information to Auditors
The  Directors  who  were  in  office  on  the  date 
of approval of these financial statements have 
confirmed, as far as they are aware, that there 
is  no  relevant  audit  information  of  which  the 
auditors  are  unaware.  Each  of  the  Directors 
have  confirmed  that  they  have  taken  all  the 
steps that they ought to have taken as Directors 
in  order  to  make  themselves  aware  of  any 
relevant audit information and to establish that 
it has been communicated to the auditors.

This  report  was  approved  by  the  Board  on  
26 November 2018. 

Signed on behalf of the Board.

Anita Steer
Secretary

Governance80

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc81

i

F
n
a
n
c
i
a
l

S
t
a
t
e
m
e
n
t
s

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S 
REPORT

GROUP INCOME  
STATEMENT

NOTES TO THE  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

82

85

92

Financial Statements

Overview
Strategic Report
Corporate Governance

 
82

Independent Auditor’s report to the members of Treatt plc

Opinion
We  have  audited  the  financial  statements  of  Treatt  plc  (the  ‘Parent 
Company’)  and  its  subsidiaries  (the  ‘Group’)  for  the  year  ended  30 
September  2018  which  comprise  the  Group  income  statement,  Group 
statement  of  comprehensive  income,  Group  and  Parent  Company 
statements  of  changes  in  equity,  Group  and  Parent  Company  balance 
sheets,  Group  and  Parent  Company  statements  of  cash  flows,  Group 
reconciliation  of  net  cash  flow  to  movement  in  net  debt  and  notes  to 
the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting 
policies.  The  financial  reporting  framework  that  has  been  applied  in 
their preparation is applicable law and International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and, as regards the 
Parent Company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the 
provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

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 30 September 2018 
and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended; 

•  the  Group  financial  statements  have  been  properly  prepared  in 

accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union;

•  the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared 
in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and as 
applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; 
and

•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group 
financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on 
Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under 
those  standards  are  further  described  in  the  Auditor’s  responsibilities 
for  the  audit  of  the  financial  statements  section  of  our  report.  We  are 
independent  of  the  Group  and  Parent  Company  in  accordance  with 
the  ethical  requirements  that  are  relevant  to  our  audit  of  the  financial 
statements  in  the  UK,  including  the  FRC’s  Ethical  Standard  as  applied 
to  listed  public  interest  entities,  and  we  have  fulfilled  our  other  ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that 
the  audit  evidence  we  have  obtained  is  sufficient  and  appropriate  to 
provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to principal risks, going concern and 
viability statement
We have nothing to report in respect of the following information in the 
annual report, in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to 
you whether we have anything material to add or draw attention to:

•  the  disclosures  in  the  annual  report  set  out  on  pages  26  to  31  that 
describe the principal risks and explain how they are being managed 
or mitigated; 

•  the Directors’ confirmation set out on page 27 in the annual report that 
they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing 
the  Group,  including  those  that  would  threaten  its  business  model, 
future performance, solvency or liquidity; 

•  the Directors’ statement set out on page 78 in the financial statements 
about  whether  the  Directors  considered  it  appropriate  to  adopt  the 
going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements 
and  the  Directors’  identification  of  any  material  uncertainties  to  the 
Group  and  the  Parent  Company’s  ability  to  continue  to  do  so  over 
a  period  of  at  least  twelve  months  from  the  date  of  approval  of  the 
financial statements; 

•  whether  the  Directors’  statement  relating  to  going  concern  required 
under  the  Listing  Rules  in  accordance  with  Listing  Rule  9.8.6R(3)  is 
materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or 

•  the Directors’ explanation set out on page 77 in the annual report as 
to  how  they  have  assessed  the  prospects  of  the  Group,  over  what 
period  they  have  done  so  and  why  they  consider  that  period  to  be 
appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and 
meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, 
including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary 
qualifications or assumptions.

Key audit matters
Key  audit  matters  are  those  matters  that,  in  our  professional  judgment, 
were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the 
current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material 
misstatement  (whether  or  not  due  to  fraud)  that  we  identified.  These 
matters included those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit 
strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts 
of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of 
our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion 
thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

•  Inventory provisions against obsolete and slow moving stock to write 
down  to  the  net  recoverable  amount  as  per  the  policy  on  page  95 
and  charge  as  note  5  –  we  reconfirmed  our  understanding  of  the 
basis  for  determining  provisions  against  obsolete,  slow  moving  and 
defective inventory and against items where expected net realisable 
value is lower than cost. We considered the controls relevant to the 
estimation  process  and  whether  these  continued  to  be  appropriate 
and consistently applied. We tested a sample of inventory provisions, 
considered  their  appropriateness  and  reviewed  post  year  end 
transactions to assess whether these confirmed the provisions made 
and their completeness. We also reviewed the outcome of prior year 
provisions  to  confirm  the  effectiveness  of  the  estimation  process 
followed by management.

Our application of materiality
When establishing our overall audit strategy, we set certain thresholds 
which  help  us  to  determine  the  nature,  timing  and  extent  of  our  audit 
procedures and to evaluate the effects of misstatements, both individually 
and  on  the  financial  statements  as  a  whole.  During  planning  we 
determined  a  magnitude  of  uncorrected  misstatements  that  we  judge 
would be material for the financial statements as a whole (FSM). During 
planning  FSM  was  calculated  as  £685,000,  which  was  not  changed 
during  the  course  of  our  audit.  We  agreed  with  the  Audit  Committee 
that  we  would  report  to  them  all  unadjusted  differences  in  excess  of 
£30,000, as well as differences below those thresholds that, in our view, 
warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc83

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies 
Act 2006
In  our  opinion,  the  part  of  the  Directors’  remuneration  report  to  be 
audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006.

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: 

•  the information given in the strategic report and the Directors’ report 
for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared 
is consistent with the financial statements; and

•  the strategic report and the Directors’ report have been prepared in 

accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In  the  light  of  the  knowledge  and  understanding  of  the  Group  and  the 
Parent  Company  and  their  environment  obtained  in  the  course  of  the 
audit,  we  have  not  identified  material  misstatements  in  the  strategic 
report or the Directors’ report. 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation 
to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our 
opinion:

•  adequate  accounting  records  have  not  been  kept  by  the  Parent 
Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received 
from branches not visited by us; or 

•  the Parent Company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ 
remuneration  report  to  be  audited  are  not  in  agreement  with  the 
accounting records and returns; or 

•  certain  disclosures  of  Directors’  remuneration  specified  by  law  are 

not made; or 

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require 

for our audit. 

Responsibilities of Directors
As  explained  more  fully  in  the  Directors’  responsibilities  statement  set 
out on page 79, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the 
financial  statements  and  for  being  satisfied  that  they  give  a  true  and 
fair  view,  and  for  such  internal  control  as  the  Directors  determine  is 
necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free 
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for 
assessing the Group’s and the Parent Company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern 
and  using  the  going  concern  basis  of  accounting  unless  the  Directors 
either intend to liquidate the Group or the Parent Company or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

An overview of the scope of our audit
Our  group  audit  approach  focused  on  the  Parent  Company,  Treatt 
Development Company Limited and the two key trading subsidiaries, one 
in the UK and one in the US. The UK entities are subject to local statutory 
audits completed to the Group reporting timetable. The US entity is not 
subject to local statutory audit and has been subject to full scope audit to 
group materiality. The US entity audit was undertaken by the same team 
as the UK statutory audits.

These audits covered 100% of revenue from continuing operations, 100% 
of profit before tax from continuing operations, and 99% of total assets.

In  addition  we  audited  the  gain  on  disposal  of  subsidiary  included 
within  discontinued  operations  (note  11).  The  results  for  the  year  from 
discontinued operations were subject to desktop reviews.

Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual 
report set out on pages 1 to 81, other than the financial statements and 
our  auditor’s  report  thereon.  The  Directors  are  responsible  for  the  
other information. 

Our  opinion  on  the  financial  statements  does  not  cover  the  other 
information  and,  except  to  the  extent  otherwise  explicitly  stated  in  our 
report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In 
connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility 
is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the 
other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements 
or  our  knowledge  obtained  in  the  audit  or  otherwise  appears  to  be 
materially  misstated.  If  we  identify  such  material  inconsistencies  or 
apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether 
there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material 
misstatement of the other information. 

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a 
material misstatement of the other information, we are required to report 
that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

In this context, we also have nothing to report in regard to our responsibility 
to specifically address the following items in the other information and 
to report as uncorrected material misstatements of the other information 
where we conclude that those items meet the following conditions:

•  Fair, balanced and understandable set out on page 79 – the statement 
given by the Directors that they consider the annual report and financial 
statements  taken  as  a  whole  is  fair,  balanced  and  understandable 
and  provides  the  information  necessary  for  shareholders  to  assess 
the Group’s performance, business model and strategy, is materially 
inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or 

•  Audit committee reporting set out on pages 58 to 60 – the section 
describing  the  work  of  the  audit  committee  does  not  appropriately 
address matters communicated by us to the audit committee; or 

•  Directors’  statement  of  compliance  with  the  UK  Corporate 
Governance  Code  set  out  on  page  52  –  the  parts  of  the  Directors’ 
statement required under the Listing Rules relating to the Company’s 
compliance  with  the  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code  containing 
provisions  specified  for  review  by  the  auditor  in  accordance  with 
Listing  Rule  9.8.10R(2)  do  not  properly  disclose  a  departure  from  a 
relevant provision of the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Financial Statements84

Independent Auditor’s report to the members of Treatt plc continued

Use of our report 
This  report  is  made  solely  to  the  Company’s  members,  as  a  body,  in 
accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our 
audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s 
members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s 
report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, 
we  do  not  accept  or  assume  responsibility  to  anyone  other  than  the 
Company and the Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for 
this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Neil Stephenson 
Senior Statutory Auditor

For and on behalf of RSM UK Audit LLP,  
Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants 
Abbotsgate House 
Hollow Road 
Bury St Edmunds 
IP32 7FA

26 November 2018

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements
Our  objectives  are  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the 
financial  statements  as  a  whole  are  free  from  material  misstatement, 
whether  due  to  fraud  or  error,  and  to  issue  an  auditor’s  report  that 
includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, 
but  is  not  a  guarantee  that  an  audit  conducted  in  accordance  with 
ISAs  (UK)  will  always  detect  a  material  misstatement  when  it  exists. 
Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material 
if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to 
influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these 
financial statements. 

As  part  of  our  audit,  we  will  consider  the  susceptibility  of  the  Group 
and  Parent  Company  to  fraud  and  other  irregularities,  taking  account 
of the business and control environment established and maintained by 
the Directors, as well as the nature of transactions, assets and liabilities 
recorded in the accounting records. Owing to the inherent limitations of 
an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that some material misstatements 
of the financial statements may not be detected, even though the audit is 
properly planned and performed in accordance with the ISAs. However, 
the  principal  responsibility  for  ensuring  that  the  financial  statements 
are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error, 
rests with management who should not rely on the audit to discharge  
those functions. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements  is  located  on  the  Financial  Reporting  Council’s  website  at: 
http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.  This  description  forms 
part of our auditor’s report.

Other matters which we are required to address
Following  the  recommendation  of  the  audit  committee,  we  were 
appointed by the Board of Directors of the Parent Company in February 
1988 to audit the financial statements for the year ending 30 September 
1988 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted 
engagement including legacy firms is 31 years, covering the years ended 
30 September 1988 to 30 September 2018.

The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not 
provided to the Group or the Parent Company and we remain independent 
of the Group and the Parent Company in conducting our audit. 

Our  audit  opinion  is  consistent  with  the  additional  report  to  the  
audit committee.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plcGroup Income Statement
for the year ended 30 September 2018

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Administrative expenses

Operating profit 1

Other losses

Net finance costs

Profit before taxation and exceptional items

Exceptional items

Profit before taxation

Taxation

Profit for the year from continuing operations

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Profit for the year from discontinued operations

Profit for the year attributable to owners of the Parent Company

Earnings per share

From continuing and discontinued operations:

Basic

Diluted

Adjusted basic2,3

Adjusted diluted2,3

From continuing operations:

Basic

Diluted

Adjusted basic2

Adjusted diluted2

1  Operating profit is calculated as profit before other losses, net finance costs, exceptional items and taxation.

2  All adjusted measures exclude exceptional items, and in the case of earnings per share the related tax effect, details of 

which are given in note 9.

3  Excludes the 2018 gain on disposal of subsidiaries (2017: £nil).

Notes 1 – 34 form part of these financial statements.

85

Notes

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

4

5

7

8

9

10

11

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

112,163

(84,407)

27,756

(13,812)

13,944

(734)

(568)

12,642

(1,105)

11,537

(2,284)

9,253

2,976

12,229

21.55p

20.99p

19.07p

18.58p

16.30p

15.88p

18.02p

17.56p

101,250

(75,985)

25,265

(12,718)

12,547

–

(851)

11,696

–

11,696

(3,129)

8,567

978

9,545

18.29p

17.72p

18.29p

17.72p

16.41p

15.90p

16.41p

15.90p

Financial Statements86

Group Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 30 September 2018

Profit for the year attributable to owners of the Parent Company

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Currency translation differences on foreign currency net investments

Current tax on foreign currency translation differences 

Fair value movement on cash flow hedges 

Deferred tax on fair value movement 

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension scheme 

Deferred tax on actuarial gain or loss 

Other comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to owners of the Parent Company

Notes 1 – 34 form part of these financial statements.

Notes

10

25

10

30

10

2018
£’000

12,229

912

(24)

(70)

(27)

791

2,505

(426)

2,079

2,870

15,099

2017
£’000

9,545

(1,107)

59

659

(112)

(501)

1,468

(250)

1,218

717

10,262

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc 
59

(1,048)

(250)

10,763

(303)

10,262

Group and Parent Company Statements of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 30 September 2018

Group

1 October 2016

Net profit for the year

Other comprehensive income:

Exchange differences

Fair value movement on cash 
flow hedges

Actuarial gain on defined 
benefit pension scheme

Taxation relating to items 
above

Total comprehensive income

Transactions with owners:

Dividends

Share-based payments

Movement in own shares in 
share trusts 

Gain on release of shares in 
share trusts

Issue of share capital

Taxation relating to items 
recognised directly in equity

Total transactions with 
owners

30 September 2017

Net profit for the year

Other comprehensive 
income:
Exchange differences

Fair value movement on cash 
flow hedges

Actuarial gain on defined 
benefit pension scheme

Transfer between reserves

Taxation relating to items 
above

Total comprehensive income

Transactions with owners:
Dividends

Share-based payments

Movement in own shares in 
share trusts 

Gain on release of shares in 
share trusts

Issue of share capital

Taxation relating to items 
recognised directly in equity

Total transactions with 
owners

30 September 2018

Share capital
£’000

Notes

Share 
premium
account
£’000

Own shares 
in share 
trusts
£’000

Hedging
reserve
£’000

Foreign 
exchange
reserve
£’000

1,053

2,757

(332)

(627)

25

30

10

12

29

26

10

25

30

10

12

29

26

10

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

5

–

5

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,058

2,757

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

131

–

131

1,189

20,727

–

20,727

23,484

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

162

–

(5)

–

157

(175)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

167

–

(26)

–

141

(34)

–

–

659

–

(112)

547

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3,675

–

(1,107)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(80)

2,627

–

–

(70)

–

227

(27)

130

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

912

–

–

–

(24)

888

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

87

Retained 
earnings
£’000

30,661

9,545

–

–

Total equity
£’000

37,187

9,545

(1,107)

659

1,468

1,468

(3,025)

(3,025)

951

–

193

–

748

951

162

193

–

748

(1,133)

40,291

12,229

(971)

46,478

12,229

–

–

2,505

(227)

(426)

14,081

(2,876)

1,049

–

419

–

457

(951)

912

(70)

2,505

–

(477)

15,099

(2,876)

1,049

167

419

20,832

457

20,048

81,625

Notes 1 – 34 form part of these financial statements.

50

3,515

53,421

Financial Statements88

Group and Parent Company Statements of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 30 September 2018

Parent Company

1 October 2016

Net profit for the year

Total comprehensive income

Transactions with owners:

Dividends

Movement in own shares in share trusts 

Capital contribution to subsidiary undertakings

Gain on release of shares in share trusts

Issue of share capital

Total transactions with owners

30 September 2017

Net profit for the year

Total comprehensive income

Transactions with owners:

Dividends

Movement in own shares in share trusts 

Capital contribution to subsidiary undertakings

Gain on release of shares in share trusts

Issue of share capital

Total transactions with owners

30 September 2018

Notes 1 – 34 form part of these financial statements.

Notes

Share 
capital
£’000

1,053

Share
 premium
account
£’000

Own shares 
in share 
trusts
£’000

2,757

(332)

–

–

–

–

–

–

5

5

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,058

2,757

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

131

131

1,189

20,727

20,727

23,484

12

29

26

12

29

26

–

–

–

162

–

–

(5)

157

(175)

–

–

–

167

–

–

(26)

141

(34)

Retained 
earnings
£’000

5,628

3,444

3,444

Total 
equity
£’000

9,106

3,444

3,444

(3,025)

(3,025)

–

951

193

–

162

951

193

–

(1,881)

(1,719)

7,191

7,945

7,945

10,831

7,945

7,945

(2,876)

(2,876)

–

1,049

419

–

(1,408)

13,728

167

1,049

419

20,832

19,591

38,367

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plcGroup and Parent Company Balance Sheets  
as at 30 September 2018

Registered Number: 01568937

89

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investment in subsidiaries
Deferred tax assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Current tax assets
Derivative financial instruments
Cash and bank balances
Assets classified as held for sale

Total assets
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Borrowings
Provisions
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities
Derivative financial instruments

Liabilities classified as held for sale

Net current assets
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Post-employment benefits
Deferred tax liabilities
Derivative financial instruments

Total liabilities
Net assets
EQUITY
Share capital
Share premium account
Own shares in share trusts
Hedging reserve
Foreign exchange reserve
Retained earnings

Group

2018
£’000

Notes

14
15
16
17
18

19
20

25
21
11

22
23
24

25

11

22
30
18
25

26
27

–
752
20,038
–
1,073
21,863

39,642
28,829
29
–
32,304
1,598
102,402
124,265

(19,244)
(58)
(15,298)
(760)
(401)

(20)
(35,781)
66,621

(3,001)
(3,457)
(401)
–
(6,859)
(42,640)
81,625

1,189
23,484
(34)
50
3,515
53,421

2017
£’000

2,727
604
14,821
–
1,380
19,532

42,878
19,973
148
483
4,748
–
68,230
87,762

(7,680)
(57)
(17,816)
(1,450)
–

–
(27,003)
41,227

(7,293)
(5,821)
(764)
(403)
(14,281)
(41,284)
46,478

1,058
2,757
(175)
(80)
2,627
40,291

Parent Company

2018
£’000

–
–
–
7,010
–
7,010

–
2,507
–
–
31,647
–
34,154
41,164

–
–
(2,797)
–
–

–
(2,797)
31,357

–
–
–
–
–
(2,797)
38,367

1,189
23,484
(34)
–
–
13,728

2017
£’000

–
–
–
8,205
–
8,205

–
523
–
–
2,590
–
3,113
11,318

–
–
(487)
–
–

–
(487)
2,626

–
–
–
–
–
(487)
10,831

1,058
2,757
(175)
–
–
7,191

Total equity attributable to owners of the Parent 
Company

Notes 1 – 34 form part of these financial statements.

81,625

46,478

38,367

10,831

The Parent Company reported a profit for the year of £7,945,000 (2017: £3,444,000).

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 26 November 2018 and were signed on its behalf by:

Tim Jones 
Chairman  

Richard Hope 
Chief Financial Officer

Financial Statements 
 
90

Group and Parent Company Statements of Cash Flows
for the year ended 30 September 2018

Notes

Group
2018
£’000

2017
£’000

Parent Company
2018
£’000

2017
£’000

Cash flow from operating activities

Profit before taxation including discontinued activities

14,555

12,892

7,901

3,392

Adjusted for:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of intangible assets

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Profit on disposal of other intangible assets

(Profit)/loss on disposal of subsidiaries

Net finance costs

Share-based payments

Decrease/(increase) in fair value of derivatives

Increase/(decrease) in post-employment benefit 
obligations

Operating cash flow before movements in working 
capital

Movements in working capital:
Increase in inventories

Increase in receivables

(Decrease)/increase in payables

Cash generated from operations
Taxation (paid)/received 

Net cash from operating activities

Cash flow from investing activities
Disposal of/(investment in) subsidiaries

Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Purchase of intangible assets

(Purchase)/sale of redeemable loan notes

Interest received

Cash flow from financing activities
(Repayment)/increase in bank loans

Settlement of financial derivatives

Interest paid

Dividends paid

16

15

28

8

29

28

16

15

33

8

33

8

12

Proceeds on issue of shares

Net sale of own shares by share trusts

26,27

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Effect of foreign exchange rates

Movement in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Cash and cash equivalents comprise:
Cash and bank balances

Bank borrowings

Notes 1 – 34 form part of these financial statements.

21

22

1,519

124

–

(2)

(2,382)

610

1,040

638

141

1,399

137

7

–

–

913

966

(185)

(112)

16,243

16,017

(1,174)

(9,906)

(1,582)

3,581

(2,978)

603

8,746

–

(6,190)

(389)

–

36

2,203

(7,594)

(227)

(646)

(2,876)

20,833

586

10,076

12,882

(102)

12,780

280

13,060

32,304

(19,244)

13,060

(13,607)

(2,454)

4,727

4,683

(2,822)

1,861

(900)

13

(5,111)

(105)

(675)

12

(6,766)

2,284

–

(925)

(3,025)

–

355

(1,311)

(6,216)

(85)

(6,301)

6,581

280

4,748

(4,468)

280

–

–

–

–

(7,229)

(27)
–

–

–

645

–

(951)

2,309

2,003

43

2,046

8,441

–

–

–

–

30

8,471

–

–

(3)

(2,876)

20,833

586

18,540

29,057

–

29,057

2,590

31,647

31,647

–

31,647

–

–

–

–

481

(2)

–

–

–

3,871

–

(509)

668

4,030

53

4,083

(900)

–

–

–

675

13

(212)

–

–

(10)

(3,025)

–

355

(2,680)

1,191

–

1,191

1,399

2,590

2,590

–

2,590

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc91

2018
£’000

12,780

7,594

20,374

(90)

20,284

(10,225)

2017
£’000

(6,301)

(2,284)

(8,585)

14

(8,571)

(1,654)

10,059

(10,225)

Group Reconciliation of Net Cash Flow to Movement in Net Debt
for the year ended 30 September 2018

Movement in cash and cash equivalents in the year

Repayment/(increase) in bank loans

Cash inflow/(outflow) from changes in net debt in the year

Effect of foreign exchange rates

Movement in net debt in the year

Net debt at beginning of year

Net cash/(debt) at end of year

Analysis of movements in net debt during the year are as follows;

Cash and bank balances

Bank borrowings

Cash and cash equivalents

Bank loans and overdrafts

Net cash/(debt) at end of year

Notes 1 – 34 form part of these financial statements.

At 1 October 2017
£’000

Cash flow
£’000

Exchange and 
other non-cash 
movements
£’000

At 30 September 
2018
£’000

4,748

(4,468)

280

(10,505)

(10,225)

27,658

(14,776)

12,882

7,594

20,476

(102)

-

(102)

(90)

(192)

32,304

(19,244)

13,060

(3,001)

10,059

Financial Statements92

Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 30 September 2018

1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Treatt plc (“the Parent Company”) is a public limited company incorporated in the United Kingdom and domiciled in England and Wales. The Parent 
Company’s shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange. The address of the registered office is included within the Parent Company Information 
section on page 139. 

2. ADOPTION OF NEW AND REVISED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

New and amended accounting standards
There were no new standards or amendments to standards, which had a material impact on these financial statements, and are mandatory and 
relevant to the Group for the first time for the financial year ended 30 September 2018.

Accounting standards in issue but not yet effective
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements the following standards and interpretations, which have not been applied in these financial 
statements and which are considered potentially relevant, were in issue but not yet effective (and in some cases had not yet been adopted by the EU):

Annual improvements 2014–2016 (amendments to IFRS 1 and IAS 28)

Annual improvements 2015–2017

IFRS 2 Share-based payments (amendments)

IFRS 3 Business combinations: Definition of a business (amendments)

IFRS 9* Financial instruments

IFRS 15* Revenue from contracts with customers

IFRS 16* Leases

IFRS 17 Insurance contracts

IAS 19 Employee benefits: Plan amendment, curtailment or settlement (amendments)

IAS 28 Investments in associates and joint ventures (amendments)

IAS 40 Investment property (amendments)

*  These standards have been identified by the Financial Reporting Council as having the potential to significantly impact on many companies’ results 

and financial positions. Following a review of the likely impact, the Directors anticipate that:

–  

– 

 the adoption of IFRS 9 will not have any impact on the financial statements of the Group or Parent Company, other than on disclosure notes, 
whilst enabling the Group to manage its hedging policies and documentation in a more streamlined manner.

 having carried out a detailed review of the commercial agreements with customers, the Group have concluded that IFRS 15 will not have any 
impact on the financial statements of the Group or the Parent Company, other than on disclosure notes. This conclusion reflects the fact that 
these agreements do not constitute firm contracts which cannot be cancelled or amended by the customer without recourse. It therefore 
remains the case that the Group’s existing accounting policy in respect of revenue recognition will continue to be applied on a basis consistent 
with prior years. 

– 

 based on leases in existence at 30 September 2018, the adoption of IFRS 16 will not have an impact on net assets or to the annual profit or loss 
charge of more than £20,000. 

The Directors also anticipate that the adoption of the other standards and interpretations in future periods will have no material impact on the 
financial statements of the Group or the Parent Company.

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The significant accounting policies which have been used in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below.

Accounting convention
The Group is required to prepare its annual consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 
as adopted for use by the European Union. The Parent Company has also prepared its own financial statements in accordance with IFRS as adopted 
by the European Union. The financial statements have also been prepared under the historical cost convention (unless a fair value basis is required 
by IFRS) and are in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 applicable for companies reporting under IFRS.

The Parent Company has taken advantage of the exemption under Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own income 
statement in these financial statements.

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc93

Basis of consolidation
The Group accounts consolidate the accounts of Treatt plc and all of its subsidiaries (entities controlled by the Parent Company) made up to 30 
September each year. Control is achieved where the Parent Company has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an investee 
entity  so  as  to  obtain  benefits  from  its  activities.  All  intra-group  transactions,  balances  and  unrealised  gains  on  transactions  between  Group 
companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the 
asset transferred.

Going concern
The Directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the Parent Company and the Group have adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in 
preparing the financial statements. Further detail is contained in the Directors’ Report on pages 77 to 78.

Presentation of financial statements 
The primary statements within the financial information contained in this document have been presented in accordance with IAS 1, “Presentation of 
Financial Statements”. 

Investments in subsidiaries
Investments in subsidiaries in the Parent Company balance sheet are stated at cost, less any provision for impairment.

Business combinations
The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the purchase method. The cost of the acquisition is measured at the aggregate fair values, 
at the date of exchange, of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed, and equity instruments issued by the Group in exchange for control of the 
acquiree. The acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that meet the conditions for recognition under IFRS 3 are recognised 
at their fair value at the acquisition date, except for non-current assets (or disposal groups) that are classified as held for sale in accordance with 
IFRS 5, “Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations”, which are recognised and measured at fair value less costs to sell.

The accounting policy for goodwill is shown later in this note under intangible assets.

Revenue recognition
Revenue  represents  amounts  receivable  net  of  trade  discounts,  VAT  and  other  sales-related  taxes.  Revenue  is  recognised  in  these  financial 
statements when goods are physically despatched from the Group and/or Parent Company’s premises or other storage depots, irrespective of the 
terms of trade, as the Directors believe that this is the point at which the significant risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the customer 
in accordance with IAS 18, “Revenue Recognition”.

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates
Transactions in currencies other than Pounds Sterling are recorded at the rate of exchange at the date of transaction. Assets and liabilities in foreign 
currencies are translated into Pounds Sterling in the balance sheet at the year-end rate. 

Income and expense items of the Group’s overseas subsidiaries are translated into Pounds Sterling at the average rate for the year. Their balance 
sheets are translated at the rate ruling at the balance sheet date.

Exchange differences which arise from the translation of the opening net assets and results of foreign subsidiaries and from translating the income 
statement at an average rate are taken to reserves. Under IAS 21, “The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates”, these cumulative translation 
differences which are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income are separately accounted for within reserves and are transferred from 
equity to the income statement in the event of the disposal of a foreign operation. All other exchange differences are taken to the income statement. 

Research and development expenditure
Expenditure on research activities is recognised as an expense and charged to the income statement in the period in which it is incurred.

Expenditure arising from any specific development is recognised as an asset only if all of the following conditions are met:

•  An asset is created that can be identified;

•  It is probable that the asset created will generate future economic benefits; and

•  The development cost of the asset can be measured reliably.

Development expenditure meeting these conditions is amortised on a straight-line basis over its useful life. Where these conditions for capitalising 
development expenditure have not been met, the related expenditure is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is incurred.

No assets were recognised in the year as the above criteria was not met.

Financial Statements94

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Leases
Rentals receivable under operating leases are recognised in the income statement as and when they fall due.

Rentals payable under operating leases, where substantially all of the benefit and risks of ownership remain with the lessor, are charged against 
profits on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax attributable to current profits. 

Current 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 or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. 
The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated by using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Where 
the Group and/or Parent Company have a net current tax asset in one legal jurisdiction and a liability in another, and consequently have no legal right 
of set off, then these assets and liabilities will be shown separately on the balance sheet as required by IAS 12, “Income Taxes”.

Current tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it relates to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the 
current tax is also dealt with in equity.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the financial 
statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. 
Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable 
that taxable 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 the initial recognition of goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other 
assets and liabilities in a transaction which affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, and interests in joint 
ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not 
reverse in the foreseeable future. As the Group is in fact in a position to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences arising from its 
investments in subsidiaries it is not required to recognise a deferred tax liability. In view of the variety of ways in which these temporary differences 
may reverse, and the complexity of the tax laws, it is not possible to accurately compute the temporary differences arising from such investments. 

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of the retained earnings of overseas subsidiaries and associates only to the extent that, at the balance sheet 
date, dividends have been accrued as receivable or a binding agreement to distribute past earnings in future has been entered into by the subsidiary 
or associate.

Deferred tax is measured at the average tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which timing differences are expected to reverse, 
based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Where the Group and/or Parent Company 
have a net deferred tax asset in one legal jurisdiction and a liability in another, and consequently have no legal right of set off, then these assets and 
liabilities will be shown separately on the balance sheet as required by IAS 12, “Income Taxes”.

Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it relates to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case 
deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.

Exceptional items 
The Group has elected to classify certain items as exceptional and present them separately on the face of the income statement. Exceptional items 
are classified as those which are separately identified by virtue of their size, nature or expected frequency, to allow a better understanding of the 
underlying performance in the period.

Post balance sheet events and dividends 
IAS 10, “Events after the Balance Sheet Date” requires that final dividends proposed after the balance sheet date should not be recognised as a 
liability at that balance sheet date, as the liability does not represent a present obligation as defined by IAS 37, “Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and 
Contingent Assets”. Consequently, final dividends are only recognised as a liability once formally approved at the Annual General Meeting and interim 
dividends are not recognised until paid.

Cash flow
The Statement of Cash Flows explains the movement in cash and cash equivalents and short-term borrowings.

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc95

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less depreciation. 

Depreciation is provided on all property, plant and equipment, except freehold and long leasehold land, using the straight-line basis to write off the 
cost of the asset, less estimated residual value, as follows:

•  Plant and machinery: 

4–10 years

•  Buildings: 

50 years

Intangible assets
Goodwill

Goodwill arising on consolidation represents the excess of the cost of the business combination over the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the 
identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities at the date of acquisition. In accordance with IFRS 3, “Business Combinations any revisions to 
cost for acquisitions are included as a charge or credit to the Income Statement. Goodwill is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently 
measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill which is recognised as an asset is reviewed for impairment at least annually 
in relation to the cash generating unit it represents. Any impairment is recognised immediately in the income statement and is not subsequently 
reversed. On disposal of a subsidiary, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal.

Other intangible assets

Amortisation (which is included within administrative expenses) is provided on all intangible assets, other than goodwill, using the straight-line basis 
to write off the cost of the asset, less estimated residual value, as follows:

•  Software licenses: 

•  Lease premium: 

4 years

85 years

Impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
Provision will be made should any impairment in the value of properties or other non-current assets occur.

The need for any non-current asset impairment write down is assessed by comparison of the carrying value of the asset against the higher of net 
realisable value and value in use.

Assets held for sale
Non-current  assets,  or  disposal  groups  comprising  assets  and  liabilities,  are  classified  as  held  for  sale  if  it  is  highly  probable  that  they  will  be 
recovered primarily through sale rather than through continuing use.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is based on raw material costs plus attributable overheads.

Net realisable value is based on estimated selling price less further costs expected to be incurred through to disposal. Provision is made for obsolete, 
slow-moving and defective items.

Onerous contracts
Provisions for onerous contracts are recognised when the expected benefits from a contract are lower than the unavoidable costs of meeting the 
contract’s obligations.

Financial instruments
Financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  are  recognised  on  the  Group  and/or  Parent  Company’s  balance  sheet  when  the  Group  and/or  Parent 
Company have become a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial Statements 
 
96

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued
Financial assets
Financial assets held by the Group are either classified as held for trading or are accounted for as trade receivables, loans, other receivables and 
cash and cash equivalents at amortised cost. The classification depends on the nature and purpose of the financial assets and is determined at the 
time of initial recognition.

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables are initially recognised at fair value. They are subsequently measured at their amortised cost using the effective interest 
method less any provision for impairment. A provision for impairment is made where there is objective evidence, (including customers with financial 
difficulties or in default on payments), that the asset is impaired. A provision for impairment is established when the carrying value of the receivable 
exceeds the present value of the future cash flow discounted using the original effective interest rate. The carrying value of the receivable is reduced 
through the use of an allowance account and any impairment loss is recognised in the income statement.

Loans receivable

All loans receivable are initially recognised at fair value. After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans are measured at amortised cost less any 
impairment loss recognised to reflect irrecoverable amounts. An impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss when there is objective evidence that 
the asset is impaired, and is measured as the difference between the loan’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows 
discounted at the effective interest rate computed at initial recognition. Impairment losses are reversed in subsequent periods when an increase in 
the loan’s recoverable amount can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, subject to the restriction that the 
carrying amount of the loan at the date the impairment is reversed shall not exceed what the amortised cost would have been had the impairment 
not been recognised.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash  and  cash  equivalents  includes  cash  in  hand,  deposits  held  at  call  with  banks,  and  other  short-term  highly  liquid  investments  with  original 
maturities of three months or less. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Group’s cash management are 
included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purposes of the consolidated cash flow statement. Bank overdrafts are shown within 
borrowings in current liabilities on the balance sheet.

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

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

All loans and borrowings are initially recognised at the fair value of the consideration received, net of issue costs. After initial recognition, interest-
bearing loans and borrowings are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. All borrowing costs are recognised in the income 
statement in the period in which they are incurred.

Trade payables

Trade payables are not interest-bearing and are stated at their nominal value.

Equity instruments

Equity instruments issued by the Parent Company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

Derivative financial instruments
The Group’s activities expose it to both the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. From time to time the 
Group uses foreign exchange forward and option contracts and interest rate swap contracts to hedge some of these exposures. The Group does not 
use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. The use of financial derivatives is governed by the Group’s policies approved by the 
Board. Further information on currency and interest rate management is provided in note 33, “Financial Instruments”. 

Hedge accounting

At the inception of the hedge relationship, the Group documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, along with 
its risk management objectives and its strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. Furthermore, at the inception of the hedge and on an 
ongoing basis, the Group documents whether the hedging instrument that is used in a hedging relationship is highly effective in offsetting changes 
in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item. Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, or 
exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. At that time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognised in equity is 
retained in equity until the forecasted transaction occurs. If a hedging transaction is no longer expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss that 
was recognised in equity is recognised immediately in profit or loss for the period. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that 
do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognised in the income statement as they arise. 

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc97

Cash flow hedges

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated and effective as cash flow hedging instruments are recognised 
directly  in  equity.  The  ineffective  portion  is  recognised  immediately  in  the  income  statement.  If  the  cash  flow  hedge  of  a  firm  commitment  or 
forecasted transaction results in the recognition of an asset or a liability, then, at the time the asset or liability is recognised, the associated gains or 
losses on the derivative that had been previously recognised in equity are included in the initial measurement of the asset or liability. For transactions 
that do not result in the recognition of an asset or a liability, amounts deferred in equity are recognised in the income statement in the same period 
in which the hedged item affects net profit or loss. 

Pension costs
One of the Group’s UK subsidiaries, R C Treatt & Co Limited, operates a defined benefit scheme through an independently administered pension 
scheme.

For defined benefit retirement plans, the cost of providing benefits is determined using the projected unit credit method, with actuarial valuations 
being carried out every three years and updated at each balance sheet date. The post-employment benefits obligation recognised in the balance 
sheet represents the present value of the defined benefit pension obligations adjusted for unrecognised past service cost, and as reduced by the 
fair value of scheme assets. Any asset resulting from this calculation is limited to past service costs, plus the present value of available refunds and 
reductions in future contributions to the scheme.

In accordance with IAS 19, “Employee Benefits”, the asset or liability in the defined benefit pension scheme is recognised as an asset or liability of 
the Group under non-current assets or liabilities under the heading “Post-employment benefits”. The deferred tax in respect of “Post-employment 
benefits” is netted against other deferred tax assets and liabilities relating to the same jurisdiction (see taxation accounting policy) and included in 
the deferred taxation asset or liability shown under non-current assets or liabilities.

The service cost and net interest on assets, net of interest on scheme liabilities, are reflected in the income statement for the period, in place of 
the actual cash contribution made. All experience gains or losses on the assets and liabilities of the scheme, together with the effect of changes in 
assumptions are reflected as a gain or loss in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The  Group  also  operates  a  number  of  defined  contribution  pension  schemes.  The  contributions  for  these  schemes  are  charged  to  the  income 
statement in the year in which they become payable.

Share options, the employee benefit trust and share incentive plan trust
Shares held by the “Treatt Employee Benefit Trust” for the purpose of fulfilling obligations in respect of various employee share plans are deducted 
from equity in the Group and Parent Company balance sheets. The treatment in the Parent Company balance sheet reflects the substance of the 
entity’s control of the trust.

The Group has an HMRC-approved share incentive plan (“SIP”). The Group also has a wholly-owned UK Trust, Treatt SIP Trustees Limited (“Trust”), 
to whom shares are issued at nominal value for the purpose of fulfilling obligations under the SIP. The treatment of the Trust in the Group and Parent 
financial statements is consistent with that of the EBT as explained above.

Share-based payments 
IFRS 2, “Share-based Payments”, requires that an expense for equity instruments granted be recognised in the financial statements based on their 
fair value at the date of grant. The Group has adopted the Black-Scholes model for the purposes of computing fair value of options under IFRS. 
The fair value excludes the effect of non market-based vesting conditions. This expense, which is in relation to share option schemes for staff in 
the UK and US, is recognised on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the scheme, based on the Group’s estimate of the number of equity 
instruments that will eventually vest. 

At each balance sheet date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest as a result of the effect of non 
market-based vesting conditions. The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, is recognised in profit or loss such that the cumulative 
expense reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding adjustment to the retained earnings reserve.

Savings-related share options granted to employees are treated as cancelled when employees cease to contribute to the scheme. Cancelled options 
are accounted for as an acceleration of vesting. The unrecognised grant date fair value is recognised in profit or loss in the year that the options 
are cancelled.

The Group has an HMRC-approved SIP for its UK-based employees under which employees can be awarded Free and Matching Shares. The fair 
value of shares awarded under the SIP is the market value of those shares at the date of grant, which is then recognised on a straight-line basis 
over the vesting period. 

Where the Parent Company grants options over its shares to employees in subsidiaries, it recognises this as a capital contribution equivalent to the 
share-based payment charge recognised in the Group Income Statement. In the financial statements of the Parent Company, this capital contribution 
is recognised as an increase in the cost of investment in subsidiaries, with the corresponding credit being recognised directly in equity.

Financial Statements98

3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued
Critical accounting estimates, assumptions and judgements
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events 
that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting 
accounting  estimates  and  assumptions  will,  by  definition,  seldom  equal  the  related  actual  results.  The  Group  has  evaluated  the  estimates  and 
assumptions that have been made in relation to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in these financial statements. 

The key accounting judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty with a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to assets and liabilities 
in the next 12 months include the following:

Pensions – movements in equity markets, interest rates and life expectancy could materially affect the level of surpluses and deficits in the defined 
benefit pension scheme. The key assumptions used to value pension assets and liabilities are set out in note 30 “Post-employment benefits”;

Useful economic life and residual value estimates – the Group reviews the useful economic lives and residual values attributed to assets on an on-
going basis to ensure they are appropriate. Changes in economic lives or residual values could impact the carrying value and charges to the income 
statement in future periods;

Provisions – using information available at the balance sheet date, the Directors make judgements based on experience on the level of provision 
required against assets, including inventory and trade receivables, and for liabilities including onerous contracts. Further information received after 
the balance sheet date may impact the level of provision required;

Share-based payments – in accordance with IFRS 2 “Share-based Payments”, share options and other share awards are measured at fair value 
at the date of grant. The fair value determined is then expensed in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, with a 
corresponding increase in equity. The fair value of the options is measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The valuation of these 
share-based payments requires several judgements to be made in respect of the number of options that are expected to be exercised. Details of the 
assumptions made in respect of each of the share-based payment schemes are disclosed in note 29 “Share-based Payments”. Changes in these 
assumptions could lead to changes in the income statement expense in future periods;

Taxation – the Group operates in a number of tax jurisdictions and estimation is required of taxable profit in order to determine the Group’s current 
tax liability. There are transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination can be uncertain. The Group periodically evaluates 
situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation and establishes provisions where appropriate based on amounts expected to 
be paid to the tax authorities; and

Deferred tax assets – deferred tax assets are recognised for all unused tax losses to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available 
against which the losses can be utilised. Management judgement is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognised, 
based upon the likely timing and level of future taxable profits together with future tax planning strategies.

Description of the nature and purpose of each reserve within equity
Share premium account – the share premium account represents amounts received in excess of the nominal value of shares on issue of new shares.

Own shares in share trusts – own shares in share trusts relate to shares held in the Treatt Employee Benefit Trust (the ”EBT”) and Treatt SIP 
Trustees Limited (the “Trust”). The shares held in the EBT and Trust are all held to meet options to be exercised by employees, and share awards 
and tax-approved purchases by employees under the SIP. Dividends on those shares not beneficially held on behalf of employees have been waived. 

Hedging reserve  –  the  hedging  reserve  comprises  the  effective  portion  of  the  cumulative  net  change  in  the  fair  value  of  cash  flow  hedging 
instruments related to hedged transactions that have not yet occurred.

Foreign exchange reserve – the foreign exchange reserve records exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of 
overseas subsidiaries.

Retained earnings – retained earnings comprises the Group’s annual profits and losses, actuarial gains and losses on the defined benefit pension 
scheme and dividend payments, combined with the employee share option reserve which represents the equity component of share-based payment 
arrangements.

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc99

4. SEGMENTAL INFORMATION

Group
Business segments

IFRS 8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal financial information reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker 
(CODM). The Group’s CODM has been identified as the Board of Directors who are primarily responsible for the allocation of resources to the 
segments and for assessing their performance. The disclosure in the Group accounts of segmental information is consistent with the information 
used by the CODM in order to assess profit performance from the Group’s operations. 

The  Group  operates  one  global  business  segment  engaging  in  the  manufacture  and  supply  of  innovative  ingredient  solutions  for  the  flavour, 
fragrance, beverage and consumer product industries with manufacturing sites in the UK, US and Kenya. Many of the Group’s activities, including 
sales, manufacturing, technical, IT and finance, are managed globally on a Group basis.

Geographical segments

The following table provides an analysis of the Group’s revenue by geographical market:

Revenue by destination

United Kingdom

Rest of Europe

The Americas

Rest of the World

– Germany

– Ireland

– Other

– USA

– Other

– China

– Other

2018
£’000
Continuing

2018
£’000
Discontinued

2018
£’000
Total

2017
£’000
Continuing

2017
£’000
Discontinued

10,997

6,687

8,310

12,661

40,963

8,407

5,441

18,697

112,163

2,051

13,048

719

–

1,920

1,030

3

1

409

6,133

7,406

8,310

14,581

41,993

8,410

5,442

19,106

118,296

7,693

6,458

7,280

8,620

40,619

8,071

5,767

16,742

101,250

2,578

748

–

2,615

1,952

93

5

386

8,377

2017
£’000
Total

10,271

7,206

7,280

11,235

42,571

8,164

5,772

17,128

109,627

All Group revenue is in respect of the sale of goods, other than property rental income of £27,000 (2017: £17,000). No country included within “Other” 
contributes more than 5% of the Group’s total revenue. The largest customer represented 10.7% of Group revenue (2017: 10.7%).

Non-current assets by geographical location, excluding deferred tax assets, were as follows:

Continuing operations

United Kingdom

United States

Rest of the World

2018
£’000

8,652

12,138

–

20,790

2017
£’000

11,358

6,364

430

18,152

Financial Statements100

5. PROFIT FOR THE YEAR
Profit for the year is stated after charging/(crediting):

Group

2018
£’000
Continuing

2018
£’000
Discontinued

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

1,463

56

Amortisation of intangible assets1

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Loss on disposal of other intangible assets

Research and development costs

Research and development government grants

Operating leases

– plant & machinery

– land & buildings

Net foreign exchange gain2

Rent (receivable)/payable

121

–

31

1,717

(137)

6

22

(558)

(44)

3

–

–

–

–

1

84

(20)

17

2018
£’000
Total

1,519

124

–

31

1,717

(137)

7

106

(578)

(27)

2017
£’000
Continuing

2017
£’000
Discontinued

1,343

137

–

–

1,402

–

6

22

(492)

(34)

56

–

7

–

–

–

1

91

(20)

17

2017
£’000
Total

1,399

137

7

–

1,402

–

7

113

(512)

(17)

Cost of inventories recognised as expense3

73,377

5,285

78,662

64,417

6,236

70,653

Write down/(write back) of inventories recognised  
as an expense

Shipping costs

IT & telephony costs

Insurance costs

Energy & utility costs

1 Included in administrative expenses.

2  Excludes foreign exchange gains or losses on financial instruments disclosed 
in note 25. 

3 Included in cost of sales.

The analysis of auditor’s remuneration is as follows:

769

1,755

628

581

527

38

112

15

66

38

807

1,867

643

647

565

1,237

1,615

666

606

362

Fees payable to the Parent Company’s auditors and their associates for the audit of:

– the Parent Company and Group accounts 

– the Group’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation

Total audit fees

Fees payable to the Parent Company’s auditors and their associates for other services to the Group:

– tax compliance services

– other assurance services

Total non-audit fees 

41

184

15

86

27

2018
£’000

40

80

120

–

2

2

1,278

1,799

681

692

389

2017
£’000

45

86

131

2

3

5

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc101

6. EMPLOYEES

Group
Number of employees

During the year the average number of staff employed by the Group, including Directors, was as follows:

Technical and production

Administration and sales

2018
Number
Continuing

2018
Number
Discontinued

2018
Number
Total

2017
Number
Continuing

2017
Number
Discontinued

2017
Number
Total

158

129

287

63

10

73

221

139

360

141

120

261

61

9

70

202

129

331

During the year, the Directors shown on pages 50 and 51 were employed by the Parent Company.

Employment costs

The following costs were incurred in respect of the above:

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Pension costs (see note 30)

Share-based payments (see note 29)

Directors

2018
£’000
Continuing

2018
£’000
Discontinued

2018
£’000
Total

2017
£’000
Continuing

2017
£’000
Discontinued

12,242

1,520

740

1,040

15,542

487

36

27

–

550

12,729

1,556

767

1,040

16,092

11,891

1,486

729

966

15,072

484

36

27

–

547

The information on Directors’ emoluments and share options set out on pages 71 to 75 form part of these financial statements.

7. OTHER LOSSES

Group

Hedge ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges

2018
£’000

734

2017
£’000
Total

12,375

1,522

756

966

15,619

2017
£’000

–

The ineffectiveness of certain cash flow hedges in the year arose as a consequence of increased payment terms with certain large customers.

8. NET FINANCE COSTS

Group

Finance costs

Bank overdraft interest paid

Other bank finance costs 

Loan interest paid

Loan note interest paid

Pension finance cost (see note 30)

Finance revenue

Loan interest note received

Bank interest received

Net finance costs

2018
£’000
Continuing

2018
£’000
Discontinued

2018
£’000
Total

2017
£’000
Continuing

2017
£’000
Discontinued

2017
£’000
Total

221

217

–

–

166

604

–

36

568

42

–

–

–

–

42

–

–

42

263

217

–

–

166

646

–

36

610

504

176

5

1

188

874

12

11

851

51

–

–

12

–

63

–

1

62

555

176

5

13

188

937

12

12

913

Financial Statements102

9. EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS
The exceptional items referred to in the income statement can be categorised as follows:

Group

Accelerated depreciation expense

UK relocation expenses

Less: tax effect of exceptional items

2018
£’000

217

888

1,105

(130)

975

2017
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

The exceptional items all relate to non-recurring items. The accelerated depreciation is in relation to the reduction in the estimated useful lives of 
UK assets which will not transition to the new UK site. Relocation expenses relate to one-off costs incurred in connection with the relocation of the 
Group’s UK operations which is expected to take place in 2020. 

10. TAXATION

Analysis of tax charge in income statement

2018
£’000
Continuing

2018
£’000
Discontinued

2018
£’000
Total

2017
£’000
Continuing

2017
£’000
Discontinued

Group

Current tax:

UK corporation tax on profits 
for the year

Adjustments to UK tax in 
respect of previous periods

Overseas corporation tax on 
profits for the year

Adjustments to overseas 
tax in respect of previous 
periods

Total current tax

Deferred tax:

Origination and reversal of 
temporary differences

Effect of reduced tax rate on 
opening assets and liabilities

Adjustments in respect of 
previous periods

Total deferred tax (see note 
18)

Tax on profit on ordinary 
activities

676

(33)

2,301

(3)

2,941

(325)

(331)

(1)

(657)

2,284

58

–

–

–

58

(15)

–

(1)

(16)

42

2017
£’000
Total

1,278

(84)

2,260

(10)

3,444

734

(33)

1,047

(84)

2,301

2,260

(3)

2,999

(10)

3,213

231

–

–

–

231

(340)

(331)

(2)

(673)

(106)

(29)

(135)

–

22

(84)

–

16

(13)

218

–

38

(97)

3,347

2,326

3,129

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plcAnalysis of tax charge/(credit) in other comprehensive income

Current tax:

Foreign currency translation differences

Deferred tax:

Cash flow hedges

Defined benefit pension scheme

Total deferred tax

Total tax expense recognised in other comprehensive income

Analysis of tax credit in equity

Current tax:

Share-based payments

Deferred tax:

Share-based payments

Total tax credit recognised in equity

103

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

24

27

426

453

477

(59)

112

250

362

303

(576)

(218)

119

(457)

(530)

(748)

Factors affecting tax charge for the year
The tax assessed for the year is different from that calculated at the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2017: 19.5%). The differences 
are explained below:

2018
£’000
Continuing

2018
£’000
Discontinued

2018
£’000
Total

2017
£’000
Continuing

2017
£’000
Discontinued

2017
£’000
Total

Profit before tax multiplied 
by standard rate of UK 
corporation tax at 19% 
(2017: 19.5%):

Effects of:

(Income)/expenses not 
taxable/deductible in 
determining taxable profit 
and other items

Research and development 
tax credits

Difference in tax rates on 
overseas earnings

Adjustments to tax charge  
in respect of prior years

Effect of reduced rate on 
opening deferred tax

Gain on disposal of 
subsidiary not taxable

Total current tax

2,192

573

2,765

2,281

233

2,514

127

(44)

377

(37)

(331)

–

2,284

(170)

–

93

(1)

(453)

42

(43)

(44)

470

(38)

(331)

(453)

2,326

93

(196)

1,023

(72)

–

–

3,129

27

–

(58)

16

–

–

218

120

(196)

965

(56)

–

–

3,347

The main rate of UK corporation tax was reduced from 20% to 19% with effect from 1 April 2017. The Group’s effective UK corporation tax rate for 
the year was therefore 19% (2017: 19.5%). The adjustments in respect of prior years relate to the finalisation of previous year’s tax computations. 

Financial Statements104

11. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
On 8 May 2018 the Group entered into a conditional agreement to dispose of Earthoil Plantations Limited which supplies ingredient solutions to the 
personal care industry. The disposal was effected as it was no longer core to Group operations and in order to generate cash flow for the expansion 
of the Group’s other businesses. The disposal was completed on 31 May 2018, on which date control of Earthoil Plantations Limited passed to the 
acquirer.

The results of the discontinued operations, which have been included in the income statement, were as follows:

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Administrative expenses

Operating profit

Net finance costs

Profit before taxation and exceptional items

Gain on disposal of subsidiary

Profit before taxation

Taxation

Profit for the period attributable to owners of the Parent Company

Earnings per share from discontinued operations: Basic 1.05p (2017: 1.88p); Diluted 1.02p (2017: 1.82p).

2018
£’000

6,133

(5,164)

969

(291)

678

(42)

636

2,382

3,018

(42)

2,976

2017
£’000

8,377

(6,834)

1,543

(285)

1,258

(62)

1,196

–

1,196

(218)

978

During  the  year  Earthoil  Group  contributed  £0.7m  (2017:  £0.3m)  to  the  Group’s  net  operating  cashflow,  paid  £0.2m  (2017:  £1.4m)  in  respect  of 
investing activities and received £2.6m (2017: £0.4m paid) in respect of financing activities.

A gain of £2.4m arose on the disposal of Earthoil Plantations Limited, being the difference between the proceeds of disposal and the carrying amount 
of the subsidiary’s net assets and attributable goodwill.

Included within the above results are operations which are expected to be sold, and have been classified as a disposal group held for sale and 
presented separately within the balance sheet.

The major classes of assets and liabilities comprising the operations classified as held for sale are as follows:

Property, plant and equipment

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Deferred tax

Current tax

Total assets classified as held for sale

Trade and other payables

Total liabilities classified as held for sale

Net assets of disposal group

No gains or losses arose on the remeasurement of the assets of the disposal group.

2018
£’000

425

610

523

35

5

1,598

20

20

1,578

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc105

Dividend per share for years ended 30 September

2018
Pence

1.60p2

3.50p3

5.10p

2017
Pence

1.45p1

3.35p2

4.80p

2016
Pence

1.35p1

3.00p1

4.35p

2018
£’000

936

1,940

2,876

2017
£’000

1,461

1,564

3,025

12. DIVIDENDS

Equity dividends on ordinary shares:

Parent Company and Group

Interim dividend

Final dividend

1  Accounted for in the year ended 30 September 2017.

2 Accounted for in the year ended 30 September 2018.

3  The proposed final dividend for the year ended 30 September 
2018 of 3.50 pence will be voted on at the Annual General 
Meeting on 25 January 2019 and will therefore be accounted 
for in the financial statements for the year ending  
30 September 2019.

13. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Group
Basic earnings per share

Basic  earnings  per  share  is  based  on  the  weighted  average  number  of  ordinary  shares  in  issue  and  ranking  for  dividend  during  the  year.  The 
weighted average number of shares excludes shares held by the Treatt Employee Benefit Trust (“EBT”), together with shares held by the Treatt SIP 
Trust (“SIP”), which do not rank for dividend.

Profit after taxation attributable to owners of the Parent Company (£’000)

Less: Profit from discontinued operations (£’000)

Profit from continuing operations attributable to owners of the Parent Company (£’000)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (No: ‘000)

Basic earnings per share – continuing and discontinued (pence)

Basic earnings per share – continuing (pence)

Diluted earnings per share

2018

12,229

(2,976)

9,253

56,758

21.55p

16.30p

2017

9,545

(978)

8,567

52,198

18.29p

16.41p

Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue and ranking for dividend during the year, adjusted 
for the effect of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

The number of shares used to calculate earnings per share (EPS) have been derived as follows:

Weighted average number of shares

Weighted average number of shares held in the EBT and SIP

Weighted average number of shares used for calculating basic EPS

Executive share option schemes

All-employee share options

Weighted average number of shares used for calculating diluted EPS

Diluted earnings per share – continuing and discontinued (pence)

Diluted earnings per share – continuing (pence)

2018
No (‘000)

2017
No (‘000)

57,423

(665)

56,758

1,201

301

58,260

20.99p

15.88p

52,780

(582)

52,198

1,229

445

53,872

17.72p

15.90p

Financial Statements106

13. EARNINGS PER SHARE continued
Adjusted earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share measures are calculated based on profits for the year attributable to owners of the Parent Company before exceptional 
items as follows:

Profit after taxation attributable to owners of the Parent Company

Adjusted for:

Exceptional items (see note 9)

Taxation thereon

Less gain on disposal of subsidiary

Earnings for calculating adjusted earnings per share:

From continuing and discontinued operations

Less: profit from discontinued operations before gain on disposal of subsidiaries

Adjusted earnings from continuing operations

Adjusted basic earnings per share (pence)

Continuing and discontinued operations

Continuing operations

Adjusted diluted earnings per share (pence)

Continuing and discontinued operations

Continuing operations

14. GOODWILL 

Group

Cost

1 October 2016 and 30 September 2017

Disposal of subsidiaries

30 September 2018

Accumulated impairment losses

1 October 2016 and 30 September 2017

Disposal of subsidiaries

30 September 2018

Carrying amount

30 September 2018

30 September 2017

2018
£’000

12,229

1,105

(130)

(2,382)

10,822

(594)

10,228

19.07p

18.02p

18.58p

17.56p

2017
£’000

9,545

–

–

–

9,545

(978)

8,567

18.29p

16.41p

17.72p

15.90p

£’000

5,159

(5,159)

–

2,432

(2,432)

–

–

2,727

The goodwill in the prior year related to Earthoil. During the year Earthoil Plantations Limited, Earthoil’s main operating company, was sold details 
relating to which can be found in note 28.

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc15. OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Group

Cost

1 October 2016

Exchange adjustment

Additions

Disposals

30 September 2017

Exchange adjustment

Additions

Disposals

Disposal of subsidiaries (see note 28)

30 September 2018

Amortisation

1 October 2016

Exchange adjustment

Charge for year

Disposals

30 September 2017

Exchange adjustment

Charge for year

Disposals

Disposal of subsidiaries (see note 28)

30 September 2018

Net book value

30 September 2018

30 September 2017

107

Total
£’000

1,107

(3)

105

(121)

1,088

3

422

(162)

(123)

1,228

470

(2)

137

(121)

484

2

124

(131)

(3)

476

752

604

Lease 
premium
£’000

Software 
licences
£’000

343

–

–

–

343

–

–

–

–

343

25

–

4

–

29

–

4

–

–

33

310

314

764

(3)

105

(121)

745

3

422

(162)

(123)

885

445

(2)

133

(121)

455

2

120

(131)

(3)

443

442

290

Intangible assets with a net book value of £18,000 (2017: £32,000) have been pledged as security in relation to all US borrowings as detailed in note 22.

Financial Statements108

16. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Group

Cost

1 October 2016

Exchange adjustment

Additions

Disposals

30 September 2017

Exchange adjustment

Additions

Disposals

Disposal of subsidiaries (see note 28)

Transfer to assets held for sale (see note 11)

30 September 2018

Depreciation

1 October 2016

Exchange adjustment

Charge for year

Disposals

30 September 2017

Exchange adjustment

Charge for year

Disposals

Disposal of subsidiaries (see note 28)

Transfer to assets held for sale (see note 11)

30 September 2018

Net book value
30 September 2018

30 September 2017

Analysis of land & buildings

Net book value

Freehold

Long leasehold

Land & 
buildings
£’000

Plant & 
machinery
£’000

6,944

(134)

3,783

–

10,593

304

6,275

(68)

–

(66)

11,840

(254)

1,328

(965)

11,949

218

509

(720)

(4)

(586)

Total
£’000

18,784

(388)

5,111

(965)

22,542

522

6,784

(788)

(4)

(652)

17,038

11,366

28,404

1,407

(34)

149

–

1,522

31

214

(68)

–

(9)

1,690

15,348

9,071

6,016

(122)

1,250

(945)

6,199

114

1,305

(720)

(4)

(218)

6,676

4,690

5,750

2018
£’000

14,674

674

15,348

7,423

(156)

1,399

(945)

7,721

145

1,519

(788)

(4)

(227)

8,366

20,038

14,821

2017
£’000

8,381

690

9,071

Included in property, plant and equipment are assets in the course of construction totalling £6,747,000 (2017: £841,000) which are not yet being 
depreciated.

Property, plant and equipment with a net book value of £12.1m (2017: £6.0m) has been pledged as security in relation to all US borrowings as detailed 
in note 22.

Capital commitments

Contracted but not provided for 

2018
£’000

3,674

2017
£’000

609

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc109

Parent Company

£’000

7,737

(482)

950

8,205

1,049

1

(2,245)

7,010

2017
£’000

3,584

2,376

–

2,245

–

8,205

2018
£’000

4,392

2,617

–

–

1

7,010

17. INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

Cost

1 October 2016

Inter group transfer of subsidiary

Capital contribution to subsidiaries

30 September 2017

Capital contribution to subsidiaries

Inter company transfer of subsidiary – Speciality Oils Holding Co Kenya Limited

Disposal of subsidiaries

30 September 2018

Parent Company

Subsidiary:

R C Treatt & Co Limited – 50,000 ordinary shares of £1 each, fully paid

Treatt USA Inc – 2,975,000 common stock of US $1 each, fully paid

Treatt Development Co Limited – 2 ordinary shares of £1 each, fully paid

Earthoil Plantations Limited – 4,051,000 ordinary shares of 50p each, fully paid

Speciality Oils Holding Co Kenya Limited

2,500 ”A” ordinary shares of KES20 each, fully paid

2,500 “B” ordinary shares of KES20 each, fully paid

During the year the Parent Company had the following subsidiary undertakings:

Subsidiary

Wholly owned by Treatt plc:

R C Treatt & Co Limited

Treatt USA Inc

Treatt SIP Trustees Limited

Treatt Development Company Limited

Speciality Oils Holding Company Kenya Limited  
(formerly Earthoil Kenya Pty Limited)

Wholly owned by Speciality Oils Holding  
Company Kenya Limited:

Country of 
incorporation

Holding

Principal activity

England1

USA2

England1

England1

100%

100%

100%

100%

Supply of flavour and fragrance ingredients

Supply of flavour and fragrance ingredients

Employee share trust

Property development

Kenya3

100%

Intermediate holding company

Athi River Oils EPZ Limited (formerly Earthoil Africa EPZ Limited) Kenya3

Nanyuki Oils Limited (formerly Earthoil Extracts Limited)

Kenya3

100%

100%

Supply of organic & fair trade vegetable oils

Supply of organic & fair trade essential oils

Registered office addresses:

1  Northern Way, Bury St. Edmunds, IP32 6NL, UK.
2  The Prentice-Hall Corporation System Inc., 1201 Hays Street, Suite 105, Tallahassee, FL 32301, USA.
3   LR. No. 3734/1018 Lavington, Insecta Building, Braeside Gardens off Muthangari Road, P. O. Box 76618–00508, Yaya Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.

Financial Statements110

18. DEFERRED TAXATION

Group

UK deferred tax asset

Overseas deferred tax liability

Net deferred tax asset

A reconciliation of the net deferred tax asset is shown below:

2018
£’000

1,073

(401)

672

Group

1 October 2016

Exchange differences

(Charge)/credit to income 
statement

Charge to other 
comprehensive income

Credit to equity

30 September 2017

Disposal of subsidiaries

Exchange differences

Credit/(charge) to  
income statement

Credit/(charge) to  
income statement

Charge to other 
comprehensive income

Charge to equity

Transfer to assets held 
for sale

30 September 2018

For the year

For change in 
tax rate

UK deferred tax

Overseas deferred tax

Post-
employment 
benefits
£’000

Fixed assets
£’000

Cash flow 
hedge
£’000

Share-based 
payments
£’000

Fixed assets
£’000

Other 
temporary 
differences
£’000

1,257

–

(122)

–

(18)

(11)

(250)

–

989

–

–

24

–

(426)

–

–

587

–

–

(133)

(4)

–

54

–

–

–

(35)

(118)

131

–

(32)

(112)

–

(13)

–

–

109

–

(27)

–

–

69

170

(1,433)

–

8

–

359

537

–

–

3

–

–

(5)

–

535

42

53

–

–

(1,338)

–

(19)

216

366

–

–

–

(775)

322

(16)

97

–

171

574

–

13

(64)

(35)

–

(114)

–

374

2017
£’000

1,380

(764)

616

Total 
£’000

325

26

97

(362)

530

616

(4)

(6)

342

331

(453)

(119)

(35)

672

At the balance sheet date, R C Treatt & Co Limited had a deferred tax asset in relation to its pension liability. R C Treatt & Co Limited has a specific 
plan in place to reverse the deficit and so this deferred tax asset has been recognised.

The deferred tax rate applied to UK companies within the Group is 17% (2017: 17%) as legislation has been substantively enacted which reduces 
the main rate of UK corporation tax from 19% to 17% from 1 April 2020. The impact of estimating the timing of deferred tax reversals in the 
intervening years before the rate reaches 17% is not considered to be material. The deferred tax rate applicable to the Group’s US subsidiary 
was 24% (2017: 36%).

19. INVENTORIES

Group

Raw materials

Work in progress and intermediate products

Finished goods

2018
£’000

19,463

16,939

3,240

39,642

2017
£’000

22,289

13,363

7,226

42,878

Inventory with a carrying value of £19.9m (2017: £16.2m) has been pledged as security in relation to all US borrowings as detailed in note 22.

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc111

20. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Current

Trade receivables

Amounts owed by subsidiaries

Other receivables

Prepayments

Group

Parent Company

2018
£’000

24,682

–

3,412

735

28,829

2017
£’000

18,096

–

1,153

724

19,973

2018
£’000

–

181

2,326

–

2,507

2017
£’000

–

516

7

–

523

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. Before accepting any new customer, the Group uses a range of information, 
including credit reports, industry data and other publicly or privately available information in order to assess the potential customer’s credit quality 
and determine credit limits by customer, and where appropriate will only accept orders on the basis of cash in advance, or if secured through a bank 
letter of credit. Processes are in place to manage trade receivables and overdue debt and to ensure that appropriate action is taken to resolve issues 
on a timely basis. Credit control operating procedures are in place to review all new customers. Existing customers are reviewed as management 
become aware of any specific changes in circumstances. 

The average credit period taken for trade receivables is as follows:

Group

Average debtor days

2018

70

2017

57

An  impairment  review  has  been  undertaken  at  the  balance  sheet  date  to  assess  whether  the  carrying  amount  of  financial  assets  is  deemed 
recoverable. The primary credit risk relates to customers which have amounts due outside of their credit period. A provision for impairment is made 
when there is objective evidence of impairment which is usually indicated by a delay in the expected cash flows or non-payment from customers. 
The amounts presented in the balance sheet are net of amounts that are individually determined to be impaired as follows:

Group

Impairment provision

At start of year

Released in year

Provided in year

Foreign exchange

Balance at end of year

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

314

(133)

75

2

258

308

(130)

139

(3)

314

The impairment of trade receivables has been carried out by the Group’s management based on prior experience and their assessment of the 
current economic environment. 

The Group’s top five customers represent 35% (2017: 33%) of the Group’s turnover. These customers have favourable credit ratings and consequently 
reduce the credit risk of the Group’s overall trade receivables. The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables 
approximates to their fair value. The Group holds no collateral against these receivables at the balance sheet date. 

Financial Statements112

20. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES continued
The ageing profile of trade receivables which are past their due date but not impaired is as follows:

Group

Number of days past the due date:

1–30

31–60

Over 60

The ageing profile of impaired trade receivables is as follows:

Group

Number of days past the due date:

Current

1–30

31–60

Over 60

2018
£’000

2,395

256

1,147

2018
£’000

40

3

7

208

2017
£’000

1,372

198

647

2017
£’000

–

–

–

314

The currency risk in respect of trade receivables is managed in conjunction with the other currency risks faced by the Group as part of its overall 
hedging strategy. For further details see note 33 and the Financial Review on pages 32 to 38. The currency exposure within trade receivables, 
analysed by currency, was as follows:

Group

GB Pound

US Dollar

Euro

2018
£’000

3,640

18,979

2,096

2017
£’000

3,330

13,257

1,917

Trade receivables with a carrying value of £10.8m (2017: £7.9m) have been pledged as security in relation to US borrowings as detailed in note 22.

21. CASH AND BANK BALANCES

Group
Cash and bank balances of £32,304,000 (2017: £4,748,000) comprise cash held by the Group and short-term deposits with an original maturity of 
one month or less. The carrying amount of these assets approximates to their fair value.

A detailed analysis of net cash balances by currency is shown in note 33. All material cash balances are held with the Group’s main banks, being 
Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC and Bank of America. The credit ratings of these banks are considered to be satisfactory.

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc22. BORROWINGS
Current

Group

Term loans

UK bank borrowings

Non-current

Group

Term loans

UK revolving credit facilities

US line of credit

US construction loans

Loans and borrowings
Term loans comprise the following:

Group

Loan – UK

Industrial development loan – US 

Equipment financing loans – US

113

2017
£’000

3,212

4,468

7,680

2017
£’000

585

6,708

–

–

7,293

2017
£’000

3,000

775

22

3,797

2018
£’000

–

19,244

19,244

2018
£’000

–

–

621

2,380

3,001

2018
£’000

–

–

–

–

During the year all term loans were repaid in full.

The US Dollar overdraft facility (“line of credit”) of $6m is a three-year facility expiring in 2020. During the year the Group entered into an agreement 
with Bank of America to finance the expansion of the Group’s US facility. This entailed a construction line of credit for up to $7.5m which converts 
into a seven-year term loan following completion of the project. The US line of credit and construction loan, both held by Treatt USA Inc, are secured 
by a fixed and floating charge over Treatt USA’s current and non-current assets.

Other borrowings

The Group’s UK facilities are unsecured. During the year all UK term loans and revolving credit facilities were repaid in full.

Borrowings are repayable as follows:

Group

–in one year or less

–in more than one year but not more than two years

–in more than two years but not more than five years

–in more than five years

2018
£’000

19,244

621

–

2,380

22,245

2017
£’000

7,680

6,898

395

–

14,973

Further information on Group borrowing facilities is given in notes 32 and 33, including a detailed analysis of cash balances by currency.

Borrowing facilities

At 30 September 2018, the Group had total borrowing facilities of £25.0m (2017: £25.9m) of which £4.3m (2017: £14.0m) expires in one year or 
less at the balance sheet date. At 30 September 2018 the Group had access to £34.4m (2017: £15.7m) of financing facilities including its own cash 
balances at that date.

Financial Statements114

23. PROVISIONS

Group

Onerous contract provision:

At start of year

Utilised in year

Additional provision in year

Foreign exchange

Balance at end of year

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

57

(53)

52

2

58

67

(67)

60

(3)

57

Onerous contract provisions relate to losses which are or were expected to materialise in the future on fixed price contracts as a result of significant 
increases in certain raw material prices. The onerous contract provision expense is included in cost of sales within the income statement and is 
expected to be utilised in the following financial year.

24. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Current

Trade payables

Amounts owed to subsidiaries

Other taxes and social security costs

Accruals and other creditors

Group

Parent Company

2018
£’000

10,006

–

551

4,741

15,298

2017
£’000

13,311

–

577

3,928

17,816

2018
£’000

18

2,427

–

352

2,797

2017
£’000

–

416

1

70

487

Trade payables principally comprise amounts for trade purchases and on-going costs. The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and 
other payables approximates to their fair values.

The currency risk in respect of trade payables is managed in conjunction with the other currency risks faced by the Group as part of its overall 
hedging strategy. For further details see note 33 and the Financial Review on pages 32 to 38. The currency exposure within trade payables, analysed 
by currency, was as follows:

Group

GB Pound

US Dollar

Euro

2018
£’000

1,595

5,972

452

2017
£’000

1,631

6,160

1,207

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc25. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Group

Derivative financial assets:

Current:

Foreign exchange contracts 

Derivative financial liabilities:

Foreign exchange contracts 

Non-current:

Interest rate swaps 

The gains/(losses) on derivative financial instruments were as follows:

Group

Income statement:

Foreign exchange contracts

Other comprehensive income:

Interest rate swaps

Foreign exchange contracts

Further details on the Group’s hedging policies and derivative financial instruments are disclosed in note 33.

26. SHARE CAPITAL

Parent Company and Group Called up, allotted and fully paid

At start of year

Issued in year

At end of year

2018
£’000

1,058

131

1,189

2018
Number

52,905,170

6,565,500

59,470,670

115

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

–

–

401

–

401

483

483

–

403

403

2018
£’000

2017
£’000

(1,633)

(119)

176

(246)

(70)

2017
£’000

1,053

5

1,058

351

308

659

2017
Number

52,655,170

250,000

52,905,170

During the year the Parent Company issued 5,265,500 shares through a placing at a share price of £4.10 per share. In addition the Parent Company 
issued 230,000 (2017: 150,000) ordinary shares of 2p each to the Treatt SIP Trust for the purpose of meeting its obligations under an HMRC-
approved share incentive plan in the UK as well as 1,070,000 (2017: 100,000) ordinary shares of 2p each to the Employee Benefit Trust for the 
purpose of meeting obligations under employee share option schemes.

The Parent Company has one class of ordinary shares with a nominal value of 2p each, which carry no right to fixed income. 

27. SHARE PREMIUM ACCOUNT

Parent Company and Group

Balance at 1 October 2016 and 30 September 2017

Premium arising on issue of equity shares

Expenses of issue of equity shares

Balance at end of year 30 September 2018

£’000

2,757

21,483

(756)

23,484

As disclosed in note 26, during the period the Company issued 5,265,500 ordinary shares of 2p each. These were issued at a share price of £4.10 
per share, representing a premium of £4.08 per share.

Financial Statements116

28. DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARY
As referred to in note 11, on 31 May 2018 the Group disposed of its interest in Earthoil Plantations Limited.

The net assets of Earthoil Plantations Limited at the date of disposal were as follows:

Intangible assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Bank balances and cash

Deferred tax assets

Current tax liability

Trade and other payables

Attributable goodwill

Costs incurred during disposal

Gain on disposal

Total consideration

Satisfied by:

Cash and cash equivalents

Completion settlement post year end

Deferred consideration

Net cash inflow arising on disposal:

Consideration received in cash and cash equivalents

Less:

Cost incurred during disposal

Cash and cash equivalents disposed of

There were no disposals of subsidiaries in 2017.

31 May 2018
£’000

120

4,382

1,633

3

4

(58)

(1,678)

2,727

7,133

544

2,382

10,059

9,293

(267)

1,033

10,059

9,293

(544)

(3)

8,746

The deferred consideration is expected to be settled in cash by the purchasers on or before 1 June 2019.

The impact of Earthoil Plantations Limited on the Groups results in the current period and prior period is disclosed in note 11.

29. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS
The Group has applied the requirements of IFRS2 “Share-based Payments”. 

The Group operates executive share option schemes for Directors, senior management and other key employees within the Group in addition to 
issuing UK and US approved savings-related share options for employees of certain subsidiaries. Options are granted with a fixed exercise price and 
will lapse when an employee leaves the Group subject to certain “good leaver” provisions.

The Group also operates an HMRC-approved share incentive plan in the UK, and operates an equivalent scheme for its US employees.

The share-based payments charge was as follows:

Group

Share option schemes – see (a) below

Share incentive plans – see (b) below

Effect of movement in foreign exchange rates

2018
£’000

780

269

1,049

(9)

1,040

2017
£’000

827

124

951

15

966

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc117

a)  Share option schemes

Under the schemes listed below, options have been granted to subscribe for the following number of existing ordinary shares of 2p each in the 
capital of the Parent Company. These share options are expected to be settled via the transfer of shares out of the Treatt Employee Benefit Trust.

The equity-settled options which existed during the year were as follows:

UK SAYE1 Scheme 2014

UK SAYE1 Scheme 2015

UK SAYE1 Scheme 2016

UK SAYE1 Scheme 2017

UK SAYE1 Scheme 2018

US ESPP2 Scheme 2017

US ESPP2 Scheme 2018

UK LTIP3 Scheme 2014

UK LTIP3 Scheme 2015

US LTIP3 Scheme 2015

UK LTIP3 Scheme 2016

US LTIP3 Scheme 2016

UK LTIP3 Scheme 2017

US LTIP3 Scheme 2017

UK LTIP3 Scheme 2018

US LTIP3 Scheme 2018

US Executive4 Options 2012

US Executive4 Options 2013

UK Executive4 Options 2014

US Executive4 Options 2014

UK Executive4 Options 2015

US Executive4 Options 2015

UK Executive4 Options 2016

UK Executive4 Options 2017

Number of
share options 
outstanding

Number exercised 
in year

Exercise price
per share

–

4,772

209,590

90,341

108,021

–

17,499

12,565

17,484

–

93,809

119,248

32,018

50,160

38,647

54,229

–

51,965

–

–

110,678

175,708

172,746

112,167

42,250

157,747

10,448

1,221

–

15,186

–

35,566

94,039

113,993

9,701

–

1,977

–

–

–

97,740

–

128,400

164,816

–

–

–

–

138.0p

132.0p

138.0p

413.0p

373.0p

404.0p

370.0p

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

79.0p

147.2p

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Date option 
exercisable

Sep 2017 – Feb 2018

Sep 2018 – Feb 2019

Sep 2019 – Feb 2020

Sep 2020 – Feb 2021

Sep 2021 – Feb 2022

July 2018

July 2019

June 2017 – June 2024

June 2018 – June 2025

June 2018 – Mar 2019

Dec 2019 – Dec 2026

June 2019 – Mar 2020

Dec 2020 – Dec 2027

June 2020 – Mar 2021

Dec 2021 – Dec 2028

June 2021 – Mar 2022

Dec 2017 – Dec 2022

Dec 2018 – Dec 2023

Dec 2017 – Dec 2024

Dec 2017 – Dec 2024

Dec 2018 – Dec 2025

Dec 2018 – Mar 2019

Dec 2019 – Dec 2026

Dec 2019 – Dec 2027

1  The SAYE schemes are HMRC-approved Save As You Earn share option plans, which vest after three years. Options are forfeited where 

employees choose to leave the Group before the end of the three year period.

2  The ESPP schemes are IRS-approved Employee Stock Purchase Plans, which vest after one year. Options are forfeited where employees 

choose to leave the Group before the end of the vesting period.

3  Share options are awarded to certain key employees in the UK and US under a Long Term Incentive Plan. All awards are nil-cost options which 
vest, subject to achievement of the relevant performance conditions, after three years and can be exercised over the following seven years in 
the UK, or upon vesting in the US. Save as permitted in the LTIP rules, awards lapse on an employee leaving the Group. 

4  Details of the Executive options are provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Financial Statements118

29. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS continued
The fair value per option granted using the “Black-Scholes” model, and the assumptions used in the share-based payments calculations, are as 
follows:

All-employee share schemes:

SAYE  
2015

SAYE  
2016

SAYE  
2017

SAYE  
2018

US ESPP 
2017

US ESPP
2018

Share price at date of grant

165.0p

172.5p

516.3p

466.3p

475.0p

435.3p

Contractual life

Expected life

Expected volatility

Risk-free interest rate

Dividend yield

Expected cancellations

Expected forfeitures

Fair value per option at date of grant

3.5 years

3.5 years

3.5 years

3.5 years

3.5 years

3 years

3 years

3 years

23.3%

1.52%

2.4%

10.0%

14.3%*

25.6p

20.7%

0.36%

2.4%

10.0%

12.0%

31.7p

25.6%

0.49%

0.9%

10.0%

7.0%

123.0p

27.3%

0.71%

1.1%

10.0%

1.0%

114.2p

1 year

1 year

32.0%

0.49%

0.9%

10.0%

0.3%*

87.0p

1 year

1 year

28.2%

0.71%

1.1%

10.0%

0.0%

74.8p

Key-employee share schemes:

UK LTIP 
2015

US LTIP 
2015

UK LTIP 
2016

US LTIP 
2016

UK LTIP 
2017

US LTIP 
2017

UK LTIP 
2018

Share price at date of grant

158.0p

158.0p

170.0p

170.0p

503.5p

516.3p

483.0p

Contractual life

Expected life

Expected volatility

Risk-free interest rate

Dividend yield

Expected cancellations

Expected forfeitures

Fair value per option at date of grant

Share price at date of grant

Contractual life

Expected life

Expected volatility

Risk-free interest rate

Dividend yield

Expected cancellations

Expected forfeitures

Fair value per option at date of grant

10 years

3.2 years

10 years

3.2 years

10 years

3.2 years

10 years

10 years

3 years

5 years

3.2 years

5 years

3.2 years

5 years

23.3%

1.44%

2.5%

0.0%

0.0%*

146.0p

20.7%

0.86%

2.4%

0.0%

6.0%

20.7%

0.86%

2.4%

0.0%

5.0%

25.6%

0.51%

0.9%

0.0%

9.0%

25.6%

0.49%

0.9%

0.0%

4.0%

150.7p

157.3p

481.7p

502.2p

27.3%

0.68%

1.0%

0.0%

75.0%

458.9p

23.3%

1.44%

2.5%

0.0%

5.5%*

123.6p

US LTIP 
2018

483.0p

3.2 years

3.2 years

27.3%

0.68%

1.0%

0.0%

75.0%

467.4p

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc119

US Exec 
2012

UK Exec 
2013

US Exec 
2013

UK Exec 
2014

US Exec 
2014

UK Exec 
2015

US Exec 
2015

78.0p

10 years

10 years

21.7%

0.84%

4.0%

0.0%

0.0%*

8.45p

147.2p

10 years

10 years

23.6%

1.70%

2.5%

0.0%

0.0%*

30.0p

147.2p

10 years

10 years

23.3%

1.70%

2.5%

0.0%

0.0%

29.6p

139.7p

10 years

10 years

23.4%

1.26%

2.7%

0.0%

0.0%*

106.1p

139.7p

164.5p

164.5p

10 years

10 years

10 years

10 years

5 years

5 years

23.4%

1.26%

2.7%

0.0%

0.0%

23.3%

1.25%

2.5%

0.0%

0.0%

23.3%

1.25%

2.5%

0.0%

0.0%

106.1p

145.5p

145.5p

UK Exec 
2016

273.5p

UK Exec 
2017

452.0p

10 years

10 years

5 years

5 years

20.7%

0.57%

1.6%

0.0%

0.0%

252.3p

25.6%

0.51%

1.1%

0.0%

75.0%

428.6p

Executive share schemes:

Share price at date of grant

Contractual life

Expected life

Expected volatility

Risk-free interest rate

Dividend yield

Expected cancellations

Expected forfeitures

Fair value per option at date of grant

Share price at date of grant

Contractual life

Expected life

Expected volatility

Risk-free interest rate

Dividend yield

Expected cancellations

Expected forfeitures

Fair value per option at date of grant

* Actual forfeiture experienced.

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group’s share price over a period equivalent to the vesting period of 
the respective options prior to their date of grant.

The risk-free interest rate was based on the simple average of the historical daily gilt yields quoted for five year benchmark gilts during the month 
in which a grant of options was made.

Details of movements in share options during the year were as follows:

Outstanding at start of year

Granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Expired during the year

Cancelled during the year

Outstanding at end of year

Exercisable at end of year

No of options 
2018

2,055,870

341,392

(41,235)

(873,084)

(5,523)

(5,773)

1,471,647

34,821

Weighted average 
exercise price 
2018

£0.60

£1.38

£1.38

£0.49

£0.00

£3.24

£0.82

£0.18

No of options 
2017

2,054,300

369,625

(37,757)

(322,618)

(5,335)

(2,345)

2,055,870

91,163

Weighted average 
exercise price 
2017

£0.45

£1.31

£1.24

£0.79

£1.35

£1.38

£0.60

£0.65

Forfeiture arises when the employee is no longer entitled to participate in the savings-related share option scheme as a consequence of leaving the 
Group whereas cancellation arises when a participant voluntarily chooses to cease their membership of a scheme within the vesting period. 

The options outstanding had a weighted average remaining contractual period of 5.1 years (2017: 5.5 years). The weighted average actual market 
share price on date of exercise for share options exercised during the year was 471.1 pence (2017: 480.6 pence) and the weighted average fair value 
of options granted during the year was 316.6 pence (2017: 261.8 pence).

Financial Statements120

29. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS continued
(b)  Share incentive plans

All UK-based employees are eligible to participate in an HMRC-approved SIP once they have been with the Group for a qualifying period of up 
to twelve months. US employees participate in a similar scheme through the use of nil cost Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”). During the year UK 
employees were awarded £575 (2017: £550) of “Free Shares”, and US employees $875 (2017: $850) of RSUs, in Treatt plc. There are no vesting 
conditions attached to the Free Shares or RSUs, other than being continuously employed by the Group for three years from the date of grant. UK 
employees can also buy shares in Treatt plc out of pre-tax income, subject to an annual HMRC limit, currently £1,800. These shares are called 
“Partnership Shares” and are held in trust on behalf of the employee. The employees must take their shares out of the plan on leaving the Group. For 
every Partnership Share acquired during the year, one and a half (2017: one) “Matching Shares” were awarded under the rules of the SIP. Matching 
Shares are subject to the same forfeiture rules as Free Shares.

Details of the movements in the SIP were as follows:

Outstanding at start of year

Granted during the year

Vested during the year

Forfeited during the year

Released during the year

Outstanding at end of year

Exercisable at end of year

No of free and matching shares

No of nil cost RSUs

2018

2017

2018

180,854

69,809

(44,831)

(6,676)

(14,311)

184,845

147,548

59,598

–

(9,619)

(16,673)

180,854

54,904

10,439

(19,032)

(1,694)

–

44,617

–

–

–

2017

38,288

16,864

–

(248)

–

54,904

–

In accordance with IFRS 2, no valuation model is required to calculate the fair value of awards under the SIPs. The fair value of an equity-based 
payment under the SIPs is the face value of the award on the date of grant because the participants are entitled to receive the full value of the shares 
and there are no market-based performance conditions attached to the awards.

At 30 September 2018 the market value of the shares held by the EBT was £2,620,000 (2017: £1,626,000), and the market value of shares held by 
the SIP was £2,610,000 (2017: £1,640,000) of which £1,573,000 (2017: £1,252,000) relates to shares beneficially held by employees.

30. POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Group
The Group operates a wholly-funded defined benefit pension scheme for certain UK employees. The scheme’s assets are held separately from the 
assets of the Group and are administered by trustees and managed professionally. From 1 October 2001 this scheme was closed to new entrants and 
from 1 January 2013 was not subject to any further accruals. Instead members of the final salary pension scheme became eligible for membership 
of a defined contribution pension plan with effect from 1 January 2013.

Defined contribution schemes are operated on behalf of eligible employees, the assets of which are held separately from those of the Group in 
independently administered funds.

The pension charge for the year was made up as follows:

Defined contribution schemes

Other pension costs

Defined benefit pension scheme

2018
£’000

743

24

767

2017
£’000

732

24

756

The Group accounts for pensions in accordance with IAS 19, “Employee Benefits”, details of which are as follows:

The valuation used for IAS 19 disclosures in respect of the defined benefit pension scheme (‘the scheme’) has been based on the most recent 
actuarial valuation at 1 January 2018 (2017: 1 January 2015) carried out by Barnett Waddingham and updated by Mrs L Lawson, a Fellow of the 
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, to take account of the requirements of IAS 19 in order to assess the liabilities of the scheme at 30 September 2018. 
Scheme assets are stated at their market value as at that date.

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc121

The scheme is subject to the Statutory Funding Objective under the Pensions Act 2004. A valuation of the scheme is carried out at least once 
every three years to determine whether the Statutory Funding Objective is met. As part of the process the Group must agree with the trustees of 
the scheme the contributions to be paid to address any shortfall against the Statutory Funding Objective. The Statutory Funding Objective does not 
currently impact on the recognition of the scheme in these financial statements.

The scheme is managed by a board of trustees appointed in part by the Company and part from elections by members of the Scheme. The trustees 
have responsibility for obtaining valuations of the fund, administering benefit payments and investing the scheme’s assets. The trustees delegate 
some of these functions to their professional advisers where appropriate.

The scheme exposes the Group to a number of risks:

–  Investment risk: The scheme holds investments in asset classes, such as equities, which have volatile market values and while these assets are 

expected to provide real returns over the long-term, the short-term volatility can cause additional funding to be required if a deficit emerges.

–  Interest rate risk: The scheme’s liabilities are assessed using market yields on high quality corporate bonds to discount the liabilities. As the scheme 

holds assets such as equities the value of the assets and liabilities may not move in the same way.

–  Inflation risk: A proportion of the benefits under the scheme are linked to inflation. Although the scheme’s assets are expected to provide a good 

hedge against inflation over the long-term, movements over the short-term could lead to deficits emerging.

–  Mortality risk: In the event that members live longer than assumed a greater deficit will emerge in the scheme.

–  Member options: Certain benefit options may be exercised by members without requiring the consent of the trustees or the Company, for example 
exchanging pension for cash at retirement. In this example, if fewer members than expected exchange pension for cash at retirement then a 
funding strain will emerge. The assets do not include any investment in shares of the Group and there were no plan amendments, curtailments or 
settlements during the period. The disclosure liability makes no allowance for discretionary benefits.

The financial assumptions used to calculate scheme liabilities and assets under IAS 19 are:

Discount rate

Rate of inflation (RPI)

Rate of inflation (CPI)

Rate of increase in pensions in payment – CPI max 5%

Rate of increase in pensions in payment – CPI max 3%

Rate of increase in pensions in payment – CPI max 2.5%

Revaluation in deferment

Mortality table

Commutation allowance

Proportion married (at retirement or earlier death)

Rate of increase in salaries

Life expectancy for male aged 65 in 20 years’ time

Life expectancy for female aged 65 in 20 years’ time

Life expectancy for male aged 65 now

Life expectancy for female aged 65 now

Effect of the scheme on future cash flows

2018

2.90%

3.35%

2.35%

2.30%

2.00%

1.85%

2.35%

100% of S2PxA table with 
CMI_2016 projections with 
a long-term average rate of 
improvement of 1.25% pa 

100% of S2PxA table with 
CMI_2015 projections with  
a long-term average rate of 
improvement of 1.25% pa

20%

75%

N/A

23.6

25.6

22.2

24.0

2017

2.85%

3.40%

2.40%

2.40%

2.20%

2.05%

2.40%

20%

75%

N/A

24.0

26.2

22.3

24.3

The Company is required to agree a schedule of contributions with the trustees of the scheme following a valuation which must be carried out at 
least once every three years. The latest valuation of the scheme took place as at 1 January 2018. The valuation revealed that there was a funding 
surplus  in  the  scheme  as  at  that  date  of  £473,000,  being  a  funding  level  of  103%.  It  has  been  agreed  with  the  trustees  that,  consequently,  the 
Company could continue not to make contributions to the scheme for the foreseeable future. It was further agreed that if the annual actuarial funding 
update revealed that the scheme funding level had fallen to below 95%, then contributions would be resumed. The actuarial funding update as at 30 
September 2018 revealed an actuarial surplus of £694,000 (2017: deficit of £336,000), being a funding level of 103% (98%). The Company expects to 
make on-going contributions to its defined benefit pension scheme in 2019 of £nil (2018: £nil). The weighted average duration of the defined benefit 
obligation is approximately 19 years.

Financial Statements122

30. POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS continued

Scheme assets:

Equities

Target return funds

Bonds

Other

Fair value of scheme assets

Present value of funded obligations (scheme liabilities)

Deficit in the scheme recognised in the balance sheet

Related deferred tax

Net pension liability

Changes in scheme liabilities

Balance at start of year

Interest cost

Benefits paid

Remeasurement losses:

– Experience gains on obligation

– Actuarial gain arising from changes to demographic assumptions

– Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from changes in financial assumptions

Balance at end of year

Changes in scheme assets

Balance at start of period

Interest on scheme assets

Employer contributions

Benefits paid

Remeasurement gains:

– Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in interest expense)

Balance at end of year

2018
£’000

11,515

5,492

4,172

106

21,285

(24,742)

(3,457)

587

(2,870)

2017
£’000

11.135

5,599

4,152

83

20,969

(26,790)

(5,821)

990

(4,831)

(26,790)

(27,252)

(756)

548

1,272

399

585

(699)

719

–

–

442

(24,742)

(26,790)

20,969

590

25

(548)

249

21,285

19,851

511

300

(719)

1,026

20,969

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc123

2017
£’000

511

(699)

(188)

(188)

1,026

–

–

442

1,468

1,537

2018
£’000

590

(756)

(166)

(166)

249

1,272

399

585

2,505

839

Amount charged to finance costs

Interest on scheme assets

Interest on scheme liabilities

Net finance expense

Net expense recognised in income statement

Amount recognised in statement of comprehensive income

Gain on scheme assets in excess of interest

Gain on obligation

Gain from changes to demographic assumptions

Gain/(loss) from changes to financial assumptions

Remeasurement gain/(loss) recognised in statement of comprehensive income

Actual return on scheme assets

Cumulative remeasurement loss recognised in statement of comprehensive income

(4,475)

(6,980)

Approximate effect of change of assumptions on liability values at 30 September 2018:

Reduce discount rate by 0.25% pa

Increase inflation and all related assumptions by 0.1% pa

Increase life expectancy by one year

Increase liability by:
£’000

1,110

271

937

The above sensitivities are approximate and only show the likely effect of an assumption being adjusted whilst all other assumptions remain the 
same. The assumptions used in preparing this sensitivity analysis are unchanged from the prior year.

Financial Statements124

31. COMMITMENTS UNDER OPERATING LEASES

The Group as lessee
As at 30 September 2018, the Group had total commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases which fall 
due as follows:

Within one year

In one to two years

In two to five years

In more than five years

2018
£’000

85

42

25

–

152

2017
£’000

85

56

64

3

208

The Group as lessor
As at 30 September 2018, the Group had contracted with tenants for the following future minimum lease payments which fall due as follows:

Within one year

Details of lease payments under operating leases recognised as an expense in the year are disclosed in note 5.

32. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

2018
£’000

9

2017
£’000

9

Parent Company
The Parent Company has guaranteed the borrowings for Treatt USA Inc. At the balance sheet date the liability covered by this guarantee amounted 
to US$3,914,000 (£3,001,000) (2017: US$1,040,000 (£775,000)).

The Parent Company has also guaranteed certain bank borrowings of its UK subsidiaries R C Treatt & Co Limited and Treatt Development Company 
Limited. At the year-end the liabilities covered by this guarantee amounted to £19,018,000 (2017: £12,843,000).

33. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Parent Company and Group
Capital risk management

The Group and Parent Company manage their capital to ensure that entities in the Group continue as going concerns whilst maximising returns to 
stakeholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The capital structure of the Group consists of net debt and equity shareholders’ 
funds. The Group is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements. Board policy is to operate with a mix of short and medium-term 
borrowings. The Group has a mix of facilities, including a £4.5m (2017: £2m) three year revolving credit facility with Lloyds Banking Group and a 
$12m (2017: $9m) four year revolving credit facility with HSBC in the UK, together with a $6m four year line of credit facility with Bank of America 
in the US. During the year the Group entered into a further agreement with Bank of America for a $7.5m construction loan facility. None of these 
facilities expire in the same financial years and all bank facilities are operated independently and are therefore not syndicated. The Group’s net debt 
position is monitored daily and reviewed by management on a weekly basis. Further details of the Group’s capital management are given in the 
Financial Review on pages 32 to 38.

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc125

Categories of financial instruments

In the following table those financial instruments which are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value are required to be grouped into 
levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable:

•  level 1 – fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

•  level 2 – fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset 

or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and

•  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).

Financial assets

Trade receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Derivative financial instruments – forward currency contracts (level 2)

Financial liabilities

Trade payables

Bank borrowings

UK term loan

UK revolving credit facilities

US term loans

Derivative financial instruments – forward currency contracts (level 2)

Derivative financial instruments – interest rate swap (level 2)

Group

2018
£’000

24,681

32,304

–

56,985

Group

2018
£’000

10,006

19,865

–

–

2,380

401

–

32,652

2017
£’000

18,096

4,748

483

23,327

2017
£’000

13,311

4,468

3,000

6,708

797

–

403

28,687

Parent Company

2018
£’000

–

31,647

–

31,647

Parent Company

2018
£’000

18

–

–

–

–

–

–

18

2017
£’000

–

2,590

–

2,590

2017
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Financial Statements126

33. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued
Fair values of financial assets and liabilities

The estimated fair values of financial assets and liabilities is not considered to be significantly different from their carrying values. 

Financial risk management objectives

The Group and Parent Company collate information from across the business and report to the Board on key financial risks. These risks include 
credit risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk and currency risk. The Group has policies in place, which have been approved by the Board, to manage 
these risks. The Group does not enter into traded financial instruments as the costs involved currently outweigh the risks they seek to protect against. 
Speculative purchases of financial instruments are not made.

Credit risk management

Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group or Parent Company. 
The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables and details of how this risk is managed are explained in note 20. The credit risk 
on liquid funds is limited because the counterparties are banks with good credit ratings assigned by international credit rating agencies as outlined in 
note 21. The Directors are of the opinion that there are no significant concentrations of credit risk. The carrying amount of financial assets recorded 
in the financial statements, which is net of impairment losses, represents the Group and Parent Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk.

Liquidity risk management

Liquidity risk refers to the risk that the Group may not be able to fund the day to day running of the Group. Liquidity risk is reviewed by the Board at all 
Board meetings. The Group manages liquidity risk by monitoring actual and forecast cash flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets 
and liabilities. The Group also monitors the drawdown of debt against the available banking facilities and reviews the level of reserves. Liquidity risk 
management ensures sufficient debt funding is available for the Group’s day to day needs. Board policy is to maintain a reasonable headroom of 
unused committed bank facilities.

The Group has a number of debt facilities, details of which, including their terms and maturity profile, are given in note 22.

The Board also monitors the Group’s banking covenants which are calculated under IFRS. There were no breaches during the year or prior period.

Interest rate risk management

The Group is exposed to interest rate risk on short to medium-term borrowings primarily with three major institutions being HSBC, Lloyds Banking 
Group and Bank of America. The risk is managed by maintaining borrowings with several institutions across a number of currencies, principally US 
Dollar and Sterling. Long-term financing is primarily used to finance long-term capital investment.

The Group settled all outstanding interest rate swaps during the year. The interest rate swap in the prior year was as follows:

Derivative financial instruments Non-current liabilities

Interest rate swaps

The gain on interest rate swaps was as follows: 

Group

Other comprehensive income

The derivative financial instrument for the interest rate swap described above is classified as level 2.

2018
£’000

–

2018
£’000

176

2017
£’000

403

2017
£’000

351

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc127

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m
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s

Interest rate risk is further diversified by having a mix of fixed and floating rate borrowings, as well as holding borrowings in a range of currencies 
as follows:

Group

Bank borrowings/(cash):

US dollars*

Sterling*

Other*

Total net debt/(cash)

Floating rate financial liabilities

Fixed rate financial liabilities

2018
£’000

2,982

(13,733)

692

(10,059)

2017
£’000

(869)

2,790

799

2,720

2018
£’000

–

–

–

–

2017
£’000

7,505

–

–

7,505

Total

2018
£’000

2,982

(13,733)

692

(10,059)

2017
£’000

6,636

2,790

799

10,225

* Bank borrowings are shown net of positive cash balances where rights of set-off exist.

The Parent Company bank balances were all held in Sterling.

Interest on floating rate bank deposits is based on UK base rates or currency LIBOR as applicable. Interest on bank overdrafts is charged at 1.2%-
1.85% above bank base or currency LIBOR rates. 

Interest rate sensitivity analysis has been performed on the floating rate financial liabilities to illustrate the impact on Group profits if interest rates 
increased or decreased. This analysis assumes the liabilities outstanding at the period end, after taking account of rights of set off, were outstanding 
for the whole period. A 100 bps increase or decrease has been used, comprising management’s assessment of reasonably possible changes in 
interest rates. If interest rates had been 100 bps higher or lower, then profit before taxation for the year ended 30 September 2018 would have 
decreased or increased as follows:

Impact on profit before tax of 1% interest rate movement

2018
£’000

(101)

2017
£’000

120

2018
£’000

–

2017
£’000

–

It has been assumed that all other variables remained the same when preparing the interest rate sensitivity analysis and that floating rate short-term 
bank borrowings in the same currency are netted against each other for the purpose of interest rate calculation.

Foreign currency risk management

Foreign currency risk management occurs at a transactional level on revenues and purchases in foreign currencies and at a translational level in 
relation to the translation of overseas operations. The Group’s main foreign exchange risk is the US Dollar. Board policy is for UK businesses to 
mitigate US Dollar transactional exposures by holding borrowings in US Dollars and Euros as well as by entering into foreign currency forward 
contracts and options. Further details of the Group’s foreign currency risk management can be found in the Financial Review on pages 32 to 38.

The following table details the forward and option contracts outstanding at the year end:

As at 30 September 2018

US Dollars:

Forward contract to sell US Dollars in six months

Forward contract to sell US Dollars in six months

Forward contract to sell US Dollars in six months

Euros:

Forward contract to sell Euros in six months

Forward contract to sell Euros in six months

Average
 contract 
rate

1.360

1.361

1.278

1.138

1.114

Nominal 
currency
‘000

$17,500

$3,500

$14,700

€2,000

€1,800

Contract
 GBP
£’000

12,872

2,573

11,503

1,758

1,616

Asset/
 (liability)
£’000

(549)

(112)

281

(27)

6

(401)

 
128

33. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued

As at 30 September 2017

US Dollars:

Forward contract to sell US Dollars in three months

Forward contract to sell US Dollars in six months

Euros:

Forward contract to sell Euros in three months

Forward contract to sell Euros in six months

Average 
contract 
rate

Nominal 
currency
‘000

Contract
 GBP
£’000

Asset/
 (liability)
£’000

1.296

1.301

1.097

1.096

$8,400

$8,400

€1,500

€1,500

6,481

6,456

1,367

1,369

205

196

42

40

483

The  derivative  financial  instruments  for  the  foreign  currency  contracts  and  options  described  above  are  all  held  as  cash  flow  hedges  and  are 
classified as level 2. The fair value of the foreign currency contracts at the year end equate to the mark-to-market valuation of the contracts and 
options provided by HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group. These represent the amounts which the Group would expect to pay in order to close these 
contracts at the balance sheet date. 

The gain/(loss) on foreign currency financial instruments during the year was as follows:

Group

Income statement

Other comprehensive income

2018
£’000

(1,633)

(246)

(1,879)

2017
£’000

(119)

308

189

The Group’s currency exposure, being those exposures arising from transactions where the net currency gains and losses will be recognised in the 
income statement, is as follows:

Net foreign currency financial assets/(liabilities):

US Dollar

Other

2018
£’000

4,907

1,471

6,378

2017
£’000

(4,820)

(12)

(4,832)

A currency sensitivity analysis has been performed on the financial assets and liabilities to sensitivity of a 10% increase/decrease in the Pounds 
Sterling to US Dollar exchange rate. A 10% strengthening of the US Dollar has been used, comprising management’s assessment of reasonably 
possible changes in US Dollar exchange rates. The impact on profit for the period in the income statement would be a gain/(loss) on net monetary 
assets or liabilities as follows:

Group

Impact of 10% strengthening of US Dollar against GB Pound

2018
£’000

545

2017
£’000

(536)

In management’s opinion, the sensitivity analysis is unrepresentative of the inherent foreign exchange risk since it is limited to the year-end exposure 
and does not reflect the exposure during the year.

Notes to the financial statements continuedfor the year ended 30 September 2018Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc129

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34. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following transactions were carried out with related parties:

Group
Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of the Directors, who are the key management personnel of the Group, is set out below in aggregate. Further information about 
the remuneration of individual Directors is provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 71 to 75.

Salaries and other short-term employee benefits

Employers’ social security costs

Pension contributions to money purchase schemes

Share-based payments

2018
£’000

1,262

108

56

440

1,866

2017
£’000

1,139

96

53

341

1,629

During the year no Directors (2017: nil) were members of a defined benefit pension scheme as the scheme was closed to future accrual with effect 
from 31 December 2012. The aggregate accumulated total pension payable at age 65 as at 30 September 2018 was £14,000 (2017: £13,000) per annum.

Parent Company

Transactions with subsidiaries:

Interest received from:

Earthoil Plantations Limited

Athi River Oils EPZ Limited

Dividends received from:

R C Treatt & Co Limited

Treatt USA Inc

Balances with subsidiaries:

Amounts owed to/(by) Parent Company:

Earthoil Plantations Limited

Athi River Oils EPZ Limited1

R C Treatt & Co Limited

2018
£’000

29

–

1,600

1,302

2018
£’000

–

2,181

(2,426)

2017
£’000

9

4

1,977

2,167

2017
£’000

(416)

–

516

Amounts owed to the Parent Company are unsecured and will be settled in cash. 

1 

 Following the disposal of Earthoil Plantations the amount owed by Athi River Oils EPZ Limited has been impaired by £2,000,000 as on a stand-alone basis they would not have sufficient funds to 
meet the above balance. This had no impact on Group results.

 
130

Notice of Annual General Meeting

THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT 
AS TO WHAT ACTION TO TAKE YOU ARE RECOMMENDED TO CONSULT YOUR STOCKBROKER, SOLICITOR, 
ACCOUNTANT OR OTHER INDEPENDENT ADVISER AUTHORISED UNDER THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND 
MARKETS ACT 2000.
If you have sold or transferred all of your ordinary shares in Treatt plc, you should pass this document, together with the accompanying form 
of proxy, to the person through whom the sale or transfer was made for transmission to the purchaser or transferee.

Notice of the Annual General Meeting which has been convened for 25 January 2019 at 10.30 am at Treatt plc, Northern Way, Bury St Edmunds, 
Suffolk, IP32 6NL is set out below. 

Shareholders are requested to complete and submit your proxy appointment online by using the Signal Shares share portal service at www.
signalshares.com as soon as possible and, in any event, by no later than 10.30 am on 23 January 2019, being 48 hours before the time appointed 
for the holding of the Annual General Meeting. To do so, you will need to log in to your Treatt plc Signal Shares account, or register if you 
have not previously done so. To register you will need your Investor Code, which is detailed on your share certificate or is available from our 
registrars, Link Asset Services. For those who hold their shares in uncertificated form in CREST, proxy appointments may be made via the 
CREST system. 

Proxy  appointments  can  also  be  made  by  completing  a  paper  proxy  form  and  returning  it  to  Link  Asset  Services  in  accordance  with  the 
instructions printed on the form. If you require a paper proxy form, please contact Link Asset Services on 0871 664 0300 if calling from the 
United Kingdom or +44 371 664 0300 if calling from outside of the United Kingdom. Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company’s 
access charge. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines are open between 09:00 and 17:30, 
Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. 

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders of Treatt plc (the “Company”) will be held at Treatt plc, Northern Way, 
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP32 6NL on 25 January 2019, at 10.30 am for the transaction of the following business:

ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS

Resolution 1 – Annual Accounts and Directors’ Report
1. 

 To receive the audited accounts and related reports of the Directors 
and Auditors for the year ended 30 September 2018.

  Explanatory note

 Under the Companies Act 2006 (the ‘Act’) the Directors of the 
Company must present the accounts to the meeting.

Resolution 2 – Directors’ Remuneration Report
2.  To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

  Explanatory note

 The Act, implemented by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 
2013, provides that a quoted company may not make a remuneration 
payment to a Director of the Company unless the payment is 
consistent with the Company’s Remuneration Policy, as approved 
by shareholders, or the payment is approved by a Shareholders’ 
Resolution. The legislation requires two resolutions to be put to 
shareholders on separate sections of the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report. The Remuneration Policy is only required to be approved 
by shareholders every three years or in the intervening period if 
amendments are proposed. The Company’s Remuneration Policy 
was approved at the 2018 Annual General Meeting and accordingly, 
since no amendments are proposed, it will not be put before 
shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in 2019. Resolution 
2 is an advisory resolution on the Implementation Section of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report, which details the remuneration 
packages paid to Directors during the year ended 30 September 
2018. You can find the Implementation Section of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 70 to 75.

Resolution 3 – Final Dividend
3. 

 To approve a final dividend of 3.5p per share on the ordinary shares 
of the Company for the year ended 30 September 2018.

  Explanatory note

 A final dividend can only be paid after the shareholders at a 
general meeting have approved it. A final dividend of 3.5 pence 
per ordinary share is recommended by the Directors for payment 
to shareholders who are on the register of members at the close 
of business on 8 February 2019. If approved, the date of payment 
of the final dividend will be 21 March 2019. An interim dividend of 
1.60 pence per ordinary share was paid on 16 August 2018. This 
represents an increase of 0.70 pence per share, or 6.25%, on the 
total 2017 dividend.

Resolutions 4 to 9 – Re-election of Directors
4. 

 To re-elect Tim Jones as a Director of the Company.

5. 

 To re-elect Daemmon Reeve as a Director of the Company.

6.  To re-elect Richard Hope as a Director of the Company.

7. 

To re-elect David Johnston as a Director of the Company.

8.  To re-elect Jeff Iliffe as a Director of the Company.

9.  To re-elect Richard Illek as a Director of the Company.

  Explanatory note

 In view of the forthcoming 2018 Corporate Governance Code 
and the requirement for all directors to be re-elected annually, 
the  Company  has  decided  to  bring  forward  compliance  with 
this provision and apply it at the 2019 Annual General Meeting. 
Accordingly, all Directors, with the exception of Anita Haines, who is 
retiring as a Non-executive Director at the conclusion of the Annual 
General Meeting, will retire and stand for re-election as Directors. 
Short biographies of these Directors are given on pages 50 and 51. 
Having considered the performance of, and contribution made, by 
each of the Directors standing for re-election the Board remains 
satisfied that the performance of each of the relevant Directors 
continues to be effective and to demonstrate commitment to the 
role and, as such, recommends their re-election.

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 up to an aggregate nominal amount of £396,431 (such amount 
to  be  reduced  by  the  nominal  amount  allotted  or  granted 
under paragraph (b) below in excess of such sum); and

 comprising equity securities (as defined in Sections 560 of the 
Act) up to an aggregate nominal amount of £792,862 (such 
amount to be reduced by any allotments or grants made under 
paragraph (a) above) in connection with an offer by way of a 
rights issue in favour of ordinary shareholders in proportion 
(as  nearly  as  may  be  practicable)  to  the  respective  number 
of ordinary shares held by them on the record date for such 
allotment (and holders of any other class of equity securities 
entitled  to  participate  therein  or  if  the  Directors  consider  it 
necessary,  as  permitted  by  the  rights  of  those  securities), 
but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the 
Directors may consider necessary or appropriate to deal with 
fractional entitlements, treasury shares, record dates or legal, 
regulatory or practical difficulties which may arise under the 
laws of, or the requirements of any regulatory body or stock 
exchange in, any territory or any other matter whatsoever, 

 provided  that  this  authority  shall  expire  at  the  conclusion  of  the 
Annual  General  Meeting  of  the  Company  to  be  held  in  2020,  or 
at  close  of  business  on  25  April  2020  (whichever  occurs  first) 
save  that  the  Company  may  before  such  expiry  make  an  offer 
or enter into an agreement which would or might require shares 
to  be  allotted,  or  rights  to  subscribe  for  or  to  convert  securities 
into shares to be granted, after such expiry and the Directors may 
allot shares or grant such rights in pursuance of such an offer or 
agreement as if the authority conferred hereby had not expired.

  Explanatory note

 The Company may only allot ordinary shares or grant rights over 
ordinary shares if authorised to do so by shareholders. This 
resolution seeks to grant authority to the Directors to allot unissued 
share capital of the Company and grant rights to subscribe for, or 
convert other securities into, shares and will expire at the conclusion 
of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company in 2020 or, if 
earlier, on 25 April 2020 (the date which is 15 months after the 
date of passing of the resolution). Whilst the Board has no present 
intention of exercising these authorities, the Board believes it is in 
the best interests of the Company to have these authorities so that, 
if the need arises, the Board can allot securities at short notice and 
without the need to hold a general meeting of the Company.

 The authority in paragraph (a) of the resolution will allow the 
Directors to allot new shares and grant rights to subscribe for, or 
convert other securities into, shares up to an aggregate nominal 
value of £396,431 (representing approximately one-third (33.33%) 
of the total issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 23 
November 2018, the latest practicable date prior to publication of 
this Notice).

 The authority in paragraph (b) of the resolution will allow the 
Directors to allot new shares and grant rights to subscribe for, or 
convert other securities into, shares only in connection with a rights 
issue up to an aggregate nominal value of £792,862 (representing 
approximately two-thirds (66.66%) of the total issued ordinary 
share capital of the Company as at 23 November 2018, the latest 
practicable date prior to publication of this Notice (such amount to 
be reduced by the amount of any relevant securities issued under 
the authority conferred by paragraph (a) of resolution 9)).

Resolution 10 – Re-appointment of Auditors
10. 

 To re-appoint RSM UK Audit LLP as Auditors of the Company, to 
hold office from the conclusion of this meeting until the conclusion 
of the next Annual General Meeting. 

(a) 

(b)  

  Explanatory note

 At each general meeting at which the Company’s Annual Report 
and Accounts are presented to its ordinary shareholders, the 
shareholders are required to appoint an auditor to serve until 
the next such meeting. Following a recommendation by the Audit 
Committee, the Board is proposing the reappointment of RSM UK 
Audit LLP as auditors of the Company.

Resolution 11 – Auditors Remuneration
11. 

 To  authorise  the  Directors  to  determine  the  remuneration  of  the 
Auditors of the Company.

  Explanatory note

 The remuneration of the Company’s auditors must be fixed by the 
Company in general meeting or in such manner as the shareholders 
may determine in general meeting. This resolution gives authority 
to the Directors to determine the remuneration of the auditors of 
the Company.

Resolution 12 – Approval of Long Term Incentive Plan
12.  THAT the Directors be and are hereby authorised:

(a) 

(b) 

 to adopt and establish the Treatt plc 2019 Long Term Incentive 
Plan, the principal terms of which are summarised in Appendix 
1 to this Notice of Meeting, and the rules of which are produced 
to  this  meeting  and,  for  the  purpose  of  identification  only, 
initialled by the Chairman, and to do all such acts and things 
which they may consider necessary or desirable to establish 
and carry it into effect; and

 to establish further plans based on the Treatt plc 2019 Long 
Term Incentive Plan but modified to take account of local tax, 
exchange  control  or  securities  laws  in  overseas  territories, 
provided that any shares made available under such further 
plans are treated as counting against any limits on individual 
or  overall  participation  contained  within  the  Treatt  plc  2019 
Long Term Incentive Plan.

  Explanatory note

 Treatt has operated a Long Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’), in which 
the Executive Directors and employees currently participate, since its 
first approval by shareholders in 2014. The LTIP rules are approved 
by shareholders for a period of five years and accordingly this 
resolution seeks approval for the adoption by the Company of rules, 
which take account of changes in executive remuneration since 2014 
and current best practice. The main provisions of the Treatt plc 2019 
Long Term Incentive Plan are summarised in Appendix 1 at the end 
of this Notice of Meeting.

Resolution 13 – Authority to allot securities
13. 

 THAT  in  accordance  with  section  551  of  the  Companies  Act 
2006  (the  “Act”)  the  Directors  be  and  are  hereby  generally  and 
unconditionally authorised to exercise all the powers of the Company 
to allot shares in the Company and to grant rights to subscribe for, 
or to convert any security into, shares in the Company:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notice of Annual General Meeting continued

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS

Resolution 14 – Authority to disapply pre-emption rights
14. 

 THAT subject to the passing of resolution 13 above and in accordance 
with  Sections  570  and  573  of  the  Act,  the  Directors  be  and  are 
hereby given power to allot equity securities (within the meaning of 
Section 560 of the Act) for cash pursuant to the authority conferred 
by  resolution  13  above  and  to  sell  ordinary  shares  (as  defined  in 
Section 560(1) of the Act) held by the Company as treasury shares 
for  cash,  as  if  Section  561  of  the  Act  did  not  apply  to  any  such 
allotment of equity securities for cash or sale of treasury shares, 
such power to be limited:

(a) 

 in  connection  with  or  pursuant  to  an  offer  of,  or  invitation 
to acquire, equity securities (but in the case of the authority 
granted  under  paragraph  (b)  of  resolution  13,  by  way  of 
a  rights  issue  only)  in  favour  of  holders  of  ordinary  shares 
in  proportion  (as  nearly  as  practicable)  to  the  respective 
number of ordinary shares held by them on the record date 
for  such  allotment  or  sale  (and  holders  of  any  other  class 
of  equity  securities  entitled  to  participate  therein  or  if  the 
Directors  consider  it  necessary,  as  permitted  by  the  rights 
of  those  securities)  but  subject  to  such  exclusions  or  other 
arrangements  as  the  Directors  may  consider  necessary  or 
appropriate  to  deal  with  fractional  entitlements,  treasury 
shares, record dates or legal, regulatory or practical difficulties 
which may arise under the laws

(b) 

 in  the  case  of  the  authority  granted  under  paragraph  (a)  of 
resolution 13 and/or in the case of any sale of treasury shares, 
(and otherwise than under paragraph (a) of this resolution) up 
to an aggregate nominal amount of £59,470, 

 provided that this power shall expire at the conclusion of the Annual 
General  Meeting  of  the  Company  to  be  held  in  2020  or  at  close 
of  business  on  25  April  2020  (whichever  occurs  first),  save  that 
the Company may before such expiry make an offer or enter into 
an  agreement  which  would  or  might  require  equity  securities  to 
be  allotted,  or  treasury  shares  to  be  sold,  after  such  expiry  and 
the Directors may allot equity securities or sell treasury shares in 
pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if the power conferred 
hereby had not expired. 

  Explanatory note

 Under Section 561 of the Act, if the Directors wish to allot any of the 
unissued shares or grant rights over shares or sell treasury shares 
for cash (other than pursuant to an employee share scheme) they 
must in the first instance offer them to existing shareholders in 
proportion to their holdings. There may be occasions, however, 
when the Directors will need the flexibility to finance business 
opportunities by the issue of ordinary shares without a pre-emptive 
offer to existing shareholders. This cannot be done under the Act 
unless the shareholders have first waived their pre-emption rights.

 Resolution 14 asks the shareholders to do this and, apart from 
rights issues or any other pre-emptive offer concerning equity 
securities, the authority will be limited to the issue of shares for 
cash up to a maximum aggregate nominal value of £59,470 (which 
includes the sale on a non pre-emptive basis of any shares held in 
treasury), which is equivalent to approximately 5% of the Company’s 
issued ordinary share capital as at 23 November 2018, the latest 
practicable date prior to publication of this Notice. Shareholders will 
note that this resolution also relates to treasury shares and will be 
proposed as a Special Resolution.

 This resolution seeks a disapplication of the pre-emption rights on 
a rights issue so as to allow the Directors to make exclusions or 
such other arrangements as may be appropriate to resolve legal or 
practical problems which, for example, might arise with overseas 
shareholders. If given, the authority will expire at the conclusion 
of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company in 2020 or, if 
earlier, 25 April 2020 (the date which is 15 months after the date of 
passing of the resolution).

 The Directors intend to adhere to the provisions in the Pre-Emption 
Group’s Statement of Principles (the ‘Statement of Principles’) and 
to not allot shares for cash on a non pre-emptive basis pursuant to 
the authority in Resolution 14 (i) in excess of an amount equal to 5% 
of the total issued ordinary share capital of the Company; or (ii) in 
excess of an amount equal to 7.5% of the total issued ordinary share 
capital of the Company within a rolling three-year period, without 
prior consultation with shareholders.

Resolution 15 – Authority to disapply pre-emption rights 
for the purposes of acquisitions or capital investments
15. 

 THAT subject to the passing of resolutions 13 and 14 above and in 
addition  to  the  power  granted  under  resolution  14,  the  Directors 
be and are hereby given power pursuant to Sections 570 and 573 
of the Act to allot equity securities (within the meaning of Section 
560  of  the  Act)  for  cash  pursuant  to  the  authority  conferred  by 
resolution  13  above  and  to  sell  ordinary  shares  (as  defined  in 
Section 560(1) of the Act) held by the Company as treasury shares 
for  cash,  as  if  Section  561  of  the  Act  did  not  apply  to  any  such 
allotment of equity securities for cash and sale of treasury shares, 
such power to be: 

(a) 

(b) 

 limited to the allotment of equity securities for cash and sale  
of  treasury  shares  up  to  an  aggregate  nominal  amount  of 
£59,470; and

 used  only  for  the  purposes  of  financing  (or  refinancing, 
if  the  authority  is  to  be  used  within  six  months  after  the 
original  transaction)  a  transaction  which  the  Directors  have 
determined  to  be  an  acquisition  or  other  capital  investment 
of  a  kind  contemplated  by  the  Statement  of  Principles  on 
Disapplying  Pre-Emption  Rights  most  recently  published  by 
the Pre-Emption Group prior to the date of this Notice, or for 
any other purposes as the Company in general meeting may 
at any time by special resolution determine, 

 provided that this power shall expire at the conclusion of the Annual 
General  Meeting  of  the  Company  to  be  held  in  2020  or  at  close 
of  business  on  25  April  2020  (whichever  occurs  first),  save  that 
the Company may before such expiry make an offer or enter into 
an  agreement  which  would  or  might  require  equity  securities  to 
be  allotted,  or  treasury  shares  to  be  sold,  after  such  expiry  and 
the Directors may allot equity securities or sell treasury shares in 
pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if the power conferred 
hereby had not expired.

  Explanatory note

 The purpose of this resolution 15 is to seek a further power from 
shareholders to allot equity securities or sell treasury shares for 
cash otherwise than to existing shareholders pro rata to their 
holdings to reflect the Statement of Principles for the disapplication 
of pre-emption rights.

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 Accordingly, resolution 15 will be proposed as a special resolution 
to grant such a power. The power will be limited to the allotment 
of equity securities and sales of treasury shares for cash up to an 
aggregate nominal value of £59,470, being approximately 5% of the 
Company’s issued ordinary share capital as at 23 November 2018, 
the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice. This is in 
addition to the 5% referred to in resolution 14. If given, the authority 
will expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of 
the Company in 2020 or, if earlier, 25 April 2020 (the date which is 
15 months after the date of passing of the resolution). The Directors 
will have due regard to the Statement of Principles in relation to 
any exercise of this power and in particular they confirm that they 
intend to use this power only in connection with an acquisition or 
other capital investment (of a kind contemplated by the Statement of 
Principles from time to time) which is announced contemporaneously 
with the announcement of the issue, or which has taken place in the 
preceding six-month period and is disclosed in the announcement of 
the issue.

 The Directors have no present intention of exercising these powers 
but believe that this resolution will assist them in taking advantage 
of business opportunities as they arise.

Resolution 16 – Authority to purchase own shares 
16. 

 THAT the Company be generally and unconditionally authorised to 
make market purchases (within the meaning of Section 693 of the 
Act) of up to a maximum of 5,947,067 ordinary shares in the capital 
of the Company, subject to the following conditions:

(a) 

(b) 

 the minimum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid 
for an ordinary share is the nominal amount of that share; and

 the maximum price which may be paid for an ordinary share 
so purchased is an amount equal to 5% above the average of 
the  middle  market  quotations  shown  for  an  ordinary  share 
in The London Stock Exchange Daily Official List on the five 
business days immediately preceding the day on which that 
ordinary share is purchased.

 The  authority  hereby  conferred  shall  expire  at  the  conclusion  of 
the  Annual  General  Meeting  of  the  Company  to  be  held  in  2020, 
or if earlier 25 April 2020, save that in relation to the purchase of 
ordinary  shares  the  contract  for  which  is  concluded  before  such 
date  and  which  would  or  might  be  executed  wholly  or  partly  on 
or  after  such  date,  the  Company  may  purchase  ordinary  shares 
pursuant to any such contract under this authority. 

  Explanatory note

 In certain circumstances, it may be advantageous for the Company 
to purchase its own shares and resolution 16 seeks the authority 
from shareholders to continue to do so. The Directors will continue 
to exercise this power only when, in the light of market conditions 
prevailing at the time, they believe that the effect of such purchases 
will be to increase earnings per share and is in the best interests of 
shareholders generally. Other investment opportunities, appropriate 
gearing levels and the overall position of the Company will be taken 
into account when exercising this authority.

 Any shares purchased in this way will be cancelled and the 
number of shares in issue will be reduced accordingly, save that 
the Company may hold in treasury any of its own shares that it 
purchases pursuant to the Act and the authority conferred by this 
resolution. This gives the Company the ability to re-issue treasury 
shares quickly and cost-effectively and provides the Company with 
greater flexibility in the management of its capital base. It also gives 

the Company the opportunity to satisfy employee share scheme 
awards with treasury shares. Once held in treasury, the Company 
is not entitled to exercise any rights, including the right to attend 
and vote at meetings in respect of the shares. Further, no dividend 
or other distribution of the Company’s assets may be made to the 
Company in respect of the treasury shares.

 The resolution specifies the maximum number of ordinary shares 
that  may  be  acquired  (approximately  10%  of  the  Company’s 
issued ordinary share capital as at 23 November 2018, the latest 
practicable date prior to publication of this Notice) and the maximum 
and minimum prices at which they may be bought.

 The total number of options to subscribe for ordinary shares that 
were outstanding at 23 November 2018, the latest practicable date 
prior to publication of this Notice, was 1,270,488. The proportion of 
issued share capital that they represented at that time was 2.14% 
and the proportion of issued share capital that they will represent if 
the full authority to purchase shares (existing and being sought) is 
used is 2.37%.

 If given, the authority will expire at the conclusion of the next Annual 
General Meeting of the Company in 2020 or, if earlier, 25 April 
2020 (the date which is 15 months after the date of passing of the 
resolution).

Resolution 17 – Notice of general meetings 
17. 

 THAT a general meeting (other than an Annual General Meeting) of 
the Company may be called on not less than 14 clear days’ notice.

  Explanatory note

 Under the Companies Act 2006, the notice period required for 
all general meetings of listed companies is 21 days; however, it is 
possible to reduce this period to 14 days (other than for Annual 
General Meetings), provided that the following two conditions are met: 
(i) that a company offers facilities for shareholders to submit proxy 
appointments by electronic means; and (ii) that there is an annual 
resolution of shareholders approving the reduction in the minimum 
notice period from 21 days to 14 days. This resolution would, if passed, 
allow the Company flexibility to call general meetings, other than Annual 
General Meetings, on not less than 14 clear days’ notice. This additional 
flexibility would not be used as a matter of routine for such meetings 
but would be used where the Board considers it appropriate in the 
circumstances. The approval will be effective until the Company’s next 
Annual General Meeting, at which meeting it is intended to propose a 
similar resolution for approval.

By order of the Board 

Anita Steer 
Secretary

Registered Office:  
Bury St Edmunds 
Suffolk 
IP32 6NL

7 December 2018

The  note  on  voting  procedures  and  general  rights  of  shareholders, 
together  with  explanatory  notes  on  the  resolutions  to  be  put  to  the 
meeting form part of this notice.

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notice of Annual General Meeting continued

NOTE ON VOTING PROCEDURES AND GENERAL RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS:

Only those persons entered in the Register of Members of the Company 
(the Register) as at close of business on 23 January 2019 (the Record 
Date) shall be entitled to attend or vote at the Annual General Meeting in 
respect of the number of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company 
registered in their names at that time. Changes to entries on the Register 
for certificated or uncertificated shares of the Company after the Record 
Date  shall  be  disregarded  in  determining  the  rights  of  any  person  to 
attend  or  vote  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting.  Should  the  Annual 
General Meeting be adjourned to a time not more than 48 hours after 
the Record Date, that time will also apply for the purpose of determining 
the entitlement of members to attend and vote (and for the purpose of 
determining the number of votes they may cast) at the adjourned Annual 
General Meeting. Should the Annual General Meeting be adjourned for 
a  longer  period,  to  be  so  entitled,  members  must  have  been  entered 
on  the  Register  by  close  of  business  two  days  prior  to  the  adjourned 
Annual General Meeting (excluding weekends and public holidays) or, if 
the Company gives notice of the adjourned Annual General Meeting, at 
the time specified in such notice.

Voting at the meeting will be conducted by poll rather than on a show 
of hands, which the Board believes provides a more accurate reflection 
of shareholder views and takes into account the number of shares held 
by  each  member.  Those  shareholders  who  are  unable  to  attend  the 
meeting should submit a form of proxy as detailed below. Shareholders 
attending the meeting may also wish to vote in advance of the meeting 
by submitting a form of proxy. Members who have done so will not need 
to vote at the meeting unless they wish to change their vote or the way 
in which the proxy is instructed to vote. 

A member entitled to attend and vote at this meeting may appoint a proxy 
or proxies to attend and vote instead of him or her. The proxy need not 
be a member of the Company. Shareholders are requested to complete 
and submit your proxy appointment online by using the Signal Shares 
share portal service at www.signalshares.com as soon as possible and, 
in any event, by no later than 10.30 am on 23 January 2019, being 48 
hours before the time appointed for the holding of the Annual General 
Meeting  (or  in  the  case  of  an  adjournment,  not  later  than  48  hours 
(excluding non-business days) before the time fixed for the holding of 
the adjourned meeting). To do so, you will need to log in to your Treatt 
plc Signal Shares account, or register if you have not previously done so. 
To register you will need your Investor Code, which is detailed on your 
share certificate or is available from our registrars, Link Asset Services.

Proxy  appointments  can  also  be  made  by  completing  a  paper  proxy 
form  and  returning  it  to  Link  Asset  Services  in  accordance  with  the 
instructions  printed  on  the  form.  If  you  require  a  paper  proxy  form, 
please  contact  Link  Asset  Services  on  0871  664  0300  if  calling  from 
the United Kingdom or +44 371 664 0300 if calling from outside of the 
United Kingdom. Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company’s 
access  charge.  Calls  outside  the  United  Kingdom  will  be  charged  at 
the  applicable  international  rate.  Lines  are  open  between  09:00  and 
17:30, Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. 
Completion and return of a form of proxy will not preclude a member 
from attending and voting in person at the meeting or any adjournment 
of the meeting. 

An abstention option is provided on the form of proxy to enable you to 
instruct your proxy to abstain on any particular resolution, however, it 
should be noted that an abstention in this way is not a ‘vote’ in law and 
will not be counted in the calculation of the proportion of the votes ‘For’ 
and ‘Against’ a resolution.

CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies through the 
CREST electronic proxy appointment service may do so for the Annual 
General Meeting to be held on 25 January 2019 and any adjournment(s) 
of the meeting by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual. 
CREST  personal  members  or  other  CREST  sponsored  members,  and 
those CREST members who have appointed a voting service provider(s), 
should refer to their CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who 
will be able to take the appropriate action on their behalf. Please note 
the following:

a) 

b) 

 In  order  for  a  proxy  appointment  or  instruction  made  using  the 
CREST  service  to  be  valid,  the  appropriate  CREST  message 
(a  “CREST  Proxy  Instruction”)  must  be  properly  authenticated 
in  accordance  with  Euroclear  UK  &  Ireland  Limited’s  (“EUI”) 
specifications and must contain the information required for such 
instructions,  as  described  in  the  CREST  Manual.  The  message, 
regardless of whether it constitutes the appointment of a proxy or 
an  amendment  to  the  instruction  given  to  a  previously  appointed 
proxy must, in order to be valid, be transmitted so as to be received 
by the issuer’s agent (ID RA10) by the latest time(s) for receipt of 
proxy appointments specified in this notice of the Annual General 
Meeting.  For  this  purpose,  the  time  of  receipt  will  be  taken  to  be 
the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the message 
by the CREST applications host) from which the issuer’s agent is 
able to retrieve the message by enquiry to CREST in the manner 
prescribed by CREST. After this time any change of instructions to 
proxies appointed through CREST should be communicated to the 
appointee through other means.

 CREST  members  and,  where  applicable,  their  CREST  sponsors 
or  voting  service  providers  should  note  that  EUI  does  not  make 
available special procedures in CREST for any particular messages. 
Normal system timings and limitations will therefore apply in relation 
to the input of CREST Proxy Instructions. It is the responsibility of 
the CREST member concerned to take (or, if the CREST member is 
a CREST personal member or sponsored member or has appointed 
a voting service provider(s), to procure that his CREST sponsor or 
voting service provider(s) take(s)) such action as shall be necessary 
to  ensure  that  a  message  is  transmitted  by  means  of  the  CREST 
system by any particular time. In this connection, CREST members 
and,  where  applicable,  their  CREST  sponsors  or  voting  service 
providers are referred in particular to those sections of the CREST 
Manual  concerning  practical  limitations  of  the  CREST  system  and 
timings.

c) 

 The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy Instruction in the 
circumstances set out in regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated 
Securities Regulations 2001.

Members  may  change  proxy  instructions  by  submitting  a  new  proxy 
appointment  using  the  methods  set  out  above.  Note  that  the  cut-off 
time for receipt of proxy appointments also apply in relation to amended 
instructions; any amended proxy appointment received after the relevant 
cut-off time will be disregarded.

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

As at 23 November 2018 the Company’s issued share capital consists 
of 59,470,670 ordinary shares. The total number of voting rights in the 
Company as at 23 November 2018 (the latest practicable date prior to 
publication of this Notice) is 58,392,674. 

A statement of Directors’ share transactions and copies of their service 
contracts and the letters of appointment of the Non-executive Directors 
are available for inspection during usual business hours at the registered 
office of the Company from the date of this notice until the date of the 
Annual  General  Meeting  (Saturdays,  Sundays  and  public  holidays 
excluded)  and  will  be  available  at  the  place  of  the  meeting  for  fifteen 
minutes prior to and during the meeting.

Except  as  provided  above,  members  who  wish  to  communicate  
with  the  Company  in  relation  to  the  meeting  should  do  so  using  the 
following means:

Calling the Company Secretary on +44 1284 702500; 

Emailing the Company Secretary on cosec@treatt.com; or

Writing to: The Company Secretary, Treatt plc, Northern Way, Bury St 
Edmunds, Suffolk, IP32 6NL.

The right to appoint a proxy does not apply to persons whose shares are 
held on their behalf by another person and who have been nominated to 
receive communications from the Company in accordance with section 
146  of  the  Companies  Act  2006  (“nominated  persons”).  Nominated 
persons  may  have  a  right  under  an  agreement  with  the  registered 
shareholder  who  holds  the  shares  on  their  behalf  to  be  appointed  (or 
to have someone else appointed) as a proxy. Alternatively, if nominated 
persons do not have such a right, or do not wish to exercise it, they may 
have a right under such an agreement to give instructions to the person 
holding the shares as to the exercise of voting rights.

A member of the Company which is a corporation may authorise a person 
or persons to act as its representative(s) at the Annual General Meeting. 
In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Companies  Act  2006  (as 
amended by the Companies (Shareholders’ Rights) Regulations 2009), 
each such representative may exercise (on behalf of the corporation) the 
same powers as the corporation could exercise if it were an individual 
member  of  the  Company,  provided  that  they  do  not  do  so  in  relation 
to the same shares. It is therefore no longer necessary to nominate a 
designated corporate representative.

Pursuant to Section 319A of the Companies Act 2006, the Company must 
cause to be answered at the Annual General Meeting any question relating 
to the business being dealt with at the Annual General Meeting which is 
put by a member attending the meeting, except in certain circumstances, 
including if it is undesirable in the interests of the Company or the good 
order of the meeting that the question be answered or if to do so would 
involve the disclosure of confidential information. 

Members satisfying the thresholds in Section 338 of the Companies Act 
2006  may  require  the  Company  to  give,  to  members  of  the  Company 
entitled  to  receive  notice  of  the  Annual  General  Meeting,  notice  of  a 
resolution which those members intend to move (and which may properly 
be moved) at the Annual General Meeting. A resolution may properly be 
moved at the Annual General Meeting unless (i) it would, if passed, be 
ineffective (whether by reason of any inconsistency with any enactment 
or the Company’s constitution or otherwise); (ii) it is defamatory of any 
person; or (iii) it is frivolous or vexatious. The business which may be 
dealt with at the Annual General Meeting includes a resolution circulated 
pursuant to this right. A request made pursuant to this right may be in 
hard copy or electronic form, must identify the resolution of which notice 
is to be given, must be authenticated by the person(s) making it and must 
be received by the Company not later than six weeks before the date of 
the Annual General Meeting.

Members  satisfying  the  thresholds  in  Section  338A  of  the  Companies 
Act  2006  may  request  the  Company  to  include  in  the  business  to  be 
dealt  with  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting  any  matter  (other  than  a 
proposed resolution) which may properly be included in the business at 
the Annual General Meeting. A matter may properly be included in the 
business at the Annual General Meeting unless (i) it is defamatory of any 
person or (ii) it is frivolous or vexatious. A request made pursuant to this 
right may be in hard copy or electronic form, must identify the matter to 
be included in the business, must be accompanied by a statement setting 
out the grounds for the request, must be authenticated by the person(s) 
making it and must be received by the Company not later than six weeks 
before the date of the Annual General Meeting.

 
Notice of Annual General Meeting continued

APPENDIX 1 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS OF THE TREATT PLC 2019 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN (“LTIP”)

The  Company  proposes  to  continue  the  LTIP  to  incentivise  Directors 
and employees.

The LTIP is capable of making awards of share options (which are unapproved 
for tax purposes in the UK) and Restricted Stock Units in the US.

It is intended that the LTIP will be used to make awards of “nil cost” share 
options to selected employees of the Company in the UK, and Restricted 
Stock Units, which may at the discretion of the Company be satisfied by 
the transfer of shares, or payment in cash of equivalent value, once vesting 
conditions have been met, to employees in the US, to allow them to share 
in the success of the Group and promote motivation and retention.

All Awards will be made in accordance with the Company’s Remuneration 
Policy as approved by shareholders from time to time.

It is proposed that all options granted under the LTIP will have an exercise 
price equal to the nominal value of a share in the case of a subscription 
option, and nil in the case of an option to acquire existing shares held in 
the Treatt Employee Benefit Trust. Restricted Stock Units will similarly 
be awarded for the nominal value in the case of newly issued shares, 
and nil in the case of existing shares. The LTIP will be administered by 
the Remuneration Committee, which will determine any dispute under or 
question in connection with the Plan.

Grants of Awards
Awards  may  be  granted  to  eligible  employees  at  the  discretion  of  the 
Board. Awards may be granted only:

i)  

ii)  

 during the period of 42 days following the date of adoption of the 
LTIP by the Company;

 during the period of 42 days following the announcement of yearly, 
half yearly or other period financial results of the Company;

iii)    on any other date, if in the opinion of the Directors, the circumstances 

are exceptional; or

iv)    in the event that any restrictions imposed by statute, order, regulation 
or  Government  directive,  or  by  the  Market  Abuse  Regulation  or 
the  Share  Dealing  Code  adopted  by  the  Company  prevents  the 
Company from making Awards the Award will be made within 42 
days after that restriction is removed, 

providing that no award shall be made in breach of the Company’s Share 
Dealing  Code  or  of  the  Market  Abuse  Regulation  or  any  other  law  or 
regulation applicable to the Company.

Eligibility
All  full-time  employees  and  Directors  of  the  Group  shall  be  eligible  to 
participate in the LTIP at the discretion of the Board. The making and 
level of Awards will be determined from year to year on an individual 
basis by the Committee in accordance with the Remuneration Policy.

Performance Conditions
The Board will impose Performance Conditions applying over a period 
of at least three years that must be satisfied before Awards vest. The 
Performance Conditions, which will be determined at the time of grant to 
ensure that they are sufficiently stretching, will be set in accordance with 
the Remuneration Policy. If, on vesting, the Committee considered that 
the level of vesting is inappropriate notwithstanding the satisfaction of 
any Performance Conditions, it will be able to reduce the extent to which 
an Award is treated as having vested.

Malus 
Notwithstanding that any Performance Condition is or might be satisfied 
to any extent, Awards may be reduced to such extent (which could be 
zero) as determined by the Remuneration Committee (the ‘Committee’) 
in the event of:

i) 

ii) 

iii) 

iv) 

v) 

vi) 

vii) 

 a  material  misstatement,  error  or  misrepresentation  of  the 
Company’s financial results used in determination of the number of 
shares of which the Award subsists;

 an error of any kind in determination of the number of shares of 
which the Award subsists;

 an Awardholder ceasing to hold office or employment by reason of 
misconduct;

 any  circumstances  coming  to  light  after  an  Awardholder  ceases 
to  hold  office  or  employment  for  any  reason,  which  would  have 
entitled the employer to dismiss the Awardholder summarily prior 
to the Awardholder ceasing to hold office or employment;

 the Company being placed in receivership, compulsory liquidation, 
administration,  being  subject  to  a  voluntary  arrangement  or  any 
composition  or  arrangement  with  its  creditors  generally  or  any 
class of its creditors; 

 the  Committee  determining,  in  its  reasonable  opinion,  that  the 
number of shares in respect of which the award subsists is required 
to be reduced in order to prevent serious reputational damage; or

 the Committee determining that it is necessary to give effect to a 
provision for clawback in any form contained in any employee share 
scheme or share incentive plan (other than this LTIP) or any bonus 
plan operated by any member of the Group or where the Committee 
forms the view that a cash bonus paid to the Awardholder within 
the prior three years was larger than would have been the case by 
virtue of any of the circumstances in i) to iv) above.

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Clawback 
Within  three  years  of  an  Award  vesting,  the  Awardholder  shall,  if  the 
Committee so determines, be subject to clawback in the event of:

i) 

ii) 

iii) 

iv) 

 a  material  misstatement,  error  or  misrepresentation  of  the 
Company’s financial results used in determination of the number of 
shares becoming vested shares;

 any  error  or  incorrect  statement  or  fact  and/or  information  or 
assumption,  that  the  Committee  subsequently  discovers  to  have 
been  inaccurate,  misleading,  misrepresented  or  misstated,  used  in 
determination of the number of shares which become vested shares; 

 any  error  in  assessing  the  extent  to  which  any  Performance 
Condition and/or any other condition imposed on the Award was 
satisfied;

 the  reliance,  by  the  Committee,  on  incorrect  statements  and/or 
facts  in  the  assessment  of  Performance  Conditions  and/or  any 
other  condition  imposed  on  the  Award,  which  resulted  in  shares 
vesting to a greater degree than would have been the case;

v) 

 an Awardholder leaves employment by reason of misconduct;

vi) 

vii) 

 any  circumstances  coming  to  light  after  an  Awardholder  ceases 
to  hold  office  or  employment  for  any  reason,  which  would  have 
entitled the employer to dismiss the Awardholder summarily prior 
to the Awardholder ceasing to hold office or employment

 the Company being placed in receivership, compulsory liquidation, 
administration,  being  subject  to  a  voluntary  arrangement  or  any 
composition  or  arrangement  with  its  creditors  generally  or  any 
class of its creditors; or

viii)   the Committee determining, in its reasonable opinion, that the net 
value  of  the  shares  at  vesting  (market  value  as  reduced  by  the 
chargeable tax liability) shall be reduced in order to prevent serious 
reputational damage.

The Committee shall have the right to clawback from the Awardholder by 
the following means (or such other legitimate manner as the Committee 
may specify) by reducing:

i) 

ii) 

iii) 

iv) 

v) 

 the amount of any cash bonus or deferred share bonus payable or 
granted to the Awardholder under any bonus plan;

 the  extent  to  which  any  other  Award  Shares  held  under  any 
unvested Awards made to the Awardholder are capable of vesting;

 the  number  of  vested  shares  held  under  any  Awards  by  the 
Awardholder;

 the  extent  to  which  any  rights  to  acquire  shares  granted  to  the 
Awardholder under any other employees’ share scheme or share 
incentive  plan  (other  than  this  LTIP,  any  deferred  bonus  plan  not 
approved by the Company’s shareholders and any plan approved 
by HMRC under ITEPA) operated by any member of the Group shall 
vest or become exercisable; and

 outstanding  vested  rights  to  acquire  shares  granted  to  the 
Awardholder under any other employees’ share scheme or share 
incentive  plan  (other  than  this  LTIP,  any  deferred  bonus  plan  not 
approved  by  the  Company’s  shareholders  and  any  plan  which 
satisfies the requirements of Schedules 2, 3 or 4 of ITEPA operated 
by any member of the Group).

If clawback cannot be satisfied by a reduction set out in i) to v) above, 
the Committee may require payment as the Committee may direct and 
on such terms as the Committee may direct, including a deduction from 
salary, to ensure that clawback is satisfied in full.

Limit of participation
The  market  value  of  shares  over  which  Awards  may  be  made  under 
the  LTIP,  when  added  to  the  market  value  of  shares,  or  rights  or 
opportunities to acquire them, provided under any other employee share 
scheme of the Company (except a tax approved savings-related share 
option  scheme),  may  not  exceed  150%  of  the  participant’s  salary  for 
the financial year in which the Award is made or, if greater, 150% of the 
participant’s salary for the previous year.

Salary  for  this  purpose  is  basic  gross  salary  excluding  bonuses, 
company  pension  contributions  and  any  other  benefits  in  kind.  This 
limit  may  be  exceeded  if  the  Committee  considers  that  exceptional 
circumstances exist.

Total number of shares available
The total number of shares that may be newly issued by the Company 
under  Awards  made  under  the  LTIP  on  any  day,  when  added  to  the 
total  number  of  shares  which  remain  issuable  pursuant  to  rights  or 
opportunities granted under any other employees’ share scheme in the 
10 years before that day, will not exceed 

i) 

ii) 

5% of the total share capital in issue on that day; or

 10%  of  the  total  share  capital  in  issue  on  that  day  in  respect  of 
US awards offered to all or substantially all employees resident in 
the US (the LTIP is used to provide all US staff with RSU’s as an 
equivalent to the benefit conferred on UK staff through the Share 
Incentive Plan in the form of free shares).

For this purpose, newly issued shares will include shares issued out of 
treasury. It will not include rights or opportunities to subscribe for new 
shares  which  are  in  fact  satisfied  by  the  transfer  of  existing  shares  by 
another shareholder. Shares subject to options which have lapsed or been 
surrendered are excluded when calculating the application of this limit. 

Vesting of Restricted Stock Units and exercise of options
Awards will vest once Performance Conditions have been either satisfied 
or  waived  or  are  treated  as  satisfied  under  the  provisions  described 
below. Options shall generally be exercisable after a period beginning with 
the date on which it is established that a Performance Condition has been 
satisfied  and  ending  up  to  ten  years  from  the  date  of  grant.  Restricted 
Stock Units may not be sold, exchanged, pledged or otherwise disposed 
of until they vest. To the extent that they do not vest, Awards will lapse. 

In addition to the vesting conditions, Awards made to Executive Directors 
of the Company will be subject to a five-year holding period such that 
they  may  not  sell  the  shares  they  receive  (other  than  as  required  to 
cover tax due on exercise, or in exceptional circumstances) until, at the 
earliest, the fifth anniversary of the date on which Awards are granted.

In  the  case  of  a  takeover,  demerger  or  a  statutory  reconstruction, 
the  Committee  may  at  its  discretion,  and  acting  fairly  and  reasonably, 
determine  the  proportion  or  number  of  Awards  that  will  vest,  subject 
to whether and to what extent the Performance Conditions should be 
deemed to be satisfied.

 
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Notice of Annual General Meeting continued

Award holders may be able to exchange their Awards under the LTIP for 
Awards over the shares of the Company making any takeover or on an 
internal reconstruction involving the Company coming under the control 
of  another  but  remaining  under  the  control  of  the  person  or  persons 
who had control of the Company before the reconstruction.

Employees leaving the Company
If an Award holder ceases to hold office or employment with the Group 
as a Good Leaver, Awards shall vest at the date of cessation but shall be 
pro-rated by reference to the time elapsed between the date of award 
and the date of cessation subject to satisfaction, or deemed satisfaction, 
of the Performance Conditions.

A Good Leaver is any employee leaving by reason of injury or disability, 
redundancy, death in service, the transfer of the employment outside the 
Group, or the sale of a Company outside the Group. If an Award holder dies 
after having ceased to hold employment with the Group, the Committee 
may determine the extent to which any unvested Awards vest.

If  an  Award  holder  leaves  for  any  other  reason,  all  Awards  which 
have not by then vested will vest only to the extent determined by the 
Committee, at its discretion, acting reasonably, shall determine.

Variation of share capital
In the event of a variation of share capital the Directors may adjust the 
number of shares under the Award and, where appropriate, the exercise 
price  to  reflect  such  variation.  This  adjustment  shall  be  subject  to 
confirmation by the Auditors that such adjustment is fair and reasonable.

Alteration of the LTIP
The Directors may at any time alter or amend the provisions of the LTIP 
provided that no alteration may be made to the advantage of existing or 
new  Award  holders  without  the  approval  of  shareholders  by  ordinary 
resolution,  except  for  any  such  alteration  where  the  amendments  are 
minor,  to  benefit  the  administration  of  the  LTIP,  to  take  account  of  a 
change in legislation or to obtain or maintain favourable tax treatment.

Pensions
Benefits under the LTIP will not be pensionable. 

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plcParent Company Information and Advisors

Directors

Tim Jones 
(Chairman and Non-executive Director)

Brokers

Investec Bank plc
30 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QP.

Daemmon Reeve 
(Chief Executive Officer)

Richard Hope 
(Chief Financial Officer)

Public 
Relations

DRD Partnership
35 King Street, London. WC2E 8JG.

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Anita Haines 
(Non-executive Director – until 26 January 2019)

Auditors

RSM UK Audit LLP
Abbotsgate House, Hollow Road,  
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP32 7FA.

Jeff Iliffe 
(Non-executive Director)

Richard Illek 
(Non-executive Director)

David Johnston 
(Senior Independent Non-executive Director)

Secretary

Anita Steer

Registered 
Office

Northern Way, Bury St Edmunds,  
Suffolk, IP32 6NL.

Tel: + 44 (0) 1284 702500. 

Email: cosec@treatt.com.

Website

www.treatt.com

Registered 
Number

01568937

Audit 
Committee

Jeff Iliffe  
(Chairman)

David Johnston

Tim Jones

Remuneration 
Committee

David Johnston  
(Chairman)

Jeff Iliffe

Richard Illek

Tim Jones

Nomination 
Committee

Tim Jones  
(Chairman)

Daemmon Reeve

Anita Haines (until 26 January 2019)

Jeff Iliffe

Richard Illek

David Johnston

Tax Advisors KPMG LLP

Botanic House, 98–100 Hills Road,  
Cambridge, CB2 1JZ.

Crowe Howarth LLP
124 South Florida Avenue, Suite 201,  
Lakeland, Florida 33801–4629.

Solicitors

Greene and Greene
80 Guildhall Street, Bury St Edmunds,  
Suffolk, IP33 1QB.

Bankers

HSBC Bank plc
140 Leadenhall Street, London, EC3V 4PS.

Lloyds Banking Group
Black Horse House, Castle Park,  
Cambridge, CB3 0AR.

Bank of America
5th Floor, 101 E. Kennedy Boulevard,  
Tampa, FL 33602.

Registrars

Link Asset Services
The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road,  
Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU.

Share Price

Treatt plc’s share price is available on  
www.ft.com. 

Annual and interim reports  
are available on the Group’s website  
(www.treatt.com). 

 
140

Financial Calendar

2017/18
Financial year ended 

Results for year announced 

30 September 2018

27 November 2018

Annual Report and Financial Statements published 

7 December 2018

Annual General Meeting 

Final dividend for 2018 goes ‘ex-dividend’ 

Record date for 2018 final dividend 

25 January 2019

7 February 2019

8 February 2019

Last day for dividend reinvestment plan election 

28 February 2019

Final dividend for 2018 paid 

21 March 2019

2018/19
Interim results to 31 March 2019 announced 

Interim dividend for 2019 goes ‘ex-dividend’ 

Record date for 2019 interim dividend 

7 May 2019*

4 July 2019*

5 July 2019*

Last day for dividend reinvestment plan election 

25 July 2019*

Interim dividend for 2019 paid 

Financial year ended 

15 August 2019*

30 September 2019

Results for year to 30 September 2019 announced 

26 November 2019*

Final dividend for 2019 paid 

19 March 2020*

* These dates are provisional and may be subject to change

Annual Report & Accounts 2018Treatt plc141

Treatt plc

Northern Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP32 6NL

www.treatt.com

cosec@treatt.com

+ 44 (0) 1284 702500