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U and I Group PLC

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FY2018 Annual Report · U and I Group PLC
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8

A different kind of 
property company 

We exist to deliver positive 
change. We create long-lasting 
social and economic benefit  
for the communities in which  
we work and sustainable  
value for our shareholders.

Annual Report and Accounts 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We promised 
£65-70 million

We’ve delivered

£68.3M

in development and 
trading gains.

We fundamentally believe that we have  
a responsibility to listen to and deliver  
for all of our partners, whoever they are  
– shareholders, employees, government 
and local authorities, and, crucially,  
the communities in which we work.

It’s not just financial
value that we create

FOR GOVERNMENT AND 
LOCAL AUTHORITIES 
it is about supporting their agenda  
for change by addressing the shortfall  
in quality mixed-use places which, in turn,  
will create closer communities, stimulate 
local economies and boost productivity.

FOR OUR LOCAL 
COMMUNITIES 
we focus on unlocking the potential in often 
overlooked, undervalued neighbourhoods 
and creating great places where people 
will want to live, work and socialise. 

FOR OUR EMPLOYEES 
it is about being part of an inspiring 
culture, where talent is nurtured  
and creativity encouraged, as we  
build a team who share a passion  
and commitment for changing 
people’s lives for the better, creating 
communities and legacies which  
we can all be proud of. 

FOR OUR SHAREHOLDERS 
it is about delivering consistent, sustainable 
value, rewarding their support by returning 
capital rather than storing excess cash on  
the Balance Sheet.

FOR OUR PARTNERS 
it is about nurturing our relationships  
with residents, councils and local 
businesses, challenging ourselves to  
bring creativity, inspiration and value to 
each project so we can realise positive 
change for everyone.

U+I AT A GLANCE

1
WE BUY

We buy land well  
for community focused 
regeneration and mixed-use 
development projects

2
WE UNLOCK

We unlock value in overlooked  
places in three ways

Public Private Partnership
Transforming sites into vibrant mixed-use communities

Trading
Improving land value through planning consents

Investment
Smart asset management of sites  
with regeneration potential

HOW WE 
CREATE 
VALUE

3
WE ADD

We add value through  
planning, development  
and asset management

5
WE GROW

We grow long-term  
socio-economic value for 
communities and sustainable  
returns for our investors

4
WE REALISE

We realise value as development 
profits, land improvement profit, 
capital growth and recurring 
revenue streams

What we do
We are a specialist regeneration developer and 
investor in the fast-growing London, Manchester and 
Dublin city regions. We have a 25-year track record  
in transforming overlooked parts of towns and cities, 
brimming with potential, into mixed-use spaces where 
people and enterprises can thrive.

Why we do it
Our goal is to deliver long-lasting social and economic 
benefit for the communities in which we work and 
sustainable value for our shareholders.

Our strategic priorities
 – Grow pipeline of larger regeneration projects
 – Drive value within our portfolio
 – Deliver excellent returns through-cycle
 – Maintain capital discipline and efficiency
 – People first approach to deliver long-term communities

How we do it
Imagination, intelligence, audacity.

Read more on p.2-8, 24-25

WE HAVE A STRONG BUSINESS MODEL

Development and trading portfolio

Investment portfolio

Public Private Partnership

£109 MILLION**

capital value***

19%

of gross assets*

Trading

£271 MILLION**

capital value***

49%

of gross assets*

£177 MILLION

capital value***

32%

of gross assets*

Key value drivers:
 – Planning gain
 – Development margin
 – Arbitrage/mispricing

Delivers:
 – Shorter-term trading profit 

(1-3 years)

 – Longer-term development 

profit (2-5 years)

 – Some elements of completed 
developments retained in 
investment portfolio

Delivers:
 – Recurring revenue stream
 – Income return
 – Capital growth
 – Future development 

opportunities

Key value drivers:
 – Planning gain
 – Asset management

*   Group share where appropriate

**  Assets held at cost, not revalued

***  Capital value includes all property interests held both directly and indirectly

Read more on p.36-51

£177 MILLION

capital value***

HOW WE HAVE PERFORMED

OUR KPIS

Development and trading gains (£’m)

£68.3 MILLION 
+95% 

Investment portfolio total return (%)

68.3

45.7

51.1

35.0

27.0

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

£139.5 MILLION

Value of investment portfolio at FY18

10.1%

Total return* (%)

12.2% 

+6,000% 

Basic NAV per share (pence)

303 PENCE
+9% 

Total dividend per share (pence)

17.9 PENCE
+106% 

*  Total return is the growth in our basic NAV including dividends

Read more on p.26-27

10.0

7.2

6.0

2014

2015

2016

0.2

2017

262

276

291

278

12.2

2018

303

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

13.9

13.9

17.9

8.7

5.6
2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

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Our record numbers show  
we are doing things right.  
This is just the start. A positive  
financial performance means we 
can do more of what we are good 
at – realising positive change. 

This is how we do it 

Matthew Weiner 
Chief Executive Officer

Our 2018 Annual Report and Accounts

Strategic report
2  Chairman’s Introduction
4  Chief Executive Officer’s 

Statement

14  Our Market
16  Why We Are Where We Are
18  Market Challenges and 

Opportunities

24  Our Strategic Objectives
26  Our Key Performance 

Corporate governance
68  Chairman’s Introduction to 
Corporate Governance

70  Board of Directors
72  Leadership
82  Effectiveness
84  Nomination Committee Report
87  Accountability
88  Audit and Risk  

Committee Report

Indicators

94  Relations with Stakeholders 

28  Risk Review
31  Viability Statement
36  Portfolio Review
52  Financial Review
60  Sustainability Review

and Shareholders
96  Annual Statement from  
the Remuneration  
Committee Chairman

98  Remuneration Policy Summary

99  Annual Remuneration Report
112  Remuneration Policy
117  Directors’ Report
125 Statement of Directors’ 

Responsibilities

Financial statements
126 Independent Auditors’ Report 
to the Members of U and I 
Group PLC

134 Consolidated Statement  
of Comprehensive Income

135 Consolidated Balance Sheet
136 Consolidated Statement of 

Changes in Equity

137  Consolidated Cash Flow 

Statement

138 Notes to the Consolidated 
Financial Statements
186 Company Balance Sheet
187 Company Statement of 
Changes in Equity
188 Notes to the Company 
Financial Statements
201 Financial Calendar  

and Advisors

Chairman’s Introduction

Our delivery is 
no coincidence

How would you summarise U+I’s 2018 

Our dividend highlights our confidence in the future 

performance?

and our determination to put shareholders’ interests 

This  year’s  figures  are  impressive  on  several  

at the heart of everything that we do. 

levels. £68.3 million development and trading gains 

are a record for U+I. They are testament to the benefits 

of  our  approach.  And  they  show  we  can  deliver  

on our promises. 

Having recently passed U+I’s three-year 

anniversary and your second anniversary as 

Chairman, what has changed? 

U+I has been an exciting business since the start but 

That delivery is no coincidence. The entire U+I team 

it has now really come together, culturally, strategically 

has worked hard to create a market-defining company 

and operationally. To use the terminology of the retail 

with a focus on regeneration and a clear strategy  

trade, where I come from, U+I has established a brand. 

for growth. 

It’s a business to watch. 

We are executing against that strategy and we are 

What do the next two years look like? 

determined to continue doing so. 

In many ways, U+I is in the early stages of its journey. 

Dividend per share (pence)

We have had a record year and we are determined to 

keep  on  delivering,  through  larger  regeneration 

projects and a continued alignment of the investment 

12.0

portfolio with the rest of the business.

8.0

8.0

3.2

3.5

3.5

2.8

3.5

3.5

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2.4

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Interim dividend

Final dividend

Supplemental dividend

With  modern  living  and  working  trends  making 

regeneration  more  relevant  than  ever,  we  have  a 

tremendous opportunity to make a difference in our 

three chosen regions and deliver for shareholders at 

the same time.

What are U+I’s greatest strengths in your view?

U+I has three core values: imagination, intelligence 

and audacity. Perhaps unusually in a business, our 

team truly believes in these values.

2

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportStrategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial Statements

Peter Williams, Chairman

What excites you most about U+I? 

When I joined U+I, the management had decades of 

experience and a united vision and ambition for the 

future, but the concept had yet to be fully proved. 

There is now a growing understanding of what U+I 

stands for and what it can achieve.

As a result, there is a genuine hunger to take on 

There is so much more to come. Existing projects are 

ambitious projects, with long-term beneficial outcomes. 

making strong progress, there is an impressive pipeline 

By their very nature, these are often in places that are 

of new work coming our way and, as the business 

neither easy nor obvious, but they can deliver a step-

becomes better known, the opportunities will increase. 

change for local communities. 

More broadly, technology is creating greater flexibility 

This is a real differentiator within the property sector 

in the way we work, live and play. U+I has the appetite 

and  I  believe  it  will  set  U+I  apart  from  its  peers, 

and the creativity to develop places that work both 

generating increased trust among all our stakeholders 

now and for the future. It has the integrity to build 

and driving future growth. 

responsibly, and the sense of purpose to deliver lasting 

You talk about community – why does this matter? 

change for the better. 

In divisive times, U+I stands out as a business whose 

I am tremendously excited about the Company but I 

key aim is to bring people together and make life better 

am also proud of it and proud to be associated with it. 

through carefully curated regeneration. Some people 

question whether we can be truly committed to delivering 

shareholder value and building high quality, community-

focused  places.  I  would  counter  with  a  different 

question: how can we operate without being serious 

about both? That is how we create the relationships that 

Peter Williams

matter; that is how we attract the brightest talent; and 

Chairman 

that is how we deliver for shareholders.

26 April 2018

3

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Chief Executive Officer’s Statement

Relentlessly 
focused 
on positive 
change

4

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportDelivering on our strategy
We set out a clear financial objective when U+I was formed  
in 2015: to deliver, as consistently as possible, 12% post tax 
total returns per annum. We estimated that we would first 
achieve this objective by February 2018. So, it is particularly 
pleasing  to  report  that  this  is  the  year  in  which  we  have  
produced record results – £68.3 million of development and 
trading  gains,  compared  with  £35.0  million  in  2017.  Our  
profit before tax is £48.2 million (2017: £0.4 million before 
exceptional items) and, most importantly, we have increased 
basic net asset value (NAV) by 9.1% to 303 pence per share 
(2017: 278 pence per share). We are also pleased with the 
progress being made to realign our investment portfolio.  
This  delivered  a  10.1%  total  return  for  the  year,  with  
£6.5  million  of  value  added  through  asset  management 
initiatives. This included the disposal of over £50 million of 
non-core assets, in line with our target.

Our focus on delivering fewer but larger profit-making projects 
is supporting our financial performance as just under £60 
million of our gains came from seven projects, each delivering 
£5.0 million or more of gains. 

These results endorse the ambition that we set ourselves from 
the start: to create a strong business with a unique culture, a 
clear focus on regeneration and – above all – a commitment 
to delivering consistent long-term value for shareholders and 
the communities in which we operate. These results provide 
us with strong foundations for growth as we continue this 
momentum into FY19.

Notable development gains
Among our notable successes during the financial year, we 
achieved  planning  consent  for  a  £130  million  mixed-use 
regeneration project at the Equipment Works, Blackhorse Road 
in Walthamstow, London. This site was subsequently sold to 
a housebuilder in December 2017 crystallising a significant 
gain, with the entire project taking two and a half years from 
inception to exit. 

Matthew Weiner, Chief Executive Officer, with stakeholders

We made significant progress and gains at Preston Barracks, 
Brighton in the year (page 13) by securing planning for this 
major £200 million gross development value project. This 
consent set in motion one of the city’s biggest ever mixed-use 
regeneration schemes and we subsequently completed the 
sale of the student accommodation element in February 2018 
allowing the scheme to commence onsite. 

These three projects alone delivered more than £33.0 million 
in profit for U+I.

We  were  pleased  to  have  delivered  £68.3  million  of  
development and trading gains for the year, notwithstanding 
the setting aside of a full £7.5 million provision in respect of 
our  St  Mark’s  Square  project  in  Bromley.  This  provision 
recognises the delays caused by the size and complexity  
of  the  basement  and  façade  works  and  the  inevitable  
extension to the construction programme. 

At 12 Hammersmith Grove in West London (pages 20 to 23), 
we leased up the entire building over the course of the year 
and, in December 2017, we passed the 90% letting profit 
trigger. The building was subsequently sold by our funding 
partner Aberdeen Standard Investments in January 2018 for 
£170 million. 

The full breakdown of projects which underpin this year’s gains 
is  provided  within  the  Portfolio  Review  (page  44)  and 
demonstrates the range and depth of skills within the business 
and the optionality that we have in monetising projects as they 
progress. 

5

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsStrategic Report

Chief Executive Officer’s Statement
continued

Deptford Market Yard, London

We also continued to focus on our business efficiency and 
balance  sheet  management  during  the  year,  achieving  
£2.1 million of net management fee income as well as reducing 
complexity within our business.

Further progress across our investment portfolio and 
specialist platforms
The alignment of our investment portfolio with our focus on 
regeneration, is moving apace. We made £53.2 million of 
disposals during the year, exceeding our target of £50 million 
non-core asset sales. These sales were ahead of valuation 
and are part of our progress as we achieved our target 10% 
per annum total return from the portfolio. Within this total return, 
we generated £6.5 million from asset management initiatives, 
including; change of use, sub-division of units, lettings and 
exploiting the arbitrage between long and short lease values. 

For the first time, our investment in Harwell (pages 46 and 47), 
held in joint venture, delivered a capital gain (£4.1 million) this 
year and has become a core element of our portfolio as capital 
invested has increased. 

We will continue to progress with the disposal of non-core 
assets from the investment portfolio, targeting an initial tranche 
of £25.0 million in the coming financial year, optimising the 
value of the assets we are retaining and targeting reinvestment 
in  new  assets  that  maximise  our  regeneration  expertise.  
We estimate that we are approximately a third of the way 
through the transformation of our investment portfolio.

Where we are involved in transformative regeneration projects, 
we are increasingly choosing to retain elements to transfer 
into our investment portfolio where we see further value in the 
longer-term. Following on from our success with Deptford 
Market Yard, we transferred Caxton Works in Canning Town 
(£2.1 million) into the portfolio during the year and agreed that 
the commercial elements of the residential projects at the 
Machine Store and Boiler House at The Old Vinyl Factory in 
Hayes will be returned to us by the housebuilders on completion. 
We also transferred Airport House in Croydon (£13.0 million) 
from trading assets to our investment portfolio, releasing a 
trading gain of £0.9 million. When we acquired Airport House 
for £7.8 million in 2010, it was at 54% occupancy. We have 

6

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018undertaken a comprehensive refurbishment over the last three 
years and occupancy was close to 95% at transfer. The asset 
produces an income return of 7.5% and targets the growing 
SME occupier base in Croydon.

In the same vein, we were particularly pleased that our joint 
venture with McArthurGlen at Mill Green, Cannock, near 
Birmingham, has now gone unconditional and that we have 
secured the option to retain a 12.5% stake in the development 
on completion, which we expect to become one of the top six 
outlet shopping sites in the UK. This structure is one that we 
will consider for other assets going forward as our unique 
access to high quality projects should allow us to drive further 
value through retaining a stake in our investment portfolio.

We are also making further progress across the specialist 
platforms we established last year with majority capital partners, 
Colony  NorthStar  and  Proprium  Capital  Partners.  These 
platforms now comprise six assets, as we made a further 
purchase of Carrisbrook House in Dublin through the joint 
venture with Colony NorthStar during the year. Our appointment 
of a director of joint ventures in February 2018 will enable us 
to accelerate the growth of our specialist platforms, allowing 
us to do more with our balance sheet capital and leveraging 
our intellectual capital. 

Most notably, we have seen the first material results from our 
specialist platforms with the gain in the year of £7.5 million at 
Charlton Riverside, resulting from an operational gain and 
valuation uplift following the adoption of the Charlton Riverside 
Masterplan, which allocated the area as suitable for residential-
led development. Post year-end we have exchanged contracts 
to sell the site to a Housing Association for £58 million, at the 
top end of FY19 guidance for the asset.

Increased supplemental dividend
Our dividend policy comprises an ordinary dividend, including 
an interim and final dividend of 2.4 pence and 3.5 pence per 
share respectively, and a supplemental dividend related to the 
net free level of cash flow generated during the financial year. 
In line with this policy, the Company has already paid an interim 
dividend of 2.4 pence per share and is recommending a final 
dividend payment of 3.5 pence per share, bringing the ordinary 
dividend for the financial year to 5.9 pence per share. In addition, 
having delivered on our commitments and given the strength 
of our net cash position, we are pleased to recommend a 
significantly increased supplemental dividend of 12.0 pence 
per share (2017: 2.8 pence per share). This will be the fourth 

Caxton Works, Canning Town

successive supplemental dividend paid to shareholders and 
underlines our confidence in our continued ability to generate 
strong surplus cash flows from our development and trading 
activities and our commitment to aligning shareholders with 
the success of the business.

We continue to review the method by which capital is returned 
to shareholders and, after consultation with our top twelve 
shareholders, the Board has concluded that a supplemental 
dividend currently remains the preferred option of return. This 
will be reviewed again by the Board over the course of the 
coming year.

Balanced business model to deliver across the  
property cycle
The majority of our value creation comes from management-
led  initiatives.  We  acquire  opportunities  in  unloved  and 
overlooked areas, where prices fail to represent underlying 
potential. We add value through planning, development and 
asset management. We then realise that value through sale, 

7

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsChief Executive Officer’s Statement
continued

development or, on occasion, by transferring a developed 
asset into our investment portfolio, allowing us to capture 
further value as the asset matures. 

We mainly operate in the dynamic markets of the London City 
Region (within one hour’s commute from London), Manchester 
and Dublin. These places share certain characteristics. Demand 
is strong and growing; there is an urgent, unmet need for new 
homes  and  mixed-use  spaces  that  will  stimulate  local 
economies; and supply is constrained by political impasse or 
a lack of expertise. We also feel these areas will be less 
impacted by the ultimate conclusion of the Brexit process.

These fast-moving times require agility, a hallmark of U+I.  
We benefit from optionality, both in the varied routes that  
we pursue to create value and in the schemes that we deliver. 
As mixed-use, regeneration specialists, we create assets  
where communities can live, work, play and study. This breadth 
allows us to flex the mix of our projects, in line with socio-
economic trends. 

Growing pipeline and market opportunity to deliver 
sustainable returns
Over  the  past  three  years,  we  have  put  the  foundations  
in  place  to  deliver  against  a  set  of  demanding  financial  
targets – aiming for consistent, annual total returns of 12.0% 
post tax. Over the three-year period to the end of FY21,  
we aim to achieve this through targeting £125-150 million  
of development and trading gains from existing projects,  
£15.0 million of added value from investment activity and 
enhanced operational efficiency.

We have a rich treasury of activity to draw on and take forward: 
a pipeline of over thirty projects for the next ten years, with a 
gross development value of in excess of £7 billion that can 
generate returns in good times and in bad. We negotiate 
transaction structures that enable us to respond flexibly to 
market conditions: in the various routes that we pursue to 
create value, in the mix of uses that we deliver and in the timing 
of exit, through direct development or trading consented land. 
We  will  also  extract  further  value  from  repositioning  our 
investment portfolio, as we move towards our target to achieve 
a consistent 10% annual return (2018: 10.1%).

We believe the strong partnership network we have built with 
key public-sector partners over many years will create a barrier 
to entry to others and open up further Public Private Partnership 
opportunities. We are recognised for our success in providing 
quality mixed-use environments, incorporating new homes 

helping to solve the UK’s housing crisis and new workspaces 
to meet the changing needs of corporate occupiers. This was 
the case at Landmark Court, where we were selected from 
TfL’s Property Partnership Framework to bring forward what 
will be a major £200 million+ gross development value mixed-
use scheme within walking distance of Borough Market. 

Critically,  our  strategy  is  aligned  with  major  political  and  
social  trends  as  both  central  and  local  government  
recognise  the  importance  of  regeneration.  Against  this 
background,  the  number  of  opportunities  available  to  us 
continues to grow. Looking ahead, we are on two shortlists 
for major partnership projects with a gross development  
value of more than £1.5 billion.

People have always been at the heart of what we do: the 
communities, partners and stakeholders with whom we work, 
and of course our employees. In recognition of this we have 
formalised ‘people first’ as one of the five key strategic drivers 
of our business. We are committed to nurturing our talent so 
we can retain the best people. I want to thank everyone at U+I 
for their hard work and commitment over the last year, without 
which our record performance would not have been possible. 

We have had a fantastic year and we are determined to keep 
on delivering, demonstrating that our business model, our 
brand and our superb team can continue to generate excellent 
returns for our shareholders and deliver positive, sustainable 
change in the areas in which we operate. Our commitment to 
purpose, which combines shareholder returns with the creation 
of long-term, sustainable, socio-economic benefit, inspires 
trust among our public-sector stakeholders, ultimately allowing 
us to nurture close, longstanding partnerships that give us our 
licence to operate. Our culture, our track record and our passion 
for change mean we are well positioned for the future.

Matthew Weiner  
Chief Executive Officer 
26 April 2018 

8

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportStrategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial Statements

This is what 
positive 
change
looks like

9

Preston Barracks, Brighton

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201810

CONTROL FREQP KIRKWOODPLAY TALK LEARNMAKERCLUB INTREPID CAMERAUNION MOTIONU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Worthwhile not Meanwhile

We put people first. We believe 
regeneration can only work when 
people are prioritised. Our focus 
is on creating great places that 
will leave a positive legacy.

Our work at Preston Barracks is a 
great example of this 

11

CONTROL FREQP KIRKWOODPLAY TALK LEARNMAKERCLUB INTREPID CAMERAUNION MOTIONU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018FROM THE FIELD UP

We love to get to know the fine grain of a place so we can 
create spaces that truly serve the needs and aspirations  
of the local community. 

FIELD at Preston Barracks in Brighton highlights how we do 
this. We took a building that had been derelict for over two 
decades and transformed it into a creative, co-working 
space for a group of budding local entrepreneurs. We 
carefully picked young businesses that would most benefit 
from the space and would each bring something distinctive 
to the community. This also helped us to frame our plans for 
the area, by hearing first-hand what local people want and 
need from the new, permanent Preston Barracks site. 

The project was so successful that six of the original eight 
entrepreneurs have established their own limited company 
– Leftfield – which will continue where FIELD left off.

fieldbtn.com

10-500% 

earnings increase for 
local businesses

500 TONNES 

of wood diverted from 
local waste stream

50+ 

volunteering and  
work experience  
opportunities created

“MY BUSINESS GREW THREEFOLD”

Control Freq, a bespoke ‘Internet of Things’ door entry 
system that users can access through their mobile phones.

“U+I HAS ALLOWED US TO FOCUS OUR EFFORTS”

Play Talk Learn, an education tech company developing 
children’s toys that bring mathematical patterns to life.

12

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018CREATING POSITIVE CHANGE
Working in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council and 
the University of Brighton, we are delivering one of Brighton’s 
biggest ever regeneration projects. It will create 1,500+ jobs 
and inject more than £280 million into the local economy over 
the next ten years. 

Having secured planning permission in December 2017, work 
has now started on the transformation of Preston Barracks and 
the University’s Moulsecoomb campus. Now called ‘Makerfield’, 
our £200 million gross development value (GDV) project will 
deliver 369 new homes, including affordable housing, and 534 
student bedrooms in managed halls of residence, to meet the 
shortfall  in  Brighton.  The  scheme  will  also  attract  inward 
investment and create a thriving 50,000 sq. ft. innovation hub 
for start-ups and SME businesses, bringing tangible benefits 
to the local community and the city as a whole.

400+ 

letters of local support 
for our development

5

acre site, equivalent to 
84 tennis courts

25+ 
 years site had lain 

derelict

The story continues online:
http://www.uandiplc.com/portfolio/
preston-barracks-brighton

13

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018£370 BILLION+

Developable public estate land unused

970,000+

Homes that the brownfield register 

identifies capacity for

3 MILLION

New homes needed in the UK  

in the next ten years

Our Market

Supporting economic, technological and social change 
U+I operates in a large, fast growing market, where there 
is an urgent need for the type of mixed-use regeneration 
projects that we deliver.

Demand for housing and mixed-use spaces outstrips  
supply. More than 300,000 new homes are needed in the 
UK every year. Land shortages and planning challenges 
have exacerbated the situation. 

This is where U+I comes in. Our focus on unused and 
undervalued land and buildings, brimming with potential 
and  character,  opens  up  opportunities  to  create 
economically sustainable and attractive local communities. 
Our ability to find and deliver value from complex sites 
sets us apart and gives us a competitive edge.

We are closely aligned with central and local government 
priorities  on  mixed-use  regeneration,  helping  
the public sector to maximise the value from their land 
and, most importantly, to meet community needs for better 
places to work, live and socialise.

The
opportunity
is huge

We are at the heart of major consumer trends, with growing  
demand for:

 – Flexible living and working spaces
 – Experiential shopping, combining leisure and retail
 – Quality and more affordable office, retail and housing 

in London City Region, Manchester and Dublin

 – Mixed-use regeneration to create closer communities
 – Modern, accessible amenities that increase productivity 

and stimulate local economies

14

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportStrategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial Statements

What sets us apart? 

Creative, entrepreneurial talent

—  

Purpose - creating long-lasting social, 

economic and environmental benefit 

in all our projects 
—

Winning management team with 

longstanding network, providing 

unique access to exciting 

opportunities

—  

 Vision to see the potential in 

overlooked places
— 

Reputation and trust that we will 

deliver for public and private partners 

—

Geographic focus on three high 

growth regions

15

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Why We Are Where We Are

Our market opportunity

We operate in three key geographies – London City Region, 
Manchester and Dublin – where we see the greatest growth 
potential. Each is well advanced in four of the biggest drivers 
that stimulate economic growth – top talent, good transport 
network, tolerance for diversity and tourism. 

These are also the places where we expect to see sustained 
population growth, above the national average, for the 
near, medium and longer term. Employment dynamics in 

each of these geographies are supportive of growth trends, 
with lower unemployment and higher than average levels 
of workforce participation.

In addition, these three locations have the character and 
heritage that we look for, brimming with sites that can be 
transformed into vibrant, socially inclusive mixed-use 
destinations that will help the cities to thrive. Entering 
these overlooked areas early gives U+I a competitive edge.

LONDON CITY REGION 
(within one hour’s commute of Central London)

29  
projects

65%  
GDV of portfolio

25+  
years present

+  Fastest growing city in UK; largest in EU
+  Economy predicted to grow c.2.2% until 2020 (EY)
+  Buoyed by high employment and world-class job opportunities
+  Strong demand for affordable offices, homes and community spaces
+  #1 in JLL’s most established world cities index, based on access to  

Quick facts
Population: Expected to exceed 11 million in 2025 (London First)
Employment: Up 2.8% May to July 2017 (ONS)
Homes target: Mayor of London targeting 65,000 new homes  
a year in London

talent, innovation and infrastructure

MANCHESTER

+  UK’s “second” city and rated third most influential in Europe (Colliers)
+  Thriving university town, with 51% graduate retention, second only  

to London (JLL)

+  Growing digital hub attracting tech start-ups
+  Two world-famous football teams, enhancing tourism
+  HS2 consolidating position at heart of Northern Powerhouse
+  Economy predicted to have increased by £600 million in 2017  

(Cebr UK Powerhouse report)

2  
projects

15%  
GDV of portfolio

15+  
years present

Quick facts
Population: Expected to grow 3.49% to nearly 3 million by 2030  
(UN World Urbanisation Prospects)
Employment: 22,258 jobs expected to have been created during 2017  
(Cebr UK Powerhouse report)
Homes target: Greater Manchester region needs 11,254 more homes  
a year (Greater Manchester Spatial Framework)

DUBLIN

4  
projects

2%  
GDV of portfolio

8+  
years present

+  Fastest growing economy in Eurozone; 6th most competitive globally 

(IDA, 2017)

+  Beneficiary of Brexit
+  Foreign direct investment at record high (€4.4 billion in 2016) attracting 

global brands and tech innovators

+  Economy predicted to grow 2.7% p.a. over next four years (Knight Frank)

Quick facts
Population: Ireland’s population forecast to increase by almost 1 million 
people to 5.75 million in 2040 (CSO Census 2016, ESRI/National Planning 
Framework 2040)
Employment: Up 4% in Dublin (Enterprise Ireland FY17 report)
Housing target: Committed to building 25,000 homes every year by 2020

16

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report 
Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial Statements

GDV of our portfolio

 £4.7BILLION  

 London City Region

£1.1 BILLION 

Manchester 

£157.8 MILLION 

Dublin 

17

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
Market Challenges and Opportunities

Political uncertainty

Construction capacity

Technological innovation

Online competition

Planning complexities

Long-term sustainability

There is a shifting political landscape in  
the UK, as delays in Brexit negotiations  
and leadership challenges risk distracting 
government from major domestic issues,  
whilst fuelling consumer uncertainty and 
commercial caution. Some international 
businesses are delaying decisions on 
investment and their long-term futures. 
Conversely, weak sterling and the UK’s strong 
regulatory framework create opportunities for 
smart overseas investors. Areas with good 
local economies, occupational activity and 
further rental growth prospects are set to be 
the greatest beneficiaries. 

Our response
+  We operate in three major financial and 

cultural centres where demand will continue

+  Dublin is a major beneficiary from Brexit.  

It is increasingly attractive to foreign 
investors, particularly in the office sector
+  We focus on mixed-use regeneration assets 

which are less exposed to market confidence 
and where there is a recognised shortfall
+  We have privileged access to invest in high 

There are cost, delivery and reputational 
implications for the construction industry,  
as it has to adapt to new and constantly 
changing legislation and regulations. There  
are growing pressures and challenges for 
builders and suppliers to seek alternative and 
better practices to improve efficiency and 
effectiveness. This encourages those with  
the appetite to become early adopters of new 
technologies to create the next generation of 
safe and sustainable buildings.

Consumer demand focuses on convenience 
over postcode, as advances in technology 
drive the need for mixed-use developments 
where people can seamlessly switch between 
working, living and socialising. Occupiers are 
increasingly seeking bigger, more innovative 
spaces close to transport routes that encourage 
collaborative working, drive creativity and offer 
flexible layouts and amenities. As a result, cost 
per head has become a bigger focus than cost 
per square foot. 

The growth of online is driving two key trends 

A lack of political cohesion, local infrastructure 

The low carbon economy has increased the 

in retail – convenience, where customers seek 

and complexities of achieving planning 

focus at business, government and local levels 

instant purchases – and the rise of experiential 

consents – particularly on bigger sites – are 

on providing socially inclusive and vibrant 

shopping. Outlets are under growing pressure 

delaying construction in some areas, at times 

mixed-use spaces that encourage the health 

to expand their spaces, showcasing bigger 

indefinitely. This can be exacerbated where 

and wellbeing of occupiers and visitors. 

ranges and providing a mixed-use environment 

sites are politicised. Estates Gazette’s research 

Builders, developers and suppliers are 

that combines shopping, leisure, culture and 

predicts using just 40% of the estimated 

increasingly required to create sustainable 

community. Shoppers will continue to travel 

15,763 brownfield sites owned by 296 local 

buildings and places that offer environmental 

further and stay longer at outlets offering 

authorities would create approximately 

benefits, use forward-looking technologies to 

high-end design, an appealing environment 

971,384 houses. However, few have the 

create efficiencies and help improve lifestyles, 

and a rich customer experience. 

expertise, appetite – or vision – to unlock  

ensuring long-term economic and social 

the potential in these sites. 

benefits for communities.

Our response
+  Best practice and community needs are  
a fundamental requirement across all  
our projects   

+  We proactively evaluate advanced software  
to virtually model and construct projects, 
de-risking the process and evolving our 
building capabilities

Our response
+  Our projects are predominantly mixed-use  

to support modern flexible living and  
working needs

+  We focus on creative, innovative designs to 
support greater flexibility and connectivity
+  We undertake proactive asset management, 

centred on experience

Our response

Our response

Our response

+  Our focus on design, experience and 

+  Our primary focus on undervalued or unused 

+  We focus on mixed-use schemes that offer 

community coincides with market demand 

public sector land means no greenbelt sites 

green space and a range of leisure amenities 

and growth trends

are needed

to promote wellbeing and cultivate a sense  

+  We select sites near areas where demand 

+  The trust and relationships we have built 

of community

and footfall will be highest

across government and local authorities 

+  Our partnership approach and proactive 

+  Our investment portfolio includes 

create a barrier to entry for others and  

engagement with communities ensure our 

convenience and experiential retail,  

a unique opportunity for us

schemes’ designs meet real needs

+  We are investigating more aligned methods 

+  Trends are supportive of growth in our core 

so is more resilient against online risks

+  Our 25+ year track record and trusted 

+  Each project is designed to stimulate local 

quality assets through our PPP model

+  Limited Zone 1 exposure means most  

of our schemes are low rise only

of procurement

markets of London City Region, Manchester 
and Dublin, which have good infrastructure 
and are known digital hubs

approach support our >90% planning 

economies, create jobs, increase 

success rate 

productivity and improve lifestyles, leaving  

+  Our vision and focus on schemes where we 

a positive long-term legacy 

can make a tangible difference means we 

+  We work with our partners to retain the 

see potential where others do not and 

heritage of sites and are increasingly using 

mitigate planning risk

technology in the construction process 

56% 

of global investors plan to increase their 
exposure to the real estate sector in the next 
24 months (INREV, ANREV, PREA, Investment 
Intentions Survey 2018)

158,000+ 

new construction jobs expected to be created 
in the UK in the five years to 2022 (CITB)

10.6% 

of office space in London is now classed as 
flexible (Cushman & Wakefield, Co-working 
2018 report)

35% 

62% 

predicted growth of the outlet sector, reaching 

of all freehold land in the UK is owned by public 

reduction in greenhouse gas emissions 

£3.8 billion by 2020 (Savills)

sector organisations (Land Registry)

in the built environment by 2025 targeted 

50% 

by UK Government

18

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportPolitical uncertainty

Construction capacity

Technological innovation

Online competition

Planning complexities

Long-term sustainability

There is a shifting political landscape in  

There are cost, delivery and reputational 

Consumer demand focuses on convenience 

the UK, as delays in Brexit negotiations  

implications for the construction industry,  

over postcode, as advances in technology 

and leadership challenges risk distracting 

as it has to adapt to new and constantly 

drive the need for mixed-use developments 

government from major domestic issues,  

changing legislation and regulations. There  

where people can seamlessly switch between 

whilst fuelling consumer uncertainty and 

are growing pressures and challenges for 

working, living and socialising. Occupiers are 

commercial caution. Some international 

builders and suppliers to seek alternative and 

increasingly seeking bigger, more innovative 

businesses are delaying decisions on 

better practices to improve efficiency and 

spaces close to transport routes that encourage 

investment and their long-term futures. 

effectiveness. This encourages those with  

collaborative working, drive creativity and offer 

Conversely, weak sterling and the UK’s strong 

the appetite to become early adopters of new 

flexible layouts and amenities. As a result, cost 

regulatory framework create opportunities for 

technologies to create the next generation of 

per head has become a bigger focus than cost 

smart overseas investors. Areas with good 

safe and sustainable buildings.

per square foot. 

local economies, occupational activity and 

further rental growth prospects are set to be 

the greatest beneficiaries. 

Our response

Our response

Our response

+  We operate in three major financial and 

+  Best practice and community needs are  

+  Our projects are predominantly mixed-use  

cultural centres where demand will continue

a fundamental requirement across all  

to support modern flexible living and  

+  Dublin is a major beneficiary from Brexit.  

our projects   

working needs

It is increasingly attractive to foreign 

+  We proactively evaluate advanced software  

+  We focus on creative, innovative designs to 

investors, particularly in the office sector

to virtually model and construct projects, 

support greater flexibility and connectivity

+  We focus on mixed-use regeneration assets 

de-risking the process and evolving our 

+  We undertake proactive asset management, 

which are less exposed to market confidence 

building capabilities

centred on experience

and where there is a recognised shortfall

+  We are investigating more aligned methods 

+  Trends are supportive of growth in our core 

+  We have privileged access to invest in high 

of procurement

markets of London City Region, Manchester 

quality assets through our PPP model

+  Limited Zone 1 exposure means most  

and Dublin, which have good infrastructure 

of our schemes are low rise only

and are known digital hubs

The growth of online is driving two key trends 
in retail – convenience, where customers seek 
instant purchases – and the rise of experiential 
shopping. Outlets are under growing pressure 
to expand their spaces, showcasing bigger 
ranges and providing a mixed-use environment 
that combines shopping, leisure, culture and 
community. Shoppers will continue to travel 
further and stay longer at outlets offering 
high-end design, an appealing environment 
and a rich customer experience. 

A lack of political cohesion, local infrastructure 
and complexities of achieving planning 
consents – particularly on bigger sites – are 
delaying construction in some areas, at times 
indefinitely. This can be exacerbated where 
sites are politicised. Estates Gazette’s research 
predicts using just 40% of the estimated 
15,763 brownfield sites owned by 296 local 
authorities would create approximately 
971,384 houses. However, few have the 
expertise, appetite – or vision – to unlock  
the potential in these sites. 

The low carbon economy has increased the 
focus at business, government and local levels 
on providing socially inclusive and vibrant 
mixed-use spaces that encourage the health 
and wellbeing of occupiers and visitors. 
Builders, developers and suppliers are 
increasingly required to create sustainable 
buildings and places that offer environmental 
benefits, use forward-looking technologies to 
create efficiencies and help improve lifestyles, 
ensuring long-term economic and social 
benefits for communities.

Our response
+  Our focus on design, experience and 

community coincides with market demand 
and growth trends

+  We select sites near areas where demand 

and footfall will be highest

+  Our investment portfolio includes 

convenience and experiential retail,  
so is more resilient against online risks

Our response
+  Our primary focus on undervalued or unused 
public sector land means no greenbelt sites 
are needed

+  The trust and relationships we have built 
across government and local authorities 
create a barrier to entry for others and  
a unique opportunity for us

+  Our 25+ year track record and trusted 
approach support our >90% planning 
success rate 

+  Our vision and focus on schemes where we 
can make a tangible difference means we 
see potential where others do not and 
mitigate planning risk

Our response
+  We focus on mixed-use schemes that offer 

green space and a range of leisure amenities 
to promote wellbeing and cultivate a sense  
of community

+  Our partnership approach and proactive 

engagement with communities ensure our 
schemes’ designs meet real needs

+  Each project is designed to stimulate local 

economies, create jobs, increase 
productivity and improve lifestyles, leaving  
a positive long-term legacy 

+  We work with our partners to retain the 

heritage of sites and are increasingly using 
technology in the construction process 

56% 

158,000+ 

of global investors plan to increase their 

new construction jobs expected to be created 

of office space in London is now classed as 

exposure to the real estate sector in the next 

in the UK in the five years to 2022 (CITB)

flexible (Cushman & Wakefield, Co-working 

10.6% 

2018 report)

24 months (INREV, ANREV, PREA, Investment 

Intentions Survey 2018)

35% 

predicted growth of the outlet sector, reaching 
£3.8 billion by 2020 (Savills)

62% 

of all freehold land in the UK is owned by public 
sector organisations (Land Registry)

50% 

reduction in greenhouse gas emissions 
in the built environment by 2025 targeted 
by UK Government

19

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

20

Better together

We take a collaborative  
approach to regeneration  
to unlock the potential in land 
and to create and deliver a 
long-lasting positive legacy.

12 Hammersmith Grove is a 
good example of this 

U and I Group PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

21

Working with TfL and Aberdeen Standard Investments, we have delivered two 
Grade A office buildings in Hammersmith, a bustling West London business 
hub. 10 and 12 Hammersmith Grove were built on a former car park, addressing 
the shortfall of office space in the area and setting a new benchmark for quality. 
Forward-funded by Aberdeen Standard Investments, we secured 100% 
occupancy at 12 Hammersmith Grove in January 2018, before Aberdeen 
Standard Investments successfully sold the building in the same month. 

http://www.1012hg.com/ 
12-hammersmith-grove

Attracting strong brands

22

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018£170 MILLION
 GDV

170,000

sq. ft.

First 
WeWork 

in West London

12 Hammersmith Grove made up 

25% 

of total office lettings in
West London in 2017

Record rent of

£59 psf

100%of leases above  

ten year term

23

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Our Strategic Objectives

Priority

Overview

Progress

FY2018 highlights Future objectives

Key risks

1. GROW PIPELINE

of larger mixed-use 
regeneration projects that 
deliver superior returns

Portfolio Review p. 36-51

2. DRIVE VALUE

within our portfolio through an 
integrated business model

Portfolio Review p. 36-51

3.  DELIVER EXCELLENT 

RETURNS

on a through-cycle basis

CEO’s Statement p. 4-8 
Portfolio Review p. 36-51 
Financial Review p. 52-59

4.  MAINTAIN CAPITAL 
DISCIPLINE AND 
EFFICIENCY

with a strong Balance Sheet and 
a rigorous approach to risk

CEO’s Statement p. 4-8 
Risk Review p. 28-30 
Financial Review p. 52-59

5.  PEOPLE FIRST APPROACH

to deliver long-term communities 
in places where we can add 
sustainable value

CEO’s Statement p. 4-8  
Sustainability p. 60-66  
Governance p. 75

Our strength is in securing opportunity well  
where there is a regeneration need, a supportive 
planning context and an evident undersupply of 
homes, jobs and amenities. We focus on sites that 
are too complex for REITs and too mixed in use for 
housebuilders, where we can generate excellent 
shareholder return. Our low equity approach 
allows the de-risking of the development process 
through forward-sales and forward-funding, 
enabling us to build a pipeline of larger, more 
profitable projects through the property cycle.

Our focus on complementary regeneration and 
asset management projects allow us to play to  
our strengths and commit our existing and future 
portfolio to overlooked sites where we can create 
value through planning. We realise value through 
either development or a sale, using our integrated 
model to seamlessly transition projects across  
our portfolio.

Our business has the capacity to generate 
consistent returns through the property cycle  
by maintaining the balance of longer-term  
PPP projects, shorter-term trading activity and 
recurring revenue from the investment portfolio. 
Our specialist platforms enable us to generate 
additional revenue streams through off-balance 
sheet activity, allowing us to deliver more 
projects, using the same resources. We have 
targeted 12% total return post tax as ‘excellent’ 
and aim to deliver this consistently.

Progress on delivering fewer, more profitable projects: 
seven of our projects delivered nearly £60 million of our 
total FY18 gains. Our biggest contributors all delivered 
at the top end of guidance. This follows a record year 
of four major PPP regeneration wins in FY17.

We are on two shortlists for major partnership  
projects with a gross development value of more  
than £1.5 billion.

Having secured planning for Mill Green in Cannock, 
our joint venture funding agreement with McArthurGlen 
gives us the option to retain a 12.5% stake in the 
development on completion in our investment portfolio 
to benefit from the long-term potential of this major 
designer outlet, which we believe will be a top six asset 
in its class. We have also transferred Caxton Works in 
Canning Town and Airport House in Croydon into our 
investment portfolio, to take advantage of their medium 
to long-term performance potential.

We have delivered our 12% post tax total return target 
this year and are driving the business to continue to 
deliver excellent returns. This includes strong progress 
on the realignment of our investment portfolio to focus 
on regeneration and deliver our target 10% total return. 
We are increasingly achieving gains through multiple 
routes. Harwell in Oxfordshire (pages 46 and 47), for 
example, is contributing both development and 
investment profits. We are also transferring developed 
assets into our investment portfolio, such as the 
commercial elements of of the residential projects at 
Machine Store and Boiler House at The Old Vinyl 
Factory, which will be handed back to us on completion.

We manage an efficient Balance Sheet with 
appropriate gearing levels and a sizeable cash 
buffer to mitigate against risks. 

We do not hold excess capital on our Balance 
Sheet but use our strong cash flows to reinvest, 
pay-down debt or return capital to shareholders. 
This includes paying a supplemental dividend 
every year since U+I was formed. 

We refinanced our Aviva debt facility with revised 
terms in the period. The facility is now more flexible  
in its approach to assets so we can more proactively 
manage our investment portfolio.

We also increased our supplemental dividend by 329% 
(12.0 pence per share in FY18 compared with 2.8 pence 
per share in FY17), aligning shareholders with the 
ongoing success of the business.

We are committed to nurturing top talent so  
we can keep the best people; working with 
communities on projects that will benefit their  
daily lives; and retaining close relationships  
with our partners so we can create quality  
and sustainable mixed-use places.

These close bonds ensure we retain our passion 
and ambition to keep striving to do better and 
deliver high quality returns for our shareholders.

At Preston Barracks, our Worthwhile Use project FIELD 
has created a community of people who have since 
formed their own company, Leftfield, to continue their 
work (pages 10 to 12).

We also held our first all-employee onsite at Mayfield, 
Manchester to celebrate the new office and build a 
shared ambition for the future at this inspirational place 
(pages 34, 35, 65 and 75).

We made three senior hires in the period to support the 
delivery of our financial objectives.

24

£7 BILLION+

GDV of existing portfolio

£1 BILLION+

GDV added in year

 – Increase pipeline of PPP and trading assets that match our risk 

 – Fewer viable investment and 

profile and sustainable regeneration focus across London City 

development opportunities 

Region, Manchester and Dublin to help meet shortfall in quality 

coming to market

mixed-use spaces in these core regions 

 – Project delays and associated 

 – Maintain disciplined approach to new investments. Continued 

costs

disposal of non-core assets and reinvestment in regeneration 

focused assets which align with our wider business portfolio and 

skill set

£6.5 MILLION

value creation within 

 – Leverage our core expertise in planning, to secure consents for a 

number of projects including Mayfield, Landmark Court and 

Morden Wharf, working with partners and communities to create 

investment portfolio through asset 

management initiatives

great places

 – Market risk

 – Planning risk

 – Construction risk

 – Counterparty risk

 – Drive further value from our existing assets, through proactive 

management and enhancement

 – Improve performance of investment portfolio by disposing of 

non-core assets

£48.2 MILLION

profit before tax

£379.3 MILLION

basic NAV

 – Consistently monitor capital allocation to maintain balance across 

 – Fewer viable investment and 

PPP, trading and investment portfolios

development opportunities 

 – Continue to de-risk development process through forward sales  

coming to market

and forward-funding to build pipeline of through-cycle projects, 

supporting long-term capital efficiency

 – Market risk

 – Planning risk

 – Construction risk

 – Counterparty risk

 – Funding risk

31.4%

gearing

17.9%

cost of debt

17.9 PENCE

1

3

employee onsite

new senior hires

total dividend per share declared

 – Disciplined approach to surplus cash, to ensure strong Balance 

Sheet and ability to reward shareholders

 – Counterparty risk

 – Bank funding risk

 – Continue to instil culture and ambition to ensure our core values of 

 – Loss of talent

imagination, intelligence and audacity are reflected in our approach 

 – Market risk

and the work we deliver 

 – Loss of key stakeholders

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportPriority

Overview

Progress

FY2018 highlights Future objectives

Key risks

1. GROW PIPELINE

of larger mixed-use 

regeneration projects that 

deliver superior returns

Portfolio Review p. 36-51

Our strength is in securing opportunity well  

Progress on delivering fewer, more profitable projects: 

where there is a regeneration need, a supportive 

seven of our projects delivered nearly £60 million of our 

planning context and an evident undersupply of 

total FY18 gains. Our biggest contributors all delivered 

homes, jobs and amenities. We focus on sites that 

at the top end of guidance. This follows a record year 

are too complex for REITs and too mixed in use for 

of four major PPP regeneration wins in FY17.

housebuilders, where we can generate excellent 

shareholder return. Our low equity approach 

allows the de-risking of the development process 

through forward-sales and forward-funding, 

enabling us to build a pipeline of larger, more 

profitable projects through the property cycle.

We are on two shortlists for major partnership  

projects with a gross development value of more  

than £1.5 billion.

2. DRIVE VALUE

within our portfolio through an 

integrated business model

Portfolio Review p. 36-51

Our focus on complementary regeneration and 

Having secured planning for Mill Green in Cannock, 

asset management projects allow us to play to  

our joint venture funding agreement with McArthurGlen 

our strengths and commit our existing and future 

gives us the option to retain a 12.5% stake in the 

portfolio to overlooked sites where we can create 

development on completion in our investment portfolio 

value through planning. We realise value through 

to benefit from the long-term potential of this major 

either development or a sale, using our integrated 

designer outlet, which we believe will be a top six asset 

model to seamlessly transition projects across  

in its class. We have also transferred Caxton Works in 

our portfolio.

Canning Town and Airport House in Croydon into our 

investment portfolio, to take advantage of their medium 

to long-term performance potential.

3.  DELIVER EXCELLENT 

RETURNS

on a through-cycle basis

CEO’s Statement p. 4-8 

Portfolio Review p. 36-51 

Financial Review p. 52-59

Our business has the capacity to generate 

We have delivered our 12% post tax total return target 

consistent returns through the property cycle  

this year and are driving the business to continue to 

by maintaining the balance of longer-term  

deliver excellent returns. This includes strong progress 

PPP projects, shorter-term trading activity and 

on the realignment of our investment portfolio to focus 

recurring revenue from the investment portfolio. 

on regeneration and deliver our target 10% total return. 

Our specialist platforms enable us to generate 

We are increasingly achieving gains through multiple 

additional revenue streams through off-balance 

routes. Harwell in Oxfordshire (pages 46 and 47), for 

sheet activity, allowing us to deliver more 

example, is contributing both development and 

projects, using the same resources. We have 

investment profits. We are also transferring developed 

targeted 12% total return post tax as ‘excellent’ 

assets into our investment portfolio, such as the 

and aim to deliver this consistently.

commercial elements of of the residential projects at 

Machine Store and Boiler House at The Old Vinyl 

Factory, which will be handed back to us on completion.

4.  MAINTAIN CAPITAL 

DISCIPLINE AND 

EFFICIENCY

with a strong Balance Sheet and 

a rigorous approach to risk

We manage an efficient Balance Sheet with 

We refinanced our Aviva debt facility with revised 

appropriate gearing levels and a sizeable cash 

terms in the period. The facility is now more flexible  

buffer to mitigate against risks. 

in its approach to assets so we can more proactively 

We do not hold excess capital on our Balance 

manage our investment portfolio.

Sheet but use our strong cash flows to reinvest, 

We also increased our supplemental dividend by 329% 

pay-down debt or return capital to shareholders. 

(12.0 pence per share in FY18 compared with 2.8 pence 

CEO’s Statement p. 4-8 

This includes paying a supplemental dividend 

per share in FY17), aligning shareholders with the 

Risk Review p. 28-30 

every year since U+I was formed. 

ongoing success of the business.

Financial Review p. 52-59

5.  PEOPLE FIRST APPROACH

to deliver long-term communities 

in places where we can add 

sustainable value

CEO’s Statement p. 4-8  

Sustainability p. 60-66  

Governance p. 75

We are committed to nurturing top talent so  

At Preston Barracks, our Worthwhile Use project FIELD 

we can keep the best people; working with 

has created a community of people who have since 

communities on projects that will benefit their  

formed their own company, Leftfield, to continue their 

daily lives; and retaining close relationships  

work (pages 10 to 12).

with our partners so we can create quality  

and sustainable mixed-use places.

We also held our first all-employee onsite at Mayfield, 

Manchester to celebrate the new office and build a 

These close bonds ensure we retain our passion 

shared ambition for the future at this inspirational place 

and ambition to keep striving to do better and 

(pages 34, 35, 65 and 75).

deliver high quality returns for our shareholders.

We made three senior hires in the period to support the 

delivery of our financial objectives.

£7 BILLION+
GDV of existing portfolio

£1 BILLION+
GDV added in year

 – Increase pipeline of PPP and trading assets that match our risk 
profile and sustainable regeneration focus across London City 
Region, Manchester and Dublin to help meet shortfall in quality 
mixed-use spaces in these core regions 

 – Maintain disciplined approach to new investments. Continued 
disposal of non-core assets and reinvestment in regeneration 
focused assets which align with our wider business portfolio and 
skill set

 – Fewer viable investment and 
development opportunities 
coming to market

 – Project delays and associated 

costs

£6.5 MILLION
value creation within 
investment portfolio through asset 
management initiatives

 – Leverage our core expertise in planning, to secure consents for a 

number of projects including Mayfield, Landmark Court and 
Morden Wharf, working with partners and communities to create 
great places

 – Drive further value from our existing assets, through proactive 

 – Market risk
 – Planning risk
 – Construction risk
 – Counterparty risk

management and enhancement

 – Improve performance of investment portfolio by disposing of 

non-core assets

£48.2 MILLION
profit before tax

£379.3 MILLION
basic NAV

 – Consistently monitor capital allocation to maintain balance across 

PPP, trading and investment portfolios

 – Continue to de-risk development process through forward sales  
and forward-funding to build pipeline of through-cycle projects, 
supporting long-term capital efficiency

 – Fewer viable investment and 
development opportunities 
coming to market

 – Market risk
 – Planning risk
 – Construction risk
 – Counterparty risk
 – Funding risk

31.4%
gearing

17.9%
cost of debt

17.9 PENCE
total dividend per share declared

1
employee onsite

3
new senior hires

 – Disciplined approach to surplus cash, to ensure strong Balance 

Sheet and ability to reward shareholders

 – Counterparty risk
 – Bank funding risk

 – Continue to instil culture and ambition to ensure our core values of 
imagination, intelligence and audacity are reflected in our approach 
and the work we deliver 

 – Loss of talent
 – Market risk
 – Loss of key stakeholders

25

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsOur Key Performance Indicators

The following KPIs are used by the Board 
to measure the success of the Group’s 
performance against its strategic objectives

£m

27.0

68.3

51.1

45.7

35.0

Increase in gains on FY17
95%

KPI: 
£50 MILLION+
p.a.

£125-150 MILLION+
development and trading gains in next 3 years

Read more on p. 40-45 Portfolio Review, 
p. 96-116 Remuneration Report

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

DEVELOPMENT AND 
TRADING GAINS (MILLION)

Gains realised in FY18
£68.3 MILLION

Definition and comment: We deliver 
development and trading gains as we sell  
land and assets, where we have added value 
through improved planning, asset management 
or development. As such, development and 
trading gains are a key measure of the Group’s 
success. Our £68.3 million gains mark a record 
for the Group and are at the top end of our 
£65-70 million target range for the period.

Remuneration linkage: Development and 
trading gains are the principal contributor to  
our total return, the key metric against which  
our Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) is 
determined. The level at which our LTIP vests 
relies on a consistent level of performance over 
a number of years, hence delivering a steady 
level of development and trading gains is a key 
focus. 30% of the Directors’ annual bonus is 
determined by development and trading gains 
being achieved within the range of guidance 
given at the start of each financial year.

Investment portfolio total return in FY18

10.1%

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO 
TOTAL RETURN (%)

Value of investment portfolio at FY18
£139.5 MILLION

Value creation from asset 
management initiatives
£6.5 MILLION 

KPI:
10%
p.a. investment portfolio total return

Read more on p. 48-51 Portfolio Review, 
p. 96-116 Remuneration Report

Definition and comment: The investment 
portfolio total return includes the capital 
growth and income growth realised during  
the financial year across our investment  
assets. The value of our directly owned  
assets within our investment portfolio  
was £139.5 million at the end of the year,  
from £179.2 million in the prior year as we 
exceeded our £50 million disposals target  
to focus our portfolio on regeneration.  
Our asset management initiatives and 
movement of development assets into the 
portfolio is making further strong progress.

Remuneration linkage: Our investment  
portfolio performance is a key driver of  
our NAV growth which underpins our LTIP. 
Improving the performance of our investment 
portfolio is a key focus for the Board.

26

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportTOTAL RETURN (%) 

Definition and comment: Total return, the 
growth in our basic net asset value (NAV) 
including dividends, is the most direct way  
of measuring returns to shareholders during 
the year. 

Remuneration linkage: Under the Group’s 
Remuneration Policy, the Directors and all 
Employee Long-Term Investment Plan (LTIP) is 
calculated according to a scale of total return 
targets. As such, total return is considered a 
key performance measure for the Group.

Total post tax return in FY18
12.2%

%

12.2

Increase on FY17
6,000% 

KPI: 
12%
p.a. post tax total return

Read more on p. 98  
Remuneration Report

10.0

7.2

6.0

0.2

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

GEARING (%) 

Definition and comment: The Group seeks  
to maintain a conservative level of gearing 
appropriate to the size of its Balance Sheet.  
At certain points in time, the Group’s gearing 
may increase as a result of an increased level 
of construction debt against specific assets. 
However, construction finance is usually  
only on projects where the exit has been 
secured through pre-sales or forward-funding. 
This allows us to maintain a low-risk financial 
structure and protect shareholder value 
throughout the property and economic cycles.  

Although 31.4% gearing is in line with last 
year’s 34.8%, we continue to believe 40-50% 
is the most efficient range for the business.

Gearing in FY18
31.4%

KPI: 
40-50%
gearing on Balance Sheet and 50-60%, 
including our share of joint venture debt

Read more on p. 57-58 
Financial Review

%

48.0

44.7

36.3

34.8

31.4

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

27

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsRisk Review

Our business model is shaped by the 
risks the Directors consider significant 
to our strategy, size and capabilities

Risk management structure
The Group’s risk profile is maintained under continual review 
by its Audit and Risk Committee and by the Board. In addition, 
the Group has a Risk Management Committee, which oversees 
the Group’s risk register and risk control processes on behalf 
of  the  Audit  and  Risk  Committee.  The  Risk  Management 
Committee is comprised of senior employees from across the 
Group, covering all areas of the Group’s operations.

Mapping our risks
The  Group  categorises  risks  according  to  the  likelihood  
of  occurrence  and  the  potential  impact  on  the  Group.  
The Directors consider the following to be the principal risks 
and uncertainties facing the Group.

These risks have been grouped as either:

 – External risks – whose occurrence is beyond the control of 

the Group; or

 – Business risks – which the Directors choose to manage as 

part of the Group’s operations.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RISK ASSESSMENT

REVIEW

IDENTIFY

RISK COMMITTEE

ASSESS

AUDIT COMMITTEE

l

y
e
k

i
l

y
r
e
V

d
o
o
h

i
l

e
k
L

i

l

y
e
k

i
l

n
U

e

a

f

c

b

d

MITIGATING ACTIONS

REVIEW

Low

Impact

High

Key
a. Market risk
b. Scarcity of viable investment  
and development opportunities

c. Counterparty risk
d. Bank funding risk
e.  Construction risk
f.  Planning risk

28

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report 
External risks

BUSINESS RISK

IMPACT

MITIGATION

a. Market risk
The real estate market is directly 
linked to the health of the local 
and national economies. Lack of 
economic growth, recessionary 
conditions or economic 
uncertainty can translate into  
the negative sentiment towards, 
and performance of, real estate.

b. Scarcity of viable investment 
and development opportunities
The Group’s business is 
predominantly transactional and 
requires a flow of PPP, trading  
and investment opportunities  
to generate consistent returns. 
The risk is that the flow of suitably 
priced opportunities either 
reduces or stops.

 – Lack of liquidity in market 
may delay the ability to 
realise planned disposals  
or reduce prices, leading  
to significantly reduced  
cash inflows. 

 – Higher occupier risk,  

leading to significantly 
reduced values.

 – Lack of occupier demand, 
resulting in inability to  
realise gains.

 –  Inability to source new  
deals leads to decline in 
development and trading 
profits in future years.

 – Higher pricing of acquisition 

opportunities leads to 
reduced ability to add value.

c. Counterparty risk
Transaction counterparties,  
be they joint venture partners, 
purchasers under sale contracts 
or banks in respect of cash 
deposits or derivative 
arrangements, may suffer  
or fail financially. 

 – Failure of sales transaction 
counterparties may lead  
to an inability to produce  
trading profits.
 – Failure of financial 

counterparties may impact  
effectiveness of hedging or 
recoverability of deposits.

 – Risk-averse property 

development strategy,  
whereby projects are 
pre-funded, pre-let, or  
pre-sold where appropriate. 

 – Long maturities of debt  

finance facilities.

 – Moderate level of gearing.
 – Regular meetings with 

economic forecasters to  
gauge economic trends. 

 – Flexible approach to market 
opportunities, seeking out 
sectors where value can be 
generated and seeking funding 
partners with different return 
requirements.

 – Stringent deal underwriting 
procedures with minimum 
return hurdles.

 – Maintaining broad industry 

contacts for acquisitions rather 
than being dependent on a 
single source of opportunity. 
 – Use of PPP model to secure 
regeneration opportunities  
in an innovative way.

 – Proof of funding required prior 
to agreeing sales contracts. 
 – The Board regularly assesses 

the creditworthiness of 
financial counterparties  
prior to placing deposits  
and hedging transactions.

 – Substantial deposits are 
required for pre-sold  
residential developments. 

RISK EXPOSURE 
CHANGE YEAR  
ON YEAR

The UK economy remains 
supportive of our activities. 

However, continuing political 
uncertainty as the formal Brexit date 
approaches, together with escalating 
geopolitical risks, continue to 
overshadow the market.

Opportunities continue to  
be sourced for development, 

trading and investment, which satisfy 
Group underwriting criteria, albeit 
that the market is running late cycle 
with yields and house prices at 
record levels.

The Group continues to  
have exposure to the private 

residential market through the 
development of pre-sold residential 
units both on and off balance 
sheet. The risk of purchasers failing 
to complete has not changed to any 
material extent during the year.

d. Bank funding risk
The pressure on a large number  
of traditional real estate lending 
banks to reduce their exposure to 
real estate reduces the capacity 
and liquidity within the lending 
market and can impact upon the 
availability of debt to deliver 
business plans.

 – Inability to secure funding  

 – The Group maintains 

for new opportunities.
 – Inability to refinance  

existing facilities, leading  
to disposals at the wrong 
time in business plans and 
failure to maximise profits.

 – Unpredictability of  

cash flows.

relationships with a wide range 
of both bank and non-bank 
lenders, reducing over-reliance  
on any one partner.

 – The Group is constantly 

seeking to widen its range of 
funding sources and liaises 
regularly with new entrants into 
the real estate lending market.

The lending market  
continues to see new entrants. 
Competitive pressures have led to a 
reduction in margins and an increase 
in maturities available. Through the 
year there has been a gradual 
reduction in lenders’ appetite for 
development risk, particularly on a 
speculative basis, as the Brexit date 
approaches.

29

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsRisk Review
continued

BUSINESS RISK

IMPACT

MITIGATION

 – Reduced profitability or 

 – The Group retains in-house 

e. Construction risk
There is a risk of being unable  
to secure a viable construction 
contract, post receipt of  
planning permission.

Real estate construction is subject 
to the risk of cost overruns, delay 
and the financial failure of an 
appointed contractor.

potential loss on individual 
projects and/or guarantees 
being called. 

 – Construction work ceasing 

whilst a suitable 
replacement contractor is 
found, leading to delays in 
project completion and a 
reduction in profit.

 – Failure to secure planning 
consent can either cause 
delay or render a project 
unviable/unprofitable and 
lead to the write-off of 
considerable costs or 
reduced profit potential.

f. Planning risk
Procuring appropriate and 
valuable planning consents is 
often a key element of value 
creation through property 
development.

Securing planning permission  
in a changing political and 
regulatory environment is a 
complex and uncertain process, 
with applications subject to 
objection from a wide range  
of potential stakeholders,  
and hence prone to delay, 
modification and rejection.

RISK EXPOSURE 
CHANGE YEAR  
ON YEAR

There continues to be an 
increase in construction material 
prices. At the same time, uncertainty 
over the status of EU nationals 
working in the UK post any deal 
between the UK and the EU is leading 
to the anticipation of construction 
workforce shortages and increasing 
labour costs. These are both 
impacting upon pricing and making 
the placement of construction 
contracts more difficult in terms of 
cost certainty and hence margin.

As a result, contractors are 
increasing pricing on new tenders so 
as to build in additional contingencies 
for the losses they have suffered in 
the last two to three years.

This can also lead to a lengthening  
of tender periods and the need for 
more detailed design before a viable 
construction contract can be agreed.

The complexity of our projects 
requires even greater rigour  
in delivery.

The ability to obtain clear 
planning decisions is 

potentially compromised as  
key political events, such as 
elections, approach. 

The May local elections could  
see the further fracturing of the 
political landscape and planning 
decisions could become the 
battleground on which these 
disagreements play out. The 
financial strain on local authorities is 
manifesting itself in under-resourcing 
of planning departments. Taken 
against a back-drop of ever 
increasing complexity in both 
projects and planning regulations, 
especially in respect of mixed-use 
schemes with greater density, there 
is an urgent need to professionalise 
planning departments. This has 
been ignored by the 2017 White 
Paper.

experienced project managers 
throughout the life of individual 
projects, to ensure that costs 
are appropriately budgeted, 
timetables are adhered to - 
hence the impact of these  
risks is minimised.
 – The Group performs 

appropriate pre-contract due 
diligence on the capabilities  
and financial security of its 
material contractors and key 
sub-contractors.

 – The Group continually monitors 
the financial position of key 
contractors to anticipate 
financial difficulties.

 – If issues arise with contractors, 
the Group uses its professional 
teams and in-house expertise  
to mitigate the impact.

 – The Group requires detailed 
design and specification 
throughout the tender process 
to enable it to maximise the risk 
transfer to contractors.
 – The Group requires that all 

construction contracts include 
provisions for liquidated 
ascertained damages in the 
case of performance failures  
by contractors and that 
contractors provide performance 
bonds, typically to a level of 
100% of the contract sum. 

 – The Group retains a team  

with a strong track record of 
achieving planning consents 
and an extensive local 
knowledge, supplemented by 
advisors and sector specialist 
partners, to maximise the 
chance of success and reduce 
the risks and costs of failure.
 – An alternative exit strategy  

is always considered in case  
of planning failure. 

 – The Group’s PPP model seeks 
to build partnerships with 
local statutory and planning 
authorities as a way of 
mitigating risk.

30

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportStrategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial Statements

Viability Statement

Introduction
U+I’s business model is to deliver returns through regeneration, realising 
profits by successfully transforming undervalued land and assets into 
new places that deliver social and economic value to a wide range  
of stakeholders.

Assumptions
In assessing the long-term viability of the Group, the Board has made 
the following assumptions:

Property investment valuations continue to be broadly stable with no 
prolonged significant downwards movements.

The key drivers in delivering the model are as follows:

 – Ability to source a regular supply of new business opportunities which 

can deliver profits in future years.

 – Sourcing debt finance to leverage new business opportunities and 

refinance existing facilities where appropriate.

 – Access to a wide range of capital partners to co-invest in larger 
schemes and forward fund larger speculative developments.

 – Successfully delivering new planning permissions.
 – A high-yielding investment portfolio generating a sustainable cash 

yield to support business activities and sustain corporate overheads.

 – Maintaining a diversified portfolio of projects so as to reduce 

property specific risk across the overall portfolio.

Assessment period
The Group’s business planning process consists of a five-year look 
forward. The rationale for this is that the main driver of success is the 
generation of development and trading gains from projects, with the 
exception of two outliers:

 – Short-term pure trading; and 
 – Long-term land strategies.

The majority of projects have a duration of between two and five years 
from acquisition to exit. Therefore, from any starting point, over a 
five-year period the vast majority of projects will have moved through  
to exit. To plan for a period longer than five years would lead to the 
construction of a purely theoretical model in years 5+, rather than one 
underpinned by specific existing projects in the initial five-year period.

Therefore, for the purposes of this review, the business has been 
considered and stress tested over a five-year period.

Consideration of principal risks
The nature of the Group’s business and the industry in which it operates 
expose it to a variety of risks. The principal risks and uncertainties facing 
the Group are detailed on pages 28 to 30. The Board regularly reviews 
the principal risks and assesses the appropriate controls and mitigating 
actions required to manage the operations of the Group within an 
appropriate risk environment. The Board has further considered their 
impact within the context of the Group’s viability with particular 
emphasis on construction and planning risk.

 – The Group continues to be able to deliver cash-backed development 
and trading gains from its existing portfolio of projects sufficient to 
meet its operational requirements, principally driven by securing new 
planning permissions.

 – The Group continues to be able to source new business opportunities 
capable of delivering both short-term trading gains and longer-term 
development gains to replace existing projects as they are exited.
 – The Group continues with its policy of having a mixture of long-term 

debt associated with its long-term investment portfolio and 
shorter-term stand-alone debt associated with its development  
and trading projects.

 – The Group continues, as it did throughout the previous recession,  
to be able to source both replacement and new debt facilities as  
they are required from both existing and new lenders.

 – The Group continues with its policy of maintaining a broad range  
of counterparties, including financial, contractor and purchaser,  
so as to mitigate the impact of potential counterparty failure.
 – The Group continues its policy of de-risking developments by 

obtaining forward-funding for larger schemes and only carrying  
out limited on-balance sheet development.

 – Construction contracts are entered into on a guaranteed maximum 

price basis where possible.

The Group maintains its current conservative gearing strategy.

In addition, the Group’s five-year business model was stress-tested to 
simulate either a deterioration in market conditions or a flexing of these 
assumptions, as detailed below. In particular, consideration was given  
to the following:

 – Persistent valuation falls of 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% per annum for 
each of the next five years and the resultant impact upon NAV, 
gearing covenants and cash levels i.e. a fall of 25% in property values.

 – Inability to win any new business opportunities over the next five 
years - hence the only profits that can be generated are from  
existing schemes.

 – Debt facilities were stress-tested to see how much property 

valuations would need to fall before loan covenants would be 
breached and how much cash would be required to cure any  
loan covenant defaults.

Conclusion
As a result of the work performed above, including the consideration  
of the key assumptions and the subsequent stress testing, the Board 
believes that the Group’s strategy of maintaining a broad portfolio of 
development and trading projects, a core investment portfolio and  
a diverse range of financial and operational counterparties provides  
the Group with a strong platform on which to continue its business.

The Directors therefore have a reasonable expectation that the Group 
will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall 
due over the five-year period to February 2023.

31

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018An intimate 
understanding

To fulfil our purpose, we get  
to know places intimately,  
discovering hidden gems from 
their past to create a combined 
vision for their future. 

Like at Mayfield, Manchester 

U and I Group PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

32

U and I Group PLC  Annual Report and Accounts 2018

33

AN  ILLUSTRIOUS  FUTURE  BUILT  
ON  AN  INDUSTRIOUS  PAST

We are privileged to be delivering a transformational regeneration project 
for Manchester as a member of the Mayfield Partnership. In February 2018 
our draft Strategic Regeneration Framework was approved for consultation 
by Manchester City Council. This marks the start of the public consultation 
and is our first milestone as we seek to breathe new life into this 24-acre 
derelict site, creating a thriving £1.1 billion mixed-use neighbourhood, 
that will deliver a new 6.5-acre urban public park within the city centre, 
new commercial, retail and hotel accommodation, as well as more than 
1,350 homes and community uses.

The story continues online:
http://mayfieldmanchester.co.uk/

34

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018£3 MILLION

worth of gifts for 60,000+ 
children in Key 103’s Cash 
for Kids scheme

24

acre site – equivalent  
to 12 football pitches

£1.1 BILLION 

GDV

1.4 MILLION 

sq. ft. of office space

10,000+

new jobs

35

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Portfolio Review

There’s 
plenty 
more to 
come

36

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Reportthat is earned through the quality of our projects where we 
deliver  positive  change  and  long-term  legacies  for  the 
communities we work with. 

We  are  intelligent,  we  are  imaginative  and  we  can  be 
audacious, when we need to be. These are our core values. 
They  inform  our  approach  and  are  ingrained  within  U+I’s  
culture. We want to be the best at what we do and we know 
that we can be. Our people are bound together in a shared 
purpose – to deliver great regeneration projects that generate 
excellent financial returns for our shareholders and strong 
societal benefits. 

We are determined to keep improving, with consistency at our 
core  –  consistent  12%  post  tax  total  returns  per  annum, 
consistent delivery and consistent quality.

Operating in a growing market
The opportunity is huge. More than 300,000 new homes  
are needed each year to repair the housing market’s gaping 
supply/demand deficit. Local authorities are under intense 
pressure to drive productivity from their land assets and U+I 
is  starting  to  stand  out  in  the  industry  as  best  in  class.  
Bricks and mortar are not enough. The built environment needs 
to support and nurture communities and meet the rapidly 
evolving lifestyles of today’s world. 

The need is particularly acute in urban areas, such as London 
City Region, Manchester and Dublin, our three core regions 
of focus. The developable land is there, as are the unused 
buildings, steeped in history and tradition. But we need to 
unlock their potential through exciting, inspirational mixed-use 
spaces, created in partnerships and secured through trust, 
hard work, creativity and passion.

Preston  Barracks  in  Brighton  (page  13)  exemplifies  the  
power of this approach. Originally owned by the Ministry of 
Defence,  it  lay  dormant  for  over  twenty  years  before  we 
approached Brighton & Hove City Council with an idea. Inspired 
by another of our projects – The Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes – 
we suggested the creation of an extensive live, work, play,  
and study environment, enhanced by a focus on entrepreneurs 
and start-ups. 

After five years of negotiation, consultation and partnership, 
this incredible regeneration project started on site in March 
2018  and  will  deliver  hundreds  of  new  homes,  student 
accommodation and an innovation hub for young businesses. 
The  architecture,  public  realm  and  landscaping  will  be 

Richard Upton, Deputy Chief Executive Officer

A year of achievement
We are on a journey that has taken us from merger, to integration, 
to delivery of the financial performance that we promised  
our shareholders.

Today’s results demonstrate the first fruits of that endeavour. 
Now we want to continue in the same vein – and we are 
confident that we will. 

Matthew  and  I  are  intensely  focused  on  building  a  great 
Company for the long-term. That means a Company with 
purpose; a Company aware of its wider socio-economic 
responsibilities; and a Company that inspires confidence  
among its people and its stakeholders internally and externally. 
That is what gets me out of bed with a spring in my step  
every morning. 

Trusted partnerships driving delivery
Experience  and  track  record  provide  the  strongest  of 
foundations for our future because they have enabled us to 
build close partnerships with Government, local authorities, 
landowners and the industry in which we operate. We have 
deep-rooted personal and corporate relationships everywhere 
we work.

Such partnerships are not born overnight. They are unique, 
they are developed over time and they rely on trust – a trust 

37

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsPortfolio Review
continued

Richard Upton at Deptford Market Yard

astonishing. The project has and will deliver significant profits 
for the Group. The City Council wins; the community wins, as 
the site will drive huge socio-economic growth; and shareholders 
win, as U+I delivers its forecast gains. Everyone wins. That is 
our model; it is different and it works. 

Having  secured  some  of  the  most  exciting  regeneration  
projects  in  our  chosen  areas,  we  have  a  strong  pipeline  
ahead  of  us.  The  opportunities  for  our  Company  have  
never been better and I look forward to continuing to deliver 
them with the help of all our stakeholders. 

The team, passion, drive and pipeline to keep delivering
Our industry is too often associated with minimising social 
gain  and  maximising  financial  returns.  That  is  not  U+I’s 
approach. Our strategy has been forged in the belief that we 
need to deliver positive outcomes for everyone we touch, if 
we are to achieve our ambition – to be the best property 
regeneration developer and investor in the UK.  We have an 
excellent and committed team and a network of great partners 
to help us to achieve this.  

Richard Upton
Deputy Chief Executive Officer 
26 April 2018

38

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportStrategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial Statements

The  U+I  portfolio  is  strategically  balanced  between  
longer-term  development  projects,  shorter-term  trading 
opportunities and our investment portfolio. This three-pillar 
approach is one of U+I’s core strengths, providing multiple 
routes to creating value and a more diverse earnings stream, 
helping us to mitigate risk through the property cycle.

Our aim is simple but ambitious. We intend to be the best 
property  regeneration  developer  and  investor  in  the  UK, 
delivering real socio-economic benefit to the communities in 
which we work and consistent returns for our shareholders.

Each part of the business reflects our core focus on regeneration.

Development and trading
 – Development: Long-term, large-scale mixed-use regeneration 
projects that are significant drivers of profit. Often structured 
as Public Private Partnerships (PPP), these comprise 19% of 
gross assets, delivering multi-year profit flows.

 – Trading: Short-term trading opportunities where we buy 
land and add value through enhanced planning consents 
and/or asset management. These comprise 49% of gross 
assets, delivering one to three-year profit flows.

Investment:  Provides  recurring  income  to  anchor  our 
development and trading activities and added value potential. 
This comprises 32% of gross assets.

Value creation is at the core of everything we do
Importantly, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.  
We harness our ability to buy land well and secure opportunities 
in areas with a regeneration need. We add value through 
obtaining  planning  consents,  aligned  with  active  asset 
management. We then realise value through land disposals 
and development, mainly for sale but, increasingly, with an 
element retained within our investment portfolio. This interlinked 
approach is designed to maximise risk-adjusted returns and 
deliver consistent, sustainable returns.

We adopt a creative attitude to regeneration, underpinned  
by our core values of intelligence, imagination and audacity. 
We  concentrate  on  building  a  pipeline  of  fewer,  larger  
projects, where our skills can have the most impact, and we 
focus  on  three  core  regions,  where  we  see  the  greatest 
potential:  London  City  Region  (places  within  one  hour’s 
commute of London), Manchester and Dublin. The demand  
is there, the undervalued sites are there and we have the  
vision, expertise and appetite to transform them into vibrant 
mixed-use places that will help local communities to thrive.

Public Private Partnership: Long-term, large-scale 
mixed-use regeneration projects in partnership with public 
and private bodies.  Equity light, these are undertaken with 
a public-sector landowner, who seeds the partnership 
with land. This means low upfront capital requirements for 
U+I.  We capture value through development margin, as 
we deliver the amenities, offices, homes, jobs and public 
assets that communities need, and which resource-poor 
local authorities would otherwise struggle to deliver alone.

Trading: Short-term trading opportunities where we  
apply our expertise in sourcing and buying undervalued 
land and buildings, creating value through enhanced 
planning consents, change of use or asset management. 
Our relationships and understanding of the market allow 
us to focus on opportunities where terms of trade are in 
our favour and we can realise value efficiently.

Investment: This is a recurring revenue, achieved by 
acquiring assets with a regeneration focus, that will  
deliver a sustained yield.  We seek out sites that we 
believe have been overlooked, and add value through 
smart asset management.  At times, we develop a site  
and drive value by bringing it into our investment portfolio, 
where we can nurture it over time. Alternatively, we find 
sites with longer-term regeneration potential, that can 
potentially feed our development pipeline.

Worthwhile Use: From day one of securing a site,  
we use our spaces and places to add value to 
communities, hear their views and create benefits  
that last. Benefits such as risk-free opportunities for 
independent businesses to grow and develop, cultural 
experiences, and places to meet, eat, drink, have fun  
and try new things. This positive change rooted in the 
local community allows us to understand their needs  
and frame our projects around these.

39

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Portfolio Review
continued

DEVELOPMENT AND TRADING PORTFOLIO 
DELIVERING A RECORD YEAR

 “ These results endorse the 

ambition we set ourselves from 
the start: to create a strong 
business with a unique culture, 
a clear focus on regeneration 
and – above all – a commitment 
to delivering consistent long-term 
value for shareholders and the 
communities in which we operate.”

In summary:
We have had a record year and we believe that we have 
the business model, track record, passion and team in 
place to consistently deliver on our KPIs.   

We have:

 – A clear and focused strategy aligned with political and 
social trends in regions with strong growth potential;  
 – A growing pipeline and visibility on delivery of gains for 

the next ten years; 

 – A trusted relationship with the public sector creating 

barriers to entry for others;

 – An excellent and committed team and a network of  

great partners.

£68.3 MILLION 

£45-50 MILLION

Development and trading gains

gains targeted for FY19

£7.0 BILLION+ 

GDV of current pipeline

We made significant progress across our development and 
trading portfolio, achieving record gains of £68.3 million in 
2018. This is towards the top end of our guidance of £65-70 
million, underlining the year as a period of delivery and growth.

Within our development portfolio our efforts are yielding 
tangible results, as we realise value from some of our pipeline 
and advance more recent PPP project wins.

In Brighton, we are making a real contribution to the urban 
environment.  In  December  2017,  we  secured  planning  
consent  and  in  February  2018  completed  the  purchase  
of the Preston Barracks site, a crucial step for a project that 
will allow us to deliver one of the largest mixed-use regeneration 
schemes in the city. With £200 million of gross development 
value, our project will create 369 homes, 534 student beds 
and a 50,000 sq. ft. innovation hub for start-up businesses. 
The scheme will create over 1,500 new jobs and bring more 
than £280 million into Brighton & Hove’s economy over the 
next ten years. The sale of the student element of the scheme 
in February 2018 allowed the project to come forward and  
site preparation works are now well underway. A case study 
for the project can be found on page 13.

We have also begun construction at Circus Street in Brighton 
(page 63), having secured funding for this £130 million regeneration 
project, which will turn a derelict former market into an exciting 
new destination in the heart of the city. With 142 new homes, 
450 student bedrooms, 30,000 sq. ft. of new office space  and 
workshops for creative new businesses, the scheme will inject 
£200 million into the local economy over the next decade.

At 12 Hammersmith Grove, London, we delivered gains of 
£11.3 million, having successfully let 100% of this modern, 
flexible, 170,000 sq. ft. Grade A office space. Highlighting the 
appeal of this development, the building was sold by our 
partners, Aberdeen Standard Investments, in January 2018 
(case study on pages 20 to 23).

In Manchester, we are making encouraging progress with our 
plans at Mayfield, transforming this former rail depot into a 
new urban neighbourhood in the city, through an ambitious 
and extensive mixed-use regeneration scheme. The public 
consultation undertaken for the proposed amendments to the 
existing Strategic Regeneration Framework has demonstrated 
wide support for our plans and the scope of the project has 
increased, such that its gross development value has risen 
from £850 million at the outset to £1.1 billion now. Read more 
on pages 32 to 35.

40

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportHarwell, Oxfordshire

At Harwell, we realised £6.3 million of gains, as we delivered 
and let 160,000 sq. ft. of space on this internationally renowned 
science campus. Harwell exemplifies the benefits that can be 
gained  when  the  public  and  private  sectors  work  in  true 
partnership. Spread over more than 700 acres, the site is a 
commercial and research cluster, grounded by more than  
£2 billion of world-leading scientific infrastructure.

Working with two Government-backed agencies, U+I is driving 
the next stage of development at Harwell, through the creation 
of new office space, laboratories and other state-of-the-art 
facilities.  We  also  benefited  from  an  investment  gain  of  
£4.1 million, as earlier phases of development were revalued 
to  reflect  the  increased  critical  mass  of  the  scheme.  We  
expect  Harwell  to  be  a  continued  driver  of  gains  as  the  
next  phases  of  development  are  brought  forward.  Read  
more on pages 46  and 47.

Our industry is dynamic and timings can change, depending 
on a wide range of factors and the actions of key stakeholders. 
In recognition of this, our business model is to remain agile 
and flexible so that we can maximise opportunities as and 
when they arise. In 2018, for example, we realised a material 
gain from the sale of our investment in a regional, strategic 
land business, Barwood Development Securities Limited. 
Whilst the business could have produced a steady flow of 
gains over several years, we felt that an immediate sale of our 
holding, generating a £5.0 million gain, more than offset the 
potential gains over the longer term.

At St Mark’s Square in Bromley we set aside a full £7.5 million 
provision in the year due to delays resulting from the size and 
complexity of the basement and façade works, all of which 
inevitably  extended  the  construction  programme.  Once  
completed later this year, St Mark’s Square will regenerate and 
transform a major part of Bromley town centre.

41

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsPortfolio Review
continued

42

The Old Vinyl Factory, Hayes

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportWe remain committed to building our PPP pipeline, with a clear 
focus on substantial, high quality, value-enhancing projects. 
There is no shortage of opportunities. Both public and private-
sector landowners are looking for ways to realise value by 
making their, often urban, real estate work harder. The resultant 
trend towards higher density mixed-use living plays to our core 
regeneration strengths.

As part of our focus and commitment to Ashford, in January 
2018 we purchased the Kent Wool Growers site, and we will 
now seek planning for 250 homes, to further cement our 
reputation in this vibrant commuter location. This transaction 
underlines our ability to buy well in locations adjacent to our 
existing developments, capitalising on the trust and reputation 
earned in an area.

We are currently pursuing a number of exciting prospects in 
Dublin and London City Region and are on two shortlists, with 
a combined gross development value of more than £1.5 billion.

At The Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes, the sale of the residential 
plot at The Machine Store and the Group’s retained interest 
in The Cabinet Building realised a combined gain of £3.4 million.

This PPP approach has significant attractions. It is equity efficient 
as our partners typically seed projects with land, while we  
apply our planning and development expertise. This allows us 
to spread our risk across projects at various stages of the 
development, committing a maximum of £20 million to any one 
project. In a further evolution of our business, we are increasingly 
able to charge management fees on larger regeneration projects 
such as Mayfield (pages 32 to 35). This helps to cover our 
overhead commitment to a project ahead of development activity 
taking place.

In terms of other trading projects, our joint venture project at 
Kensington Church Street in the Royal Borough of Kensington 
and Chelsea did not obtain planning consent at a Planning 
Committee meeting in January 2018. This was notwithstanding 
an officer’s recommendation for approval and strong support 
from the GLA through a Stage 1 sign-off. The recent call-in of 
the scheme by the GLA underlines the quality of the project 
and the sizeable regeneration benefits it would bring. We look 
forward to the Mayor of London’s assessment of the scheme 
later this year.

Trading pipeline provides shorter-term gains
To balance our major regeneration opportunities, we maintain 
a shorter-term trading pipeline. This gives us a more tactical 
focus as we buy land well and add value through planning and/
or asset management. In the year, we generated gains of more 
than £45 million in this area.

At Blackhorse Road in Walthamstow, London (page 62), we 
made a significant disposal, after securing planning permission, 
delivering £10.3 million in gains, using just £2.1 million of equity 
in two and a half years.

In Ashford, we have secured planning for a significant mixed-
use development on a brownfield site. This will inject renewed 
life and vigour into this strategically located town and realise 
gains of £2.8 million on disposal of the site to a housebuilder.

Our  exit  from  Bryn  Blaen  Wind  Farm  has  progressed.  We  
made  a  strategic  decision  not  to  sell  the  project  during  
the year, in the strong belief that we could realise more value 
by extending our timeline, having built out the site during the 
year  and  submitted  the  requisite  paperwork  to  secure  
valuable subsidies. We also expect to realise profits from this 
and our two other wind farms, Rhoscrowther and Hendy, in the 
coming financial year. Although wind farms are not core to our 
future strategy, they leverage our planning and development 
experience and will enable us to make a significant margin  
on an equity efficient basis.

43

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsPREVIOUS 
GUIDANCE

REALISED 
GAINS

£8-10 million

£11.5 million

Portfolio Review
continued

A summary of our realised gains and losses in 2018 can be found below:

PROJECT NAME

VALUE TRIGGER

Planning approved in December 2017. Completed sale  
of student accommodation element of £200 million gross 
development value regeneration scheme. 

Preston Barracks, Brighton 
(Makerfield)

Read more on p.13

12 Hammersmith Grove, 
Hammersmith

Read more on p.20-23

Secured 100% lettings, triggering profit.

£9-11 million

£11.3 million

Blackhorse Road, 
Walthamstow

Secured planning in October 2017 and subsequently sold for 
a £130 million mixed-use regeneration project in December.

£7-10 million

£10.3 million

Charlton Riverside, 
Greenwich*

Operational gain and valuation uplift following planning 
re-designation.

N/A for FY18

£7.5 million

Mill Green, Cannock

Joint venture with McArthurGlen consortium to fund the 
development of this £160 million 26,500 sq. m. designer outlet 
centre. Transaction includes the option for U+I to retain a 12.5% 
stake in the development on completion.

£5-6 million

£7.4 million

Harwell, Oxfordshire*

Development and letting of 160,000 sq. ft. of accommodation.

N/A for FY18

£6.3 million

Read more on p.46-47

Barwood Development 
Securities Limited

Sold regional land promotion business.

£4-5 million

£5.0 million

The Old Vinyl Factory, Hayes

Sale of a retained interest in The Cabinet Building and sale of 
residential site at The Machine Store. 

£2-3 million

£3.4 million

HCA, Ashford

Having already secured planning permission, site sold for major 
regeneration scheme in Ashford town centre. 

£3-4 million

£2.8 million

Other (12 projects), various

Planned sale of smaller legacy projects <£2.5m each in value.

£15 million

£10.3 million

St Mark’s Square, Bromley

A full provision due to delays resulting from the size and 
complexity of the basement and façade works and the 
inevitable extension to the construction programme.

N/A

(£7.5 million)

Wind Farm Projects*

Bryn Blaen project delayed. Expected to realise in FY19.

£6-8 million

N/A for FY18

Kensington Church  
Street, London*

Planning consent not obtained. GLA has called in scheme for 
Mayor of London’s assessment.

£6-10 million

N/A for FY18

* Held in joint venture

44

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportThe major projects for FY19 supporting our targeted £45-50 million development and trading gains include those listed below. 
We have the agility in our portfolio to flex this mix of projects where appropriate.

PROJECT NAME

VALUE TRIGGER

Bryn Blaen Wind Farm, Wales*

Trading: Surplus arising from disposal.

Charlton Riverside, London*

Trading: Completion of sale. 

Curzon Park, Birmingham* 

Trading: Vesting of land under CPO.

Harwell, Oxfordshire*

PPP: Profits from further phases of development. 

Read more on p.46-47

Kensington Church Street, 
London*

Trading: Surplus arising from either development of the site (post planning)  
or from sale of our interest.

Mixed-Use Scheme A, London 
City Region

Trading: Post planning consent being obtained, funding or sale of retail-led 
mixed-use scheme.

Preston Barracks (Makerfield), 
Brighton

PPP: Surplus arising from either development or disposal of the residential  
element of the site.

TARGETED 
GAINS

£6-8 million

£2-4 million

£4- 7 million

£4-6 million

£5-7 million

£3-5 million

£2-3 million

Read more on p.13

Wind Farm Projects

Trading: Post-planning consent being obtained, funding or sale of Rhoscrowther 
and Hendy wind farms. 

£10-12 million

Other (8 projects)

Various smaller projects individually contributing <£3.0 million.

£9-12 million

* Held in joint venture

45

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsHarwell is an internationally renowned science 
campus. Located just outside Oxford, it is at  
the centre of Government’s industrial strategy  
for innovation. 

U+I is working with the Science and Technology 
Facilities Council (STFC) and the UK Atomic 
Energy Authority (UKAEA), in a joint venture with 
Oxford Partners, to develop this former RAF site 
into one of the world’s foremost research and 
innovation campuses. 

New state-of-the-art buildings, homes and 
community areas will create a thriving space 
expected to deliver over £1 billion Gross Value 
Added every year, driving job creation and 
economic growth both locally and nationally. 

This 710-acre commercial science and research 
cluster is steeped in 70+ years of history, 
responsible for world-changing progress across 
life sciences, space, energy, supercomputing  
and big data. Home to the Vulcan laser and  
the Diamond Light Source synchroton, Harwell 
focuses on groundbreaking innovation and R&D.

The next chapter of 
scientific research
At every stage of a 
project, we unlock 
social and cultural, as 
well as financial and 
economic value, now 
and into the future. 

Our Harwell project 
shows this in action.

6,000+ 

people

225+ 

organisations

60+ YEARS 

world-changing innovation

£264 MILLION 

Government investment into Harwell in 2017

1

laser a billion times hotter than the sun

C.£2.3 MILLION 

current rental income

The story continues online:
https://www.harwellcampus.com/

46

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018i

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47

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Portfolio Review
continued

Regeneration is at the core of our business and, as we have 
previously stated, we are realigning our investment portfolio 
in accordance with that focus. At the beginning of the year, 
therefore, we set a target of £50 million from the disposal  
of non-core assets, which do not have a regeneration focus. 
We exceeded that target, achieving sales of £53.2 million  
and an average premium above book value of 6.3%. Our 
disposals were largely made up of legacy or mature assets, 
as we moved to create a more dynamic portfolio. At the year 
end, the investment portfolio was valued at £139.5 million  
(2017: £179.2m). We are targeting an initial further £25.0 million 
of non-core disposals in FY19.

During the year, we disposed of our holding in Kingsland 
Shopping Centre in Thatcham through two transactions: selling 
the Waitrose anchor store to long-term capital and the remaining 
retail units to a specialist retail asset manager. By splitting the 
asset, it allowed us to realise greater value, securing a combined 
sale price above book value at a blended yield of 5.9%.

12 Hammersmith Grove, London

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO 
CONTINUING TO DELIVER 
TRANSFORMATION

 “ Where we are involved in 

transformative regeneration 
projects, we are increasingly 
choosing to retain elements 
to transfer into our investment 
portfolio where we see 
longer-term value.”

In summary:
The alignment of the investment portfolio with our 
regeneration focus is progressing well, reflected in 
reaching our 10% total return target. 

 – Good progress on our disposals strategy, exceeding our 

£50 million target of non-core assets

 – Continuing to add value through asset management 

initiatives 

 – Bringing quality regeneration assets from our development 
portfolio  into  our  investment  portfolio  presents 
opportunities to maximise value creation

6.3% 

average premium above book 
value of disposals

£50 MILLION 

new assets targeted in FY19 
(including retained assets from 
development portfolio)

£6.5 MILLION 

added value through asset 
management initiatives

48

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportWe also sold the Waitrose anchor store at Ringwood but 
retained the associated units at this popular, convenience-led 
shopping centre. This will allow us to realise further value 
through future asset management potential, while continuing 
to benefit from the footfall from the Waitrose store.

As part of our core strategy, the proceeds from these disposals 
will  be  reinvested  into  assets  with  a  regeneration  focus, 
supporting our wider development and trading portfolio and 
maximising value creation.

Closer portfolio alignment – capturing further value 
from regeneration
We are driving through the transition of our investment portfolio 
from a more passive, sector investment, which historically 
delivered 5-8% returns, towards alignment with our regeneration 
expertise and total returns targeted at 10% plus per annum. 
This has started with our investments at Caxton Works, Canning 
Town; Airport House, Croydon; as well as the option to retain 
a stake in the completed development at Mill Green, Cannock.

Mill Green in Cannock highlights the advantages of forging 
closer connections across our business. Our planning and 
regeneration expertise, combined with our collaboration with 
the local community, helped us to secure planning consent to 
develop a 35-acre greenfield site and deliver a 26,500 sq. m. 
designer outlet village. During the year, we entered into a joint 
venture funding agreement to partner this project with retail 
outlet expert, McArthurGlen.

The scheme is expected to be a top six UK asset in its class. 
Located in an underserved catchment close to Birmingham, it 
is expected to prove extremely popular as a local and destination 
attraction. As part of the transaction, we secured the option 
to retain a 12.5% stake in the development on completion 
within our investment portfolio – a unique opportunity, with 
material value-generation potential.

We have pursued a similar longer-term, value-enhancing model 
at Caxton Works in Canning Town, where we expect to see 
further gains as the scheme leases up over the course of the 
next twelve months. During the year, we also transferred our 
co-working office building at Airport House in Croydon into 
our investment portfolio. We acquired this asset for £7.8 million 
in 2010 as a trading deal. Through refurbishment and further 
asset management initiatives, we have increased the occupancy 
from 54% at the time of acquisition to 95%, as well as driving 

49

The Old Vinyl Factory, Hayes

up rents. The building was valued at £13.0 million on 28 February 
2018. We have chosen to retain Airport House in our investment 
portfolio as we expect to see further value from this well-located 
asset, alongside a high running income yield (7.5%). These 
two assets equate to £15.1 million of value and Cannock would 
represent a further circa £6-8 million of investment which will 
be held at cost until practical completion.

Acquisitions and disposals – at the right time
We continue to monitor suitable acquisition opportunities with 
a focus on regeneration, where we can add value through 
proactive asset management, refurbishment and development. 
This is an integral part of our investment strategy and is subject 
to disciplined investment criteria. In the current environment, 
we believe it is in shareholders’ interests to remain true to our 
underwriting criteria and delay further open market investment 
acquisitions until pricing becomes more favourable. We are 
targeting £50.0 million of new assets in FY19, including retained 
assets from our development portfolio.

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsPortfolio Review
continued

Our disposals and larger gains from asset management initiatives in FY18 are outlined below:

PROJECT NAME

OVERVIEW

VALUATION

Atlantic Village, Bideford 

Outlet centre anchored by Nike, M&S and Gap.

Denmark Street, Altrincham 

Sale of cinema and two restaurants.

Sold for £13.0 million, 2.4% above valuation; yield 
of 8.25%. 

Sold for £4.4 million, 9.0% above valuation; yield 
of 7.45%.

Kingsland Shopping Centre, 
Thatcham 

Sold Waitrose anchor retail outlet in two elements.

Sold for combined £16.1 million, 1.6% above 
valuation; blended yield of 5.86%.

Killingworth Centre, Newcastle 

Sale of McDonald’s and KFC at auction.

Sold for £1.9 million, 18.8% above valuation; yield 
of 6.03%, generating £0.4 million of added value.

Sub-division of Matalan unit to create space re-let to 
Home Bargains.

£2.3 million asset management gain from  
sub-division.

Furlong Shopping Centre, 
Ringwood

Sold Waitrose retail store.

Sold for £17.3 million, 10.14% above valuation; yield 
of 4.99%, generating £1.6 million of added value.

Upsizing retailers and re-letting activity.

£0.3 million asset management gain.

Harwell, Oxfordshire

Rent review at Element 6 and letting at Genesis Building.

£1.7 million asset management gain.

Vicus, Manchester

Removal of break clause in restaurant lease.

£0.3 million asset management gain.

Key statistics 

Portfolio value 

Valuation change

Number of assets held

Value of disposals

Initial yield in the period

Contracted rental value

Estimated rental value 

Voids 

Equivalent yield

FY18

FY17

£139.5m

£179.2m

£(2.4)m

£(9.5)m

16

18

£(53.2)m

£(18.0)m

6.2%

£8.9m

£10.7m

7.9%

8.3%

6.6%

£12.7m

£13.7m

4.7%

7.5%

Specialist platforms
Our specialist platforms are currently focused on two areas 
of the market, where we believe that we can add substantial 
value:  office  refurbishments  in  partnership  with  Colony 
NorthStar and strategic land in partnership with Proprium 
Capital Partners. There are six projects in total across the 
platforms: The Record Store (The Old Vinyl Factory, Hayes), 
Ballymoss House (Dublin), Carrisbrook House (Dublin) and 
Donnybrook  House  (Dublin)  with  Colony  NorthStar;  and 
Charlton Riverside (Greenwich) and the Mecca Bingo unit in 
Wood Green with Proprium Capital Partners.

At Charlton Riverside, the value of our assets increased by 
£6.9 million following the adoption of the Charlton Riverside 
Masterplan,  thereby  allocating  the  area  as  suitable  for 
residential-led development. Since the year end we have 
crystallised further gains at the top end of guidance through 
the sale of the site to a Housing Association.

We acquired Carrisbrook House in Ballsbridge, Dublin, in 
August 2017. Well located in the heart of Dublin 4, the property 
has been neglected in recent years and has significant upside 
potential. A planning application has been submitted and we 
intend to realise value through transformation of the building.

At Ballymoss House and Donnybrook House, work is underway 
to refurbish the buildings. We aim to complete Donnybrook 
House in June 2018, with Ballymoss House following in 2019. 
Combined, these three buildings will give us c.150,000 sq. ft. 
of refurbished office space coming to market over the next 
12-18  months.  Dublin  remains  an  undersupplied  market 
benefiting  from  both  US  and  UK  demand  as  well  as  its 
indigenous market.

50

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportOur appointment of Eoin Condren to lead our joint venture 
offering underlines our determination to realise value in this 
area. Having spent a decade in the real estate investment 
industry, Eoin will drive our joint venture partnerships, as we 
seek to source and execute acquisitions in our core geographies. 

He  will  look  to  expand  our  capital  partner  relationships, 
assessing where we might aggregate elements of our existing 
pipeline to further capitalise on our operational leverage and 
maximise funding efficiency.

Top five occupiers as at 28 February 2018

1. Matalan

2. J Sainsbury

3. Ricardo-Aea Limited

4. Wilkinson

5. Specsavers

Income generating properties–Like-for-like rental income received

Annual rent  

contracted 

% of  

£’m

0.54

0.49

0.39

0.28

0.20

rent 

6.1

5.5

4.4

3.2

22.2.2 2.3

Year ended 28 February 2018

Investment

Development and trading

Joint ventures

Year ended 28 February 2017

Investment

Development and trading

Joint ventures

Property owned 

throughout the year  

Acquisitions  

Disposals 

£’000

7,484

1,632

2,473

£’000 

755

–

289

11,589

1,044

8,025

2,003

2,342

12,370

–

17

139

156

£’000

3,773

437

–

4,210

4,711

1,341

403

6,455

Total rental  

income 

£’000

12,012

2,069

2,762

16,843

12,736

3,361

2,884

18,981

Core investment portfolio–28 February 2018
Gross rental income – tenant profile

Capital value – location profile

5

1

4

3

2

1. PLC/nationals 
2. Local traders 
3. Regional multiples 
4. FTSE 100 
5. Government 

56.8%
28.7%
6.7%
5.6%
2.2%

7

1

6

5

4

3

1. South East 
2. South West 
3. North 
4. London 
5. Wales 
6. Northern Ireland 
7. Midlands 

2

28.4%
25.3%
20.9%
9.1%
6.3%
6.4%
3.6%

Gross rental income – lease term profile

4 5

1

3

2

1. 0–<5 years 
2. 5–<10 years 
3. 10–<15 years 
4. 15–<20 years 
5. 20+ years 

56.9%
34.1%
4.4%
2.5%
2.1%

51

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Review

It adds up 
financially

52

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportResults for the year
During the year the Group focused on its aim of delivering a 
record level of development and trading gains whilst at the 
same time continuing to rationalise the number of smaller, 
inefficient  projects  it  is  involved  in  and  restructuring  its 
investment portfolio.

As can be seen below we have successfully achieved what 
we promised.

2018

2017

Development and trading gains

£68.3m

£35.0m

Basic net asset value (NAV)

£379.3m

£347.6m

Basic NAV per share

Total declared dividends per share

Profit/(loss) before tax

Total return

Balance sheet gearing

303p

17.9p

278p

8.7p

£48.2m

£(1.7)m*

12.2%

31.4%

0.2%

34.8%

*  After exceptional loss of £2.1 million

Marcus Shepherd, Chief Financial Officer

The  profit  before  tax  for  the  year  to  February  2018  was  
£48.2 million (2017: £1.7 million loss), after generating a record 
level of gains of £68.3 million, in line with our guidance.

In addition, we also achieved our target capital return on our 
investment portfolio of £5.0 million, as well as disposing of 
£53.2 million of non-core assets. We are now actively seeking 
opportunities to reinvest in assets which are focused on our 
expertise in regeneration and planning.

The  movement  in  net  assets  for  the  year  is  shown  in  the  
bridge below:

340

320

300

)
e
c
n
e
p
(

e
r
a
h
s

r
e
p

V
A
N

280

277.6

(2.8)

274.8

9.2

2.7

(1.9)

54.5

(16.3)

(7.7)

(6.2)

(0.1)

(5.9)

303.1

NAV
Feb 2017

Supplemental 
dividend
2017

Adjusted
NAV
Feb
2017

Investment
portfolio
contribution

Gain on
disposal of
investment
assets

Property
revaluations

Development
& trading
contribution

Operating 
costs

Net interest
costs

Taxation

Other

Final 2017
& interim 2018
dividend

NAV 
Feb 
2018

53

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial Statements 
 
 
Financial Review
continued

In  respect  of  our  project  at  Bromley,  we  set  aside  a  full  
£7.5 million provision in the year due to delays resulting from 
the size and complexity of the basement and facade works all 
of which inevitably extended the construction programme. 
The provision comprises of the following components:

 – £3.1 million+ – allocated fair value uplift of the scheme as 
part of the acquisition of the Cathedral Group in 2014.

 – £4.4 million – anticipated irrecoverable costs.

Once completed later this year, St Mark’s Square will regenerate 
and transform a major part of Bromley town centre.

+  The total fair value adjustment on acquisition of the Cathedral Group was 

allocated across all of the acquired schemes in 2014 based upon the anticipated 

profitability and risk of each scheme at that point in time. Other schemes 

acquired, such as Telegraph Works and Preston Barracks, have generated  

profits significantly in excess of those projected at the time of acquisition

Development and trading gains can be analysed as follows:

Included in segmental analysis:

Development and trading 

segment result

Share of results of joint ventures

Sale of investments

Other income

Included in net finance costs:

Interest from financial asset

Other asset realisations

2018  

£m

2017  

£m

48.4

13.0

6.8

0.1

–

–

68.3

28.5

3.0

0.6

0.7

1.1

1.1

35.0

Development and trading gains
During  the  year,  we  realised  a  total  of  £68.3  million  of  net 
development and trading gains. The key components of these 
gains are:

 – £11.5  million  –  Preston  Barracks:  disposal  of  student 

accommodation scheme.

 – £11.3 million – 12 Hammersmith Grove: profit share on letting 

of office building.

 – £10.3  million  –  Blackhorse  Road:  sale  of  consented  

residential scheme.

 – £7.5 million* – Charlton Riverside: operational gain and  
uplift  in  value  reflecting  designation  of  the  site  as  a  
strategic regeneration area.

 – £7.4  million  –  Cannock:  sale  of  consented  designer  

outlet village.

 – £6.3 million* – Harwell: operational gain and uplift in values 
following the completion and letting of three buildings.
 – £5.0 million – Barwood: profit on disposal of interest in 

regional land promotion business.

 – £3.4 million – The Old Vinyl Factory: disposal of The Machine 
Store consented residential scheme and interest in the 
Cabinet Building.

 – £2.8  million  –  Ashford:  disposal  of  consented  

residential scheme.

 – £2.2 million – Avid Building: disposal of consented residential 

scheme in Dublin.

 – £1.9 million – Telegraph Works: disposal of ten townhouses.
 – £1.8 million – Southwark: disposal of vacant office building 

and five flats.

*  These gains represent U+I’s share of gains on assets held in joint venture 

arrangements with significant capital partners

In addition to the above, approximately £4.4 million of gains 
were realised from a number of smaller projects as we continued 
our policy of rationalising the number of projects we have.

In total the Group has delivered project gains of approximately 
£75.8 million during the year before provisions.

54

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportOverheads
During 2018 we succeeded in our aim of realising savings of 
£2.0 million in our net recurring overheads from a combination 
of cost efficiencies and the generation of management fees 
from specialist platforms.

During  the  year,  fees  from  our  specialist  platforms  with  
Colony NorthStar and Proprium Capital Partners were the 
major contributors to delivering the fee target and we continue 
to look at ways to drive efficiencies across the business, 
focusing particularly on simplifying our corporate structure, 
reducing the number of corporate entities and leveraging our 
intellectual capital.

The overheads during 2018 comprised:

Group overheads

LTIP charge (net)

Income from specialist platforms

Net recurring overheads

2018  

£m

24.2

(1.8)

22.4

(2.1)

20.3

Debt
We use debt finance to leverage the use of our equity in property 
transactions. We continue to borrow from a wide range of 
financial institutions, including UK clearing banks, insurance 
company-backed lenders, debt funds and financial institutions. 
The availability of debt finance has not impacted our ability to 
transact new property deals.

During the year, the major changes to our debt portfolio were 
as follows:

 – Successful restructure of our long-term investment facility 
with  Aviva,  delivering  a  more  flexible  facility  and  an 
annualised saving in finance costs of circa £1.0 million.
 – Following the disposal of Kingsland Shopping Centre from 
our investment portfolio we have repaid the £28.0 million 
Lloyds Bank facility.

 – Two Irish bank facilities were repaid following disposals of 

trading assets.

 – To enable the build out of the Bryn Blaen wind farm, we 
entered into a £24.0 million joint venture loan facility with 
Close Brothers. 

Net finance costs
Net finance costs for the year of £9.7 million (2017: £10.8 million) 
include a foreign exchange deficit of £1.4 million (2017: £3.4 
million  deficit)  in  respect  of  the  retranslation  of  Euro-
denominated loans and deposits.

For entities where the reporting currency is in Euros, retranslation 
differences are charged to reserves. The movement for 2018 
was a gain of £0.3 million (2017: £3.0 million gain). The net impact 
of these movements on NAV during the year was £1.1 million 
loss (2017: £0.4 million loss).

55

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsFinancial Review
continued

Details of our debt facilities are shown in the table below:

Group’s bank facilities

Facility type
Loans financing longer-term assets
Term loan

£12,000

Total facility

Notes

Term loan

Term loan

Loan notes

3

2

£10,580

£2,795

€47,000

Utilised as at 28 

February 2018  

£’000

6,276

10,580

2,105

41,483 ~

Term loan
Loans financing development and trading assets
Term loan

£66,667

£4,900

66,589

4,900

3

Term loan

Term loan

Term loan

Term loan

Term loan

Term loan

Term loan

Term loan

Term loan

Term loan

Term loan

Term loan

£30,750

£24,113

£26,000

£9,500

£26,000

£44,100

€22,045

€20,125

£11,300

£5,610

€14,000

£40,025

3

3

4

4

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

20,398

22,901

25,250

10,167

25,692

41,043

8,502 ~

11,095 ~

11,300

5,440

12,357 ~

31,917

Interest rate

Maturity

value ratio

Loan to  

Principal financial highlights

Interest1
cover ratio

Minimum1 
net worth  

£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Cap

05-Jan-19

Variable

10-Jan-20

Variable

22-May-20

Cap

24-Apr-21

50%

73%

– 

–

200%

160%

– 

–

Fixed

5-Dec-32

75%

125%

Fixed

Fixed

16-Nov-18

25-Nov-18

Variable

13-Dec-18

Cap

31-Dec-18

Variable

31-Jan-19

Fixed

Fixed

Fixed

Fixed

31-Jan-19

24-Feb-19

18-Nov-19

06-Jan-20

Variable

28-Oct-20

Cap

31-Mar-21

Variable

08-Aug-21

SWAP

03-Apr-22

– 

70%

– 

60%

– 

– 

–

–

–

55%

60%

–

65%

– 

– 

– 

125%

100,000

– 

– 

–

–

–

150%

175%

–

175%

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1. Interest cover ratios are specific to the loan and the relevant property. Minimum net worth refers to the net asset value of the Group per its latest Balance Sheet 

(28 February or 31 August)

2. These unsecured, variable rate loan notes are denominated in Euros, with a nominal value of €47 million. An interest rate cap is in place to limit the Group’s exposure  

to movements in the EURIBOR rate

3. Loans relating to joint ventures represent the total loan facility and not the Group’s share

4. This facility has the provision to allow interest to be rolled into the loan

~  Represents the amount of the Group’s liability in Sterling as at the balance sheet date

56

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportDebt maturity profile
The chart below shows the maturity profile of the Group’s debt and the analysis between investment, development and 
corporate facilities:

56.2

£m

80

60

40

20

41.5

66.6

6.3

2.1

Feb-19

Feb-20

Feb-21

Feb-22

Feb-23

Feb-24

Feb-25

Feb-26

Feb-27

Feb-28

Feb-29

Feb-30

Feb-31

Feb-32

Drawn – Investment

Drawn – Development

Corporate

Our debt policy can be summarised as follows:

A summary of the Group’s gearing is shown below:

 – Longer-term  fixed  rate  facilities  are  used  to  fund  
longer-term  income-producing  assets.  Target  loan  to  
value (LTV): 60-65%.

 – Shorter-term asset-specific debt aligned to the business 
plan for shorter-term trading assets. Target LTV: 50-55%.
 – Medium-term Euro-denominated corporate debt to support 
our investment into Euro-denominated assets in Dublin.  
No LTV target as this is corporate-level debt.

 – The Group has no specific debt on non-income producing 

assets or investments into PPP schemes.

 – Joint venture arrangements are designed to leverage both 
our operational expertise and our Balance Sheet. When 
acting with third party capital we deploy asset-specific 
debt, which is often at a higher LTV (65-75%), reflecting the 
risk appetite and cost of capital of our partners.

Target

28 Feb  

2018

26 Apr  

2018

28 Feb  

2017

Gearing (excl. 

share of JVs)

40-50%

31.4%

23.8%

34.8%

Gearing (incl. 

share of JVs)

50-60%

50.5%

43.8%

47.4%

The greatest fluctuation in gearing occurs where we utilise 
debt to fund the build-out of pre-sold residential developments 
on our own Balance Sheet. This peaked at 59.2% during FY17.

Our overall gearing targets therefore act as a limit on the 
amount of development that we can undertake on our own 
Balance Sheet.

57

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsFinancial Review
continued

The Group maintains a mix of variable and fixed rate facilities 
to provide a degree of certainty whilst also benefiting from 
historically low interest rates. Longer-term facilities tend to be 
structured with fixed rates. A summary of the Group’s interest 
rate exposure is shown below:

Group net debt and gearing:
Gross debt

Cash and cash 

equivalents
Net debt
Net assets

Gearing

£m

£m

£m

£m

%

Weighted average debt 

maturity

Weighted average 

interest rate

Including joint ventures:
Share of net debt in 

joint ventures

Gearing

Weighted average debt 

maturity

Weighted average 

interest rate

years

%

£m

%

years

%

2018

2017

(171.2)

(172.1)

52.1

(119.1)

379.3

31.4

7.0

4.7

51.3

(120.8)

347.6

34.8

4.8

4.6

(72.7)

50.5

(44.0)

47.4

5.4

5.2

4.2

4.9

Joint venture arrangements
The Group has a policy of working in joint venture arrangements 
as a way of:

 – Leveraging our equity so we can participate in projects  
that would otherwise be too large for our Balance Sheet;
 – Accessing deals with specialist partners who have secured 
positions on projects but require further equity and the 
planning and structuring skills, which are a key part of  
our business.

During the year, the Group has created considerable value in 
two of its most important joint ventures:

 – At Harwell we are partnered with the STFC and Harwell 
Oxford Partners on the 700-acre Harwell Campus, an 
internationally renowned science campus. During the year 
we have successfully completed the letting and development 
of three buildings and let over 160,000 sq. ft. of space to, 
amongst others, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority 
and  Oxford  Space  Systems.  During  the  year  this  has 

generated both £6.3 million of development and trading 
gains and an investment valuation uplift of £4.1 million in 
respect of the Group’s holding.

 – At Charlton Riverside, we are partnered with Proprium 
Capital Partners. The designation of the sites as a strategic 
regeneration area during the year has resulted in a third 
party, independent valuation at the year end of £50.0 million, 
delivering a revaluation gain to the Group of £6.9 million.

The Group’s joint ventures and associates are analysed in more 
detail in note 13 on pages 162 to 168 to the Consolidated 
financial statements.

Taxation 
Our tax strategy is aligned with our overall business strategy 
and is principled, transparent and sustainable for the long- 
term. The key components of this strategy are:
 – A commitment to ensure full compliance with all statutory 
obligations,  including  full  disclosure  to  all  relevant  
tax authorities;

 – Any tax planning strategy entered into is only implemented 
after full consideration of the risks and if necessary after 
prior consultation with the relevant tax authority. Those 
findings are recorded in any relevant structuring document;
 – The maintenance of good relationships with tax authorities 
and a clear interaction between tax planning and the Group’s 
wider corporate reputation and responsibility; and

 – Management  of  tax  affairs  in  a  manner  that  seeks  to 
maximise shareholder value whilst operating within the 
parameters of existing tax legislation.

For 2018 the underlying tax rate, including deferred taxes,  
was  16.51%.  The  Group’s  tax  rate  is  sensitive  to  both 
geographical location of profits and business activity from 
which the profits are derived. It is anticipated that future  
years will see an increase in the effective tax rate following 
legislative changes announced in the 2017 Budget and the 
possible impact of interest deductions in line with OECD’s 
Base Erosion Profit Shifting (BEPS) Action Point 4.

The Group has made a provision of £1.0 million relating to an 
open HMRC enquiry into historical tax losses of the Group. 
The Group has not made any other provisions relating to  
prior-year events and will only do so when there is a high  
degree of certainty of an obligation to settle any liabilities.

The suitability of our tax strategy is kept under constant review 
to ensure compliance with both the fiscal needs of the Group 
and the constant evolution of tax legislation.

58

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportDividends
Our dividend policy consists of two elements as follows:

The  details  of  the  Group’s  sensitivity  to  exchange  rate 
movements are set out in note 17(d) of the Consolidated 
financial statements.

 – An  Ordinary  dividend,  comprising  interim  and  final  at  

2.4 pence and 3.5 pence per share respectively; and

 – A supplemental dividend related to the net free level of cash 

flow generated from the financial year.

A final dividend of 3.5 pence per share will be recommended 
to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on  
5 July 2018, to be paid on 17 August 2018 to shareholders on 
the register on 20 July 2018 (2017: 3.5 pence per share).

On  25  April  2018,  the  Board  approved  the  payment  of  
a  supplemental  dividend  of  12.0  pence  per  share,  to  be  
paid  on  15  June  2018  to  shareholders  on  the  register  on  
11 May 2018.

Foreign currency movements
The Group’s operations are conducted primarily in the UK. 
However, as one of its three core regions is Dublin, the Group 
is exposed to movements in foreign exchange rates between 
Sterling and Euros.

The Group’s principal exposure to foreign currency movements 
is in respect of its €47.0 million Euro-denominated loan notes, 
Euro-denominated bank loans and property assets.

At 28 February 2018, following the disposal of a number of 
Irish assets during the year, the Group had net Euro-denominated 
liabilities of €38.7 million (2017: €16.6 million).

During the year, the value of Sterling against the Euro has 
fluctuated reflecting economic uncertainty relating to the UK’s 
decision to leave the EU. The impact on our NAV during the 
period was a reduction of £1.1 million, which is the net result 
of a loss of £1.4 million recorded in finance costs in the profit 
and loss account and a gain through reserves of £0.3 million.

European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA)
Unlike a traditional real estate investment business, a significant 
part of our regeneration business model seeks to optimise the 
use of our Balance Sheet by entering into either conditional 
purchase agreements, land option agreements or development 
management agreements where we incur the design costs 
and fees associated with obtaining a planning consent, without 
purchasing the land up front. These types of structures mean 
that for a significant part (57.1%) of our development portfolio, 
we are not able to produce a reliable fair value in accordance 
with EPRA guidelines until such time as planning consent is 
obtained and land becomes unconditionally owned.

We understand that EPRA NAV is the accepted valuation metric 
for real estate investment companies. However, U+I’s business 
model and our preference for developing assets using third-
party capital rather than our own, mean that EPRA NAV does 
not deliver a complete picture of the potential value within both 
our portfolio of assets and various contractual arrangements. 
We will continue to give guidance as to expected trading and 
development gains over the next three years as a more complete 
picture of the potential value within the Group’s projects.

Five-year summary

Revenue

Profit/(loss) before taxation

Net assets

Earnings/(loss) per share

Net assets per share

Marcus Shepherd
Chief Financial Officer 
26 April 2018

£m

£m

£m

Pence

Pence

2018

173.7

48.2

379.3

32.2

303

2017

123.9

(1.7)

347.6

(2.4)

278

2016

242.3

25.8

363.3

17.5

291

2015

203.7

34.8

346.4

26.8

276

2014

79.3

19.5

320.3

14.9

262

59

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsSustainability Review

OUR APPROACH TO  
SUSTAINABILITY

At U+I ‘sustainability’ means 
investing in the long-term 
success of our developments, 
assets and team.

We are committed to delivering 
real socio-economic benefits 
to the communities in which 
we work and consistent returns 
for our shareholders.

Sustainability is what can be achieved when we work together. 
Our approach connects the social and environmental value 
we create for people, places and communities with long-term 
financial returns for our investors. It means fostering unique 
partnerships to secure the socio-economic success of our 
developments;  transforming  unloved  town  centres  and 
brownfield sites into vibrant neighbourhoods; developing 
resilient assets; and investing in our people. 

We tackle our material sustainability impacts within the context 
of our focus on complex mixed-use regeneration developments, 
our specialism in PPP projects and the management of our 
investment portfolio. 

The connection between the social, environmental and financial 
aspects of our performance means our approach to sustainability 
is  integrated  into  our  existing  governance  structures  and 
management procedures. Sustainability is therefore part of the 
broader conversation around specific projects at Board level, 
and is incorporated into the overarching brief used for all 
regeneration projects and asset management strategies. 

1 
OUR PLACES

We recognise that the  
health, well-being, productivity  
and skills of our people are vital  
to our future success. We invest  
in staff training, educational 
development and wellness 
initiatives. We provide a  
stimulating workplace and  
foster an engaging,  
collegiate culture

COMMUNITIES

We maximise the positive  
place-making impacts of our  
projects, striving to improve well-
being and pride within communities 
by providing new and valuable 
facilities, jobs and investments, as 
well as bringing people together  
from the very start of  
our involvement

ENVIRONMENT

We are diligent in the  
identification and management  
of environmental risks and in  
meeting the aspirations of clients, 
partners and local authorities  
with regard to environmental  
quality standards

3 

OUR PEOPLE

OUR  
APPROACH TO 
SUSTAINABILITY

We aim to measure and  
monitor our sustainability  
impact at the building level and 
deliver regular, transparent 
reporting on our performance. We 
seek to support our tenants and 
suppliers to monitor and reduce 
their environmental impact, 
including energy, water  
usage and waste  
management

2 
OUR BUILDINGS

60

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Mill Green Designer Outlet Village, Cannock

Our community

Maintaining  an  industry-leading  approach  to  community 
engagement  and  delivering  the  greatest  possible  social  
and environmental value across all of our places remains our 
priority.  Connecting  people,  businesses  and  places  to  
create dynamic, sustainable communities is at the heart of  
our  development  strategy.  Done  well,  regeneration  can 
reinvigorate neighbourhoods by breathing life into underutilised 
and neglected sites. In so doing, it supports job creation, 
stimulates local economies and delivers value to our partners. 

We take a pioneering approach to community engagement 
and our track record demonstrates innovation and leadership 
in  this  area.  We  work  in  collaboration  with  local  people 
throughout the planning and development process, listening 
to their concerns and needs, whilst keeping them informed  
so we can make our projects the best that they can be. Our 
respect for the history and significance of a location contribute 
to a sense of place that builds on each site’s unique attributes. 

Our Circus Street development in Brighton, for example, is 
turning a derelict former municipal market into an innovation 
quarter and a powerhouse for regeneration in the city centre. 

In the process, we are creating a sustainable, productive, 
healthy model of city life, with new public spaces, a lively, 
creative atmosphere and a sense of community. The final 
design  will  include  a  dance  studio,  142  new  homes, 
accommodation for 450 students and 30,000 sq. ft. of new 
office space, including workshops and retail units designed 
to meet the needs of start-up businesses and entrepreneurs. 
Once complete, we estimate the development will create over 
400 new jobs and contribute more than £200 million to the 
local economy over the next 10 years. Read more on page 63.

This commitment to generate positive socio-economic returns 
for local communities and integrate novel commercial solutions 
underpins other flagship developments in our portfolio, such 
as Mayfield in Manchester (see pages 32 to 35) and Preston 
Barracks in Brighton (see pages 9 to 13). These projects illustrate 
our strategy of generating value for our stakeholders from the 
outset: working with local partners to transform disused areas 
into creative zones and establish innovative ‘Worthwhile’ uses 
which allow us to trial features that can be reflected in the final 
scheme. This in turn helps us to prove the feasibility of our 
approach  and  strengthens  our  track  record  of  driving 
sustainable growth and commercially successful projects.

61

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Sustainability Review
continued

Blackhorse Road, London

Our environment

Our  commitment  to  delivering  sustainable  communities  
extends  to  managing  and  reducing  the  environmental  
impact of the places we create. Measures to improve the 
environmental sustainability of our projects are integrated  
into our design briefs for development and construction.  
We  take  a  practical  approach,  guided  by  the  National  
Planning Policy Framework and our partners’ objectives, which 
ensures we reflect our stakeholders’ priorities while providing 
a consistent focus on operating responsibly to improve our 
impact in relation to energy, carbon, water and waste across 
our development portfolio. 

The greatest opportunity for us to improve the environmental 
impact of our portfolio is during the design phase. We do not 
set project-specific environmental performance targets, but 
we seek to incorporate sustainable solutions and features that 
minimise  environmental  impacts  and  maximise  resource 
efficiencies, such as green rooftop spaces, cycling facilities, 
photo-voltaic panels, LED lighting, water efficient fittings and 
integrating developments within existing public transport 
networks. Increasingly occupiers are looking for more flexible 
spaces that offer a wider range of lifestyle and experience 
features. We incorporate health and wellbeing principles into 
our designs which serve to meet demand, whilst preserving 
and enhancing asset values. 

While many of these initiatives are in line with the requirements 
of green building certifications such as BREEAM, we target 
these certifications on a project-by-project basis, such as 
Circus Street, where we are aiming for BREEAM Excellent, and 
the Record Store at The Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes, which 
achieved BREEAM Very Good. 

We also investigate opportunities to integrate sustainable 
product  selection  and  responsible  sourcing  into  our 
procurement activities, such as FSC certified timber and 
building materials to achieve a Green Guide rating of at least 
A. The Boiler House at The Old Vinyl Factory exemplifies this 
approach, as it is constructed of cross-laminated, sustainably 
sourced timber, while modular offsite construction techniques 
are being used at the site’s school. We are also exploring with 
our  partners  the  use  of  other  innovative  techniques  and 
materials that can reduce the environmental impact of our 
construction activities.

Our  plans  for  Blackhorse  Road  will  deliver  337  new  
homes,  24%  of  which  are  affordable,  and  just  under  
19,000  sq.  ft.  of  commercial  space.  Prior  to  construction 
works, Blackhorse Road was home to a community project, 
Blackhorse  Sideshow,  which  we  launched  in  partnership 
with  Blackhorse  Workshops.  Dedicated  to  ‘making  and 
mending’, the installation featured fully equipped metal and 
wood workshops celebrating the area’s industrial heritage, 
as  well  as  a  new  café  and  events  space  for  the  local 
community that attracted more than 6,000 people.

Future Works, Slough

Before  we  began  construction  works  at  our  Future  Works 
development  in  Slough,  the  site  was  the  home  to  the  
pop-up  Culture  Café,  which  aimed  to  support  long-term 
unemployed local people back into work. A partnership with 
local social enterprise, The Real Experience provided work 
experience and training in hospitality and broader life skills 
for  116  people  over  approximately  18  months.  More  than 
30% have gone into employment and 94% left with at least 
one industry-recognised qualification.

62

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportNew Garden Square, Birmingham

Circus Street, Brighton

Our redevelopment project at New Garden Square 
in Birmingham illustrates the holistic approach we 
take to the environmental design of regeneration 
projects. The development incorporates more than 
603,000 sq. ft. gross internal area of ‘Grade A’ 
Office space set within a vibrant and high quality 
mixed-use site. It integrates a range of environmental 
features  designed  to  enhance  people’s  health  
and wellbeing and revitalise this part of the city. 
The site plan preserves the architectural heritage 
and character of the existing assets and streets.  
A  central  green  space  at  the  heart  of  the 
development incorporates the listed building’s 
gardens, to provide zoned areas that encourage 
biodiversity and incorporate sustainable urban 
drainage features. Consistent with our broader 
approach,  we  have  planned  infrastructure 
improvements for greater connectivity by providing 
safe, clearly marked pedestrian and cycle routes 
through the site. 

Our designs for Circus Street in Brighton seek to 
improve the health, wellbeing and ecological value 
of the site. The residential units will be built around 
two large, green urban squares, encouraging the 
growth of fruit and vegetables in allotments (on a 
site where fresh produce was once sold); planting 
disease-resistant elms; and taking steps to nurture 
biodiversity. There will be a big focus on travel by 
bike and foot; a push for green energy, with electric 
charging  points  in  accessible  locations;  and 
residential design that encourages more communal, 
responsible and neighbourly living among tenants. 
During construction we are using locally sourced 
materials and suppliers, and 99% of all waste on 
site  is  recycled.  The  overall  project  has  been 
designed to the One Planet Living accreditation 
scheme and seeks to align with the city of Brighton’s 
wider sustainability goals as a One Planet City.

63

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsOur people

Employee gender diversity
Board

1

1. Male 
2. Female 

2

Senior management (excluding Board)

1

2

1. Male 
2. Female 

Remaining team

1

1. Male 
2. Female 

2

Sustainability Review
continued

The success of the projects we deliver relies in turn on our 
ability to harness the intelligence, imagination and audacity  
of our people. These values underpin everything we do and 
our  goal  is  to  nurture  them  by  providing  a  culture  where  
people are proud to work for us. This can only be achieved by 
fostering a strong sense of belonging among our employees, 
connected by strong internal communications and high levels 
of engagement. 

People thrive when they are inspired so we challenge our 
employees to think creatively, and encourage them to further 
their professional and personal development. Our learning 
and  development  policy  and  performance  management 
frameworks combine to provide a clear process that defines 
employees’ roles and responsibilities, as well as the progress 
they  are  expected  to  make  against  targets  set  by  the 
management team in order to deliver the business strategy. 
To continue to get the best out of our team, we also encourage 
them to stay healthy, by offering a wide range of benefits 
designed to promote wellbeing.

100% 

of employees 
received some  
form of training  
and professional 
development, 
including webinars 
and workshops 
delivered by  
external providers. 

4 

employees are 
studying for  
further education 
qualifications 
including RICS, CIPD, 
MA in Construction 
Management and 
ICSA (Institute of 
Chartered Secretaries 
and Administrators).

95% 

of employees  
enrolled in our Vitality 
wellbeing programme. 
All staff are also 
offered subsidised 
gym membership and  
free yoga classes.

To extend these learning opportunities outside the workplace 
we are offering four work experience placements at U+I in the 
year ahead, two of which will be given to students in local 
schools near our projects so we can support the communities 
in which we work. We have also formalised our partnership 
with  the  Reading  Real  Estate  Foundation,  centred  on  an 
internship programme for young people. The programme 
targets those who would not normally consider a career in 
property,  recognising  the  value  that  a  diverse  range  of 
backgrounds can bring to our Company and the property  
sector as a whole. 

Finally,  in  the  year  we  formalised  our  community  giving  
activities by establishing a charitable committee and Matching 
Charity Giving Policy for our chosen charity Shelter. The  
policy establishes our commitment to support employees by 
providing up to two days’ paid leave a year for volunteering 
and matched giving of up to £1,000 for team efforts. 

6
2

19
5

29
67

64

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic ReportMayfield, Manchester staff onsite

We’ve added ‘people first approach’ to our strategy to 
acknowledge that above all we are a people business. 
We are committed to cultivating a top team – attracting 
and retaining the best talent, whilst also maintaining a 
trusted partnership network so we can be the partner 
of choice for any project.

http://www.uandiplc.com/investors/our-strategic-priorities

Our Strategic Objectives p.24-25

65

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Sustainability Review
continued

Preston Barracks, Brighton

Our buildings

The options for reducing the environmental impact of our 
investment  portfolio  are  more  limited  because  they  are  
buildings  we  have  not  designed  or  built  ourselves.  
Nonetheless,  we  focus  on  improvements  to  energy  
efficiency,  waste  and  water  consumption,  as  part  of  our  
broader objective to sustain asset values, reduce operating 
costs, and attract and retain quality tenants. 

‘F’ or below in terms of energy performance. We have set out 
upgrading programmes across a number of assets to meet 
our goal of only EPC ‘C’ rated assets, and we are working with 
our property managers and tenants to target the improvements 
needed. These include energy efficiency initiatives from the 
roll-out  of  LED  lighting,  to  investigating  the  feasibility  of 
technology, such as smart meters, to facilitate the collection 
of more accurate energy consumption data. We strive to identify 
the most appropriate hardware and software solutions, given 
the assets’ needs, age and annual investment budgets.

We report the environmental performance of our owned 
portfolio  in  line  with  EPRA’s  Sustainability  Best  Practice 
Recommendations (sBPR). Tables detailing our performance 
can be found on our website at www.uandiplc.com/aboutus/
sustainability

Our tenants account for the majority of the energy use and 
waste generated in our investment portfolio. Although these 
fall outside our direct control, we are nonetheless tackling 
them through a range of measures including the introduction 
of green leases, such as BREEAM Green Lease Agreements, 
and ‘green’ fit-out design guidance for tenants. 

14% 

reduction in Scope 1 
and 2 GHG emissions

4.5% 

5.3%

reduction in 
like-for-like electricity 
consumption

reduction in 
like-for-like fuels 
consumption

Our 2018 strategic report, from pages 1 to 66, has been reviewed 
and approved by the Board of Directors on 26 April 2018.

To mitigate risk in the context of environmental legislation, in 
2017 we completed a review of all the assets in our investment 
portfolio to ensure that we have no remaining properties rated 

Marcus Shepherd
Chief Financial Officer 
26 April 2018

66

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report 
Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial Statements

We are 
committed to 
sustainable 
governance

In this section: 

Corporate Governance Report
68  Chairman’s Introduction to Corporate Governance
70  Board of Directors
72  Leadership
82  Effectiveness
84  Nomination Committee Report
87  Accountability
88  Audit and Risk Committee Report
94  Relations with Stakeholders and Shareholders
96  Annual Statement from the Remuneration Committee Chairman
98  Remuneration Policy Summary
99  Annual Remuneration Report
112  Remuneration Policy
117  Directors’ Report
125  Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

67

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Chairman’s Introduction to Corporate Governance

Why is the concept of good governance central to U+I? 
Our values of imagination, intelligence and audacity aim to 
promote social and cultural change in the places in which we 
operate. This means more than just delivering financial returns. 
It also means improving lives and creating opportunities where 
there were few before. Only by having a culture of good 
governance throughout our Company will we be able to meet 
our  vision  of  creating  long-lasting  social  and  economic  
change for the communities in which we operate, as well as 
generating  the  sustainable  value  we  demand  for  our 
shareholders. An open and ethical decision-making process 
in the long-term interest of the business, taking into account 
all our stakeholders, is integral to achieving this aim. See how 
we do this on pages 73 to 95.

How  do  you  ensure  the  Board’s  governance  agenda 
supports the wider delivery of the Company’s strategic 
objectives? This year, by working in partnership with all of our 
stakeholders, U+I delivered a record £68.3 million development 
and trading gains. A robust governance system is fundamental 
in the delivery of these numbers, demonstrating to our partners 
and our investors that transparency and accountability are at 
the heart of everything we do. As such, good governance 
forms an essential part of our business strategy and is practised 
in line with our core values and beliefs. The Board ensures the 
right culture and levels of accountability are present throughout 
the business, and that our values, strategy and business model 
are aligned so we can fulfil our promises to all our stakeholders. 
During the year, the Board reviewed and updated U+I’s internal 
governance structure to be better aligned with the evolving 
demands of the business. More information on this can be 
found on page 81. 

What is the Board doing to actively engage its stakeholders? 
As we have discussed throughout this report, at U+I we believe 
in the power of partnerships. Building trust, confidence and 
strong relationships with our stakeholders is a key part of our 
business strategy. The expectation placed on us by our partners 
is great, but not as great as the expectation we place on 
ourselves. The bigger the challenge, the more we are able to 
demonstrate, through our imagination, intelligence and audacity, 
what differentiates us from other property companies. By working 
effectivity with our partners, we become greater than the sum 
of our parts. You can read more about how we have engaged 
with all our stakeholders during the year on pages 94 and 95.

How does the Board ensure that risk is addressed and 
mitigated to the fullest extent possible? Understanding the 
risks in the markets in which we operate is a fundamental 
strategic requirement to safeguard the sustainability of our 

Peter Williams, Chairman

DEAR SHAREHOLDER, 

On behalf of the Board I am pleased to present the Corporate 
Governance Report for U+I for the year ended 28 February 2018. 

To achieve our ambition to be the best property regeneration 
and developer in the industry, we must strive to be the best in 
each and every area in which we conduct our business. The 
front section of this report sets out what we do as a Company. 
In this section we look at how we do this, what drives us, and 
how decisions are taken in an accountable, transparent and 
ethical manner, based around a framework of good governance 
and in line with our culture and values. 

The concept of good governance should not foster a tick box 
mentality, nor should it be an afterthought in our decision-
making processes: rather, it should be central to them. Our 
ambition is to ensure that good governance is ingrained in 
every aspect of how U+I operates as a Company. 

As Chairman, I am responsible for leading the Board and I am 
pleased to report that your Board has remained effective during 
the year. What drives each of us as Directors of U+I can be found 
on pages 70 and 71, details of how we have performed can be 
found in the Board’s annual performance review on page 83.

Over the next two pages I have answered some of what I 
believe are the key questions regarding the importance of, and 
U+I’s approach to, good governance. 

68

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Applying the Principles of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code

LEADERSHIP

EFFECTIVENESS

ACCOUNTABILITY

A clear tone of good 
governance has been 
established throughout 
the Company by:

Effective leadership 
of the Company by 
the Board through:

Transparent lines of 
accountability leading 
back to the Board with:

RELATIONS WITH 
SHAREHOLDERS

Ongoing engagement with 
shareholders through: 

 – Clearly defining roles 
and responsibilities of 
Board members;
 – A comprehensive 

corporate governance 
framework; and

 – Independent Directors 
fostering open and 
honest dialogue at 
the Board led by 
the Chairman. 

 – Continued focus on 
Group strategy, risk, 
finance, governance 
and people;

 – Successful execution of 
succession planning at 
Board level; and

 – Annual review of the 
effectiveness of the 
Board, its Committees 
and Directors.

 – Clear reporting lines  
of Committees and 
senior management 
back to the Board;
 – Delegation of duties  
to Committees set  
out in published terms 
of reference; and
 – Continuous review  

and improvement to risk 
management and 
internal controls.

 – Executive Directors and 
Chairman meeting with 
key shareholders 
throughout the year; 
 – Site visit to 8 Albert 
Embankment for 
shareholders and 
analysts; and 

 – Engaging with smaller 
shareholders through 
the AGM process.

REMUNERATION

A transparent 
remuneration framework 
aligned with shareholder 
value by:

 – Consultation process 

undertaken on 
Remuneration Policy 
during the year;
 – Incentive structure 

focused on longer-term 
performance; and
 – Monitoring of market 

trends and changes in 
legislation by the 
Remuneration 
Committee.

Read more 
on p.73-81

Read more 
on p.82-86

Read more 
on p.87-93

Read more 
on p.94-95

Read more 
on p.96-116

business, especially given the increasing complexity in the 
environment in which we operate. No successful business can 
operate in a risk-free environment, but risk-taking should be 
considered in the context of the correct governance framework. 
U+I’s Board, through the Audit and Risk Committee and the 
Risk  Management  Committee,  identifies,  manages  and 
mitigates  these  risks  to  the  fullest  extent  possible  whilst 
ensuring the business is able to take advantage of opportunities 
as and when they arise. Our key risks can be found on pages 
28 to 30. 

How does U+I promote diversity and inclusivity in the 
workplace? At U+I we understand the benefits that diversity 
in all its forms can bring to the Company, and we pride ourselves 
on encouraging equal opportunity throughout our business. 
Progress has been made with respect to key senior female 
hires in the Company during the year. However, we recognise 
that there is more to do, and that and there is a more fundamental 
industry-wide  issue  with  regard  to  diversity  in  property, 
especially at a senior level. We understand that this will not 
improve overnight but there are signs of progress and U+I is 
proud to take its place at the forefront of this change.

we have on the Board and throughout the Company, and we 
understand the requirement to review, refresh and renew these. 
Following feedback from last year’s Board evaluation results, 
Ros Kerslake was appointed as a new Non-executive Director. 
Ros brings with her a great deal of experience and skills, which 
complement  those  already  in  place  on  the  Board.  More 
information on this process can be found on pages 84 to 86. 

The Board understands the need for a strategic and practical 
approach to succession planning. As such we dedicated one 
of our Nomination Committee meetings during the year to 
reviewing the pipeline of internal talent to ensure that the correct 
people and structure were in place to allow for future Board 
succession. The Company appointed two new senior members 
to its Leadership Team during the year. We have also ensured 
that the required leadership and development processes are in 
place to identify future leaders, and to allow our employees to 
reach their full potential. Our Remuneration Policy was approved 
by shareholders at last year’s AGM, and we believe we now 
have the right incentive structure in place, in addition to our 
values, culture, and challenging and rewarding work, to attract 
the calibre of talent we require to meet our ambitions.

How does U+I ensure it has the right people and a pipeline 
of talent for the future? We are continually evaluating the skills 

Peter Williams Chairman
26 April 2018

69

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Board of Directors

Chairman

Executive Directors

Non-executive Directors

Marcus Shepherd  
Chief Financial Officer
What drives me 
“A desire to make a difference,  
to have a positive influence and to 
prove that property development 
has a valuable part to play in  
our society.”

Appointed: 18 February 2013

Period of service on the Board:  
5 years, 2 months

Experience: Marcus is a member 
of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in England and 
Wales. His previous roles included 
Finance Director (Global Real 
Estate) at Aviva Investors, Chief 
Financial Officer (Europe) for 
Valad Property Group and Group 
Finance Director of Teesland Plc.

Richard Upton  
Deputy Chief Executive
What drives me
“I am driven by a desire to deliver 
a great Company that inspires 
great people to create great 
places that are authentic, inclusive 
and exceptional. All this will in turn 
create consistent returns for our 
shareholders who will learn to 
trust the management team  
and feel proud to be supporting  
a business that makes a  
positive difference.”

Appointed: 19 May 2014

Period of service on the Board:  
3 years, 11 months

Experience: Richard was the 
co-founder and Chief Executive 
Officer of the specialist 
regeneration real estate developer 
Cathedral Group, which was 
acquired by Development 
Securities Plc in May 2014. He 
was previously a founding director 
of Mount Anvil, a leading London 
house builder, and is a member of 
the London Advisory Committee 
for English Heritage. In January 
2018, Richard was appointed  
a Commissioner for Historic 
England. Richard was appointed 
as Deputy Chief Executive of the 
Company in July 2015.

Peter Williams 
Chairman
What drives me
“Human beings need contact and 
communication with other people, 
it’s what brings us the most joy  
and happiness! Despite the great 
advances in technology, the best 
form of communication is face to 
face in a sympathetic environment 
or place, whether that’s a home, an 
office, restaurant, pub or club. U+I 
creates those places.”

Matthew Weiner  
Chief Executive
What drives me 
“Simply to deliver on our purpose 
of creating great places in unloved 
parts of London, Manchester and 
Dublin – these places deserve  
to be happy. To test the tension 
between profitability and quality  
in everything we do and to do so 
leading and inspiring a great team 
of people who will take on this 
responsibility.”

Appointed: 4 January 2016

Appointed: 18 March 2004

Period of service on the Board:  
1 year, 4 months

Period of service on the Board: 
14 years, 1 month

Experience: Matthew was 
appointed as Chief Executive of 
the Company following the AGM 
in July 2015, previously serving  
on the Board of Development 
Securities Plc as a Director. Prior 
to joining the Company, Matthew 
worked as a Fund Manager at 
both Legal & General and AXA 
Investment Management. 
Matthew is a member of the  
Royal Institution of Chartered 
Surveyors, and a board member 
of the charity Jewish Care. He 
joined Development Securities Plc  
in November 2000 as Director  
of Investments. 

Experience: Peter became 
Chairman of the Company on  
14 July 2016. The former CEO of 
Selfridges, he has over 30 years  
of board-level experience, having 
held a number of executive and 
non-executive positions at a  
wide range of public and private 
consumer-facing businesses.  
Peter is currently Chairman at 
boohoo.com plc, the online 
fashion retailer, and DP Eurasia  
NV, the master franchise owner  
for Domino’s Pizza in Turkey  
and Russia. He is also a Senior 
Independent Director at Rightmove 
plc. In addition, Peter has served 
on the boards of many companies, 
including ASOS plc, Cineworld 
Group Plc, Jaeger, Silverstone 
Holdings Ltd, EMI Group, Blacks 
Leisure Group Plc, JJB Sport, 
GCap Media and Capital Radio 
Plc. Peter is a member of the 
Institute of Chartered Accountants 
in England and Wales.

Committees: Chairman of the 
Nomination Committee, member 
of the Audit and Risk Committee 
and Remuneration Committee.

70

Nick Thomlinson 

Barry Bennett  

Senior Independent Director

Non-executive Director

Lynn Krige 

Independent 

Ros Kerslake OBE 

Independent  

What drives me

What drives me

Non-executive Director 

Non-executive Director

“What drives me is a desire to 

“Witnessing the tremendous 

What drives me

What drives me

help create environments that  

benefits flowing to very diverse 

“It is about making your mark. 

“I have a passion for making places 

are both aesthetically pleasing 

communities from our 

From a company, to a project, to 

that genuinely work for people and 

and socially responsible, run by 

regeneration Public Private 

people: with all interactions you 

communities, and joined the U+I 

teams that are experts in their 

Partnerships, and seeing our team 

have to make your mark to ensure 

Board because they share  

fields, whilst adhering to the 

work tirelessly in developing 

that you have a positive influence 

those values.“

values of U+I.”

long-term places to be proud of 

and leave a sustainable legacy.”

Appointed: 3 January 2012

Period of service on the Board:  

6 years, 4 months

Experience: Nick is a member of 

the Royal Institution of Chartered 

Surveyors. He is a former senior 

partner and Chairman of the 

Knight Frank Group.

Committees: Chairman of the 

Remuneration Committee, 

member of the Audit and 

Risk Committee and  

Nomination Committee.

inspires me as a Director of U+I. 

These schemes add value for  

our shareholders and create 

wonderful environments in which  

to live, work and play for  

the future.” 

Appointed: 19 May 2014

Period of service on the Board:  

3 years, 11 months

Appointed: 10 March 2016

Appointed: 1 September 2017

Period of service on the Board: 

Period of service on the Board:  

8 months

2 years, 2 months

Experience: Ros is currently Chief 

Experience: Lynn is currently  

Executive Officer of the Heritage 

Chief Financial Officer at WELL 

Lottery Fund and has previously 

Group and brings over 25 years’ 

held senior executive positions at 

experience from across the 

The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, 

construction, infrastructure, 

RegenCo. and Network Rail. Trained 

investment and B2B services 

as a solicitor, she brings over 30 

Experience: Barry is a chartered 

sectors. She has previously  

years of property, regeneration 

accountant with significant 

held executive roles at British 

and corporate experience and has 

experience in the financial and 

Engineering Services Limited, 

varied experience working across 

property sectors, and is a Fellow 

Speedy Hire Plc and John Laing 

publicly listed, private and public 

of the Institute of Chartered 

Plc, originally qualifying with 

interest companies. Ros is also  

Accountants in Ireland. Barry  

Deloitte in South Africa. 

was previously a founding  

director of Mount Anvil, a  

London housebuilder, and  

in 2002 founded specialist 

regeneration real estate  

developer Cathedral Group  

with Richard Upton.

Committees: Chairman of the 

Audit and Risk Committee, 

member of the Remuneration 

Committee and Nomination 

Committee.

a member of the Community, 

Voluntary and Local Services 

Honours Advisory Committee and 

has non-executive board experience 

serving on audit, finance and 

remuneration committees.  

Ros holds honoury degrees  

from Keele and Staffordshire 

Universities for her work in heritage 

and regeneration, and, in 2016,  

she was awarded an Order of the 

British Empire for her services to 

British Heritage. 

Committees: Member of the  

Audit and Risk Committee, the 

Remuneration Committee and  

the Nomination Committee.

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Chairman

Executive Directors

Non-executive Directors

Peter Williams 

Chairman

What drives me

Matthew Weiner  

Chief Executive

What drives me 

Richard Upton  

Marcus Shepherd  

Deputy Chief Executive

Chief Financial Officer

What drives me

What drives me 

“Human beings need contact and 

“Simply to deliver on our purpose 

“I am driven by a desire to deliver 

“A desire to make a difference,  

communication with other people, 

of creating great places in unloved 

a great Company that inspires 

to have a positive influence and to 

it’s what brings us the most joy  

parts of London, Manchester and 

great people to create great 

prove that property development 

and happiness! Despite the great 

Dublin – these places deserve  

places that are authentic, inclusive 

has a valuable part to play in  

advances in technology, the best 

to be happy. To test the tension 

and exceptional. All this will in turn 

our society.”

form of communication is face to 

between profitability and quality  

create consistent returns for our 

face in a sympathetic environment 

in everything we do and to do so 

shareholders who will learn to 

or place, whether that’s a home, an 

leading and inspiring a great team 

trust the management team  

office, restaurant, pub or club. U+I 

of people who will take on this 

and feel proud to be supporting  

creates those places.”

responsibility.”

Appointed: 4 January 2016

Appointed: 18 March 2004

Period of service on the Board:  

Period of service on the Board: 

1 year, 4 months

14 years, 1 month

Period of service on the Board:  

a business that makes a  

positive difference.”

Appointed: 19 May 2014

3 years, 11 months

Appointed: 18 February 2013

Period of service on the Board:  

5 years, 2 months

Experience: Marcus is a member 

of the Institute of Chartered 

Accountants in England and 

Wales. His previous roles included 

Finance Director (Global Real 

Estate) at Aviva Investors, Chief 

Experience: Peter became 

Experience: Matthew was 

Chairman of the Company on  

appointed as Chief Executive of 

Experience: Richard was the 

Financial Officer (Europe) for 

14 July 2016. The former CEO of 

the Company following the AGM 

co-founder and Chief Executive 

Valad Property Group and Group 

Selfridges, he has over 30 years  

in July 2015, previously serving  

Officer of the specialist 

Finance Director of Teesland Plc.

of board-level experience, having 

on the Board of Development 

regeneration real estate developer 

held a number of executive and 

Securities Plc as a Director. Prior 

Cathedral Group, which was 

non-executive positions at a  

to joining the Company, Matthew 

acquired by Development 

wide range of public and private 

worked as a Fund Manager at 

Securities Plc in May 2014. He 

consumer-facing businesses.  

both Legal & General and AXA 

was previously a founding director 

Peter is currently Chairman at 

Investment Management. 

of Mount Anvil, a leading London 

boohoo.com plc, the online 

Matthew is a member of the  

house builder, and is a member of 

fashion retailer, and DP Eurasia  

Royal Institution of Chartered 

the London Advisory Committee 

NV, the master franchise owner  

Surveyors, and a board member 

for English Heritage. In January 

for Domino’s Pizza in Turkey  

of the charity Jewish Care. He 

2018, Richard was appointed  

and Russia. He is also a Senior 

joined Development Securities Plc  

a Commissioner for Historic 

Independent Director at Rightmove 

in November 2000 as Director  

England. Richard was appointed 

plc. In addition, Peter has served 

of Investments. 

as Deputy Chief Executive of the 

Company in July 2015.

Nick Thomlinson 
Senior Independent Director
What drives me
“What drives me is a desire to 
help create environments that  
are both aesthetically pleasing 
and socially responsible, run by 
teams that are experts in their 
fields, whilst adhering to the 
values of U+I.”

Appointed: 3 January 2012

Period of service on the Board:  
6 years, 4 months

Experience: Nick is a member of 
the Royal Institution of Chartered 
Surveyors. He is a former senior 
partner and Chairman of the 
Knight Frank Group.

Committees: Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee, 
member of the Audit and 
Risk Committee and  
Nomination Committee.

Barry Bennett  
Non-executive Director
What drives me
“Witnessing the tremendous 
benefits flowing to very diverse 
communities from our 
regeneration Public Private 
Partnerships, and seeing our team 
work tirelessly in developing 
long-term places to be proud of 
inspires me as a Director of U+I. 
These schemes add value for  
our shareholders and create 
wonderful environments in which  
to live, work and play for  
the future.” 

Appointed: 19 May 2014

Period of service on the Board:  
3 years, 11 months

Experience: Barry is a chartered 
accountant with significant 
experience in the financial and 
property sectors, and is a Fellow 
of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in Ireland. Barry  
was previously a founding  
director of Mount Anvil, a  
London housebuilder, and  
in 2002 founded specialist 
regeneration real estate  
developer Cathedral Group  
with Richard Upton.

Lynn Krige 
Independent 
Non-executive Director 
What drives me
“It is about making your mark. 
From a company, to a project, to 
people: with all interactions you 
have to make your mark to ensure 
that you have a positive influence 
and leave a sustainable legacy.”

Appointed: 10 March 2016

Period of service on the Board:  
2 years, 2 months

Experience: Lynn is currently  
Chief Financial Officer at WELL 
Group and brings over 25 years’ 
experience from across the 
construction, infrastructure, 
investment and B2B services 
sectors. She has previously  
held executive roles at British 
Engineering Services Limited, 
Speedy Hire Plc and John Laing 
Plc, originally qualifying with 
Deloitte in South Africa. 

Committees: Chairman of the 
Audit and Risk Committee, 
member of the Remuneration 
Committee and Nomination 
Committee.

Ros Kerslake OBE 
Independent  
Non-executive Director
What drives me
“I have a passion for making places 
that genuinely work for people and 
communities, and joined the U+I 
Board because they share  
those values.“

Appointed: 1 September 2017

Period of service on the Board: 
8 months

Experience: Ros is currently Chief 
Executive Officer of the Heritage 
Lottery Fund and has previously 
held senior executive positions at 
The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, 
RegenCo. and Network Rail. Trained 
as a solicitor, she brings over 30 
years of property, regeneration 
and corporate experience and has 
varied experience working across 
publicly listed, private and public 
interest companies. Ros is also  
a member of the Community, 
Voluntary and Local Services 
Honours Advisory Committee and 
has non-executive board experience 
serving on audit, finance and 
remuneration committees.  
Ros holds honoury degrees  
from Keele and Staffordshire 
Universities for her work in heritage 
and regeneration, and, in 2016,  
she was awarded an Order of the 
British Empire for her services to 
British Heritage. 

Committees: Member of the  
Audit and Risk Committee, the 
Remuneration Committee and  
the Nomination Committee.

on the boards of many companies, 

including ASOS plc, Cineworld 

Group Plc, Jaeger, Silverstone 

Holdings Ltd, EMI Group, Blacks 

Leisure Group Plc, JJB Sport, 

GCap Media and Capital Radio 

Plc. Peter is a member of the 

Institute of Chartered Accountants 

in England and Wales.

Committees: Chairman of the 

Nomination Committee, member 

of the Audit and Risk Committee 

and Remuneration Committee.

71

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Leadership

Board statements

Under the UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code), the Board is required to make a number of statements. These statements 
are set out in the table below:

REQUIREMENT

BOARD STATEMENT

MORE INFORMATION 

Compliance with the Code
As a Company listed on the London Stock Exchange, 
U and I Group PLC is subject to requirements of the 
Code. The Board is required to comply with the 
provisions of the Code and, where it does not,  
explain the reasons for non-compliance.

The Board confirms that, in its view, the Company 
has applied the main principles and has complied 
with all the provisions set out in the Code during the 
financial year under review.

Details on how the Company 
complies with the Code can be 
found throughout the Governance 
section of the Annual Report - see 
pages 68 to 124.

Going Concern 
The Board is required to confirm that the Group has 
adequate resources to continue in operation for at 
least 12 months.

The Directors are satisfied that the Group has 
adequate resources to continue to be operational  
as a going concern for the foreseeable future and 
therefore have adopted the going concern basis  
in preparing the Group’s 2018 financial statements.

More details on the Going 
Concern Statement can be  
found on page 93.

Viability Statement 
The Board is required to assess the viability of the 
Company taking into account the current position  
and the potential impact of the principal risks and 
uncertainties set out on pages 28 to 30.

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that 
the Group will be able to continue in operation and 
meet its liabilities as they fall due over the five-year 
period to February 2023.

U+I’s Viability Statement can be 
found on page 31.

Principal risks facing the Group 
The Board is required to confirm that a robust 
assessment of the principal risks facing the Company 
has been carried out and should describe those risks 
and explain how they are being managed or mitigated. 

A robust assessment of the principal risks facing the 
Company was undertaken during the year, including 
those that would threaten its business model, future 
performance, solvency or liquidity. The significant 
risks facing the Company, and how these are 
mitigated, are set out on pages 28 to 30. 

Information around key risks and 
risk management processes can 
be found on pages 28 to 30, and 
on page 90 of the Audit and Risk 
Committee Report.

Risk management and internal control
The Board is required to monitor the Company’s  
risk management and internal control systems  
and, at least annually, carry out a review of  
their effectiveness.

Fair, balanced and understandable
The Board should confirm that it considers  
the Annual Report, taken as a whole, to be fair,  
balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess  
the Company’s position and performance, business 
model and strategy.

The Board conducted a review of the effectiveness 
of the systems of risk management and internal 
control during the year, and considers that there is a 
sound system of internal control which accords with 
the Financial Reporting Council’s Guidance on Risk 
Management, Internal Control and Related Financial 
and Business Reporting.

The Directors consider, to the best of each person’s 
knowledge and belief, that the Annual Report, taken 
as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and 
provides the information necessary for shareholders 
to assess the Company’s position and performance, 
business model and strategy.

Details on the systems of risk 
management and internal control 
can be found on page 87.

See the Audit and Risk Committee 
Report on page 91, and the 
Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities on page 125.

72

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018LEADERSHIP

The Board
The Board is responsible for ensuring effective leadership of 
the Company through the approval and implementation of the 
business strategy, and oversight and review of the Group’s 
activities. It is collectively responsible to the Company’s 
shareholders for the long-term success of the Company, whilst 
ensuring that risk levels are appropriate. In carrying out its 
responsibilities, the Board takes into account the size and 
complexity  of  the  Group  and  internal  control  measures 
employed to determine which formal matters are to be reserved 
to it, and which are to be delegated to its various Committees 
or the Executive Directors. The Board has put in place a formal 
schedule of reserved matters which require its approval that 
includes, but is not limited to, those set out opposite.

Board composition and appointments
On 1 March 2017, the Board consisted of three Executive 
Directors, a Non-executive Chairman and three Non-executive 
Directors, two of whom were independent. On 11 July 2017 
the Company announced that Ros Kerslake would be appointed 
as an independent Non-executive Director, with effect from  
1 September 2017. On appointment Ros also became a member 
of the Audit and Risk Committee, the Remuneration Committee 
and the Nomination Committee. On 28 February 2018, the 
Board consisted of three Executive Directors, a Non-executive 
Chairman and four Non-executive Directors, three of whom 
were deemed to be independent.

Further information on the appointment of Ros Kerslake can 
be found on pages 84 to 86.

Biographical information for all Directors in office at the date 
of this Report is set out on pages 70 and 71.

Board composition

2

1. Chairman* 
2. Executive Directors 
3. Non-Executive Directors 

1
3
4

* independent on appointment 

1

3

Board experience

Property

Retail

Engineering

6 

1

1

Matters reserved for the Board
At least once a year the Board reviews the nature and scale 
of matters reserved for its decision. These include:

 – Company strategy and financial performance;
 – Approval  of  significant  funding  arrangements,  
capital expenditure and the issue of any securities;
 – Executive  performance,  retention,  remuneration  
and  succession  planning  for  the  Board  and  
senior management;

 – Authorisation of significant transactions, investment 
acquisitions and disposals and corporate acquisitions;

 – Dividend policy;
 – Oversight of corporate reputation and communication; and
 – Internal control and risk management systems, and  

review of the Board’s own effectiveness.

Board Committees
Supported by its principal Committees, the Board sets the 
strategic direction of the Group. Board Committees operate 
within defined terms of reference, as determined by the Board. 
Terms  of  reference  are  available  upon  request  from  the 
Company Secretary and are also published on the Company’s 
website at uandiplc.com. The Company Secretary acts as 
secretary to each of the Committees. The interaction between 
the Board, its Committees and the management of the Company 
is detailed in the U+I governance structure on page 76. The 
Audit and Risk Committee monitors the effectiveness of the 
Group’s  system  of  internal  control  and  risk  management 
framework, the Group’s risk appetite, and the integrity of the 
Group’s financial reporting, whistleblowing and regulatory 
compliance. The Audit and Risk Committee Report is on pages 
88 to 93. The Nomination Committee reviews and considers 
the  size,  structure  and  composition  of  the  Board  and  its 
Committees, giving due regard to ongoing succession planning, 
and makes recommendations to the Board. The Nomination 
Committee Report is on pages 84 to 86. The Remuneration 
Committee  reviews  all  aspects  of  Executive  Directors’ 

73

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Leadership
continued

remuneration, reviewing trends across the industry and setting 
executive  remuneration  policies,  which  are  designed  to 
incentivise and retain talent to support the delivery of the 
Company’s long-term strategy. The Remuneration Committee 
report is on pages 96 to 116. 

The Disclosure Committee meets as and when required and 
has responsibility for the identification and disclosure of inside 
information, and for ensuring that regulatory announcements 
comply with applicable legal or regulatory requirements.

During the year U+I’s internal governance framework was 
reviewed and, to ensure ongoing alignment of the Committee 
structure with the strategic requirements of the business, the 
Executive  Committee  was  replaced  with  three  separate 
Committees as set out in the diagram on page 76. More details 
of the Investment Committee, the Operating Committee and 
the Strategy Committee can be found on page 81. 

Board meeting attendance
Board  and  Committee  meetings  are  typically  held  at  the 
Company’s  registered  office  address,  7A  Howick  Place,  
London SW1P 1DZ. Board strategy days are held at an offsite 
location. The following table sets out the attendance of the 
Directors at the scheduled meetings of the Board during the 
financial year:

Number of meetings

attended/meetings

% 

Director

Position

Appointed

possible

attendance 

Peter Williams

Chairman

Matthew Weiner

Chief Executive

Richard Upton

Deputy Chief Executive

Marcus Shepherd

Chief Financial Officer

Nick Thomlinson

Senior Independent Director

Barry Bennett

Lynn Krige

Ros Kerslake

Non-executive Director

Independent Non-executive Director

Independent Non-executive Director 

04.01.2016

18.04.2004

19.05.2014

18.02.2013

03.01.2012

19.05.2014

10.03.2016

01.09.2017 

10/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

5/5

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Board meetings during the year
The Board met formally ten times during the year. Two of  
these meetings, in March and September, were Board strategy 
days. Additional meetings were called at short notice for 
specific project approval, and did not necessarily require  
full  attendance,  although  all  Directors  were  given  the  
opportunity to attend or comment on each proposal. Where 
a  Director  is  unable  to  participate  in  a  meeting  either  in  
person or remotely, the Chairman will solicit their views on key 
items of business ahead of time, in order that these can be 
presented at the meeting and can influence the debate. The 
Chairman  and  the  Non-executive  Directors  met  on  one 
occasion  during  the  year  without  Executive  Directors  in 
attendance. The Non-executive Directors also met during the 
year without the Executive Directors or Chairman present.

74

Board and Committee meeting preparation process

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The Company Secretary manages a  
yearly planner of key Board and Committee 
agenda items and the timings required  
for annual matters.

The Company Secretary liaises with  
the Chairman, Executive Directors and 
Committee Chairmen at least two weeks 
ahead of Board and Committee meetings  
to confirm agenda items.

The Investment Committee meets around ten 
days prior to each Board meeting to agree 
all project-related matters requiring Board 
discussion/approval and feeds these items 
into the agenda via the Company Secretary.

Board papers are circulated electronically 
one week prior to the meeting.

.

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S

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial Statements

How we engage – Mayfield

Engaging our stakeholders

As part of our Mayfield project, our proposal to revitalise 24 
unloved acres of central Manchester through an exciting 
mixed-use  regeneration  scheme  includes  the  creation  of 
Manchester’s first new public park in over 100 years. Mayfield 
has opened its doors and invited in local Mancunians, as well 
as all other interested stakeholders, to see our emerging 
proposals and to comment on our strategic regeneration 
framework encompassing our vision for this site.

Our stakeholders reviewing our proposals for the Mayfield site

Engaging our employees

During  the  year,  the  U+I  team  visited  Manchester  to  
introduce all employees to the Mayfield project. The aim of 
the trip was to engage and energise our colleagues, share  
the  amazing  potential  of  this  site,  and  demonstrate  our  
vision for it. We also used this opportunity to spend a day at  
the Manchester People’s History Museum to discuss our 
strategy and our ‘Working Smarter’ initiative. The day included 
talks from five successful Manchester entrepreneurs from  
different sectors of the community, and a futurologist, who 
gave us some insight into his vision of the world over the next 
100 years. The Manchester onsite was a great experience, 
which engaged our team, refreshed our entrepreneurial spirit, 
and cultivated a shared vision of, and responsibility for, the 
opportunity we have been given to bring real and lasting  
change to the people of Manchester. 

Team U+I at the Manchester People’s History Museum

Engaging local communities

Last Christmas, Mayfield opened its doors and acted as the 
warehouse and campaign headquarters for local radio Key 
103  ‘Cash  for  Kids  Mission’  Christmas  Appeal.  Tens  of 
thousands  of  gifts  were  donated  to  youngsters  across 
Manchester to ensure disadvantaged children were given the 
Christmas they deserved. 

James Heather (second left), Development Director for Mayfield,  
at Key 103’s Christmas Appeal HQ at Mayfield

75

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Leadership
continued

To assist the Board in discharging its duties, matters are 
delegated to the Committees of the Board set out in this 
diagram; further details of the roles and responsibilities 
of these Committees are set out throughout this report.

U+I governance 

structure

THE BOARD

Responsible for the performance and  
long-term success of the Company,  
including leadership, strategy, values,  
standards, controls and risk management.

Read more on pages 73-80

AUDIT AND RISK  
COMMITTEE

REMUNERATION  
COMMITTEE

Read more  
on p.88-93

Read more  
on p.96-116

NOMINATION  
COMMITTEE

Read more  
on p.84-86

INVESTMENT 
COMMITTEE

Read more  
on p.81

OPERATING 
COMMITTEE

Read more  
on p.81

STRATEGY 
COMMITTEE

Read more  
on p.81

RISK MANAGEMENT  
COMMITTEE

Read more  
on p.87

DISCLOSURE  
COMMITTEE

Read more  
on p.74

BUSINESS  
DIVISIONS

Read more  
on p.2-66

76

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Division of responsibilities

In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, the roles and remit of the Chairman, Chief Executive and Senior 
Independent Director are set out in writing and agreed by the Board. There were no significant changes to the Chief Executive’s 
or Chairman’s other commitments during the year.

ROLE

RESPONSIBILITIES

Chairman 
The Chairman is responsible for 
the leadership of the Board and 
ensuring its effectiveness.

Peter Williams, who became Chairman following the 2016 AGM, has the following key responsibilities:

 – To organise the business of the Board and ensure the smooth flow of information, in conjunction with the 
Company Secretary, and to promote open and honest dialogue to enable effective decision-making. 

 – To work alongside the Chief Executive in establishing the key strategic objectives of the Company.
 – To promote the Company and enhance its standing with stakeholders.

Chief Executive
The Chief Executive is 
responsible for the running of 
the Company’s business and 
meeting strategic objectives.

Non-executive Directors
The Non-executive Directors 
play a key role in shaping 
strategy and holding the 
executive management  
to account.

Senior Independent Director
The Senior Independent 
Director is an additional avenue 
of recourse to stakeholders 
where normal channels are not 
available or appropriate.

Matthew Weiner, who became Chief Executive of the Company following the 2015 AGM, has the following  
key responsibilities:

 – To work alongside the Chairman, Executive Directors and Leadership Team in establishing the key strategic 

objectives of the Company.

 – To oversee the overall performance of the business.
 – To implement the Group’s business plan.

The Non-executive Directors, as set out on page 71, have the following key responsibilities:

 – To bring external perspectives and insight to the deliberations of the Board and its Committees. 
 – To play an important role in the formulation and progression of the Board’s agreed strategy, and review  

and monitor the performance of the executive management in the implementation of this strategy.
 – To provide challenge to Executive Directors to produce a considered and independent outcome  

to Board deliberations.

Nick Thomlinson, who became Senior Independent Director following the 2016 AGM, has the following  
key responsibilities:

 – To be available to stakeholders should they have concerns which have not been resolved through  

the normal channels, or if these channels are not deemed appropriate.

 – To act as Chairman should the requirement arise.
 – To be responsible for leading the Non-executive Directors in the annual performance evaluation  

of the Chairman.

 – To act as a sounding board for the Chairman and serve as an intermediary for other Directors  

where necessary.

Leadership Team
Consists of U+I’s Executive 
Directors and senior  
divisional directors.

The Leadership Team has the following key responsibilities:

 – Responsibility for development and implementation of the Company’s business strategy.
 – Responsibility for the executive management of the Company’s business.
 – To assist the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer in managing the  

operational and financial performance of the Group.

Company Secretary
An officer of the Company 
responsible for advising the 
Board on governance matters.

Chris Barton, who became Company Secretary in November 2014, has the following key responsibilities:

 – Under direction from the Chairman, to ensure the appropriate information flows to the Board and its 

Committees to facilitate discussions and allow fully informed decisions to be made. 

 – To ensure the Non-executive Directors have access to senior management where required. 
 – To ensure an appropriate induction process and ongoing training are in place for Executive and  

Non-executive Directors. 

 – To facilitate the Board evaluation process.
 – To advise the Board and its Committees on all governance matters.

77

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018JAN
2018

 – External presentation  
on cyber security

 – Reports from  
Committee Chairmen 

 – Key project update

 – Chief Operating Officer  
review of ‘Working Smarter’  
programme

 – Investor relations  
review 

DEC
2017

 – Director training  
on key corporate  
governance matters

 – Key project updates

 – Brand and  
communications update

 – Employee engagement and 
performance management

 – ‘Working Smarter’ review

 – Approval of external  
audit re-tender

 – Interim results and  
interim dividend approval

 – Shareholder and investor  
relations analysis

 – Review of brokers

 – Key new business proposals

 – Recruitment to the  
Executive Committee

OCT
2017

 – Review and action plan regarding  
key health and safety matters

 – Process review discussions

Leadership
continued

FEB
2018

 – Progress against  
year-end forecast

 – Review of post-close  
trading statement 

 – Board evaluation results 

 – Non-executive Director’s and  
Chairman discussion without 
management present 

 – Board Committee updates

 – New broker appointment

MARCH
2017

 – Consideration and  
implementation of  
Board evaluation results

 – Year-end review

 – All-employee learning  
and development update

 – Review of key strategic  
developments of the Company  
at the Board and Executive 
Committee strategy day

 – Approval of  
Annual Report, financial 
statements, supplemental  
and final dividend

APRIL
2017

 – Review of Viability and  
Going Concern Statements

 – Key project updates

 – Board Committee  
updates

 – Investor roadshow  
feedback

 – Key financing proposals

 – People and processes  
review update

JUNE
2017

 – Non-executive  
Director and Executive 
Committee recruitment  
review

 – Consideration  
of AGM Matters 

 – Review of property sector 
 and general economic outlook 
 post General Election

 – Key financing proposals

 – Appointment of new  
Non-executive Director

 – Discussions on Health and Safety

 – Process review discussions

 – Approval of new share  
dealing policy

JULY
2017

KEY BOARD 
ACTIVITIES 
DURING  
THE YEAR

 – Review of key strategic 

developments of  
the Company at the  
Board and Executive 
Committee strategy day

SEP
2017

report,  which 

A  Chief  Executive’s 
includes  
relevant  matters  to  highlight  since  the  previous 
meeting  and  economic  and  market  analysis,  in 
addition  to  in-depth  project,  finance,  health  and 
safety, governance and investor relations reports 
are reviewed at each meeting.

78

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Focus on strategy
All Directors are engaged in setting the strategic priorities of 
the business. To facilitate this, U+I holds two offsite Board and 
Leadership Team strategy days during the year. The purpose 
of these days is to ensure enough time is given for detailed 
and focused discussion and debate around the strategic 
direction and priorities of the Company outside the regular 
Board meeting agenda. 

Board activities
The key activities the Board addresses during the year can be 
separated into the five topics outlined below. Time spent on 
each area varies depending on the nature and importance of 
the activity at any given time, however, a general idea of the 
how the Board spends its time is given below. The Board and 
Leadership Team keep all areas under review within the context 
of key risks facing the Company, as set out on pages 28 to 30. 

Key Board activities  

during the year

The following areas represent the primary focus of the Board  
in discharging its obligations during the year:

Board activity during the year – allocation of time

1

5

4

3

2

1. Strategy and new and 

existing project portfolio 

54%

2. Financial planning 
and performance 

14%
3. Leadership, culture and people 12%
4. Governance, risk and 

internal controls 
5. Stakeholders and 
investor relations 

10%

10%

TOPIC

WHAT WE DO

WHAT WE HAVE DONE

1.  Strategy and new and 

existing project portfolio

The Board formulates and 
oversees the strategic 
direction of the Company, 
ensuring the correct strategy, 
given the nature of the markets 
and economic conditions  
in which it is operating. 

 – Review of Company strategy including two dedicated Board strategy 
days during the year, reviewing current and future strategic direction  
of the Company.

 – Completion of 100% letting of 12 Hammersmith Grove, followed by sale, 

realising forecast gains.

 – Unconditional contract to purchase Preston Barracks, allowing future 
delivery of one of Brighton’s biggest ever mixed-use regeneration 
schemes. Including simultaneous exchange on the student element, 
allowing realisation of forecast gains.

 – Good progress being made in the repositioning of the investment 

portfolio, including disposals totalling £53.2 million for the year to date. 

 – Realisation of profits through entering into a joint venture agreement  

to deliver a designer outlet in Cannock, Birmingham. 

 – Approval of acquisitions, disposals and new business in line with agreed 
strategy. Further details of all acquisitions and sales can be found on  
our website at uandiplc.com. 

2.  Financial planning  
and performance

The Board, led by the Chief 
Financial Officer, monitors  
and discusses the financial 
requirements of the Group  
at each meeting, and has  
sole authority to approve 
transactions over a  
prescribed threshold. 

 – Detailed consideration of financial matters at each meeting, led  

by the Chief Financial Officer, including annual and interim results,  
cash flow, trading forecast, final, interim and supplemental dividends, 
treasury and tax matters, and consideration of Going Concern and 
Viability Statements. 

 – Renegotiation on key Aviva finance facility to enable flexibility  

and cost reduction.

 – Clear sight over future pipeline profit forecasts.
 – Focus on operational discipline and capital, including meeting  
the forecast £2 million reduction in net recurring overheads.

79

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Leadership
continued

Key Board activities during the year continued

TOPIC

WHAT WE DO

WHAT WE HAVE DONE

3.  Leadership, culture  

and people

Our people are our most 
important asset. Ensuring  
we have the right people on 
the Board, its Committees, 
the Leadership Team and 
throughout the business as 
well as areas of succession 
planning and development  
of talent are key functions  
of the Board. 

 4.  Governance, risk  

 and internal controls

Good governance and an 
effective system of risk 
management are essential in 
allowing the Board to maximise 
the opportunities available to  
it whilst mitigating risks to the 
fullest extent possible. 

 – Appointment of new Non-executive Director and key Leadership  

Team hires, including new Chief Operating Officer.

 – Roll out of ‘Working Smarter’ initiative reviewing all areas of the business 

and led by the Chief Operating Officer.

 – Manchester onsite for all employees included workshop and learning  

on new strategic and operational priorities. 

 – Monthly all-employee ‘townhall’ meetings, a new intranet, and weekly 

email news circulars to foster employee engagement and understanding 
through a shared vision.

 – Review of succession planning at senior level, and the development  

of people and talent within the Group. 

 – Regular Board updates on matters relating to people and culture.
 – Roll out of new online e-learning courses for all employees on key 

governance and regulatory matters.

 – New performance management system put in place during the year. 
 – Establishment of new Charity Committee along with preferred  

charitable partner.

 – Review of Governance framework, and changes to the Committee 
structure to bring Committees into line with the Group’s strategic 
priorities.

 – Review of the Group’s risk register and the effectiveness of the systems  

of internal control and risk management. 

 – Roll out of ongoing Board educational programmes, including  

updates in governance, regulatory and information security by external 
subject matter experts. 

 – Discussion around Board evaluation and effectiveness review, and 

agreement on areas of improvement opportunities. 

 – Review of the Company’s approach to anti-slavery and human trafficking, 

including approval of a statement to go on the website.

 – Regular review of health and safety reports.
 – Regular updates from the Chairmen of the Audit and Risk, Remuneration  

and Nomination Committees.

 5.  Stakeholders  

and shareholders

U+I believes in the power  
of partnerships: by working 
effectivity with our partners  
we become greater than the 
sum of our parts. The Board 
takes time to consider all 
stakeholder and shareholder 
issues and is committed  
to an ongoing and active 
dialogue with stakeholders 
and shareholders on  
relevant matters.

 – Ongoing collaboration and relationship-building with Local Authorities 
and Governments to enable successful mixed-use development and 
regeneration projects, to help effect change in local communities. 
 – Investor relations report tabled at each meeting updating the Board  
on share performance, shareholder movement and media coverage. 

 – Institutional investor feedback given by analysts on Company 

performance and investor presentations. 

 – Regular meetings with investors and investor site visits to discuss  

any issues or concerns.

 – Review of 2017 Notice of Annual General Meeting and proxy voting 

figures.

 – For more information on how we engaged with our stakeholders and 

shareholders during the year see pages 94 and 95.

80

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial Statements

Board and Leadership Team strategy day at Harwell Science Campus

Changes to our governance structure during the year
As a result of our ‘Working Smarter’ review, which took place 
throughout 2017, the requirement for a revised governance 
framework  was  highlighted,  to  ensure  that  our  internal 
governance structure remained closely aligned to the evolving 
strategic priorities of the business. The result of this review 
was the formulation of a new Leadership Team to replace the 
previous  Executive  Committee  and,  as  detailed  in  our 
governance  structure  diagram  on  page  76,  Executive  
Committee  meetings  were  replaced  with  the  following  
new Committees: 

Investment Committee
The Investment Committee is made up of the Leadership Team, 
the In-house Legal Counsel, and the Head of Direct Investment 
Portfolio. It is chaired by the Chief Operating Officer. The 
Committee meets every two weeks or weekly if required, and 
always the week before a U+I Board meeting. The Committee 
has the responsibility to track, scrutinise, challenge and drive 
progress of current and prospective property projects and 
investments, including progress against projected financial 
targets, and to scrutinise U+I’s pipeline in light of agreed 
financial targets for the next five years. The Committee operates 
within agreed financial limits set by the Board. There is a clear 
delegation of authority from the Board to the Investment 
Committee, which is set out in writing and approved by the 
Board. Members of the Investment Committee are invited to 

present on business activities and portfolio updates at each 
formal Board Meeting.

Operating Committee
The Operating Committee is made up of the majority of the 
Leadership Team and chaired by the Chief Operating Officer. 
The  Committee  meets  every  other  week  or  weekly  as  
required. It addresses topics around people, processes and 
operations across the whole business and is responsible for 
ensuring the entire business is functioning optimally, and  
is set up to deliver against our strategy. The Committee is also 
responsible for driving the progress of our ‘Working Smarter’ 
programme and other improvement initiatives. The Committee 
operates within agreed financial limits set by the Board, and 
there is a clear delegation of authority from the Board to  
the Operating Committee, which is set out in writing and 
approved by the Board. The Chief Operating Officer gives 
updates on matters discussed at the Operating Committee 
at each formal Board meeting.

Strategy Committee
The Strategy Committee is made up of the Leadership Team 
and the In-house Legal Counsel, it meets twice yearly or more 
often if required. The Committee is responsible for reviewing 
U+I’s strategy, and determining the extent to which it enables 
the Company to fulfil its purpose and organisational objectives. 
The Committee, chaired by the Chief Operating Officer, reports 
into the Board.

81

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Effectiveness

EFFECTIVENESS

Director independence
Peter  Williams  was  appointed  as  Chairman  of  the  Board 
following the AGM on 14 July 2016. On appointment, the Board 
considered that Peter met the independence criteria set out 
in the Code. The Chairman’s biography can be found on page 
70.  Ros  Kerslake  was  appointed  as  an  independent  
Non-executive  Director  during  the  year.  Further  details 
regarding this appointment can be found in the Nomination 
Committee Report on pages 84 to 86.

The independence of each Non-executive Director has been 
assessed during the year, in line with the independence criteria 
contained  within  provision  B.1.1  of  the  Code.  The  Board 
considered all the Non-executive Directors to be independent 
during the year with the exception of Barry Bennett, who was 
the  co-founder  of  Cathedral  Group.  The  current  ratio  of 
Executive  and  independent  Non-executive  Directors  is 
permissible for a smaller company under Code provision B.1.2.

Information flow
The Company Secretary manages the provision of information 
to the Board, within an appropriate timeframe, in consultation 
with the Chairman and Chief Executive. As discussed on page 
74, in addition to the formal meetings of the Board, there may 
be a requirement to hold ad hoc Board meetings, where the 
approval  of  certain  items  cannot  wait  until  the  following 
scheduled meeting. When this occurs, Directors are given as 
much notice as possible, and all Directors are encouraged to 
attend these meetings, either in person or via telephone. The 
Company Secretary ensures that all Directors receive timely 
information in relation to the decisions that are being taken. 
Updates are sent by the Chief Executive Officer to keep  
Non-executive Directors fully advised of key issues outside of 
Board meetings. The Chairman may arrange meetings with 
Non-executive Directors without any Executive Directors 
present to address any issues facing the Company. 

Induction, training and professional development
The  Chairman,  assisted  by  the  Company  Secretary,  is 
responsible for the formal induction of all new Directors. On 
joining  the  Board,  a  Director  receives  a  comprehensive 
induction pack prepared by the Company Secretary. This pack 
includes material relating to the Director’s obligations as a 
Director  of  the  Company,  the  Company  structure  and 
governance, and Board and Committee powers and authorities. 
Induction meetings are arranged with Executive Directors, 
Non-executive  Directors  and  other  relevant  individuals, 

including members of the Leadership Team, where required, 
for briefings around business strategy, performance, and the 
Company’s projects. Visits to key project sites are arranged. 
Ros Kerslake received a full induction following her appointment 
as a Non-executive Director. Further information regarding 
this induction can be found on page 86. 

All Directors are given the opportunity to receive ongoing 
training and development whilst in office. Directors may request 
this as part of their annual performance evaluation or by 
discussion with the Chairman or Company Secretary. The 
Chairman agrees training and development needs with each 
Director, as and when required. During the year, external 
experts attended Board meetings to give updates on specific 
areas which had been identified as of particular importance. 
Development activities include regular presentations and 
updates on the Company’s projects and portfolio by Executive 
Directors and members of the Leadership Team, updates on 
the market and economic trends, share price and trading 
performance, and governance matters. 

Professional advice and support
All  Directors  have  access  to  the  advice  and  services  of  
the  Company  Secretary,  who  is  responsible  for  advising  
the Board, through the Chairman, on corporate governance 
matters.  Directors  are  also  able  to  seek  independent 
professional  advice  as  necessary,  at  the  Company’s  
expense, in respect of their duties.

Time commitment
On appointment Directors are advised of, and requested to 
make, the necessary time commitment required to discharge 
their responsibilities effectively. This time commitment is also 
outlined in the letters of appointment issued to the Chairman 
and Non-executive Directors. 

As part of the annual performance evaluation each Director is 
appraised on their time commitment dedicated to the Company. 
The Board is satisfied that individual Directors have dedicated 
the required amount of time to the Company to effectively fulfil 
their role. The Board as a whole is content that the Chairman’s 
external appointments do not impact on his ability to allocate 
sufficient time to discharge his responsibilities to U+I.

Performance evaluation
During the year the Board undertook a formal performance 
evaluation of itself and its Committees to ensure they continued 
to be effective. As part of this process it also reviewed the 
effectiveness of individual Directors and their commitment to 

82

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018their respective roles. The Board strongly believes that this 
annual evaluation of its effectiveness is helpful, and provides 
a valuable opportunity to address any matters arising and allow 
for ongoing improvement. Consideration was given as to 
whether the evaluation should be externally facilitated. The 
Board  maintained  that  the  current  arrangements  were 
appropriate, but will keep this area under review in light of 
potential changes to the Corporate Governance Code. 

This year’s Board evaluation was carried out through a detailed 
questionnaire,  prepared  by  the  Company  Secretary,  and 
responses were collated and fed back to the Board. The 
evaluation focused on the Board as a whole, its composition 
and effectiveness, as well as on the Committees and individual 
Directors. The responses were considered by the Chairman, 
or the Senior Independent Director in relation to the Chairman’s 
performance. Following the results of the evaluation being 
disclosed to the Board, Peter Williams chaired a meeting of 
the  Non-executive  Directors  without  Executive  Directors 
present where the performance of the Executive Directors was 
reviewed. Nick Thomlinson chaired a meeting of the Non-
executive Directors without the Chairman or Executive Directors 
present,  at  which  the  performance  of  the  Chairman  was 
reviewed. The outcome was then discussed by the Chairman 
and Senior Independent Director. No significant issues arose 
as a result of this review. It was confirmed that the Chairman 
was  leading  the  Board  effectively,  and  that  the  various 
Committees of the Board functioned properly during the year. 

The Company Secretary presented the results of the 2018 
Board evaluation, together with the progress made on the 
areas  highlighted  through  the  2017  Board  evaluation  
process,  to  the  Board  for  discussion  at  its  meeting  in  
February 2018. Where considered relevant, suggestions for 
areas of improvement have been, or will be, implemented  
as detailed below.

2017 Board evaluation results: The 2017 Board evaluation 
identified no major issues with the effectiveness of the Board’s 
operations, however noted that the governance structure was 
evolving with a relatively new Chairman, Peter Williams, and 
Non-executive  Director/Chairman  of  the  Audit  and  Risk 
Committee, Lynn Krige. There were also new senior hires at 
Executive Committee level. It was agreed that these changes 
should be kept under close scrutiny throughout the year to 
ensure their effective integration. The potential benefit of 
adding an additional independent Non-executive Director was 
highlighted. The introduction of two dedicated strategy days 
per year for the Board and Leadership Team was viewed as a 

positive step forward to ensure an alignment in the values, 
vision and strategy of the Board and the Company as a whole.

Progress made: Peter Williams and Lynn Krige continued to 
be successfully integrated onto the Board during the year and 
made valuable contributions to the Board and Committee 
discussions and to the decision-making process. Ros Kerslake 
was appointed as an additional independent Non-executive 
Director during the year and has been effectively inducted into 
the business (see page 86). Further changes to U+I’s governance 
structure took place during the year with the introduction  
of the Leadership Team to replace the existing Executive 
Committee,  along  with  key  senior  hires  at  this  level.  
A new Chief Operating Officer was introduced to drive the 
‘Working Smarter’ initiative. Strategy Boards have now been 
established and are proving to be a valued part of the Board 
calendar focused on discussing the key strategic priorities  
of the business. 

2018 Board evaluation results: The conclusions from this 
year’s Board evaluation highlighted that the Board and its 
Committees continued to operate at a high standard, and were 
working effectively. There were no concerns regarding the 
performance of any individual Directors, with all giving the 
appropriate amount of time and commitment to the role. Board 
discussion was open and honest with all Directors contributing 
effectively. The introduction of a new Non-executive Director 
was a positive addition, providing balance and additional 
experience to the Board’s decision-making processes. No 
specific concerns were raised as to the performance of the 
Board and its Committees. However, the ongoing changes to 
the governance structure below Board level were noted, and 
it was agreed that these changes would require effective 
embedding and monitoring by the Board during the year to 
ensure the business continued to operate effectively. The 
Board continually reviews areas where improvements could 
be made. It was agreed that an ongoing review, with the  
aim of obtaining further clarity around strategic priorities,  
would  be  addressed  at  dedicated  Board  strategy  days.  
It was further agreed that the Company’s preparation in respect 
of managing an unexpected event would be reviewed and  
the crisis management procedure and processes would be  
updated accordingly. 

The Chairman, with the assistance of the Chief Executive and 
Company Secretary, understands the requirement to continually 
evolve as a Board in line with changing requirements and 
legislation and will build on the current strengths of the Board 
and ensure any perceived or potential areas of weakness are 
addressed as and when they may arise. 

83

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Nomination Committee Report

Nomination Committee composition
The following table sets out the attendance of members at the 
scheduled Nomination Committee (the Committee) meetings 
during the financial year under review:

Director

Committee

possible

attendance 

Number of meetings 

Joined the 

attended/meetings 

% 

Peter Williams

Nick Thomlinson

Lynn Krige
Ros Kerslake1

04.01.16

03.01.12

14.07.16

01.09.17

4/4

4/4

4/4

1/1

100 

100

100

100

1. Ros Kerslake was appointed as a member of the Committee on her appointment 

to the Board on 1 September 2017

For full biographies see pages 70 and 71.

Activities undertaken by the Committee during the year
The Committee meets as and when necessary. The Committee 
met four times during the year ended 28 February 2018 to 
discuss the structure, size and composition of the Board, to 
review  candidates  for  the  position  of  independent  Non-
executive Director and recommend the subsequent appointment 
of Ros Kerslake, and to undertake a review of succession 
planning.

New Director Appointment 
U+I  was  pleased  to  welcome  Ros  Kerslake  to  the  Board  
as a Non-executive Director on 1 September 2017. Prior to Ros 
being appointed the following process was undertaken by  
the Committee: 

 – The  specifications  of  the  role  were  discussed  by  
the Committee, in conjunction with the results of the 2017  
Board evaluation, to understand what skills and experience 
were desirable in the candidate in order to complement the 
existing skills and experience on the Board. 

 – The services of the consultant search firm Norman Broadbent 
were used to draw up specific requirements for the role  
and to engage a wide range of potential candidates for  
the position. 

 – The Committee spent time reviewing a long list of candidates 

followed by a revised shortlist of candidates.

 – Four  candidates  were  interviewed  by  the  CEO  and  

the Chairman.

 – The  final  two  candidates  were  interviewed  by  the  

majority of Directors.

84

 “ The Nomination Committee 
has continued to focus on 
ensuring that the correct balance 
of skills, diversity and 
experience are on the Board, 
and that succession planning 
is at the forefront of senior 
recruitment decisions taken 
by the Company.”

Peter Williams 
Chairman of the Nomination Committee

Nomination Committee highlights during the year
 – Successful and thorough appointment process of  

Ros Kerslake as new Non-executive Director
 – Review of succession planning at senior level
 – Review of structure, size and composition of the Board
 – Review  and  recommendation  for  re-election  of 

Directors at AGM

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018 – The Committee formally recommended the appointment 

of Ros Kerslake to the Board.

Norman Broadbent, an external search consultant, was used 
throughout this process. Norman Broadbent is accredited 
under the enhanced code of conduct for executive search 
firms, it has no other connection with the Company. 

Role of the Nomination Committee
The Committee is responsible for making recommendations 
to  the  Board,  within  its  agreed  terms  of  reference,  on 
appointments to the Board. As discussed previously, the 
Director appointment process is fulfilled through an effective 
search, interview and evaluation process led by an external 
consultant  based  upon  objective  criteria  set  out  by  the 
Committee. The Committee’s role as set out in its terms of 
reference includes:

 – Reviewing  the  structure,  size  and  composition  of  the  

Board as a whole;

 – Succession planning for Executive Directors and Non-
executive Directors, and the roles of the Chairman and 
Chief Executive;

 – Consideration  of  the  balance  of  skills,  knowledge, 
experience, time commitment and diversity of the Board;
 – Recommending  suitable  candidates  for  the  role  of  

Senior Independent Director;

 – Devising descriptions of the role and capabilities required 

for a particular appointment; and

 – Providing recommendations on the composition of both 
the  Audit  and  Risk  and  Remuneration  Committees,  in 
consultation with the Chairmen of those Committees.

Nomination Committee – allocation of time

1

4

3

1. Board composition 

and structure 

2. New Non-executive 

20%

2

Director appointment 

45%
3. Board succession planning  20%
4. Other 
15%

New Director induction
The  Chairman,  assisted  by  the  Company  Secretary,  is 
responsible for the formal induction of all new Directors.  
Ros Kerslake, who joined the Board during the year, received 
a full induction, which included a comprehensive induction 
pack prepared by the Company Secretary, induction meetings 
with  Executive  Directors,  Non-executive  Directors  and 
Leadership Team members, and also visits to project sites. 
Further detail of Ros Kerslake’s induction process can be  
found on page 86. 

Directors standing for election or re-election
The Committee met once following the end of the financial 
year to discuss the re-election of all Directors; it recommended 
that each Director, being eligible, should be put forward for 
annual re-election by shareholders. Following the annual 
performance reviews of individual Directors, the Chairman 
considers  that  each  Director  continues  to  operate  as  
an  effective  member  of  the  Board  and  has  the  skills,  
knowledge, experience and time to enable them to discharge 
their duties properly. 

Upon election, or re-election, Non-executive Directors are 
invited to serve for three-year fixed terms, subject to annual 
re-election by shareholders. All Non-executive Directors have 
confirmed that they have sufficient time to dedicate to their 
role. The terms of their appointment are available from the 
Company Secretary. 

On the advice of the Committee, the Board recommends the 
re-election of each Director to shareholders at the 2018 AGM 
in line with provision B.7.1 of the Code. The Company believes 
that  sufficient  biographical  details,  and  other  relevant 
information, for the Directors seeking annual re-election is 
provided on pages 70 and 71 in order for shareholders to make 
an informed decision on each Director’s re-election.

Tenure on the Board as at 26 April 2018

1. Under 3 years 
2. 3-6 years 
3. 6+ years 

3
3
2

1

2

3

85

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Nomination Committee Report
continued

Induction of Ros Kerslake

We recognise that new Directors joining the Board at U+I will 
come from a variety of backgrounds and have varying skill 
sets that complement those already established on the Board. 
As a result of this we believe there should be no rigid induction 
process. We tailor our induction process according to each 
new Director’s requirements. The Chairman, through the 
Company Secretary, ensures that all new Directors receive 
a comprehensive induction programme and the required 
support to enable them to understand the requirements of 
the role, notably to facilitate their understanding of the history 
of U+I, the culture, strategy, key projects, financial position 
and any key issues being addressed by the Board and its 
Committees at that time. 

Ros Kerslake was appointed to the Board on 1 September 
2017. As part of Ros’ induction process she had meetings 
with the Leadership Team to give her a full understanding of 
U+I’s  business,  its  culture  and  strategy.  The  Company 
Secretary prepared an extensive briefing pack with key 
information about the Company, the duties expected of a 
Director, governance structures and relevant procedures and 
policies, and led Ros through this information answering any 
queries arising. Access to previous minutes of the Board and 
its Committees were made available. Ros was taken to key 
Company projects, for example Mayfield, Deptford Market 
and Morden Wharf, to provide first-hand experience of the 
projects the Company was currently involved in, and how it 
went about its activities. 

Composition of the Board
The Committee has reviewed the size, structure and composition 
of  the  Board  and  concluded  that,  with  the  addition  of  
Ros Kerslake as an independent Non-executive Director during 
the year, it has the appropriate composition to run as an 
effective Board.

Diversity
As part of its role, the Committee will review the diversity on 
the Board. U+I embraces diversity in its broadest sense and 
recognises the benefits and value this brings to the Board and 
the Company as a whole, in terms of skills, knowledge and 
experience. The addition of Ros Kerslake to the Board has 
meant that there is currently 25% female representation on 
the Board. Details of the gender diversity on the Board and 
across the Company are set out in the Sustainability Report 
on page 64. The Committee recognises that diversity is more 
than just gender based, and will continue to focus on addressing 
the issue of diversity in the property industry in its wider context.

Our Board gender diversity

6

2

Committee effectiveness
I am pleased to report that the recent Board evaluation process 
concluded that the Nomination Committee operated effectively 
during the year. Going forward the Committee will continue 
to focus on succession planning and the new governance 
changes, and will consider how effectively these are being 
integrated into the business. 

Peter Williams
Chairman of the Nomination Committee
26 April 2018

86

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Accountability

Annual activities of the Risk Management Committee
The Committee meets quarterly during the year to ensure that 
the Group’s risk management procedures are comprehensive 
and appropriate for the current economic climate, regulatory 
requirements and business operations.

During the year, the Committee performed a full review of all 
the risks facing the Company as set out on the risk register. 
The significant risks facing the Company have been identified 
and are set out on pages 28 to 30.

At each meeting the Committee reviews those risks with the 
highest impact and highest likelihood of occurrence, and the 
actions in place to ensure mitigation of the risks to the fullest 
extent. Those risks with less impact or likelihood of occurring 
are reviewed on a six-monthly basis. The Committee’s remit 
includes all of the Group’s subsidiaries and those joint ventures 
and associates which are administered by the Company. Risks 
arising from externally managed joint ventures are managed 
at the Boards of the joint venture companies. The Committee 
reports into the Audit and Risk Committee. In addition to the 
activities of the Risk Management Committee, a risk evaluation 
on each significant prospective development, investment or 
joint  venture  opportunity  is  evaluated  by  the  Board.  
The Executive Directors regularly evaluate the Group’s risk-
weighted development exposure, which is then considered  
by the Board. All necessary actions have been, or are being, 
taken to remedy any weaknesses acknowledged from the 
quarterly reviews. No significant failings or weaknesses were 
identified over the year.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Risk management and internal control
The  Board  has  overall  responsibility  for  the  Group’s  risk 
management and internal control systems and monitors these 
on an ongoing basis. The risk management and internal control 
systems put in place are designed to identify, evaluate and 
mitigate  risks  while  at  the  same  time  enabling  business 
objectives to be achieved. Further information on the Company’s 
internal control framework is set out in the Audit and Risk 
Committee Report on pages 88 to 93.

Risk Management Committee
The regular process of identifying, evaluating and managing 
significant corporate risks has been delegated by the Board 
to the Audit and Risk Committee which, in turn, has delegated 
responsibility for overseeing the day to day risk management 
of the Company to the Risk Management Committee. The 
Committee is an Executive Committee and comprises the 
Leadership  Team,  the  In-house  Legal  Counsel,  and  the 
Company Secretary.

The Committee’s principal role, as set out in its terms of 
reference, includes:

 – Advising the Audit and Risk Committee on the Company’s 
risk appetite, tolerance and strategy, taking into account 
the  current  and  prospective  macro-economic  and  
financial environment;

 – Reviewing  the  Company’s  risk  register,  including 
identification of new risks, continuous assessment, and 
identification of early warning factors and mitigating actions 
and controls;

 – Reviewing the effectiveness of the Company’s internal 
financial controls, internal controls and risk management 
systems; and

 – Reviewing the Company’s procedures for detecting fraud 

and prevention of bribery.

87

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Audit and Risk Committee Report

DEAR SHAREHOLDER,

As Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee (the Committee) 
I am pleased to present the report of the Committee for the 
year ended 28 February 2018.

This report provides a summary of the Committee’s activities 
during the year, and an overview of our role overseeing the 
financial reporting, along with the assurance, internal control 
and risk management framework of the Company. 

Financial reporting process
The Committee monitors the integrity of the Group’s reporting 
processes and considers all significant accounting matters in 
relation to the year-end and interim financial statements. In 
this report we explain what matters we considered to be 
significant. Further information can be found on page 91.

Risk management
The risk landscape has continued to evolve during the year. 
Through the Risk Management Committee, the Committee 
regularly reviews U+I’s risk register, which is used as the basis 
of this Committee’s risk assessment and subsequent mitigation. 
Information on the principal risks of the Company can be found 
on pages 28 to 30.

Internal audit
The Committee reviewed the Company’s requirements with 
respect to internal audit during the year and confirmed that, 
in line with its peer group, a dedicated internal audit function 
was not required. Further information on this can be found on 
page 93.

External audit
During the year the Committee reviewed and carried out a 
retender of its external audit arrangements. More on this 
process can be found on page 92.

Modern slavery
During the year the Committee reviewed the Company’s 
approach to modern slavery and made recommendations to 
the Board. For more information see page 93.

Cyber security and governance
Cyber security and governance continue to be areas of specific 
focus for the Committee. During the year, the Committee 
received training in these areas by external experts in the 
subject matter. See page 90 for further information.

88

 “ The Committee plays a key role 
in ensuring the appropriate 
controls and challenges are 
made around the management 
of risk, accounting treatment, 
financial reporting and internal 
control and assurance process.”

Lynn Krige 
Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee

Highlights of Committee activities during the year: 
 – Review and approval of half and full year financial 

statements

 – Review of key risks and risk mitigation
 – Review of internal audit requirements
 – External audit retender
 – Assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls 

and risk management

 – Review and approval of U+I’s modern slavery statement.
 – Review of finance policies and procedures
 – Review of governance and legislation developments 

and roll out of all-employee e-learning courses

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Fair, balanced and understandable
The Committee, at the Board’s request, reviewed the Annual 
Report and Accounts and confirmed that this is fair, balanced 
and understandable. More information on this can be found 
on page 91. 

Non-executive Director who is also a chartered accountant. 
To help the Committee review and challenge the integrity of 
the Company’s financial reporting, representatives from the 
external auditors attend appropriate parts of the meetings.

Committee evaluation
As part of the Board and Committee evaluation process, the 
role and effectiveness of the Committee was considered. I am 
pleased to report that the feedback received relating to the 
Committee was positive and it was felt that the Committee 
continued to operate at a high standard and was effective in 
its support to the Board during the year.

Audit and Risk Committee composition
The following table sets out the composition and attendance 
of members at the scheduled Committee meetings during the 
year under review:

Director

Committee

possible

attendance 

Number of meetings 

Joined the 

attended/meetings 

% 

Lynn Krige

Nick Thomlinson

Peter Williams
Ros Kerslake1

10.03.16

03.01.12

04.01.16

01.09.17

4/4

4/4

3/4

3/3

 100 

100

75

100

1.   Ros Kerslake joined the Committee on 1 September 2017

The Committee’s principal responsibilities during the year fall 
under the following categories:

Financial reporting
 – Review  of  significant  financial  reporting  judgements  
and  accounting  policies,  and  compliance  with  
accounting standards.

 – Ensuring the quality, appropriateness and integrity of the 
half  year  and  full  year  financial  statements  and  their 
compliance with statutory requirements.

 – Ensuring  that  the  Annual  Report  is  fair,  balanced  and 
understandable, consideration of the underlying assumptions 
presented in support of the Going Concern and Viability 
Statements, and recommending their approval to the Board.

Risk management
 – On behalf of the Board, and in conjunction with the Risk 
Management Committee, establishing the risk appetite of 
the Company, along with a review of the risk register and 
risk mitigation procedures. 

Internal controls
 – Monitoring the effectiveness of the Company’s internal 

controls and compliance process.

Full biographies of the Committee members can be found 
on pages 70 and 71.

 – Review of delegated authorities and sign-off procedures.
 – Review of key internal control policies. 

Role of the Audit and Risk Committee
The Committee plays a crucial role in assisting the Board to 
discharge its responsibilities for the management of business 
risk by monitoring, reviewing and challenging the effectiveness 
and integrity of the Group’s financial reporting and audit 
process, and the development and maintenance of robust 
system of risk management and internal control. The Committee 
currently  consists  of  three  independent  Non-executive 
Directors, and the Company’s Chairman Peter Williams, who 
was considered independent on appointment. The Board has 
determined that Lynn Krige and Peter Williams are qualified 
accountants with considerable experience, and have significant 
recent and relevant financial experience for the purposes of 
the Code. In addition Nick Thomlinson and Ros Kerslake have 
significant property sector experience. The Company’s Chief 
Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer, 
Financial Controller and In-house Legal Counsel attend the 
Committee meetings by invitation, as does Barry Bennett, a 

Fraud and whistleblowing
 – Review  of  procedures  in  place  to  prevent  fraudulent 

behaviour and enable whistleblowing.

 – If required, receive reports on fraudulent incidents and 

ensure the required investigation is undertaken.

External audit
 – Monitoring  and  reviewing  the  independence  and 
performance  of  the  external  auditors  and  evaluating  
their effectiveness.

 – Making  recommendations  for  the  appointment  and  
re-appointment of the external auditors and approval of 
audit fees.

Internal audit
 – Monitoring the requirement for an internal audit function 
and making subsequent recommendations to the Board.

 – Agreeing internal audit plans where necessary.

89

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Audit and Risk Committee Report
continued

External and internal property valuation
 – The  quality  and  appropriateness  of  the  half  year  and  
full year external and internal valuations of the Group’s 
property portfolio, together with an assessment of the 
methodology applied.

 – January 2018: Learning and development: cyber security 
presentation, update on external audit retender process 
and recommendation to the Board, internal controls and 
control processes, risk assessment review, whistleblowing 
policy review, review of requirement for internal audit, and 
review of audit fees.

Significant financial matters
 – During  the  year  the  Committee  considered  the 
appropriateness of significant financial matters made in 
connection with the financial statements as set out on 
page 91.

Committee activities during the year
The  Committee  met  four  times  during  the  year  ended  
28 February 2018. Committee meetings are timed to coincide 
with the key responsibilities of the Committee during the year. 
As is standard each year, two of the meetings take place prior 
to the issue of the preliminary full year and interim results,  
to  review  audit  recommendations  and  to  consider  any  
significant issues arising from the audit and review process. 
A further meeting is held to agree the external audit terms of 
engagement, the auditors’ scope and proposed approach, 
and the fees of the annual audit. One Committee meeting 
during the year is dedicated to reviewing the internal controls 
of the Company. The Committee also reviews the performance 
of the external auditors. 

The Committee reviewed the following items during the year 
and, where required, made recommendations to the Board:

 – April 2017: Year-end financial results and Annual Report, 
Viability and Going Concern Statements, internal audit 
requirements, risk appetite and review of key risks, significant 
project risks, external auditors’ report, external property 
valuations, non-audit fees, evaluation of U+I management’s 
and external auditors’ effectiveness with regard to the audit 
process, and the re-appointment of the external auditors.

 – October 2017: External auditors’ interim report, interim 
results  and  financial  statements,  internal  and  external 
portfolio  valuations,  risk  management,  internal  audit 
requirements and external audit retender review update.

 – December 2017: Learning and development: presentation 
on key corporate governance issues, update on external 
audit  retender  process,  external  audit  planning,  risk 
management appetite and review of key risks, and a review 
of non-audit fees.

Cyber security
Cyber security and the potential threat of business disruption 
through cyber security issues continued to be a high priority 
for the Committee during the year. In 2016 an external consultant 
was engaged to provide training on cyber threats to all U+I 
employees. In January 2018, an external expert in cyber security 
gave an in-depth briefing on developments within the cyber 
security field to the Committee. The Company continues to 
review its hardware and software systems, in addition to the 
education of its employees, to ensure all cyber threats are 
minimised to the fullest extent possible, and a dedicated  
review of cyber risks is planned for the current financial year.

Risk management
The  Committee  has  responsibility  for  overseeing  the  risk 
management process for the Company. This entails reviewing 
the risk appetite, the principal risks and risk mitigation on behalf 
of  the  Board.  The  Committee  delegates  the  day  to  day 
management  of  risk  throughout  the  business  to  the  Risk 
Management Committee (see page 87), which reports into the 
Committee. The Committee reviews the key risks of the Company, 
the risk register, and the mitigation processes in place. 

A full review of the effectiveness of the risk management and 
risk  mitigation  processes  was  carried  out  by  the  Risk 
Management Committee during the year, at the request of the 
Committee. This included a robust assessment of the principal 
risks facing the Company, including those that would threaten 
its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity. 
The results of this review and subsequent changes to the risk 
register were approved by the Committee. The significant risks 
facing the Company are set out on pages 28 to 30.

The Committee dedicated its meeting in January to a review 
of internal control processes and procedures within the Group. 
This included analysing the internal control structure, delegated 
authorities throughout the Group, and the major business 
processes covering areas such as operations, borrowings, 
cash  management,  accounting  and  reporting,  statutory 
compliance and employment. Other areas of review overseen 
by  the  Committee  included  IT,  cyber  security,  corporate 
structure, gifts and entertainment, and organisational design.

90

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018The Committee again considered the Company’s internal audit 
requirements during the year following the removal of the 
outsourced internal auditors the previous year. The Committee 
concluded that a permanent internal audit function, or an 
outsourced function, was not required by the Company. Further 
details of this can be found on page 93.

The  Committee  also  met  without  Executive  Directors  
present during the year, and Lynn Krige, as Chairman of the 
Committee, met separately with the external auditors, PwC.

Audit and Risk Committee - allocation of time

1

2

4

3

1. Financial matters 
2. Risk management 
3. Internal controls 
4. Governance 

35%
25%
25%
15%

Significant issues considered by the Committee in 
relation to the Company’s financial statements 
Ensuring the integrity of the financial statements is fundamental 
to the Committee’s remit. In preparing the accounts, there are 
a number of areas requiring the exercise by management of 
particular judgement or a high degree of estimation. The 
Committee’s role is to assess whether the judgements and 
estimates  made  by  management  are  reasonable  and 
appropriate. Set out below are what we consider to be the 
most significant accounting areas which required the exercise 
of judgement or a high degree of estimation during the year, 
together with details of how we addressed these. 

 – Construction risk: The Committee considered developments 
under construction both on balance sheet and in joint 
ventures, the recoverability of work in progress and the 
associated construction risks. The Committee challenged 
management in respect of the assumptions made relating 
to the completion of all material developments, including 
the ability of contractors to deliver the completed buildings, 
the likely financial outcome of each development and the 
recoverability of all work in progress on balance sheet. In 
particular, consideration was given to the provision made 
against the carrying value of St Marks’s Square, Bromley, 
and the methodology for arriving at that number to ensure 
that the remaining work in progress could be reasonably 
assessed to be recoverable. As a result the Committee 

concluded that the assets were appropriately recognised 
in the Group’s financial statements.

 – Direct property investments, the development and 
trading portfolios and the valuation of the investment 
properties:  The  Committee  challenged  executive 
management  in  respect  of  both  independent  external 
valuations  and  Directors’  valuations  across  the  entire 
property portfolio. In addition, the Committee challenged 
the  external  auditors  in  respect  of  the  work  they  had 
conducted in connection with the internal and external 
valuations. The Committee was satisfied that there were 
no significant areas of contention and that the valuation 
procedures and methodologies used and the valuations 
themselves were appropriate. In respect of impairment 
charges recognised, the Committee was satisfied that, 
where applicable, the written down values reflected the net 
realisable value of the assets.

 – Indirect  property  investments,  accounting  for 
investments in property secured loans and recoverability 
of financial assets: The Committee again discussed with 
executive management the valuation and recoverability of 
these assets along with the external auditors as to the work 
they had conducted. As a result, the Committee concluded 
that the assets were appropriately recognised in the Group’s 
financial statements.

 – Other reporting matters: The Committee considered the 
internal  controls  environment,  management  oversight  
of  indirect  property  investments,  and  accounting  and 
regulatory developments.

Fair, balanced and understandable
At the request of the Board, the Committee has considered 
whether, in its opinion, the 2018 Annual Report and Financial 
Statements are fair, balanced and understandable, and whether 
they provide the information necessary for shareholders to 
assess the Company’s position and performance, business 
model and strategy. The Board requested that the Committee 
provide  advice  in  this  regard  and,  with  this  in  mind,  the 
Committee considered management’s analysis and were 
content to recommend to the Board that the Annual Report 
taken as a whole was fair, balanced and understandable, and 
provided the necessary information for shareholders to assess 
the Company’s position and performance, business model 
and strategy. The Board’s statement to this effect is set out in 
the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities on page 125.

91

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Audit and Risk Committee Report
continued

Viability Statement
The Committee has assessed whether five years continues  
to  be  an  appropriate  timeframe  over  which  to  make  the  
Viability Statement. It was concluded that the current five-year 
assessment  period  remains  appropriate  and  this  was  
reviewed and adopted by the Board. The Viability Statement 
and our approach to assessing long-term viability can be found 
on page 31. 

Non-audit services
The Non-Audit Services Policy was adhered to throughout the 
year,  providing  additional  control  measures  around  the 
instruction of the auditors to undertake non-audit work. The 
policy requires that all non-audit fee work be reported to the 
Committee and that all non-audit fee work falling into certain 
categories and above certain thresholds be reported prior to 
the work being undertaken as detailed below:

As disclosed in the Audit and Risk Committee Report for the 
year ended 28 February 2017, in accordance with the Code, 
the Committee decided to put the external audit out to tender 
during 2017. This was in advance of the ten year threshold for 
external audit tender at the end of the 2018 financial year. The 
process  was  planned  in  advance,  with  the  Committee 
undertaking  an  initial  desktop  process  which  informed  a 
decision  to  invite  two  firms  to  tender  in  addition  to  the 
incumbent, PwC. A scope of services required was circulated, 
and initial meetings were held between those parties tendering 
for the audit and key individuals throughout the U+I business. 
All parties were given access to the same individuals and all 
relevant information. Submissions from those parties tendering 
were presented to a sub-committee consisting of the Chairman, 
the Chairman of the Committee, the Chief Financial Officer 
and the Financial Controller. Each tender was independently 
assessed and scored against identical criteria by those present. 

 – Up to £25,000: Approval required by the Chief Financial 

Officer, or Chief Executive in his absence.

 – In  excess  of  £25,000  and  up  to  £100,000:  Approval  
required by the Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of  
the Committee.

 – In  excess  of  £100,000:  Approval  required  from  the  

Following robust discussion and evaluation of scores against 
the previously defined criteria, it was agreed that PwC should 
be offered the opportunity to continue in the position of external 
auditors of the Company. PwC confirmed that a new lead audit 
partner would be in position following the end of the 2018 
financial year-end reporting cycle.

full Committee.

In  addition,  the  policy  prohibits  the  auditors  from  being 
considered for providing the following services: internal audit; 
bookkeeping services; and the design and implementation  
of financial information systems.

Following the audit tender process the Committee subsequently 
recommended the re-appointment of PwC as auditors of the 
Company to the Board. This recommendation was approved 
by the Board and PwC’s appointment as auditors will be 
proposed at the forthcoming 2018 AGM. 

External audit tender
PwC have been the Company’s auditors since 2008. The 
Committee has undertaken a review of PwC’s performance 
every year since appointment. The Committee reviewed PwC’s 
performance  in  relation  to  the  audit  for  the  year  ended  
28 February 2018. It sought the views of key members of the 
Finance Team, and concluded that PwC had performed well, 
provided an appropriate and robust level of challenge, and 
continued to be effective. In accordance with professional 
and regulatory standards, the lead audit partner is rotated at 
least every five years in order to protect audit independence 
and objectivity. Julian Jenkins was the lead audit partner for 
the financial year under review and has been lead audit partner 
for the Company for five years. Julian will therefore stand down 
from the role of lead audit partner following the conclusion of 
the audit for the financial year ended 28 February 2018.

Internal control
The Directors acknowledge their responsibility for reviewing 
the effectiveness of the Group’s system of internal controls to 
safeguard  shareholders’  investments  and  protect  the 
Company’s assets. The Directors acknowledge that they are 
responsible  for  determining  the  nature  and  extent  of  the 
principal risks the Company is willing to take in achieving its 
strategic objectives. The operational, financial and compliance 
risk controls are designed to manage rather than eliminate the 
risk of failure to achieve business objectives, and can only 
provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material 
misstatement or loss. The Board, through the Committee and 
Risk Management Committee, has conducted a thorough and 
robust risk assessment of the business, identifying principal 
risks, their potential impact, likelihood of occurrence, controls 
and mitigating actions, together with early warning systems 
and further actions which need to be implemented. Detailed 
on page 93 is a description of the Group’s internal control and 

92

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018risk  management  used  in  the  process  of  preparing  the 
Consolidated financial statements. The key features of U+I’s 
system of internal control include:

 – A comprehensive system of financial reporting and business 

planning with appropriate sensitivity analysis;

 – A detailed authorisation process which ensures that no 
material commitments are entered into without competent 
and extensive approval;

 – A defined schedule of matters reserved for the Board, and 
clearly defined roles of the Chairman and Chief Executive;
 – An  organisational  structure  with  clearly  defined  levels  

of authority;

 – Formal documentation of procedures;
 – The close involvement of the Executive Directors in all 
aspects of the day to day operations, including regular 
meetings with senior management to review all operational 
aspects of the business and risk management systems;
 – A review of the Group strategy and progress on developments 

at each scheduled Board meeting;

 – A comprehensive insurance programme; and
 – A formal whistleblowing policy.

Internal auditors
As discussed in last year’s Audit and Risk Committee Report, 
H W Fisher & Company were stood down by the Company as 
internal auditors in April 2016. At this time, a full review of  
the Company’s requirements for an internal audit function  
was undertaken by the Chief Financial Officer in conjunction 
with the Committee Chairman. In taking this decision, the 
Committee took into account the size and complexity of the 
business; it also sought the advice of the external auditors and 
conducted a review of internal audit functions within its peer 
group.  The  Committee  agreed  that  it  did  not  consider  a 
permanent internal audit function, either in-house or outsourced, 
was required. At the Audit and Risk Committee meeting held 
in January 2018 the Committee reviewed the requirement for 
an internal audit function and came to the conclusion that this 
was not required at this time for the same reasons discussed 
the previous year. It was confirmed that a mechanism was in 
place whereby areas that may need additional review and 
focus, as circumstances and the nature of risks change, would 
be adequately covered. Any such review would be carried out 
using experienced staff or external advisors. The Committee 
will continue to review the requirement for an internal audit 
function on an annual basis. 

2018, and to the date of this report, and considers that there 
is a sound system of internal control which accords with the 
FRC’s Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and 
Related  Financial  and  Business  Reporting.  The  Board  is  
satisfied that there is an ongoing process for identifying, 
evaluating and managing the Group’s principal risks, including 
financial, operational and compliance controls, and that it  
is regularly reviewed.

Modern Slavery Act 2015
U+I recognises the importance of the Modern Slavery Act 
2015, and is fully committed to ensuring that human trafficking 
and slavery play no part in any activities carried out by the 
Group or its supply chain. A modern slavery statement was 
discussed and approved at the Audit and Risk Committee, 
and by the Board, and you can find this on our website at  
uandiplc.com/investors/corporate-governance. All employees 
have completed an online modern slavery e-learning course, 
and are fully aware of the Company’s attitude and their personal 
responsibilities towards such matters.

Going concern
The Directors have reviewed the current and projected financial 
position of the Group, making reasonable assumptions about 
future trading performance. The key areas of sensitivity are:

 – Receipt, amount and timings of development profits;
 – Timing and value of property sales;
 – Availability of loan finance and related cash flows;
 – Committed future expenditure;
 – Future property valuations and their impact on covenants 

and potential loan repayments; 
 – Committed future expenditure; and
 – Future rental income.

The forecast cash flows have been sensitised to reflect those 
cash flows which are less certain and to take account of a 
potential deterioration of property valuations. In addition, the 
forecasts have been subject to sensitivity analysis, in which 
the impact of significant reductions to the property portfolio 
fair value and associated rental income on the Group’s loan 
covenants was assessed. From their review, the Directors 
believe that the Group has adequate resources to continue to 
be operational as a going concern for at least 12 months and 
therefore have adopted the going concern basis in preparing 
the Group’s 2018 financial statements.

The Board has conducted a review of the effectiveness of the 
systems of internal control for the year ended 28 February 

Lynn Krige
Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee
26 April 2018

93

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Relations with Stakeholders and Shareholders

SHAREHOLDERS

Expect honest disclosure and the delivery  
of sustainable long-term returns

How we engage with our shareholders: 
Ongoing and regular engagement and 
conversation with investors through meetings, 
feedback loops, market announcements, the 
AGM and social media. 

 – Increased access to management through 
investor meetings and site visits, including  
8 Albert Embankment, Preston Barracks  
and Circus Street, to encourage discussion 
and respond to any concerns or issues. 
 – Bi-annual investor and analyst feedback 

through third party advisors.

 – Regular calls and meetings with institutional 
investors who, in aggregate, held over 80%  
of the issued share capital of the Group,  
on strategy, remuneration and governance. 
 – Updates on business and industry progress 

through U+I Think, Matter and our newsletters.

 – Distribute regular newsflow through press 
releases and RNS announcements to show 
progress within our portfolio, reveal that key 
milestones have been met, and demonstrate 
that the Company is executing against 
business strategy.

 – Set out clearly defined KPIs for which 
management can be held accountable.

 – Detailed Annual Report and Accounts to give 
further background on strategy, business 
model, outputs and project performance.
 – Presentations made by Executive Directors  
to analysts, shareholders and the media, 
following the release of the preliminary  
and interim results. 

 – Face-to-face engagement with private 

shareholders through the AGM.

 – Participation at investor conferences  

and roadshows.

 – Detailed report to each Board meeting to give 
an up-to-date perspective on the investment 
market, feedback received from the buy and 
sell sides, changes to the shareholder register 
and key sector news. 

Our approach
Partnerships are key for us, as we believe we are stronger 
when we work together with our different stakeholder 
groups. In the two years since we became U+I, we have 
achieved a huge amount, largely thanks to this collaborative 
approach, which drives us to continue to challenge ourselves 
to deliver great places. Each of our stakeholders has a part 
to play and will be integral to our continued success. 

We consider each project with our heads to ensure it will 
deliver sustainable returns for our shareholders, and with 
our hearts to evaluate how we can create long-term socio-
economic benefits for the communities in which we work.

Why we engage
We strive to continue to improve. To do this, it is important 
to keep listening to concerns and suggestions from our 
different  stakeholders  so  we  can  deliver  projects  that 
strengthen the local environment and the communities that 
we serve. The feedback we receive forms part of our Board 
and strategic discussions, as we focus on running a business 
that benefits all our stakeholders for the long term.

94

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018COMMUNITIES
Expect great places that 
preserve their heritage  
and deliver long-term  
socio-economic benefit 

OUR PEOPLE 

OUR PARTNERS

Expect a great business they 
can be proud to work for

Expect a professional, 
collaborative and  
innovative approach

GOVERNMENT AND 
LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Expect high quality execution  
of projects and a track record  
of strong delivery and  
partner network

How we engage with 
communities: Close collaboration 
and continuous discussions with 
communities to align demand with 
our work. 

 – Introduction of new ‘Worthwhile 
Use’ projects to turn our sites 
into free/low-cost office, events 
and arts spaces for local 
communities and fledgling 
businesses seeking to grow.
 – Discussions with communities 
from the outset to get their 
feedback and input on any 
plans and cultivate a joint  
vision; focus on turning  
derelict, unwanted spaces  
into thriving multi-use areas  
that transform cities and  
boost tourism.

 – Regular forums and events  
to engage communities 
throughout the process and 
ensure delivery of necessary 
amenities to support modern 
flexible working and living.

 – Working alongside local 

suppliers to create new jobs, 
grow productivity and stimulate 
the economy.

 – Including the environment and 
sustainability in our template  
so all our projects consider the 
carbon, energy, water and 
waste impacts on communities.

How we engage with our 
employees: Increased 
communication and engaging, 
interactive events to create a 
collaborative culture and positive 
working environment.

 – First all-employee onsite at  
our new Manchester site, 
designed to instil closer 
relationships and understanding 
and cultivate shared values, 
vision and passion.
 – New intranet to keep 

employees updated on key 
activities, as well as a weekly 
email on staff activities. 
 – Roll out of Company-wide 

‘Working Smarter’ initiative,  
to help share knowledge  
and expertise and  
improve processes.

 – Monthly townhalls to encourage 
greater collaboration, innovation 
and entrepreneurial spirit.

 – Further investment in retaining 
staff through learning and 
development opportunities, as 
well as strengthening the team.
 – Appointment of new Board and 
Leadership Team members  
to strengthen team expertise 
and experience.

 – Relevant incentive programmes 

to reward talent, including 
share schemes, well being  
and gym memberships.
 – Roll out of Company-wide 

e-learning course on new and 
evolving governance and 
legislatory requirements.

 – Annual employee engagement 
survey to encourage feedback 
and improve practices.

95

How we engage with our 
partners: Continuous flow  
of calls, meetings and site visits 
amongst all parties involved in  
a project to foster alignment and 
ensure projects are delivered to 
the highest standard. 

 – Working with architects, 
funders, councils, local 
residents and fledgling 
start-ups, amongst others,  
to engage untapped potential 
and deliver ambitious projects.

 – Ongoing and regular 

discussions with partners 
throughout our project 
programmes and beyond to 
encourage open feedback  
and areas for improvement.
 – Bi-annual Matter magazine on 

macro themes that inform what 
we do and challenge norms.

 – Free U+I Think events to 

challenge the status quo and 
promote innovation in the real 
estate sector with panels  
of thought leaders and 
change makers. 

How we engage with the 
Government and Local 
Authorities: Meetings and forums 
to discuss needs and necessary 
outputs.

 – Regular collaboration and 
partnerships with Local 
Authorities and Governments 
through existing, multi-use 
regeneration projects, to help 
effect change in communities 
and support their agendas to 
increase office and housing 
capacity and stimulate  
local economies. 

 – Ongoing discussions with local 
MPs, councils, authorities and 
responses to White Papers to 
support future regeneration  
of our cities.

 – Richard Upton appointed a 
Commissioner of Historic 
England to advise governing 
body of Historic England on the 
National Heritage Collection.
 – Nurturing strong relationships 
and delivering on other key 
projects to build trusting and 
complementary relationships.

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Annual Statement from the Remuneration Committee Chairman

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

Dear Shareholder, 
As Chairman of the Remuneration Committee I am pleased to 
present our Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 
28 February 2018. 

Implementation of Remuneration Policy in 2018/19
For the forthcoming year we are not making any changes to 
the  operation  of  our  Remuneration  Policy  and  Executive 
Directors’  salaries  are  not  being  increased  for  the  third 
consecutive year. 

Awards under our Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) will continue 
to be based on three-year and four-year NAV growth and will 
be subject to the extended holding period introduced last year. 
A summary of our Remuneration Policy is included on page 98 
for easy reference. 

Remuneration out-turns
The year ended 28 February 2018 was the second year for 
which we operated our new annual bonus framework with 
financial and strategic/personal targets set at the beginning 
of the year. Annual bonus outcomes reflect a year of record 
development and trading gains of £68.3 million as well as an 
increase to basic net asset value of 9%, and 12.4% including 
dividends. Our notable successes in the year include achieving 
planning consent for the regeneration project at Blackhorse 
Road, as well as leasing the entire 12 Hammersmith Grove 
building in West London over the course of the year. As a result 
of overall performance against both financial and individual 
objectives, the Executive Directors received annual payments 

 “ Our Remuneration Policy 

closely aligns the interests 
of U+I’s Executives with 
those of our stakeholders.”

Nick Thomlinson 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Highlights during the year
 – New  Remuneration  Policy  approved  by  95%  

of shareholders at 2017 AGM.

 – Third consecutive year of salary freeze for Executive 

Directors.

 – The first half of the 2015 LTIP award vested at 38.1% 
of maximum as a result of an average three-year NAV 
per share growth of 6.6%.

96

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018ranging from 58% to 59.5% of salary. Further details on bonus 
payments and performance for the year are set out on pages 
102 to 104. 

We believe that our Remuneration Policy closely aligns the 
interests of U+I’s Executives with those of our stakeholders. 

During the year the Committee monitored developments in 
corporate governance and investor expectations, including 
the Financial Reporting Council’s proposed changes to the 
UK Corporate Governance Code. Over the last few years, we 
have introduced a number of good practice features, such as 
holding periods and longer-term horizons. Looking ahead, we 
will continue to monitor good practice and we anticipate 
reviewing our remit and Group-wide arrangements to ensure 
they align with the new Code.

The Committee was pleased to receive the strong support of 
our shareholders at the 2017 AGM in respect of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report and Remuneration Policy and we look 
forward to your continued support at the forthcoming AGM 
in respect of this year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Nick Thomlinson
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
26 April 2018

The first awards under our LTIP were made in 2015 with the 
performance period for the first half of the awards ending on 
28 February 2018. NAV per share performance over the three-
year period was 6.6% p.a. resulting in 38.1% of this half of the 
award vesting. A portion of the vesting award will be subject 
to an additional holding period. 

The performance period for the second half of the award is 
due to end on 28 February 2019 and details of performance 
will be included in next year’s report. Further details on LTIP 
performance are set out on page 105. 

The year ended 28 February 2018 represented the final year 
in respect of which payouts to Executives under the legacy 
Development Profit Plan (DPP) may be made. As a result of 
performance to 28 February 2018, the Chief Executive received 
payouts relating to awards granted in previous years from the 
successful  realisation  of  profits,  above  a  cost  of  equity 
threshold. Further details are set out on page 105. There will 
be no further DPP payments made to Executive Directors in 
future years.

Looking ahead
The Remuneration Committee has oversight for the Company’s 
remuneration policies and practices and receives regular 
updates on employee remuneration throughout U+I, as well 
as broader workforce topics such as gender pay and diversity. 

97

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Remuneration Policy Summary

REMUNERATION POLICY SUMMARY 

Prior to the 2017 AGM, the Company engaged with shareholders 
representing over 70% of the issued share capital of the 
Company.  Following  this  engagement,  an  updated  
Remuneration Policy was presented and approved by 95% of 
those shareholders voting at the 2017 AGM. This policy will 
operate for the next three years until the 2020 AGM or until 
the Company puts a revised policy to shareholders. As the 
restructured Policy only came into effect in 2014, there were 
minimal changes to the policy in 2017. The Committee believes 
that those changes made were in line with best practice and 
were in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. 

The key objectives of the Company’s Remuneration Policy are 
as follows:

 – To ensure that Executive Directors and senior managers 
are rewarded in a way that attracts, retains, motivates and 
rewards management of the highest quality.

 – To operate incentive plans designed to encourage Executive 
Directors and senior managers to align their long-term 
career  aspirations  with  the  long-term  interests  of  the 
Company and shareholders’ expectations.

 – To promote the attainment of both individual and corporate 
achievements,  measured  against  performance  criteria 
required to deliver the long-term growth and sustainability 
of the business.

 – To encourage sustained performance over the medium and 

long term without taking undue risk.

The total pay framework is based on a mixture of fixed and 
variable  elements  considered  on  a  meritocratic  basis  at 
individual and Group level, taking into account the remuneration 
awarded to employees in the Group. The balance between 
fixed and variable pay is considered appropriate, given that 
the  various  incentive  plans/schemes  ensure  a  significant 
proportion  of  a  key  individual’s  remuneration  package  is 
performance-related, thereby correlating with the strategic 
aims of the business and the performance of the Company.

Summary of operation of Policy

Salary

Bonus

Core element of remuneration set to attract and retain individuals of the calibre required to shape 
and execute the Company’s strategy.

Incentivises and rewards Executive Directors for the successful delivery of financial and strategic 
objectives on an annual basis.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

Incentivises and rewards Executive Directors for delivery of the Company’s strategic plan of 
building shareholder value.

Maximum bonus of 75% of salary.

Maximum LTIP award:

 – Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive – 300% of salary
 – Chief Financial Officer – 100% of salary

Awards are subject to achieving performance targets set by the Committee.

Awards are subject to a combined performance period and holding period that will not be less 
than five years in total.

Retirement Benefits

To provide Executive Directors with retirement benefits consistent with the role.

Malus and Clawback provisions apply.

Benefits

To provide Executive Directors with market-competitive benefits consistent with the role. 

Defined contribution pension arrangements are provided at 17.5% of salary per annum.

Shareholding Guidelines

Shareholding guidelines apply.

Typical benefits include cash in lieu of motor vehicle, private medical insurance, income  
protection insurance and life assurance. 

98

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Annual Remuneration Report

ANNUAL REMUNERATION REPORT

The Annual Remuneration Report on pages 99 to 111 provides 
details of remuneration for the financial year ended 28 February 
2018, and how our Policy will be implemented for the financial 
year commencing 1 March 2018. 

Annual bonus
The annual bonus structure sets financial and strategic/personal 
targets at the beginning of each year. The targets set for 2017/18 
are disclosed in the incentive out-turns section on pages 103 
and 104. For 2018/19 we will continue with this structure. The 
performance measures and weightings for the 2018/19 annual 
bonus are set out below:

Implementation of Remuneration Policy in the financial 
year commencing 1 March 2018
The table below provides an overview of the components of 
the remuneration framework for all Executive Directors:

Financial

Fixed pay

+

Annual 
bonus

+

LTIP

No further awards will be made to Executive Directors under 
the Development Profit Plan. No payments will be made in 
respect of profits realised after 1 March 2018.

Non-financial  
and strategic

Measure

Weighting

NAV growth

Development 

and trading 

gains

30%

30%

Strategic and 

40%

personal 

objectives 

and priorities

Salary
The salaries which will apply for the financial year beginning 
1 March 2018 are set out below:

In the interests of transparency, we intend to disclose the financial 
targets for the 2018/19 financial year (including threshold and 
maximum) and our performance against them in next year’s report.

1 March 2018 

1 March 2017 

£’000

£’000

% increase

M S Weiner

R Upton

M O Shepherd

375

350

325

375

350

325

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

This represents the third consecutive year for which we have 
not increased salaries.

Retirement benefits
The existing money purchase pension scheme is now closed 
to future contributions and new joiners, and pensions are 
provided via a Group Personal Pension Plan. The contribution 
structure for Executive Directors is 17.5% of salary for the 
financial year commencing 1 March 2018.

Annual bonus opportunities for the financial year beginning  
1 March 2018 are shown below. Bonus amounts above target 
are held as shares for a period of two years.

On target bonus  

Maximum bonus  

for year as a 

for year as a 

percentage of 

percentage of 

salary  

%

37.5

37.5

37.5

salary  

%

75

75

75

M S Weiner

R Upton

M O Shepherd

Long-Term Incentive Plan
Awards  of  300%  of  salary  will  be  made  to  M  S  Weiner 
and R Upton. M O Shepherd will receive an award of 100% 
of salary.

99

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Annual Remuneration Report
continued

Awards will be subject to U+I’s NAV growth, 50% measured 
over a three-year period and 50% measured over a four-year 
period as outlined below:

Targets at 

Three-year  

Four-year  

years three 

cumulative 

cumulative 

and four

targets

targets

Threshold vesting  
(20% of maximum)

Maximum vesting 
(100% of maximum)

5% p.a.

15.8%

21.6%

12% p.a.

40.5%

57.4%

Pro-rated  vesting  will  occur  for  performance  between 
these points.

For awards following 1 March 2017, the holding period has 
been extended such that the entire award will have a combined 
performance and holding period of five years.

Awards will be subject to a risk underpin. For awards to vest, 
the Committee must be satisfied that performance has not 
been achieved as a result of inappropriate financial risk (e.g. 
very high levels of gearing), and that the level of financial and 
business risk is in line with the Company’s stated strategy. 

Clawback and malus
In line with the UK Corporate Governance Code, incentive 
awards made following 1 March 2016 are subject to both malus 
and clawback.

Clawback and/or malus provisions may be applied at the 
discretion of the Committee if an exceptional event occurs, 
such as a material misstatement of results, serious misconduct 
or an error/material misstatement resulting in overpayment. 

Clawback provisions will apply to the annual bonus for up to 
two years following the payment of cash/shares. For LTIP 
awards, malus and clawback provisions may be applied for 
up to five years post grant.

Transitional arrangements
The remuneration framework that has applied since 1 March 
2015  involved  a  significant  departure  from  our  historical 
approach, which focused on cash-based profit plans.

As  reported  in  previous  years,  to  balance  fairness  to  
participants  and  shareholders  as  well  as  reflect  legacy  
contractual entitlements, transitional arrangements applied  
as outlined below.

Development Profit Plan
While no new awards were made under this plan since 1 March 
2015, payments in respect of profits realised up to 28 February 
2018 may be made. 

Awards become payable once profits have been realised on 
a development project. The maximum bonus pool available 
for distribution to Executive Directors and the wider team is 
10.0% of the realised profit for each development. This is 
calculated once a notional cost of equity of 12.5% is deducted, 
so that the pool generated only relates to profits over and 
above a threshold return.

In 2013, the concept of netting off was introduced for all 
projects  from  August  2009  so  that  any  realised  and 
unrealised losses in respect of an Executive Director’s portfolio 
of awards will be taken into account when a profit is realised 
on a project. Projects prior to 2009 and certain other legacy 
projects are excluded.

Malus provisions may also be applied in the event of serious 
reputational damage to the Company or a material failure of 
risk management. 

Savings-related option scheme
Executive Directors will continue to participate in our Save As 
You Earn Option Plan on the same basis as other employees.

100

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Non-executive Directors’ fees
Fees for the financial year commencing 1 March 2018 are set out in the table below:

Chairman

Basic fee

Chairman of Audit or Remuneration Committee

Membership of Audit or Remuneration Committee

Senior Independent Director

1 March 2018 

1 March 2017 

£’000

£’000

120

42

7.5

5

5

120

42

7.5

5

5

Single total figure of remuneration (audited)
The table below sets out the total remuneration receivable by each of the Directors who held office for the year to 28 February 
2018 with a comparison to the previous financial year:

Executive Directors

M S Weiner

R Upton

M O Shepherd

Non-executive Directors

P W Williams

N H Thomlinson

B Bennett

L G Krige

R Kerslake5

Fees and 

salary 

£’000

Benefits1
£’000

Pension2
£’000

Annual bonus 

£’000

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018
2017

2018
2017

375
375

350
350

325
325

120
94

60
57

42
41

55
50

26
−

18
18

19
19

19
19

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

58
58

55
56

50
50

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

218
75

206
69

194
63

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

DPP3
£’000

1,003
1,197

0
0

0
0

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

LTIP4
 £’000

Total 

£’000

138
0

138
–

33
0

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

1,810
1,723

768
494

621
457

120
94

60
57

42
41

55
50

26
–

1. Benefits received during the year include motor vehicle, cash in lieu of motor vehicle, fuel and medical insurance.

2. Pension contributions received during the year include contributions to the Company’s approved scheme or cash supplements.

3. DPP figure relates to awards on projects realised during the year. Awards on projects are subject to netting off.

4. The average share price between 1 December 2017 and 28 February 2018 (194.06p) has been used to estimate the value of the LTIP awards. As set out on page 105 

38.1% of the first half of the awards granted in 2015 are due to vest. 

5. R Kerslake became a Non-executive Director of the Company on 1 September 2017, and also became a member of the Audit and Risk, Remuneration and Nomination 

Committees on this date.

101

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Annual Remuneration Report
continued

Incentive out-turns
Annual bonus
The annual bonus structure operates using financial and strategic/personal targets set at the beginning of each year. 

The tables below provide details of financial targets and our performance against them: 

Financial targets – 60% of total bonus award
The financial measures and targets were as follows:

NAV growth (30%)

NAV per share  

Threshold  

Maximum  

growth achieved  

% of actual payout 

performance  

performance  

For year ended  

for NAV growth 

(20% payout)

(100% payout)

28 Feb 2018

(maximum 30%)*

NAV per share growth (including dividends)* 

5% 

12% 

12.38%

30%

*  Payouts are calculated on a straight-line basis between threshold and maximum performance. For ‘target’ performance (50% of maximum), this is growth  

of 7.6% per annum

Development and trading gains (30%)

Targets

Actual performance and payout

Development and 

% of actual payout 

trading gains for 

for development 

the year ended  

and trading gains 

 0% payout

50% payout

75% payout

100% payout

28 Feb 2018

(maximum 30%)*

Development and trading gains* 

£60.75m

£65.25m

£67.50m

£74.25m

£68.3m

23.39%

*  Payouts are calculated on a straight-line basis between performance points

102

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Non-financial targets - 40% of total bonus award
Personal objectives were set at the beginning of the year which focused on both delivery of strategic priorities for 2017/18 
and the longer term. 

M S Weiner

Asset business plans 

M O Shepherd

Financing 

 – Funding agreement signed with MGE which delivered 
both the forecast gain for the year but also the option 
of retaining a 12.5% stake in the project. 

 – Successful renegotiation of £67 million loan facility with  
Aviva to provide increased flexibility on substitution  
and a cost reduction of circa 75 basis points p.a.

Investor relations 

Efficiency and cost effectiveness 

 – Simplification of investment case and engagement with 
both existing and new shareholders has led to existing 
shareholders increasing their holdings. 

 – Refreshed  approach  to  investor  communications, 
including  retendering  of  the  broking  instruction,  
improved  investor  messaging  and  attendance  at  
investor round tables. 

 – Delivered  £2  million  overhead  efficiencies  in  line  

with objectives. 

 – Further savings identified and will be targeted over the 

next financial year. 

 – Continued  corporate  rationalisation  programme  to 

improve efficiency and save cost. 

Management of the Bromley project 

 – Initiation of identified system improvements following 

 – Implemented a comprehensive integrated team approach 

the ‘Working Smarter’ review. 

to material outstanding matters. 

 – Revised commercial agreements reached with both the 

contractor and funders.

 – Paperless AP system implemented. 
 – Implemented workshop process between Finance Team 
and Regeneration Team leading to improved liaison.

Financial/control processes 

Talent management 

Cost savings 

 – Organisational appointments and restructuring of the 
Executive Committee to drive operational efficiencies. 
 – Executive  Committee  team  leadership  sessions  to 

 – Facilitation of the audit tender process undertaken by 
the Audit and Risk Committee, with PwC retained at 
reduced fee.

improve connectivity. 

Strengthening the Company’s capitalisation 

Engagement with analysts, shareholders and  
potential investors 

 – Refinement of the Company’s joint venture structures. 
 – Appointment of new Leadership Team member to lead 
co-ordination of all joint venture strategies and establish 
a pipeline of the Company’s capital requirements.

 – Significantly increased role in engagement with analysts, 
shareholders  and  potential  investors,  including  an 
increased number of 1 to 1 meetings and participation 
in broker retender process. 

Operating model 

Operating model 

 – ‘Working  Smarter’  review  undertaken  as  part  of  an 
overhaul of the Company’s processes so that they are 
better aligned with the Company’s growth ambitions.

 – ‘Working  Smarter’  review  undertaken  as  part  of  an 
overhaul of the company’s processes so that they are 
better aligned with the Company’s growth ambitions.

Annual bonus (% of salary)

18%

Annual bonus (% of salary)

19.5%

103

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Annual Remuneration Report
continued

In light of both corporate and individual performance, the 
Committee determined the following bonus awards be made 
for the year ended 28 February 2018:

Executive Director

% of maximum

% of salary

Total award  

Total award  

Total bonus 

award 

(£’000)

M S Weiner

R Upton

M O Shepherd

77.4

78.4

79.4

58.0

58.8

59.5

218

206

194

100% of any annual bonus awarded which is above target 
(50% of the maximum opportunity) will be paid in shares  
which the recipient must hold for at least two years. This 
equated to £77,034 for M S Weiner, £74,524 for R Upton,  
and  £71,638  for  M  O  Shepherd  in  relation  to  the  bonus  
payment for 2017/18.

When determining annual bonuses and awards under the DPP 
there is no ‘double-counting’. The contribution of any team or 
individual performance which leads to awards under the DPP 
is disregarded for the purpose of the annual bonus.

R Upton

Short and long-term development programme

 – Partial  achievement  against  development  planning 

objectives including:
 – Circus Street project funding secured.
 – Planning  secured  for  the  temporary  market  at 

Shepherd’s Bush Market.

Asset business plans 

 – Planning and initial disposal secured at Preston Barracks 

generating substantial gain in the period. 

 – Mayfield  progressed  with  a  revised  planning  
framework, under public consultation for adoption in 
2018, and initial site works targeted in the financial year.

Identification and securing of new projects

 – During the year the Company secured one new PPP 
project  and  three  new  trading  deals  with  a  GDV  in  
excess of £500 million and a profit potential in excess 
of £25 million.

Public affairs programme

 – Several high profile speaking engagements. Principal 

spokesperson on all public affairs matters.

 – Cemented the Company’s reputation in the PPP space.

Operating model 

 – Drove the initial ‘Working Smarter’ concept. 
 – Leading  a  refinement  of  Company  strategy  and 
incorporating  key  findings  into  the  Company’s  
operating model. 

Annual bonus (% of salary)

18.8%

104

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Development Profit Plan 
The table below provides further information on M S Weiner’s DPP incentive out-turns and targets realised during the year.  
In all cases the threshold is based on achievement of a notional cost of equity of 12.5%.

Project

Wick Lane - residual

Deeley Freed

MVMNT

Vertium

BDSL

Cathedral Projects

Threshold 

Actual profit/

target 

DPP award 

(£’000)

(£’000)

781

–

2,630

–

505

–

0

–

1,963

–

883

–

11,621

77

4,633

120

1,933

100

5,031

300

5,525

249

3,947

156

Profit

DPP

Profit

DPP

Profit

DPP

Profit

DPP

Profit

DPP

Profit

DPP

Long-Term Incentive Plan (audited)
Awards were made under the LTIP in 2015 with the first half of awards subject to the Company’s growth in NAV per share  
over the three-year performance period 1 March 2015 to 28 February 2018. Details of the NAV growth over the three-year 
performance period are set out in the table below:

Threshold

Maximum

Performance

NAVps growth 

Vesting 

per annum

% of maximum

5%

12%

6.6%

20%

100%

38.1%

Two thirds of the shares that vest in respect of performance to 28 February 2018 are subject to an additional holding period 
of two years.

The second half of awards made in 2015 are subject to the Company’s growth in NAV per share over a four-year performance 
period 1 March 2015 to 28 February 2019. Details of the NAV growth performance will be disclosed next year following the 
end of the performance period.

105

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Annual Remuneration Report
continued

Payments made/awards granted during the year
Development Profit Plan (audited)
As previously detailed no further awards have been made to Executive Directors under the Development Profit Plan after  
1 March 2015.

Long-Term Incentive Plan (audited)
On 30 May 2017, awards were made under the LTIP as follows:

Executive Director

M S Weiner

R Upton

M O Shepherd

Type

Number of 

shares

Face value
(% of salary)1

Performance
conditions2

performance 

% vesting 

periods

at threshold

End of  

Conditional

share
award

579,299

 540,679

 167,353

300

300

100

%

NAVps
growth

29 Feb 2020/

 28 Feb 2021

20.0%

1. The face value has been calculated based on the share price of 194.20 pence taken on 29 May 2017 as an average of the closing mid-market price from the preceding  

five days

2. Awards are subject to U+I’s NAV per share growth (including dividends), 50% measured over a three-year period and 50% measured over a four-year period; see page 

114 for further information

Payments to a former Director
As previously disclosed, Julian Barwick stepped down from the Board on 1 March 2015. He retained a position as a Director 
of Development Securities (Projects) Limited, the main development subsidiary of the Group, and continued his employment 
in that capacity on a reduced time basis.

The treatment of Julian’s outstanding incentive awards when he stood down from the Board reflected the fact that he  
continued to be employed by the Group. As disclosed in the 2015 Directors’ Remuneration Report Julian retained a number  
of DPP awards. He will receive payment in respect of the award for 12 Hammersmith Grove to a maximum of £400,000 in  
respect of the year to 28 February 2018. This related to an award, the inception of which was in 2005, and which has now  
realised profit for U+I. The threshold target was based on the achievement of a notional cost of equity of 12.5%. The table  
below provides further information on the DPP incentive out-turn and target. Julian’s only remaining DPP award, in respect of 
Shepherd’s Bush Market, will lapse.

Project

12 Hammersmith Grove

Threshold 

Actual profit/

target 

DPP award 

(£’000)

(£’000)

Profit

DPP

4,400

–

12,600

400

106

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Executive Directors’ shareholdings (audited)
Executive Directors are subject to a shareholding requirement of one half basic salary within two years of appointment, rising 
to an amount equivalent to two times basic salary for the CEO and one and a half times basic salary for the Deputy CEO and 
CFO. 50% of net vested shares will be retained until these guidelines are achieved. M S Weiner and R Upton have met their 
respective shareholding requirements; M O Shepherd will retain 50% of net vested shares until such time as he has reached 
his 150% shareholding guideline, see page 115 for further information. 

Executive Directors participating in the Company’s focused profit plans are also subject to an additional shareholding 
requirement. Where payments under the profit plans exceed £1.0 million in a financial year, two thirds of the payment above 
£1.0 million will be made in shares. This will apply if the Executive Director’s shareholding is less than two times salary.  
The amount paid in shares will be subject to a two-year retention period.

The interests of all the Directors (together with interests held by his or her connected persons), all of which were beneficial, 
in the share capital of the Company, are:

Executive Director

M S Weiner

R Upton

M O Shepherd 

Non-executive Director

P W Williams

N H Thomlinson

B Bennett

L Krige

R Kerslake

Shares owned  

Interest 

Interest in shares/ 

outright as at 

Shareholding 

in shares/ 

options subject  

28 February 
20181

 as % of
salary2

options subject to 

to continued 

performance

employment only

384,578

3,006,034

168,345

200

1,676

101

1,541,075

1,463,208

426,576

11,815

0

11,815

75,000

20,000

35,000

0

0

–

–

–

–

–

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1.  Including shares held by connected persons

2. Calculation derived from the market value of 195.20 pence per share and Directors’ salary as at 28 February 2018

107

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Annual Remuneration Report
continued

Historical total shareholder return (TSR) and KPI performance
The graphs below demonstrate the Company’s TSR performance and performance against relevant incentive KPIs over the 
last five financial periods. TSR performance is also shown over the last nine financial periods in-line with the disclosure 
regulations. TSR has been calculated as share price growth plus reinvested dividends and is shown against both the FTSE 
Real Estate Investment Trust Index and the FTSE Real Estate Investment Services Index. The Company is a constituent of the 
FTSE Real Estate Investment Services Index, but a number of constituents of the FTSE Real Estate Investment Trust Index are 
also considered as within the Company’s peer group.

TSR (5 years)

TSR (9 years)

250

200

150

100

50

300

250

200

150

100

50

Feb 13

Feb 14

Feb 15

Feb 16

Feb 17

Feb 18

Dec 08

Dec 09

Dec 10

Feb 12

Feb 13

Feb 14

Feb 15

Feb 16

Feb 17

Feb 18

U+I
FTSE Real Estate Investment Trust Index
FTSE Real Estate Investment Services Index

U+I
FTSE Real Estate Investment Trust Index
FTSE Real Estate Investment Services Index

Growth in NAV ps and dividends

Development and trading gains 
(£million)

150

125

100

75

50

25

68.3

51.1

45.7

35.0

27.0

Feb 13

Feb 14

Feb 15

Feb 16

Feb 17

Feb 18

Growth in NAV ps and dividends

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Development and trading gains (£m)

108

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Chief Executive’s remuneration for previous nine years 
The table below shows the total remuneration figure for the Chief Executive for the same nine-year period as the TSR chart on 
page 108. The annual bonus and LTIP percentages show the payout for each year as a percentage of the maximum opportunity.

2009

2010

20121

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Single total figure of 
remuneration (£’000)

Annual bonus  
(% of maximum)

LTIP vesting  
(% of maximum)

767

865

714

487

882

1,002

257

1,633

1,723

1,810

80

–

63

–

21

–

0

–

67

–

86.7

–

–

18

59

18

26.8

77.4

–

38.1

M H
Marx2

M S
Weiner3

1. As a result of the change in the Company’s year end, amounts shown for 2012 are in respect of a 14-month period ending 29 February 2012, whereas all the other 

amounts are in respect of a twelve-month financial period

2. M H Marx’s figure relates to both the time he was Chief Executive of the Company from 1 March 2015 to 14 July 2015, and from 15 July 2015 to 29 February 2016 when he 

received a basic fee as a Non-executive Director

3. M S Weiner’s figure relates to both the time he was an Executive Director of the Company from 1 March 2015 to 14 July 2015, and from 15 July 2015 to 29 February 2016 

when he was Chief Executive of the Company

Percentage change in Chief Executive’s remuneration
The table below sets out in relation to salary, taxable benefits and annual bonus the percentage change in remuneration  
in relation to the Chief Executive compared to the wider workforce:

Salary

Taxable benefits

Annual bonus

Chief 

Wider 

Executive  

workforce 

% change

% change

0

-0.17

189

4.0

-8.62

35.4

Relative importance of spend on pay 
The following table sets out the overall expenditure on pay and total dividends paid in the year:

Dividends1
Supplemental dividend1,2
Overall expenditure on pay3

2018

2017

% change

7,382

15,028

14,163

7,381

3,506

13,525

0.01

329

4.7

1. These figures have been extracted from note 7 to the Consolidated financial statements on page 154

2. A supplemental dividend of 2.80 pence per share, amounting to £3,506,000 for 2017, was declared post 2017 year end, and therefore not deducted from net assets  

in 2017. A supplemental dividend of 12.0 pence per share, amounting to £15,041,000 for 2018, was declared post 2018 year end, and therefore not deducted from  

the net assets in 2018

3. These figures have been extracted from note 4 to the Consolidated financial statements on page 152

Role and constitution of the Committee
The Committee’s full terms of reference are set out on the Company’s website uandiplc.com and are available on request from 
the Company Secretary. Its principal role is to determine the total remuneration of the Executive Directors and to ensure that 
senior management remuneration is consistent with corporate policy.

109

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Annual Remuneration Report
continued

Advisors 
The Committee sought professional advice from external remuneration consultant Deloitte LLP (which is a member of the 
Remuneration Consultants Group and, as such, voluntarily operates under the code of conduct in relation to executive 
remuneration consulting). 

The Committee is satisfied that the advice it receives is objective and independent. Deloitte’s fees for providing advice to the 
Committee amounted to £37,600. Representatives of Deloitte LLP attended four meetings of the Committee by invitation. 
During the year Deloitte LLP also provided services to the Company in relation to planning and development real estate advice. 

M S Weiner, Chief Executive, provided recommendations in respect of the remuneration of the other Executive Directors but 
was not in attendance when his own remuneration was discussed. 

The Remuneration Committee as constituted by the Board
The Committee met four times in the year under review.

Committee members

N H Thomlinson (Chairman)

P W Williams

L Krige
R Kerslake2

Joined the  

Committee

03.01.12

04.01.16

14.07.16

01.10.17

Considered 

independent 

Number of meetings 

Non-executive 

attended/number 

Director

 of meetings possible

% attendance

Yes
–1
Yes

Yes

4/4

4/4

4/4

2/2

100

100

100

100

1.  Chairman, independent on appointment

2. R Kerslake joined the Committee on her appointment to the Board on 1 September 2017

Following the Board evaluation process, the effectiveness of the Committee was reviewed and the Committee was considered 
to be operating effectively. No member has any personal financial interest in the matters to be decided.

Statement of voting at the last Annual General Meeting
The Company remains committed to ongoing shareholder dialogue and takes an active interest in voting outcomes.  
The following table sets out the actual voting in respect of the advisory vote to approve the Annual Report on Remuneration 
and the binding vote to approve the Remuneration Policy at the Company’s AGM on 11 July 2017. 

Votes for

% of vote

Votes against

% of vote

Votes witheld

Approve Remuneration Report 

Approve Remuneration Policy 

90,188,835

92,018,752

93.48

95.34

6,293,491

401,030

6.52

4.66

1,727,968

1,690,512

110

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Incentive awards outstanding at year end (audited)
Details of incentive awards outstanding at the year end are shown in the tables below:

Performance Share Plan/Long-Term Incentive Plan 

M S Weiner

M O Shepherd

R Upton

Market price at  

28 February 

date of grant 

2017 

Pence per 

Number of 

28 February 

2018 

Number of 

Final 

Date of grant

share

shares

Granted

Lapsed

Exercised

shares

vesting date

05.06.15

09.06.16

30.05.17

22.05.14

05.06.15

09.06.16

30.05.17

05.06.15

09.06.16

30.05.17

273.40

191.10

194.20

244.00

273.40

191.10

194.20

273.40

191.10

194.20

373,079

588,697

–

–

−

579,299

66,598

89,155

170,068

–

–

–

−

167,353

373,079

549,450

–

–

−

540,679

–

–

–

66,598

–

–

–

–

–

−

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

−

373,079 05.06.18/19

588,697 09.06.19/20

579,299 30.05.20/21

–

28.02.17

89,155 05.06.18/19

170,068 09.06.19/20

167,353 30.05.20/21

373,079 05.06.18/19

549,450 09.06.19/20

540,679 30.05.20/21

The new LTIP introduced for the year beginning 1 March 2015 replaced the previous Performance Share Plan.

Save as You Earn (SAYE) (audited)

28 February 

2017 

Number of 

shares

Granted

Lapsed

Exercised

shares

per share

Number of 

price Pence 

Pence per
share1

Pence per 

which 

share

exercisable

Expiry 

date

28 February 

Market price 

Gain on 

2018 

Exercise 

at exercise 

exercise 

Date from 

M S Weiner 

2014

2017

M O Shepherd

2014

2017

10,044

–

–

11,815

10,044

–

–

11,815

1. Closing share price on date of exercise 1 February 2018

–

–

–

–

10,044

–

–

11,815

10,044

–

–

11,815

179.20

152.00

179.20

152.00

199.00

19.8

01.02.18

31.07.18

–

–

01.02.21

31.07.21

199.00

19.8

01.02.18

31.07.18

–

–

01.02.21

31.07.21

These options are not subject to performance conditions. The options may be exercised after three years at a price not less 
than 80.0% of the market value of the shares at the time of invitation.

111

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Remuneration Policy

REMUNERATION POLICY

An updated Remuneration Policy (the Policy) was presented and approved by shareholders at the 2017 AGM and will operate 
until the AGM 2020. Since no changes to the Policy are proposed for the year ahead, this part of the report will not be subject 
to a shareholder vote at our 2018 AGM. We have included those changes to the Policy approved at the 2017 AGM and the 
policy tables for Executive Directors and Non-executive Directors below for reference. The full Policy can be found on our 
website at uandiplc.com/investors.

Changes to the application of the Remuneration Policy effective following the 2017 AGM
The key changes between the Policy and the policy which was approved by shareholders at our 2014 AGM are as follows:

 – Extending the holding period that applies to our LTIP awards such that the combined performance and holding period is 

five years in total for the entire award for awards from 1 March 2017.

 – From 2016/17 we changed our approach to the annual bonus, moving to a structure with financial and strategic/personal 
targets set at the beginning of each year. To reflect this change in operation, we introduced a minimum weighting for financial 
measures of 50% for the annual bonus.

 – We introduced an additional shareholding guideline requiring Executive Directors to retain 50% of net vested shares from 
the LTIP until they build up shareholdings of 200% of salary for the CEO and 150% of salary for the Deputy CEO  
and CFO.

Main components of the Remuneration Policy
Policy table for Executive Directors

Purpose of component  

and link to strategy

Operation

Salary
Core element of 
remuneration set  
at a level to attract 
and retain 
individuals of the 
calibre required to 
shape and execute 
the Company’s 
strategy.

Contractual fixed cash amount.

Typically, salary levels are reviewed on  
an annual basis. The Committee takes 
into account a number of factors when 
setting base salary, including:

 – Size and scope of the role;
 – Skills and experience of  

the individual;

 – Performance of the Company 

and individual;

 – Appropriate market data; and
 – Pay and conditions elsewhere  

in the Company.

Performance 

measures

None.

Maximum

Salary increases may be 
applied taking into account 
the factors outlined in  
this table. 

During review, consideration 
will also be given to increases 
applied to the wider employee 
population. In certain 
circumstances, such as an 
increase in the size and scope 
of the role or increased 
experience where an individual 
has been hired on a lower 
salary initially, higher increases 
may be given.

There is no maximum  
salary opportunity.

112

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Purpose of component  

and link to strategy

Operation

Benefits
To provide Executive 
Directors with 
market-competitive 
benefits consistent 
with the role.

Annual bonus
Incentivises and 
rewards Executive 
Directors for the 
successful delivery 
of financial and 
strategic objectives 
on an annual basis.

Executive Directors currently receive the 
following benefits:

 – Cash in lieu of motor vehicle;
 – Private medical insurance;
 – Income protection insurance; and
 – Life assurance.

Other benefits that are consistent  
with the role may be provided if the 
Committee considers it appropriate. 
Payments may be made to Executive 
Directors in lieu of any unutilised  
holiday allowance. The Committee  
may permit additional holiday in lieu  
of remuneration.

Relocation and expatriate benefits  
may also be provided, if an existing  
or new Executive Director is required  
to relocate.

The Executive Directors may participate 
in any all-employee share plans adopted 
by the Company on the same basis as 
other employees.

Payments are based on performance  
in the relevant financial year.

Payments up to 50% of the maximum 
opportunity (‘target’ performance)  
are made in cash.

Any bonus above 50% of the maximum 
opportunity will be paid in shares which 
the Director is expected to hold for at 
least two years.

Clawback and/or malus provisions  
may be applied at the discretion of  
the Committee if an exceptional event 
occurs, such as a material misstatement 
of results, serious misconduct or an 
error/material misstatement resulting  
in overpayment.

Malus provisions may also be applied  
in the event of serious reputational 
damage to the Company or a material 
failure of risk management. 

113

Performance 

measures

None.

Maximum

The cost of benefits may  
vary from year to year 
depending on an individual’s 
circumstances and the varying 
cost of benefits premiums. 

There is no maximum  
benefits value.

150% of salary per annum.

Executive Directors,  
excluding the Chief Executive, 
will have a lower maximum 
opportunity than the 
percentage stated above. 

For the financial year ended  
28 February 2018, Executive 
Directors, including the CEO, 
will have a maximum of 75%  
of salary.

The annual bonus is based 
on a range of financial, 
strategic and individual 
measures set by the 
Committee at the 
beginning of each year. 
The weightings will also  
be determined annually to 
ensure alignment with the 
Company’s strategic 
priorities. At least 50%  
of the bonus will be based 
on financial measures.

The Committee reviews 
the basis of performance 
measurement under the 
annual bonus from time to 
time and may review and 
amend the measures as  
it considers appropriate.

50% of the maximum 
bonus opportunity will  
be payable for ‘target’ 
performance.

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Remuneration Policy
continued

Purpose of component  

and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum

Performance 

measures

The primary performance 
measure will be NAV per 
share growth (including 
dividends). No less than 
50% of an award will be 
based on this measure. 
The Committee retains  
the flexibility to introduce 
additional measures.

For threshold levels of 
performance, no more 
than 20% of the award 
vests with 100% of the 
award vesting for 
maximum performance. 

Long-Term 
Incentive  
Plan (LTIP)
Incentivises and 
rewards Executive 
Directors for 
delivery of the 
Company’s 
strategic plan of 
building shareholder 
value.

Awards of nil-cost options or  
conditional shares.

300% of salary per annum.

The awards vest subject to the 
achievement of performance targets set 
by the Committee. 50% of the award is 
based on performance measured over 
three years, with the remaining 50% 
based on performance measured over 
four years.

Following vesting, the awards will 
normally be subject to an additional 
holding period of up to two years such 
that the combined performance and 
holding period will not be less than  
five years in total.

Dividend equivalents may be paid on 
vested awards. 

Clawback and/or malus provisions  
may be applied at the discretion of  
the Committee if an exceptional event 
occurs, such as material misstatement 
of results, serious misconduct or an 
error/material misstatement resulting  
in overpayment.

Malus provisions may also be applied  
in the event of serious reputational 
damage to the Company or a material 
failure of risk management.

114

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Purpose of component  

and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum

Performance 

measures

Retirement 
benefits
To provide 
Executive Directors 
with retirement 
benefits consistent 
with the role.

Shareholding 
guidelines
To align Executive 
Directors with the 
shareholder 
experience.

Defined contribution pension 
arrangements are provided.

17.5% of salary per annum.

None.

Pension benefits are provided  
through a Group Personal Pension  
Plan, non-pensionable cash supplement 
or contribution to a Personal Pension 
arrangement.

The Company operates shareholding 
guidelines for Executive Directors.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

They are required to build a shareholding 
of 50% of salary within two years of 
appointment and 100% of salary within 
four years of appointment. Thereafter, 
they will be required to retain 50% of net 
vested shares from the LTIP until they 
build shareholdings of 200% of salary 
for the CEO and 150% of salary for the 
Deputy CEO and CFO.

115

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Remuneration Policy
continued

Legacy arrangements and transition
Prior to the Policy being approved in 2014, the Committee undertook a review of incentive arrangements and the LTIP replaced 
a number of plans. While no new awards were made under these plans, detail has been included on the Development Profit 
Plan as there are awards outstanding. 

Purpose of component  

and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum

Performance 

measures

Development Profit 
Plan (DPP)
Incentivises and 
rewards Executive 
Directors for the 
performance of 
their portfolio  
of projects.

No awards have been made to Executive 
Directors for projects which commence 
following 1 March 2015.

Awards may pay out once a project 
makes a realised profit. No payments 
will be made in respect of profits 
realised after 28 February 2018.

50% of the payment is made in cash  
or shares at the time profit is realised.

The remaining 50% is deferred until  
the end of the financial year and paid  
in cash or shares at this point. 

The maximum aggregate pool 
available for distribution to 
Executive Directors and the 
wider team is 10% of the 
realised profit above a hurdle 
for each development project.

Payments are only made 
under this plan once  
profit has been realised  
on a development above  
a threshold return  
(a notional cost of equity).

Losses attributable to 
other projects in which  
a Director has been made 
an award are also taken 
into account when 
calculating payments to 
ensure that participants 
are incentivised to mitigate 
losses while maximising 
project profits. This 
calculation is at the 
Committee’s discretion 
and will not apply in 
respect of certain legacy 
awards and projects. 
Where unrealised losses 
are deducted in the 
calculation but a profit is 
subsequently recognised  
a balancing payment may 
be made.

Policy table for Non-executive Directors

Component

The Company’s approach

Chairman fees

Comprises an all-inclusive fee for all Board and Committee responsibilities.

Non-executive Director fees

Comprises a basic fee in respect of their Board duties.

Determined by the Remuneration Committee and approved by the Board.

Further fees may be paid in respect of additional Board or Committee duties.

Recommended by the Chairman and Chief Executive and approved by the Board.

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

Nick Thomlinson
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 
26 April 2018

116

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Directors’ Report

The  Directors  present  their  report  and  the  audited 
Consolidated financial statements for the financial year 
ended 28 February 2018.

share for the financial year (2017: 8.70 pence per Ordinary 
share). Further information on the Company’s dividend policy 
can be found on page 59.

This  report  contains  forward-looking  statements.  These 
statements are not guarantees of future performance; rather, 
they are based on current views and assumptions and involve 
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors  
that  may  cause  actual  results  to  differ  from  any  future  
results or developments expressed or implied from the forward-
looking statements.

Principal activities
The principal activity of the Company is that of a holding 
company. The principal activities of the Group during the  
year were property investment and development, investment  
and trading.

Incorporation
U  and  I  Group  PLC  is  incorporated  in  Great  Britain  and 
registered in England and Wales, registration number 1528784.

Business review and future developments
A review of the Group’s operations, the Company’s business 
model, the current state of the business and future prospects, 
including financial and non-financial key performance indicators 
and principal risks and uncertainties, is contained within the 
Strategic Report, and should be read in conjunction with this 
report. Further details of the financial and non-financial key 
performance indicators, the principal risks, and the information 
which comprises the business review as required by Section 
417(1) of the Companies Act 2006 may be found in the Strategic 
Report on pages 2 to 66.

Results and dividends
The profit for the financial year amounted to £40,256,000 (2017: 
£3,003,000 loss). An interim Ordinary dividend of £3,003,000 
representing 2.40 pence per Ordinary share was paid on 24 
November 2017 (25 November 2016: £3,003,000 representing 
2.40 pence per Ordinary share). The Board recommends a 
final Ordinary dividend of 3.50 pence per Ordinary share 
amounting  to  £4,387,000  payable  on  17  August  2018  to 
shareholders on the register at 20 July 2018 (17 August 2017: 
£4,379,000 representing 3.50 pence per Ordinary share). A 
further supplemental dividend of 12.0 pence per Ordinary 
share was announced to the market on 26 April 2018 amounting 
to £15,041,000 payable on 15 June 2018 to shareholders on 
the register at 11 May 2018. Subject to shareholder approval, 
this makes a total dividend declared of 17.9 pence per Ordinary 

Group structure
Details of the Group’s subsidiary undertakings are disclosed 
in  note  41  to  the  Consolidated  financial  statements  on  
pages 196 to 200.

Operations outside the UK
The Group currently operates or has subsidiaries, associates 
or  joint  ventures  which  are  located  in  the  Netherlands, 
Luxembourg and Ireland.

Share capital
The Company’s issued share capital at 28 February 2018 
consisted of 125,197,820 Ordinary shares of 50 pence each 
and 118,792 shares held in treasury which do not have a 
dividend or voting entitlement. During the period under review 
the Company allotted 123,016 shares to members of staff in 
connection with the exercise of options under the SAYE. These 
shares were allotted from the block listing maintained in respect 
of  these  options.  At  the  date  of  this  report,  125,349,756 
Ordinary shares of 50 pence each have been issued (including 
118,792 shares held in treasury) are fully paid up and are quoted 
on the London Stock Exchange. The Company’s share capital 
represents a single class of shares, with all shares ranking 
equally and fully paid. Details of the share capital are set out 
in note 19 to the Consolidated financial statements on pages 
178 to 180.

The rights and obligations attaching to the shares are specified 
in the Company’s Articles of Association, or alternatively may 
be governed by statute. There are no restrictions on the transfer 
of shares in the Company other than those specified by law 
or regulation. There are no restrictions on voting rights other 
than as specified by the Articles of Association.

Three resolutions relating to share capital will be proposed as 
Special Business at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. 
The full text of the resolutions can be found in the Notice of 
the Annual General Meeting. At a General Meeting of the 
Company, every member has one vote on a show of hands 
and, on a poll, one vote for each share held. The Notice of a 
General Meeting specifies deadlines for exercising voting 
rights, either by proxy or being present in person, in relation 
to the resolutions proposed at the General Meeting.

117

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Directors’ Report
continued

Purchase of the Company’s shares
At the Annual General Meeting held on 11 July 2017, members 
authorised the Company to make market purchases of up to 
12,522,674 of its own Ordinary shares of 50 pence each. That 
authority expires at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting 
of the Company on 5 July 2018 when a resolution will be put 
to shareholders to renew it so as to allow purchases of up to 
a maximum of no more than 10% of the Company’s issued 
share capital. No shares in the Company have been purchased 
by the Company in the period from 11 July 2017 (the date the 
current authority was granted) to the date of this report. The 
Company currently holds 118,792 shares in treasury.

Change of control
The Group has entered into significant agreements with its 
commercial partners, which contain change of control clauses 
and which may give rise to termination or renegotiation in that 
event. If enforced, the Company may be deprived of potential 
future earning capacity from such schemes. The Company is 
party to a number of committed bank facilities which, upon a 
change of control, are terminable at the banks’ discretion. In 
addition, under such circumstances, the Company’s share 
option schemes would normally vest or become exercisable 
subject to the satisfaction of the performance conditions.

Takeover Directive 
Details of the required disclosure under the Takeover Directive 
can  be  found  in  this  Directors’  Report  and  also  in  the 
Remuneration Report on pages 99 to 111 and are incorporated 
herein by cross-reference.

Corporate governance
The Company’s statement on corporate governance can be 
found in the Corporate Governance Report on page 72 of the 
Annual Report. The Corporate Governance Report forms part 
of this report and is incorporated into it by cross-reference.

Share option schemes
On 19 December 2017, a grant was made under the Save As 
You Earn Option Plan 2005 for a total of 339,666 options over 
shares at 152 pence per share to 61 members of staff. All 
employees of the Company are eligible to participate in the 
Save As You Earn Option Plan. Further details of the share 
option schemes are contained in note 19 to the Consolidated 
financial statements.

Directors
The Directors serving during the year and up to the date of 
signing the Group financial statements were as follows:

P W Williams

Chairman

M S Weiner

Chief Executive Officer

R Upton

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

M O Shepherd

Chief Financial Officer

N H Thomlinson

Independent Non-executive Director

B Bennett

L G Krige

R Kerslake

Non-executive Director

Independent Non-executive Director 

Independent Non-executive Director 

(appointed 1 September 2017)

Biographical details of the Directors as at 28 February 2018 
are shown on pages 70 and 71.

All Directors will retire at the 2018 Annual General Meeting 
and,  being  eligible,  will  offer  themselves  for  election  or  
re-election; see page 120. The Directors are voluntarily offering 
themselves for re-election as a matter of best practice in 
accordance  with  the  UK  Corporate  Governance  Code. 
Following  the  performance  evaluation  of  the  Board,  all  
Directors were judged to have made a significant contribution 
to the Board’s deliberations, reflecting their commitment to 
the  role.  The  rules  that  the  Company  has  governing  the 
appointment and replacement of Directors are contained in 
its Articles of Association.

Conflicts of interest
Under the Companies Act 2006, a Director must avoid a 
situation where he or she has, or can have, a direct or indirect 
interest  that  conflicts,  or  possibly  may  conflict,  with  the 
Company’s interests. The Directors are required to notify the 
Board as soon as they become aware of any actual or potential 
conflicts of interest with their duties to the Company, or of any 
material changes in any existing actual or potential conflicts 
that may have been authorised by the Board. No significant 
conflicts of interest arose during the year under review. 

Directors’ service contracts and interests in the 
Company’s shares
The details of Directors’ service contracts and the interests in 
the shares of the Company of the Directors who were in office 
as at 28 February 2018 are disclosed in the Remuneration Policy 
and Remuneration Report on pages 96 and 116.

118

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018None of the Directors had any material interest in any contract 
that was significant in relation to the Group’s business at any 
time during the year, other than a service contract, and as 
disclosed in the Remuneration Report.

Related party transactions
Related party transactions between the Directors and the 
Company are set out in note 25 to the Consolidated financial 
statements on page 183.

Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance
Article 153 of the Company’s Articles of Association provides, 
among other things, that, insofar as permitted by law, every 
Director shall be indemnified by the Company against all  
costs, charges, expenses, losses or liabilities incurred in the  
execution and discharge of the Directors’ duties, power or 
office. The Company maintains, at its expense, a Directors’ 
and Officers’ liability insurance policy at an adequate level 
which is reviewed annually. This insurance policy does not 
provide cover where a Director or Officer is proved to have 
acted fraudulently or dishonestly.

This  third  party  indemnity  insurance  was  in  force  during  
the financial year and also at the date of approval of the  
financial statements.

The results of the voting at the 2017 AGM were as follows: 

Resolution

1

2

3

Receive Annual Report  
and Accounts

Remuneration Report

Remuneration Policy

For

% of votes

 cast1,2

Against

% of votes
 cast2

100

93.48

95.34

0

6.52

4.66

4-10 Appointment of Directors

94.2-99.98

0.02-5.58

11 Declare final dividend

12

13

14

Appointment of Auditor

Auditor’s remuneration

Authority to purchase  

own shares

15

Authority to allot shares

16 Disapplication of  
pre-emption rights 

17 Meetings on 14 days’ notice

18

Political donations

100

99.92

99.97

99.94

99.85

99.95

99.21

99.15

0

0.08

0.03

0.06

0.15

0.05

0.79

0.85

1. Includes those votes for which discretion was given to the Chairman

2. Does not include votes withheld

The  Annual  General  Meeting  will  be  held  on  5  July  2018  
at 12 noon at 7A Howick Place, London SW1P 1DZ.

Articles of Association
The Articles of Association may be amended by a Special 
Resolution of the shareholders.

At the Annual General Meeting, the following resolutions will 
be proposed: 

Annual General Meeting
The Company’s AGM provides an opportunity for the Board 
to  respond  to  shareholders’  questions.  The  information 
necessary for informed participation is made available with as 
much  notice  as  possible.  Directors  are  introduced  to 
shareholders at the AGM, including the identification of Non-
executive Directors and Committee Chairmen. More information 
regarding the 2018 AGM, including the resolutions being put 
to  the  meeting,  can  be  found  on  pages  119  to  122.  The 
Company’s website (uandiplc.com) is updated at the same 
time as the Regulatory Information Service, to provide additional 
information dissemination for shareholders. Shareholders are 
also invited to subscribe to the Company’s email news alert 
service on the Company’s website.

Ordinary Resolution 1 – Report and Accounts
The  Directors  will  present  the  financial  statements  and  
Reports of the Directors and Auditors for the financial year 
ended 28 February 2018.

Resolutions 2 – To approve the Directors’  
Remuneration Report 
In accordance with the directors’ remuneration reporting  
regime as set out in Schedule 8 to the Large and Medium-sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 
2008  (as  amended),  the  Company’s  2018  Directors’ 
Remuneration Report comprises the Remuneration Committee 
Chairman’s  Annual  Statement,  the  Annual  Report  on 
Remuneration  (the  Annual  Remuneration  Report),  and  a 
summary of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the Policy).

119

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Directors’ Report
continued

Ordinary Resolution 11 – Declaration of final dividend
A final dividend can only be paid after the shareholders at  
a  General  Meeting  have  approved  it.  A  final  dividend  of  
3.50 pence per Ordinary share is recommended by the Directors 
for payment to shareholders who are on the register at the 
close of business on 20 July 2018.

Ordinary Resolutions 12 and 13 – Re-appointment and 
remuneration of auditors
Resolutions 12 and 13 propose the re-appointment of PwC as 
auditors of the Company and authorise the Directors to set 
their remuneration.

Special Resolution 14 – Authority to purchase  
own shares
The Company is seeking authority to purchase up to 10% of 
the Company’s issued Ordinary share capital at, or between, 
the minimum and maximum prices specified in this Resolution. 
This power would only be used after careful consideration by 
the Directors, having taken into account market conditions 
prevailing at that time, the investment needs of the Company, 
its opportunity for expansion and its overall financial position. 
The Directors have discussed the possibility of making market 
purchases of the Company’s shares, and, should they believe 
such action would be in the best interests of shareholders and 
would enhance net assets or earnings per share, would consider 
exercising their authority during the year. As at 25 April 2018 
(being the latest practicable date prior to publication of the 
Notice of Annual General Meeting), the Company has an 
unexpired authority to repurchase 12,522,674 Ordinary shares 
of which 12,522,674 Ordinary shares remain outstanding.

As at 25 April 2018 (being the latest practicable date prior to 
publication of the Notice of the Annual General Meeting),  
the total number of options to subscribe for shares in the  
capital of the Company was 331,396 (approximately 0.26%  
of the Company’s issued share capital and approximately 
0.28% of the Company’s issued share capital if the full authority 
proposed by Resolution 14 was used).

The  Directors’  Remuneration  Policy  was  approved  by 
shareholders at the 2017 Annual General Meeting and took 
immediate effect. The Policy is subject to a shareholder vote 
at least once every three years and, subject to any proposed 
changes being required, will next be laid before shareholders 
for approval at the Annual General Meeting in 2020. The 
Company is not able to make remuneration or loss of office 
payments to a current or past Director, unless the payment is 
consistent with the approved Policy or has been otherwise 
approved by shareholders. 

Resolution  2  seeks  shareholder  approval  for  the  Annual 
Remuneration Report. This is set out on pages 99 to 111 of the 
Annual Report and sets out details on how our Directors were 
paid in the financial year ended 28 February 2018, and how 
their  pay  will  be  structured  in  the  financial  year  ending  
28 February 2019. The Annual Remuneration Report will be 
prepared on an annual basis and is subject to an advisory 
shareholder vote.

Ordinary Resolutions 3 to 10 – Election and Re-election 
of Directors
In  line  with  the  provisions  of  the  Company’s  Articles  of 
Association, Ros Kerslake, who was appointed by the Board 
since the date of the last Annual General Meeting will retire 
and submit herself for election by shareholders. Details of  
Ros’ background and experience can be found on page 71. 

The  Directors  seek  to  maintain  the  highest  standards  of 
corporate  governance  and,  in  accordance  with  the 
recommendations of the UK Corporate Governance Code, 
those Directors elected or re-elected at the 2017 Annual 
General Meeting will voluntarily retire and those wishing to 
serve again shall submit themselves for re-election by the 
shareholders  at  the  2018  Annual  General  Meeting.  The 
Chairman  is  satisfied  that,  following  individual  formal 
performance evaluations, the performance of the Directors 
standing  for  re-election  continues  to  be  effective  and 
demonstrates  commitment  to  the  role.  The  Nomination 
Committee has considered each of the Non-executive Directors 
seeking  re-election  and  concluded  that  their  collective 
background, skills, experience, independence and knowledge 
of  the  Company  enables  the  Board  and  Committees  to 
discharge their respective duties and responsibilities effectively. 
The workings of the Board and Committees are more particularly 
detailed in the Corporate Governance section on pages 73 to 
83. Biographical details of all the Directors appear on pages 
70 and 71 of the Annual Report.

120

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Under the Companies Act 2006, the Company is allowed to 
hold its own shares in treasury following a buyback, instead 
of cancelling them. Such shares may be re-sold for cash or 
used for the purpose of employee share schemes, but all rights 
attaching to them, including voting rights and any right to 
receive  dividends,  are  suspended  whilst  they  are  held  in 
treasury. Accordingly, if the Directors exercise the authority 
conferred by Resolution 14, the Company will have the option 
of holding these shares in treasury, rather than cancelling them. 
The authority sought at the Annual General Meeting will expire 
at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the 
Company or on 1 September 2019 (being the latest date by 
which the Company must hold an Annual General Meeting in 
2019). The Company currently holds 118,792 shares in treasury.

Ordinary Resolution 15 – Allotment of shares
The Directors may only allot Ordinary shares or grant rights 
over Ordinary shares if authorised to do so by shareholders. 
The authority granted to the Directors at the Company’s 
previous Annual General Meeting in 2017 to allot shares or 
grant rights to subscribe for, or convert any securities into, 
shares  is  due  to  expire  at  the  conclusion  of  this  year’s  
Annual General Meeting. Accordingly, the Directors will be 
seeking new authority under Section 551 of the Companies 
Act 2006 to allot shares (including treasury shares) or grant 
rights to subscribe for, or to convert any security into, shares 
which will expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General 
Meeting of the Company or on 1 September 2019 (being the 
latest date by which the Company must hold an Annual General 
Meeting in 2019).

If passed, paragraph (a) of Resolution 15 would give the 
Directors authority to allot Ordinary shares or grant rights to 
subscribe for, or convert any security into, Ordinary shares up 
to an aggregate nominal amount of £20,871,827 representing 
approximately one third (33.33%) of the Company’s issued 
Ordinary share capital (excluding shares held in treasury) and 
calculated as at 25 April 2018 (being the last practicable date 
prior  to  publication  of  the  Notice  of  the  Annual  General 
Meeting). In accordance with the latest institutional guidelines 
issued by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), paragraph 
(b)  of  Resolution  15,  if  passed,  would  give  the  Directors 
authority to allot further shares in connection with a fully pre-
emptive offer by way of a rights issue to shareholders up to a 
further aggregate nominal amount of £20,871,827 representing 
approximately one third (33.33%) of the Company’s issued 

Ordinary share capital (excluding shares held in treasury)  
and calculated as at 25 April 2018 (being the last practicable 
date prior to publication of the Notice of the Annual General 
Meeting).  As  at  25  April  2018  (being  the  last  practicable  
date  prior  to  publication  of  the  Notice  of  the  Annual  
General Meeting), the Company held 118,792 shares in treasury 
which represent approximately 0.10% of the total Ordinary 
share  capital  of  the  Company  in  issue  (excluding  shares  
held in treasury).

The Directors are currently giving consideration to the possible 
exercise of this authority. The Directors consider it desirable 
to  have  the  maximum  flexibility  permitted  by  corporate 
governance guidelines to respond to market developments 
and to enable allotments to take place to finance business 
opportunities as they arise. Accordingly, the Directors intend 
to renew this authority annually.

Special Resolution 16 – Disapplication of  
pre-emption rights
Under  Section  561(1)  of  the  Companies  Act  2006,  if  the 
Directors wish to allot any shares and other relevant securities, 
grant rights over shares, or sell treasury shares for cash (other 
than in connection with an employee share scheme), they must 
in the first instance offer them to existing shareholders in 
proportion to their holdings. The Directors seek authority to 
renew the disapplication of shareholders’ pre-emptive rights. 
The purpose of paragraph (i) of Resolution 16 is to authorise 
the Directors to allot any shares pursuant to the authority given 
by paragraph (a) of Resolution 15 for cash either (a) in connection 
with a pre-emptive offer or rights issue or (b) otherwise up to 
an aggregate nominal value of £3,133,744 (being equivalent 
to 5.0% of the total issued Ordinary share capital of the 
Company as at 25 April 2018 (being the latest practicable date 
prior  to  publication  of  the  Notice  of  the  Annual  General 
Meeting)) and which includes the sale on a non-preemptive 
basis of any shares held in treasury, in each case without the 
shares first being offered to existing members in proportion 
to their existing holdings.

The purpose of paragraph (ii) of Resolution 16 is to authorise 
the Directors to allot any shares pursuant to the authority given 
by paragraph (b) of Resolution 15 for cash in connection with 
a rights issue without the shares first being offered to existing 
members in proportion to their existing holdings. This is in  
line  with  corporate  governance  guidelines  issued  by  the  

121

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Directors’ Report
continued

Pre-emption Group. The Board considers the authority sought 
to be appropriate in order to allow the Company flexibility to 
finance business opportunities or to conduct a pre-emptive 
offer or rights issue without the need to comply with the strict 
requirements  of  the  statutory  pre-emption  provisions.  
The  Board  intends  to  adhere  to  the  provisions  in  the  
Pre-emption Group’s Statement of Principles not to allot shares 
on a non-preemptive basis (other than pursuant to a rights 
issue or pre-emptive offer) 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.

Special Resolution 17 – Notice period for  
general meetings
The Companies (Shareholders’ Rights) Regulations 2009 
increased the notice period for general meetings of a company 
to 21 clear days unless shareholders approve a shorter period, 
which cannot be less than 14 clear days.

At  the  Annual  General  Meeting  of  the  Company  held  on  
11 July 2017, shareholders authorised the calling of general 
meetings, other than an Annual General Meeting, on not less 
than 14 clear working days’ notice. Resolution 17 seeks the 
approval of shareholders to renew the authority to be able to 
call general meetings (other than an Annual General Meeting) 
on 14 clear days’ notice. The shorter notice period would not 
be used as a matter of routine for general meetings, but only 
where the flexibility is merited by the business of the meeting 
and is thought to be to the advantage of shareholders as a 
whole. If the proposals at a given meeting are not time sensitive, 
the Company will not normally use the shorter notice period. 
The approval will be effective until the Company’s next Annual 
General Meeting, when it is expected that a similar resolution 
will be proposed. It should also be noted that the changes to 
the Companies Act 2006 mean that, in order to be able to call 
a general meeting on less than 21 clear days’ notice, the 
Company must make a means of electronic voting available 
to all shareholders for that meeting. 

Ordinary Resolution 18 – Political donations
Part 14 of the Companies Act 2006, amongst other things, 
prohibits the Company and its subsidiaries from making political 
donations or from incurring political expenditure in respect of 
a political party or other political organisation or an independent 
election  candidate  unless  authorised  by  the  Company’s 

shareholders. Aggregate donations made by the Group of 
£5,000 or less in any twelve-month period will not be caught.

Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any 
intention of making any political donation or incurring any 
political expenditure. However, the Companies Act 2006 
defines  ‘political  organisation’,  ‘political  party’,  ‘political 
donation’ and ‘political expenditure’ widely. Accordingly, the 
Company wishes to ensure that neither it nor its subsidiaries 
inadvertently commit any breaches of the Companies Act 2006 
through the undertaking of routine activities, which would not 
normally be considered to result in the making of political 
donations and political expenditure being incurred.

The  Resolution  authorises  the  Company  and 
subsidiaries to:

its  

 – make political donations to political parties or independent 

election candidates, not exceeding £10,000 in total;

 – make political donations to political organisations, other 
than political parties, not exceeding £10,000 in total; and
 – incur political expenditure, not exceeding £10,000 in total, 
provided that the aggregate amount of any such donations 
and expenditure shall not exceed £10,000 during the period 
beginning with the date of the passing of the Resolution 
and ending on the date of the Company’s next Annual 
General Meeting.

Financial risk management
Disclosures in respect of financial risk management objectives 
and exposures are set out in note 17d to the Consolidated 
financial statements on pages 174 to 177.

Financial instruments
Details of the financial instruments used by the Group and the 
Company are set out in note 17c to the Consolidated financial 
statements on page 174.

Charitable and political donations
Charitable donations during the year were £44,819 (2017: 
£56,244). The Group supported a number of charities serving 
the community in which the Group operates. These included 
national and local charitable organisations and covered a wide 
range  of  causes,  including  education,  public  services, 
community support schemes and events organised on behalf 
of major charities.

122

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Significant shareholdings
Information provided to the Company pursuant to the Financial 
Conduct  Authority’s  Disclosure  and  Transparency  Rules  
(DTR 5) is published on a Regulatory Information Service and 
on the Company’s website. As at 25 April 2018 (being the last 
practicable date prior to publication of the Annual Report), the 
following information had been received in accordance with 
DTR 5 from holders of notifiable interests in the Company’s 
issued share capital.

The information provided below was correct at the date of 
notification; however, the date the notification was received 
may not be within the financial year under review. It should be 
noted that these holdings, and percentage of share capital 
held, are likely to have changed since the Company was 
notified. Notification of any change is the responsibility of 
those with the notifiable interest, and is not required until the 
next notifiable threshold has been crossed. 

Holder

Shares

holding*

%

Fidelity Worldwide Investment Limited 14,883,732

Aberforth Partners LLP 

J O Hambro Capital Management

Standard Life Aberdeen plc

13,957,291

13,908,148

8,678,641

BMO Global Asset Management (UK)

5,875,946

Threadneedle Asset Management

Ennismore Fund Management Ltd

The Wellcome Trust Limited

5,722,553

5,149,730

5,108,153

12.17

11.16

11.12

6.93

4.71

4.68

4.12

4.08

*  % holding at the time of notification; see www.uandiplc.com/investors for  

more details

Human rights
This report does not contain information about any policies of 
the Group in relation to human rights issues since it is not 
considered necessary for an understanding of the development, 
performance or position of the Group’s business activity due 
to the existing regulatory requirements in the UK. The Company 
does have policies which adhere to internationally proclaimed 
human rights principles.

In the year to 28 February 2018, the Group is not aware of any 
incident in which the Group’s activities have resulted in an 
abuse of human rights.

Employees
The Board acknowledges the importance of diversity in all 
forms and is committed to the principle of equal opportunity 
in employment. Current and potential employees are offered 
the  same  opportunities  regardless  of  gender,  gender 
reassignment, race, colour, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, 
age, sexual orientation, marital status or disability. It is the 
Group’s policy to apply best practice in the employment of 
disabled people, including, wherever possible, the retraining 
and  retention  of  staff  who  become  disabled  during  
their employment.

Details of the gender diversity within the Company as at  
28 February 2018 can be found in the Sustainability Report on 
page 64.

Employee engagement
The Group recognises the importance of the involvement of 
its employees and keeps them regularly informed on matters 
affecting them through various media, including display of 
notices  in  communal  areas,  memoranda  and  emails, 
presentations, meetings and the Company’s website.

It is the Directors’ belief that employees are instrumental in 
the continued improvement in the Group’s performance and 
they  are  committed  to  encouraging  and  facilitating  the 
continuing professional development of employees to ensure 
they are equipped to perform their particular roles. Training 
and development are provided and available to all employees.

The Company operates a number of share option schemes 
which  seek  to  incentivise  and  reward  employees  for  the 
sustainable creation of shareholder value over the longer term.

Independent auditors
Our auditors, PwC, have indicated their willingness to continue 
in office having been re-appointed following a retender process 
led by the Audit and Risk Committee. The Board, on the advice 
of  the  Audit  and  Risk  Committee,  recommends  their  re-
appointment, and a resolution that they be re-appointed will 
be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

123

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Directors’ Report
continued

1

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

Post balance sheet events
Details of events which have occurred since 28 February 2018 
and up to the date of this report are disclosed in note 27 to 
the Consolidated financial statements on page 185.

Other information – Listing Rules
For the purposes of LR9.8.4R, the information required to  
be disclosed by LR9.8.4R can be found on the pages set  
out below:

Section Information

Interest capitalised

Page

153

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) 
Emissions Scope (tCO2e)

Scope 1a,b,d
Scope 2c,d
Total 

Reporting 

Reporting 

year ended 

year ended 

28 February 

28 February 

2018

2017

341

1,107

1,448

348

1,340

1,688

a. Scope 1 covers emissions from direct combustion of fuel from operation of 

properties and company-owned vehicles

b. Fugitive emissions data from use of air conditioning was not available for this 

report; in the absence of data it was considered that a reasonable estimation 

could not be calculated based on the limited information available

Publication of unaudited financial 

Not applicable

c. Scope 2 covers emission from electricity purchased for own use. There were no 

information

Details of long-term incentive schemes 98-116 

purchases of heat, steam and cooling for own use in the reporting period

d. Where gas/electricity consumption data was not available to cover all months of 

the reporting period, an estimation of the emissions have been calculated using 

Waiver of emoluments by a director

Not applicable

an average of gas/electricity consumption from the overall available data for 

Waiver of future emoluments  

Not applicable

properties within the reporting scope

by a director

Non pre-emptive issues  

Not applicable

of equity for cash

Non pre-emptive issues by  

Not applicable

a major subsidiary undertaking

Parent participant in a placing  

Not applicable

by a listed subsidiary

Contracts of significance

Provision of services by  

a controlling shareholder

Not applicable

Not applicable

Shareholder waiver of dividends

Not applicable

Shareholder waiver of future dividends Not applicable

Agreements with controlling 

Not applicable

shareholders

Greenhouse gas emissions
The Company has reported greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 
in line with the requirements set out in the Companies Act 2006 
(Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013. 
The Company’s GHG emissions are reported based on an 
operational control boundary for sources of emissions falling 
within the Company’s Consolidated financial statements.  
The reporting period for GHG emissions is 1 March 2017 to 
28 February 2018, which aligns with the financial reporting 
year covered by the Directors’ Report.

The  Company  has  used  the  GHG  Protocol  Corporate 
Accounting and Reporting Standard (revised edition), and 
Defra GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting 2017 
for the financial year ended 28 February 2018 to calculate its 
GHG emissions.

An  intensity  ratio  of  GHG  emissions  per  square  foot  of 
investment property managed and property occupied by the 
Company is reported.

Intensity Ratio (tCO2e/sq.ft)

Reporting 

Reporting 

year ended 

year ended 

28 February 

28 February 

2018

2017

GHG emissions per square foot of 

property occupied

0.006

0.005

GHG emissions per square foot of 

investment property managed

0.001

0.002

Disclosure of information to auditors
Each of the persons who is a Director at the date of approval 
of this report confirms that:

 – So  far  as  he/she  is  aware,  there  is  no  relevant  audit 
information of which the Group’s auditors are unaware; and
 – He/she  has  taken  all  the  steps  that  he/she  ought  to  
have taken as a Director in order to make themselves aware 
of  any  relevant  audit  information  and  to  establish  that  
the  Group’s  auditors  are  aware  of  that  information.  
This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in 
accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Section  418  of  the 
Companies Act 2006.

Approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by:

Chris Barton
Company Secretary
26 April 2018

124

Corporate GovernanceU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities  
in Respect of the Financial Statements

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report 
and the financial statements in accordance with applicable 
law and regulation.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity 
of the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom 
governing  the  preparation  and  dissemination  of  financial 
statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Company  law  requires  the  Directors  to  prepare  financial 
statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors 
have prepared the Group financial statements in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as 
adopted  by  the  European  Union  and  Company  financial 
statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards, comprising FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting 
Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”, and 
applicable law). 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 Company and of the profit or loss of the Group and 
Company for that period. In preparing the financial statements, 
the Directors are required to:

 – select  suitable  accounting  policies  and  then  apply 

them consistently;

 – state whether applicable IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union have been followed for the Group financial statements 
and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising 
FRS 102, have been followed for the Company financial 
statements, subject to any material departures disclosed 
and explained in the financial statements;

 – make  judgements  and  accounting  estimates  that  are 

reasonable and prudent; and

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

The Directors consider that the annual report and accounts, 
taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and 
provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess 
the Group and Company’s performance, business model 
and strategy.

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed 
in Chairman’s Introduction to Corporate Governance confirm 
that, to the best of their knowledge:

 – the  Company  financial  statements,  which  have  been 
prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards, comprising FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting 
Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”, and 
applicable law), give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and loss of the Company;
 – the Group financial statements, which have been prepared 
in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, 
financial position and profit of the Group; and

 – the Directors’ Report includes a fair review of the development 
and performance of the business and the position of the 
Group and Company, together with a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.

In the case of each Director in office at the date the Directors’ 
Report is approved:

The  Directors  are  responsible  for  keeping  adequate  
accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the 
Group  and  Company’s  transactions  and  disclose  with 
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the 
Group and 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.

 – so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit 
information of which the Group and Company’s auditors 
are unaware; and

 – they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken 
as a Director in order to make themselves aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish that the Group 
and Company’s auditors are aware of that information.

The  Directors  are  also  responsible  for  safeguarding  the  
assets  of  the  Group  and  Company  and  hence  for  taking  
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud  
and other irregularities.

Matthew Weiner   
Chief Executive 
26 April 2018

Marcus Shepherd
Chief Financial Officer 

On behalf of the Board 

125

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of U and I Group PLC

Report on the audit of the financial statements
Opinion
In our opinion:

 – U and I Group PLC’s Group financial statements and Company financial statements (the “financial statements”) give a true 
and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Company’s affairs as at 28 February 2018 and of the Group’s profit and 
cash flows for the year then ended;

 – the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union;
 – the Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard 
applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”, and applicable law); 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.

We have audited the financial statements, included within the Annual Report and Accounts (the “Annual Report”), which 
comprise:  the  Consolidated  and  Company  Balance  Sheets  as  at  28  February  2018;  the  Consolidated  Statement  of  
Comprehensive Income, the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and the Consolidated and Company Statements of  
Changes in Equity for the year then ended; and the Notes to the financial statements, which include a description of the 
significant accounting policies.

Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the Audit and Risk Committee.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. 
Our responsibilities under ISAs (UK) are further described in the Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial  
statements section of our report. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to  
provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence
We remained independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial 
statements in the UK, which includes the FRC’s Ethical Standard, as applicable to listed public interest entities, and we have 
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

To the best of our knowledge and belief, we declare that non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were 
not provided to the Group or the Company.

Other than those disclosed in note 3 to the financial statements, we have provided no non-audit services to the Group or the 
Company in the period from 1 March 2017 to 28 February 2018.

126

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Our audit approach

Overview

 – Overall Group materiality: £6.7 million (2017: £4.4 million), based on 1% of total assets.
 – Overall Company materiality: £6.0 million (2017: £4.4 million), based on 1% of total assets  

Materiality

and capped at 90% of the Group materiality.

 – All work in support of the Group and Company audit opinion is performed by the UK audit team.

Audit scope

Areas of
focus

 – Valuation of investment properties (Group).
 – Valuation of development and trading properties (Group).
 – Recoverability of financial assets (Group and Company).

The scope of our audit
As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial 
statements. In particular, we looked at where the Directors made subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant 
accounting estimates that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain.

We gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the Group and the industry in which it operates, 
and considered the risk of acts by the Group which were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud. We 
designed audit procedures to respond to the risk, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to 
fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for 
example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion. We focused on laws and regulations that could give 
rise to a material misstatement in the Group and Company financial statements, including, but not limited to, Companies Act 
2006, the Listing Rules, UK tax legislation and equivalent local laws and regulations. Our tests included, but were not limited 
to agreement of the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation, enquiries of management, review 
of minutes of those charged with governance and discussion with in-house legal counsel and tax specialists. There are inherent 
limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from 
the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it.

We did not identify any key audit matters relating to irregularities, including fraud. As in all of our audits we also addressed the 
risk of management override of internal controls, including testing journals and evaluating whether there was evidence of bias 
by the Directors that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in the auditors’ professional judgement, were of most significance in the 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) identified by the auditors, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the 
allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters, and any comments we 
make on the results of our procedures thereon, 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. This is not a complete 
list of all risks identified by our audit.

127

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of U and I Group PLC
continued

Key audit matter
Valuation of investment properties
The Group’s investment properties were valued at  
£139.5 million as at 28 February 2018 and a revaluation loss  
of £2.4 million was accounted for under ‘Loss on revaluation  
of property portfolio’ in the Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income. The portfolio consists of a variety  
of assets located throughout the UK and Ireland, predominantly 
retail units and shopping centres.

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

The valuers used by the Group are CBRE Limited. They are a 
well-known and established firm. We assessed the competence 
and capabilities of the firm and verified their qualifications.  
We also assessed their independence by discussing the scope 
of their work and reviewing the terms of their engagement for 
unusual terms or fee arrangements. Based on this work, we  
are satisfied that they remain independent and competent  
and that the scope of their work was appropriate.

The majority of valuations are carried out by third party  
valuers in accordance with the RICS Valuation – Professional 
Standards and IFRSs as adopted by the European Union.  
A small element of the portfolio (£15.1 million) is valued 
internally by the Directors.

There are significant judgements and estimates inherent in  
the valuation of the Group’s investment properties. Where 
available, the valuations take into account evidence of market 
transactions for properties and locations comparable to those 
of the Group’s properties.

The most significant judgements and estimates affecting  
all the valuations include yields and estimated rental  
value (“ERV”) growth (as described in note 9 of the  
Financial Statements).

The existence of significant estimation uncertainty, coupled 
with the fact that only a small percentage difference in 
individual property valuations when aggregated could result 
in material misstatement, is why we have given specific audit 
focus and attention to this area.

Refer also to note 1c and 9 to the financial statements,  
page 91 in the Audit and Risk Committee Report.

Group

We tested the data in the investment property valuation for  
a sample of properties, including rental income, acquisitions 
and capital expenditure, by agreeing them to the underlying 
property records held by the Group. The underlying property 
records were themselves tested back to signed and approved 
lease contracts or sale/purchase contracts and approved third 
party invoices as applicable.

We met with the external valuers independently of management 
and obtained their valuation reports. We read the valuation 
report and confirmed that the valuation approach for each 
property was in accordance with RICS Valuation – 
Professional Standards and IFRSs as adopted by the European 
Union and suitable for use in determining the carrying value for 
the purpose of the financial statements. We understood from 
the valuers which properties they had visited in the year and 
also performed our own site visits. We involved our internal 
valuation specialists to compare the valuations of each 
property to our independently formed market expectations 
and to discuss and challenge the valuation methodology and 
assumptions. In doing this we used evidence of comparable 
market transactions and focused in particular on properties 
where the growth in capital values was higher or lower than 
our expectations based on market indices.

We found that yield rates and ERVs were predominantly 
consistent with comparable information for the location  
of the assets and assumptions appropriately reflected 
comparable market information. Where assumptions fell 
outside of our expected range, we assessed whether 
additional evidence presented in arriving at the final valuations 
was appropriate, and, whether this was corroborated by the 
external independent valuers. Variances were predominantly 
due to property specific factors such as assets under offer. 
We verified the movements to supporting documentation 
including evidence of comparable market transactions  
where appropriate.

We challenged the Directors on the movements in the 
valuations and found that they were able to provide 
explanations and refer to appropriate supporting evidence.

128

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Valuation of development and trading properties
The Group’s development and trading properties were  
valued at £216.4 million as at 28 February 2018. These 
properties are held at the lower of cost and net realisable 
value in accordance with IAS 2–Inventory. As qualifying  
costs are incurred on existing developments, these are  
added to the asset balance.

The portfolio consists of a variety of assets located 
throughout the UK and Ireland. It includes assets subject  
to significant judgements as a result of contractor and 
development risk and assets acquired during periods in  
which market values were higher than currently.

A change in conditions for specific assets or a relatively small 
percentage change in either the property or construction 
markets could result in a material impact to the financial 
statements.

Refer also to notes 1c and 14 to the financial statements,  
page 91 in the Audit and Risk Committee Report.

Group

Recoverability of financial assets
The Group and Company hold a number of loans with  
joint ventures, associates and other third parties that  
must be assessed for recoverability at each period end.  
At 28 February 2018, these totalled £31.3 million (£17.1 million 
for the Company), split £14.5 million in non-current assets and 
£16.8 million within current assets for the Group (£0.3 million in 
non-current assets and £16.8 million within current assets for 
the Company). We focused on this area as the recoverability 
of these financial assets is assessed through cash flow 
models, which can be complex with a number of different 
inputs and judgement involved.

Management performed an assessment of the net realisable 
value for each individual asset, including producing and 
reviewing development appraisals. We assessed the 
competence and capabilities of management and were 
satisfied that the individuals are sufficiently qualified.

We met with management to understand the status and future 
plans for each asset and challenge key assumptions inherent 
in the appraisals. We also visited certain properties.

We sensitised cost and revenue assumptions on significant 
developments, and compared assumptions to readily-available 
market data and recent comparable market transactions. 
Where applicable due to the advanced stage of the 
development, we also agreed third party documentation 
supporting the book value through a review of pre-letting 
agreements, forward sales, quantity surveyor cost to complete 
estimates, board minutes and planning consent forms.

Additionally, we performed a look-back test, comparing 
historical book values of assets to disposal proceeds 
following their sale. 

Based on this work we were satisfied with the evidence that 
development and trading properties were held at the lower  
of cost and net realisable value.

We obtained management’s assessment of the recoverability 
of the loans, which includes cash flow projections over the 
next five years. These projections are based on underlying 
property development appraisals.

We benchmarked and sensitised management’s assumptions 
and expectations for future disposals, including the 
comparison of expected sales prices to publically available 
market data and the benchmarking of future cost assumptions 
to current live developments within the portfolio.

We tested cash receipts received in relation to these loans 
during the year through to bank statement.

There continues to be risk associated with certain financial 
assets and, in particular, the recoverability of the working 
capital and project-specific loans to Northpoint Developments 
Limited, which rely on a number of property developments 
being completed over the next five-year period.

In relation to the loans to Northpoint Developments Limited, 
we held discussions with management and obtained the 
appraisals supporting the profitability of the underlying 
schemes, corroborating this to publically available market data 
and costs incurred to date. We also visited certain properties.

Refer also to notes 1c, 17 and 28a to the financial statements 
and page 91 in the Audit and Risk Committee Report.

Based on this work, we are satisfied that the financial assets 
are recoverable.

Group and Company

How we tailored the audit scope
We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial 
statements as a whole, taking into account the structure of the Group and the Company, the accounting processes and 
controls, and the industry in which they operate.

As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. 
In particular, we looked at where the Directors made subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting 
estimates that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain.

129

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of U and I Group PLC
continued

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. 
These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent 
of our audit procedures on the individual financial statement line items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, 
both individually and in aggregate on the financial statements as a whole.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Overall materiality

£6.7 million (2017: £4.4 million).

How we determined it

1% of total assets.

Group financial statements

Specific materiality

£2.9 million (2017: £1.0 million)

How we determined it

5% of adjusted profit before tax

Rationale for benchmark 
applied

The key driver of the business and determinant of the 
Group’s value is direct property investments. Due to this,  
the key property areas of focus in the audit is the investment, 
development and trading properties. On this basis, we set 
an overall Group materiality level based on total assets.

In addition, a number of key performance indicators of 
the Group are driven by income statement items and  
we therefore also applied a lower specific materiality for 
testing determinants of profit, excluding the revaluation 
movements of investment properties, gain on disposal 
of investment properties and net finance costs.

Company financial statements

£6.0 million (2017: £4.4 million).

1% of total assets, capped 
at 90% of the Group materiality.

Not applicable

Not applicable

We believe that total assets is 
the primary measure used by 
the shareholders in assessing 
the position of the non-trading 
holding Company, and is an 
accepted auditing benchmark. 
We determined the overall 
materiality for the Company to 
be £6.0 million, being equal to 
the 90% of the Group overall 
materiality. The materiality  
which we would otherwise have 
calculated for our audit of the 
Company would have been 
higher than this.

We agreed with the Audit and Risk Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above 
£0.3 million (Group and Company audit) (2017: £0.2 million) as well as misstatements below those amounts that, in our 
view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons. 

Going concern
In accordance with ISAs (UK) we report as follows:

Reporting obligation

Outcome

We are required to report if we have anything material to add or draw attention 
to in respect of the Directors’ statement 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’s and the Company’s 
ability to continue as a going concern over a period of at least twelve months 
from the date of approval of the financial statements.

We are required to report if the Directors’ statement relating to going concern 
in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) is materially inconsistent with our 
knowledge obtained in the audit.

We have nothing material to add or to draw 
attention to. However, because not all future 
events or conditions can be predicted, this 
statement is not a guarantee as to the 
Group’s and Company’s ability to continue 
as a going concern.

We have nothing to report.

130

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Reporting on other information
The other information comprises all of the information in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our auditors’ 
report thereon. The Directors are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover 
the other information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated 
in this report, any form of assurance 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 an apparent material inconsistency or material 
misstatement, we are required to perform procedures to conclude whether there is a material misstatement of 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 this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report based 
on these responsibilities.

With respect to the Strategic Report, Directors’ Report and Corporate Governance Statement, we also considered whether 
the disclosures required by the UK Companies Act 2006 have been included.

Based on the responsibilities described above and our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the Companies Act 2006, 
(CA06), ISAs (UK) and the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) require us also to report certain opinions 
and matters as described below (required by ISAs (UK) unless otherwise stated).

Strategic Report and Directors’ Report
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Strategic Report and 
Directors’ Report for the year ended 28 February 2018 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared  
in accordance with applicable legal requirements. (CA06)

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and Company and their environment obtained in the course  
of the audit, we did not identify any material misstatements in the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report. (CA06)

Corporate Governance Statement
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Corporate Governance 
Statement (on pages 67 to 125) about internal controls and risk management systems in relation to financial reporting 
processes and about share capital structures in compliance with rules 7.2.5 and 7.2.6 of the Disclosure Guidance and 
Transparency Rules sourcebook of the FCA (“DTR”) is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared  
in accordance with applicable legal requirements. (CA06)

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and Company and their environment obtained in the course  
of the audit, we did not identify any material misstatements in this information. (CA06)

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Corporate Governance 
Statement (on pages 67 to 125) with respect to the Company’s corporate governance code and practices and about its 
administrative, management and supervisory bodies and their committees complies with rules 7.2.2, 7.2.3 and 7.2.7 of the DTR. 
(CA06)

We have nothing to report arising from our responsibility to report if a corporate governance statement has not been 
prepared by the Company. (CA06)

131

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of U and I Group PLC
continued

The Directors’ assessment of the prospects of the Group and of the principal risks that would threaten the solvency 
or liquidity of the Group
We have nothing material to add or draw attention to regarding:

 – The Directors’ confirmation on page 72 of 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 disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated.
 – The Directors’ explanation on page 72 of 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.

We have nothing to report having performed a review of the Directors’ statement that they have carried out a robust 
assessment of the principal risks facing the Group and statement in relation to the longer-term viability of the Group. Our 
review was substantially less in scope than an audit and only consisted of making inquiries and considering the Directors’ 
process supporting their statements; checking that the statements are in alignment with the relevant provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”); and considering whether the statements are consistent with the knowledge 
and understanding of the Group and Company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit. (Listing Rules)

Other Code Provisions
We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when:

 – The statement given by the Directors, on page 72, that they consider the Annual Report taken as a whole to be fair, balanced 
and understandable, and provides the information necessary for the members to assess the Group’s and Company’s 
position and performance, business model and strategy is materially inconsistent with our knowledge of the Group and 
Company obtained in the course of performing our audit.

 – The section of the Annual Report on page 88 describing the work of the Audit and Risk Committee does not appropriately 

address matters communicated by us to the Audit and Risk Committee.

 – The Directors’ statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the Code does not properly disclose a departure from 

a relevant provision of the Code specified, under the Listing Rules, for review by the auditors.

Directors’ Remuneration
In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with 
the Companies Act 2006. (CA06)

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit
Responsibilities of the Directors for the financial statements
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities set out on page 125, the Directors are responsible for 
the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable framework and for being satisfied that they give 
a true and fair view. The Directors are also responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the 
preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s and the 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 Company or to cease operations, or have no 
realistic alternative but to do so.

132

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Auditors’ 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 auditors’ 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.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at:  
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditors’ report.

Use of this report
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the Company’s members as a body in accordance with 
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or 
assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may 
come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

Other required reporting
Companies Act 2006 exception reporting
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

 – we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
 – adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received 

from branches not visited by us; or

 – certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
 – the Company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement 

with the accounting records and returns.

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Appointment
Following the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee, we were appointed by the members on 28 May 2008 to audit 
the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2008 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted 
engagement is 10 years, covering the years ended 31 December 2008 to 28 February 2018. During the year a competitive 
tender process for the audit was undertaken for the year ending 28 February 2019 and the Audit and Risk Committee subsequently 
recommended the re-appointment of PwC as auditors.

Julian Jenkins (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 
London

26 April 2018

133

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 28 February 2018

Revenue

Direct costs
Gross profit

Operating costs

Gain/(loss) on disposal of investment properties

Loss on revaluation of property portfolio
Operating profit before exceptional item

Exceptional impairment of operating segment
Operating profit after exceptional item

Other income

Share of post-tax profits of joint ventures and associates

Profit from sale of investments

Gain/(loss) on sale of other plant and equipment
Profit before interest and income tax

Finance income

Finance costs
Profit/(loss) before income tax

Income tax
Profit/(loss) for the year

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Profit/(loss) for the year

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:

Currency translation differences

Revaluation of operating property

Deferred income tax credit
Total comprehensive income for the year

Basic earnings/(loss) per share attributable to the Parent*

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share attributable to the Parent*

*  Adjusted earnings per share from continuing activities is given in note 8

2018 

Total 

£’000

2017 

Total 

£’000

173,684

123,931

(117,477)

(86,863)

56,207

37,068

(24,235)

(22,061)

3,324

(2,417)

32,879

–

32,879

2,089

16,175

6,713

5

57,861

94

(9,783)

48,172

(7,916)

40,256

(2,273)

(9,506)

3,228

(2,150)

1,078

1,320

6,134

567

(25)

9,074

711

(11,495)

(1,710)

(1,293)

(3,003)

40,256

(3,003)

292

35

–

40,583

32.2p

32.2p

2,958

–

127

82

(2.4)p

(2.4)p

Notes

2

2

2

2

2

9

3

3

13

13(a)

5(a)

5(b)

6

10

6/18

8

8

All amounts in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income relate to continuing operations.

The notes on pages 138 to 185 are an integral part of these Consolidated financial statements.

134

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Consolidated Balance Sheet
As at 28 February 2018

NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Direct real estate interests
Investment properties
Operating property
Trade and other receivables

Indirect real estate interests
Investments in associates
Investments in joint ventures
Intangible assets – goodwill
Loans to other real estate businesses

Other non-current assets
Other plant and equipment
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred income tax assets

Total non-current assets
CURRENT ASSETS
Inventory – development and trading properties
Other financial assets
Trade and other receivables
Current income tax asset
Monies held in restricted accounts and deposits
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables
Current income tax liabilities
Borrowings
Provisions 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Deferred income tax liabilities
Provisions

Total liabilities
Net assets
EQUITY
Share capital
Share premium
Other reserves
Retained earnings
Total equity 
Basic/diluted net assets per share attributable  
to the owners of the Parent

Notes

£’000

2018 

£’000

£’000

2017 

£’000

9
10
15(a)

13(a)
13(b)
11
17(a)

12
17(c)
18

14
17(a)
15(b)

16(b)

17(b)
16(c)

16(a)
17(b)
18
16(c)

19
20
20
20

8

139,506
775
2,487

–
92,806
2,328
15,812

4,241
10
1,225

216,393
16,837
119,629
–
11,473
40,626

(99,716)
(7,748)
(63,209)
(2,513)

–
(107,975)
(3,290)
(416)

62,671
104,475
56,628
155,507

179,199
800
2,858

142,768

182,857

8,372
46,089
2,328
19,859

110,946

76,648

5,476
259,190

7,386
266,891

5,770
257
1,359

208,342
18,524
48,720
16
27,486
23,785

404,958
664,148

326,873
593,764

(53,369)
–
(4,508)
(1,394)

(173,186)

(59,271)

(111,681)
(284,867)
379,281

(14,395)
(167,617)
(3,568)
(1,288)

62,613
104,325
54,551
126,136

(186,868)
(246,139)
347,625

379,281

347,625

303p/303p

278p/277p

The notes on pages 138 to 185 are an integral part of these Consolidated financial statements.

Approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 26 April 2018 and signed on its behalf by:

M S Weiner
Director

135

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 28 February 2018

At 1 March 2016

Loss for the year ended 28 February 2017

Other comprehensive (expense)/income:

– Revaluation of operating property

– Fair value adjustment realised

– Currency translation differences

–  Deferred income tax credited directly to equity
Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the  
year ended 28 February 2017

Issue of Ordinary shares

Share-based payments

Final dividend 2016

Supplemental dividend 2016pplemental dividend 

Interim dividend 2017
Total contributions by and distributions to owners  
of the Company

Balance at 28 February 2017

Profit for the year ended 28 February 2018

Other comprehensive income:

– Revaluation of operating property

– Currency translation differences
Total comprehensive income for the year ended  
28 February 2018

Issue of Ordinary shares

Share-based payments

Final dividend 2017

Supplemental dividend 2017

Interim dividend 2018

Total contributions by and distributions to owners  
of the Company

Balance at 28 February 2018

Share 

Other 

Retained 

Share capital 

premium 

reserves 

earnings  

Total equity 

Notes

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

62,537

104,113

51,861

144,814

363,325

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

76

212

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(3,003)

(3,003)

(1,073)

(630)

2,958

127

1,073

630

–

–

1,382

(1,300)

–

1,308

–

–

–

–

–

(4,378)

(9,997)

(3,003)

–

–

2,958

127

82

288

1,308

(4,378)

(9,997)

(3,003)

76

212

1,308

(17,378)

(15,782)

62,613

104,325

54,551

126,136

347,625

–

–

–

–
58

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
150

–

–

–

–

–

40,256

40,256

35

292

327
–

1,750

–

–

–

–

–

35

292

40,256
–

–

(4,379)

(3,503)

(3,003)

40,583
208

1,750

(4,379)

(3,503)

(3,003)

58

150

1,750

(10,885)

(8,927)

62,671

104,475

56,628

155,507

379,281

6/18

20

20

7

7

7

20

20

7

7

7

The notes on pages 138 to 185 are an integral part of these Consolidated financial statements.

136

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
For the year ended 28 February 2018

CASH (USED IN)/GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS

Cash flows (used in)/generated from operating activities

Interest paid

Income tax paid
Net cash (used in)/generated from operating activities

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Interest received

Proceeds on disposal of other plant and equipment

Proceeds on disposal of investment properties

Purchase of other plant and equipment

Purchase of investment properties

Investment in joint ventures 

Cash inflow from joint ventures and associates - fees and distributions

Cash outflow for financial asset loans

Cash inflow from financial assets - loans repaid by other real estate businesses
Net cash generated from investing activities

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Dividends paid

Issue of new shares

Repayments of borrowings

New bank loans raised

Transaction costs associated with borrowings

Cash released from restricted accounts

Cash retained by restricted accounts
Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

Exchange (loss)/gain on cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS COMPRISE:

Cash at bank and in hand

Bank overdrafts

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

NET DEBT COMPRISES:

Monies held in restricted accounts and deposits

Cash and cash equivalents

Financial liabilities:

– Current borrowings

– Non-current borrowings
Net debt

Notes

21

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

(211)

(9,140)

(296)

(9,647)

3,803

5

39,253

(822)

(2,432)

56,859

(7,774)

(3,806)

45,279

443

11

16,250

(601)

(3,051)

(31,535)

(19,197)

11,454

(5,676)

10,455

24,505

24,245

(518)

1,816

19,398

(10,885)

(17,378)

208

288

(120,529)

(81,677)

118,110

33,194

(922)

27,434

(11,421)

1,995

16,853

23,785

(12)

40,626

(339)

2,661

(22,051)

(85,302)

(20,625)

43,752

658

23,785

40,626

23,785

17(b)

–

–

40,626

23,785

11,473

40,626

27,486

23,785

17(b)

17(b)

(63,209)

(4,508)

(107,975)

(167,617)

(119,085)

(120,854)

An analysis of the movement in net debt is provided in note 21.

The notes on pages 138 to 185 are an integral part of these Consolidated financial statements.

137

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 28 February 2018

1 Basis of preparation and accounting policies
a)
(i) General information
The Consolidated financial statements of the Group for the 
year ended 28 February 2018 comprise the results of U and I 
Group PLC and its subsidiaries and were authorised by the 
Board for issue on 25 April 2018.

The Company is a public limited company which is listed on 
the London Stock Exchange and is incorporated and domiciled 
in the UK. The address of its registered office is 7A Howick 
Place, London SW1P 1DZ.

(ii) Going concern
The Group meets its day to day working capital requirements 
through its cash reserves and bank facilities. The current 
economic conditions continue to create uncertainty. The Group 
produces regular forecasts and cash flow projections to confirm 
that it can continue to operate within the level of its existing 
banking  facilities.  The  Group  considers  the  risks  and 
uncertainties  highlighted  in  the  Viability  Statement  when 
reviewing its projections. Following this review, the Directors 
consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing its Consolidated financial statements.

b) Basis of preparation
The  Group’s  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs)  and  IFRS  Interpretations  Committee  (IFRSIC) 
interpretation as adopted by the European Union and with the 
Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under 
IFRS. The accounting policies which follow set out those 
policies which were applied consistently in preparing the 
financial statements for the years ended 28 February 2018 and 
28 February 2017.

The Consolidated financial statements have been prepared 
on  a  going  concern  basis  and  under  the  historical  cost 
convention, as modified by the revaluation of investment 
property, operating property, available-for-sale financial assets, 
financial assets and liabilities and derivative instruments at  
fair value through profit and loss.

c) Critical accounting judgements and estimates
When preparing the Group financial statements, management 
are required to make judgements, assumptions and estimates 
concerning the future. These judgements and assumptions 
are made at the time the financial statements are prepared 
and adopted based on the best information available. Actual 
outcomes may be different from initial estimates and are 
reflected in the financial statements as soon as they become 
apparent. Management believe that the underlying assumptions 
are appropriate. Areas requiring judgements or estimates are 
discussed in the following section.

Judgements other than estimates
1.1 Classification of directly owned property assets
The Group earns revenue from property development, trading 
and investment, and operating serviced offices.

Property development includes the entire development process 
from identification of an opportunity through to construction, 
letting  and  sale  of  a  completed  scheme.  This  activity  is 
undertaken both on the Group’s own Balance Sheet and in 
partnership with institutional investors, usually via a pre-sale 
of the completed development.

Property trading refers to participation in the development 
process, where the Group acquires an interest in land and 
enhances the potential development, for instance by procuring 
or changing planning permission, before selling on to a third 
party to complete the development.

Property investment represents the acquisition of income-
generating real estate which is held for the purposes of income 
and capital gain, through active asset management.

In most cases the property interest is held directly by the Group 
and is classified either as investment property (refer note 9) 
or  as  inventory  for  development  and  trading  properties  
(refer note 14).

The  varied  nature  of  the  Group’s  properties  is  such  that  
a number exhibit characteristics consistent with more than 
one classification; also, the Directors’ strategy for an asset 
may change during its ownership. The Directors determine  
the  status  of  each  asset  according  to  their  intention  on 
acquisition.  A  change  in  classification  is  made  only  in  
exceptional circumstances, where the strategy and use have 
demonstrably changed. 

138

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018During the year the Group has reclassified two trading and 
development  assets  to  investment  properties.  This 
reclassification is as a result of a change in strategy and use 
in respect of these assets whereby they are now being held 
for income and capital appreciation.

The investment portfolio (and the operating property) are 
stated at fair value, which requires a number of judgements 
and estimates in assessing the qualities of the Group’s assets 
relative to market transactions. Details of the judgements and 
assumptions made are set out in notes 1(i), 1(j), 9 and 10.

1.2 Classification of projects in partnership
In addition to its directly owned and managed activities, the 
Group participates in similar activities in partnership with 
others, typically to access expertise in different locations or 
market sectors. The Group’s financial participation may be by 
way of equity investment or loan. In each case a judgement is 
required as to the status of the Group’s interest, as an associate, 
a joint venture, a joint operation or a financial asset, typically 
focusing on the extent of control exercised by the Group.

The Group’s share of control is governed and achieved by a 
mixture of rights set out in agreements and participation in the 
management of each business. The exercise of control in 
practice  does  not  always  follow  the  legal  structure.  The 
Directors have considered the position in respect of each 
venture, taking account of the operation in practice, and have 
determined the status of each accordingly.

These investments are reported under the relevant balance 
sheet headings, with a summary in note 26.

1.3 Acquisition of subsidiaries
The Group sometimes acquires properties through the purchase 
of entities which own real estate. At the time of acquisition, 
the Group considers whether the transaction represents the 
acquisition of a business. In cases where the entity is capable 
of being operated as a business, or an integrated set of activities 
is acquired in addition to the property, the Group accounts 
for  the  acquisition  as  a  business  combination.  When  the 
acquisition does not represent a business, it is accounted for 
as the purchase of a group of assets and liabilities. In making 
this distinction, the Group considers the number of items of 
land and buildings owned by the entity, the extent of ancillary 
services provided by the entity, and whether the entity has its 
own  staff  to  manage  the  property  (over  and  above  the 
maintenance and security of the premises).

Estimates
1.4 Valuation of property assets
The key source of estimation uncertainty rests in the values of 
property assets, which affects several categories of asset in 
the Balance Sheet.

The same uncertainties affect the determination of fair value 
of certain available-for-sale financial instruments, described 
in note 17, with the further complexity that the value of these 
assets requires estimates of future construction costs, tenant 
demand and market yields.

The Group’s development and trading properties are carried 
at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The determination 
of net realisable value relies upon similar estimates, with the 
added challenge, in some cases, of judgements about uncertain 
planning outcomes. These amounts are disclosed in note 14.

1.5 Impairment reviews
The  Group’s  Curzon  Park  Limited  joint  venture  owns  a 
development site in Birmingham known as Curzon Street. The 
current proposal for the high speed train link between London 
and Birmingham (HS2) indicates that the planned route of HS2 
passes through the site, including provision for part of the 
prospective station. In view of this, the ultimate value of the 
site is uncertain. It is not clear what impact HS2 will have on 
the development of the 10.5-acre site. The Directors believe 
that the site will recover at least its carrying value in the books 
of the joint venture, although the interim and ultimate uses of 
the site and timing of its development remain unclear. The site 
is discussed in note 17(a).

The Group continues to review the operations of its serviced 
office business as it looks to exit a number of the centres. 
Three will close during the year and the Group is looking  
at options of exiting two further centres. A further provision 
of  £628,000  has  been  made  during  the  year  to  cover  
closure costs.

1.6 Derivative financial instruments
The Group is party to a number of interest rate swap agreements 
which are accounted for as derivatives and measured at fair 
value. The estimation of this figure is based upon market 
assumptions about future movements in interest and exchange 
rates. The estimated fair values and the movements in the year 
are set out in note 17(c).

139

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

 – IFRS 15, ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’, deals 
with revenue recognition and sets out principles for reporting 
the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and 
cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Revenue 
is recognised when a customer gains control of goods or 
services and has the ability to direct the use and obtain the 
benefit from the goods or services. Variable consideration 
is included in the transaction price if it is highly probable 
and there would be no subsequent reversal of the revenue 
recognised once the uncertainly is resolved. The standard 
replaces  IAS  18,  ‘Revenue’,  and  IAS  11,  ‘Construction 
Contracts’. The standard is effective for the accounting 
period commencing 1 March 2018. 

The Group is implementing IFRS 15 for the current financial 
year and has carried out a review of its existing contractual 
arrangements. The Group will need to consider the certainty 
surrounding  the  payment  of  contingent  or  variable 
consideration  which  may  result  in  the  income  being 
recognised earlier than currently under IAS 18. The Group 
does not consider that there will be any material change in 
the way the Group calculates revenue.

 – IFRS 16, ‘Leases’, was issued in January 2016 and will 
become mandatory for the accounting period commencing 
1 March 2019, with early adoption permitted. Under the 
new standard, the key change is that most operating leases 
will be accounted for on balance sheet for lessees, with the 
exception of short-term and low-value leases. The accounting 
for  lessors  will  not  significantly  change.  The  Group  is 
reviewing its operating lease obligations and assessing the 
full impact of IFRS 16. 

There are no other IFRSs or IFRIC interpretations that are not 
yet effective that would be expected to have a material impact 
on the Group.

1 Basis of preparation and accounting policies continued
c) Critical accounting judgements and estimates continued
1.7 Group Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
During the year, the Group made awards to staff under the 
Group’s LTIP. The awards vest according to a number of 
performance criteria, the primary measure being net asset 
value  growth  over  a  three-year  period.  In  calculating  the 
provision to accrue, management are required to estimate net 
asset growth over the vesting period. The estimate is reassessed 
at each reporting date.

d) New and amended accounting standards
No new standards, amendments and interpretations, effective 
for  annual  periods  beginning  after  1  March  2017,  have  a 
significant impact on the Group’s operations.

A number of new standards, amendments and interpretations 
are effective for accounting periods commencing after 1 March 
2018 and have not been applied in preparing these financial 
statements. The Group does not expect any of the amendments 
to have a material impact on its financial statements of the 
Group or Company, except as stated below:

 – IFRS 9, ‘Financial Instruments’, addresses the classification, 
measurement  and  recognition  of  financial  assets  and 
financial liabilities and replaces parts of IAS 39. IFRS 9 
requires  financial  assets  to  be  classified  into  two 
measurement categories: those measured at fair value and 
those measured at amortised cost. The determination is 
made at initial recognition and will depend on characteristics 
of the instrument. For financial liabilities, the main change 
from IAS 39 is that where the fair value option is taken for 
financial liabilities, the part of the fair value change due to 
an entity’s own credit risk is recorded in Other comprehensive 
income rather than the Income Statement, unless it creates 
an accounting mismatch. The Group will implement IFRS 9 
for the accounting period commencing 1 March 2018 and 
anticipates that the classification and measurement basis 
for its financial assets and liabilities will largely unchanged. 
The main impact of adopting IFRS 9 will be the implementation 
of the expected loss model. The Group has reviewed all of 
its financial assets and liabilities as at 28 February 2018 and 
the expected impact of IFRS 9 is not materially different 
from the current position adopted.

140

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Summary of significant accounting policies
e) Basis of consolidation
The Consolidated financial statements of the Group include 
the financial statements of U and I Group PLC (the Company), 
its  subsidiaries  and  its  share  of  results  of  joint  ventures  
and associates.

If the business combination is achieved in stages, the acquisition 
date carrying value of the acquirer’s previously held interest 
in the acquiree is re-measured to fair value at the acquisition 
date. Any gains or losses arising from re-measurement are 
recognised in profit or loss.

Subsidiaries are all entities (including special purpose entities) 
over which the Group has control. The Group has control  
when it has rights to variable returns from its involvement in 
the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through 
its power over the entity. The Group is deemed to have control 
where it does not have more than 50% of the voting power  
but is able to govern the financial and operating policies by 
virtue of defacto control, taking account of how the entity 
operates in practice.

The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a subsidiary 
is the fair value of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred 
and the equity interests issued by the Group. This fair value 
includes any contingent consideration at the acquisition date. 
Any subsequent change to the fair value of the contingent 
consideration that is deemed to be an asset or liability is 
recognised with either the profit or loss recognised in the 
income statement.

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

The results of subsidiaries acquired during the year are included 
from the effective date of acquisition, being the date on which 
the Group obtains control. They are deconsolidated on the 
date that control ceases. 

The Group recognises any non-controlling interest on an 
acquisition-by-acquisition basis either at fair value or at the 
non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the identifiable 
net assets acquired.

Where  property  is  acquired,  via  corporate  acquisition  or 
otherwise, management consider the substance of the assets 
and activities of the acquired entity in determining whether the 
acquisition represents the acquisition of a business. The basis 
of the judgement is set out in note 1(c), 1.3.

Where such acquisitions are not judged to be an acquisition 
of a business, they are not treated as business combinations. 
Rather, the cost to acquire the corporate entity is allocated 
between the identifiable assets and liabilities of the entity 
based on their relative fair values at the acquisition date. 
Accordingly, no goodwill or additional deferred taxation arises. 
Otherwise,  acquisitions  are  accounted  for  as  business 
combinations.

Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition 
method. Any excess of the purchase price of the business 
combination over the fair value of the identifiable assets and 
liabilities acquired is recognised as goodwill. Goodwill is tested 
annually for impairment and carried at cost less accumulated 
impairment losses.

Intra-group balances and any unrealised gains and losses 
arising from intra-group transactions are eliminated in preparing 
the Consolidated financial statements. Where necessary, 
adjustments have been made to the financial statements of 
subsidiaries,  associates  and  joint  ventures  to  bring  the 
accounting policies used and accounting periods into line with 
those of the Group.

f) Associates and joint ventures
An associated company is defined as an undertaking other 
than a subsidiary or joint venture over which the Group has 
significant influence but not control, generally accompanying 
a shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. 
Investments in associates are accounted using the equity 
method of accounting. The Group’s investment in associates 
includes goodwill identified on acquisition.

141

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

1 Basis of preparation and accounting policies continued
f) Associates and joint ventures continued
The Group applies IFRS 11 to all joint arrangements. Under 
IFRS 11, investments in joint arrangements are classified as 
either joint operations or joint ventures depending on the 
contractual rights and obligations of each investor. The Group 
has assessed all of its joint arrangements and determined them 
to be joint ventures, accounted for using the equity method.

Under the equity method, the interest in associates or joint 
ventures is carried in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at cost 
adjusted thereafter for the Group’s share of post-acquisition 
profits or losses, recognised in the Group income statement. 
When the Group’s share of losses in an associate or joint 
venture equals or exceeds the Group’s interest, including any 
unsecured receivables, the Group does not recognise further 
losses unless it has incurred obligations or made payments 
on behalf of the associate or joint venture.

g) Intangible assets
(i) Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition 
over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable 
assets of the acquired subsidiary at the date of acquisition. 
Goodwill on acquisitions of subsidiaries is included in Intangible 
assets. Goodwill is tested annually, or more frequently if 
circumstances change, for impairment and carried at cost less 
accumulated impairment losses. Any impairment is recognised 
immediately as an expense and is not subsequently reversed. 
Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the 
carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.

Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units (CGUs) for the 
purpose of impairment testing. The allocation is made to those 
CGUs  that  are  expected  to  benefit  from  the  business 
combination in which the goodwill arose, identified according 
to operating segment.

(ii) Impairment of non-financial assets
Assets that have an indefinite useful life, for example goodwill, 
are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for 
impairment. Assets that are subject to amortisation are reviewed 
for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that the carrying amount may not be subsequently 
reversed. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by 
which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable 

amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s 
fair  value  less  costs  to  sell  and  value-in-use.  For  the  
purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the 
lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash 
flows  (CGUs).  Prior  impairment  of  non-financial  assets,  
other than goodwill, are reviewed for possible reversal at  
each reporting date.

h) Revenue recognition
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration 
received or receivable. The Group recognises revenue when 
the amount of the revenue can be reliably measured; when it 
is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity; 
and when the specific criteria have been met for each of the 
Group’s activities as described below.

i. 

ii. 

 Rental income is recognised on a straight-line basis over 
the term of the lease. Incentives for lessees to enter into 
lease agreements are spread evenly over the lease term, 
even if payments are not made on such a basis. The lease 
term is the non-cancellable period of the lease together 
with any further term for which the tenant has the option 
to continue the lease, where, at inception of the lease, the 
Directors are reasonably certain that the tenant will exercise 
that option. Lease incentives are usually in the form of 
rent-free periods and/or capital contributions. Assets held 
within both the investment and development and trading 
segments earn rental income.
 Lease surrender payments from tenants are recognised in 
income when they are contractually agreed.

iii.   Sales of property classified as Inventory are recognised 
when  the  risks  and  rewards  of  ownership  have  been 
transferred  to  the  purchaser,  which  is  normally  on 
unconditional  exchange  of  contracts.  For  conditional 
exchanges, sales are recognised only when all of the 
significant conditions are satisfied.

iv.   Licence fee income from serviced offices is recognised 
on a straight-line basis over the term of the licence. Other 
income from serviced offices is recognised when the 
service is provided. The income is classified within the 
operating segment.
 Project management fee income is recognised on a straight-
line  basis  over  the  contract  term  for  which  project 
management services are provided.

v. 

142

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018iii.   Completed investment properties are valued, at each 
reporting date, by professional valuers who hold recognised 
and relevant professional qualifications and have recent 
experience in the location and category of the investment 
property being valued. In determining the fair value, the 
capitalisation of net income method and the discounting 
of future cash flows to their present value have been used, 
which are based upon assumptions including future rental 
income, anticipated maintenance costs and appropriate 
discount rate, and make reference to market evidence of 
transaction prices for similar properties. A deduction is 
made to reflect purchaser’s acquisition costs.

v. 

iv.   Investment properties under construction are valued by 
the Directors on the basis of the expected value of the 
property when complete, less deductions for the costs 
required  to  complete  the  project  and  appropriate 
adjustments for risk and finance costs. In preparing these 
valuations, the Directors consult with agents and other 
advisors to derive appropriate assumptions specific to 
each asset.
 Gains or losses on disposal of investment properties are 
calculated by reference to carrying value and recognised 
when the risks and rewards of ownership are considered 
to have passed to the purchaser, which is normally on 
unconditional  exchange  of  contracts.  For  conditional 
exchanges, sales are recognised only when all of the 
significant conditions are satisfied. Gains and losses are 
recognised within Gains or losses on disposal of investment 
properties in the income statement.

vi.   Investment properties held for sale are held at fair value 
and  classified  separately  within  current  assets  in  the  
Balance Sheet. 

vi.   Development  revenue  and  profits  are  recognised  in 
accordance with IAS 11, ‘Construction Contracts’, or IAS 
18, ‘Revenue’, depending on whether all development risks, 
apart  from  the  construction  risk,  have  passed  to  the 
purchaser under the terms of the development agreement. 
The Group also reviews all contracts in accordance with 
IFRIC 15 ‘Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate’. 
Where only the construction risk remains, the revenue and 
profit on the development are recognised under IAS 11 so 
as to match the proportion of development work completed 
on  a  percentage  completion  basis  as  determined  by 
consultant monitoring surveyors or using a suitable method 
particular to the contract concerned. Management review 
each  contract  for  classification  and  profits  are  only 
recognised where the outcome can be determined with 
reasonable certainty. Full provision is made for losses as 
soon as such losses are foreseen. Where revenue and 
profit are recognised under IAS 18, disposals are recognised 
where the risks and rewards of ownership are considered 
to have been transferred to the purchaser. Profits are 
recognised within the development and trading segment.
vii.   Finance income is recognised by reference to the principal 
outstanding using the effective interest method and is 
included in Finance income in the income statement.
viii.  Dividend income from investments is recognised when the 
Group’s right to receive income has been established.

i) Investment properties
i. 

 Investment properties are those properties, including  
land holdings, that are held for long-term rental yields  
or for capital appreciation or both. Investment properties 
may be freehold or leasehold properties and must not  
be occupied by members of the Group. For leasehold 
properties that are classified as investment properties,  
the associated leasehold obligations are accounted for  
as finance lease obligations if they qualify to be treated  
as such.
 Investment  properties  are  measured  initially  at  cost, 
including  directly  attributable  transaction  costs,  and 
thereafter are stated at fair value. Surpluses and deficits 
arising  from  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  investment 
properties are recognised in the income statement in the 
year in which they arise.

ii. 

143

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

1 Basis of preparation and accounting policies continued
j) Property, plant and equipment
(i) Operating properties – serviced offices
Operating properties are held for business purposes rather 
than for investment, generating revenue by way of licence fees 
and ancillary services. These properties are recognised initially 
at cost, which includes the original purchase price of the asset 
and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working 
condition for its intended use. Thereafter, the asset is carried 
at  valuation  less  depreciation  and  impairment  charged 
subsequent to the date of revaluation. A revaluation surplus is 
credited to Other comprehensive income and accumulated in 
equity under the heading of Net unrealised gain/(loss) reserve, 
unless it reverses a revaluation decrease on the same asset 
previously recognised as an expense, where it is first credited 
to the income statement to that extent.

Operating properties are valued at each reporting date by 
independent, professional valuers on the basis of Highest and 
Best Use Value. Surpluses and deficits in the period are included 
in the Property revaluation reserve within equity, except where 
carrying  value  is  below  depreciated  cost,  in  which  case 
surpluses and deficits are included in the income statement. 
Depreciation is provided so as to write off the value of the 
properties, excluding land, over their expected useful lives, 
usually 25 years.

(ii) Other plant and equipment
Other plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated 
depreciation and any provision for impairment. Cost includes 
expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of 
the assets. Depreciation is provided so as to write off the cost 
less estimated residual value of the assets over their expected 
useful lives on a straight-line method. The principal annual 
rates used for this purpose are as follows:

Fixtures, fittings and computer equipment 
Motor vehicles  

– 10% to 33% 
– 20%

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed and 
adjusted if appropriate at the end of each reporting period. 
An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its 
recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater 
than its estimated recoverable amount.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing 
the net proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised 
within Other gains and losses in the income statement.

k) Leases – Group as lessee
Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards 
of  ownership  are  retained  by  the  lessor  are  classified  as 
operating leases. Rents payable under operating leases, net 
of any incentives received from the lessor, are charged to the 
income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of  
the lease.

l) Inventory – development and trading properties
Property  and  development  interests  acquired  or  being 
constructed for sale in the ordinary course of business, rather 
than to be held for rental or capital appreciation, are held as 
inventory and are measured at the lower of cost and estimated 
net realisable value.

Cost includes directly attributable expenditure and interest. 
No element of overhead is included in cost, since it is not 
practical to identify overhead amounts in respect of particular 
assets. Where the Directors consider that the costs are not 
recoverable from the sale or development of the asset, the 
project or site is written down to its net realisable value, with 
the write down taken to the income statement.

Net realisable value is calculated as the estimated selling price 
of the project or site, based upon the current plans, less all 
further costs to be incurred in making the sale.

m) Current and deferred income tax
The tax expense for the year comprises current and deferred 
tax. Tax is recognised in the income statement, except to the 
extent that it relates to items recognised in Other comprehensive 
income  or  directly  in  equity.  In  this  case,  the  tax  is  also 
recognised  in  Other  comprehensive  income  or  directly  
in equity.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of 
the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance 
sheet date, together with any adjustment in respect of previous 
years, in the jurisdiction where the Company and its subsidiaries 
operate and generate taxable income. Appropriate provisions 
are made based on the amounts expected to be paid to the 
tax authorities.

144

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
 
 
Deferred income tax is recognised using the liability method 
on all temporary differences arising between the tax bases  
of  assets  and  liabilities  and  their  carrying  amounts  for  
financial reporting purposes at the reporting date, with the 
following exceptions:

 – Where  the  temporary  differences  arise  from  the  initial 
recognition  of  goodwill  or  of  an  asset  or  liability  in  a 
transaction that is not a business combination that, at the 
time of the transaction, affects neither accounting nor 
taxable profit or loss.

 – In respect of taxable temporary differences associated with 
investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates 
where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference 
can be controlled by the Parent, venture partner or investor 
respectively, and it is probable that the temporary difference 
will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the 
tax rates that are expected to apply to the year when the asset 
is realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates and tax 
laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the 
balance sheet date.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised only to the extent 
that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available 
against which the temporary difference can be utilised.

n) Financial assets and financial liabilities
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the 
Group’s Balance Sheet when the Group becomes a party to 
the contractual terms of the instrument.

(i) Financial assets
The Group determines the classification of its financial assets 
at initial recognition. The classification depends on the purpose 
for which the financial assets were acquired as follows:

 – Loans and other receivables with fixed or determinable 
payments that are not quoted on an active market. The 
Group’s loans and receivables are included within Trade 
and other receivables, Cash and cash equivalents, Monies 
held in restricted accounts and deposits and Other financial 
assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 – Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. This 
represents  interest  and  currency  swaps  which  are 
categorised as held for trading unless they are designated 
as hedges.

 – Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivatives that 
are designated as such or are not classified in any other 
category. After initial recognition at cost, available-for-sale 
assets are measured at fair value, with gains or losses being 
recognised as a separate component of equity until the 
investment  is  derecognised  or  until  the  investment  is 
determined to be impaired, at which time the cumulative 
gain or loss previously recognised in equity is included in 
the income statement. Equity instrument financial assets 
are  held  at  cost  in  the  event  that  the  fair  value  of  the 
instruments is not reliably measurable.

Trade receivables are recognised and carried at the lower of 
their original invoiced value and recoverable amount. Where 
the time value of money is material, receivables are carried at 
amortised cost. Provision is made when there is objective 
evidence that the Group will not be able to recover balances 
in full. Balances are written off when the probability of recovery 
is  assessed  as  being  remote.  Subsequent  recoveries  of 
amounts  previously  written  off  are  credited  against  the 
appropriate cost line in the income statement.

Amounts due from customers for contract work are included 
in  Trade  and  other  receivables  and  represent  revenue 
recognised in excess of payments on account received.

Monies held in restricted accounts and deposits represent 
cash held by the Group in accounts with conditions that restrict 
the use of these monies by the Group and, as such, does not 
meet the definition of Cash and cash equivalents as defined 
in IAS 7, ‘Statement of Cash Flows’.

Cash and cash equivalents comprise deposits held at call with 
banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with no 
significant risk of changes in value. Bank overdrafts that are 
repayable on demand and which form an integral part of the 
Group’s cash management are included as a financial liability. 
For the purposes of the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement, 
cash and cash equivalents are stated net of outstanding  
bank overdrafts.

Financial assets are included within current assets except for 
assets maturing after one year, which will be classified as 
non-current.

145

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

1 Basis of preparation and accounting policies continued
n) Financial assets and financial liabilities continued
Financial assets are assessed for impairment at each reporting 
date. Assets are impaired where there is evidence that as a 
result of events that occurred after initial recognition, the 
estimated future cash flows from the assets have been adversely 
affected. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced and the 
amount of the loss is recognised in the income statement. If, 
in  a  subsequent  period,  the  amount  of  the  impairment 
decreases, the reversal of the previously recognised impairment 
is recognised in the income statement.

(ii) Financial liabilities
Loans and borrowings are initially recognised at fair value, net 
of directly attributable transaction costs, and subsequently 
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. 
Gains and losses arising on the repurchase, settlement or 
otherwise cancellation of liabilities are recognised respectively 
in Finance income and Finance costs.

Other financial liabilities, including trade and other payables, 
are  initially  recognised  at  fair  value  and  subsequently  at 
amortised cost and are classified as current liabilities if payment 
is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as 
non-current liabilities.

(iii) Derivatives
The Group enters into derivative financial instruments, including 
interest rate swaps, caps and collars and cross-currency 
swaps, to manage its exposure to interest rate and foreign 
exchange rate risk.

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a 
derivative  contract  is  entered  into  and  are  subsequently  
re-measured to their fair value at each reporting date. The 
resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss immediately 
unless the derivative is designated as an effective hedging 
instrument, in which case the fair value is taken through Other 
comprehensive income.

(iv) Hedging
The fair value of hedging derivatives is classified as a non-
current asset or a non-current liability if the remaining maturity 
of the hedge relationship is more than twelve months, and as 
a current asset or a current liability if the remaining maturity of 
the hedge relationship is less than twelve months.

At the inception of the hedge relationship the Group documents 
the relationship between the hedging instrument and hedged 
item, along with its risk management objectives and its strategy 
for undertaking various hedge transactions, the nature of the 
risk being hedged and how effectiveness will be measured 
throughout its duration. Furthermore, at the inception of the 
hedge and on an ongoing basis, the Group documents whether 
the hedging instruments that are used in hedging transactions 
are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash 
flows of hedged items. The gain or loss of the effective portion 
of  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the  hedging  instrument  is 
recognised in Other comprehensive income. The gain or loss 
relating to an ineffective portion is recognised immediately in 
the income statement. Amounts taken to equity are recycled 
to the income statement in the periods when the hedged item 
is recognised in profit or loss.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the Group revokes 
the hedging relationship or the hedging instrument expires  
or is sold, terminated or exercised, or no longer qualifies for 
hedge accounting.

The Group does not have any hedging instruments as at  
28 February 2018.

o) Borrowing costs
Gross  borrowing  costs  relating  to  direct  expenditure  on 
investment properties and inventories under development are 
capitalised. The interest capitalised is calculated using the 
rate of interest on the loan to fund the expenditure, or the 
Group’s  weighted  average  cost  of  borrowings  where 
appropriate, over the period from commencement of the 
development work until substantially all the activities necessary 
to prepare the qualifying asset for its intended use or sale are 
complete. The capitalisation of finance costs is suspended  
if there are prolonged periods when development activity  
is interrupted.

Capitalised  interest  is  written  off  to  direct  costs  on  
disposal of inventory or to operating profit on disposal of 
investment properties.

Other borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the 
period in which they are incurred.

146

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Fees paid on establishment of loan facilities are capitalised as 
a prepayment for liquidity services and amortised over the 
period of the facility to which it relates. All other borrowing 
costs are recognised in the income statement in the period in 
which they are incurred.

p) Provisions
A provision is recognised when the Group has a present legal 
or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is 
probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle 
the obligation and the amount can be reliably estimated.

Onerous lease provisions are created for properties that are 
unoccupied, sub-let at below the rent payable on the head 
lease or for operating sites where the projected future trading 
revenue is insufficient to cover the value-in-use.

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditure 
expected to be required to settle the obligation. The amortisation 
in the discount is recognised as an interest expense.

q) Employee benefits
(i) Pensions
The Group operates a defined contribution scheme whereby 
the Group pays fixed contributions into a pension fund. The 
Group has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further 
contributions if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay 
all employees relating to employee service in the current or 
prior periods. The charge to the income statement in the year 
represents the actual amount payable to the scheme in the 
year. Differences between contributions payable in the year 
and  contributions  paid  are  shown  as  either  accruals  or 
prepayments in the Balance Sheet.

(ii) Profit-sharing and bonus plans
The Group recognises a liability and expense for bonus and 
profit-sharing in accordance with the bonus plans outlined in 
the Remuneration Report on pages 98 to 116. The Group 
recognises a liability when contractually obliged.

r) Foreign currencies
The  Consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Group  are 
presented  in  UK  Sterling,  the  Company’s  functional  and 
presentation currency. Transactions denominated in foreign 
currencies are translated into Sterling at the rates of exchange 
ruling at the dates of the transactions or valuation when items 
are re-measured.

Monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign 
currencies at the balance sheet date are translated at the rates 
ruling at that date. Exchange movements are dealt with in the 
Income Statement, with exchange differences on borrowings 
taken  to  Finance  income  or  Finance  costs,  except  when 
deferred in equity as qualifying cash flow hedges and qualifying 
net investment hedges.

The results and financial position of Group entities that have 
a functional currency different from the reporting currency are 
translated as follows:

 – Assets and liabilities are translated at the rates ruling at the 

balance sheet date.

 – Income and expenses are translated at average exchange 

rate for the period.

 – All  exchange  differences  are  reported  in  Other  

comprehensive income.

s) Segmental reporting
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with 
the internal reporting provided to the Chief Operating Decision-
Maker (CODM). The CODM, who is responsible for allocating 
resources  and  assessing  performance  of  the  operating 
segments, has been identified as the Executive Committee.

t) Share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new 
Ordinary shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, 
net of tax, from the proceeds.

147

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

1 Basis of preparation and accounting policies continued
t) Share capital continued
Where a Group company purchases its own share capital out 
of distributable reserves, the shares can be held as treasury 
shares. The shares are carried at the consideration paid, 
including any directly attributable costs of acquiring the shares. 
The value of the shares is deducted from the equity attributable 
to the Company’s equity holders until the shares are cancelled 
or re-issued. If the shares are subsequently re-issued, their 
value is re-attributed to the Company’s equity holders.

u) Share-based payments
The Group operates a number of share-based compensation 
plans, both equity and cash settled, under which the entity 
receives services from employees as consideration for cash 
or equity-settled instruments of the Group.

The fair value of the employee services received in exchange 
for the grant of the option is recognised as an expense. The 
total amount to be expensed is determined by reference to 
the fair value of the options granted.

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
The LTIP commenced on 1 March 2015. 

Under the scheme, Ordinary shares are conditionally awarded 
based on the performance of the Group over a four-year period 
for Executive Directors and a three-year period for staff. The 
performance of the Group is referenced to the net asset value 
per share growth over the vesting period and is based on 
non-market conditions. The Directors assess the likelihood of 
the award vesting and the maximum amount that will vest based 
on forward-looking forecast of the Group.

No  expense  is  recognised  for  awards  that  do  not  
ultimately vest.

At each balance sheet date before vesting, the Group revises 
its estimate of the number of options that are expected to vest 
based  on  the  non-market  and  service  conditions.  Any 
adjustment to original estimates is recognised in the income 
statement with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

When the options are exercised, the Company issues new 
Ordinary shares. The nominal value of the shares is credited 
to share capital with the balance credited to share premium.

v) Dividend distribution
Dividend distributions to the Company’s shareholders are 
recognised as a liability in the Group’s financial statements in 
the  period  in  which  the  dividends  are  approved  by  the 
Company’s shareholders.

w) Exceptional items
Exceptional items are disclosed separately in the financial 
statements where it is necessary to do so to provide further 
understanding of the financial performance of the Group. They 
are material, non-recurring items of income or expense that 
have been shown separately due to the significance of their 
nature or amount.

x) Definitions
Operating profit: stated after loss on disposal of investment 
properties, the revaluation of the investment portfolio and 
exceptional items and before the results of associates, jointly 
controlled entities and finance income and costs.

IPD Index and Total Portfolio Return: total return from the 
completed investment portfolio, comprising net rental income 
or expenditure, capital gains or losses from disposals and 
revaluation surpluses or deficits, divided by the average capital 
employed during the financial year, as defined and measured 
Investment  Property  Databank  Limited  (IPD),  
by 
a  company  that  produces  independent  benchmarks  of  
property returns.

Total shareholder return: movement in share price over the 
year plus dividends paid as a percentage of the opening  
share price.

Gearing: expressed as a percentage, and measured as net 
debt divided by total shareholders’ funds.

Loan to value gearing: expressed as a percentage of net debt 
as a proportion of total property assets, including shares  
of  properties  and  net  debt  in  all  projects  in  partnership  
(refer note 26).

Net debt: total debt less cash and short-term deposits, including 
cash held in restricted accounts. 

148

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 20182 Segmental analysis
The segmental information presented consistently follows the information provided to the CODM and reflects the three sectors 
in which the Group operates. The CODM, which is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the 
operating segments, has been identified as the Executive Committee. The three operating divisions are:

 – Investment – management of the Group’s investment portfolio, generating rental income and valuation movements from 

property management;

 – Development and trading – managing the Group’s development and trading projects. Revenue is received from project 

management fees, development profits and the disposal of inventory; and

 – Operating – serviced office operations. Revenue is principally received from short-term licence fee income.

Unallocated assets and liabilities comprise amounts that cannot be specifically allocated to operating segments; an analysis 
is provided below.

These divisions are the basis on which the Group reports its primary segmental information. All operations occur and all assets 
are located in the United Kingdom, except assets of £30,004,000 (2017: £30,193,000) which are located in the Republic of 
Ireland. All revenue arises from continuing operations. 

Development  

Investment  

and trading  

Operating  

£’000

£’000

12,086

157,481

£’000

4,117

Total 

£’000

173,684

(3,656)

(109,037)

(4,784)

(117,477)

8,430

(3,579)

3,324

(2,417)

5,758

483

3,142

(99)

48,444

(20,656)

–

–

27,788

1,606

13,033

6,812

35

59

(4,942)

(4,841)

(667)

–

–

–

(667)

–

–

–

–

–

175,388

444,763

2,402

56,207

(24,235)

3,324

(2,417)

32,879

2,089

16,175

6,713

5

57,861

94

(9,783)

48,172

(7,916)

40,256

622,553

41,595

664,148

(74,243)

(192,548)

(3,965)

(270,756)

(14,111)

(284,867)

2018

Segment revenue

Direct costs
Segment result

Operating costs

Gain on disposal of investment properties

Loss on revaluation of property portfolio
Operating profit 

Other income

Share of post-tax profits of joint ventures and associates

(Loss)/profit on sale of investment

Unallocated gain on sale of other plant and equipment
Profit before interest and income tax

Finance income

Finance costs
Profit before income tax

Income tax
Profit for the year

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Segment assets

Unallocated assets
Total assets

Segment liabilities

Unallocated liabilities
Total liabilities

A summary of unallocated assets and liabilities is shown on page 151.

149

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

2 Segmental analysis continued

2018
OTHER SEGMENT INFORMATION
Capital expenditure
Unallocated capital expenditure
Impairment of assets
Depreciation
Unallocated depreciation

REVENUE
Rental income
Serviced office income
Project management fees
Trading property sales
Other trading property income
Development proceeds
Other

Development  

Investment  

and trading  

Operating  

£’000

£’000

£’000

3,038

–

–
173

(9,415)
–

12,012
–
–
–
–
–
74
12,086

2,069
–
358
20,985
2,695
131,374
–
157,481

22

–
63

–
4,117
–
–
–
–
–
4,117

Total 

£’000

3,060
194
(9,415)
236
724

14,081
4,117
358
20,985
2,695
131,374
74
173,684

In the year ended 28 February 2018, one project with turnover totalling £23,250,000 generated in excess of 10.0% of total 
revenue and fell within the development and trading segment.

2017
Segment revenue
Direct costs
Segment result
Operating costs
Loss on disposal of investment properties
Loss on revaluation of property portfolio
Operating (loss)/profit before exceptional item
Exceptional impairment of operating segment
Operating (loss)/profit after exceptional item
Other income
Share of post-tax profits of joint ventures and associates
Profit on sale of investment
Unallocated loss on sale of other plant and equipment
Profit before interest and income tax
Finance income
Finance costs
Loss before income tax
Income tax
Loss for the year

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Segment assets
Unallocated assets
Total assets

Segment liabilities
Unallocated liabilities
Total liabilities

150

Development  

Investment  

and trading  

Operating  

Total 

£’000
12,934
(3,449)
9,485
(5,031)
(2,273)
(9,506)
(7,325)
–
(7,325)
666
3,144
–

£’000
106,939
(78,467)
28,472
(17,030)
–
–
11,442
–
11,442
654
2,990
567

£’000
4,058
(4,947)
(889)
–
–
–
(889)
(2,150)
(3,039)
–
–
–

532
(6,714)

179
(4,781)

–
–

226,016

334,609

2,361

(104,059)

(132,358)

(3,796)

£’000
123,931
(86,863)
37,068
(22,061)
(2,273)
(9,506)
3,228
(2,150)
1,078
1,320
6,134
567
(25)
9,074
711
(11,495)
(1,710)
(1,293)
(3,003)

562,986
30,778
593,764

(240,213)
(5,926)
(246,139)

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 20182017

OTHER SEGMENT INFORMATION

Capital expenditure

Unallocated capital expenditure

Exceptional impairment of operating segment

Impairment of assets

Depreciation

Unallocated depreciation
REVENUE

Rental income

Serviced office income

Project management fees

Trading property sales

Other trading property income

Development proceeds

Other

Development  

Investment  

and trading  

Operating  

£’000

£’000

£’000

3,746

119

83

Total 

£’000

3,948

380

–

–

(6)

–

(155)

–

12,736

–

–

–

–

–

198

3,361

–

1,052

34,917

2,834

64,775

–

(1,173)

(1,173)

–

(347)

–

4,058

–

–

–

–

–

(155)

(353)

(663)

16,097

4,058

1,052

34,917

2,834

64,775

198

12,934

106,939

4,058

123,931

In the year ended 28 February 2017, two projects with turnover totalling £28,765,000 generated in excess of 10.0% of total 
revenue and fell within the development and trading segment.

UNALLOCATED ASSETS CAN BE ANALYSED AS FOLLOWS:

Other plant and equipment

Deferred income tax asset

Derivative financial instruments

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

UNALLOCATED LIABILITIES CAN BE ANALYSED AS FOLLOWS:

Current borrowings

Trade and other payables

Deferred income tax liability

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

4,087

1,225

10

5,596

30,677

41,595

4,616

1,359

257

5,014

19,532

30,778

(17)

(10,804)

(3,290)

(14,111)

(17)

(2,341)

(3,568)

(5,926)

151

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

3 Operating profit

OPERATING PROFIT IS STATED AFTER CHARGING:

Share-based payments charge

Exceptional impairment of operating segment

Write down of development and trading properties to net realisable value

Write down of financial assets to net realisable value

Depreciation:  

– Operating property

– Other plant and equipment

Impairment of trade receivables recognised in direct costs

AUDITORS’ REMUNERATION

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors and their associates for the audit of  
Company and Group financial statements

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors and their associates for other services:

– The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries

– Fees in respect of conversion to FRS 102

– Half year review

– Tax services

– All other services

4 Employees

Employee benefit expense

Wages and salaries

Social security costs

Cost of employee share option schemes

Other pension costs – defined contribution plans

Average monthly number of employees, including Directors

Property development and investment

Operating property activities

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

1,750

–

8,415

1,000

60

900

1,155

241

348

–

45

–

8

642

2018 

£’000

10,130

1,505

1,750

778

1,308

2,150

155

–

60

956

1,318

237

366

41

44

14

42

744

2017 

£’000

9,741

1,668

1,308

808

14,163

13,525

2018 

Number

2017 

Number

83

36

119

83

43

126

The Directors are considered to be the only key management personnel. Their remuneration is shown in the Remuneration 
Report on pages 98 to 116.

152

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
5 Finance income and costs
a) Finance income

Interest receivable on loans and deposits

b) Finance costs

Interest on bank loans and other borrowings

Amortisation of transaction costs

Provision: unwinding of discount

Fair value loss on financial instruments – interest rate swaps, caps and collars

Net foreign currency differences arising on retranslation of cash and cash equivalents

Capitalised interest on development and trading properties
Total finance costs

Net finance costs

Net finance costs before foreign currency differences

2018 

£’000

94

2017 

£’000

711

2018 

£’000

(8,488)

(1,405)

(7)

(247)

2017 

£’000

(9,091)

(1,114)

(14)

(58)

(1,376)

(3,398)

(11,523)

(13,675)

1,740

(9,783)

2,180

(11,495)

(9,689)

(8,313)

(10,784)

(7,386)

Interest was capitalised at an average rate of 5.84%. No capitalised interest (2017: £1,195,000) was written off in the year.  
The tax treatment of capitalised interest follows the accounting treatment.

6 Taxation

Current tax

Adjustment in respect of prior years

Total current tax charge

Deferred tax (credit)/charge
Income tax charge

Tax on items credited to equity:

Deferred tax credit on other revaluations
Total credit in the income statement

2018 

£’000

6,549

1,511

8,060

(144)

7,916

2018 

£’000

–

–

2017 

£’000

1,939

(657)

1,282

11

1,293

2017 

£’000

(127)

(127)

153

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

6 Taxation continued
Tax on the Group’s profit before tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the weighted average tax rate 
applicable to profits of the consolidated entities as follows:

Profit/(loss) before tax

Tax on profit/(loss) on ordinary activities at 19.1% (2017: 20.0%)

Tax effects of:

Amounts not deductible for tax purposes

Non-taxable capital gains

Non-taxable income

Adjustment in respect of prior years

Impact on change in UK tax rate

Income tax at lower rates

Recognition of tax losses

Brought forward losses utilised
Total tax charge

2018 

£’000

48,172

9,191

103

(347)

(3,322)

1,494

40

142

55

560

2017 

£’000

(1,710)

(342)

713

1,688

–

(496)

(415)

(178)

(340)

663

7,916

1,293

Deferred income tax is calculated on the temporary differences under the liability method using a tax rate of 17.0%  
(2017: 19.0%).

7 Dividends

DECLARED AND PAID DURING THE YEAR

Equity dividends on Ordinary shares:

Final dividend for 2017: 3.50 pence per share (2016: 3.50 pence per share)

Interim dividend for 2018: 2.40 pence per share (2017: 2.40 pence per share)

Supplemental dividend for 2017: 2.80 pence per share (2016: 8.00 pence per share)

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

4,379

3,003

3,503

4,378

3,003

9,997

10,885

17,378

DIVIDEND DECLARED BUT NOT PAID SINCE 28 FEBRUARY 2018

Supplemental dividend for 2018: 12.00 pence per share (2017: 2.80 pence per share)

15,041

3,506

PROPOSED FOR APPROVAL BY SHAREHOLDERS AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Final dividend for 2018: 3.50 pence per share (2017: 3.50 pence per share)

4,387

4,379

On 25 April 2018, the Board approved the payment of a supplemental dividend of 12.00 pence per share, which will be paid 
on 15 June 2018 to Ordinary shareholders on the register at the close of business on 11 May 2018 and will be recognised in 
the year ending 28 February 2019.

Subject to approval by shareholders, the final dividend of 3.50 pence was approved by the Board on 25 April 2018 and has 
not been included as a liability or deducted from retained earnings as at 28 February 2018. The final dividend is payable on  
17 August 2018 to Ordinary shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20 July 2018 and will be recognised in the 
year ending 28 February 2019.

154

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 20188 Earnings per share and net assets per share
Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing profit or loss for the year attributable to owners of the Parent by 
the weighted average number of Ordinary shares outstanding during the year, excluding shares purchased by the Parent and 
held as treasury shares.

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the profit or loss attributable to owners of the Parent by the 
weighted average number of Ordinary shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted average number of Ordinary 
shares that would be issued on the conversion of all the dilutive potential Ordinary shares into Ordinary shares.

Basic net assets per share amounts are calculated by dividing net assets by the number of Ordinary shares in issue at the 
balance sheet date excluding shares purchased by the Parent and held as treasury shares.

Diluted net assets per share amounts are calculated by dividing net assets by the number of Ordinary shares in issue at the 
balance sheet date plus the number of Ordinary shares that would be issued on the conversion of all the dilutive potential 
Ordinary shares into Ordinary shares.

Management have chosen to disclose the European Public Real Estate (EPRA) adjusted net assets per share and earnings per 
share from continuing activities in order to provide an indication of the Group’s underlying business performance and to assist 
comparison between European property companies.

EPRA earnings is the profit or loss after taxation excluding investment property revaluations (including valuations of joint venture 
investment properties), impairment of development and trading properties, exceptional items and mark-to-market movements 
of derivative financial instruments (including those of joint ventures) and intangible asset movements and their related taxation.

EPRA net assets (EPRA NAV) are the balance sheet net assets adjusted to reflect the fair value of development and trading 
assets, excluding mark-to-market adjustment on effective cash flow hedges and related debt adjustments and deferred taxation 
on revaluations and diluting for the effect of those shares potentially issuable under employee share schemes.

EPRA NAV per share is EPRA NAV divided by the number of Ordinary shares in issue at the balance sheet date.

EPRA triple net assets (EPRA NNNAV) is EPRA NAV adjusted to reflect the fair value of debt and derivatives and to include 
deferred taxation on revaluations. 

EPRA NNNAV per share is EPRA NNNAV divided by the number of Ordinary shares in issue at the balance sheet date.

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share and EPRA profit per share is based on the following data:

PROFIT

Profit/(loss) for the purpose of basic and diluted earnings per share

Revaluation (surplus)/deficit (including share of joint venture revaluation surplus)

(Gain)/loss on disposal of investment properties

Impairment of development and trading properties

Impairment of financial assets

Exceptional impairment of operating segment

Mark-to-market adjustment on interest rate swaps (including share of joint venture  
mark-to-market adjustment)
EPRA adjusted profit from continuing activities attributable to owners of the Company

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

40,256

(13,454)

(3,324)

8,415

1,000

–

140

33,033

(3,003)

6,812

2,273

155

–

2,150

(23)

8,364

155

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

8 Earnings per share and net assets per share continued

NUMBER OF SHARES

Weighted average number of Ordinary shares for the purpose of earnings per share

125,218

125,072

Effect of dilutive potential Ordinary shares:

Share options
Weighted average number of Ordinary shares for the purpose of diluted earnings per share

57

1

128,275

125,073

2018 

’000

2017 

’000

Basic earnings/(loss) per share (pence)

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share (pence)

EPRA adjusted earnings per share (pence)

EPRA adjusted diluted earnings per share (pence)

32.2p

32.2p

26.4p

26.4p

(2.4)p

(2.4)p

6.7p

6.7p

The Directors consider the acquisition and disposal of trading assets to be part of the core business of the Group and therefore 
have not adjusted profit for the gain on disposal when calculating EPRA adjusted earnings per share.

Net assets per share and diluted net assets per share have been calculated as follows: 

Basic net assets per share attributable  
to the owners

Fair value of development and trading assets  
(see below)

Fair value of joint venture assets (see below)

Cumulative mark-to-market adjustment on interest 
rate swaps
EPRA adjusted net assets per share

Cumulative mark-to-market adjustment on interest

rate swaps

Fair value of debt
EPRA adjusted triple net assets per share

Effect of dilutive potential Ordinary shares

Diluted net assets per share

EPRA diluted net assets per share

EPRA diluted triple net assets per share

2018 

Net assets 

2017 

Net assets 

Net assets  

No. of shares  

per share 

Net assets  

No. of shares  

per share 

£’000

’000

Pence

£’000

’000

Pence

379,281

125,343

303

347,625

125,227

278

–

–

(19)

15,486

(2,416)

126

379,262

125,343

303

360,821

125,227

288

19

(9,514)

(126)

(14,345)

369,767

125,343

295

346,350

125,227

625

379,906

379,887

370,392

447

125,790

125,790

125,790

475

348,100

361,296

346,825

228

125,455

125,455

125,455

303

303

295

277

277

288

276

In 2017, the Group engaged CBRE Ltd to provide valuation services for the development and trading portfolio in order to report 
an EPRA triple NAV per share calculation. In carrying out this exercise, a large proportion of the property portfolio did not 
qualify for valuation, as it fell outside of the criteria for calculation. For example, the Group often has conditional land options 
in place to purchase land at a future point in time, rather than during the project assembly and planning phases. As a result, 
only 42.9% of the portfolio qualified to be measured at fair value.

The Board has debated whether to carry out a valuation for the 2018 financial year and has engaged key stakeholders’ opinion 
in reaching their conclusion. The Board has therefore concluded that there is no benefit to stakeholders to continue with the 
project and has not provided an EPRA adjusted NAV per share calculation for 2018.

156

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 20189 Investment properties

At valuation 1 March 2016

Additions:

– capital expenditure

Disposals

Deficit on revaluation
At valuation 28 February 2017

Additions:

– acquisitions

– capital expenditure

Transfer from development and trading assets

Disposals

Deficit on revaluation
At valuation 28 February 2018

Long 

Freehold 

leasehold 

£’000

£’000

Total 

£’000

159,285

44,033

203,318

2,607

(18,023)

(6,996)

136,873

–

528

13,000

(51,688)

(1,322)

97,391

803

–

(2,510)

42,326

1,627

277

471

(1,491)

(1,095)

3,410

(18,023)

(9,506)

179,199

1,627

805

13,471

(53,179)

(2,417)

42,115

139,506

Direct costs of £3,656,000 (2017: £3,449,000) arose as a result of ownership of investment properties.

Two development and trading assets were transferred to investment properties during the year following a change in strategy 
and use of the assets. The Group intends to hold the properties for the foreseeable future for capital appreciation and  
rental income.

a) Reconciliation of market value of investment properties to the net book amount
The following table reconciles the market value of investment properties to their net book amount. The components of the 
reconciliation are included within their relevant balance sheet heading.

Market value as assessed by the independent valuers or Directors

Amount included in prepayments and accrued income in respect of lease incentives
Net book amount of Investment properties – non-current assets

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

142,092

182,359

(2,586)

(3,160)

139,506

179,199

At 28 February and 31 August each year, the Group engages professionally qualified valuers who hold a recognised professional 
qualification and who have recent experience in the locations and sectors of the investment portfolio. As at 28 February 2018, 
completed investment properties have been valued by CBRE Ltd at a value of £124,329,000 (2017: £164,106,000). The current 
value equates to the Highest and Best Use Value of the asset.

The valuers have consented to the use of their name in the financial statements.

Included within Investment properties are freehold land and buildings representing investment properties under development, 
amounting to £15,177,000 (2017: £15,093,000), which have been valued by the Directors. These properties comprise buildings 
and landholdings for current or future development as investment properties. This approach has been taken because the value 
of these properties is dependent on a detailed knowledge of the planning status, the competitive position of these assets and 
a range of complex project development appraisals.

157

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

9 Investment properties continued 
Reconciliation of market value of investment properties to the net book amount continued
Investment properties under development include £8,075,000 (2017: £8,075,000) of landholdings adjacent to retail properties 
within the Group’s portfolio, acquired for the purpose of extending the existing shopping centres. The fair value of these 
properties rests in the planned extensions, and is difficult to estimate pending confirmation of designs and planning permission, 
and hence has been estimated by the Directors at cost as an approximation to fair value.

£122,059,000 (2017: £167,205,000) of total investment properties are charged as security against the Group’s borrowings.

b) Valuation methodology
Our valuers are engaged as external valuers, as defined in the current edition of RICS Valuation Professional Standards. The 
valuation process involves the Investment Team, our asset services provider and valuers. Prior to the valuation date, full tenancy 
information, verified by both the Investment Team and asset services provider, is provided to the valuers. New lettings, completed 
and pending lease events and asset management proposals, are provided by the Investment Team on an asset-by-asset basis. 
The valuers, assimilated income information is checked by the Investment Team before the valuers report numbers.

The valuers benefit from their own internal databases and proprietary/external resources for both rental and capital evidence/
yield evidence. 

The comparator method is used for establishing rental values. Rental evidence is either self-generating for multi-let assets, in 
particular shopping centres, or sourced through market evidence. Where appropriate, net effective rents are applied during 
extant lease terms and market rents applied at reversion.

With the majority of the investment portfolio comprising income-producing property, fair value is established using an investment 
method of valuation. Appropriate capitalisation rates are applied to the asset’s income stream in order to arrive at a yield 
profile, i.e. net initial yield, equivalent yield and reversionary yield that can be reconciled with market evidence. For multi-let 
properties, generally the approach involves applying differential capitalisation rates to the income stream, making adjustments 
for tenant covenant, term to expiry and unit quality, in order to arrive at a blended position. For example, a foodstore anchor 
tenant with a strong covenant could be capitalised at a rate of 5.50% and an independent/sole trader could be capitalised at 
a rate of 8.25% at the same property. Similarly, outward adjustments to capitalisation rates applied to vacant units in multi-let 
properties are made to reflect letting and covenant risk associated with future tenants.

There were no changes to valuation techniques during the year.

The following table analyses the non-financial assets carried at fair value, by valuation method. The different hierarchy levels 
have been defined as follows:

i. 

ii. 

 Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. This may be the agreed sales price of an 
asset where exchange has occurred after the year-end date (Level 1).
 Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, 
as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices) (Level 2).

iii.   Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs). These assets 

are valued by external valuers and Directors (Level 3). An analysis of Level 3 assets is provided below.

It is the Group’s policy to recognise transfers into and out of hierarchy levels at the date of the change in circumstance.

There are no Level 1 or Level 2 assets and there have been no transfers between levels during the years ended 28 February 
2018 or 28 February 2017.

158

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Analysis of Level 3 Investment properties

Class of property: Level 3

Market value 

Market value 

28 February 

28 February 

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

Equivalent 

50 basis 

50 basis 

yield range 

point yield  

point yield  

Valuation technique

inputs

2018

£’000

£’000

Key unobservable 

28 February 

contraction  

expansion  

Income 

Equivalent

6.75%– 

Shopping centres

84,295

131,036

capitalisation

yields

9.93% 5,810

(5,185)

Income

Equivalent

5.10%– 

Retail/commercial space

25,520

32,000

capitalisation

yields

8.20% 1,750

(2,080)

Office

Land held for development

17,100

6,667

4,230

6,583

Income

Equivalent 

7.50%– 

capitalisation

yields

8.01% 1,240

(1,150)

Residual 

Price per acre/

£0.45 million 

development

development

per acre/

Buildings held for development

8,510

8,510

Residual 

Estimated 

development

method

profit

margin

142,092

182,359

method

margin

15.0%– 
20.0%

15.0%– 

20.0%

–

–

–

–

Further information relating to the Group’s investment portfolio is set out in the Portfolio Review on pages 36 to 51.

The Group engages external, independent and qualified valuers to determine the fair value of Level 3 assets. The valuers liaise 
with the Investment Team regularly, reviewing tenant information relating to covenant strength, lease period and rental terms. 
Valuers will also review comparable transactions in the market. The fair value of Level 3 assets is also determined by reviewing 
local sales data or, where the assets are held for the purpose of extending an existing retail asset, by reviewing appraisals 
relating to the proposed scheme.

10 Operating property – serviced office

VALUATION

At 1 March 2016 and 28 February 2017

Surplus on revaluation
At 28 February 2018 

ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

At 1 March 2016

Charge for the year
At 28 February 2017

Charge for the year
At 28 February 2018

Net book amount 28 February 2018

Net book amount 28 February 2017

Net book amount 1 March 2016

Original cost of operating property at 28 February 2018 and 28 February 2017

The operating property is charged as security against the Group’s borrowings.

159

Long 

leasehold  

£’000

1,712

35

1,747

852

60

912

60

972

775
800

860

1,583

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

10 Operating property – serviced office continued
Depreciation expense of £60,000 (2017: £60,000) is included within operating costs.

The surplus on revaluation of long leasehold property for the year ended 28 February 2018 is £35,000 (2017: £nil). If the operating 
property was measured using the cost model, the carrying value would be £611,000 (2017: £671,000).

The Group’s operating property has been valued at market value as at 28 February 2018 and 28 February 2017 by independent 
professional valuers CBRE Ltd, on the basis of Highest and Best Use Value in accordance with RICS Valuation Professional 
Standards and without any special assumptions. The values disclosed above are as stated by the valuer in its valuation report 
to the Directors.

The valuers have consented to the use of their name in the financial statements.

11 Intangible assets

GOODWILL

At 1 March 2016, 28 February 2017 and 28 February 2018

£’000

2,328

On 19 May 2014, the Group acquired 100% of the issued shares in Cathedral Group (Holdings) Limited, Cathedral Special 
Projects (Holdings) Limited and Cathedral (ESCO) Limited and 95% of the shares issued in Deadhare Limited, a property 
development group specialising in mixed-use regeneration schemes in the South East. The goodwill of £2,328,000 represents 
the unrecognised asset of the highly skilled workforce and specialist development knowledge acquired with Cathedral. 

Goodwill has been tested for impairment at the reporting date.

Goodwill is allocated to the Group’s cash-generating units (CGUs) identified according to the operating segment. The 
recoverable amount of all CGUs has been determined based on value-in-use calculations. The calculations use pre-tax cash 
flow projections based on financial budgets approved by management covering a period up to the completion of each project 
(or less than five years). The pre-tax discount rate used was 11.0% (2017: 11.0%). No provision for impairment was considered 
necessary. No reasonable change in any assumption would give rise to a material impairment. 

160

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201812 Other plant and equipment

COST

At 1 March 2016

Additions

Disposals

Impairment of fixed assets
At 28 February 2017

Additions

Disposals
At 28 February 2018

ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

At 1 March 2016

Charge for the year

Disposals

Impairment of fixed assets
At 28 February 2017

Charge for the year

Disposals
At 28 February 2018

Net book amount 28 February 2018

Net book amount 28 February 2017

Net book amount 1 March 2016

Fixtures, 

fittings and 

computer 

equipment  

£’000

Motor 

vehicles 

£’000

15,837

915

(219)

(8,458)

8,075

812

(2,359)

6,528

8,868

935

(187)

(7,288)

2,328

882

(908)

2,302

4,226
5,747

6,969

181

3

(5)

(71)

108

10

–

118

133

21

(1)

(68)

85

18

–

103

15
23

48

Total 

£’000

16,018

918

(224)

(8,529)

8,183

822

(2,359)

6,646

9,001

956

(188)

(7,356)

2,413

900

(908)

2,405

4,241
5,770

7,017

Depreciation expense of £723,000 (2017: £663,000) is included within operating costs and £177,000 (2017: £293,000)  
is included within direct costs.

161

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

13 Investments

At 1 March 2016

Additions

Share of profit/(loss)

Share of revaluation surplus

Share of mark-to-market adjustment on interest rate swaps

Share of results

Disposal of joint venture

Capital distributions
At 28 February 2017

Additions

Share of profit/(loss)

Share of revaluation surplus

Share of mark-to-market adjustment on interest rate swaps

Share of results

Transfer to subsidiaries

Disposal of associate/joint venture

Capital distributions
At 28 February 2018

Investments in  

Investments in  

associates 

joint ventures  

 £’000

4,309

114

4,340

–

–

4,340

–

(391)

8,372

–

7

–

–

7

(1,500)

(2,500)

(4,379)

£’000

46,782

19,267

(935)

2,694

35

1,794

(48)

(21,706)

46,089

31,535

(609)

16,670

107

16,168

–

–

(986)

–

92,806

A summary of the Group’s projects in partnership and the balance sheet classification of its interests are set out in note 26.

a) Investment in associates
The Group has the following interest in associates:

Cannock Designer Outlet Limited 
Partnership nnock Designer Outlet 

CDSR Burlington House Developments 
Limited

Northpoint Developments Limited

Country of 

Acquisition 

% of holding

incorporation

Principal activity

Reporting segment

date

Note

12.5 112.5

United

Property

Development

December

20

42

Kingdom

development

and trading

Ireland

Property

Development

development

and trading

2017

July

2014

United

Property

Development

November

1

Kingdom

development

and trading

2007

1. The investment in the associate has been fully provided against

In October 2017, the Group disposed of its 40.0% holding in Barwood Development Securities Limited realising a gain on 
disposal of £4,982,000.

In December 2017, the Wessex Property Fund was terminated.

In December 2017, the Group acquired a 12.5% holding in Cannock Designer Outlet Limited Partnership. The partnership is  
registered and incorporated in the United Kingdom.

In January 2018, the Group acquired the additional 75.0% of Barwood Land and Estates Limited. Accordingly, the company 
is now accounted for as a subsidiary.

162

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 20182018

SUMMARISED BALANCE SHEETS:

Non-current assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Net assets/(liabilities)

Share of net assets/(liabilities)

Net (assets)/liabilities not recognised
Group’s share of net assets

SUMMARISED INCOME STATEMENTS:

Revenue

Post-tax losses of associates

Share of profits/(losses)

Share of losses not recognised
Share of profits recognised

Cannock  

Designer 

Outlet  

CDSR  

Burlington 

House 

Northpoint  

Limited 

Developments  

Developments  

Partnership 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

Total 

£’000

 17,503
–

(17,503)
–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

6,215

(3,770)

–

2,445

489

(489)
–

–

(2)

7

–

7

579

7,870

(744)

(24,955)

(17,250)

(7,245)

7,245
–

81

(603)

(253)

253
–

18,082

14,085

(22,017)

(24,955)

(14,805)

(6,756)

6,756
–

81

(605)

(246)

253

7

Any contingent liabilities in relation to our associate investment partners are disclosed in note 23.

2017

SUMMARISED BALANCE SHEETS:

Non-current assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Net assets/(liabilities)

Share of net assets/(liabilities)

Net liabilities not recognised

Goodwill
Group’s share of net assets

SUMMARISED INCOME STATEMENTS:

Revenue

Post-tax profits/(losses) of associates

Share of profits/(losses)

Share of (profits)/losses not recognised
Share of profits recognised

Barwood 

CDSR 

Burlington 

Development 

Barwood Land  

House 

Northpoint  

Securities 

and Estates 

Developments 

Developments  

Wessex  

Limited 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

Limited 

Property Fund 

£’000

£’000

Total 

£’000

185

3,564

(302)

–

3,447

1,378

–

1,122

2,500

1,431

379

151

(151)

–

440

768

–

–

1,208

302

–

1,198

1,500

301

(33)

(8)

8

–

–

22,045

(42)

–

22,003

4,372

–

–

4,372

21,950

21,606

4,340

–

4,340

579

8,943

(1,718)

(24,257)

(16,453)

(6,910)

6,910

–

–

1,081

(783)

(329)

329

–

–

334

(11,270)

–

(10,936)

(5,140)

5,140

–

–

–

(5)

(2)

2

–

1,204

35,654

(13,332)

(24,257)

(731)

(5,998)

12,050

2,320

8,372

24,763

(21,164)

4,152

188

4,340

163

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

13 Investments continued
b) Investment in joint ventures
As at 28 February 2018, the Group has the following interests in joint ventures:

Becket House Unit Trust

15

Jersey

Investment 
property

Investment

March 2014

31 December

Country of 

Accounting 

% of holding

incorporation

Principal activity

Reporting segment Acquisition date

reference date

Bryn Blaen Wind Farm Limited

50

United Kingdom Property 

Circus Street Developments 
Limited

Curzon Park Limited

Development Equity Partners 
Limited

DSP Piano Investments BV

DSP Tirol Limited

DS Renewables LLP

Harwell Oxford Developments 
Limited

Kensington & Edinburgh  
Estates (South Woodham  
Ferrers) Limited

Luxembourg Investment 
Company 112 Sarl

49

50

50

34

50

50

50

50

50

development

United Kingdom Property 

development

United Kingdom Property 

development

Development 
and trading

Development 
and trading

Development 
and trading

May 2011

28 February

August 2017

28 February

November 2006 28 February

Jersey

Netherlands

Property 
development

Development 
and trading

December 2011

28 February

Investment 
property

Investment

July 2015

31 December

United Kingdom Investment 

Investment

January 2015

28 February

property

United Kingdom Property 

development

United Kingdom Property 

development

United Kingdom Property 

development

Development 
and trading

Development 
and trading

Development 
and trading

May 2012

28 February

December 2013 28 February

July 2013

28 February

Luxembourg

Property 
development

Development 
and trading

November 2016 31 December

Manchester Arena Complex LP

30

United Kingdom Investment 

Investment

June 2010

28 February

Mayfield Development  
(General Partner) Limited

Notting Hill (Guernsey Holdco) 
Limited

Opportunities for  
Sittingbourne Limited

OSB (Holdco 1) Limited

Triangle London  
Developments LLP

UAI (G) Limited

UAIP (Drum) BV

UAIH Yorkshire Limited

Winnebago Holdings Sarl

50

24

50

50

50

50

20

50

35

property

United Kingdom Property 

Guernsey

development

Investment 
property

United Kingdom Property 

development

United Kingdom Property 

development

United Kingdom Property 

development

United Kingdom Property 

Netherlands

development

Investment 
property

United Kingdom Property 

Luxembourg

development

Investment 
property

Development 
and trading

Development 
and trading

Development 
and trading

Development 
and trading

Development 
and trading

Development 
and trading

December 2016 31 May

June 2011

31 December

January 2015

28 February

February 2014

28 February

May 2016

31 May

June 2016

28 February

Investment

August 2016

28 February

Development 
and trading

April 2016

28 February

Investment

April 2012

31 December

164

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018In December 2016, the Group acquired 50% of the share capital in Mayfield Development (General Partner) Limited with  
its partner, Mayfield Partnership LP, holding the remaining 50%. The Company is registered and incorporated in the  
United Kingdom. 

In August 2017, the Group acquired 50% of the share capital in Circus Street Developments Limited with its partner, GCP, 
holding the remaining 50%. The Company is registered and incorporated in the United Kingdom. 

Triangle London Developments LLP was incorporated in May 2016 with the designated members being U and I Group PLC 
and Notting Hill Home Ownership Limited. The partnership is registered and incorporated in Jersey.

Bryn Blaen Wind Farm Ltd was incorporated in May 2011. The Group holds 50% of the share capital with its partner, Mr Steven 
Radford, holding the remaining 50%. The Company is registered and incorporated in the United Kingdom.

Accrue Student Housing GP Limited was dissolved on 20 February 2018 and Development Equity Partners Limited is in the 
process of being dissolved as at 28 February 2018.

Investments under joint arrangements are not always represented by an equal percentage holding by each partner. In a number 
of joint ventures, the Group holds a minority shareholding but has joint control and therefore the arrangement is accounted 
for as a joint venture.

165

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

13 Investments continued 
b) Investment in joint ventures continued
The Group’s share of the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of its joint ventures, which includes amounts receivable from 
those joint ventures, is as follows:

2018
SUMMARISED BALANCE SHEETS:
Non-current assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Net assets/(liabilities)
Net (assets)/liabilities not recognised
Share of net assets recognised
SUMMARISED INCOME STATEMENTS:
Revenue
Direct costs
Interest costs
Gain on revaluation/sale
Profit/(loss) before and after tax
Share of profit/(loss) before and after tax

Harwell Oxford 

DSP Piano 

Investment 

(Guernsey 

Luxembourg 

Notting Hill 

Developments 

Investments 

Company 112 

Limited 

£’000

BV 

£’000

Sarl 

£’000

–
129,197
–
(31,771)
97,426
–
24,357

2,071
(1,145)
(859)
39,065
39,132
10,376

51,339
1,953
(313)
(10,991)
41,988
–
14,276

1,052
(505)
(819)
21,603
21,331
7,461

–
92,024
(3,914)
(58,157)
29,953
–
15,330

137
(232)
(1,999)
–
(2,094)
(344)

Holdco 

Limited 

£’000

–
62,261
(2,995)
(25,137)
34,129
–
8,321

1,362
(1,041)
(1,851)
–
(1,530)
(373)

£21,325,000 of cash balances are included within current net asset balances of joint ventures. These include £7,039,000  
in  the  accounts  of  Luxembourg  Investment  Company  112  Sarl  and  £9,429,000  in  the  accounts  of  Harwell  Oxford  
Developments Limited.

2017
SUMMARISED BALANCE SHEETS:
Non-current assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Net assets/(liabilities)
Net (assets)/liabilities not recognised
Share of net assets recognised
SUMMARISED INCOME STATEMENTS:
Revenue
Direct costs
Interest costs
Gain on revaluation
Profit/(loss) before and after tax
Share of profit/(loss) before and after tax

Harwell Oxford 

DSP Piano 

Investment 

(Guernsey 

Luxembourg 

Notting Hill 

Developments 

Investments 

Company 112 

Limited 

£’000

BV 

£’000

Sarl 

£’000

–
52,603
(3,469)
(12,538)
36,596
–
12,881

1,903
(1,248)
(420)
7,578
7,813
2,479

29,690
1,499
(524)
(10,882)
19,783
–
6,772

859
(514)
(400)
2,351
2,296
781

–
57,204
(17,418)
(16,746)
23,040
–
11,520

–
(1,044)
(249)
–
(1,293)
(488)

Holdco 

Limited 

£’000

–
61,298
(4,584)
(25,905)
30,809
–
7,486

1,420
(615)
(1,848)
–
(1,043)
(252)

Any contingent liabilities in relation to our joint ventures are disclosed in note 23.

166

Curzon Park 

UAIP (Drum) 

(Holdco 1)  

DSP Tirol 

Yorkshire 

Wind Farm 

Developments 

OSB  

UAIH 

Bryn Blaen 

Circus Street 

Limited 

£’000

BV 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

Other 

£’000

Total  

£’000

Mayfield 

Development 

(General 

Partner) 

Limited 

£’000

45,984

(22,909)

23,075

15,624

(2,526)

(2,886)

10,212

25,481

(345)

(14,866)

10,270

11,537

5,106

6,269

1,751

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,823

(207)

(118)

2,498

–

–

–

–

19

(74)

(55)

(29)

79,078

456,985

(37,142)

(219,262)

279,659

(17,750)

92,806

15,376

(11,682)

(11,699)

60,760

52,755

16,168

35,812

–

–

(10,505)

25,307

(24,787)

260

306

(206)

–

–

100

50

11,012

679

(58)

(5,307)

6,326

–

1,263

549

(167)

(419)

92

55

44

Limited 

£’000

BV 

£’000

–

10,867

35,556

(54)

(10,505)

24,997

(24,997)

–

304

(290)

–

–

14

7

406

(79)

(5,383)

5,811

–

1,201

264

(321)

(52)

–

(109)

(31)

–

–

–

35,136

(1,350)

(40,823)

(7,037)

7,037

1,165

(588)

(4,275)

(3,698)

(519)

OSB  

Limited 

£’000

–

–

–

34,369

(465)

(36,959)

(3,055)

3,055

1,299

(711)

(3,570)

(2,982)

(1,399)

16,727

4,786

(2,430)

(13,819)

5,264

–

4,212

8,493

(7,682)

(893)

–

(82)

(296)

Limited 

£’000

16,847

4,394

(6,694)

(10,580)

3,967

–

4,535

8,408

(7,092)

(890)

–

426

(62)

–

5,225

(95)

(4,882)

248

–

124

222

(42)

(584)

–

(404)

(202)

UAIH  

Limited 

£’000

–

5,001

(25)

(4,817)

159

–

15

172

(41)

(473)

–

(342)

(171)

Curzon Park 

UAIP (Drum) 

(Holdco 1) 

DSP Tirol 

Yorkshire 

Other 

£’000

Total 

£’000

3,659

(496)

3,163

–

–

–

1,679

524

(659)

(245)

562

182

930

57,404

255,989

(33,808)

(134,315)

145,270

(21,942)

46,089

15,153

(12,535)

(8,147)

10,491

4,962

1,794

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018The Group’s share of the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of its joint ventures, which includes amounts receivable from 

£21,325,000 of cash balances are included within current net asset balances of joint ventures. These include £7,039,000  

in  the  accounts  of  Luxembourg  Investment  Company  112  Sarl  and  £9,429,000  in  the  accounts  of  Harwell  Oxford  

Developments Limited.

13 Investments continued 

b) Investment in joint ventures continued

those joint ventures, is as follows:

2018

SUMMARISED BALANCE SHEETS:

Non-current assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net assets/(liabilities)

Net (assets)/liabilities not recognised

Share of net assets recognised

SUMMARISED INCOME STATEMENTS:

Revenue

Direct costs

Interest costs

Gain on revaluation/sale

Profit/(loss) before and after tax

Share of profit/(loss) before and after tax

2017

SUMMARISED BALANCE SHEETS:

Non-current assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net assets/(liabilities)

Net (assets)/liabilities not recognised

Share of net assets recognised

SUMMARISED INCOME STATEMENTS:

Revenue

Direct costs

Interest costs

Gain on revaluation

Profit/(loss) before and after tax

Share of profit/(loss) before and after tax

Any contingent liabilities in relation to our joint ventures are disclosed in note 23.

Luxembourg 

Notting Hill 

Harwell Oxford 

DSP Piano 

Investment 

(Guernsey 

Developments 

Investments 

Company 112 

Limited 

£’000

BV 

£’000

Sarl 

£’000

Holdco 

Limited 

£’000

24,357

14,276

15,330

8,321

129,197

(31,771)

97,426

–

–

–

2,071

(1,145)

(859)

39,065

39,132

10,376

51,339

1,953

(313)

(10,991)

41,988

–

1,052

(505)

(819)

21,603

21,331

7,461

92,024

(3,914)

(58,157)

29,953

62,261

(2,995)

(25,137)

34,129

137

(232)

(1,999)

(2,094)

(344)

1,362

(1,041)

(1,851)

(1,530)

(373)

Luxembourg 

Notting Hill 

Harwell Oxford 

DSP Piano 

Investment 

(Guernsey 

Developments 

Investments 

Company 112 

Limited 

£’000

BV 

£’000

Sarl 

£’000

Holdco 

Limited 

£’000

52,603

(3,469)

(12,538)

36,596

–

–

12,881

1,903

(1,248)

(420)

7,578

7,813

2,479

29,690

1,499

(524)

(10,882)

19,783

–

6,772

859

(514)

(400)

2,351

2,296

781

57,204

(17,418)

(16,746)

23,040

61,298

(4,584)

(25,905)

30,809

11,520

7,486

(1,044)

(249)

(1,293)

(488)

1,420

(615)

(1,848)

(1,043)

(252)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Curzon Park 

UAIP (Drum) 

(Holdco 1)  

DSP Tirol 

Yorkshire 

Wind Farm 

Developments 

Limited 

£’000

BV 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

OSB  

UAIH 

Bryn Blaen 

Circus Street 

–
35,812
–
(10,505)
25,307
(24,787)
260

306
(206)
–
–
100
50

11,012
679
(58)
(5,307)
6,326
–
1,263

549
(167)
(419)
92
55
44

–
35,136
(1,350)
(40,823)
(7,037)
7,037
–

1,165
(588)
(4,275)
–
(3,698)
(519)

16,727
4,786
(2,430)
(13,819)
5,264
–
4,212

8,493
(7,682)
(893)
–
(82)
(296)

–
5,225
(95)
(4,882)
248
–
124

222
(42)
(584)
–
(404)
(202)

–
45,984
(22,909)
–
23,075
–
11,537

–
15,624
(2,526)
(2,886)
10,212
–
5,106

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

Mayfield 

Development 

(General 

Partner) 

Limited 

£’000

–
25,481
(345)
(14,866)
10,270
–
6,269

–
–
–
–
–
–

Other 

£’000

–
2,823
(207)
(118)
2,498
–
1,751

19
(74)
–
–
(55)
(29)

Total  

£’000

79,078
456,985
(37,142)
(219,262)
279,659
(17,750)
92,806

15,376
(11,682)
(11,699)
60,760
52,755
16,168

Curzon Park 

UAIP (Drum) 

(Holdco 1) 

DSP Tirol 

Yorkshire 

Limited 

£’000

BV 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

Limited 

£’000

OSB  

UAIH  

–
35,556
(54)
(10,505)
24,997
(24,997)
–

304
(290)
–
–
14
7

10,867
406
(79)
(5,383)
5,811
–
1,201

264
(321)
(52)
–
(109)
(31)

–
34,369
(465)
(36,959)
(3,055)
3,055
–

1,299
(711)
(3,570)
–
(2,982)
(1,399)

16,847
4,394
(6,694)
(10,580)
3,967
–
4,535

8,408
(7,092)
(890)
–
426
(62)

–
5,001
(25)
(4,817)
159
–
15

172
(41)
(473)
–
(342)
(171)

167

Other 

£’000

Total 

£’000

–
3,659
(496)
–
3,163
–
1,679

524
(659)
(245)
562
182
930

57,404
255,989
(33,808)
(134,315)
145,270
(21,942)
46,089

15,153
(12,535)
(8,147)
10,491
4,962
1,794

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

13 Investments continued
c) Principal subsidiaries
The Group’s principal subsidiaries at 28 February 2018 are set out below. They have share capital consisting solely of Ordinary 
share capital that is held directly by the Group and the proportion of ownership interest equals the voting rights held by the 
Group. Principal subsidiaries are those undertakings with net assets in excess of 5.0% of Group net assets. 

% holding

Country of incorporation

Principal activity

Development Securities Estates PLC

100

Development Securities (Investments) PLC 100

U and I (Projects) Limited

100

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Management and investment company

Property investment

Development and investment  
holding company

A full list of subsidiaries is disclosed in note 41.

14 Inventory

DEVELOPMENT AND TRADING PROPERTIES

At 1 March 2016

Additions:

– acquisitions

– development expenditure

Disposals

Foreign currency differences

Net write down of development properties to net realisable value
At 28 February 2017

Additions:

– acquisitions

– development expenditure

Transfer to investment assets (refer note 9)

Disposals

Foreign currency differences

Net write down of development properties to net realisable value
At 28 February 2018

Development 

Trading 

properties 

properties 

£’000

£’000

Total 

£’000

147,927

51,852

199,779

6,448

65,346

11,316

1,318

17,764

66,664

(54,884)

(23,619)

(78,503)

906

(155)

1,887

–

2,793

(155)

165,588

42,754

208,342

3,131

132,101

–

3,131

2,110

134,211

(471)

(13,000)

(13,471)

(90,428)

(18,616)

(109,044)

–

(7,356)

580

–

580

(7,356)

202,565

13,828

216,393

Included in the above amounts are projects stated at net realisable value of £79,565,000 (2017: £5,486,000).

Net realisable value has been estimated by the Directors, taking account of the plans for each project, the planning status and 
competitive position of each asset, and the anticipated market for the scheme. For material developments, the Directors have 
consulted with third party chartered surveyors in setting their market assumptions.

Interest of £1,740,000 (2017: £2,180,000) was capitalised on development and trading properties during the year. Capitalised 
interest included within the carrying value of such properties on the Balance Sheet is £5,354,000 (2017: £3,614,000). 

In 2017, the Group engaged CBRE Ltd to provide valuations in respect of its development and trading assets. A large proportion 
(57.1%) of the Group’s development and trading portfolio fell outside of the criteria for a reliable fair value exercise. The Board 
has therefore decided, in consultation with its stakeholders, not to fair value the development and trading assets in 2018.

Further information in respect of EPRA can be found on page 59 of the Finance review.

168

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201815 Trade and other receivables

a) Non-current

Prepayments

b) Current

Trade receivables

Other receivables

Other tax and social security

Prepayments 

Accrued income

2018 

£’000

2,487

2018 

£’000

45,216

23,556

1,556

3,339

45,962

119,629

2017 

£’000

2,858

2017 

£’000

7,278

34,996

1,738

2,132

2,576

48,720

The Group has provided £1,092,000 (2017: £1,318,000) for outstanding balances where recovery is considered doubtful. Apart 
from the receivables that have been provided for at the year end, there are no other material receivables, past due but not 
impaired. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of the receivable.

Transactions and balances with related parties are disclosed in note 25. 

16 Trade and other payables

a) Non-current
Trade payables

b) Current
Trade payables

Other payables

Other tax and social security

Accruals

Deferred income

c) Provisions
At 1 March 2017

Charged to the income statement

Utilised during the year

Provisions released

Unwind of discount
At 28 February 2018

Analysis of total provisions

Non-current

Current

2018 

£’000

–

2018 

£’000

27,286

14,521

12,198

36,326

9,385

99,716

Onerous 

Other 

leases  

provisions 

£’000

426

–

(17)

–

7

£’000

2,256

1,068

(162)

(649)

–

2017 

£’000

14,395

2017 

£’000

7,088

10,889

3,604

28,716

3,072

53,369

Total 

£’000

2,682

1,068

(179)

(649)

7

416

2,513

2,929

2018 

£’000

416

2,513

2,929

2017 

£’000

1,288

1,394

2,682

Two provisions of £172,000 (2017: £183,000) and £244,000 (2017: £243,000) relate to onerous lease obligations entered into 
in 2009 and 1974 respectively.

169

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

17 Financial assets and financial liabilities
The following table is a summary of the financial assets and financial liabilities included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:

NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Available-for-sale financial assets

Derivative financial instruments not used for hedging at fair value through profit or loss

CURRENT ASSETS
Loan notes at amortised cost less impairment

Loans and receivables

Trade and other receivables at amortised cost less impairment

Monies held in restricted accounts and deposits

Cash and cash equivalents

Total financial assets

CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables at amortised cost

Borrowings at amortised cost

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables at amortised cost

Borrowings at amortised cost

Total financial liabilities

a) Other financial assets

NON-CURRENT 
Available-for-sale financial assets - development loans

Available-for-sale financial assets - LaSalle investment

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

15,812

10

15,822

8,888

7,949

114,734

11,473

40,626

19,859

257

20,116

8,813

9,711

44,850

27,486

23,785

183,670

114,645

199,492

134,761

(78,133)

(63,209)

(46,693)

(4,508)

(141,342)

(51,201)

–

(14,395)

(107,975)

(167,617)

(107,975)

(182,012)

(249,317)

(233,213)

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

14,527

1,285

15,812

19,859

–

19,859

The Group provided a loan of £10,505,000 (2017: £10,505,000) to the Curzon Park Limited joint venture in order to repay a 
share of its bank debt. The joint venture partner provided the equivalent amount. The bank loan, originally secured against the 
10.5-acre site in Birmingham, has since been fully repaid.

The Group has two funding agreements totalling £3,678,000 (2017: £8,727,000), in respect of projects in partnership.  
Funding of £344,000 (2017: £627,000) has been provided to Henry Davidson Developments Limited in respect of one project. 
Interest of 12.5% is charged in respect of this funding.

During the year the Group acquired a 5.0% holding in LaSalle Land Limited Partnership which has been classified as an 
available-for-sale financial asset.

170

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018CURRENT
Loan notes at amortised cost less impairment

Loans and receivables – Northpoint Developments Limited

Loans and receivables – Property Alliance Group

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

8,888

7,949

–

8,813

8,211

1,500

16,837

18,524

The Group holds loan notes with a carrying value of £8,888,000 (2017: £8,813,000), issued by Northpoint Developments 
Limited, with a fixed coupon rate of 4.25%. These loan notes are repayable on a rolling one-year basis and are currently being 
restructured. As at 28 February 2018, the Group has made a provision of £1,363,000 (2017: £973,000) against interest receivable 
in respect of these loan notes and a £1,000,000 provision against the recoverability of the loans.

Development loans include a number of working capital and project-specific loans of £7,949,000 (2017: £8,211,000) to Northpoint 
Developments Limited. The loans attract fixed coupon rates of between 5.0% and 13.0%. Included in the above amount are 
two interest-free loans of £408,000 (2017: £408,000). As at 28 February 2018, the Group has made a provision of £1,609,000 
(2017: £1,223,000) against interest receivable in respect of these loans.

The short-term, non-interest bearing loan of £1,500,000 to Property Alliance Group was repaid in December 2017.

b) Borrowings

CURRENT
Bank overdrafts

Current instalments due on bank loans

Current loans maturing

Unamortised transaction costs

NON-CURRENT
Bank loans and loan notes

Unamortised transaction costs

2018 

£’000

–

1,034

62,550

(375)

63,209

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

–

2,630

2,579

(701)

4,508

2017 

£’000

109,143

168,940

(1,168)

(1,323)

107,975

167,617

Bank loans are secured by way of mortgages and legal charges on certain properties and cash deposits held by the Group.

171

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Financial statements

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

17 Financial assets and financial liabilities continued 
b) Borrowings continued

BORROWINGS
€20,000,000 variable rate loan 2017

£10,167,000 variable rate loan 2019

£4,539,000 variable rate loan 2018

£2,751,000 variable rate loan 2018

€24,307,000 variable rate loan 2018

£30,750,000 fixed rate loan 2018

£28,000,000 variable rate loan 2018

£12,000,000 variable rate loan 2019

£26,000,000 fixed rate loan 2019

£2,795,000 variable rate loan 2020

€47,000,000 variable rate loan notes 2021

£57,565,000 fixed rate loan 2025

£22,470,000 fixed rate loan 2025

£66,666,000 fixed rate loan 2032

£16,500 variable rate loan notes 1999

Less: current instalments due on bank loans

Current loans maturing

€20,000,000 variable rate loan
This loan was repaid in May 2017.

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

–

10,167

–

–

–

20,398

–

6,276

25,692

2,105

41,483

–

–

66,589

17

2,562

12,276

1,310

153

3,075

4,053

28,000

11,839

–

2,312

40,133

49,135

19,284

–

17

172,727

174,149

(1,034)

(62,550)

(2,630)

(2,579)

109,143

168,940

£10,167,000 variable rate loan
This is a £9,500,000 secured development facility on which interest can be rolled up. The loan has been extended and is now 
repayable in one instalment on 31 January 2019. The current balance outstanding on the facility is £10,167,000, including 
£667,000 of rolled up interest.

£4,539,000 variable rate loan
This loan was repaid in November 2017.

£2,751,000 variable rate loan
This loan was repaid in January 2018.

€24,307,000 variable rate loan
This loan was repaid in July 2017.

£30,750,000 fixed rate loan
This secured loan is repayable in one instalment on 25 November 2018. This is a development facility where the loan is drawn 
down over the progress of the development. The current balance outstanding on the facility is £20,398,000.

£28,000,000 variable rate loan
This loan was repaid in December 2017.

£12,000,000 variable rate loan
This secured loan is repayable in one instalment on 5 January 2019. The current balance outstanding on the facility is £6,276,000.

172

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018£26,000,000 variable rate loan
This loan is repayable in one instalment on the earlier of 31 January 2019 or practical completion of the development.  
The current balance outstanding on the facility is £25,692,000.

£2,795,000 variable rate loan
£1,311,000 loan capital amortises over the term of the loan. The Remaining £1,484,000 is repayable in one instalment on  
22 May 2020. The current balance outstanding on the facility id £2,105,000.

€47,000,000 variable EURIBOR loan notes
These unsecured, Euro-denominated loan notes are repayable on 24 April 2021.

£57,565,000 fixed rate loan
This loan facility was refinanced during the year.

£22,470,000 fixed rate loan
This loan facility was refinanced during the year.

£66,666,000 fixed rate loan facility
£16,431,000 loan capital amortises over the term of the loan. The remaining £50,235,000 is repayable in one instalment on  
5 December 2032. The current balance outstanding on the facility is £66,589,000.

£16,500 loan notes
These unsecured loan notes were repayable in 1999. The balance of £16,500 represents the residual amount of unredeemed 
loan notes.

A full explanation of the Group’s borrowings and any changes since the balance sheet date can be found in the Financial 
Review on pages 52 to 59. 

c) Derivative financial instruments

Assets

Derivative financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss:

Interest rate swaps, caps and collars

Foreign exchange contracts

Derivative financial assets

2018 

£’000

10

–

10

2017 

£’000

36

221

257

As at 28 February 2018, the Group held interest rate swaps, caps and collars designated as economic hedges and not qualifying 
as effective hedges under IAS 39. The derivatives are used to mitigate the Group’s interest rate exposure to variable rate loans 
of £47,759,000 (2017: £51,972,000). The fair value of the derivatives amounting to £10,000 (2017: £36,000) are recorded as 
financial assets as at 28 February 2018.

Fair value estimation
The table below analyses financial instruments carried at fair value, by valuation method. The different levels are defined as follows: 

i. 
ii. 

 Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1).
 Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, 
as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices) (Level 2).

iii.   Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs) (Level 3). 

Discounted cash flows are used to determine fair values of these instruments.

173

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

17 Financial assets and financial liabilities continued
c) Derivative financial instruments 
The following table presents the Group’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value:

ASSETS
Available-for-sale 
financial assets

Derivative financial 
instruments:

Derivative financial 
instruments at fair value 
through profit or loss

Foreign exchange 
contracts through profit 
or loss

Total assets

Level 1 

£’000

Level 2 

£’000

Level 3 

£’000

2018 

Total 

£’000

Level 1 

£’000

Level 2

£’000

Level 3 

£’000

2017 

Total 

£’000

–

–

–

–

–

15,812

15,812

10

–

10

–

–

10

–

15,812

15,822

–

–

–

–

–

19,859

19,859

36

221

257

–

–

19,859

36

221

20,116

d) Financial risk management
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including fair value interest rate risk, cash flow interest 
rate risk and foreign currency risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group’s overall risk management focuses on the unpredictability 
of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the Group’s financial performance. The Group uses 
derivative financial instruments to hedge certain risk exposures.

The nature and extent of the Group’s financial risks, and the Directors’ approach to managing those risks, are described in the 
Financial Review on pages 52 to 59 and below. This note provides further detailed information on these risks.

The Group defines capital as total equity and monitors this on the basis of gearing.

(i) Interest rate maturity profile of financial liabilities
The following table sets out the carrying amount by maturity of the Group’s financial instruments that are exposed to interest 
rate risk:

2018

Fixed rate borrowings

Variable rate borrowings

Variable rate borrowings with interest 
rate caps or swaps

2017

Fixed rate borrowings

Variable rate borrowings

Variable rate borrowings with interest 
rate caps or swaps

Within 

One to 

Two to 

Three to

Four to 

More than 

one year 

two years 

three years 

 four years 

five years 

five years 

£’000

46,090

10,184

6,276

62,550

Within 

one year 

£’000

–

2,579

–

2,579

£’000

–

–

–

–

£’000

–

2,105

–

2,105

£’000

£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

41,483

41,483

One to 

Two to 

Three to

Four to 

two years 

three years 

 four years 

five years 

£’000

4,053

44,814

11,839

60,706

£’000

–

–

–

–

£’000

–

2,312

–

2,312

£’000

–

–

40,133

40,133

£’000

66,589

–

–

66,589

More than 

five years 

£’000

68,419

–

–

68,419

Total 

£’000

112,679

12,289

47,759

172,727

Total 

£’000

72,472

49,705

51,972

174,149

174

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Interest on financial instruments classified as variable rate is re-priced at intervals of less than one year. Interest on financial 
instruments classified as fixed rate is fixed until the maturity of the instrument. The other financial assets and financial liabilities 
of the Group that are not included above are non-interest bearing and are therefore not subject to interest rate risk.

(ii) Foreign currency risk
During the year the Group has continued to invest in the Republic of Ireland. Foreign currency exposure is monitored by the 
Board. Foreign currency risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognised assets and liabilities and net investments 
in foreign operations.

The Board has set up a policy to manage foreign currency risk against the Group’s functional currency. When the Group 
acquires property assets denominated in Euros, any associated borrowings will also be denominated in Euros to limit exposure. 
Where appropriate, the Board will also require the foreign exchange risk to be hedged.

As at 28 February 2018, the Group was exposed to foreign currency risk from €47,000,000 (2017: €47,000,000) loan notes 
denominated in Euros. The Group repaid its other Euro-denominated loan facilities during the year (2017: the Group had two 
facilities totalling €44,307,000 with £5,637,000 drawn).

During the year to 28 February 2018, the movement of Sterling against the Euro was less volatile than in the previous twelve-
month period. Management consider 10.0% to be a prudent measure of sensitivity while negotiations continue regarding exit 
from the EU. 

The following table demonstrates the possible effect of changes in Sterling and Euro exchange rates on loan balances with 
all other variables held constant:

2018
Sterling against Euro

2017

Sterling against Euro

Increase/

Effect on loan 

decrease  

balances 

in rate

£’000

+10%

-10%

+10%

-10%

3,771

(4,609)

4,160

(5,086)

(iii) Interest rate risk
The Group’s interest rate risk arises from long-term borrowings. Borrowings issued at variable rates are partially offset by cash 
held at variable rates. The Board closely monitors interest rate risk and considers whether to fix or cap interest rates on a loan-
by-loan basis. Longer-term facilities tend to be structured with fixed rates, whereas for shorter-term loans a cap may be 
preferred. Similar principles are also employed in respect of joint ventures.

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity in respect of variable rate debt obligations to a change in interest rates, with 
other variables held constant, of the Group’s profit before income tax.

The sensitivity analysis excludes all non-derivative fixed rate financial instruments carried at amortised cost as well as variable 
rate financial instruments.

Fair value interest rate hedging instruments that are part of a hedging relationship have been excluded. Variable rate non-
derivative financial instruments where the associated interest has been capitalised have also been excluded.

175

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

17 Financial assets and financial liabilities continued
d) Financial risk management continued 
As at 28 February 2018, a movement of 50 basis points higher or lower, with all other variables held constant, would have the 
following effect on profit before tax. Management consider a movement of 50 basis points to be a reasonable guide to sensitivity 
in the current interest rate environment. 

2018
Sterling borrowings

2017

Sterling borrowings

Increase/

Effect on profit 

decrease in 

before tax 

basis points

£’000

+50

–50

+50

–50

(229)

229

(382)

382

(iv) Price risk
The Group is not exposed to commodity or security price risk.

(v) Liquidity risk
The table below summarises the maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities at 28 February 2018 and 28 February 2017 
on a contractual undiscounted payments basis:

2018

MATURITY PROFILE OF FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Trade and other payables

2017

MATURITY PROFILE OF FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Trade and other payables

Less than 

On demand 

three months 

£’000

£’000

Three to 

twelve 

months 

£’000

One to 

More than 

five years 

five years 

£’000

£’000

Total 

£’000

17
–

17

2,049

44,255

46,304

68,249

33,878

102,127

60,207
–

60,207

106,842
–

106,842

237,364

78,133

315,497

Less than 

On demand 

three months 

£’000

£’000

17

–

17

4,553

35,804

40,357

Three to 

twelve 

months 

£’000

5,792

10,889

16,681

One to 

five years 

£’000

More than 

five years 

£’000

Total 

£’000

89,891

14,395

125,935

–

104,286

125,935

226,188

61,088

287,276

(vi) Market risk
A summary of market risk and its effect on the Group is set out in the Risk Review on page 29 and further discussed in the 
market review on pages 18 and 19 and in the Portfolio Review on pages 36 to 51.

Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities
Except as detailed below, in respect of fixed rate loan facilities, the Directors consider the carrying amount to be either fair 
value or a reasonable approximation of fair value apart from equity instruments classified as available-for-sale assets under 
IAS 39, where fair value cannot be reliably measured.

176

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Fixed rate debt
A valuation was carried out as at 28 February 2018 by J C Rathbone Associates Limited, to calculate the market value of the 
Group’s fixed rate debt on a replacement basis, taking into account the difference between fixed interest rates for the Group’s 
borrowings and the market value and prevailing interest rate of appropriate debt instruments. Whilst the replacement basis 
provides a consistent method for valuation of fixed rate debt, such financing facilities are in place to provide continuing funding 
for the Group’s activities. The valuation is therefore only an indication of a notional effect on the net asset value of the Group 
as at 28 February 2018, and may be subject to daily fluctuations in line with money market movements.

J C Rathbone Associates Limited have consented to the use of their name in the financial statements. 

The fair value compared with the carrying amounts of the Group’s fixed rate financial liabilities as at 28 February 2018 and  
28 February 2017 is analysed below: 

Fixed rate term loan due 2025

Fixed rate term loan due 2025

Fixed rate term loan due 2032

Total fixed rate financial liabilities

Book value 

Fair value 

Book value 

Fair value 

2018 

£’000

–

–

2018 

£’000

–

–

66,589

66,589

76,103

76,103

2017 

£’000

49,135

19,284

–

2017 

£’000

60,055

22,709

–

68,419

82,764

The fair value difference of £9,514,000 at 28 February 2018 (2017: £14,345,000) represents approximately 14.3% of gross, fixed 
rate borrowings (2017: 21.0%). The effect on net assets per share after tax of this adjustment would be a decrease of 6.1 pence 
after tax (2017: 9.2 pence decrease).

18 Deferred income tax
The following are the deferred income tax liabilities and assets and movements thereon recognised by the Group during the 
current and previous financial year. The UK corporation tax rate is 19% (2017: 19%). Deferred income tax is calculated on the 
temporary differences under the liability method using a tax rate of 17% (2017: 19%).

(Credit)/charge for the year in the income statement (refer note 6)

Credited directly to equity

2018 

£’000

(144)

–

(144)

Decelerated 

capital 

Profit on 

Property

Net fair value 

allowances 

Provisions 

disposal 

revaluations

Tax losses 

adjustments 

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

2017 

£’000

11

(127)

(116)

Total 

£’000

DEFERRED INCOME TAX (ASSETS)/ 
LIABILITIES RECOGNISED:

At 1 March 2016
(Credited)/charged to the income 
statement

Credited directly to equity

At 28 February 2017
(Credited)/charged to the income 
statement

At 28 February 2018

(47)

(13)

–

(60)

(163)

(223)

(500)

25

–

(475)

86

(389)

–

545

–

545

–

–

–

–

(545)

–

1,660

1,660

(683)

3,555

2,325

(141)

–

(824)

211

(613)

(405)

(127)

3,023

(1,393)

1,630

11

(127)

2,209

(144)

2,065

177

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

18 Deferred income tax continued

Deferred income tax assets

Deferred income tax liabilities
NET DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITIES

2018 

£’000

1,225

(3,290)

2,065

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are only offset where there is a legally enforceable right of offset and there is an 
intention to settle the balances net. Deferred income tax assets arising from the Group’s trading and capital losses are 
recognised on the basis that there will be sufficient profits in the foreseeable future to utilise such losses as assessed by 
management forecasts. The Group has not recognised deferred income tax assets of £6,818,000 (2017: £4,909,000) in respect 
of losses amounting to £40,105,000 (2017: £24,549,000) that can be carried forward against future taxable income.

Movements in deferred income tax assets and liabilities (prior to the offsetting of balances) are shown above.

19 Share capital

Issued, called up and fully paid
125,342,726 Ordinary shares of 50 pence (2017: 125,226,740 Ordinary shares of 50 pence)

Shares in issue at the date of this report

The Company has one class of Ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income.

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

62,671

62,613

Number of 

shares

125,349,756

The number of treasury shares held by the Company as at 28 February 2018 is 118,792 shares. The Company has the right to 
re-issue these shares at a later date. All shares are fully paid.

a) Share option schemes
As at 28 February 2018, and at the date of this report, the options outstanding under the Company’s share option schemes 
were exercisable as set out below (price stated in pence per share). The share options are more fully described in the 
Remuneration Report on pages 98 to 116. 

SAYE option plan 2005:

Date of grant

22 December 2014

19 December 2017

28.02.18 

Number

107,164

339,666

26.04.18 

Number

Exercise dates

100,134 1 February 2018 to 31 July 2018

331,396 1 February 2021 to 31 July 2021

Price

179.2

152.0

178

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018b) Share-based payments
The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices of, and movements in, share options during 
the year:

At 1 March 2017 and 1 March 2016
Options granted

Options exercised

Options cancelled

At 28 February 2018 and 28 February 2017

2018 

Weighted 

average 

exercise 

price 

Pence

179.2

152.0

179.2

179.2

158.5

Number

303,197

–

–

(75,025)

228,172

2017 

Weighted 

average 

exercise 

price 

Pence

179.2

–

–

179.2

179.2

Number

228,172

339,666

(115,986)

(5,022)

446,830

The options outstanding at 28 February 2018 are exercisable at 152.0 and 179.2 pence per share and have a weighted average 
remaining contractual life of 2.6 years (2017: 1.4 years).

The fair value of grants is measured at the grant date using a Black-Scholes pricing model, taking into account the terms and 
conditions upon which the instruments were granted. The services received and a liability to pay for those services are 
recognised over the expected vesting period. The main assumptions of the Black-Scholes pricing model are as follows:

Grant date 

Exercise price (pence)

Term (years)

Expected volatility

Expected dividend yield p.a.

Risk-free rate

Expected forfeiture p.a.

19.12.17

152.0

3

21%

3.0%

1.5%

£nil

22.12.14

179.2

3

24%

2.3%

0.9%

£nil

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the U and I Group PLC share price over multiple 
time periods. The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which 
may not necessarily be the actual outcome.

The expected life of the options is based on historical data and is not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that may occur.

c) Conditional awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) 
The LTIP commenced on 1 March 2015 and the first award vests in June 2018. The terms of these plans are set out in the 
Remuneration Report on pages 98 to 116.

The first award made under the LTIP was on 5 June 2015. Under the scheme, Ordinary shares are conditionally awarded based 
on the performance of the Group over a four-year period for Executive Directors and a three-year period for staff. The 
performance of the Group is referenced to the net asset value per share growth over the vesting period and is based on non-
market conditions. The Directors assess the likelihood of the award vesting with the maximum amount that will vest based on 
forward-looking forecast of the Group.

179

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

19 Share capital continued
The principal assumptions for calculating the fair value of the Ordinary shares conditionally awarded are:

LTIP 

2018

LTIP 

2017

LTIP 

2016

Ordinary shares conditionally awarded (no. of shares)

Date of award

Share price (pence)

Vesting period (months)

2,446,632

2,319,839

1,481,203
30 May 2017 9 June 2016 5 June 2015
273.4

191.1

194.2

33

33

33

The expense recognised for equity-settled share-based payments in respect of employee services received during the year 
is a £1,750,000 charge (2017: £1,308,000 charge).

The charge recognised for cash-settled share-based payments during the year is £nil (2017: £nil).

20 Reserves and movements in equity

Share  

capital  

£’000

£’000

At 1 March 2016
Employee share option 
scheme

Share-based payments

Revaluation of operating 
property realised on sale

Fair value adjustment 
realised

Deferred income tax 
charged directly to equity

Currency translation 
differences – Group

At 28 February 2017
Employee share option 
scheme

Share-based payments

Revaluation of operating 
property realised on sale

Currency translation 
differences – Group

62,537

104,113

76

212

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

62,613

104,325

58

150

–

–

–

–

–

–

At 28 February 2018

62,671

104,475

Net unrealised 

Share-based 

Capital 

Share  

gain/(loss) 

payments 

redemption 

premium  

reserve 

reserve 

reserve 

£’000

1,631

–

–

–

–

–

–

Capital  

reserve  

£’000

44,188

Merger 

reserve 

£’000

4,725

Treasury 

shares 

£’000

(165)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

£’000

731

–

1,308

–

–

–

–

2,039

1,631

44,188

4,725

(165)

–

1,750

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3,789

1,631

44,188

4,725

(165)

£’000

751

–

–

(1,073)

(630)

127

2,958

2,133

–

–

35

292

2,460

The capital redemption reserve arose from business combinations in prior financial years. This reserve is not distributable.

The merger reserve comprises the premium on shares following the share issue to acquire Cathedral Group. No share premium 
is recorded in the Company’s financial statements through the operation of the Merger Relief provisions of the Companies 
Act 2006.

180

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Retained earnings

At 1 March 2016
Loss for the year

Revaluation of operating property realised on sale

Fair value adjustment realised

Final dividend 2016

Supplemental dividend 2016

Interim dividend 2017

At 28 February 2017
Profit for the year

Final dividend 2017

Supplemental dividend 2017

Interim dividend 2018

At 28 February 2018

21 Note to the cash flow statement
Reconciliation of profit/(loss) before income tax to net cash outflow from operating activities:

Profit/(loss) before income tax
Adjustments for:

(Gain)/loss on disposal of investment properties

Loss on revaluation of property portfolio

Other income

Share of post-tax profits of joint ventures and associates

Profit from sale of investment

(Profit)/loss on sale of other plant and equipment

Exceptional impairment of operating segment

Finance income

Finance cost

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Operating cash flows before movements in working capital
Increase in development and trading properties

(Increase)/decrease in receivables

Increase in payables

Increase/(decrease) in provisions

Cash flows (used in)/generated from operating activities

Analysis of movement in net debt

£’000

144,814

(3,003)

1,073

630

(4,378)

(9,997)

(3,003)

126,136

40,256

(4,379)

(3,503)

(3,003)

155,507

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

48,172

(1,710)

(3,324)

2,417

(2,089)

(16,175)

(6,713)

(5)
–

(94)

9,783

960

32,932

(10,037)

(57,042)

33,696

240

(211)

2,273

9,506

(1,320)

(6,134)

(567)

25

2,150

(711)

11,495

1,016

16,023

(3,590)

36,991

7,490

(55)

56,859

2017 

Net debt

 £’000

Cash and 

2018 

Cash and 

deposits 

Borrowings  

Net debt

deposits 

Borrowings  

£’000

£’000

 £’000

£’000

£’000

At 1 March

Cash flow

Foreign currency exchange movements

Non-cash movements
At 28 February 

51,271

(172,125)

(120,854)

51,848

(213,289)

(161,441)

840

(12)
–

2,419

(1,497)

19

3,259

(1,509)

19

(1,235)

658

–

48,483

(5,130)

(2,189)

47,248

(4,472)

(2,189)

52,099

(171,184)

(119,085)

51,271

(172,125)

(120,854)

181

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

22 Financial commitments and operating lease arrangements
Capital commitments
At 28 February 2018, the Group had no contracted capital expenditure (2017: £nil). The Group has no commitments for loans 
to its associates (2017: £nil).

Operating lease arrangements
Operating lease arrangements in respect of land and buildings where the Group is lessee:

Minimum lease payments under operating leases recognised for the year

2018 

£’000

4,363

2017 

£’000

4,466

At the balance sheet date, the Group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable 
operating leases, which fall due as follows:

Within one year

In the second to fifth years inclusive

After five years

2018 

£’000

4,397

11,778

4,694

20,869

2017 

£’000

4,363

14,451

7,778

26,592

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for some of its leasehold properties. Leases were negotiated 
for an average term of 13.4 years (2017: 12.8 years).

In respect of operating lease arrangements where the Group is lessor, at the balance sheet date, the Group had contracted 
with tenants for the following future minimum payments:

Within one year

In the second to fifth years inclusive

After five years

Property investment income earned during the year was £12,086,000 (2017: £12,934,000).

2018 

£’000

7,856

23,639

24,739

56,234

2017 

£’000

15,140

47,846

88,446

151,432

182

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201823 Contingent liabilities
In the normal course of its development activity, the Group is required to guarantee performance bonds provided by banks in 
respect of certain obligations of Group companies. As at 28 February 2018, such guarantees amounted to £5,543,000  
(2017: £6,917,000).

The Group has provided guarantees for rent liabilities in respect of properties previously occupied by Group companies. In 
the event that the current tenants ceased to pay rent, the Group would be liable to cover any shortfall until the building could 
be re-let. The Group has made provision against crystallised liabilities in this regard. In respect of potential liabilities where no 
provision has been made, the annual rent-roll of the buildings benefiting from such guarantees is £7,000 (2017: £7,000) with 
an average unexpired lease period of 68 years (2017: 70 years).

The Group has guaranteed its share of interest up to a maximum of £575,000 in respect of the £26,000,000 loan in Notting 
Hill (Guernsey Holdco) Limited. 

24 Pension scheme
The Company operates a defined contribution scheme for Directors and employees. Monthly premiums are invested in an 
independent insured fund.

The amounts charged to the Income Statement during the year are set out in note 4.

25 Related parties
During the year, the Group entered into transactions, in the ordinary course of business, with related parties.

Transactions entered into and balances outstanding at 28 February 2018 and 28 February 2017 with related parties are set out 
below. Only Directors are considered to be key management personnel.

Richard Upton owed a total of £55,000 to the Group in respect of activities at St Thomas’ Church, the office previously occupied 
by Cathedral Group. This amount will be settled in due course.

There were no further transactions with Directors other than remuneration set out in the Remuneration Report on pages  
98 to 116.

JOINT VENTURES

2018
2017
ASSOCIATES

2018
2017

Amounts owed 

Finance 

by related 

income from 

parties (before 

related parties 

provision) 

£’000

£’000

2,089
1,320

–
–

61,989
43,202

19,878
20,065

183

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

26 Projects in partnership
The following is a summary of the Group’s projects in partnership and the balance sheet classification of its financial interests:

Project/partner

Project activity

Accounting classification

Barwood Development Securities Limited

Strategic land investment

Investment in associates

Barwood Land and Estates Limited

Strategic land investment

Investment in associates

CDSR Burlington House Developments Limited Property development

Investment in associates

Cathedral (Movement, Greenwich) LLP

Property development

Financial assets

Northpoint Developments Limited

Property development

Financial assets

Curzon Park Limited

Curzon Park Limited

Deeley Freed Limited

Property development

Investment in joint ventures

Property development

Financial assets

Property development

Financial assets

Henry Davidson Developments Limited

Property development

Financial assets

LaSalle Land LP

Property Alliance Group

Strategic land investment Financial assets

Property development

Financial assets

Quinn Estates Brokehill Limited

Property development

Financial assets

Becket House Unit Trust

Investment property

Investment in joint ventures

Circus Street Developments Limited

Property development

Investment in joint ventures

Development Equity Partners Limited

Property development

Investment in joint ventures

DSP Piano Investments BV

Investment property

Investment in joint ventures

DSP Tirol Limited

DS Renewables LLP

Investment property

Investment in joint ventures

Property development

Investment in joint ventures

Harwell Oxford Developments Limited

Property development

Investment in joint ventures

2018 

£’000

–

–

–

100

16,837

260

10,505

–

344

1,285

–

3,578

–

5,106

269

14,276

4,212

11,537

24,356

Kensington & Edinburgh Estates (South 
Woodham Ferrers) Limited

Property development

Investment in joint ventures

311

Luxembourg Investment Company 112 Sarl

Property development

Investment in joint ventures

15,330

Manchester Arena Complex LP

Investment property

Investment in joint ventures

Mayfield Development (General Partner)Limited Property development

Investment in joint ventures

Notting Hill (Guernsey Holdco) Limited

Property development

Investment in joint ventures

Opportunities for Sittingbourne Limited

Property development

Investment in joint ventures

OSB (Holdco 1) Limited

Property development

Investment in joint ventures

Triangle London Developments LLP

Property development

Investment in joint ventures

UAI (G) Limited

UAIH Yorkshire Limited

UAIP (Drum) BV

Property development

Investment in joint ventures

Property development

Investment in joint ventures

Property development

Investment in joint ventures

Winnebago Holdings Sarl

Investment property

Investment in joint ventures

156

6,269

8,321

128

–

306

504

124

1,263

78

125,455

2017 

£’000

2,500

1,500

4,372

127

17,024

–

10,505

8,600

627

–

1,500

–

–

–

269

6,772

4,535

–

12,881

929

11,520

169

–

7,486

128

–

–

141

15

1,201

43

92,844

184

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018The aggregate amounts included within each relevant balance sheet account are as follows:

Investment in associates

Investment in joint ventures

Financial assets – current

Financial assets – non-current

2018 

£’000

–

92,806

16,837

15,812

125,455

2017 

£’000

8,372

46,089

18,524

19,859

92,844

27 Post balance sheet events
As at 28 February 2018, the Group had exchanged contracts on the sale of a number of assets held directly and in joint venture. 
these sales have since successfully completed.

In April 2018, the Group exchanged contracts to sell land held in joint venture. This sale will be recognised in the year ending 
28 February 2019.

185

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Company Balance Sheet
As at 28 February 2018

Notes

£’000

2018

£’000

31

34

35(d)

36

32

34

33

4,087

344

10

678

104,257

16,837

525,334

37,935

2017

£’000

£’000

4,615

9,227

257

798

104,258

109,376

119,155

18,524

399,785

44,285

462,594

580,106

35(a)

(310,331)

(185,639)

269,775

379,151

276,955

396,110

35(b)

(106,158)

36

35(c)

(83)

(172)

(105,172)

(109)

(183)

(106,413)

272,738

(105,464)

290,646

37

38

38

38

62,671

104,475

9,980

95,612

62,613

104,325

8,230

115,478

272,738

290,646

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

Debtors – loans and receivables

Derivative financial instruments

Deferred income tax asset

Investments

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors – loans and receivables

Debtors

Cash at bank and in hand

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due after more than one year:

Bank loans

Deferred income tax liabilities

Provisions for liabilities

Net assets

CAPITAL AND RESERVES

Called up share capital

Share premium account

Other reserves

Profit and loss account

Total shareholders’ funds

The loss after tax for the year was £8,981,000 (2017: £3,738,000 profit).

The notes on pages 188 to 200 are an integral part of these financial statements.

Approved by the Board of Directors on 26 April 2018 and signed on its behalf by:

M S Weiner
Director

186

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Other 

Profit and 

reserves 

loss account

£’000

Total 

£’000

£’000

6,922

–

–

1,308

–

–

–

129,118

302,690

3,738

–

–

(4,378)

(9,997)

(3,003)

3,738

288

1,308

(4,378)

(9,997)

(3,003)

1,308

8,230

(17,378)

(15,782)

115,478

290,646

–

–

1,750

–

–

–

(8,981)

(8,981)

–

–

(4,379)

(3,503)

(3,003)

208

1,750

(4,379)

(3,503)

(3,003)

1,750

9,980

(10,885)

(8,927)

95,612

272,738

Company Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 28 February 2018

At 1 March 2016

Profit and total comprehensive income  
for the year ended 28 February 2017
Issue of Ordinary shares

Share-based payments

Final dividend 2016

Supplemental dividend 2016

Interim dividend 2017

Total contributions by and distributions to 
owners of the Company

Balance at 28 February 2017

Loss and total comprehensive income  
for the year ended 28 February 2018
Issue of Ordinary shares

Share-based payments

Final dividend 2017

Supplemental dividend 2017

Interim dividend 2018

Total contributions by and distributions  
to owners of the Company

Balance at 28 February 2018

Notes

38

38

Called up 

share 

capital 

£’000

Share  

premium 

account

£’000

62,537

104,113

–

76

–

–

–

–

76

–

212

–

–

–

–

212

62,613

104,325

–

58

–

–

–

–

58

–

150

–

–

–

–

150

62,671

104,475

187

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

28 Accounting policies
a) General information
The Company is a public limited company which is listed on 
the London Stock Exchange and is incorporated and domiciled 
in the UK. U and I Group PLC is the holding company for the 
U and I Group of companies.

i) Basis of preparation
The Company’s financial statements have been prepared in 
compliance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards, 
including Financial Reporting Standard 102, ‘The Financial 
Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and the 
Republic of Ireland’ (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. 
Accounting policies adopted are consistent with the previous 
year, unless otherwise stated, and are set out below. 

The  Company  has  not  presented  its  own  profit  and  loss 
account, as permitted by Section 408 of the Companies  
Act 2006. 

The  Company  has  also  taken  advantage  of  the  
following exemptions:

i. 

ii. 

 from presenting a reconciliation of the number of shares 
outstanding at the beginning and end of the year;
 from preparing a statement of cash flows on the basis that 
it is a qualifying entity and the Consolidated Cash Flow 
Statement, included in these financial statements, includes 
the Company’s cash flows;

iii.   from the financial instrument disclosures required under 
FRS 102 as the information is provided in the Consolidated 
financial statements;

iv.   from disclosing the share-based payment arrangements 
required  under  FRS  102  concerning  its  own  equity 
instruments.  The  Company  financial  statements  are 
presented within the Consolidated financial statements 
and the relevant disclosures are included therein; and
 from disclosing key management personnel compensation 
as required by FRS 102.

v. 

The financial statements were approved by the Directors for 
issue on 25 April 2018.

ii) Critical accounting judgements and estimates
When  preparing  the  Company  financial  statements, 
management are required to make judgements, assumptions 
and estimates concerning the future. These judgements and 
assumptions are made at the time the financial statements are 
prepared and adopted based on the best information available. 
Actual outcomes may be different from initial estimates and 
are reflected in the financial statements as soon as they become 
apparent. Management believe that the underlying assumptions 
are appropriate. Areas requiring judgements or estimates are 
discussed below.

Judgements other than estimates
1.1 Derivative financial instruments
The Company is party to a number of interest rate swap and 
foreign currency agreements which are accounted for as 
derivatives and measured at fair value. The estimation of this 
figure  is  based  upon  market  assumptions  about  future 
movements in interest and exchange rates. The estimated fair 
values and the movements in the year are set out in note 17(c) 
to the Consolidated financial statements.

1.2 Group Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
During the year, the Company made awards to staff under the 
Group’s LTIP. The awards vest according to a number of 
performance criteria, the primary measure being net asset 
value  growth  over  a  three-year  period.  In  calculating  the 
provision to accrue, management are required to estimate net 
asset growth over the vesting period. The estimate is reassessed 
at each reporting date.

b) Investments
The Company’s investments in subsidiaries, associates and 
joint ventures are accounted for in the financial statements at 
cost less any provision for impairment.

Loans and receivables are initially recognised at fair value  
and  subsequently  at  amortised  cost  using  the  effective  
interest method.

c) Operating leases
Rental payments under operating leases are charged on a 
straight-line basis to the profit and loss account over the lease 
term even if the payments are not made on such a basis.

188

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018d) Tangible assets
Tangible assets are held at cost less accumulated depreciation 
and any provision for impairment. Cost includes the original 
purchase price of the asset and the costs attributable to 
bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use. 
Depreciation  is  provided  so  as  to  write  off  the  cost  less 
estimated residual value of such assets over their expected 
useful lives on a straight-line basis. The principal annual rates 
used for this purpose are as follows:

Fixtures, fittings and computer equipment 
Motor vehicles 

– 10% to 33% 
– 20%

e) Provisions for liabilities
A provision is recognised when the Company has a present 
legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is 
probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle 
the obligation and the amount can be reliably estimated.

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditure 
expected to be required to settle the obligation. The accretion 
in the discount is recognised as an interest expense.

f) Taxation
Current  tax  is  the  expected  tax  payable  on  the  taxable  
income for the year, using tax rates applicable at the balance 
sheet  date,  together  with  any  adjustment  in  respect  of  
previous periods.

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 basis used in the computation of taxable profit, and is 
accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred 
tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary 
differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the 
extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available 
against which deductible temporary differences or unutilised 
tax losses can be utilised.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates 
that are expected to apply to the year when the asset is realised 
or the liability is settled, based on tax rates and tax laws that 
have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance 
sheet date. Income tax relating to items recognised directly 
in equity is recognised in equity and not in the profit and loss 
account. Deferred tax is measured on a non-discounted basis.

g) Pension schemes
The Company operates a defined contribution scheme on 
behalf of the U and I Group. The charge to the profit and loss 
in the year represents the actual amount payable to the scheme 
in the year. Differences between contributions payable in the 
year and contributions paid are shown as either accruals or 
prepayments in the Balance Sheet.

h) Foreign currencies
Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated 
into UK Sterling at the rates ruling at the dates of the transactions. 
Monetary  assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in  foreign 
currencies at the balance sheet date are translated at the rates 
ruling at that date. Exchange movements are dealt with in the 
profit and loss account.

i) Financial instruments
Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and foreign exchange 
contracts, are not basic financial instruments.

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a 
derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-
measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of 
derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in financial costs 
or income as appropriate.

The Company does not currently apply hedge accounting for 
interest rate and foreign exchange derivatives.

189

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

28 Accounting policies continued
j) Share-based payments
The Company operates a number of share-based compensation 
plans, both equity and cash settled, under which the entity 
receives services from employees as consideration for cash 
or equity-settled instruments of the Company.

The fair value of the employee services received in exchange 
for the grant of the option is recognised as an expense. The 
total amount to be expensed is determined by reference to 
the fair value of the options granted.

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
The LTIP commenced on 1 March 2015.

Under the scheme, Ordinary shares are conditionally awarded 
based on the performance of the Group over a four-year period 
for Executive Directors and a three-year period for staff. The 
performance of the Group is referenced to the net asset value 
per share growth over the vesting period and is based on 
non-market conditions. The Directors assess the likelihood of 
the award vesting and the maximum amount that will vest based 
on forward-looking forecast of the Group.

The Company has used a Black-Scholes option pricing model 
to determine the fair value of share options granted. The cost 
of cash-settled transactions with employees and Directors is 
measured by reference to the fair value at the date at which 
they are granted and is recognised as an expense over the 
vesting period, which ends on the date on which the relevant 
employees become fully entitled to the award.

At each balance sheet date before vesting, the cumulative 
expense is calculated, representing the extent to which the 
vesting period has expired and management’s best estimate 
of the achievement or otherwise of non-market conditions and 
of the number of cash-settled share-based instruments that 
will ultimately vest or, in the case of an instrument subject to 
a market condition, be treated as vesting as described above. 
The  movement  in  cumulative  expense  since  the  previous 
balance sheet date is recognised in the income statement, 
with a corresponding entry in accruals.

29 Operating profit
Details relating to staff costs and staff numbers can be found 
in note 4 to the Consolidated financial statements. Further 
information relating to Directors’ remuneration is shown in the 
Remuneration Report on pages 98 to 116.

Auditors’ remuneration in respect of the audit for the Company 
was £15,000 (2017: £15,000).

30 Operating lease arrangements

The Company as lessee:

Minimum lease payments under 
operating leases recognised  
for the year

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

2,571

2,571

Annual commitments under non-cancellable operating leases 
are as follows:

No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately 
vest, except for awards where vesting is conditional upon a 
market condition, which are treated as vesting irrespective of 
whether or not the market condition is satisfied, provided that 
all other performance conditions are satisfied. 

Operating leases which expire:

Within one year

In the second to fifth years inclusive

After five years

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

2,250

9,961

4,250

16,461

2,571

10,282

6,821

19,674

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the 
Company for its office property. The lease payments were 
negotiated for an average term of 11.4 years (2017: 11.4 years).

190

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 201831 Tangible assets

COST

At 1 March 2017

Additions
At 28 February 2018

ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

At 1 March 2017

Charge for the year
At 28 February 2018

Net book amount 28 February 2018

Net book amount 28 February 2017

32 Investments

COST

At 1 March 2017

Disposals
At 28 February 2018

AMOUNTS PROVIDED

At 1 March 2017 and 28 February 2018

Net book amount 28 February 2018

Net book amount 28 February 2017

The full list of subsidiaries of the Company is set out in note 41.

Fixtures, 

fittings and 

computer 

equipment 

£’000

Motor  

vehicles  

£’000

6,155

195

6,350

1,563

715

2,278

4,072
4,592

119

–

119

96

8

104

15
23

Shares in 

Interest in 

subsidiary 

associated 

Interest in 

undertakings 

undertakings 

joint ventures  

£’000

£’000

£’000

162,867

(1)

162,866

(59,063)

103,803
103,804

997

–

997

(997)

–

–

454

–

454

–

454
454

Total  

£’000

6,274

195

6,469

1,659

723

2,382

4,087
4,615

Total  

£’000

164,318

(1)

164,317

(60,060)

104,257
104,258

191

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

33 Debtors 
Amounts falling due within one year

Trade debtors

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings

Other debtors

Current income tax asset

Other taxation recoverable

Prepayments and accrued income

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.

34 Debtors – loans and receivables
Amounts falling due after more than one year

FIXED ASSETS

Development loans

Amounts falling due within one year

CURRENT ASSETS

Loans and receivables

Loans notes receivable

2018 

£’000

83

2017 

£’000

13

516,904

391,861

4,983

598

1,201

1,565

4,882

1,680

724

625

525,334

399,785

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

344

9,227

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

7,949

8,888

16,837

9,711

8,813

18,524

Funding of £344,000 (2017: £627,000) has been provided to Henry Davidson Developments Limited in respect of one development 
project. Interest of 12.5% is charged in respect of this funding.

Loans and receivables include a number of working capital and project-specific loans of £7,949,000 (2017: £8,211,000) to 
Northpoint Developments Limited. The loans attract fixed coupon rates of between 5.0% and 13.0%. Included in the above 
amount are two interest-free loans of £408,000 (2017: £408,000). As at 28 February 2018, the Company has made a provision 
of £1,609,000 (2017: £1,223,000) against interest receivable in respect of these loans and a £1,000,000 provision against the 
recoverability of the loans.

35 Creditors
a) Amounts falling due within one year

Bank loans and overdrafts 

Bank loans 

Trade creditors

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings

Amounts owed to associated undertakings

Other creditors

Accruals and deferred income

192

2018 

£’000

17

545

354

2017 

£’000

17

4,643

176

299,465

172,159

1,932

2,064

5,954

1,932

991

5,721

310,331

185,639

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Bank loans are secured against investment assets held in other Group companies.

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.

b) Amounts falling due after more than one year

Bank loans

Information regarding loan balances is shown below:

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

106,158

105,172

€47,000,000 variable EURIBOR loan notes
These unsecured, Euro-denominated loan notes are repayable on 24 April 2021.

£66,666,000 fixed rate loan facility
£16,431,000 loan capital amortises over the term of the loan. The remaining £50,235,000 is repayable in one instalment on  
5 December 2032. The current balance outstanding on the facility is £66,589,000.

£16,500 loan notes
These unsecured loan notes were repayable in 1999. The balance of £16,500 represents the residual amount of unredeemed 
loan notes.

Loans are shown net of transaction costs in the Balance Sheet.

c) Amounts falling due after more than one year

Provisions for liabilities

The provision of £172,000 (2017: £183,000) relates to an onerous lease obligation entered into in 2009. 

d) Derivative financial instruments

ASSETS

Derivative financial instruments at fair value through profit and loss:

Interest rate swaps

Foreign exchange contracts
Derivative financial assets

2018 

£’000

172

2017 

£’000

183

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

10
–

10

36

221

257

193

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

36 Deferred income tax
The following are the deferred income tax assets and liabilities recognised by the Company during the current financial year. 
Deferred income tax is calculated on the temporary differences under the liability method using an income tax rate of 17.0%.

Accelerated 

capital 

Net fair value 

allowances 

Provisions 

Tax losses 

adjustments 

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

Deferred income tax liabilities/(assets) recognised:

At 1 March 2017

(Charged)/credited to the income statement
At 28 February 2018

(61)

(20)

(81)

475

(86)

389

323

(34)

289

Deferred income tax assets

Deferred income tax liabilities
Net deferred income tax assets

(48)

46

(2)

2018 

£’000

678

(83)

595

Total 

£’000

689

(94)

595

2017 
£’000

798

(109)

689

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are only offset where there is a legally enforceable right of offset and there is an 
intention to settle the balances net. Movements in deferred income tax assets and liabilities are shown above.

37 Called up share capital

Issued, called up and fully paid

2018 

£’000

2017 

£’000

125,342,726 Ordinary shares of 50 pence (2017: 125,226,740 Ordinary shares of 50 pence)

62,671

62,613

Shares in issue at the date of this report

The Company has one class of Ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income.

Number 

of shares

125,349,756

The number of treasury shares held by the Company as at 28 February 2017 is 118,792 shares. The Company has the right to 
re-issue these shares at a later date. All shares are fully paid. 

194

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Share option schemes
As at 28 February 2018, and at the date of this report, the options outstanding under the Company’s share option schemes 
were exercisable as set out below (price stated in pence per share). The share options are more fully described in the 
Remuneration report on pages 98 to 116.

SAYE option plan 2005:

Date of grant

22 December 2014

19 December 2017

28.02.18 

Number

107,164

339,666

26.04.18 

Number

Exercise dates

100,134 1 February 2018 to 31 July 2018

331,396 1 February 2021 to 31 July 2021

Price

179.2

152.0

Details relating to share-based payments is disclosed in note 19 to the Consolidated financial statements.

38 Reconciliation of movements in shareholders’ funds

Called up 

Share 

Share-based 

Capital 

payments 

redemption 

reserve 

£’000

2,039

–

1,750

3,789

reserve 

£’000

1,631

–

–

Merger 

reserve 

£,000

4,725

–

–

Treasury 

shares 

£’000

(165)

–

–

1,631

4,725

(165)

£’000

129,118

3,738

(4,378)

(9,997)

(3,003)

115,478

(8,981)

(4,379)

(3,503)

(3,003)

95,612

share 

capital 

£’000

premium 

account 

£’000

62,613

104,325

58

–

150

–

62,671

104,475

At 1 March 2017

Employee share option scheme

Share-based payments
At 28 February 2018

PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

At 1 March 2016

Profit for the financial year

Final dividend 2016

Supplemental dividend 2016

Interim dividend 2017
At 28 February 2017

Loss for the financial year

Final dividend 2017

Supplemental dividend 2017

Interim dividend 2018
At 28 February 2018

The loss after tax of the Company was £8,981,000 (2017: £3,738,000 profit).

195

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

39 Contingent liabilities
The contingent liabilities of the Group are set out in note 23. The Company has provided guarantees in respect of loans and 
overdrafts of its subsidiary entities totalling £64,638,000 (2017: £63,018,000). In addition, the Company has guaranteed the 
performance of subsidiary entities under a range of operating obligations, none of which is expected to give rise to a liability 
in the Company.

40 Related parties
Related party transactions are the same for the Company as for the Group. Details can be found in note 25 to the Consolidated 
financial statements.

41 Details of related undertakings of U and I Group PLC
In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006, a full list of subsidiaries, partnerships, associates, joint ventures 
and joint arrangements, the country of incorporation, the registered address and the effective percentage of equity owned, 
as at 28 February 2018 is disclosed below. Unless otherwise stated, the Group’s shareholding represents ordinary shares held 
indirectly by U and I Group PLC and the registered office is 7A Howick Place, London SW1P 1DZ. 

All interests are in Ordinary share capital and have been consolidated.

Entities where the Group holds 100% of the equity but the registered office is held elsewhere are detailed below:

Wholly-owned subsidiaries

399 Edgware Road Management Company Limited

Cathedral (Goswell) Limited

48 Goldhawk Road Limited

Cathedral (Greenwich Beach) Limited

Airport House Business Centre Limited

Cathedral (Moss) Limited

Barrack Close Limited

Becket House Asset Management Limited

Cathedral (Preston Barracks) Limited

Cathedral (Sittingbourne) Limited

Beyond Green Developments (Broadland) Limited

Cathedral Special Projects (H) Limited

Beyond Green Developments (Thame) Limited

Central Research Laboratory (Hayes) Ltd

Birmingham International Park (2000) Limited

CM (Winchester) Limited

Birmingham International Park Limited

Barwood Land and Estates Limited

Barwood Land Investments Limited

Blue Living (Pincents Hill) Limited

Bruform Limited

Bryn Blaen Wind Farm Limited

D S Property Developments Limited

Development Securities Limited

Development Securities (Abbey Wood) Limited

Development Securities (Armagh) Limited

Development Securities (Bicester) Ltd

Development Securities (Blackpool Developments) Limited

Buckshaw Village Commercial Centre Management  
Company Limited

Burghfield Bolt Limited

Cambourne Business Park Limited

Development Securities (Cannock) Limited

Development Securities (Curzon Park) Limited

Development Securities (Furlong) Limited

Cambourne Business Park Management Limited

Development Securities (Greenwich Beach) Limited

196

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Wholly-owned subsidiaries

Cathedral (Brighton) Limited

Cathedral (Bromley 2) Limited

Cathedral (Bromley Esco) Limited

Cathedral (Bromley) Limited

Development Securities (Ilford) Limited

Development Securities (Greenwich) Limited

Development Securities (Hale Barns) Limited

Development Securities (Hammersmith) Limited

Development Securities (HDD) Limited

HDD Burghfield Common Limited

Development Securities (Investment Ventures) Limited

HDD Didcot Limited

Development Securities (Investments) PLC

HDD Lawley Village Limited

Development Securities (Launceston) Limited

Development Securities (Lichfield) Limited

HDD Lichfield Limited

HDD Llanelli Limited

Development Securities (Maidstone) Limited

HDD Newcastle Under Lyme Limited

Development Securities (Moreton Woods) Limited

HDD Newton Leys Limited

Development Securities (Nailsea) Limited

Development Securities (No.19) Limited

Development Securities (No. 22) Limited

Development Securities (No.26) Limited

Development Securities (No.28) Limited

Development Securities (No.43) Limited

Development Securities (No.69) Limited

Development Securities (No.9) Limited

Development Securities (Romford) Limited

HDD Oxley Units Limited

HDD RAF Watton Limited

HDD Stanground Limited

Hendy Wind Farm Limited

I AM PRS Limited

Kingsland Shopping Centre Limited

Landpack Limited

Luneside East Limited

Moss Works Limited

Development Securities (Sevenoaks) Limited

Njord Wind Developments Limited

Development Securities (Slough) Limited

Public Private Partnership (H) Limited

Development Securities (Southwark) Limited

Development Securities (Woking) Limited

Development Securities Estates PLC

DS Investment Properties 2 LLP

DS Investment Properties LLP

DS Renewables LLP

ECC Investments PLC

Elvidean Limited

Elystan Developments Limited

EPD Buckshaw Village Limited

R.D.B.P. Management Limited

RHD (Dartmouth) Limited

Rhoscrowther Wind Farm Limited

Rivella Properties Bicester Limited

The Deptford Project 2 Limited

The Deptford Project Limited

The Royals Business Park Limited

The Telegraph Works Limited

Triangle Developments Limited

Triangle London Limited

Executive Communication Centres (Birmingham) Limited

U and I (8AE) Limited

Executive Communication Centres (Cardiff) Limited

U and I (Ashford) Limited

197

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

41 Details of related undertakings of U and I Group PLC continued

Wholly-owned subsidiaries

Executive Communication Centres (London City) Limited

U and I (Bromley Commercial) Ltd

Executive Communication Centres (Milton Keynes) Limited

U and I (Projects) Limited

Executive Communication Centres Limited

U and I Finance PLC

Executive Communication Centres (London West End) Limited

U and I PPP Limited

Extreme Cool Limited

Furlong Shopping Centre Limited

Goswell Works Limited

Greenwitch Limited

Griffe Grange Wind Farm Limited

Group U+I Limited

HDD Ashford Limited

U and I Property Limited

UAIH Yorkshire Limited

U and I Investments (UK) Limited

United + Industrious Limited

Wallis Court Buckshaw Limited

Wassand Wind Farm Limited

Waterfront Wakefield (Hebble Wharf) Limited

Registered office

Company

6th Floor, 2 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland

Development Securities Properties (Dublin) Limited 
Percy Place DS (Ireland) Limited

c/o Ashby Capital, 33 Welbeck Street, London, W1G 8EX

Heart of Slough Management Company Limited

2 Maritime House, The Hart, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7HW, United 
Kingdom 

Fifth Floor, 37 Esplanade, St Helier, JE1 2TR, Jersey

Fisher Partners, Acre House, 11-15 William Road,  
London, NW1 3ER, United Kingdom

Brook House (Fleet) Management Limited

Cranmore Limited 
DS Jersey (Manchester 1) Limited 
DS Jersey Corporate Services Limited 
DS Jersey (Notting Hill) Limited 
Drake Bideford Limited 
DS Jersey (Capital Partners) Ltd 
DS Jersey (Renewables) Limited 
DS Jersey (Wick Lane) Limited 
Nailsea Unit Trust 
DS Cardiff Unit Trust 
DS Jersey (No 1) Limited 
DS Jersey (No 2) Limited 
DS Jersey (No 3) Limited 
DS Jersey (No 5) Limited 
STRD Holding Company 
DS Jersey Retail Limited

Development Securities (No.18) Limited

Prins Bernhardplein 200, 1097JB, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Development Securities Netherlands B.V.

198

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Other subsidiaries, joint arrangements and other significant holdings, incorporated in the United Kingdom, where the registered 
office is 7A Howick Place, London, SW1P 1DZ:

% owned

50

50

42

50

94.34

50

50

50

50

50

50

42

42

50

42

30

50

50

51

50

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

42

50

50

50

50

Cathedral (Movement, Greenwich) LLP

Circus Street Developments Limited

CTP (Wakefield) Limited

Curzon Park Limited

Deadhare Limited

DSP Tirol Limited

Harwell Oxford Developments (GP) Limited

Harwell Oxford Developments Limited

Harwell Oxford Management Limited

HSIC GP1 Limited

HSIC GP2 Limited

Inhoco 1079 Limited

Inhoco 3300 Limited

Kensington & Edinburgh Estates (South Woodham Ferrers) Limited

Kensington (NC) Management Company Limited

Manchester Arena Complex LP

Mayfield Development (General Partner) Limited

Mayfield Development Partnership LP

MEN Arena GP Limited

Minevote Public Limited Company

Northpoint (No.4) Limited

Northpoint Ch Limited

Northpoint Developments (No 1) Ltd

Northpoint Developments (No 2) Ltd

Northpoint Developments (No 50) Ltd

Northpoint Developments (No 51) Ltd

Northpoint Developments (No 52) Ltd

Northpoint Developments (No 53) Ltd

Northpoint Developments Ltd

Northpoint Investments Ltd

Northpoint Kc Limited

Northpoint SK Limited

Opportunities for Sittingbourne Limited

Orion Shepherds Bush (Market) Limited

Orion Shepherds Bush (No.2) Limited

Orion Shepherds Bush (No.3) Limited

199

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued
For the year ended 28 February 2018

Orion Shepherds Bush (Number 42 Goldhawk Road) Limited

Orion Shepherds Bush Limited

OSB (Holdco 1) Limited

OSB (Holdco 2) Limited

Purplexed LLP

Spectre (Hayes) Limited

Spirit of Sittingbourne LLP

St Paul’s Place Management Company Limited

Tarmac Clayform Limited

The Harwell Quad One Limited

The Harwell Science and Innovation Campus General Partner Limited

The Harwell Science and Innovation Campus Limited Partnership

The Harwell Science and Innovation Campus Nominee Limited

The Harwell Science and Innovation Campus Nominee No.2 Limited

TLD (Landmark Court) Limited

Tower Wharf Estate Management Limited

Triangle London Developments LLP

UAIH Yorkshire

Waterfront Wakefield (Navigation Place) Limited

Waterfront Wakefield Management Limited

WPG Investment LLP

% owned

50

50

50

50

94.34

50

65

42

50

50

50

50

50

50

99

42

50

50

42

42

50

Other subsidiaries, joint arrangements and other significant holdings, incorporated in the United Kingdom, where the registered 
office is elsewhere:

Registered office

Alliance House Westpoint Enterprise Park Clarence Avenue, 
Trafford Park, Manchester, M17 1QS

Company

Axis Manchester LLP

Nelson House, Central Boulevard, Blythe Valley Park,  
Solihull, West Midlands, B90 8BG, England

The Harwell Science and Innovation Campus  
Limited Partnership

Postbus 990, 1000AZ, Amsterdam, Netherlands

DSP Investments Piano B.V.

Bruce Kenrick House, 2 Killick Street, London, N1 9FL

TLD Kidbrooke LLP

% owned

50

25

34

1

200

Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Financial Calendar and Advisors

Annual General Meeting

Payment of Ordinary dividend

Announcement of Interim Results to 31 August 2018

Company Secretary
C Barton ACIS

Registered office
7A Howick Place 
London SW1P 1DZ 
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7828 4777

Website address
www.uandiplc.com

Registered number
1528784

Incorporation
U and I Group PLC is incorporated in Great Britain 
and registered in England and Wales

Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors

Principal bankers
Aviva Commercial Finance Limited 
Barclays Bank PLC 
Santander Group 
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc

5 July 2018

17 August 2018

October 2018

Corporate solicitors
Linklaters LLP

Financial advisors
Rothschild

Corporate stockbrokers
Peel Hunt LLP 
Liberum Capital Limited

Registrars and transfer office
Link Asset Services 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham 
Kent 
BR3 4TU

By phone - UK – 0871 664 0300, from overseas call +44 (0) 
371 664 0300 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. 
We are open between 09:00 - 17:30, Monday to Friday 
excluding public holidays in England and Wales

By email - enquiries@linkgroup.co.uk

201

Strategic Report + Corporate Governance + Financial StatementsU and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018Notes

202

U and I Group PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2018U and I Group PLC 
7A Howick Place 
London 
SW1P 1DZ

Financial Calendar and Advisors

Annual General Meeting

Payment of Ordinary dividend

5 July 2018

17 August 2018

Announcement of Interim Results to 31 August 2018

October 2018

Company Secretary
C Barton ACIS

Registered office
7A Howick Place 
London SW1P 1DZ 
Telephone: 020 7828 4777 
Facsimile: 020 7828 4999

Website address
www.uandiplc.com

Registered number
1528784

Incorporation
U and I Group PLC is incorporated in Great Britain 
and registered in England and Wales

Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors

Principal bankers
Aviva Commercial Finance Limited 
Barclays Bank PLC 
Lloyds Banking Group 
Santander Group 
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc

10.0%

9.9%

6.0%

7.0%

2014

2015

2016

2018

1.7%

2017

Y

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This report is a 
moment in our 
story, follow the 
rest of it online: 
uandiplc.com

U and I Group PLC 
7A Howick Place 
London 
SW1P 1DZ