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Udg Healthcare PLC

udg · LSE Communication Services
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Employees 5001-10,000
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FY2019 Annual Report · Udg Healthcare PLC
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UDG Healthcare plc

People
Partners
Purpose
Progress

Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We are

a global leader in healthcare advisory, communications,  
commercial, clinical and packaging services.

We are 8,700 people operating in 26 countries, across two divisions. 

We are united by our purpose to partner with clients to deliver  
innovative healthcare solutions that improve patients’ lives.

Our core values, unique culture and robust business model enable us to deliver our strategy  
and build a sustainable organisation for the benefit of all our stakeholders. 

UDG Healthcare plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

People

We are proud of our people who are at the core of  
our business and who shape our values-based culture.

  Read more on page 23

Partners

We build trust with our partners by  
delivering on our promises and we achieve our  
clients’ goals with energy and ingenuity.

  Read more on page 24

Purpose

We are united by our purpose to partner  
with clients to deliver innovative healthcare solutions  
that improve patients’ lives.

  Read more on page 27

Progress

We have developed our organisation through organic  
and acquisitive growth resulting in our expansion  
into new geographies and service offerings. 

  Read more on page 29

Strategic Report

UDG Healthcare at a Glance 

Highlights of 2019 

Our Strategy and Values 

Chairman’s Statement 

Chief Executive’s Review 

Our Business Model 

Market Opportunity 

Our Strategy 

Key Performance Indicators 

Strategy in Action 

Financial Review 

Operational Review 

Risk Management 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties 

Sustainability 

2

3

4

6

8

12

14

16

18

22

30

34

46

48

52

Directors’ Report

Board of Directors 

Chairman’s Introduction to  
Corporate Governance 

Corporate Governance 

Financial Statements

60

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Group Income Statement  

62

63

Group Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Group Statement of Changes in Equity 

Nominations & Governance Committee Report  72

Audit Committee Report 

75

Risk, Investment & Financing Committee Report  79

Directors’ Remuneration Report 

81

Group Balance Sheet 

Group Cash Flow Statement 

Notes forming part of the  
Group Financial Statements 

104

110

111

112

113

114

115

Report of the Directors 

100

Company Statement of Comprehensive Income  172

Company Statement of Changes in Equity 

Company Balance Sheet 

Company Cash Flow Statement 

Notes forming part of the  
Company Financial Statements 

Financial Calendar 

Additional Information 

Glossary 

Contacts for Shareholders 

173

174

175

176

181

182

187

188

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

1

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report  
UDG Healthcare at a Glance

Our Global Divisions

Ashfield

Sharp

A global leader in healthcare 
advisory, communications, 
commercial and clinical services.

A global leader in contract 
packaging, clinical, manufacturing 
and technology services.

Services:
Advisory
Healthcare brand advisory, strategic consulting, product 
commercialisation strategy, market access, analytics and 
commercial audit services.

Communications
Scientific and creative communications, digital and patient-centred 
content for medical affairs and brand commercialisation with areas 
of specialty including behavioural science, rare disease, PR and 
on-demand advertising services.

Commercial & Clinical
Commercialisation and clinical services including sales 
representatives, patient support and adherence services,  
contact centres, medical affairs and meetings and events.

Services:
Packaging 
Commercial packaging solutions in multiple formats including 
bottles, blisters, specialty and secondary packaging of injectables.

Clinical 
A comprehensive and integrated clinical trial supply  
and management service, from pre-clinical through  
to commercialisation.

Manufacturing
Clinical manufacturing services including analytical  
services, formulation development, over-encapsulation  
and placebo manufacture.

Technology
Technology services to support both commercial and clinical 
packaging including design, serialisation solutions and clinical IRT.

68%

Percentage of Group operating profit

32%

Percentage of Group operating profit

14.4%

Net operating margin

13.9%

Net operating margin

2

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Highlights of 2019

Financial Highlights

Group operating profit

$158.4m

Group operating profit*
+7% (2018: $147.5m)

.

4
8
9

8
.
5
4

3
.
3

6
.
1
8

3
.
1
4

4
6

.

3
.
8
6

.

0
4
3

3
.
8

.

6
0
7

.

2
8
3

.

9
6

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Ashfield 

Sharp

Aquilant

.

4
8
0
1

.

0
0
5

16.80c

Proposed dividend
+5% (2018: 16.00c)

$150.3m

Adjusted profit before tax*
+8% (2018: $138.8m)

14.2%

Adjusted net operating margin*
+110bps (2018: 13.1%)

48.44c

Adjusted diluted earnings per share* (‘EPS’)
+5% (2018: 45.94c)

Forward-looking information
Some statements in this Annual Report are or may be forward-looking statements. They represent 
expectations for the Group’s business, including statements that relate to the Group’s future prospects, 
developments and strategies, and involve risks and uncertainties both general and specific. 

IFRS based highlights

The Group has based these forward-looking statements on assumptions regarding present and future 
strategies of the Group and the environment in which it will operate in the future. 

However, because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including  
but not limited to general economic, political, financial and business factors, which in some cases are 
beyond the Group’s control, actual results, performance, operations or achievements expressed or 
implied by such forward-looking statements may differ materially from those expressed or implied  
by such forward-looking statements, and accordingly you should not rely on these forward looking 
statements in making investment decisions. 

Except as required by applicable law or regulation, neither the Group nor any other party intends  
to update or revise these forward-looking statements after the date these statements are published, 
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

*Alternative performance measures (‘APMs’) are financial measurements that are not required  
under International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) which represent the generally accepted 
accounting principles (‘GAAP’) under which the Group reports. APMs are presented to provide 
readers with additional financial information that is regularly reviewed by management. The Group 
believes that the presentation of these non-IFRS measurements provides useful supplemental 
information which, when viewed in conjunction with IFRS financial information, provides stakeholders 
with a more meaningful understanding of the underlying financial and operating performance of the 
Group and its divisions. APMs are presented on an IAS 18 basis to enable like-for-like analysis with  
the comparative period. APMs should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis  
of results as reported under IFRS. See “Additional Information” on page 182 for definitions and 
reconciliations to the closest respective equivalent GAAP measure.

IFRS 15 was adopted on 1 October 2018 for our statutory reporting, without restating prior year figures. 
As a result, the discussion of our operating results is primarily on an IAS 18 basis for all periods presented. 
The impact of IFRS 15 which is outlined in Note 34 of the Group financial statements was not significant 
for the Group.

$1,298.5m

Revenue 
-1% (2018: $1,315.2m)

$78.3m

Operating profit
(2018: $5.5m)

22.92c

Diluted earnings per share
(2018: 1.52c)

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

3

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Our Strategy and Values

Strategic Highlights

Our strategy is to grow and improve our organisation by providing  
market-leading outsourced services to our clients; outstanding development 
opportunities for our people; and long-term sustainable value for our 
shareholders. We execute this strategy through three core pillars:

1.

Developing and 
growing market 
leading positions

2.

Transforming 
through people

3.

Continuous 
improvement 

As a global leader in the healthcare 
industry, we focus on expanding our 
positions in our core markets through  
a combination of organic growth  
and strategic acquisitions. In FY2019,  
we acquired two businesses which 
further enhanced our capabilities in 
Ashfield Communications and Advisory.

Our greatest strength is the quality  
and commitment of our people.  
We deliver our strategy through  
our talented, experienced and motivated 
people, who are supported by 
continuing developmental programmes, 
effective processes and technology 
investments. 

Our experience, capabilities and  
global scale drive increased productivity 
and efficiency across our businesses  
and facilities. Our focus on cash flow 
conversion and margin expansion 
measured by our KPIs, were key  
to our success in FY2019.

  Read more on pages 14-15

  Read more on pages 54-57

  Read more on pages 18-21

14.2%

Adjusted net operating margin (IAS 18) 
(2018: 13.1%) 

100%

Percentage of core business development 
(‘BD’) leaders who attended the Inspire  
BD programme

48.44c

Adjusted diluted earnings per share 
(2018: 45.94c)

13.4%

Return on capital employed (IAS 18) 
(2018: 12.7%)

98%

Percentage of leaders who completed our 
values -based leadership programme

64%

North American revenues

4

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
Our values are what set us apart

Our culture and values influence how we behave and operate.

 “We take great pride 
in our culture and 
values which are  
key to the delivery  
of our strategy.”
Brendan McAtamney
Chief Executive

Quality 
We believe it  
underpins everything  
we say and do.

Partnership 
We build trust  
by delivering on  
our promises.

Ingenuity 
We always think  
creatively to  
solve problems. 

Expertise 
We bring a wealth  
of knowledge and skills  
to everything we do.

Energy 
We achieve  
our clients’ goals  
with imagination  
and passion.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

5

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Chairman’s Statement

A strong year of growth  
and development
 “We have made significant progress  
in moving the Group into higher 
growth, higher margin businesses.”
Peter Gray

Dear Shareholder
I’m pleased to report a very solid performance 
for FY2019 despite some challenges along  
the way.

We made two acquisitions in the second  
half of the year, which contributed to overall 
growth of 7% in adjusted diluted EPS on  
a constant currency basis, while net revenue 
growth and adjusted operating profit 
excluding the impact of acquisitions, which 
are key measures for the Board, each grew by 
5%. Within this, Ashfield grew underlying 
operating profit by 4% and Sharp by 8%.

The Group generated strong net cash flow 
from operations of $129.3 million in the year, 
(a 26% increase on the prior year).

Our mission for many years has been to move  
from our low growth, low margin supply chain 
businesses into higher growth, higher margin 
businesses. 2019 demonstrates that we continue 
to achieve success in this mission and as we 
look ahead we see further opportunity to 
build on our new base and achieve synergies 
between our different services. 

One of the factors in our development that  
I should highlight is that over 62% of our 
revenue was generated in the U.S. this year, 
which is the most dynamic and profitable 
pharmaceutical market in the world. This 
represents quite a transition from a company 
which ten years ago was primarily focused  
in Ireland and the U.K.

Return on capital employed (‘ROCE’) is 
another important metric for the Board.  
In 2019 our overall ROCE increased to 13.1%, 
(or 13.4% on a IAS 18 basis) compared to 
12.7% last year. 

Reflecting our good performance in the year, 
we are recommending a final dividend of 
12.34c, a 5% increase on last year and a 
continuation of our long history of annual 
dividend increases. The Group’s total dividend 
per share for the year will be 16.80c (also a 5% 
increase on 2018).

6

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Strategy
When I first joined the Board of UDG in  
2004, Ashfield was a contract sales business 
in the U.K. and a minor part of the Group.  
I was nevertheless concerned that this would 
be a challenging business for a public 
company to manage based on the somewhat 
volatile history of publicly quoted U.S.-based 
contract sales organisations.

The subsequent years proved my worries to 
be unfounded. Led by founder Chris Corbin, 
Ashfield built a leading position in Europe,  
the U.S. and Japan as a contract sales and 
sales support service provider. In recent years, 
through organic initiatives and acquisitions, 
Ashfield has transformed its services by 
adding further high growth, high margin 
capabilities including medical information, 
healthcare communications and, most 
recently, advisory services focused on 
pharmaceutical commercialisation.

While my concerns regarding the volatility 
within the pure contract sales business 
materialised from time to time (this year a 
significant labour law change in Germany 
disrupted our largest European market), the 
breadth and depth of the Ashfield businesses 
we have acquired and built have more than 
compensated for any such disruptions and 
thus have delivered good bottom-line growth 
year-on-year.

I am sharing this perspective with you for  
two reasons: Firstly, to illustrate that the  
suite of services we’ve been building in 
Ashfield have strong growth characteristics 
and have provided a sufficient mix of activities 
to mitigate local or segment specific risks. 
Secondly, to explain that we continue to 
believe that personal promotion as a sales 
technique will remain an important element  
of pharmaceutical marketing. However,  
the melding of this service with other 
sophisticated sales support techniques such 
as nurse advisors, call centre support, digital 
marketing and medical communications  
is the future.

Ashfield continues to develop and, while 
seeking to exploit synergies between the 
different compatible services we have been 
assembling, we also have a constantly  
evolving pipeline of interesting acquisition 
opportunities to increase our scale, expand 
geographically and add further to our menu 
of services.

When I joined the Board we were not in the 
packaging business at all. That changed with  
a small number of acquisitions in the mid 
2000s crowned by that of Pennsylvania-based 
Sharp in 2008. That deal brought us a division 
that has been very successful and a reliable 
growth engine year-on-year. Capital 
expenditure rather than acquisition has since 
been the fuel for that growth, and our faith  
in the market and a great management team 
has been well rewarded. The European arm  
of Sharp Commercial, and the Clinical 
business have been less successful than the 
U.S. Commercial business. However with new 
facilities for Clinical now in place and with 
Commercial Europe now focused in two well 
invested facilities in Belgium and The 
Netherlands, we are confident these will make 
good progress in 2020 and beyond.

During the year we welcomed two new 
colleagues to the Board, Peter Chambré and 
Shane Cooke, whose bio’s are on page 61. These 
appointments were made in anticipation of the 
retirement of Chris Brinsmead and Chris 
Corbin, both of whom will step down at our 
upcoming AGM after long service. To both of 
them we express our deep thanks for great 
contributions. Chris Corbin’s Ashfield became 
part of the Group in 2000 and he has served on 
the Board for the past 17 years with great 
distinction. Nancy Miller Rich, one of our U.S. 
directors has also recently indicated that she is 
not in a position to go forward for re-election  
at the upcoming AGM due to other increasing 
commitments. We will miss her insightful 
contributions and we have begun the process  
of seeking a replacement. 

The recent appointments were also made with 
my own retirement in mind. I joined the Board in 
2004 and was appointed Chair in 2012. In line 
with good governance, it is time for me to move 
on. I have agreed with the Senior Independent 
Director that I will step down in September 
2020, giving him and his fellow Board 
colleagues time to select a successor, whether 
internal or external.

It will not have escaped your notice that we 
have had exceptional gains and charges in 
each of the last four years, including this year. 
These have been part of our journey of 
transformation as we’ve sold legacy 
businesses, closed others, and right-sized 
parts of the business to reflect changes in their 
markets. One can never declare victory but 
we believe the Group is now well positioned 
from a cost and facilities perspective.

Outlook
2019 finished strongly, and as noted above 
underlying revenue and operating profit 
growth have been good. We expect these 
trends to continue in 2020. We also have 
access to significant capital without over-
stretching our balance sheet, and thus can 
continue to make appropriate acquisitions as 
the right opportunities arise. We therefore 
look to the future with confidence.

Board and governance management 
Elsewhere in this report we detail our 
governance activities, and the outcome of  
an independent Board Evaluation, so I won’t 
repeat them here. Suffice to say the Board 
exercises its governance responsibilities with 
diligence, but also with a clarity of purpose to 
help the management team create value  
while honouring our responsibilities to our 
stakeholders and society.

At the outset of this statement I noted that  
2019 had had its challenges. I would like to 
thank the management teams throughout the 
Group for their hard work and commitment  
in successfully working through these as  
they arose, and wish them our support  
as they continue to drive the development  
of the Group.

Consideration of  
our stakeholders  
and factoring their 
views into our
decision-making 

S.172 statement U.K. Companies Act 2006
We are a purpose-driven organisation with  
a unique set of values and a strong inclusive 
culture. We strive to be a good employer  
for our colleagues, to support our 
communities and to help our clients provide a 
better experience and more relevant offering 
to their patients and healthcare professionals. 
We actively engage with our shareholders 
and focus on being a more valuable 
investment proposition for our investors.  
The Board recognises its responsibility  
to take into consideration the needs and 
concerns of all our stakeholders as part  

of our discussion and decision-making 
processes, and in this regard, we welcome 
the fresh stance under section 172 of the 
U.K. Companies Act 2006 (‘s.172’) as part 
of the 2018 U.K. Corporate Governance 
Code (‘New Code’) By thoroughly 
understanding our key stakeholder groups, 
we can factor their insights and concerns into 
Boardroom discussions. The table on page 68 
highlights how the Board ensures effective 
engagement with, and encourages 
participation from, our stakeholders. More 
detail on our stakeholders is also available in 
the Strategic Report on page 53.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

7

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Chief Executive’s Review

Q.

How would you describe UDG 
Healthcare’s performance during  
the year?
2019 was another year of strong strategic 
progress for UDG Healthcare. We have a clear 
purpose and strategy which continues to 
deliver for all our stakeholders. We operate in 
a large and growing market and our strategy 
and financial targets are clear, underscoring 
our commitment to the right balance of 
revenue growth and earnings performance. 

During the year, we delivered good financial 
growth with adjusted earnings per share 
increasing by 7% on a constant currency 
basis, at the top end of our guidance range. 
Our two global platforms, Ashfield and Sharp 
delivered strong growth driven through a 
combination of underlying growth and the 
benefit of acquisitions. The Group completed 
three acquisitions, including Canale 
Communications, all of which are in line with 
our strategy to expand into differentiated, 
higher growth areas, complementary to our 
existing service offering. 

We saw strong performances across multiple 
parts of our businesses and in particular we 
achieved good underlying revenue growth 
reflecting the strong demand for our services. 
In tandem, we continued to develop the 
Group’s infrastructures, capabilities and talent 
which underpin our business.

Q.

How has the Group evolved during  
the year and what were the key drivers 
behind the good performance? 
Ashfield continued its transformation from  
a U.K.-based sales representative business  
to a global multichannel advisory, 
communications and commercialisation 
business where close to 70% of the business 
earnings are generated from the higher 
margin and higher growth areas of Ashfield 
Communications & Advisory. This part of 
Ashfield delivered strong revenue growth 
during the year with particularly strong 
demand for scientific communications on both 
sides of the Atlantic. Additionally, I was 
particularly pleased with the performance  
of our Advisory business Vynamic, and the 
progress of the STEM aXcellerate programme. 
Additionally, Ashfield benefited from  
the acquisitions completed last year  
and during 2019. 

Ashfield continues to evolve to meet the needs 
of our pharmaceutical clients who seek 
partners to advise on, build and operate these 
outsourced services. The success we are 
achieving is evident not only in the revenue 
and profit growth, but also in the long-term 
strategic collaboration we are achieving with 
multiple clients. 

Within Sharp we generated very strong 
revenue growth driven by increasing demand 
for our packaging of serialised biotech and 
specialty products in particular. In addition, 
within Sharp Europe we have taken actions to 
address some of the weakness by 
consolidating our footprint.

Q.

The Group has made a number  
of investments over recent years,  
is there anything further to come?
UDG Healthcare is a relatively young company 
given we only acquired Ashfield in 2000  
and Sharp U.S. in 2008. As a result, we have 
made significant investments across the 
organisation, particularly since the disposal  
of the United Drug supply chain business in 
2016, to ensure the Group has the proper 
infrastructure in place to deliver long-term 
attractive sustainable returns. These 
investments include our ‘Future Fit’ 
programme which comprises financial, HR 
and IT system investments across the Group. 
We have also further invested in our talent 
with various leadership developmental 
programmes, the aforementioned STEM 
aXcellerate programme and facility expansion 
in Sharp.

Q.

Ashfield Commercial & Clinical 
experienced a more challenging year. 
Has the performance been in line with 
your expectations and what actions 
have you taken to address it?
Ashfield Commercial & Clinical was a bit 
lumpier than we have experienced heretofore. 
We had clearly flagged this likely performance 
over a year ago based on the dynamics  
we were seeing in the business and across 
some markets. 

All our acquisitions continue  
to deliver significant growth
 “We are continuing to improve, transform  
and grow our broad suite of client services,  
and deliver sustainable long-term returns  
for our shareholders.”
Brendan McAtamney

8

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Sharp has demonstrable capabilities and 
assets in the growing biotech space and  
we have seen strong volume growth in  
this area. This growth in biotech and the 
implementation of serialisation has added 
complexity to our product offering and 
therefore we have in 2019 further invested  
in both people and capacity to enhance  
our capabilities overall.

Looking ahead to 2020, growth and leveraging 
fully our investments in people, technology 
and facilities will be a key focus. We have 
accelerated our facilities expansion plan due  
to this very strong demand which includes  
new capacity coming on stream 2020.

Strategic highlights

•  Adjusted diluted earnings per 
share (‘EPS’) increased by 7% 
on a constant currency basis.

•  Net underlying revenue 

growth of 5%.

•  Adjusted underlying operating 

profit growth of 5%.

•  Strong cash flow performance 
with net cash generated from 
operations of $129.3m, a 
positive working capital inflow 
and free cash flow conversion 
rate of 83%.

•  Completed three acquisitions* 
for a total capital commitment 
of $137 million.

*   

Includes the acquisition of Canale Communications in 
November 2019.

The U.S. business experienced a very solid 
year with good growth, however this was 
offset by softer demand for these services  
in Europe. The primary reason for the U.S. 
growth is the diversity of the business which 
includes a wider range of services including 
clinical educator contact centre and patient 
support programmes amongst others, in 
addition to the traditional contract sales force 
services. Our European business is a more 
one dimensional business in terms of service 
offering and undoubtedly there has been 
some contraction in the traditional contract 
sales force market. We are currently 
addressing these European issues by evolving 
our mix of service, diversifying the offering 
similar to what we have achieved in the U.S. 
and aligning our cost base. 

Q.

Sharp has had a strong year, how would 
you assess Sharp’s performance? 
Overall Sharp had a good year delivering  
very strong revenue growth and solid  
profit growth. The demand for Sharp’s  
U.S. packaging services remains extremely 
strong right across the board but in particular 
for the packaging of serialised biotech and 
specialty products. In parallel to this growth, 
we have also seen good demand for the  
more traditional formats such as bottling  
and blistering. 

8,700

People employed across the Group

$158.4m

Adjusted Group operating profit

(2018: $147.5m)

$74.3m

Profit Before Tax

(2018:$8.4m)

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

9

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Chief Executive’s Review continued

Q.

Sharp Europe continues to be a 
challenge, what are you seeing that 
gives you confidence in its future 
performance? 
We have made some progress in Sharp 
Europe this year, and the performance during 
the second half of the year was much better 
than the first half. 

We have a number of facilities across Europe: 
a renovated clinical facility in the U.K.; a single 
client dedicated plant in the Netherlands;  
and a biotech facility in Belgium. These three 
plants are making solid progress towards 
profitability and we have taken the decision to 
close the fourth plant, a loss making facility in 
Oudehaske, the Netherlands. This closure is 
part of a wider strategic action plan to return 
Sharp Europe to profitability in 2020.

Our second acquisition in 2019, Incisive 
Health, is a U.K.-based healthcare 
communications consultancy, specialising  
in healthcare policy, public affairs and 
communication services. As a U.K.-based 
business, Incisive Health works strongly  
with our other U.K. communications 
companies such as Pegasus, Galliard and 
Nyxeon. All four assets speak to payers, 
prescribers and patients on behalf of our 
clients, and therefore enable us to build  
a very compelling suite of services.

Post the year end, in November 2019,  
we completed the acquisition of Canale 
Communications, a San Diego based scientific 
strategic communications agency, providing  
a range of public relations, investor relations 
and strategic communications services to life 
science and biotech companies. For more 
details on our acquisitions see page 37.

Q.

The Group made a number of 
acquisitions during the year. How do 
they complement the Group’s existing 
portfolio and how do you assess the 
longer term performance of your 
acquisition strategy?
Since 2012, the Group has made 22 
acquisitions, which in aggregate have 
performed well ahead of expectations. 
Obviously, we had some stand-out 
performances from some acquisitions, and 
indeed some challenges, but overall we are 
extremely pleased with the talent and 
capabilities we have acquired and we are 
particularly pleased with our 2019 acquisitions 
which are in line with our long-term strategy. 

At our Capital Markets Day in September  
2016 we signalled our intention to enter  
the advisory space. The acquisition of Putnam 
in 2019 is the fourth asset in the advisory 
business unit. Boston-based, Putnam is a 
strategy consultancy focused on product 
commercialisation, exclusively for the life 
sciences industry. Over the past 10 years, 
Putnam has advised clients on the 
commercialisation of multiple blockbuster 
products providing clients with unparalleled 
insight, clarity and strategy. Putnam is highly 
complementary to the Vynamic business, 
which is also part of our advisory business. 
Vynamic partners with clients across all 
sectors of healthcare on transformational 
change initiatives – so we see these two assets 
as highly complementary and we are already 
seeing evidence of collaborations. 

Q.

How do market trends shape your 
business and how do they impact  
the delivery of your strategic plans?
A detailed review of the market backdrop  
is part of our annual strategic planning 
process, where we review, amongst other 
issues, the key pharmaceutical market trends 
and outlook. Understanding these trends  
is important to ensure that we evolve our 
business, our product portfolio and service 
offering in ways that meet client needs  
and preferences. 

As you will see from our market analysis on 
pages 14 and 15, the macro trends within the 
healthcare industry remain very positive. The 
pharmaceutical industry is experiencing good 
growth and as a provider of innovative 
outsourced services in healthcare advisory, 
communications, commercial, clinical and 
packaging, we are well placed to benefit from 
this growth. While there will inevitably be 
variations and anomalies in the market, we 
remain focused on the controllable drivers  
of growth across our portfolio.

Q.

Do you feel the Group is delivering its 
strategic plan? 
Without a doubt. Our strategy is clear and  
its implementation has been successful to 
date. We have built a very compelling and 
complementary suite of services that are 
attractive to our healthcare clients. These 
clients are now purchasing multiple services 
from us as they see the benefits of our 
innovative end-to-end service model. 

We have built the right services, underpinned 
by the right talent and infrastructure that  
are in demand by our clients. We see big 
opportunities in the market as is evident by 
the revenue growth. The understanding and 
capital discipline we have demonstrated, 
coupled with the capabilities we have 
developed, will support volume and value 
growth in a sustainable way. 

Q.

How important is the U.S. market  
to you?
Our geographical expansion continues and 
this was another year of strong growth 
particularly in the U.S. which now accounts 
for over 62% of the Group’s revenues. The 
U.S. is the largest pharmaceutical market and 
therefore the largest pharmaceutical services 
market. In the past decade it has been our 
intention to be a player of scale in this market. 
Over the past few years we have incrementally 
moved in this direction, but in the last three to 
four years we have really accelerated that 
penetration of the U.S. market and we now 
have a very scalable suite of services across 
both Sharp and Ashfield within the U.S. Of 
equal importance is our European footprint 
and our emerging Japan presence. Whilst the 
U.S. market is significant in scale, being able 
to operate globally for our clients is very 
important.

Q.

Can you elaborate on the 2019 
Integrated Annual Report theme: 
people, purpose, partners, progress?
People, purpose, partners and progress are 
the four key differentiating factors of our 
business. Our people are the most critical part 
of the business, as well as being the drivers of 
our progress and growth. We are a people-
based business and attracting, retaining  
and developing our people is of strategic 
importance to us. Over 8,700 people work  
in UDG Healthcare across 26 countries.  
The global talent market is very competitive 
but I am always encouraged by the quality of 
the people we are able to attract. There will 
always be an element of staff turnover in a 
business like ours and while we continue to 
evolve our leadership capability, I am very 
pleased with our developing talent pipeline 
and impressed with the expertise they 
continually deliver on a daily basis. 

In turn, our purpose is to partner with clients 
to deliver innovative healthcare solutions  
that improve patients’ lives and my colleagues 
and I are motivated by the positive impact  
our activities are having on patients’ lives  
and communities.

10

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Our clients and partners are key stakeholders 
and understanding their needs is crucial to be 
able to deliver innovative solutions. Our 
financial stakeholders are keen to understand 
how we continue to progress and deliver 
long-term sustainable returns. 

Q.

Would you describe the Group  
as having a strong ESG focus?
At the core of our sustainability strategy are 
people, whether they are our employees, our 
clients or our communities. Building a culture 
that is underpinned by our values drives our 
interactions with all these stakeholder groups 
and as CEO, I am determined to continue to 
drive our sustainability agenda both internally 
and externally. In 2019, we conducted a 
materiality study focusing on our people and 
culture. The results of the study provided us 
with valuable insights and confirmed that our 
activities are aligned with our employees own 
values and priorities. For more details on the 
study see page 52

We have also been reporting to Carbon 
Disclosure Project now for a number of  
years and have demonstrated improvement 
year-on-year. For 2019 we have seen 
significant improvements in the quality of  
our data collection and have improved our 
reporting process across our global 
organisation. In 2019, we also received a 
rating of AA (on a scale of AAA-CCC) in the 
MSCI ESG Ratings assessment. This is an 
upgrade from the previous A rating. We were 
delighted to receive this recognition.

We will also continue to leverage the 
investments we have made in our infrastructure 
to ensure we are as efficient as possible and 
judiciously use our capital employed.

Finally, I would like to thank all our people, 
new recruits and old hands, for their work  
in 2019. It has meant that UDG Healthcare 
delivered a strong set of results. We are 
positioned well for further growth and 
delivery of our strategic objectives for the 
years ahead. 

Q.

What are the longer-term prospects  
for the Group?
For 2020, the Group expects to deliver 
continued good underlying operating profit 
growth across both Ashfield Communications 
& Advisory and Sharp, while Ashfield 
Commercial & Clinical is expected to return  
to stability. This growth will be supplemented 
from the full year benefit of acquisitions made 
in 2019.

In the longer term we will continue our 
strategic intent to deliver sustainable growth 
organically and inorganically. Our ambition  
is to deliver strong organic growth and 
supplement this by acquiring really interesting 
assets that complement our core offering and 
also offer adjacencies. 

Case Study 

CEO Awards – Living our values  
and celebrating our culture

Our people are our most important asset 
and are crucial to our success. As a Group, 
we are driven by values that guide us to 
deliver a strong internal culture, focused 
on quality, partnerships, ingenuity, 
expertise and energy. Having the right 
people, with the right skills at all levels in 
our organisation is critical to building a 
quality, sustainable business and delivering 
our strategy. 

The annual UDG Healthcare CEO Awards 
recognise individuals and teams from 
across the organisation who live our values 
on a daily basis. In April 2019, all the CEO 
award winners were welcomed to Dublin, 
Ireland, for an evening of recognition  
and celebration. Again, I would like to take 
this opportunity to congratulate them on 
their success.

Brendan McAtamney

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

11

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Our Business Model

Our business model is designed to create value by delivering  
on our strategy. Our culture, values and behaviours underpin 
everything we do.

What we do

How we do it

We provide expert 
outsourced healthcare 
services specialising in 
advisory, communications, 
commercial, clinical  
and packaging.

Our purpose is to partner  
with clients to deliver 
innovative healthcare 
solutions that improve 
patients’ lives.

Employees
We are committed to building a culture that fosters the 
development of our people. We reward talent, provide 
competitive salaries and invest in training and development.

8,700

Number of employees

  Read more on pages 54-57

Capital 
Our strong balance sheet supports the delivery of continued 
growth through acquisitions to supplement organic growth. 
We are continuously identifying and acquiring highly 
complementary businesses that drive value and generate 
attractive returns. In 2019, we completed two acquisitions, 
which further enhanced our capabilities.

  Read more on pages 30-33

$104.6m

M&A spend

Facilities and Infrastructure
We are well-positioned to execute our business model, 
having a robust operating platform, a diverse geographical 
footprint and the capability to consistently improve our 
client offering through our state-of-the-art facilities.

$39.5m

Capital expenditure

  Read more on pages 34-45

Stakeholders and Relationships
We proactively engage with all our stakeholders including 
our clients, healthcare professionals, patients, employees, 
communities and shareholders. We build strong sustainable 
relationships and are a long-term business partner with 
many of our clients.

300+

Number of clients

  Read more on pages 68-69

Our Divisions

Our strategy underpins 
our business model

Ashfield

  Read more on pages 34-39 

Sharp

  Read more on pages 40-45

12

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

1.

Developing  
and growing  
market  
leading  
positions

2.

Transforming  
through  
people

3.

Continuous 
improvement

  Read more about our strategy on pages 16-17

How we create value

What we deliver

Q u alit y

er value

ld
o
h
e
r
a
h
S

E
n

e

r

g

y

Our
people

P

r

o

Partn

e

r

s

h
i

p

fi

t

a

n

d

c

a

s

h

g
e
n
e
r
a
t
io
n

y
t
i
u
n
e

Ing

Expert i s e

Capital depl o y m e

t

n

Our unique combination of talented people, 
expertise, ingenuity, stakeholder partnerships 
and disciplined capital deployment enables us 
to deliver high-quality outsourced healthcare 
services and solutions that set us apart and 
support us in adding value.

Clients
Our focus is to be a leading 
international partner of choice so that, 
together with our clients, we can help 
improve patients’ lives.

30

We partner with the top 30  
global pharmaceutical companies

Shareholders
Our business model delivers 
sustainable long-term value for  
our shareholders and we operate  
a progressive dividend policy. 

$40.3m

Dividend to shareholders 

Employees
We have a unique culture and are 
committed to investing in our people 
by offering rewarding salaries and 
investing in their development. 

$640.0m

Remuneration to employees

Patients
Our service offering provides patients  
with insights and solutions to help 
improve their lives.

100+

Number of active patient  
support programmes globally

Local Communities
In addition to selecting three official 
charity organisations, we partner  
with a significant number of charity 
groups globally.

c.70

Number of charities  
supported globally

What drives our growth – a diversified business

Business unit operating profit

Geographic revenue

Customer concentration (net revenue)

50.0m

108.4m

  Ashfield

  Sharp

220.1m

826.4m

252.0m

7%

30%

63%

  North America

  U.K.

  Rest of world/other

  #1 Customer

  #2-10 Customers

  Other Customers

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

13

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report  
 
 
Market Opportunity

Capitalising on market growth

The global healthcare  
industry is an attractive  
market underpinned by  
strong growth dynamics  
and trends. Currently  
worth $1.2 trillion, the  
market is forecast to grow  
at a CAGR of 3-6% to  
$1.5 trillion by 2023.1 

At a macro level, ageing populations and 
increasing life expectancy will continue  
to drive global healthcare demand.  
A sustained increase in the number of new 
drug approvals is also expected to continue 
while the growth in specialty medicine as a 
percentage of the total market continues to 
rise. The pharmaceutical industry is driven  
by growth in specialised drugs, in particular 
for oncology and rare diseases where demand 
is higher. Furthermore, the shift in mix from 
traditional blockbuster primary care drugs  
to biotech and orphan drugs which are more 
complex and expensive, creates opportunities 
for our client services and solutions. 

These global growth trends are occurring  
at a time when both large and small-scale 
pharma and biotech companies continue  
to outsource more activities as they move 
toward more specialty therapies and manage 
the rising costs of developing drugs. 

UDG Healthcare’s outsourced healthcare 
services can provide these pharmaceutical 
and biotech companies with more effective 
and flexible solutions. 

1 

The Global Use of Medicine in 2019 and Outlook  
to 2023. IQVIA Institute, January 2019.

2  World Population Ageing, 2017 Highlights. The United 

3 

Nations, 2017.
Forecasting life expectancy, years of life lost, and 
all-cause and cause-specific mortality for 250 causes  
of death: reference and alternative scenarios for  
2016-40 for 195 countries and territories. Lancet Journal, 
October 2018, Foreman et al. 

4  World Preview 2019, Outlook to 2024. EvaluatePharma, 

June 2019.

14

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Global market healthcare trends

Ageing populations and increasing  
life expectancy are driving the demand 
for healthcare. By 2050, the number  
of people globally aged over 60 is 
expected to double to 2 billion2 and 
global life expectancy is expected  
to increase by over 4 years by 2040.3

Global healthcare spend  
is forecasted to grow at  
3-6% per annum to reach  
$1.5 trillion by 2023.1 

North America

64%

UDG Healthcare revenues

$507bn

Market size1

+5%

Market growth 20191

Divisional specific market opportunities

Ashfield  
Advisory 

Ashfield  
Communications 

Key growth drivers:

Key growth drivers:

Increasing outsourcing penetration  
with growing demand for specialist 
advisory services

Increasingly complex healthcare 
landscape, specialty therapies  
and drug launches

Growing demand for data and informed 
research to improve decision making

Growth of specialty and orphan products 
leading to increased demand for 
education, multi-channel engagements, 
and digital communications

Expansion of direct patient engagement 

Increase in number of molecules  
in development and positive  
drug approval outlook

$2.9bn

Estimated market size*

$7.3bn

Estimated market size*

Pharmaceutical R&D spend is 
forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 3%  
to 2024.4

An average of 54 new drug launches 
per year are forecasted over the  
next five years, compared to 46 in the 
previous five years reflecting growing 
pharma R&D pipelines and high 
approval success rates.1 

Specialty drugs are expected to 
account for two-thirds of product 
launches over the next five years  
and to account for 50% of spend  
in developed markets by 2023.

Europe and U.K.

35%

UDG Healthcare revenues

$182bn

Market size1

+3%

Market growth 20191

Japan
UDG Healthcare operates  
via a joint venture with  
CMIC Ashfield Co. Ltd in Japan  
for Commercial & Clinical services  
under the name CMIC Ashfield.

$89bn

Market size1

+1%

Market growth 20191

Ashfield  
Commercial & Clinical 

Sharp  
Commercial

Sharp  
Clinical 

Key growth drivers:

Key growth drivers:

Key growth drivers:

Increasing outsourcing penetration 

Increasing outsourcing penetration

Increasing outsourcing penetration 

Demand for innovative models, 
multi-channel offerings and  
multi-country solutions

Increasing importance of patient 
support programs and engagement 
to improve adherence and outcomes

Increase in complexity of specialty 
and biotech leads pharma to seek 
more specialised providers

Demand for secondary packaging  
of injectable products

Facility investments driving increasing 
demand across the client base for end 
to end integrated service offerings 

Growth in specialty clinical  
services for orphan and rare  
disease patient populations

$6.1bn

Estimated market size*

$5-7bn

Estimated market size*

$6-8bn

Estimated market size*

*Market sizes derived from BCG, Deloitte and UDG internal analysis

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

15

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Our Strategy

Our Strategic Objectives

Our strategy is to grow and improve our organisation by providing market-leading 
outsourced services to our clients, outstanding development opportunities  
for our people, and long term sustainable value for our shareholders.

Strategic pillars

Our roadmap to achieving our 
strategy is built around three 
strategic pillars. 

Strategic 
objectives

In turn our strategic objectives 
provide clarity and direction on how 
we deliver our strategy and enable 
us to evaluate our progress: 

 “This year’s 
strong growth 
confirms that 
we are 
executing an 
appropriate 
strategy.”
Brendan McAtamney
Chief Executive Officer

16

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

1.

Developing and growing 
market leading positions

Client focus and 
commercial excellence 

1.

1. 3.

Strategic linkage 

Our high quality, innovative, bespoke 
healthcare solutions ensure we are the 
partner of choice in an increasingly 
complex operating environment.

Geographic and  
service growth

Strategic linkage 

We aim to expand our activities 
organically across our priority markets 
and supplement our organic growth by 
successfully acquiring and integrating 
complementary businesses which 
strengthen our market positions. 

Progress in 2019: 

Progress in 2019: 

Completed the acquisitions of Putnam 
and Incisive Health which further 
enhanced our capabilities in Ashfield 
Communications and Advisory.

As part of STEM aXcellerate, we have 
launched complementary commercial 
and medical projects working with our 
clients to accelerate their performance. 

Key Performance 
Indicators

Key Performance 
Indicators

64%

North American  
Revenues

14.2%

Adjusted Net  
Operating Margin

 Read more on pages 18-21
  Key risk information, read more  

on pages 46-51

 Read more on pages 18-21
  Key risk information, read more  

on pages 46-51

2.

Transforming  
through people

3.

Continuous  
improvement 

Talent and people

Quality and compliance

Improve productivity

Strategic linkage 

Strategic linkage 

Strategic linkage 

We focus on providing rewarding 
careers for our people. Across our 
organisation, we create career 
pathways, map succession and provide 
development opportunities. 

2.

1. 3.

We enable our clients to outsource  
with confidence by exceeding their 
expectations and providing the highest 
quality standards possible.

1. 3.

Our KPIs support the execution of  
our strategy and are important drivers 
of improved business performance  
over the short, medium and long term.  
We have a strong track record of 
efficient capital allocation and deploy 
capital in areas where we identify the 
greatest strategic benefit and 
shareholder returns. 

Progress in 2019: 

Progress in 2019: 

Progress in 2019: 

Increased focus on succession planning 
and the creation of career pathways to 
progress our talented people.  

The Group received an upgraded  
rating of ‘AA’ in the MSCI ESG ratings 
assessment. 

Net margin improved to 14.2%. 
Adjusted diluted EPS increased 5% from 
45.94c to 48.44c. 

Key Performance 
Indicators

Key Performance 
Indicators

Key Performance 
Indicators

98%

100%

Leaders who completed our values- 
based leadership programme

Regulatory inspections at Ashfield 
& Sharp which were successful

5%

Adjusted  
EPS Growth

 Read more on pages 18-21
  Key risk information, read more  

on pages 46-51

 Read more on page 18-21
  Key risk information, read more  

on pages 46-51

 Read more on pages 18-21
  Key risk information, read more  

on page 46-51

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

17

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Key Performance Indicators

The Group has a range of Key Performance Indicators (‘KPIs’) which are used to monitor 
Group performance, operations and measure progress against our strategy. 

Financial KPIs

Total Shareholder Return (TSR)

33.6%

2019

2018

33.6%

Definition

Performance

TSR is the total return to an investor, being 
the capital gain plus reinvested dividends. 
The return is measured as an average return 
over three years.

The Group delivered a three-year average 
TSR of 33.6% in 2019 compared to 56.8% 
in 2018. 

1.  2.  3.

Link to remuneration 

This is a performance metric for the LTIP, 
accounting for 50% of any awards made to 
key management personnel.

56.8%

Strategic linkage  

TSR is a key metric used to ensure  
the Group is delivering returns on invested 
capital and maintaining strong cash flows to 
support the combined development of the 
Group and its dividend payment. Principally, 
it is used to tie executive management 
remuneration to shareholder returns  
by linking the vesting and quantum of awards 
under the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)  
to performance relative to other FTSE 250 
companies.

Adjusted Earnings Per Share (‘EPS’) Growth

Definition

Performance

Growth in adjusted diluted EPS achieved in 
the year.

Strategic linkage  

EPS is an important financial measure of 
corporate profitability and the Group’s 
financial progress.

1.  2.  3.

The 5% increase in EPS was primarily 
driven by the strong operating results 
from the Ashfield and Sharp divisions, as 
well as the acquisitions during the year. 
Foreign exchange translation decreased 
EPS growth by 2% from 7% constant 
currency growth to 5% reported growth.

Link to remuneration 

Adjusted EPS growth is a key measure  
of growth and a driver of TSR, which 
accounts for 50% of LTIP awards made to 
key management personnel.

5%

2019

2018

48.44c

45.94c

18

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
Financial KPIs (continued)

Adjusted Net Operating Margin 

14.2%

2019

2018

14.2%

13.1%

Net Revenue

$1,114.2m

2019

2018

$1,114.2m

$1,129.7m

Operating Cash Flow

$129.3m

2019

2018

$102.5m

Key to strategic linkage in this report

1.  Developing and growing market leading positions
2. Transforming through people
3.  Continuous improvement

Definition

Performance

Measures adjusted operating profit as a 
percentage of net revenue.

1.  3.

Strategic linkage  

Net operating margin is a key metric in 
measuring operating efficiency across the 
Group, divisions and business units. 
Continued improvements in net operating 
margin demonstrate the successful execution 
of the Group’s strategy.

The overall Group net operating margin 
has increased from 2018. This is a result of 
the positive margin effect of acquisitions, 
the full year impact of acquisitions and 
disposals made in 2018 and higher 
revenue growth in the higher margin 
businesses.

Link to remuneration 

Net operating margin is a key driver of 
Adjusted Profit Before Tax (‘PBT’) which 
represents a significant element of annual 
bonus potential.

Definition

Performance

Comprises gross revenue as reported  
in the Group Income Statement, adjusted 
for revenue associated with pass-through 
costs for which the Group does not earn  
a margin.

3.

Strategic linkage  

Net revenue is a key metric in measuring 
growth in operations across the Group, 
divisions and business units. Continued 
growth in net revenue demonstrates the 
successful execution of the Group’s strategy.

The Group’s net revenue decreased 1% 
due to the disposal of Aquilant in 2018 
offset by organic growth and acquisitions 
made in 2019.

Link to remuneration 

Net Revenue is a performance metric 
which accounts for a portion of annual 
bonus potential.

Definition

Performance

Operating cash flow is net cash inflow from 
operating activities per the Group Cash 
Flow Statement on page 114.

$129.3m

Strategic linkage  

1.

The generation of cash from operations is  
a key driver of shareholder returns and also 
enables the Group to invest in capital 
expenditure and acquisitions to enhance 
future growth.

The Group has achieved operating cash 
flows of $129.3 million. This has increased 
from 2018, driven by a decrease in 
working capital.

Link to remuneration 

The ratio of operating cash flow  
to operating profit forms the basis  
of a performance metric for the  
LTIP, accounting for 50% of any awards  
made to key management personnel. 
Operating cash flow is also an annual 
bonus performance metric.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

19

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report  
 
 
Key Performance Indicators (continued)

Definition

Performance

ROCE is profit before interest and tax 
expressed as a percentage of the Group’s 
net assets employed. See page 184.

The Group’s ROCE was 13.4% (13.1%  
on an IFRS 15 basis) compared to 12.7%  
in 2018.

1.

Strategic linkage  

ROCE is a key financial benchmark which 
measures both the return from, and 
performance of, investments in our business. 
The Group strives to consistently achieve 
returns well in excess of its cost of capital.

Link to remuneration 

ROCE is significantly influenced by PBCIT 
and cash flow performance, both of which 
are key annual bonus performance 
metrics.

Definition

Performance

Our vision and values are underpinned by 
our desire to maintain the highest ethical 
standards in everything that we do. We are 
committed to always meeting our legal and 
regulatory obligations. Our compliance 
programme sets out the system we have 
adopted to help ensure that we meet this 
commitment.

1.  2.  3.

Strategic linkage  

One of the measures for ensuring that our 
Quality and Compliance systems and 
processes are providing a robust basis for 
our business is through our performance in 
audits by regulators and professional 
standards bodies. 25 regulator audits were 
carried out throughout UDG Healthcare by 
regulators in 2019. 

All regulatory inspections conducted on 
Ashfield & Sharp businesses resulted in 
successful outcomes. There were no 
regulatory breaches during this period. 

Link to remuneration 

A key objective of the Quality and 
Compliance system is to ensure that when 
audited by reporting authorities and 
clients we are compliant with their 
requirements. This means adhering to 
both the regulatory requirements and the 
professional standards applied in our 
sector. Management all have objectives to 
ensure successful audit outcomes.

Financial KPIs (continued)

Return on Capital Employed (‘ROCE’)

13.4%

2019

2018

13.4%

12.7%

Non-Financial KPIs

Quality and Compliance

100.0%

2019

2018

100%

100%

The percentage of regulatory inspections 
conducted on Ashfield & Sharp 
businesses which were successful.

20

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
Key to strategic linkage in this report

1.  Developing and growing market leading positions
2. Transforming through people
3.  Continuous improvement

Non-Financial KPIs (continued)

Environmental, Health and Safety (‘EHS’)

87.5%

2019

2018

87.5%

80% 

EHS audit programme completion rate.

Definition

Performance

EHS audits comprise of a comprehensive 
and structured review whereby information 
is collected relating to the efficiency, 
effectiveness, and reliability of our 
businesses EHS management systems.

We are pleased with our performance 
against our internal standards as a 
number of our sites have achieved over 
70% completion of all EHS audit actions. 

1.  2.  3.

Strategic linkage  

Compliance with regulation and application 
of industry standards are essential in the 
delivery of our strategy. Since the 
introduction of our EHS audit programme in 
2014, 87.5% of UDG Healthcare businesses 
have been audited.

Link to remuneration 

The EHS audit programme has an indirect 
impact on business revenue. Our audit 
results demonstrate our compliance with 
EHS regulatory requirements and industry 
best practice, supporting business 
development and retention. 

Definition

Performance

Living Our Values 

98.0%

2019

2018

Percentage of leaders who completed 
our values based leadership programme.

98%

80%

Strategic linkage  

How we embed UDG Healthcare’s values 
into our people processes and the method 
of measurement for how we prioritise living 
the values in our organisation.

1.  3.

Living our values is fundamental to the 
success of our business. Our values define 
our culture and guide our interactions with 
our clients. We use our Inspire leadership 
programme as a core platform for educating 
our leaders and our managers on how the 
values should guide their own behaviour 
both internally with our people and 
externally with all stakeholders.

Our Inspire programme contributes 
positively to our organisation, by 
reinforcing our culture and creating an 
environment where internal networking 
contributes to collaboration and sharing of 
expertise. 98% of leaders completed our 
values based leadership programme in the 
year under review.

Link to remuneration 

The Inspire leadership programme is a 
mandatory programme for all leaders and 
it ensures we have coherence across all 
businesses in understanding our values.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

21

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report  
 
Strategy in Action

22

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

People

We continue to retain and attract talented, 
experienced and motivated individuals who 
want to be part of our progressive and 
entrepreneurial organisation. 

Eric leads innovative and strategic client work in the Life Sciences 
sector, working with one of Vynamic’s biggest clients. He has also 
collaborated with Ashfield Commercial & Clinical on successful joint 
business development efforts. 

“I joined Vynamic because I was attracted to working with smart, 
energetic and collaborative people who represent the diversity and 
breadth of skills that exist across the healthcare industry. Our culture is 
unique and built on commitment. From our CEO to our newest hires, 
our values are paramount and drive decision making on a daily basis. 
My role affords me the opportunity to collaborate with different parts 
of Ashfield and deliver innovative solutions for new and existing clients. 
UDG Healthcare delivers services and solutions which improve 
patients’ lives. Equally UDG Healthcare encourages its employees to 
achieve the best in their lives and succeed in their careers.”

Eric Wood 
Executive, 
Vynamic

Link to strategy

1. 2. 3.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

23

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Strategy in Action (continued)

Partners

We believe that real partnership 
is about co-ownership, 
a sense of shared responsibility 
and therefore, shared success.

It is during times of change and uncertainty that the quality of client 
partnerships come sharply into focus. Global Programme Director 
Roxanne Krail is at the forefront of managing customer experience for 
Sharp Clinical and has overseen the successful delivery of client 
projects for the last fifteen years.

“2019 brought unprecedented change for us in Sharp Clinical as we 
relocated all of our clinical operations into new facilities in both the 
U.S. and the U.K. As we are trusted custodians of our clients’ clinical 
trials, offering visibility and assurance to them throughout this complex 
transition period was a significant focus for our global teams. Trust and 
partnership underpin all of our successful client relationships,  
as well as our internal partnerships within Sharp.
That is what allows us to succeed.”

Roxanne Krail
Global Programme Director, 
Sharp Clinical Services

Link to strategy

1. 2. 3.

24

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Strategic Report 

Directors’ Report 

Financial Statements

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

25

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Strategy in Action (continued)

26

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Purpose

Our employees live our purpose every day,  
delivering innovative healthcare solutions  
to our clients that improve patients’ lives.

As the pharmaceutical industry evolved, Ashfield Healthcare 
Communications identified the vital role that patients play in the 
development of healthcare solutions. Jo Fearnhead-Wymbs is  
Vice President of Patient Engagement. 

“Looking across the whole drug development lifecycle, we advise on 
when and where patient input and perspective could add value and 
influence the decisions our clients make, in order to deliver solutions 
and outcomes that matter to patients, whether in a clinical trial, 
starting a new treatment, or simply discussing their concerns with their 
doctor. This requires a strategic approach to innovation that’s 
collaborative, entrepreneurial, agile and continuous. Working in 
partnership with patient stakeholders and our clients, our aim is to 
have a positive impact on the lives and experiences of people living 
with health conditions, and ultimately to improve their health 
outcomes. For me, this is why I come to work.”

Jo Fearnhead-Wymbs
Vice President Patient Engagement,  
Ashfield Healthcare Communications

Link to strategy

1. 2. 3.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

27

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Strategy in Action (continued)

28

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Strategic Report 

Directors’ Report 

Financial Statements

Progress

Through the acquisition of SmartAnalyst  
in 2018, we have strengthened our Advisory  
pillar, expanded into a new geography  
and grown our service offering. 

SmartAnalyst set up its first operation in India providing  
outsourced research across verticals in 2002. With a background  
in audit, finance, accounts and management consulting, Ritu joined 
SmartAnalyst in 2004 as Country Manager India and V.P Research. 
Today Ritu leads a team of over 110 talented employees based  
in our office in Gurgaon, India. 

“We have a global approach to growing our business and our Indian 
operation is an integral part of delivering our long-term strategy.  
Our established centre of excellence in life sciences research and 
analytics based in Gurgaon is responsible for frameworks, research, 
collaboration platforms and foundational data. By establishing our 
business model in this way we have access to a high quality talent pool 
that delivers effective research and analytical support to overseas 
consulting teams in an efficient and effective way.”

Ritu Kishwar
Country Manager, India,
SmartAnalyst

Link to strategy

1. 2. 3.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

29

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Financial Review

 “The Group delivered good financial growth with 
adjusted earnings per share increasing by 7% on 
a constant currency basis. We were particularly 
pleased with the continued expansion of the 
Group’s operating margins and the improved 
cash flow conversion.”
Nigel Clerkin

48.44c

Adjusted diluted earning per share
+5% (2018: 45.94c)

16.80c

Dividend per share ($)
+5% (2018: 16.00c)

30

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Adjusted profit before tax
Net interest costs, pre-exceptional items, for 
the year of $8.1 million are 6% lower than 
2018, due to interest income on U.S. cash 
deposits. This delivered an adjusted profit 
before tax of $146.7 million.

A charge of $12.5 million was incurred in 
relation to restructuring of the Group’s 
internal operating structures, principally in 
respect of Ashfield Commercial & Clinical’s 
European operations. The charge primarily 
relates to redundancy.

Revenue
Revenue of $1,298.5 million for the year is  
1% behind 2018 (1% ahead on a constant 
currency basis). 

Under IAS 18, revenue is in line with 2018  
(2% ahead on a constant currency basis) with 
a 3% increase in Ashfield revenue and a 16% 
increase in Sharp revenue. Group underlying 
net revenue increased by 9%, excluding the 
impact of foreign exchange, acquisitions, 
disposals and IFRS 15 adjustments. 

Adjusted operating profit
Adjusted operating profit of $154.8 million  
is 5% ahead of 2018 (7% on a constant  
current basis). 

Under IAS 18, adjusted operating profit has 
increased by 7% (9% on a constant currency 
basis).

Under IAS 18, the adjusted profit before tax is 
$150.3 million, which is 8% ahead of 2018 
(10% on a constant currency basis).

Taxation
The effective taxation rate has increased from 
17.1% in 2018 to 19.1% in 2019 (19.2% on an 
IAS 18 basis), due to an increase in the 
proportion of profit earned in the U.S. 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share 
Adjusted earnings per share (‘EPS’) is 3% 
ahead (4% on a constant currency basis) of 
2018 at 47.31 $ cent. 

Adjusted net operating margin
The adjusted net operating margin for the 
businesses for the year is 14.0%. 

Under IAS 18, adjusted diluted earnings per 
share (‘EPS’) is 5% ahead (7% on a constant 
currency basis) of 2018 at 48.44 $ cent.

Under IAS 18, this is 14.2%, an increase on the 
13.1% margin reported in 2018.

Exceptional items
The Group incurred an exceptional charge of 
$37.9 million before tax for the year. 

In 2018, the Group received notification of a 
potential claim from McKesson arising from 
its purchase of United Drug from the Group in 
2016. The potential claim was settled in April 
2019 (without admission by any party) at a 
cost of $14.3 million. The Group also incurred 
trademark litigation costs during the year 
amounting to $0.7 million.

Following a review of the operations in Sharp 
Europe, it was decided to rationalise the 
operations and close the Sharp plant at 
Oudehaske, Netherlands. The Group has 
incurred a charge of $10.5 million including 
redundancy, asset impairment, plant 
decommissioning and contract termination 
costs.

Impairment of assets relating to intangible 
software and property, plant and equipment 
resulted in a cost of $4.1 million in the year.

Deferred contingent consideration of  
$4.1 million in respect of Drug Safety Alliance 
($2.8 million), MicroMass Communications 
($0.8 million) and Sellxpert ($0.5 million)  
was released in the year following review  
of expected performance against earn-out 
targets. 

A tax credit of $4.2 million was incurred in 
relation to these exceptional items.

Adjusted net operating margin 

Adjusted profit before tax ($’m)

14.2%

Group PBT +8% 

(+10% constant currency)

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

14.2%

2018

13.1%

12.6%

12.6%

12.2%

Foreign exchange

Acquisitions

Disposals

Underlying 

2019 

0

138.8

6.8

(1.9)

(3.1)

9.7

150.3

45

90

135

180

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

31

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Financial Review (continued)

Overview of Results
The Group delivered an adjusted profit before tax of $150.3 million in 2019, an 8% increase on 2018 (10% on a constant currency basis).

IFRS based

Revenue

Operating profit

Profit before tax

Diluted earnings per share (‘EPS’) (cent)

Dividend per share (cent) 

30 September 2019
$’m

30 September 2018
$’m

Increase/(decrease)
%

1,298.5

78.3

74.3

22.92

16.80

1,315.2

5.5

8.4

1.52

16.00

(1)

n/m

n/m

n/m

5

Alternative performance measures

30 September 2019
IFRS 15
$’m

30 September 2019
IAS 18
$’m

30 September 2018
IAS 18
$’m

Increase/(decrease)
IAS 18
%

Constant currency 
increase/ (decrease)
IAS 18
%

Revenue

Net Revenue

Adjusted operating profit

Adjusted profit before tax

1,298.5

1,102.9

154.8

146.7

1,309.5

1,114.2

158.4

150.3

Adjusted diluted earnings per share 
(‘EPS’) (cent)

47.31

48.44

1,315.2

1,129.7

147.5

138.8

45.94

–

(1)

7

8

5

2

1

9

10

7

Alternative performance measures (‘APMs’) are financial measurements that are not required under International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) which represent the generally 
accepted accounting principles (‘GAAP’) under which the Group reports. APMs are presented to provide readers with additional financial information that is regularly reviewed by 
management. See “Additional Information” on page 182 for more information and reconciliations to the closest respective equivalent GAAP measures.

Following the adoption of IFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” on 1 October 2018, the Group’s statutory results for the year ended 30 September 2019 are presented on an 
IFRS 15 basis, whereas the Group’s statutory results for the comparative year ended 30 September 2018 are presented on an IAS 18 basis as previously reported. Comparisons between 
the two bases of reporting are not considered meaningful. Consequently, the review of the performance of the Group and review of operations is primarily on an IAS 18 basis for all years 
presented. Note 34 to the consolidated financial statements outlines the transition impact for the Group and discloses the financial statement line items impacted for the year ended 
30 September 2019.

Foreign exchange 
The Group operates in 26 countries, with its 
primary foreign exchange exposure being the 
translation of local income statements and 
balance sheets into U.S. dollar for Group 
reporting purposes. The re-translation of 
overseas profits to U.S. dollar has decreased 
IAS 18 constant currency EPS growth of 7% to 
a reported EPS growth rate of 5%, which is 
primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. 
dollar against sterling and euro in the year 
versus 2018.

The average 2019 exchange rates were $1: 
£0.7839 and $1: €0.8865 (2018: $1:£0.7436 
and $1:€0.8403). 

Cash flow
Net cash inflow from operating activities
The net cash inflow from operating activities 
was $129.3 million (2018: $102.5 million).

Working capital decreased by $6.5 million 
(2018: $50.4 million increase). The decrease  
in working capital is principally due to the 
reversal of the temporary cash flow delays 
and timing of supplier payments arising from 
the implementation of Oracle under the 
Future Fit programme in 2018 and improved 
cash management. Other cash outflows  
of $31.8 million relate to transaction costs  
paid of $2.5 million and exceptional items 
outflow of $29.3 million primarily in respect  
of the McKesson legal settlement and 
restructuring costs (2018 cash flows of  
$1.1 million relate to transaction costs paid  
of $5.3 million and exceptional items inflow  
of $4.2 million).

Net cash outflow from investing activities
Net cash outflow from investing activities is 
$130.7 million, compared to $76.3 million in 
2018. This increase is principally due to 
deferred consideration outflows on 
acquisitions of $25.1 million, higher acquisition 
outflows during the year of $69.1 million and 
lower capital expenditure in the current year. 
During the year, $27 million was invested in 
property, plant and equipment. This included 
investment in Sharp’s facilities, in particular 
the investments in Sharp Clinical’s sites in the 
U.S. and U.K., and its commercial packaging 
facility in the Netherlands. Computer software 
outflows of $12.5 million included investments 
in Future Fit.

Net cash outflow from financing activities
Net cash outflow from financing activities 
increased by $6.0 million to $39.1 million in 
the year, principally due to payment of a 
higher dividend as compared to prior year. 

32

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Balance sheet
Net debt at the end of the year was $80.5 
million ($135.2 million cash and $215.7 million 
debt). The net debt to annualised EBITDA 
ratio is 0.4 times debt (2018: 0.3 times debt) 
and net interest is covered 28.1 times (2018: 
22.0 times) by annualised EBITDA. Financial 
covenants in our principal debt facilities are 
based on net debt to EBITDA being less than 
3.5 times and EBITDA interest cover being 
greater than three times.

Return on capital employed (‘ROCE’)
The Group’s ROCE is 13.1%, up from 12.7% in 
2018. Under IAS 18, the Group’s ROCE in 2019 
is 13.4%. Details on how this was calculated 
are on page 184. 

Dividends
The directors are proposing a final dividend of 
12.34 $ cent per share representing an increase 
of 5% on the 2018 final dividend of 11.75 $ cent 
per share. This represents 5% growth in the 
total dividend for the year to 16.80 $ cent per 
share. This continues the Group’s 30 year 
history of consistently increasing dividends.

Investor relations
UDG Healthcare’s executive management 
team spend a significant amount of time 
meeting with shareholders and the 
international financial community. We have a 
dedicated investor relations function, focused 
on increasing the awareness of the Company 
among the investor and analyst community. 

The Group maintains continuous engagement 
with its shareholders during the year (apart 
from when the Group is in a close period), 
specifically following the release of our interim 
and preliminary results, and at the time of 
major developments including M&A 
transactions. The Group continues to ensure 
that a broad geographic base of institutional 
investors is reached through participation in 
both results and non-results roadshows with 
senior management and investor relations, 
and attendance at conferences and investor 
events. During 2019, the UDG Healthcare 
senior management team conducted over 250 
institutional investor one-on-one and group 
meetings, and participated at nine investor 
conferences, including five in the U.S. 

Subject to shareholder approval at the 
Company’s Annual General Meeting, the 
proposed final dividend of 12.34 $ cent per 
share will be paid on 5 February 2020 to 
ordinary shareholders on the Company’s 
register at 5.00 p.m. on 10 January 2020. 

The number of independent equity analysts 
covering the Group remained at 13 during the 
year – this is well ahead of average number of 
covering analysts for a FTSE250 company of 
nine, and reflects the continued interest in 
UDG Healthcare from the equity markets.

Cash flow
The following table displays cash flow information for the years ended 30 September 2019 and 2018:

Net cash inflow from operating activities
Net cash outflow from investing activities
Net cash outflow from financing activities

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents end of year

Net cash inflow from operating activities 
The net cash inflow from operating activities was $129.3 million (2018: $102.5 million).

Adjusted EBITDA
Interest paid
Income taxes paid 
Working capital decrease/(increase)
Other cash outflows

Net cash inflow from operating activities

The Board of Directors considers it important 
to understand the views of shareholders and 
receive regular updates on investor 
perceptions.

Our website www.udghealthcare.com, is the 
primary method of communication for the 
majority of our shareholders. We publish our 
annual report, preliminary results and other 
public announcements on our website. In 
addition, details of our conference calls and 
presentations are available through our 
website. 

Our investor relations department provides a 
point of contact for shareholders and full 
contact details are set out in the investor 
relations section of our website. Shareholders 
can also submit an information request 
through the shareholder services section of 
our website.

2019
$’000

129,252
(130,653)
(39,085)

(40,486)
(4,385)
180,099

135,228

2019
$’000

189,776
(9,910)
(25,329)
6,516
(31,801)

129,252

2018
$’000

102,516
(76,323)
(33,063)

(6,870)
(500)
187,469

180,099

2018
$’000

181,790
(9,682)
(18,107)
(50,350)
(1,135)

102,516

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

33

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Operational Review Ashfield

Ashfield

Continuing to strengthen and 
diversify our service offering 
through organic growth and 
targeted acquisitions.

During 2019, we continued to evolve the Ashfield business through organic growth and the 
acquisition of two businesses. Our strategy of expanding our communications and advisory 
capabilities in higher growth and margin businesses continues to be successful. 

Our people remain at the core of our business and we continue to focus on providing sustainable 
careers, development opportunities and a culture that is built on our purpose.

$414.7m

Ashfield Commercial  
& Clinical Net Revenue

$339.2m

Ashfield Communications  
& Advisory Net Revenue

U.K.

Norway

Sweden

Finland

Belgium

Turkey

Republic  
of Ireland

Switzerland

Portugal

France

Italy

Spain

Denmark

Netherlands

Austria

Germany

China

India

Hong Kong

Japan

Australia

Canada

U.S.

Brazil

Argentina

34

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

About Ashfield
Ashfield is a global leader in healthcare 
advisory, communications, commercial and 
clinical services. We continuously deliver 
innovative, high quality services for our clients 
that improve patients’ lives, offering a broad 
range of services across the product life cycle. 
From strategic consulting and advisory 
services to patient solutions and healthcare 
communications, we partner with our clients 
to deliver best-in-class tailored healthcare 
solutions. We also provide field and contact 
centre sales teams, medical information, 
pharmacovigilance (drug safety) and event 
management to the global healthcare industry. 

Ashfield’s evolution
Ashfield is the larger of UDG Healthcare’s  
two divisions with over 6,900 employees 
across 25 countries. Over the past decade we 
have evolved from a tactical provider of 
field-based sales representatives to a business 
where the vast majority of our offering is 
strategically focused on delivering a full suite 
of end-to-end advisory, communications, 
commercial and clinical services to the global 
healthcare industry. This evolution has been 
driven by a combination of good underlying 
growth, investments in systems and 
infrastructure, and the completion of 21 
acquisitions during this period. 

We operate in three broad areas of activity: 
Advisory, Communications and Commercial  
& Clinical services. 

 “Since 2016, UDG 
Healthcare has 
acquired nine 
businesses that 
have joined the 
Ashfield division 
including the  
four organisations 
that now make  
up the Ashfield 
Advisory business.”
Brendan McAtamney

Development of Ashfield

Payor

Patient

HCP

Ashfield 
Communications

Digital content
Creative content
Scientific content

Ashfield  
Commercial & Clinical

Meetings
Call centre
Nurse/PSP
Sales reps

Ashfield 
Advisory

Data/
analytics

Research
Audit
Management Consulting

Acquired 2019

*

Acquired 2019

Digital

Face to 
face

1997

2010

2016

2019

*  Completed in November 2019

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

35

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Operational Review Ashfield (continued)

Ashfield

Revenue

Communications & Advisory

Commercial & Clinical

Total

Net revenue1

Communications & Advisory

Commercial & Clinical

Total 

Adjusted operating profit3

Communications & Advisory

Commercial & Clinical

Total 

IFRS 15
2019 
$’m

383.3

566.9

950.2

339.2

415.4

754.6

75.2

34.8

110.0

IAS 18 
2019 
$’m

383.3

565.9

949.2

339.2

414.7

753.9

75.2

33.2

108.4

IAS 18 
2018 
$’m

323.9

597.5

921.4

287.7

448.2

735.9

62.1

36.3

98.4

IAS 18 
Actual 
Growth

IAS 18 
Underlying 
Growth2

18%

(5%)

3%

18%

(7%)

2%

21%

(9%)

10%

8%

(2%)

1%

6%

(5%)

–

10%

(7%)

4%

Adjusted operating margin3

Operating margin (on revenue)

Net operating margin (on net revenue)

11.6%

14.6%

11.4%

14.4%

10.7%

13.4%

1  Net revenue represents reported revenue adjusted for revenue associated with pass-through costs, for which the Group does not earn a margin. There are no pass-through revenues in Sharp.
2  Underlying growth adjusts for the impact of currency translation movements and any acquisition or disposal activity.
3  Adjusted operating profit is operating profit before amortisation of acquired intangible assets, transaction costs and exceptional items.

Ashfield Performance
Ashfield delivered a good performance during 
the year, driven by the benefit of acquisitions 
and good underlying growth, particularly  
in Ashfield Communications & Advisory. 
Ashfield generated net revenue of  
$753.9 million and adjusted operating profit 
of $108.4 million, 2% and 10% respectively 
ahead of the prior year. Adjusting for the 
impact of currency translation movements 
and the contribution from acquisitions, 
underlying net revenue growth was flat and 
underlying operating profit was up 4%. 
Ashfield’s net operating margin increased 
from 13.4% to 14.4% 

Ashfield Communications & Advisory 
Ashfield Communications & Advisory, which 
now accounts for close to 70% of Ashfield’s 
operating profits, performed strongly during 
the year. Net revenue increased by 18% and 
operating profit increased by 21%, including 
the benefit of acquisitions. Underlying net 
revenue growth increased by 6% and 
underlying operating profit increased by 10%, 
with operating margins also increasing.

Ashfield Advisory 
Ashfield Advisory is a group of specialist 
healthcare consultancy and advisory 
businesses comprising of STEM Healthcare, 

Vynamic, SmartAnalyst and our most recent 
acquisition Putnam Associates. Our services 
include healthcare brand advisory, strategic 
consulting, product commercialisation strategy, 
analytics and commercial audit services. 

We remain focused on growing our existing 
specialist healthcare consultancies whilst also 
acquiring complementary businesses that 
enhance our service offering. In the year 
under review, Ashfield continued to make 
significant progress in strengthening its 
Advisory pillar. Ashfield Advisory’s evolution 
and strong growth story demonstrates the 
success of our strategy of acquiring new 
complementary services and supporting these 
newly acquired businesses to meet our 
long-term growth goals. 

In 2019, we continued to invest in our  
STEM aXcellerate expansion programme to  
grow our core pharmaceutical customer base 
and into other adjacent healthcare markets. 
The STEM aXcellerate investment programme 
progressed in line with expectations, with a 
total investment of approximately $3 million 
during the year. 

We have also already launched 
complementary commercial and medical 
projects working with our clients to accelerate 

performance by quantifying and 
benchmarking the alignment and execution  
of coaching provided by First Line Managers.

In September we celebrated the first 
anniversary of the opening of Vynamic’s 
London office. The growing team now has six 
consultants working with three global clients 
across both the life sciences and healthcare 
technology sectors. We are also continuing to 
focus on growing our presence in Boston as 
well as reviewing our geographic reach and 
collaboration opportunities with our sister 
companies to grow our client base. 

SmartAnalyst in Gurgaon, India has also  
seen a growth in the number of employees 
resulting in a need for bigger offices.  
We continue to focus on expanding the 
number of services offered to current clients 
while attracting new clients.

Acquisitions 
In May 2019, we completed the acquisition  
of Putnam, a U.S.-based strategic management 
healthcare consultancy for a total consideration 
of up to $87.7 million. See our case study  
on the opposite page for further detail on  
this acquisition. 

36

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Case Study 

Acquisitions add complementary 
services and new talent

Putnam 
In May 2019, we acquired Putnam a U.S.-based strategic management 
healthcare consultancy. Based in the U.S., Putnam is a specialist 
consultancy focused on product commercialisation strategy, exclusively  
for the life sciences industry. Putnam has grown to become a respected 
advisory brand for biopharmaceutical companies. With over 120 employees 
across offices in Boston and San Francisco, Putnam offers consultancy 
services across the product life cycle with particular strengths in product 
commercialisation, pricing, reimbursement and market access strategy.

Incisive Health
Incisive Health is a U.K.-based healthcare communications consultancy, 
which specialises in healthcare policy, public affairs and communication 
services. Across its head office in London and an office in Brussels, the 
consultancy employs 36 people and provides a suite of consultancy and 
communications services including clinical advocacy, corporate and digital 
communications, direct payer engagement, public affairs, stakeholder 
campaigning, strategic and policy development and training programs. 
Incisive Health has a diversified client base of predominantly 
pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Both businesses are aligned with 
our strategy to expand into higher growth and higher margin areas, 
complementing to our existing service offering.

The acquisitions  
of Putnam and 
Incisive Health 
significantly 
strengthen the 
Ashfield Advisory and 
Communications 
business, adding 
significant expertise  
and capability.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

37

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Case Study 

Partnering to create a 
flexible, customised and 
differentiated solution

Ashfield Commercial & Clinical, Vynamic and 
Micromass have successfully partnered with  
a leading pharmaceutical client to deliver an 
integrated full contact centre solution across 
medical information, business services, a 
commercial affordability programme and a 
patient support solution across three brands. 

The new innovative solution focuses on 
efficiencies, innovation, flexibility and leveraging 
the client’s internal infrastructure and 
technology. The tailored solution specifically 
focused on the client’s future needs, which leads 
to aggregating existing individual operations 
thereby reducing costs, harmonising operation 
ties and ultimately improving service levels and 
performance metrics.

Operational Review Ashfield (continued)

Case Study 

Joining forces to create  
a global alliance

Ashfield Healthcare Communications has 
created a global alliance with two leading 
healthcare communications networks. Argon 
Global Healthcare Network is one of the 
largest international networks of independent 
healthcare agencies and MIMs is Asia’s largest 
multi-channel provider of drug information, 
medical communications, events management 
and marketing services.

Collectively this partnership provides our 
clients with unprecedented access to a full 
breadth of communications services, tailored 
with a deep understanding of cultural and 
business nuances for their regional and local 
brand needs. With our new alliance we can 
help established companies and scale-ups 
efficiently create meaningful narratives and 
gain strategic traction for their businesses on 
a global scale, while assuring quality and 
compliance at a local level.

38
38

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

A collaboration 
opportunity was 
identified for 
Vynamic, 
Micromass and 
Ashfield 
Commercial & 
Clinical to work 
with a large 
pharmaceutical 
client to provide 
unique and 
innovative 
solutions.

Ashfield Communications
Ashfield Communications is a global network 
that works with clients at the intersection of 
science, data and creativity to commercialise 
molecules, markets and brands. Our healthcare 
communications experts support the expanding 
role of medical affairs, brand commercialisation 
and activation from the rarest diseases to 
high-profile brands and large disease franchises. 
We leverage data to bring positive and 
measurable impact across our clients’ businesses 
by generating insights, targeting patient 
populations, educating healthcare professionals 
and measuring the impact of our work.

Acquisitions 
In May 2019, UDG Healthcare acquired Incisive 
Health, a U.K.-based healthcare communications 
consultancy, which specialises in healthcare 
policy, public affairs and communication services 
for a total consideration of up to £13.2 million 
($16.9 million). See our case study on page 37  
for further details. 

Post the year end, in November 2019 the 
Group completed the acquisition of Canale 
Communications,a San Diego based scientific 
strategic communications agency, providing  
a range of public relations, investor relations 
and communications services to life science 
companies. Canale Communications was 
acquired for a total consideration of up to  
$31 million. 

Ashfield Commercial & Clinical 
Ashfield Commercial & Clinical performed  
in line with expectations with revenues and 
operating profits both declining compared  
to the prior year. While the U.S. business 
performed well, this was offset by softer 
demand for Ashfield’s services in Europe.  
The restructuring of the European business 
completed in FY2019 led to an adjustment in 
its cost base and enables it to evolve its service 
mix to better align to client demand, and 
diversify its offering.

Ashfield Commercial & Clinical is a global 
provider of commercial, clinical, medical 
affairs and meetings and events solutions  
to the healthcare industry. We provide 
multi-channel (field-based and contact centre) 
sales and clinical educator solutions, in-depth 
knowledge and unsurpassed expertise in  
all aspects of medical affairs and deliver 
healthcare meetings and events throughout 
the product lifecycle. 

During the year, the business successfully 
collaborated with Vynamic and Micromass to 
secure a new contract with a key pharmaceutical 
client to provide a blended service of 
commercial, clinical and call centre support 
services. While Vynamic acted as strategic 
project manager to the client, Micromass 
provided licenced contact centre communicator 
training based on their core capability of 
behavioural science training services. 

Our business mix continues to evolve by 
diversifying and broadening our service 
portfolio we are able to provide a unique and 
tailored approach to our clients and at the 
same time reduce the risk and reliance on one 
side of the business. 

We continue to invest in new service 
development by enhancing our multi-channel 
contact centre capabilities, our patient 
support programmes based on Saleforce’s 
Health Cloud CRM platform and leverage  
our data and analytics. 

Ashfield Meetings & Events’ strong reputation 
for high quality, innovative events also 
resulted in a good performance for this side  
of the business. 

Management changes at Ashfield 
During the year there have been a number of 
management changes within the Ashfield division:
•  As part of the division’s succession planning, 

in September 2019, Greg Flynn was 
appointed President of Ashfield Commercial 
& Clinical replacing Julian Tompkins, who 
retired after almost 20 years with the 
business. During Greg’s 15 years with 
Ashfield, he established and operated our 
joint venture in Japan with CMIC, he was 
President of Ashfield Commercial & 
Clinical’s U.S. business, and most recently 
was COO of Ashfield Commercial & Clinical.

•  Doug Burcin retired as President of 

Ashfield Communications in June 2019 on 
health grounds. A search is at an advanced 
stage for his successor. In the interim the 
business is being led by Nigel Clerkin, 
Group CFO.

•  Colin Stanley was appointed President of 
Ashfield Advisory in October 2019. Colin 
replaces Rob Wood who retired after 
successfully completing his earn-out having 
joined the Group as part of the acquisition of 
STEM in October 2016. Colin joins from 
ICON plc, where he has held a number of 
global senior operational and management 
roles, most recently as President of ICON’s 
Functional Services Group.

Outlook 
Ashfield is well positioned to continue to 
deliver good underlying operating profit 
growth over the medium term, as the business 
continues to diversify its service offering and 
expand its global market positions. While 
Commercial & Clinical faced some particular 
challenges in Europe, we are confident our 
restructuring progress in 2019 and diversification 
of the service portfolio will strengthen the business 
for future growth.

Over the next five years we will continue to 
drive organic growth and make strategic 
acquisitions to enhance and diversify the 
service offering, add complementary 
capabilities and expand the geographical reach 
to meet the evolving needs of our clients. 

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

39

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Operational Review Sharp

Sharp

Although not without its 
challenges, 2019 was another 
successful year of solid 
organic growth.

Unprecedented customer demand and production capacity challenges both  
had an impact on the Sharp division during 2019. Yet despite those challenges,  
the division achieved a record volume of production in Sharp Packaging  
and a transformational increase in operational scale for Sharp Clinical.

In addition, both Sharp businesses added further capacity in 2019  
with Sharp Clinical now offering clients a clinical depot service from  
our existing facility in Heerenveen, The Netherlands.

$311.7m

U.S. revenue

$48.6m

E.U. revenue

U.K.

Republic  
of Ireland

Netherlands
Belgium

U.S.

40

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

About Sharp 
Sharp provides clinical trial management  
and contract packaging solutions to the 
pharmaceutical and life science industries. 
With over 1,600 employees in eight different 
locations, we offer a broad portfolio of 
contract services in clinical trial management, 
commercial packaging, design and technology 
for our global pharma clients, from Phase 1 
drug discovery through to full commercial 
launch and delivery. 

Our commercial packaging business supports 
the packaging, labelling and assembly of  
the full range of formats, including blisters, 
bottles, specialty and biotech formats such  
as vials, pre-filled syringes, auto-injectors  
and pens.

Our project management expertise extends  
to packaging design and engineering, 
pre-production, implementation and 
serialisation services that ensure success from 
design origination to commercial delivery.

Working in partnership with our clients and 
using the very latest technology, we develop 
packaging solutions that deliver optimal 
compliance, usability and ensure production 
efficiencies.

Our Clinical Service business offers a full 
range of clinical trial supply and management 
solutions, from formulation development and 
analysis and manufacturing through to clinical 
supplies packaging, labelling, distribution and 
clinical IRT. These services are supported by 
an expert commercial services and project 
management team with many years of 
experience in the successful delivery of global 
clinical trials.

 “Our U.S. packaging 
business achieved 
record volumes of 
production during 
2019, driven by an 
unprecedented 
level of customer 
demand.”
Kevin Orfan
President,  
Sharp Packaging U.S.

Investments in Sharp capacity growth

Scale of Investment

Lease not owned

Sharp Packaging
Phase II
Biotech COE,
Allentown, PA

l

e
m
u
o
v
/
h
c
t
a
B

Phase III,  
Biotech COE,
Allentown, PA

Cold-chain 
expansion,
Allentown, PA

Cold-chain 
expansion,
Conshohocken, PA

Commercial 
packaging

Sharp Packaging refit
Heerenveen, NL

Sharp Clinical
Bethlehem, PA

Sharp Clinical
Rhymney, Wales

Sharp Clinical
Heerenveen, NL

Small 
commercial/
Specialty

Clinical

Sharp Clinical 
Phoenixville, PA

Sharp Clinical
Crickhowell, U.K.

2016

2017

2018

2019

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

41

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Operational Review Sharp (continued)

Sharp

Revenue

U.S.

Europe

Total 

Adjusted operating profit2

U.S.

Europe

Total

IFRS 15
2019 
$’m

300.4

47.9

348.3

46.0

(1.2)

44.8

IAS 18 
2019 
$’m

311.7

48.6

360.3

51.7

(1.7)

50.0

IAS 18 
2018 
$’m

267.7

43.4

311.1

46.9

(1.1)

45.8

IAS 18 
Actual 
Growth

IAS 18 
Underlying 
Growth1

16%

12%

16%

10%

(59%)

9%

16%

19%

17%

10%

(68%)

8%

Adjusted operating margin %2

12.9%

13.9%

14.7%

1  Underlying growth adjusts for the impact of currency translation movements and any acquisition or disposal activity.
2  Adjusted operating profit is operating profit before amortisation of acquired intangible assets, transaction costs and exceptional items.

Sharp performance
Sharp delivered a good performance during 
the year generating revenue of $360.3 million 
and adjusted operating profit of $50.0 million, 
16% and 9% ahead of the same period last 
year respectively.

Sharp U.S. performance 
Sharp U.S.’s underlying revenue and 
operating profit was 16% and 10% respectively 
ahead of the same period last year. This strong 
growth was driven by increased demand  
for the packaging of serialised biotech  
and specialty products from both new and 
existing clients. As previously disclosed, the 
accelerated demand in the second half of the 
year for these services, coupled with the 
added complexity of these product offerings, 
resulted in the requirement for increased 
investment in people and capacity to 
efficiently meet this demand and capitalise  
on the opportunity.

 “The latest expansion 
at our Biotech 
Centre of Excellence 
in Allentown, PA will 
offer an additional 
21,000 square feet 
of capacity.”
Hal Lewis 
General Manager, 
Biotech Centre of Excellence

42

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Hal Lewis, General Manager, Biotech Center of Excellence,  
Sharp Packaging U.S. talking with Board members

Sharp Europe performance 
The performance of Sharp Europe improved 
during the second half of the year and for  
the full year delivered strong underlying 
revenue growth and an operating loss of  
$1.7 million. During the year, the business  
took the decision to consolidate its packaging 
operations in Europe and close its Oudehaske 
packaging plant in the Netherlands resulting 
in a cash exceptional charge of $10.5 million 
pre-tax.  

A process has begun to transfer customers at 
this site to Sharp’s remaining three sites in 
Europe. The centralisation of Sharp’s European 
operations to the existing plants will lead to 
greater operational and cost efficiencies for 
Sharp Europe. From FY2020, the Sharp U.S. 
and Sharp Europe financial results will be 
presented on a consolidated basis.

Sharp Packaging 
Sharp U.S. experienced increased demand  
for its contract packaging services in 2019. 
This growth was largely attributable to 
demand for the packaging of biologic and 
other specialty injectable products but also  
to strong activity in traditional packaging 
formats through 2019. 

An operational restructuring programme was 
undertaken early in 2019 that resulted in the 
establishment of two separate business units 
– Blister & Bottle and Injectable & Specialty. 
The intention was to improve overall customer 
experience and to allow us to better address 
the market opportunity presented in each of 
those segments.

Managing customer demand became a key 
focus in 2019 for the U.S. packaging business. 
Unprecedented volumes of production were 
achieved at our Allentown campus in the 
second half of the year as production backlogs 
were tackled and new clients were on-
boarded. This record output was achieved 
due to an intense focus on improving 
operational and business efficiencies, as well as 
additional investment in capacity during 2019. 

$21 million was invested between Allentown 
and Conshohocken on additional cold-chain 
capacity and new service capabilities, 
including cold-chain and sterilisation systems. 
In June, Sharp commenced the third phase  
of development of its Biotech Centre of 
Excellence at Penn drive. The construction 
project – which is client co-funded – will  
add an additional 21,000 square feet of 
packaging capacity. 

Sharp Clinical U.S. Business Development team

Sharp also began evaluating further 
expansion opportunities in both Allentown 
and Conshohocken that will support additional 
organic growth in the U.S. in the coming years. 

Several business-critical initiatives were also 
completed during 2019, including supply 
chain optimisation and the outsourcing of  
the print operations from Conshohocken.

The pace of production set during Q4 FY2019  
is promising as we go into 2020 and the focus 
will remain on improving operational 
efficiencies and adding capacity to service 
on-going demand.

Sharp Clinical 
2019 was a transformative year for Sharp 
Clinical, having completed the construction, 
qualification and relocation into two new 
facilities. In what was a significant logistical 
and operational achievement, all operational 
activities transitioned over to these new sites 
without disruption to Sharp Clinical’s existing 
client production.

Also during 2019, Sharp established a 
partnership with Berkshire Sterile 
Manufacturing, a CMO offering sterile-fill 
capabilities. This service broadens and 
complements Sharp’s existing offering to the 
clinical Biotech sector and together with vial 
labelling, pre-filled syringe assembly and 

 “With our U.S.  
and U.K. clinical 
facilities now 
complemented by 
a new E.U.-based 
hub, we have a 
really credible 
solution for larger 
scale, global 
clinical projects.”
Frank Lis
President,
Sharp Clinical

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

43

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Operational Review Sharp (continued)

cold-chain capabilities; it was the main driver of 
growth for Sharp Clinical in the U.S. this year.

Brexit was, without doubt, the most 
significant commercial challenge Sharp 
Clinical faced in 2019. In order to address  
that challenge, Sharp established a clinical 
distribution depot within the existing 
packaging facility at Heerenveen, The 
Netherlands. Awarded with both a Wholesale 
Distribution Authorisation (‘WDA’) and an 
Investigational Medicinal Product (‘IMP’) 
license, Sharp has established a Brexit-ready 
solution for its clients globally.

Finally, as part of our on-going commitment  
to technology and innovation, investments 
were made to enhance our clinical IRT 
platform. These upgrades offer the ability to 
forecast patient supplies and to manage drug 
returns more efficiently – both of which will 
greatly benefit our clients’ studies in 2020.

Sharp Europe 
During 2019 Sharp Europe made good 
progress on its strategy to develop new 
partnerships with pharma clients in biotech,  
a market characterised by high-value, 
low-volume drug products. 

With a growing reputation as a specialist 
packager in this sector, our Belgian facility saw 
increased demand for its services, most notably 
for vial labelling, pen assembly and labelling as 
well as secondary kitting. Throughout the year, 
the team in Sharp Europe continued to deliver 
operationally, adhering to demanding client 
production schedules in the face of pressure  
on capacity availability, as well as a challenging 
labour market.

At our client-dedicated facility in Heerenveen 
the management team oversaw the completion 
of the site rebuild, equipment installation  
and validation and, as expected, the first 
commercial product was delivered at the  
site in November 2018. After an initial lag  
in demand by the client during the early part  
of 2019, output has increased and continues  
to do so, as this client partnership gets up  
and running.

During the last quarter of FY2019, as part  
of the on-going review of Sharp Europe’s 
business, the decision was taken to close the 

commercial packaging facility in Oudehaske, 
The Netherlands. This was due to the level of 
investment that would have been required to 
bring the facility to the standard necessary to 
win the biotech clients that we target as part 
of our growth strategy in Europe. Production 
at the facility is expected to cease during the 
second half of 2020.

Overall, Sharp Europe had a stronger second 
half to the year that we will look to build on 
this as we move into 2020. 

Investment in facilities 
During 2019, Sharp continued to invest in  
new facilities and capacity across both its 
commercial and clinical facilities. Sharp 
Clinical completed the relocation of its 
businesses in the U.S. and U.K. to new 
facilities while in early 2020, Sharp U.S. 
Commercial will open additional capacity at  
its Allentown, Pennsylvania campus. Both 
investments provide additional capacity to 
support the continued growth of the business.

Outlook 2020 and beyond
Sharp has a strong pipeline of business which, 
supported by the benefit of investments made 
and additional resources added, leaves it well 
positioned to deliver underlying operating 
profit growth in line with the Group’s 
medium-term expectations of double-digit 
growth in FY2020 and beyond. 

Looking ahead to FY2020, the Sharp division 
is firmly set for further organic growth.  
The broad industry dynamics are positive  
and customer demand in key segments – 
particularly biotech and specialty –  
is expected to continue at a good level. 

Focus will remain on developing capacity 
opportunities as well as winning new business 
that aligns with Sharp’s existing capabilities 
and strategic goals to ensure long-term 
sustainable growth.

Sharp Clinical is now firmly focused on 
winning new larger-scale studies from global 
pharma clients in 2020 and beyond.

For Sharp Europe the drive will be to achieve 
operational efficiencies in order to contribute 
to overall profitability while growing market 
share in the biotech sector in Europe.

 “Throughout 2019 the team in Sharp 
Europe delivered operationally, adhering  
to demanding production schedules in  
the face of pressure on capacity availability 
as well as a challenging labour market.”
Robert O’Beirn,
Divisional Head, Corporate Development and Strategy

44

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Case Study 

The transformative 
impact of Quality

Quality operates at the very heart of an 
organisation like Sharp, ensuring that we  
meet industry standards in our processes  
and in the products we deliver to our clients. 
Its impact however, can go far beyond that.  
As a function, Quality offers Sharp a unique 
platform to improve and transform practices 
right across our organisation. By facilitating 
regular, reflective and transparent discussions 
between our many inter-dependant functions, 
the Quality team can identify and foster 
opportunities for truly impactful outcomes.

Sarah Lamendola, a Quality Systems Manager 
in Allentown PA, embodies this new way of 
thinking in Quality. “By looking holistically at 
Sharp we can act as an internal ‘pulse-check’ 
on the health of the entire organisation.”

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

45

Case Study 

Reducing our 
environmental impact 
at Sharp Rhymney

As the Sharp team planned the complete 
renovation of their newest facility in Rhymney, 
South Wales, they had a unique opportunity 
to ensure the environment was a central 
consideration of their design.

In April 2019, a 250kWp roof-mounted solar 
panel system, consisting of 888 individual 
panels, was successfully installed at the site. 
Using the latest solar panel technology, this 
system is expected to make over 1,700 tonnes  
of carbon savings over its 25-year lifespan, 
which will also save the company just under  
£1 million in energy costs.

As a result of this solar installation, as well as 
other environmental initiatives, the site was 
recently awarded a grade ‘B’ environmental 
performance certificate.

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Risk Management

Our Risk Management

The strategy for the risk management process at UDG Healthcare is 
centrally co-ordinated and locally managed. The senior team and divisional 
heads in each division maintain their local registers and manage and lead 
the mitigation plans. 

B o a r d oversight

i dentification 
R i s k  
a n d   a ssessment

m

i
t
i

g
a

E
x
e
c

t

u

i

t

o

i

o

n

n

p

l

a

o

f 

n

s

E

x

e

c

Risk
Management
Process

Business and
functional 
expertise

t

g

n
e
m
p
elo
nin
M itig ation dev
n
and pla
e vie w

utive monitori n g   a n d   r

46

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
Risk Management Overview
In 2019, we have continued to roll out our  
Risk Management process across our recently 
acquired businesses.

Ashfield, for the purposes of risk management 
is considered as three separate divisions; 
Commercial & Patient Solutions, Healthcare 
Communications, and Advisory, Sharp is 
considered one single division. The key risks 
for each division are identified and mitigation 
plans put in place. These key risks are 
amalgamated to identify the key risks of the 
whole organisation, known as the Group 
Risks. The Group Risks are reviewed by  
both the Senior Executive Team (‘SET’)  
and the Risk Investment and Finance (‘RIF’) 
Committee. The connected and coordinated 
nature of this process reduces the risk of 
omitting potential threats to the business.

Acquisition activity continues to support the 
growth of the organisation and reduce risks  
to its future viability. An improved integration 
process and an improved technology 
infrastructure leads to a smoother capture of 
the advantages brought by these acquisitions.

The prevailing themes of cyber security  
and talent remain centre stage in the risk 
profile for UDG Healthcare plc in 2019. In 
addition, there is increasing uncertainty 
generated by Brexit and international trade 
disputes and sanctions. Some significant 
initiatives are underway to mitigate the 
exposure to cyber-attacks. Recognising that 
technical solutions are only one element of 
mitigation, considerable effort has gone into 
awareness for all employees and in particular 
those employees who are, by nature of their 
roles, high risk from a cyber-attack 
perspective. A combination of mandatory 
training, screen savers, newsletters and 
webinars have been deployed. A cyber 
security update detailing near misses, 
incidents, if any, and prevailing themes is 
presented twice per year to the RIF for their 
assessment of adequacy. The information 
security team is led jointly by the Heads of  
IT and Compliance to ensure that the focus 
is based on both technical solutions and 
behaviours. 

Talent and talent retention remains a key 
focus with the emphasis during 2019 being  
on developing specific business development 
skills and processes throughout the 
organisation as growth through business 
development consistently represents a high 
risk to the Group. 

Viability Statement
In accordance with the relevant provisions set 
out in the U.K. Corporate Governance Code, 
the Board has carried out a robust assessment 
of the principal risks facing the Group, 
including those which would threaten its 
business model, future performance, solvency 
or liquidity. The nature of, and the strategies, 
practices and controls to mitigate these risks 
are addressed in the Principal Risks and 
Uncertainties section on pages 49 to 51. 

Using the Group’s Long Term Strategic Plan, 
(the ‘Strategic Plan’) which is reviewed and 
approved by the Board annually, the 
prospects of the Group have been assessed 
over the three-year period to 30 September 
2022. The Strategic Plan considers the market 
opportunities within the healthcare sector, the 
Group’s cash flows, committed funding and 
liquidity positions, forecast future funding 
requirements, banking covenants and other 
key financial ratios.

The Strategic Plan is built on a business by 
business basis and the model is subjected to 
sensitivity analysis. Appropriate stress testing 
of certain key performance, solvency and 
liquidity assumptions underlying the Strategic 
Plan has been conducted taking account of 
the principal risks and uncertainties faced and 
possible severe but plausible combinations of 
those risks and uncertainties. The sensitivity 
analyses focused on five scenarios where 
changes to the economic environment or 
compliance issues could have an impact. 
These scenarios have been incorporated into 
the Risk Management Framework and are 
reviewed and managed in line with the 
Group’s risk appetite.

These scenarios can be summarised as follows:
1.  there is significant weakening of euro and 
sterling foreign exchange rates relative  
to the U.S. dollar;

2.  the largest site by profit generation 

becomes inoperable for an extended 
period of time; 

3.  a large-scale acquisition significantly 

underperforms; 

4.  there is an imposition of price controls or 
price reductions in the U.S. healthcare 
market; and

5.  a combination of both scenarios two and 
four above occurring simultaneously.

As a result of this assessment, the Directors 
confirm that they have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group will continue to 
operate and meet its liabilities as they fall due 
for the next three years to 30 September 2022.

Going concern
The Group’s business activities, together  
with the factors likely to affect its future 
development, performance and position, are 
set out in the Strategic Report. The financial 
position of the Group, its cash flows and 
liquidity position are described in the Financial 
Review on pages 30 to 33. In addition, Note 31  
to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
includes the Group’s objectives, policies and 
processes for managing its capital; its financial 
risk management objectives; details of its 
financial instruments and hedging activities; 
and its exposures to credit, currency, cash 
flow and liquidity risks.

The Group has considerable financial 
resources and a large number of customers 
and suppliers across different geographic 
areas and industries. Having assessed the 
relevant business risks, the Directors believe 
that the Group is well placed to manage its 
business risks successfully.

The directors have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group has adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for the 
foreseeable future. For this reason, they 
continue to adopt the going concern basis  
in preparing the Financial Statements.

Emerging risks 
In addition to the Group’s existing risk 
management framework, the Board 
(through the RIF), acknowledges the 
requirements of the Financial 
Reporting Council’s 2018 U.K. 
Corporate Governance Code (the 
‘New Code’) applicable to the Group 
from 1 October 2019. 

This requires the Group to carry out a 
robust assessment of emerging risks 
as well as principal risks, to explain 
the procedures that are in place to 
identify emerging risks, in the 2020 
Report and onwards, and finally  
to explain how these emerging risks 
will be managed or mitigated.  

A Risk and Controls Sub-Committee 
has been established to address, 
among other matters, these 
requirements. The Risk and Controls 
Sub-Committee comprises executives 
from across the Group and will report 
to the RIF on such emerging risks on  
a biannual basis.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

47

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Principal Risks and Uncertainties

High Level Summary

The principal risks are categorised as Strategic, Operational and  
Financial and are developed from review of the Group Risk Register,  
the business performance and the prevailing global trends.

1.

Developing and 
growing market 
leading positions

2.

Transforming 
through people

3.

Continuous 
improvement

Key considerations

Key considerations

Key considerations

To develop and establish scale in 
major markets both acquisitions and 
organic growth are key. Continued 
client focus, both on service and on 
diversification supports organic 
growth. Acquisition activity remains 
focused on synergies with existing 
businesses and diversifying our 
offering to match the outsourcing 
requirement of our clients.

In order to attract, develop and retain 
the talent needed to transform our 
business we are emphasising our 
values-based culture as the basis  
for behaviour. People are key to 
delivering on our targets and the 
continuous focus on how results are 
delivered ensures compliance with  
all requirements and a right first 
time expectation.

Operational efficiencies are  
enhanced by a continued investment  
in infrastructure through Future Fit  
and major software projects. 
Combined and supported by the 
application of operational excellence 
methodologies across the Group we 
are making progress on margin 
expansion. 

Key risks

Key risks

Key risks

Acquisitions including Integration

Talent management

IT Systems and cyber security

Client management

Regulatory compliance

Contract management

Growth strategy, including innovation

Business continuity

Financial controls

48

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Key to strategic linkage in this report

1.  Developing and growing market leading positions
2. Transforming through people
3.  Continuous improvement

Strategic risks

Risk

Impact

Mitigation

Acquisition  
and growth 
strategy:
Value generation 
from acquisitions

1.  3.

Acquisitive growth remains a core element of 
the Group’s strategy. A failure to execute and 
properly integrate acquisitions may impact 
the Group’s projected revenue growth, its 
ability to capitalise on the synergies they bring 
and/or the development and retention of the 
associated talent pool.

Acquisition  
and growth 
strategy:
Innovation  
and Insight

1.  2.  3.

Clients:
Client 
diversification

1.  2.  3.

The continued success of the Group has  
been dependent upon the development and 
delivery of innovative solutions to our clients. 
Examples include serialised packaging and 
multichannel Contract Sales Organisation 
(‘CSO’). An inability to predict client and 
market trends and develop and deliver such 
innovation would be a risk to the maintenance 
of our market leading positions in the various 
sectors in which we operate.

As the Group’s activities consolidate and 
further acquisitions are completed, the 
Group’s client base may become more 
concentrated, making the Group more 
susceptible to competitive, client merger  
or procurement led threats.

Clients:
Client outsourcing 
strategy

3.

Changes to pharma company outsourcing 
strategy such as reduced roster of preferred 
vendors, or a wholesale move to outsource  
to holding companies that meet all of their 
service requirements.

Talent 
management

1.  2.

The success of the Group is built upon 
effective management teams that 
consistently deliver superior performance. 
If the Group cannot attract, retain and 
develop suitably qualified, experienced  
and motivated employees, this could have 
an impact on business performance.

All potential acquisitions are assessed and evaluated 
to ensure the Group’s defined strategic and financial 
criteria are met. A discrete integration process  
and post integration review is developed for  
each acquisition. This process is supported by 
experienced management with a view to achieving 
identified benefits, cultivating talent and minimising 
general and specific integration risks.

Innovation and insight is at the fore of all business 
and acquisition strategies set down by the SET.  
At a divisional level, each management team has  
a responsibility to identify current and projected 
client and market demands for new service offerings 
and market changes and have designated roles 
within their business units tasked to deliver on this.

In individual business units where there is a high 
dependence on a small number of key clients,  
the threats and opportunities are reviewed by 
divisional management at each business review.  
The impact that any potential acquisition may  
have on client concentration is considered as  
part of the acquisition assessment process.

In order to maintain or develop a preferred vendor 
relationship with our target clients, acquisitions  
can be used to fill any key gaps in client coverage  
or service offering. The key is to maintain strong 
client relationships and to keep abreast of potential 
changes in their business strategies.

We have developed an agile business development 
strategy to maximise our value to clients.

Talent requirements of the Group are monitored 
to ensure businesses meet prevailing and 
anticipated requirements in term of skills, 
competencies and performance. There is  
a strong focus on key talent management 
practices, including leadership and management 
development, succession planning and 
performance management. A formal talent 
review process is implemented globally and  
local talent reviews are conducted and linked  
to the global process.

Brexit

1.  3.

The continuing trading uncertainty associated 
with Brexit may result in some UDG 
Healthcare clients reducing the size of their 
U.K. operations or have a negative impact on 
our ability to conduct business profitably in 
the U.K.

The overall Group exposure to the U.K. as a 
proportion of our total profitability has declined as 
we have acquired and developed businesses with 
greater exposure to markets other than the U.K. 
Uncertainty remains in relation to the outcome  
and impact of Brexit.

Update

   No change

   No change

   No change

   Reduced  
risk

Concerns 
around client 
outsourcing 
strategy have 
not materialised

   Increased 
risk

Anticipated to  
be a temporary 
increase due to 
recent changes 
and transition  
of leadership

   Reduced  
risk

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

49

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Principal Risks and Uncertainties (continued)

Strategic risks (continued)

Risk

Impact

Mitigation

Economic, Political, 
Legislative, 
Regulatory and Tax

1.  2.  3.

The global macroeconomic, political, 
regulatory, legislative and taxation 
environment may have a detrimental impact 
on our client base, the markets in which they 
operate, the services we can offer them and 
our operations in those markets. For example, 
a slowing economic outlook and increasing 
trade tensions may negatively impact our 
clients, while changes to labour or tax laws, or 
potential changes to the pricing environment 
in markets in which we operate may impact 
our offering and operations if implemented

Operational risks

The Group continues to review its portfolio of 
investments through the annual strategic review 
process and through constant challenge at a SET 
and Board level. Acquisitions and new service 
offerings are sought which improve the balance of 
our investments and give greater exposure to 
innovative and growing market segments and 
geographies.

Update

   No change

Risk

Patient risk

1.  2.  3.

Impact

Mitigation

Throughout the Group, medicines and 
medical devices can be packaged, supplied or 
administered directly to patients. The risk of 
inappropriate advice, packaging, supply or 
administration could lead to a negative patient 
experience.

The level of automation within the Group’s 
packaging facilities continues to increase. The 
serialisation of packaging processes continues and 
in addition, the use of electronic batch records will 
improve assurance and reduce the possibility of 
human error in packaging.

Update

   No change

Health Cloud CRM for patient support programmes 
has gone live and is a fully validated system.

Administration of medicines to patients or providing 
patient support is covered by a detailed client 
contract with the Marketing Authorisation Holder 
(‘MAH’), fully approved scripts, and a divisional 
clinical governance framework.

The Group’s technology and information systems 
and infrastructure are the subject of an ongoing 
programme to ensure that they are capable of 
meeting the Group’s strategic intent and future 
requirements. Collectively this initiative is referred 
to as Future Fit IT.

The Group has adopted processes for identifying 
and mitigating against undue risks in all prospective 
commercial relationships, supported by personnel 
with expertise and/or experience in key commercial 
risk areas.

IT systems

1.  3.

Contract risk

1.  2.

The ability of the Group to support operations 
and provide its services effectively and 
competitively is dependent on technology  
and information systems that are 
appropriately integrated and that meet 
current and anticipated future business, 
regulatory and security requirements.

The underlying terms of the Group’s 
commercial relationships drive the 
profitability of the Group. The nature of the 
Group’s business means that the Group could 
be exposed to undue cost or liability if it 
agrees inappropriate terms.

Business continuity

1.  2.  3.

The Group is exposed to risks that, should 
they arise, may give rise to the interruption  
of critical business processes that could 
adversely impact the Group or its clients.

The Group has developed a business continuity 
template based on risk and is currently re-working 
the operational business continuity plans in line with 
this. Mitigation strategies and continuity plans are 
part of a structured risk review process as are 
disaster recovery and communications.

   No change

   Increased 
risk

Slight increase 
due to increased 
pressure  
from client 
procurement 
teams

   No change

50

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Operational Risks (continued)

Key to strategic linkage in this report

1.  Developing and growing market leading positions
2.  Transforming through people
3.  Continuous improvement

Risk

Regulatory 
compliance

1.  3.

Cyber security

2.  3.

Impact

Mitigation

The Group has many legal and regulatory 
obligations, including in respect of: (a) 
protection of patient information (such as 
HIPAA and GDPR); and (b) patient and 
employee health and safety. In addition, many 
of the Group’s activities are subject to 
stringent licensing regulations, for example, 
FDA, EMEA and national agency 
manufacturing, packaging and promotional 
regulations and more recently the serialisation 
requirements under the Falsified Medicine’s 
Directive (‘FMD’). A failure to meet any of 
these could result in regulatory restrictions, 
financial penalties, the inability to operate,  
or products and services being defective, 
harming patients and potentially giving rise  
to very significant liability.

Maintenance of legal, regulatory and quality 
standards is a core value of the Group. The Sharp 
division and Ashfield Pharmacovigilance are 
subjected to routine FDA, EMEA and national 
agency inspections and so are required to be ‘audit 
ready’ at all times.

Patient education and information programmes are 
reviewed to ensure compliance with regulation and 
codes of practice and are subject to regular 
assessment by Quality and Compliance. Following 
the introduction of GDPR, regular data protection 
auditing has now commenced across E.U. locations  
in 2019 while data protection training and gap 
analyses have commenced outside the E.U. to focus 
on local data protection law compliance.

The global threat is increasing due to the 
activities of criminal organisations and nation 
states targeting valuable business and 
personal information through increasingly 
sophisticated means. These are advanced 
persistent and other sensitive threats targeted 
at business-critical data using, for example, 
ransomware, impersonation etc. for financial 
and other gain.

As part of Future Fit IT, the Group is implementing 
multi-layered information security defences to 
identify vulnerabilities and protect against attacks. 
To meet the increasing cyber threat, procedures are 
continuously being developed and resources are 
being deployed to detect and respond effectively to 
any cyber security events that may occur. Specific 
training is being sourced for continuing awareness 
programmes throughout 2019.

Financial Risks

Risk

Impact

Mitigation

Financial controls

1.  2.  3.

The Group’s resources and finances must  
be managed in accordance with rigorous 
standards and stringent controls. A failure to 
meet those standards or implement 
appropriate controls may result in the Group’s 
resources being improperly utilised or its 
financial statements being inaccurate  
or misleading.

Liquidity, Interest 
Rates and Credit

The Group is exposed to liquidity, interest rate 
and credit risks.

1.  3.

Foreign exchange

1.  3.

UDG Healthcare plc’s reporting currency is 
the U.S. Dollar. Given the nature of the 
Group’s businesses, exposure arises in the 
normal course of business to other currencies, 
principally sterling and euro.

The financial controls of the Group, as well as their 
effectiveness, are monitored by the Board in the 
context of the standards to which the Group is 
subject and the expectations of its stakeholders. 
This monitoring is supported by a dedicated internal 
audit function. The Group’s financial function, 
systems and controls are also subject to periodic 
review to ensure that they remain robust and fit  
for purpose.

The management of the financial risks facing  
the Group is governed by policies reviewed and 
approved by the Board. These policies primarily 
cover liquidity risk, interest rate risk and credit risk.

The primary objective of the Group’s policies  
is to minimise financial risk at a reasonable cost.  
The Group does not trade in financial instruments.

The majority of the Group’s activities are conducted 
in the local currency of the country of operation.  
As a consequence, the primary foreign exchange 
risk arises from the fluctuating value of the Group’s 
net investment in different currencies. Our strategic 
intent is to proportionally grow the U.S. as a source 
of earnings at a faster rate than other markets which 
will lower the foreign exchange risk for the Group.

Update

   No change

   No change

Update

   No change

   No change

   No change

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

51

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Sustainability

Our sustainability strategy

At UDG Healthcare we want to build a sustainable business while remaining cognisant  
of our responsibilities to our people, our environment and our community. 

Each year we strive to integrate sustainability 
into the Group’s fabric and this year with the 
help of our employees, we have clearly 
articulated our sustainability strategy. 

In July 2019 we consulted with a 
representative group of employees from 
across the Group to help refine our approach 
and to focus on critical areas to prioritise 
within People and Culture, Environment and 
Community involvement.

The results of this materiality survey have 
reassured us that our activities are aligned 
with our employees own values and priorities. 
While we accept that there is still much to do in 
the future, we are confident that our direction 
is aligned to this key stakeholder group. 

People and Culture
We are proud of our people who are at 
the core of our services and who shape 
our values-based culture.

Environment
We are committed to conducting  
our business in a way that protects  
the environment.

Community
We want to have a positive impact on 
the communities in which we operate.

Sustainability – What matters most to our employees: 

The results of our materiality study show that the key topics for the sustainability of UDG Healthcare are:  

Being in a  
great place  
to work

Culture

Ethical  
business  
behaviours

Key issues identified:

Key issues identified:

Key issues identified:

•  Employee and leadership development
•  Wellbeing and work life balance 

initiatives

•  Developing our people
•  Driving a values-based culture
• 

Improving employee engagement

•  Code of Conduct
•  Leadership support at webinars/town 

halls etc.

•  Online policies and training
•  Zero tolerance policy

52

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
We fully endorse the UN Sustainable Goals and we consider the 
following goals to be most relevant to the activities of UDG Healthcare.

Compliance with Section 172 of the U.K. 
Companies Act 2006 (‘s.172’)
We set out in the adjacent infographic our key stakeholder groups. 
Each stakeholder group requires a tailored engagement approach to 
foster effective and mutually beneficial relationships. By understanding 
our stakeholders, the Board can factor the potential impact of its 
decisions on each stakeholder group and consider their needs and 
concerns, in accordance with s.172 (see pages 68 and 69).

By engaging further with all our stakeholders we can continue to 
deliver on our purpose: to partner with clients to deliver innovative 
healthcare solutions that improve patients’ lives (see pages 12 and 13).

Economic Contribution  
to all our Stakeholders
We are cognisant that our continued growth and economic performance 
are crucial to our many stakeholders and to each of the communities in 
which we operate.

In the financial year to 30 September 2019, UDG Healthcare added 
economic value of $794.8 million (being revenue of $1,298.5 million 
less $503.7 million of input costs paid to suppliers). Remuneration  
to employees of $640.0 million, corporate taxes of $28.1 million,  
net interest paid to lenders of $8.1 million and dividends paid to 
shareholders of $40.3 million resulted in 90% of total value generated 
being redistributed to our economic community.

Identifying our stakeholders

We believe that, to maximise value and secure our long-term success, 
we must take account of what is important to our key stakeholders. 
This is best achieved through proactive and effective engagement. 

In 2019, as outlined on the previous page, we completed a materiality 
study focusing on our internal stakeholders. Over the coming years, we 
plan to advance and grow this study to encompass all our stakeholders.

Clients

Shareholders

Employees

Healthcare 
professionals

Communities

Patients

Non-Financial Reporting Statement

In compliance with the European Union (Disclosure of Non-Financial and Diversity Information by certain large undertakings and groups) 
Regulations 2017, the table below is designed to help stakeholders navigate to the relevant sections in this Annual Report to understand 
UDG Healthcare’s approach to these non-financial matters. Many of our policies can be viewed on our website.

Reporting requirements

Environmental matters

Policies and programmes which govern our approach

Page references

•  Environmental sustainability 

Social and employee matters

•  Diversity, Equality and Inclusion policy  

and Diversity and Inclusion Champion Network 

•  Driver safety management
•  Health and Safety
•  Community Support
•  Code of Conduct
•  Confidential reporting programme and policy

Human Rights

•  Anti-Modern Slavery

Anti-bribery and corruption

Description of the  
business model

Non-Financial Key  
Performance Indicators

•  Code of Conduct
•  Compliance policy
•  Anti-Bribery & Corruption policy

Please refer to pages 12 and 13 

Please refer to pages 20 and 21

page 58

page 54

page 57 
pages 56 and 57
page 59
page 55
page 78

page 55

page 55
page 76
page 55

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

53

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Sustainability

People and Culture

We are committed to building  
a culture that creates a 
sustainable organisation.  
We do this through developing 
our people, contributing to  
the betterment of our 
communities and always being 
conscious of our impact on  
our environment. Most 
importantly, this is underpinned 
by the focus we place on  
ethical business behaviours  
by all our employees. 

Talent
Identifying and developing talent is a key 
priority in our business. A structured annual 
talent and succession review process exists 
across all our businesses culminating in the 
annual talent review by the SET. This meeting 
provides an opportunity for the CEO and his 
team to review all leaders across the business 
and understand the talent pipeline and the 
actions underway in individual businesses. We 
continued to develop our Inspire curriculum 
delivering further leadership programmes and 
launching a new ‘Helping Clients Succeed’ 
module for our client facing people across the 
globe. Five cohorts of participants attended 
these basecamps in the U.S. and Europe to 
enhance skills and provide an opportunity to 
network internally.

We also continued to implement initiatives for 
specialist businesses where demand for talent is 
high. Ashfield Healthcare Communications 
launched Career Pathways, a new initiative 
designed to accelerate the flow of talent 
through the organisation and increase retention 
of critical staff by supporting an individual’s 
career journey. Working closely with line 
managers, individuals can choose to Enrich, 
Elevate, Evolve or Explore their careers. Also in 
this business the Allegro programme now in its 
second year, provides the knowledge and 
practical expertise to develop core scientific, 
technical and creative writing skills in a highly 
supportive environment. Coaching, feedback 
and a focus on individual strengths are central 
to the success of Allegro, contributing towards 
an outstanding employee experience, which 
was recognised this year when the team won 
the GOLD award in the ‘Employee Engagement 
– Learning & Development’ category at the 
prestigious U.K. Employee Experience Awards.

Focus on Culture
Our culture is key to our success and we  
want to engage our people through the  
way we conduct our business, rewarding 
talent, providing them with prospects to  
grow and develop and the opportunity  
to make a difference.

In this financial year, the focus on culture 
continues as we embed our values using 
activities such as our performance and 
development processes and the annual  
CEO awards. 

During our annual talent review process we 
highlight not just the hard measures of success 
but also the cultural aspects recognising the 
importance of potential successors role 
modelling our values. 

In 2019, we implemented a number of pulse 
check surveys across our businesses. These 
surveys are a good opportunity to get real time 
feedback from our employees about some of  
the important issues that matter to them and  
to build on the themes evidenced in our first 
global engagement survey conducted in late 
2017. We are currently undertaking an analysis 
of the pulse survey results and will report on 
the findings in next year’s Annual Report.

Inclusivity, Diversity and Equality
At UDG Healthcare we recognise that people 
are critical to sustaining competitive 
advantage and long-term success. In 2019,  
we further increased our focus on diversity 
and inclusion, implementing a pragmatic 
programme aimed at continuing to increase 
awareness throughout the organisation.

Our global Diversity & Inclusion Champions 
Network, with support from Senior 
Leadership, continues to visibly and vocally 
support and drive initiatives within their 
business units, some of which included World 
Day for Cultural Diversity and Pride.

This year, our head office hosted students 
from the Trinity Centre for People with 
Intellectual Disabilities, and also announced 
an ongoing partnership with the University to 
provide internships for some of their students.

Ethical business behaviours 
Our purpose and values are underpinned by  
our desire to maintain the highest legal and 
ethical standards in everything that we do.  
A key element in the control processes designed 
to support this is the UDG Compliance 
programme. In the past year this programme 
has been enhanced by an expansion of our 

UDG Healthcare head count by division

UDG Healthcare head count by location

Age distribution of employees

8,690

63

1,676

6,951

  Ashfield

  Sharp

  UDG Head Office

54

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

8,690

888

3,735

4,067

  Europe

  America

  Australasia

<22

2%

23-40

41-51

52+

0

27%

21%

50%

50

Gender composition – all leaders  
and managers

Male

Female

43%

57%

Relevant SDGs

Living Our Values – celebrating role models across our business.
The annual UDG CEO awards is an opportunity to recognise those people that live our 
values. In April, we celebrated the second group of winners of this prestigious award and 
welcomed them to Dublin for an evening of appreciation with the CEO and his senior 
team. The number of people recognised in the nomination process increased by 15% this 
year with some outstanding examples of excellence in role modelling our values.

Energy Award Winner:
Allentown Packaging Team (Sharp, U.S.)

Ingenuity Award Winner:
Hiroyuki Tanaka (CIMC, Ashfield C&PS, Japan)

Quality Award Winner:
GCC Haematology Franchise Team (AHC, U.K.)

Expertise Award Winner:
Shirley Kavanagh (UDG Healthcare, Ireland)

in-house learning management system, Campus 
and a refresh of the Anti-Bribery and Corruption 
programme as well as significant improvements 
in the management and use of our IT assets such 
as laptops and mobile phones. 

Culture is one of the biggest determinants  
of how employees behave. We expect all our 
employees to adhere to the highest standard 
of ethical behaviour and our Code of Conduct 
is the framework within which we set these 
standards for our employees. A culture of 
integrity and ethical behaviour is central  
to UDG Healthcare’s Compliance programme 
and this is articulated clearly in our Code  
of Conduct. 

In the past year we have invested in an upgrade 
of our online Compliance Centre in order  
to simplify access for all employees and to  
be able to include more material on 
compliance-related issues.

Human Rights & Anti-Slavery
Our business model is intended to fully comply 
with applicable human rights legislation in the 
countries in which we operate.

UDG Healthcare plc is completely opposed  
to slavery and human trafficking and will not 
knowingly support or conduct business with 
any organisation involved in such activities.  
A copy of our Anti-Modern Slavery Policy is 
available on our website. On an annual basis, 
our Quality and Compliance department 
reviews progress of all training on this Policy. 

Gender composition – senior leadership

Male

Female

29%

71%

Energy Award Winner:
Teresa Gallagher (UDG Healthcare, Ireland)

Partnership Award Winner:
Sarah Burlew (Vynamic, Ashfield Advisory, U.S.)

Gender composition –  
all employees

Male

Female

38%

62%

Quality Award Winner:
Tara Schweighardt (Sharp, U.S.)

Global Head of HR 
Eimear Kenny 

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

55

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Sustainability

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

We are committed to a safe and healthy work environment for  
our employees, contractors, visitors and our communities. 

Hudson Culture model
When we use the Hudson model for culture 
to review our current safety culture our 
business units range between calculative 
and proactive on the scale. Our ambition is 
to sit at the generative level as we continue 
to grow our H&S culture programme. 

Generative
Risk management is integral  
to everything we do.

Proactive
We are always on alert for risks that may emerge.

UDG

Healthcare plc

Calculative
We have systems in place to manage all like risks.

Reactive
We do something after an incident.

Pathological
Why waste our time on Health and Safety?

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m

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o
f
n
I
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l

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n
i
s
a
e
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c
n
I

t
s
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n
i
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Incident management 
Our Incident Management Process allows  
us to monitor, analyse and investigate our 
health and safety incidents. 

1.  Total number of incidents
The total number of incidents includes near 
miss reporting, minor injury, lost time 
accidents and fatalities. There have been  
zero fatalities to date. 

The data below shows that between 2016  
and 2018 we saw a decrease in the number  
of incidents across all categories. However, 
this year we have seen a slight increase,  
which could be attributed to our efforts to 
encourage near miss reporting and our 
consistent messaging about the importance of 
reporting any incident no matter how small.

Total number of incidents

2019

2018

2017

2016

316

293

322

333

56

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

2.  Lost Time Accidents (‘LTAs’)
This year we saw a decrease in the number  
of lost time accidents across the organisation. 
We continue to evolve our early intervention 
programmes which has a direct effect on the 
number of incidents leading to lost time.

4.  Incident rate 
Our incident rate is a measurement against 
pharmaceutical industry average of 0.35. 
Positively, this year we have seen a further 
improvement in our incident rate against  
our FY2018 rate. 

Lost Time Accidents

Total Incident Rate by month in FY2019  
(Cases per 100 colleagues)

0.53

0.35

0.34

0.27

0.28

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.47

0.28 0.28

0.19

0.18

0.15

0.21

0.19

Oct Nov Dec Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

2019

2018

2017

2016

0

44

47

38

60

60

3.  Total days lost
This year we have seen the lowest number  
of days lost as a result of lost time accidents 
since 2015.

We believe that this is predominantly  
linked to advances in our incident 
investigation practices and our early 
intervention programmes. 

Total days lost

2019

2018

2017

2016

0

448

941

601

738

941

 
 
Near miss reporting 
A near miss is an unplanned event that did not 
result in an H&S incident but had the potential 
to do so. For us, identifying and investigating 
near misses is a key element to discovering 
and controlling risks before they become an 
incident. As referenced on the Hudson culture 
model, our ambition is to sit at the generative 
level as we continue to grow our H&S culture 
program. Identification and proactive 
management of near misses plays an integral 
role in this culture development. 

The top three causes of incidents during  
2019 were:

CAUSE

SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS 

CONTACT WITH SHARP,  
ABRASIVE/NEEDLES 

ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

We actively monitor our causes of incidents 
which enables us to develop and implement 
targeted safety programmes.

Wellbeing
Our employees’ health and wellbeing 
matter to us and the provision of a healthy 
working environment remains one of our 
key areas of focus.

During the year a variety of wellness events 
were run across the organisation including 
mindfulness sessions, health screening, 
lunchtime workout classes, Yoga, wellness 
seminars and healthy recipe demonstrations.

In addition, our global EHS group 
continues to participate and drive wellbeing 
activities across the Group. On World 
Health Day in April we ran a global 
campaign with an aim to get our employees 
more active in the workplace by providing 
tips on being more active when at work.

Relevant SDGs

EHS Audit 
Our EHS audit programme helps us  
locate and remediate health, safety and 
environmental issues. In addition, a robust 
EHS audit programme demonstrates to  
our employees that their environment is  
safe and up to standard. 

Driver safety
We rely on our drivers to deliver our services 
and therefore it is essential that we have 
adequate controls in place to keep our safety 
standards high. With this in mind our driver 
safety programme is constantly evolving to 
meet our business needs. 

In 2019 we completed 12 new corporate EHS 
audits and five audit action reviews. We are 
pleased to see progress across our locations.

In addition to our corporate audit programme 
we also underwent a number of successful 
client led EHS audits. Our success in this area 
continues to demonstrate to our clients our 
commitment and appetite for continuous 
improvement in EHS management. 

In 2019 we reviewed and sourced a suitable 
online driver safety training platform which 
will be adopted and implemented across our 
fleet locations. 

In addition, we completed our second 
submission of KPI data to NETS allowing us  
to benchmark our driver safety performance 
against similar industries. 

NETS is a collaborative group of companies 
dedicated to road safety. The organisation 
was founded by the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration.

Global campaign for World Health Day.

Local campaign for World Health Day encouraging 
employees to take the stairs at work.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

57

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Sustainability

Environment

Relevant SDGs

As UDG Healthcare continues 
to grow and expand 
throughout the world we 
remain focused on our 
environmental performance. 

In alignment with the Paris 
agreement we want to take 
ambitious environmental 
mitigation action and have 
committed to ongoing 
identification of environmental 
impacts of our activities whilst 
continually improving our 
environmental performance.

Environmental performance 
Through Group reporting and governance, 
we continue to focus on high priority 
environmental issues and make progress 
against KPIs. Last year, we launched our 
Environmental KPI programme across the 
organisation to improve the quality and 
consistency of our environmental data, 
establish business specific environmental 
initiatives, and to deliver energy savings 
through reduced consumption and resource 
efficiency. This year we have improved the 
quality of our data, enhanced the 
transparency of environmental impact and 

have plans in place to expand on our KPI  
set for the coming year. 

In addition to our KPI programme a number 
of location specific environmental 
improvements have been made. In March we 
installed a 250kWp roof mounted solar panel 
system at our Sharp Rhymney site, in an effort 
generate 15% of power for the site reducing 
our carbon emissions and costs in purchased 
power. We are delighted that this system is 
currently exceeding its 15% power generation. 
Further details can be found on page 45.

Other improvements include: installation  
of heat recovery units on some air handling 
units, foil packet recycling programmes, LED 
lighting replacement and a full review of our 
packaging processes in the Sharp business in 
an effort to identify where we can make 
positive environmental changes to our 
packaging process. 

CDP 
The Carbon Disclosure Project (‘CDP’) 
provides a globally recognised disclosure 
system that enables companies to measure 
and manage their environmental impacts.  
For CDP 2019, (based on 2018 data)  
UDG Healthcare disclosed emissions  
and environmental data across the Group 
covering all countries. We have seen  
great improvements in the quality of  
our data collection and have improved  
our reporting process.

CO2 emissions by scope  
(tonnes)

CO2 Emissions by business unit  
(Scope 1 and 2)

3%

32%

65%

20%

22%

13%

45%

  Scope 1 (direct) 22,734

  Scope 2 (indirect) 11,122

  Scope 3 (other indirect) 1,173

  Ashfield: Scope 1 (direct) 15,232

  Ashfield: Scope 2 (indirect) 4,449

  Sharp: Scope 1 (direct) 7,502

  Sharp: Scope 2 (indirect) 6,673

Carbon footprint was calculated to the ISO 14064-1 Standard and Verification was consistent to ISO 14064-3.  
Emissions factors were consistent with DERFA 2018. CDP data year 2018.

58

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Our CDP submission this year can be 
summarised as follows:

1,2,3

We reported on Scope 1, Scope 2  
and Scope 3 emissions. 

14

This year we reported emissions across 
14 countries compared to 13 countries 
reported last year. 

7.33%

Overall Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions 
decreased in 2018 by 7.33% when 
compared to 2017. 

12%

Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions 
decreased by 12% per unit of revenue 
when compared to 2017.  

World Environment Day
Each year World Environment Day is 
organised around a different theme  
and for 2019, it was ‘Beat Air Pollution’. 
This topic encouraged us to think  
about how we can make small changes 
in our everyday lives to reduce the 
amount of air pollution we produce.  
We shared various tips across our  
global organisation to encourage  
our employees to participate. 

 
 
Community

Relevant SDGs

We work in a dynamic and 
successful Group. However, we 
are continually aware of those 
in our community who benefit 
from our time and our efforts.

Community involvement 
As part of our commitment to living our values, 
UDG Healthcare actively encourages 
employees to support their local communities 
through fundraising and/or donating their time 
to worthy causes. Sometimes the activity is led 
by the organisation but on many occasions it is 
our employees who instigate projects and 
initiatives. Since 2012, UDG Healthcare has 
supported various charities across the globe, 
donating in excess of €500,000.

Our main corporate fundraising event is our 
Annual Golf Day which is held in September 
each year. In Ireland, the three charities of 
choice for 2019 were the Jack & Jill Children’s 
Foundation, Pieta House and The Alzheimer 
Society of Ireland.

A successful participant in our UDG Healthcare Golf Day  
in 2019.

Charities of choice
The Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation is a 
nationwide charity offering support, advocacy 
and in-home nursing service to help children 
and their families under the age of five years 
who have a significant neurodevelopmental 
delay involving severe learning difficulties.  
This may include infants whose developmental 
future is uncertain. Support is also offered to 
all families whose child is approaching end of 
life regardless of their diagnosis. Since 1997, 
Jack & Jill has assisted over 2,000 children and 
their families all over Ireland.

Pieta House was established in 2006 to 
provide freely accessible, professional services 
to anyone in suicidal crisis or engaging in 
self-harm. Since 2016, the charity also 
provides suicide bereavement counselling. 

Pieta House has eight centres across Ireland 
and has seen over 30,000 clients to date.

by employees who enjoy the opportunity  
to donate their time and energy to  
charitable causes. 

Vynamic employees showing their support for the PennVet 
Working Dog Centre.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland works  
across the country in local communities 
providing dementia-specific services and 
support. The charity advocates for the rights 
and needs of all people living with dementia 
and their carers. There are approximately 
55,000 people living with dementia in Ireland 
and this number is expected to treble in the 
next 35 years.

Employee initiatives
For the fourth consecutive year, UDG 
Healthcare continued its support of employee 
initiatives across the globe by making 
donations out of the UDG Healthcare CSR 
Fund to support our employees in their 
charitable endeavours. Employees submitted 
applications for support to the Fund as they 
themselves completed multiple activities 
including marathons, abseiling, coffee 
mornings, etc.

Ashfield Cares
Since the launch in June 2016 the Ashfield 
Cares initiative has gone from strength to 
strength. Through time, skills and fundraising 
activities Ashfield Cares looks to support 
charitable and non-charitable causes in the 
areas of healthcare, education and community 
development. Ashfield Cares is led by local 
committees that organise activities for the 
charities of their choice. These committees 
join together for three global campaigns 
throughout the year.

Sharp community support
At Sharp we support many local and national 
charities that we believe in, both directly 
through financial donations as well as by 
supporting our employees as they contribute 
their time and skills. At the beginning of 2019, 
Sharp employees raised funds for the U.S. 
Veteran Appeal directly supporting Fisher 
House Foundation and the Intrepid Fallen 
Heroes Fund.

Sharp also once again supported the March  
of the Dimes Foundation during 2019.  
The Foundation focuses on research that 
addresses problems such as premature  
births and polio in children.

Other charities Sharp supports include:
1.  United Way;
2.  American Cancer Society;
3.  MacMillan Cancer Support;
4.  American Red Cross – hurricane relief.

In addition to financial support our Sharp 
business in Allentown, PA also participates  
in community outreach programmes with a 
number of schools and organisations in the 
surrounding areas. Students in these schools 
are given an insight into life inside a pharma 
packaging plant.

Staff from Vynamic in London helping in the Old English 
Garden in Battersea Park.

UDG Healthcare also chose to give more back 
to the community by encouraging employees 
to donate toys to the children’s toy appeal at 
Christmas, completing the ‘Shoebox Appeal’ 
in aid of children in Africa and Syria and by 
taking part in a food drive aiming to donate 
over 10,000 non-perishable food items to 
families in need. All initiatives are well received 

Northwestern Lehigh Middle School in Northwestern Lehigh 
School District on their visit to Sharp Packaging Services.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

59

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Board of Directors

Peter  
Gray
Chairman  
(65)

Biography

Peter Gray is Chairman  
and non-executive 
director of UDG 
Healthcare plc. Peter 
formerly held senior 
executive positions in a 
number of Irish public 
companies, the most 
recent being that of Vice 
Chairman and Chief 
Executive of ICON plc, 
the Irish based 
multinational 
pharmaceutical 
development services 
company. 

Term of office

Peter was appointed 
Chairman of the Board 
on 7 February 2012 
having served as a 
non-executive director 
since 28 September 
2004.

Independent

Brendan 
McAtamney
Chief Executive  
Officer (57) 

Nigel  
Clerkin
Chief Financial  
Officer (46)

Chris  
Brinsmead CBE 
Non-Executive 
Director (60)

Linda  
Wilding
Non-Executive  
Director (60) 

Myles  
Lee
Senior Independent 
Director (66)

Brendan McAtamney 
was appointed Group 
Chief Executive Officer 
on 2 February 2016, 
having previously served 
as the Group’s Chief 
Operating Officer since 
1 September 2013. 
Before joining UDG 
Healthcare, Brendan 
held various senior 
management positions 
with Abbott, latterly  
as Vice President 
Commercial and 
Corporate Officer within 
the Established 
Pharmaceuticals 
division.

Nigel Clerkin joined 
UDG Healthcare plc as 
Chief Financial Officer 
on 1 May 2018. Prior  
to this, Nigel held the 
position of CFO with 
ConvaTec Group plc 
where he worked for 
three years. Before this, 
he worked with Elan 
Corporation plc both in 
the U.S. and Europe, 
holding the position of 
Executive Vice President 
and CFO. Nigel started 
his career at KPMG  
and is a fellow of the 
Institute of Chartered 
Accountants of Ireland.

Chris Brinsmead CBE 
was formerly Chairman 
of AstraZeneca 
Pharmaceuticals U.K., 
President of AstraZeneca 
U.K. and Ireland and 
President of the 
Association of the British 
Pharmaceutical Industry 
(‘ABPI’). Chris held the 
position of Senior 
Independent Director  
of UDG Healthcare plc 
from 1 July 2017 until 
30 April 2019.

Linda Wilding’s career 
includes 12 years at 
Mercury Asset 
Management where  
she held the position  
of Managing Director  
in the Private Equity 
division. Prior to this, 
Linda qualified as a 
chartered accountant 
while working with Ernst 
& Young.

Myles was Group Chief 
Executive of CRH plc, a 
FTSE 100 and Fortune 
500 company, prior to 
retiring in December 
2013. With more than  
30 years’ experience at 
senior financial and 
managerial level, Myles 
has extensive global 
experience in 
management, M&A and 
finance. He is a qualified 
civil engineer and a 
Fellow of the Institute of 
Chartered Accountants 
in Ireland.

Brendan was appointed 
to the Board of UDG 
Healthcare as an 
executive director on 
16 December 2013.

Nigel was appointed  
to the Board of UDG 
Healthcare as an 
executive director  
on 15 May 2018.

Chris was appointed  
to the Board of UDG 
Healthcare as a 
non-executive director 
on 12 April 2010.

Linda was appointed  
to the Board of UDG 
Healthcare as a 
non-executive director 
on 16 December 2013.

Myles was appointed  
to the Board of UDG 
Healthcare as a 
non-executive director 
on 1 April 2017 and has 
served as Senior 
Independent Director 
since 1 May 2019.

On appointment

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

External appointments

Peter is a non-executive 
director of Jazz 
Pharmaceuticals plc and 
a director of two venture 
capital backed private 
companies.

Brendan is a non-
executive director of 
Scapa Group plc.

Not applicable.

Chris joined Consort 
Medical plc as a 
non-executive director  
in February 2019 and 
became Chairman in 
April 2019. Chris is also 
Chair of Collagen 
Solutions plc and is a 
member of the Council at 
Imperial College.

Linda is a non-executive 
director of BMO 
Commercial Property 
Trust, Foreign & Colonial 
Commercial Property 
and the Wesleyan 
Assurance Society.

Myles is a non-executive 
director of both 
Ingersoll-Rand Inc. and 
Babcock International 
Group plc.

Committee membership

Committee membership

60

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Biography

Peter was Chief 

Executive Officer of 

Cambridge Antibody 

Group plc until 2006 

Lisa Ricciardi has been 

Nancy Miller-Rich was 

Chris Corbin retired  

CEO & Chief Business 

formerly Senior 

as executive Chairman  

Officer with sell-side 

Vice-President, Business 

of the Ashfield division  

Erik van Snippenberg 

spent almost 30 years 

with GlaxoSmithKline 

Shane Cooke was 

President of Alkermes 

plc, from September 2011 

experience in VC-backed 

Development & 

in July 2018 but has 

(‘GSK’). More recently, 

until his retirement in 

and, before that, held  

life science companies 

Licensing, Strategy and 

remained on the Board 

Erik held the position  

March 2018. Prior to this, 

the roles of Chief 

Operating Officer of 

(biotech, genomics, 

medical devices) and 

Commercial Support for 

in a non-executive 

of Senior Vice President 

Shane spent 10 years as 

Global Human Health at 

director capacity. Chris 

and Area Head for 

Chief Financial Officer  

Celera Genomics Group 

buy-side experience as 

MSD, known as Merck in 

founded Ashfield 

Europe and Canada and 

of Elan Corporation plc 

and Chief Executive 

Officer of Bespak plc 

Global Licensing SVP of 

the U.S. and Canada, 

Healthcare Limited. 

was a member of GSK’s 

from 2001 and from 

Pfizer and SVP of U.S. 

Prior to this he held sales 

Global Pharmaceutical 

2007 he also was Head of 

(now Consort Medical 

International and 

management positions 

Management Team. 

plc). More recently, Peter 

business development at 

more than 35 years’ 

with Parke Davis, Fisons, 

Prior to this, Erik held  

was a non-executive 

Medco Health Solutions. 

experience in the 

Astra and May & Baker. 

a number of senior 

Elan Drug Technologies. 

Prior to Elan he held the 

role of Chief Executive 

director of Spectris plc 

She has led significant 

until December 2016, 

and transformational 

healthcare industry, 

Nancy’s background 

Chris was formerly 

executive roles such as 

Officer of Pembroke 

Patron for SETPOINT 

Senior Vice-President 

Capital Ltd, an aviation 

until her retirement in 

September 2017. With 

deals at both Pfizer and 

includes roles in sales, 

Leicestershire, Chairman 

and Director of U.K. and 

leasing company of 

Medco. From 1 October 

marketing and business 

of Leicestershire 

Ireland. Erik was also 

which he was a founder.

2019, Lisa was appointed 

development for MSD, 

Business Awards and a 

appointed Designated 

as a Designated NED for 

Schering-Plough, Sandoz 

member of Derbyshire 

the purposes of the New 

(now Novartis) and 

Magistrates Bench.

Code.

Sterling Drug.

NED from 1 October 

2019 for the purpose  

of the New Code. 

Peter was appointed  

to the Board of  

Lisa was appointed  

to the Board of UDG 

UDG Healthcare as a 

Healthcare as a 

Nancy was appointed  

to the Board of UDG 

Healthcare as a 

Chris was appointed  

to the Board of UDG 

Healthcare as an 

Erik was appointed a 

Shane was appointed  

non-executive director  

a non-executive director 

of UDG Healthcare on 

of UDG Healthcare on 

non-executive director 

non-executive director  

non-executive director 

executive director  

2 July 2018. 

1 February 2019.

on 1 February 2019.

on 14 June 2013. 

on 20 June 2016.

on 20 June 2003.

and of Touchstone 

Innovations plc until 

January 2017.

Term of office

Independent

Yes

External appointments

Peter is Chairman of 

Lisa advises various 

Immatics Biotechnologies 

biotechs across  

GmbH and a Trustee of 

the industry.

Cancer Research U.K.  

Nancy is an adviser  

with the Gerson 

Lehrman Group, a 

director of Intercept 

Pharmaceuticals Inc. and 

executive chairman of 

Altum Pharma.

Chris is a director of  

a number of privately 

held companies.

director of Eurovite 

Group.

Erik is a non-executive 

Shane serves as a 

non-executive director 

on the board of Alkermes 

plc, Prothena 

Corporation plc and 

Endo International plc, 

all publicly-quoted 

companies.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Committee Membership Key

  Audit Committee

  Nominations & Governance Committee

  Risk, Investment & Financing Committee

  Remuneration Committee

  Indicates Committee Chair

Peter  
Chambré
Non-Executive 
Director (64)

Lisa  
Ricciardi
Non-Executive 
Director (59)

Nancy  
Miller-Rich
Non-Executive 
Director (60)

Chris  
Corbin
Non-Executive 
Director (64)

Erik van 
Snippenberg
Non-Executive 
Director (55)

Shane  
Cooke
Non-Executive 
Director (57)

Biography

Peter was Chief 
Executive Officer of 
Cambridge Antibody 
Group plc until 2006 
and, before that, held  
the roles of Chief 
Operating Officer of 
Celera Genomics Group 
and Chief Executive 
Officer of Bespak plc 
(now Consort Medical 
plc). More recently, Peter 
was a non-executive 
director of Spectris plc 
until December 2016, 
and of Touchstone 
Innovations plc until 
January 2017.

Term of office

Peter was appointed  
to the Board of  
UDG Healthcare as a 
non-executive director 
on 1 February 2019.

Independent

Yes

Lisa Ricciardi has been 
CEO & Chief Business 
Officer with sell-side 
experience in VC-backed 
life science companies 
(biotech, genomics, 
medical devices) and 
buy-side experience as 
Global Licensing SVP of 
Pfizer and SVP of U.S. 
International and 
business development at 
Medco Health Solutions. 
She has led significant 
and transformational 
deals at both Pfizer and 
Medco. From 1 October 
2019, Lisa was appointed 
as a Designated NED for 
the purposes of the New 
Code.

Nancy Miller-Rich was 
formerly Senior 
Vice-President, Business 
Development & 
Licensing, Strategy and 
Commercial Support for 
Global Human Health at 
MSD, known as Merck in 
the U.S. and Canada, 
until her retirement in 
September 2017. With 
more than 35 years’ 
experience in the 
healthcare industry, 
Nancy’s background 
includes roles in sales, 
marketing and business 
development for MSD, 
Schering-Plough, Sandoz 
(now Novartis) and 
Sterling Drug.

Chris Corbin retired  
as executive Chairman  
of the Ashfield division  
in July 2018 but has 
remained on the Board 
in a non-executive 
director capacity. Chris 
founded Ashfield 
Healthcare Limited. 
Prior to this he held sales 
management positions 
with Parke Davis, Fisons, 
Astra and May & Baker. 
Chris was formerly 
Patron for SETPOINT 
Leicestershire, Chairman 
of Leicestershire 
Business Awards and a 
member of Derbyshire 
Magistrates Bench.

Erik van Snippenberg 
spent almost 30 years 
with GlaxoSmithKline 
(‘GSK’). More recently, 
Erik held the position  
of Senior Vice President 
and Area Head for 
Europe and Canada and 
was a member of GSK’s 
Global Pharmaceutical 
Management Team. 
Prior to this, Erik held  
a number of senior 
executive roles such as 
Senior Vice-President 
and Director of U.K. and 
Ireland. Erik was also 
appointed Designated 
NED from 1 October 
2019 for the purpose  
of the New Code. 

Shane Cooke was 
President of Alkermes 
plc, from September 2011 
until his retirement in 
March 2018. Prior to this, 
Shane spent 10 years as 
Chief Financial Officer  
of Elan Corporation plc 
from 2001 and from 
2007 he also was Head of 
Elan Drug Technologies. 
Prior to Elan he held the 
role of Chief Executive 
Officer of Pembroke 
Capital Ltd, an aviation 
leasing company of 
which he was a founder.

Lisa was appointed  
to the Board of UDG 
Healthcare as a 
non-executive director  
on 14 June 2013. 

Nancy was appointed  
to the Board of UDG 
Healthcare as a 
non-executive director 
on 20 June 2016.

Chris was appointed  
to the Board of UDG 
Healthcare as an 
executive director  
on 20 June 2003.

Erik was appointed a 
non-executive director  
of UDG Healthcare on 
2 July 2018. 

Shane was appointed  
a non-executive director 
of UDG Healthcare on 
1 February 2019.

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

External appointments

Peter is Chairman of 
Immatics Biotechnologies 
GmbH and a Trustee of 
Cancer Research U.K.  

Lisa advises various 
biotechs across  
the industry.

Committee membership

Chris is a director of  
a number of privately 
held companies.

Erik is a non-executive 
director of Eurovite 
Group.

Nancy is an adviser  
with the Gerson 
Lehrman Group, a 
director of Intercept 
Pharmaceuticals Inc. and 
executive chairman of 
Altum Pharma.

Shane serves as a 
non-executive director 
on the board of Alkermes 
plc, Prothena 
Corporation plc and 
Endo International plc, 
all publicly-quoted 
companies.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

61

Biography

Peter Gray is Chairman  

Brendan McAtamney 

Nigel Clerkin joined 

Chris Brinsmead CBE 

Linda Wilding’s career 

and non-executive 

director of UDG 

Healthcare plc. Peter 

formerly held senior 

was appointed Group 

UDG Healthcare plc as 

was formerly Chairman 

includes 12 years at 

Chief Executive Officer 

Chief Financial Officer 

of AstraZeneca 

Mercury Asset 

on 2 February 2016, 

on 1 May 2018. Prior  

Pharmaceuticals U.K., 

Management where  

having previously served 

to this, Nigel held the 

President of AstraZeneca 

she held the position  

executive positions in a 

as the Group’s Chief 

position of CFO with 

U.K. and Ireland and 

Operating Officer since 

ConvaTec Group plc 

President of the 

of Managing Director  

in the Private Equity 

Myles was Group Chief 

Executive of CRH plc, a 

FTSE 100 and Fortune 

500 company, prior to 

retiring in December 

2013. With more than  

30 years’ experience at 

1 September 2013. 

where he worked for 

Association of the British 

division. Prior to this, 

senior financial and 

recent being that of Vice 

Before joining UDG 

three years. Before this, 

Pharmaceutical Industry 

Linda qualified as a 

managerial level, Myles 

Chairman and Chief 

Healthcare, Brendan 

he worked with Elan 

(‘ABPI’). Chris held the 

chartered accountant 

has extensive global 

Executive of ICON plc, 

held various senior 

Corporation plc both in 

position of Senior 

while working with Ernst 

experience in 

number of Irish public 

companies, the most 

the Irish based 

multinational 

pharmaceutical 

development services 

company. 

management positions 

the U.S. and Europe, 

with Abbott, latterly  

holding the position of 

Independent Director  

of UDG Healthcare plc 

& Young.

as Vice President 

Commercial and 

Executive Vice President 

from 1 July 2017 until 

and CFO. Nigel started 

30 April 2019.

Corporate Officer within 

his career at KPMG  

the Established 

Pharmaceuticals 

division.

and is a fellow of the 

Institute of Chartered 

Accountants of Ireland.

Peter was appointed 

Brendan was appointed 

Nigel was appointed  

Chairman of the Board 

to the Board of UDG 

to the Board of UDG 

on 7 February 2012 

having served as a 

Healthcare as an 

executive director on 

non-executive director 

16 December 2013.

Healthcare as an 

executive director  

on 15 May 2018.

Chris was appointed  

to the Board of UDG 

Healthcare as a 

Linda was appointed  

to the Board of UDG 

Healthcare as a 

non-executive director 

non-executive director 

on 12 April 2010.

on 16 December 2013.

management, M&A and 

finance. He is a qualified 

civil engineer and a 

Fellow of the Institute of 

Chartered Accountants 

in Ireland.

Myles was appointed  

to the Board of UDG 

Healthcare as a 

non-executive director 

on 1 April 2017 and has 

served as Senior 

Independent Director 

since 1 May 2019.

On appointment

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Peter is a non-executive 

Brendan is a non-

Not applicable.

Chris joined Consort 

Linda is a non-executive 

Myles is a non-executive 

director of Jazz 

executive director of 

Pharmaceuticals plc and 

Scapa Group plc.

Medical plc as a 

director of BMO 

director of both 

non-executive director  

Commercial Property 

Ingersoll-Rand Inc. and 

in February 2019 and 

became Chairman in 

April 2019. Chris is also 

Chair of Collagen 

Solutions plc and is a 

member of the Council at 

Imperial College.

Trust, Foreign & Colonial 

Babcock International 

Commercial Property 

Group plc.

and the Wesleyan 

Assurance Society.

Term of office

since 28 September 

2004.

Independent

External appointments

a director of two venture 

capital backed private 

companies.

Committee membership

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chairman’s Introduction to Corporate Governance

 “Creating value while 
honouring our collective 
responsibilities to our 
stakeholders and society.” 

Peter Gray
Chairman

Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to report that for the year ended 30 September 2019, 
UDG Healthcare is again fully compliant with the requirements of  
the 2016 U.K. Corporate Governance Code. We also note that the  
New Code (as defined below) comes into effect for UDG Healthcare 
from 1 October 2019 although, as you will see elsewhere in this Report,  
we have already adopted new practices ahead of time and on foot of 
these requirements. We set out important details of our work during 
the year on the following pages.

The Board has seen a number of changes during 2019. With Philip 
Toomey stepping down at our 2019 AGM and in anticipation of the 
pending retirements of Chris Brinsmead and Chris Corbin at the 2020 
AGM, we were delighted to welcome Peter Chambré and Shane Cooke 
to the Board in February 2019. In common with Erik van Snippenberg, 
who joined in the summer of 2018, both Peter and Shane bring many 
years’ industry and M&A experience to the Board, and both have 
worked in very senior roles in U.S.-based and focused companies. 
Please see page 61 for further details. Sadly, Nancy Miller-Rich has 
recently indicated that due to increasing other commitments, she is  
not in a position to go forward for re-election at the upcoming AGM. 
We have thus begun the process of seeking a replacement.

Today, the Board comprises 12 members: myself, two executives and 
nine non-executives. To ensure our Committees are appropriately 
staffed and have adequate diversity in gender, geography and 
background, we believe a Board of between nine and 11 individuals is 
ideal. After the AGM retirements noted above, the Board will comprise 
of nine members. Of the nine, two are female, five board members are 
resident in Ireland (two executives and three non-executives), one is 
resident in the U.K., one is resident in the U.S. and one is resident in 
mainland Europe. In addition, seven have pharmaceutical company 
and/or pharma-related services experience, while two come from 
other industries entirely. With good governance in mind, it is important 
to note that I have served on the Board since 2004, and as Chairman 
since 2012. As noted in the Chairman’s Statement, I have agreed with 
the Senior Independent Director to step down in September 2020, 
giving him and his fellow Board colleagues time to select a successor, 
whether internal or external.

During 2019, we engaged Clare Chalmers Ltd, an external independent 
consultant that we have used previously, to conduct an independent 
Board Evaluation. We note some good recommendations which 
materialised from this evaluation including further refining strategic 
planning to ensure close Board and management alignment and 
holding more frequent NED-only sessions. Further details are available 
on page 66. Overall the evaluation supported the view that the Board 
exercises its governance responsibilities with diligence, but also with a 
clarity that the purpose is to help the management team create value 
while honouring our collective responsibilities to our stakeholders and 
society. Indeed I would draw your attention to pages 68 and 69 where 
we provide further colour on our stakeholders and how we engage 
with them. We remain committed not just to the highest standards of 
corporate governance but on being a positive contributor to our 
stakeholder community.

Our Board is united in its view that good governance comes from 
having clarity of purpose, a values-based culture and focusing on  
our responsibilities to our stakeholders: our clients, our employees, 
patients and healthcare professionals, our shareholders and the 
community and society of which we are part.

62

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Corporate Governance

UDG Healthcare Governance Framework

Chairman – Peter Gray

Board of Directors

Chief Executive – 
Brendan McAtamney

Audit  
Committee 

Chair 
Myles Lee

  Read our  
Committee Report 
on pages 75 to 78

Remuneration 
Committee

Nominations & 
Governance Committee

Risk, Investment & 
Financing Committee

Senior  
Executive Team

Chair 
Linda Wilding

  Read our  
Committee Report 
on pages 81 to 94

Chair 
Peter Gray

  Read our  
Committee Report 
on pages 72 to 74

Chair 
Chris Brinsmead

  Read our  
Committee Report 
on pages 79 to 80

Risk & Viability  
sub-Committee

Quality & Compliance 
sub-Committee 

Compliance with the U.K. Corporate Governance Code

The Code 
The 2016 U.K. Corporate Governance  
Code (the ‘Code’) applies to companies  
with a listing on the London Stock Exchange  
and sets out key principles and specific 
provisions which establish standards of 
good governance practice in relation to 
leadership, effectiveness, accountability, 
remuneration and relations with 
shareholders. The Board considers that 
UDG Healthcare has continued to comply 
with the provisions set out in the Code 
throughout the year to 30 September 2019.

The New Code
The Board notes that the Financial 
Reporting Council’s 2018 U.K. Corporate 
Governance Code (the ‘New Code’) comes 
into effect for UDG Healthcare from 
1 October 2019. In particular, the Board 
acknowledges the increased focus  
on relationships between a company  
and its various stakeholders and, as 

addressed in previous years, acknowledges 
the important relationships it has with,  
for example, its valued clients, patients, 
healthcare professionals, employees, 
shareholders and the wider community.

During FY2019, the Board has begun  
taking steps to enable it to comply with  
the provisions set out in the New Code  
from the start of FY2020. In particular,  
and in light of the new requirements  
on workforce engagement, the Board  
is pleased to appoint Lisa Ricciardi and  
Erik van Snippenberg as designated 
non-executive directors (‘Designated NED’) 
to facilitate engagement with UDG 
Healthcare’s workforce across the globe. 
Through a variety of channels, including 
through UDG Healthcare’s Inspire 
programme (see page 69 for more details), 
Lisa and Erik will provide an open channel  
of communication through which employee 
issues can be discussed directly with the 

Board by members of UDG Healthcare’s 
workforce. This will allow such matters to  
be discussed and considered in the Board’s 
analysis and decision-making. The Company 
will report on the findings of its designated 
non-executive directors in its FY2020 
Annual Report. 

Also in light of the New Code, the Board  
is taking steps to ensure a framework is  
in place to identify and assess the Group’s 
emerging risks, in conjunction with its 
principal risks. Further updates will be 
provided in FY2020 Annual Report

Copies of both the Code and the New Code 
can be found on the Financial Reporting 
Council’s website (www.frc.org.uk). This 
Corporate Governance Report sets out 
details of how the company has applied  
the key principles of the Code.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

63

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Corporate Governance (continued)

Leadership

Board
The Board, led by the Chairman, sets the 
Group’s strategic direction and is responsible 
to UDG Healthcare’s shareholders for the 
leadership, oversight and long-term success  
of the Group. The Board also has ultimate 
responsibility for corporate governance, 
which it discharges either directly, or through 
its Committees and structures as further 
described in this Report. The Board has,  
in particular, reserved certain items for its 
review including the approval of:
•  Group strategic plans; 
•  Financial statements and budgets; 
•  Significant acquisitions and disposals; 
•  Significant capital expenditure; 
•  Dividends; and
•  Board appointments. 

The roles of Chairman and Chief Executive are 
separate with a clear division of responsibility 
between them. The Chairman is responsible 
for the leadership and governance of the 
Board as a whole, and the Chief Executive  
for the management of the Group and  
the successful implementation of Board 
strategy. The Board has delegated some of  
its responsibilities to Board Committees, 
details of which are set out overleaf.

Board Committees
The Board has established four Committees 
to assist in the execution of its responsibilities. 
An overview of these Committees is provided 
in the Governance Framework diagram on 
page 63 and further details are also included 
in each Committee report. 

Roles and Responsibilities

Chairman
The Chairman leads the Board, ensuring  
its effectiveness by: 
•  providing a sounding board for the  

Chief Executive;

•  setting the agenda, style and tone of  

Board meetings;

•  promoting a culture of openness and 

debate, ensuring constructive relations 
between executive and non-executive 
directors;

•  demonstrating ethical leadership and 
promoting the highest standards of 
integrity throughout the Group;

•  ensuring that directors receive accurate, 
relevant, timely and clear information; 

•  ensuring the effective operation, 

leadership and governance of the Board; 
and

•  ensuring effective communication  

with shareholders. 

64

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Each Board Committee has specific terms of 
reference under which authority is delegated 
to it by the Board. These terms of reference 
are reviewed regularly and are available  
on the Group’s website. The Chair of each 
Committee reports to the Board on its 
activities, attends the AGM and is available  
to answer questions from shareholders. 

The current membership of each Committee, 
details of attendance and each member’s 
tenure are set out in the individual Committee 
reports.

Meetings
The Board met nine times during the year. 
Details of directors’ attendance at these 
meetings are set out below. In the event that  
a director is unavailable to attend a Board 
meeting, he or she will engage with the Chair 
of the Board or the relevant Committee to 
communicate their views on any items to be 
raised at the meeting through the Chair.

Directors

Chris Brinsmead

Peter Chambré1

Nigel Clerkin 

Shane Cooke 2

Chris Corbin 

Peter Gray

Myles Lee 

Brendan McAtamney

Nancy Miller-Rich

Erik van Snippenberg

Lisa Ricciardi

Philip Toomey3

Linda Wilding

Joined the Board on 1 Feb 2019.
Joined the Board on 1 Feb 2019.

1 
2 
3   Stepped down from the Board on 30 January 2019.  

Chief Executive
The role of the Chief Executive is to maintain 
a close working relationship with the 
Chairman, shareholders, potential 
shareholders and major external bodies  
to promote the culture and values of the 
Group. The Chief Executive is responsible 
for and accountable to the Board for:
• 

the management and operation of the 
Group;
the development of strategic proposals 
and annual plans for recommendation  
to the Board;
the resourcing of the Group to achieve  
its strategic goals, including development 
of the required organisational structure, 
process and systems; and
the implementation through the SET  
of the Group’s strategy and plans as 
agreed by the Board.

• 

• 

• 

Number of 
meetings 
held during 
the year when 
the director 
was a 
member

Number of 
meetings 
attended

9

6

9

6

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

3

9

9

6

9

6

9

9

9

9

8

9

9

3

9

Non-Executive Directors
The role of the non-executive directors is to:
•  constructively challenge and debate 

management proposals;

•  bring external perspectives and insight 
to the deliberations of the Board and  
its Committees;

•  examine and review management 
performance in meeting agreed 
objectives and targets; 

•  assess risk and the integrity of financial 

information and controls; 

•  determine the appropriate levels of 

• 

remuneration of executive directors  
and ensure appropriate succession  
plans are in place; and
input their knowledge and experience  
in respect of any challenges facing  
the Group, and in particular, to  
the development of strategy and 
strategic plans.

In March, the Board met with the Ashfield 
Healthcare Communications team at their 
new offices in Manchester, U.K., and later  
in the year, the Board visited the Group’s 
operations in Pennsylvania, meeting teams 
from Sharp’s Commercial and Clinical 
operations, as well as teams from Ashfield’s 
Clinical & Commercial and Advisory 
businesses. In each case, these visits provided 
an excellent opportunity for the Board to see 
these operations up close and meet with 
senior managers from these businesses.

Non-executive directors also receive 
additional training and presentations from 
across the businesses to update their 
knowledge and develop their understanding 
of the Group. During the year, the Board 
received refresher training on the U.K.’s 
Listing Rules and the EU’s Market Abuse 

Regulation, and external advisers were invited 
to provide training on the upcoming changes 
that would be brought about by the New 
Code. In addition to this, members of the 
Board Committees receive regular updates  
on technical developments at scheduled 
Committee meetings.

Independence
At least half the Board, excluding the 
Chairman, is comprised of independent 
non-executive directors. All of the non-
executive directors are considered to be 
independent, with the exception of the 
Chairman and Chris Corbin. As noted last 
year, Chris Brinsmead has also now passed 
the nine-year mark with UDG Healthcare  
and both he and Chris Corbin will retire from  
the Board at the AGM on 28 January 2020.

Board Experience

Number of directors at 30 September 2019

Years

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Corporate Governance

Finance/Accounting

Pharma/Life sciences

M&A

Risk management

Effectiveness

Board composition 
We believe that the Board’s composition gives 
us the necessary balance of diversity, skills 
experience, independence and knowledge  
to ensure we continue to run the business 
effectively and deliver sustainable growth. 

Directors’ appointments, induction
and development
Non-executive directors are engaged under 
the terms of a Letter of Appointment, a copy 
of which is available on request from the 
Company Secretary. For details of executive 
directors’ service contracts and termination 
arrangements, please refer to our 
Remuneration Policy which is located on  
our website.

Both Peter Chambré and Shane Cooke  
were appointed during the year and will  
offer themselves for election at the AGM  
on 28 January 2020. All other directors are 
required to seek re-election on an annual 
basis unless they are retiring from the Board. 
Details of the directors’ length of service are 
set out on page 74.

On appointment, directors receive a formal 
induction and are given briefing materials 
tailored to their individual requirements, in 
each case, to facilitate their understanding of 
the Group and its operations. New directors 
meet with Board members and the SET as 
part of the induction process. Visits to the 
Group’s main locations are scheduled to 
provide the director with an opportunity to 
meet divisional management and to get 
further insight into the businesses. 

Company Secretary
The Company Secretary assists the 
Chairman in ensuring the effective 
operation of the Board, is a member of  
the Group’s SET and has the following 
responsibilities:
• 

to ensure good information flows 
between the Board and its Committees, 
senior management and non-executive 
directors;
to ensure that Board procedures  
are followed;
to facilitate director induction and assist 
with professional development; and
to advise the Board on corporate 
governance obligations and 
developments in best practice.

• 

• 

• 

Senior Independent Director (‘SID’)
The SID’s role is to:
•  provide a sounding board for  

the Chairman;

•  conduct an annual review of the 
performance of the Chairman;

•  make himself available to shareholders 
who have concerns that cannot be 
addressed through the Chairman, Chief 
Executive or Chief Financial Officer; 
•  be available to act as an intermediary  

• 

for directors, if necessary; and
this coming year, conduct the process  
for selecting the Chairman’s successor.

Changes to the Board 

During the year to 30 September 
2019, the following changes to the 
Board occurred:

Philip Toomey stepped down from  
the Board following the 2019 AGM.

Peter Chambré joined the Board as a 
non-executive director on 1 February 
2019 and became a member of the 
Remuneration Committee with effect 
from 1 May 2019.

Shane Cooke joined the Board as a 
non-executive director on 1 February 
2019 and became a member of  
the Risk, Investment and Financing 
Committee with effect from 1 May 
2019.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

65

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Corporate Governance (continued)

2018 Board Evaluation – progress update
The 2018 Board Evaluation resulted in a number of recommendations and below is a summary 
of the progress made to-date in addressing the issues raised:

Recommendations

Actions taken/progress

Alignment of activity with strategy – focus on 
ensuring that capital expenditure and M&A 
opportunities continue to align with the 
Group’s strategy.

Increasing governance – that the Group take 
steps to provide more training to the directors 
on certain identified areas of interest given 
increased levels of governance regulation.

The Board has reviewed its strategic planning 
calendar to better align with the Group’s 
budgeting process, and M&A and capital 
expenditure opportunities are being rigorously 
evaluated against the Group’s strategy. 

Training sessions on a number of topics, 
including the New Code were arranged  
during the year, some of which addressed 
specifically the areas of governance 
particularly where there were impending 
changes in the landscape.

2. 

In addition, some areas for improvement 
were noted:
1.  Further refine the strategic planning    
process to ensure the Board and  
  management are fully aligned as  
acquisition opportunities arise.
 Continue to focus on talent 
management to enhance the number  
of high calibre individuals available  
for senior appointments.
 Build upon the new workforce 
engagement model to enable the Board 
to better engage with the Group’s 
employees and improve insights into 
other stakeholder relationships. 

3. 

4.    Hold independent non-executive 

director sessions more frequently after 
Board meetings, with feedback to the 
CEO and CFO as appropriate.

The Company Secretary in conjunction 
with the Chair of the Board will follow up 
on these action items and work to address 
them throughout FY2020. The Board will 
continue to review its performance on an 
annual basis

2019 Board Evaluation
Following a tendering process, the Board 
engaged Clare Chalmers (‘CC’) Ltd to 
facilitate this year’s external Board 
evaluation. CC has no other relationship 
with the Group. From May through to July, 
CC conducted one-to-one interviews with 
each director, the Company Secretary  
and a number of Senior Executives who 
regularly attend Board or Committee 
meetings. CC reviewed Board papers and 
attended a meeting of the Board in June  
to observe Board interaction and debate. 

The review focused on the following 
aspects of Board effectiveness: 
•  Board Skills, Experience and Diversity;
•  Board Succession;
• 

 Executive Succession and  
Talent Development;
•  Culture and Behaviours;
• 

 Workforce Engagement and the New  
Corporate Governance Requirements;

•  Strategic Direction
•  Risk Framework
•  Board Committees; 
•  Secretariat; and
•  Shareholder Engagement

A report was prepared by CC and the 
output from this review was presented to 
the Board at its August meeting. The report 
concluded that the Board directors 
demonstrate strong and varied industry 
experience, exhibit good engagement, 
healthy debate and constructive working 
relationships. Strategy was focused on 
value creation and disciplined growth, 
primarily led by acquisitions. 

Time commitment of the  
non-executive directors
Non-executive directors are required to devote 
sufficient time to fulfil their responsibilities  
to the Group, to prepare for meetings, and  
to regularly refresh and update their skills and 
knowledge. Each director’s other significant 
commitments are disclosed to the Board at  
the time of their appointment and they are 
required to notify the Board of any subsequent 
changes. The Chairman has reviewed the 
availability of the non-executive directors  
and considers that each of them is able to,  
and in practice does, devote the necessary 
amount of time to the Group’s business.  
The performance of individual directors  
was primarily assessed through discussions  
held by the Chair with directors on an 
individual basis. During September 2019,  
the performance assessment of the Chairman 
was led by the SID and feedback was 
communicated by the SID to the Chairman 
following the review.

Board composition as at 30 September 2019*

1

2

9

  Chairman 

  Executive directors 

  Non-executive directors

* Chris Brinsmead, Chris Corbin and Nancy Miller-Rich  
will step down at the next AGM, reducing the number  
of Non-executive directors to 7.

Years of service as at 30 September 2019

2

2

3

1

3

  < 1 year 

  1-3 years 

  3-6 years

  6-9 years

  > 9 years

66

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
 
Board policy on diversity
The Board believes that diversity is an 
essential foundation for building 
long-term sustainability in business. 
Whilst it is the Board’s policy to ensure 
the best candidate for the position is 
selected, we recognise the importance 
of diversity in all forms (including age, 
gender, ethnicity, educational and 
professional backgrounds). The Board 
believes diversity introduces different 
perspectives into the Board debate and 
confirms that diversity will continue to 
be taken into account when considering 
all new appointments to the Board. 

Pages 60 and 61 detail our directors’ 
gender, age, and professional 
background. The diagram below sets 
out the gender diversity of the Board as 
at 30 September 2019.

Board Gender Diversity  
as at 30 September 2019 

27%

73%

  Female directors 

  Male directors

Accountability

The Board is committed to providing a fair, 
balanced and understandable assessment  
of the Company’s position and prospects. 

Responsibility for reviewing the Group’s 
internal financial control and financial risk 
management systems and monitoring the 
integrity of the Group’s financial statements 
has been delegated by the Board to the Audit 
Committee. Details of how these 
responsibilities have been discharged 
throughout the year are set out in the Audit 
Committee Report on pages 75 to 78. 

Responsibility for reviewing the Group’s risk 
management and risk evaluation procedures 
has been delegated by the Board to the Risk, 
Investment & Financing Committee. Details  
of how these responsibilities have been 
discharged throughout the year are set out  
in the Risk, Investment & Financing 
Committee Report on pages 79 to 80. 

The Quality & Compliance sub-Committee 
oversees the Group’s performance in  
Health and Safety, Quality and Compliance, 
and ensures that a culture of continuous 
improvement is encouraged and measured 
throughout the Group.

The Board receives regular updates from  
the Chair of each Committee.

Remuneration

Consistent with past practice, the Board  
has adopted remuneration policies that  
are considered appropriate to promote the 
long-term success and viability of the Group 
whilst ensuring that performance-related 
elements are both stretching and rigorously 
applied. The current Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy Report (‘Remuneration Policy’) was 
approved by shareholders at the 2017 AGM 
and, in accordance with the three-year 
timeframe set out in Directors’ Remuneration 
Reporting regulations, UDG Healthcare is 
submitting a revised Remuneration Policy to 
shareholders at the 2020 AGM. Further details 
are set out on pages 82 and 83. 

In light of this, during 2019, we reviewed  
our Remuneration Policy with our external 
advisers to ensure that it is aligned with 
market practice, continues to support the 
delivery of our strategy and our continued 
geographic expansion, particularly in the  
key U.S. market which now accounts for over 
62% of the Group’s revenue. In particular,  
the Committee is mindful of the changes  
to the U.K. Corporate Governance Code  
and developing shareholder views on 
remuneration especially in the context of the 
increasing importance of the U.S. market for 
the Group.

Following our review, and subsequent 
consultation with shareholders we determined 
that our existing Remuneration Policy 
continues to be strongly aligned with 
shareholder interests and thus remains fit for 
purpose. We are therefore not proposing any 
major changes to our current approach, which 
was approved by 98.4% of shareholders at 
our 2017 AGM. The Committee does, 
however, believe that a limited number of 
changes are appropriate to reflect emerging 
views on executive pay in FTSE-listed 
companies and to ensure that, in the round, 
our policy remains competitive. 

Further details of our review and consultation 
process on these proposed changes are set 
out on pages 82 and 83.

The Group again presents the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report for FY2019 in 
accordance with the requirements of the  
U.K. Companies Act 2006 and the Large  
and Medium-sized Companies and Groups 
(Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) 
Regulations 2013 (the ‘Regulations’).  
Details of directors’ remuneration and share 
ownership, as required by the Regulations, 
are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on pages 81 to 94. 

At the Company’s 2019 AGM, the company’s 
new share plans were put forward to, and 
approved by, shareholders. These share plans 
which encapsulated the Board’s desire to 
reflect current corporate governance 
guidelines, establish best practices and 
provide the company with sufficient flexibility 
to compete effectively for talent, both now 
and in the future.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

67

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Corporate Governance (continued)

Our Stakeholders

r s

e

o l d

Share h

Clients

Board
Engagement
with wider
stakeholders

s

t

n

e

i
t
a
P

s
e
i
t
i
n
u
m
m

o

C

H

P

r

e

o

f

e

althcare
ssionals

E m p lo yees

How the Board engages

Building trusted partnerships with our clients is critical for the success of the Group. Strengthening the right 
relationships with the right clients ensures the Group is consistently delivering high-quality and innovative healthcare 
services and solutions. The Board maintains engagement through regular reporting by the CEO and the SET on 
business development and strategic management activities. 

Our shareholders play an important role in monitoring and safeguarding the governance of our Group.  
Through shareholder consultation processes and our investor relations program, which includes regular updates, 
meetings, roadshows and our AGM, we ensure shareholder views are brought into our Boardroom and considered  
in our decision-making.

We have an experienced, diverse and dedicated workforce, which is recognised as a key asset of our business.  
The Board and its Committees routinely invite members of the management team to attend meetings to present  
on the matters being discussed, enabling their input into discussions. We have also appointed Lisa Ricciardi and  
Erik van Snippenberg as Designated NEDs for gathering the views of the workforce.

Healthcare professionals are a key stakeholder for the Group. Board engagement with healthcare professionals and 
their counterparts in related industries is through management updates and meetings with various business units 
across the Group. 

Through our sustainability strategy we aim to make a positive contribution to the communities in which we operate. 
We support communities, both locally and nationally, through our charitable work, including financially and giving 
time, energy and leadership to support local efforts. Members of the executive directors and management regularly 
attend and contribute to these charitable events.

Our purpose is to partner with clients to deliver innovative healthcare solutions that improve patients’ lives. The Board 
receives its updates on patient insights through a number of channels including meeting with the various business 
units, which allow it to understand and consider the patients’ perspectives in its collective decision-making.

Clients

Shareholders

Employees

Healthcare 
professionals

Communities

Patients

68

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Relations with Shareholders

Shareholder engagement
The Board recognises the importance  
of regular dialogue with shareholders  
and accordingly, the Group and its SET 
maintain an ongoing investor relations 
program. While the Chairman takes overall 
responsibility for ensuring that the views of 
our shareholders are communicated to the 
Board and that all directors are made aware 
of major shareholders’ issues and concerns, 
contact with major shareholders is principally 
maintained by the Chief Executive, the Chief 
Financial Officer and the Group’s Head of 
Investor Relations. Committee Chairs also 
support these efforts. Our Group website also 
contains information on the business  
of the company, corporate governance,  
all regulatory announcements, key dates  
in the financial calendar and other important 
shareholder information.

A programme of meetings with institutional 
shareholders, fund managers and analysts 
takes place each year. 

There is regular dialogue with institutional 
shareholders, as well as general presentations 
at the time of the release of the annual and 
interim results and major developments 
including M&A transactions. During the year, 
the UDG Healthcare senior management team 
conducted over 250 institutional investor 
one-on-one meetings and participated in nine 
investor conferences, including five in the U.S. 

The key means of communicating with the 
company’s shareholders is through the AGM. 
The company’s AGM is an opportunity for the 
Chairman, the Senior Independent Director, 
the Committee Chairs and the rest of the 
Board to meet with shareholders, hear their 
views and answer their questions about the 
Group and its business. The Notice of AGM, 
the Form of Proxy and the Annual Report are 
issued to shareholders at least 20 working 
days before the meeting. At the meeting, 
resolutions are voted on by a show of hands of 
those shareholders attending, in person or by 
proxy. If validly requested, resolutions can be 
voted by way of a poll. Details of proxy votes 
received are also made available on the 
company’s website following the meeting.
A quorum for a general meeting of the 

company is constituted by three or more 
shareholders present in person or by proxy 
and entitled to vote. The passing of resolutions 
at a meeting of the company, other than 
special resolutions, requires a simple majority. 
To be passed, a special resolution requires a 
majority of at least 75% of the votes cast.

The company specifies record dates for 
general meetings, by which date shareholders 
must be registered on the company’s Register 
of Members to be entitled to attend. Record 
dates are specified in the Notice of AGM. 
Shareholders may exercise their right to vote 
by appointing a proxy, by electronic means or 
in writing, to vote some or all of their shares. 
The requirements for the receipt of valid proxy 
forms are also set out in the Notice of AGM.

The 2020 AGM will be held at 12.30pm on 
Tuesday, 28 January 2020 at the Westbury 
Hotel in Dublin 2, Ireland.

Workforce engagement and s.172

The New Code provides that outside  
of shareholders, the Board should 
understand the views of the 
company’s other key stakeholders 
and describe how their interests and 
the matters set out in section 172  
of the U.K. Companies Act 2006 
(‘s.172’) have been considered in 
Board discussions and decision-
making. While s.172 is a provision of 
U.K. company law, and there is no 
direct comparator in the Irish 
Companies Act 2014 the Committee 
acknowledges that, as a premium 
listed issuer on the FTSE 250, it is 
important to address the spirit 
intended by such provisions. Please 
see page 68 and pages 52 and 53  
in the Strategic Report for further 
details on UDG Healthcare’s 
stakeholder engagement. 

With respect to workforce 
engagement, like many issuers,  
UDG Healthcare believes that the 
appointment of a NED would be the 
preferred option – in UDG 
Healthcare’s case, it was considered 
appropriate to appoint two NEDs  
to bring both a U.S. and European 
perspective. For FY2020, we have 
identified a series of employee 
programmes on both sides of the 
Atlantic that our designated NEDs  
will attend, where they will have the 
opportunity to meet and discuss 
matters with all attendees and will 
regularly report back to the Board 
allowing the Board to consider any 
such inputs in its decision-making.

From 1 October 2019, Lisa Ricciardi 
and Erik van Snippenberg have been 
appointed Designated NEDs for 
UDG Healthcare. 

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

69

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Corporate Governance (continued)

What the Board did in 2019

The Board continued to focus on strategy, growth and 
succession planning during FY2019.

27 meetings

During 2018 and 2019, Erik van Snippenberg, 
Peter Chambré and Shane Cooke joined the 
Board, bringing new perspectives, experience 
and strengths to the Board. In keeping with 
the Group’s long term strategy, the Board 
supported the continued investment in Sharp 

Clinical’s facilities in the U.K. and the U.S. and 
approved the acquisitions of Incisive Health 
and Putnam Associates, augmenting the 
capabilities of both Ashfield Healthcare 
Communications and Advisory teams and 
bringing new talent into the Group.

5 locations

November
•  The Board received updates from its 
Committees as outlined below. 
Following recommendations from the 
Audit Committee it approved the 
Directors’ Compliance Statements, the 
Group’s Viability Statement, the 
Annual Report (‘AR’) for FY2018 and 
the FY2018 final dividend to be 
proposed to shareholders. It also 
received a presentation from the 
Group’s external legal advisors on 
change to the U.K. Corporate 
Governance Code.

•  The Nominations & Governance 

Committee (‘NomCo’) considered 
potential non-executive director 
candidates.

•  The Risk, Investment & Financing 
Committee (‘RIF’) confirmed the 
principal risks and uncertainties for 
inclusion in the 2018 ARA, agreed to 
conduct a review of the Group’s 
Internal control and risk management 
systems and received an update on 
cyber security. 

•  The Audit Committee met twice in 
November. Firstly to review the 
FY2018 external auditor report and 
the Group’s draft preliminary 
announcement of results for FY2018. 
Secondly to receive updates from the 
Internal Audit team, and make the 
above mentioned recommendations. 

•  The Remuneration Committee 

reviewed performance against the 
Group’s incentive and bonus schemes 
and to review the draft Remuneration 
Report for the 2018 AR. 

70

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

December
•  The RIF conducted post transaction 
reviews for Sellxpert, Cambridge 
BioMarketing, MicroMass and 
Vynamic. 

•  The Board convened to approve  
the 2018 AR and notice of AGM. 

•  The Remuneration Committee 

agreed the grant of awards under 
one of its incentive schemes and 
tested performance criteria set of 
previous option award.

March
•  The RIF met in early March to 
consider three potential M&A 
opportunities, approving two of 
these for due diligence.

•  NomCo also met to discuss Board 

succession. 

•  The Board visited the new Ashfield 

Healthcare Communications office and 
the senior management team in 
Manchester. During this meeting, the 
Board also further considered a 
number of the strategy discussions that 
had taken place in January and 
approved capital expenditure in Sharp. 

January
•  The Board approved the 

appointments of Peter Chambré and 
Shane Cooke. 

•  The Audit Committee reviewed and 
approved the draft Q1 Trading 
Statement, and discussed FY2019 
guidance to the market and external 
auditor fees. 

•  The Group’s AGM took place in the 

Westbury Hotel in Dublin at the end  
of the month. The meeting 
successfully concluded with all 
resolutions passed, including the 
adoption of the Group’s new share 
option plans. While together, the 
Board met with senior management 
from the Group over the course of 
two days to discuss the Group’s 
strategy and key objectives and 
activities. In addition to its strategy 
discussions, the Board approved the 
renewal of finance facilities and 
received a number of updates from 
Group functions, including tax and 
M&A and held talent discussions 
with HR.

April
•  The Board discussed progress on 

potential transactions, considering 
the alignment of these opportunities 
with the Group’s strategy.

May
•  With the Group’s half-year 

approaching, the Audit Committee 
convened to discuss the draft Interim 
Report and receive updates on the 
Viability Statement, Internal Audit, 
Treasury, Directors’ Compliance 
Statements. The Group’s working 
capital and effective tax rate were 
also discussed. EY presented the 
audit plan at the meeting.
•  The RIF reviewed the Risk 

Management Framework and 
approved the Principal Risks and 
Uncertainties for inclusion in the 
Interim Report. It also received 
updates in relation to quality & 
compliance, cyber security, M&A and 
financing. 

•  The NomCo confirmed the re-
appointment of non-Executive 
directors, received a corporate 
governance update, confirmed the 
appointment of Clare Chalmers Ltd to 
carry out the external evaluation  
of the Board and recommended a 
proposal on the Group’s approach to 
workforce engagement.

•  The Board approved the draft Interim 
Report and the proposed interim 
dividend. It also approved the 
acquisitions of both Incisive Health 
and Putnam Associates and approved 
NomCo’s recommendation to appoint 
two non-executive directors as 
‘designated NEDs’ in response to the 
New Code’s requirements in relation  
to workforce engagement.

September
•  As FY2019 drew to a close, the Board 
convened in the U.S. for a three-day 
Board visit to a number of the Group’s 
U.S. facilities. This included tours of Sharp 
facilitates in Allentown and Bethlehem. 
The Board also visited operations in Fort 
Washington, Philadelphia.

•  The Board met a broad group of 

managers from the U.S. businesses both 
formally and informally. Throughout 
these three days, the Board received 
updates from the Sharp Commercial and 
Sharp Clinical businesses, from the 
Ashfield Clinical & Commercial business 
and from the Ashfield Advisory and 
Ashfield Healthcare Communications 
business, including the two newly-
acquired Ashfield businesses, Incisive 
Health and Putnam Associates. 

•  The Board approved due diligence 
requests in relation to a number of 
potential M&A targets and the strategic 
merits of other capital expenditure and 
restructuring opportunities were also 
considered. 

•  The Board approved of the FY2020 

budget and considered a number of other 
Board-related matters.

•  The RemCo met in September to 

consider the FY2020 goals for the SET 
and, in connection with the revised 
Remuneration Policy to be put to 
shareholders for approval at the 2020 
AGM, the Committee agreed and 
confirmed communications to 
shareholders as part of its consultation 
process.

June
•  Management updated the Board  

on Investor Relations following the 
release of the Interim Report, and  
on Sharp EU’s operations. 

•  The Board also further discussed the 
Group’s tax strategy and approved 
capital expenditure for Sharp. Clare 
Chalmers joined the meeting as an 
observer in the context of the Board’s 
ongoing external evaluation.

July
•  The RemCo reviewed executive 

compensation in connection with the 
preparation of the FY2020 budget 
and considered potential revisions to 
the Group’s Remuneration Policy 
which had been prepared by the 
Committee’s external adviser, 
Deloitte, who attended the meeting. 
Deloitte noted that the revised 
Remuneration Policy would be 
submitted to shareholders for 
approval at the 2020 AGM. Further 
details are set out on page 83. 
•  The RIF considered requests to 

approve due diligence in relation to 
two potential M&A transactions. 

August
•  The Audit Committee reviewed the 
draft Q3 2018 Trading Update and 
the Group balance sheets.

•  Later in August, the Internal Audit 
team provided an update and the 
Audit Committee noted good 
progress on EY’s management  
letter points.

•  The Board received updates from the 
Chairs of the Audit Committee, RIF 
and RemCo, a trading update from 
the CEO and reviewed the draft 
budget for FY2020. 

•  The Board also received the external 
Board Evaluation Report and Clare 
Chalmers attended to summarise  
its findings.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

71

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Nominations & Governance Committee Report

 “In addition to the Board’s 
External Evaluation, the 
Committee has focused  
on the new corporate 
governance rules and  
the important matter  
of Board succession.”  

Peter Gray
Chair of the Nominations  
& Governance Committee

Number of meetings held 
when director was a member

Number of 
meetings attended

3

3

3

3

1

Committee 
tenure

13 years

7 years

1 year

1 year

10 years

Attendance record and tenure

Member

Peter Gray (Chair)

Chris Brinsmead

Myles Lee

Linda Wilding

Philip Toomey1

1 

Philip Toomey retired at the AGM in January 2019.

Composition as at 30 September 2019
Peter Gray (Chair)
Chris Brinsmead
Linda Wilding
Myles Lee

Key responsibilities
The key responsibilities of the Nominations and Governance Committee are:
• 

to evaluate the balance of skills, knowledge, experience and diversity of the Board and Committees and make recommendations  
to the Board with regard to any changes;
to consider succession planning for directors and other senior executives taking into account what skills and expertise are needed for  
the future;
to identify, and nominate for the approval of the Board, candidates for appointment as directors; 
to consider the re-appointment of any non-executive director at the conclusion of their specified term of office and recommend their 
re-appointment to the Board; and
to review Corporate Governance developments and ensure the Group remains compliant with all aspects of governance applicable to it.

• 

• 
• 

• 

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Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Meetings
The Committee met three times during the year ended 30 September 2019. Individual attendance at these meetings is set out on the opposite 
page. The Committee is chaired by the Chair of the Board and apart from the Chair, is comprised only of non-executive directors considered  
by the Board to be independent. The Chief Executive is present occasionally at the invitation of the Committee.

Key activities of the Committee during 2019
•  Recommended the appointment of Peter Chambré and Shane Cooke as non-executive directors; 
•  Recommended the appointment of Peter Chambré as a member of the Remuneration Committee and Shane Cooke as a member of the Risk, 

Investment & Financing Committee, and oversaw their inductions; 

•  Considered the New Code requirements in relation to workforce engagement and recommended the appointment of two non-executive 

directors to act as ‘designated NEDs’ from 1 October 2019 for the purposes of meeting these new requirements; and 

•  Reviewed Board succession, tasking the Senior Independent Director (‘SID’) with commencing the Chair succession process.

New non-executive director appointments
In light of Philip Toomey’s retirement from the Board at the 2019 AGM and the impending retirements of Chris Brinsmead and Chris Corbin 
noted in the 2018 Annual Report. PwC and Korn Ferry were engaged to assist with the search for additional non-executive directors. Given also 
the requirement to commence the process of selecting a successor to the Chair, it was the intention that candidates identified during 2018 and 
2019 possessed not only strong international industry and M&A experience but, in addition to current members of the Board, were also capable 
of being considered as candidates in the Chair succession process. 

Having already appointed Erik van Snippenberg to the Board in late 2018, and following interviews with a number of potential candidates, the 
Committee recommended the appointment of both Peter Chambré and Shane Cooke to the Board as non-executive directors, and members of 
the RemCo and RIF respectively. The Board subsequently approved these appointments with effect from 1 February 2019. Peter brings a wealth 
of industry and international experience to the Board having held numerous senior positions in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors 
including as Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge Antibody Group plc, Chief Operating Officer of Celera Genomics Group and Chief Executive 
Officer of Bespak plc (now Consort Medical plc), while Shane brings significant international, financial and M&A experience in the 
pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors in both Europe and the U.S. He served as the President of NASDAQ-listed Alkermes plc until his 
retirement in March 2018 and prior to this, as Chief Financial Officer of Elan Corporation plc and Head of Elan Drug Technologies. Further details 
on Peter and Shane’s current roles are set out on page 61. 

Future succession planning for non-executive directors, including the Chair
With Nancy Miller-Rich stepping down at the upcoming AGM, we have begun a search for a replacement with a focus on female candidates.

As noted last year, I myself have now been Chair for over seven years and a director for over 15 years. My succession is therefore a priority and 
Myles Lee, as SID has taken on the task of selecting my replacement. Myles has worked with the Board to determine and agree the competencies, 
skills, experience and characteristics required for the role and has formed a sub-committee to facilitate the selection. Recognising this I have since 
indicated that I will step down in September 2020. 

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Nominations & Governance Committee Report (continued)

Board appointment and tenure

Director Name

Peter Gray

Brendan McAtamney

Nigel Clerkin

Chris Brinsmead

Myles Lee

Linda Wilding

Lisa Riccardi

Nancy Miller-Rich

Chris Corbin

Erik van Snippenberg

Peter Chambré

Shane Cooke

Length of tenure as at 30 September 2019

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Year 7 

Year 8

Year 9+

Date of  
Appointment

Date of next  
election or 
re-election

28-Sep-04

28-Jan-20

16-Dec-13

28-Jan-20

15-May-18

28-Jan-20

12-Apr-10

28-Jan-20

01-Apr-17

28-Jan-20

16-Dec-13

28-Jan-20

14-Jun-13

28-Jan-20

20-Jun-16

28-Jan-20

20-Jun-03

28-Jan-20

02-Jul-18

28-Jan-20

1-Feb-19

1-Feb-19

28-Jan-20

28-Jan-20

Corporate governance considerations
The Committee also continues to review all external and internal governance procedures to ensure ongoing compliance and that the Board  
and its Committees are best structured to meet the future needs of our diverse and ever-evolving Group. In January this year, the Committee 
engaged Clare Chalmers Ltd. to conduct the external independent audit of the Board. For details of this evaluation, please refer to page 66.

The Committee considered the recent changes to the U.K. Corporate Governance Code and, as noted above, important new developments  
such as workforce and stakeholder engagement were then discussed at Board level.

Succession planning for the Senior Executive Team
During the year, the Committee considered succession planning for the Senior Executive Team, facilitating discussion with other  
non-executive directors, the CEO and the Group Head of HR. 

Priorities for 2020
•  Selecting a successor for Chair of the Board; and
•  Further development of our governance practices to enable full compliance with the New Code. 

Peter Gray
Chair of the Nominations & Governance Committee

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Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Audit Committee Report

 “The Committee has 
remained focused on 
safeguarding shareholder 
value by ensuring 
effective governance and 
financial reporting.”

Myles Lee
Chair of the Audit Committee

Attendance record and tenure

Member

Myles Lee (Chair)

Erik van Snippenberg

Linda Wilding

Number of meetings held 
when director was a member

Number of 
meetings attended

6

6

6

Committee 
tenure

2 years

1 year

6 years

The activities undertaken by the Committee in fulfilling its key responsibilities in respect of the year to 30 September 2019 are detailed below. 

Composition as at 30 September 2019
Myles Lee (Chair)
Erik van Snippenberg
Linda Wilding

As set out in the biographical details on pages 60 and 61, the members of the Committee have a strong mix of skills, expertise and experience 
from a variety of industries and as a whole have the relevant competencies for the sector in which we operate. The Board has determined that 
both Myles Lee, a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, and Linda Wilding, a member of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in England and Wales, are the Committee’s financial experts.

Meetings
The Committee met six times during the year ended 30 September 2019. Individual attendance at these meetings, along with the tenure of each 
member, is set out above. In the event that a director is unavailable to attend a Committee meeting, he or she can communicate their views on 
any items to be raised at the meeting through the Chair of the Committee.

The Chief Executive, the Chief Financial Officer, the Head of Finance and the Head of Internal Audit together with representatives of the external 
auditor are invited to attend each meeting of the Committee. In addition, the Chair of the Board attends meetings at the invitation of the Committee. 

The Committee regularly meets separately with the Head of Internal Audit and with the external auditor without others being present.

The Chair of the Committee reports to the Board, as part of a separate agenda item at Board meetings, on all significant matters reviewed by  
the Committee. 

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

75

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Audit Committee Report (continued)

Role and responsibilities
The Committee supports the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities in relation to financial reporting and reviews the effectiveness of the Group’s 
internal financial control and financial risk management systems, pursuant to the Committee’s terms of reference which are reviewed annually 
and are available on the Group’s website. The Committee also monitors and reviews the effectiveness of the Group’s Internal Audit function and, 
on behalf of the Board, manages the appointment and remuneration of the external auditor and in addition, monitors their performance and 
independence. The Group has an independent and confidential reporting procedure and the Committee monitors the operation of this facility.

Once again, the Board requested that the Committee advise it on both the long-term viability of the Group and also its compliance with relevant 
laws and the associated adoption of a compliance policy and statement by the directors pursuant to section 225 of the Companies Act, 2014. 
Details of this review of long-term viability and the Group’s Viability Statement are set out on page 47 and details of the Directors’ Compliance 
Policy and Directors’ Compliance Statement are set out on page 102.

Financial reporting
The Group’s financial statements are prepared by finance personnel with the appropriate level of qualifications and expertise. The Committee  
is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the Group’s financial statements and reviewing the significant financial reporting judgements 
contained therein. 

In respect of the year to 30 September 2019, the Committee reviewed the Group’s Trading Updates issued in January and August 2019, the 
Interim Report for the six months to 31 March 2019 and the Preliminary Announcement and Annual Report for the year to 30 September 2019. 

In carrying out these reviews, the Committee considered:
•  whether the Group had applied appropriate accounting policies and practices;
• 

the significant areas in which judgement had been applied in preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the accounting 
policies set out on pages 115 to 124;

•  whether the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the information necessary  

for shareholders to assess the Group’s performance, business model and strategy;
the clarity and completeness of disclosures and compliance with relevant financial reporting standards and corporate governance and 
regulatory requirements; and
the consistency of accounting policies across the Group and on a year-on-year basis.

• 

• 

The significant areas of judgement considered by the Committee in relation to the financial statements for the year to 30 September 2019  
and how these were addressed are outlined below.

Revenue recognition
The critical area of judgement from a revenue perspective is the determination of the proportion of completion of each revenue contract to 
ensure revenue is being recognised in line with the accounting policies of the Group. The Committee, through discussions with management,  
the external auditor and the Head of Internal Audit, considered the judgements applied when determining the appropriate revenue recognition 
profile applied to the revenue contracts. Internal Audit maintained a high level of audit emphasis on revenue recognition during the year. 

Goodwill impairment
The Committee considered the carrying value of goodwill in the 2019 financial statements. As part of the annual impairment testing  
process, management prepare detailed models assessing the recoverable amount of each cash generating unit (‘CGU’), based on a value in  
use approach. The Committee reviewed these models and, having considered the underlying judgements and assumptions, was satisfied  
with the methodology used and the result of the assessment. Details of the impairment testing process, including the underlying assumptions,  
are set out in Note 13 to the financial statements.

Each of these areas received particular focus from the external auditor, and the external auditor provided detailed analysis and assessment  
of the matters in their report to the Committee.

Going Concern and Viability Statement
The Audit Committee reviewed the draft Going Concern and Viability Statements before recommending them for approval to the Board.  
Under all five scenarios, described in the Viability Statement, the Group remained viable. For further details, please refer to page 47.

Changes in IFRS Standards
The Group transitioned to IFRS 9 (Financial Instruments) and IFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers) in the year. The Committee 
reviewed the Group’s transition implementation conclusions and the changes in accounting policies. The Committee received updates on the 
preparation for, and impact of, the implementation of IFRS 16 (Leases) which is effective for the Group in the financial year beginning on 
1 October 2019. As previously noted, the Group has decided that the ‘modified retrospective’ transition approach is the most practical method for 
implementation of IFRS 16 (as it was for IFRS 15). For IFRS 16, the project to implement the necessary changes from 1 October 2019 has been 
substantially completed.

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Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Internal control
The Committee is responsible, on behalf of the Board, for reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s internal financial controls and financial  
risk management systems. Details of the Group’s risk management system and internal controls are set out in pages 46 to 47.

In carrying out these responsibilities, the Committee reviewed reports issued by both Internal Audit and the external auditor and held regular 
discussions with the Head of Internal Audit and representatives of the external auditor. The Committee also reviewed the outcome of an 
assessment of the Group’s internal financial controls which had been co-ordinated by Internal Audit.

This overall process, which has been in place throughout the financial year up to the date of the approval of the Annual Report and financial 
statements, accords with the FRC Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and Business Reporting and is regularly 
reviewed by the Board. This system of internal control is 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.

Internal Audit
The Committee is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the operation and effectiveness of the Internal Audit function including its focus, 
plans, activities and resources. 

At the beginning of the financial year, the Committee reviewed and approved the internal audit plan for the year having considered the adequacy 
of staffing levels and expertise within the function. During the year, the Committee received regular reports from the Head of Internal Audit 
summarising findings from the work of Internal Audit and the responses from management to address these findings. The Committee monitors 
progress on the implementation of the action plans on significant findings to ensure these are completed satisfactorily. 

As previously reported, KPMG undertook an external quality assessment of the Group’s Internal Audit function in 2018. In addition to reporting 
positively on the Group Internal audit function KPMG made a number of recommendations. The Committee notes the progress made within  
the Internal audit function particularly with regard to the increased use of data analytics and also the increased use of KPIs during the year.  
The Committee also notes the increased audit focus on cyber related risks by the Internal Audit function. The Committee will continue to monitor 
the progress of the Internal Audit function in fulfilling any outstanding recommendations of the KPMG report. 

The Committee also actively monitors the resourcing requirements of the Internal Audit function. The Committee notes that the staffing number 
increased during FY2019 and that a further increase is anticipated in FY2020. 

External Audit
Appointment, independence and performance
The Committee manages the relationship with the Group’s external auditor on behalf of the Board. 

The Committee carried out its annual assessment of the external auditor including a review of the external auditor’s internal policies and 
procedures for maintaining independence and objectivity and consideration of their approach to audit quality and materiality. The Committee 
reviewed and approved the external audit plan as presented by the external auditor. The Committee also reviewed the performance of the 
external auditor and assessed the qualifications and expertise of their resources. The Committee concluded that the external auditor was 
independent of the Group, that the Committee was satisfied with the performance of the external auditor and that the audit process was 
effective. 

The Committee reviewed the external auditor’s engagement letter and recommended the level of remuneration of the external auditor to  
the Board having reviewed the scope and nature of the work to be performed. Details of the remuneration of the external auditor are set  
out in Note 5 to the financial statements. 

In accordance with the Group’s policy on the hiring of former employees of the external auditor, the Committee reviews and approves any 
appointment of an individual, within three years of having previously been employed by the external auditor, to a senior managerial position  
in the Group.

In accordance with the Companies Act 2014, the Group has committed to rotate its external auditor at least every ten years. Following a tender 
process conducted in July 2016, EY were appointed external auditors with effect from the financial year ending 30 September 2017. Breffni 
Maguire has been the Group’s lead audit engagement partner with effect from that date. There are no contractual obligations which restrict  
the Committee’s choice of external auditor.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

77

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Audit Committee Report (continued)

Non-audit services
The Committee has a formal policy governing the engagement of the external auditor to provide non-audit services and this policy is reviewed  
on an annual basis. The policy is designed to safeguard the objectivity and independence of the external auditor and prevents the provision of 
services which would result in the external auditor auditing its own firm’s work, conducting activities that would normally be undertaken by 
management, having a mutuality of financial interest with the Group or acting in an advocacy role for the Group. 

The external auditor is permitted to provide non-audit services that are not, or are not perceived to be, in conflict with auditor independence, 
provided it has the skill, experience, competence and integrity to carry out the work and is considered by the Committee to be the most 
appropriate to provide such services in the best interests of the Group. The engagement of the external auditor to provide non-audit services 
must be pre-approved by the Committee or entered into pursuant to pre-approved policies and procedures established by the Committee  
and approved by the Board. 

The nature, extent and scope of non-audit services provided to the Group by the external auditor and the economic importance of the Group to 
the external auditor were also monitored to ensure that independence and objectivity were not impaired. The Group adopted the E.U. Directive 
such that the fees for non-audit services payable to the auditors will be no more than 70% of the average audit fee for the previous three years.

During FY2019, the external auditor did not perform any non-audit services for the Group. A member of the EY team was seconded to the Group 
to undertake specialist valuation work. EY confirmed that the secondment did not conflict with EY’s independence and the Committee approved 
the request. For further information, please refer to Note 5 to the financial statements.

Confidential reporting procedures
In line with best practice, the Group has an independent and confidential reporting procedure which allows employees to raise any concerns 
about business practice. During the year, the Committee reviewed the operation of the procedures in place to allow employees to raise matters  
in a confidential manner and concluded that this facility was operating effectively. We encourage employees to report genuine issues and 
concerns as they arise. These concerns are taken seriously. They are investigated where appropriate and confidentiality is respected. 

Myles Lee
Chair of the Audit Committee

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Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Risk, Investment & Financing Committee Report

 “The Committee has 
maintained its focus on risk 
oversight and the review of 
potential acquisition and 
investment opportunities 
during FY2019.”

Chris Brinsmead
Chair of the Risk,  
Investment & Financing Committee

Attendance Record and Tenure

Member

Chris Brinsmead (Chair)

Shane Cooke1

Lisa Ricciardi

Nancy Miller-Rich2

Number of meetings held 
when director was a member

Number of 
meetings attended

5

2

5

5 

Committee 
tenure

8 years

<1 year

6 years

2 years

Shane Cooke joined the Committee on 1 May 2019. 

1 
2  Nancy Miller-Rich was unable to attend the RIF meeting on 5 March due to a prior engagement. The meetings which took place on 14 May and 23 July were short-notice ad hoc meetings 

which Nancy was unable to attend due to travel, and a prior engagement respectively.

The Principal Risks and Uncertainties for the Group are set out on pages 49 to 51. 

There are two executive sub-committees in place, the Risk & Viability sub-committee and the Quality & Compliance sub-committee, both of 
which report their annual activities to this Committee. The Chair of the Board sits on the Quality & Compliance sub-committee.

The process for development of the Viability Statement by the Audit Committee was to review the Group’s activities and, considering the Group’s 
strategy, to review key aspects of the business environment, including long-term viability. The scenario selection undertaken by the Audit 
Committee is based on the risks identified in the Principal Risks and Uncertainties which is reviewed on a regular basis by the Committee.

The Committee received regular cyber security updates and the progress made has been noted. Acknowledging the ever-changing risks, the 
Committee has asked that EY be commissioned to conduct a follow-up cyber security review during FY2020. Cyber security awareness training 
is regularly carried out across the Group and a cyber security governance framework has been implemented.

Composition as at 30 September 2019
Chris Brinsmead (Chair)
Lisa Ricciardi
Nancy Miller-Rich
Shane Cooke

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Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk, Investment & Financing Committee Report (continued)

Meetings
The Committee met five times during the year ended 30 September 2019. Individual attendance at these meetings along with the tenure of each 
member is set out on page 79. The Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer, the Group Head of Quality & Compliance and the Global Head of IT 
are not members of the Committee but regularly attend meetings at the invitation of the Committee.

Where a Committee member has been unable to attend a Committee meeting, he or she can communicate their views on any items to be raised 
at the meeting through the Chair.

Key responsibilities
•  To oversee the Group’s risk management systems, including its risk register and internal controls;
•  To oversee the identification and assessment of the Group’s Principal Risks and Uncertainties as well as their associated mitigation strategies, 

and recommend them to the Board for approval;

•  To consider, review and authorise the commencement of due diligence on potential transactions; 
•  To consider, review and approve potential transactions to be made by the Group which have a consideration value of up to €50 million or 

foreign exchange equivalent; 

•  To evaluate, and recommend to the Board for approval, any proposed capital expenditure requests not exceeding $10 million or foreign 

exchange equivalent and any debt and equity financing proposals; and

•  Conduct one-year and three-year post-acquisition reviews.

Main activities during the year 
Risk management
The effective understanding and management of risk is critical to the success and viability of the Group. It is in that context that the Group  
has incorporated viability reviews within the Risk Management Process ensuring that the risks associated with what the Group does are 
addressed in the most appropriate way. To support this, the Group has developed and implemented a risk management system that facilitates  
the identification of the principal or significant risks that face the Group, and which allows those risks and their associated resolutions to be 
actively amended and monitored. The Committee acknowledges the New Code’s requirements to identify and manage not just the Group’s 
principal risks but also to implement new procedures to help identify emerging risks and to manage and mitigate these. The Group is 
implementing additional procedures to identify and assist with addressing such emerging risks and will report on this in the FY2020 AR.

This system is dynamic and as part of its ongoing development the Group has focused on a greater facilitation of its risk identification and 
management, as well as an internal review of its effectiveness. As a consequence, the Committee is satisfied that the Group’s risk management 
system is effective. 

Investment
As was the case in previous years, and in accordance with its terms of reference, the Committee was heavily involved in reviewing requests  
to proceed to due diligence for a number of potential acquisitions. During the year, and pursuant to its terms of reference, the Committee 
reviewed and assessed more than 10 potential acquisitions including Incisive Health and Putnam Associates, reflecting the importance of the 
Committee’s activities to the Group’s overall growth strategy. 

The Committee’s terms of reference provide that the Committee is authorised to approve capital expenditure requests of up to $10 million. 
During the year, the Committee approved capital expenditure requests to invest in important additional equipment and the fit out of packaging 
rooms as part of the continued development of the Allentown facility, part of our Sharp division. 

At the close of FY2019, the Committee undertook a number of one and three-year post-transaction reviews including one-year reviews of the 
acquisitions of SmartAnalyst and Create NYC and a three-year review of both Pegasus and STEM. 

Financing
During the year, the Committee reviewed the financial position of the Group with the Chief Financial Officer and the Group Head of Tax and 
Treasury. These reviews included an analysis of the Group’s banking and available financing facilities, cash balances and also involved a review of 
the Group’s acquisition capacity. The Committee notes the renewal of the Group’s senior bank debt facilities and the addition of new shelf private 
placement facilities.

Chris Brinsmead
Chair of the Risk, Investment & Financing Committee

80

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Directors’ Remuneration Report

 “Following adoption of 
the Group’s new share 
plans at the 2019 AGM, 
the Committee has 
focused on the Group’s 
new Remuneration 
Policy.”

Linda Wilding
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Attendance record and tenure 
The following table details the members of the Committee, their attendance at meetings held during the year to 30 September 2019 
and their tenure.

Member

Linda Wilding (Chair)

Chris Brinsmead

Peter Gray 

Lisa Ricciardi 

Peter Chambré 1

Number of meetings held 
when director was a member

Number of  
meetings attended

Committee  
tenure

4

4

4

4

2

5 years

8 years

6 years

5 years

<1 year

1 

Peter was appointed as a member of the Committee on 1 May 2019.

Key responsibilities
The Committee’s responsibilities include:
• 
• 
• 

setting, reviewing and recommending to the Board the remuneration policy for executive directors and certain other senior executives;
setting, reviewing and approving the remuneration arrangements of executive directors and senior executives; and
reviewing and approving the rules of any incentive plans subject to final approval by the Board and shareholders.

Composition as at 30 September 2019
Linda Wilding (Chair)
Chris Brinsmead
Peter Gray
Lisa Ricciardi
Peter Chambré

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Dear Shareholder
I am pleased to present, on behalf of the Board, our Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 30 September 2019. 

The Committee continues to monitor best practice developments in remuneration and once again presents this year’s report in accordance  
with the requirements of the U.K. Companies Act 2006 and the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) 
(Amendment) Regulations 2013 (the ‘Regulations’). The Committee is mindful of recent amendments to the Regulations and also the recent 
introduction of the New Code which is applicable to UDG Healthcare from 1 October 2019. We followed the provisions of the 2016 U.K. 
Corporate Governance Code during FY2019, including the alignment of remuneration arrangements with the Group’s strategy. 

UDG Healthcare plc is an Irish incorporated company and is therefore not subject to the U.K. company law requirement to submit its Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy to a binding vote. At the AGM in January 2017, our revised Policy was approved by 98.4% of our shareholders by way of an 
advisory vote. In accordance with the three-year timeframe set out in Directors’ Remuneration Reporting regulations, UDG Healthcare is 
submitting a revised Remuneration Policy to shareholders at the 2020 AGM. In light of this, during 2019, we have reviewed our Policy with our 
external advisers to ensure that it is aligned with market practice, continues to support the delivery of our strategy and our continued geographic 
expansion, particularly in the key U.S. market which alone now accounts for over 62% of the Group’s revenue and over 40% of our employees  
and growing. In particular the Committee is mindful of the changes set out in the New Code and evolving shareholder views on remuneration. 
Following the review, we found that our existing Policy continues to be strongly aligned with shareholder interests, remains largely fit for purpose 
and we are therefore not proposing any major changes to our current approach.

At the same time, the Committee is mindful that the Group has grown and changed fundamentally in the last three years. With this growth has 
come increased complexity right across the business as we have moved to higher margin businesses and new service offerings following recent 
acquisitions and with continued geographic expansion. The Committee therefore believes that a limited number of changes are appropriate to 
ensure that, in the round, our Policy remains competitive and to reflect emerging views on executive pay. Over the past number of months we have 
engaged in a consultation process with our shareholders and shareholder advisory groups in relation to the proposed changes and we have taken 
a number of their views on board. A summary of these changes is set out in the table on the opposite page and it is anticipated that such changes 
would come into effect immediately post the 2020 AGM, subject to the support of our shareholders.

Overall performance and context
The Group delivered a strong financial performance in 2019 with adjusted earnings per share increasing by 5% (7% on a constant currency basis) 
for the year. The Board has proposed a final dividend of $12.34 cent per share, giving a total dividend for the year of $16.80 cent per share, which 
represents an increase of 5% over 2018. Our Relative Total Shareholder Return (‘TSR’) tested against the constituents of the FTSE 250 index 
over the last three years to 30 September 2019 ranked the Company in the 53rd percentile with TSR performance of 33.6% over the  
three years.

Executive remuneration for 2019
Annual bonus
Annual bonus targets are primarily set by reference to challenging internal financial targets together with an element based on personal 
performance. For the year to 30 September 2019, the financial performance of the Group resulted in an actual bonus achievement (as a 
percentage of their maximum opportunity) of 77.2% for both Brendan McAtamney and Nigel Clerkin. Details of this assessment are on pages  
86 and 87.

LTIP awards
The Committee has assessed the performance against targets for the December 2016 LTIP awards, which performance period runs from 
1 October 2016 to 30 September 2019 (the 2016 LTIP Awards). The cash flow performance of the Group ($152.1m) resulted in 100% vesting of 
this element for the three-year period to 30 September 2019. As mentioned above, TSR tested against the constituents of the FTSE 250 index 
over the three-year period ranked the Group at the 53rd percentile. A portion of the TSR element of the award is also subject to meeting an EPS 
growth underpin of 5% which was also achieved in full over the three-year performance period. As a result, 35.9% of this element of the award 
will vest. Accordingly, in total 67.95% of the overall 2016 LTIP Awards will vest on their prescribed vesting date in December 2019 and be held 
until in December 2021 subject to the fulfilment of all other conditions of the LTIP scheme. 

Executive remuneration for 2020
During the year, the Committee reviewed executive remuneration arrangements to consider whether they continued to be aligned with 
shareholders’ interests and the Group’s strategy. Following such review, and in the context of the revised Remuneration Policy to be submitted  
to shareholders at the 2020 AGM, the Committee concluded this to be the case. In coming to this conclusion, the Committee took into account  
a limited number of changes proposed in the revised Policy which are considered appropriate to reflect emerging views on executive pay yet 
ensure that, in the round, the Policy and the remuneration arrangements thereunder, remain competitive particularly in light of the increasing 
complexity and geographical breadth of the Group’s businesses.

Salary
We have agreed an increase in salary for executive directors of 2% which is consistent with the average increase awarded across the wider 
workforce. This increase is effective from 1 October 2019. 

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Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Annual bonus
We intend to retain the same mix of financial and non-financial goals in relation to bonus arrangements for executive directors in FY2020. 
Further details are set out on page 85.

LTIP scheme
In relation to the LTIP for FY2020, (which is usually granted in or around December). Brendan McAtamney and Nigel Clerkin will participate in 
the LTIP scheme at 150% of base salary in line with current policy. Should shareholders support the revised Remuneration Policy at the 2020 
AGM, including the changes outlined below, a balancing grant (i.e., of up to 50% of base salary) may be made to Brendan McAtamney and Nigel 
Clerkin in relation to FY2020 and within the parameters of the revised Remuneration Policy. Any such grant would be subject to approval of the 
Remuneration Committee and would be made at the next window for granting awards under the LTIP scheme (i.e., post release of the Group’s 
interim results in May). It is anticipated that again, given the growth of the business in FY2019, the performance measures for awards granted in 
FY2020 will be more stretching than for those awards granted in FY2019, acknowledging both increased EPS and total cash generation targets 
and the increasing challenge of delivering strong TSR in the context of the increasing scale, complexity and geographic spread of the Group’s 
business. Outside of such changes, there are no proposed changes to the performance measures for awards to be granted in FY2020.

Linda Wilding
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Summary of Policy changes:

Enhanced shareholding guidelines: we have operated shareholding guidelines for a number of years whereby the executive directors  
are expected to build up a shareholding of 100% of salary. In line with investor expectations, executive directors will now be expected  
to build up a shareholding of 200% of salary. 

Maximum LTIP opportunity: the current maximum LTIP award is limited to 150% of salary. We are proposing to increase this to 200%  
of salary, in line with median levels of opportunity in the FTSE 250. As noted above, performance measures become more stretching 
year-on-year. It is also worth noting that we are maintaining the existing Remuneration Policy on annual bonus, most notably in relation 
to quantum which, at a maximum of 100% of salary, remains in the lower quartile.  

U.K. Corporate Governance Code: the Committee is mindful of the changes arising from the New Code and has taken these into 
account when considering changes to the Remuneration Policy. For new appointments, the Committee will set pension contributions  
in line with rates available in the wider workforce in the executive’s local market. We have also sought to align our executives’ interests 
with those of our shareholders on cessation. Following departure, outstanding LTIP awards will continue to their normal date and we  
will rely on the current LTIP vesting and two-year holding period rules to ensure that executives maintain a meaningful interest in the 
Group’s equity. 

Maintaining flexibility on recruitment: our current policy has the flexibility to award maximum variable remuneration of 300% of  
salary on recruitment, which effectively incorporates 50% of salary ‘headroom’ above the current bonus and LTIP maximums. We are 
proposing to maintain this headroom and therefore the overall maximum becomes 350% of salary. This is vital to us, as we need  
to be able to reflect practice in any local market that we recruit from. This is particularly so in the case of the U.S. market, where, as 
mentioned above, an increasing majority of our revenue now comes from and where variable pay is significantly higher.  

Pension changes
The Committee notes recent attention surrounding the level of pension contributions. Over the past number of years, UDG Healthcare  
has independently been reducing the level of pension contributions for its executive directors with both incumbents at levels lower than  
their predecessors. The previous CEO originally participated in a defined benefit scheme before moving to a pension contribution benefit  
of 40% of base salary. The current CEO currently receives a pension contribution of 25% of base salary. Similarly, whereas the previous  
CFO participated in a defined benefit scheme before moving to a pension contribution of 25%, the current CFO now receives a pension 
contribution of 20% of base salary. As noted above, for new appointments, the Committee will set pension contributions in line with rates 
available in the wider workforce in such executive local market. For incumbent executive directors, the Committee notes recently released 
guidance from shareholder advisory groups. The Committee will consider this new guidance and provide an update in its FY2020 ARA. 

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

83

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report  
 
 
Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Directors’ Remuneration (Audited)
The following table sets out the total remuneration for directors for the year ending 30 September 2019 and the prior year.

Salary and fees(a) 

Benefits(b)

Annual bonus(c)

Long-term incentives(d)

Pensions(e)

Total

€’000

2019

2018 

2019 

2018 

2019

2018

2019

2018 

2019

2018 

2019

2018 

Executive directors

Nigel Clerkin1

Brendan McAtamney

Non-executive directors3

Chris Brinsmead

Peter Chambré5

Chris Corbin2

Shane Cooke6

Peter Gray 

Myles Lee

Nancy Miller-Rich

Erik van Snippenberg4

Lisa Ricciardi

Philip Toomey7

Linda Wilding 

485 

676

91

46

70 

46

212

88

69

70

69

24

86

198

663

94

–

496

–

208

82

68

17

68

69

84

31

40

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

13

41

–

–

60

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

374

522

46

119

–

758

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

856

–

–

335

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

97

169

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

40

166

–

–

82

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

987

297

2,165

1,845

91

46

70

46

212

88

69

70

69

24

86

94

–

973

–

208

82

68

17

68

69

84

2,032

2,047

71

114

896

165

758

1,191

266

288

4,023

3,805

1  On 15 May 2018, Nigel Clerkin joined the Board as executive director. 
2  Chris Corbin’s salary has been converted to euro at the average rate of 0.8849 for FY2018. Chris Corbin stepped down as an executive director  

on 2 July 2018. Upon stepping down from his executive director role he assumed a non-executive director role. Chris will retire at the 2020 AGM. 

3  Variances in non-executive director fees are primarily related to travel allowances. 
4  Erik van Snippenberg joined on 2 July 2018.
5  Peter Chambré joined on 1 February 2019.
6  Shane Cooke joined on 1 February 2019.
7  Philip Toomey retired from the Board at the 2019 AGM.

Details on the valuation methodologies applied are set out in Notes (a) to (e) below. These valuation methodologies are as required by the 
Regulations and are different from those applied within the financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’). The total expense relating to the directors recognised within the income statement in respect of 
long-term incentives is €590,460 (2018: €1,402,707) and in respect of pension benefits is €265,965 (2018: €398,217).

Notes to directors’ remuneration table
(a) Salary and fees: This is the amount earned in respect of the financial year, whilst a director.

(b)Benefits: This is the taxable value of benefits paid in respect of the financial year. These benefits principally relate to death in service, disability 
and medical insurance, club subscriptions, the provision of a company car, or cash allowances taken in lieu of such benefits, and personal tax 
return preparation. 

(c) Annual bonus: This is the total bonus earned under the annual bonus scheme in respect of the financial year. For details of performance 

against targets set for the year see pages 86 to 87.

(d) Long-term incentives: For the year ended 30 September 2019, this is the market value of the LTIP awards earned based on performance  
to 30 September 2019. These LTIP awards (structured as nominally priced options) were granted in December 2016 and the performance 
period was the three-year period from 1 October 2016 to 30 September 2019. They are subject to an additional two-year holding period, 
vesting in December 2021. These awards are also entitled to dividend equivalents during the vesting period. The value above only includes 
dividend equivalents earned to 30 September 2019.

  The Committee has assessed performance for these awards and determined that 67.95% of the original award will vest at the end of the 

five-year vesting period. See pages 88 and 89 for details. The share price at the date of vesting is not available at this time and therefore the 
number of shares that will vest has been multiplied by the difference between the average share price over the quarter ending 30 September 
2019 (£7.78) and the exercise price per share option (€0.05) to calculate a representation of the value attributed to these options.

84

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
For the year ended 30 September 2018, this is the market value of the LTIP awards (structured as nominally priced options) that were granted 
in December 2015 and February 2016 and the performance period was the three-year period from 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2018.  
The Committee reviewed actual performance relative to the performance targets in November 2018 and determined that 84% of the original 
award should vest at the end of the five-year vesting period. The difference between the share price on the third anniversary of each of the 
grant dates (being £6.79 and £6.25) and the exercise price per share option (€0.05) was multiplied by the number of options that vested to 
calculate the value attributed to the options for each director. This has been updated from the 2018 report where in accordance with the 
Regulations the disclosure was based on the average share price over the quarter ended 30 September 2018 (£7.65). This gave values of 
€407,692 for Chris Corbin, and €1,006,191 for Brendan McAtamney. The value of dividend equivalents accrued during the period and  
up to the third anniversary of the grant date is also included.

(e) Pension: Please see page 90 for further information.

Discussion of individual remuneration elements
The following sections set out details on each element of remuneration for the year to 30 September 2019 and detail how we intend to operate 
our policy with respect to each element of remuneration for the year to 30 September 2020. 

Salary 
The base salaries of executive directors are reviewed annually having regard to personal performance, divisional or Group performance, 
significant changes in responsibilities and competitive market practice in their area of operation as well as the pay and conditions in the wider 
Group. The principal external comparator group against which executive directors’ reward is currently reviewed comprises the FTSE 250.

In relation to both Brendan McAtamney and Nigel Clerkin, the Committee determined that their base salaries for FY2020 will increase by 2%, 
consistent with the average increases awarded across the wider Group. Changes to base salary are generally effective from 1 October.

The following table sets out the salaries for the executive directors at the start of each financial year.

Brendan McAtamney

Nigel Clerkin 

1 October 2019 
€’000

1 October 2018 
€’000

690

494

676

485

Benefits
Employment-related benefits for executive directors principally relate to death in service, disability and medical insurance, club subscriptions,  
the provision of a company car or cash allowances taken in lieu of such benefits and personal tax return preparation. In the case of recruitment, 
benefits may include relocation allowances or other benefits considered appropriate by the Committee to facilitate recruitment. Any such 
benefits are in line with our recruitment remuneration policy.

Annual bonus
Bonus for the year ended 30 September 2019
For the year ended 30 September 2019, the maximum bonus opportunity, as a percentage of salary, was 100% for each of Brendan McAtamney 
and Nigel Clerkin. The bonus opportunity for on-target performance was 70% of maximum.

The following table sets out the performance measures applied for executive directors for the year ended 30 September 2019.

Financial targets

Profit

Underlying Group Net Revenue Growth

Cash flow

Non-financial targets

The performance targets were set by the Committee at the start of the financial year.

% of maximum 
bonus

65%

5%

15%

85%

15%

100%

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

85

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report  
Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Financial performance
Subsequent to the end of the financial year, the Committee reviewed actual performance against the targets set for each executive director.

Based on this review, the Committee determined that the executive directors should be awarded bonuses based on the achievement of financial 
targets as illustrated in the table below.

Measure

Group basic PBT 

Stretch PBT

Underlying Group Net Revenue Growth

Group cash flow 

Total bonus for financial performance

Weighting  
%

35.0

30.0

5.0

15.0

85.0

Actual  
%

35.0

7.2

5.0

15.0

62.2

The following table summarises performance against target for each of the financial objectives.

Measure

Definition

Performance targets

Actual performance

Group basic  
PBT

PBT is defined as profit before tax, 
exceptional items, amortisation of 
acquired intangibles and transaction 
costs.

It is measured against budget on  
a constant currency basis to remove 
foreign exchange translation 
impacts. It excludes the impact  
of unbudgeted acquisitions  
and disposals.

Stretch PBT

The stretch PBT measure is the 
Group basic PBT including the 
contribution of unbudgeted 
acquisitions and deposits.

Budget PBT was $145.8 million and if 
achieved, leads to a pay-out of the relevant 
Group basic PBT bonus.

Threshold performance equates to $140.0 
million or 96% of budget PBT. 20% of the 
potential Group PBT bonus pays out when 
actual PBT reaches 96% of budget, and then 
increases to reach 100% pay-out when 100% 
of Group PBT budget is achieved.  
No portion of basic bonus is paid where 
actual PBT is below threshold performance.

Payment for performance between threshold 
and budget is on a pro-rata basis.

Achievement of stretch PBT bonus requires 
PBT of 115% of budget or $167.7 million.

Underlying 
Group Net 
Revenue Growth

Reported Group Revenue compared 
to prior year, before application of 
IFRS 15 and excluding (a) any 
revenues from acquisitions included 
in only one of the periods and (b) any 
pass-through revenues, on a 
constant currency basis.

Underlying Group Net Revenue growth to 
exceed 4%

Reported PBT excluding 
currency impacts was $152.4 
million. Excluding unbudgeted 
acquisitions and disposals gives 
PBT for bonus purposes of 
$147.3million. As the results were 
1.0% above budget (or 101% of 
target), this resulted in 100% of 
the bonus % attributed to Group 
basic PBT being achieved.

Including the net impact of 
acquisitions and disposals during 
the year results in a PBT of 
$152.4million. As the results were 
4.0% above the 100% threshold 
stretch, a bonus of 7.2% is payable. 

The Committee determined that 
Underlying Group Net Revenue 
Growth exceeded 4% for the 
purposes of this performance 
target. Accordingly, this element 
of the bonus was achieved.

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Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Measure

Definition

Performance targets

Actual performance

Group cash flow

Cash flow is defined as net cash 
inflow from operating activities less 
capital expenditure and excludes 
exceptional items, transaction costs, 
interest and tax. Cash flow generated 
by acquisitions is excluded from the 
actual cash flow performance.

The Group’s cash flow target is based  
on budgeted cash flow of $112.6 million. 
Threshold performance equates to 95%  
of budgeted cash flow. No bonus is  
paid if actual cash flow is at or below 
threshold target.

100% of bonus is paid if budget cash flow  
is reached or exceeded.

Payment between threshold and budget 
performance is on a pro-rata basis.

Actual cash flow of $152.1 million 
being ($157.4 million operating 
cash flows less capex, less $5.3 
million from acquisitions) 
exceeded the budget target of 
$112.6 million. Accordingly, 100% 
of this element of the bonus  
was achieved.

Non-financial performance
15% of the annual bonus for each executive director was based on the achievement of personal objectives. These objectives include the 
achievement of operational goals, the executive’s contribution to Group strategy as a member of the Board, and specific goals related to their 
functional role. 2019 objectives were set for each executive at the beginning of the financial year, and performance against these objectives  
was assessed by the Committee at its November 2019 meeting. 

In the case of Brendan McAtamney, personal objectives included the evaluation and acquisition of appropriate businesses that would add 
shareholder value, the realisation of operational synergies across the Group, the retention of key talent and succession in critical roles and 
initiatives relating to improving business development capability and metrics. The Committee assessed performance against these objectives  
and judged that a good performance had been achieved with respect to all objectives. 

In relation to the evaluation and acquisition of appropriate businesses, more than 10 potential acquisitions had been thoroughly evaluated and 
two of these, namely Putnam Associates and Incisive Health had been delivered. In relation to operational synergies, material savings have been 
achieved through procurement and restructuring activities, while in relation to talent retention and succession, good progress was made in 
succession planning and execution particularly in the Ashfield business. 

In terms of business development, improvements were made to business development capability and the introduction of key performance 
indicators. The Committee considered all objectives had been met and therefore recommended that the full 15% bonus allocable to personal 
objectives should be payable. 

In the case of Nigel Clerkin, personal objectives included the evaluation and acquisition of appropriate businesses that would add shareholder 
value, the realisation of operational synergies across the Group, ensuring the successful implementation of certain stages of the Group’s new  
ERP system and the retention of key finance talent. Again, the Committee assessed performance against these objectives and determined that  
a good performance had been achieved with respect to all objectives. 

In relation to both acquisitions and operational synergies (i.e. the assessment of potential acquisition targets and savings achieved), the performance 
was the same as for Brendan McAtamney, while the implementation of the Group’s new ERP system was on track. Finally, in relation to the 
retention of key talent, this was achieved during the period. The Committee, therefore determined that these objectives had been achieved and 
recommended that the full 15% allocable to personal objectives should be payable.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

87

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Total bonus payable
The total bonus payable is 77.2% of maximum for both Brendan McAtamney and Nigel Clerkin. The Committee considers that this level of bonus 
pay out is a fair reflection of the performance achieved during the year and the value created for shareholders.

Bonus for the year ending 30 September 2020
For the year ending 30 September 2020, the maximum bonus opportunity for the executive directors remains at 100% of base salary and is based 
on the same balance of financial and non-financial performance measures as for FY2019. The bonus opportunity for on-target performance will 
continue to be 70% of maximum. 

Long Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’)
The outstanding LTIP’s were granted under rules approved by shareholders in 2010. Replacement share plan rules were put forward and 
approved by shareholders at the AGM in January 2019. Future LTIP awards will be granted under these new rules.

Award for which the year to 30 September 2019 was the last year of the performance period
The following table sets out details in respect of the 2016 LTIP awards, for which the final year of performance was the year to 30 September 2019. 
Awards are subject to a two-year holding period and will be delivered to participants in December 2021.

TSR performance 
(50% of award)

Targets for performance period 
(1 October 2016 to 30 September 2019)

TSR measured against constituents  
of the FTSE 250 Index
Vesting schedule for first 75%
Below median = 0%
At median = 25%
Upper quartile = 100%
Pro-rating between points

Aggregate cash 
flow performance1  
(50% of award)

Vesting schedule for final 25% 
This portion of the LTIP award is subject to the same vesting 
schedule as above. Additionally, vesting of this element of the TSR 
award is subject to the following underpin:
•  adjusted diluted Earnings Per Share  
(‘EPS’) growth of not less than 5%  
per annum compounded over the performance period.

Company’s aggregate cash flow performance (PBIT to cash 
conversion rate)
Percentage PBIT to cash conversion rate vesting schedule:
Below 80% = 0%
At 80% = 25%
100% or above = 100%
Pro-rating between points

Vesting under the cash flow element is also contingent on an 
aggregate minimum cash flow generation by the company of $323 
million over the performance period.

Performance against targets

The relative TSR performance over the 
three-year period was externally measured as 
being at the 53rd percentile. In relation to 
adjusted diluted EPS growth, FY2016 EPS of 
€28.61 cents compounded by 5% for three-years 
and converted to U.S. dollars (based on an 
exchange rate of 0.8865 for FY2019) equals 
$37.35. Actual EPS for FY2019 is $48.44 and 
therefore exceeded the underpin. Accordingly, 
35.9% of this element of the award will vest. 

The PBIT conversion rate was 100% over  
the three-year period, and aggregate cash 
generation was $422 million. Accordingly, 100% 
of this element of the award will vest.

Total

67.95% of awards will vest and become 
exercisable in December 2021.

1 

In line with the plan rules, for the purposes of assessing the level of LTIP awards that should vest, the impact of exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangible assets has  
been excluded within both PBIT and cash flow for calculation purposes. For the purposes of assessing the achievement of the minimum cash flow generation target over the performance 
period, actual cash generation during this period has been adjusted by eliminating cash generated from acquisitions completed after the target level of $323 million had been set. 
Similarly, the target of $323 million has also been adjusted in respect of disposals completed after the target level had been set. 

88

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

LTIP awards made during the year to 30 September 2019
The following table sets out details of LTIP awards made during the year to 30 September 2019.

Brendan McAtamney

Nigel Clerkin

Number of options

Date of award

133,367

95,550

4 December 2018

4 December 2018

Share price at  
date of grant  
£

6.79

6.79

Face value  
£’000 

905,562

648,785

Threshold  
vesting 
% 

Maximum  
vesting 
%

25

25

100

100

The awards in the table above are subject to performance over the three-year period to 30 September 2021. The award is then subject to a 
further two-year holding period and the vested portion will be delivered in December 2023. The award is in the form of nominal value share 
options over ordinary shares with an exercise price of €0.05 per share. The market value of the options granted to each of Brendan McAtamney 
and Nigel Clerkin (number of options multiplied by the share price at the date of grant) equated to 150% of his base salary. 

The following table sets out details of performance measures in respect of the LTIP awards granted during the year.

TSR performance 
(50% of award)

Targets for performance period (1 October 2018 to 30 September 2021)

TSR measured against the FTSE 250 Index 
Vesting schedule for first 75% of the TSR award:
Below median = 0%
At median = 25%
Upper quartile = 100% 
Pro-rating between points 

Vesting schedule for final 25% of the TSR award:
This portion of the LTIP award is subject to the same vesting schedule as above. Additionally, vesting of this element  
of the TSR award is subject to the following underpin:
•  adjusted diluted Earnings per Share (‘EPS’) growth of not less than 5% per annum compounded over the 

performance period.

Aggregate cash 
flow 
performance 1 
(50% of award)

Company’s aggregate cash flow performance (PBIT to cash conversion rate)
Percentage PBIT to cash conversion rate vesting schedule:
Below 80% = 0% 
At 80% = 25% 
100% or above = 100% 
Pro-rating between points

Vesting under the cash flow element is also contingent on an aggregate minimum cash flow generation by the Company 
of $389.39 million over the performance period.

1 

In line with the plan rules, for the purposes of assessing the level of LTIP awards that should vest, the impact of exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangible assets  
will be excluded within both PBIT and cash flow for calculation purposes. For the purposes of assessing the achievement of the minimum cash flow generation target, cash flows  
from acquisitions shall be excluded and the target shall also be adjusted in respect of lost cash flows from disposals.

The proportion of awards that do not meet the performance criteria will lapse on the scheduled vesting date.

LTIP awards during the year to 30 September 2020
As noted on page 83, Brendan McAtamney and Nigel Clerkin will participate in the FY2020 LTIP at 150% of base salary in line with current policy. 
This award is usually granted in December. Subject to the approval of the revised Remuneration Policy at the 2020 AGM, a balancing grant (i.e., 
of up to 50% of base salary) may be made to Brendan McAtamney and Nigel Clerkin in relation to FY2020 within the parameters of the revised 
Remuneration Policy for FY2020. Any such grant would be made at the next window for granting awards under the LTIP scheme (i.e., post 
release of the Group’s interim results in May). Any balancing award approved following the 2020 AGM will be set at a level that the Remuneration 
Committee believes to be the appropriate level of award given the Group’s ambitious growth plans over the next three to five years, and taking 
into account the award sizes at the Company’s comparators in the FTSE 250. It is intended that performance targets for LTIP awards to be 
granted during the year to 30 September 2020 will continue to be based on the performance conditions as outlined above. It is anticipated that 
again, given the growth of the business in FY2019, the performance measures for awards granted in FY2020 will be more stretching than for 
those awards granted in FY2019, acknowledging both increased EPS and total cash generation targets and the increasing challenge of delivering 
strong TSR in the context of the increasing scale, complexity and geographic spread of the Group’s business.

The performance period will be the three years to 30 September 2022 and awards meeting their vesting criteria will be released to participants 
on the fifth anniversary of their grant, following a two-year holding period.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

89

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Pensions
All pension benefits are determined solely in relation to base salary. Fees paid to non-executive directors are not pensionable. Brendan McAtamney 
and Nigel Clerkin receive taxable, non-pensionable cash allowances of 25% and 20% of base salary respectively. In each case, this reflects a 
reduction against the pension benefits received by their predecessors as a percentage of base salary. Pension contributions for new appointments 
will be set in line with the rates available to the wider workforce in the executive’s local market. For more information on current and future 
pension contributions please see page 83.

Additional information
Fees from external appointments
The executive directors are permitted to retain for their own benefit fees they receive from any external non-executive directorships.  
Brendan McAtamney has served as a non-executive director of Scapa Group plc since 1 February 2018. During the period from 1 October 2018  
to 30 September 2019, he received fees of £42,000.

Payments to former directors
Except as previously disclosed, there were no payments to former directors during the year.

Payments for loss of office
Except as previously disclosed, there were no payments for loss of office during the year.

Minimum shareholding requirements
The Committee has adopted guidelines for executive directors to retain substantial long-term share ownership. These guidelines specify that 
executive directors should, over a period of five years from the date of appointment, build up and then retain a shareholding in the company  
with a valuation at least equal to 100% of their annual base salary. As noted above, and subject to the approval of the revised Remuneration Policy 
at the 2020 AGM, a change is proposed that the guidelines will be increased to 200% of base salary.

The table below sets out the percentage of base salary held in shares in the Company by each executive director as at 30 September 2019.

Value of Shareholdings as % of base salary
Below is set out the value of executive directors’ shareholdings as a percentage of annual base salary.

Brendan McAtamney

Nigel Clerkin

Number  
of Shares

115,000

40,000

30 September 2019  
Share Price  
£

7.51

7.51

Value of  
Shareholding  
£

863,650

300,400

30 September 2019 
Salary (or last  
applicable salary  
where relevant)1

€676,260

€484,500

% of base  
Salary1,2

144%

70%

Amounts have been converted to Euro at the average exchange rate for the year of 1.1309.

1 
2  Brendan McAtamney has met the current shareholding guideline. Nigel Clerkin has achieved 70% of the current shareholding guideline as at the date of this report and has until 30 April 

2023 to meet the current shareholding guideline.

3  Subject to approval of the new Remuneration Policy at the 2020 AGM, the shareholding guidelines will increase to 200% of salary from the date of such approval. Executive directors will 

have five years from such date to achieve the new shareholding guideline.

Non-executive directors’ remuneration
Non-executive directors’ fees are set at a level to attract individuals with broad international, commercial and other relevant experience and 
reward them for fulfilling the relevant role. 

Non-executive directors receive fees for their role and membership of Committees. Non-executive directors who travel to/from meetings from 
Europe receive an additional €500 travel allowance per trip and those travelling to/from the U.S. receive an additional €1,000 per trip. The 
Senior Independent non-executive Director (‘SID’) is also entitled to an additional fee of €10,200 per annum. With the introduction of the New 
Code requirements concerning workforce engagement, designated non-executive directors will, from 1 October 2019, receive an additional fee 
of €5,000 per annum. 

Following a review of the fees of the non-executive directors and the Chairman in December 2019, a 2% increase was agreed in each case, with 
the exception of the Designated non-executive director (‘Designated NED’) fee. This increase will be effective from 1 January 2020.

90

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Non-executive directors’ fees:

Basic fee (including Committee membership)

Chairman’s fee (including basic fee)

Committee Chair 1

SID fee

Designated NED fee

From 1 January 
2020  
€

From 1 January 
2019  
€

68,979

217,548

15,606

10,404

5,000

67,626

213,282

15,300

10,200

–

1 

This is an additional fee payable to the Chairs of the Audit, Remuneration, and Risk, Investment & Financing Committees. Peter Gray is Chair of the Nominations & Governance 
Committee and does not receive a separate fee in respect of this role. 

Directors’ Shareholding and Share Interests (Audited)
LTIP
Details of outstanding share awards, with performance conditions, granted to directors under the LTIP are set out below. 

Number of shares under award

At 
1 October 
2018

Granted 
during  
the year1

Exercised 
during  
the year

Lapsed 
during  
the year

At 30  
September  
2019

Market price 
at date  
of award

Exercise 
price  
€

Market price 
at date  
of vesting

Date of 
award

Vesting date

Expiry date

Chris Corbin3

Brendan McAtamney

77,212

77,772

54,8842

209,868

93,911

92,041

57,9542

77,3542

122,1804

102,038

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Nigel Clerkin

–

133,367

545,478

133,367

–

–

95,550

95,550

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

8,781

–

–

–

9,273

77,212

77,772

46,103

201,087

93,911

92,041

48,681

12,377

64,977

–

–

–

122,180

102,038

133,367

21,650

657,195

–

–

95,550

95,550

£3.73

£3.78

£5.52

£3.73

£3.78

£5.52

£5.12

£6.72

£8.55

£6.79

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

0.05

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

28.02.14

28.02.19

27.02.21

17.12.14

17.12.19

16.12.21

03.12.15

03.12.20

02.12.22

28.02.14

28.02.19

27.02.21

17.12.14

17.12.19

16.12.21

03.12.15

03.12.20

02.12.22

05.02.16

05.02.21

04.02.23

07.12.16

06.12.21

06.12.23

05.12.17

05.12.22

05.12.24

04.12.18

04.12.23

04.12.25

£6.79

0.05

n/a

04.12.18

04.12.23

04.12.25

1  Details regarding the grant of awards to directors during the year to 30 September 2019 are set out on page 89.
2  Denotes the 2015 LTIP awards. Following a performance assessment, the Committee determined that 84% of the 2015 LTIP awards would vest, and accordingly, that 16% of the shares 

subject to these awards would lapse in due course.

3  As previously disclosed, as part of Chris Corbin’s transition arrangements, he has received no further share awards since 2015.
4  Denotes the 2016 LTIP awards. Following a performance assessment, the Committee determined that 67.95% of the 2016 LTIP awards would vest, and accordingly 32.05% of the shares 

subject to their awards will lapse in due course.

s.305 CA 2014
For the purposes of Section 305 of the Companies Act 2014 (Ireland), the aggregate gains by directors on the exercise of share options during 
the year ended 30 September 2019 was €0.00 (2018: €0.00).

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

91

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Directors’ Shareholding and Share Interests (Audited) (continued)
Directors’ interests in share capital (Audited)
The beneficial interests, including family interests, of the directors and Secretary in office at 30 September 2019 in the ordinary share capital  
of the Company are detailed below.

Chris Brinsmead

Nigel Clerkin

Peter Chambré

Chris Corbin

Shane Cooke

Peter Gray

Myles Lee 

Brendan McAtamney

Nancy Miller-Rich

Erik van Snippenberg

Lisa Ricciardi

Linda Wilding

Damien Moynagh (Company Secretary)

*  Updated for RNS filings in 2018.

30 September 
2019 Ordinary 
shares

12,500

40,000

5,000

1 October 2018  
(or date  
of appointment  
if later)  
Ordinary shares

12,500

40,000

–

259,481

259,481*

–

114,000

10,000

115,000

–

7,500

22,745

19,304

–

–

114,000

4,000

115,000

–

–

16,000

19,304

–

There were no other changes in the above directors and Secretary’s interests between 30 September 2019 and 2 December 2019.
The directors and Secretary have no beneficial interests in any Group subsidiary or joint venture undertakings.

Statement of shareholder voting
The Company is committed to ongoing shareholder dialogue and takes shareholder views into consideration when formulating remuneration 
policy and practice. To the extent there are substantial numbers of votes against resolutions in relation to directors’ remuneration, the Company 
will seek to understand the reasons for any such vote and will provide details of any actions in response to such a vote. 

The following tables set out the actual votes at the 2019 AGM in respect of the Directors’ Remuneration Report and the actual votes at the 2017 
AGM in relation to the Directors’ Remuneration Policy.

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Number of votes (millions)

Percentage %

Directors’ Remuneration Policy

Number of votes (millions)

Percentage %

For

148.7

99.4

For

143.3

98.4

Against

Withheld1 

0.8

0.6

0.11

– 

Against

Withheld1 

2.3

1.6

11.5

– 

1 

A vote withheld is not a vote in law and is not counted in the calculation of the percentage votes for and against a resolution.

External advisors
The Committee seeks and considers advice from independent remuneration advisors where appropriate. In 2012, the Committee appointed 
Deloitte LLP to provide advice on compensation and remuneration matters including advice on best practice market developments. During the 
year to 30 September 2019, fees payable to Deloitte in respect of services which materially assisted the Committee amounted to £28,750 and 
included advice in relation to the revised Remuneration Policy which shareholders will be asked to approve at the 2020 AGM. These fees were 
charged on a time and expenses basis. Deloitte is one of the founding members of the Remuneration Consultants’ Code of Conduct and adheres 
to this Code in its dealings. The Committee is satisfied that the advice provided by Deloitte is objective and independent. The Committee is 
comfortable that the Deloitte engagement team that provide remuneration advice to the Committee do not have connections with UDG 
Healthcare that may impair their independence.

During the year, the Group also received advice and services from Deloitte in respect of consulting services relating to share plans.  
The Committee is satisfied that the provision of these services does not constitute a conflict of interest.

92

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Performance graph and table
The table below summarises the single figure of total remuneration for the Chief Executive for the past ten years as well as how the actual awards 
under the annual bonus and LTIP compare to their respective maximum opportunity.

2019

2018

2017

20161

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

Chief Executive

Brendan McAtamney

Brendan McAtamney

Brendan McAtamney

Brendan McAtamney

Liam FitzGerald

Liam FitzGerald

Liam FitzGerald

Liam FitzGerald

Liam FitzGerald

Liam FitzGerald

Liam FitzGerald

Single figure  
of total 
remuneration 
€’000

Annual bonus 
award against 
maximum 
opportunity

LTIP award  
against  
maximum 
opportunity

2,165

1,845

2,306

1,265

683

2,509

2,371

1,709

1,697

1,223

1,342

77.2%

18.0%

75.0%

74.0%

81.2%

70.2%

71.6%

20.0%

90.0%

89.8%

77.5%

68%

84.0%

100%

100%

100%

100%

89.2%

95.5%

62.5%

0%2

0%2

1 

2 

Liam FitzGerald was CEO until 1 February 2016. Brendan McAtamney was appointed as Group CEO from 2 February 2016. For 2016, Brendan McAtamney participated in the 2010 LTIP. 
Liam FitzGerald also participated in the 2010 LTIP in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 financial years. Details on the vesting performance of awards under this plan are set out on pages 88  
and 89. In relation to the single figure of total remuneration, both Liam FitzGerald and Brendan McAtamney’s amounts have been pro-rated for their period of service as CEO.
For the 2011 and 2010 financial years, Liam FitzGerald participated in the former employee share option scheme. Awards under this scheme did not meet their performance targets  
in respect of either financial year. 

The company became a member of the FTSE 250 Index on 24 December 2012 and the Committee believes that this is the most appropriate  
index against which to compare the performance of the company (prior to this the company had its primary listing on the Irish Stock Exchange). 
The chart below compares the performance of the company relative to the FTSE 250 Index over the ten-year period to 30 September 2019.

Value (£)

600

500

400

300

200

100

F TSE 250
UDG Healthcare

0

30 Sep 09

30 Sep 10

30 Sep 11

30 Sep 12

30 Sep 13

30 Sep 14

30 Sep 15

30 Sep 16

30 Sep 17

30 Sep 18

30 Sep 19

This graph shows the value of £100 invested in UDG Healthcare plc on 30 September 2009 compared with the value of £100 invested in the  
FTSE 250. Values at each year-end date are calculated on a three-month average basis. 

Source: Thomson Reuters

Percentage change in total remuneration of CEO versus average employee
Details of the percentage change in the total remuneration of the Chief Executive relative to employees across the Group as at 30 September 
2019 are set out below.

2019 
Total 
%

Chief Executive1

Average employee2

17.3% 

7.9%

1 

A high proportion of the Chief Executive’s remuneration is variable. In FY2018, total bonus payable to the Chief Executive was 18% of the maximum, compared with a figure of 77.2%  
of maximum total bonus in FY2019.

2  The increase in average employee remuneration is a reflection of currency movements, a change in employee mix arising from acquisitions and disposals, and the broad geographic 

spread of employees across 26 countries.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

93

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Performance graph and table (continued)
Relative spend on pay
The following table sets out the percentage change in adjusted profit before tax, dividends and overall expenditure on pay (as a whole across the 
organisation). Both profit and expenditure on pay have been impacted by changes in foreign exchange translation rates, between 2018 and 2019.

Adjusted profit before tax ( IAS 18)

Dividends 

Overall expenditure on pay

2019 
$’000

150,261

40,325

639,951

2018 
$’000

138,815

34,705

633,884

Change

8.2%

16.2%

1.0%

94

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Directors’ Remuneration Policy Report
The Directors’ Remuneration Policy Report (the Policy) was last approved by shareholders on 7 February 2017 with 98.4% of shareholders  
voting in favour of the resolution. It has therefore been three years since the Policy was submitted to shareholders and in accordance with the 
remuneration reporting regulations will be re-submitted for approval at the AGM on 28 January 2020. 

This revised Policy will apply from this date. As UDG Healthcare is an Irish incorporated company the report will be subject to an advisory rather 
than binding vote.

As discussed in the statement from the Remuneration Committee Chair, the key changes between this Policy and the policy that was approved  
by shareholders at the 2017 AGM are as follows:
•  Shareholding guidelines will be increased from 100% of salary to 200% of salary;
•  The maximum LTIP opportunity will be increased from 150% of salary to 200% of salary. As a consequence, the maximum variable 

opportunity on recruitment has also increased by 50% of salary; and 

•  Pension contribution levels for any new executive director will be in line with the wider workforce in the relevant local market.

The following table sets out a discussion of each element of the remuneration package for directors. 

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

Element

Salary

Sufficient to attract and 
retain individuals of the 
necessary calibre to 
execute our business 
strategy by ensuring base 
salaries are competitive in 
the market in which the 
individual is employed.

Reviewed annually. Changes are 
generally effective from 1 October.

The review takes into consideration  
the scope and responsibilities of the 
role, the performance and experience 
of the individual, overall business 
performance, increases in the size  
and complexity of the Group and 
potential retention issues.

Individual and business 
performances are 
considered in setting 
base salary.

Not performance related.

Related to salary.

The principal external 
comparator groups 
against which executive 
directors’ reward is 
currently reviewed 
include the FTSE 250.

There is no maximum 
salary. Any salary 
increases will have regard 
to increases awarded to 
the overall employee 
population, the rate of 
underlying inflation, and 
general market 
conditions as well as 
reflecting changes in 
scope of role and 
responsibilities.

There is no maximum 
benefit value. Benefit 
entitlements are reviewed 
periodically.

Maximum levels of 
contributions for any new 
executive director will be 
in line with the rates 
available to the wider 
workforce in the 
executive’s local market. 

Legacy arrangements for 
individuals are honoured 
and details are provided 
in the Annual 
Remuneration Report.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

95

Benefits

Provide competitive 
benefits within the market 
in which the individual  
is employed.

Pension

Designed to provide 
market competitive 
pension arrangements 
sufficient to attract and 
retain individuals of the 
necessary calibre to 
execute our business 
strategy and to honour 
legacy arrangements.

Benefits typically include death, 
disability and medical insurance, club 
subscriptions, the provision of a 
company car or cash allowances taken 
in lieu of such benefits. In the case of 
recruitment, benefits may include 
relocation allowances or other benefits 
which are considered necessary to 
facilitate recruitment in line with our 
recruitment remuneration policy.

Current Irish resident executive 
directors receive a cash allowance in 
lieu of participation in a pension 
scheme. 

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Directors’ Remuneration Policy Report (continued)

Element

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

Annual 
bonus

Rewards the achievement 
of annual financial and 
strategic business targets 
and individual 
performance.

Maximum bonus 
opportunity for all 
executive directors is 
currently set at 100% of 
base salary.

Annual bonus performance measures 
and weightings for each executive 
director are reviewed at the start of 
each financial year to ensure they 
continue to support the achievement  
of the business strategy and represent 
appropriately stretching financial and 
non-financial targets. Pay-outs are 
determined by the Committee based on 
actual performance against the targets 
set at the start of the financial year.

The Committee has discretion to 
determine appropriate bonus 
entitlement on cessation of 
employment. Bonus amounts will be 
based on the circumstances of the 
termination, the portion of the financial 
year elapsed and performance against 
targets and of the individual and other 
relevant factors.

Performance is measured 
against clearly defined 
objectives set by the 
Committee. At least 75% 
of the maximum bonus 
opportunity is based  
on financial goals. The 
remainder may be based 
on achievement of 
personal and strategic 
goals.

For financial 
performance, up to 10% 
of salary is available at 
threshold performance. 
For non-financial targets, 
the minimum level of 
performance equates  
to zero bonus pay-out.

96

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Element

LTIP

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance metrics

Under the scheme rules, 
the maximum value of 
awards in respect of any 
one year is limited to 
200% of base salary for 
each individual.

Up to half of any award 
may be based on a share 
price based measure (e.g. 
TSR) and up to half of 
any award may be based 
on a financial measure 
(e.g. cashflow). The 
Committee retains 
discretion to introduce 
measures (e.g. strategic 
or returns-based) for 
future awards which will 
account for no more than 
one third of the award.

Designed to incentivise 
execution of the business 
strategy over the longer 
term and align executives 
with shareholders’ 
interests by rewarding 
sustained increase in 
shareholder value and 
strong long-term financial 
performance.

Awards are normally made annually by 
the Committee following the release of 
full-year financial results. Performance 
targets are set at the time of award 
based on:
(i) delivering long-term stretching 

financial performance aligned with 
strategic plans; and

(ii) delivering long-term superior 

returns (relative to an appropriate 
peer group) to shareholders.

Performance is normally assessed over 
three financial years. 

The vesting period for awards is three 
years and a post-vesting holding period 
of two years will normally apply 
resulting in a five-year time horizon.

Dividends or dividend equivalents may 
be paid. 

The Committee has discretion to 
determine appropriate entitlement to 
unvested LTIP awards on cessation of 
employment. Typically, pro-rating for 
time served will apply and performance 
will be tested at the end of the 
performance period as part of the 
normal process. The LTIP scheme rules 
contain provisions in relation to change 
of control. In such a scenario, the 
Committee has discretion to allow 
outstanding awards to vest to the 
extent that performance targets have 
been met. Time pro-rating will 
generally also be applied.

Shareholding guidelines 
The Company operates a shareholding guideline, subject to approval of the revised Remuneration Policy at the 2020 AGM, executive directors 
will generally be expected to build and maintain a shareholding of 200% of base salary. New executives have a period of time, being five years 
from joining or the date of any change in shareholding guideline, whichever is the later, in which to achieve this target. Our post-cessation 
shareholding guideline policy is to rely on our existing leaver provisions for subsisting share awards, together with the operation of a two-year 
post-vesting holding period for LTIP awards. 

Notes to Future Policy Table
LTIP limits and recovery provisions (clawback and malus)
The LTIP scheme rules provide for the granting of awards, up to a maximum of 10% of the company’s issued share capital over a ten-year period, 
taking account of any other share scheme operated by the Company. Recovery provisions (clawback and malus) apply to awards granted from 
1 October 2019 onwards (provisions applying to previous awards are described in the previous policy). LTIP awards maybe reduced, cancelled  
or clawed back at any time prior to the fifth anniversary of grant. Recovery provisions may be applied in the event of material misstatement  
of results in respect of a year in the performance period, factual error in calculating vesting or award grants, reputational damage, serious 
misconduct and other similar events.

Annual bonus arrangements and recovery provisions (clawback and malus)
In relation to annual bonuses, clawback provisions apply in the event that within three years of payment the basis upon which a bonus payment 
was determined or paid, is shown to be manifestly misstated.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

97

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Directors’ Remuneration Report (continued)

Notes to Future Policy Table (continued)
Legacy awards
For the avoidance of doubt, the Committee reserves the right to make any remuneration payments and payments for loss of office (including 
exercising any discretion available to it in connection with such payments) notwithstanding that they are not in line with the policy set out above 
where the terms of the payment were agreed (i) before 4 February 2014 (the date the company’s first shareholder-approved directors’ 
remuneration policy came into effect); or (ii) before the policy set out above came into effect, provided that the terms of the payment were 
consistent with the shareholder-approved directors’ remuneration policy in force at the time they were agreed; or were otherwise approved by 
shareholders; or (iii) at a time when the relevant individual was not a director of the company (or other person to whom this policy applies) and, 
in the opinion of the Committee, the payment was not in consideration for the individual becoming a director of the company (or such persons). 
For these purposes ‘payments’ includes the Committee satisfying awards of variable remuneration and, in relation to an award over shares, the 
terms of the payment are ‘agreed’ at the time the award is granted. This policy applies equally to any individual who is required to be treated as  
a director under the applicable regulations. 

Choice of performance measures
The Committee believes the choice of performance measures for the annual bonus and LTIP represent an appropriate balance between the short 
and long term focus of the Group’s business strategy, as well as an appropriate balance between external and internal assessments of performance. 

Differences in Policy
Remuneration arrangements throughout the Group are based on the principle that reward should support the business strategy and should  
be sufficient to attract and retain individuals of the calibre capable of executing that strategy, without paying more than is necessary. 

The Group is an international organisation with employees at different levels of seniority in a number of different countries. Accordingly, the 
manner in which the above principle is implemented varies by level of employee and geography in which the employee is located. 

The practice with regard to the remuneration of senior executives immediately below the level of executive director is consistent with the 
remuneration policy for executive directors. These executives all have a significant portion of their remuneration package linked to performance. 
Their financial and non-financial performance targets for annual bonus are cascaded from the targets for the executive directors. They are also 
eligible to participate either in the LTIP or other similar long-term incentive plans.

Other senior managers are entitled to participate in appropriate multi-year incentive arrangements and also participate in local bonus plans with 
performance targets aligned with those of executive directors and senior executives. For employees in general, the Group aims to provide 
remuneration packages that are market-competitive in the employee’s country of employment. Where practical, the structure of employees’ 
remuneration cascades from that of executives and senior management. 

Discretion
The Committee has retained the discretionary ability to adjust the value of an award under the annual bonus and LTIP schemes, if the award, in 
the Committee’s opinion taking all circumstances into consideration, produces an unfair result. In exercising this discretion, the Committee may 
take into consideration the individual’s or the Group’s performance against non-financial measures. 

Considerations of conditions elsewhere in the Group
The Committee does not directly consult with employees when formulating executive director pay policy. However, the Committee does take  
into consideration information on pay arrangements for the wider employee population when determining the pay of executive directors. In 
particular, it will take into account any relevant views communicated by the Designated NEDs now responsible for engaging with the wider 
workforce under new initiatives established following the introduction of the New Code and as more fully described at page 69. 

Shareholder considerations
The Company has met with a number of its largest shareholders during 2019 (and offered to meet with others), is committed to ongoing dialogue 
with shareholders and welcomes feedback on directors’ remuneration. We continue to incorporate market developments and shareholder 
expectations within our remuneration frameworks. 

In particular, the Company has undertaken a consultation process with its largest shareholders and shareholder adviser groups in connection 
with the development and finalisation of the revised Policy.

Remuneration Policy for Non-executive Directors
Non-executive directors are not eligible to participate in the annual bonus plan or LTIP and do not receive any benefits other than fees in respect 
of their services to the company. The company reimburses the non-executives for reasonable expenses in performing their duties and may settle 
any tax incurred in relation to these.

Non-executive directors receive a basic fee which covers their Board role and membership of one or more Board Committees. Additional fees are 
paid for chairing the Board and for chairing a Committee, but only one such fee can be received by any one individual. A separate fee is paid for 
acting as Senior Independent Director or for acting as a Designated NED. An additional modest travel allowance is paid to directors travelling to 
and from Europe, and to and from the U.S., for each meeting attended in person.

98

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Policy on payment for loss of office
The Company operates the following policy in respect of payments concerning loss of office: 
•  notice periods do not exceed 12 months;
• 
• 

termination payments are negotiable but restricted to a maximum of 12 months’ salary and other contractual benefits;
the Committee has discretion to determine appropriate bonus amounts and LTIP vesting. Bonus amounts will be determined based  
on time spent and the performance of the individual whilst fulfilling the duties of the role. Typically, for LTIP awards, pro-rating for time  
served will apply and performance will be tested at the end of the performance period as part of the normal process; and
in any exit payment scenario, the Committee will give due consideration to the circumstances under which the director’s employment terminated. 

• 

Approach to recruitment remuneration 
In the event of appointing a new executive director, the Committee will align the remuneration package of the new director with the policy set out 
in this Report. However, the Committee retains the discretion to propose remuneration arrangements on hiring a new executive director which 
are outside the policy set out in the future policy table in order to facilitate the hiring of an individual of the calibre required to deliver the Group’s 
business strategy. The intention is to stay within limits on variable pay as set out within the future policy table. However, in any event, the 
maximum level of variable remuneration (i.e. bonus and long-term incentive) which may be granted in these circumstances shall not exceed 
350% of salary. 

When determining the appropriate remuneration arrangements for a new executive director, the Committee will take account of the impact  
on existing remuneration arrangements for other executive directors when setting the type and quantum of remuneration being offered.  
The Committee may make awards on hiring an external candidate to compensate the individual for variable remuneration arrangements that will 
be forfeited on leaving their previous employer. In doing so, the Committee will take into consideration such factors as performance conditions, 
vesting schedules and the form of the awards being forfeited. To the extent possible, buy-out awards will be made on a basis that closely 
approximates the benefit that the new director could reasonably have expected to receive had they remained with their previous employer. 

Service contracts
Brendan McAtamney and Nigel Clerkin’s service contracts can be terminated by either party giving 12 months’ notice. The company has retained 
the right to make payment to the director in respect of salary and other contractual entitlements in lieu of the notice period. 

Non-executive directors’ Letters of Appointment
The terms of engagement of non-executive directors are set out in Letters of Appointment. Non-executive directors are currently appointed for 
an initial three-year term subject to satisfactory performance and annual re-election by shareholders at Annual General Meetings. The appointment 
can be terminated by either party on giving one month’s notice.

Remuneration scenarios 
The section below shows hypothetical values of the remuneration package for executive directors under four assumed performance scenarios 
and has been constructed based on the Remuneration Policy as set out in this Report and uses the same level of salary, benefits and pensions 
entitlement of each of the executive directors as at 1 October 2019 under all four of the scenarios.

•  Minimum remuneration receivable – There is no annual bonus payment and no vesting under the LTIP.
•  Remuneration for expected performance – There is a target bonus pay-out of 70% of base salary. There is target vesting under the LTIP  

of 25% of the maximum award.

•  Maximum remuneration receivable – There is a maximum bonus pay-out of 100% of base salary for each executive director and maximum 

vesting of 200% of base salary for Brendan McAtamney and Nigel Clerkin. 

•  Maximum remuneration receivable and 50% share price appreciation – As per ‘Maximum remuneration receivable’ with an assumed share 

price appreciation of 50%.

•  The actual amounts earned by executive directors under the above scenarios will depend on share price performance over the vesting period.

Brendan McAtamney

Nigel Clerkin

€4,000

€3,500

€3,000

€2,500

€2,000

€1,500

€1,000

€1,731
20%
28%

€903

€3,663

19%

€2,973

46%

38%

23%

19%

€500

100%

52%

30%

25%

€0

Minimum

On Target

Maximum

Maximum + 
share price 
appreciation

Fixed remuneration 

Annual bonus

LTIP

Share price appreciation

€4,000

€3,500

€3,000

€2,500

€2,000

€1,500

€1,000

€500

€0

€2,600

19%

€2,106

47%

38%

23%

30%

19%

24%

€1,217
20%
28%

51%

€624

100%

Minimum

On Target

Maximum

Maximum + 
share price 
appreciation

Fixed remuneration 

Annual bonus

LTIP

Share price appreciation

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

99

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Report of the Directors

Report of the Directors

The directors present their report and audited financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2019.

Non-financial reporting statement
In compliance with the European Union (Disclosure of Non-Financial and Diversity Information by certain large undertakings and groups) 
Regulations 2017, our Non-Financial Reporting Statement is set out on page 53.

Dividends
An interim dividend of $4.46 cent (2018: $4.25 cent) per share was paid on 26 June 2019. Subject to shareholder approval at the company’s 
AGM, it is proposed to pay a final dividend of $12.34 cent (2018: $11.75 cent) per share on 5 February 2020, to ordinary shareholders on the 
Company’s register at 5.00 p.m. on 10 January 2020, thereby giving a total dividend for the year of $16.8 cent (2018: $16.00 cent) per share. 

Board of directors
Peter Chambré and Shane Cooke were appointed as non-executive directors on 1 February 2019. Details of the Board and Committee 
composition are set out on pages 60 and 61.

In accordance with the recommendation contained in the 2016 U.K. Corporate Governance Code, the Board has adopted the practice of annual 
re-election for all directors, unless a director is stepping down from the Board.

Company listing and share price
At 30 September 2019, the Company’s shares were listed solely on the London Stock Exchange. The price of the Company’s shares ranged 
between £5.51 and £8.21 with an average price of £6.71 during the year ended 30 September 2019. The share price at the end of the 2019 
financial year was £7.51 and the market capitalisation of the Group was £1.87 billion. 

Substantial Interests
The Company has received notification of the following interests of 3% or more in its ordinary share capital:

Allianz Global Investors GmbH

Kabouter Management

BlackRock Inc

The Vanguard Group, Inc

Fidelity Management & Research

At 22 November 20191

At 30 September 2019

Number of 
ordinary  
shares 

of issued share 
capital (excluding 
treasury shares)

Number of 
ordinary 
shares 

of issued share 
capital (excluding 
treasury shares)

24,990,366

10.02%

24,054,314

12,439,856

12,311,708

9,726,817

8,063,190

4.99%

4.94%

3.90%

3.23%

14,236,063

11,166,546

9,118,911

8,708,837

9.65%

5.71%

4.48%

3.66%

3.49%

1 

22 November is the last practicable date to verify interests before printing this report. Figures adjusted for Form TR1 (notification of major holdings) releases by Allianz and Kabouter on 
25 November 2019.

These entities have indicated that the shareholdings are not ultimately beneficially owned by them.

Authority to allot shares and disapplication of pre-emption rights
At the AGM held on 29 January 2019, the directors received the authority from shareholders to allot shares up to an aggregate nominal value 
representing approximately one-third of the issued share capital of the company and the power to disapply the statutory pre-emption provisions 
relating to the issue of new equity for cash. The disapplication is limited to the allotment of shares in connection with the exercise of share 
options, any rights issue, any open offer or other offer to shareholders and the allotment of shares up to an aggregate nominal value representing 
approximately 5% of the issued share capital of the company. The directors also received authority to allot up to 10% of the issued share capital  
of the company if the issue was related to an acquisition.

These authorities are due to expire at the company’s 2020 AGM. Consequently, at the forthcoming AGM, shareholders will be asked to renew these 
authorities until the date of the company’s AGM to be held in 2021 or the date 15 months after this forthcoming AGM, whichever is the earlier.

100

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Purchase of own shares
At the AGM held on 29 January 2019, authority was granted to the company, or any of its subsidiaries, to purchase a maximum aggregate of 10% 
of the company’s shares.

Special resolutions will be proposed at the company’s 2020 AGM to renew the authority of the company, or any of its subsidiaries, to purchase  
up to 10% of the issued share capital of the company and in relation to the maximum and minimum prices at which treasury shares (effectively 
shares purchased and not cancelled) may be re-issued off-market by the company. If granted, the authorities will expire on the earlier of the date 
of the company’s AGM in 2021 or the date 15 months after this forthcoming AGM.

The directors will only exercise the power to purchase shares if they consider it to be in the best interests of the company and its shareholders  
as a whole.

Takeover directive 
The Group’s principal banking and loan note facilities include provisions that, in the event of a change of control of the company, the Group  
could be obliged to repay the facilities together with penalties. Certain client and supplier contracts and joint venture arrangements also contain 
change of control provisions. Additionally, the company’s Long Term Incentive Plan and Employee Share Option Plan contain change of control 
provisions which potentially allow for the acceleration of the exercisability of awards in the event that a change of control occurs with respect to 
the Company.

Political donations
No political donations which require disclosure in accordance with the Electoral Acts 1997 to 2012 were made by the Group during the year.

Accounting records
The directors believe that they have complied with the requirements of Sections 281 to 285 of the Companies Act 2014 with regard to maintaining 
adequate accounting records by employing accounting personnel with appropriate expertise and by providing adequate resources to the finance 
function. The accounting records of the company are maintained at the Company’s registered office, 20 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus, 
Citywest, Dublin 24, Ireland.

Auditor
The appointment of Ernst & Young as the company’s External Auditor was approved by shareholders on 7 February 2017. The re-appointment  
of Ernst & Young for the year ending 30 September 2020 will be subject to shareholder approval at the AGM to be held on 29 January 2020.

Disclosure of Information to the Auditor
Each of the directors individually confirms that:
• 
• 

in so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditor is 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 Company’s auditor is aware of such information.

Annual General Meeting
The AGM of the Company will be held on 29 January 2020. Your attention is drawn to the letter to shareholders and the Notice of AGM available 
on the Company’s website, www.udghealthcare.com, which sets out details of the matters which will be considered at the meeting.

Memorandum and Articles of Association
The Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association set out the objects and powers of the Company and may be amended by a special 
resolution passed by the shareholders at a general meeting of the Company.

Corporate Governance
UDG Healthcare plc is an Irish registered company and is therefore not subject to the disclosure requirements contained in the U.K. Companies 
Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013.

A summary of the Group’s business model and strategy is set out on pages 12 to 17 and the Group’s sustainability policies and activities  
are summarised on pages 52 to 59.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

101

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Report of the Directors (continued)

Directors Compliance Statement 
(Made in accordance with section 225 of the Companies Act, 2014).

The directors acknowledge that they are responsible for securing compliance by UDG Healthcare plc (the ‘Company’) with its relevant 
obligations as are defined in the Companies Act, 2014 (the ‘Relevant Obligations’).

The directors confirm that they have drawn up and adopted a compliance policy statement setting out the Company’s policies that, in the 
directors’ opinion, are appropriate to the company with respect to compliance by the Company with its relevant obligations. 

The directors further confirm the company has put in place appropriate arrangements or structures that are, in the directors’ opinion, designed 
to secure material compliance with its relevant obligations including reliance on the advice of persons employed by the Company and external 
legal and tax advisers as considered appropriate from time to time and that they have reviewed the effectiveness of these arrangements or 
structures during the financial year to which this report relates.

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the Group and company financial statements, in accordance with applicable 
laws and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare Group and company financial statements each year. Under that law, the directors are required  
to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union and have elected to prepare the company 
financial statements in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the 
Companies Act 2014.

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 
assets, liabilities and financial position of the Group and company and of their profit and loss for that period. In preparing each of the Group  
and company financial statements, the directors are required to:
•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
•  state that the financial statements comply with IFRS as adopted by the European Union as applied in accordance with the Companies Act 

2014; and

•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and the Company will 

continue in business.

The directors are also required by the Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 and the Transparency Rules of the Central Bank 
of Ireland to include a management report containing a fair review of the business and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties facing 
the Group.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit and loss of the company, and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements of the Group 
comply with the provisions of the Companies Act 2014. The directors are also responsible for taking all reasonable steps to ensure such records 
are kept by subsidiaries which enable them to ensure that the financial statements of the Group comply with the provisions of the Companies Act, 
2014. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and the Group, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the 
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and 
financial information included on the Group’s and company’s website (www.udghealthcare.com). Legislation in Ireland concerning the 
preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Responsibility Statement as required by the Transparency Directive and U.K. Corporate Governance Code
Each of the directors, whose names and functions are listed on pages 60 and 61 of this Annual Report, confirm that, to the best of each person’s 
knowledge and belief:
•  as required by the Transparency Regulations:

 — The Group financial statements, prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union and, in the case of the Company,  
as applied in accordance with the Companies Act 2014, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position of the Group  
and company as at 30 September 2019 and of the profit of the Group for the year then ended; 

 — The Directors’ Report contained in the Annual Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and  

the position of the Group and company, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face; and

•  as required by the U.K. Corporate Governance Code:

 — The Annual Report and financial statements, taken as a whole, provide the information necessary to assess the Group’s performance,  

business model and strategy and is fair, balanced and understandable. 

102

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Other Information
Other information relevant to the Director’s Report may be found in the following sections of the Annual Report:

Information

Location in the Annual Report

Principal activities, business review and future developments

Chairman’s Statement; Chief Executive’s Review; Operations Reviews  
and Finance Review – pages 6 to 45.

Results

Corporate Governance

Directors’ remuneration, including the interests of the  
directors and secretary in the share capital of the company

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

Key Performance Indicators

Financial risk management objectives and  
policies of the Group and the Company

Company’s capital structure including a summary  
of the rights and obligations attaching to shares

Long Term Incentive Plan, share options  
and equity settled incentive schemes

Events after the balance sheet date

Significant subsidiary undertakings

Financial Statements – pages 110 to 186.

Corporate Governance Report – pages 62 to 99.

Directors’ Remuneration Report – pages 81 to 99.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties – pages 49 to 51.

Key Performance Indicators – pages 18 to 21.

Financial Statements – Note 31.

Group Statement of Changes in Equity – page 112;  
and Financial Statements – Notes 18, 20 and 21.

Directors’ Remuneration Report – pages 81 to 99.

Financial Statements – Note 36

Financial Statements – Note 45

The Directors’ Report for the year ended 30 September 2019 comprises these pages and the sections of the Annual Report referred to under 
‘Other information’ above, which are incorporated into the Directors’ Report by reference.

On behalf of the Board

P. Gray
Director

2 December 2019

B. McAtamney
Director

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

103

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Independent Auditor’s Report  
to the Members of UDG Healthcare plc

Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of UDG Healthcare plc (‘the Company’) and its subsidiaries (‘the Group’) for the year ended 
30 September 2019, which comprise the Group Income Statement, Group Statement of Comprehensive Income, Group Statement of Changes  
in Equity, Group Balance Sheet, Group Cash Flow Statement, the Company Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Company Statement  
of Changes in Equity, the Company Balance Sheet, the Company Cash Flow Statement and the Notes forming part of the Group and Company 
Financial Statements, including the Significant Accounting Policies set out in Note 1. The financial reporting framework that has been applied  
in their preparation is Irish Law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union and, as regards  
the Company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2014. 

In our opinion:
• 

the Group financial statements give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities and financial position of the Group as at 30 September 2019 
and of its profit for the year then ended; 
the Company Balance Sheet gives a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities and financial position of the Company as at 30 September 2019;
the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union;
the Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union as applied in 
accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2014; and
the Group financial statements and Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2014 and, as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

• 
• 
• 

• 

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (Ireland) (‘ISAs (Ireland’)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities 
under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report.  
We are independent of the Group and Company in accordance with ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of financial statements  
in Ireland, including the Ethical Standard as applied to public interest entities issued by the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority 
(IAASA), and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Overview of our audit approach

Key audit matters

•  Assessment of the carrying value of goodwill
•  Revenue recognition

Audit scope

•  We performed an audit of the complete financial information of 13 (2018: 11) components and audit 

procedures on specific balances for a further 45 (2018: 44) components.

•  The components where we performed full or specific audit procedures accounted for 90% (2018: 85%)  
of Group Profit before tax before non-recurring exceptional items, 95% (2018: 87%) of Revenue and  
97% (2018: 96%) of Total assets.

Materiality

•  Overall Group materiality of $4.85 million which represents 5% of Group Profit before tax before  

non-recurring exceptional items. In our prior year audit, we adopted a materiality of $5.3 million based  
on 5% of Profit before tax before exceptional items.

Key audit matters 
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the 
current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we identified, 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 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. There were no changes in key audit matters from our prior year auditor’s report.

104

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Key observations communicated  
to the Audit Committee 

Our observations included 
the headroom level by CGU 
and movements in headroom 
over the prior year, the 
results of our sensitivity 
analysis, and an analysis of 
the five year forecast EBIT 
growth rate when viewed 
against the prior year 
impairment model and the 
current year actual growth.

Our observations included an 
outline of the range of audit 
procedures performed, the 
key judgements involved, the 
principal considerations 
arising from IFRS 15 adoption 
and the results of our testing.

We also provided our 
assessment of where we 
believe the Group’s revenue 
recognition practices lie 
within a range of acceptable 
outcomes, and the level of 
subjectivity involved in 
revenue related estimates.

Risk

Our response to the risk

Assessment of the carrying value of goodwill  
(2019: $547.5 million, 2018: $516.0 million)

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 75); 
Accounting policies (page 115); and Note 13 of the 
Group Financial Statements (page 137).

The impairment review of goodwill, with a carrying 
value of $547.5 million, is considered to be a risk area 
due to the size of the balance as well as the fact that  
it involves significant judgement by management. 
Judgemental aspects include assumptions of future 
profitability, revenue growth, margins, and the 
selection of appropriate discount rates, all of which 
may be subject to management override.

Revenue recognition (2019: $1,298.5 million,  
2018: $1,315.2 million)

Refer to the Audit Committee Report (page 75); 
Accounting policies (page 115); and Notes 3 and 34  
of the Group Financial Statements (pages 126 and  
166 respectively).

The Group generates revenue from a variety of 
geographies and across a large number of separate 
legal entities spread across the Group’s segments. 
Revenue may be recorded in an incorrect period or 
on a basis that is inconsistent with the contractual 
terms agreed with customers.

Certain of the Group’s revenue streams involve the 
exercise of judgement, in particular the determination 
of stage of completion of individual contracts where 
their duration spans accounting periods. In addition, 
the Group must assess whether it acts as agent or 
principal in transactions and accordingly whether 
revenue should be recorded on a gross or net basis, 
including the treatment of any rebates received. 
These judgements are important, given the 
significance of revenue as both a growth measure  
and a key determinant of profit in each period.

The Group adopted IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts 
with Customers on 1 October 2018.

Our team included valuations specialists who 
performed an independent assessment against 
external market data of key inputs used by 
management in calculating appropriate discount rates.

We challenged the determination of the Group’s eight 
cash-generating units (CGUs), and flexed our audit 
approach relative to our risk assessment and the level 
of excess of value-in-use over the carrying amount in 
each CGU. For all CGUs selected for detailed testing, 
we corroborated key assumptions in the models, in 
particular growth rates, which we compared against 
historic rates achieved and external analyst forecasts.

We performed a sensitivity analysis on the discount 
rate and the long term growth rate, to assess the level 
of excess of value-in-use over the carrying value in 
place for each CGU based on reasonably possible 
movements in such assumptions.

We considered the adequacy of management’s 
disclosures in respect of impairment testing and 
whether the disclosures appropriately communicate  
the underlying sensitivities, focusing in particular on the 
additional disclosures provided in respect of the Ashfield 
Commercial & Clinical UK CGU which was identified as 
being sensitive to changes in key assumptions.

We performed procedures on revenue at all in-scope 
locations, as outlined in further detail in the ‘Tailoring 
the scope’ section below. Detailed transactional 
testing of revenue recognised throughout the year 
was performed, commensurate with the higher audit 
risk assigned to revenue.

Dependent on the nature of the revenue recognised 
at each location, we examined supporting 
documentation including customer contracts, 
statements of works or purchase orders, sales 
invoices, and cash receipts. In addition, we performed 
cut-off procedures, revenue journal testing and 
customer balance confirmations. In some locations 
data analytics procedures were also performed.

Particular focus was applied at those locations where 
revenue is recognised over time under a stage of 
completion methodology or where agent versus 
principal considerations apply. In these circumstances 
we applied professional scepticism when assessing 
the judgements made by management.

We examined the additional revenue disclosures 
under IFRS 15 as set out in Note 3 of the Group 
Financial Statements, as well as the disclosures 
related to the Group’s adoption of IFRS 15, as set  
out in Note 34.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

105

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Independent Auditor’s Report  
to the Members of UDG Healthcare plc (continued)

Our application of materiality 
We apply the concept of materiality in planning and performing the audit, in evaluating the effect of identified misstatements on the audit and  
in forming our audit opinion.

Materiality
The magnitude of an omission or misstatement that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of the users of the financial statements. Materiality provides a basis for determining the nature and extent of our audit procedures.

We determined materiality for the Group to be $4.85 million, which is approximately 5% of Profit before tax before non-recurring exceptional 
items. In our prior year audit, we adopted a materiality of $5.3 million based on 5% of Profit before tax before exceptional items. Profit before  
tax before exceptional items is a key performance indicator for the Group and is also a key metric used by the Group in the assessment of the 
performance of management. We therefore considered Profit before tax before exceptional items, adjusted for recurring items, to be the most 
appropriate performance metric on which to base our materiality calculation as we consider it to be the most relevant performance measure  
to the stakeholders of the Group.

During the course of our audit, we reassessed initial materiality and amended it to reflect the actual reported performance of the Group in the year.

Performance materiality
The application of materiality at the individual account or balance level. It is set at an amount to reduce to an appropriately low level the 
probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceeds materiality.

On the basis of our risk assessments, together with our assessment of the Group’s overall control environment, our judgement was that 
performance materiality was 50% of our planning materiality, namely $2.43 million. We have set performance materiality at this percentage 
based on our assessment of the risk of misstatements, both corrected and uncorrected.

Audit work at component locations for the purpose of obtaining audit coverage over significant financial statement accounts is undertaken based 
on a percentage of total performance materiality. The performance materiality set for each component is based on the relative scale and risk  
of the component to the Group as a whole and our assessment of the risk of misstatement at that component. In the current year, the range  
of performance materiality allocated to components was $1.38 million to $0.55 million.

Reporting threshold
An amount below which identified misstatements are considered as being clearly trivial.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them all uncorrected audit differences in excess of $243,000, which is set at 5%  
of planning materiality, as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

We evaluate any uncorrected misstatements against both the quantitative measures of materiality discussed above and in light of other relevant 
qualitative considerations in forming our opinion.

An overview of the scope of our audit report
Tailoring the scope
Our assessment of audit risk, our evaluation of materiality and our allocation of performance materiality determine our audit scope for each 
entity within the Group. Taken together, this enables us to form an opinion on the Group financial statements.

In determining those components in the Group at which we perform audit procedures, we utilised size and risk criteria in accordance with 
International Standards on Auditing (Ireland).

In assessing the risk of material misstatement to the Group financial statements, and to ensure we had adequate quantitative coverage of 
significant accounts in the financial statements, of the 149 (2018: 158) reporting components of the Group, we selected 58 (2018: 55) 
components covering entities within Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the U.K. and the U.S., 
which represent the principal business units within the Group.

Of the 58 (2018: 55) components selected, we performed an audit of the complete financial information of 13 (2018: 11) components (“full scope 
components”) which were selected based on their size or risk characteristics. For the remaining 45 (2018: 44) components (“specific scope 
components”), we performed audit procedures on specific accounts within that component that we considered had the potential for the greatest 
impact on the significant accounts in the financial statements either because of the size of these accounts or their risk profile.

The reporting components where we performed audit procedures accounted for 90% (2018: 85%) of the Group’s Profit before tax before 
non-recurring exceptional items, 95% (2018: 87%) of the Group’s Revenue and 97% (2018: 96%) of the Group’s Total assets. For the current 
year, the full scope components contributed 80% (2018: 80%) of the Group’s Profit before tax before non-recurring exceptional items, 72% 
(2018: 65%) of the Group’s Revenue and 42% (2018: 43%) of the Group’s Total assets. The specific scope component contributed 10% (2018: 

106

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

5%) of the Group’s Profit before tax before non-recurring exceptional items, 23% (2018: 22%) of the Group’s Revenue and 55% (2018: 53%) of 
the Group’s Total assets. The audit scope of these components may not have included testing of all significant accounts of the component but will 
have contributed to the coverage of significant accounts tested for the Group.

Of the remaining 91 (2018: 103) components that together represent 10% (2018: 15%) of the Group’s Profit before tax before non-recurring 
exceptional items, none are individually greater than 2% (2018: 6%) of the Group’s Profit before tax before non-recurring exceptional items. For 
these components, we performed other procedures, including analytical review, testing of consolidation journals and intercompany eliminations, 
and foreign currency translation recalculations to respond to any potential risks of material misstatement to the financial statements.

The charts below illustrate the coverage obtained from the work performed by our audit teams.

PBT before exceptional items

Revenue

Total assets

10%

10%

  Full

  Specific

  Other

5%

23%

3%

42%

55%

80%

72%

  Full

  Specific

  Other

  Full

  Specific

  Other

Involvement with component teams 
In establishing our overall approach to the Group audit, we determined the type of work that needed to be undertaken at each of the 
components by us, as the primary audit engagement team, or by component auditors from other EY global network firms operating under our 
instruction. Of the 13 (2018: 11) full scope components, audit procedures were performed on 1 (2018: 1) of these directly by the primary audit 
team and on 12 (2018: 10) by component audit teams. For the 47 (2018: 43) full scope and specific scope components, where the work was 
performed by component auditors, we determined the appropriate level of involvement to enable us to determine that sufficient audit evidence 
had been obtained as a basis for our opinion on the Group as a whole. 

The Group audit team completed a programme of planned visits which has been designed to ensure that senior members of the Group audit 
team, including the Audit Engagement Partner, visit a number of overseas locations each year. During the current year’s audit cycle, visits were 
undertaken to the component teams in the U.S. and Germany. These visits involved discussing the audit approach with the component team and 
any issues arising from their work, meeting with local management and attending planning and closing meetings. The Group audit team 
interacted regularly with the component teams where appropriate during various stages of the audit, reviewed key working papers as deemed 
necessary and were responsible for the scope and direction of the audit process. This, together with the additional procedures performed at 
Group level, gave us appropriate evidence for our opinion on the Group financial statements.

Conclusions relating to principal risks, going concern and viability statement
We have nothing to report in respect of the following information in the annual report, in relation to which the ISAs (Ireland) require us to report 
to you whether we have anything material to add or draw attention to:
• 

the disclosures in the annual report set out on pages 48 to 51 that describe the principal risks and explain how they are being managed  
or mitigated;
the directors’ confirmation set out on page 47 in the annual report that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing 
the Group and the parent company, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity;
the directors’ statement set out on page 47 in the financial statements about whether they considered it appropriate to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in preparing them, and the directors’ identification of any material uncertainties to the Group’s and parent 
company’s ability to continue to do so over a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements;

• 

• 

•  whether the directors’ statement in relation to going concern required under the Listing Rules in accordance with Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3)  

• 

is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or
the directors’ explanation set out on page 47 in the annual report as to how they have assessed the prospects of the Group and the parent 
company, 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 and the parent company 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.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

107

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Independent Auditor’s Report  
to the Members of UDG Healthcare plc (continued)

Other information
The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other 
than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information  
and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether  
the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to  
be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether 
there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have 
performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

In this context, we also have nothing to report in regard to our responsibility to specifically address the following items in the other information 
and to report as uncorrected material misstatements of the other information where we conclude that those items meet the following conditions:
•  Fair, balanced and understandable – the statement given by the directors that they consider the annual report and financial statements taken 
as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group and parent 
company’s performance, business model and strategy, is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or

•  Audit committee reporting – the section describing the work of the audit committee does not appropriately address matters communicated  

by us to the audit committee or is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit; or

•  Directors’ statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code – the parts of the directors’ statement required under the Listing 
Rules relating to the Company’s compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code containing provisions specified for review by the auditor 
in accordance with Listing Rule 6.8.6 do not properly disclose a departure from a relevant provision of the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2014
Based solely on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, we report that: 
• 

in our opinion, the information given in the Directors’ Report, other than those parts dealing with the non-financial statement pursuant  
to the requirements of S.I. No. 360/2017 on which we are not required to report, is consistent with the financial statements; and 
in our opinion, the Directors’ Report, other than those parts dealing with the non-financial statement pursuant to the requirements  
of S.I. No. 360/2017 on which we are not required to report, has been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2014.

• 

We have obtained all the information and explanations which we consider necessary for the purposes of our audit.

In our opinion the accounting records of the Company were sufficient to permit the financial statements to be readily and properly audited  
and the Company statement of financial position is in agreement with the accounting records.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception
Based on the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the parent company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit,  
we have not identified material misstatements in the Directors’ Report, other than those parts dealing with the non-financial statement pursuant 
to the requirements of S.I. No. 360/2017 on which we are not required to report.

The Companies Act 2014 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion, the disclosures of directors’ remuneration and transactions required  
by sections 305 to 312 of the Act are not made. We have nothing to report in this regard. 

Respective responsibilities
Responsibilities of directors for the financial statements 
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement set on page 102, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the 
financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as 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 and the parent company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management 
either intends to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

108

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, 
whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance,  
but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (Ireland) 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. 

The objectives of our audit, in respect to fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to 
fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and 
implementing appropriate responses; and to respond appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary 
responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both those charged with governance of the entity and management. 

Our approach was as follows: 
•  We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the Group across the various jurisdictions 
globally in which the Group operates. We determined that the most significant are those that relate to the form and content of external 
financial and corporate governance reporting including company law, tax legislation, employment law and regulatory compliance with 
agencies such as the US Food and Drug Administration. 

•  We understood how UDG Healthcare plc is complying with those frameworks by making enquiries of management, internal audit, those 
responsible for legal and compliance procedures and the company secretary. We corroborated our enquiries through our review of the 
Group’s Compliance Policy, board minutes, papers provided to the audit committee and correspondence received from regulatory bodies.
•  We assessed the susceptibility of the Group’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur, by meeting  
with management, including within various parts of the business, to understand where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud.  
We also considered performance targets and the potential for management to influence earnings or the perceptions of analysts. Where  
this risk was considered to be higher, we performed audit procedures to address each identified fraud risk. These procedures included  
testing manual journals and were designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements were free from fraud or error.
•  Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures to identify non-compliance with such laws and regulations. Our procedures 

included a review of board minutes to identify any noncompliance with laws and regulations, a review of the reporting to the audit committee 
on compliance with regulations, enquiries of internal general counsel and management. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the IAASA’s website at: http://www.iaasa.ie/
getmedia/b2389013-1cf6-458b-9b8f-a98202dc9c3a/Description_of_auditors_responsiblities_for_audit.pdf. This description forms part of our 
auditor’s report.

Other matters which we are required to address
We were appointed by the Audit Committee following the AGM held on 7 February 2017 to audit the financial statements for the year ending 
30 September 2017 and subsequent financial periods. This is our third year of engagement. 

The non-audit services prohibited by IAASA’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the Group or Company and we remain independent  
of the Group and Company in conducting our audit. 

Our audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the Audit Committee.

The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe our responsibilities
Our report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with section 391 of the Companies Act 2014. Our audit work has 
been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for 
no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the 
Company’s members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Breffni Maguire 
for and on behalf of
Ernst & Young Chartered Accountants and Statutory Audit Firm
Dublin
2 December 2019

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

109

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Group Income Statement
for the year ended 30 September 2019

2019

2018

Pre-exceptional 
items  
$’000

Exceptional items 
(Note 9)  
$’000

Total  
$’000

Pre-exceptional 
items  
$’000

Exceptional items 
(Note 9)  
$’000

1,298,523
(927,382)

1,315,186
(927,877)

1,298,523
(920,010)

378,513
(193,856)
(21,840)
(40,414)
–
(2,136)
50

120,317
16,171
(24,301)

112,187
(20,951)

91,236

91,196
40

91,236

–
(7,372)

(7,372)
–
(1,050)
(33,631)
–
–
–

(42,053)
4,143
–

(37,910)
4,165

(33,745)

(33,745)
–

(33,745)

371,141
(193,856)
(22,890)
(74,045)
–
(2,136)
50

78,264
20,314
(24,301)

74,277
(16,786)

57,491

57,451
40

57,491

23.06c
22.92c

–
(5,706)

(5,706)
(11,042)
(1,214)
(99,550)
8,882
–
–

(108,630)
11,576
–

(97,054)
11,263

(85,791)

387,309
(217,475)
(17,250)
(37,037)
–
(2,374)
958

114,131
5,235
(13,926)

105,440
(15,792)

89,648

89,586
62

89,648

(85,791)
–

(85,791)

Total  
$’000

1,315,186
(933,583)

381,603
(228,517)
(18,464)
(136,587)
8,882
(2,374)
958

5,501
16,811
(13,926)

8,386
(4,529)

3,857

3,795
62

3,857

1.53c
1.52c

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Selling and distribution expenses
Administrative expenses
Other operating expenses
Other operating income
Transaction costs
Share of joint ventures’ profit after tax

Operating profit
Finance income
Finance expense

Profit before tax 
Income tax expense

Profit for the financial year

Profit attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share – cent
Diluted earnings per share – cent

Note

3

29
15

5
6
6

8

23

11
11

110

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Group Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 30 September 2019

Profit for the financial year
Other comprehensive income/(expense):
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss: 
Remeasurement (loss)/gain on Group defined benefit schemes
Deferred tax on Group defined benefit schemes:
– Pre-exceptional item
– Exceptional item

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Reclassification on loss of control of subsidiary undertakings
Group cash flow hedges:
– Effective portion of cash flow hedges – movement into reserve
– Effective portion of cash flow hedges – movement out of reserve

Effective portion of cash flow hedges:
– Movement in deferred tax – movement into reserve
– Movement in deferred tax – movement out of reserve

Net movement in deferred tax

Total other comprehensive (expense)/income

Total comprehensive income for the financial year

Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Note

30
28

21

21

28

846
–

21,637
(12,414)

(2,704)
1,551

2019 
$’000

57,491

(3,905)

846

(3,059)

(16,675)
–

9,223

(1,153)

(8,605)

(11,664)

45,827

45,791
36

45,827

(187)
408

(433)
(3,032)

54
379

2018 
$’000

3,857

2,422

221

2,643

(5,466)
33,383

(3,465)

433

24,885

27,528

31,385

31,323
62

31,385

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

111

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Total equity 
$’000

885,343
3,822

889,165

57,491

9,223
(1,153)
(16,675)
(3,905)
846

171
–

171

40

–
–
(4)
–
–

Group Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 30 September 2019

Equity share 
capital 
$’000

Share 
premium 
$’000

Other 
reserves 
(Note 21) 
$’000

Retained 
earnings 
$’000

Attributable 
to owners of 
the parent 
$’000

Non- 
controlling 
interests 
$’000

At 1 October 2018
Change in accounting policy (Note 34)

14,643
–

197,837
–

(135,955) 808,647
3,822

–

885,172
3,822

Restated total equity at the beginning of the financial year

14,643

197,837

(135,955) 812,469

888,994

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

Profit for the financial year
Other comprehensive income/(expense):
Effective portion of cash flow hedges
Deferred tax on cash flow hedges 
Translation adjustment
Remeasurement loss on defined benefit schemes
Deferred tax on defined benefit schemes

Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the year
Transactions with shareholders:
New shares issued
Share-based payment expense 
Dividends paid to equity holders
Release from share-based payment reserve

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

35
–
–
–

–

57,451

57,451

9,223
(1,153)
(16,671)
–
–

–
–
–
(3,905)
846

9,223
(1,153)
(16,671)
(3,905)
846

(8,601)

54,392

45,791

36

45,827

1,141
–
–
–

–
4,720
–
(2,923)

–
–
(40,325)
2,923

1,176
4,720
(40,325)
–

–
–
–
–

1,176
4,720
(40,325)
–

At 30 September 2019

14,678

198,978

(142,759) 829,459

900,356

207

900,563

for the year ended 30 September 2018

At 1 October 2017

14,620

196,496

(166,656)

836,087

880,547

109

880,656

Equity share 
capital 
$’000

Share 
premium 
$’000

Other 
reserves 
(Note 21) 
$’000

Retained 
earnings 
$’000

Attributable 
to owners of 
the parent 
$’000

Non- 
controlling 
interests 
$’000

Total equity 
$’000

Profit for the financial year
Other comprehensive income/(expense):
Effective portion of cash flow hedges
Deferred tax on cash flow hedges 
Translation adjustment
Reclassification on loss of control of subsidiary undertakings
Remeasurement gain on defined benefit schemes
Deferred tax on defined benefit schemes

Total comprehensive income for the year
Transactions with shareholders:
New shares issued
Share-based payment expense 
Dividends paid to equity holders
Release from share-based payment reserve

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

23
–
–
–

–

3,795

3,795

62

3,857

(3,465)
433
(5,466)
33,383
–
–

24,885

–
–
–
–
2,422
221

6,438

(3,465)
433
(5,466)
33,383
2,422
221

31,323

1,341
–
–
–

–
6,643
–
(827)

–
–
(34,705)
827

1,364
6,643
(34,705)
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

(3,465)
433
(5,466)
33,383
2,422
221

62

31,385

–
–
–
–

1,364
6,643
(34,705)
–

At 30 September 2018

14,643

197,837

(135,955)

808,647

885,172

171

885,343

112

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Group Balance Sheet
as at 30 September 2019

ASSETS
Non-current
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Intangible assets
Investment in joint ventures
Contract fulfilment assets
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred income tax assets
Employee benefits

Total non-current assets

Current
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Contract fulfilment assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Current income tax assets
Derivative financial instruments

Total current assets

Total assets

EQUITY
Equity share capital
Share premium
Other reserves
Retained earnings

Equity attributable to owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests

Total equity 

LIABILITIES
Non-current
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Other payables
Provisions
Deferred income tax liabilities
Derivative financial instruments

Total non-current liabilities

Current
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Trade and other payables
Current income tax liabilities 
Provisions

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

On behalf of the Board

P. Gray 
Director 

B. McAtamney
Director

Note

2019 
$’000

2018 
$’000

12
13
14
15
3
31
28
30

16
17
3

31

18
20
21
22

23

24
25
26
28
31

24
25

26

176,305
547,520
241,615
10,216
5,327
15,395
5,178
7,636

1,009,192

25,253
370,350
5,315
135,228
4,385
8,878

549,409

179,593
515,954
241,538
9,729
–
330
5,272
12,935

965,351

31,248
347,192
–
180,099
793
2,474

561,806

1,558,601

1,527,157

14,678
198,978
(142,759)
829,459

900,356
207

900,563

14,643
197,837
(135,955)
808,647

885,172
171

885,343

174,734
23,853
74,193
39,263
–

312,043

65,297
246,685
14,380
19,633

345,995

658,038

243,099
5,451
68,900
45,225
319

362,994

272
225,526
13,477
39,545

278,820

641,814

1,558,601

1,527,157

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

113

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report  
 
Group Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 30 September 2019

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax
Finance income
Finance expense
Exceptional items

Operating profit
Share of joint ventures’ profit after tax
Transaction costs
Depreciation charge
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets
Share-based payment expense
Increase in contract fulfilment assets
(Increase)/decrease in inventories
Increase in trade and other receivables 
Increase/(decrease) in trade payables, provisions and other payables
Exceptional items (paid)/received
Transaction costs paid

Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Income taxes paid

Net cash inflow from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
Investment in intangible assets – computer software
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (net of cash and cash equivalents acquired)
Deferred consideration paid
Deferred contingent consideration paid
Disposal of subsidiary undertakings (net of cash and cash equivalents disposed)

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of shares (including share premium thereon)
Repayments of interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Proceeds from interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Repayment of finance leases
Dividends paid to equity holders of the company

Net cash outflow from financing activities

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Translation adjustment
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Cash and cash equivalents is comprised of:
Cash at bank and short-term deposits

114

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Note

2019 
$’000

2018 
$’000

6
6
9

15

12

14
30

29

26

31
31
31

74,277
(16,171)
24,301
37,910

120,317
(50)
2,136
23,130
(571)
40,414
4,400
(3,786)
(6,989)
(5,814)
23,105
(29,267)
(2,534)

164,491
(9,910)
(25,329)

129,252

2,209
(27,016)
852
(12,475)
(69,078)
(24,333)
(812)
–

(130,653)

1,176
(1,859)
1,928
(5)
(40,325)

8,386
(5,235)
13,926
97,054

114,131
(958)
2,374
24,477
(340)
37,037
5,069
–
4,529
(53,361)
(1,518)
4,228
(5,363)

130,305
(9,682)
(18,107)

102,516

1,662
(39,580)
986
(21,047)
(33,479)
–
(5,911)
21,046

(76,323)

1,364
(2,118)
2,507
(111)
(34,705)

(39,085)

(33,063)

(40,486)
(4,385)
180,099

(6,870)
(500)
187,469

135,228

180,099

135,228

180,099

Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements

1.  Significant Accounting Policies
General Information
UDG Healthcare plc (the ‘Company’) and its subsidiaries (together the ‘Group’) delivers advisory, communications, commercial, clinical and 
packaging services to the healthcare industry. The Company is a public limited company whose shares are publicly traded. It is incorporated and 
domiciled in Ireland. The Company’s registered number is 12244. The address of its registered office is 20 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus, 
Citywest, Dublin 24, Ireland. 

The accounting policies applied in the preparation of the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2019 are set out below.

Statement of Compliance
The Group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and adopted by the European Union (EU). The consolidated financial statements are also 
prepared in compliance with the Companies Act 2014 and Article 4 of the E.U. IAS Regulation. References to IFRS hereafter refer to IFRS adopted 
by the EU. The individual financial statements of the company (company financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as 
adopted by the E.U. and as applied in accordance with the Companies Act 2014. In accordance with Section 304 of the Companies Act 2014, the 
Company has availed of the exemption from presenting its individual profit and loss account to the AGM and from filing it with the Registrar of 
Companies (Note 19). 

Basis of Preparation
The Consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars ($), rounded to the nearest thousand ($’000), and are prepared on a going 
concern basis. The company financial statements are presented in euro (€), rounded to the nearest thousand (€’000), and are prepared on a 
going concern basis. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the following 
which are measured at fair value: share-based payments, defined benefit pension plan assets and certain financial assets and liabilities including 
derivative financial instruments. 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the E.U. requires management to make certain judgements, 
estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. 
Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting 
estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected. The areas involving a higher degree 
of judgement and areas where assumptions and estimates are significant in relation to the Consolidated financial statements are discussed in the 
significant accounting judgements and estimates note (Note 2). 

The parent company’s financial statements included on pages 172 to 180 are prepared using accounting policies which are consistent with  
the accounting policies applied to the consolidated financial statements by the Group. The accounting policies are set out below and they have 
also been applied consistently by all of the Group’s subsidiaries and joint ventures to all years presented in these financial statements. 

Basis of Consolidation
The Group’s financial statements include the financial statements of the company and all of its subsidiaries and the Group’s interest in joint 
ventures using the equity method of accounting.

IFRS 9, ‘Financial Instruments’;
IFRS 15, ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’;

New and Amended Standards and Interpretations Effective in the Year
The Group adopted the following amendments to IFRS with effect from 1 October 2018: 
• 
• 
•  Amendments to IFRS 2, ‘Share based payments’ – Classification and measurement;
•  Amendments to IAS 40, ‘Investment property’ – Transfer of property;
• 
•  Annual improvements to IFRS standards 2014 – 2016 cycle.

IFRIC 22, ‘Foreign currency transactions and advance consideration’; and

The impacts of adopting IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 are described further in Note 34. Other amendments to IFRS that became effective in the period  
did not have a material effect on the Group accounting policies and the Group or Company financial statements. 

Standards and Interpretations Issued and Amended but Not Yet Effective or Early Adopted 
IFRS 16 Leases (E.U. Endorsed)
IFRS 16 is effective for the Group for the financial year beginning 1 October 2019 and is expected to have a material impact on the consolidated 
financial statements. Further details regarding the expected impact of adopting this standard are outlined in Note 35.

Other changes to IFRS have been issued but are not yet effective for the Group. However, they are either not expected to have a material effect 
on the Consolidated financial statements or they are not currently relevant for the Group.

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Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

1.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Accounting for Subsidiaries, Joint Ventures and Associates
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. Control exists when the Group is exposed or has rights to variable returns from its involvement 
with the investee and has the ability to effect these returns through its power over the investee. In assessing control, potential voting rights that 
currently are exercisable or convertible are taken into account. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the Group financial 
statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

Intragroup balances and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intragroup transactions are eliminated in preparing the Group 
financial statements. Unrealised gains arising from transactions with equity accounted joint ventures are eliminated against the investment  
to the extent of the Group’s interest. Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealised gains, but only to the extent there is no 
evidence of impairment.

Joint ventures are those entities where the rights are to share in the net assets and over whose activities the Group has joint control, established 
by contractual arrangement and requiring unanimous consent for strategic, financial and operational decisions. An associate is an enterprise over 
which the Group has significant influence, but not control, through participation in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee. 
Joint ventures and associates are included in the financial statements using the equity method of accounting, from the date that joint control and 
significant influence commence, until the date that joint control and significant influence cease. The Income Statement reflects in operating profit, 
the Group’s share of profit after tax of its joint ventures in accordance with IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements. The Group’s interest in its net assets is 
included as investment in joint ventures in the Balance Sheet at an amount representing the Group’s share of the fair value of the identifiable net 
assets at acquisition plus the Group’s share of post-acquisition retained profits or losses and other comprehensive income less dividends received 
from the joint ventures and goodwill arising on the investment and intercompany transactions that are eliminated.

Business Combinations
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method as at the acquisition date, which is the date on which control is transferred 
to the Group. 

The Group measures goodwill at the acquisition date as:
the fair value of the consideration transferred; plus
• 
the recognised amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree; plus
• 
if the business combination is achieved in stages, the fair value of the pre-existing equity interest in the acquiree; less
• 
the net recognised amount (generally fair value) of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
• 

When the excess is negative, a bargain purchase gain is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

The consideration transferred does not include amounts related to the settlement of pre-existing relationships. Such amounts are generally 
recognised in profit or loss.

Transaction costs, other than those associated with the issue of debt or equity securities that the Group incurs in connection with completed 
business combinations are expensed as incurred.

Any deferred contingent consideration payable is measured at fair value at the acquisition date. If the deferred contingent consideration is 
classified as equity, then it is not remeasured and settlement is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, subsequent changes in the fair value  
of the deferred contingent consideration are recognised in profit or loss.

When share-based payment awards (replacement awards) are required to be exchanged for awards held by the acquiree’s employees  
(acquiree’s awards) and relate to past services, then all or a portion of the amount of the acquirer’s replacement awards is included in 
measuring the consideration transferred in the business combination. This determination is based on the market-based value of the  
replacement awards compared with the market-based value of the acquiree’s awards and the extent to which the replacement awards  
relate to past and/or future service.

Investment in Subsidiary Undertakings
Investment in subsidiaries in the Company Financial Statements are stated at cost less any accumulated impairment and are reviewed  
for impairment if there are any indicators that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

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Intangible Assets – Acquired
Intangible assets that are acquired by the Group in a business combination are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment 
losses, when separable or arising from contractual or other legal rights and when they can be measured reliably. 

Amortisation is charged to the Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the intangible assets. Intangible assets 
are amortised over the following range of periods:
Customer relationships 
Trade names 
Technology 
Contract-based 

6–15 years
2–15 years
3–10 years
6 months–1 year (contractual terms)

Intangible Assets – Computer Software
Computer software, including computer software which is not an integrated part of an item of computer hardware, is stated at cost less any 
accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses. Cost comprises purchase price and any other directly attributable costs. 

It is probable that the asset created will generate future economic benefits; 

Computer software is recognised if it meets the following criteria: 
•  An asset can be separately identified;
• 
•  The development cost of the asset can be measured reliably;
• 
•  The cost of the asset can be measured reliably. 

It is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity; and 

Costs relating to the development of computer software for internal use are capitalised once the recognition criteria outlined above are met. 
Computer software is amortised over its expected useful life, which ranges from three to ten years, by charging equal instalments to the Income 
Statement from the date the assets are ready for use. 

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is reported at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Cost includes expenditure that is 
directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. Depreciation is calculated, on a straight-line basis on cost less estimated residual value, to 
write property, plant and equipment off over their anticipated useful lives using the following annual rates:

Land and buildings: 
– Freehold land 
– Freehold buildings  
Plant and equipment 
Computer equipment 
Motor vehicles 
Assets under construction 

not depreciated
2–7%
10–20%
20–33%
20%
not depreciated

The residual value of assets, if not insignificant, and the useful life of assets are reassessed annually. Gains and losses on disposals are  
determined by comparing the consideration received with the carrying amount at the date of disposal and are included in operating profit.

Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations
Non-current assets and disposal groups that are expected to be recovered primarily through sale rather than continuing use are classified as held 
for sale. These assets are shown in the Balance Sheet at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less any disposal costs. Impairment 
losses on initial classification as assets held for sale and subsequent gains or losses on remeasurement are recognised in the Income Statement.

A discontinued operation is a component of the Group’s business, the operations and cash flows of which can be clearly distinguished from the 
rest of the Group and which:
•  represents a separate major line of business or geographic area of operations;
• 
• 

is part of a single co-ordinated plan to dispose of a separate major line of business or geographic area of operations; or
is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale.

Classification as a discontinued operation occurs at the earlier of disposal or when the operation meets the criteria to be classified as held for  
sale. When an operation is classified as a discontinued operation, the comparative statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income  
is re-presented as if the operation had been discontinued from the start of the comparative year.

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Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

1.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Goodwill
Goodwill arises on the acquisition of subsidiaries, and it represents the excess of the consideration transferred for the acquisition, the amount  
of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree and the acquisition date fair value of any previous equity interest in the acquiree over the fair  
value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired. When the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired exceeds the cost of  
the acquisition, the values are reassessed and any remaining gain is recognised immediately in the Income Statement. Goodwill is subsequently 
carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is allocated to the cash generating units (CGUs) that are expected to benefit from 
the combination’s synergies. This is the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes. 

Goodwill is subject to impairment testing on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate a potential 
impairment. The carrying value of the CGU containing the goodwill is compared to the recoverable amount, which is the higher of value in  
use and fair value less costs of disposal. Any impairment is recognised immediately as an expense in the Income Statement and is not 
subsequently reversed.

Where goodwill forms part of a CGU and part of the operation within that CGU is disposed of, the goodwill associated with the operation 
disposed of is included in the carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain or loss on disposal. The goodwill disposed of on  
a partial disposal of a CGU is measured on the basis of the relative values of the operation disposed of and the portion of the CGU retained. 

Impairment of Non-Financial Assets
The carrying amounts of the Group’s non-financial assets, other than inventories (which are carried at the lower of cost and net realisable value) 
and deferred tax assets (which are recognised based on recoverability), are reviewed on an annual basis to determine whether there is any 
indication of impairment. If such an indication exists, then the asset is tested for impairment.

The recoverable amount of a non-financial asset or CGU is the greater of its fair value less cost to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, 
the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of  
the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. For the purpose of impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the group of 
assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups of assets (the CGU). An impairment 
loss is recognised if the carrying amount of an asset or its CGU exceeds its estimated recoverable amount.

An impairment loss, other than in the case of goodwill, is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable 
amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would  
have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised.

All impairment losses are recognised in the Income Statement.

Impairment of Financial Assets
The Group recognises an allowance for expected credit losses (ECLs) for all debt instruments not held at fair value through profit or loss. ECLs 
are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Group expects 
to receive, discounted at an approximation of the original effective interest rate. The expected cash flows will include cash flows from the sale of 
collateral held or other credit enhancements that are integral to the contractual terms.

ECLs are recognised in two stages. For credit exposures for which there has not been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, 
ECLs are provided for credit losses that result from default events that are possible within the next 12-months (a 12-month ECL). For those credit 
exposures for which there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, a loss allowance is required for credit losses 
expected over the remaining life of the exposure, irrespective of the timing of the default (a lifetime ECL).

For trade receivables and contract assets, the Group applies a simplified approach in calculating ECLs. Therefore, the Group does not track 
changes in credit risk, but instead recognises a loss allowance based on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date. The Group has established a 
provision matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience, adjusted for forward-looking factors specific to the debtors and the 
economic environment.

Leases
Leases of property, plant and equipment, where the Group assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership, are classified as finance 
leases. Finance leases are capitalised at the inception of the lease at the lower of the fair value of the leased asset and the present value of the 
minimum lease payments. The corresponding rental obligations, net of finance charges, are included in interest-bearing loans and borrowings. 
The interest element of the finance cost is charged to the income statement over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic rate of 
interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period. The property, plant and equipment acquired under finance leases are 
depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the lease term.

Leases where substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made 
under operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

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Inventories
Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is based on the first in, first out principle and includes all expenditure 
which has been incurred in the normal course of business in bringing the products to their present location and condition. Net realisable value  
is the estimated selling price of inventory on hand in the ordinary course of business less all costs expected to be incurred in marketing, selling 
and distribution. 

Foreign Currency
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency of the related entity at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the  
date of the transaction. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured based on historical cost are not subsequently re-translated. 
Non-monetary assets carried at fair value are subsequently remeasured at the exchange rate at the date fair value was determined. Monetary 
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated into functional currencies at the foreign exchange 
rate ruling at that date. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in the Income Statement, except for qualifying cash 
flow hedges and a financial liability designated as a hedge of the net investment in a foreign operation, which are recognised directly in Other 
Comprehensive Income.

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on consolidation, are translated to U.S. 
dollars at the foreign exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated to U.S. 
dollars at the average exchange rate for the financial period. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation of foreign operations, including 
those arising on long-term intra-Group loans deemed to be quasi-equity in nature, are recognised in Other Comprehensive Income and 
accumulated in the foreign exchange reserve within Equity.

When a foreign operation is disposed of such that control, significant influence or joint control is lost, the cumulative amount in the translation 
reserve related to that foreign operation is reclassified to profit or loss as part of the gain or loss on disposal. When the Group disposes  
of only part of its interest in a subsidiary that includes a foreign operation while retaining control, the relevant proportion of the cumulative amount  
is reattributed to non-controlling interests. When the Group disposes of only part of its investment in an associate or joint venture that includes  
a foreign operation while retaining significant influence or joint control, the relevant proportion of the cumulative amount is reclassified to profit or loss. 

Hedge of Net Investment in Foreign Operation
Foreign currency differences arising on the retranslation of a financial liability designated as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation 
are recognised in Other Comprehensive Income to the extent that the hedge is effective and are presented within Equity in the foreign exchange 
translation reserve. To the extent that the hedge is ineffective, such differences are recognised in profit or loss. When the hedged part of a  
net investment is disposed of, the associated cumulative amount in equity is transferred to profit or loss as an adjustment to the profit or loss  
on disposal.

Financial Guarantee Contracts
Where the Group enters into financial guarantee contracts to guarantee the indebtedness of other parties, the Group considers these to be 
insurance arrangements and accounts for them as such. The Group treats the guarantee contract as a contingent liability until such time as  
it becomes probable that the Group will be required to make a payment under the guarantee.

Revenue Recognition 
Revenue is recognised for identified contracts with customers. The Group’s revenue is derived from providing expert outsourcing services  
to healthcare companies through contract packaging services in the Sharp division, commercial and clinical outsourced services in Ashfield,  
and advisory and communications services in Ashfield. Revenue comprises the fair value of the consideration receivable for goods and services 
sold to third party customers in the ordinary course of business. It excludes sales-based taxes and is net of allowances for volume-based rebates 
and early settlement discounts. 

It is the Group’s policy and customary business practice to receive a valid order from the customer in which each parties’ rights and payment 
terms are established. The Group assesses revenue contracts to determine the transaction price and performance obligations to be delivered  
to customers under contract. The Group considers whether there are other promises in the contract that are separate performance obligations 
to which a portion of the transaction price needs to be allocated. Where the contracts include multiple performance obligations, the transaction 
price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the stand-alone selling price. The Group’s contracts with customers generally include 
a single performance obligation and do not contain multiple performance obligations or bundled pricing arrangements. 

If the consideration in a revenue contract includes a variable amount (including volume rebates), the Group estimates the amount of 
consideration to which it will be entitled in exchange for transferring the goods to the customer. Accumulated experience is used to estimate  
and provide for discounts and rebates, using the most likely amount estimation method for contracts with a single-volume threshold and the 
expected value method for contracts with more than one volume threshold. Revenue is only recognised to the extent that it is highly probable 
that a significant reversal will not occur. In some of the Group’s revenue contracts, the Group receives short-term advances from its customers. 
Using the practical expedient in IFRS 15, the Group does not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing 
component if it expects, at contract inception, that the period between the transfer of the promised good or service to the customer and when 
the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less.

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1.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Revenue Recognition (continued)
The Group recognises revenue as the amount of the transaction price expected to be received for goods and services supplied at a point in time 
or over time as the contractual performance obligations are satisfied and control passes to the customer. Revenue is recognised when a customer 
obtains control of a good or service and therefore has the ability to direct the use and obtain the benefits from the good or service. Revenue is 
recognised over time where (i) there is a continuous transfer of control to the customer; or (ii) there is no alternative use for any asset created 
and there is an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. Other revenue contracts are recognised at a point in time when 
control of the good or service transfers to the customer.

Where the contractual performance obligations are satisfied over time and revenue is recognised over time, the Group recognises revenue by 
reference to the estimated stage of completion of the performance obligations. The primary method of estimating stage of completion of over 
time revenue contracts is the input method of cost incurred to date over the estimated total cost to complete the revenue contract. Estimates of 
revenues, costs and stage of completion during the performance of a contract are revised where circumstances change. Any resulting increases 
or decreases in estimated revenues or costs are reflected in profit or loss in the period in which the circumstances that give rise to the revision 
become known. Where performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time, revenue is recognised when the risks and rewards of ownership 
have transferred to the customer. This is at the point where the product is delivered to the customer and there are no unfulfilled obligations that 
could affect the customer’s acceptance of the product.

In certain of the Group’s contracts where another party is involved in providing goods or services to its customer, the Group determines whether 
it is a principal or an agent in these transactions by evaluating the nature of its promise to the customer. The Group is a principal and records 
revenue on a gross basis if it controls the promised goods or services before transferring them to the customer. In circumstances where the 
Group’s role is only to arrange for another entity to provide the goods or services, then the Group is an agent and revenue is recognised at the 
net amount that it retains for its agency services. The Group has generally concluded that it is the principal in its revenue arrangements, except 
for the agency services disclosed in Note 3.

The disclosures of significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions relating to revenue from contracts with customers are provided 
in Note 2. The following contract balances relate to revenue recognition.

Contract assets: A contract asset is the right to consideration in exchange for goods or services transferred to the customer. If the Group 
performs by transferring goods or services to a customer before the customer pays consideration or before payment is due, a contract asset  
is recognised for the earned consideration that is conditional. Contract assets are presented within trade and other receivables on the Group 
Balance Sheet. Amounts previously classified as accrued income are now classified as contract assets.

Contract liabilities: A contract liability is the obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the Group has received consideration 
(or an amount of consideration is due) from the customer. If a customer pays consideration before the Group transfers goods or services to the 
customer, a contract liability is recognised when the payment is made or the payment is due (whichever is earlier). Contract liabilities are 
recognised as revenue when the Group performs under the contract. Contract liabilities are presented within trade and other payables on the 
Group Balance Sheet. Amounts previously classified as deferred income are now classified as contract liabilities.

Contract fulfilment assets: For certain contracts, the Group incurs costs necessary to fulfil obligations under a contract once it is obtained but 
before transferring goods or services to the customer. Costs to fulfil a contract are recognised on the Group Balance Sheet where the costs  
relate directly to a contract, generate or enhance Group resources that will be used in satisfying future performance obligations, and the costs 
are expected to be recovered. Contract fulfilment assets are amortised to cost of sales on a systematic basis, consistent with the pattern of 
transfer of the goods or services to which the asset relates.

Accounting policy applied before 1 October 2018
Revenue represents the fair value of consideration received or receivable (net of returns, trade discounts and rebates) for products and services 
provided in the course of ordinary activity to third party clients in the financial reporting period. The fair value of sales is exclusive of value  
added tax and after allowances for discounts and is recognised in the Income Statement when the significant risks and rewards of ownership 
have been transferred to the buyer, the consideration can be measured reliably and it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the 
Group. Discounts granted to clients are recognised as a reduction in sales revenue at the time of the sale based on management’s estimate  
of the likely discount to be awarded to clients.

Revenue from services rendered is recognised in the Income Statement in proportion to the stage of completion of the related contract or  
fully when no further obligations exist on the related service contract. Where the outcome of the contract can be measured reliably, stage of 
completion is measured by reference to services completed to date as a percentage of total services to be performed. Where services are to  
be performed rateably over a period of time, revenue is recognised on a straight-line basis over the period of the contract. When the Group  
acts in the capacity of an agent rather than as the principal in a transaction, the revenue recognised is the net amount of commission earned  
by the Group.

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Exceptional Items 
The Group has applied an income statement format which seeks to highlight significant items within Group results for the year. Such items may 
include significant restructuring and onerous lease provisions, fair value movements in contingent consideration, profit or loss on disposal or 
termination of operations, litigation costs and settlements, termination benefits including settlement of share-based payments, profit or loss on 
disposal of investments and impairment of assets. The Group exercises judgement in assessing the particular items which, by virtue of their scale 
and nature, should be disclosed in the Income Statement and related notes as exceptional items. The Group believes that such a presentation 
provides a more helpful analysis as it highlights material items of a non-recurring nature.

Finance Income and Expense
Finance income comprises interest income on funds invested, changes in the fair value of financial assets measured at fair value through profit  
or loss, and gains on hedging instruments that are recognised in profit or loss. Interest income is recognised as it accrues in profit or loss, using 
the effective interest method.

Finance expense comprises interest expense on borrowings, unwinding of the discount on provisions, changes in the fair value of financial assets 
and losses on hedging instruments that are recognised in profit or loss. All borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss using the effective 
interest rate method.

Employee Benefits
Pension Obligations
A defined contribution pension plan is a post-employment benefit plan under which an entity pays fixed contributions into a separate entity and 
will have no legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts. Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans are 
recognised as an expense in the Income Statement as incurred.

A defined benefit plan is a post-employment plan other than a defined contribution plan. The Group’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit 
pension plans is calculated separately for each plan by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in the current and 
prior years, discounting that amount and deducting the fair value of any plan assets. The calculation of defined benefit obligations is performed 
annually by a qualified actuary using the projected unit credit method. When the calculation results in a potential asset for the Group, the 
recognised asset is limited to the present value of economic benefits available in the form of any future refunds from the plan or reductions  
in future contributions to the plan. To calculate the present value of economic benefits, consideration is given to any applicable minimum  
funding requirements.

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability, which comprise actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets (excluding interest)  
and the effect of the asset ceiling (if any, excluding interest), are recognised immediately in Other Comprehensive Income. The Group 
determines the net interest expense/(income) on the net benefit liability/(asset) for the year by applying the discount rate used to measure  
the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the year to the then net benefit liability/(asset), taking into account any changes in the net 
defined benefit liability/(asset) during the year as a result of contributions and benefit payments. The discount rate applied is the yield at the 
balance sheet date on high-quality corporate bonds that have maturity dates approximating the terms of the Group’s obligations.

Net interest expense and other expenses related to defined benefit plans are recognised in profit or loss. When the benefits of a plan are  
changed or when a plan is curtailed, the resulting change in benefit that relates to past service or the gain or loss on curtailment is recognised 
immediately in the profit or loss. The Group recognises gains and losses on the settlement of a defined benefit plan when the settlement occurs. 

Performance-Related Incentive Plans
The Group recognises the present value of a liability for short-term employee benefits, including costs associated with performance-related 
incentive plans, in the Income Statement when an employee has rendered service in exchange for these benefits and a constructive obligation  
to pay those benefits arises.

Share-based Payment Transactions
The Group operates a Long-Term Incentive Plan and share option scheme which allow executive directors and employees acquire shares  
in the Company. All schemes are equity settled arrangements under IFRS 2 Share-based Payments. 

The grant-date fair value of share-based payment awards granted to employees is recognised as an employee expense, with a corresponding 
increase in equity, over the period that the employees become unconditionally entitled to the awards. The amount recognised as an expense  
is adjusted to reflect the number of awards for which the related service and non-market performance conditions are expected to be met,  
such that the amount ultimately recognised as an expense is based on the number of awards that meet the related service and non-market 
performance conditions at the vesting date. For share-based payment awards with market-based vesting conditions, the grant-date fair value of 
the share-based payment is measured to reflect such conditions and there is no true-up for differences between expected and actual outcomes.

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1.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Taxation is recognised in the Income Statement except to the extent that  
it relates to items recognised directly in Equity or Other Comprehensive Income, in which case the related tax is recognised directly in Equity  
or Other Comprehensive Income.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively 
enacted at the balance sheet date and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets 
and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. 

If the deferred tax arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of  
the transaction does not affect accounting nor taxable profit or loss, it is not recognised. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the 
expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted  
at the balance sheet date.

A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can  
be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to 
income taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same tax entity or on different tax entities, but they intend to settle current tax liabilities  
and assets on a net basis.

Segmental Reporting
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) 
who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments. Following the disposal of Aquilant in 2018,  
the Group has determined that it has two reportable operating segments: Ashfield and Sharp. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and deposits, including bank deposits of less than six months’ maturity from the 
commencement date. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Group’s cash management are included  
as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the Group and Company Cash Flow Statements.

Trade and Other Receivables
Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest  
method less provision for impairment. 

The Group recognises a provision for impairment for trade receivables by applying the simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9 to apply a 
lifetime expected credit loss provision for trade receivables. Impairment losses on trade and other receivables are recognised in profit or loss.  
The approach to measuring the provision for impairment of trade receivables is outlined in Note 17.

Accounting policy applied before 1 October 2018
A provision for impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect  
all amounts due according to the original terms of receivables. Significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor  
will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganisation, and default in payments are considered indicators that the trade receivable is impaired. 
The amount of the provision is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows.  
The amount of the provision is recognised in the Group Income Statement.

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Financial Instruments
Trade receivables and debt instruments issued are initially recognised when they are originated. All other financial instruments are recognised 
when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions. Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially recognised at fair value.  
For financial instruments that are not measured at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs are included in the initial measurement  
of the financial asset or financial liability.

Financial assets are classified as measured at:
•  Amortised cost;
•  Fair value through profit or loss (P&L); or
•  Fair value through other comprehensive income (OCI).

Financial assets are classified based on the business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows. Financial 
assets are only reclassified between categories where there has been a change in the business model for managing those assets. Financial assets 
are derecognised when the Group’s contractual rights to cash flows from the financial assets are extinguished, expire or transfer to a third party.

Financial liabilities are classified as measured at:
•  Amortised cost; or
•  Fair value through P&L.

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Group’s obligations in the contracts are discharged, expire or are terminated. Where a financial 
liability is modified such that the cash flows of the modified liability are substantially different, the existing financial liability is derecognised and  
a new financial liability based on the modified terms is recognised at fair value. On recognition of a financial liability, the difference between the 
carrying amount extinguished and the consideration paid is recognised in profit or loss. 

Derivative Financial Instruments
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure to foreign exchange and interest rate risks arising from operating, 
financing and investment activities. In accordance with its treasury policy, the Group does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments  
for trading purposes. However, derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are accounted for as trading instruments.

Derivative financial instruments are recognised at fair value. The gain or loss on remeasurement to fair value is recognised immediately in the 
Income Statement, except where derivatives qualify for hedge accounting, in which case recognition of any resultant gain or loss depends on  
the nature of the item being hedged, as set out below.

The fair value of interest rate swaps is the estimated amount that the Group would receive or pay to terminate the swap at the balance sheet date, 
taking into account current interest rates and the current creditworthiness of the swap counterparties. 

Cash Flow Hedges
Where a derivative financial instrument is designated as a hedge of the variability in cash flows of a recognised asset or liability, or a highly 
probable forecasted transaction, the effective part of changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instrument is recognised directly in 
Other Comprehensive Income in the cash flow hedge reserve. When the forecasted transaction results in the recognition of a non-financial asset 
or non-financial liability, the associated cumulative gain or loss is removed from Equity and included in the initial cost or other carrying amount  
of the non-financial asset or liability. In other cases, the associated cumulative gain or loss is removed from equity and recognised in the Income 
Statement in the same period or periods during which the hedged item affects profit or loss. The ineffective part of any gain or loss is recognised 
immediately in the Income Statement.

When a hedging instrument expires, is sold, terminated, exercised or the entity revokes the designation of the hedge relationship but the 
forecasted hedged transaction is still expected to occur, then hedge accounting is ceased prospectively and the cumulative gain or loss at that 
point remains in Equity. If the hedged transaction is no longer expected to take place, the cumulative unrealised gain or loss recognised in Equity 
is reclassified immediately to the Income Statement.

Fair Value Hedges
Where a derivative financial instrument is designated as a hedge of a change in the fair value of an asset or liability, gains or losses arising from 
the remeasurement of the hedging instrument to fair value are reported in the Income Statement. In addition, any changes in the fair value of  
the hedged item which is attributable to the hedged risk is adjusted against the carrying amount of the hedged item and reflected in the Income 
Statement. Where the adjustment is to the carrying amount of a hedged interest-bearing financial instrument, the adjustment is amortised to  
the Income Statement with the objective of achieving full amortisation by maturity.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

123

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

1.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Financial Instruments (continued)
Non-derivative Financial Instruments
Non-derivative financial instruments comprise trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, loans and borrowings, and trade and 
other payables. Non-derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost.

A financial instrument is recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets are 
derecognised if the Group’s contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial assets expire or if the Group transfers the financial asset to 
another party without retaining control of substantially all risks and rewards of the asset. Purchases and sales of financial assets are accounted 
for at trade date, i.e. the date that the Group commits itself to purchase or sell the asset. Financial liabilities are de-recognised if the Group’s 
obligations specified in the contract expire, are discharged or cancelled.

Interest-bearing Loans and Borrowings
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings are recognised initially at fair value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, 
interest-bearing loans and borrowings, other than those accounted for under the fair value hedging model outlined above, are stated at 
amortised cost with any difference between cost and redemption value being recognised in the Income Statement over the period of the 
borrowings on an effective interest basis. Effective interest rate is calculated by taking into account any issue costs and any expected discount  
or premium on settlement.

Provisions
A provision is recognised in the Balance Sheet when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, and it is 
probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation which can be measured reliably. If the effect is material, 
provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time 
value of money and the risks specific to the liability.

Share Capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of ordinary shares and share options are recognised 
as a deduction from equity, net of any tax effects.

Where share capital recognised as equity is repurchased, the amount of the consideration paid, including directly attributable costs, net of  
any tax effects, is recognised as a deduction from equity. Repurchased shares are classified as treasury shares and are presented as a deduction 
from total equity.

2.  Significant Accounting Estimates and Judgements
Revenue recognition (Note 3)
Revenue is recognised over time where (i) there is a continuous transfer of control to the customer; or (ii) there is no alternative use for any asset 
created and there is an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. Determining the stage of completion of contracts to 
recognise revenue involves estimation techniques, particularly where the contract duration spans accounting periods. The Group estimates stage 
of completion for fixed price contracts using stage of completion input methods of cost incurred to date as a proportion of the expected overall 
cost and effort to complete the performance obligations. The amount of in-progress and unbilled revenue as at 30 September 2019 is 
represented by the contract assets (accrued income) disclosed in Note 3. The weighted average estimated stage of completion of revenue 
contracts represented by contract assets and a sensitivity analysis of changes in weighted average stage of completion are outlined in Note 3.

As outlined in the accounting policy in Note 1, the Group capitalises certain costs to fulfil a contract with a customer where the costs relate 
directly to a contract, generate or enhance Group resources that will be used in satisfying future performance obligations, and the costs are 
expected to be recovered. Contract fulfilment assets are amortised to cost of sales on a systematic basis, consistent with the pattern of transfer  
of the goods or services to which the asset relates. The carrying value of contract fulfilment assets and amortisation in the year are outlined in 
Note 3. 

Judgement is applied by the Group when determining what costs qualify to be capitalised as a contract fulfilment asset. In the Ashfield division, 
certain mobilisation costs related to the set up of processes, personnel and systems necessarily incurred to deliver outsourcing services, are 
deferred during the commencement stage of a project and expensed evenly over the period that the outsourcing services are provided, which 
usually ranges from 12 to 18 months. The contract fulfilment costs are specific internal costs or incremental external costs directly related to the 
implementation of the customer contract. Ashfield’s contract fulfilment assets are recoverable from the customer on set up of the contract and 
are contractually protected in the event of early termination. Contract fulfilment assets are monitored regularly for impairment. The Group is 
aware of a recent IFRS Interpretations Committee (‘IFRIC’) tentative agenda decision regarding the deferral of training costs as a cost to fulfil a 
customer contract. The Group will consider the impact of the IFRIC agenda decision on its accounting policy for costs to fulfil customer contracts 
when the IFRIC agenda decision is concluded. 

124

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Note 13 and Note 14)
The Group annually tests whether there is any impairment in goodwill, in accordance with the accounting policy outlined in Note 1.  
Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires comparison of the value in use for the relevant CGUs to the net assets attributable to these 
CGUs. The value in use calculation is based on an estimate of future cash flows expected to arise from the CGUs and these are discounted to  
net present value using an appropriate discount rate. In calculating value in use, management judgement is required in forecasting cash flows  
of cash generating units, in determining terminal growth values and in calculating an appropriate discount rate. The goodwill impairment test  
is sensitive to these estimates. The Group has performed sensitivity analysis over the value in use calculation with respect to the key estimates. 
Sensitivities to changes in assumptions are detailed in Note 13. 

Determining the useful life of intangible assets requires judgement. Management regularly reviews these useful lives and changes them  
if necessary to reflect current conditions. Changes in useful lives can have a significant impact on the amortisation charge for the year.  
The amortisation expense in the year by class of intangible asset and the weighted average remaining useful lives for each category of intangible 
assets are disclosed in Note 14.

Income Tax Expense (Note 8)
The Group is subject to income tax in a number of jurisdictions, and significant judgement and degree of estimation is required in determining 
the worldwide provision for taxes. There are many transactions and calculations during the ordinary course of business, for which the ultimate 
tax determination is uncertain and the complexity of the tax treatment may be such that the final tax charge may not be determined until formal 
resolution has been concluded with the relevant tax authority which may take extended time periods to conclude. Also, the Group can be subject 
to uncertainties, including tax audits in any of the jurisdictions in which it operates, which are frequently complex taking many years to conclude. 
Amounts accrued for anticipated tax authority reviews are based on estimates of whether any additional amounts of tax may be due. Such 
estimates are determined based on a number of factors including management judgement, interpretation of relevant tax laws, correspondence 
with the tax authorities, advice from external tax professionals and a probability weighted expected value.

The ultimate tax charge may, therefore, be different from that which initially is reflected in the Group’s consolidated tax charge and provision  
and any such differences could have a material impact on the Group’s income tax charge and consequently financial performance. Where the 
final tax charge is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences are recognised in the income tax provision in the 
period in which such determination is made. 

Provisions and Deferred Contingent Consideration (Note 26)
The amounts recognised as a provision are management’s best estimate of the expenditure required to settle present obligations at the balance 
sheet date. The outcome depends on future events which are by their nature uncertain. In assessing the likely outcome, management bases its 
assessment on historical experience and other factors that are believed to be reasonable in the circumstances. If the effect is material, provisions 
are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of 
money and the risks specific to the liability. Further details on provisions by category including the movement in provisions and expected maturity 
of provisions are outlined in Note 26.

Deferred contingent consideration are recognised in the Group Balance Sheet as provisions. The expected payment is determined separately  
in respect of each individual contingent consideration agreement taking into consideration the expected level of profitability of each acquisition. 
Deferred contingent consideration is recognised at fair value at the acquisition date and included in the costs of the acquisition. Deferred 
contingent consideration arrangements are based on earn-out agreements providing for future payment if certain profit and revenue (if 
applicable) targets of the acquiree are achieved. The fair value of deferred contingent consideration is estimated using an income-based 
approach of estimating the expected payment from forecasts of performance of acquired businesses and discounting the expected payment  
on the contingent consideration to present value using an appropriate discount rate. The movement in deferred contingent consideration in  
the period is outlined in Note 26. Further details on measurement of contingent consideration and sensitivities are disclosed in Note 31.

Employee Benefits (Note 30)
Retirement Benefit Obligations 
The estimation of and accounting for retirement benefit obligations involves judgements made in conjunction with independent actuaries.  
The present value of the pension obligations depends on a number of factors that are determined on an actuarial basis. These involve estimates 
about uncertain future events based on the environment in different countries, including life expectancy of scheme members, future salary and 
pension increases and inflation as well as discount rates. The assumptions used in determining the net cost (income) for pensions include the 
discount rate. The assumptions used by the Group and a sensitivity analysis of a change in these assumptions are described in Note 30. 

Share-based Payments 
The fair value of the Executive Share Option Scheme has been measured using the Black Scholes formula or the binomial formula. The fair value 
of the LTIP has been measured using the Black Scholes formula or the Monte Carlo Simulation. The inputs used in the measurement of the fair 
values at grant date are disclosed in Note 30. 

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

125

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

3.  Revenue
Revenue recognised over time is recognised as services are rendered. Other revenue contracts are recognised at a point in time when control of 
the good or service transfers to the customer, primarily upon delivery to the customer. A disaggregation of revenue recognised from contracts 
with customers by service offering, timing of transfer of goods and services and geographical region is outlined below.

Disaggregated revenue

Ashfield
Communications & Advisory
Commercial & Clinical

Ashfield

Sharp

Group

Geographical analysis of revenue

Republic of Ireland
United Kingdom 
North America 
Rest of World

2019

Over time 
$’000

Point in time 
$’000

Total 
$’000

383,253
564,614

947,867

339,110

–
2,382

2,382

9,164

383,253
566,996

950,249

348,274

1,286,977

11,546

1,298,523

2019 
$’000

6,364
251,962
826,420
213,777

2018 
$’000

38,724
305,677
715,792
254,993

1,298,523

1,315,186

Revenue recognised under contracts where the Group was determined to be acting as an agent in the transactions during the period amounted to:

Revenue from agent transactions

Contract assets

At 1 October 2018
At 30 September 2019

Increase

2019  
$’000

1,644

2019 
$’000

81,074
84,456

3,382

At 30 September 2018 accrued income amounted to $63,730,000. Following transition to IFRS 15, accrued income is now classified as contract 
assets. As a result of IFRS 15 transition adjustments, the contract assets balance at 1 October 2018 amounted to $81,074,000. Refer to Note 34  
for further details.

Contract assets are presented in current assets within trade and other receivables (Note 17) and are expected to be realised in less than one year. 

Contract assets have increased during the year as a result of acquisitions, and as the Group has provided more services ahead of the agreed 
contract payment schedules.

The weighted average stage of completion of contract assets for contracts where revenue is recognised over time and a sensitivity of contract 
assets for the estimation of stage of completion is outlined below.

Weighted average stage of completion of contract assets

1% increase in average stage of completion

1% decrease in average stage of completion

126

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

2019

72%

Impact on 
revenue/contract 
assets 
$’000

2,927

(3,853)

Contract Liabilities

At 1 October 2018
At 30 September 2019

Increase

Non-current
Current

Total at 30 September

2019 
$’000

62,517
80,444

17,927

16,223
64,221

80,444

At 30 September 2018, deferred income amounted to $61,880,000. Following transition to IFRS 15, deferred income is now classified as  
contract liabilities. As a result of IFRS 15 transition adjustments, the contract liabilities balance at 1 October 2018 amounted to $62,517,000.  
Refer to Note 34 for further details.

Contract liabilities have increased during the year as a result of an increase in overall contract activity. Of the contract liability balance as at 
1 October 2018, $55,904,000 has been recognised as revenue in the current year.

Contract liabilities are presented within trade and other payables on the Group Balance Sheet and Note 25. The Group expects that long term 
contract liabilities will be recognised as revenue over an average period of four years.

Assets recognised from costs to fulfil a contract
The Group has recognised an asset in relation to costs to fulfil contracts. The movement in contract fulfilment assets in the year was:

At 1 October (Note 34)
Assets recognised from costs incurred to fulfil contracts
Amortisation as costs of provided services during the year
Translation adjustment

At 30 September

Non-current
Current

Total at 30 September

2019 
$’000

7,005
11,483
(7,623)
(223)

10,642

5,327
5,315

10,642

Contract fulfilment assets relate to set up costs that are directly attributable to customer contracts and are expected to be recovered.  
The assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over the term of the specific contracts they relate to, consistent with the pattern of  
recognising the associated revenue. The amortisation cost is recorded within cost of sales.

The Group adopted the new revenue standard IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers for the first time in the year ended 30 September 
2019. Further outlined in Note 34, the Group adopted IFRS 15 using the modified retrospective approach without restatement of comparatives. 
Disclosure of revenue for the prior year ended 30 September 2018 as required under IAS 18 Revenue are as follows:

Goods for resale
Services
Commission income

Total revenue

2018 
$’000

72,579
1,237,821
4,786

1,315,186

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

127

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

4.  Segmental Information
Segmental information is presented in respect of the Group’s operating segments and geographical regions. The operating segments are based 
on the Group’s management and internal reporting structure. Inter-segment pricing is determined on an arm’s length basis. Segment results, 
assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. Due to the nature 
of certain liabilities and assets, which are not segment specific, they have not been allocated to a segment but rather have been disclosed in 
aggregate immediately after the relevant segment note. Segment capital expenditure is the total cost incurred during the year to acquire segment 
assets that are expected to be used for more than one year and is comprised of property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets.

UDG Healthcare is a leading global healthcare services provider. IFRS 8 Operating Segments requires the reporting information for operating 
segments to reflect the Group’s management structure and the way financial information is regularly reviewed by the Group’s CODM, which  
the Group has defined as Brendan McAtamney (Chief Executive Officer). The segmental information of the business as presented corresponds 
with these requirements. Operating profit before transaction costs, amortisation of acquired intangible assets and exceptional items (adjusted 
operating profit) represents the key measure utilised in assessing the performance of operating segments. 

The Group’s operations are divided into the following operating segments:

Ashfield – Ashfield is a global leader in commercialisation services for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, operating across three broad 
areas of activity: advisory, communications and commercial & clinical services. It focuses on supporting healthcare professionals and patients at 
all stages of the product life cycle. The division provides field and contact centre sales teams, healthcare communications, patient support, audit, 
advisory, medical information and event management services to over 300 healthcare companies.

Sharp – Sharp is a global leader in contract packaging and clinical trial packaging services for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, 
operating from state-of-the-art facilities in the U.S. and Europe. 

Aquilant – In the prior year, the Group disposed of Aquilant (Note 7). Aquilant provides outsourced sales, marketing, distribution and 
engineering services to the medical and scientific sectors in the U.K., Ireland and the Netherlands.

No operating segments have been aggregated for disclosure purposes.

Geographical Analysis
The Group operates in four principal geographical regions being the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, North America and the Rest of 
World. In presenting information on the basis of geographical segment, segment revenue is based on the geographical location of the Group’s 
subsidiaries. Segment assets are based on the geographical location of the assets.

Inter-segment revenue is not material and thus not subject to disclosure.

Revenue and results – 2019

Ashfield 
2019 
$’000

Sharp 
2019 
$’000

Group total 
2019 
$’000

950,249

348,274

1,298,523

110,010
(30,837)
(2,119)
(26,377)

50,677

44,830
(1,550)
(17)
(15,676)

27,587

154,840
(32,387)
(2,136)
(42,053)

78,264
20,314
(24,301)

74,277
(16,786)

57,491

Segment revenue 

Adjusted operating profit*
Amortisation of acquired intangibles
Transaction costs
Exceptional items

Operating profit
Finance income
Finance expense

Profit before tax
Income tax expense

Profit for the financial year

* 

Excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, transaction costs and exceptional items.

128

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Revenue and results – 2018

Segment revenue 

Adjusted operating profit*
Amortisation of acquired intangibles
Transaction costs
Exceptional items

Operating profit/(loss)
Finance income
Finance expense

Profit before tax
Income tax expense

Profit for the financial year

* 

Excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles and transaction costs.

Segmental assets and liabilities – 2019

Segment assets
Unallocated assets

Segment liabilities

Unallocated liabilities

Segmental assets and liabilities – 2018

Segment assets
Unallocated assets

Segment liabilities
Unallocated liabilities

Ashfield 
2018 
$’000

Sharp 
2018 
$’000

Aquilant 
2018 
$’000

Group total 
2018 
$’000

921,406

311,073

82,707

1,315,186

98,451
(29,021)
(2,277)
(13,855)

53,298

45,775
(1,980)
(97)
(4,081)

39,617

3,280
–
–
(90,694)

(87,414)

Ashfield 
2019 
$’000

Sharp 
2019 
$’000

1,083,654

408,954

147,506
(31,001)
(2,374)
(108,630)

5,501
16,811
(13,926)

8,386
(4,529)

3,857

Group total 
2019 
$’000

1,492,608
65,993

1,558,601

(309,747)

(90,036)

(399,783)

Ashfield 
2018 
$’000

Sharp 
2018 
$’000

1,029,065

428,612

(288,721)

(81,661)

(258,255)

(658,038)

Group total 
2018 
$’000

1,457,677
69,480

1,527,157

(370,382)
(271,432)

(641,814)

Unallocated assets and liabilities comprises amounts relating to interest-bearing loans and borrowings, derivative financial instruments,  
current income tax, deferred income tax, employee benefits and cash held at Group.

Other segmental information

Depreciation

Capital expenditure1

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

Amortisation of computer software

Share-based payment expense

Ashfield 
2019  
$’000

7,619

106,663

30,837

6,431

3,308

Sharp  
2019  
$’000

Group total  
2019  
$’000

15,511

22,814

1,550

1,596

1,092

23,130

129,477

32,387

8,027

4,400

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

129

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

4.  Segmental Information (continued)

Other segmental information

Depreciation

Capital expenditure1

Amortisation of acquired intangibles

Amortisation of computer software

Share-based payment expense

Ashfield  
2018  
$’000

7,913

105,390

29,021

4,351

3,798

Sharp  
2018  
$’000

15,383

32,164

1,980

1,620

1,218

Aquilant  
2018  
$’000

1,181

1,032

–

65

53

Group total  
2018  
$’000

24,477

138,586

31,001

6,036

5,069

1  Capital expenditure comprises acquisition of computer software, property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets.

The results and assets of joint ventures and associates are included within the individual business segment in which they are included for internal 
reporting, which relate to the Ashfield division.

The following represents a geographical analysis of the segment information in accordance with IFRS 8, which requires disclosure of information 
about the country of domicile (Republic of Ireland) and countries with material revenue and non-current assets. 

Geographical analysis

Revenue

Total assets

Capital expenditure1

Revenue 

Total assets

Capital expenditure1

Republic of  
Ireland  
2019  
$’000

6,364

37,466

954

Republic of  
Ireland  
2018  
$’000

38,724

28,706

503

United  
Kingdom  
2019  
$’000

251,962

449,991

30,341

United  
Kingdom  
2018  
$’000

305,677

491,181

27,604

North  
America  
2019  
$’000

826,420

882,931

91,509

North  
America  
2018  
$’000

715,792

820,944

101,365

Rest of  
World  
2019  
$’000

Group  
total  
2019  
$’000

213,777

1,298,523

188,213

1,558,601

6,673

129,477

Rest of  
World  
2018  
$’000

254,993

186,326

9,114

Group  
total  
2018  
$’000

1,315,186

1,527,157

138,586

1  Capital expenditure comprises acquisition of computer software, property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets.

5.  Statutory and Other Information

Operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting):
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of intangible assets:
– Amortisation of acquired intangibles
– Amortisation of computer software 
Employee benefits
Operating lease rentals:
– Land and buildings
– Other assets
Foreign exchange gain

2019  
$’000

2018  
$’000

23,130
(571)

24,477
(340)

32,387
8,027
639,951

15,205
9,307
(58)

31,001
6,036
633,884

17,025
16,152
(1,049)

Details of directors’ remuneration, pension entitlements and interests in share options are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

130

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Auditor’s remuneration

Fees payable to the Group auditors and to member firms of the Group auditors are as follows: 
Description of services
Audit services:
– Group
– Company
Other assurance services:
– Group
– Company
Tax advisory services:
– Group
– Company
Other non-audit services:
– Group
– Company

2019  
$’000

2018  
$’000

1,412
9

1,356
9

–
–

–
–

34
–

1,455

–
–

–
–

28
–

1,393

Group audit consists of fees payable for the consolidated and statutory audits of the Group and its subsidiaries. Included in Group audit are total 
fees of $9,000 (2018: $9,000) which were paid to the Group’s auditor in respect of the parent company.

Included in the above fees are the following amounts payable to the Group auditors outside of Ireland:

Audit services
Other assurance services
Tax advisory services
Other non-audit services

6.  Finance Income and Expense

Finance income
Income arising from cash deposits
Fair value adjustment to guaranteed senior unsecured loan notes
Foreign currency gain on retranslation of guaranteed senior unsecured loan notes
Net finance income on pension scheme obligations

Finance expense
Interest on overdrafts 
Interest on bank loans and other loans:
– Wholly repayable within five years
– Wholly repayable after five years
Interest on finance leases
Unwinding of discount on deferred consideration
Unwinding of discount on provisions
Fair value adjustments to fair value hedges
Fair value of cash flow hedges transferred from equity
Ineffective portion of cash flow hedges

Net finance expense, pre-exceptional items
Finance income relating to exceptional items (Note 9)

Net finance (expense)/income

2019  
$’000

472
–
–
–

472

2018  
$’000

739
–
–
–

739

2019  
$’000

2018  
$’000

2,280
1,097
12,414
380

16,171

1,763
213
3,032
227

5,235

(60)

(95)

(7,196)
(1,893)
(2)
(124)
(1,515)
(1,097)
(12,414)
–

(7,510)
(1,997)
(3)
–
(840)
(213)
(3,032)
(236)

(24,301)

(13,926)

(8,130)
4,143

(3,987)

(8,691)
11,576

2,885

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

131

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

7.  Disposal of Subsidiaries
There were no disposals of subsidiaries in the current year.

During the prior year, on 8 August 2018, the Group completed the disposal of Aquilant. The following tables summarise the consideration 
received, loss on disposal and the net cash flow arising on the disposal of Aquilant:

Consideration
Cash consideration received 
Deferred consideration

Total consideration received

Assets and liabilities disposed of
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Deferred tax assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Cash and cash equivalents

Net assets disposed of

Loss on disposal
Total consideration received
Net assets disposed of
Reclassification of foreign currency translation reserve on disposal
Disposal costs

Net loss on disposal of subsidiaries

Net cash flow from disposal of subsidiaries
Cash and cash equivalents received 
Cash and cash equivalents disposed of

Net cash inflow from disposal of subsidiaries

2018  
$’000

22,389
580

22,969

3,871
7,703
333
18,923
16,266
(18,634)
1,343

29,805

22,969
(29,805)
(33,383)
(1,683)

(41,902)

22,389
(1,343)

21,046

The cash inflow from disposal of subsidiaries is presented within cash flows from investing activities in the Group Cash Flow Statement.

The net loss on disposal is presented as an exceptional item (Note 9) within other operating expenses. The net loss on disposal includes the 
reclassification of the foreign currency translation reserve of $33,383,000. This is the cumulative foreign translation difference arising from the 
translation of the net assets of Aquilant denominated in euro and sterling to U.S. dollars in each reporting period. As these exchange differences 
were previously recognised in the Group’s other comprehensive income and the foreign exchange reserve, this charge has a $nil impact on 
shareholder’s equity. The recycling of the foreign currency translation reserve had a $nil impact on the Group’s adjusted diluted EPS.

An impairment charge of $57,648,000 arose on the carrying value of the goodwill in Aquilant in the six-month period to 31 March 2018 as 
previously disclosed in the 2018 interim results. This is presented as an exceptional item in Note 9.

The operating results of Aquilant, excluding exceptional items, which are outlined for the prior year in the segmental information in Note 4,  
were not considered to be a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations and therefore have not been separately presented 
in the Group Income Statement as a discontinued operation. The impairment charge and loss on disposal are separately presented within 
exceptional items (Note 9).

132

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Annual Report and Accounts 2019

8.  Income Tax Expense

Recognised in the income statement

Current income tax
Ireland
Adjustment in respect of prior years
Current year income tax on profit for the year

Overseas
Adjustment in respect of prior years
Current year income tax on profit for the year

Total current income tax expense

Deferred income tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences:
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Tax deductible goodwill
Employee benefits
Short-term temporary differences

Total deferred income tax credit

Income tax expense

2019  
$’000

2018  
$’000

1,206
(2,981)

(1,775)

1,007
(22,387)

(21,380)

(23,155)

(401)
7,084
(5,202)
301
4,587

6,369

(16,786)

715
(1,034)

(319)

4,021
(20,322)

(16,301)

(16,620)

(1,118)
1,793
6,139
1,260
4,017

12,091

(4,529)

Factors Affecting the Tax Charge in Future Years
The total tax charge for future periods will be affected by changes to applicable tax rates in force in jurisdictions in which the Group operates  
and other changes in tax legislation applicable to the Group’s businesses.

Reconciliation of effective tax rate

Profit before tax

Taxation based on Irish corporation tax rate
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
Loss on disposal of subsidiary not deductible
Impairment of goodwill not deductible
Tax on income from joint ventures
Losses (not utilised)/recognised
Differences in foreign tax rates
Impact of changes in U.S. tax rates
Adjustments in respect of prior years

2019  
%

12.5

2019  
$’000

74,277

(9,285)
(2,497)
–
–
6
(1,069)
(5,481)
–
1,540

(16,786)

2018  
%

12.5

2018  
$’000

8,386

(1,048)
(1,022)
(5,238)
(7,206)
120
2,422
(7,048)
9,715
4,776

(4,529)

The enactment of the ‘Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’ in the U.S. in the prior year resulted in a deferred tax credit of $9,715,000 to the income statement 
shown as part of the exceptional items (Note 9) and a deferred tax credit of $408,000 to other comprehensive income.

The Group’s share of joint ventures’ profit after tax includes a tax charge of $27,000 (2018: $572,000).

Recognised in other comprehensive income

Deferred tax
Defined benefit schemes
Cash flow hedges

2019  
$’000

846
(1,153)

(307)

2018  
$’000

221
433

654

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

133

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

9.  Exceptional Items
Exceptional items are those which, in management’s judgement, should be disclosed separately by virtue of their nature or amount. These 
exceptional items are separately presented in the Income Statement caption to which they relate. An analysis of exceptional items is disclosed below.

Legal costs and settlements
Restructuring costs and other
Sharp Europe rationalisation
Impairment of intangible assets
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Contract terminations
Impairment of goodwill
Loss on disposal of subsidiary
Onerous leases

Net operating exceptional items
Deferred contingent consideration

Net exceptional items before tax
Exceptional items tax credit
Deferred tax

Net exceptional items after tax

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

(f)

2019  
$’000

14,994
12,481
10,445
3,744
389
–
–
–
–

42,053
(4,143)

37,910
(4,165)
–

33,745

2018  
$’000

–
14,536
–
–
502
(8,882)
57,648
41,902
2,924

108,630
(11,576)

97,054
(1,548)
(9,715)

85,791

(a) Legal costs and settlements
Legal costs and settlements expense primarily relates to the previously disclosed claim received from McKesson in 2018 arising from its purchase 
of United Drug from the Group in 2016. McKesson had notified the Group of potential claims pursuant to indemnification and warranty 
provisions contained in the sale and purchase agreement relating to the disposal of United Drug. This claim was settled in April 2019 (without 
admission by any party) resulting in a total expense for the Group in the year of $14,250,000 (including defence costs). The Group does not 
expect any further costs to arise as a result of the disposal. Additionally, the Group incurred legal costs of $744,000 protecting an Ashfield 
trademark. The tax impact of exceptional legal costs and settlements amounted to a credit of $207,000.

(b) Restructuring costs and other
During the year, the Group implemented a restructuring of its internal operating structures, primarily within Ashfield Commercial & Clinical,  
due to changes in market conditions in Europe. Restructuring costs and other includes redundancy costs of $11,229,000, onerous contracts of 
$666,000, accelerated share-based payment expense of $320,000, and other costs of $266,000 associated with the restructuring. A tax credit  
of $2,666,000 arose in respect of exceptional restructuring costs.

(c) Sharp Europe rationalisation
The Group implemented a rationalisation of Sharp’s European operations during the year. As part of the rationalisation, it was decided to close 
the Sharp plant at Oudehaske, Netherlands. The exceptional rationalisation costs in Sharp Europe include redundancy costs of $2,373,000, 
impairment of property, plant and equipment of $3,576,000, plant decommissioning and termination costs of $4,496,000. The centralisation  
of Sharp’s European operations to the existing plants will lead to greater operational and cost efficiencies for Sharp Europe. The tax impact  
of exceptional rationalisation costs amounted to a credit of $323,000.

(d) Impairment of intangible assets
The Group incurred a one-off expense of $3,744,000 arising from the impairment of intangible assets. A review of software in Ashfield during the 
year as part of the business realignment resulted in the decision to cease using certain software assets. A tax credit of $894,000 arose in respect of 
the impairment of intangible assets.

(e) Impairment of property, plant and equipment 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment arose due to the exit of properties as a result of the realignment of the Group’s structure.  
A tax credit of $75,000 arose in respect of the impairment of property, plant and equipment.

(f) Deferred contingent consideration 
Deferred contingent consideration relates to $2,800,000 in respect of Drug Safety Alliance, $800,000 in respect of MicroMass Communications and 
$543,000 in respect of Sellxpert. These amounts were released in the year following a review of expected performance against earn-out targets.

In the prior year, the Group recognised $85.8 million of an exceptional charge. A goodwill impairment charge of $57.6 million was recognised in 
relation to Aquilant, partially offset by an exceptional gain of $8.9 million relating to the exit of two Aquilant clients in the period. The disposal of 
Aquilant resulted in a loss of $41.9 million. In addition, the Group completed a restructuring programme resulting in restructuring cost of $14.5 
million and onerous lease charges of $2.9 million as a result of exiting leases associated with the restructuring. There was an exceptional credit of 

134

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Annual Report and Accounts 2019

$11.6 million in the prior year due to the remeasurement of contingent consideration relating to the acquisitions of Cambridge BioMarketing, 
MicroMass Communications and Sellxpert. The Group recognised an exceptional tax credit of $1.5 million on these items and an exceptional  
gain of $9.7 million arising from the remeasurement of certain U.S. tax liabilities following the enactment of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

10.  Dividends – Equity Shares

Dividends paid
Final dividend for 2018 of 11.75 $ cent (2017: 9.72 $ cent) per share 
Interim dividend for 2019 of 4.46 $ cent (2018: 4.25 $ cent) per share

Total dividends

2019  
$’000

2018  
$’000

29,224
11,101

40,325

24,137
10,568

34,705

The directors have proposed a final dividend for 2019 of 12.34 $ cent per share (2018: 11.75 $ cent per share) amounting to $30,769,000  
(2018: $29,224,000), subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming AGM. The total dividend for the year, subject to shareholder approval,  
is 16.80 $ cent (2018: 16.00 $ cent) per share.

The final dividend for 2019 has not been provided for in the Balance Sheet at 30 September 2019, as there was no present obligation to pay the 
dividend at year end.

11. Earnings Per Ordinary Share

Profit attributable to owners of the parent
Adjustment for amortisation of acquired intangible assets (net of tax)
Adjustment for transaction costs (net of tax)
Adjustment for exceptional items (net of tax)

IFRS 15  
Total  
2019  
$’000

57,451
25,302
2,098
33,745

IAS 18  
Total  
2019 
$’000

60,275
25,302
2,098
33,745

Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the parent1

118,596

121,420

2019  
Number  
of shares

Total  
2018  
$’000

3,795
23,287
2,194
85,791

115,067

2018  
Number  
of shares

Weighted average number of shares
Number of dilutive shares under options

Weighted average number of shares, including share options

Basic earnings per share – $ cent
Diluted earnings per share – $ cent
Adjusted basic earnings per share – $ cent
Adjusted diluted earnings per share – $ cent

249,110,546
1,551,905

248,517,745
1,947,043

250,662,451

250,464,788

IFRS 15  
2019

23.06
22.92
47.61
47.31

IAS 18  
2019

24.20
24.05
48.74
48.44

2018

1.53
1.52
46.30
45.94

1 

Adjusted profit attributable to equity holders of the parent from continuing operations is stated before the amortisation of acquired intangible assets ($25.3m, net of tax),  
transaction costs ($2.1m, net of tax) and exceptional items ($33.7m, net of tax).

Non–IFRS Information
The Group reports certain financial measurements that are not required under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) which 
represent the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) under which the Group reports. The Group believes that the presentation  
of these non–GAAP measurements provides useful supplemental information which, when viewed in conjunction with our IFRS financial 
information, provides investors with a more meaningful understanding of the underlying financial and operating performance of the Group and 
its divisions. These measurements are also used internally to evaluate the historical and planned future performance of the Group’s operations 
and to measure executive management’s performance-based remuneration. 

Treasury shares have been excluded from the weighted average number of shares in issue used in the calculation of earnings per share.  
1,371,292 (2018: 1,357,684) anti–dilutive share options have been excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

The average market value of the Company’s shares for the purposes of calculating the dilutive effect of share options was based on quoted 
market prices for the year.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

135

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

12.  Property, Plant and Equipment

Land and  
buildings  
$’000

Plant and 
equipment  
$’000

Motor  
vehicles  
$’000

Computer 
equipment  
$’000

Assets under 
construction  
$’000

Year ended 30 September 2019
Opening net book amount
Additions in year
Arising on acquisition
Depreciation charge
Impairment
Disposals in year
Transfer to intangibles
Reclassifications
Translation adjustment

At 30 September 2019

At 30 September 2019
Cost or deemed cost
Accumulated depreciation

Net book amount

Year ended 30 September 2018
Opening net book amount
Additions in year
Arising on acquisition
Depreciation charge
Impairment
Disposals in year
Reclassifications
Translation adjustment

At 30 September 2018

At 30 September 2018
Cost or deemed cost
Accumulated depreciation

Net book amount

71,531
1,172
–
(4,622)
(1,254)
(13)
–
19,078
(1,804)

84,088

81,674
19,125
1,423
(14,595)
(2,326)
(221)
(1,070)
(355)
(1,495)

82,160

122,568
(38,480)

166,807
(84,647)

84,088

82,160

152
–
–
(1)
–
–
–
(109)
(4)

38

127
(89)

38

Total  
$’000

179,593
27,151
1,493
(23,130)
(3,965)
(281)
(1,073)
–
(3,483)

6,039
3,620
70
(3,912)
(385)
(47)
(115)
440
(180)

5,530

20,197
3,234
–
–
–
–
112
(19,054)
–

4,489

176,305

25,824
(20,294)

5,530

4,489
–

4,489

319,815
(143,510)

176,305

Land and  
buildings  
$’000

Plant and 
equipment  
$’000

Motor  
vehicles  
$’000

Computer 
equipment  
$’000

Assets under 
construction  
$’000

76,463
3,637
–
(5,412)
(502)
(355)
(1,778)
(522)

71,531

80,564
17,016
70
(13,727)
(188)
(4,033)
2,521
(549)

81,674

104,783
(33,252)

71,531

160,280
(78,606)

81,674

271
6
–
(45)
–
(24)
(55)
(1)

152

331
(179)

152

10,014
1,962
108
(5,293)
–
(668)
55
(139)

6,039

25,332
(19,293)

6,039

1,091
19,849
–
–
–
–
(743)
–

20,197

20,197
–

20,197

Total  
$’000

168,403
42,470
178
(24,477)
(690)
(5,080)
–
(1,211)

179,593

310,923
(131,330)

179,593

No borrowings are secured on the above assets with the exception of the leased assets noted below.

Leased Property, Plant and Equipment
The Group leases items of property, plant and equipment under a number of finance lease agreements. At 30 September 2019, the carrying 
amount of property, plant and equipment held under finance leases was $46,000 (2018: $31,000) and related depreciation amounted to  
$24,000 (2018: $90,000).

136

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

13.  Goodwill

At 1 October
Arising on acquisition (Note 29)
Measurement period adjustment (Note 29)
Impairment (Note 9)
Disposals of subsidiaries (Note 7)
Translation adjustment

At 30 September

2019  
$’000

515,954
49,622
(1,451)
–
–
(16,605)

2018  
$’000

542,554
42,041
–
(57,648)
(7,703)
(3,290)

547,520

515,954

Goodwill arises on acquisitions. The goodwill acquired during the year relates to the acquisition of Putnam Associates and Incisive Health (Note 29).

Goodwill acquired through business combinations has been allocated to CGUs for the purpose of impairment testing. The CGUs represent the 
lowest level within the Group at which associated goodwill is monitored for management purposes and is not bigger than the segments determined 
in accordance with IFRS 8 Operating Segments. Significant under-performance in any of the Group’s major CGUs may give rise to a material 
write-down of goodwill which would have a substantial impact on the Group’s income and equity. A total of eight (2018: eight) CGUs have  
been identified. 

The carrying value of goodwill and the number of CGUs are analysed between the operating segments in the Group below.

Ashfield 
Sharp 

2019  
$’000

Number of  
CGUs

2018  
$’000

Number of  
CGUs

459,818
87,702

547,520

6
2

8

426,093
89,861

515,954

6
2

8

In accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, the CGUs to which significant amounts of goodwill (greater than 10% of the total value) have 
been allocated are as follows:

Ashfield Healthcare Communications Group1
Ashfield Advisory Group2

1 
2 

Includes goodwill relating to Incisive Health which was acquired during the year (Note 29).
Includes goodwill relating to Putnam Associates which was acquired during the year (Note 29).

2019  
$’000

202,876
115,628

2018  
$’000

197,627
79,941

All other units account for individually less than 10% of the total carrying value of goodwill and are not considered individually significant. 

Impairment Testing of CGUs Containing Goodwill 
The Group tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if there is an indication that the goodwill may be impaired.  
This testing involves determining the CGU’s value in use and comparing this to the carrying amount of the CGU. Where the value in use exceeds 
the carrying value of the CGU, the asset is not impaired, but where the carrying amount exceeds the value in use, an impairment loss is 
recognised to reduce the carrying amount of the CGU to its value in use. Estimates of value in use are key judgemental estimates in the financial 
statements. A number of key assumptions have been made as a basis for the impairment tests. In each case, these key assumptions have been 
made by management reflecting past experience and are consistent with relevant external sources of information. 

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

137

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

13.  Goodwill (continued)
Value in Use Calculations
Where a value in use approach is used to assess the recoverable amount of the CGU, calculations use pre-tax cash flow projections based  
on financial budgets and projections covering a five-year period. The cash flow forecasts used for the value in use computations exclude 
incremental profits and other cash flows derived from planned acquisition activities. For individual CGUs, the cash flow forecasts employed  
in the computations are based on a four-year plan, which has been approved by senior management. The remaining year’s forecasts have  
been extrapolated using growth rates consistent with the four-year plan. 

A long-term growth rate reflecting the long-term economic growth rates for the countries of operation of the CGUs have been applied to the  
year five cash flows. The long-term growth rates applied to value in use calculations range from 2.0% to 2.2% (2018: 2.0% to 2.3%). The value in 
use of each CGU is calculated using a discount rate representing the Group’s estimated weighted average cost of capital, adjusted to reflect risks 
associated with each CGU including country specific risks. The pre-tax discount rates range from 9.4% to 10.3% (2018: 9.1% to 11%). The pre-tax 
discount rates and long-term growth rates used for significant CGUs are detailed in the table below.

Ashfield Healthcare Communications Group
Ashfield Advisory Group

Discount rate (pre-tax)

Long-term growth rate

2019

9.6%
9.7%

2018

10.1%
9.5%

2019

2.1%
2.1%

2018

2.1%
2.1%

The key assumptions used for the value in use computations are that the markets will grow in accordance with publicly available data, the Group 
will maintain its current market share, gross margins will be maintained at current levels and overheads will increase in line with expected levels 
of inflation. The cash flow forecasts assume appropriate levels of capital expenditure and investment in working capital to support the growth in 
individual CGUs.

Impairment
There was no impairment charge arising from the Group’s annual goodwill impairment test. In 2018, the Group incurred an exceptional 
impairment charge of $57,648,000 relating to the Aquilant CGU which was also disposed of in 2018.

Additional Sensitivity Analysis
The Group has conducted a sensitivity analysis on each of the CGUs by applying the following scenarios:
•  Decreasing revenue growth forecasts by 3%;
•  Decreasing operating profit margins by 1.5%;
• 
Increasing discount rates by 1%; and
•  Reducing long-term growth rates by 1%.

A reasonably possible change in any of the key assumptions would not cause the carrying amount to exceed the recoverable amount in any  
of the significant CGUs.

Of the CGUs which are not significant, the value-in-use of the Ashfield Commercial & Clinical U.K. CGU is the most sensitive to changes in key 
assumptions, in particular to changes in the discount rate. The table below provides further details in respect of this CGU:

Goodwill allocated to CGU ($’000)
Excess of value-in-use over carrying value ($’000)
Excess of value-in-use over carrying value – as a percentage of value-in-use
Discount rate utilised in base impairment model
Movement in discount rate for $nil excess

Ashfield Commercial & Clinical U.K.  
2019

33,181
13,933
20%
8.0%
+1.7%

The long-term growth rate applied to the CGU was 2%. If a long-term growth rate of 0% was applied, it would not result in an impairment of 
goodwill. While the base impairment model does not indicate that an impairment exists in the CGU, should the underlying assumptions and 
forecasts attributable to the CGU differ in the future, this may result in an impairment of goodwill of the CGU.

138

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
14.  Intangible Assets

Year ended 30 September 2019
Opening net book amount
Additions in year
Arising on acquisition
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Amortisation of computer software
Transfer from property, plant and equipment
Impairment charge
Translation adjustment

At 30 September 2019

At 30 September 2019
Cost or deemed cost
Accumulated amortisation 

Net book amount

Year ended 30 September 2018
Opening net book amount
Additions in year
Arising on acquisition
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Amortisation of computer software
Translation adjustment

At 30 September 2018

At 30 September 2018
Cost or deemed cost
Accumulated amortisation 

Net book amount

Computer 
software  
$’000

Customer 
relationships  
$’000

Trade names  
$’000

Contract-based 
$’000

Technology  
$’000

Total  
$’000

53,798
12,475
10
–
(8,027)
1,073
(3,744)
(3,060)

52,525

127,283
–
28,070
(19,544)
–
–
–
(3,812)

131,997

50,381
–
7,565
(6,827)
–
–
–
(803)

50,316

1,442
–
3,091
(2,860)
–
–
–
(20)

1,653

8,634
–
–
(3,156)
–
–
–
(354)

5,124

241,538
12,475
38,736
(32,387)
(8,027)
1,073
(3,744)
(8,049)

241,615

75,278
(22,753)

251,549
(119,552)

52,525

131,997

88,451
(38,135)

50,316

18,246
(16,593)

1,653

17,721
(12,597)

451,245
(209,630)

5,124

241,615

Computer 
software  
$’000

Customer 
relationships  
$’000

Trade names  
$’000

Contract-based 
$’000

Technology  
$’000

Total  
$’000

39,770
21,047
9
–
(6,036)
(992)

53,798

126,974
–
21,560
(19,843)
–
(1,408)

127,283

47,555
–
8,502
(5,390)
–
(286)

50,381

71,016
(17,218)

53,798

231,717
(104,434)

127,283

82,949
(32,568)

50,381

1,167
–
2,710
(2,435)
–
–

1,442

15,563
(14,121)

1,442

12,151
–
–
(3,333)
–
(184)

8,634

227,617
21,047
32,781
(31,001)
(6,036)
(2,870)

241,538

18,724
(10,090)

419,969
(178,431)

8,634

241,538

The amortisation charge for the year has been charged to other operating expenses in the Income Statement. Intangible assets are amortised 
over their useful lives, ranging from six months to 15 years, depending on the nature of the asset.

Weighted average remaining amortisation period

At 30 September 2019

At 30 September 2018

Computer 
software

Customer 
relationships

6.5

7.9

6.2

6.7

Trade names

Contract-based

Technology

6.5

7.9

0.4

1.0

1.6

2.6

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

139

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

15.  Investment in Joint Ventures
The Group’s interest in its joint ventures, all of which are unlisted, is set out below.

At 30 September 2017 
Share of profit after tax 
Translation adjustment 

At 30 September 2018
Share of profit after tax 
Translation adjustment 

At 30 September 2019

$’000

8,838
958
(67)

9,729
50
437

10,216

The Group has classified the joint venture arrangement with Magir Limited (‘Magir’) as an asset held for sale. The carrying value of the 
investment in Magir is $nil (2018: $nil). The Group’s ownership interest in Magir is 25% (2018: 25%). The investment is available for immediate 
sale in its present condition and the Group is committed to its sale as soon as practicable. 

Set out below is the summarised financial information for the Group’s joint ventures, which are accounted for using the equity method.  
The information below reflects the amounts presented in the financial statements of the joint venture reconciled to the carrying value  
of the Group’s interest in joint ventures.

Joint venture balance sheet (100%)
Non-current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Other current assets
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities

Net assets

Reconciliation of the carrying value of the Group’s interest in joint ventures:
Group’s equity interest
Group’s share of net assets
Goodwill

Carrying value of Group’s interest in joint ventures

Revenue 
Expenses, net of tax

Profit after tax

Group’s equity interest

Group’s share of profit after tax 

Capital Commitments
At 30 September 2019, the Group’s share of authorised but not contracted for capital expenditure was $nil (2018: $nil).

2019  
$’000

2018  
$’000

3,317
2,562
18,074
(2,490)
(12,235)

9,228

49.99%
4,613
5,603

10,216

2019  
$’000

71,705
(71,605)

100

1,706
3,742
14,651
(2,532)
(8,825)

8,742

49.99%
4,370
5,359

9,729

2018  
$’000

66,271
(64,355)

1,916

49.99%

49.99%

50

958

140

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

The following joint venture of UDG Healthcare plc is classified as an asset held for sale.

Name

Magir Limited (trading as Medicare)

Magir Limited has its registered office at  
44 Montgomery Road, Belfast, BT6 9ML

Nature of business

Healthcare and retail organisation 

Group share

25% 

The following joint venture of UDG Healthcare plc is included within the Ashfield operating segment. 

Name

CMIC Ashfield Co., Ltd 

Nature of business

Contract sales outsourcing 

Group share

49.99% 

CMIC Ashfield Co., Ltd has its registered office at  
7–10–4 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan

All shares held are ordinary shares.

UDG Healthcare plc accounts for Magir Limited and CMIC Ashfield Co. Limited as joint ventures on the basis of contractual arrangements  
which establish joint control between the Group and the remaining shareholders. These contractual arrangements outline the requirement  
for all significant strategic, financial and operational decisions to be jointly approved by both parties to the respective agreements.

The Group has considered the impact of IFRS 12, Disclosure of Interest in Other Entities in the Group financial statements. Given that neither 
joint venture is individually material to the results or financial position of the Group as at 30 September 2019 or 2018, no separate summary 
information for the respective joint ventures has been disclosed.

16.  Inventories

Raw materials
Work in progress
Finished goods

2019  
$’000

22,908
2,307
38

25,253

2018  
$’000

17,048
7,295
6,905

31,248

In 2019, raw materials, work in progress and finished goods recognised as cost of sales amounted to $81,341,000 (2018: $231,752,000). 

Estimates of net realisable value are based on the most reliable evidence, taking into consideration product obsolescence or perishability  
(which are generally low given the nature of the Group’s inventory) and the purpose for which the inventory is held.

Current replacement cost does not differ materially from historical cost.

The reduction in the finished goods inventory in the year is a result of the Group’s transition to IFRS 15 (Note 34).

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

141

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report  
 
 
Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

17. Trade and Other Receivables

Current
Trade receivables
Other receivables
Contract assets (Note 3)
Accrued income
Prepayments

The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade receivables at the reporting date by geographical region was:

Geographical analysis of risk
Republic of Ireland
United Kingdom
North America
Rest of World

2019  
$’000

2018  
$’000

231,239
29,223
84,456
–
25,432

370,350

222,376
32,233
–
63,730
28,853

347,192

2019  
$’000

2018  
$’000

2,156
20,687
144,801
63,595

231,239

2,839
26,144
131,053
62,340

222,376

There is no material concentration of credit risk with regard to individual clients included in Group trade receivables. Details of how the Group 
manages credit risk are set out in Note 31.

The Group applies a lifetime expected credit loss provision for trade receivables, as permitted by IFRS 9 (Note 34). Trade receivables have been 
grouped based on shared credit risk characteristics and the days past due for the purposes of measuring the expected credit losses. The expected 
credit loss rates are based on the historical settlement profiles of sales and the credit losses experienced. Credit loss rates are adjusted to reflect 
current and forward-looking information where there is evidence that these factors affect the ability of customers to settle the amounts due.

The ageing of trade receivables, under the IFRS 9 expected credit loss model, at 30 September 2019 was:

Not past due 

Past due
0–30 days
31–90 days
91–180 days
+181 days

Past due

Total trade receivables

2019

Gross value  
$’000

188,237

Impairment  
$’000

Net  
$’000

(412)

187,825

29,264
10,108
3,714
3,260

46,346

234,583

(462)
(488)
(531)
(1,451)

(2,932)

(3,344)

28,802
9,620
3,183
1,809

43,414

231,239

Weighted  
average  
loss rate

0.2%

1.6%
4.8%
14.3%
44.5%

6.3%

1.4%

In the prior year, the ageing of trade receivables, under IAS 39, at 30 September 2018 was:

Not past due 
Past due
0–30 days
31–90 days
91–180 days
+181 days

142

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Gross value  
$’000

187,657

22,554
10,654
2,461
1,706

2018 

Impairment  
$’000

Net  
$’000

(187)

187,470

(30)
(30)
(703)
(1,706)

22,524
10,624
1,758
–

225,032

(2,656)

222,376

The movement in the impairment provision in respect of trade receivables during the year was as follows:

At beginning of the year
Acquisitions in year
Disposals in year
Bad debts written off during the year
Impairment loss recognised during the year
Translation adjustment

At end of year

2019  
$’000

2,656
43
–
(103)
875
(127)

3,344

2018  
$’000

2,556
–
(109)
(228)
484
(47)

2,656

Trade receivables are assessed individually for impairment. The Group trades with a large number of clients on varied credit terms. Provision for 
impairment is made when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be in a position to collect the associated trade debts. Impairments 
are recorded in the Group Income Statement on identification. The general economic climate being experienced by clients of the Group remains 
consistent with 2018 and is closely monitored by the Group.

18.  Equity Share Capital

Equity share capital

Authorised
Ordinary shares of €0.05 each 
Redeemable ordinary shares of €0.05 each

Allotted, called up and fully paid
Ordinary shares of €0.05 each
Redeemable ordinary shares of €0.05 each

In issue at 30 September

Number of  
shares  
2019

2019  
$’000

Number of  
shares  
2018

367,471,934
7,528,066

21,605
492

367,471,934
7,528,066

375,000,000

22,097

375,000,000

249,347,507
7,528,066

14,186
492

248,712,639
7,528,066

256,875,573

14,678

256,240,705

2018  
$’000

21,605
492

22,097

14,151
492

14,643

The redeemable ordinary shares do not rank for dividends and do not carry voting rights. The redeemable ordinary shares can be redeemed by 
the Company with the agreement of holders of such shares. All redeemable ordinary shares are held by the Group and are treated as treasury 
shares in accordance with the requirements of company law. 

The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to attend, speak, ask questions  
and have one vote per share at general meetings of the Company. All shares rank equally with regard to the Company’s residual assets.

In issue at beginning of year
Exercise of share options

In issue at end of year

Number of ordinary shares

Number of redeemable ordinary shares

2019

2018

2019

2018

248,712,639
634,868

248,326,744
385,895

7,528,066
–

7,528,066
–

249,347,507

248,712,639

7,528,066

7,528,066

19.  Profit Attributable to UDG Healthcare plc
The profit recorded in the financial statements of the holding Company for the year ended 30 September 2019 was €78,986,000 (2018: €31,526,000). 
As permitted by Section 304 (2) of the Companies Act 2014, the Income Statement of the Company has not been separately presented. 

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

143

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

20.  Share Premium

At 1 October
Premium arising on shares issued

At 30 September

21.  Other Reserves

At 1 October 2018 
Effective portion of cash flow hedges 
Deferred tax on cash flow hedges
Share-based payment expense
Release from share-based payment reserve
Translation adjustment

Cash flow  
hedge  
$’000

(15,886)
9,223
(1,153)
–
–
–

Share-based 
payment  
$’000

14,808
–
–
4,720
(2,923)
–

Foreign  
exchange  
$’000

(127,548)
–
–
–
–
(16,671)

At 30 September 2019

(7,816)

16,605

(144,219)

At 1 October 2017 
Effective portion of cash flow hedges 
Deferred tax on cash flow hedges
Share-based payment expense
Release from share-based payment reserve
Translation adjustment
Reclassification on loss of control of  

subsidiary undertakings

At 30 September 2018

Cash flow  
hedge  
$’000

(12,854)
(3,465)
433
–
–
–

Share-based 
payment  
$’000

8,992
–
–
6,643
(827)
–

Foreign  
exchange  
$’000

(155,465)
–
–
–
–
(5,466)

–

–

33,383

–

(15,886)

14,808

(127,548)

(7,676)

2019  
$’000

197,837
1,141

198,978

Capital 
redemption 
reserve  
$’000

347
–
–
–
–
–

347

Capital 
redemption 
reserve  
$’000

347
–
–
–
–
–

–

347

2018  
$’000

196,496
1,341

197,837

Total  
$’000

(135,955)
9,223
(1,153)
4,720
(2,923)
(16,671)

(142,759)

Total  
$’000

(166,656)
(3,465)
433
6,643
(827)
(5,466)

33,383

(135,955)

Treasury  
shares  
$’000

(7,676)
–
–
–
–
–

(7,676)

Treasury  
shares  
$’000

(7,676)
–
–
–
–
–

Cash Flow Hedge Reserve
The cash flow hedge reserve comprises the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of cash flow hedging instruments 
related to hedged transactions that have not yet occurred.

Share-based Payment Reserve
This reserve comprises amounts expensed in the Income Statement in connection with share-based payments, net of transfers to retained 
earnings on the exercise, lapsing or forfeiting of share awards.

Foreign Exchange Reserve
The currency translation reserve comprises all foreign exchange differences arising from the translation of the net assets of the Group’s non-U.S. 
dollar-denominated operations, including the translation of the profits of such operations from the average exchange rate for the year to the 
exchange rate at the balance sheet date.

The reserve also includes all foreign exchange differences arising from the translation of liabilities that hedge the Group’s net investment  
in foreign operations.

Capital Redemption Reserve
The capital redemption reserve is a legal reserve which has arisen from the company buying back and cancelling its ordinary shares.

144

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Treasury Shares
Dublin Drug Company Limited
During the year ended 30 September 1998, the Group acquired Dublin Drug Company Limited for consideration of $13,118,000 which at the  
date of its acquisition held 2,225,438 ordinary shares in UDG Healthcare plc which had a nominal value of $790,000 and at the date of their 
acquisition represented 9.84% of the Company’s issued ordinary share capital. Subsequent to the acquisition, these ordinary shares were 
converted into redeemable ordinary shares.

On 29 January 2002, 1,150,000 of these redeemable ordinary shares were redeemed at their market value both out of the proceeds of a placing  
in the market of 1,150,000 new ordinary shares and the distributable reserves of the Company, in accordance with Article 3A of the Articles of 
Association of the Company and Section 207 of the Companies Act 1990, and immediately thereafter were cancelled.

During the year ended 30 September 2003, the Company’s shareholders approved a seven for one split of the ordinary share capital and 
redeemable ordinary share capital of the Company. At 30 September 2018, Dublin Drug Company Limited continued to hold 7,528,066 redeemable 
ordinary shares and they have been treated as treasury shares in the Balance Sheet in accordance with the requirements of company law.

Summary
At 30 September 2019, 7,528,066 (2018: 7,528,066) treasury shares were held by the Group, representing 2.93% (2018: 2.94%) of the issued 
ordinary and redeemable ordinary share capital of the Company.

22.  Retained Earnings

At 1 October
Change in accounting policy (Note 34)

Restated total equity at the beginning of the financial year

Net income recognised directly in the Income Statement
Net income recognised directly in Other Comprehensive Income: 
– Remeasurement (loss)/gain on Group defined benefit schemes 
– Deferred tax on Group defined benefit schemes
Dividends paid to equity holders
Release from share-based payment reserve

At 30 September

23.  Non-controlling Interests

At 1 October
Share of profit for the financial year 
Translation adjustment

At 30 September

2019  
$’000

2018  
$’000

808,647
3,822

812,469

57,451

(3,905)
846
(40,325)
2,923

836,087
–

836,087

3,795

2,422
221
(34,705)
827

829,459

808,647

2019  
$’000

171
40
(4)

207

2018  
$’000

109
62
–

171

The non-controlling interests relate to Sellxpert AG, a company registered in Switzerland. The Group acquired a 50% shareholding in Sellxpert 
AG on 10 July 2017.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

145

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

24.  Interest-bearing Loans and Borrowings

Non-current
Guaranteed senior unsecured notes
Finance leases

Current
Guaranteed senior unsecured notes
Bank borrowings
Finance leases

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings are repayable as follows:

Bank borrowings, overdrafts and guaranteed senior unsecured notes
Within one year
After one but within two years
After two but within five years
After five years
Finance leases
Within one year
After one but within two years

Non-current
Current

2019  
$’000

2018  
$’000

174,704
30

174,734

64,862
416
19

65,297

243,091
8

243,099

(100)
327
45

272

2019  
$’000

2018  
$’000

65,278
(362)
117,215
57,851

19
30

240,031

174,734
65,297

240,031

227
65,045
118,729
59,317

45
8

243,371

243,099
272

243,371

In September 2010, the Group completed a $130 million debt financing in the U.S. Private Placement Market. The following notes remain outstanding:

5.25% Series ‘B’ guaranteed senior unsecured notes, 2020

2019  
$’000

65,000

65,000

2018  
$’000

65,000

65,000

In September 2013, the Group completed a $140 million and €23 million debt financing in the U.S. Private Placement Market. The following notes 
remain outstanding:

4.48% Series ‘A’ guaranteed senior unsecured notes, 2023
4.59% Series ‘B’ guaranteed senior unsecured notes, 2025

3.45% Series ‘C’ guaranteed senior unsecured notes, 2023
3.50% Series ‘D’ guaranteed senior unsecured notes, 2025

146

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

2019  
$’000

105,000
35,000

140,000

2019  
€’000

12,000
11,000

23,000

2018  
$’000

105,000
35,000

140,000

2018  
€’000

12,000
11,000

23,000

In September 2014, the Group completed a €10 million debt financing in the U.S. Private Placement Market. The following note remains outstanding:

2.64% Series ‘A’ guaranteed senior unsecured note, 2026

2019  
€’000

10,000

10,000

2018  
€’000

10,000

10,000

All the loan notes were issued by UDG Healthcare Finance Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary, and have been guaranteed by UDG Healthcare 
plc and other Group undertakings.

U.S. dollar loan note issuance proceeds were swapped into euro and the U.S. dollar fixed interest rates applicable to the debt were swapped into 
predominantly fixed euro rate debt to generate the desired interest profile.

These loans are repayable in full on maturity.

Borrowing Facilities
In March 2019, the Group renewed its senior bank debt facility extending the term to May 2024.

At year end the Group has $228,669,000 (2018: $244,062,000) of committed, undrawn multi-currency senior debt loan facilities with a maturity 
date of 31 May 2024. The Group also has $5,445,000 (2018: $11,622,000) of undrawn overdraft facilities.

Covenants
The unsecured loan notes and senior bank facilities are subject to compliance with certain covenants including a leverage covenant (net debt to 
EBITDA) not to exceed 3.5:1 and an interest cover covenant (EBITDA to net interest expense) to be at least 3.0:1. 

25.  Trade and Other Payables

Current
Trade payables
Accruals 
Contract liabilities (Note 3)
Deferred income
Other payables
PAYE, VAT and social welfare

Non-current
Contract liabilities (Note 3)
Other payables

Other payables in non-current liabilities primarily relate to lease incentives.

2019  
$’000

2018  
$’000

35,658
97,993
64,221
–
35,423
13,390

39,920
86,709
–
61,880
19,827
17,190

246,685

225,526

16,223
7,630

23,853

–
5,451

5,451

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

147

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

26.  Provisions

At the beginning of the year
(Release)/charge to income statement
Arising on acquisitions (Note 29)
Utilised during the year
Unwinding of discount
Reclassification
Translation adjustment

At end of year

Non-current
Current

Total

Deferred 
contingent 
consideration 
2019  
$’000

96,915
(4,143)
26,669
(812)
1,515
(41,566)
(394)

78,184

73,629
4,555

78,184

Legal 
$’000

–
14,250
–
(14,250)
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

Onerous leases 
2019  
$’000

Restructuring  
and other costs 
2019  
$’000

2,896
–
–
(1,333)
–
–
(26)

1,537

564
973

1,537

8,634
19,030
–
(12,940)
–
–
(619)

14,105

–
14,105

14,105

Total  
2019  
$’000

108,445
29,137
26,669
(29,335)
1,515
(41,566)
(1,039)

93,826

74,193
19,633

93,826

Total  
2018  
$’000

72,375
4,310
42,408
(10,548)
840
–
(940)

108,445

68,900
39,545

108,445

Deferred Contingent Consideration
The deferred contingent consideration liability represents the fair value of amounts which may become payable over the period from October 
2019 to October 2024 in connection with the acquisition of subsidiaries. Payment is dependent on achieving predetermined targets based  
on future performance and profitability. During the year, payments were made of $812,000 (2018: $5,911,000) with respect to prior year 
acquisitions. A further $41,566,000 was transferred to deferred consideration, presented within trade and other payables as there are no  
longer any contingencies associated with these future payments other than the passage of time. Deferred contingent consideration of $4,143,000  
(2018: $11,576,000) in respect of prior year acquisitions was released in the year following a review of expected performance against earn-out 
targets (Note 9). Further details on the measurement of contingent consideration and sensitivities are disclosed in Note 31.

Onerous Leases 
The onerous leases relate to properties that the Group remains committed to following the integration of the businesses acquired in prior years. 
The properties are being proactively managed. In calculating the provisions, the Group made certain estimates and assumptions in assessing  
the amount provided. The provisions were calculated by taking into consideration the committed rental charges associated with the premises  
and the period of time to the earliest date at which the Group can exit from the leases. The cash outflows will be incurred during the period  
from October 2019 to April 2021. 

Restructuring and Other Costs
This provision primarily relates to redundancy costs associated with the implementation of the restructuring of the Group’s internal operating 
structures in Ashfield and Sharp. The Group restructuring provision recognised in the year includes redundancy costs of $13,602,000, onerous 
contracts of $666,000, plant decommissioning and contract termination costs of $4,496,000 and other costs of $266,000 associated with 
restructuring the business. The majority of the provision is expected to be settled within one year.

27.  Operating Leases
Leases as Lessee
Non-cancellable operating lease rentals are payable as set out below. These amounts represent the minimum future lease payments,  
in aggregate, the Group is required to make under existing lease agreements.

Less than one year
Between one and five years
More than five years

2019  
$’000

24,263
62,401
38,833

125,497

2018  
$’000

24,602
62,451
40,002

127,055

The Group leases certain property, plant and equipment under operating leases. The leases typically run for an initial lease period with the 
potential to renew the leases after the initial period.

148

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

28.  Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities
The following is an analysis of the movement in the major categories of deferred tax assets/(liabilities) recognised by the Group for the year 
ended 30 September 2019:

At 1 October 2018
Recognised in Income Statement
Recognised in Other Comprehensive Income
Arising on acquisition
Measurement period adjustments (Note 29)
Exchange differences and other

At 30 September 2019

Analysed as:
Deferred tax asset
Deferred tax liability

Property, plant 
and equipment 
$’000

(10,687)
(401)
–
(2)
–
50

(11,040)

28
(11,068)

(11,040)

Intangible  
assets  
$’000

(16,229)
7,084
–
(1,505)
–
937

Tax deductible 
goodwill  
$’000

(23,429)
(5,202)
–
–
–
(139)

(9,713)

(28,770)

(1,021)
(8,692)

(9,713)

(225)
(28,545)

(28,770)

Retirement 
benefit  
obligation  
$’000

Short-term 
temporary 
differences and 
other differences 
$’000

(2,931)
301
846
–
–
20

(1,764)

(233)
(1,531)

(1,764)

13,323
4,587
(1,153)
–
1,451
(1,006)

17,202

6,629
10,573

17,202

Total  
$’000

(39,953)
6,369
(307)
(1,507)
1,451
(138)

(34,085)

5,178
(39,263)

(34,085)

The following is an analysis of the movement in the major categories of deferred tax assets/(liabilities) recognised by the Group for the year 
ended 30 September 2018:

At 1 October 2017
Recognised in Income Statement
Recognised in Other Comprehensive Income
Arising on acquisition
Exchange differences and other

Property, plant 
and equipment 
$’000

(9,147)
(1,118)
–
49
(471)

Intangible  
assets 
$’000

(15,921)
1,793
–
(2,435)
334

Tax deductible 
goodwill  
$’000

(29,613)
6,139
–
–
45

At 30 September 2018

(10,687)

(16,229)

(23,429)

Analysed as:
Deferred tax asset
Deferred tax liability

189
(10,876)

(10,687)

–
(16,229)

(16,229)

–
(23,429)

(23,429)

Retirement  
benefit  
obligation 
$’000

Short-term 
temporary 
differences and 
other differences 
$’000

(4,421)
1,260
221
–
9

(2,931)

–
(2,931)

(2,931)

8,848
4,017
433
–
25

13,323

5,083
8,240

13,323

Total  
$’000

(50,254)
12,091
654
(2,386)
(58)

(39,953)

5,272
(45,225)

(39,953)

No deferred income tax is recognised on the unremitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries and joint ventures as the Group does not anticipate 
additional tax on any ultimate remittance.

As at 30 September 2019, the Group has unused tax losses and other timing differences of $33,450,000 (2018: $26,482,000) in respect of  
which no deferred tax asset has been recognised as it is not considered probable that there will be future taxable profits available. Included in  
the tax losses not recognised for deferred tax purposes are losses of $28,430,000 (2018: $15,113,000) which will expire within the next nine 
years. The remaining tax losses carry forward indefinitely. 

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

149

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

29.  Acquisition of Subsidiary Undertakings 
The Group completed the acquisition of 100% of Putnam Associates, LLC (‘Putnam’) on 20 May 2019. Putnam is a U.S.-based specialist 
consultancy focused on product commercialisation strategy, exclusively for the life sciences industry. Putnam primarily offers consultancy 
services across the product life cycle with particular strengths in product commercialisation, pricing, reimbursement and market access strategy. 
Putnam is presented as part of the Ashfield operating segment. The acquisition of Putnam is in line with Ashfield’s strategy to expand its advisory 
service proposition for its healthcare clients. 

On 16 May 2019, the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of Incisive Health Ltd (‘Incisive Health’), a U.K.-based 
healthcare communications consultancy, operating from offices in London, United Kingdom and Brussels, Belgium. Incisive Health is reported  
in the Group’s Ashfield segment. The combination of Incisive Health with Ashfield Healthcare Communications will further enhance Ashfield’s 
services in the areas of healthcare policy, public affairs and communications services. 

The initial assignment of fair values to identifiable net assets acquired has been performed on a provisional basis in respect of the above listed 
acquisitions due to their recent acquisition dates. Any amendments to these acquisition fair values within the 12-month timeframe from the date 
of acquisition will be disclosed in the 2020 Annual Report as stipulated by IFRS 3 Business Combinations.

Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets – arising on acquisition
Intangible assets – computer software
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Cash acquired

Net assets acquired
Goodwill

Consideration

Satisfied by:
Cash consideration
Deferred contingent consideration

Total consideration

Net cash outflow – arising on acquisitions
Cash consideration
Less: Cash and cash equivalents

Net cash outflow

Putnam  
$’000

Incisive Health 
$’000

1,390
29,860
–
11,556
(4,532)
–
–
2,662

40,936
40,476

81,412

61,756
19,656

81,412

61,756
(2,662)

59,094

103
8,866
10
2,372
(1,717)
(276)
(1,507)
2,634

10,485
9,146

19,631

12,618
7,013

19,631

12,618
(2,634)

9,984

Total  
$’000

1,493
38,726
10
13,928
(6,249)
(276)
(1,507)
5,296

51,421
49,622

101,043

74,374
26,669

101,043

74,374
(5,296)

69,078

Goodwill is attributable to the future economic benefits arising from assets which are not capable of being individually identified and separately 
recognised. The significant factors giving rise to the goodwill include the value of the workforce and management teams within the businesses 
acquired, the enhancement of the competitive position of the Group in the marketplace and the strategic premium paid by UDG Healthcare plc 
to create the combined Group. The goodwill arising from acquisitions that is expected to be tax deductible is $40,476,000.

The intangible assets arising on the acquisitions are primarily related to trade names, client relationships, technology and client contracts  
(Note 14).

The gross contractual value of trade and other receivables on acquisition amounted to $13,970,000. The fair value of trade and other receivables 
recognised on acquisition was $13,928,000. No contingent liabilities were recognised on the acquisitions completed during the financial year.

The total transaction related costs for completed and aborted acquisitions amounted to $2,136,000 (2018: $2,374,000). These are presented 
separately in the Group Income Statement. 

150

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Contingent consideration is payable to the sellers of Putnam based on achievement of revenue and adjusted profit targets over a three-year and 
five-year performance period. Contingent consideration payable to the sellers of Incisive Health is based on the achievement of revenue and 
adjusted profit targets over 18-month and 36-month performance periods. The fair value of contingent consideration recognised at the date  
of acquisition is calculated by discounting the expected future payment to present value at the acquisition date. For contingent consideration  
to become payable, the pre-defined results thresholds must be achieved by the acquired businesses. On an undiscounted basis, the future 
payments for which the Group may be liable in respect of current year acquisitions ranges from $nil to $35,485,000.

The Group’s results for the year ended 30 September 2019 included the following amounts in respect of the businesses acquired during the year: 

Revenue

Profit for the year

2019  
Total  
$’000

20,885

2,637

The proforma revenue and profit of the Group for the year ended 30 September 2019 would have been $1,333,332,000 and $60,662,000 
respectively had the acquisitions taken place at the start of the reporting period. The proforma results for the year includes the estimate of tax 
expense and amortisation of intangible assets recognised on acquisition.

During the year, the Group finalised the acquisition accounting for SmartAnalyst Inc which was acquired on 1 July 2018. This led to an increase in 
deferred tax assets of $1,451,000 and a corresponding decrease in goodwill. The adjusted reported balances for this acquisition are as follows:

Goodwill
Deferred tax assets

30.  Employee Benefits 
The aggregate employee costs recognised in the Income Statement are as follows:

Wages and salaries
Social security contributions
Pension costs – defined contribution schemes
Pension costs – defined benefit schemes
Share-based payment expense
Termination benefits

As previously 
reported  
$’000

14,113
49

Measurement  
period  
adjustment  
$’000

(1,451)
1,451

Final  
balance  
sheet  
$’000

12,662
1,500

2019  
$’000

2018  
$’000

550,074
57,348
11,226
2,981
4,720
13,602

639,951

541,436
59,990
11,313
1,445
6,643
13,057

633,884

During the year the Group capitalised employee costs amounting to $1,030,000 (2018: $1,572,000) relating to intangible assets –  
computer software. The Group also capitalised employee costs amounting to $849,000 (2018: $904,000) relating to tangible assets.

The average number of employees, including executive directors, during the year was as follows:

Marketing, distribution and selling
Operational 
Administration

A further 1,232 (2018: 1,217) personnel are employed in the Group’s joint ventures.

2019  
Number

6,193
1,524
73

7,790

2018  
Number

6,647
1,334
74

8,055

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

151

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

30.  Employee Benefits (continued)
(i) Defined contribution schemes
The Group makes contributions to a number of defined contribution schemes, the assets of which are vested in independent trustees for the 
benefit of members and their dependants.

(ii) Defined benefit schemes
The following amounts were recognised on the Balance Sheet of the Group in respect of employee benefit schemes as at 30 September:

Employee benefit asset
Employee benefit liability

The Group operates a number of defined benefit schemes as at 30 September as follows:

United States defined benefit scheme (U.S. scheme)
Republic of Ireland defined benefit schemes (ROI schemes)

Net surplus

2019  
$’000

7,636
–

7,636

2019  
$’000

6,795
841

7,636

2018  
$’000

12,935
–

12,935

2018  
$’000

11,273
1,662

12,935

On 1 April 2016 the Group completed the disposal of United Drug Supply Chain Services, United Drug Sangers, TCP Group and MASTA. Under 
the terms of the disposal, the Group retained responsibility for the funding requirements in respect of the ROI schemes. Pension accruals under 
the ROI schemes ceased on 31 December 2015.

Each of the defined benefit schemes operated by the Group are funded by the payment of contributions to separately administered trust funds. 
The contributions to the schemes are determined with the advice of independent qualified actuaries obtained at regular intervals using the 
projected unit method of funding. Each defined benefit scheme is independently funded and the assets are vested in the independent trustees  
for the benefit of members and their dependants. The valuations are not available for public inspection but the results are advised to members  
of the schemes. The most recent full actuarial valuations for the principal schemes were conducted as at 31 December 2017 for the ROI schemes 
and 1 January 2019 for the U.S. scheme. Assumed medical costs are not a component of the pension obligations of any of the Group’s pension 
obligations. 

The principal long-term financial assumptions used by the Group’s actuaries in the computation of the defined benefit liabilities arising on 
pension schemes as at 30 September are as follows:

Increase in salaries
Increase in pensions
Inflation rate
Discount rate

ROI schemes 

2019

n/a
0–1.25%
1.25%
0.85%

2018

n/a
0–1.60%
1.60%
2.00%

U.S. scheme

2019

2018

2.75%–4.00%
0.00%
2.75%
3.00%

2.75%–4.00%
0.00%
2.75%
4.10%

The ROI schemes have a remeasurement loss in the current year resulting from changes in the assumptions used to measure liabilities of  
the plan. The U.S. scheme has a remeasurement gain in the year arising from a higher than expected return on plan assets, and a change  
in financial assumptions. In the ROI schemes, there is no longer a salary increase assumption due to the accrual of pension benefit ceasing  
from 1 December 2015.

152

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

All schemes used certain mortality rate assumptions when calculating scheme obligations. These are based on advice from published statistics 
and experience in each geographic region. These assumptions will continue to be monitored in light of general trends in mortality experience. 
The average life expectancy of a pensioner at age 65, in years, is as follows: 

ROI schemes

U.S. scheme

Current pensioners
Male
Female

Future pensioners
Male
Female

The market value of the assets in the pension schemes at 30 September 2019 were:

Equities:
– Developed markets
– Emerging markets
Bonds:
– Government
– Non-government
Cash

Fair value of scheme assets
Present value of scheme obligations

Employee benefits asset
Deferred income tax liability

Net asset

The market value of the assets in the pension schemes at 30 September 2018 were:

Equities:
– Developed markets
– Emerging markets
Bonds:
– Government
– Non-government
Property
Cash

Fair value of scheme assets
Present value of scheme obligations

Employee benefits (liability)/asset
Deferred income tax asset/(liability)

Net (liability)/asset

2019

21.7
24.1

24.0
26.1

%

10
–

63
–
27

100

%

12
–

56
–
2
30

100

2018

2019

2018

21.5
24.0

23.9
26.0

ROI  
2019  
$’000

3,446
–

21,359
–
9,384

34,189
(33,348)

841
(233)

608

ROI  
2018  
$’000

3,871
–

18,161
–
654
9,723

32,409
(30,747)

1,662
(390)

1,272

21.0
24.6

21.3
25.1

%

35
5

38
22
–

100

%

51
2

29
17
–
1

100

21.0
24.6

21.4
25.2

U.S.  
2019  
$’000

11,634
1,832

12,790
7,361
133

33,750
(26,955)

6,795
(1,531)

5,264

U.S.  
2018  
$’000

17,332
705

9,929
5,732
–
233

33,931
(22,658)

11,273
(2,540)

8,733

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

153

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

30.  Employee Benefits (continued)
Movements in Fair Value of Plan Assets

At 1 October
Interest income on plan assets
Employer contributions
Benefit payments
Return on plan assets excluding interest income
Settlements
Translation adjustment

At 30 September

ROI  
2019  
$’000

32,409
628
1,286
(1,371)
3,419
–
(2,182)

34,189

Movements in Present Value of Defined Benefit Obligations

At 1 October
Current service costs
Interest on scheme obligations
Benefit payments
Remeasurement (gain)/loss
Effect of changes in actuarial assumptions
Settlements 
Translation adjustment

At 30 September

ROI  
2019  
$’000

30,747
–
583
(1,371)
(184)
5,676
–
(2,103)

33,348

U.S.  
2019  
$’000

33,931
1,224
–
(1,449)
44
–
–

33,750

U.S.  
2019  
$’000

22,658
2,981
889
(1,449)
148
1,728
–
–

26,955

Total  
2019  
$’000

66,340
1,852
1,286
(2,820)
3,463
–
(2,182)

67,939

Total  
2019  
$’000

53,405
2,981
1,472
(2,820)
(36)
7,404
–
(2,103)

60,303

ROI  
2018  
$’000

34,292
723
2,578
(1,136)
359
(3,904)
(503)

32,409

ROI  
2018  
$’000

37,454
–
762
(1,136)
(551)
149
(5,492)
(439)

30,747

U.S.  
2018  
$’000

32,488
969
–
(492)
966
–
–

33,931

U.S.  
2018  
$’000

20,109
3,033
703
(492)
387
(1,082)
–
–

Total  
2018  
$’000

66,780
1,692
2,578
(1,628)
1,325
(3,904)
(503)

66,340

Total  
2018  
$’000

57,563
3,033
1,465
(1,628)
(164)
(933)
(5,492)
(439)

22,658

53,405

The remeasurement(loss)/gain on the plan assets and present value of the defined benefit obligation are as follows:

Return on plan assets excluding interest income
Remeasurement gain on experience variations
Effect of changes in actuarial assumptions:
– Changes in demographic assumptions 
– Changes in financial assumptions 

Total included in Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

Defined Benefit Pension Credit/(Expense) Recognised in the Income Statement
The employee benefit credit/(expense) is analysed as:

Current service costs
Settlements
Interest cost on scheme obligations
Interest income on scheme assets

Current service costs
Settlements
Interest cost on scheme obligations
Interest income on scheme assets

154

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

2019  
$’000 

3,463
36

15
(7,419)

(3,905)

U.S.  
2019  
$’000

(2,981)
–
(889)
1,224

(2,646)

U.S.  
2018  
$’000

(3,033)
–
(703)
969

(2,767)

2018  
$’000 

1,325
164

17
916

2,422

Total  
2019  
$’000

(2,981)
–
(1,472)
1,852

(2,601)

Total  
2018  
$’000

(3,033)
1,588
(1,465)
1,692

(1,218)

ROI  
2019  
$’000

–
–
(583)
628

45

ROI  
2018  
$’000

–
1,588
(762)
723

1,549

Accrual of pension benefits within the ROI schemes ceased with effect from 31 December 2015.

During the prior year a general offer was made to the members of the ROI schemes to transfer their accrued benefits from the schemes in 
exchange for a fixed monetary amount. Acceptance of the offer was at the discretion of individual members and resulted in a settlement gain  
of $1,588,000.

The tax effect relating to these items is disclosed in Note 28.

The expected employer’s contribution for the year ended 30 September 2020 is $1,595,000.

Expected Maturity Analysis of Undiscounted Pension Benefits

ROI schemes
U.S. scheme

At 30 September 2019

ROI schemes
U.S. scheme

At 30 September 2018

Less than  
1 year  
$’000

879
2,242

3,121

912
1,892

2,804

Between  
1–2 years  
$’000

899
1,705

2,604

982
1,604

2,586

Between  
2–5 years  
$’000

2,942
7,068

10,010

3,235
6,069

9,304

Over  
5 years  
$’000

5,388
88,590

93,978

6,057
88,302

94,359

Total  
$’000

10,108
99,605

109,713

11,186
97,867

109,053

Sensitivity Analysis for Principal Assumptions Used to Measure Scheme Liabilities
There are inherent uncertainties surrounding the financial assumptions adopted in calculating the actuarial valuation of the Group’s defined 
benefit pension schemes. The following table analyses, for the Group’s pension schemes, the estimated impact on plan obligations resulting  
from changes to key actuarial assumptions, whilst holding all other assumptions constant. The impact on the defined benefit obligation  
at 30 September 2019 is calculated on the basis that only one assumption is changed with all other assumptions remaining unchanged.  
The assessment of the sensitivity analysis below could therefore be limited as a change in one assumption may not occur in isolation as 
assumptions may be correlated.

Assumption 

Discount rate
Price inflation 
Mortality 

Share-based Payment

Change in assumption 

Impact on ROI plan liabilities

Impact on U.S. plan liabilities

Increase/Decrease by 0.25%
Increase/Decrease by 0.25%
Increase by one year

↑↓ by 4.7%
↑↓ by 2.1%
↑ by 4.3%

↑↓ by 2.2%
↑↓ by 0.0%
↑ by 0.3%

Executive Share Option Plan expense
LTIP expense

Pre-exceptional Share-based payment expense
LTIP accelerated Share-based payment expense (Note 9)

Total share-based payment expense

2019  
$’000

10
4,390

4,400
320

4,720

2018  
$’000

176
4,893

5,069
1,574

6,643

$666,000 (2018: $1,669,000) of the total share-based payment expense recognised in the Group Income Statement relates to the directors.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

155

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report  
 
 
Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

30.  Employee Benefits (continued)
Executive Share Option Plan/Executive Share Option Scheme (continued)
The company’s Executive Share Option Plan (ESOP) was established during 2010. Under the ESOP share options may be granted to management 
which may entitle them to purchase shares in the company so as to provide an incentive to perform strongly over an extended period and to 
encourage alignment of their interests with those of shareholders. Share options granted under the ESOP are exercisable for a period of four 
years from the third anniversary of the grant date, if adjusted diluted EPS growth is not less than the movement in the Irish Consumer Price 
Index, plus 3% compounded, over the performance period. There were no share options granted under the ESOP in the current year (2018: nil). 
In accordance with the terms of the ESOP, share options granted are exercisable at the market price of the underlying share on the last dealing 
day preceding the date of grant.

The number and weighted average exercise price of outstanding share options under the ESOP are as follows: 

Outstanding at beginning of year
Forfeited during the year
Exercised during the year

Outstanding at end of year

Exercisable at end of year

Weighted average 
exercise price 
2019  
$’000

Number of  
share options 
2019  
$’000

Weighted average 
exercise price  
2018  
$’000

Number of  
share options  
2018  
$’000

6.95
6.24
6.84

7.08

7.08

511
(13)
(213)

285

285

6.69
6.24
6.24

6.95

6.23

809
(28)
(270)

511

106

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of share options during the year was $8.73 (2018: $11.07). The weighted average 
remaining contractual life for the share options outstanding at 30 September 2019 was 3.9 years (2018: 4.54 years).

At 30 September 2019, the range of exercise prices of outstanding share options was from $6.24 to $7.78 (2018: $4.30 to $7.78).

Analysis of ESOP Share Options Outstanding at Year End
Share option by exercise price:

Total options outstanding – sterling denominated

Exercise  
price  
£

5.13
2.68
3.73

Number of 
options  
2019  
$‘000

Number of  
options  
2018 
$‘000

155
–
130

285

237
1
273

511

LTIP
The Company’s LTIP was established during 2010. The terms of share options granted under the LTIP during the year are set out in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 82 to 99. During the year 1,031,826 (2018: 690,672) share options were granted under the LTIP. In accordance 
with the terms of the LTIP, share options awarded are exercisable at the nominal value of the underlying share as at the date of grant.

156

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

A summary of the details in respect of share options granted under the LTIP in 2019 and 2018 is set out below.

2019  
Market-based 
awards

2019  
Market-based 
awards

2019 
Non-market-
based awards

2019  
Market-based 
awards

2019 
Non-market-
based awards

2019  
Market-based 
awards

2019 
Non-market-
based awards

2019  
Market-based 
awards

2019  
Market-based 
awards

22/05/2019 04/12/2018 04/12/2018 04/12/2018 04/12/2018 04/12/2018 04/12/2018 04/12/2018 04/12/2018

$8.20

$5.52

$8.57

$5.52

$8.57

$5.52

$8.57

$8.11

$7.94

$8.74
$0.06
27.53%
3.5 years

0.71%
Black- 
Scholes 
option 
pricing 
model

$8.63
$0.06
25.69%
6 years

0.93%
Black-
Scholes 
option 
pricing 
model

3 years
3 years

3 years
5 years

$8.63
$0.06
25.69%
6 years

$8.63
$0.06
25.69%
3.5 years

$8.63
$0.06
25.69%
3.5 years

0.93%
Monte 
Carlo 
option 
pricing 
model

3 years
5 years

0.76%
Black-
Scholes 
option 
pricing 
model

3 years
3 years

0.76%
Monte 
Carlo 
option 
pricing 
model

3 years
3 years

$8.63
$0.06
25.69%
5 years

0.87%
Black-
Scholes 
option 
pricing 
model

3 years
3 years

$8.63
$0.06
25.69%
5 years

$8.63
$0.06
25.69%
3.5 years

0.76%
Black-
Scholes 
option 
pricing 
model

0.87%
Monte 
Carlo 
option 
pricing 
model

3 years
3 years 

$8.63
$0.06
25.69%
5 years

0.87%
Black-
Scholes 
option 
pricing 
model

3 years
3 years

3 years
3 years

Grant date
Fair value  

at grant date

Share price  

at grant date
Exercise price
Expected volatility
Expected life
Risk-free  

interest rate
Valuation model

Performance 

period

Vesting period

Grant date
Fair value at grant date
Share price at grant date
Exercise price
Expected volatility
Expected life
Risk-free interest rate
Valuation model

Performance period
Vesting period

Grant date
Fair value at grant date
Share price at grant date
Exercise price
Expected volatility
Expected life
Risk-free interest rate
Valuation model

Performance period
Vesting period

2018 
Non-market- 
based awards

2018 
Non-market 
based awards

2018  
Market-based  
awards

2018 
Non-market- 
based awards

2018 
Market-based 
awards

23/05/2018 26/02/2018 05/12/2017 05/12/2017 05/12/2017
$5.73
$11.42
$0.06
19.32%
4 years
0.71%
Monte 
Carlo 
simulation

$5.54
$11.42
$0.06
19.32%
6 years
0.98%
Monte  
Carlo 
simulation

$11.09
$11.76
$0.06
23.0%
5 years
1.10%
Black- 
Scholes 
option 
pricing 
model
3 years
3 years

$11.21
$11.73
$0.06
23.0%
3 years
0.91%
Black-
Scholes 
option 
pricing 
model
3 years
3 years

$10.57
$11.42
$0.06
19.32%
6 years
0.98%
Monte 
Carlo 
option 
pricing 
model
3 years
5 years

3 years
5 years

3 years
3 years

2018 
Non-market- 
based awards

2018 
Market-based 
awards 

2018 
Non-market- 
based awards

2018 
Non-market- 
based awards

2018 
Non-market- 
based awards

$5.73
$11.42
$0.06
19.32%
5 years
0.89%
Monte 
Carlo 
simulation

05/12/2017 05/12/2017 05/12/2017 05/12/2017 05/12/2017
$10.56
$11.42
$0.06
19.32%
5 years
0.89%
Monte 
Carlo 
option 
pricing 
model
3 years
3 years

$10.88
$11.42
$0.06
19.32%
4 years
0.71%
Monte 
Carlo 
option 
pricing 
model
3 years
3 years

$10.88
$11.42
$0.06
19.32%
5 years
0.89%
Monte 
Carlo 
option 
pricing 
model
3 years
3 years

$10.79
$11.42
$0.06
19.32%
4 years
0.71%
Monte 
Carlo 
option 
pricing 
model
3 years
3 years

3 years
3 years

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

157

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

30.  Employee Benefits (continued)
LTIP (continued)
The number and weighted average exercise price of outstanding share options under the LTIP are as follows:

Outstanding at beginning of year
Forfeited during the year
Exercised during the year
Granted during the year

Outstanding at end of year

Exercisable at end of year

Weighted average 
exercise price  
2019  
$’000

Number of  
share options  
2019  
$‘000

Weighted average 
exercise price  
2018  
$’000

Number of  
share options  
2018  
$‘000

0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06

0.06

0.06

3,238
(512)
(422)
1,032

3,336

373

0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06

0.06

0.06

2,922
(259)
(116)
691

3,238

476

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise of share options during the year was $9.34 (2018: $10.94). The weighted average 
remaining contractual life for the share options outstanding at 30 September 2019 was 4.07 years (2018: 4.35 years).

31.  Financial Instruments and Financial Risk
Fair Values Versus Carrying Amounts
The fair value of financial assets and liabilities together with the carrying amounts shown in the Balance Sheet are as follows:

30 September 2019

Trade and other receivables (Note 17)
Derivative financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other payables (Note 25)
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (Note 24)
Finance lease liabilities (Note 24)
Deferred contingent consideration (Note 26)

30 September 2018

Trade and other receivables (Note 17)
Derivative financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other payables (Note 25)
Derivative financial liabilities 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (Note 24)
Finance lease liabilities (Note 24)
Deferred contingent consideration (Note 26)

Fair value  
through profit  
or loss  
$’000

–
1,944
–

1,944

–
–
–
78,184

78,184

Cash flow  
hedges  
$’000

Fair value  
through profit  
or loss  
$’000

–
1,860
–

1,860

–
319
–
–
–

319

–
944
–

944

–
–
–
–
96,915

96,915

Fair value  
through  
OCI  
$’000

–
22,329
–

22,329

–
–
–
–

–

Receivables  
$’000

318,339
–
180,099

498,438

–
–
–
–
–

–

Amortised  
cost  
$’000

344,918
–
135,228

480,146

182,466
239,982
49
–

422,497

Liabilities at 
amortised  
cost  
$’000

–
–
–

– 

163,646
–
243,318
53
–

407,017

Total  
carrying  
value  
$’000

344,918
24,273
135,228

504,419

182,466
239,982
49
78,184

500,681

Total  
carrying  
value  
$’000

318,339
2,804
180,099

501,242

163,646
319
243,318
53
96,915

504,251

Fair  
value  
$’000

344,918
24,273
135,228

504,419

182,466
242,815
49
78,184

503,514

Fair  
value  
$’000

318,339
2,804
180,099

501,242

163,646
319
247,088
53
96,915

508,021

The fair values of the financial assets and liabilities not measured at fair value disclosed in the above tables have been determined using the 
methods and assumptions set out below. 

Trade and Other Receivables/Payables
For receivables and payables, the carrying value less impairment provision is deemed to reflect fair value, where appropriate.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
For cash and cash equivalents, the nominal amount is deemed to reflect fair value.

158

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Interest-bearing Loans and Borrowings (Excluding Finance Lease Liabilities)
The fair value of interest-bearing loans and borrowings is based on the fair value of the expected future principal and interest cash flows 
discounted at interest rates effective at the balance sheet date and adjusted for movements in credit spreads.

Finance Lease Liabilities
For finance lease liabilities, fair value is the present value of future cash flows discounted at current market rates.

Valuation Techniques and Significant Unobservable Inputs
Fair Value Hierarchy of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
The Group has adopted the following fair value hierarchy in relation to its financial instruments that are carried in the balance sheet at the fair 
values at the year end:
•  Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
•  Level 2 – inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability either directly (as prices)  

or indirectly (derived from prices); and

•  Level 3 – inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

The following table sets out the fair value of all financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value:

Fair value measurement as at 30 September 2019

Assets measured at fair value
Designated as hedging instruments
Cross-currency interest rate swaps

Liabilities measured at fair value
At fair value through profit or loss
Deferred contingent consideration

Fair value measurement as at 30 September 2018

Assets measured at fair value
Designated as hedging instruments
Cross-currency interest rate swaps

Liabilities measured at fair value
Designated hedging instruments 
Cross-currency interest rate swaps
At fair value through profit or loss
Deferred contingent consideration

Level 1  
$’000

Level 2  
$’000

Level 3  
$’000

Total  
$’000

–

–

–

–

24,273

24,273

–

–

24,273

24,273

–

–

78,184

78,184

78,184

78,184

Level 1  
$’000

Level 2  
$’000

Level 3  
$’000

Total  
$’000

–

–

–

–

–

2,804

2,804

319

–

319

–

–

–

96,915

96,915

2,804

2,804

319

96,915

97,234

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

159

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

31.  Financial Instruments and Financial Risk (continued)
Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative financial assets
Current
Non-current

Derivative financial liabilities
Non-current

Net derivative financial asset

Summary of derivatives:

Derivative financial assets
Derivative financial liabilities

2019  
$’000

2018  
$’000

8,878
15,395

24,273

–

–

2,474
330

2,804

319

319

24,273

2,485

Amount of 
financial assets/
liabilities as 
presented in the 
Balance Sheet 
$’000

24,273
–

Related amounts 
not offset in the 
Balance Sheet 
$’000

–
–

Amount of 
financial assets/
liabilities as 
presented in the 
Balance Sheet 
$’000

2,804
319

2019  
Net  
$’000

24,273
–

Related amounts 
not offset in the 
Balance Sheet 
$’000

–
–

2018  
Net  
$’000

2,804
319

All derivatives entered into by the Group are included in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and consist of cross-currency interest rate swaps.  
The fair value of cross-currency interest rate swaps is calculated at the present value of the estimated future cash flows based on the terms and 
maturity of each contract using forward currency rates and market interest rates as applicable for a similar instrument at the measurement date. 
Fair values reflect the credit risk of the instrument and include, where appropriate, adjustments to take account of the credit risk of the Group 
entity and counterparty.

The fair value of cross-currency interest rate swaps of $24,273,000 (2018: $2,485,000) is the estimated amount that the Group would receive  
or pay to terminate the swap at the balance sheet date, taking into account current interest rates.

The swaps are a mixture of fixed to fixed and fixed to floating rate swaps. The Group classifies the fixed to floating swap as a fair value hedge  
and has stated it at its fair value with a corresponding opposite adjustment to the underlying debt for the risk being hedged. Both of these 
adjustments are recorded within the Income Statement and to the extent they do not offset, this represents the ineffective portion of the fair 
value hedge. The fair value of this swap at 30 September 2019 was an asset of $1,944,000 (2018: asset of $944,000).

The fixed to fixed rate cross-currency interest rate swaps are classified as cash flow hedges and are stated at their fair value. The fair value of 
these swaps at 30 September 2019 was an asset of $22,329,000 (2018: net asset of $1,541,000), and the effective portion of this adjustment  
was accounted for in the cash flow hedge reserve through Other Comprehensive Income. 

The interest element of the cash flow hedges will be recognised in the Income Statement in the years to 30 September 2025, as the associated 
interest on the hedged debt is recognised.

Deferred Contingent Consideration
Deferred contingent consideration is included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Details of the movement in the year are included in Note 26. 
The fair value is determined considering the expected payment, discounted to present value using a risk adjusted discount rate. The expected 
payment is determined separately in respect of each individual earn-out agreement taking into consideration the expected level of profitability  
of each acquisition. The provision for deferred contingent consideration is principally in respect of acquisitions completed during 2017 to 2019.

The significant unobservable inputs are:
• 
•  risk adjusted discount rate 0.7%–2.8% (2018: 0.02%–2.75%).

forecast weighted average EBIT growth rate 19% (2018: 24%); and

160

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Inter-relationship Between Significant Unobservable Inputs and Fair Value Measurement
The estimated fair value would increase/(decrease) if:
the EBIT growth rate was higher/(lower); and
• 
the risk adjusted discount rate was lower/(higher).
• 

For the fair value of deferred contingent consideration, a reasonably possible change to one of the significant unobservable inputs at 
30 September 2019, holding the other inputs constant, would have the following effects:

Effect of change in assumption on income statement:
Annual EBIT growth rate (1% movement)
Risk-adjusted discount rate (1% movement)

Increase  
$’000

Decrease  
$’000

1,740
(1,857)

(1,750)
1,891

Capital Management
The Board considers capital to consist of equity (share capital, share premium and retained earnings) and net debt. The Board’s policy is to 
maintain a strong capital base to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to sustain the ongoing development of the Group.  
The directors periodically review the capital structure of the Group, considering the cost of capital and the risks associated with each class  
of capital. The Board monitors the return on equity generated by the Group and the level of dividends paid to shareholders. There were no 
changes to the Board’s approach to capital management during the year. 

Capital and reserves attributable to the equity holders of the Company
Net debt

Capital and net debt

2019  
$’000

900,356
80,530

980,886

2018  
$’000

885,172
60,787

945,959

Financial Ratios
Financial covenants in our principal debt facilities are based on net debt to EBITDA being less than 3.5 times and EBITDA interest cover being 
greater than three times.

Net debt to EBITDA
EBITDA interest cover

2019  
times

0.4
28.1

2018  
times

0.3
22.0

Financial Risk Management
The Group’s multinational operations expose it to different financial risks that include foreign exchange rate risks, credit risks, liquidity risks  
and interest rate risks. The Group has a risk management programme in place which seeks to limit the impact of these risks on the financial 
performance of the Group. The Board has determined the policies for managing these risks as set out below.

Credit Risk
The Group has detailed procedures for monitoring and managing the credit risk related to its trade receivables based on experience, clients’ 
track record and historic default rates. Individual credit limits are generally set by client and credit is only extended above such limits in defined 
circumstances. 

The Group establishes an impairment provisions matrix based on an expected credit loss model in respect of trade and other receivables  
(Note 17). Where the Group considers that no recovery of the amount owing is possible, the amount is considered irrecoverable and is written 
off directly against the receivable.

Risk of counterparty default arising on cash and cash equivalents and derivative financial instruments is controlled within a framework of dealing 
with high quality institutions and by a policy limiting the amount of credit exposure to any one bank or institution. Of the Group’s total cash and 
cash equivalents at 30 September 2019 of $135,228,000, 56% was with financial institutions with a Standard & Poor’s A1 short-term credit rating, 
31% with financial institutions with A2 short-term credit ratings and the balance, which are individually small, are held with regulated financial 
institutions in the jurisdictions in which the Group operates. 

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

161

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

31.  Financial Instruments and Financial Risk (continued)
At the balance sheet date there were no significant concentrations of credit risk. The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the 
carrying amount of each financial asset.

Interest Rate Risk
The majority of the Group’s ongoing operations are financed from a mixture of cash generated from operations and borrowings. Other than  
the U.S. dollar private placement borrowings which are secured at fixed interest rates, borrowings are initially secured at floating interest rates 
and interest rate risk is monitored on an ongoing basis.

A reduction of one hundred basis points in interest rates at the reporting date would have increased profit before tax by the amounts shown 
below assuming all other variables including foreign currency rates remain constant. An increase of 100 basis points on the same basis would 
reduce profit before tax by $138,000 (2018: $145,000).

Effect of reduction of one hundred basis points:

Profit before tax

2019  
$’000

138

2018  
$’000

145

The Group adopts a policy of ensuring that at least 50% of its interest rate risk exposure is at fixed rates. This is achieved through cross currency 
interest rate swaps and by borrowing at fixed interest rates. The Group applies a hedge ratio of 1:1.

Summary of derivatives at 30 September 2019

Termination date

Nature of hedging instrument

Cross-currency Interest Rate Swap

2020

Cross-currency Interest Rate Swap

2020

Cross-currency Interest Rate Swap

2023

Cross-currency Interest Rate Swap

2025

Total fair value of derivatives

Fixed USD interest rate to floating 
Euro interest rate

Fixed USD interest rate to fixed  
Euro interest rate

Fixed USD interest rate to fixed  
Euro interest rate

Fixed USD interest rate to fixed  
Euro interest rate

Notional payable 
amount of 
contracts 
outstanding  
€’000

Notional 
receivable amount 
of contracts 
outstanding 
($’000)

12,195

15,000

Fair value  
asset  
($’000)

1,944

40,650

50,000

5,071

80,707

105,000

13,433

26,902

35,000

3,825

24,273

Currency Risk
Structural Currency Risk
A significant proportion of the Group’s operations are carried out in the U.K. and Europe and as a result the Group is exposed to structural 
currency fluctuations in respect of sterling and the euro. Where practical, the Group finances investments through borrowings denominated  
in the same currency in which the related cash flows will be generated. To the extent that the non-U.S. dollar-denominated assets and liabilities  
of the Group do not offset, the Group is exposed to structural currency risk. Such movements are reported through the Group Statement of 
Comprehensive Income.

Euro and sterling-denominated profits are translated into U.S. dollars at the average rate of exchange for the financial year. The average rate  
at which euro profits were translated during the year was $1:€0.8865 (2018: $1:€0.8403) and sterling profits were translated at $1:£0.7839 
(2018: $1:£0.7436). 

The Group is also subject to translational currency risk on the translation of profits earned outside of the U.S.

162

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Transactional Currency Risk
The euro is the principal currency of the Group’s Irish and Continental European businesses, sterling is the principal currency for the Group’s  
U.K. businesses and the U.S. dollar is the principal currency for the Group’s U.S. businesses. The Group ensures that its net exposure is kept to 
an acceptable level by buying or selling foreign currencies at spot and forward rates where necessary. Details of the Group’s transactional foreign 
currency risk at 30 September 2019 and 2018 arising from foreign currency transactions are set out in the table below.

Cash and cash equivalents
Trade receivables
Trade and other payables

Cash and cash equivalents
Trade receivables
Trade and other payables

Euro  
2019  
$’000

3,134
11,016
(1,260)

12,890

Euro  
2018  
$’000

483
11,760
(1,996)

10,247

Sterling  
2019  
$’000

3,381
81
(21)

3,441

Sterling  
2018  
$’000

167
692
(311)

548

U.S. dollar  
2019  
$’000

1,052
10,094
(114)

11,032

U.S. dollar  
2018  
$’000

1,330
8,611
(452)

9,489

Total  
2019  
$’000

7,567
21,191
(1,395)

27,363

Total  
2018  
$’000

1,980
21,063
(2,759)

20,284

Sensitivity Analysis on Transactional Currency Risk
For the purposes of performing sensitivity analysis on transactional currency risk, financial assets and liabilities outstanding at the balance sheet 
date denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of individual entities, have been aggregated by currency and the impact of  
a 5% strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the relevant currency calculated. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular interest 
rates, remain constant.

Euro
Based on the value of euro-denominated financial assets and liabilities held by individual entities with a functional currency other than the euro,  
a 5% strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the euro at 30 September 2019 and 30 September 2018 would have increased equity and profit 
after tax by the amounts shown below:

Profit after tax

2019  
$’000

558

2018  
$’000

439

Sterling
Based on the value of sterling-denominated financial assets and liabilities held by individual entities with a functional currency other than sterling, 
a 5% strengthening of the U.S. dollar against sterling at 30 September 2019 and 30 September 2018 would have increased equity and profit after 
tax by the amounts shown below:

Profit after tax

2019  
$’000

149

2018  
$’000

29

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

163

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

31.  Financial Instruments and Financial Risk (continued) 
Funding and Liquidity
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group uses a combination of long and 
short-term debt and cash and cash equivalents to meet its liabilities as they fall due. This is in addition to the Group’s strong cash flow generation. 
The Group believes it has sufficient cash resources and bank debt facilities at its disposal, which provides flexibility in financing existing 
operations, acquisitions and other developments.

The following are the undiscounted contractual maturities of financial instruments, including interest payments and excluding the impact  
of netting arrangements:

30 September 2019

Non-derivative  

financial instruments

Bank borrowings
Finance leases
Floating rate unsecured 

guaranteed senior notes

Fixed rate unsecured 

guaranteed senior notes
Trade and other payables
Deferred contingent 

consideration

Derivative financial 

instruments
Cash flow hedges
Fair value hedges

30 September 2018

Non-derivative  

financial instruments

Bank borrowings
Finance leases
Floating rate unsecured 

guaranteed senior notes

Fixed rate unsecured 

guaranteed senior notes
Trade and other payables
Deferred contingent 

consideration

Derivative financial 

instruments
Cash flow hedges
Fair value hedges

Carrying  
amount  
$’000

Contractual  
cash flow  
$’000

6 months  
or less  
$’000

6–12  
months  
$’000

Between  
1–2 years  
$’000

Between  
2–5 years  
$’000

More than  
5 years  
$’000

(707)
49

(678)
50

15,223

13,437

320
12

84

225,466
182,466

237,129
182,466

3,940
178,216

(125)
12

13,353

51,050
4,250

(250)
26

–

5,716
–

(623)
–

–

–
–

–

120,123
–

56,300
–

78,184

93,505

3,813

750

37,989

50,953

–

(22,329)
(1,944)

(26,008)
(1,967)

(432)
(12)

476,408

497,934

185,941

Carrying  
amount  
$’000

Contractual  
cash flow  
$’000

6 months  
or less  
$’000

327
53

357
55

15,090

14,565

357
33

101

227,901
163,646

247,929
163,646

3,979
163,646

(5,599)
(1,955)

61,736

6–12  
months  
$’000

–
13

101

3,979
–

(627)
–

(13,175)
–

42,854

157,278

Between  
1–2 years  
$’000 

Between  
2–5 years  
$’000

(6,175)
–

50,125

More than  
5 years  
$’000

–
9

14,363

55,066
–

–
–

–

–
–

–

125,073
–

59,832
–

96,915

102,052

26,803

2,800

27,792

44,657

–

(1,541)
(944)

(1,685)
(971)

(27)
(7)

(27)
(7)

(374)
(957)

(850)
–

(407)
–

501,447

525,948

194,885

6,859

95,899

168,880

59,425

164

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Maturity Profile of Net Debt
In respect of income-earning financial assets and interest-bearing financial liabilities, the following table indicates their effective interest rates  
at the balance sheet date and the periods in which they mature.

Effective  
interest rate

Total  
$’000

Less than  
1 year  
$’000

Between  
1–2 years  
$’000

Between  
2–5 years  
$’000

More than  
5 years  
$’000

30 September 2019

Cash at bank and short-term deposits

Other loans and borrowings

Finance leases

Floating rate unsecured guaranteed senior notes
Fixed rate unsecured guaranteed senior notes

Total loan notes

Total before derivatives

Derivatives

Net (debt)/cash

30 September 2018

Cash at bank and short-term deposits

Other loans and borrowings

Finance leases

Floating rate unsecured guaranteed senior notes
Fixed rate unsecured guaranteed senior notes

Total loan notes

Total before derivatives

Derivatives

Net (debt)/cash

–

623

–

–
(117,838)

(117,838)

(117,215)

11,861

–

–

–

–
(57,851)

(57,851)

(57,851)

1,808

(105,354)

(56,043)

Between  
2–5 years  
$’000

More than  
5 years  
$’000

1.54%

14.00%

1.51%

1.27%
3.73%

135,228

135,228

707

(49)

(166)

(19)

(15,223)
(225,466)

(15,223)
(49,888)

(240,689)

(65,111)

(104,803)

24,273

(80,530)

Effective  
interest rate

Total  
$’000

69,932

8,878

78,810

Less than  
1 year  
$’000

1.18%

18.00%

1.51%

1.43%
3.78%

180,099

180,099

(327)

(53)

(15,090)
(227,901)

(242,991)

(327)

(45)

28
72

100

–

250

(30)

–
111

111

331

1,726

2,057

Between  
1–2 years  
$’000

–

–

(8)

–

–

–

(15,118)
(49,927)

–
(118,729)

(65,045)

(118,729)

–

–

–

–
(59,317)

(59,317)

(59,317)

(1,797)

(61,114)

(63,272)

179,827

(65,053)

(118,729)

2,485

2,474

1,697

111

(60,787)

182,301

(63,356)

(118,618)

The effect of the derivatives included above has been to swap U.S. dollar-denominated debt to euro-denominated debt and to partially swap 
fixed rate interest into floating rate interest.

Movements of Liabilities Within Cash Flows from Financing Activities

At the beginning of the year 
Changes from financing cash flows:
– Repayments of interest-bearing loans and borrowings
– Proceeds from interest-bearing loans and borrowings
– Loan set up costs incurred
– Capital repayments of finance leases
Currency translation adjustment

At end of year

Presented as
Current 
Non-current

Interest-bearing 
loans and 
liabilities  
2019  
$’000

Interest-bearing 
loans and  
liabilities  
2018  
$’000

243,371

244,135

(1,859)
1,928
(1,123)
(5)
(2,281)

(2,118)
2,507
–
(111)
(1,042)

240,031

243,371

65,297
174,734

240,031

272
243,099

243,371

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

165

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

32.  Capital Commitments
Capital expenditure authorised but not contracted for amounted to $13,170,000 (2018: $8,502,000) at the balance sheet date.

33.  Related Parties
The Group trades in the normal course of business with its joint venture undertakings. The aggregate value of these transactions is not material 
in the context of the Group’s financial results. 

Magir Limited, the Group’s joint venture investment, has been classified as an asset held for sale at 30 September 2019. The Group has provided 
a loan to Magir, gross of interest, of Stg£11,759,000 (2018: Stg£11,371,000). 

IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures requires the disclosure of compensation paid to the Group’s key management personnel. Key management 
personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group. UDG 
Healthcare plc classifies directors, the Company Secretary and members of its SET as key management personnel. The SET is the body of senior 
executives that formulates business strategy along with the directors, follows through on implementation of that strategy and directs and 
controls the activities of the Group on a day-to-day basis. In addition to the executive directors, the following individuals were members of  
the SET during the year ended 30 September 2019: 

Name 

Eleanor Garvey
Eimear Kenny
Liam Logue
Mike O’Hara
Damien Moynagh 
Julian Tompkins
Doug Burcin
Rob Wood

Title

Group Head of Quality and Compliance
Group Head of Human Resources
Executive Vice President, Corporate Development
Managing Director of Sharp 
General Counsel and Company Secretary
President of Ashfield Commercial & Clinical
President of Ashfield Healthcare Communications
Global President of Advisory Services and Business Development

Remuneration of Key Management Personnel

Salaries and other short-term benefits
Post-employment benefits
Share-based payment (calculated in accordance with the principles disclosed in Note 30)
Termination benefits

2019  
$’000

7,382
714
2,255
919

11,270

2018  
$’000

7,480
966
3,588
559

12,593

Details of the remuneration of the Group’s individual directors, together with the number of UDG Healthcare plc shares owned by them and their 
outstanding share options, are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

34.  Change in Accounting Policies
New and amended standards and interpretations effective during 2019
The Group’s significant accounting policies outlined in Note 1 reflect the requirements of new IFRS accounting standards and interpretations 
effective for the Group during 2019. This note explains the impact of the adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and IFRS 15 Revenue from 
Contracts with Customers on the Group’s financial statements and the new accounting policies that have been applied from 1 October 2018, 
where they are different to those applied and disclosed in the 2018 Annual Report.

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
IFRS 9 replaced IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. The standard sets out the requirements for the classification, 
measurement and derecognition of financial assets and financial liabilities, contains new rules for hedge accounting, and introduces a new  
model for impairment of financial assets. The Group has adopted IFRS 9 from 1 October 2018, with the practical expedients permitted under  
the standard. Comparatives for 2018 have not been restated. 

The impact of adopting IFRS 9 on the financial statements was not material for the Group and there were no adjustments to retained earnings  
on application at 1 October 2018. The main impact on accounting policies are outlined below.

166

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Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Financial instrument classification
IFRS 9 largely retains the existing requirements for the classification and measurement of financial liabilities. The standard contains three primary 
measurement categories for financial assets: amortised cost; fair value through other comprehensive income; and fair value through profit or 
loss. Classification of financial assets is dependent on the entity’s business model and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial 
asset. Investments in equity instruments are required to be measured at fair value through profit or loss with the irrevocable option at inception 
to present changes in fair value in other comprehensive income without future recycling on derecognition. The Group reviewed the classification 
of financial instruments at 1 October 2018 and determined the following classifications (Note 31):

Financial instruments

$’000 IAS 39 classification

IFRS 9 classification

1 October 2018 

Financial assets
Trade and other receivables
Derivative financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
Derivative financial liabilities
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings
Deferred contingent consideration

318,339 Loans and receivables

2,804 Fair value (hedge accounting)

180,099 Loans and receivables

Amortised cost
Fair value (hedge accounting)
Amortised cost

163,646 Amortised cost

319 Fair value (hedge accounting)

243,318 Amortised cost

96,915 Fair value through profit or loss

Amortised cost
Fair value (hedge accounting)
Amortised cost
Fair value through profit or loss

The classification requirements in IFRS 9 did not impact the measurement or carrying amount of financial assets and liabilities.

Impairment of financial assets
The Group adopted a new impairment model for financial assets classified at amortised cost, which requires the recognition of provisions  
for impairment based on expected credit losses rather than only on incurred credit losses under the previous standard. For trade receivables,  
the Group applies the simplified approach in IFRS 9 to measure expected credit losses using a lifetime expected credit loss provision (Note 17). 
The change in the impairment methodology from adopting IFRS 9 did not result in a material change in the Group’s allowance for impairment  
at 1 October 2018.

Hedge accounting
The Group adopted the new general hedge accounting model in IFRS 9. The standard simplifies the requirements for hedge effectiveness. IFRS 9 
requires an economic relationship between the hedged item and hedging instrument, and for the ‘hedged ratio’ to be the same as the one that 
the Group uses for risk management purposes. The Group’s hedge documentation has been updated in line with the new standard and the 
Group concluded that the existing hedge relationships qualified as continuing hedges on adoption of IFRS 9 (Note 31).

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
IFRS 15 replaced IAS 18 Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts, and related interpretations. IFRS 15 establishes a five-step model for reporting 
revenue recognition. The standard specifies how and when revenue should be recognised as well as requiring enhanced disclosures. 

The Group’s revenue recognition accounting policy under IFRS 15 and the previous revenue recognition policy are outlined in Note 1.

Implementation of IFRS 15
The Group adopted IFRS 15 following an extensive implementation project. The IFRS 15 assessment included a detailed review of revenue 
contracts across the Group. The Group Finance function co-ordinated the IFRS 15 assessment and implementation with the inclusion of key 
representatives from Divisional Finance. There was a comprehensive approach to analysing the impact of the standard through reviewing 
contracts with customers and reporting on the impact of the new standard on the revenue contracts and revenue streams. 

IFRS 15 was adopted by the Group on 1 October 2018 using the modified retrospective approach which permitted the Group to apply the new 
standard from 1 October 2018 with an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at 1 October 2018 for the cumulative effect of 
applying the new standard to existing contracts that were not completed contracts on transition. The cumulative impact on opening retained 
earnings was a net increase of $3,822,000. The impact of adopting the new standard on the Group Balance Sheet as at 1 October 2018 is outlined 
as follows:

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

167

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

34.  Change in Accounting Policies (continued)

Non-Current assets
Contract fulfilment assets 
Deferred income tax assets
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables 1
Contract fulfilment assets 
Equity
Retained earnings
Non-current liabilities
Other payables 2
Deferred income tax liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 2

30 September 
2018  
Previously 
reported  
$’000

–
5,272

31,248
347,192
–

IFRS 15 
Adjustments  
$’000

2,852
406

(12,846)
16,271
4,153

1 October  
2018  
Adjusted  
$’000

2,852
5,678

18,402
363,463
4,153

808,647

3,822

812,469

5,451
45,225

2,900
1,180

8,351
46,405

225,526

2,934

228,460

1 
2 

Impact relates to contract assets and contract fulfilment assets
Impact relates to contract liabilities

The most significant impact of the new standard relates to revenue recognition for packaging contracts in Sharp. Previously, revenues from 
packaging contracts were recognised primarily on dispatch of products. Under IFRS 15, where the Group produces products for customers that 
have no alternative use and for which the Group has concluded there is an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date,  
the standard requires the Group to recognise revenue over time as the Group satisfies the contractual performance obligations. This can have 
the effect of accelerating the timing of revenue recognition from these contracts, such that some portion of revenue may be recognised prior  
to shipment or delivery of products by Sharp. This resulted in a decrease in inventory on the date of adoption for the products where revenue  
is recognised over time. The Group recognised contract assets on the Balance Sheet (within trade and other receivables) for the amounts of 
revenue recognised prior to dispatch which had not yet been invoiced to the customer. 

The Group recognised contract fulfilments assets for certain direct costs related to contracts prior to commencement of services in the contract. 
Previously, such costs were expensed as incurred. IFRS 15 resulted in the deferral of some set-up fee revenues that are presented as contract 
liabilities (within trade and other payables), which the Group recognises as revenue over time as the performance obligations in the contracts  
are satisfied. 

The prior year results and financial position as reported under the previous standard have not been restated. The impact of the adoption of the 
new revenue standard on the Group’s financial statements is outlined on the following tables.

168

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Group Income Statement

Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Operating profit
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the financial period before exceptional items
Exceptional items
Profit for the financial period after exceptional items
Profit attributable to owners of the parent

Basic earnings per share – cent
Diluted earnings per share – cent 

Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

Profit for the financial year
Total comprehensive income for the year
Total comprehensive income attributable to owners of the parent

Group Balance Sheet

Non-current assets
Other receivables 1
Contract fulfilment assets
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables 1
Contract fulfilment assets
Equity
Retained earnings
Non-current liabilities
Other payables 2
Deferred income tax liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 2
Current income tax liabilities

Year ended 30 September 2019

As reported 
$’000

1,298,523
(920,010)
378,513
120,317
112,187
(20,951)
91,236
(33,745)
57,491
57,451

23.06
22.92

IFRS 15 impact  
of adoption  
$’000

Balances  
without adoption 
of IFRS 15  
$’000

10,943
(7,392)
3,551
3,551
3,551
(727)
2,824
–
2,824
2,824

1.14
1.13

1,309,466
(927,402)
382,064
123,868
115,738
(21,678)
94,060
(33,745)
60,315
60,275

24.20
24.05

57,491
45,827
45,791

2,824
2,824
2,824

60,315
48,651
48,615

As at 30 September 2019

As reported  
$’000

IFRS 15 impact  
of adoption  
$’000

Balances  
without adoption 
of IFRS 15  
$’000

–
5,327

25,253
370,350
5,315

1,156
(5,327)

7,851
(11,676)
(5,315)

1,156
–

33,104
358,674
–

829,459

(998)

828,461

23,853
39,263

246,685
14,380

(5,827)
62

(6,439)
(109)

18,026
39,325

240,246
14,271

1 
2 

Impact relates to contract assets and contract fulfilment assets
Impact relates to contract liabilities

There was no impact on non-controlling interests. The impact on the foreign currency translation reserve and other comprehensive income was 
not material as the majority of the IFRS 15 impact related to the Group’s U.S. operations which report in U.S. dollars, the presentation currency 
of the Group. There was no impact on cash generated from operations.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

169

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Group Financial Statements (continued)

35. Transition to IFRS 16 Leases 
IFRS 16 replaces IAS 17 Leases and related interpretations. The standard is effective for the Group for the period beginning on 1 October 2019. 
The standard addresses the definition of a lease, recognition and measurement of leases, and establishes principles for reporting useful 
information to users of financial statements about leasing activities. A key change arising from IFRS 16 is that most of the leases currently 
accounted for as operating leases under the existing standard, will be accounted for on the Balance Sheet, similar to the accounting for finance 
leases currently. 

The Group has substantially completed its transition to IFRS 16 at 30 September 2019. The IFRS 16 transition was led by Group Finance and 
involved a cross functional project team to implement the new standard across all of the Group’s subsidiaries. Lease information was gathered 
from across the Group and assessed to determine the accounting treatment under IFRS 16. The Group implemented a system solution to ensure 
consistency and accuracy of the lease accounting. Accounting for leases under IFRS 16 is at the subsidiary level with review at Divisional and 
Group level.

The following accounting policies will be applied on transition to IFRS 16:
•  The Group is applying the modified retrospective approach to transition at 1 October 2019. With this approach, lease liabilities and right  
of use assets will be recognised for the remaining lease payments on identified lease contracts at date of application, discounted at the 
appropriate incremental borrowing rate;

•  Right of use assets will be measured at the amount equal to the lease liabilities, adjusted by the amount of any related prepaid or accrued  

lease payments recognised on the balance sheet at 30 September 2019;

•  The Group will apply the recognition exemption for both short-term leases with a duration of 1 year or less, and leases of low value assets. 

Such leases will continue to be accounted for on a straight-line expense basis;

•  The Group will separate non-lease components for property, plant and motor vehicle leases;
•  For all lease contracts in existence at 1 October 2019, the Group will retain the assessment made under IAS 17 and IFRIC 4 as to whether  

such contracts contain a lease and will not re-assess these leases on transition to the new standard.

Impact on the Balance Sheet
The Group has provisionally determined that the adoption of this new standard will lead to the recognition of lease liabilities of $94,413,000 and 
corresponding right of use assets of $94,413,000. Existing lease related balances of $12,983,000 at 1 October 2019 will be offset with the right  
of use assets, resulting in a net right of use asset of $81,430,000. The weighted average discount rate applied in calculating the lease liabilities on 
transition was 3.23%. The adoption of IFRS 16 will increase interest-bearing borrowings by the amount of the lease liabilities. Right of use assets 
will be presented separately on the Group Balance Sheet.

Impact on the Income Statement
Operating lease expenses are presented within cost of sales and operating expenses depending on the nature of the lease. Under IFRS 16, the 
operating lease expense will be replaced by depreciation of the right of use assets and interest expense on the lease liabilities. The depreciation  
of the right of use assets will continue to be presented within cost of sales and operating expenses as appropriate. This is expected to result in  
a small increase in operating profit as the interest expense on the leases will be presented within finance costs.

Impact on the Cash Flow Statement
Operating lease payments are currently classified within cash flows from operating activities. Under IFRS 16, the lease payments will be 
separated. The interest element of the lease payment will be classified in cash flows from operating activities and the capital lease payments  
will be classified in cash flows from financing activities.

170

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

The Group’s total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases at 30 September 2019 amounted to $125,497,000 
(Note 27), and are reconciled to the expected lease liability at 1 October 2019 as follows:

Reconciliation of operating lease commitments to IFRS 16 lease liability on transition

Operating lease commitments under IAS 17 at 30 September 2019 (Note 27)
Adjusted for impact of:
Finance lease liabilities recognised under IAS 17 as at 30 September 2019 (Note 31)
Short-term leases not recognised as a liability 1
Low-value leases not recognised as a liability 2
Different treatment of extension and termination options 3
Separation of non-lease components from the lease contracts 4
Lease contracts not yet commenced 5
Effect of discounting the lease liability 6 

Provisional IFRS 16 Lease liability on adoption at 1 October 2019

Land & Buildings 
$’000

Motor Vehicles 
$’000

Plant,  
Equipment, & 
Other  
$’000

Total  
$’000

112,370

10,800

2,327

125,497

–
(865)
–
4,034
(6,022)
(9,185)
(11,888)

88,444

–
(4,320)
–
103
(1,110)
–
(221)

5,252

49
–
(1,523)
–
(110)
–
(26)

717

49
(5,185)
(1,523)
4,137
(7,242)
(9,185)
(12,135)

94,413

1  Relates to leases which are ending within 1 year or less of the date of transition, and are therefore excluded from the IFRS 16 lease liability as a result of applying the recognition exemption 

for short-term leases.

2  Relates to leases of assets that qualify as low-value assets and are therefore excluded from the IFRS 16 lease liability as a result of applying the recognition exemption for leases  

of low-value assets. These leases primarily relate to leases of IT, office and telephony equipment which are not individually material.

3  Differences between the non-cancellable periods of the in-scope leases which are used to calculate the operating lease commitments, and the lease terms used to calculate the lease 
liability under IFRS 16 which include periods covered by an option to extend the lease if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise such options, and periods covered by an option to 
terminate the lease if the lessee is reasonably certain not to exercise such options. As part of the transition to IFRS 16, management judgement has been applied to assess whether options 
included in the in-scope lease contracts will be executed.

4  Adjustments to remove non-lease components included in operating lease commitments from the IFRS 16 lease liability, in accordance with the Group accounting policy being applied  

on transition.

5  Refers to lease contracts that have been signed as at the transition date but that have not yet commenced as the asset is not available for use.
6 

Impact of discounting the remaining lease payments on identified lease contracts as at the transition date, using the appropriate incremental borrowing rate.

36.  Events After the Balance Sheet Date 
On 12 November 2019, the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital of Canale Communications (‘CanaleComm’) for 
consideration of up to $31 million. This includes initial consideration of $20 million paid in cash, with contingent consideration of up to $11 million 
payable after three years, based on the achievement of certain profit targets. CanaleComm is a U.S.-based healthcare strategic communications 
agency, with specialist capabilities in corporate communications, public relations and investor relations. CanaleComm will be presented as part  
of the Ashfield operating segment, and significantly strengthens the Group’s public relations offering in the U.S.

Due to the short time frame between the completion date and the date of issuance of this report, an initial assignment of fair values to identifiable 
assets and liabilities acquired has not been completed.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

171

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Company Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 30 September 2019

Profit for the financial year

Other comprehensive income for the financial year

Total comprehensive income for the financial year

Note

2019  
€’000

2018  
€’000

78,986

31,526

–

–

78,986

31,526

172

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Company Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 30 September 2019

At 1 October 2018

12,811

165,652

61,653

368,580

608,696

Equity share 
capital  
€’000

Share  
premium  
€’000

Other  
reserves  
€’000

Retained  
earnings  
€’000

Total equity  
€’000

Profit for the financial year
Other comprehensive income/(expense):

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with shareholders:
New shares issued
Share-based payment expense
Dividends paid to equity holders
Release from share-based payment reserve

–
–

–

31
–
–
–

–
–

–

1,012
–
–
–

–
–

–

78,986
–

78,986

78,986
–

78,986

–
4,180
–
(2,591)

–
–
(35,296)
2,591

1,043
4,180
(35,296)
–

At 30 September 2019

12,842

166,664

63,242

414,861

657,609

for the year ended 30 September 2018

At 1 October 2017

12,792

164,525

56,895

365,175

599,387

Equity share 
capital  
€’000

Share  
premium  
€’000

Other  
reserves  
€’000

Retained  
earnings  
€’000

Total equity  
€’000

Profit for the financial year
Other comprehensive income/(expense):

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with shareholders:
New shares issued
Share-based payment expense
Dividends paid to equity holders
Release from share-based payment reserve

–
–

–

19
–
–
–

–
–

–

1,127
–
–
–

–
–

–

31,526
–

31,526

31,526
–

31,526

–
5,582
–
(824)

–
–
(28,945)
824

1,146
5,582
(28,945)
–

At 30 September 2018

12,811

165,652

61,653

368,580

608,696

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

173

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Company Balance Sheet
as at 30 September 2019

ASSETS
Non-current
Investment in subsidiary undertakings

Total non-current assets

Current
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Current income tax assets

Total current assets

Total assets

EQUITY
Equity share capital
Share premium
Other reserves
Retained earnings

Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the parent

LIABILITIES
Current
Trade and other payables
Current income tax liabilities

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Total equity and liabilities

Note

38

39

40
40

42

2019  
€’000

2018  
€’000

363,986

363,986

383,741
21,871
84

405,696

769,682

12,842
166,664
63,242
414,861

657,609

112,073
–

112,073

112,073

291,486

291,486

393,345
34,567
–

427,912

719,398

12,811
165,652
61,653
368,580

608,696

110,054
648

110,702

110,702

769,682

719,398

As permitted by section 304 of the Companies Act 2014, the company is availing of the exemption from presenting its separate Income  
Statement in the financial statements and from filing it with the Registrar of Companies. The company’s profit for the financial year is 
€78,986,000 (2018: €31,526,000). 

On behalf of the Board

P. Gray 
Director 

B. McAtamney
Director

174

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
Company Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 30 September 2019

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax
Finance income
Finance expense

Operating profit
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables
Decrease in trade payables, provisions and other payables
Loss on disposal of investments
Interest paid
Income taxes received

Net cash inflow from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received
Investment in subsidiary undertakings
Disposal of investment in subsidiary undertakings

Net cash outflow from investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of shares (including share premium thereon)
Dividends paid to equity holders of the company

Net cash outflow from financing activities

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Cash and cash equivalents is comprised of:
Cash at bank and short-term deposits

2019  
€’000

2018  
€’000

78,201
(11)
8

78,198
9,604
(29,226)
–
(8)
53

58,621

11
(37,075)
–

(37,064)

1,043
(35,296)

(34,253)

(12,696)
34,567

21,871

31,235
(6)
12

31,241
(4,259)
(17,464)
18,944
(12)
–

28,450

6
(13,162)
2,438

(10,718)

1,146
(28,945)

(27,799)

(10,067)
44,634

34,567

21,871

21,871

34,567

34,567

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

175

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Company Financial Statements

37.  Loss on Disposal
On 8 August 2018 the Group disposed of Aquilant. UDG Healthcare plc was the immediate parent of Aquilant Scientific (ROI) Limited and 
Aquilant Analytical Sciences Limited. The below table outlines the loss on disposal which was recognised in the Company’s Income Statement  
in the prior year.

Cash consideration
Deferred consideration

Total consideration received 

Disposal of investments
Disposal costs

Loss on disposal 

38.  Investment in Subsidiary Undertakings

Cost
At beginning of year
Additions in year
Disposals in year
Share options granted to employees of subsidiary undertakings

At end of year

2018  
€’000

2,438
65

2,503

(21,292)
(155)

(18,944)

2019  
€’000

2018  
€’000

291,486
68,320
–
4,180

363,986

289,593
37,276
(40,965)
5,582

291,486

The additions to investment in subsidiary undertakings during the year of €68,320,000 were comprised of cash consideration of €37,075,000 
and non-cash considerations of €31,245,000. 

In the prior year, the additions to investment in subsidiary undertakings during the year of €37,276,000 were comprised of cash consideration 
€13,162,000 and non-cash considerations of €24,114,000.

39.  Trade and Other Receivables

Current
Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings
Other receivables

Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings are interest free and repayable on demand.

2019  
€’000

2018  
€’000

383,219
522

383,741

393,161
184

393,345

176

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

40.  Capital and Reserves

At 30 September 2017
Profit for the financial year
Release from share-based payment reserve
Dividends paid to equity holders
Share-based payment expense

At 30 September 2018
Profit for the financial year
Release from share-based payment reserve
Dividends paid to equity holders
Share-based payment expense

At 30 September 2019

Other  
reserves  
€’000

56,895
–
(824)
–
5,582

61,653
–
(2,591)
–
4,180

Retained  
earnings  
€’000

365,175
31,526
824
(28,945)
–

368,580
78,986
2,591
(35,296)
–

63,242

414,861

Other reserves represents a share-based payment reserve of €13,159,000 (2018: €11,570,000), a treasury shares reserve of (€5,742,000)  
(2018: (€5,742,000)), a goodwill reserve of (€93,000) (2018: (€93,000)), a non-distributable reserve of €55,668,000 (2018: €55,668,000)  
and a capital redemption reserve of €250,000 (2018: €250,000).

The Company’s non-distributable reserve consists of €16,762,000 (2018: €16,762,000) transferred from the share premium account against 
which goodwill, arising from acquisitions in financial periods prior to 1 October 1999, is offset on consolidation and a transfer from the income 
statement of €38,906,000 (2018: €38,906,000), arising on the restructuring of Group activities.

Details of equity share capital are set out in Note 18.

41.  Interest-bearing Loans and Borrowings
Details of how the Company manages risk exposures and accounts for financial instruments are set out in Note 31.

Foreign Currency Risk Management
The majority of trade conducted by the Company is in euro. Therefore, the level of transactional foreign exchange exposure is not material  
to the Company.

Funding and Liquidity
The following are the undiscounted contractual maturities of financial instruments, including interest payments and excluding the impact of 
netting arrangements:

30 September 2019

Trade and other payables

30 September 2018

Trade and other payables

Carrying  
amount  
€’000

112,073

112,073

Carrying  
amount  
€’000

110,054

110,054

Contractual  
cash flow  
€’000

112,073

112,073

Contractual  
cash flow  
€’000

110,054

110,054

6 months  
or less  
€’000

112,073

112,073

6 months  
or less  
€’000

110,054

110,054

6–12  
months  
€’000

Between  
1–2 years  
€’000

Between  
2–5 years  
€’000

–

–

6–12  
months  
€’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

Between  
1–2 years  
€’000

Between  
2–5 years  
€’000

–

–

–

–

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

177

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Company Financial Statements (continued)

42.  Trade and Other Payables

Current
Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings
Accruals 

Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings are interest free and repayable on demand.

43.  Employee Benefits
The aggregate employee costs recognised in the income statement are as follows:

Wages and salaries
Social security contributions
Pension costs – defined contribution schemes

The average number of employees, including executive directors, during the year was as follows:

Administration

2019  
€’000

2018  
€’000

111,907
166

112,073

109,889
165

110,054

2019  
€’000

516
56
–

572

2018  
€’000

216
6
8

230

2019  
number

2018  
number

3

3

2

2

44.  Related Party Transactions
The Company has related party relationships with its subsidiaries and with the directors of the Company. Details of the remuneration of the 
Company’s individual directors, together with the number of shares in the Company owned by them and their outstanding share options, are  
set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Transactions with Subsidiary Undertakings
Details of balances outstanding with subsidiary undertakings are provided in Notes 39 and 42. 

IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures requires the disclosure of compensation paid to the Company’s key management personnel. The details on key 
management personnel are outlined in Note 33. 

In 2015 the Company transferred a significant element of its business activities to a subsidiary, UDG Healthcare Ireland Limited. The key 
management personnel engaged in the business throughout the year were employed by UDG Healthcare Ireland Limited. 

178

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

45.  Principal Subsidiaries
Incorporated in the ROI

Name

Ashfield Healthcare (Ireland) Limited
UDG Healthcare Ayrtons (Dublin) Limited*
UDG Healthcare Finance Limited*
UDG Healthcare (US) Holdings Limited*
UDG Healthcare Distributors Limited* 
UDG Healthcare Ireland Limited
United Care Limited

* 

Subsidiary undertakings owned directly by UDG Healthcare plc.

Nature of business

Contract sales outsourcing
Investment holding company
Financial services
Investment holding company
Investment holding company
Investment holding company
Investment holding company

Group share

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

All of the above companies have their registered office at 20 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, NR23 D24.

All shares held are ordinary shares.

Incorporated in the U.K.

Name

Nature of business

Group share

Ashfield Healthcare Limited 1
Ashfield Insight & Performance Limited1
Ashfield Meetings & Events Limited1
Galliard Healthcare Communications Limited1
Ashfield Healthcare Communications Group Limited1 Healthcare communications and consultancy services provider
Pegasus Public Relations Limited1
Sharp Clinical Services (UK) Limited1
UDG Healthcare (UK) Holdings Limited1
STEM Healthcare Limited2
Incisive Health Limited1

Healthcare communications provider
Clinical trials services provider
Investment holding company
Commercial, marketing and medical audit services provider
Healthcare policy and communications consultancy

Contract sales outsourcing
Sales force effectiveness training services provider
Event management services provider
Specialist healthcare and scientific public relations provider

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

This company has its registered office at Ashfield House, Resolution Road, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, LE65 1HW.

1 
2  This company has its registered office at 1 Parkshot, Richmond, Surrey, England, TW9 2RD.

Incorporated in Continental Europe

Name

Nature of business

Group share

Ashfield Healthcare GmbH4
Ashfield Healthcare GmbH5
Ashfield Iberia SLU6
Ashfield Nordic AB7
Ashfield S.A8
Ashfield Saglik Hizmetleei Ticaret Limited Sirketi9
Enestia Belgium N.V.10
European Packaging Centre B.V.3
Ashfield Iberia Lda11
UDG Healthcare Holdings B.V.3
Sellxpert GmbH & Co KG12
Selldirekt GmbH12
Physicians World GmbH13
Pharma Logistics Investments B.V.3

Contract sales outsourcing 
Contract sales outsourcing 
Contract sales outsourcing 
Pharmaceutical sales and marketing company 
Contract sales outsourcing 
Pharmaceutical sales and marketing company 
Packaging solutions provider
Contract packaging company
Contract sales outsourcing 
Investment holding company
Contract sales outsourcing 
Contract sales outsourcing
Medical Communications business
Sales leads and sales intelligence data

3  This company has its registered office at Neptunus 12, 8448 CN Heerenveen, Netherlands.
4  This company has its registered office at Euro Plaza, Gebaude F, Technologiestrabe 5, 4. OG, 1120 Vienna, Austria.
5  This company has its registered office at Goldbeckstrasse 5, 69493 Hirschberg, Germany.
6  This company has its registered office at Calle Quintanavides 13, Parque Empresarial Vía Norte, Edificio 1-2a planta, 28050 Madrid, Spain.
7  This company has its registered office at Luntmakargatan 66, 5van, 11351 Stockholm, Sweden.
8  This company has its registered office at Foundation Plaza, Building 501, Belgicastraat 1, 1930 Zaventum, Belgium.
9   This company has its registered office at Pakpen Plaza Sahraycedit Mahallesi Halk Sokak, No.44 Kat, 1 Kadikoy, Istanbul, Turkey.
10  This company has its registered office at Klocknerslyaat 1, 3930 Hamont-Achel, Belgium.
11   This company has its registered office at Avenida Dom João Ii, Nº 44c – 2.3 Edificio Atlantis, Parque Das Naçoes, 1990–095 Lisboa, Portugal.
12  This company has its registered office at Gutenbergstraße 4, 67446 Speyer, Germany.
13  This company has its registered office at Haupststrasse, 161, 68259 Mannheim, Germany.

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

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

179

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Notes forming part of the Company Financial Statements (continued)

45.  Principal Subsidiaries (continued)
Incorporated in North America

Name

Nature of business

Group share

Ashfield Healthcare LLC14
Ashfield Healthcare Canada Inc15

Pharmaceutical sales and marketing company
Marketing, communications and sample and promotional material 

Ashfield Healthcare Communications LLC18
Ashfield Meetings & Events Inc.27
Ashfield Pharmacovigilance, Inc.16
Informed Direct, Inc.17
Sharp Clinical Services, Inc.19
Sharp Corporation20
Sharp Bethlehem, LLC22
Vynamic LLC23
Cambridge BioMarketing Group, LLC24
MicroMass Communications, Inc.21
UDG Healthcare U.S. Holdings, Inc.22
Smart Analyst, Inc25
Create Group NYC26
Putnam Associates LLC28

management services provider

Healthcare communications and consultancy services provider
Event management services provider
Safety and risk management services provider
Healthcare communications and consultancy services provider
Clinical trials services provider
Contract packaging company
Contract packaging company
Management consulting 
Healthcare communications business
Healthcare communications business
Investment holding company
Commercialisations, consulting and analytics business
Communications agency
Consulting services to pharmaceutical 

100%
100%

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

14  This company has its registered office at 1100 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania 19034.
15  This company has its registered office at 263 Labrosse Avenue, Pointe-Claire, Quebec H9R 1A3.
16  This company has its registered office at 5003 South Miami Blvd, Suite 500, Durham, North Carolina 27703.
17  This company has its registered office at 7 Island Dock Road, Suite A, Haddam, Connecticut 06438.
18  This company has its registered office at 125 Chubb Avenue, Lyndhurst, New Jersey 07071.
19  This company has its registered office at 300 Kimberton Road, Phoenixville, Pennslyvania, 19460.
20  This company has its registered office at 23 Carland Road, Conshohocken, Pennslyvania, 19428.
21  This company has its registered office at 100 Regency Forest Drive, Suite 400, Cary, NC, 27518.
22  This company has its registered office at 7451 Keebler Way, Allentown, 18106.
23  This company has its registered office at 1600 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
24  This company has its registered office at 245 First Street, 12th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142.
25  This company has its registered office at 9 East 38th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016.
26  This company has its registered office at 180 Varick Street, Suite 212, New York, NY 10014.
27  This company has its registered office at One Ivybrook Blvd, Suite 170, Iyland, Pennslyvania, 18974.
28  This company has its registered office at 501 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116.

46.  Auditor Remuneration
The auditor’s remuneration for the audit of the Company is detailed in Note 5.

47.  Section 357 Guarantees and Contingent Liabilities
Guarantees have been given by the Company in respect of the borrowing facilities of certain subsidiary undertakings and clients.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 357, Companies Act 2014, the Company has guaranteed commitments entered into and liabilities of  
the following subsidiaries for the financial year ended 30 September 2019:, Ashfield Alliance Limited, Ashfield Healthcare (Ireland) Limited, 
Aquilant Limited, Dublin Drug (Investments) Limited, Dublin Drug Company Limited, Dublin Drug Public Limited Company, Marker (U.D.) 
Ireland Limited, Pharmexx Ireland (Sales Solutions) Limited, UDG Healthcare Ireland Limited, United Care Limited, UDG Healthcare (US) 
Holdings Limited, UDG Healthcare Ayrtons (Dublin) Limited, UDG Healthcare Distributors Limited, UDG Healthcare Finance Limited, UDG 
Healthcare Nordic Limited, UDG Healthcare Packaging Group Limited and UDG Healthcare Property Holdings Limited.

48.  Approval of Financial Statements
The Group and Company financial statements were approved by the directors on 2 December 2019.

180

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Financial Calendar

UDG Healthcare plc is an Irish registered company. The Company’s ordinary shares are quoted on the London Stock Exchange.

Ex-dividend date for 2019 final dividend

Record date for 2019 final dividend

AGM

Payment date for 2019 final dividend

Interim Announcement of Results for 2020

Financial year end

Preliminary Announcement of Results for 2020

9 January 2020

10 January 2020

28 January 2020 

5 February 2020

19 May 2020

30 September 2020

24 November 2020

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

181

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Additional Information

Key Performance Indicators and Non-IFRS Performance Measures
The Group reports certain financial measurements that are not required under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) which 
represent the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) under which the Group reports. The Group believes that the presentation of 
these non-IFRS measurements provides useful supplemental information which, when viewed in conjunction with IFRS financial information, 
provides stakeholders with a more meaningful understanding of the underlying financial and operating performance of the Group and its 
divisions. These measurements are also used internally to evaluate the historical and planned future performance of the Group’s operations  
and to measure executive management’s performance-based remuneration. 

None of the non-IFRS measurements should be considered as an alternative to financial measures derived in accordance with IFRS.  
The non-IFRS measurements can have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis  
of results as reported under IFRS. The principal non-IFRS measurements used by the Group, together with reconciliations where the non-IFRS 
measures are not readily identifiable from the Financial Statements, are set out below.

Following the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers on 1 October 2018, the Group’s statutory results for the year ended 
30 September 2019 are presented on an IFRS 15 basis, whereas the Group’s statutory results for the comparative period ended 30 September 
2018 are presented on an IAS 18 basis as previously reported. For the comparisons between the two bases of reporting to be considered more 
meaningful, the Group have presented the alternative performance measurements below under both bases. 

Net revenue
Definition
This comprises of revenue as reported in the Group Income Statement, adjusted for revenue associated with pass-through costs for which the 
Group does not earn a margin.

Calculation

Revenue
Revenue – IFRS 15 impact

Revenue
Pass-through revenue 
Pass-through revenue – IFRS 15 impact

Net revenue 

Income Statement
Note 34

IFRS 15  
2019  
$’000

1,298,523
–

1,298,523
(195,648)
–

IAS 18  
2019  
$’000

1,298,523
10,943

1,309,466
(195,648)
380

2018  
$’000

1,315,186
–

1,315,186
(185,494)
–

1,102,875

1,114,198

1,129,692

Adjusted operating profit 
Definition
This comprises of operating profit as reported in the Group Income Statement before amortisation of acquired intangible assets, transaction 
costs and exceptional items (if any).

Calculation

Operating profit 
Operating profit – IFRS 15 impact
Transaction costs 
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets 
Exceptional items 

Adjusted operating profit 

Income Statement
Note 34
Income Statement
Note 14
Note 9

IFRS 15  
2019  
$’000

78,264
–
2,136
32,387
42,053

IAS 18  
2019  
$’000

78,264
3,551
2,136
32,387
42,053

154,840

158,391

2018  
$’000

5,501
–
2,374
31,001
108,630

147,506

182

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Key Performance Indicators and Non-IFRS Performance Measures (continued)
Adjusted profit before tax
Definition
This comprises of profit before tax as reported in the Group Income Statement before amortisation of acquired intangible assets, transaction 
costs and exceptional items (if any).

Calculation

Profit before tax 
Profit before tax – IFRS 15 impact
Transaction costs 
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets 
Exceptional items

Adjusted profit before tax

Income Statement
Note 34
Income Statement
Note 14
Note 9

IFRS 15  
2019  
$’000

74,277
–
2,136
32,387
37,910

IAS 18  
2019  
$’000

74,277
3,551
2,136
32,387
37,910

2018  
$’000

8,386
–
2,374
31,001
97,054

146,710

150,261

138,815

Adjusted operating margin 
Definition
Measures the adjusted operating profit as a percentage of revenue.

Calculation

Adjusted operating profit 
Revenue 

Adjusted operating margin

IFRS 15  
2019  
$’000

IAS 18  
2019  
$’000

Per above
Income Statement/Note 34

154,840
1,298,523

158,391
1,309,466

11.9%

12.1%

2018  
$’000 

147,506
1,315,186

11.2%

Adjusted net operating margin
Definition
Measures the adjusted operating profit as a percentage of net revenue.

Calculation

Adjusted operating profit 
Net revenue 

Net operating margin 

Per above
Per above

IFRS 15  
2019  
$’000

154,840
1,102,875

14.0%

IAS 18  
2019  
$’000

158,391
1,114,198

14.2%

2018  
$’000

147,506
1,129,692

13.1%

Adjusted effective tax rate
Definition
The Group adjusted effective tax rate expresses the income tax expense adjusted for the tax impact of exceptional items, transaction costs and 
the amortisation of acquired intangible assets as a percentage of adjusted profit before tax.

Calculation

Income Statement/Note 34
Income tax expense
Tax relief with respect to exceptional items 
Note 9
Deferred tax credit associated with the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Note 9

Tax charge pre-exceptional items
Tax relief with respect to transaction costs
Deferred tax credit with respect to acquired  
intangible amortisation

Income Statement/Note 34

Income tax expense before exceptional, transaction costs  
and deferred tax attaching to amortisation of acquired  
intangible assets 
Adjusted profit before tax 

Per above

Adjusted effective tax rate 

IFRS 15  
2019  
$’000

16,786
4,165
–

20,951
38

IAS 18  
2019  
$’000

17,513
4,165
–

21,678
38

7,084

7,084

2018  
$’000

4,529
1,548
9,715

15,792
180

7,715

28,073
146,710

19.1%

28,800
150,261

19.2%

23,687
138,815

17.1%

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

183

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Additional Information (continued)

Key Performance Indicators and Non-IFRS Performance Measures (continued)
Return on capital employed (ROCE)
Definition
ROCE is the adjusted operating profit expressed as a percentage of the Group’s net assets employed. Net assets employed is the average  
of the opening and closing net assets in the year excluding net debt adjusted for the historical amortisation of acquired intangible assets  
and restructuring charges.

Calculation

Net assets
Net assets – IFRS 15 impact

Net assets
Net debt

Assets before net debt
Cumulative intangible amortisation
Cumulative restructuring costs

Total capital employed

Average total capital employed 
Adjusted operating profit 

Return on capital employed 

Balance Sheet
Note 34

Note 31

IFRS 15  
2019  
$’000

900,563
–

900,563
80,530

981,093
208,980
20,439

IAS 18  
2019  
$’000

900,563
(998)

899,565
80,530

980,095
208,980
20,439

2018  
$’000

885,343
–

885,343
60,787

946,130
189,206
26,789

1,210,512

1,209,514

1,162,125

1,186,319
154,840

1,185,820
158,391

1,160,269
147,506

13.1%

13.4%

12.7%

Adjusted and annualised EBITDA 
Definition
Adjusted EBITDA is used internally for performance management and is also a useful supplemental measure for external stakeholders. Adjusted 
EBITDA is adjusted operating profit (operating profit before amortisation of acquired intangible assets, transaction costs and exceptional items) 
before depreciation, share-based payment expense, amortisation of computer software, the share of joint venture profit and profit on disposal  
of property, plant and equipment. 

The annualised EBITDA used for debt covenant compliance purposes, amends adjusted EBITDA to include the annualisation of the EBITDA  
for acquisitions and exclude share-based payment expense, transaction costs and the EBITDA of completed disposals. 

Calculation

Adjusted operating profit 
Share-based payment expense
Depreciation 
Amortisation of computer software 
Joint venture profit share 
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Adjusted EBITDA
Share-based payment expense
Transaction costs 
EBITDA of completed disposals 
Annualised EBITDA of acquisitions 1 

Annualised EBITDA

Per above
Cash Flow Statement
Cash Flow Statement
Note 14
Income Statement
Cash Flow Statement

Cash Flow Statement 
Income Statement

IFRS 15  
2019  
$’000

154,840
4,400
23,130
8,027
(50)
(571)

189,776
(4,400)
(2,136)
–
10,004

IAS 18  
2019  
$’000

158,391
4,400
23,130
8,027
(50)
(571)

193,327
(4,400)
(2,136)
–
10,004

193,244

196,795

2018  
$’000

147,506
5,069
24,477
6,036
(958)
(340)

181,790
(5,069)
(2,374)
(2,845)
6,079

177,581

1 

Includes EBITDA for acquisitions which were not part of the Group for the full financial year.

Financial ratios
Definition
The net debt to EBITDA and EBITDA interest cover ratios disclosed are calculated using annualised EBITDA and adjusted net finance expense 
(net finance expense excluding interest on pension scheme obligations and the unwinding of discount on provisions and deferred consideration, 
see Note 6). Net debt represents the net total of current and non-current borrowings, current and non-current derivative financial instruments 
and cash and cash equivalents as presented in the Group Balance Sheet and is calculated in Note 31. 

184

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

Key Performance Indicators and Non-IFRS Performance Measures (continued)
Constant currency
Definition
The translation of foreign denominated earnings can be impacted by movements in foreign exchange rates versus U.S. dollars, the Group’s 
presentation currency. In order to present a better reflection of underlying performance in the year, the Group retranslates foreign denominated 
prior year earnings at current year exchange rates.

Revenue – constant currency

Revenue
Currency impact

Revenue – constant currency

Revenue – constant currency increase on 2018
Revenue – constant currency increase on 2018 % 

Revenue – constant currency – excluding Aquilant

Revenue
Currency impact

Revenue – constant currency

Revenue – constant currency increase on 2018
Revenue – constant currency increase on 2018 %

Net revenue – constant currency

Net revenue
Currency impact

Revenue – constant currency

Revenue – constant currency increase on 2018
Revenue – constant currency increase on 2018 %

Net Revenue – constant currency – excluding Aquilant

Net revenue
Currency impact

Net revenue – constant currency

Net revenue – constant currency increase on 2018
Net revenue – constant currency increase on 2018

Adjusted operating profit – constant currency

Adjusted operating profit
Currency impact

Adjusted operating profit – constant currency

Adjusted operating profit – constant currency increase on 2018
Adjusted operating profit – constant currency increase on 2018 %

Income Statement/Note 34

Income Statement/Note 34

Per above

Per above

Per above

IFRS 15  
2019  
$’000

IAS 18  
2019  
$’000

1,298,523
–

1,309,466
–

2018  
$’000

1,315,186
(32,539)

1,298,523

1,309,466

1,282,647

15,876
1.2%

26,819
2.1%

$’000

$’000

$’000

1,298,523
–

1,309,466
–

1,232,479
(28,246)

1,298,523

1,309,466

1,204,233

94,290
7.8%

105,233
8.7%

$’000

$’000

$’000

1,102,875
–

1,102,875

1,485
0.1%

1,114,198
–

1,114,198

12,808
1.2%

1,129,692
(28,302)

1,101,390

$’000

$’000

$’000

1,102,875
–

1,114,198
–

1,046,985
(24,010)

1,102,875

1,114,198

1,022,975

79,900
7.8%

91,223
8.9%

$’000

$’000

$’000

154,840
–

154,840

9,576
6.6%

158,391
–

158,391

13,127
9.0%

147,506
(2,242)

145,264

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

185

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Additional Information (continued)

Constant currency (continued) 

Adjusted operating profit – constant currency – excluding Aquilant

Adjusted operating profit
Currency impact

Adjusted operating profit – constant currency

Adjusted operating profit – constant currency increase on 2018
Adjusted operating profit – constant currency increase on 2018 %

Adjusted profit before tax – constant currency

Adjusted profit before tax
Currency impact

Adjusted profit before tax – constant currency

Adjusted profit before tax – constant currency increase on 2018
Adjusted profit before tax – constant currency increase on 2018 %

Adjusted diluted earnings per share (‘EPS’) – constant currency

Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the parent
Currency impact

Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the parent  
– constant currency

Weighted average number of shares used  
in diluted EPS calculation 
Adjusted diluted EPS – constant currency (cent)
Adjusted diluted EPS – constant currency increase on 2018 (cent)
Adjusted diluted EPS – constant currency increase on 2018 %

Per above

Per above

Note 11

IFRS 15  
2019  
$’000

154,840
–

154,840

12,688
8.9%

IAS 18  
2019  
$’000

158,391
–

158,391

16,239
11.4%

2018  
$’000

144,226
(2,074)

142,152

$’000

$’000

$’000

146,710
–

146,710

9,862
7.2%

150,261
–

150,261

13,413
9.8%

138,815
(1,967)

136,848

$’000

$’000

$’000

118,596
–

121,420
–

115,067
(1,455)

118,596

121,420

113,612

Note 11

250,662,451

250,662,451

250,464,788

47.31
1.95
4.3%

48.44
3.08
6.8%

45.36

The dividend per share constant currency increase on 2018 percentage disclosed is the same as actual percentage increase in dividend per share 
as this is based on the disclosed U.S. dollars dividend per share.

186

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

 
 
 
Glossary

AGM

ABPI

APM

ARA

Annual General Meeting

Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry

Alternative Performance Measures

Annual Report Announcement

CAGR

Compound Annual Growth Rate

CDP

CEO

CFO

CGU

CMIC

CMO
CO2
CODM

COE

COO

CRM

CSO

Carbon Disclosure Project

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Cash Generating Unit

Current Medical Information Centre

Contract Manufacturing Organisation

Carbon Dioxide

Chief Operating Decision Maker

Centre of Excellence

Chief Operating Officer

Customer Relationship Management

Contract Sales Organisation

The Code U.K. Corporate Governance Code 2018 issued by the U.K. 

CSR

EBIT

EBITDA

EHS

EMEA

EPS

ERP

ESOP

ESOS

E.U.

EY

FDA

FMD

Financial Reporting Council

Corporate Social Responsibility

Earnings Before Interest and Tax

Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and 
Amortisation 

Environmental Health and Safety

Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Earnings per Share

Enterprise Resource Planning

Executive Share Option Plan

Executive Share Option Scheme

European Union

Ernst & Young Chartered Accountants  
and Statutory Audit Firm

Food and Drug Administration

Falsified Medicine’s Directive

FTSE 100 
Index

Capitalisation – weighted index consisting of the 100 
largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange 
with the highest market capitalisation

FTSE 250 
Index

Capitalisation – weighted index consisting of the 101st to 
the 350th largest companies on the London Stock 
Exchange

FY2018

Financial Year 2018

FY2019

Financial Year 2019

FRC

GAAP

GDPR

GM

HCP

Financial Reporting Council

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

General Data Protection Regulation

General Manager

Healthcare Professionals

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

HR

H&S

Human Resources

Health & Safety

IMP

Inc.

IRT

IT

ISAs

KPI

KWP

LTA

LTD

LTIP

MAH

M&A

NED

NETS

N/A

NI

Investigational Medicinal Product

Incorporated

Interactive Response Technology

Information Technology

International Standards on Auditing

Key Performance Indicator

Kilowatt Peak

Lost Time Accidents

Limited Company

Long Term Incentive Plan

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Mergers and Acquisitions

Non Executive Director

Network of Employers for Traffic Safety

Not Applicable

Northern Ireland

NomCo

Nominations and Governance Committee

N/M

PA

PAYE

PBCIT

PBIT

PBT

PLC

PR

PSP

PwC

Q4

R&D

Not Meaningful

Pennsylvania 

Pay As You Earn

Profit Before Central Interest and Tax

Profit Before Interest and Tax

Profit Before Tax

Public Limited Company

Public Relations

Patient Support Programme

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Quarter 4

Research and Development

Rem Co

Remuneration Committee

RIF

ROCE

ROI

SCOPE 1

Risk, Investment and Financing Committee 

Return on Capital Employed

Return on Investment

Covers direct emissions from owned or controlled 
sources. Examples – Fuel combustion, Company vehicles, 
Fugitive emissions.*

SCOPE 2 Covers indirect emissions from the generation of 
purchased electricity, steam, heating and cooling 
consumed by the reporting company. Examples – 
Purchased electricity, heat and steam.*

SCOPE 3

Includes all other indirect emissions that occur in a 
company’s value chain. Examples – Purchased goods and 
services, Business travel and Waste disposal.*

SET

SID

TSR

U.K.

UN

U.S.

VAT

V.P

Senior Executive Team

Senior Independent non-executive Director

Total Shareholder Return

United Kingdom

United Nations

United States

Value Added Tax

Vice President

IAASA

Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority 

WDA

Wholesale Distribution Authorisation

IAS

IASB

IFRIC

International Accounting Standard 

International Accounting Standards Board

International Financial Reporting  
Interpretations Committee 

IFRS

International Financial Reporting Standards 

*Source : Carbon Trust.

UDG Healthcare plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

187

Financial StatementsDirectors’ Report Strategic Report Contacts for Shareholders 

Company Secretary  
and Registered Office
Damien Moynagh
UDG Healthcare plc,  
20 Riverwalk,  
Citywest Business Campus, Citywest,  
Dublin 24, Ireland

Tel: +353 1 468 9000
Website: www.udghealthcare.com

Registered Number
12244

Registrar
Enquiries concerning shareholdings  
should be addressed to:

Computershare Investor  
Services (Ireland) Limited
3100 Lake Dr,
Citywest Business Campus, 
Dublin 24, D24 AK82
Ireland

Tel: +353 1 447 5100
Email: webqueries@computershare.co.uk

Principal Bankers
Ulster Bank
Ulster Bank Ireland DAC, 
George’s Quay,  
Dublin 2, Ireland

Solicitors
A&L Goodbody
International Financial Services Centre,  
North Wall Quay,  
Dublin 1, Ireland

Pinsent Masons LLP
3 Hardman Street,  
Manchester, M3 3AU, U.K.

Auditor
Ernst & Young
Harcourt Centre,  
Harcourt Street,  
Dublin 2, Ireland

Website
Further information on UDG Healthcare  
is available on the Group’s website:  
www.udghealthcare.com

Stockbrokers
Davy
Davy House, 
49 Dawson Street,  
Dublin 2, Ireland

Liberum, 
Ropemaker Place, 
25 Ropemaker Street, 
London, EC2Y 9LY

Peel Hunt, 
Moor House, 
120 London Wall, 
London, EC2Y 5ET

188

UDG Healthcare plc 
Annual Report and Accounts 2019

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UDG Healthcare plc

UDG Healthcare plc
20 Riverwalk 
Citywest Business Campus 
Citywest 
Dublin 24 
Ireland 
D24 NR23

T: +353 1 468 9000
www.udghealthcare.com

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