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MAKING
SUSTAINABLE LIVING
COMMONPLACE
UNILEVER ANNUAL REPORT
AND ACCOUNTS 2016
UNILEVER ANNUAL REPORT
AND ACCOUNTS 2016
This document is made up of the Strategic Report, the Governance
Report, the Financial Statements and Notes, and Additional
Information for US Listing Purposes.
Our Strategic Report, pages 1 to 28, contains information about
us, how we create value and how we run our business. It includes
our strategy, business model, market outlook and key
performance indicators, as well as our approach to sustainability
and risk. The Strategic Report is only part of the Annual Report
and Accounts 2016. The Strategic Report has been approved by
the Boards and signed on their behalf by Tonia Lovell – Group
Secretary.
Our Governance Report, pages 29 to 77 contains detailed
corporate governance information, how we mitigate risk, our
Committee reports and how we remunerate our Directors.
CONTENTS
About us ...........................................................................................1
Our purpose .....................................................................................1
Chairman’s statement .....................................................................2
Board of Directors............................................................................3
Chief Executive Officer’s review ......................................................4
Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE) ..............................................5
Our markets .....................................................................................6
Our business model .........................................................................8
Our strategic focus.........................................................................10
Our performance............................................................................12
Delivering value for our stakeholders ...........................................14
Our consumers..............................................................................14
Society............................................................................................16
Our Financial Statements and Notes are on pages 78 to 154.
Our people .....................................................................................20
Pages 1 to 156 constitute the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts
2016 for UK and Dutch purposes, which we may also refer to as ‘this
Annual Report and Accounts’ throughout this document.
The Directors’ Report of Unilever PLC (PLC) on pages 29 to 47,
78 (Statement of Directors’ responsibilities), 104 (Dividends on
ordinary capital), 115 to 120 (Treasury Risk Management), 143
(branch disclosure) and 150 and 154 (Post balance sheet event)
has been approved by the PLC Board and signed on its behalf by
Tonia Lovell – Group Secretary.
The Strategic Report, together with the Governance Report,
constitutes the report of the Directors within the meaning of
Section 2:391 of the Dutch Civil Code and has been approved
by the Unilever N.V. (NV) Board and signed on its behalf by
Tonia Lovell – Group Secretary.
Pages 157 to 178 are included as Additional Information for US
Listing Purposes.
ONLINE
You can find more information about Unilever online at
www.unilever.com. For further information on the
Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) visit
www.unilever.com/sustainable-living
The Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016 (and the Additional
Information for US Listing Purposes) along
with other relevant documents can be downloaded at
www.unilever.com/ara2016/downloads
Our shareholders ..........................................................................22
Financial Review ............................................................................23
Governance ..................................................................................29
Corporate Governance..............................................................29
Risks.........................................................................................36
Report of the Audit Committee .................................................42
Report of the Corporate Responsibility Committee...................44
Report of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee ...........................................46
Directors’ Remuneration Report ..............................................48
Financial Statements ...................................................................78
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities ...................................78
Independent auditors’ reports ..................................................79
Consolidated financial statements ...........................................84
Consolidated income statement ...........................................84
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income...............84
Consolidated statement of changes in equity........................85
Consolidated balance sheet ..................................................86
Consolidated cash flow statement ........................................87
Notes to the consolidated financial statements........................88
Company accounts – Unilever N.V. ........................................144
Notes to the Company accounts – Unilever N.V. ....................146
Company accounts – Unilever PLC .........................................151
Notes to the Company accounts – Unilever PLC.....................152
Shareholder Information............................................................155
Index ..........................................................................................156
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes ........................157
ABOUT US
OUR PURPOSE
UNILEVER IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S BEST KNOWN
CONSUMER GOODS COMPANIES. EVERY DAY, 2.5 BILLION
PEOPLE USE OUR PRODUCTS TO FEEL GOOD, LOOK GOOD
AND GET MORE OUT OF LIFE.
UNILEVER HAS A CLEAR PURPOSE – TO MAKE SUSTAINABLE
LIVING COMMONPLACE. WE BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO
CREATE LONG-TERM VALUE FOR ALL OUR STAKEHOLDERS,
ESPECIALLY IN A VOLATILE AND UNCERTAIN WORLD.
We are truly global, operating in more than 100 countries, selling
our products in more than 190 countries and employing around
169,000 people.
Unilever is organised in four categories, each with a clearly defined
strategy and portfolio of brands. The largest is Personal Care, then
Foods followed by Home Care and Refreshment. Each one is discussed
in more detail on pages 14 and 15.
We have 13 brands with sales of €1 billion or more:
Family Goodness (e.g. Rama)
Axe
1.
2. Dirt is Good (e.g. Omo)
3. Dove
4.
5. Heartbrand (e.g. Wall’s)
6. Hellmann’s
Knorr
7.
Lipton
8.
9.
Lux
10. Magnum
11. Rexona
12. Sunsilk
13. Surf
Our business model is detailed on pages 8 and 9. It places
sustainability at its heart through the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan
(USLP) which spans our entire value chain and involves a wide range of
stakeholders.
Our brands are household names but we constantly assess our portfolio
to ensure the right balance and resilience. We dispose of brands that no
longer fit our strategy while acquiring those that give access to new
segments and channels. We have around 400 brands allowing us to
operate both globally and locally and this scale offers efficiencies and
lower costs while reducing risk and mitigating volatility.
In 2015 we had 12 Sustainable Living brands which grew 30% faster
than the rest of the business (Knorr, Dove, Dirt is Good e.g. Omo,
Lipton, Hellmann’s, Smile e.g. Signal/Pepsodent, Lifebuoy, Ben &
Jerry’s, Radiant, Breyers, Heart Health and Domestos). In 2016 these
brands grew 40% faster than the rest and delivered nearly half of
Unilever’s growth. They are brands which combine a strong purpose
delivering a social or environmental benefit, with products contributing
to at least one of our USLP goals. Our Sustainable Living brands for
2016 will be announced in May 2017 once the analysis is complete.
Our Purpose inspires our Vision – to accelerate growth in our
business, while reducing our environmental footprint and increasing
our positive social impact. We want our business to grow but we
recognise that growth at the expense of people or the environment is
both unacceptable and commercially unsustainable. Sustainable
growth is the only acceptable model for our business.
Our Purpose and Vision combine a commercial imperative to succeed
against competition globally and locally, with the changing attitudes
and expectations of consumers.
This Annual Report and Accounts explains how, in 2016, we have
continued to pursue our Purpose and work towards making our Vision
a reality. During 2016 we continued to deliver growth that is
consistent, competitive, profitable and responsible. This track record
of long-term success is underpinned by the USLP, which helps us
manage risk, inspires brand purpose and innovation, drives down
costs to improve returns and builds trust among consumers across
our categories and operations.
Our success depends on the expertise and talent of our people. They
are constantly challenged by an environment that remains volatile,
uncertain, complex and ambiguous. Digitalisation is impacting all
aspects of life. At the same time it is getting easier to enter our
industry. Our markets are fragmenting as a result of changes in
consumer habits, sales channels, the media and to traditional
business models.
This is why Unilever is also changing through our business
transformation programme, Connected 4 Growth, which we started to
implement during 2016. It is creating a business which is more
consumer and customer-centric, faster, more efficient and
empowered so that our people can meet these challenges with the
necessary resources.
As part of this change, we are also adopting new ways of working to be
more entrepreneurial to complement our existing category strategies.
In turn, these clearly-defined strategies across our four categories
involve the active management of our portfolio through acquisitions
and disposals to ensure Unilever has a well-balanced and resilient
portfolio relevant to meeting our Purpose and Vision.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Strategic Report 1
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT
Since becoming Chairman in April 2016 I have enjoyed a busy period
getting to know Unilever and discovering at first-hand what a superb
organisation it is, made up of many talented and principled people who
care deeply about the business and the contribution it can make to
improving lives. I am excited to be part of a Group whose products are
used by 2.5 billion people every day.
There was nowhere better perhaps to chair my first Board meeting, in
July, than in a place often regarded as the physical and spiritual home
of the Group, Port Sunlight in the UK. As well as giving me an insight
into the history of Unilever and the values that still permeate the Group
today, the visit also exposed the Board to the high quality manufacturing
facilities and breakthrough technologies being developed to keep
Unilever at the forefront of its industry.
In September, the Board met in India for its annual review of the
Group’s global strategy. The Board re-affirmed its support for a
strategy which has helped to drive consistent top and bottom line
growth for Unilever over recent years, despite a very challenging
environment. The pace of change in this industry is greater than at any
time, and for that reason the Board was also pleased to endorse the
Connected 4 Growth change programme, which we believe will enhance
the organisational focus and agility of the Group.
While in India the Board also visited the Group’s global research
facilities, as well as the impressive Enterprise and Technology Solutions
Centre, which has been developed over the last five years to provide
many of the modern global information and technology platforms on
which the Group now depends. A review of Unilever’s business in India,
Hindustan Unilever, highlighted to the Directors why Unilever enjoys
such a strong presence and reputation in India.
We held our final Board meeting of the calendar year in Portugal,
where Unilever has built up a strong business with its joint venture
partners and which leads the way today for Unilever in its Out-of-
Home capabilities, not just in Europe but across the world. Despite
their differing sizes, it was fascinating to see how both the Indian and
Portuguese businesses are exporters of talent and ideas to other
parts of Unilever.
ENGAGEMENT
I have always enjoyed meeting with shareholders, and have already met
with a good number of them who I thank for their thoughts and insights
on the business, strategy and governance. These meetings offered me
the opportunity to discuss our ideas for changes to Unilever’s
Remuneration Policy.
Over the last few years, Paul Polman has built a strong performance
culture at Unilever. Indeed, I am pleased to report that Unilever has
again in 2016 delivered on its 4G growth model – consistent,
competitive, profitable and responsible growth. We now want to take
that performance culture to a new level based on managers having an
even stronger personal commitment to Unilever share ownership.
The proposed new Remuneration Policy will be put to shareholders to
be voted upon at the 2017 AGMs in April. Further information on our
proposals can be found in the Compensation Committee’s report on
pages 48 to 77. Information on the AGMs can be found within the NV
and PLC AGM Notices which will be published in March 2017.
EVALUATION
Given 2016 was my first year I decided that we would conduct a very
focused board evaluation (covering strategic discussions, Board
composition and our plans for 2017 for further learning and site visits).
We will explore these and other areas further in our externally
facilitated board evaluation in the first half of 2017, but in my view the
Board is working effectively and this was evidenced when Kraft Heinz
made its proposed bid for Unilever. Looking ahead, an important focus
of our work will be on the management of risks given the increasingly
volatile and uncertain nature of today’s external environment and, in the
immediate future, we are fully engaged in the recently announced
comprehensive review of options available to accelerate delivery of
value for the benefit of our shareholders. Further detail on the Board’s
remit, operations and the topics the Board regularly discusses and
debates can be found in the Governance section on pages 29 to 77.
BOARD COMPOSITION AND SUCCESSION
I feel fortunate to have taken on the chairmanship of such a high
calibre Board of Directors. I also believe you would struggle to find a
more diverse Board – whether of nationality, experience or of course
gender. Indeed, Unilever continues to lead the way among its peers at
Board level, with the proportion of female Non-Executive Directors in
2016 at 50%.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank the two board members
who stepped down in 2016, my predecessor Michael Treschow and
Hixonia Nyasulu, for their many excellent contributions. In addition to
my appointment, Unilever’s thorough succession planning identified
two further new Non-Executive Directors, Youngme Moon and Strive
Masiyiwa, who joined the Boards in April 2016 with me. They have
further strengthened the international business and marketing
experience on the Boards and also provide unique perspectives into the
impact technology, particularly digital, is having on new business
models for the future both in the developed and emerging worlds.
I have also been impressed by the quality of Unilever’s executive
leadership and senior management team and the depth of management
talent. The Board continues to work diligently with the CEO to ensure a
further strengthening of the overall talent pipeline, the executive team
and where relevant to ensure succession plans are in place.
LOOKING AHEAD
Even though trading conditions are likely to remain tough for some time
to come I believe the foundations of the business are very strong and
will only be strengthened further by the Connected 4 Growth
programme. I have also been struck by how the Unilever Sustainable
Living Plan, with its commitment to responsible and equitable growth,
unites people across the whole Group and taps into a growing desire
among citizens the world over for more purpose-driven brands and
business models.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Unilever’s executive
leadership, senior management team and all of Unilever’s employees
around the world for their efforts, commitment and performance.
MARIJN DEKKERS
CHAIRMAN
2 Strategic Report
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MARIJN DEKKERS. Chairman. Previous relevant experience: Bayer AG (CEO); Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (CEO). Current external appointments: General Electric (NED)
ANN FUDGE. Vice-Chairman/Senior Independent Director. Previous relevant experience: General Electric (NED); Marriott International (NED); Young & Rubicam
(Chairman and CEO). Current external appointments: Novartis AG (NED); Northrop Grumman (NED); US Programs Advisory Panel of Gates Foundation (Chairman); Brookings
(Honorary Trustee); Catalyst (Honorary Director)
PAUL POLMAN. CEO, Dutch, Male, 60. Appointed CEO: January 2009. Appointed Director: October 2008. Previous relevant experience: Procter & Gamble Co.
(Group President, Europe); Nestlé S.A. (CFO); Alcon Inc (Director). Current external appointments: The Dow Chemical Company (NED); World Business Council for
Sustainable Development (Chairman, Executive Committee); UN Global Compact (Board member); UK Business Ambassador
GRAEME PITKETHLY. CFO, British, Male, 50. Appointed CFO: October 2015. Appointed Director: April 2016. Previous Unilever posts include: Unilever UK and Ireland
(EVP and General Manager); Finance Global Markets (EVP); Group Treasurer; Head of Mergers & Acquisitions; Unilever Indonesia (CFO); Group Chief Accountant
NILS SMEDEGAARD ANDERSEN. Previous relevant experience: A.P. Moller – Maersk A/S (Group CEO); Inditex (NED); Carlsberg A/S and Carlsberg Breweries A/S
(CEO); Danske Sukkerfabrikker; Tuborg International; Union Cervecera; Hannen Brauerei; Hero Group; European Round Table of Industrialists (Vice-Chairman).
Current external appointments: Dansk Supermarket Group (Chairman); BP PLC (NED)
LAURA CHA. Previous relevant experience: Securities and Futures Commission, Hong Kong; China Securities Regulatory Commission. Current external
appointments: HSBC Holdings plc (Independent NED); China Telecom Corporation Limited (Independent NED); The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
(Non-executive deputy Chairman); Foundation Asset Management AB (Senior international advisor)
VITTORIO COLAO. Previous relevant experience: RCS MediaGroup (CEO); McKinsey & Co (Partner); Finmeccanica Group (NED); RAS Insurance (NED). Current
external appointments: Vodafone Group Plc (CEO); Bocconi University (International Advisory Board); Harvard Business School (Dean’s Advisory Board); European
Round Table of Industrialists (Vice-Chairman); Oxford Martin School (Advisor)
PROFESSOR LOUISE FRESCO. Previous relevant experience: Rabobank (Supervisory Director); Agriculture Department of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation
(Assistant director-general for agriculture). Current external appointments: Wageningen UR (President of the Executive Board)
JUDITH HARTMANN. Previous relevant experience: Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA (CFO); General Electric; The Walt Disney Company; RTL Group (NED); Penguin
Random House (NED); Gruner + Jahr GmbH & Co KG (NED). Current external appointments: Suez (NED); ENGIE (CFO)
MARY MA. Previous relevant experience: TPG Capital (Partner); TPG China (Co-Chairman). Current external appointments: Boyu Capital (Managing Partner);
MXZ Investment Limited (Director); Lenovo (NED); Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong (NED)
STRIVE MASIYIWA. Previous relevant experience: Africa Against Ebola Solidarity Trust (Co-Founder and Chairman); Grow Africa (Co-Chairman); Micronutrient
Initiative (Chairman). Current external appointments: Econet Group (Founder and Executive Chairman); AGRA (Chairman); Rockefeller Foundation (Board member);
US Council on Foreign Relations (Member Global Advisory Board); Africa Progress Panel (Board member); Asia Society (Trustee)
YOUNGME MOON. Previous relevant experience: Harvard Business School (Chairman and Senior Associated Dean for the MBA Program); Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (Professor); American Red Cross (Board of Governors Member). Current external appointments: Avid Technology (NED); Rakuten (NED); Harvard
Business School (Professor)
JOHN RISHTON. Previous relevant experience: Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (CEO); Royal Ahold N.V. (CEO, President and CFO); ICA AB (NED); Allied Domecq plc (NED);
AeroSpace and Defence Trade Organisation (ASD) (Board member); British Airways plc (CFO). Current external appointments: Informa PLC (NED); Serco Group PLC
(NED); Associated British Ports (NED)
FEIKE SIJBESMA. Previous relevant experience: Supervisory Board of DSM Netherlands (Chairman); Dutch Genomics Initiative (NGI) (Member); Utrecht University
(Board member); Dutch Cancer Institute (NKI/AVL) (Board member). Current external appointments: Royal DSM N.V. (CEO and Chairman of the Managing Board);
De Nederlandsche Bank (Member of the Supervisory Board); Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (Co-Chairman) and Climate Leader, convened by the World Bank Group
Unilever’s Group Secretary is Tonia Lovell and she was appointed in 2010.
OVERVIEW OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS – INCLUDING DIVERSITY AND EXPERIENCE
Marijn
Dekkers
Nils
Andersen
Laura
Cha
Vittorio
Colao
Louise
Fresco
Ann
Fudge
Judith
Hartmann
Mary
Ma
Strive
Masiyiwa
Youngme
Moon
John
Rishton
Feike
Sijbesma
Age
Gender
Nationality
59
58
67
55
65
65
47
64
56
52
59
57
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Dutch /
American
Danish
Chinese
Italian
Dutch
American
Austrian
Chinese
Zimbab-
wean
American
British
Dutch
Appointment date
April
2016
April
2015
May
2013
July
2015
May
2009
May
2009
Committee membership*
CC, NCGC
AC
CRC, NCGC
CC
CRC
(Chairman)
CC
(Chairman)
Attendance at planned
Board Meetings**
Attendance at ad hoc
Board Meetings
Consumer
Sales & Marketing
Geopolitical networks
and insights
Science & Technology
Finance
3/3
2/2
6/6
1/2
6/6
1/2
6/6
1/2
6/6
2/2
6/6
1/2
April
2015
AC
6/6
2/2
May
2013
AC
6/6
2/2
April
2016
CC
3/3
2/2
April
2016
CRC
3/3
2/2
May
2013
November
2014
AC
(Chairman)
NCGC
(Chairman),
CRC
6/6
0/2
6/6
2/2
* AC refers to the Audit Committee; CC refers to the Compensation Committee; CRC refers to the Corporate Responsibility Committee; and NCGC refers to the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
** Attendance is expressed as the number of meetings attended out of the number eligible to be attended.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Strategic Report 3
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REVIEW
It has been a busy start to 2017. While the proposed bid for the Group
from the Kraft Heinz Company was without financial and strategic
merit – and quickly seen as such – we are using it as an opportunity to
review the options open to us to accelerate the delivery of value to
shareholders. Our aim is to build on the strong track record we have
built up of long-term value creation, which has seen a total
shareholder return of 190% since 2009.
We will be saying more about this after the review is completed. For
the moment, let me focus on the purpose of this report – a review of
2016. There is no doubt it was another difficult year for the global
economy, characterised by low growth and slowing consumer demand.
We also saw a significant backlash against the forces of globalisation,
with all the related challenges around political polarisation and
economic uncertainty.
While a more globalised and digitally-connected world has undoubtedly
brought vast social and economic benefits, helping to lift millions out of
poverty, it is equally clear that many people now feel left behind,
detached from a system that they perceive no longer works in their
interests. Brexit in the UK and the US Presidential election were clear
manifestations of this desire on the part of many to see our political and
economic systems evolve in a way that benefits more people.
These political developments and the rise of populism associated with
them added to a growing sense of unease and uncertainty on the
world’s markets, calling into question the shape of future trading
relationships and in particular the unwelcome prospect of a return to
protectionism. This comes at a time when trade is already slowing as a
proportion of global GDP – itself one of the clear symptoms of a
stuttering world economy.
While economic growth may be slowing there is no let-up in the pace
of scientific and technological change. The advent of what has been
termed a ‘fourth industrial revolution’ is already disrupting whole
industry sectors, including our own, not least by increasing the
opportunities for new – and mostly local – entrants. Competition is
now coming from many, varied directions, making it more important
than ever to stay ahead of fast-moving trends and to ensure our
business remains relevant for the future.
Despite this turbulent and challenging backdrop, 2016 was another
year of solid progress and achievement for Unilever. Guided by our
model of consistent, competitive, profitable and responsible growth,
we once again out-performed our markets, with 60% of the business
gaining share.
We believe that this model of consistency, particularly at times of
uncertainty, is in the best long-term interests of Unilever and a good
indication of a robust strategy. Good quality top and bottom line growth
has now been delivered over the last eight years, a rare achievement
in today’s volatile and unpredictable markets and a clear sign of the
progress we have made.
Underlying sales growth of 3.7% in 2016 was a good performance in
both absolute and relative terms and would have been higher but for
the impact of demonetisation in India and the economic crisis in Brazil,
two major markets for Unilever. On the bottom line, profitability
stepped-up as a result of our organisational change programmes
and the returns we are now getting on the significant investments
we have made in modernising our industrial base and in upgrading
our in-house capabilities. Furthermore, we continue to exert tight
discipline in capital spending and in working capital, with both
improving again last year.
Importantly, growth was broad-based across our four major
categories. This reflects the sharper and more differentiated
strategies we have put in place, as well as our ability to roll-out
bigger and stronger innovations to even more markets. Examples
from 2016 included two of our thirteen €1 billion plus brands:
Rexona Antibacterial deodorant, which helps eliminate over 90% of
odour-causing bacteria, was introduced to more than 40 countries;
and Omo, with its enhanced formulation and cleaning technology,
has now successfully been rolled-out across 27 markets.
In addition to driving our core business, it is also important that we
continue to experiment with new models, channels and innovative
approaches. That is why we took the opportunity in 2016 to strengthen
the business further by acquiring a number of attractive businesses
in fast-growing segments of the market and with a strong appeal
among Millennials. Seventh Generation, Blueair and the Dollar Shave
Club all joined the Unilever family and are proving to be great
additions. Since the beginning of 2017 we have also been delighted to
welcome Living Proof.
This consistent evolution of the portfolio means that over the last eight
years we have disposed of €2.8 billion of turnover in non-strategic
businesses and acquired €4 billion in faster growing areas of the
market, notably Personal Care, which today accounts for 38% of our
total business, up from 28% only eight years ago. We have also
invested a total of €3.4 billion in increasing our participation in
countries where we do not own 100% of our subsidiaries, most recently
in Egypt and China.
The relevance and importance of the Unilever Sustainable Living
Plan (USLP) in driving a responsible business model, and in helping
to accelerate the growth and profitability of Unilever, was
demonstrated again in 2016. Our leadership was also recognized
externally. We were industry group leader in the prestigious Dow
Jones Sustainability Index, for example, and for the sixth consecutive
year we topped the Globescan/SustainAbility survey of experts on
leadership in sustainability.
The alignment of our USLP objectives to the 17 Global Goals for
Sustainable Development, set out by the United Nations to eradicate
poverty in a sustainable and equitable way by 2030, further highlights
the relevance of our approach in helping to address some of today’s
most urgent global challenges. As the recent report from the Business
& Sustainable Development Commission also makes clear, addressing
these challenges can generate significant economic opportunities for
enlightened businesses, possibly adding as much as €12 trillion to the
global economy.
As we look ahead it is clear that the world around us is changing at an
accelerating pace. Digital technology in particular is transforming
every aspect of the way we live, work and shop.
Companies that thrive in this increasingly dynamic environment will be
those best able to respond quickly and innovatively to rapidly changing
consumer preferences and market conditions, able to display agility on
the one hand and resilience on the other. This calls for faster, simpler
and more agile organisational models, as well as cost structures that
reflect only the costs that consumers are willing to bear.
We have been answering this call with a major change programme –
one of the biggest in Unilever’s history. Connected 4 Growth (C4G) will
simplify the way we are organised, freeing up time, resource and –
most importantly – the entrepreneurial instinct needed to seize the
opportunities that a more digitally connected world provides. The
changes, which have been developed thoroughly over the last two
years, will touch all elements of Unilever and will help to sharpen even
further the strong performance culture we have built up at Unilever.
We will complete the implementation of the C4G programme in 2017.
Together with related savings programmes – like Zero-Based
Budgeting – it will release funds to support our growth ambitions and
accelerate margin improvement, despite what we expect to be a
continuation of the very tough trading environment.
Unilever’s strong performance in 2016 and the further steps we took to
strengthen the fundamental pillars of the business could not have
been achieved without the 169,000 wonderful men and women of
Unilever, as well as the many thousands more who work with us
throughout the value chain. I thank all of them for their leadership,
integrity and dedication.
PAUL POLMAN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
4 Strategic Report
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
UNILEVER LEADERSHIP EXECUTIVE (ULE)
FOR PAUL POLMAN AND GRAEME PITKETHLY SEE PAGE 3
DAVID BLANCHARD
Chief R&D Officer
MARC ENGEL
Chief Supply Chain Officer
KEVIN HAVELOCK
President, Refreshment
ALAN JOPE
President, Personal Care
Nationality British Age 52, Male
Appointed to ULE January 2013
Joined Unilever 1986
Previous Unilever posts include:
Unilever Research & Development (SVP);
Unilever Canada Inc. (Chairman); Foods
America (SVP Marketing Operations); Global
Dressings (VP R&D); Margarine and Spreads
(Director of Product Development)
Current external appointments:
Ingleby Farms and Forests (NED)
Nationality Dutch Age 50, Male
Appointed to ULE January 2016
Joined Unilever 1990
Previous Unilever posts include:
Unilever East Africa and Emerging Markets
(EVP); Chief Procurement Officer; Supply Chain,
Spreads, Dressings and Olive Oil Europe (VP);
Ice Cream Brazil (Managing Director);
Ice Cream Brazil (VP); Corporate Strategy
Group; Birds Eye Wall’s, Unilever UK
(Operations Manager)
Current external appointments:
PostNL (Member of the Supervisory Board)
Nationality British Age 59, Male
Appointed to ULE November 2011
Joined Unilever 1985
Previous Unilever posts include:
Global Ice Cream Category (EVP); Unilever
North America and Caribbean (EVP); Unilever
France (Président Directeur Général); Unilever
Arabia (Chairman); Unilever UK (Chairman)
Current external appointments: Pepsi/Lipton
JV (Co-Chairman)
Nationality British Age 52, Male
Appointed to ULE November 2011
Joined Unilever 1985
Previous Unilever posts include:
Unilever Russia, Africa and Middle East
(President); Unilever North Asia (President);
SCC and Dressings (Global Category Leader);
Home and Personal Care business in North
America (President)
KEES KRUYTHOFF
President, North America
LEENA NAIR
Chief Human Resources Officer
NITIN PARANJPE
President, Home Care
RITVA SOTAMAA
Chief Legal Officer
Nationality Dutch Age 48, Male
Appointed to ULE November 2011
Joined Unilever 1993
Previous Unilever posts include: Brazil (EVP);
Unilever Foods South Africa (CEO); Unilever
Bestfoods Asia (SVP and Board member)
Current external appointments:
Pepsi/Lipton JV (Board member); Enactus
(Chairman)
Nationality Indian Age 47, Female
Appointed to ULE March 2016
Joined Unilever 1992
Previous Unilever posts include: HR
Leadership and Organisational Development
and Global Head of Diversity (SVP)
Nationality Indian Age 53, Male
Appointed to ULE October 2013
Joined Unilever 1987
Previous Unilever posts include:
Hindustan Unilever Limited (CEO); Home and
Personal Care, India (Executive Director); Home
Care (VP); Fabric Wash (Category Head);
Laundry and Household Cleaning, Asia
(Regional Brand Director)
Nationality Finnish Age 53, Female
Appointed to ULE February 2013
Joined Unilever 2013
Previous posts include: Siemens AG – Siemens
Healthcare (GC); General Electric Company – GE
Healthcare (various positions including GE
Healthcare Systems (GC)); Instrumentarium
Corporation (GC)
Current external appointments:
Fiskars Corporation (NED)
AMANDA SOURRY
President, Foods
KEITH WEED
Chief Marketing &
Communications Officer
JAN ZIJDERVELD
President, Europe
Nationality British Age 53, Female
Appointed to ULE October 2015
Joined Unilever 1985
Previous Unilever posts include:
Global Hair (EVP); Unilever UK and Ireland (EVP
and Chairman); Global Spreads and Dressings
(EVP); Unilever US Foods (SVP)
Current external appointments: PHV Corp.
(NED)
Nationality British Age 55, Male
Appointed to ULE April 2010
Joined Unilever 1983
Previous Unilever posts include:
Global Home Care and Hygiene (EVP); Lever
Fabergé (Chairman); Hair and Oral Care (SVP)
Current external appointments:
Business in the Community International Board
(Chairman); Business in the Community (Board
member)
Nationality Dutch Age 52, Male
Appointed to ULE February 2011
Joined Unilever 1988
Previous Unilever posts include:
South East Asia and Australasia (EVP); Unilever
Middle East North Africa (Chairman); Nordic ice
cream business (Chairman)
Current external appointments:
AIM (Vice-President); FoodDrinkEurope (Board
member); Pepsi/Lipton JV (Board member);
ECR Europe (Efficient Consumer Response)
(Board member)
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Strategic Report 5
OUR MARKETS
UNILEVER OPERATES IN THE FAST-MOVING CONSUMER
GOODS (FMCG) INDUSTRY, ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST
COMPETITIVE INDUSTRIAL SECTORS IN THE WORLD.
As an indication of the size of the FMCG industry that Unilever competes
in, the top 25 global players generate sales of about €590 billion. While
enjoying significant scale, global FMCG players are also facing material
risks and challenges to their traditional business models.
Our markets are characterised by intense levels of competition, globally
but also locally, and equally intense levels of change and fragmentation
among consumers, routes to market, media used to reach consumers
and business models. This is disrupting the competitor landscape.
2016 has seen significant milestones achieved in Unilever’s response,
through innovation-led growth, acquisitions and disposals or our
Connected 4 Growth change programme.
Increased competition and disruption within the FMCG industry
continue to drive the trend for consolidation and focus, notably among
larger players.
Cost reduction is a constant theme, as is a requirement to ensure focus
on execution and the management of brands which fit specific strategic
objectives. This continues to lead to disposals, with proceeds – at least
in part – reinvested in rebalancing portfolios for long-term growth.
Our markets continue to see rapid and conflicting changes to how
consumers live, representing significant social challenges for our
business. The middle class, middle income, nuclear family – once
the bedrock of FMCG businesses – is no longer as culturally dominant.
In the US, the middle class has ceased to be the nation’s economic
majority, although in emerging markets the middle class continues
to expand. However, worldwide the demographic divide continues to
widen with older generations commanding significant spending
power compared with younger generations often exposed to high
levels of unemployment.
That said, research shows that by 2025 Millennials (18-34 year olds)
will number around 2.3 billion people, representing the largest
population cohort globally. Their spending power will have risen
to €1.7 trillion, €570 billion of which will be for non-essential
expenditure. Such spending power encourages the trend for growth
categories such as foods with organic and traceable ingredients,
free-from alternatives and personal care products with natural
formulations and greater authenticity – all areas in which Unilever
has innovated this year.
Consumer concerns once considered niche, such as sustainability,
have gone mainstream. Our own research shows that interest in
sustainability cuts across demographic and socio-economic groups,
with 78% of consumers in the US, 53% in the UK, 85% in Brazil and
88% in India agreeing that they felt better about themselves when they
bought products that they knew were sustainable or better for the
environment. These trends are shared across emerging markets and
developed markets with consumers in emerging markets often more
acutely aware of sustainability issues. In South Africa, for instance, our
laundry brand Sunlight responded with a revolutionary water-saving
formulation in 2016 which reduced by half the amount of water and
time required for laundry.
Whether in emerging or developed markets, the trend for
consumers to be motivated to buy sustainably is clear. In Unilever’s
study, 54% of consumers either already buy sustainably or are open
to buying sustainably.
ECONOMIC FORCES
2016 has added further evidence to the prevailing wisdom among
economists of a ‘slow growth’ global economy becoming embedded as
a medium- to long-term issue, caused by falling population growth
and productivity levels. The OECD has predicted that its members, plus
Nigeria (Africa’s largest economy), will see average growth over the
next 50 years of 2.4%, down from 3.6% over the previous 50 years.
In the short-term, a mix of weakening consumer confidence during
2016 combined with a recovery in commodity prices, such as Brent
Crude and palm oil, and sharp fluctuations in the currency markets,
have continued to drive volatility in our markets. Against this backdrop,
growth in Europe was slightly down, with increased political and
economic uncertainty caused by events such as the UK’s decision to
leave the EU. We respect the outcome of the UK’s EU referendum.
Brexit will not change our commitment to creating a strong and
thriving UK and European business. Since we sell our products in
more than 190 countries, we are used to dealing in many currencies
and inside many different trading structures. We will adapt to the new
arrangements, whatever the outcomes. In the meantime, we remain
focused on delivering consistent, competitive, profitable and
responsible growth.
North America is witnessing slightly better economic conditions and
an improvement in growth. In emerging markets, Latin America has
experienced slowing consumer demand with countries such as Brazil
in recession while Asia has seen weaker demand with some
inflationary pressures coming through.
Emerging markets still provide the FMCG industry with significant
growth potential and cause for optimism. Unilever is unique in having
around 70% of its volume in emerging markets, equal to 57% of
turnover in emerging markets. Unlike in developed markets such as
the US, the number of people at middle income levels is expected to
continue to grow, with a further 800 million by 2020 generating higher
levels of per capita consumption that will benefit FMCG companies.
The continuing trend of urbanisation in emerging markets means
there will be another 400 million people living in cities while an
additional 300 million women are predicted to move into paid
employment by 2020, supporting demand for FMCG products.
There are certainly bright spots in emerging markets but overall growth
is weaker at present than many FMCG groups have been used to.
MARKET DISRUPTORS
These more restrained growth rates make traditional business models
all the more sensitive to greater competition, which is becoming
ever more disruptive and unpredictable in nature.
A key disruptor is the increased success of local competitors. These
players have always been present but are increasingly sophisticated.
Their advantages include a scale and organisational approach that
allows for a more agile, nimble and culturally attuned response to
changing consumer needs, thanks to relevant local insights.
At the same time, the FMCG industry is seeing a new generation of
entrepreneur enter the industry with brands that speak directly to
growth segments, such as Millennials, with values, purpose and
attributes directly relevant to these groups.
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Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Such entrepreneurial challengers utilise digital distribution and
marketing to forge alternative business models that represent another
source of disruption. Chief among these is a direct-to-consumer
model with cost advantages and faster response times to changing
consumer needs. Crucial also is the direct relationship forged with
consumers, providing data that can be utilised to improve brand offers
and more accurately generate and predict sales opportunities. Such
direct-to-consumer models are accelerating the further fragmentation
of the traditional sales channels used by FMCG groups, such as the
‘big box’ retailers and long-established distributors within markets.
Brands that can apply a subscription model – generally premium
brands with strong consumer engagement – or are a replenishment
purchase are particularly well suited to the direct-to-consumer model.
Unilever is responding to these challenges by making the business
fitter and more agile through our Connected 4 Growth programme.
Our focus on active portfolio management means we can also respond
through acquisitions and disposals to ensure our brand portfolio
remains resilient. Our acquisition of Dollar Shave Club in 2016 is a
good example of this.
DIGITAL REVOLUTION
The adoption of digital technology continues to impact every walk of
life. Research shows that global online shopping retail sales are
predicted to grow to US$370 billion in 2017, while 18-34 year olds in
the US spend US$2,000 per head on e-commerce annually which is
more than any other group.
Digital shopping is being powered by mobile devices with about 50% of
the world’s population now mobile subscribers and PC sales in
decline. Mobile access to the internet is being accelerated by the take-
up of smartphones, which Cisco predicts will account for half of all
global devices and connections by 2020.
Digital technology is also empowering companies’ understanding of
consumers. Unilever’s own Consumer and Market Insights (CMI) group
has created People Data Centres which analyse data from social
media, consumer carelines and digital marketing to turn millions of
conversations into business decisions to maximise sales and revenue.
Consumers’ use of technology, however, is constantly changing.
Generation Z (post-Millennial generation) are increasingly adopting
applications such as WhatsApp and Snapchat, reflecting an evolving
approach to social media usage, including a more comprehensive use
of privacy settings.
Artificial Intelligence, augmented and virtual reality are increasingly
being incorporated in many companies’ marketing plans with
these technologies rapidly going mainstream and falling within
consumer affordability, increasing take-up and further accelerating
its development.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CHALLENGES
The business case for sustainability is increasingly accepted,
witnessed by private sector support of the Global Goals for Sustainable
Development (see page 19) and evidence that consumers want to
buy more sustainably. Unilever is not alone in recognising that a
sustainable business requires sustainable production, sustainable
consumption and climate stability but there is more work to be done.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, 2016 was the
hottest year on record. The top three ten-year risks in the World
Economic Forum’s Global Risks Survey relate to this fact. They are:
water crises; failure of climate change mitigation and adaptation; and
extreme weather events. The FMCG industry relies on agriculture
to provide its raw materials but agriculture is also part of the
environmental problem, causing deforestation which accounts for
15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Consumption places a
strain on natural resources such as water and uses energy in both
manufacturing and end-use which contributes to harmful emissions
and further climate change problems.
We are taking direct action to address climate change within our value
chain. For instance, we have committed to being carbon positive in our
operations by 2030, with all electricity purchased from the grid coming
from renewable sources and coal eliminated from our energy mix by
2020. We will also support the generation of more renewable energy
than we consume and make the surplus available to the markets and
communities where we operate.
There are serious human and social consequences to these
environmental challenges too, not least displacement caused by
severe weather events and threats to the livelihoods of smallholder
farmers. Shortages of clean water have hygiene implications while
the dwindling of natural resources reinforces social inequality.
Find out how we are addressing societal issues on pages 16 to 18.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Strategic Report 7
OUR BUSINESS MODEL
WE BELIEVE THAT SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE GROWTH
IS THE ONLY LONG-TERM BUSINESS MODEL. THAT IS WHY
WE HAVE PLACED THE UNILEVER SUSTAINABLE LIVING
PLAN AT THE HEART OF OURS.
Our sustainable business model drives growth that is consistent by
reducing risks, is more competitive by inspiring innovations that help
us grow, is more profitable by reducing costs and is more responsible
– leading to enhanced trust in our business.
The three big goals of the USLP – to help more than 1 billion
people improve their health and well-being by 2020; to halve the
environmental impact of our products across the value chain by 2030;
and to enhance the livelihoods of millions as we grow our business by
2020 – are integrated into our business model. From sustainable
sourcing of our agricultural raw materials to eco-production in
manufacturing to marketing brands with purpose – the USLP is our
blueprint for achieving our vision.
We invest in innovation and brands, which creates profitable volume
growth. Our scale spreads fixed overheads, improving profitability
further, and this profitable growth allows us to reinvest, generating
more free cash flow which can be further invested in brands and
innovation which in turn drive more profitable volume growth. Our
geographical reach also helps spread the risks of local environmental
disruptions in our markets caused by climate change.
CONSUMER INSIGHT
Our business model begins with consumer insight which informs
brand innovation. Accurate insight is critical to understanding how
markets are changing and segmenting. We forge relationships with
consumers through insights from focus groups and quantitative
studies. Digital research adds one-on-one sophistication while new
lines of communication are opening through direct-to-consumer
channels, allowing closer relationships.
Our Consumer and Market Insight (CMI) group helps us prioritise
growth opportunities. Through CMI we monitor data about
consumption patterns and social media dialogue to inform action,
including sustainability insights, which drive product innovations and
behaviour change programmes.
COLLABORATION
Collaboration is critical to our success. We are open to external ideas
and adept at capturing and integrating their benefits. The USLP
involves working with many governments and NGOs. Our supply chain
operates our Partner to Win programme to encourage innovations
from suppliers. For example, we work with biotechnology partners to
create laundry products that give superior stain removal and
whiteness while using less water and energy. This furthers innovation-
led growth and our USLP commitment to halve the environmental
impact of our products across their lifecycle.
INNOVATION
Unilever spends €1 billion annually on research and development,
employing approximately 6,000 experts to drive innovation, often in
partnership with suppliers and academia. Our innovations use insights
and technologies to deliver brand-led benefits which meet the latest
trends. Examples include natural variants in Foods and Personal Care
by our Knorr and TRESemmé brands, and vegan product variants by
Ben & Jerry’s and Hellmann’s. Our innovation is increasingly
responsive to local needs, landing results faster into markets.
An important development in 2016 has been the announcement of our
intention to build a new global Foods Innovation Centre in Wageningen,
The Netherlands, complementing similar innovation centres in Port
Sunlight and Colworth in the UK, Shanghai in China, Bangalore in India
and Trumbull in the US.
SOURCING
Our procurement teams are responsible for purchasing €34 billion
of goods and services. They are central to driving efficiencies to
enhance profitability, delivering over €1 billion of savings, but also
implementing our USLP. 51% of our agricultural raw materials were
sustainably sourced in 2016, including 95% of our top 13 vegetables
and herbs and 75% of tea, supporting brands such as Knorr and
Lipton. 67% of our suppliers met the mandatory self-assessed criteria
in our Responsible Sourcing Policy.
COLLABORATION
INNOVATION
CONSUMER INSIGHT
SOURCING
SALES
MANUFACTURING
MARKETING
LOGISTICS
8 Strategic Report
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
MANUFACTURING
We operate 306 factories in 69 countries and employ approximately
100,000 people in 100 countries. Our focus is on implementing World
Class Manufacturing with 119 factories enrolled and €139.5 million
of savings identified. We also carry out annual climate change
risk assessments at the manufacturing site level alongside
environmental initiatives.
Our Aguai factory in Brazil is setting new benchmarks in sustainability.
With Brazil’s water system under huge strain due to climate change,
60% of the site’s water needs will be met by collecting rainwater and
recycling waste water, while returning clean water to the environment.
Skylights reduce artificial light needs and solar panels power the
entire administration block.
LOGISTICS
We operate a network of around 400 warehouses globally coordinated
by a central system of control towers that improve customer service,
cut costs and reduce emissions. We transport goods the equivalent of
approximately 1.5 billion km a year. In 2016, despite significantly
higher volumes, we have achieved a 7.5% CO2 absolute emissions
reduction across 14 countries compared to 2015. We have also
delivered a 27% improvement in CO2 efficiency measured as kg
CO2/tonne sold compared to 2010 figures across these 14 countries.
This has been achieved by reducing truck mileage; using lower
emission vehicles and fuels; employing alternative transport such as
rail or ship; and improving the energy efficiency of our warehouses.
MARKETING
In 2016 we mapped consumers’ purchase journeys in the digital world,
using data to delve deeper and segment consumers more accurately.
This enables us to deliver more relevant, authentic and effective
marketing content in real time using the full range of digital
communications. We have launched U-Studio, our in-house studios,
to create content and advertising across our digital platforms,
direct-to-consumer, e-commerce channels and our social and
digital communications to make marketing faster, more efficient
and effective. In parallel U-Entertainment collaborates with media
companies to create brand-inspired entertainment content.
Sustainability is an integral part of our brand strategies. We want all of
our top brands to be Sustainable Living brands, which combine a
strong purpose delivering a social or environmental benefit, with
products contributing to at least one of our USLP goals.
SALES
Generating turnover of €52.7 billion in 2016 in a highly competitive
market place involves a sophisticated Customer Development function.
We work closely with retailers, online through e-commerce and in
physical stores. Our teams ensure our brands are always available,
properly displayed and in the right recommended price bracket. We
strive to be supplier of choice for customers and trade partners,
through strong joint business planning and in-store execution applying
our Perfect Store programme. In 2016 this reached 10 million plus
executions, to deliver sales growth as we launch product innovations
and brand extensions, and enter new geographies.
In 2016 we developed a strategic framework to ensure Unilever wins
with every shopper on every occasion. As the traditional channels
continue to fragment, we have brought renewed focus to e-commerce
and out-of-home. We have now added an additional focus on small and
convenience stores. There are 33 million of these globally, growing at
about 5% annually as consumers shop more regularly for smaller
baskets of goods. We are using our global advantages of technology
and analytics to help us execute through these local channels via
flexible service models and digitised distribution systems, further
strengthening our strong heritage in this channel.
DELIVERING VALUE FOR OUR STAKEHOLDERS
Key to our sustainable business model are our stakeholders. To
succeed we need to engage and work in partnership with them. They
include customers and consumers; investors; suppliers; governments,
regulators and legislators; NGOs and charities; scientific institutions
and academia; and other organisations in the business world,
including peer companies and trade associations.
Some of our stakeholders are direct participants in our value chain
and are integral to our ability to deliver consistent, competitive,
profitable and responsible growth. Others influence how we do
business by setting the laws and norms within our countries of
operation. In turn, we deliver value to our stakeholders in various
forms. Read about the value we deliver for consumers, society,
employees and shareholders on pages 14 to 22.
Stakeholder engagement is essential in delivering our Compass
strategy outlined on page 10 and in tackling the issues addressed by
the USLP. We also combine action in our business with external
advocacy and joint working with governments, NGOs and others
through ‘transformational change’ partnerships. By working together,
we believe that fundamental change is possible in the near-term. Read
more about our work in our four transformational areas in the Society
section on page 16.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Strategic Report 9
OUR STRATEGIC FOCUS
OUR CATEGORIES HAVE CLEARLY DEFINED STRATEGIES
WITH THE COMMON GOAL OF GROWTH THAT IS CONSISTENT,
COMPETITIVE, PROFITABLE AND RESPONSIBLE.
Further binding the category strategies together are our Compass
pillars which define how Unilever wins in the FMCG industry. They are:
Winning with brands and innovation
Winning in the marketplace
Winning through continuous improvement
Winning with people.
Each of Unilever’s four category strategies includes specific priorities
aimed at growing sales and delivering improved financial metrics,
such as margin and cash flow, against a backdrop of continued low
growth in markets globally. The individual category strategies are:
Personal Care – Grow the core and build premium
Foods – Accelerate growth and preserve the value of strong
Underpinning the Compass is the USLP which is the foundation of our
business. By delivering social and environmental benefits throughout
our business we drive our growth, which in turn drives our ability to
improve the lives and opportunities of people everywhere.
The USLP contributes directly to consistent growth by helping manage
risk through the supply of sustainably-grown agricultural raw
materials, such as vegetables in our Foods brands, especially
important as climate change affects rainfall. It drives growth that is
competitive by stimulating innovation to create brands that meet the
growing consumer demand for sustainable products. Profitable growth
is achieved by reducing costs through our eco-production methods
in our factories, which reduce waste, use fewer raw materials and
consume less energy. And responsible growth is an outcome from the
trust that we earn by acting ethically and responsibly. Our impact on
society through the USLP and our wider partnerships and
collaboration, is detailed further on page 16.
cash flows
Home Care – Step up profitability and scale household care
Refreshment – Grow ice cream return on capital investment and
accelerate growth in tea.
Our categories face numerous and increasingly complex challenges in
their markets as the industry experiences rapid fragmentation and
disruption. However, our Compass pillars provide strategic responses
to help drive growth ahead of our markets.
Our success as an organisation depends on our ability to identify
and mitigate the risks generated by our business and the markets
we are in. In doing this, we take an embedded approach to risk
management which puts risk and opportunity assessment at the core
of the leadership team agenda, which is where we believe it should be.
A summary of the most material risks to our business performance –
our Principal Risk Factors – are described on pages 37 to 41.
WINNING WITH BRANDS AND INNOVATION
We are innovating to meet trends displaying high growth. For instance, Pure Leaf tea responds to the demand for natural ingredients,
Sunsilk Hijab Recharge shampoo benefits Muslim women wearing hijabs, while Lux Silicone-Free and the recently launched Hellmann’s
vegan mayonnaise provide ‘free-from’ alternatives.
Our ambition is to divide our innovation work as follows: 70% global brands at scale, such as Magnum and Axe; 20% global brands locally
adapted, for example Knorr and Sunsilk; 10% local brands like Bango and Marmite.
We are focused on innovating in high-growth segments, creating our own disruptive technologies, innovating faster and being more agile locally.
In 2016 43% of innovation turnover was driven by new technology which differentiates us from competitors, up by more than 20% in recent
years. This is increasingly driven by collaboration with external parties through our global R&D, supply chain and procurement functions.
Marketing drives consumer-led growth but has to remain relevant. In 2016 we have trained more than 5,000 marketers globally with
over 90,000 lessons through our Connected World Programme to increase the digital skills and understanding that are essential in a
connected world.
We work closely with partners developing leading marketing and insight technology. Through Unilever Ventures, for example, we have
invested in and partnered with Blis to provide geo-located mobile targeting services to drive footfall to our T2 tea stores. Technology also
drives further efficiency in our €8 billion annual marketing spend. For instance, ULTRA is our proprietary trading desk which allows
programmatic planning and buying across digital platforms globally.
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Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
WINNING IN THE MARKETPLACE
We lead market development by growing new channels with a focus on execution through our Perfect Stores programme.
We work with customers, such as large retail chains, to generate insights about who visits their stores using technology that creates detailed
shopper profiles. This allows us to target and personalise campaigns. We also work closely with these customers for our new ‘Selling with
Purpose’ programme, which will increase the number of touch-points in our distribution chain, thereby creating more employment
opportunities for people across the world, and enabling our consumers to enjoy our brands with purpose, which in turn unlocks growth.
E-commerce grew 49% in 2016 and the direct to consumer channel expanded significantly, mainly through the acquisition of Dollar Shave
Club, growing at 47% year-on-year.
Acquisitions are part of our relentless focus on actively managing our brand portfolio. They help preserve our market position in attractive
segments where we can bring our global scale and local strengths to bear. They also bring us disruptive business models and business styles
that are entrepreneurial, helping transform our business culture. Disposals liberate capital to reinvest in higher-growth segments in support
of our objective of long-term growth.
WINNING THROUGH CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Key to Unilever meeting its growth ambitions is building agility and resilience into our organisation. We have three key initiatives within our
Connected 4 Growth programme:
Organisational Change – a programme to make us faster, simpler, more consumer and customer-centric while unlocking capacity. It will
make us more agile at lower cost with a more streamlined organisation. We are deploying more resource in global brand communities and
local operations, with fewer layers in decision-making. It will allow us to leverage what can be done globally at scale while empowering people
to take more effective action locally.
Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) – we have analysed expenditure and challenged what we spend, where and why to help drive value and growth.
Having benchmarked Unilever to identify where we spend above and below peers, we have identified which activities can deliver savings
and which have appropriate expenditure. ZBB, together with the Organisational Change programme, will aim to deliver at least €1 billion
of savings by 2018 and more than €1 billion by 2019, to further support our business.
Net Revenue Management (NRM) – a detailed programme to optimise pricing which aims to drive additional volume as well as value.
It ensures the right packs, at the right prices in the right channels to optimise differing buying opportunities. At the end of 2016 NRM had
been applied to about 50% of our turnover since its introduction.
WINNING WITH PEOPLE
Our People strategy aims to ensure that we attract and retain the talent we require to achieve our strategic growth priorities. Our workforce,
totalling around 169,000 people, is our most powerful resource to transform our business.
We are becoming a more agile and empowered organisation. By changing our structure, we are creating more capable leaders with more
time to focus on their roles and we are inspiring our people through purpose, well-being and management. Our people are also key to
delivering the USLP and contributing to its targets.
More details about Our People can be found on pages 20 and 21.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Strategic Report 11
OUR PERFORMANCE
THE BENEFITS THAT OUR VISION AND STRATEGY DELIVER TRANSLATE INTO PERFORMANCE FOR SHAREHOLDERS AND
SOCIETY AT LARGE.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
GROWING THE BUSINESS: GROUP
TURNOVER GROWTH
OPERATING MARGIN
2016
(1.0)%
2015: 10.0%
2016
14.8%
2015: 14.1%
UNDERLYING SALES
GROWTH*
UNDERLYING VOLUME
GROWTH*
CORE OPERATING MARGIN*
FREE CASH FLOW*
2016
3.7%
2015: 4.1%
2016
0.9%
2015: 2.1%
2016
15.3%
2015: 14.8%
2016
€4.8 billion
2015: €4.8 billion
Underlying sales growth
averaged 4.4% over five years.
Underlying volume growth
averaged 2.0% over five years.
Core operating margin has
steadily increased over five years
from 13.7% to 15.3%.
Unilever has generated free
cash flow of €20.9 billion over
five years.
GROWING THE BUSINESS: CATEGORIES
PERSONAL CARE
FOODS
HOME CARE
REFRESHMENT
Turnover
€20.2 billion
2015: €20.1 billion
Turnover growth
0.5%
2015: 13.2%
Turnover
€12.5 billion
2015: €12.9 billion
Turnover growth
(3.1)%
2015: 4.5%
Turnover
€10.0 billion
2015: €10.2 billion
Turnover growth
(1.5)%
2015: 10.9%
Turnover
€10.0 billion
2015: €10.1 billion
Turnover growth
(1.1)%
2015: 10.3%
Underlying sales growth
4.2%
2015: 4.1%
Underlying sales growth
2.1%
2015: 1.5%
Underlying sales growth
4.9%
2015: 5.9%
Underlying sales growth
3.5%
2015: 5.4%
Operating margin
Operating margin
Operating margin
Operating margin
18.4%
2015: 18.1%
17.4%
2015: 17.8%
9.5%
2015: 7.3%
9.7%
2015: 8.3%
Core operating margin
19.1%
2015: 18.9%
* Key Financial Indicators.
Core operating margin
17.9%
2015: 18.2%
Core operating margin
9.7%
2015: 7.6%
Core operating margin
9.9%
2015: 9.4%
Underlying sales growth, underlying volume growth, core operating margin and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures. For further information about these
measures, and the reasons why we believe they are important for an understanding of the performance of the business, please refer to our commentary on
non-GAAP measures on pages 26 to 28.
12 Strategic Report
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
UNILEVER SUSTAINABLE LIVING PLAN
IMPROVING HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
ENHANCING LIVELIHOODS
By 2020 we will help more than a billion people take action to
improve their health and well-being.
HEALTH AND HYGIENE
NUTRITION
TARGET
By 2020 we will help more than
a billion people to improve
their health and hygiene. This
will help reduce the incidence
of life-threatening diseases
like diarrhoea.
PERFORMANCE
Around 538 million people
reached by end 2016 through
our programmes on
handwashing, safe drinking
water, oral health, sanitation
and self-esteem.
TARGET
By 2020 we will double the
proportion of our portfolio
that meets the highest
nutritional standards, based
on globally recognised
dietary guidelines. This will
help hundreds of millions
of people to achieve a
healthier diet.
PERFORMANCE
35% of our portfolio by
volume met the highest
nutritional standards in 2016,
based on globally recognised
dietary guidelines.
By 2020 we will enhance the livelihoods of millions of people as we grow our business.
INCLUSIVE BUSINESS
TARGET
By 2020 we will have a
positive impact on the lives
of 5.5 million people.
PERFORMANCE
In 2016 we enabled around
650,000 smallholder farmers
and 1.5 million small-scale
retailers to access initiatives
aiming to improve their
agricultural practices or
increase their incomes. ж Φ
FAIRNESS IN THE
WORKPLACE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR
WOMEN
TARGET
By 2020 we will empower
5 million women.
PERFORMANCE
We enabled around
920,000 women to
access initiatives aiming
to promote their safety,
develop their skills and
expand their opportunities.ж
The percentage of persons of
each sex who were Unilever
managers was 54% male and
46% female (2015: 55% male
and 45% female).* *
TARGET
By 2020 we will advance
human rights across our
operations and extended
supply chain.
PERFORMANCE
67% of procurement spend
through suppliers meeting
mandatory requirements
of our Responsible
Sourcing Policy.
We continued to embed
human rights with a focus on
our eight salient human
rights issues which are
documented in our 2015
Human Rights Report.
Our Total Recordable
Frequency Rate for 2016 was
1.01 per million hours worked
(2015: 1.12).**◊Φ
Engagement score among
6,228 employees surveyed in
2016 was 76% (2015: 77%).**‡
REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
By 2030 our goal is to halve the environmental footprint of the making and use of our products as we grow our business.
GREENHOUSE GASES
WATER
WASTE
SUSTAINABLE SOURCING
TARGET
Halve the greenhouse gas impact of our
products across the lifecycle by 2030.
TARGET
Halve the water associated with
the consumer use of our products
by 2020.
TARGET
Halve the waste associated with the
disposal of our products by 2020.
TARGET
By 2020 we will source 100% of our
agricultural raw materials sustainably.
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE
OUR OPERATIONS
We produced 83.52 kg CO2 from
energy per tonne of manufacturing
production (2015: 88.49kg).* * ◊ Φ
OUR OPERATIONS
We used 1.85m3 water per tonne
of manufacturing production
(2015: 1.88m3).* * ◊ Φ
OUR OPERATIONS
We sent for disposal 0.35kg of total
waste per tonne of manufacturing
production (2015: 0.26kg).* * ◊ Φ
OUR PRODUCTS’ LIFECYCLE
Our greenhouse gas impact per
consumer use has increased by
around 8% since 2010.θ
OUR PRODUCTS IN USE
Our water impact per consumer
use has reduced by around 7%
since 2010.
OUR PRODUCTS AT
DISPOSAL
Our waste impact per consumer
use has reduced by around 28%
since 2010.◊ θ
PERFORMANCE
51% of agricultural raw materials
sustainably sourced by end of 2016
(2015: 60%).Ψ This includes 48% as
physical sustainable sources (2015: 39%)
and 3% in the form of certificates used
mainly in soy and sugar (2015: 3%). In
2016, we stopped buying GreenPalm
certificates (2015: 18%). See Society
(page 18) for an explanation.
** Key Non-Financial Indicators.
◊ PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) assured. For details and the basis of preparation see www.unilever.com/ara2016/downloads.
Φ Measured 1 October – 30 September.
‡ Full Global People Survey not undertaken in 2015. Comparator is for full survey among managers in 2014.
ж Around 300,000 women have accessed initiatives under both the Inclusive Business and the Opportunities for Women pillars in 2016.
Θ The 2010 baseline has been restated by a reduction of 0.2g CO2 per consumer use for Greenhouse Gases and a reduction of 0.04g per consumer use for Waste.
Ψ In 2016 had we continued to buy GreenPalm certificates our overall sustainable sourcing performance in 2016 would have been 66%.
For more details see www.unilever.com/sustainable-living.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Strategic Report 13
DELIVERING VALUE FOR OUR STAKEHOLDERS
OUR CONSUMERS
PERSONAL CARE
PERSONAL CARE IS UNILEVER’S LARGEST CATEGORY WITH A
TURNOVER OF €20.2 BILLION IN 2016, ACCOUNTING FOR 38%
OF UNILEVER’S TURNOVER AND 48% OF OPERATING PROFIT.
Unilever is one of the big three global players in Personal Care, with
a growth rate that continues to outpace the market. It includes five
€1 billion brands: Axe, Dove, Lux, Rexona and Sunsilk.
Personal Care’s strategic role is to deliver competitive growth of the
core brands while premiumising the overall portfolio. In 2016 the
category continued to execute its strategy and delivered underlying
sales growth of 4.2%.
Dove continued its global Self Esteem Project, helping the next
generation of women to realise their full potential, and helping make
beauty a source of confidence, not anxiety. In 2016, Dove unveiled a
new campaign in India, ‘Let’s Break the Rules of Beauty’, aimed at
inspiring India to embrace its own diversity and widening beauty ideals
beyond current stereotypes. The centrepiece of the campaign was an
online film that captured 85 ‘real women’ from across India
celebrating their own ideal of beauty.
In 2016 Axe announced a bold new direction with a campaign that took
a progressive point of view on masculinity and attractiveness.
Contributing to Unilever’s #unstereotype initiative, Axe called on men
all over the world to ‘Find Your Magic’, offering a broader range of
male grooming products to help men work on their individual style,
and in doing so challenge stereotypical notions of masculinity. The new
range includes daily fragrances, hair styling, body washes, and
antiperspirants. Brand performance has improved in a number of
geographies and brand equity was stronger, but continued focus and
investment are required in 2017 to improve financial contribution
consistently across all countries.
The growth of our core brands was fuelled by innovation and equity
building communication.
Growth in hair care was supported by innovations such as TRESemmé
Beauty-Full Volume. This is a unique reverse system, first using
conditioner to soften hair, then shampoo to wash away weight,
improving volume-seekers’ product experience and beauty results.
In our deodorants business, Rexona Antibacterial Defence built on its
2015 launch and is now present in more than 40 countries, helping
fight the bacteria which cause body odour with 48 hours of protection.
Personal Care is also home to several brands which are driving
Unilever’s purpose of making sustainable living commonplace.
In addition to Dove, these include Lifebuoy and Signal, which we
categorise as Sustainable Living brands.
We are under-represented in the premium segment of the global
Personal Care market and so we continued to build our market share
in this fast-growing market segment. We strengthened and expanded
our premium brands such as TRESemmé and Zendium, and launched
and supported premium ranges and formats including Dove Advanced
Hair Series and Signal White Now.
Our acquisition of brands such as Dollar Shave Club in the male
grooming segment and Living Proof in early 2017, the premium hair
care business, demonstrated active management of our portfolio. We
also continued to build the prestige skin care brands acquired in 2015:
Dermalogica; Murad; Kate Somerville; and REN.
The digital revolution is quickly changing how we do business and
how we build brands. Responding quickly to these opportunities is
an important priority for the Personal Care category. Communication
for our brands increasingly makes the most of digital channels, from
video or display to social media and search. The Axe ‘Find Your Magic’
campaign took a digitally-led multi-channel approach, while All Things
Hair, our content-rich online channel, offers hair ideas, insights on
latest trends, and how-to videos on a digital platform. The acquisition
of Dollar Shave Club brought us a direct-to-consumer business
model that thrives on insights generated from rich relationships with
its members.
The Unilever-wide Connected 4 Growth transformation programme
is helping evolve the Personal Care organisation so that we continue
to grow ahead of our markets. Global strengths are increasingly
combined with local insights to make initiatives more consumer and
customer-centric, with ways of working becoming faster and simpler.
FOODS
FOODS GENERATED TURNOVER OF €12.5 BILLION IN 2016,
ACCOUNTING FOR 24% OF UNILEVER’S TURNOVER AND
28% OF OPERATING PROFIT.
It includes €1 billion brands Knorr and Hellmann’s, both of which are
Sustainable Living brands. Alongside global brands, we have iconic
local brands such as Bango in Indonesia, Robertson’s in South Africa
and Kissan in India.
The category’s strategic role is to accelerate top-line growth while
maintaining profitability and its strong cash contribution.
To achieve this, the category has three priorities: accelerating growth
in emerging markets, which now account for more than 40% of sales;
modernising our portfolio to address changing consumer habits; and
preserving value in the Baking, Cooking and Spreads (BCS) business
(Europe and North America).
We made solid progress in 2016 against these goals, although markets
remained challenging and volatile, characterised by acceleration of local
competition, ongoing price deflation in Europe and currency devaluation
in emerging markets. This highlights the importance of Unilever’s
Connected 4 Growth programme to transform the organisation, making
us leaner, fitter and more empowered to tackle the challenges we face.
In 2016, underlying sales growth improved to 2.1% thanks to an
acceleration in Knorr and Hellmann’s and strong positive momentum
in savoury, dressings and Food Solutions.
Sales in emerging markets expanded by over 7%, broadly ahead of
market. Growth has been particularly strong in Latin America, Africa
and South East Asia, with all markets showing double-digit growth.
Except for South East Asia, where Bango continued to be a key growth
driver, underlying sales growth has been predominantly price-led, with
volume lagging.
In both Europe and the US, consumers continue to seek greater trust
and transparency from products along with new taste experiences and
healthier options. In response, we modernised our portfolio by
reformulating existing products and launching new organic and ‘100%
natural’ variants under Hellmann’s and Knorr respectively. We saw good
growth in our US dressings business, and both Hellmann’s and Knorr
grew market share in a highly competitive environment.
In BCS, we repositioned key brands to feature their plant-based origins
which showed early signs of success. We also implemented a leaner,
more market-facing organisation. However, these have not stemmed
the overall decline of the category driven by changing consumer
preferences. There were no fundamental changes to the negative
trend in Europe and the US.
Our sustainability mission – ‘Food that tastes good, does good and
doesn’t cost the earth’ – remains at the heart of our category strategy.
For instance, we have improved food fortification with Blue Band in
Africa and continue to promote healthy, nutritious cooking with Knorr
and made reducing food waste a priority in Food Solutions.
2016 also saw a step-change in our digital marketing to respond to
changing consumer and media trends. This includes the successful
Hellmann’s #strangewich activation in the US and the ground-breaking
Knorr #LoveAtFirstTaste film, which generated around 2.1 billion
impressions and well over 100 million YouTube views.
14 Strategic Report
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
HOME CARE
HOME CARE GENERATED TURNOVER OF €10.0 BILLION IN
2016, ACCOUNTING FOR 19% OF UNILEVER’S TURNOVER
AND 12% OF OPERATING PROFIT.
REFRESHMENT
REFRESHMENT GENERATED TURNOVER OF €10.0 BILLION
IN 2016, ACCOUNTING FOR 19% OF UNILEVER’S TURNOVER
AND 12% OF OPERATING PROFIT.
It includes €1 billion brands Dirt is Good and Surf as well as other
household names including Comfort, Sunlight, Domestos and our
water purification brand, Pureit. Dirt is Good, Domestos and Radiant
are Sustainable Living brands.
The category generates 80% of its sales in emerging markets where
strong future growth is most likely and holds the number one position in
7 out of its top 10 markets.
Home Care’s strategic role is to step up profitability and scale household
care. It made good progress delivering on this strategy during 2016,
generating underlying sales growth of 4.9% while expanding operating
margin by 2.2 percentage points. It achieved this by simplifying its
operations, increasing efficiencies and providing consumers the
opportunity to trade up through premium offerings.
This performance was delivered in a rapidly evolving consumer
environment that witnessed intensifying competition both globally and
locally, presenting opportunities as well as challenges for Home
Care’s brands.
Rapid urbanisation and more women in the workforce mean
households have more income, and better homes and clothes, but less
time for household tasks. Cif responded by expanding its Ultrafast and
Power & Shine range of trigger sprays, delivering efficacy and
convenience while growing market share for household care. Dirt is
Good addressed the need for greater convenience by launching
ancillaries in Argentina, Chile and Colombia. Skip sharpened its brand
proposition with an innovative campaign which started its rollout to 11
markets, meeting fashion lovers’ demands for superior garment care.
Higher disposable incomes and an appetite for improved fragrance and
longer lasting garment freshness fuelled growth in the fabric
conditioner market in which Comfort Intense, the ultra-concentrated
fabric conditioner, continued to grow.
Urbanisation combined with water stress and pollution results in
consumers becoming more concerned about health, hygiene and the
environment. Although existing brands such as Domestos and Pureit
were already responding to this concern, in 2016 Home Care stepped
up its response to these issues through strategic acquisitions. These
comprised Blueair, a pioneer of premium air purifiers which also
introduced a new and fast-growing product category into Home Care,
and Seventh Generation, a leading manufacturer of plant-based
products with a strong Millennial following.
As consumers grow increasingly aware of the impact their choices have
on the world around them, the need for a brand to also be meaningful
and have a strong purpose becomes imperative. To this end the
category’s brands are key to realising Unilever’s Purpose of making
sustainable living commonplace.
In 2016, Surf established a three-year partnership with Oxfam to alleviate
the burden of unpaid care work on women and Sunlight introduced a
revolutionary water-saving formulation in South Africa, halving the
amount of water and time required for laundry. Meanwhile, Domestos
and its partners, including UNICEF, continued their work to help around
6 million people gain improved access to a toilet through behaviour
change interventions and capacity-building initiatives.
The connected, digital world is not only changing how consumers buy
Home Care products but also giving rise to stronger local competition.
Home Care is building digital capabilities to enhance its brands and
innovations while utilising digital retail channels such as direct to
consumer. It used this channel successfully in 2016 to launch the
Neutral brand into the UK, offering household, face, skin and baby care
products, all free from perfumes or colourants.
Underpinning these achievements was a strong focus on end to
end value creation to improve margins and cash generation, driving
profitability through lower costs and simpler, more efficient operations.
It includes €1 billion brands such as Heartbrand (e.g. Wall’s), Magnum
and Lipton. Lipton, Ben & Jerry’s and Breyers are Sustainable Living
brands.
Refreshment’s strategic role is to grow ice cream returns on capital
and accelerate growth in tea. Underlying sales grew 3.5% in 2016 as
a result of a focus on our core brands, premiumising the portfolio
and delivering best in class retail execution, both in customers'
stores and Unilever’s own retail channels.
In 2016 ice cream delivered strong growth and profitability, increasing its
presence in a growing and dynamic sector, with continued progress in
our strongholds of Europe and North America, and Asian regions and
Turkey showing good results. Brazil fared less well due to growing
economic uncertainty which impacted summer sales. Ice cream sales
were helped by strong brands and new formats which address new
occasions to consume, responding to consumers’ on-the-go lives.
Profitability also increased thanks to successful innovations behind
premium brands. We launched the Magnum Double range and in
the US Ben & Jerry’s extended into a range of non-dairy ice creams,
meeting the consumer demand for plant-based alternative formats.
Ben & Jerry’s also launched its ‘Wich format in Europe, extending
beyond the successful pint format into a new cookie and ice cream
product that can be eaten on the go.
With purpose and sustainability at its heart, Ben & Jerry’s continued
to create movements for social change. For instance, advocacy
campaigns in the US and UK encouraged people to exercise their right
to vote in elections.
The Wall’s Talking Ice Cream campaign was extended to 30 countries
in 2016, successfully driving brand growth and strengthening equity
across the range. Our local brands have enjoyed particular success
under the Talking Ice Cream campaign. In 2016, the UK campaign was
awarded a Silver IPA Effectiveness Award in recognition of the strong
ROI generated by the campaign over the past years. The ice cream
sector generally continued to witness the impact of consolidation
among international competitors.
Responding to the nutritional needs of our consumers remains a
priority. We continue to work on ensuring that 100% of our children’s
ice cream brands have fewer than 110 calories and 91% of our
packaged ice cream products do not exceed 250 calories per portion
(calculated based on 97% of global ice cream sales volume). We have a
clear policy on marketing to children and continue to work with the
wider industry. Our sugar reduction in our sweetened tea-based
beverages continues, consistent with our USLP commitment to help
people achieve a healthier diet.
In tea we continued to build our presence in more premium segments
whilst strengthening the core products. Our Brooke Bond Family in India
continued to grow, helped by a series of engaging films highlighting
people coming together over a cup of tea to overcome prejudice and
inequality. Together, these films generated around 10 million views
during 2016 helping Brooke Bond regain its market leading position.
Meanwhile, Lipton’s ‘Be A Maker’ digital campaign highlighted the lives
behind the leaves of Lipton’s tea farmers in Kenya. The social media
campaign ran in November 2016 with very positive engagement results
amongst its target Millennial audience in key markets. PG tips in the UK
had a more challenging year with negative growth.
Lipton launched Matcha into the green tea segment in the US while we
also launched Pure Leaf in the US as a premium proposition in hot tea.
Building on the success of Pure Leaf ready to drink brand in the US,
the range has been extended into premium leaf teas.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Strategic Report 15
DELIVERING VALUE FOR OUR STAKEHOLDERS CONTINUED
The luxury tea segment, where our T2 business is positioned,
experienced good growth throughout the year. T2 also added 13 new
stores mainly in Australia and the UK, expanding the chain to 89
stores in total. A new e-commerce platform for T2 has also seen
strong sales growth.
We announced an agreement to dispose of our AdeS soy beverage
business in Latin America, continuing the active management of our
brand portfolio to sharpen our focus on growth.
SOCIETY
WE ARE TAKING COLLECTIVE ACTION ACROSS OUR VALUE
CHAIN TO TACKLE THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES OF OUR
TIME. IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, AND THE ONLY WAY TO
GROW OUR BUSINESS SUSTAINABLY.
Unilever creates value for society in many ways, be they shareholders,
consumers, society at large or around 169,000 employees who make
a vital contribution to our Purpose of making sustainable living
commonplace. Our products are sold in more than 190 countries,
generating income and employment for retailers and distributors who
bring our brands to consumers. We also create value for suppliers –
in 2016 we purchased €34 billion of goods and services.
Taxes pay for the public goods and services that benefit each and every
one of us, and effective taxation is the foundation of healthy societies.
The taxes paid by businesses – and as a direct result of business
activity – make an important contribution. Total taxes borne by
Unilever in 2016 amounted to €4 billion, of which €2.3 billion was
corporation tax. To build confidence in the tax system, it is especially
important that business taxation is simple to understand, transparent,
and applied consistently, and that society trusts tax authorities to
administer taxes fairly for all taxpayers. Unilever fully complies with
the tax laws in the countries where we operate, but where the tax law
is not clear or has not kept pace with the way modern business
operates Unilever interprets its tax obligations in a responsible way.
At Unilever our Tax Principles provide this reference point – further
information is available on our website.
We are proud of our contributions to society, because they reflect the
hard work and dedication of generations of Unilever people and
stakeholders. But we know that the success we enjoy, and the
contribution we make, depend in turn on the success and resilience
of the economies and societies we operate in.
In these volatile and uncertain times, those societies face many urgent
challenges – social, political and environmental. We know that we, and
business as a whole, can and must do more to address them. If we
succeed, it will create the conditions for business to thrive.
That is why we introduced our Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP)
to leverage our scale, influence, expertise in innovation and resources
to directly address issues that matter to people – an approach that
strengthens our business so that it can grow sustainably.
UNILEVER SUSTAINABLE LIVING PLAN
The USLP, launched in 2010, is our blueprint for achieving our vision.
By spurring innovation, strengthening our supply chain, lowering costs,
reducing risks and building trust, sustainability is creating value for
Unilever as well as society.
For example, we have achieved a cumulative cost avoidance of over
€700 million through eco-efficiency measures in our factories since
2008, of which our waste programme has contributed to cost
avoidance of around €250 million. In 2015 we had 12 Sustainable Living
brands which grew 30% faster than the rest of the business. In 2016
these brands grew 40% faster than the rest and delivered nearly half of
Unilever’s growth. They are brands which combine a strong purpose
delivering a social or environmental benefit, with products contributing
to at least one of our USLP goals. Our Sustainable Living brands for
2016 will be announced in May 2017 once the analysis is complete.
The USLP has three clear goals: to help more than 1 billion people
improve their health and well-being by 2020; to halve the environmental
impact of our products across the value chain by 2030; and to enhance
the livelihoods of millions as we grow our business by 2020.
To date we have made significant progress on our first big USLP goal
of helping more than 1 billion people improve their health and well-
being. By the end of 2016, we had reached 538 million people, led by
the success of Sustainable Living brands such as Lifebuoy, Dove and
Signal. In addition, 35% of our Foods portfolio met the highest
nutritional standards, based on globally recognised dietary guidelines.
Our manufacturing operations are important to realising our second
goal of reducing our environmental impact. Since 2008 we have cut
CO2 from energy by 43%, water abstraction by 37% and total waste
disposed by 96% per tonne of production. The latter is a slight fall in
performance as total waste per tonne of production disposed fell to
96% from 97% in 2015. This was due to changes in local regulation in
two countries restricting recycling routes and issues at a recently
acquired site that have now been resolved.
When it comes to reducing the environmental impact of how consumers
use our products, we continue to find this difficult. Since 2010, the water
impact of our products has reduced by around 7%, while the waste
associated with consumer disposal of our products has reduced by
rather more, around 28%, as recycling rates increase. But the
greenhouse gas impact of our products across their lifecycle, including
consumer use, continues to edge up and has now increased by around
8% since 2010. The acquisition of skin cleansing and hair care brands
has increased the share of products associated with a higher
greenhouse gas impact per consumer use. These products are being
used by consumers while taking heated showers and baths.
Our third USLP goal – to enhance the livelihoods of millions of people –
has seen good progress. 67% of procurement spend was through
suppliers meeting our Responsible Sourcing Policy’s mandatory
criteria. Meanwhile we are conducting a review of the accountability
process to improve it based on the last two years’ experience. A
project of risk-mapping across the sourcing of our key commodities,
such as tea, was also started during 2016 to identify our social
footprint human rights risks and the procedures we have in place to
respond to any such risks identified. We continue to work to
strengthen certification, particularly relating to working conditions.
Our progress on embedding human rights into our organisation
continued in 2016 and we have now integrated our human rights
function into our supply chain organisation (more details on page 21).
In 2016, we also continued with a range of programmes to improve
livelihoods. Under the Opportunities for Women pillar, we have enabled
around 920,000 women to access initiatives that aimed to promote
their safety, develop their skills and expand their opportunities. As part
of the Inclusive Business pillar, in 2016 we have enabled around
650,000 smallholder farmers and 1.5 million small-scale retailers to
access initiatives aiming to improve their agricultural practices or
increase their incomes. The number of small-scale retailers has
decreased from 1.8 million in 2015 following a rescoping of stores that
can benefit from the Perfect Store programme in India.
In 2016 Unilever was named leader of the Household & Personal
Products Industry Group in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI),
a global sustainability performance benchmark. We are one of only
24 companies to be awarded Industry Group Leader status. In 2016
we were also listed on the CDP Climate, Water and Forest A Lists.
The USLP continues to evolve in response to the changing landscape.
In January 2017 we announced a commitment to ensure that all of our
plastic packaging is fully reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
We will report on progress against this commitment in future reports.
16 Strategic Report
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Despite our progress to date, there is still much to be done. While
we are on track to achieve most of our USLP commitments, we are
also aware that the biggest challenges facing the world cannot be
addressed by one company acting alone. We are changing ourselves
as a business but we want to play a part in changing the way business
is done more broadly.
ADVOCATING A ‘NEW SOCIAL CONTRACT’ FOR BUSINESS
The need for collective action and partnership between businesses and
other stakeholders, and between businesses themselves, has never
been greater. By doing the right thing and being part of the solution to
the world's challenges, businesses have the opportunity to win the
trust of consumers while helping create societies and economies in
which they can grow and succeed.
The Paris Agreement and the publication of the UN's 17 Global Goals
for Sustainable Development (referred to as the ‘Global Goals’) in 2015
showed the world there was a movement towards combating climate
change, eradicating poverty, and promoting greater inclusion and
economic prosperity – one that would require widespread co-operation
to succeed.
Throughout 2016, we sought to build on the momentum of these
historic global accords. We did so within our business, for example
by mapping our USLP with the Global Goals (see page 19). In January
2016, we co-founded the Business & Sustainable Development
Commission (BSDC). It brings together businesses and other
stakeholders who share our belief that implementation of the Global
Goals will help create a world where responsible business can
continue to thrive. While business is key to generating the economic
growth, job creation, and investment in innovation that will unlock the
US$3.3-4.5 trillion needed to deliver the Global Goals, BSDC research
shows that successful delivery of the Global Goals will create market
opportunities of up to US$12 trillion a year. The BSDC's report, Better
Business, Better World, published in January 2017, aims to launch a
global movement of CEOs and business leaders who place
sustainability at the core of business strategy.
Increasingly, we are finding new ways to contribute to the systemic
changes needed to address global challenges. This is a responsibility
but also an opportunity, because resilient societies and economies are
ones in which businesses such as Unilever can flourish. We aim to use
our scale and influence to help bring about transformational change in
four key areas where we believe we can make the biggest difference:
championing sustainable agriculture and food security.
taking action on climate change and halting deforestation
improving livelihoods and creating more opportunities for women
improving health and well-being
TAKING ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND
HALTING DEFORESTATION
World leaders assembled in Marrakech for COP22 in November 2016,
by which time enough states had ratified the Paris Agreement for it to
achieve 'entry-into-force', making it a binding agreement.
Unilever welcomed the Paris agreement and its legal status, having
worked with many others at COP21 and beforehand to help create the
conditions in which it could be achieved. At COP22, we called for faster
transformation of our energy, food, transport and urban systems into
ones consistent with the ambition of transforming our economy by the
middle of the century. We believe businesses must contribute to
climate action and that they will benefit by doing so.
Addressing our own greenhouse gas emissions is a key element of our
USLP, and we have been working to reduce our impact for many years.
In 2016 we made progress towards our Carbon Positive 2030 ambition,
announced in 2015. We know consumers rightly expect businesses to
act responsibly on climate, and that reducing our energy usage and
switching to renewables can create cost savings and make our
business more resilient.
We also worked with others on the systemic changes needed for
climate action. For example, commercial agriculture is the main driver
of deforestation, which accounts for up to 15% of global greenhouse
gas emissions. Together with others in our industry, we have
committed to achieving zero net deforestation associated with four
commodities – palm oil, soy, paper and board, and beef – no later than
2020. We have extended this commitment to our tea businesses and
supply chains.
We work closely on climate action with a number of strategic partners:
the We Mean Business coalition including the World Business Council
for Sustainable Development (WBCSD); HRH The Prince of Wales’
Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change, The B-Team, and CERES;
the World Economic Forum; the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) and the
United Nations Global Compact Caring for Climate initiative.
We also worked with the World Bank Group on the formal launch of
the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition at the World Bank Spring
Meetings in Washington DC in April 2016, which will advance the
pricing of carbon emissions and removal of market-distorting fossil
fuel subsidies.
Unilever holds the Vice-Chair of the industry-led Task Force on
Climate–related Financial Disclosures, which aims to develop
voluntary and consistent climate risk disclosures for use by companies
in providing information to investors, lenders, insurers, and other
stakeholders. We have developed metrics to assess climate related
risks and opportunities in line with our strategy and risk management
process. These are outlined on page 13.
CREATING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND
ENHANCING LIVELIHOODS
Women control a significant portion of consumer spending. Building
greater trust in our brands among our consumer base is critical –
and women make up a large number of our consumers.
Creating opportunities for women is also a core element of our
USLP, our partnership work, and our overall ambition to enhance the
livelihoods of millions of people. Empowering women has the potential
to contribute substantially to many of the Global Goals because
including more women in the economic cycle has a positive impact on
growth and the progress of families and communities.
Our goal is to empower 5 million women by 2020. We aim to do this by
respecting women's rights, promoting their safety, developing skills
and advancing economic opportunities.
Unilever has built partnerships to help achieve this with many
stakeholders, including the Clinton Guistra Enterprise Partnership
(CGEP), BoP Innovation Center (BoPInc), Global Alliance for Improved
Nutrition (GAIN) and Population Services International (PSI).
We are working with UN Women to create a global violence-prevention
framework to advance the implementation of human rights in our tea
value chain in Kenya and other places. The programme aims to apply
the global framework to Unilever’s supply chain and extend into the
wider tea industry and other commodities over time. Unilever, through
its Pond’s brand, joined No Ceilings: The Full Participation Project, an
initiative of the Clinton Foundation, Vital Voices Global Partnership,
WEConnect International to announce a collective commitment “Girls,
Women and the Global Goals”. This is a coalition of over 30 partners
securing new commitments that aim to address significant gender
gaps and advance the gender equality targets of the Sustainable
Development Goals.
We know it is important to reflect this commitment in our brands'
actions. In 2016 we listened to consumers and looked at the way
we portray gender in our advertising and realised we needed to
change. We launched #unstereotype, a major global campaign to
lead advertising away from stereotypical portrayals of gender.
Brands including Axe, Dirt is Good and Sunsilk have led the way
with this initiative.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Strategic Report 17
DELIVERING VALUE FOR OUR STAKEHOLDERS CONTINUED
PROMOTING HEALTH & WELL-BEING
We aim to help improve the health and well-being of more than
1 billion people by 2020. As part of this ambition, we have a strong
focus on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (‘WASH’). Together with our
partners, we aim to change people’s hygiene behaviours by raising
awareness of the benefits of handwashing with soap, helping people
gain improved access to a toilet through promoting the benefits of
using clean toilets and making them accessible, and providing people
with safe drinking water. Our leading brands, including Lifebuoy and
Domestos, provide us with a unique opportunity to make a difference in
these areas.
Cost-effective WASH solutions can lift people out of poverty and give
them greater opportunities for a successful future. With partners such
as UNICEF we have helped around 6 million people gain improved
access to a toilet through behaviour-change interventions and
capacity-building initiatives (results are reported by our partners in
accordance with their respective methodologies and include reach
from direct and indirect initiatives between 2012 and 2015).
In 2016, we continued our efforts to raise awareness of the importance
of handwashing with soap and access to improved sanitation, through
campaigns on Global Handwashing Day and World Toilet Day. On
World Toilet Day in 2016, we opened Suvidha, a sustainable hygiene
and sanitation community centre in one of Mumbai’s largest slums,
which will address the hygiene needs of 1,500 people from low-income
urban households who face severe challenges due to lack of
infrastructure and facilities. The centre provides toilets that flush,
handwashing facilities with soap, clean showers, safe drinking water
and laundry facilities at an affordable cost. The Suvidha Centre uses
circular economy principles to reduce water use. Fresh water is first
used for brushing teeth, bathing, handwashing and laundry. The waste
water from these activities is then used for flushing toilets.
Lifebuoy's new partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides
and Girl Scouts will help over 4 million children gain a better
understanding of the importance of handwashing with soap, while
WASH4Work, a multi-stakeholder coalition, will mobilise greater
private sector engagement in the provision of adequate and
accessible WASH solutions in business operations, supply chains
and surrounding communities.
A key enabler to achieve our Health & Wellbeing targets is more
inclusive partnership models, such as 'Transform’ – a partnership with
Unilever, the UK’s Department for International Development and
Clinton Guistra Enterprise Partnership (CGEP) designed to improve the
health and well-being of 100 million people in Africa and South Asia by
increasing household access to water, sanitation and hygiene as well
as energy through effective market-based solutions.
CHAMPIONING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND
IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY
Agriculture and the people who practise it are vital to the world, and
to our business. The world needs to double food production by 2050
to help feed a population that will likely exceed 9 billion people.
What is more, of the 3.4 billion people living in rural areas in the world
today, up to 600 million may be undernourished. We therefore see
agriculture as sitting at the heart of the climate and development
challenge, and view changes to the current systems as a vital way
to help meet the aims of the Global Goals in eradicating hunger
and poverty, while making our supply of ingredients more resilient.
We advocate a move away from purely production-led approaches,
which run at the expense of people and planet, to a more integrated,
holistic approach that can both improve livelihoods and enable
sustainable agriculture.
We are committed to sourcing all our agricultural raw materials
sustainably. By working with others, we aim to ensure all the major
commodities on which we depend – notably palm oil, soy, paper
and board, and tea – are produced sustainably for mainstream
consumer markets.
In 2016 we refreshed our Palm Oil Policy and brought forward our
target for purchasing 100% physically certified palm oil from 2020 to
2019. We also stopped buying GreenPalm certificates, which accounted
for 18% of our sustainably sourced agricultural raw materials in 2015.
However, our goal to source 100% of our palm oil sustainably from
physical, certified sources by 2019 is still on track with 36% of our
palm volumes already physically certified in 2016 (representing 9% of
all agricultural raw materials). We aim to repurpose US$50 million
over five years that would have been spent on GreenPalm certificates
and invest it in place-based partnerships. This is to increase the
availability of physically certified sustainable palm oil and scale up
direct sourcing from smallholder farmers.
This has created a temporary dip in our sustainably sourced
agricultural raw materials performance from 60% in 2015 to 51% in
2016. Had we continued to buy GreenPalm certificates at the same
level our overall sustainable sourcing performance in 2016 would have
been 66%. Instead, we have increased our purchasing of sustainable
physical agricultural raw materials from 39% in 2015 to 48% in 2016
whilst maintaining the same proportion of certificates purchased for
soy and sugar (3% in 2015 and 2016).
We are also focusing on reducing food loss and waste, as a third of the
food the world currently produces is lost or wasted. According to
WRAP, a waste and resource think tank, reducing consumer food
waste could save US$120-300 billion, and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by 1 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions per year by 2030. We
are members of ‘Champions 12.3’, a coalition of business, government
and civil society leaders, and signatories to the Consumer Goods
Forum Resolution on Food Waste to halve food waste in direct
operations by 2025.
We want the debate on food and agriculture to be high on the political
and business agenda, and in 2016 we contributed to the Business and
Sustainable Development Commission report ‘Valuing the SDG Prize in
Food and Agriculture’, which found that achieving food security could
create 80 million jobs and unlock 14 major business opportunities
worth US$2.3 trillion annually by 2030. To help unlock this potential,
we supported the World Business Council for Sustainable
Development (WBCSD) and EAT Foundation partnership, launched at
the EAT Forum in June 2016, which seeks to better link production
through consumption.
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Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
THE GLOBAL GOALS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Through our Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, Sustainable Living brands and our transformational change agenda we contribute to the Global Goals.
GLOBAL GOALS
Goal 1: No poverty
Goal 2: Zero hunger
Goal 3: Good health and well-being
Goal 4: Quality education
Goal 5: Gender equality
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Goal 10: Reduce inequality
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
Goal 13: Climate action
Goal 14: Life below water
Goal 15: Life on land
RELATED USLP PILLARS
Fairness in the workplace
Inclusive business
Opportunities for women
Improving nutrition
Inclusive business
Opportunities for women
Sustainable sourcing
Fairness in the workplace
Health & hygiene
Improving nutrition
Inclusive business
Opportunities for women
Sustainable sourcing
Opportunities for women
Health & hygiene
Water use
Greenhouse gases
All USLP pillars
Greenhouse gases
Inclusive business
Opportunities for women
Waste & packaging
Water use
Fairness in the workplace
Opportunities for women
Inclusive business
Health & hygiene
Waste & packaging
Greenhouse gases
Waste & packaging
Water use
Greenhouse gases
Sustainable sourcing
Water use
Waste & packaging
Sustainable sourcing
Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
Fairness in the workplace
Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
All USLP pillars
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Strategic Report 19
DELIVERING VALUE FOR OUR STAKEHOLDERS CONTINUED
OUR PEOPLE
PEOPLE ARE OUR MOST POWERFUL RESOURCE TO
TRANSFORM OUR BUSINESS, DRIVEN BY OUR CLEAR
PURPOSE TO MAKE SUSTAINABLE LIVING COMMONPLACE.
Our continued success is constantly challenged in a world where
change is happening at an ever faster pace fuelled by the rapid take-up
of digital technology. Consumers are far more responsive and
sensitive to changing trends and attitudes, opening up new
opportunities for entrepreneurial competitors who are agile and
flexible in approach.
During 2016 our people have been at the centre of a major organisational
change programme, Connected 4 Growth (C4G), one of the largest and
most significant change initiatives undertaken by Unilever. The key
objectives are to create an organisation that is faster, more agile and more
competitive. Through C4G we want our people to think and behave
differently, making them more empowered, giving them the opportunity to
experiment and encouraging them to think and act like entrepreneurs and
business owners. These changes will be key in attracting the right people
to achieve our goals.
By 2020, 60% of our employees are expected to be Millennials and we
need new employment strategies that reflect both their changing
attitudes to work and the fast changing world in which we expect our
people to compete and perform. The skills our people need are also
changing rapidly. According to the World Economic Forum, on average,
by 2020 more than a third of the desired core skill sets will have changed
and nearly 35% of the core skills required for key roles in future are
currently missing from the equivalent roles today.
The vision of our Human Resources function is to be simpler, with more
impact in order to accelerate business growth. This is being realised
through three priorities. First, we are focusing our activities on Well-
being, Talent, Learning and Reward. Second, we are developing an agile
and empowered organisation to build connected teams through
technology-driven approaches and, thirdly, we are building an
organisation powered by purpose where all our people are able to reach
their potential and thrive in the increasingly connected world. A priority
during 2016 was to define the profile of future talent required by the
business and plan for the skills and capabilities required.
To support our vision we have also made a step-change in the use of
data and analytics to generate more accurate insights. We are using
more sophisticated digital and mobile processes while applying new
performance and reward systems to offer more career development
opportunities and create a more empowered workforce. Finally, through
C4G, we are encouraging our people to experiment and collaborate more
to improve our top-line growth.
ATTRACTING TALENT
Unilever’s reputation as an employer of choice continues despite a
highly competitive market place. Our purpose-led goals consistently
support our position as employer of choice across the world. During
2016, we were the number one FMCG Graduate Employer of Choice in
34 of the 60 countries that we recruit from.
Unilever’s Future Leaders’ League, our global competition for
students, continues to grow. For the 2016 finals, almost 40,000
applications were received across 59 countries and 1,120 universities.
The recent launch of our social media campaign #PutItRight
generated 108 million impressions and reached 9.8 million unique
users globally. Our objective is to change the conversation around
how Millennials are defined, helping them reach their full potential.
Our commitment to sustainability, brought to life through the Unilever
Sustainable Living Plan, is critical to engaging with this generation.
This year we have seen our LinkedIn presence grow significantly,
reaching the key milestone of 2 million followers, highlighting how
LinkedIn followers are engaging with our content. Half of our
followers are entry level professionals.
We were ranked the number one FMCG company and the number 8
company overall to work for on the LinkedIn Top Attractors global list
based on our ability to attract and retain talent. More than 100,000 of
our employees are active LinkedIn users. We have also raised
visibility of the LinkedIn Elevate platform where Unilever curated
content can be shared by Unilever people with their social networks,
allowing them to act as ambassadors for the business, enhancing our
visibility, creating brand awareness and communicating our values.
The initiative has reached more than 190 million members of
LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
In July 2016 we launched our new digital selection process for graduate
hires that uses the latest technology to help select candidates that best
meet Unilever’s requirements. The new process removes the potential
for unconscious bias in recruitment. The flexible process is quick and
interactive, with candidates receiving feedback at every stage.
First, candidates complete an online application form. Successful
candidates are then invited to complete a series of games over a 20-
minute period which allows Unilever to gain insight into the candidate’s
potential and how well they connect with the Unilever’s goals and
purpose. The best candidates will then take part in a video interview.
For the final stage of the process, candidates are invited to a
Discovery Centre to collaborate and experience a ‘day in the life’ of
Unilever. At every stage feedback is provided to help them in their
career whether or not they are successful in joining Unilever.
RETAINING TALENT
In line with C4G we have also introduced significant changes to
performance management to encourage feedback and development.
The objective is to encourage new ways of thinking, and build a more
agile and empowered organisation, with managers better able to
support people who are being encouraged to experiment, fail, learn
and collaborate. We are inverting the traditional structures, pushing
responsibility and opportunity outwards into the organisation so
people can be more entrepreneurial with performance management
that reflects this culture shift.
As part of C4G, managers are now equipped to understand individual
requirements, set targets and help navigate the necessary changes
with the right training and support, linked to our Learning Hub.
‘Always On’ conversations are encouraged more than ever so that
managers and their teams have more open discussions on
performance and feedback throughout the year and not just at mid
or year-end.
We are working to create a culture of development for all by removing
labels and categorisations in our talent processes and promoting
individuals’ development needs. Our reward principles are becoming
simpler with fewer reward elements which are in turn focused on
short-term performance and long-term value creation to encourage a
more entrepreneurial approach and an owner’s attitude.
We recognise that to get the best out of our people and help them
thrive in the world of work, we need to look after more than just their
professional development. Their physical, mental, and emotional well-
being also needs attention to help engender a strong sense of purpose,
matching Unilever’s own clear Purpose of making sustainable living
commonplace. Since 2015, more than 41,430 people have been
through our Thrive Programme to help improve well-being including
issues such as eating healthily in a busy work environment, sleep,
fitness, well-being and practical ways of managing energy levels.
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Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
LEARNING
Learning and building capability is critical in the connected world,
with skills evolving at pace. In response, our Learning team has
focused on igniting a passion for learning and fostering an ‘Always
On’ learning culture. The Learning Hub, our collaborative digital
learning platform, is supporting this shift. Our people can access
bite-sized, just-in-time learning that is both engaging and mobile-
enabled, featuring industry experts.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Respecting human rights is enshrined in the USLP. To
comprehensively implement and embed our human rights approach
we have now integrated our human rights function into our supply
chain organisation. The resulting team has been renamed Integrated
Social Sustainability, reflecting our commitment to creating a positive
social impact as part of Unilever’s Vision and highlighting the social
dimension of the sustainability agenda.
Building on the work done with our senior leaders in recent years,
we are giving all our people an opportunity to discover their unique
purpose, with pilots in five countries to encourage better performance
and well-being.
“Four Acres”, our leadership development centres in London and
Singapore, continue to make a critical contribution to our business
performance. They also provide next steps to focus on the importance
of purpose with impact. Our development of leaders for the connected
world has never been more focused, and more than 1,600 executives
have attended leadership development programmes in 2016.
SAFETY
We continue to focus on our Vision Zero strategy: Zero Fatalities;
Zero Injuries; Zero Motor Vehicle Accidents; Zero Process Incidents;
and Zero Tolerance of Unsafe Behaviour and Practices. Vision Zero
is designed to ensure we meet our USLP commitment to reduce
workplace injuries and accidents.
In 2015 we put new measures in place to create an interdependent
safety culture. In 2016 we pressed ahead with adding capability,
building professionalism and focusing on leadership responsibility to
implement our safety culture.
A priority has been to ensure safety is a responsibility throughout
Unilever. We have rolled out a mandatory safety leadership
programme, which builds awareness of safety from the top down, to
help managers instil best practice throughout their teams.
Our process and construction safety director, appointed in mid-2015,
has delivered process safety training and certification programmes
that are important career development qualifications for the supply
chain. Additionally, an enhanced set of process safety global standards
will be launched in 2017. Process safety oversight compliance audits
have been extended to all high and medium-hazard sites overseen and
facilitated by the global Process Safety Leadership Team.
We continue to implement our mandatory Motor On Mobile Off policy
through new training for joiners and refreshers for existing workers
at risk from using mobile phones when driving. We also continue to
integrate our BeSafE programme into our World Class Manufacturing
(WCM) methodology.
Unilever reports safety data from October to September. Our Total
Recordable Frequency Rate (TRFR) from 1 October 2015 to 30
September 2016 went from 1.12 accidents per 1 million hours worked to
1.01, as a result of the continuous focus on safety in WCM methodology
and the BeSafE programme in our non-manufacturing sites.
Under the Global VP Integrated Social Sustainability, this team now
has responsibility for all areas of Supply Chain Social Sustainability
including accountability, compliance and audit which have moved from
the procurement function. The team continues to lead on the global
human rights agenda for Unilever.
We continue to work to strengthen certification, particularly relating to
working conditions. In 2013 we gave Oxfam access to our supply chain
in order to assess labour rights and help us understand how to realise
the UN Guiding Principles. It focused on our operations in Vietnam.
We agreed an update with Oxfam in 2016, which was published in July,
highlighting the substantial progress made in Vietnam and the broader
work undertaken to embed human rights across our organisation. It
also highlights areas where we, and other companies, can improve.
During 2016 we rolled out our new Framework for Fair Compensation
to all our Country HR Leadership teams. The Framework outlines how
the existing elements of our compensation packages deliver fair
compensation to our employees. In 2016 we announced that we want
to achieve full Living Wage compliance for all our employees by 2020.
The Framework also reinforces our commitment to no discrimination
between genders on pay or career development. We will build on our
existing equal pay practices through gender pay gap analysis to identify
future initiatives in support of this.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
On gender equality we continue to make progress, although work
remains. By the end of 2016, 46% of our total management were
women, up from 45% in 2015. At the most senior levels, however,
the ratios are not as high. Among the ‘Top 100’ executives, 22 (22%)
were women compared with 23% in 2015. If you include employees
who are statutory directors of the corporate entities whose financial
information is included in the Group’s 2016 consolidated accounts in
this Annual Report and Accounts, the number increases to 410 males
and 157 (28%) females. 43% (six out of 14) of the Board is female,
compared with 50% (six out of 12) in 2015.
Of our total workforce of 168,832, 112,618 (67%) were male and
56,214 (33%) were female at the end of 2016,
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Strategic Report 21
DELIVERING VALUE FOR OUR STAKEHOLDERS CONTINUED
OUR SHAREHOLDERS
UNILEVER’S STRATEGY FOR LONG-TERM VALUE CREATION
HAS ENSURED ANOTHER YEAR OF GROWTH THAT IS
CONSISTENT, COMPETITIVE, PROFITABLE AND RESPONSIBLE
– SUPPORTING CONTINUED GROWTH IN THE DIVIDEND
FOR SHAREHOLDERS.
2016 brought to the fore the volatile, disruptive and complex forces
at play that affect Unilever’s business. Slower global economic
growth and intensifying geopolitical instability provided a challenging
backdrop to our operations while competitive pressures continued
to intensify globally and locally.
Despite this uncertainty our priorities remain unchanged: to deliver
consistent growth ahead of our markets, steady margin improvement,
and strong free cash flow.
In delivering these priorities we are led by our Purpose – to make
sustainable living commonplace – which inspires our Vision to
accelerate growth in our business, while reducing our environmental
footprint and increasing our positive social impact. To achieve these
ambitions, we have placed the USLP at the heart of our business
model and we have based our strategy for long-term growth on it.
Thanks to initiatives such as the Coalition for Inclusive Capitalism, which
Unilever is part of, the importance of sustainability in driving returns has
become a mainstream idea in capital markets, reinforced by research
which also shows the increasing relevance of sustainability to consumers.
Sustainability is also integrated in our financial decision making – we
have set an internal cost of carbon, so that greenhouse gas emissions
are factored into capital projects.
PERFORMANCE
Despite volatility in the operating and financial environment, we
delivered another year of steady returns for shareholders. Over the last
5 years our dividends have increased 7% per annum and our share
price is up by around 50% for both PLC and NV shares.
This reinforces our medium-term performance over the past five years
2012-2016 which has witnessed underlying sales growth of 4.4% per
year, which was ahead of our markets, and core operating margin up,
on average 0.4 percentage points per year. Over the same period
turnover growth averaged 2.7% per year and operating margin was up
0.2 percentage points per year; Core earnings per share grew 7% per
year on average. Constant core EPS, which is at constant exchange
rates, grew by an average of 10% per year. Average working capital as a
percentage of turnover improved by 1 percentage point per year and we
have delivered cumulative free cash flow of €21 billion over the 5 years.
Return on invested capital has remained in the range of 18-19%.
Reliable long-term returns for shareholders result from our focus on
four categories with distinct but complementary priorities that fulfil
specific objectives across our portfolio of brands. The largest category
is Personal Care, accounting for 38% of turnover in 2016 which has a
strategy of growing its core business while extending into premium
ranges. Foods, which accounts for 24% of turnover, has the objective of
accelerating growth while preserving the value of its strong cash flows.
Home Care, 19% of turnover, is improving profitability and scaling its
household cleaning business while Refreshment, 19%, is tasked with
growing ice cream Return on Invested Capital and accelerating top line
growth in tea.
ACTIVE PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Our brand portfolio is not set in stone and continues to evolve to match
our categories’ strategic priorities, resulting in the sale of assets that
no longer fit our growth model or the acquisition of assets that take us
into new market segments and build new market positions. This active
portfolio management means that in the past eight years we have sold
€2.8 billion of turnover, mainly in the lower growth Foods businesses.
During that same period we have acquired €4 billion of turnover
mainly in higher-growth Personal Care brands, which has helped
make Personal Care our biggest category.
Our categories are supported by innovation that targets high growth,
on-trend segments, which are critical to staying ahead of the
competition, and our research and development capabilities which are
embedded within each category. We are focused on faster innovation
so ideas reach market more quickly. We are aiming to make global
roll-outs 30% faster and up to 50% faster for local innovations, while
we are also simplifying innovation processes to have 30% fewer touch-
points in decision-making.
Marketing drives consumer demand-led sales and requires content
that is ever more personal and specific to consumers, served to them
at the most appropriate time and place to trigger purchase intent and
sales. Digital technology enables such targeted approaches and also
adds more sophisticated data and insight into consumers’ habits and
interests, which are crucial as e-commerce and direct-to-consumer
channels become more significant.
Our broader customer development programmes further ensure our
presence in the appropriate channels from supermarket chains to
websites driven by our Perfect Stores programme of brilliant execution.
DEVELOPMENTS IN 2016
We have taken significant steps this year to support and enhance our
growth model by responding to the rapidly changing world in which
we operate. The action we have taken means we can maintain
our competitive advantage in the marketplace and maintain our
track record for long-term delivery of steady and consistent
shareholder returns.
During the year we continued our policy of investment in the business,
including bolt-on acquisitions, rather than share buy backs or special
dividends. Acquisitions play a key role in our quest for innovation
alongside those breakthroughs we make ourselves through research
and development. The brands we acquire take us into new growth
segments but can also bring innovative business models that we
continue to operate separately from the core where appropriate.
In Personal Care we have acquired the male grooming online
subscription business, Dollar Shave Club. This is a direct-to-consumer
model where we will preserve its entrepreneurial approach, taking
valuable lessons for the rest of our portfolio. We also announced an
agreement to acquire Living Proof in 2016, the US hair care brand
which will also join our Prestige business. The deal completed on
1 February 2017.
In Home Care we acquired Seventh Generation, a Vermont-based
business producing plant-based detergents and household cleaners,
complementing our responsible growth goal and supplementing our
own innovation efforts. We also bought Blueair, the Swedish air
purifier business active in markets such as China and India,
addressing the issue of air quality and pollution.
In Refreshment we announced an agreement to dispose of AdeS,
the Latin American soy beverage business, continuing the active
management of our brand portfolio.
The adoption of new flexible business models is one part of the
Connected 4 Growth transformation programme which will make us
more agile with lower costs. This is a series of self-help changes that
will make Unilever fit for the future, maximising our global scale and
expertise while making us quicker and more agile to respond locally
where local competition is becoming more sophisticated and
successful at growing market share. We are simplifying our
organisation to empower Unilever people to be more experimental.
At the same time we are rolling out Zero-Based Budgeting, which
benchmarks our expenditure against peers and identifies savings to
further support our business. It is a deep dive into our cost base and,
with the cost saving elements of the organisational change, aims to
deliver savings of €1 billion by 2018. In addition, we are continuing to
take a further €1 billion per year of costs out of our supply chain to
offset cost inflation, reducing the need for price increases and making
our brands more competitive.
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Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
FINANCIAL REVIEW
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 2016
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
Turnover declined 1.0% to €52.7 billion including a negative currency impact of 5.1% (2015: 5.9% favourable currency impact) primarily from
Latin America and the UK. Underlying sales growth was 3.7% (2015: 4.1%) coming from volume growth of 0.9% (2015: 2.1%) and price growth of
2.8% (2015: 1.9%). Acquisitions and disposals had a positive impact of 0.6% (2015: negative 0.1%) coming from the businesses acquired in the last
two years including Dermalogica, Murad, Dollar Shave Club, Zest & Camay and Seventh Generation. Emerging markets contributed 57% of total
turnover with underlying sales growth of 6.5% (2015: 7.1%) driven by price growth of 5.4% (2015: 4.3%). Developed markets underlying sales
growth declined by 0.2% with volume growth in North America offset by negative pricing in Europe.
Core operating margin improved 0.5 percentage points to 15.3%. Gross margin improved 0.5 percentage points driven by margin-accretive
innovation, acquisitions and savings programmes. Brand and marketing investment as a percentage of turnover was down 0.4 percentage points
due to sales leverage and efficiencies from Zero Based Budgeting. Higher gross margin and lower brand and marketing investment were
partially offset by a 0.4 percentage points increase in overheads driven by increased restructuring costs related to the implementation of the
‘Connected 4 Growth’ programme and the higher overheads ratio of acquired businesses.
Operating profit was up 3.8% at €7.8 billion (2015: €7.5 billion) including €245 million (2015: €350 million) of non-core charges mainly being
acquisition and disposal-related costs and losses on business disposals.
Highlights for the year ended 31 December
Turnover (€ million)
Operating profit (€ million)
Core operating profit (€ million)*
Profit before tax (€ million)
Net profit (€ million)
Diluted earnings per share (€)
Core earnings per share (€)*
2016
2015
%
change
52,713
53,272
(1)
7,801
8,046
7,469
5,547
1.82
1.88
7,515
7,865
7,220
5,259
1.72
1.82
4
2
3
6
6
3
Net cost of financing borrowings was €469 million compared with €372 million in 2015. The increase was driven by higher borrowing levels and
reduced interest on cash deposits. The average interest rate on net debt increased to 3.5% compared with 3.0% in 2015. The charge for pension
financing decreased by €27 million to €94 million (2015: €121 million) as a result of a lower net deficit at the beginning of the year.
The effective tax rate was 26.2% compared with 27.6% in 2015. This included the impact of favourable tax audit settlements.
Net profit from joint ventures and associates contributed €127 million compared with €107 million in 2015 due to higher profits from the Pepsi
Lipton joint venture. Other income from non-current investment and associates increased to €104 million compared with €91 million in 2015,
primarily driven by a gain of €107 million from the sale of financial assets. Diluted earnings per share increased by 5.7% to €1.82 largely due to
improved margin. Core earnings per share increased by 3.1% to €1.88 including an adverse currency impact of 3.7%.
The independent auditors’ reports issued by KPMG Accountants N.V. and KPMG LLP on the consolidated results of the
Group, as set out in the financial statements, were unqualified and contained no exceptions or emphasis of matter.
For more details see pages 79 to 83.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU and IFRS as
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. The critical accounting policies and those that are most
significant in connection with our financial reporting are set out in note 1 on pages 88 to 90 and are consistent with those
applied in 2015.
* Certain measures used in our reporting are not defined under IFRS. For further information about these measures, please refer to the commentary on non-GAAP
measures on pages 26 to 28.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Strategic Report 23
FINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED
PERSONAL CARE
FOODS
Turnover (€ million)
Operating profit (€ million)
Core operating profit (€ million)
Operating margin (%)
Core operating margin (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
Underlying volume growth (%)
Underlying price growth (%)
2016
2015
%
change
20,172
3,704
3,844
18.4
19.1
4.2
1.6
2.6
20,074
3,637
3,788
18.1
18.9
4.1
2.3
1.8
0.5
1.8
1.5
0.3
0.2
Turnover (€ million)
Operating profit (€ million)
Core operating profit (€ million)
Operating margin (%)
Core operating margin (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
Underlying volume growth (%)
Underlying price growth (%)
%
change
(3.1)
(5.1)
(4.8)
(0.4)
(0.3)
2016
2015
12,524
2,180
2,240
17.4
17.9
2.1
(0.5)
2.6
12,919
2,298
2,354
17.8
18.2
1.5
0.8
0.8
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Turnover growth was 0.5% including an adverse currency impact of
4.9%. Acquisitions and disposals contributed 1.4% which included
brands such as Dollar Shave Club acquired in 2016 and the Prestige
skin care brands acquired in 2015. Underlying sales growth was 4.2%,
in line with 4.1% in 2015. Personal Care benefited from innovations
and extending into more premium brands through acquisitions.
Deodorants performed well following the success of dry sprays in
North America and Rexona Antibacterial with 10x more odour
protection. Hair benefited from the successful Sunsilk re-launch and
from innovations such as TRESemmé Beauty-Full Volume range.
Lifebuoy demonstrated strong growth across emerging markets
while Dove had a good year supported by strong growth of the
premium and Men+Care ranges.
Core operating profit increased by €56 million; this includes a €466
million adverse impact from exchange rate movements. Acquisition
and disposal activities contributed €323 million while underlying
sales growth and core operating margin improvement added
€161 million and €38 million respectively. Core operating margin
improvement was principally driven by higher gross margins
and brand and marketing efficiencies partly offset by a higher
overheads ratio reflecting the impact of acquisitions and higher
restructuring costs.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Turnover declined by 3.1% including a 4.7% adverse currency impact
and 0.3% negative impact from acquisitions and disposals. Underlying
sales growth was 2.1%, an improvement of 0.6 percentage points
from 2015 led by 2.6% price growth. The category sustained its return
to positive growth helped by strong performances from Hellmann’s
and Knorr. The two brands successfully modernised their ranges with
extension into organic variants and with packaging that highlights the
naturalness of their ingredients. Sales in spreads declined as modest
growth in emerging markets was offset by the continued but slowing
decline in developed markets.
Core operating profit declined by €114 million. Underlying sales
growth added €48 million and exchange rates had an adverse impact
of €117 million. Core operating margin and acquisition and disposal
activities had a negative impact of €42 million and €3 million
respectively. Core operating margin declined as a result of higher
overheads which included higher restructuring costs coming from
programmes such as Connected 4 Growth, partly offset by reduced
brand and marketing investment spend.
HOME CARE
REFRESHMENT
Turnover (€ million)
Operating profit (€ million)
Core operating profit (€ million)
Operating margin (%)
Core operating margin (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
Underlying volume growth (%)
Underlying price growth (%)
%
change
(1.5)
28.2
24.8
2.2
2.1
2016
2015
10,009
10,159
949
967
9.5
9.7
4.9
1.3
3.6
740
775
7.3
7.6
5.9
4.0
1.9
Turnover (€ million)
Operating profit (€ million)
Core operating profit (€ million)
Operating margin (%)
Core operating margin (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
Underlying volume growth (%)
Underlying price growth (%)
%
change
(1.1)
15.2
5.0
1.4
0.5
2016
2015
10,008
10,120
968
995
9.7
9.9
3.5
1.0
2.6
840
948
8.3
9.4
5.4
1.5
3.9
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Turnover for Home Care declined by 1.5% which includes an adverse
currency impact of 6.5%. Acquisitions and disposals contributed a
positive 0.4%. Underlying sales growth was 4.9% split between
volume growth of 1.3% and price growth of 3.6%. Surf grew double-
digit helped by the launch of Surf Sensations. Other innovations,
including Omo with enhanced formulation, Comfort Intense and
Domestos toilet blocks, were rolled out to new markets contributing
volume growth. The Brilhante brand contributed to good volume
growth in Latin America.
Core operating profit increased by €192 million including a
€62 million decrease from exchange rate movements. Underlying
sales growth contributed €49 million while improved core operating
margin added €203 million. Acquisition and disposal activities
contributed €2 million. Gross margin improved as a result of
improved mix and cost savings.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Refreshment turnover declined by 1.1% including a 4.6% adverse
impact from currency and a 0.1% positive contribution from
acquisitions and disposals. Underlying sales growth was 3.5%, a drop
of 1.9 percentage points from 2015. Growth in ice cream was driven
by margin-accretive innovations behind premium brands including
the Magnum Double range, the Ben & Jerry’s ‘Wich sandwich and
dairy free range as well as new variants of Talenti. Leaf tea growth
improved in emerging markets but was held back by the black tea
business in developed markets. Tea continued to build its presence in
more premium segments with good growth from T2 specialty teas.
Core operating profit was €47 million higher coming from underlying
sales growth which contributed €36 million, core operating margin
improvement of €57 million and a €11 million increase from
acquisition and disposal activities net of adverse exchange rate
movements of €57 million. Core operating margin was up primarily
due to improvements in gross margin in ice cream.
24 Strategic Report
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
CASH FLOW
Free cash flow of €4.8 billion was in line with the strong delivery in
2015. Cash flow from operating activities was in line with prior year
reflecting a €0.3 billion increase in operating profit net of outflows
from trade payables and other liabilities within working capital. Net
capital expenditure as a percentage of turnover was 3.6% (2015: 3.9%).
Operating profit
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
Changes in working capital
Pensions and similar obligations less payments
Provisions less payments
Elimination of (profits)/losses on disposals
Non-cash charge for share-based compensation
Other adjustments
Cash flow from operating activities
Income tax paid
Net capital expenditure
Net interest and preference dividends paid
Free cash flow*
Net cash flow (used in)/from investing activities
Net cash flow (used in)/from financing activities
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
7,801
1,464
51
(327)
65
127
198
(81)
9,298
(2,251)
(1,878)
(367)
4,802
(3,188)
(3,073)
7,515
1,370
720
(385)
(94)
26
150
49
9,351
(2,021)
(2,074)
(460)
4,796
(3,539)
(3,032)
Current assets were higher by €1.2 billion primarily due to an
improved cash and cash equivalent balance which increased from
€2.3 billion at the beginning of the year to €3.4 billion at 31 December
2016 including the impact of favourable exchange rates. Trade and
other current receivables also increased by €0.3 billion due to
increased sales in some of our key markets, extended credit terms
following challenging market conditions, and currency impact.
Current liabilities were €20.6 billion. The €0.6 billion increase
compared to 2015 is primarily from the recognition of the portion of
long-term financial liabilities that fall due within 2017.
Non-current liabilities were €18.9 billion compared with €16.2 billion
at the end of 2015. The increase of €2.7 billion reflects additional
borrowings to finance acquisitions. On 25 April 2016 we issued
€700 million 1.125% fixed rate notes due on 29 April 2028, €500 million
0.5% fixed rate notes due on 29 April 2024 and €300 million 0.00% fixed
rate notes due 29 April 2020. On 27 July 2016 we issued US$700 million
2% fixed rate notes due on 28 July 2026 and US$550 million 1.375%
fixed rate notes due on 28 July 2021.
The table below shows the movement in net pension liability during
the year. The increase from €2.3 billion at the beginning of the year to
€3.2 billion at the end of 2016 was primarily due to higher liabilities
driven by lower discount rates. The increase was partly offset by
investment returns and cash contributions. Cash expenditure on
pensions was €0.7 billion, the same as in the prior year.
Certain measures used in our reporting are not defined under IFRS. For further
information about these measures, please refer to the commentary on non-GAAP
measures on pages 26 to 28.
1 January
Net outflow from investing activities was €3.2 billion (2015:
€3.5 billion) primarily being spend on business acquisitions and
capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment.
Net outflow from financing activities was in line with prior year at
€3.1 billion.
BALANCE SHEET
At 31 December 2016, Unilever’s combined market capitalisation was
€110.2 billion compared with €113.4 billion at the end of 2015.
Goodwill and intangible assets increased by €2.4 billion mainly driven
by the acquisitions of Dollar Shave Club, Seventh Generation and
Blueair. All material goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets have
been tested for impairment with no charge recognised during the year.
Other non-current assets increased by €0.5 billion primarily due to
increases in deferred tax assets and a higher property, plant and
equipment partly offset by a decrease in pension assets.
Goodwill and intangible assets
Other non-current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ equity
Non-controlling interest
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
27,433
15,112
13,884
56,429
20,556
18,893
39,449
16,354
626
16,980
56,429
25,059
14,553
12,686
52,298
20,019
16,197
36,216
15,439
643
16,082
52,298
€ million
2016
(2,320)
(226)
16
1,877
(94)
(3,098)
512
135
25
(3,173)
Current service cost
Employee contributions
Actual return on plan assets (excluding interest)
Net interest cost
Actuarial loss
Employer contributions
Currency retranslation
Other movements(a)
31 December
(a) Other movements relate to special termination benefits, past service costs
including losses/(gains) on curtailment, settlements and reclassification of
benefits. For more detail see note 4B on pages 94 to 99.
FINANCE AND LIQUIDITY
Approximately €1.5 billion (or 43%) of the Group’s cash and cash
equivalents are held in the parent and central finance companies,
for maximum flexibility. These companies provide loans to our
subsidiaries that are also funded through retained earnings and third
party borrowings. We maintain access to global debt markets through
an infrastructure of short and long-term debt programmes. We make
use of plain vanilla derivatives, such as interest rate swaps and foreign
exchange contracts, to help mitigate risks. More detail is provided in
notes 16, 16A, 16B and 16C on pages 115 to 120.
The remaining €1.9 billion (57%) of the Group’s cash and cash
equivalents are held in foreign subsidiaries which repatriate
distributable reserves on a regular basis. For most countries, this is
done through dividends which are in some cases subject to withholding
or distribution tax. This balance includes €240 million (2015: €284
million, 2014: €452 million) of cash that is held in a few countries
where we face cross-border foreign exchange controls and/or other
legal restrictions that inhibit our ability to make these balances
available for general use by the wider business. The cash will generally
be invested or held in the relevant country and, given the other capital
resources available to the Group, does not significantly affect the
ability of the Group to meet its cash obligations.
We closely monitor all our exposures and counter-party limits.
Unilever has committed credit facilities in place for general corporate
purposes. The undrawn bilateral committed credit facilities in place
on 31 December 2016 were US$6,550 million.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Strategic Report 25
FINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AT 31 DECEMBER 2016
€ million € million € million € million € million
Due in
Due in
over
1-3
5 years
years
Due in
3-5
years
Due
within
1 year
Total
Long-term debt
16,408
5,278
2,719
3,147
Interest on financial liabilities
Operating lease obligations
Purchase obligations(a)
Finance leases
Other long-term
commitments
Total
2,793
2,841
414
220
335
457
346
24
540
782
68
36
377
611
-
33
5,264
1,541
991
-
127
2,051
858
847
316
30
24,727
7,298
4,992
4,484
7,953
(a) For raw and packaging materials and finished goods.
Further details are set out in the following notes to the consolidated
financial statements: note 10 on pages 106 and 107, note 15C on page
114, and note 20 on pages 125 and 126. Unilever is satisfied that its
financing arrangements are adequate to meet its working capital
needs for the foreseeable future. In relation to the facilities available
to the Group, borrowing requirements do not fluctuate materially
during the year and are not seasonal.
AUDIT FEES
Included within operating profit is €15 million (2015: €15 million) paid
to the external auditor, of which €14 million (2015: €14 million)
related to statutory audit services.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
Certain discussions and analyses set out in this Annual Report and
Accounts (and the Additional Information for US Listing Purposes)
include measures which are not defined by generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) such as IFRS. We believe this
information, along with comparable GAAP measurements, is useful
to investors because it provides a basis for measuring our operating
performance, and our ability to retire debt and invest in new business
opportunities. Our management uses these financial measures,
along with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures,
in evaluating our operating performance and value creation.
Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation
from, or as a substitute for, financial information presented in
compliance with GAAP. Wherever appropriate and practical, we
provide reconciliations to relevant GAAP measures.
Unilever uses ‘constant rate’, ‘underlying’ and ‘core’ measures primarily
for internal performance analysis and targeting purposes. We present
certain items, percentages and movements, using constant exchange
rates, which exclude the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates. We calculate constant currency values by translating
both the current and the prior period local currency amounts into euro
using the prior period average exchange rates.
The table below shows exchange rate movements in our key markets.
US dollar (€1 = US$)
Indian rupee (€1 = INR)
Brazilian real (€1 = BRL)
UK pound sterling (€1 = GBP)
Indonesia rupiah (€1 = IDR)
Chinese yuan (€1 = CNY)
Argentine peso (€ 1 = ARS)
Annual
average rate
in 2016
Annual
average rate
in 2015
1.111
74.588
3.889
0.815
14770
7.355
16.292
1.111
71.047
3.607
0.725
14820
6.967
10.087
In the following sections we set out our definitions of the following non-
GAAP measures and provide reconciliations to relevant GAAP measures:
underlying sales growth;
underlying volume growth;
underlying price growth;
core operating profit and core operating margin;
core earnings per share;
core effective tax rate;
constant core earnings per share;
net debt; and
return on invested capital.
free cash flow;
UNDERLYING SALES GROWTH
Underlying sales growth (USG) refers to the increase in turnover
for the period, excluding any change in turnover resulting from
acquisitions, disposals and changes in currency. The impact of
acquisitions and disposals is excluded from USG for a period of
12 calendar months from the applicable closing date. Turnover
from acquired brands that are launched in countries where they
were not previously sold is included in USG, as such turnover is more
attributable to our existing sales and distribution network than the
acquisition itself. We believe this measure provides valuable additional
information on the underlying sales performance of the business and
is a key measure used internally.
The reconciliation of USG to changes in the GAAP measure turnover is
as follows:
TOTAL GROUP
Turnover growth (%)(a)
Effect of acquisitions (%)
Effect of disposals (%)
Effect of exchange rates (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
PERSONAL CARE
Turnover growth (%)(a)
Effect of acquisitions (%)
Effect of disposals (%)
Effect of exchange rates (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
FOODS
Turnover growth (%)(a)
Effect of acquisitions (%)
Effect of disposals (%)
Effect of exchange rates (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
2016
vs 2015
2015
vs 2014
(1.0)
0.8
(0.2)
(5.1)
3.7
10.0
0.7
(0.8)
5.9
4.1
2016
vs 2015
2015
vs 2014
0.5
1.7
(0.3)
(4.9)
4.2
13.2
1.0
–
7.6
4.1
2016
vs 2015
2015
vs 2014
(3.1)
–
(0.3)
(4.7)
2.1
4.5
–
(2.5)
5.6
1.5
26 Strategic Report
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
HOME CARE
Turnover growth (%)(a)
Effect of acquisitions (%)
Effect of disposals (%)
Effect of exchange rates (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
REFRESHMENT
Turnover growth (%)(a)
Effect of acquisitions (%)
Effect of disposals (%)
Effect of exchange rates (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
2016
vs 2015
2015
vs 2014
(1.5)
0.6
(0.2)
(6.5)
4.9
10.9
0.2
(0.1)
4.5
5.9
2016
vs 2015
2015
vs 2014
(1.1)
0.2
(0.1)
(4.6)
3.5
10.3
1.3
(0.7)
4.1
5.4
(a) Turnover growth is made up of distinct individual growth components, namely
underlying sales, currency impact, acquisitions and disposals. Turnover
growth is arrived at by multiplying these individual components on a
compounded basis as there is a currency impact on each of the other
components. Accordingly, turnover growth is more than just the sum of
the individual components.
UNDERLYING VOLUME GROWTH
Underlying volume growth (UVG) is part of USG and means, for the
applicable period, the increase in turnover in such period calculated
as the sum of (i) the increase in turnover attributable to the volume of
products sold; and (ii) the increase in turnover attributable to the
composition of products sold during such period. UVG therefore
excludes any impact on USG due to changes in prices.
UNDERLYING PRICE GROWTH
Underlying price growth (UPG) is part of USG and means, for the
applicable period, the increase in turnover attributable to changes in
prices during the period. UPG therefore excludes the impact to USG
due to (i) the volume of products sold; and (ii) the composition of
products sold during the period.
The relationship between USG, UVG and UPG is set out below:
2016
vs 2015
2015
vs 2014
CORE EARNINGS PER SHARE
Core earnings per share (core EPS) is calculated as core profit
attributable to shareholders’ equity divided by the diluted combined
average number of share units. In calculating core earnings, net profit
attributable to shareholders’ equity is adjusted to eliminate the post-
tax impact of non-core items. This measure reflects the underlying
earnings for each share unit of the Group. Refer to note 7 on page 103
for reconciliation of core earnings to net profit attributable to
shareholders’ equity.
CORE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE
The core effective tax rate is calculated by dividing taxation excluding
the tax impact of non-core items by profit before tax excluding non-
core items and share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and
associates. This measure reflects the underlying tax rate in relation to
profit before tax, non-core items, joint ventures and associates.
The reconciliation of taxation to taxation before non-core items is
as follows:
Taxation
Tax impact of non-core items
Taxation before non-core items
Profit before taxation
Non-core items before tax
Share of net profit/loss of joint ventures and associates
Profit before tax, joint ventures, associates and
non-core items
Core effective tax rate
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
1,922
60
1,982
7,469
245
(127)
1,961
49
2,010
7,220
350
(107)
7,587
7,463
26.1%
26.9%
CONSTANT CORE EARNINGS PER SHARE
Constant core earnings per share (constant core EPS) is calculated as
core profit attributable to shareholders’ equity at constant exchange
rates and excluding the impact of translational hedges divided by the
diluted combined average number of share units. This measure
reflects the underlying earnings for each share unit of the Group in
constant exchange rates.
Underlying volume growth (%)
Underlying price growth (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
0.9
2.8
3.7
2.1
1.9
4.1
The reconciliation of core profit attributable to shareholders’ equity to
constant core earnings attributable to shareholders’ equity and the
calculation of constant core EPS is as follows:
Refer to page 24 for the relationship between USG, UVG and UPG for
each of the categories.
CORE OPERATING PROFIT AND CORE OPERATING MARGIN
Core operating profit and core operating margin mean operating profit
and operating margin, respectively, before the impact of business
disposals, acquisition and disposal-related costs, impairments and other
one-off items, which we collectively term non-core items, due to their
nature and/or frequency of occurrence. Core operating profit represents
our measure of segment profit or loss as it is the primary measure
used for the purpose of making decisions about allocating resources
and assessing performance of segments.
The reconciliation of operating profit to core operating profit is as follows:
Operating profit
Acquisition and disposal related costs
(Gain)/loss on disposal of group companies
Impairments and other one-off items
Core operating profit
Turnover
Operating margin
Core operating margin
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
7,801
132
95
18
8,046
7,515
105
9
236
7,865
52,713
53,272
14.8%
15.3%
14.1%
14.8%
Further details of non-core items can be found in note 3 on pages 92 to
93 of the consolidated financial statements.
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
Core profit attributable to shareholders’ equity (see note 7)
5,370
5,210
Impact of translation of earnings between constant and
current exchange rates and translational hedges
169
(125)
Constant core earnings attributable to
shareholders’ equity
Diluted combined average number of share units
(millions of units)
Constant core EPS (€)
5,539
5,085
2,853.9
2,855.4
1.94
1.78
In calculating the movement in constant core EPS, the constant core
EPS for 2016 is compared to the core EPS for 2015 as adjusted for the
impact of translational hedges, which was €1.82.
FREE CASH FLOW
Within the Unilever Group, free cash flow (FCF) is defined as cash flow
from operating activities, less income taxes paid, net capital
expenditures and net interest payments and preference dividends
paid. It does not represent residual cash flows entirely available for
discretionary purposes; for example, the repayment of principal
amounts borrowed is not deducted from FCF. FCF reflects an
additional way of viewing our liquidity that we believe is useful to
investors because it represents cash flows that could be used for
distribution of dividends, repayment of debt or to fund our strategic
initiatives, including acquisitions, if any.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Strategic Report 27
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL
Return on invested capital (ROIC) is a measure of the return generated
on capital invested by the Group. The measure provides a guide rail for
long-term value creation and encourages compounding reinvestment
within the business and discipline around acquisitions with low returns
and long payback. ROIC is calculated as core operating profit after tax
divided by the annual average of: goodwill, intangible assets, property,
plant and equipment, net non-current assets held for sale, inventories,
trade and other current receivables, and trade payables and other
current liabilities.
Core operating profit before tax
Tax on core operating profit(a)
Core operating profit after tax
Goodwill
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Net non-current assets held for sale
Inventories
Trade and other current receivables
Trade payables and other current liabilities
Period-end invested capital
Average invested capital for the period
Return on average invested capital
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
8,046
(2,102)
5,944
17,624
9,809
11,673
205
4,278
5,102
7,865
(2,118)
5,747
16,213
8,846
11,058
173
4,335
4,804
(13,871)
(13,788)
34,820
33,231
31,641
30,462
17.9%
18.9%
(a) Tax on core operating profit is calculated as core operating profit before tax
multiplied by core effective tax rate of 26.1% (2015: 26.9%) which is shown on
page 27.
FINANCIAL REVIEW CONTINUED
The reconciliation of net profit to FCF is as follows:
Net profit
Taxation
Share of net profit of joint ventures/associates and other
income from non-current investments
Net finance costs
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
Changes in working capital
Pensions and similar obligations less payments
Provisions less payments
Elimination of (profits)/losses on disposals
Non-cash charge for share-based compensation
Other adjustments
Cash flow from operating activities
Income tax paid
Net capital expenditure
Net interest and preference dividends paid
Free cash flow
Net cash flow (used in)/from investing activities
Net cash flow (used in)/from financing activities
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
5,547
1,922
(231)
563
1,464
51
(327)
65
127
198
(81)
9,298
(2,251)
(1,878)
(367)
4,802
(3,188)
(3,073)
5,259
1,961
(198)
493
1,370
720
(385)
(94)
26
150
49
9,351
(2,021)
(2,074)
(460)
4,796
(3,539)
(3,032)
NET DEBT
Net debt is defined as the excess of total financial liabilities, excluding
trade payables and other current liabilities, over cash, cash equivalents
and other current financial assets, excluding trade and other current
receivables. It is a measure that provides valuable additional
information on the summary presentation of the Group’s net financial
liabilities and is a measure in common use elsewhere.
The reconciliation of total financial liabilities to net debt is as follows:
Total financial liabilities
Current financial liabilities
Non-current financial liabilities
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
(16,595)
(5,450)
(11,145)
(14,643)
(4,789)
(9,854)
Cash and cash equivalents as per balance sheet
Cash and cash equivalents as per cash flow statement
Add bank overdrafts deducted therein
cash flow statement
3,382
3,198
184
2,302
2,128
174
Other current financial assets
Net debt
599
836
(12,614)
(11,505)
28 Strategic Report
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
GOVERNANCE
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE OF UNILEVER
ABOUT UNILEVER
Unilever N.V. (NV) and Unilever PLC (PLC), together with their group
companies have, since the Unilever Group was formed in 1930,
operated as nearly as practicable as a single economic entity. This is
achieved by special provisions in the Articles of Association of NV and
PLC, together with a series of agreements between NV and PLC which
are together known as the Foundation Agreements (described below).
These agreements enable Unilever to achieve unity of management,
operations, shareholders’ rights, purpose and mission and can be
found on our website.
The Equalisation Agreement makes the economic position of the
shareholders of NV and PLC, as far as possible, the same as if they
held shares in a single company and also regulates the mutual rights
of the shareholders of NV* and PLC. Under this agreement, NV and
PLC must adopt the same financial periods and accounting policies.
The Deed of Mutual Covenants provides that NV and PLC and their
respective subsidiary companies shall co-operate in every way for
the purpose of maintaining a common operating policy. They shall
exchange all relevant information about their respective businesses
– the intention being to create and maintain a common operating
platform for the Group throughout the world. The Deed also contains
provisions for the allocation of assets within the Unilever Group.
Under the Agreement for Mutual Guarantees of Borrowing between
NV and PLC, each company will, if asked by the other, guarantee the
borrowings of the other and the other’s subsidiaries. These
arrangements are used, as a matter of financial policy, for certain
significant borrowings. They enable lenders to rely on our combined
financial strength.
Each NV ordinary share represents the same underlying economic
interest in the Unilever Group as each PLC ordinary share. However,
NV and PLC remain separate legal entities with different shareholder
constituencies and separate stock exchange listings. Shareholders
cannot convert or exchange the shares of one for the shares of the
other. More information on the exercise of voting rights can be found in
NV’s and PLC’s Articles of Association and in the Notices of Meetings
for our NV and PLC AGMs, all of which can be found on our website.
* Throughout this report, when referring to NV shares or shareholders, the term
‘shares’ or ‘shareholder’ also encompasses a depositary receipt or a holder of
depositary receipts.
www.unilever.com/legalstructure
BOARDS
The Boards of NV and PLC have ultimate responsibility for the
management, general affairs, direction, performance and long-term
success of our business as a whole. The Boards are one-tier boards,
the same people are on both Boards and the responsibility of the
Directors is collective, taking into account their respective roles as
Executive Directors and Non-Executive Directors. The majority of the
Directors are Non-Executive Directors who essentially have a
supervisory role. Until 21 April 2016 Unilever had one Executive
Director, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who chairs the Unilever
Leadership Executive (ULE). Our previous Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
resigned with effect from 1 October 2015 and his successor, Graeme
Pitkethly, became a member of the ULE and the CFO on 1 October 2015.
Graeme became an Executive Director on 21 April 2016 upon his
appointment at the 2016 AGMs. As from that date Unilever continued to
have two Executive Directors.
A list of our current Directors, their roles on the Boards, their dates of
appointment and their other major appointments is set out on page 3.
The Boards have delegated the operational running of the Group to
the CEO with the exception of the following matters which are reserved
for the Boards: structural and constitutional matters, corporate
governance, approval of dividends, approval of overall strategy for
the Group, approval of significant transactions or arrangements in
relation to mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and disposals,
capital expenditure, contracts, litigation, financing and pensions.
The CEO is responsible to the Boards and is able to delegate any of
his powers and discretions, which he does, to members of the ULE.
Members of the ULE report to the CEO. The biographies of ULE
members are on page 5.
BOARD COMMITTEES
The Boards have established four Board Committees: the Audit
Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Corporate Responsibility
Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
The terms of reference of these Committees can be found on our
website and the reports of each Committee, including attendance at
meetings in 2016, can be found on pages 42 to 77.
www.unilever.com/committees
THE GOVERNANCE OF UNILEVER
Further details of the roles and responsibilities of the Chairman,
Vice-Chairman, CEO and other corporate officers and how our
Boards effectively operate as one board, govern themselves and
delegate their authorities are set out in the document entitled
‘The Governance of Unilever’, which can be found on our website.
The Governance of Unilever also describes the Foundation
Agreements, Directors’ appointment, tenure, induction and training,
Directors’ ability to seek independent advice at Unilever’s expense
and details about Board and Management Committees (including the
Disclosure Committee).
www.unilever.com/corporategovernance
BOARD EFFECTIVENESS
BOARD MEETINGS
A minimum of six face-to-face meetings are planned throughout the
calendar year to consider, for example, the half-year and full-year
results announcements of the Group and the strategy of the Group.
Other ad hoc Board meetings are convened to discuss strategic,
transactional and governance matters that arise. Meetings of the
Boards may be held either in London or in Rotterdam or such other
locations as the Boards think fit, with one or two off-site Board
meetings a year. The Chairman sets the Boards’ agenda, ensures the
Directors receive accurate, timely and clear information, and promotes
effective relationships and open communication between the Executive
and Non-Executive Directors.
In 2016 the Boards met physically in January, February, April, July,
September and November and considered important corporate events
and actions, such as:
developing and approval of the overall strategy;
oversight of the performance of the business;
review of risks and internal risk management and control systems;
authorisation of major transactions;
declaration of dividends;
convening of shareholders’ meetings;
nominations for Board appointments, including the new Chairman;
review of the functioning of the Boards and their Committees; and
review of corporate responsibility and sustainability, in particular
the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 29
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED
ATTENDANCE
The table showing the attendance of current Directors at Board
meetings in 2016 can be found on page 3. If Directors are unable to
attend a Board meeting they have the opportunity beforehand to
discuss any agenda items with the Chairman. Both Michael Treschow
and Hixonia Nyasulu attended the three Board meetings they were
eligible to attend, before retiring from the Boards on 21 April 2016.
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MEETINGS
The Non-Executive Directors meet as a group, without the Executive
Directors present, to consider specific agenda items set by them,
usually four or five times a year. In 2016 they met six times. The
Chairman, or in his absence the Vice-Chairman/Senior Independent
Director, chairs such meetings.
BOARD EVALUATION
Each year the Boards formally assess their own performance with the
aim of helping to improve the effectiveness of both the Boards and the
Committees and at least once every three years an independent third
party facilitates the evaluation. The last external evaluation was
performed in 2014. The evaluation consists of individual interviews with
the Directors by the Chairman and, when relevant, by the external
evaluator. These interviews are complemented by the completion by all
Directors of three confidential online evaluation questionnaires on our
Boards, CEO and Chairman. However, this year only two questionnaires
were completed, on the CEO and the Boards, the latter questionnaire
inviting comments on a number of key areas including strategy, board
composition, effectiveness, training and knowledge. Given the Chairman
was only appointed in April 2016, the Senior Independent Director/Vice-
Chairman led a collective discussion with the Non-Executive Directors
on the Chairman’s performance and the results of the Chairman’s
effectiveness review were then discussed between the Chairman and the
Vice-Chairman. Committees of the Boards evaluate themselves
annually under supervision of their respective Chairmen taking into
account the views of respective Committee members and the Boards.
The key actions agreed by each Committee in the 2016 evaluations can
be found in each Committee Report.
APPOINTMENT
In seeking to ensure that NV and PLC have the same Directors, the
Articles of Association of NV and PLC contain provisions which are
designed to ensure that both NV and PLC shareholders are presented
with the same candidates for election as Directors. Anyone being elected
as a Director of NV must also be elected as a Director of PLC and vice
versa. Therefore, if an individual fails to be elected to both companies he
or she will be unable to take his or her place on either Board.
The report of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
(NCGC) on pages 46 to 47 describes the work of the NCGC in Board
appointments and recommendations for re-election. In addition,
shareholders are able to nominate Directors. The procedure for
shareholders to nominate Directors is contained within the document
entitled ‘Appointment procedure for NV and PLC Directors’ which is
available on our website. To do so they must put a resolution to both
the NV and PLC AGMs in line with local requirements. Directors are
appointed by shareholders by a simple majority vote at each AGM.
www.unilever.com/boardsofunilever
DIRECTOR INDUCTION AND TRAINING
All new Directors participate in a comprehensive induction programme
when they join the Boards. The Chairman ensures that ongoing
training is provided for Directors by way of site visits, presentations
and circulated updates at (and between) Board and Board Committee
meetings on, among other things, Unilever’s business, environmental,
social, corporate governance, regulatory developments and investor
relations matters. Details of the training provided to the Directors in
2016 can be found in the Chairman’s Statement on page 2.
INDEPENDENCE AND CONFLICTS
As the Non-Executive Directors make up the Committees of the Boards,
it is important that they can be considered to be independent. Each year
the Boards conduct a thorough review of the Non-Executive Directors’,
and their related or connected persons’, relevant relationships
referencing the criteria set out in ‘The Governance of Unilever’ which is
derived from the relevant best practice guidelines in the Netherlands,
UK and US. The Boards currently consider all our Non-Executive
Directors to be independent of Unilever.
We attach special importance to avoiding conflicts of interest between
NV and PLC and their respective Directors. The Boards ensure that
there are effective procedures in place to avoid conflicts of interest by
Board members. If appropriate, authorisation of situational conflicts is
given by the Boards to the relevant Director. The authorisation includes
conditions relating to keeping Unilever information confidential and to
the Director’s exclusion from receiving and discussing relevant
information at Board meetings. Situational conflicts are reviewed
annually by the Boards as part of the determination of Director
independence. In between those reviews Directors have a duty to inform
the Boards of any relevant changes to their situation. A Director may
not vote on, or be counted in a quorum in relation to, any resolution of
the Boards in respect of any situation in which he or she has a conflict
of interest. The procedures that Unilever has put in place to deal with
conflicts of interest operate effectively.
Unilever recognises the benefit to the individual and the Group of
senior executives acting as directors of other companies but, to ensure
outside directorships of our Executive Directors do not involve an
excessive commitment or conflict of interest, the number of outside
directorships of listed companies is generally limited to one per
Executive Director and approval is required from the Chairman.
INDEMNIFICATION
The terms of NV Directors’ indemnification are provided for in NV’s
Articles of Association. The power to indemnify PLC Directors is
provided for in PLC’s Articles of Association and deeds of indemnity
have been agreed with all PLC Directors. Third party directors’ and
officers’ liability insurance was in place for all Unilever Directors
throughout 2016 and is currently in force.
In addition, PLC provides indemnities (including, where applicable, a
qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision) to the Directors of
three subsidiaries each of which acts as trustee of a Unilever UK
pension fund. Appropriate trustee liability insurance is also in place.
OUR SHARES
NV SHARES
SHARE CAPITAL
NV’s issued share capital on 31 December 2016 was made up of:
€274,356,432 split into 1,714,727,700 ordinary shares of
€0.16 each;
€1,028,568 split into 2,400 special ordinary shares numbered
1 – 2,400 known as special ordinary shares; and
€81,454,014 split into two classes (6% and 7%) of cumulative
preference shares*.
* These shares are included within liabilities (note 15C).
LISTINGS
NV has listings of ordinary shares, 6% and 7% cumulative preference
shares and depositary receipts for such ordinary shares and 7%
cumulative preference shares on Euronext Amsterdam and a listing
of New York Registry Shares* on the New York Stock Exchange.
* One New York Registry Share represents one NV ordinary share with a nominal
value of €0.16.
30 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
VOTING RIGHTS
NV shareholders can cast one vote for each €0.16 nominal capital they
hold and can vote in person or by proxy. The voting rights attached to
NV’s outstanding shares are split as follows:
Total number of votes
% of issued capital
1,714,727,700 ordinary shares
1,714,727,700(a)
2,400 special shares
161,060 6% cumulative
preference shares
29,000 7% cumulative
preference shares
6,428,550
431,409,276(b)
77,678,313(c)
76.89
0.29
19.34
3.48
As at 31 December 2016:
(a) 141,560,629 shares were held in treasury and 10,392,782 shares were held to
satisfy obligations under share-based incentive schemes.
(b)37,679 6% cumulative preference shares were held in treasury.
(c) 7,562 7% cumulative preference shares were held in treasury.
The special shares and the shares under (a), (b) and (c) are not voted on.
SHARE ISSUES AND BUY BACKS
NV may issue shares not yet issued and grant rights to subscribe for
shares only pursuant to a resolution of the General Meeting or of
another corporate body designated for such purpose by a resolution of
the General Meeting. At the NV AGM held on 21 April 2016 the Board of
NV was designated as the corporate body authorised to resolve on the
issue of, or on the granting of rights to subscribe for, shares not yet
issued and to restrict or exclude the statutory pre-emption rights that
accrue to shareholders upon issue of shares, on the understanding
that this authority is limited to 10% of the issued share capital of NV,
plus an additional 10% of the issued share capital of NV in connection
with or on the occasion of mergers, acquisitions or strategic alliances.
At the 2016 NV AGM the Board of NV was also authorised to cause
NV to buy back its own shares or depositary receipts thereof, with a
maximum of 10% of issued share capital, either through purchase on
a stock exchange or otherwise, at a price, excluding expenses, not
lower than €0.01 (one euro cent) and not higher than 10% above the
average of the closing price of the shares on the trading venue
where the purchase is carried out for the five business days before
the day on which the purchase is made.
These authorities expire on the earlier of the conclusion of the 2017
NV AGM or the close of business on 30 June 2017 (the last date by
which NV must hold an AGM in 2017). Such authorities are renewed
annually and authority will be sought at NV’s 2017 AGM.
During 2016 Unilever group companies purchased 2,930,000 NV
ordinary shares, representing 0.17% of the issued ordinary share
capital, for €118,119,958 and 972,584 NV New York Registry Shares,
representing 0.06% of the issued ordinary share capital, for
€38,947,918. These purchases were made to facilitate grants made
in connection with Unilever’s employee compensation programmes.
No NV 6% cumulative preference shares nor NV 7% cumulative
preference shares were purchased by Unilever group companies
during 2016. Further information on these purchases can be found in
note 4C to the consolidated accounts on pages 99 to 100.
NV SPECIAL ORDINARY SHARES
To ensure unity of management, the provisions within the NV Articles of
Association containing the rules for appointing NV Directors cannot be
changed without the permission of the holders of the special ordinary
shares numbered 1 – 2,400 inclusive. These NV special ordinary shares
may only be transferred to one or more other holders of such shares.
The joint holders of these shares are N.V. Elma and United Holdings
Limited, which are subsidiaries of NV and PLC respectively. The Boards
of N.V. Elma and United Holdings Limited comprise three Directors of
the Unilever Boards.
TRUST OFFICE
The Foundation Unilever N.V. Trust Office (Stichting Administratiekantoor
Unilever N.V.) is a trust office with a board independent of Unilever. As
part of its corporate objects, the Trust Office issues depositary receipts in
exchange for the NV ordinary shares and NV 7% cumulative preference
shares. These depositary receipts are listed on Euronext Amsterdam, as
are the NV ordinary and 7% cumulative preference shares themselves.
Holders of depositary receipts can under all circumstances exchange
their depositary receipts for the underlying shares (and vice versa) and
are entitled to dividends and all economic benefits on the underlying
shares held by the Trust Office. There are no limitations on the holders’
voting rights, they can attend all General Meetings of NV, either
personally or by proxy, and have the right to speak. The Trust Office only
votes shares that are not represented at a General Meeting. The Trust
Office votes in such a way as it deems to be in the long-term interests of
the holders of the depositary receipts. This voting policy is laid down in
the Conditions of Administration that apply to the depositary receipts.
The Trust Office’s shareholding fluctuates daily. Its holdings on
31 December 2016 were 1,366,248,487 NV ordinary shares (79.68%)
and 9,817 NV 7% cumulative preference shares (33.85%). At the 2016
NV AGM, the Trust Office represented 28.86% of all votes present at
the meeting.
The members of the board at the Trust Office are Mr J H Schraven
(chairman), Mr P Frentrop, Mr A Nühn and Ms C M S Smits-Nusteling.
The Trust Office reports periodically on its activities. Further information
on the Trust Office, including its Articles of Association, Conditions of
Administration and Voting Policy, can be found on its website.
Unilever considers the arrangements of the Trust Office to be
appropriate and in the interests of NV and its shareholders given the
size of the voting rights attached to the financing preference shares
and the relatively low attendance of holders of ordinary shares at the
General Meetings of NV.
www.administratiekantoor-unilever.nl
PLC SHARES
SHARE CAPITAL
PLC’s issued share capital on 31 December 2016 was made up of:
£40,760,420 split into 1,310,156,361 ordinary shares of 31/9p each; and
£100,000 of deferred stock of £1 each.
LISTINGS
PLC has shares listed on the London Stock Exchange and, as American
Depositary Receipts*, on the New York Stock Exchange.
* One American Depository Receipt represents one PLC ordinary share with a
nominal value of 31/9p.
VOTING RIGHTS
PLC shareholders can cast one vote for each 31/9p nominal capital they
hold, and can vote in person or by proxy. This means that shareholders
can cast one vote for each PLC ordinary share or PLC American
Depositary Receipt of Shares. Therefore, the total number of voting
rights attached to PLC’s outstanding shares is as follows:
Total number of votes
% of issued capital
1,310,156,361 ordinary shares
1,310,156,361(a)
£100,000 deferred stock
3,214,285
99.76
0.24
As at 31 December 2016:
(a) Of which 26,696,994 shares were held by PLC in treasury and 6,544,015 shares
were held by NV group companies. These shares are not voted on.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 31
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED
SHARE ISSUES AND BUY BACKS
The PLC Board may, subject to the UK Companies Act 2006 and the
passing of the appropriate resolutions at a General Meeting, issue shares
within the limits prescribed within the resolutions. At the PLC 2016 AGM
held on 20 April 2016 the PLC Directors were authorised to issue new
shares, up to a maximum of £13,300,000 nominal value (which at the time
represented approximately 33% of PLC’s issued ordinary share capital)
and to disapply pre-emption rights up to approximately 5% of PLC’s
issued ordinary share capital and an additional 5% authority only in
connection with an acquisition or specified capital investment.
In addition, at PLC’s 2016 AGM the PLC Board was authorised to
make market purchases of its ordinary shares, up to a maximum of
128,345,000 shares representing just under 10% of PLC’s issued
ordinary share capital and within the limits prescribed in the
resolution until the earlier of the conclusion of PLC’s 2017 AGM and
30 June 2017. These authorities are renewed annually and authority
will be sought at PLC’s 2017 AGM.
During 2016 Unilever group companies purchased 2,268,600 PLC
ordinary shares, representing 0.17% of the issued share capital, for
€91,805,226. These purchases were made to facilitate grants made in
connection with its employee compensation programmes. Further
information on these purchases can be found in note 4C to the
consolidated accounts on pages 99 to 100.
PLC DEFERRED STOCK
The joint holders of the PLC deferred stock are N.V. Elma and United
Holdings Limited, which are subsidiaries of NV and PLC respectively.
The Boards of N.V. Elma and United Holdings Limited comprise
three Directors of the Unilever Boards. The provisions within the PLC
Articles of Association containing the rules for appointing PLC
Directors cannot be changed without the permission of the holders
of PLC’s deferred stock.
OUR SHAREHOLDERS
SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDERS OF NV
As far as Unilever is aware, the only holders of more than 3% of, or 3%
of voting rights attributable to, NV’s share capital on 31 December 2016
(apart from the Foundation Unilever N.V. Trust Office, see page 31, and
shares held in treasury by NV, see page 31) are NN Group N.V. (NN),
ASR Nederland N.V. (ASR) and BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock) as indicated
in the table below.
SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDERS OF PLC
As far as Unilever is aware, the only holders of more than 3% of, or
3% of voting rights attributable to, PLC’s ordinary share capital on
31 December 2016 (apart from shares held in treasury by PLC, see
page 31), are BlackRock and the Leverhulme Trust as indicated in
the table below.
Class of shares
Total number of
shares held
% of relevant
class
Shareholder
BlackRock
ordinary shares
82,085,616
The Leverhulme Trust ordinary shares
68,531,182
6.4
5.3
No disclosable changes in interests in the share capital of PLC have
been notified to PLC between 1 January 2017 and 21 February 2017
(the latest practicable date for inclusion in this report). Between
1 January 2014 and 21 February 2017, (i) BlackRock, and (ii) together
the trustees of the Leverhulme Trust and the Leverhulme Trade
Charities Trust, have held more than 3% of, or 3% of voting rights
attributable to, PLC’s ordinary shares.
During 2014, the trustees of the Leverhulme Trust and the trustees
of the Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust (comprising the same
individuals (together the ‘Trustees’)) together held 70,566,764
ordinary shares amounting to 5.5% of the voting rights of PLC.
On 31 December 2014 the Leverhulme Trust and the Leverhulme
Trade Charities Trust became charitable incorporated organisations.
As a consequence of these changes, the balance of shares held by
the Trustees has reduced to zero and only the Leverhulme Trust has
a disclosable interest as shown in the table above.
SHAREHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Unilever values open, constructive and effective communication with
our shareholders. Our shareholders can raise issues directly with
the Chairman and, if appropriate, the Vice-Chairman and Senior
Independent Director. The CFO has lead responsibility for investor
relations, with the active involvement of the CEO. They are supported
by our Investor Relations department which organises presentations
for analysts and investors. These and other materials (e.g. an
Introduction to Unilever and AGM materials) are generally made
available on our website.
Principal shareholders: the Executive Directors’ investor relations
programme continued in 2016 with meetings in eleven major cities in
Europe, North America and Asia. In all, they met more than 100 investors
during these roadshows. In addition, our new Chairman, Marijn Dekkers,
was introduced to principal shareholders in September.
Shareholder
Class of shares
Total number of
shares held
% of relevant
class
Quarterly announcements: briefings on quarterly results are given via
teleconference and are accessible by telephone or via our website.
NN
ordinary shares
5,432,423
7% cumulative
preference shares
6% cumulative
preference shares
20,665
74,088
ASR
ordinary shares
2,348,205
6% cumulative
preference shares
46,000
BlackRock
ordinary shares
66,947,018
0.32
71.26
46.0
0.14
28.56
3.90
As far as Unilever is aware, no disclosable changes in interests in the
share capital of NV have been notified to the AFM between 1 January
2017 and 21 February 2017 (the latest practicable date for inclusion in
this report). Between 1 January 2014 and 21 February 2017, ING Group
N.V. (ING), BlackRock and ASR have held more than 3% in the share
capital of NV. During 2015, ING transferred its holdings to NN as part
of the demerger of NN from ING.
Annual investor seminar: this annual event was held in our Research and
Development centre and factory in Port Sunlight in the UK, in November.
It focused on long-term value creation, innovation and agility. The event
was attended by the Chairman, CEO, CFO and other senior management.
The slides shown and an audio recording of the presentations were made
available and can be accessed on our website. This allows those investors
not attending in person to access the information provided at the event.
Investor conferences: the Executive Directors and members of the
Investor Relations team also meet a large number of investors at the
industry conferences they attend. In 2016 the conferences that were
attended by Unilever representatives included broker sponsored
conferences in London, Paris, San Francisco, Boston, New York,
Toronto and Singapore.
32 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Feedback from shareholders: we maintain a frequent dialogue with our
principal shareholders and regularly collect feedback. In 2016 we also
conducted an investor perception study among large institutional
shareholders, as well as a broader investor survey. We use this
feedback to help shape our investor programme and future shareholder
communications. Private shareholders are encouraged to give feedback
via shareholder.services@unilever.com. The Chairman, Executive
Directors and Chairmen of the Committees are also generally available
to answer questions from the shareholders at the AGMs each year.
Board awareness: the Boards are briefed on investor reactions to the
Group’s quarterly results announcements and are briefed on any issues
raised by shareholders that are relevant to their responsibilities.
www.unilever.com/investorrelations
GENERAL MEETINGS
Both NV and PLC hold an AGM each year. At the AGMs the Chairman
gives his thoughts on governance aspects of the preceding year and
the CEO gives a detailed review of the performance of the Group over
the last year. Shareholders are encouraged to attend the relevant
meeting and to ask questions at or in advance of the meeting. Indeed,
the question and answer session forms an important part of each
meeting. The external auditors are welcomed to the AGMs and are
entitled to address the meetings.
The 2016 AGMs were held in Rotterdam and Leatherhead in April and
the topics raised by shareholders included: Acquisition policy,
progress of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, the Baking, Cooking
and Spreads business, tax transparency, the NV cumulative preference
shares, remuneration policy, Brexit, innovation and risk assessment.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS
Shareholders of NV may propose resolutions if they individually or
together hold at least 1% of NV’s issued capital in the form of shares
or depositary receipts issued for NV shares. Shareholders who
together represent at least 10% of the issued capital of NV can, under
certain circumstances, also requisition the District Court to allow
them to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting to deal with
specific resolutions.
Shareholders of PLC may propose resolutions if they individually or
together hold shares representing at least 5% of the total voting
rights of PLC, or 100 shareholders who hold on average £100 each in
nominal value of PLC share capital can require PLC to propose a
resolution at a General Meeting. PLC shareholders holding in
aggregate 5% of the issued PLC ordinary shares are able to convene
a General Meeting of PLC.
REQUIRED MAJORITIES
Resolutions are usually adopted at NV and PLC General Meetings by an
absolute majority of votes cast, unless there are other requirements
under the applicable laws or NV’s or PLC’s Articles of Association. For
example, there are special requirements for resolutions relating to the
alteration of the Articles of Association, the liquidation of NV or PLC and
the alteration of the Equalisation Agreement.
A proposal to alter the Articles of Association of NV can only be made
by the NV Board. A proposal to alter the Articles of Association of PLC
can be made either by the PLC Board or by requisition of shareholders
in accordance with the UK Companies Act 2006. Unless expressly
specified to the contrary in PLC’s Articles of Association, PLC’s
Articles of Association may be amended by a special resolution.
Proposals to alter the provisions in the Articles of Association of NV
and PLC respectively relating to the unity of management require the
prior approval of meetings of the holders of the NV special ordinary
shares and the PLC deferred stock. The Articles of Association of both
NV and PLC can be found on our website.
www.unilever.com/corporategovernance
RIGHT TO HOLD SHARES
Unilever’s constitutional documents place no limitations on the right to
hold NV and PLC shares. There are no limitations on the right to hold
or exercise voting rights on the ordinary shares of NV and PLC
imposed by Dutch or English law.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMPLIANCE
GENERAL
We conduct our operations in accordance with internationally
accepted principles of good governance and best practice, whilst
ensuring compliance with the corporate governance requirements
applicable in the countries in which we operate. Unilever is subject to
corporate governance requirements (legislation, codes and/or
standards) in the Netherlands, the UK and the US and in this section
we report on our compliance against these.
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
Under the European Takeover Directive as implemented in the
Netherlands and the UK, the UK Companies Act 2006 and rules of
the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Unilever is required to
provide information on contracts and other arrangements essential
or material to the business of the Group. Other than the Foundation
Agreements referred to on page 29, we believe we do not have any
such contracts or arrangements.
THE NETHERLANDS
NV complies with almost all of the principles and best practice
provisions of the Dutch Corporate Governance Code (Dutch Code), which
is available on the Commissie Corporate Governance’s website.
www.commissiecorporategovernance.nl
Statements required by the Dutch Code and explanations of the NV
compliance position are set out below.
Non-Financial Performance Indicator: In determining the level and
structure of the remuneration of the Executive Directors, among other
things, the results, the share price performance and non-financial
indicators relevant to the long-term objectives of the Company, with
due regard for the risks to which variable remuneration may expose
the enterprise, shall be taken into account (bpp II.2.3).
Unilever places a great deal of importance on corporate responsibility
and sustainability and is keen to ensure focus on key financial
performance measures which we believe to be the drivers of
shareholder value creation and relative total shareholder return.
Unilever therefore believes that the interests of the business and
shareholders are best served by linking our long-term share plans to
such measures as described above, which are further set out in the
Directors’ Remuneration Report (pages 48 to 77), and has therefore
not included a non-financial performance indicator.
Risk Management and Control: With regard to financial reporting
risks, as advised by the Audit Committee (as described in its report on
pages 42 to 43), the NV Board believes that the risk management and
control systems provide reasonable assurance that the financial
statements do not contain any errors of material importance and the
risk management and control systems have worked properly in 2016
(bpp II.1.5). The statements in this paragraph are not statements in
accordance with the requirements of Section 404 of the US Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 33
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED
Retention Period of Shares: The Dutch Code recommends
that shares granted to the Executive Directors without financial
consideration shall be retained for a period of at least five years
or until at least the end of the employment, if this period is shorter
(bpp II.2.5).
Our current Remuneration Policy requires Executive Directors to
build and retain a personal shareholding in Unilever. In addition,
Executive Directors are required to hold 100% of the shares needed to
maintain their minimum shareholding requirement until 12 months
after they leave Unilever and 50% of these shares for 24 months after
they leave Unilever.
Severance Pay: It is our policy to set the level of severance payments
for Directors at no more than one year’s salary, unless the Boards, on
the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, find this
manifestly unreasonable given circumstances or unless otherwise
dictated by applicable law (bpp II 2.8).
Financing Preference Shares: The voting rights of the 6% and 7%
cumulative preference shares issued by NV are based on their nominal
value, as prescribed by Dutch law. NV agrees with the principle in the
Dutch Code that the voting rights of any newly issued preference shares
should be based on their economic value rather than on their nominal
value (bpp IV.1.2), but cannot unilaterally reduce voting rights of its
outstanding preference shares.
Corporate Governance Statement: NV is required to make a
statement concerning corporate governance as referred to in article
2a of the decree on additional requirements for annual reports
(Vaststellingsbesluit nadere voorschriften inhoud jaarverslag) with
effect from 1 January 2010 (the Decree). The information required to
be included in this corporate governance statement as described in
articles 3, 3a and 3b of the Decree can be found on our website.
www.unilever.com/corporategovernance
THE UNITED KINGDOM
PLC, being a company that is incorporated in the UK and listed on the
London Stock Exchange, is required to state how it has applied the
main principles and how far it has complied with the provisions set out
in the 2014 UK Corporate Governance Code (UK Code), which is
available on the Financial Reporting Council’s (FRC) website. In 2016
PLC complied with all UK Code provisions.
www.frc.org.uk
Risk Management and Control: Our approach to risk management
and systems of internal control is in line with the recommendations in the
FRC’s revised guidance ‘Risk management, internal control and related
financial and business reporting’ (the Risk Guidance). It is Unilever’s
practice to review acquired companies’ governance procedures after
acquisition and to align them to the Group’s governance procedures as
soon as is practicable.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions: In line with the Companies
Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013
our greenhouse gas performance is set out below. We report our CO2
emissions with reference to the latest Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol
Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (GHG Protocol) to
calculate emissions of carbon dioxide from the combustion of fuels
(Scope 1) and from purchased electricity, heat, steam and cooling
(Scope 2, market-based method) for our manufacturing facilities.
Carbon emission factors are used to convert energy used in
manufacturing to emissions of CO2. Carbon emission factors for fuels
are provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Carbon emission factors for grid electricity calculated according to
the ‘market-based method’ are supplier-specific emissions factors
reflecting contractual arrangements with electricity suppliers.
Where supplier-specific emissions factors are not available, carbon
emissions factors reflect the country or sub-region where each
manufacturing site is located and are provided by the International
Energy Agency (IEA). We have selected an intensity ratio based on
production; this aligns with our long-standing reporting of
manufacturing performance.
The GHG data relates to emissions during the 12-month period from
1 October 2015 to 30 September 2016. This period is different from
that for which the remainder of the Directors’ Report is prepared
(which is the calendar year 2016).
EMISSIONS OF CO2 FROM MANUFACTURING,
1 OCTOBER 2015 TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2016
(1 OCTOBER 2014 TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2015)
Scope 1
840,633 tonnes CO2 (852,672 tonnes CO2)
Scope 2
(market-based method)
Total Scope 1 & 2
Intensity ratio
864,936 tonnes CO2 (918,301 tonnes CO2)
1,705,569 tonnes CO2
+ (1,770,973 tonnes CO2
+)
83.52 kg CO2 per tonne of production+
(88.49 kg CO2 per tonne of production+)
+ PwC assured. For further details and the basis of preparation see our website.
Emissions data includes material sources of Scope 1 and 2 emissions that
have been subject to external assurance, i.e. emissions of CO2 from energy
used in manufacturing. Emissions from the combustion of biogenic fuels
(biomass, fuel crops etc) at our manufacturing sites are reported separately
to other Scope 1 and 2 emissions, as recommended by the GHG Protocol,
and excluded from our intensity ratio calculation.
Our GHG data does not include minor emissions sources that are
beyond our boundary of operational control or that are not material.
For example, emissions of CO2 from energy used in our offices and
warehouses are excluded, although we continue to drive improvements
in these areas through our USLP targets. The data also excludes Scope
3 emissions (including consumer use of our products) which we report
as part of our USLP.
www.unilever.com/sustainable-living
Employee Involvement and Communication: Unilever’s UK
companies maintain formal processes to inform, consult and involve
employees and their representatives. A National Consultative Forum
comprising employees and management representatives meets
regularly to provide a forum for discussing issues relating to all
Unilever sites in the United Kingdom. We recognise collective
bargaining on a number of sites and engage with employees via the
Sourcing Unit Forum, which includes national officer representation
from the three recognised trade unions. A European Works Council,
embracing employee and management representatives from countries
within Europe, has been in existence for several years and provides a
forum for discussing issues that extend across national boundaries.
Equal Opportunities and Diversity: Consistent with our Code of
Business Principles, Unilever aims to ensure that applications for
employment from everyone are given full and fair consideration and
that everyone is given access to training, development and career
opportunities. Every effort is made to retrain and support employees
who become disabled while working within the Group.
34 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Attention is drawn to the Report of the Audit Committee on pages 42
to 43. In addition, further details about our corporate governance are
provided in the document entitled ‘The Governance of Unilever’ which
can be found on our website.
All senior executives and senior financial officers have declared their
understanding of and compliance with Unilever’s Code of Business
Principles and the related Code Policies. No waiver from any
provision of the Code of Business Principles or Code Policies was
granted in 2016 to any of the persons falling within the scope of the
SEC requirements. The Code of Business Principles and related Code
Policies were refreshed in 2016, and for the first time the Code
Policies were also published on our website together with the Code of
Business Principles.
www.unilever.com/corporategovernance
Risk Management and Control: Following a review by the Disclosure
Committee, Audit Committee and Boards, the CEO and the CFO
concluded that the design and operation of the Group’s disclosure
controls and procedures, including those defined in the United States
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 – Rule 13a – 15(e), as at 31 December
2016 were effective, and that subsequently until 24 February 2017 (the
date of the approval of this Annual Report and Accounts (and the
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes) by the Boards) there
have been no significant changes in the Group’s internal controls, or in
other factors that could significantly affect those controls.
Unilever is required by Section 404 of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002 to report on the effectiveness of its internal control over
financial reporting. This requirement is reported on within the
section entitled ‘Management’s Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting’ on page 167.
In 2016 and 2015, the Group did not receive any public takeover
offers by third parties in respect of NV or PLC shares or make any
public takeover offers in respect of other companies’ shares.
Independent Auditors and Disclosure of Information to Auditors:
To the best of each of the Directors’ knowledge and belief, and having
made appropriate enquiries, all information relevant to enabling the
auditors to provide their opinions on PLC’s consolidated and parent
company accounts has been provided. Each of the Directors has taken
all reasonable steps to ensure their awareness of any relevant audit
information and to establish that Unilever PLC’s auditors are aware of
any such information.
THE UNITED STATES
Both NV and PLC are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
As such, both companies must comply with the requirements of US
legislation, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, regulations
enacted under US securities laws and the Listing Standards of the
NYSE, that are applicable to foreign private issuers, copies of which
are available on their websites.
www.sec.gov
www.nyse.com
We are substantially compliant with the Listing Standards of the NYSE
applicable to foreign private issuers except as set out below.
We are required to disclose any significant ways in which our corporate
governance practices differ from those typically followed by US
companies listed on the NYSE. Our corporate governance practices are
primarily based on the requirements of the UK Listing Rules, the UK
Code and the Dutch Code but substantially conform to those required of
US companies listed on the NYSE. The only significant way in which our
corporate governance practices differ from those followed by domestic
companies under Section 303A Corporate Governance Standards of the
NYSE is that the NYSE rules require that shareholders must be given
the opportunity to vote on all equity-compensation plans and material
revisions thereto, with certain limited exemptions. The UK Listing Rules
require shareholder approval of equity-compensation plans only if new
or treasury shares are issued for the purpose of satisfying obligations
under the plan or if the plan is a long-term incentive plan in which
a director may participate. Amendments to plans approved by
shareholders generally only require approval if they are to the
advantage of the plan participants. Furthermore, Dutch law and
NV’s Articles of Association require shareholder approval of equity-
compensation plans only if the Executive Directors are able to
participate in such plans. Under Dutch law, shareholder approval is not
required for material revisions to equity-compensation plans unless the
Executive Directors participate in a plan and the plan does not contain
its own procedure for revisions.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 35
RISKS
OUR RISK APPETITE AND APPROACH TO
RISK MANAGEMENT
Risk management is integral to Unilever’s strategy and to the
achievement of Unilever’s long-term goals. Our success as an
organisation depends on our ability to identify and exploit the
opportunities generated by our business and the markets we are in. In
doing this we take an embedded approach to risk management which
puts risk and opportunity assessment at the core of the leadership team
agenda, which is where we believe it should be.
Unilever adopts a risk profile that is aligned to our Vision to accelerate
growth in the business while reducing our environmental footprint and
increasing our positive social impact. Our appetite for risk is driven by
the following:
Our growth should be consistent, competitive, profitable
and responsible.
Our behaviours must be in line with our Code of Business
Principles and Code Policies.
We strive to continuously improve our operational efficiency
and effectiveness.
We aim to maintain a strong single A credit rating on a
long-term basis.
Our approach to risk management is designed to provide reasonable, but
not absolute, assurance that our assets are safeguarded, the risks
facing the business are being assessed and mitigated and all information
that may be required to be disclosed is reported to Unilever’s senior
management including, where appropriate, the Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer.
ORGANISATION
The Unilever Boards assume overall accountability for the management
of risk and for reviewing the effectiveness of Unilever’s risk management
and internal control systems.
The Boards have established a clear organisational structure with well
defined accountabilities for the principal risks that Unilever faces in
the short, medium and long-term. This organisational structure and
distribution of accountabilities and responsibilities ensure that every
country in which we operate has specific resources and processes for
risk review and risk mitigation. This is supported by the Unilever
Leadership Executive, which takes active responsibility for focusing on
the principal areas of risk to Unilever. The Boards regularly review
these risk areas, including consideration of environmental, social and
governance matters, and retain responsibility for determining the
nature and extent of the significant risks that Unilever is prepared to
take to achieve its strategic objectives.
FOUNDATION AND PRINCIPLES
Unilever’s approach to doing business is framed by our Purpose and
values. Our Code of Business Principles sets out the standards of
behaviour that we expect all employees to adhere to. Day-to-day
responsibility for ensuring these principles are applied throughout
Unilever rests with senior management across categories,
geographies and functions. A network of Business Integrity Officers
and Committees supports the activities necessary to communicate
the Code, deliver training, maintain processes and procedures
(including support lines) to report and respond to alleged breaches,
and to capture and communicate learnings.
We have a framework of Code Policies that underpin the Code of
Business Principles and set out the non-negotiable standards of
behaviour expected from all our employees.
For each of our principal risks we have a risk management
framework detailing the controls we have in place and who is
responsible for managing both the overall risk and the individual
controls mitigating that risk.
Unilever’s functional standards define mandatory requirements across
a range of specialist areas such as health and safety, accounting and
reporting and financial risk management.
PROCESSES
Unilever operates a wide range of processes and activities across all
its operations covering strategy, planning, execution and performance
management. Risk management is integrated into every stage of this
business cycle. These procedures are formalised and documented and
are increasingly being centralised and automated into transactional
and other information technology systems.
ASSURANCE AND RE-ASSURANCE
Assurance on compliance with the Code of Business Principles and all
of our Code Policies is obtained annually from Unilever management via
a formal Code declaration. In addition, there are specialist awareness
and training programmes which are run throughout the year and vary
depending on the business priorities. These specialist compliance
programmes supplement the Code declaration. Our Corporate Audit
function plays a vital role in providing to both management and the
Boards an objective and independent review of the effectiveness of risk
management and internal control systems throughout Unilever.
BOARDS’ ASSESSMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH
THE RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORKS
The Boards, advised by the Committees where appropriate, regularly
review the significant risks and decisions that could have a material
impact on Unilever. These reviews consider the level of risk that
Unilever is prepared to take in pursuit of the business strategy and
the effectiveness of the management controls in place to mitigate the
risk exposure.
The Boards, through the Audit Committee, have reviewed the
assessment of risks, internal controls and disclosure controls and
procedures in operation within Unilever. They have also considered the
effectiveness of any remedial actions taken for the year covered by this
report and up to the date of its approval by the Boards.
Details of the activities of the Audit Committee in relation to this can
be found in the Report of the Audit Committee on pages 42 to 43.
Further statements on compliance with the specific risk
management and control requirements in the Dutch Corporate
Governance Code, the UK Corporate Governance Code, the US
Securities Exchange Act (1934) and the Sarbanes-Oxley (2002) Act
can be found on pages 33 to 35.
36 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
VIABILITY STATEMENT
PRINCIPAL RISK FACTORS
The activities of the Group, together with the factors likely to affect its
future development, performance, the financial position of the Group,
its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described
on pages 1 to 28. In addition, we describe in notes 15 to 18 on pages
110 to 124 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
and liquidity risk.
ASSESSMENT
In order to report on the long-term viability of the Group, the Directors
carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the
Group, including those that would threaten its business model,
future performance, solvency or liquidity. This assessment included
reviewing and understanding the mitigation factors in respect of each
of those risks. The risks and mitigating factors are summarised on
pages 37 to 41.
The viability assessment has two parts:
First, the Directors considered the period over which they have a
reasonable expectation that the Group will continue to operate and
meet its liabilities; and
Second, they considered the potential impact of severe but plausible
scenarios over this period, including:
assessing scenarios for each individual principal risk, for example
the termination of our relationships with the three largest global
customers; the loss of all material litigation cases; and the
destruction of three of our largest sourcing units; and
assessing scenarios that involve more than one principal risk
such as:
- a contamination issue with one of our products, leading to a
fine equal to 1% of Group turnover, lower sales of impacted
products and temporary closure of our largest sourcing unit;
- a major IT data breach resulting in a fine equal to 2% of
Group turnover along with an outage in a key system
resulting in the temporary inability to sell products; and
- a global economic downturn leading to an increase in
funding costs and the loss of our three largest customers.
FINDINGS
A three-year period is considered appropriate for this assessment
because it is the period covered by the strategic plan; and it enables a
high level of confidence in assessing viability, even in extreme adverse
events, due to a number of factors such as:
the Group has considerable financial resources together with
established business relationships with many customers and
suppliers in countries throughout the world;
high cash generation by the Group’s operations;
flexibility of cash outflow including significant marketing and capital
expenditure; and
the Group’s diverse product and geographical operations.
Our business is subject to risks and uncertainties. On the following
pages we have identified the risks that we regard as the most relevant
to our business. These are the risks that we see as most material to
Unilever’s business and performance at this time. There may be other
risks that could emerge in the future.
Our risk profile has not fundamentally changed this year but we have
now more clearly highlighted that Climate Change is one of our
principal risk factors. For a number of years we have recognised that
changes in climate pose a risk to our business and hence as a part of
our Unilever Sustainable Living Plan we are trying to both reduce our
impact on climate change and to prepare ourselves for the impact
climate change will have on our business in the coming years, and
this risk and our management approach were outlined within our
Sustainability risk factor. However following discussions at the United
Nations Convention on Climate Change, 21st Conference and the
Financial Services Board Taskforce on Climate Related Financial
Disclosures, it is clear that the impacts of climate change itself and
the potential actions government may take are of such significance
that Climate Risk should be separately identified.
As well as identifying the most relevant risks for our business we
reflect on whether we think the level of risk associated with each of
our principal risk factors is increasing or decreasing. There are two
areas where we believe there is an increased level of risk which are;
Information Protection: the digital revolution is happening at such
a pace both in terms of technological capabilities and in our ability
to collect and use consumer data such that we believe the risk
around security of information, including the privacy of consumer
data is increasing. We are doing much work to enhance our
information security controls and indeed the digital revolution is
also helping us to better manage this risk.
Business Transformation: we are continuously transforming our
business to remain competitive, however with Connected 4 Growth
we are implementing a particularly large transformation so we
believe the level of risk is currently heightened and will remain so
for 2017. Post 2017 this initiative will reduce risk in the
organisation as it will improve competitiveness.
We also comment below on certain mitigating actions that we believe
help us to manage these risks. However, we may not be successful in
deploying some or all of these mitigating actions. If the
circumstances in these risks occur or are not successfully mitigated,
our cash flow, operating results, financial position, business and
reputation could be materially adversely affected. In addition, risks
and uncertainties could cause actual results to vary from those
described, which may include forward-looking statements, or could
impact on our ability to meet our targets or be detrimental to our
profitability or reputation.
Taking into account the Group’s current positon and plans, the
Directors believe that there is no plausible scenario that would
threaten our business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity
over the next three years.
CONCLUSION
On the basis described above, the Directors have a reasonable
expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and
meet its liabilities as they fall due over the three-year period of
their assessment.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 37
RISKS CONTINUED
DESCRIPTION OF RISK
BRAND PREFERENCE
WHAT WE ARE DOING TO MANAGE THE RISK
As a branded goods business, Unilever’s success depends on
the value and relevance of our brands and products to
consumers around the world and on our ability to innovate
and remain competitive.
Consumer tastes, preferences and behaviours are constantly
changing and Unilever’s ability to anticipate and respond to these
changes and to continue to differentiate our brands and products
is vital to our business.
We are dependent on creating innovative products that continue to
meet the needs of our consumers. If we are unable to innovate
effectively, Unilever’s sales or margins could be materially
adversely affected.
We continuously monitor external market trends and collate
consumer, customer and shopper insight in order to develop category
and brand strategies.
Our strategy focuses on investing in markets and segments which we
identify as attractive because we have already built, or are confident that
we can build, competitive advantage.
Our Research and Development function actively searches for ways in
which to translate the trends in consumer preference and taste into new
technologies for incorporation into future products.
Our innovation management process deploys tools, technologies and
resources to convert category strategies into projects and category plans,
develop products and relevant brand communication and successfully roll
out new products to our consumers.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Unilever’s strategic investment choices will affect the
long-term growth and profits of our business.
Unilever’s growth and profitability are determined by our portfolio of
categories, geographies and channels and how these evolve over time.
If Unilever does not make optimal strategic investment decisions then
opportunities for growth and improved margin could be missed.
SUSTAINABILITY
The success of our business depends on finding sustainable
solutions to support long-term growth.
Unilever’s Vision to accelerate growth in the business while
reducing our environmental footprint and increasing our positive
social impact will require more sustainable ways of doing business.
In a world where resources are scarce and demand for them
continues to increase it is critical that we succeed in reducing our
resource consumption and converting to sustainably sourced
supplies. In doing this we are dependent on the efforts of partners
and various certification bodies. We are also committed to improving
health and well-being and enhancing livelihoods around the world
so Unilever and our communities grow successfully together. There
can be no assurance that sustainable business solutions will be
developed and failure to do so could limit Unilever’s growth and
profit potential and damage our corporate reputation.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate changes and governmental actions to reduce such
changes may disrupt our operations and/or reduce consumer
demand for our products.
Climate changes are occurring around the globe which may impact
our business in various ways.
They could lead to water shortages which would reduce demand for
those of our products that require a significant amount of water
during consumer use. They could also lead to an increase in raw
material prices or reduced availability.
Governments may take action to reduce climate change such as
the introduction of a carbon tax which could impact our business
through higher costs or reduced flexibility of operations.
Climate change could result therefore in making products less
affordable or less available for our consumers resulting in reduced
growth and profitability.
Our Compass strategy and our business plans are designed to ensure that
resources are prioritised towards those categories and markets having the
greatest long-term potential for Unilever.
Our acquisition activity is driven by our portfolio strategy with a clear,
defined evaluation process.
The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan sets clear long-term commitments to
improve health and well-being, reduce environmental impact and enhance
livelihoods. Underpinning these are targets in areas such as hygiene,
nutrition, sustainable sourcing, fairness in the workplace, opportunities for
women and inclusive business as well as greenhouse gas emissions, water
and waste. These targets and more sustainable ways of operating are
being integrated into Unilever’s day-to-day business through initiatives
such as efficient packaging design, waste reduction and recycling and
converting to use of renewable energy.
Progress towards the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan is monitored by the
Unilever Leadership Executive and the Boards. The Unilever Sustainable
Living Plan Council, comprising six external specialists in sustainability,
guides and critiques the development of our strategy.
As part of our Unilever Sustainable Living Plan we monitor climate change
and are responding by developing operations and products with reduced
environmental impact.
We seek to develop products that will require less water during
consumer use.
We aim to minimise our impact on climate change through committing to
emission reduction targets and have developed a roadmap to be carbon
positive by 2030.
We monitor trends in raw material availability and pricing, and proactively
reformulate our products where appropriate.
We monitor governmental developments around actions to combat climate
change and act to minimise the impact on our operations.
38 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
DESCRIPTION OF RISK
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
Successful customer relationships are vital to our business
and continued growth.
Maintaining strong relationships with our existing customers and
building relationships with new customers who serve changing
shopper habits are necessary to ensure our brands are well
presented to our consumers and available for purchase at all times.
The strength of our customer relationships also affects our ability to
obtain pricing and competitive trade terms. Failure to maintain
strong relationships with customers could negatively impact our
terms of business with affected customers and reduce the availability
of our products to consumers.
TALENT AND ORGANISATION
A skilled workforce and agile organisation are essential for
the continued success of our business.
Our ability to attract, develop, organise and retain the right number of
appropriately qualified people is critical if we are to compete and
grow effectively.
This is especially true in our key emerging markets where there can
be a high level of competition for a limited talent pool. The loss of
management or other key personnel or the inability to identify, attract
and retain qualified personnel could make it difficult to manage the
business and could adversely affect operations and financial results.
SUPPLY CHAIN
Our business depends on purchasing materials, efficient
manufacturing and the timely distribution of products to
our customers.
Our supply chain network is exposed to potentially adverse events
such as physical disruptions, environmental and industrial
accidents or bankruptcy of a key supplier which could impact our
ability to deliver orders to our customers.
The cost of our products can be significantly affected by the cost of
the underlying commodities and materials from which they are
made. Fluctuations in these costs cannot always be passed on to
the consumer through pricing.
SAFE AND HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS
The quality and safety of our products are of paramount
importance for our brands and our reputation.
The risk that raw materials are accidentally or maliciously
contaminated throughout the supply chain or that other product
defects occur due to human error, equipment failure or other
factors cannot be excluded.
WHAT WE ARE DOING TO MANAGE THE RISK
We build and maintain trading relationships across a broad spectrum of
channels ranging from centrally managed multinational customers
through to small traders accessed via distributors in many developing
countries. We identify changing shopper habits and build relationships
with new customers, such as those serving the e-commerce channel.
We develop joint business plans with our key customers that include
detailed investment plans and customer service objectives and we
regularly monitor progress.
We have developed capabilities for customer sales and outlet design
which enable us to find new ways to improve customer performance
and enhance our customer relationships. We invest in technology to
optimise order and stock management processes for our distributive
trade customers.
Resource committees have been established and implemented
throughout our business. These committees have responsibility for
identifying future skills and capability needs, developing career paths
and identifying the key talent and leaders of the future.
We have an integrated management development process which
includes regular performance reviews underpinned by a common set of
leadership behaviours, skills and competencies.
We have targeted programmes to attract and retain top talent and we
actively monitor our performance in retaining talent within Unilever.
We regularly review our ways of working and organisation structures to
ensure that we drive speed and simplicity through our business to
remain agile and responsive to market place trends.
We have contingency plans designed to enable us to secure alternative
key material supplies at short notice, to transfer or share production
between manufacturing sites and to use substitute materials in our
product formulations and recipes.
These contingency plans also extend to an ability to intervene directly to
support a key supplier should it for any reason find itself in difficulty or
be at risk of negatively affecting a Unilever product.
We have policies and procedures designed to ensure the health and
safety of our employees and the products in our facilities, and to deal
with major incidents including business continuity and disaster recovery.
Commodity price risk is actively managed through forward buying of traded
commodities and other hedging mechanisms. Trends are monitored and
modelled regularly and integrated into our forecasting process.
Our product quality processes and controls are comprehensive,
from product design to customer shelf. They are verified annually and
regularly monitored through performance indicators that drive continuous
improvement activities. Our key suppliers are externally certified and the
quality of material received is regularly monitored to ensure that it meets
the rigorous quality standards that our products require.
In the event of an incident relating to the safety of our consumers or
the quality of our products, incident management teams are activated
in the affected markets under the direction of our product quality,
science and communications experts, to ensure timely and effective
market place action.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 39
RISKS CONTINUED
DESCRIPTION OF RISK
SYSTEMS AND INFORMATION
WHAT WE ARE DOING TO MANAGE THE RISK
Unilever’s operations are increasingly dependent on IT
systems and the management of information.
Increasing digital interactions with customers, suppliers and
consumers place ever greater emphasis on the need for secure
and reliable IT systems and infrastructure and careful
management of the information that is in our possession.
Disruption of our IT systems could inhibit our business operations
in a number of ways, including disruption to sales, production and
cash flows, ultimately impacting our results.
There is also a threat from unauthorised access and misuse of
sensitive information. Unilever’s information systems could be
subject to unauthorised access or the mistaken disclosure of
information which disrupts Unilever’s business and/or leads to
loss of assets.
We have policies covering the protection of both business and personal
information, as well as the use of IT systems and applications by our
employees. Our employees are trained to understand these
requirements. We also have a set of IT security standards and closely
monitor their operation to protect our systems and information.
We maintain a global system for the control and reporting of access to
our critical IT systems. This is supported by an annual programme of
testing of access controls.
Hardware that runs and manages core operating data is fully backed up
with separate contingency systems to provide real time back-up
operations should they ever be required.
We have standardised ways of hosting information on our public
websites and have systems in place to monitor compliance with
appropriate privacy laws and regulations, and with our own policies.
BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION
Successful execution of business transformation projects is
key to delivering their intended business benefits and
avoiding disruption to other business activities.
All acquisitions, disposals and global restructuring projects are
sponsored by a member of the Unilever Leadership Executive. Regular
progress updates are provided to the Unilever Leadership Executive.
Unilever is continually engaged in major change projects, including
acquisitions, disposals and organisational transformation, to drive
continuous improvement in our business and to strengthen our
portfolio and capabilities.
Failure to execute such transactions or change projects successfully
could result in under-delivery of the expected benefits. Furthermore,
disruption may be caused in other parts of the business.
ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL INSTABILITY
Unilever operates around the globe and is exposed to
economic and political instability that may reduce consumer
demand for our products, disrupt sales operations and/or
impact the profitability of our operations.
Adverse economic conditions may affect one or more countries
within a region, or may extend globally.
Government actions such as foreign exchange or price controls
can impact on the growth and profitability of our local operations.
In 2016, more than half of Unilever’s turnover came from emerging
markets which can offer greater growth opportunities but also
expose Unilever to related economic and political volatility.
Sound project disciplines are used in all acquisitions, disposals and
organisational transformation projects and these projects are
resourced by dedicated and appropriately qualified personnel.
Unilever also monitors the volume of change programmes under way
in an effort to stagger the impact on current operations and to ensure
minimal disruption.
The breadth of Unilever’s portfolio and our geographic reach help to
mitigate our exposure to any particular localised risk. Our flexible
business model allows us to adapt our portfolio and respond quickly to
develop new offerings that suit consumers’ and customers’ changing
needs during economic downturns.
We regularly update our forecast of business results and cash flows
and, where necessary, rebalance investment priorities.
We believe that many years of exposure to emerging markets have
given us experience of operating and developing our business
successfully during periods of economic and political volatility.
40 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
DESCRIPTION OF RISK
TREASURY AND PENSIONS
Unilever is exposed to a variety of external financial risks in
relation to Treasury and Pensions.
The relative values of currencies can fluctuate widely and could have a
significant impact on business results. Further, because Unilever
consolidates its financial statements in euros it is subject to exchange
risks associated with the translation of the underlying net assets and
earnings of its foreign subsidiaries.
We are also subject to the imposition of exchange controls by
individual countries which could limit our ability to import materials
paid in foreign currency or to remit dividends to the parent company.
Unilever may face liquidity risk, ie difficulty in meeting its obligations,
associated with its financial liabilities. A material and sustained
shortfall in our cash flow could undermine Unilever’s credit rating,
impair investor confidence and also restrict Unilever’s ability to
raise funds.
We are exposed to market interest rate fluctuations on our floating rate
debt. Increases in benchmark interest rates could increase the interest
cost of our floating rate debt and increase the cost of future borrowings.
In times of financial market volatility, we are also potentially exposed to
counter-party risks with banks, suppliers and customers.
Certain businesses have defined benefit pension plans, most now closed
to new employees, which are exposed to movements in interest rates,
fluctuating values of underlying investments and increased life
expectancy. Changes in any or all of these inputs could potentially
increase the cost to Unilever of funding the schemes and therefore
have an adverse impact on profitability and cash flow.
WHAT WE ARE DOING TO MANAGE THE RISK
Currency exposures are managed within prescribed limits and by
the use of forward foreign exchange contracts. Further, operating
companies borrow in local currency except where inhibited by local
regulations, lack of local liquidity or local market conditions. We also
hedge some of our exposures through the use of foreign currency
borrowing or forward exchange contracts.
Our interest rate management approach aims to achieve an optimal
balance between fixed and floating rate interest exposures on expected
net debt.
We seek to manage our liquidity requirements by maintaining access to
global debt markets through short-term and long-term debt
programmes. In addition, we have high committed credit facilities for
general corporate purposes.
Group treasury regularly monitors exposure to our banks, tightening
counter-party limits where appropriate. Unilever actively manages its
banking exposures on a daily basis.
We regularly assess and monitor counter-party risk in our customers
and take appropriate action to manage our exposures.
Our pension investment standards require us to invest across a range
of equities, bonds, property, alternative assets and cash such that the
failure of any single investment will not have a material impact on the
overall value of assets.
The majority of our assets, including those held in our ‘pooled’ investment
vehicle, Univest, are managed by external fund managers and are
regularly monitored by pension trustees and central pensions and
investment teams.
Further information on financial instruments and capital and treasury risk
management is included in note 16 on pages 115 to 120.
ETHICAL
Acting in an ethical manner, consistent with the expectations of
customers, consumers and other stakeholders, is essential for
the protection of the reputation of Unilever and its brands.
Our Code of Business Principles and our Code Policies govern the
behaviour of our employees, suppliers, distributors and other third
parties who work with us.
Unilever’s brands and reputation are valuable assets and the way in
which we operate, contribute to society and engage with the world
around us is always under scrutiny both internally and externally.
Despite the commitment of Unilever to ethical business and the
steps we take to adhere to this commitment, there remains a risk
that activities or events cause us to fall short of our desired
standard, resulting in damage to Unilever’s corporate reputation
and business results.
LEGAL AND REGULATORY
Compliance with laws and regulations is an essential part of
Unilever’s business operations.
Unilever is subject to national and regional laws and regulations in
such diverse areas as product safety, product claims, trademarks,
copyright, patents, competition, employee health and safety, the
environment, corporate governance, listing and disclosure,
employment and taxes.
Failure to comply with laws and regulations could expose Unilever to
civil and/or criminal actions leading to damages, fines and criminal
sanctions against us and/or our employees with possible
consequences for our corporate reputation.
Changes to laws and regulations could have a material impact on the
cost of doing business. Tax, in particular, is a complex area where laws
and their interpretation are changing regularly, leading to the risk of
unexpected tax exposures. International tax reform remains a key focus
of attention with the OECD’s Base Erosion & Profit Shifting project and
further potential tax reform in the EU and the United States.
Our processes for identifying and resolving breaches of our Code of
Business Principles and our Code Policies are clearly defined and
regularly communicated throughout Unilever. Data relating to such
breaches is reviewed by the Unilever Leadership Executive and by
relevant Board Committees and helps to determine the allocation of
resources for future policy development, process improvement,
training and awareness initiatives.
Unilever is committed to complying with the laws and regulations of
the countries in which we operate. In specialist areas the relevant
teams at global, regional or local levels are responsible for setting
detailed standards and ensuring that all employees are aware of
and comply with regulations and laws specific and relevant to their
roles.
Our legal and regulatory specialists are heavily involved in monitoring
and reviewing our practices to provide reasonable assurance that we
remain aware of and in line with all relevant laws and legal
obligations.
Our Global Tax Principles provide overarching governance and we
have a Tax Risk Framework in place which sets out the controls
established to assess and monitor tax risk for direct and indirect
taxes. We monitor proposed changes in taxation legislation and
ensure these are taken into account when we consider our future
business plans.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 41
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND ATTENDANCE
John Rishton
Chair
Nils Andersen (Member since April 2016)
Judith Hartmann
Mary Ma
Hixonia Nyasulu (Member until April 2016)
ATTENDANCE
7 / 7
3 / 3
7 / 7
7 / 7
4 / 4
This table shows the membership of the Committee together with their
attendance at meetings during 2016. If Directors are unable to attend a
meeting, they have the opportunity beforehand to discuss any agenda items
with the Committee Chair. Attendance is expressed as the number of
meetings attended out of the number eligible to be attended.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2016
Annual Report and Accounts
Viability assessment
Tax regulations and disclosure
Foreign Exchange Management
Supply Chain continuity of supply
Information security and IT resilience
PRIORITIES FOR 2017
Information Security
Tax
Supply Chain continuity and flexibility
Connected 4 Growth Programme
MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee is comprised only of independent Non-Executive
Directors with a minimum requirement of three such members. It is
chaired by John Rishton. The composition of the Committee changed
after the AGMs in April 2016 when Hixonia Nyasulu retired from the
Committee and Nils Andersen joined the Committee. The other
members are Judith Hartmann and Mary Ma. For the purposes of the
US Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 John Rishton is the Audit Committee’s
financial expert. The Boards have satisfied themselves that the current
members of the Audit Committee are competent in financial matters
and have recent and relevant experience. Other attendees at Committee
meetings (or part thereof) were the Chief Financial Officer, Chief
Auditor, EVP Financial Control, Risk Management, Pensions &
Sustainability, Chief Legal Officer, Group Secretary and the external
auditors. Throughout the year the Committee members periodically
met without others present and also held separate private sessions
with the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Auditor and the external auditors,
allowing the Committee to discuss any issues in more detail directly.
ROLE OF THE COMMITTEE
The role and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set out in
written terms of reference which are reviewed annually by the
Committee taking into account relevant legislation and recommended
good practice. The terms of reference are contained within
‘The Governance of Unilever’ which is available on our website
at www.unilever.com/corporategovernance. The Committee’s
responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following matters
with a view to bringing any relevant issues to the attention of the Boards:
oversight of the integrity of Unilever’s financial statements;
review of Unilever’s quarterly and annual financial statements
(including clarity and completeness of disclosure) and approval of the
quarterly trading statements for quarter 1 and quarter 3;
oversight of risk management and internal control arrangements;
oversight of compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;
oversight of the external auditors’ performance, objectivity, qualifications
and independence; the approval process of non-audit services;
recommendation to the Boards of the nomination of the external
auditors for shareholder approval; and approval of their fees, refer to
note 25 on page 130;
the performance of the internal audit function; and
approval of the Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE) expense policy
and the review of Executive Director expenses.
In order to help the Committee meet its oversight responsibilities,
each year management organise knowledge sessions for the
Committee on subject areas within its remit. In 2016, a joint session
was held with the Corporate Responsibility Committee on the Unilever
Sustainable Living Plan (USLP), which included an update on how
the USLP has evolved, how it is governed and how its progress is
assessed. In addition, Committee members visited one of our key IT,
accounting and reporting centres in Bangalore.
HOW THE COMMITTEE HAS DISCHARGED ITS RESPONSIBILITIES
During the year, the Committee’s principal activities were as follows:
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Committee reviewed prior to publication the quarterly financial
press releases together with the associated internal quarterly reports
from the Chief Financial Officer and the Disclosure Committee and, with
respect to the half-year and full-year results, the external auditors’
reports. It also reviewed this Annual Report and Accounts and the
Annual Report on Form 20-F 2016. These reviews incorporated the
accounting policies and significant judgements and estimates
underpinning the financial statements as disclosed within note 1 on
pages 88 to 90. Particular attention was paid to the following significant
issues in relation to the financial statements:
revenue recognition – estimation of discounts, incentives on sales
made during the year, refer to note 2 on pages 90 to 92;
direct tax provisions and contingencies, refer to note 6 on pages 101
to 103; and
indirect tax provisions and contingencies, refer to note 19 on page 124.
The external auditors have agreed the list of significant issues
discussed by the Audit Committee.
For each of the above areas the Committee considered the key facts and
judgements outlined by management. Members of management attended
the section of the meeting of the Committee where their item was discussed
to answer any questions or challenges posed by the Committee. The issues
were also discussed with the external auditors and further information can
be found on pages 79 to 83. The Committee was satisfied that there are
relevant accounting policies in place in relation to these significant issues
and management have correctly applied these policies.
At the request of the Boards the Committee undertook to:
review the appropriateness of adopting the going concern basis of
accounting in preparing the annual financial statements; and
assess whether the business was viable in accordance with the
requirement of the UK Corporate Governance Code. The assessment
included a review of the principal risks facing Unilever, their potential
impact, how they were being managed, together with a discussion as to
the appropriate period for the assessment. The Committee
recommended to the Boards that there is a reasonable expectation that
the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as
they fall due over the three-year period (consistent with the period of
the strategic plan) of the assessment.
At the request of the Boards the Committee also considered whether
the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016 was fair, balanced and
understandable and whether it provided the necessary information for
shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance,
business model and strategy. The Committee was satisfied that,
taken as a whole, the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016 is
fair, balanced and understandable.
42 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL CONTROL
ARRANGEMENTS
The Committee reviewed Unilever’s overall approach to risk management
and control, and its processes, outcomes and disclosure. It reviewed:
the Controller’s Quarterly Risk and Control Status Report, including
Code of Business Principles cases relating to frauds and financial
crimes and significant complaints received through the Unilever Code
Support Line;
the 2016 corporate risks for which the Audit Committee had oversight
and the proposed 2017 corporate risks identified by the ULE;
management’s improvements to reporting and internal financial
control arrangements, through further automation and centralisation;
processes related to information security, including cyber security;
tax planning, insurance arrangements and related risk management;
treasury policies, including debt issuance and hedging; and
litigation and regulatory investigations.
The Committee reviewed the application of the requirements under Section
404 of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 with respect to internal controls
over financial reporting. In addition, the Committee reviewed the annual
financial plan and Unilever’s dividend policy and dividend proposals.
During 2016 the Committee continued its oversight of the independent
assurance work that is performed on a number of our USLP metrics
(selected on the basis of their materiality to the USLP).
In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in relation to risk management,
internal control and the financial statements, the Committee met
regularly with senior members of management and is satisfied with the
key judgements taken.
INTERNAL AUDIT FUNCTION
The Committee reviewed Corporate Audit’s audit plan for the year and
agreed its budget and resource requirements. It reviewed interim and year-
end summary reports and management’s response. The Committee carried
out an evaluation of the performance of the internal audit function and was
satisfied with the effectiveness of the function. The Committee met
independently with the Chief Auditor during the year and discussed the
results of the audits performed during the year.
AUDIT OF THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
KPMG, Unilever’s external auditors and independent registered public
accounting firm, reported in depth to the Committee on the scope and
outcome of the annual audit, including their audit of internal controls
over financial reporting as required by Section 404 of the US Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002. Their reports included audit and accounting matters,
governance and control, and accounting developments.
The Committee held independent meetings with the external auditors
during the year and reviewed, agreed, discussed and challenged their
audit plan, including their assessment of the financial reporting risk
profile of the Group. The Committee discussed the views and
conclusions of KPMG regarding management’s treatment of
significant transactions and areas of judgement during the year and
KPMG confirmed they were satisfied that these had been treated
appropriately in the financial statements.
EXTERNAL AUDITORS
Shareholders approved the re-appointment of KPMG as the Group’s
external auditors at the 2016 AGMs. On the recommendation of the
Committee, the Directors will be proposing the re-appointment of
KPMG at the AGMs in April 2017.
Both Unilever and KPMG have safeguards in place to avoid the
possibility that the external auditors’ objectivity and independence could
be compromised, such as audit partner rotation and the restriction on
non-audit services that the external auditors can perform as described
below. The Committee reviewed the report from KPMG on the actions
they take to comply with the professional and regulatory requirements
and best practice designed to ensure their independence from Unilever.
Each year, the Committee assesses the effectiveness of the external audit
process which includes discussing feedback from the members of the
Committee and stakeholders at all levels across Unilever. Interviews are
also held with key senior management within both Unilever and KPMG.
The Committee also reviewed the statutory audit, audit related and non-
audit related services provided by KPMG and compliance with Unilever’s
documented approach, which prescribes in detail the types of engagements,
listed below, for which the external auditors can be used:
statutory audit services, including audit of subsidiaries;
audit related engagements – services that involve attestation,
assurance or certification of factual information that may be required
by external parties;
non-audit related services – work that our external auditors are best
placed to undertake, which may include:
tax services – all significant tax work is put to tender;
acquisition and disposal services, including related due diligence,
audits and accountants’ reports; and
internal control reviews.
Unilever has for many years maintained a policy which prescribes in detail
the types of engagements for which the external auditors can be used and
prohibits several types of engagements, including:
bookkeeping or similar services;
design and/or implementation of systems or processes related to
financial information or risk management;
valuation, actuarial and legal services;
internal audit;
broker, dealer, investment adviser or investment bank services;
staff secondments of any kind.
transfer pricing advisory services; and
This policy was updated during 2016 to reflect the European Union Audit
Directive and now additionally prohibits most services relating to Tax. All
audit related engagements over €250,000 and non-audit related
engagements over €100,000 required specific advance approval by the
Audit Committee Chairman. The Committee further approved all
engagements below these levels which have been authorised by the EVP
Financial Control, Risk Management, Pension & Sustainability. These
authorities are reviewed regularly and, where necessary, updated in the
light of internal developments, external developments and best practice.
The Committee confirms that the Group is in compliance with The
Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies Market Investigation
(Mandatory use of Competitive Tender Processes and Audit Committee
Responsibilities) Order 2014. The last tender for the audit of the annual
accounts was performed in 2013.
The FRC's Audit Quality Review (AQR) team monitors the quality of audit
work of certain UK audit firms through inspections of a sample of audits
and related procedures at individual audit firms. During the year, the
2015 external audit of the Group by KPMG was reviewed by the AQR. The
Committee and KPMG have discussed the review findings, which noted a
small number of recommendations for improvement and also areas of
high standard. The recommendations were incorporated into the 2016
audit work. The Committee do not consider any of the findings to have a
significant impact on KPMG's audit approach.
EVALUATION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
As part of the internal Board evaluation carried out in 2016, the Boards
evaluated the performance of the Committee. The Committee also
carried out an assessment of its own performance in 2016. Whilst
overall the Committee members concluded that the Committee is
performing effectively, the Committee agreed that to further enhance
its effectiveness it needed to ensure the Directors continued to develop
their knowledge of business operations.
John Rishton
Chair of the Audit Committee
Nils Andersen
Judith Hartmann
Mary Ma
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 43
REPORT OF THE CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND ATTENDANCE
Louise Fresco
Chair
Laura Cha
Youngme Moon (Member since April 2016)
Feike Sijbesma
ATTENDANCE
4 / 4
4 / 4
2 / 2
4 / 4
This table shows the membership of the Committee together with their
attendance at meetings during 2016. If Directors are unable to attend a
meeting, they have the opportunity beforehand to discuss any agenda items
with the Committee Chair. Attendance is expressed as the number of
meetings attended out of the number eligible to be attended.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2016
Review of Unilever’s Code of Business Principles, Responsible
Sourcing Policy and business integrity plans
Unilever Sustainable Living Plan
PRIORITIES FOR 2017
Compliance with Code of Business Principles
Progress on the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP)
- Climate strategy
- Enhancing livelihoods
Product quality and safety
TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Corporate Responsibility Committee oversees Unilever’s conduct
as a responsible multinational business. The Committee is also
charged with ensuring that Unilever’s reputation is protected and
enhanced. A central element of the Committee’s role is the need to
identify any external developments that are likely to have an influence
upon Unilever’s standing in society and to bring these to the attention
of the Boards.
The Committee comprises four Non-Executive Directors: Louise
Fresco, who chairs the Committee, Laura Cha, Feike Sijbesma and
Youngme Moon, who was appointed to the Committee on 21 April 2016.
The Chief Marketing & Communications Officer attends the
Committee’s meetings.
The Committee’s discussions are informed by the perspectives of the
Group’s two sustainability leadership groups, both of which are chaired
by the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer. The first is the
Unilever Sustainable Living Plan Council – a group of experts from
outside the Group who advise Unilever’s senior leadership on its
sustainability strategy. The second is the Unilever Sustainable Living
Plan Steering Team – the group of Unilever’s senior executives who are
accountable for driving sustainable growth. The insights from these
groups, and the subsequent reports from the Committee to the Boards,
help to keep the Boards informed of current and emerging trends and
any potential risks arising from sustainability issues.
During 2016 the Committee reviewed its terms of reference and, on
the recommendation of the Committee, the Boards approved minor
changes to the terms.
The Committee’s terms of reference and details of the Unilever
Sustainable Living Plan Council are available on Unilever’s website at
www.unilever.com/corporategovernance and
www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/governance respectively.
MEETINGS
Meetings are held quarterly and ad hoc as required. The Committee
Chairman reports the conclusions to the Boards. Four meetings were
held in 2016. Taking into account the Committee’s terms of reference,
Unilever’s corporate risks and the priorities the Committee sets itself
for the year, the Committee works to a structured agenda, enabling
members to focus in detail on the responsibilities assigned to them.
The agenda covers Unilever’s Code of Business Principles (the Code),
litigation and investigations alongside occupational safety, product
safety and quality, the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) and
corporate reputation as well as a range of strategic and current
issues. In order to help the Committee meet its oversight
responsibilities, each year management organise knowledge sessions
for the Committee on subject areas within its remit. In 2016 a joint
session was held with the Audit Committee on the USLP, which
included an update on how the USLP has evolved, how it is governed
and how its progress is assessed.
CODE OF BUSINESS PRINCIPLES
The Code and associated Code Policies set out the standards of
conduct expected of all employees in their business endeavours.
Compliance with these is an essential element in ensuring Unilever’s
continued business success. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible
for implementing these principles, supported by the Global Code and
Policy Committee which is chaired by the Chief Legal Officer.
The Committee is responsible for the oversight of the Code and
Code Policies, ensuring that they remain fit for purpose and are
appropriately applied. The Audit Committee also considers the Code
as part of its remit to review financial and accounting issues. In 2016
the Code and updated Code Policies were published in a single
document on Unilever’s website.
The Committee maintains close scrutiny of mechanisms for
implementing the Code and Code Policies as ongoing compliance is
essential to promote and protect Unilever’s values and standards,
and hence the good reputation of the Group. At each meeting the
Committee reviews the information on investigations into alleged
non-compliance with the Code and Code Policies and is alerted to
any trends arising from such investigations and findings.
In addition, the Committee monitors compliance with Unilever’s
Responsible Sourcing Policy for suppliers and the roll-out of its
Responsible Business Partner Policy for other third-party
business partners.
The Committee studied the Group’s new roadmap to enhance business
integrity, which has a particular focus on supporting responsible
growth across Unilever’s businesses worldwide. This captures an
enhanced understanding of priority focus areas and targeted solutions
to address these. Alongside this, enhanced tools for reporting
whistleblowing and tracking the review of alleged breaches of the
Code have been put in place. To complement this improved capability,
state of the art training materials have been developed – including
specialist guidance for roll-out through Unilever’s Legal Academy.
Equally importantly, Unilever continues to push for collective action
externally to uphold human rights and fight corruption. It is
represented in key arenas and contributes to consolidating contacts
between chief compliance officers from European multinationals to
drive momentum in this field.
SAFETY
The Committee reviews quarterly scorecard analyses of progress on
occupational safety and product safety. These scorecards are
complemented by regular in-depth discussions so that Committee
members may reassure themselves that Unilever’s systems and
processes remain robust.
44 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
In 2016, the Committee noted that Unilever’s Security function is
working hard to keep employees safe in a world where terror attacks
and security challenges are on the increase. It works closely with
country teams and Unilever’s Workplace Services function to ensure
that its safe travel and security practices are adhered to.
UNILEVER SUSTAINABLE LIVING PLAN (USLP)
Unilever’s Purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace and
the USLP is at the heart of Unilever’s vision to accelerate growth in
the business whilst reducing its environmental footprint and
increasing its positive social impact. Given its strategic importance,
the Committee monitors progress against the USLP and any
potential risks arising from it. In 2016 the Committee scrutinised
performance across the ambitious environmental pillars of the
USLP, studying in depth its progress and plans for combating
greenhouse gas emissions and reducing water use and waste.
Unilever recognises that change needs to be driven on a much wider
scale to tackle the world’s major social, environmental and economic
issues – what is needed is fundamental ‘transformational’ change to
broader systems. The adoption of the United Nations’ Sustainable
Development Goals has brought new impetus to this agenda and
reflects the growing support for an integrated approach to these
issues. Unilever continues to combine its own actions with external
advocacy on public policy and joint working with partners. It is
tackling four areas where it has the scale, influence and resources to
make a difference:
taking action on climate change and halting deforestation
improving livelihoods and creating more opportunities for women
improving health and well-being
championing sustainable agriculture and food security.
MONITORING REPUTATION
A global business working in many countries experiences numerous
issues that may impact the business. It is crucial therefore that the
Committee is briefed on the processes in place for managing these.
Unilever has a well-established system for identifying and responding
to issues, both short and longer-term. In addition, the Committee
reviews a selection of the top issues in more detail each year.
LITIGATION REVIEW
The Chief Legal Officer reports to the Committee on litigation and
regulatory matters which may have a reputational impact including
environmental issues, bribery and corruption compliance and
competition law compliance. For further information please see notes
19 and 20 to the consolidated financial statements.
EVALUATION OF THE CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
COMMITTEE
As part of the internal Board evaluation carried out in 2016, the Boards
evaluated the performance of the Committee. The Committee also
carried out an assessment of its own performance in 2016. Whilst
overall the Committee members concluded that the Committee is
performing effectively, the Committee agreed that to further enhance
its effectiveness it will step up oversight of safety and security given
the importance of protecting the people working for Unilever. The
Corporate Responsibility Committee will maintain its independent view
of Unilever, and will keep this view centre-stage in its critique of the
Group’s reputation and standing in society.
Louise Fresco
Chair of the Corporate Responsibility Committee
Laura Cha
Youngme Moon
Feike Sijbesma
Further details on the USLP will be set out in Unilever’s online Sustainable Living
Report 2016, to be published in May 2017.
www.unilever.com/sustainable-living
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 45
REPORT OF THE NOMINATING AND
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS, MEMBERSHIP STATUS
AND ATTENDANCE
Feike Sijbesma
Chair
Laura Cha
Michael Treschow (Member until April 2016)
Marijn Dekkers (Member since April 2016)
ATTENDANCE
5 / 5
4 / 5
2 / 2
3 / 3
This table shows the membership of the Committee together with their
attendance at meetings during 2016. If Directors are unable to attend a
meeting, they have the opportunity beforehand to discuss any agenda items
with the Committee Chair. Attendance is expressed as the number of
meetings attended out of the number eligible to be attended.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2016
Appointment of new Chairman
Induction programme for Chairman and new Non-Executive
Directors
Develop pipeline of potential (Non-Executive and Executive)
Director candidates
Follow the introduction of the new EU Market Abuse Regulation
PRIORITIES FOR 2017
Continued focus on development of a strong pipeline of potential
Non-Executive and Executive Director candidates
Follow up on actions agreed from the external Board evaluation
Further develop the Directors’ skills and expertise matrix
ROLE AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible
for evaluating the balance of skills, experience, independence and
knowledge on the Boards and for drawing up selection criteria,
ongoing succession planning and appointment procedures for both
internal and external appointments. It also has oversight of all
matters relating to corporate governance and brings any issues in
this respect to the attention of the Boards.
The Committee’s terms of reference are set out in ‘The
Governance of Unilever’ which can be found on our website at
www.unilever.com/corporategovernance. During the year, the
Committee reviewed its own terms of reference to determine whether
its responsibilities are properly described. The amended terms
became effective on 1 January 2017.
The Committee is comprised of two Non-Executive Directors and the
Chairman. The Group Secretary acts as secretary to the Committee.
Other attendees at Committee meetings in 2016 (or part thereof) were
the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief HR Officer.
In 2016 the Committee met five times. At the start of the year
the Committee considered the results of the Committee’s annual
self-evaluation for 2015 and its priorities for the year and used
these to help create an annual plan for meetings for 2016.
APPOINTMENT AND REAPPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS
Reappointment: All Directors (unless they are retiring) are nominated
by the Boards for re-election at the AGMs each year on the
recommendation of the Committee who, in deciding whether to
nominate a Director, takes into consideration the outcomes of the
Chairman’s discussions with each Director on individual performance,
the evaluation of the Boards and its Committees and the continued
good performance of individual Directors. Non-Executive Directors
normally serve for a period of up to nine years. The average tenure of
the Non-Executive Directors who have retired from the Boards over
the past ten years has been seven years. The schedule the Committee
uses for orderly succession planning of Non-Executive Directors can
be found on our website at www.unilever.com/committees. In 2016,
Hixonia Nyasulu and Michael Treschow did not put themselves forward
for re-election at the 2016 AGMs in April 2016. They had each served
nine years on the Boards. The Committee proposed the reappointment
of all other Directors. Directors are appointed by shareholders by a
simple majority vote at the AGMs.
The Committee also recommends to the Boards candidates for
election as Chairman and Vice-Chairman and Senior Independent
Director. After being reappointed as Non-Executive Directors at the
2016 AGMs, Ann Fudge remained the Vice-Chairman and Senior
Independent Director and the following remained Chairs of their
respective committees: John Rishton (Audit Committee), Ann Fudge
(Compensation Committee), Feike Sijbesma (Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee) and Louise Fresco (Corporate
Responsibility Committee).
Succession Planning and Appointment: In consultation with the
Committee, the Boards review both the adequacy of succession
planning processes and the actual succession planning at each of
Board and ULE level.
When recruiting, the Committee will take into account the profile of
Unilever’s Boards of Directors set out in ‘The Governance of Unilever’
which is in line with the recommendations of applicable governance
regulations and best practice. Pursuant to the profile the Boards
should comprise a majority of Non-Executive Directors who are
independent of Unilever, free from any conflicts of interest and able to
allocate sufficient time to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
With respect to composition and qualities, the Boards should be in
keeping with the size of Unilever, its strategy, portfolio, culture,
geographical spread and its status as a listed company. The objective
pursued by the Boards is to have a variety of nationality, race, gender
and relevant expertise and the Non-Executive Directors in aggregate
should reflect Unilever’s consumer base, have sufficient financial
literacy and have sufficient understanding of the markets where
Unilever is active in order to understand the key trends and
developments relevant for Unilever.
In 2016, the Committee engaged the services of Russell Reynolds
Associates and MWM Consulting (both executive search agencies
which also assist Unilever with the recruitment of senior executives)
to assist with the recruitment of the new Chairman and new
Non-Executive Directors with the appropriate skills and expertise.
The Committee, on behalf of the Boards, continued during 2016 to
work on succession planning for the Boards.
46 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Chairman Succession: As reported in last year’s Committee report,
in view of Unilever’s objectives and activities it was important to
the Committee and the Boards that the profile of Unilever’s
new Chairman included a proven track record as a CEO, board
experience, deep knowledge of industry, experience of working at
more than one company, ability to spend sufficient time in Europe
and support for the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan.
During the search, the experience of each potential candidate was
matched against the profile agreed by the Board; the views of
Russell Reynolds and MWM on the shortlists of candidates drawn up
by the Committee were shared with the Boards; and Marijn Dekkers,
the preferred candidate, met with all Directors.
2016 appointments: The Committee recommended to the Boards
to nominate Marijn Dekkers as a new Non-Executive Director at
the 2016 AGMs and, on his appointment, that he become Chairman.
The Committee also recommended to the Boards that both Strive
Masiyiwa and Youngme Moon be nominated as new Non-Executive
Directors at the 2016 AGMs. In April 2016 the AGMs resolved to
appoint Marijn, Strive and Youngme with immediate effect. Marijn,
Strive and Youngme have further strengthened the financial and
digital expertise and industry experience of the Boards and
increased the diversity of nationality on the Boards.
Unilever Leadership Executive: During 2016, the Committee
consulted with the Chief Executive Officer on the selection criteria
and appointment procedures for senior management changes,
including changes to the ULE. In particular, the Committee was
consulted on the appointments of Marc Engel (Chief Supply Chain
Officer) and Leena Nair (Chief HR Officer) to the ULE.
DIVERSITY POLICY
Unilever has long understood the importance of diversity within our
workforce because of the wide range of consumers we connect with
globally. This goes right through our organisation, starting with the
Boards. The Boards feel that, whilst gender is an important part
of diversity, Unilever Directors will continue to be selected on the
basis of their wide-ranging experience, backgrounds, skills,
knowledge and insight.
Unilever’s Board Diversity Policy, which is reviewed by the Committee each
year, can be found on our website at www.unilever.com/boardsofunilever.
The Committee also reviewed and considered relevant recommendations
on diversity and remains pleased that over a third of our Non-Executive
Directors are women and that there are eight nationalities represented
on the Boards.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DEVELOPMENTS
The Committee reviews relevant proposed legislation and changes to
relevant corporate governance codes at least twice a year. It carefully
considers whether and how the proposed laws/rules would impact
upon Unilever and whether Unilever should participate in consultations
on the proposed changes.
For example, during 2016 the subject of corporate culture, the impact
of the new EU Market Abuse Regulation on Unilever’s compliance
procedures and the draft Dutch Corporate Governance Code were all
considered by the Committee.
EVALUATION
As part of the internal Board evaluation carried out in 2016, the
Boards evaluated the performance of the Committee. The Committee
also carried out an assessment of its own performance in 2016. The
Committee members concluded that the Committee is performing well.
Feike Sijbesma
Chair of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee
Laura Cha
Marijn Dekkers
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 47
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT
COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND ATTENDANCE
PRIORITIES FOR 2017
Review of progress on communicating and implementing the new
remuneration framework (if approved by shareholders).
Gender pay gap reporting.
Fair Compensation Framework principles and developments.
FORMAT OF THE DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT
Our Directors’ Remuneration Report is split into the following sections:
Letter from the Chair (pages 49 to 50)
At a Glance: How the Remuneration Policy will be applied to
Executive Directors in 2017 (page 51)
New Remuneration Policy (pages 52 to 64)
Annual Remuneration Report – 2016 (pages 65 to 77).
Ann Fudge (Chair)
Vittorio Colao
Michael Treschow (Member until April 2016)
Marijn Dekkers (Member since April 2016)
Nils Andersen (Member until April 2016)
Strive Masiyiwa (Member since April 2016)
ATTENDANCE
7 / 7
7 / 7
3 / 3
4 / 4
3 / 3
3 / 4
This table shows the attendance of Directors at Committee meetings held
in the year ended 31 December 2016. If Directors are unable to attend a
meeting, they have the opportunity beforehand to discuss any agenda
items with the Committee Chair. Attendance is expressed as the number
of meetings attended out of the number eligible to be attended.
HIGHLIGHTS OF 2016
Further review and shaping of Unilever’s future reward
framework to ensure that it remains aligned with strategy and
long-term shareholder value creation, resulting in the new
Remuneration Policy presented for shareholder approval at the
2017 AGMs (further details on pages 52 to 64).
Productive engagement with shareholders and stakeholders
during the year in advance of the 2017 renewal of Unilever’s
Remuneration Policy.
Review of the development of Unilever’s ‘Fair Compensation
Framework’ and alignment with Living Wages that will be used to
shape the way Unilever pays its people, to ensure that all of our
people are treated with responsibility, respect and integrity.
Review of progress in implementing and extending employee
share ownership through ‘SHARES’ (Unilever’s ‘buy 3 get 1 free’
share purchase plan) which is now offered to our non-senior
management employees in 104 countries.
48 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
DEAR SHAREHOLDERS,
I am pleased to present Unilever’s 2016 Directors’ Remuneration
Report. Outlined below is our performance and the decisions we have
made on remuneration.
BUSINESS PERFORMANCE AND REMUNERATION OUTCOMES
FOR 2016
ANNUAL BONUS: ANOTHER YEAR OF GOOD ALL-ROUND
PERFORMANCE DELIVERY
Despite another year of tough economic conditions where the global
landscape remained volatile, 2016 saw a good all-round performance
and strong delivery of our targets, demonstrating the progress made
in transforming Unilever into a more resilient business. Despite the
increasingly volatile environment, we achieved underlying sales growth
of 3.7%, ahead of our markets and broadly in line with target, together
with above-target core operating margin improvement of 50 basis
points. For the annual bonus calculations, free cash flow (FCF) is
calculated on a constant currency basis at €4.7 billion (equivalent to
the reported €4.8 billion at current rates), driven by the increase in
core operating profit and improvement in working capital, also broadly
in line with target.
This performance led to a formulaic outcome of 121% of target for
the performance factor, which applies to bonuses across Unilever
(including Executive Directors). However, management recommended
a downwards adjustment to 110%, in light of overall quality of results
as we ended the year with slower growth in a tougher economic
environment. The Committee believes this represents a fair
assessment of Unilever’s overall performance over the year.
Following application of personal performance multipliers, a bonus of
185% of salary was awarded for the CEO and a bonus of 121% of salary
for the CFO.
GLOBAL SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN (GSIP) AND
MANAGEMENT CO-INVESTMENT PLAN (MCIP):
SUSTAINED PERFORMANCE DELIVERY
Over the past three years, Unilever has delivered consistent financial
performance. Underlying sales growth during this period was 3.6% per
annum and core operating margin improvement over the period was
an average of 40 basis points per year, demonstrating management’s
continued drive for consistent top- and bottom-line growth. Unilever
also generated strong operating cash flow in the period, with
cumulative operating cash flow of €18.1 billion. Total shareholder
return (TSR) over this three-year period was in the middle third of the
peer group but below the threshold for vesting.
On the basis of this performance, the Committee determined that the
GSIP and MCIP awards to the end of 2016 will vest at 70% of initial
target award levels (i.e. 35% of maximum for GSIP and 47% of
maximum for MCIP).
A REWARD FRAMEWORK FOR THE FUTURE
During the year, the Committee undertook an extensive review of
Unilever’s Reward Framework. During this process I have been
privileged to meet and engage with many of our investors and other
stakeholders. I would like to express my thanks to all those who have
contributed so constructively to this exercise.
We reviewed our Reward Framework in light of four key principles:
simplify reward;
increase shareholding levels throughout Unilever’s
management population;
ensure consistent alignment of performance measures with
our strategy; and
increase the timeframe over which incentives are delivered.
We are therefore making several changes to Unilever’s Reward
Framework for our senior leadership team below Board level,
specifically members of the Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE) and
our ‘Top 500’ managers. These changes are set out in this letter. We
are also proposing to make some changes to how the Executive
Directors are paid as part of the new Remuneration Policy to be
presented to shareholders at our 2017 AGMs (set out on pages 52 to 64).
NEW REWARD FRAMEWORK FOR THE ULE AND
‘TOP 500’ MANAGERS
Our existing Reward Framework has served Unilever very well.
Unilever has embedded a strong performance culture and has
consistently delivered good results over the longer term. The
Committee now sees an opportunity to place a greater emphasis on
long-term employee share ownership to support Unilever’s ‘Connected
4 Growth’ initiative. In our new Reward Framework, longer-term
personal commitment through share ownership drives reward.
For our ULE members (excluding the Executive Directors) and ‘Top
500’ managers, we will simplify their reward arrangements by
consolidating fixed pay into a single figure and discontinuing the GSIP.
Pay for this population (effective from mid-2017) will comprise three
elements:
annual bonus; and
MCIP.
fixed pay;
To achieve a genuinely longer-term performance horizon of five years,
we will encourage our managers to invest a proportion of their annual
bonus after tax in Unilever shares through a revised longer-term
version of Unilever’s MCIP, for which approval will be sought at the
2017 AGMs. The maximum investment is 100% of a manager’s annual
bonus. The performance period on the MCIP has been increased from
three years to four years. MCIP matching shares will vest as currently
in the range of zero to 200%, depending on Unilever’s performance.
The total time horizon of the annual bonus and subsequent MCIP in
which it is invested is therefore five years. The Committee discussed
performance measures with key investors during the consultation
process and has amended performance measures on the MCIP to
support the achievement of our longer-term business strategy, as set
out on page 59.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 49
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED
(2) Simplify and rebalance
This will involve, as for other Unilever senior managers, discontinuing
GSIP so that MCIP is the only long-term incentive plan, and simplifying
fixed pay into a single consolidated fixed pay number. To maintain
target levels of pay this will require a rebalancing of the package
towards fixed pay and bonus invested in Unilever shares.
In 2017 we will consult further with investors regarding the details and
timing of this full alignment to the approach we are already applying to
our most senior managers below Executive Director level.
The CFO was recently promoted to the Board and has performed
strongly in role since appointment. The Committee has therefore
determined, in line with our existing remuneration policy, to award him
a salary increase of 5%. The Committee will continue to review the
CFO’s salary in view of his performance and development in role, and
may continue to make salary increases that exceed that of the wider
workforce over the life of our new Remuneration Policy, although any
further salary increases awarded will not exceed 15% in aggregate
over the course of this Remuneration Policy.
FRAMEWORK FOR FAIR COMPENSATION
The Committee is aware of and takes into consideration reward
conditions elsewhere in the group. We are also aware of the
developing regulatory environment on executive pay in the UK, Europe
and the US, and will continue to monitor this over the coming year so
that we can respond to new requirements and best practice. We are
proud of the Framework for Fair Compensation introduced by Unilever
in December 2015 (https://www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/the-
sustainable-living-plan/enhancing-livelihoods/fairness-in-the-
workplace/fair-compensation/). Through this framework, last year
Unilever announced the target to achieve living wage compliance for
all our employees globally by 2020.
Following extensive discussions with key shareholders and other
stakeholders, the Committee recommends these proposed changes
for your approval at the 2017 AGMs.
Ann Fudge
Chair of the Compensation Committee
For our ULE members (excluding the Executive Directors) and
‘Top 500’ managers this new MCIP is the only long-term incentive.
These individuals will receive increases in fixed pay and bonus
opportunity to ensure that the total value of their package is
unchanged at target under the new Reward Framework if they
continue to invest 60% of their annual bonus in Unilever shares
through the MCIP.
We intend to apply the principles driving these proposals to the way we
pay all of our managers. Further, over the last two years we have
offered our “buy 3 get 1 free” global share purchase plan “SHARES” to
staff below senior management level across 104 of the 109 countries
in which we employ people. While continuing to advance SHARES, we
also intend to extend the reach of our executive share incentives from
3,000 senior managers to all of our 15,000+ managers worldwide from
2018 onwards.
Through these initiatives we will encourage all our employees fully to
adopt an owner’s mindset with the goal of achieving our growth
ambition, so they can continuously reinvest and share in the future
long-term success of Unilever.
NEW REWARD FRAMEWORK FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
We had extensive and constructive consultation with our shareholders
on how best to apply the new pay framework to our Executive
Directors. Our aim is, in due course, to apply the new Reward
Framework to Executive Directors in the same way as to other senior
leaders. The intention is to do this without any structural increase in
the target or maximum levels of pay.
To make the MCIP our only long-term incentive plan for Executive
Directors, while avoiding a reduction in target pay levels, will require
significant changes to the balance of the package, and in particular
more focus within the package on fixed pay and investment of annual
bonus in Unilever shares through MCIP. We have decided to adopt the
new framework in two steps:
(1) Lengthen MCIP horizon and increase shareholding requirements
For 2017 this will mean:
a four-year performance period on the MCIP, making it a five-year
plan in total when combined with the year in which bonus is earned;
new performance measures will apply for the MCIP. The current
cap of 150% in respect of the vesting of Executive Directors’ MCIP
matching shares will continue to apply, as will their current MCIP
investment limits of 25-60% of annual bonus;
increased shareholding requirements of 5 x salary for the CEO and
4 x salary for the CFO;
the current level and structure of fixed pay will be retained, other
than a 5% salary increase for the CFO (see below); and
GSIP will be retained, but with a two-year post-vesting holding period.
Post-employment holding periods, requiring 100% of the shareholding
requirement to be retained for a year and 50% to be retained for two
years, will continue to apply.
50 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
AT A GLANCE: HOW THE REMUNERATION POLICY WILL BE APPLIED TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
IN 2017
The table below sets out a summary of the new remuneration structure that will apply during the 2017 financial year subject to shareholder
approval at our 2017 AGMs. Further details are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy on pages 65-77.
Base salary
Fixed allowances
and other benefits
Annual bonus
MCIP
GSIP
Conditional
supplemental
pension
Shareholding
requirement
CEO
£1,010,000
No change
Fixed allowance – £250,000
Other benefits operated in line with policy
No change
CFO
£656,250
Increase of 5% from current £625,000
Fixed allowance – £200,000
Other benefits operated in line with policy
No change
120% of base salary at target, 200% at maximum
No change
100% of base salary at target, 150% at maximum
No change
Can invest up to the value of 60% of the gross 2016 annual bonus into the MCIP.
MCIP awards matching shares in the range of zero to 150% based on Unilever’s performance over 4 years.
Performance period has increased from current 3 years and has revised performance measures.
Target award: 200% of salary,
Maximum award: 400% of salary
Performance assessed over 3 years with
a subsequent 2 year holding period
Holding period is an additional requirement
under the new Remuneration Policy
£117,123
No change
5 x base salary = £5.05m
Increase from 4 x salary
Target award: 150% of salary,
Maximum award: 300% of salary
Performance assessed over 3 years with
a subsequent 2 year holding period
Holding period is an additional requirement
under the new Remuneration Policy
n/a
No change
4 x base salary = £2.625m
Increase from 3 x salary
INCENTIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Performance measures for Executive Directors that will apply to MCIP and GSIP granted in 2017 and the 2017 bonus are as follows:
ANNUAL BONUS –
performance measures
Weight
MCIP –
performance measures
Weight
GSIP –
performance measures
Underlying Sales Growth
(USG)
Core Operating Margin Improvement
(COM)
Free Cash Flow
(FCF)
33% Underlying Sales Growth
25% Underlying Sales Growth
(USG)
(USG)
33% Core Earnings Per Share
25% Core Operating Margin
(EPS)
(COM)
33% Sustainability Progress Index
25% Cumulative Operating Cash Flow
(USLP)
Return on Invested Capital
(ROIC)
(COCF)
25% Total Shareholder Return
(TSR)
Weight
25%
25%
25%
25%
Performance target ranges for the Annual Bonus are considered to be commercially sensitive and will be disclosed in full in the 2017 DRR.
MCIP 2017 TARGETS
GSIP 2017 TARGETS
Performance conditions are assessed over a four-year period.
The performance conditions and target ranges for 2017 are as follows:
Performance conditions are assessed over a three-year period.
The performance conditions and target ranges for 2017 are as follows:
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 51
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED
DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION POLICY
POLICY REPORT
POLICY TABLE
The following sets out our new Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the Remuneration Policy). This new Remuneration Policy will be presented for
approval by shareholders at the April 2017 AGMs and, if approved, applies to payments made after that date and replaces the existing remuneration
policy in its entirety. It is intended that the new Remuneration Policy will apply for three years, although the Compensation Committee may seek
approval for a new policy at an earlier point if it is considered appropriate. The supporting information section provides the rationale for any
changes from the existing remuneration policy where appropriate.
BASE SALARY
PURPOSE AND LINK TO STRATEGY
Supports the recruitment and retention of Executive Directors of the
calibre required to implement our strategy. Reflects the individual’s
skills, experience, performance and role within the Group.
OPERATION
Set by the Boards on the recommendation of the Committee and
generally reviewed once a year, with any changes usually effective
from 1 January (although changes may be made at any other time
if the Committee considers that is appropriate).
Salary is paid in cash and is generally paid monthly.
Salary is set at an appropriate level to attract and retain Executive
Directors of the required calibre, taking into account:
i. our policy generally to pay at around the median of an
appropriate peer group of other global companies of a similar
financial size and complexity to Unilever;*
ii.
the individual’s skills, experience and performance; and
iii. pay and conditions across the wider organisation.
FIXED ALLOWANCE
PURPOSE AND LINK TO STRATEGY
Provides a simple competitive alternative to the provision of itemised
benefits and pension, not linked to base salary.
OPERATION
The fixed allowance is reviewed periodically by the Committee and
changes are usually effective from 1 January.
Set at an appropriate level taking into account the median of an
appropriate peer group in line with the approach to base salary and
individual circumstances (such as whether they have been required
to relocate to undertake their role).
Normally, paid monthly in cash.
OPPORTUNITY
Any increases will normally be in line with the range of increases awarded
to other employees within the Group.
Increases may be above this level or applied more frequently in certain
circumstances, such as:
where there is, in the Committee’s opinion, a significant change in an
Executive Director’s scope or role;
where a new Executive Director has been appointed to the Boards on a
salary lower than the typical market level for such a role and becomes
established in the role; and
where it is considered necessary to reflect significant changes in
market practice.
The maximum aggregate increase for the current Executive Directors
during the time in which this policy applies will be no higher than 15%.
This excludes the proposed increase of salary for the CFO for 2017.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
n/a.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
A cap on the aggregate increase in salary over the duration of this
Remuneration Policy has been set at 15% (excluding the 5% salary
increase for the CFO set out in the Letter from the Chair). There are no
other changes relative to the previous Remuneration Policy.
OPPORTUNITY
The fixed allowance will not exceed the value of current allowance
provided as follows:
CEO – £250,000
CFO – £200,000.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
n/a.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
A cap on the fixed allowance has been set at the current levels provided.
There are no other changes relative to the previous Remuneration Policy.
52 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
BENEFITS
PURPOSE AND LINK TO STRATEGY
Provides certain benefits on a cost-effective basis to aid attraction
and retention of Executive Directors.
OPPORTUNITY
Based on the cost to Unilever of providing the benefit and dependent on
individual circumstances.
OPERATION
Provision of death, disability and medical insurance cover, directors’
liability insurance and actual tax return preparation costs. Other
benefits may be provided in the future where it is considered
necessary by the Committee and/or required by legislation.
In the event that Unilever were to require an existing or new
Executive Director to relocate, Unilever may pay appropriate
relocation allowances for a specified time period of no more than
three years. This may cover costs such as (but not limited to)
relocation, cost of living, housing benefit, home leave, tax and
social security equalisation and education assistance.
In line with the commitments made to the current CEO upon
recruitment, Unilever pays the social security obligation in the
CEO’s country of residence to protect him against the difference
between the employee social security obligations in his country
of residence versus the UK. He also receives a conditional
supplemental pension accrual to compensate him for the
arrangement forfeited on leaving his previous employer. This
supplemental pension accrual is conditional on the CEO
remaining in employment with Unilever to age 60 and
subsequently retiring from active service or his death or total
disability prior to retirement.
Executive Directors are entitled to participate on the same terms
as all UK employees in the Unilever PLC ShareBuy plan.
Relocation allowances – the level of such benefits would be set at an
appropriate level by the Committee, taking into account the
circumstances of the individual and typical market practice.
Social security obligation in the current CEO’s country of residence
dependent on earnings and rates of social security.
The supplemental pension accrual for the CEO is capped from 2012
onwards at £117,123.
Awards under the all-employee Unilever PLC ShareBuy Plan may be up to
HMRC-approved limits. The only change in the value of the current
benefits (for single figure purposes) will reflect changes in the costs of
providing those benefits.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
n/a.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
The ability to provide additional benefits has been restricted to only
instances that the Committee considers are necessary or legally required.
* The current peer group includes AstraZeneca, BASF, Bayer, BHP Billiton, BMW (XET), BP, British American Tobacco, BT, Carrefour, Centrica, Daimler (XET),
Danone, Diageo, GlaxoSmithKline, Henkel (XET), Imperial Brands, L’Oréal, Metro, National Grid, Nestlé, Novartis, Reckitt Benckiser, Rio Tinto, Roche, Royal Dutch
Shell, SABMiller, Sanofi, Siemens, Tesco, Total and Volkswagen. The peer group used for benchmarking purposes is reviewed regularly and companies are added
and/or removed at the Committee’s discretion to ensure that it remains appropriate.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 53
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED
ANNUAL BONUS
PURPOSE AND LINK TO STRATEGY
Incentivises year-on-year delivery of stretching short-term
financial, strategic and operational objectives selected to support
our annual business strategy and the ongoing enhancement of
shareholder value.
The ability to recognise performance through annual bonus
enables us to control our cost base flexibly and react to events and
market circumstances.
OPERATION
Each year Executive Directors may have the opportunity to
participate in the annual bonus plan. Executive Directors are set
a target opportunity that is assessed against the Business
Performance Multiplier of up to 150% of target opportunity at the
end of the year.
Executive Directors’ personal performance is also assessed at
the year end and may result in a Personal Performance Multiplier
of up to 150%.
The Business and Personal Performance Multipliers cannot result
in a bonus payout greater than the maximum set out in this
Remuneration Policy.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, Executive
Directors are required to invest at least 25% and can invest up to a
maximum of 60% of their gross annual bonus into Unilever shares
under the MCIP (see the MCIP section on page 55).
Ultimate remedy/malus and claw-back provisions apply (see
details on page 57).
OPPORTUNITY
Target bonus opportunities (as a percentage of base salary) are:
CEO – 120%
Other Executive Directors – 100%
Maximum bonus opportunities (as a percentage of base salary) are:
CEO – 200%
Other Executive Directors – 150%
Achievement of threshold performance results in a payout of 0% of the
maximum opportunity, with straight-line vesting between threshold
and maximum.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
The Business Performance Multiplier is based on a range of business
metrics set by the Committee on an annual basis to ensure that they
are appropriately stretching for the delivery of threshold, target and
maximum performance. These performance measures may include
underlying sales growth (USG), core operating margin improvement
(COM) and free cash flow (FCF).
The Committee has discretion to adjust the formulaic outcome of the
Business Performance Multiplier up or down by up to plus or minus
25%, based on results, if it believes this better reflects the underlying
performance of Unilever. In any event, the overall Business
Performance Multiplier will not exceed 150%. The use of any discretion
will be fully disclosed in the Remuneration Report for the year to which
discretion relates.
When determining payouts the Committee will also consider
performance against personal performance goals and the quality of
results delivered in terms of both business results and leadership.
The Committee may introduce non-financial measures in the future
subject to a minimum of 70% of targets being financial in nature.
Performance is normally measured over the financial year.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
The maximum Personal Performance Multiplier is 150%. The
Committee’s discretion to adjust the formulaic outcome of the Business
Performance Multiplier up or down has been capped at 25%. There are
no other changes relative to the previous Remuneration Policy.
54 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
MANAGEMENT CO-INVESTMENT PLAN (MCIP)
PURPOSE AND LINK TO STRATEGY
The MCIP encourages senior management to invest their own
money into Unilever shares, aligning their interests with
shareholders, and focus on the sustained delivery of high
performance results over the long term.
OPERATION
The MCIP is a share matching arrangement whereby Executive
Directors can invest their own after-tax money into Unilever
shares (“investment shares”) and be awarded matching shares
which vest at the end of a four-year performance period.
Depending on Unilever’s performance, Executive Directors
may receive up to 1.5 x the number the shares they have
purchased provided that they keep them for the duration of the
four-year period.
Executive Directors are able to choose whether they invest in
PLC or NV shares or a 50/50 mix. Executive Directors receive a
corresponding number of performance-related shares (‘matching
shares’). Matching shares will be awarded in the same form as
the investment shares (i.e. in PLC or NV shares or a 50/50 mix).
Ultimate remedy/malus and claw-back provisions apply (see
details on page 57).
OPPORTUNITY
Executive Directors are required to invest 25% and may invest up to 60%
of their gross annual bonus into Unilever shares.
The number of matching shares received at the end of the performance
period is a multiple of the number of shares invested into the MCIP which
depends on performance as follows (there is straight line vesting between
each of the points below):
Threshold – 0 x
Target – 1 x
Maximum – 1.5 x
The maximum possible opportunity as a % of salary is therefore:
CEO – 180%
Other Executive Directors – 135%
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
The Committee sets performance measures for each MCIP matching
share award. These will be tested over the four financial years starting
with that following the one to which the bonus relates.
MCIP performance measures are currently Underlying Sales Growth,
Core Earnings Per Share, Return On Invested Capital, and the Unilever
sustainability progress index. Each measure has a 25% weighting. The
Committee retains the discretion to change these measures and/or
weighting for future grants, based on strategic priorities for Unilever at
that time.
The Committee will ensure that the targets set are appropriately stretching
for the delivery of threshold, target and maximum performance.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
The performance measures for the MCIP to be granted in 2017 have
been amended to reflect Unilever’s strategic direction.
The MCIP (which will operate under a new set of plan rules for which
approval will be sought at the 2017 AGMs) is now assessed over a four-
year performance period. The previous MCIP was measured over a
three-year performance period.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 55
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED
GLOBAL SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN (GSIP)
PURPOSE AND LINK TO STRATEGY
The GSIP incentivises Executive Directors to achieve Unilever’s
clearly stated growth ambition by delivering sustained high
performance and sustainable returns for shareholders over the
longer term.
OPPORTUNITY
Target awards of conditional shares under the GSIP each year
(as a percentage of base salary) are limited to:
CEO – 200%
other Executive Directors – 150%
OPERATION
Awards of shares are normally made annually with vesting
conditional on Unilever’s performance against long-term
targets over a three-year performance period and the quality of
results delivered.
The vesting range for awards of conditional shares is between 0%
and 200% of target award. Accordingly, the maximum award of
shares under the GSIP is (as a percentage of base salary at grant):
CEO – 400%
other Executive Directors – 300%
A two-year holding period will apply following the three-year
vesting period (although shares may be sold to satisfy tax and
other relevant liabilities as a result of the award vesting).
31% of the grant level would pay out at threshold performance.
However, this may be amended at the discretion of the Committee
if the number of companies in the TSR comparator group changes.
Prior to vesting Executive Directors are able to choose whether
they receive any shares that are due to vest in PLC or NV shares
or a 50/50 mix.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
The Committee sets three-year performance measures for each
conditional GSIP award.
Ultimate remedy/malus and claw-back provisions apply (see
details on page 57).
GSIP performance measures are currently Underlying Sales Growth,
Core Operating Margin, Cumulative Operating Cash Flow and Total
Shareholder Return. Each measure has a 25% weighting. The
Committee retains the discretion to change these measures and/or
weighting for future grants, based on strategic priorities for Unilever at
that time.
The Committee will ensure that the targets set are appropriately stretching
for the delivery of threshold, target and maximum performance.
For the three business-focused measures, 25% of awards vest for
threshold performance and for maximum performance 200% of the
GSIP awards vest. The TSR measure is measured against the TSR
comparator group, comprising 18 other companies (19 including
Unilever): 50% vests if Unilever is ranked 10th, 100% vests if Unilever is
ranked 7th and 200% of the GSIP award vests if Unilever is ranked 3rd
or above. Further details of the TSR comparator group are set out on
page 66.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
The GSIP rules were approved by shareholders at the 2007 AGMs and will
expire in May 2017. The GSIP will subsequently be operated under a new
set of plan rules for which approval will be sought at the 2017 AGMs.
The GSIP awards made to the Executive Directors on 13 February 2017 will
have a two-year post-vesting holding period beyond the three-year vesting
period, making it a five-year plan, and this will also apply to GSIP awards in
subsequent years under this Remuneration Policy.
ELEMENTS OF PREVIOUS POLICY THAT WILL CONTINUE
MCIP and GSIP awards granted under the previous Remuneration Policy will continue to operate under the terms of that policy and the
relevant plan rules. Further details of the terms of the awards made are included in the Annual Remuneration Reports for their respective years.
This applies to the GSIP awards granted in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and the MCIP awards granted in 2015 and 2016. This provision will cease to apply
once all of these awards have vested, been exercised or been forfeited as appropriate as per the relevant policy and plan rules. Additional details
are set out below.
56 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
CLAW-BACK, ULTIMATE REMEDY, DISCRETION AND FLEXIBILITY
Claw-back: The Committee has discretion to reclaim or claw back some or all of the value of awards of performance-related payments to
Executive Directors in the event of a significant downward restatement of the financial results of Unilever. This includes the annual bonus
together with any awards that have been made and/or vested shares under the GSIP and the MCIP (awards under both this Remuneration Policy
and the previous remuneration policy). This claw-back may be effected up to two years from vesting by reducing outstanding awards or requiring
the return of the net value of vested awards to Unilever.
Ultimate remedy/malus: Grants under the GSIP and MCIP (under both this Remuneration Policy and the previous Remuneration Policy) are
subject to ultimate remedy. Upon vesting of an award, the Committee shall have the discretionary power to adjust the value of the award if the
award, in the Committee’s opinion taking all circumstances into account, produces an unfair result. In exercising this discretion, the Committee
may take into account Unilever’s performance against non-financial measures. The Committee may apply malus to reduce a GSIP or MCIP award
granted under this Remuneration Policy or to GSIP or MCIP awards granted from 2015 under the previous Remuneration Policy, or determine
that any such award will not vest or only vest in part in the event of a significant downward restatement of the financial results of Unilever, gross
misconduct or gross negligence, material breach of Unilever’s Code of Business Principles or any of the Unilever Code Policies, breach of
restrictive covenants by which the individual has agreed to be bound, or conduct by the individual which results in significant losses or serious
reputation damage to Unilever. The annual bonus will also be subject to malus on the same grounds as apply for MCIP awards.
For future awards under the GSIP and MCIP, the Committee may change the terms of a performance measure or target in accordance with its terms or if
anything happens which causes the Committee reasonably to consider it appropriate to do so, and may adjust the number or class of shares subject to
awards if certain corporate events (e.g. rights issues) occur. For legacy awards under the MCIP and GSIP, the Committee may change the terms of a
performance measure or target during the performance period to take into account any structural changes relating to the shares or the Group (e.g. rights
issues) in accordance with established market practice.
The Committee reserves the right to make any remuneration payments and payments for loss of office (including exercising any relevant discretions)
notwithstanding that they are not in line with this Remuneration Policy where the terms of the payment were agreed before this Remuneration Policy
came into effect or at a time when the relevant individual was not a Director of Unilever N.V. or PLC and, in the opinion of the Committee, the payment was
not in consideration for the individual becoming a Director of Unilever N.V. or PLC. 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.
REMUNERATION SCENARIOS - OUR EMPHASIS ON PERFORMANCE-RELATED PAY
It is Unilever’s policy that the total remuneration package for Executive Directors should be competitive with other global companies and that a
significant proportion should be performance-related.
For the remuneration scenarios below, the maximum and target pay opportunities have been chosen to be consistent with the current levels for
Executive Directors. In reviewing the appropriate level of pay opportunity for the Executive Directors, the Committee considers internal and
external comparators. Although pay is not driven by benchmarking, the Committee is aware that pay needs to be within a reasonable range of
competitive practice. The Committee notes that base salary and fixed allowance and total target pay for the Executive Directors is between
median and lower quartile for the benchmark group used by the Committee (see page 53).
The Committee typically reviews, on at least an annual basis, the impact of different performance scenarios on the potential reward opportunity
and payouts to be received by Executive Directors and the alignment of these with the returns that might be received by shareholders. The
Committee believes that the level of remuneration that can be delivered in the various scenarios is appropriate for the level of performance
delivered and the value that would be delivered to shareholders.
The charts below show hypothetical values of the remuneration package for Executive Directors in the first year of the policy under three
assumed performance scenarios:
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 57
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED
DETAILS OF FIXED ELEMENT OF REMUNERATION FOR CEO AND CFO AND ASSUMPTIONS FOR SCENARIO CHARTS
FIXED REMUNERATION
(FIXED PAY AND BENEFITS)
Assumptions as follows (for actual Executive Director pay details please see Implementation Report below):
Base salary for CEO = £1,010,000.
Base salary for CFO effective from 1 May 2017 = £656,250.
Fixed allowance = £250,000 for CEO and £200,000 for CFO.
CEO supplemental pension = £117,123.
Benefits assumed to be £447,000 for CEO and £19,000 for CFO in line with 2016.
VARIABLE REMUNERATION
BELOW
THRESHOLD
ON TARGET
No bonus payout and no vesting under the MCIP or the GSIP.
Target payout of the annual bonus (120% of base salary for the CEO and 100% of
base salary for the CFO).
Target vesting under the MCIP (1 x matching shares of the target 2017 annual
bonus for CEO and CFO).
Target vesting under the GSIP (200% of base salary for the CEO and 150% of base
salary for the CFO).
Scenarios assume 60% of the gross annual bonus is invested.
MAXIMUM
Maximum payout of the annual bonus (200% of base salary for the CEO and 150%
of base salary for the CFO).
Maximum vesting under the MCIP (1.5 x matching of the maximum 2017 annual
bonus for CEO and CFO).
Maximum vesting under the GSIP (400% of 2016 base salary for the CEO and
300% of 2016 base salary for the CFO).
Scenarios assume 60% of the gross annual bonus is invested.
Dividends, dividend equivalents and share price movements are ignored for the
purposes of the illustrations above.
NOTES TO
VARIABLE
REMUNERATION
LEGACY ARRANGEMENTS
For the duration of this Remuneration Policy, entitlements arising before the adoption of this Remuneration Policy will continue to be honoured in
line with the approved remuneration policy under which they were granted, or their contractual terms. The last award under the legacy MCIP was
made on 11 February 2016, relating to the annual bonus earned in 2015, which will vest on 11 February 2018. The last award under the GSIP rules
approved at the 2007 AGMs was made on 13 February 2017 and will vest on 13 February 2020. Further details of these awards can be found within
the existing remuneration policy approved at the 2014 AGMs and included within the 2013 and subsequent Annual Report and Accounts.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND THE LINK TO STRATEGY
Performance measures are selected to align with Unilever’s short-term performance targets and long-term business strategy objectives.
Unilever’s primary business objective is to create value in a sustainable way. Performance measures focus management on the delivery of a
combination of top-line revenue growth and bottom-line profit growth that Unilever believes will build shareholder value over the longer term.
The measures chosen for the incentives will support the delivery of this objective, with distinct measures for each of the annual and longer-term
incentive programmes. For the annual incentive, we continue to have a balanced set of performance measures in terms of sales, profitability and
cash flow. Performance measures for our long-term incentive relate to the key objectives driving long-term value creation for investors: growth (in
the form of USG) is fundamental to our model; core earnings per share (EPS) gives clear line of sight to share price via the Price/Earnings multiple;
sustainability (USLP) is at the heart of our strategy for long-term value creation; and return on invested capital (ROIC) is an important measure of
value creation, and an appropriate measure for ULE members given their decision-making responsibility regarding merger and acquisition activity.
In 2017 there will be no change to the performance measures used for GSIP. For 2018, if the GSIP is maintained, it is intended that a consistent set
of performance measures will be used across the MCIP and GSIP.
58 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
The following sets out the performance measures for short- and long-term executive incentive plans to be awarded in 2017, as well as the
business performance and the behaviours that they drive.
APPROACH TO TARGET SETTING
INCENTIVE PLAN
PERFORMANCE MEASURE
LINK TO STRATEGY
SHORT-TERM:
ANNUAL BONUS
Underlying sales growth (USG) at constant rates
Clear, simple and well understood measure supporting the
achievement of Unilever’s growth ambition
Free cash flow (FCF) at constant rates
Provides clear focus on the achievement of Unilever’s cash
generation ambition and on cost reduction
Core operating margin improvement (COM)
at current rates
Underlines the importance of achieving increasingly
profitable growth
LONG-TERM:
MCIP
Underlying sales growth CAGR (USG)
at constant rates
Supports the achievement of Unilever’s ambition to deliver
sustainable growth over the longer term
Core earnings per share (Core EPS) at current
rates
Provides focus on a measure which is widely understood and
applied externally by investors in valuing companies
Return on invested capital (ROIC)
Unilever sustainability progress index (USLP)
LONG-TERM:
GSIP
USG at constant rates
COM at current rates
Supports disciplined investment of capital within the
business and discourages acquisitions with low returns and
long paybacks (an especially relevant measure for members
of the ULE who make investment decisions)
The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) helps to secure
long-term value creation by decoupling our growth from our
environmental impact, while increasing our positive social
impact. To avoid over-focus on any one element of the USLP,
the progress index is an assessment made by the
Committee taking into account progress towards the targets
in our reported USLP scorecard
Supports the achievement of Unilever’s ambition to deliver
sustainable growth over the longer term
Underlines the importance of achieving sustainable
profitable growth over the longer term
Cumulative operating cash flow
Provides clear focus on the achievement of Unilever’s cash
generation ambition and on cost reduction
Relative total shareholder return (TSR)
Provides a relative ranking of share price growth and
dividend compared with a set of peer companies
The Committee sets performance targets for incentive plans, taking into account internal budgets, business priorities and external forecasts so
that the targets are sufficiently stretching. Good performance results in target payout while maximum payout is only achieved for delivering
exceptional performance.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 59
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED
DIFFERENCES IN PAY POLICY GENERALLY
As the Chairman’s letter sets out, the reward arrangements for the ULE (excluding the Executive Directors) and ‘Top 500’ managers have been
significantly simplified by consolidating fixed pay into a single figure and discontinuing the GSIP. Pay for this population (effective from mid-2017)
will comprise three elements:
annual bonus; and
MCIP.
fixed pay;
To achieve a genuinely longer-term performance horizon of five years, we will encourage our managers to invest a proportion of their annual
bonus after tax in Unilever shares through a revised longer-term version of Unilever’s MCIP, for which approval will be sought at the 2017
AGMs. The operation of this new MCIP is the same for the Executive Directors, except that the current cap of 150% will continue to apply to the
vesting of Executive Directors’ MCIP matching shares. For other participants the MCIP matching shares may vest up to 200%, based upon
Unilever’s performance.
For the ULE (excluding Executive Directors) and our ‘Top 500’ managers this new MCIP is the only long term incentive. These individuals have
received increases in fixed pay and bonus opportunity and they can invest up to 100% of their gross annual bonus into MCIP. The new
remuneration structure has been structured in a way to maintain broadly the same levels of pay for target performance, if they continue to invest
60% of their gross annual bonus in Unilever shares through the MCIP.
We plan to apply the principles driving these proposals to the way we pay all of our 15,000+ managers, not just our senior leaders. As a
responsible employer with around 169,000 people in 109 countries as at year end, we are also very mindful of how we pay our many non-
management staff.
Remuneration arrangements are determined throughout the Group based on the same principle - that reward should support our business
strategy and should be sufficient to attract and retain high-performing individuals without paying more than is necessary. Unilever is a global
organisation with employees at a number of different levels of seniority and in a number of different countries and, while this principle underpins
all reward arrangements, the way it is implemented varies by geography and level.
In principle, all our managers participate in the same Unilever annual bonus scheme with the same performance measures based on Unilever’s
overall performance. All middle and senior management are invited to participate in the MCIP. All other employees will have the opportunity to
participate in the global “buy 3 get 1 free” employee share plan called ‘SHARES’.
Through these initiatives we will encourage all our employees fully to adopt an owner’s mindset with the goal of achieving our growth ambition,
so they can continuously re-invest and share in the future long-term success of Unilever.
CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONS ELSEWHERE IN THE GROUP
When determining the pay of Executive Directors, the Committee considers the pay arrangements for other employees in the Group, including
considering the average global pay review budget for the management population, to ensure that remuneration arrangements for Executive
Directors remain reasonable.
Unilever employs around 169,000 people in 109 countries as at year end and, given this geographic spread and other factors, the Committee did
not consider that it was appropriate to consult employees on the Remuneration Policy for Executive Directors during the year. However, Unilever
takes the views of its employees seriously and on an ongoing basis we operate the ‘Rate-My-Reward’ survey to gauge the views of employees on
the different parts of their reward package.
The Committee has taken note of the Fair Compensation Unilever Framework (https://www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/the-sustainable-
living-plan/enhancing-livelihoods/fairness-in-the-workplace/fair-compensation/) and the advanced living wage awareness together with
responsible supplier policies within the Group. Over the last three years we have also offered the award-winning SHARES plan to our non-
management staff around the world. We will continue to advance these initiatives over the year ahead and beyond to enhance the livelihoods of all
our employees.
CONSIDERATION OF SHAREHOLDER VIEWS
The Committee takes the views of shareholders seriously. In a year when we are proposing to introduce this new Remuneration Policy
shareholders have been consulted extensively and their views have been influential in shaping this Remuneration Policy.
We maintain an open and regular dialogue with our shareholders on remuneration matters, including consulting with our largest shareholders,
when we are considering making material changes to our Remuneration Policy. As such we will be in contact with our largest shareholders
during 2017 to determine how best to structure remuneration for the Executive Directors for 2018 and beyond.
MINIMUM SHAREHOLDING REQUIREMENT
The remuneration arrangements applicable to our Executive Directors require them to build and retain a personal shareholding in Unilever (by
the later of 2018 or five years from the date of appointment) to align their interests with those of Unilever’s long-term shareholders. The current
requirement is 5 x base salary for the CEO and 4 x base salary for the CFO.
Upon leaving Unilever, all Executive Directors will be required to maintain at least 100% of their minimum shareholding requirement for one year
after leaving, and at least 50% for two years after leaving. If the leaver has not yet met their shareholding requirements on departure they will be
required to retain the shares they do own up to these limits.
60 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
REMUNERATION POLICY FOR NEW HIRES
AREA
Overall
POLICY AND OPERATION
The Committee will pay new Executive Directors in accordance with the approved Remuneration Policy and all its
elements as set out herein above. The terms of service contracts will not overall be more generous than those of the
current CEO and CFO summarised below. The ongoing annual remuneration arrangements for new Executive
Directors will therefore comprise salary, fixed allowance, benefits, annual bonus, MCIP and GSIP. In addition, the
recruitment policy below permits the Committee to take the following actions, as appropriate, in the best interests of
Unilever and therefore shareholders.
For internal promotions, any variable remuneration element awarded in respect of a prior role may be paid out according to
its original terms.
Base salary
Salary would be set at an appropriate level to recruit the best candidate based on their skills, experience and current
remuneration.
Fixed allowance
Fixed allowance provision would be in line with the approved normal Remuneration Policy and for a new external hire
may be consolidated into salary.
Benefits
Benefits provision would be in line with the approved normal Remuneration Policy. Where appropriate the Executive
Director may also receive relocation benefits or other benefits reflective of normal market practice in the territory in
which the Executive Director is employed. In addition, the Committee may agree that Unilever will pay certain
allowances linked to repatriation on termination of employment.
Incentive awards
Incentive awards would be made under the annual bonus, MCIP and GSIP in line with the normal policy.
Transition awards
and buyout awards
In addition to normal incentive awards, additional awards may be made to align the joiner as quickly as possible with
Unilever’s long-term goals, and to reflect value forfeited through an individual leaving their current employer.
Transition awards
In the event that we were to appoint a new Executive Director, the Committee’s preferred approach would be to offer a
transition award in Unilever shares to immediately align the new Executive Director with the long-term goals of the
business and to recognise that no other long-term incentive will be vesting in their first years of employment at
Unilever. The transition award permits the joiner to potentially receive matching awards under the MCIP and GSIP
awards as if they had invested a proportion of their target bonus into the in-flight MCIP cycles and had been made
awards in previous GSIP cycles that started before they joined Unilever. Accordingly, the transition award may comprise
two elements. The first can be worth up to 240% (4 x 60%) of the new Executive Director’s initial target annual bonus
and vests 25% per year thereafter at the actual performance multiplier (0 x to 1.5 x) for the MCIP cycle ending in the
corresponding year. The second element of the transition award may be worth up to 200% of the new Executive
Director’s initial salary and vests 50% per year thereafter at the actual performance multiplier (0 x to 2 x) for the GSIP
cycle ending in the corresponding year. Within these limits the Committee will determine the size of the transition
award based on individual circumstances. To be eligible for the transition award element related to MCIP (i.e 4 x 60% of
target bonus) the Executive Director must invest no less than a corresponding percentage (i.e. 60%) of actual annual
bonus into new cycles of MCIP starting in each of the years that the transition award vests. The final vesting value of the
transition award will be scaled back if the corresponding level of investment the new Executive Director has made into
the MCIP in that year is lower than the initial commitment. If the Executive Director elects to make a higher investment
in new MCIP cycles than the initial commitment, the transition award will not be increased.
A transition award would only be offered if required to compensate an Executive Director for awards foregone. If an
Executive Director joins without the need to compensate for awards foregone, a transition award would not be provided.
Buyout awards
The Committee’s preference is to use transition awards rather than buyout awards. However, as we need to be able to
source the best talent from any market, instead of the approach set out above the Committee may elect to compensate
Executive Directors hired from outside for any awards they lose by leaving previous employers broadly on a like-for-like
basis (although a transition award may form part of this). Incoming Executive Directors will be required to retain all
shares vesting from any share awards until their minimum shareholding requirements have been met in full.
If a buyout award is required, the Committee would aim to reflect the nature, timing, and value of awards forgone in
any replacement awards. Awards may be made in cash, shares or any other method as deemed appropriate by the
Committee. Where possible, share awards will be replaced with share awards. Where performance measures applied
to the forfeited awards, performance measures will be applied to the replacement award or the award size will be
discounted accordingly. In establishing the appropriate value of any buyout the Committee would also take into
account the value of the other elements of the new remuneration package.
The Committee would aim to minimise the cost to Unilever, although buyout awards are not subject to a formal
maximum. Any awards would be broadly no more valuable than those being replaced.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 61
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED
SERVICE CONTRACTS
POLICY IN RELATION TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SERVICE CONTRACTS AND PAYMENTS IN THE EVENT OF LOSS OF OFFICE
SERVICE
CONTRACTS &
NOTICE PERIOD
Current Executive Directors’ service contracts are terminable upon notice as follows:
12 months’ notice from Unilever; and
6 months’ notice from the Executive Director.
Starting dates of the service contracts for the current CEO and CFO:
CEO: 1 October 2008 (signed on 7 October 2008); and
CFO: 1 October 2015 (signed on 16 December 2015).
Service contracts are available to shareholders to view at the AGMs or on request from the Group Secretary.
TERMINATION
PAYMENTS
A payment in lieu of notice can be made, to the value of no more than 12 months’ base salary, fixed allowance and other
benefits (unless the Boards, at the proposal of the Committee, find this manifestly unreasonable given the
circumstances or unless dictated by applicable law).
OTHER
ELEMENTS
Executive Directors may, at the discretion of the Boards, remain eligible to receive an annual bonus for the financial year
in which they cease employment. Such annual bonus will be determined by the Committee taking into account time in
employment and performance.
Treatment of share awards as set out below.
Any outstanding all-employee share arrangements will be treated in accordance with HMRC-approved terms.
Other payments, such as legal or other professional fees, repatriation or relocation costs and/or outplacement fees, may
be paid if it is considered appropriate.
62 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
LEAVER PROVISIONS IN PLAN RULES
‘GOOD LEAVERS’ AS
DETERMINED BY THE COMMITTEE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PLAN RULES*
LEAVERS IN
OTHER
CIRCUMSTANCES*
CHANGE OF CONTROL
INVESTMENT
SHARES (MCIP)
Investment shares are not impacted
by termination (although they may be
transferred to the personal representative
of the Executive Director in the event
of his or her death without causing the
corresponding matching shares to lapse).
Investment shares
are not impacted
by termination.
Investment shares may normally be disposed of in
connection with a change of control without causing
the corresponding matching shares to lapse.
MATCHING
SHARES (MCIP),
PERFORMANCE
SHARES (GSIP)
Awards will normally vest following the
end of the original performance period,
taking into account performance and
(unless the Boards on the proposal of
the Committee determine otherwise)
pro-rated for time in employment.
Awards will
normally lapse
upon termination.
Alternatively, the Boards may determine
that awards shall vest upon termination
based on performance at that time
and pro-rated for time in employment
(unless the Boards on the proposal of
the Committee determine otherwise).
If a director dies, awards will vest at
the time of death at the target level of
vesting (pro-rated for time in employment
if the director had previously left as a
good leaver).
Alternatively, participants may be required to
exchange the investment shares for equivalent shares
in the acquiring company.
In accordance with Dutch law, matching shares and
performance shares are shares that are obtained as
part of the Executive Director’s remuneration.
Therefore their value is frozen for a period of four
weeks before an announcement of a public offer and
four weeks after the conclusion of a public offer.
Under current Dutch law requirements, any increase
in value in this period has to be reclaimed by Unilever
from the Executive Director upon retirement or sale of
these shares, if at that time the value of the shares is
higher than the value four weeks before the
announcement of the public offer. If the law changes,
Unilever will seek to comply with any new Dutch law
requirements that may apply from time to time.
Awards will vest based on performance at the time
of the change of control and the Boards, on the
proposal of the Committee, have the discretion to
pro-rate for time. Alternatively, participants may be
required to exchange the awards for equivalent
awards over shares in the acquiring company.
* An Executive Director will usually be treated as a good leaver if he or she leaves due to ill-health, injury or disability, retirement with Unilever’s agreement or
redundancy. The Boards may decide to treat an Executive Director who leaves in other circumstances as a good leaver. An Executive Director will not be treated as
a good leaver if he or she chooses to leave for another job elsewhere unless the Boards determine otherwise, if he or she is summarily dismissed or leaves because
of concerns about performance. In deciding whether or not to treat an Executive Director as a good leaver, the Boards will have regard to his or her performance
in the role.
If Unilever is affected by a demerger, special distribution or other transaction which may affect the value of awards, the Committee may allow matching shares under the
current and legacy MCIP and performance shares under the GSIP to vest early over such number of shares as it shall determine (to the extent any performance measures
have been met) and may be pro-rated to reflect the acceleration of vesting at the Committee’s discretion.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 63
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
KEY ASPECTS OF UNILEVER’S 2017 FEE POLICY FOR NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
APPROACH TO
SETTING FEES
Non-Executive Directors receive annual fees from Unilever N.V. and PLC. The Boards determine Non-Executive Director
fee levels within total annual limits as approved by shareholders (as specified in PLC’s Articles, this is currently PLC
£2,000,000 or its equivalent in any other currency based upon such foreign currency exchange rates as the Committee
shall determine, and NV €3,000,000).
OPERATION
Unilever’s policy is to set fees at a level which is sufficient to attract, motivate and retain high-class talent of the calibre
required to direct the strategy of the business. They are set taking into account:
Unilever’s Group-wide reward philosophy;
the commitment and contribution expected by the Group; and
fee levels paid in other global non-financial services companies based in Europe.
Fees are paid in cash.
Unilever applies a modular fee structure for Non-Executive Directors to ensure we fairly reflect the roles and
responsibilities of Committee membership and Chairmanship. Our basic philosophy is to pay the Chairman an all-
inclusive fee. Other Board members receive a basic fee and additional fees for being Vice-Chair, chairing or
membership of various committees. The fees are currently split 50/50 between PLC (in sterling) and NV (in euros).
The Boards may decide to pay fees in any other currency based on such foreign exchange rates as the Boards shall
determine, provided total Non-Executive Director fees stay within the annual limits as approved by shareholders from
time to time. The current 2017 fee structure can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 73. The fee
structure may vary from year to year within the terms of this Remuneration Policy.
Fees are normally reviewed annually but may be reviewed less frequently.
Additional allowances are made available to Non-Executive Directors where appropriate, to reflect any additional time
commitment or duties.
OTHER ITEMS
Non-Executive Directors are encouraged to build up a personal shareholding of at least 100% of their total annual fees
over the five years from appointment.
Non-Executive Directors are not entitled to participate in any of the Group’s incentive plans.
All reasonable travel and other expenses incurred by Non-Executive Directors in the course of performing their duties
are considered to be business expenses and are reimbursed together with any tax payable. Non-Executive Directors
also receive expenses relating to the attendance of the Director’s spouse or partner, when they are invited by Unilever.
Other benefits or additional payments may be provided in the future if, in the view of the Boards, this is considered
appropriate. Such benefits and/or payments would be within the total annual limits as approved by shareholders as
described above.
REMUNERATION POLICY FOR NEW NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HIRES
In the event of hiring a new Non-Executive Director, the Committee will align the remuneration package with the Remuneration Policy as set out
herein above.
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ LETTERS OF APPOINTMENT
The terms of engagement of Non-Executive Directors are set out in letters of appointment which each Non-Executive Director signed upon
appointment. Non-Executive Directors are currently appointed for a one-year term, subject to satisfactory performance, re-nomination at the
discretion of the Boards on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and re-election at forthcoming annual
shareholder meetings. It is Unilever’s expectation that Non-Executive Directors serve for a minimum of three years. The letters of appointment
allow for Unilever to terminate a Non-Executive Director’s appointment in cases of gross misconduct, bankruptcy or where the Non-Executive
Director is prevented from occupying such a position by law.
The letters do not contain provision for notice periods or compensation if the Non-Executive Directors’ appointments are terminated by Unilever.
Non-Executive Directors may terminate their engagement upon three months’ notice. Except in exceptional circumstances, the Boards will not
propose Non-Executive Directors for re-nomination when nine years have elapsed since the date of their appointment. Letters of appointment
are available for inspection on request from the Group Secretary.
In considering appointments to the Boards, the Directors and Unilever give due consideration to the time commitment required to fulfil the
role appropriately.
64 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
ANNUAL REMUNERATION REPORT
The following sets out how Unilever’s existing Remuneration Policy (which is available on our website – see www.unilever.com/ara2015/downloads)
was implemented in 2016, and how our new Remuneration Policy (set out on pages 52 to 64) will be implemented if it receives shareholder approval
at the 2017 AGMs.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REMUNERATION POLICY IN 2017 FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
If approved by shareholders, Unilever’s new Remuneration Policy will be implemented with effect from the 2017 AGMs as set out below. If the new
Remuneration Policy is not approved, Unilever’s existing Remuneration Policy will continue to apply.
ELEMENTS OF REMUNERATION
ELEMENTS OF
REMUNERATION
BASE SALARY
AT A GLANCE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Salary effective from 1 May 2017:
CEO: £1,010,000
(unchanged from 2016)
CFO: £656,250
No salary increase is to be awarded to the CEO during 2017. The Committee notes
that the CEO’s salary continues to be below competitive benchmarks compared to
similar-sized UK and European companies, but that he has consistently refused a
salary increase over recent years.
The CFO was recently appointed to the Board and has performed strongly in role
since appointment. The Committee has therefore determined, in line with our
Remuneration Policy, to award the CFO a salary increase of 5% that reflects his
strong performance since appointment and development in role. This is above the
average increase awarded to the broader employee population, but after careful
consideration is considered appropriate by the Committee.
In particular, the Committee notes that the CFO was appointed with a salary
significantly below that of his predecessor, and that, even with this increase, the
CFO’s salary is still below the lower quartile of the market when assessed against
our benchmarking peer group (as disclosed on page 53).
The Committee will continue to review the CFO’s salary in view of his performance
and development in role, and may make salary increases that exceed that of the
wider workforce, although any further salary increases awarded will not exceed 15%
on aggregate over the course of this Remuneration Policy.
FIXED
ALLOWANCE
OTHER BENEFIT
ENTITLEMENTS
ANNUAL BONUS
Fixed allowance for 2017:
CEO: £250,000
(unchanged from 2016)
CFO: £200,000
(unchanged from 2016)
Implemented in line with the 2017
Remuneration Policy.
n/a
n/a
Implemented in line with the 2017
Remuneration Policy.
For 2017, the Business Performance Multiplier will be based on the
following metrics:
Target annual bonus of 120% of
base salary for the CEO and 100%
of base salary for the CFO.
Business Performance Multiplier
of between 0% and 150% based
on achievement against business
targets over the year.
Personal Performance Multiplier
of between 0% and 150% based
on personal performance of
the Executive Director.
Maximum annual bonus is 200%
of base salary for the CEO and
150% for the CFO.
A 0% multiplier will be applied for threshold performance, and up to 150%
multiplier for maximum performance. Performance target ranges are considered
to be commercially sensitive and will be disclosed in full with the corresponding
performance outcomes retrospectively following the end of the relevant
performance year.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 65
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED
ELEMENTS OF
REMUNERATION
GSIP 2017
AWARDS
NEW MCIP
AT A GLANCE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Implemented in line with the 2014
Remuneration Policy.
GSIP award made on
13 February 2017
(vesting 13 February 2020).
Target award 200% of base salary
for the CEO (salary = £1,010,000)
and 150% of base salary for the
CFO (salary = £625,000).
Maximum vesting of 200% of
initial award (so maximum
vesting of 400% of base salary
for the CEO (£4,040,000), and
300% of base salary for the
CFO (£1,875,000)).
In addition, a two-year post-
vesting holding period will
apply to this award (beyond the
three-year vesting period) for
the CEO and CFO.
Implemented in line with the 2017
Remuneration Policy.
It is intended to make initial
awards under the MCIP in
May 2017.
Paul Polman elected to invest the
value of 60% (£1,119,888) of his
2016 annual bonus into the MCIP
(upon the plan’s approval at the
2017 AGMs).
Graeme Pitkethly elected to
invest the value of 60% (£453,750)
of his 2016 annual bonus in
MCIP investment shares
(upon the plan’s approval at
the 2017 AGMs).
Matching shares are awarded
based on performance up
to a maximum of 1.5 x
matching shares.
Therefore the maximum value
from the matching shares for the
CEO would be £1,679,832 and for
the CFO would be £680,625.
Performance conditions are assessed over a three-year period. The performance
conditions and target ranges for 2017 awards will be as follows:
For the three business-focused performance conditions, 25% of target awards
vest for achieving threshold performance, 100% for target and 200% for maximum
performance (with straight-line vesting between threshold and maximum).
For the TSR measure, 50% of the target award vests for threshold performance
at 10th place, 100% at 7th place, and 200% vests at 3rd place or above (with straight-
line vesting occurring between these points).(a)
Performance conditions are assessed over a four-year period. The performance
conditions and target ranges for 2017 awards under the new MCIP will be as follows:
Threshold results in no matching shares being awarded, target performance results
in an award of 1 x matching shares, up to a maximum award of 1.5 x matching shares
for Executive Directors, with straight-line vesting between threshold and maximum
(although the maximum for other participants is 2 x matching)
Participants are required to hold all their own investment shares and remain
employed by Unilever for the duration.
It is the Committee’s intention that management should be assessed against the
progress they make on the USLP as a whole, rather than selected components of it.
Unilever already publishes periodic progress reports for the USLP on our website
and so our shareholders are able to monitor performance against USLP goals.
At the end of the MCIP performance period, the Committee will disclose a full
narrative setting out the performance achieved and the corresponding outcome
that the Committee determines for the Sustainability Progress Index.
(a) For the relative TSR measure, Unilever’s TSR is measured against a comparator group of other consumer goods companies. TSR measures the return received by a
shareholder, capturing both the increase in share price and the value of dividend income (assuming dividends are reinvested). The TSR results are measured on a
common currency basis to better reflect the shareholder experience. The current TSR peer group consists of 18 companies (19 including Unilever) as follows:
Avon
Beiersdorf
Campbell Soup
Coca-Cola
Colgate-Palmolive
Danone
General Mills
Estée Lauder
Henkel
Kao
Kellogg’s
Kimberly-Clark
L’Oréal
Nestlé
PepsiCo
Procter & Gamble
Reckitt Benckiser
Shiseido
The Committee may change the TSR vesting levels set out above if the number of companies in the TSR comparator group changes (e.g. via M&A activity etc).
66 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
ULTIMATE REMEDY/MALUS AND CLAWBACK
Grants under the GSIP and MCIP are subject to ultimate remedy as explained in the 2017 Remuneration Policy. Malus and clawback apply to all
performance-related payments as explained in the 2017 Remuneration Policy.
In 2016, the Committee did not reclaim or claw back any of the value of awards of performance-related payments to Executive Directors.
SINGLE FIGURE OF REMUNERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REMUNERATION POLICY IN 2016 FOR EXECUTIVE
DIRECTORS (AUDITED)
The table below shows a single figure of remuneration for each of our Executive Directors, for the years 2015 and 2016.
(A) Base salary
(B) Fixed allowances and other benefits
(C) Annual bonus
Long-term incentives
(D) MCIP matching shares –
(required by UK law)(d)
(E) GSIP performance shares –
(required by UK law)(d)
Long-term incentives (sub-total)
(F) Conditional supplemental pension
Total remuneration paid – (required by UK law) (A+B+C+D+E+F)
(G) Share awards (required by Dutch law)
Total remuneration paid – (required by Dutch law) (A+B+C+F+G)
Paul Polman
CEO (UK)
(€’000)
Graeme Pitkethly
CFO (UK)
(€’000)
Jean-Marc Huët
former CFO (UK)
(€’000)
2016
1,239
855
2,289
1,240
2,603
3,843
144
8,370
3,170
7,697
2015
1,392
901
2,573
1,933(a)
3,336(a)
5,269
161
10,296
3,274
8,301
2016(b)
2015(b)
2016(c)
2015(c)
511
185
928
153
305
458
-
2,082
674
2,298
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
738
273
812
375(a)
1,783(a)
2,158
-
3,981
573
2,396
(a) Amount restated using actual share price(s) on relevant dates rather than three-month average share price to 31 December 2015 (which was used for the 2015 report).
(b) The figures included relate to amounts paid or payable to Graeme Pitkethly for his services from 21 April 2016 for the remainder of the year, being the date on which he
was appointed as an Executive Director of the Boards of NV and PLC. Although Graeme Pitkethly assumed the role of CFO and became a member of the ULE on 1
October 2015, he did not serve as an Executive Director during that year, and therefore his 2015 remuneration is not disclosed herein.
(c) The figures included relate to amounts paid to Jean-Marc Huët for his services between 1 January and 1 October 2015, being the date on which he ceased to be CFO
and an Executive Director of Unilever.
(d)Graeme Pitkethly’s GSIP and MCIP values in the above single figure table for 2016 include GSIP performance shares and MCIP matching shares previously granted
to him in 2014, before his appointment as an Executive Director.
Where relevant, amounts for 2016 have been translated into euros using the average exchange rate over 2016 (€1 = £0.8152), excluding amounts
in respect of MCIP and GSIP which have been translated into euros using the exchange rate at vesting date of 14 February 2017 (€1 = £0.8494).
Amounts for 2015 have been translated into euros using the average exchange rate over 2015 (€1 = £0.7254), excluding amounts in respect of
MCIP and GSIP which have been translated into euros using the exchange rate at vesting date of 18 February 2016 (€1 = £0.7763).
We do not grant our Executive Directors any personal loans or guarantees.
ELEMENTS OF SINGLE FIGURE REMUNERATION 2016
(A) BASE SALARY (AUDITED)
Salary set in sterling and paid in 2016:
CEO – £1,010,000.
CFO – £416,667 (amount paid to Graeme Pitkethly for his services from 21 April 2016, being the date on which he was appointed as an Executive
Director of the Boards of NV and PLC; Graeme Pitkethly’s annual salary is £625,000).
(B) FIXED ALLOWANCE AND OTHER BENEFITS (AUDITED)
For 2016 this comprises:
Fixed allowance
Medical insurance cover and actual tax return preparation costs
Provision of death-in-service benefits and administration
Payment to protect against difference between employee social security obligations
in country of residence versus UK
Total
Paul Polman
CEO (UK)
Graeme Pitkethly
CFO (UK)
(£)(a)
2016
(£)(a)(b)
2016
250,000
29,390
11,011
406,247
696,648
133,333
14,087
3,370
-
150,790
(a) The numbers in this table are quoted in sterling and translated into euros for the single figure of remuneration table above using the average exchange rate over
2016 of €1 = £0.8152.
(b)The figures included relate to amounts paid or payable to Graeme Pitkethly for his services from 21 April 2016 for the remainder of the year, being the date on which
he was elected at the AGMs as an Executive Director of the Boards of NV and PLC.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 67
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED
(C) ANNUAL BONUS (AUDITED)
Annual bonus 2016 actual outcomes
CEO – £1,866,480 (which is 92.5% of maximum, 185% of base salary).
CFO – £756,250 (which is 80.7% of maximum, 121% of base salary).
This includes cash and the portion of annual bonus that Executive Directors have indicated will be re-invested in shares under the MCIP. See below for
details. Performance against targets:
At the beginning of the year, the Committee set stretching financial performance targets which management delivered against during the course
of the year. In 2016 we achieved underlying sales growth of 3.7%, ahead of our markets, driven by a good step-up in price growth with balanced
volume. Improvement in core operating margin compared with 2015 was 0.5 percentage points driven by savings, improved product mix and
operational leverage. All categories delivered progress against their strategic priorities. For the annual bonus calculations, free cash flow (FCF)
is calculated on a constant basis at €4.7 billion (equivalent to the reported €4.8 billion at current rates), driven by the increase in core operating
profit and improvement in working capital, in line with the strong delivery in 2015.
The 2016 results represent good all-round performance despite difficult conditions. The consistent delivery of top-line and bottom-line growth
has been established over the last eight years. Operating margin performance, despite significant restructuring spend, was well above target
with cash flow and underlying sales growth more in line with target. Hence, the Committee has decided to award a performance factor of 110%
versus target. Although purely mathematically the bonus would have been 121%, management recommended the adjustment slightly downwards
in light of overall quality of results as we ended the year with slower growth. The Committee considered this to be a fair representation of the
performance delivery by the executive team during 2016.
Paul Polman
In determining bonus outcomes for Paul Polman, the Committee also considered his very strong personal performance. Again in 2016,
Paul demonstrated very firm leadership, both internally and externally. He received significant recognition for his work in leading Unilever
and in helping to promote sustainable and responsible business models around the world. He was awarded the Chevalier de la Legion
d’Honneur, the highest decoration in France, and the Public Service Star from the Singapore Government. Despite increasingly difficult
market conditions in 2016, Unilever maintained its consistent track record of delivering underlying sales growth ahead of its markets and
growth in core operating margin together with strong free cash flow. In 2016 Paul also introduced and pushed forward a number of major
transformation initiatives for Unilever – notably Connected 4 Growth (C4G) – which are already helping to strengthen the company and will
enable it to meet the demands of a fast-changing environment with even greater speed, agility and confidence. In 2016 Paul also oversaw a
number of strategic acquisitions that will help to bolster Unilever’s position in some fast-growing areas of the market. As a consequence of
the review of his personal performance, Paul Polman was awarded a personal performance multiplier of 140%. This resulted in his receiving
a bonus of 185% of his base salary, calculated as follows:
Target bonus: 120% of
base salary = £1,212,000
x
Unilever’s 2016
performance ratio = 110%
x
Personal performance
multiplier = 140%
=
£1,866,480
(185% of base salary)
Graeme Pitkethly
In determining bonus outcomes for Graeme Pitkethly, the Committee considered his personal performance and leadership, including the
management of Unilever’s financial risk exposure and the continuing drive for enterprise-wide efficiencies. It also took account of his strong
focus as CFO on performance management and the extent to which this was reflected in Unilever’s positive business results in 2016. Graeme
also played an important role in the successful launch of the C4G major organisational re-design, as well as driving the implementation of
the ambitious Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) programme across the Group, which is already generating savings for reinvestment within
Unilever and has the potential to restructure Unilever’s cost base over the next two years. Graeme has also pushed to instil enhanced levels
of investment discipline and cash delivery. As a consequence of that review, Graeme was awarded a personal performance multiplier of 110%.
This resulted in his receiving a bonus of 121% of his base salary, calculated as follows:
Target bonus: 100% of
base salary = £625,000
x
Unilever’s 2016
performance ratio = 110%
x
Personal performance
multiplier = 110%
=
£756,250
(121% of base salary)
68 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
(D) MCIP – UK LAW REQUIREMENT (AUDITED)
2016 OUTCOMES
This includes MCIP matching shares granted on 14 February 2014 (based on the percentage of 2013 bonus that Paul Polman and Graeme Pitkethly
had invested in Unilever shares, as well as performance in the three-year period to 31 December 2016) which vested on 14 February 2017. Further
details of the performance measures are disclosed below in note (E).
The values included in the single figure table for 2016 are calculated by multiplying the number of shares granted on 14 February 2014 (including
additional shares in respect of accrued dividends through to 31 December 2016) by the level of vesting (70% of target award for the CEO and 84% of
target award for the CFO) and the share prices on the date of vesting (NV €38.81 and PLC £32.86). The CFO’s award vested at a different level than
the CEO’s award as it relates to an award granted in 2014 before his appointment as an Executive Director. Performance measures and
performance against them are as set out in the table below (although the weightings of the measures were different for participants below Board
level, so the weightings of each measure in the award that vested for the CFO are Underlying Sales Growth at 30%, Core Operating Margin
Improvement at 30%, Cumulative Operating Cash Flow at 30% and TSR at 10%). These have been translated into euros using the exchange rate on
the date of vesting (€1 = £0.8494).
(E) GSIP – UK LAW REQUIREMENT (AUDITED)
2016 OUTCOMES
This includes GSIP performance shares granted on 14 February 2014, based on performance in the three-year period to 31 December 2016, which
vested on 14 February 2017.
The values included in the single figure table for 2016 are calculated by multiplying the number of shares granted on 14 February 2014 (including
additional shares in respect of accrued dividends through to 31 December 2016) by the level of vesting (70% of target award for the CEO and 84% of
target award for the CFO) and the share price on the date of vesting (NV €38.81 and PLC £32.86). The CFO’s award vested at a different level than
the CEO’s award as it relates to an award granted in 2014 before his appointment as an Executive Director with the performance measures and
weighting as set out under heading (D) above. These have been translated into euros using the exchange rate on the date of vesting (€1 = £0.8494).
Performance against targets:
(a) For details of comparator group please see page 66.
Over the past three years, Unilever has delivered consistent financial performance. Underlying sales growth during this period was 3.6% per year
and core operating margin improvement over the period was an average of 0.4 percentage points per year, demonstrating management’s
continued drive for consistent top- and bottom-line growth. Unilever also generated strong operating cash in the period, with cumulative
operating cash flow of €18.1 billion. Total shareholder return (TSR) over this three-year period was in the middle third of the peer group just
below the threshold for minimum vesting and, as such, no part of the GSIP and MCIP awards related to TSR will vest. On the basis of this
performance, the Committee determined that the GSIP and MCIP awards to the end of 2016 will vest at 70% of initial award levels (ie 35% of
maximum for GSIP and 47% of maximum for MCIP (which is capped at 150% for the Executive Directors)).
(F) CONDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTAL PENSION (AUDITED)
CEO (Paul Polman): Conditional supplemental pension provision agreed with Paul Polman on hiring, which will be paid on his retirement (or his
death or total disability prior to retirement). This was £117,123 based on 12% of a capped salary of £976,028 for 2016.
(G) SHARE INCENTIVES – DUTCH LAW REQUIREMENT (AUDITED)
As per the Dutch requirements, these costs are non-cash costs and relate to the expenses recognised for the period following IFRS 2. This is
based on share prices on grant dates and a 98% adjustment factor for GSIP shares and MCIP matching shares awarded in 2016, 2015 and 2014.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 69
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED
SCHEME INTERESTS AWARDED IN THE YEAR (AUDITED)
MAXIMUM
FACE VALUE
OF AWARDS
CEO:
£1,763,984(b)
CFO:
£434,415(b)
THRESHOLD
VESTING
(% OF TARGET
AWARD)
Four equally
weighted
long-term
performance
measures.
For the three
business-
focused metrics,
25% of the target
award vests for
threshold
performance.
For the TSR
measure, 50% of
the target award
vests for
threshold
performance.
PERFORMANCE
PERIOD
DETAILS OF PERFORMANCE
MEASURES
1 January 2016 –
31 December 2018
Subject to four equally weighted
performance measures:
Participants are required to hold all their own
investment shares and remain employed by
Unilever for the duration.
As above
As above
Subject to four equally weighted
performance measures:
CEO:
£4,140,739(b)
CFO:
£1,921,732(b)
PLAN
BASIS OF
AWARD
MCIP
Conditional
matching
share award
made on
11 February
2016
GSIP
Conditional
share award
made on
11 February
2016
Based on the level
of 2015 bonus paid
in 2016 invested by
the CEO and CFO.
The following
numbers of
matching shares
were awarded on
11 February 2016(a):
CEO:
PLC – 0
NV – 39,318
CFO:
PLC – 4,912
NV – 4,912
Maximum vesting
results in 150%
of target
awards vesting.
The CEO received
a target award
of 200% of
base salary.
CEO:
PLC – 35,115
NV – 35,115
The CFO received
a target award
of 150% of
base salary.
CFO:
PLC – 16,297
NV – 16,297
Maximum vesting
results in 200%
of target awards
vesting, which
translates to a
maximum vesting
of 400% of base
salary for the CEO
and 300% of base
salary for the CFO.
(a) Under MCIP, Executive Directors are able to choose whether they invest in PLC shares or NV shares or an equal number of shares in each. Executive Directors
receive a corresponding number of performance-related matching shares. Matching shares will be awarded in the same form as the investment shares (i.e. in
PLC shares, NV shares or an equal number of shares in each). On 11 February 2016, the CEO invested 60% (£1,119,888) and the CFO invested 60% (£282,520) of
their 2015 bonus in MCIP investment shares. The CEO elected to invest fully in NV shares. The CFO elected to receive an equal number of shares in each of
PLC and NV.
(b)The face values included in this table are calculated by multiplying the number of shares granted on 11 February 2016 by the share price on that day of PLC
£29.05 and NV €36.69 respectively, assuming maximum performance and therefore maximum vesting of 200% for GSIP and 150% for MCIP and then
translating into sterling using an average exchange rate over 2016 of €1 = £0.8152.
70 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
MINIMUM SHAREHOLDING REQUIREMENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHARE INTERESTS (UNAUDITED)
The table below shows the Executive Directors’ share ownership against the minimum shareholding requirements as at 31 December 2016 and
the interest in NV and PLC ordinary shares of Executive Directors and their connected persons as at 31 December 2016.
When calculating an Executive Director’s personal shareholding the following methodology is used:
Base salary at the date of measurement.
Shares in either Unilever PLC or Unilever N.V. (or a combination of both) will qualify provided they are personally owned by the Executive
Director, by a member of his (immediate) family or by certain corporate bodies, trusts or partnerships as required by law from time to time
(each a ‘connected person’).
Shares purchased under the MCIP from the annual bonus will qualify as from the moment of purchase as these are held in the individual’s
name and are not subject to further restrictions.
Shares or entitlements to shares that are subject only to the Director remaining in employment will qualify on a net of tax basis.
Shares awarded on a conditional basis by way of the GSIP or MCIP will not qualify until the moment of vesting (i.e. once the precise number of
shares is fixed after the three-year vesting period, or a four-year vesting period for the MCIP, has elapsed).
The shares will be valued on the date of measurement or, if that outcome fails the personal shareholding test, on the date of acquisition.
The share price for the relevant measurement date will be based on the average closing share prices and the euro/sterling/US dollar
exchange rates from the 60 calendar days prior to the measurement date.
Executive Directors are required to hold shares to the value of 100% of their shareholding requirement for 12 months post cessation of employment
at Unilever, and 50% of these shares for 24 months post cessation of employment with Unilever. All ULE members are required to build a
shareholding of 300% of base salary. This requirement is 150% of base salary for the ‘Top 100’ management layer below ULE.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ AND THEIR CONNECTED PERSONS’ INTERESTS IN SHARES AND SHARE OWNERSHIP (AUDITED)
Share ownership
guideline as % of
base salary (as at
31 December 2016)
Have guidelines
been met (as at
31 December 2016)?
Actual share
ownership as a %
of base salary (as at
31 December 2016)(a)
Shares held as at
1 January 2016(b)
Shares held as at
31 December 2016
NV
PLC
NV
PLC
CEO: Paul Polman
CFO: Graeme Pitkethly
400
300
Yes
Yes
3,433%
655,307
297,008
824,245
307,239
367%
17,468
27,569
32,189
42,908
(a) Calculated based on the minimum shareholding requirements and methodology set out above and the base salaries as detailed for the CEO and CFO in section (A)
on page 67.
(b)NV shares are ordinary €0.16 shares and PLC shares are ordinary 31/9p shares.
During the period between 31 December 2016 and 21 February 2017, the following changes in interests have occurred:
Graeme Pitkethly purchased 8 PLC shares under the Unilever PLC ShareBuy Plan: 4 on 10 January 2017 at a share price of £33.50, and a further 4 on
8 February 2017 at a share price of £33.09; and
as detailed under headings (D) and (E) on page 69, on 14 February 2017:
o Paul Polman acquired 31,964 NV shares following the vesting of his 2014 MCIP award, and 67,186 NV shares following the vesting of his 2014 GSIP
award, in accordance with his share choice to receive 100% NV shares on the vesting of these awards; and
o Graeme Pitkethly acquired 1,964 NV shares and 1,983 PLC shares following the vesting of his 2014 MCIP award, and 3,915 NV shares and 3,952
PLC shares following the vesting of his 2014 GSIP award.
The voting rights of the Directors (Executive and Non-Executive) and members of the ULE who hold interests in the share capital of NV and PLC
are the same as for other holders of the class of shares indicated. As at 21 February 2017 none of the Directors’ (Executive and Non-Executive) or
other ULE members’ shareholdings amounted to more than 1% of the issued shares in that class of share, excluding the holdings of the
Leverhulme Trust and the Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust, which amounted to 5.5%. All shareholdings in the table above are beneficial. In
addition, 68,531,182 shares are held by the Leverhulme Trust and 2,035,582 shares are held by the Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust, of which
Paul Polman is a director.
INFORMATION IN RELATION TO OUTSTANDING SHARE INCENTIVE AWARDS
As at 31 December 2016, Paul Polman held awards over a total of 362,163 shares which are subject to performance conditions, and Graeme
Pitkethly held awards over a total of 66,760 shares which are subject to performance conditions. There are no awards of shares without
performance conditions and no awards in the form of options.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 71
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED
MANAGEMENT CO-INVESTMENT PLAN (AUDITED)
The following conditional shares vested during 2016 or were outstanding at 31 December 2016 under the MCIP:
Balance of
conditional shares
at 1 January 2016
Conditional shares
awarded in 2016(a)
Balance of
conditional shares
at 31 December 2016
Paul Polman
Graeme Pitkethly
Share
type
NV
PLC
NV
PLC
Performance
period
1 January 2016 to
31 December 2018
39,318
0
4,912
4,912
Original
award
99,362(b)
25,509(b)
5,401(c)
7,715(c)
Price at
award
€36.69
£29.05
€36.69
£29.05
Dividend
shares
accrued
during
the year(d)
3,327
0
192
301
Additional
shares
earned in
2016
0
0
564
569
Vested in
2016(e)
24,779
24,999
3,700
3,733
Price at
vesting
€38.85
£30.25
€38.85
£30.25
Shares
lapsed
505
510
0
0
No. of
shares
116,723
0
7,369
9,765
(a) Each award of conditional matching shares vests three years after the date of the award, subject to performance conditions (further details can be found on pages 69-70).
Awards are all subject to continued employment and maintenance of the underlying investment shares. Under MCIP, Executive Directors are able to choose whether they
invest in PLC or NV shares or an equal number of shares in each. Executive Directors receive a corresponding number of performance-related matching shares.
Matching shares will be awarded in the same form as the investment shares (i.e. in PLC shares, NV shares or an equal number of shares in each). On 11 February 2016,
Paul Polman and Graeme Pitkethly each invested in the MCIP 60% of their annual bonus earned during 2015 and paid in 2016, and received a corresponding award of
matching shares (which will vest, subject to performance, on 11 February 2019).
(b) This includes a grant of 22,999 of each of NV and PLC shares made on 18 February 2013 (98% of which vested on 18 February 2016), a grant of 41,775 NV shares made on
14 February 2014 (70% of which vested on 14 February 2017), a grant of 29,128 NV shares made on 13 February 2015 (vesting 13 February 2018) and 5,460 NV shares and
2,510 PLC shares from reinvested dividends accrued in prior years in respect of awards.
(c) This includes grants that were made to Graeme Pitkethly before his appointment as Executive Director on 21 April 2016, being a grant of 2,852 of each of NV and PLC
shares made on 18 February 2013 (118% of which vested on 18 February 2016), a grant of 2,139 of each of NV and PLC shares made on 14 February 2014 (84% of which
vested on 14 February 2017), a grant of 2,215 PLC shares made on 13 February 2015 (vesting 13 February 2018) and 410 NV shares and 509 PLC shares from reinvested
dividends accrued in prior years in respect of awards.
(d) Reflects reinvested dividend equivalents accrued during 2016 and subject to the same performance conditions as the underlying matching shares.
(e) The 18 February 2013 grant vested on 18 February 2016 at 98% for Paul Polman and 118% for Graeme Pitkethly. In accordance with Unilever’s existing Remuneration
Policy (www.unilever.com/ara2016/downloads), Executive Directors are able to choose whether they receive any shares due to vest under MCIP in PLC or NV shares or
an equal number of shares in each. Paul Polman elected for share choice and chose to receive his shares in the form of 100% NV shares. Therefore, upon vesting, his 18
February 2013 PLC award was cancelled and converted and delivered to him as 24,971 NV shares (resulting in a total vesting for the 18 February grant of 49,750 NV
shares). Graeme Pitkethly elected to receive his shares in the form of an equal number of shares in each of PLC and NV.
GLOBAL SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN (AUDITED)
The following conditional shares vested during 2016 or were outstanding at 31 December 2016 under the GSIP:
Balance of
conditional shares
at 1 January 2016
Conditional shares
awarded in 2016(a)
Balance of
conditional shares
at 31 December 2016
Paul Polman
Graeme Pitkethly
Share
type
NV
PLC
NV
PLC
Performance
period
1 January 2016 to
31 December 2018
35,115
35,115
16,297
16,297
Original
award
127,306(b)
128,029(b)
12,281(c)
12,353(c)
Price at
award
€36.69
£29.05
€36.69
£29.05
Dividend
shares
accrued
during
the year(d)
3,532
4,014
647
737
Additional
shares
earned in
2016
0
0
805
812
Vested in
2016(e)
42,769
43,150
5,278
5,325
Price at
vesting
€38.85
£30.25
€38.85
£30.25
Shares
lapsed
No. of
shares
873
879
0
0
122,311
123,129
24,752
24,874
(a) Each award of conditional shares vests three years after the date of the award, subject to performance conditions (further details can be found on pages 69-70).
The 2016 award was made on 11 February 2016 (vesting 11 February 2019).
(b) This includes a grant of 39,698 of each of NV and PLC shares made on 18 February 2013 (98% of which vested on 18 February 2016), a grant of 43,700 of each of
NV and PLC shares made on 14 February 2014 (70% of which vested on 14 February 2017), a grant of 36,497 of each of NV and PLC shares made on 13 February
2015 (vesting 13 February 2018) and 7,411 NV shares and 8,134 PLC shares from reinvested dividends accrued in prior years in respect of awards.
(c) This includes grants that were made to Graeme Pitkethly before his appointment as Executive Director on 21 April 2016, being a grant of 4,068 of each of NV and
PLC shares made on 18 February 2013 (118% of which vested on 18 February 2016), a grant of 4,263 of each of NV and PLC shares made on 14 February 2014 (84%
of which vested on 14 February 2017), a grant of 3,216 of each of NV and PLC shares made on 13 February 2015 (vesting 13 February 2018) and 734 NV shares and
806 PLC shares from reinvested dividends accrued in prior years in respect of awards.
(d) Reflects reinvested dividend equivalents accrued during 2016, subject to the same performance conditions as the underlying GSIP shares.
(e) The 18 February 2013 grant vested on 18 February 2016 at 98% for Paul Polman and 118% for Graeme Pitkethly. In accordance with Unilever’s existing
Remuneration Policy (www.unilever.com/ara2015/downloads), Executive Directors are able to choose whether they receive any shares due to vest under GSIP in
PLC or NV shares or an equal number of shares in each. Paul Polman elected for share choice and chose to receive his shares in the form of 100% NV shares.
Therefore, upon vesting, his 18 February 2013 PLC award was cancelled and converted and delivered to him as 43,102 NV shares (resulting in a total vesting for the
18 February grant of 85,871 NV shares). Graeme Pitkethly elected to receive his shares in the form of an equal number of shares in each of PLC and NV.
On 13 February 2017, under the GSIP Paul Polman received an award of 30,532 NV and 30,532 PLC performance-related shares, and
Graeme Pitkethly received an award of 14,171 NV and 14,171 PLC performance-related shares.
72 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ SERVICE CONTRACTS
Starting dates of our Executive Directors’ service contracts:
Paul Polman: 1 October 2008 (signed on 7 October 2008); and
Graeme Pitkethly: 1 October 2015 (signed on 16 December 2015).
Service contracts are available to shareholders to view at the AGMs or on request from the Group Secretary, and can be terminated with 12 months’
notice from Unilever or six months’ notice from the Executive Director. A payment in lieu of notice can be made of no more than one year’s base
salary, fixed allowance and other benefits unless the Boards, at the proposal of the Committee, find this manifestly unreasonable given the
circumstances or unless dictated by applicable law. Other payments that can be made to Executive Directors in the event of loss of office are
disclosed in our existing Remuneration Policy which is available on our website (see www.unilever.com/ara2015/downloads), and in our new
Remuneration Policy detailed above (in the event of its approval by shareholders).
PAYMENTS TO FORMER DIRECTORS (AUDITED)
There have been no payments to former Directors during the year.
PAYMENTS FOR LOSS OF OFFICE (AUDITED)
There were no payments for loss of office.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REMUNERATION POLICY IN 2017 FOR NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
The current Non-Executive Director fee levels will not be changed for 2017, and we will review fee levels for 2018 during the course of the year.
The table below outlines the current fee structure (with fees paid 50% by each of Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC):
Role
Basic Non-Executive Director fee
Current Chairman (all-inclusive figure) (a)
Vice-Chairman
Membership of the Nominating and Corporate Governance, Compensation
or Corporate Responsibility Committee
Membership of the Audit Committee
Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance, Compensation
or Corporate Responsibility Committee
Chair of the Audit Committee
Reference
sterling
total fees
NV
£75,000
€48,065
£600,000
€384,510
£30,000
€19,226
£10,000
£15,000
€6,409
€9,613
£20,000
€12,817
£30,000
€19,226
and
and
and
and
and
and
and
PLC
£37,500
£300,000
£15,000
£5,000
£7,500
£10,000
£15,000
(a) During 2016 the Compensation Committee increased the Chairman’s fee from the previous figure of £550,000; the increase took effect upon the appointment of
Marijn Dekkers as Chairman on 21 April 2016.
All reasonable travel and other expenses incurred by Non-Executive Directors in the course of performing their duties are considered to be
business expenses. Non-Executive Directors also receive expenses relating to the attendance of the Director’s spouse or partner, when they
are invited by Unilever.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 73
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED
SINGLE FIGURE OF REMUNERATION IN 2016 FOR NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS (AUDITED)
The table below shows a single figure of remuneration for each of our Non-Executive Directors, for the years 2015 and 2016.
Non-Executive Director
Marijn Dekkers(c)
Michael Treschow(d)(h)
Nils Andersen
Laura Cha
Vittorio Colao
Louise Fresco(e)
Ann Fudge(f)
Byron Grote(g)
Judith Hartmann
Mary Ma
Strive Masiyiwa
Youngme Moon
Hixonia Nyasulu(h)
Sir Malcolm Rifkind(g)
John Rishton(i)
Kees Storm(g)
Feike Sijbesma(j)
Paul Walsh(g)
Total
2016
2015
Fees(a)
€’000
Benefits(b)
€’000
Total
remuneration
€’000
Fees(a)
€’000
Benefits(b)
€’000
Total
remuneration
€’000
502
230
111
119
107
119
157
–
113
113
71
71
38
–
132
–
132
–
2,015
18
5
17
-
-
-
-
–
9
-
-
-
-
–
8
–
–
–
57
520
235
128
119
107
119
157
–
122
113
71
71
38
–
140
–
132
–
–
732
75
122
57
126
149
47
80
120
–
–
120
38
133
73
126
42
2,072
2,040
–
2
4
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
–
7
–
734
79
122
57
126
149
47
80
120
–
–
120
38
133
73
127
42
2,047
(a) This includes fees received from NV in euros and PLC in sterling for 2015 and 2016 respectively. Includes basic Non-Executive Director fee and Committee
chairmanship and/or membership.
(b) The only benefit received relates to travel by spouses or partners where they are invited by Unilever.
(c) Chairman with effect from 21 April 2016.
(d) Chairman until 21 April 2016.
(e) Chair, Corporate Responsibility Committee.
(f) Vice-Chairman and Chair of the Compensation Committee.
(g) Retired from the Boards at the April 2015 AGMs.
(h) Retired from the Boards at the April 2016 AGMs.
(i) Chair, Audit Committee.
(j) Chair, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
We do not grant our Non-Executive Directors any personal loans or guarantees, nor are they entitled to any severance payments.
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS IN SHARES (AUDITED)
Non-Executive Directors are encouraged to build up a personal shareholding of at least 1 x their annual fees over the five years from 1 January
2012 (or appointment if later). The table shows the interests in NV and PLC ordinary shares of Non-Executive Directors and their connected
persons as at 31 December 2016. There has been no change in these interests between 31 December 2016 and 21 February 2017 (other than
Judith Hartmann, who bought 1,500 NV shares on 31 January 2017 at a share price of €37.60).
Marijn Dekkers(a)
Michael Treschow
Nils Andersen
Laura Cha
Vittorio Colao
Louise Fresco
Ann Fudge
Judith Hartmann
Share type
NV NY
PLC ADRs
NV
PLC
NV
PLC
NV
PLC
NV
PLC
NV
PLC
NV NY
PLC ADRs
NV
PLC
Shares held at
1 January 2016
Shares held at
31 December 2016
–
–
15,158
15,000
5,800
–
310
208
2,600
–
1,800
–
–
5,000
–
–
20,000
–
15,158(b)
15,000(b)
6,014
–
310
208
3,600
–
1,800
–
196
5,000
1,000
–
Mary Ma
Strive Masiyiwa(a)
Youngme Moon(a)
Hixonia Nyasulu
John Rishton
Feike Sijbesma
Share type
NV
PLC
NV
PLC
NV NY
PLC ADRs
NV
PLC
NV
PLC
NV
PLC
Shares held at
1 January 2016
Shares held at
31 December 2016
–
400
–
–
–
–
600
750
3,340
–
6,000
–
–
400
–
–
2,000
–
600(b)
750(b)
3,340
–
10,000
–
(a) Appointed at April 2016 AGMs.
(b) Shares held at 21 April 2016 (the date by which Michael Treschow and
Hixonia Nyasulu retired from the Boards).
74 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ LETTERS OF APPOINTMENT
All Non-Executive Directors were re-appointed to the Boards at the 2016 AGMs, with the exception of Marijn Dekkers, Strive Masiyiwa and
Youngme Moon (who were appointed for the first time), and Michael Treschow and Hixonia Nyasulu (who retired from the Boards).
Non-Executive Director
Marijn Dekkers
Michael Treschow
Nils Andersen
Laura Cha
Vittorio Colao
Louise Fresco
Ann Fudge
Judith Hartmann
Mary Ma
Strive Masiyiwa
Youngme Moon
Hixonia Nyasulu
John Rishton
Feike Sijbesma
Date first appointed
to the Board
Effective date of
current appointment(a)
21 April 2016
16 May 2007
30 April 2015
15 May 2013
1 July 2015
14 May 2009
14 May 2009
30 April 2015
15 May 2013
21 April 2016
21 April 2016
16 May 2007
15 May 2013
1 November 2014
21 April 2016
n/a
21 April 2016
21 April 2016
21 April 2016
21 April 2016
21 April 2016
21 April 2016
21 April 2016
21 April 2016
21 April 2016
n/a
21 April 2016
21 April 2016
(a) The unexpired term for all Non-Executive Directors’ letters of appointment is the period up to the 2017 AGMs, as they all, unless they are retiring, submit themselves
for annual re-appointment.
OTHER DISCLOSURES RELATED TO DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION
SERVING AS A NON-EXECUTIVE ON THE BOARD OF ANOTHER COMPANY
Executive Directors serving as non-executive directors on the boards of other companies are permitted to retain all remuneration and fees
earned from outside directorships subject to a maximum of one outside listed directorship (see ‘Independence and Conflicts’ on page 30 for
further details).
Paul Polman is a non-executive director of The Dow Chemical Company and received an annual fee of €127,749 (US$115,000) based on the
average exchange rate over the year 2016 of €1 = US$1.1109. In addition, he received a restricted award of 2,680 ordinary shares with a nominal
value of US$2.50 per share in the capital of The Dow Chemical Company. The shares include the rights to vote and to receive dividends thereon.
The shares cannot be sold or transferred until Paul Polman leaves the board of directors of The Dow Chemical Company, and in any case not
earlier than 13 May 2018.
EIGHT-YEAR HISTORICAL TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN (TSR) PERFORMANCE
The graph below includes:
growth in the value of a hypothetical £100 holding over eight years’ FTSE 100 comparison based on 30-trading-day average values; and
growth in the value of a hypothetical €100 investment over eight years’ AEX comparison based on 30-trading-day average values.
The Committee has decided to show Unilever’s performance against the FTSE 100 Index, London and also the Euronext 100 index (AEX),
Amsterdam as these are the most relevant indices in the UK and the Netherlands where we have our principal listings. Unilever is a constituent
of both these indices.
EIGHT-YEAR HISTORICAL TSR PERFORMANCE
Dec 08
Dec 09
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 13
Dec 14
Dec 15
Dec 16
i
g
n
d
l
o
h
€
/
£
l
a
c
i
t
e
h
t
o
p
y
h
f
o
e
u
l
a
V
300
250
200
150
100
50
Unilever NV
Unilever PLC
FTSE 100
AEX
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 75
DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED
CEO SINGLE FIGURE EIGHT-YEAR HISTORY
The table below shows the eight-year history of the CEO single figure of total remuneration:
CEO
Single figure of total remuneration (€‘000)
3,859
6,292
6,010
7,852
7,740
9,561
10,296
8,370
Annual bonus award rates against maximum opportunity
82%
80%
68%
100%
78%
66%
92%
92%
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
GSIP performance shares vesting rates against
maximum opportunity
MCIP matching shares vesting rates against
maximum opportunity
Share Matching Plan vesting rates against
maximum opportunity(a)
(a) Shown in year of award.
n/a
n/a
47%
44%
55%
64%
61%
49%
35%
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
81%
65%
47%
n/a
n/a
n/a
100%
100%
PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN REMUNERATION OF DIRECTOR UNDERTAKING THE ROLE OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The table below shows the percentage change from 2015 to 2016 for base salary, bonus and benefits (excluding pension) for both the CEO and all
UK and Dutch management in Unilever. The subset of UK and Dutch management has been used as a fair representation of our dual listing status.
% change from 2015 to 2016
CEO(a)(b)
UK and Dutch management(c)
Salary
-11.0%
-4.3%
Bonus
-11.0%
-11.7%
Benefits
(not including
pension)
-5.1%
-23.6%
(a) Calculated using the data from the Executive Directors’ single figure table on page 67.
(b)It is noted that although the CEO’s salary and annual bonus have decreased by 11.0% in the above table, this is due to currency movements, rather than any change
in remuneration amounts (as base salary was £1,010,000 in both 2015 and 2016, and actual annual bonus was £1,866,480 in both years).
(c) Similarly, figures for UK and Dutch management have also been affected by the sterling:euro exchange rate, and a rebalancing of fixed pay amounts to roll up some
local allowances into salary.
RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF SPEND ON PAY
The chart below shows the relative spend on pay compared with dividends paid to Unilever shareholders and core earnings. Core earnings
represent the net profit attributable to Unilever shareholders, adjusted for non-core items. Over time, both core earnings and core earnings
growth provide a good reference point to compare spend on pay.
RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF SPEND ON PAY
-0.5%
3.1%
5.8%
€7,000m
€6,000m
€5,000m
€4,000m
€3,000m
€2,000m
€1,000m
€0m
Core Earnings*
Dividends paid to Unilever
shareholders
2015
2016
Total staff costs
* In calculating core earnings, net profit attributable to shareholders' equity is adjusted to eliminate the
post-tax impact of non-core items. Refer to note 7, and the table entitled 'Calculation of core earnings'
on page 103 for reconciliation of core earnings to net profit attributable to shareholders' equity.
76 Governance
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Committee’s membership has been further refreshed in 2016. Ann Fudge (Chair) and Vittorio Colao both served throughout this period.
Former Chairman Michael Treschow was a member of the Committee until 21 April 2016, when he retired from the Boards; he was effectively
replaced by his successor in that role, Marijn Dekkers, who became a member of the Committee on 21 April 2016 immediately upon his
appointment as Chairman. Similarly, Nils Andersen stepped down from the Committee on 21 April 2016, with his place being taken by Strive
Masiyiwa, who joined the Committee immediately upon his appointment as a Non-Executive Director becoming effective on 21 April 2016.
The Committee reviewed its terms of reference during the year. The Committee’s revised terms of reference are contained within ‘The
Governance of Unilever’, and are also set out on our website (www.unilever.com/corporategovernance).
As part of the internal Board evaluation carried out in 2016, the Boards evaluated the performance of the Committee. The Committee also
carried out an assessment of its own performance in 2016. Overall the Committee members concluded that the Committee is performing
effectively, and has enhanced its effectiveness and that of the Boards by keeping the Boards informed of the progress of its review of the
executive remuneration framework (and related shareholder consultation) in a timely manner, so as to enhance Board decision-making
concerning these proposals. The Committee intends to further enhance its effectiveness in 2017 by reducing pre-read materials where
possible, and building in longer NED-only Committee sessions for members to share views and priorities.
ADVISERS
While it is the Committee’s responsibility to exercise independent judgement, the Committee does request advice from management and
professional advisers, as appropriate, to ensure that its decisions are fully informed given the internal and external environment.
The Committee appointed Tom Gosling of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to provide independent advice on various matters it considered. The
wider PwC firm has also provided tax and consultancy services to Unilever including tax compliance, transfer pricing, other tax-related services,
contract compliance reviews, internal audit advice and secondees, third party risk and compliance advice, cyber security advice, sustainability
assurance and consulting, and financial due diligence on disposals. PwC is a member of the Remuneration Consultants Group and, as such,
voluntarily operates under the code of conduct in relation to executive remuneration consulting in the UK, which is available at
www.remunerationconsultantsgroup.com.
The Committee is satisfied that the PwC engagement partner and team, which provide remuneration advice to the Committee, do not have
connections with Unilever N.V. or Unilever PLC that might impair their independence. The Committee reviewed the potential for conflicts of
interest and judged that there were appropriate safeguards against such conflicts. The fees paid to PwC in relation to advice provided to the
Committee in the year to 31 December 2016 were £107,900. This figure is calculated based on time spent and expenses incurred for the majority
of advice provided, but on occasion for specific projects a fixed fee may be agreed.
During the year, the Committee also sought input from the CEO (Paul Polman), the Chief Human Resources Officer (Leena Nair, who succeeded
Doug Baillie upon his retirement from this role in March 2016) and the EVP Global Head of Reward (Peter Newhouse) on various subjects
including the remuneration of senior management. No individual Executive Director was present when their own remuneration was being
discussed to ensure a conflict of interest did not arise. The Committee also received legal and governance advice from the Group Secretary
(Tonia Lovell) and General Counsel - Executive Remuneration & Employment (Margot Fransen).
CLARIFICATION STATEMENT (APPLICABLE TO 2014 REMUNERATION POLICY)
After publication of our Directors’ Remuneration Report 2013 the Committee issued a clarification statement at the request of The Investment
Association (previously: IMA and ABI). The statement is available on our website. The statement confirms that, under our existing
Remuneration Policy, we will not make share awards higher than the maximum awards stated in our existing Remuneration Policy for current
and newly hired Executive Directors without prior shareholder approval. It further clarifies that awards to newly hired Executive Directors to
buy out remuneration items on leaving the previous employer as provided in the new hires policy will be made under the GSIP. Consequently,
under such exceptional circumstances, the aggregated GSIP share awards for a newly hired Executive Director may be higher than the
maximum annual award set out in the existing Remuneration Policy. As stated in the existing Remuneration Policy in relation to new hires,
we will inform shareholders of any such buyout awards when announcing the appointment. Further details of our existing Remuneration Policy
are available at www.unilever.com/ara2016/downloads, and for details of our proposed new Remuneration Policy please see above.
SHAREHOLDER VOTING
Unilever remains committed to ongoing shareholder dialogue and takes an active interest in voting outcomes. In the event of a substantial vote
against a resolution in relation to Directors’ remuneration, Unilever would seek to understand the reasons for any such vote and would set out in
the following Annual Report and Accounts any actions in response to it. The following table sets out actual voting in respect of our previous report:
Voting outcome (% of votes)
2015 Directors’ Remuneration Report (excluding the Directors’ Remuneration Policy) (2016 AGM)(a)
2014 Directors’ Remuneration Policy (2014 AGM)(b)
2014 Directors’ Remuneration Policy (2014 AGM)(c)
(a) 1,772,026 votes were withheld (approximately 0.14% of share capital).
(b)7,606,237 votes were withheld (approximately 0.85% of share capital).
(c) 4,188,993 votes were withheld (approximately 0.27% of share capital).
PLC
PLC
NV
For
Against
94.49%
97.51%
98.37%
5.51%
2.49%
1.63%
The Directors’ Remuneration Report is not subject to a shareholder vote in the Netherlands. It has been approved by the Boards, and signed on
their behalf by Tonia Lovell, Group Secretary.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Governance 77
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
The Directors are required by Part 9 of Book 2 of the Civil Code in the
Netherlands and by the UK Companies Act 2006 to prepare accounts
for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of
affairs of the Unilever Group, and the NV and PLC entities, as at the
end of the financial year and of the profit or loss and cash flows for
that year.
DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Each of the Directors confirms that, to the best of his or her knowledge:
The Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016, taken as a whole, is
fair, balanced and understandable, and provides the information
necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and
performance, business model and strategy;
The financial statements which have been prepared in accordance
The Directors consider that, in preparing the accounts, the Group
and the NV and PLC entities have used the most appropriate
accounting policies, consistently applied and supported by
reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates, and that all
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU
and as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board
(in the case of the consolidated financial statements), Financial
Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ (FRS 101)
and Dutch law (in the case of the NV parent company accounts)
which they consider to be applicable have been followed.
The Directors have responsibility for ensuring that NV and PLC keep
accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy their
financial position and which enable the Directors to ensure that the
accounts comply with the relevant legislation. They also have a general
responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to
safeguard the assets of the Group, and to prevent and detect fraud and
other irregularities.
This statement, which should be read in conjunction with the Independent
Auditors’ reports, is made with a view to distinguishing for shareholders
the respective responsibilities of the Directors and of the auditors in
relation to the accounts.
A copy of the financial statements of the Unilever Group is placed on our
website at www.unilever.com/investorrelations. The maintenance and
integrity of the website are the responsibility of the Directors, and the work
carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of these matters.
Accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may
have occurred to the financial statements since they were initially placed on
the website. Legislation in the UK and the Netherlands governing the
preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from
legislation in other jurisdictions.
UK law sets out additional responsibilities for the Directors of PLC
regarding disclosure of information to auditors. Disclosure in respect
of these responsibilities is made on page 35.
with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU
and as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (in the
case of the consolidated financial statements) and Financial Reporting
Standard 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ (FRS 101) and UK
accounting standards and Part 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code (in
the case of the NV parent company accounts), give a true and fair view
of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the
Group and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a
whole; and
The Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development
and performance of the business and the position of the Group
and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a
whole, together with a description of the principal risks and
uncertainties that they face.
The Directors and their roles are listed on pages 3 and 29.
GOING CONCERN
The activities of the Group, together with the factors likely to affect its
future development, performance, the financial position of the Group,
its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described
on pages 1 to 28. In addition, we describe in notes 15 to 18 on pages
110 to 124 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 and liquidity risk. Although not assessed over the same period
as going concern, the viability of the Group has been assessed on
page 37.
The Group has considerable financial resources together with
established business relationships with many customers and suppliers
in countries throughout the world. As a consequence, the Directors
believe that the Group is well placed to manage its business risks
successfully despite the current uncertain outlook.
After making enquiries, the Directors consider it appropriate to adopt
the going concern basis of accounting in preparing this Annual Report
and Accounts.
INTERNAL AND DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Please refer to page 37 for a discussion of Unilever’s principal risk
factors and to pages 38 to 41 for commentary on the Group’s approach
to risk management and control.
78 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORTS
NETHERLANDS – KPMG ACCOUNTANTS N.V.
UNITED KINGDOM – KPMG LLP
TO: THE GENERAL MEETING OF UNILEVER N.V.
TO: THE MEMBERS OF UNILEVER PLC ONLY
For the purpose of these reports, the terms ‘we’ and ‘our’ denote KPMG Accountants N.V. in relation to the Netherlands responsibilities and
reporting obligations to the General Meeting of Unilever N.V. and KPMG LLP in relation to UK responsibilities and reporting obligations to the
members of Unilever PLC. The Unilever Group (‘the Group’) consists of Unilever PLC, Unilever N.V. and the entities they controlled during the
financial year. The reports of KPMG Accountants N.V. and KPMG LLP are presented in the left and right hand columns of this report
respectively. Where separate columns are not presented, the content of the reports of KPMG Accountants N.V. and KPMG LLP are identical.
The financial statements (‘the Financial Statements’) comprise:
the consolidated financial statements of the Group (‘the Consolidated Financial Statements’);
the parent company financial statements of Unilever N.V. (‘the NV Company Accounts’); and
the parent company financial statements of Unilever PLC (‘the PLC Company Accounts’),
each of which are defined below.
Summary
Unqualified audit opinions
Materiality was set at €350 million (2015: €350 million)
Matters with the greatest effect on our audit (‘Key audit matters’) relate to revenue recognition, indirect tax provisions and contingencies
and direct tax provisions and contingencies
Audits at a component level result in a coverage of 69% of revenue (2015: 70%)
OUR OPINIONS AND CONCLUSIONS ARISING FROM OUR AUDIT
1. OUR OPINIONS ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE UNMODIFIED
What we have audited
We have audited the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 which comprise the consolidated balance sheet as at 31
December 2016, the consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the year then ended and notes to
the Consolidated Financial Statements, including a summary of the accounting policies and other explanatory information. In addition, KPMG
Accountants N.V. has audited the NV Company Accounts (which comprise the company balance sheet as at 31 December 2016, the company income
statement, statement of comprehensive income and statement of changes in equity for 2016 and the notes comprising a summary of the accounting
policies and other explanatory information) and KPMG LLP has audited the PLC Company Accounts (which comprise the company balance sheet as at
31 December 2016, the company statement of changes in equity and the notes to the PLC Company Accounts, including the summary of the accounting
policies and other explanatory information).
Our opinions
In our opinion:
the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements give a
true and fair view of the financial position of the Group as at
31 December 2016 and of its result and its cash flows for the
year then ended in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union
(IFRS as adopted by the EU) and with Part 9 of Book 2 of the
Netherlands Civil Code; and
the accompanying NV Company Accounts give a true and
fair view of the financial position of Unilever N.V. as at
31 December 2016 and of its result for 2016 in accordance
with United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including
FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework and Part 9 of
Book 2 of the Netherlands Civil Code.
Basis for our opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Dutch law, including the
Dutch Standards on Auditing. Our responsibilities under those
standards are further described in the ‘Our responsibilities for the
audit of financial statements’ section of our report.
We are independent of the Unilever Group in accordance with the
Regulation regarding the Independence of Auditors in the case of
Assurance Engagements (“Verordening inzake de onafhankelijk-
heid van accountants bij assurance-opdrachten” (ViO)) and other
relevant independence regulations in the Netherlands.
Furthermore we have complied with the Regulation Code of
Conduct and Professional Practice Auditors (“Verordening
gedrags-en beroepsregels accountants” (VGBA)).
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In our opinion:
the Consolidated Financial Statements and the PLC Company Accounts
give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of Unilever PLC’s
affairs as at 31 December 2016 and of the Group’s profit for the year
then ended;
the Consolidated Financial Statements have been properly prepared in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted
by the European Union (IFRS as adopted by the EU);
the PLC Company Accounts have been properly prepared in accordance
with United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 101 Reduced
Disclosure Framework; and
both the Consolidated Financial Statements and the PLC Company
Accounts have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the
Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Consolidated Financial
Statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.
Separate opinion in relation to IFRS as issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board (IASB)
As explained in the accounting policies set out in the Consolidated Financial
Statements, the Group, in addition to complying with its legal obligation to
apply IFRS as adopted by the EU, has also applied IFRS as issued by the
IASB. In our opinion, the Consolidated Financial Statements comply with
IFRS as issued by the IASB.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 79
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORTS CONTINUED
2. OUR ASSESSMENT OF RISKS OF MATERIAL MISSTATEMENT / KEY AUDIT MATTERS
In arriving at our audit opinion above on the Financial Statements, the Key audit matters in decreasing order of audit significance were as set
out below.
These are the matters that, in our professional judgement, had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in
our audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. We have communicated these matters to the Audit Committee. Our audit
procedures relating to these matters were designed in the context and solely for the purpose of our audit of the Financial Statements as a
whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not express discrete opinions on these matters.
Revenue recognition
Refer to page 42 (Audit Committee Report) and pages 90-92 of the notes to the Financial Statements.
The risk – Revenue is measured net of discounts, incentives and rebates earned by customers on the Group’s sales. Within a number of the Group’s
markets, the estimation of discounts, incentives and rebates recognised based on sales made during the year is material and considered to be
complex and judgemental. Therefore, there is a risk that these arrangements are not appropriately reflected and as a result revenue is misstated in
the Financial Statements. There is also a risk that revenue may be overstated due to fraud through manipulation of the discounts, incentives and
rebates recognised resulting from the pressure local management may feel to achieve performance targets.
Revenue is recognised when the risks and rewards of the underlying products have been transferred to the customer. There is a risk that
revenue may be overstated due to fraud resulting from the pressure local management may feel to achieve performance targets at the
reporting period end. The Group focuses on revenue as a key performance measure which could create an incentive for revenue to be
recognised before the risks and rewards have been transferred.
Our response – Our audit procedures included considering the appropriateness of the Group’s revenue recognition accounting policies, including
those relating to discounts, incentives and rebates and assessing compliance with the policies in terms of applicable accounting standards.
In response to the risk of fraud, we tested the effectiveness of the Group’s controls over the calculation of discounts, incentives and rebates
and correct timing of revenue recognition.
We assessed sales transactions taking place at either side of the year end as well as credit notes issued after the year end date to assess
whether that revenue was recognised in the correct period. We also developed an expectation of the current year revenue balance based on
trend analysis information, taking into account historical weekly sales and returns information and our understanding of each market. We
then compared this expectation to actual revenue and, where relevant, completed further inquiries and testing.
Within a number of the Group’s markets, we compared current year rebate accruals to the prior year and, where relevant, we completed
further inquiries and testing. We reconciled a sample of claims and rebate accruals to supporting documentation and challenged
management’s assumptions used in estimating rebate accruals.
We performed testing over manual journals posted to revenue to identify unusual or irregular items.
We also considered the adequacy of the Group’s disclosures (in note 2) in respect of revenue.
Indirect tax provisions and contingencies
Refer to page 42 (Audit Committee Report) and pages 124-126 of the notes to the Financial Statements.
The risk – Provisions for indirect tax require the Directors to make judgements and estimates in relation to the issues and exposures. In Brazil, one of
the Group’s largest markets, the complex nature of the local tax regulations and jurisprudence make this a particular area of significant judgement.
Our response – Our audit procedures included testing the effectiveness of the Group’s controls around the recording and re-assessment of tax
provisions. Furthermore, our procedures included using our own indirect tax specialists to consider the level of provisions required in light of the
nature of the Group’s exposures, applicable regulations and the Group’s related correspondence with the authorities. We assessed relevant historical
and recent judgments passed by the court authorities in considering any legal precedent or case law, as well as assessing legal opinions from third
party lawyers. We also gained an understanding of the Group’s provisioning methodology and challenged assumptions using the knowledge and
experience of our own specialists. In addition, we obtained formal confirmations from the Group’s external counsel, where appropriate.
We also considered the adequacy of the Group’s disclosures (in note 19 and 20) made in relation to indirect tax provisions and contingencies.
Direct tax provisions and contingencies
Refer to page 42 (Audit Committee Report) and pages 101-103 and 125-126 of the notes to the Financial Statements.
The risk – The Group has extensive international operations and in the normal course of business the Directors make judgements and estimates in
relation to tax issues and exposures. This is a key judgement due to the Group operating in a number of tax jurisdictions, the complexities of transfer
pricing and other tax legislation.
Our response – Our audit procedures included testing the effectiveness of the Group’s controls around the recording and re-assessment of
tax provisions.
Our own tax specialists performed an assessment of the Group’s related correspondence with relevant tax authorities, to consider the
completeness of tax provisions. We also challenged the assumptions used, taking into consideration our own tax specialists’ knowledge and
experience. In addition, we assessed relevant judgments passed by authorities in considering any need for a provision, as well as assessing
relevant opinions from third parties.
We also considered the adequacy of the Group’s disclosures (in note 6 and 20) in respect of tax and uncertain tax positions.
80 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
3. OUR APPLICATION OF MATERIALITY AND AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT
Materiality
Based on our professional judgement, the materiality for the Consolidated Financial Statements as a whole was set at €350 million (2015:
€350 million), determined with reference to a benchmark of Group profit before taxation (of which it represents 4.8% (2015: 4.8%)). We also
take misstatements into account that are in our opinion material for qualitative reasons.
We agreed with the Audit Committee to report to it any corrected and uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding €25 million (2015:
€25 million) in addition to other identified misstatements that warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.
Scope of our audit
The Group operates through a significant number of legal entities, these form reporting components that are primarily country based.
To provide sufficient coverage over the Group’s Key audit matters, we performed audits of 13 components, which are included within ‘Audit for
group reporting purposes’ below (2015: 13 components), as well as audits of revenue and the related accounts receivable balances at a
further 10 components, which are included within ‘Audit of account balances’ below (2015: 10 components). These 10 components were not
individually financially significant and did not require an audit for group reporting purposes but were included in the scope of our group
reporting work in order to provide additional coverage over the Group’s revenue.
The Group has 7 centralised operating centres that perform accounting and reporting activities alongside related controls. Together these
operating centres process a substantial portion of the Group’s transactions. The outputs from the centralised operating centres are included in
the financial information of the component entities they service and therefore they are not separate reporting components. Each of the operating
centres is subject to specified audit procedures. Further audit procedures are performed at each reporting component to cover matters not
covered at the centralised operating centres and together this results in audits for group reporting purposes on those reporting components.
The percentages of the Group’s Revenue, Profit before Taxation and Total Assets represented by the components within the scope of our work
and procedures performed at corporate level are as follows:
REVENUE
Audit for group reporting purposes
Audit of account balances
Other components
PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION
Audit for group reporting purposes
Audit of account balances
Other components
TOTAL ASSETS
Audit for group reporting purposes
Audit of account balances
Other components
2016
52%
17%
31%
2016
44%
33%
23%
2016
75%
5%
20%
2015
51%
19%
30%
2015
39%
36%
25%
2015
86%
9%
5%
The remaining 31% of Group Revenue (2015: 30%), 23% of Group Profit before Taxation (2015: 25%) and 20% of Group Total Assets (2015: 5%)
is represented by a significant number of components (‘Other components’) none of which individually represents more than 2% of Group
Revenue, 3% of Group Profit before Taxation and 1% of Group Total Assets. A substantial portion of these Other components utilise the 7
operating centres and are therefore subject to audit procedures performed at these operating centres. In addition, for a selection of these
Other components, the group audit team performed procedures, focusing specifically on revenue and operating margins.
The group audit team instructed component auditors as to the significant areas to be covered, including the Key audit matters detailed above
and the information to be reported back. The group audit team approved component materiality levels, which ranged from €4 million to
€275 million (2015: €5 million to €275 million), having regard to the mix of size and risk profile of the Group across the components. The work
on components was performed by component auditors.
The group audit team visited locations in Argentina, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand
and Vietnam (2015: Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland,
Thailand, USA and Zimbabwe). Telephone and/or online meetings were also held with the auditors of these components and the majority of all
other components. The findings reported to the group audit team were discussed in more detail with component auditors and any further
work required by the group audit team was then performed by the component auditors.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 81
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORTS CONTINUED
4. OTHER REPORTING
Report on the other information included in the annual report
In addition to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the NV
Company Accounts and our auditor’s report thereon, the annual
report contains other information that consists of:
the report of the Directors consisting of the Strategic Report
and the Governance Report;
other information as required by Part 9 of Book 2 of the
Netherlands Civil Code;
PLC Company Accounts;
Shareholder information;
Additional information for US Listing Purposes.
Index; and
Based on the below procedures performed, we conclude that the
other information:
is consistent with the Financial Statements and does not contain
material misstatements; and
contains the information as required by Part 9 of Book 2 of the
Netherlands Civil Code.
We have read the other information. Based on our
understanding obtained through our audit of the Consolidated
Financial Statements and the NV Company Accounts or
otherwise, we have considered whether the other information
contains material misstatements.
By performing these procedures, we comply with the
requirements of Part 9 of Book 2 of the Netherlands Civil Code
and the Dutch Standard 720. The scope of the procedures
performed is substantially less than the scope of those
performed in our audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements
and the NV Company Accounts.
Management is responsible for the preparation of other
information, including the report of the Directors in accordance
with Part 9 of Book 2 of the Netherlands Civil Code and the other
Information as required by Part 9 of Book 2 of the Netherlands
Civil Code.
Report on other legal and regulatory requirements
Engagement
We were engaged as auditor of Unilever N.V. for the 2016 year by
the General Meeting on 21 April 2016 and have operated as
statutory auditor since the year 2014.
Our opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
is unmodified.
In our opinion:
the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been
properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006; and
the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for
the financial year is consistent with the Consolidated Financial Statements
and the PLC Company Accounts.
Based solely on the work required to be undertaken in the course of the
audit of the Financial Statements and from reading the Strategic Report
and the Directors’ Report;
we have not identified material misstatements in those reports; and
in our opinion, those reports have been prepared in accordance with the
Companies Act 2006.
We have nothing to report on the disclosure of principal risks.
Based on the knowledge we acquired during our audit, we have nothing
material to add or draw attention to in relation to:
the Directors’ Viability Statement on page 37, concerning the principal
risks, their management, and, based on that, the Directors’
assessment and expectations of the Group’s continuing operation over
the three years to 2019; or
the disclosures in note 1 of the Financial Statements concerning the
use of the going concern basis of accounting.
We have nothing to report in respect of the matters on which we are
required to report by exception.
Under ISAs (UK and Ireland) we are required to report to you if, based on
the knowledge we acquired during our audit, we have identified other
information in the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016 and the
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes that contains a material
inconsistency with either that knowledge or the Consolidated Financial
Statements and/or the PLC Company Accounts, a material misstatement
of fact, or that is otherwise misleading.
In particular, we are required to report to you if:
we have identified material inconsistencies between the knowledge we
acquired during our audit and the Directors’ statement that they consider
that the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016 taken as a whole is
fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary
for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance,
business model and strategy; or
the Report of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters
communicated by us to the Audit Committee.
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in
our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept by Unilever PLC, or
returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not
visited by us; or
the PLC Company Accounts and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration
Report to be audited are not in agreement with the accounting records and
returns; or
certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not
made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for
our audit.
Under the Listing Rules we are required to review:
the Directors’ statements, set out on page 78 and page 37, in relation to
going concern and longer-term viability; and
the part of the Corporate Governance Statement on pages 29–35 relating
to the Unilever PLC’s compliance with the 11 provisions of the 2014 UK
Corporate Governance Code specified for our review.
We have nothing to report in respect of the above responsibilities.
82 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Directors’ responsibilities
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement
(set out on page 78), the Directors are responsible for the preparation
of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the PLC Company
Accounts and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view.
Scope of an audit of financial statements
A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is
provided on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at
www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate.
This report is made solely to Unilever PLC’s members as a body and
is subject to important explanations and disclaimers regarding our
responsibilities which can be accessed on our website via
www.kpmg.com/uk/auditscopeukco2014b, and are incorporated into
this report as if set out in full and should be read to provide an
understanding of the purpose of this report, the work we have
undertaken and the basis of our opinions.
Directors’ and Audit Committee’s responsibilities
The Directors are responsible for:
the preparation and fair presentation of the Consolidated Financial
Statements in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and
Part 9 of Book 2 of the Netherlands Civil Code, and for the preparation
of the Report of the Directors in accordance with Part 9 of Book 2 of
the Netherlands Civil Code;
the preparation and fair presentation of the NV Company Accounts in
accordance with United Kingdom accounting standards, including FRS
101 Reduced Disclosure Framework and Part 9 of Book 2 of the
Netherlands Civil Code; and
such internal control as management determines is necessary to
enable the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements and
NV Company Accounts that are free from material misstatement,
whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the Financial Statements, the Directors are responsible for
assessing the Group’s and Unilever N.V.’s ability to continue as a going
concern. Based on the financial reporting frameworks mentioned, the
Directors should prepare the Consolidated Financial Statements and
NV Company Accounts using the going concern basis of accounting
unless the Directors either intend to liquidate the Group and/or Unilever
N.V. or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
The Directors should disclose in the Consolidated Financial Statements
and NV Company Accounts events and circumstances that may cast
significant doubt on the Group’s and/or Unilever N.V.’s ability to
continue as a going concern.
The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the Group’s financial
reporting process.
Our responsibilities for the audit of financial statements
Our objective is to plan and perform the audit to obtain sufficient and
appropriate audit evidence for our opinion. Our audit has been
performed with a high, but not absolute, level of assurance, which
means we may not have detected all material errors and fraud.
Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered
material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be
expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the
basis of these financial statements. The materiality affects the nature,
timing and extent of our audit procedures and the evaluation of the
effect of identified misstatements on our opinion.
For a further description of our responsibilities in respect of an audit
of financial statements we refer to the website of the professional
body for accountants in the Netherlands (NBA)
www.nba.nl/Documents/Tools%20Vaktechniek/Standaardpassages/St
andaardpassage_nieuwe_controletekst_oob_variant_%20Engels.docx
Eric van Leeuwen
(External auditor)
KPMG Accountants N.V.
Amsterdam
24 February 2017
SIGNING
Paul Korolkiewicz
(Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
London
24 February 2017
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 83
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
for the year ended 31 December
Turnover
Operating profit
After (charging)/crediting non-core items
Net finance costs
Finance income
Finance costs
Pensions and similar obligations
Share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates
Other income/(loss) from non-current investments and associates
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Net profit
Attributable to:
Non-controlling interests
Shareholders’ equity
Combined earnings per share
Basic earnings per share (€)
Diluted earnings per share (€)
Notes
2
2
3
5
11
6A
7
€ million
2016
52,713
7,801
(245)
(563)
115
(584)
(94)
127
104
7,469
(1,922)
5,547
363
5,184
1.83
1.82
€ million
2015
53,272
7,515
(350)
(493)
144
(516)
(121)
107
91
7,220
(1,961)
5,259
350
4,909
1.73
1.72
€ million
2014
48,436
7,980
960
(477)
117
(500)
(94)
98
45
7,646
(2,131)
5,515
344
5,171
1.82
1.79
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the year ended 31 December
Net profit
Other comprehensive income
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans net of tax
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Currency retranslation gains/(losses) net of tax(a)
Fair value gains/(losses) on financial instruments net of tax
Total comprehensive income
Attributable to:
Non-controlling interests
Shareholders’ equity
Notes
6C
15B
15B
15B
€ million
2016
5,547
€ million
2015
5,259
€ million
2014
5,515
(980)
884
(1,250)
217
(15)
4,769
374
4,395
(481)
100
5,762
357
5,405
(25)
(85)
4,155
404
3,751
(a)
Includes fair value gains/(losses) on net investment hedges and exchange differences in net investments in foreign operations of €(365) million (2015: €617 million;
2014: €412 million).
References in the consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated statement of changes in
equity, consolidated balance sheet and consolidated cash flow statement relate to notes on pages 88 to 143, which form an integral part of the
consolidated financial statements.
84 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
€ million
Called up
share
capital
€ million
Share
premium
account
€ million
€ million
€ million
Other
reserves
Retained
profit
31 December 2013
484
138
(6,746)
Profit or loss for the period
Other comprehensive income net of tax:
Fair value gains/(losses) on financial instruments
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans
net of tax
Currency retranslation gains/(losses)
Total comprehensive income
Dividends on ordinary capital
Movements in treasury stock(a)
Share-based payment credit(b)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Currency retranslation gains/(losses) net of tax
Other movements in equity(c)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7
-
-
(85)
-
(290)
(375)
-
(235)
-
-
-
(182)
31 December 2014
484
145
(7,538)
Profit or loss for the period
Other comprehensive income net of tax:
Fair value gains/(losses) on financial instruments
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans
net of tax
Currency retranslation gains/(losses)
Total comprehensive income
Dividends on ordinary capital
Movements in treasury stock(a)
Share-based payment credit(b)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Currency retranslation gains/(losses) net of tax
Other movements in equity
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7
-
-
100
-
(377)
(277)
-
6
-
-
-
(7)
31 December 2015
484
152
(7,816)
Profit or loss for the period
Other comprehensive income net of tax:
Fair value gains/(losses) on financial instruments
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans
net of tax
Currency retranslation gains/(losses)
Total comprehensive income
Dividends on ordinary capital
Movements in treasury stock(a)
Share-based payment credit(b)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Currency retranslation gains/(losses) net of tax
Other movements in equity
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(18)
-
-
(15)
-
189
174
-
(45)
-
-
-
244
-
100
-
100
20,468
5,171
Total
14,344
5,171
-
(85)
(1,253)
208
4,126
(3,196)
(217)
188
-
-
(809)
20,560
4,909
(1,253)
(82)
3,751
(3,196)
(452)
188
-
7
(991)
13,651
4,909
882
(109)
5,682
(3,404)
(282)
150
-
-
(87)
882
(486)
5,405
(3,404)
(276)
150
-
7
(94)
22,619
5,184
15,439
5,184
-
(980)
17
4,221
(3,600)
(213)
198
-
-
(46)
(15)
(980)
206
4,395
(3,600)
(258)
198
-
(18)
198
€ million
Non-
controlling
interests
471
344
-
3
57
404
-
-
-
(342)
(2)
81
612
350
€ million
Total
equity
14,815
5,515
(85)
(1,250)
(25)
4,155
(3,196)
(452)
188
(342)
5
(910)
14,263
5,259
2
5
357
-
-
-
(326)
-
-
643
363
-
-
11
374
-
-
-
(364)
-
(27)
626
884
(481)
5,762
(3,404)
(276)
150
(326)
7
(94)
16,082
5,547
(15)
(980)
217
4,769
(3,600)
(258)
198
(364)
(18)
171
16,980
31 December 2016
484
134
(7,443)
23,179
16,354
(a)
(b)
(c)
Includes purchases and sales of treasury stock, and transfer from treasury stock to retained profit of share-settled schemes arising from prior years and differences
between exercise and grant price of share options.
The share-based payment credit relates to the non-cash charge recorded against operating profit in respect of the fair value of share options and awards granted
to employees.
2014 includes the impact of the purchase of Estate shares (see note 24).
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 85
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
as at 31 December
Assets
Non-current assets
Goodwill
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Pension asset for funded schemes in surplus
Deferred tax assets
Financial assets
Other non-current assets
Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other current receivables
Current tax assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Other financial assets
Non-current assets held for sale
Total assets
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Financial liabilities
Trade payables and other current liabilities
Current tax liabilities
Provisions
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities
Non-current tax liabilities
Pensions and post-retirement healthcare liabilities:
Funded schemes in deficit
Unfunded schemes
Provisions
Deferred tax liabilities
Other non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Equity
Shareholders’ equity
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Other reserves
Retained profit
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity
These financial statements have been approved by the Directors.
The Board of Directors
24 February 2017
Notes
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
9
9
10
4B
6B
17A
11
12
13
17A
17A
22
15C
14
19
22
15C
4B
4B
19
6B
14
15A
15B
17,624
9,809
11,673
694
1,354
673
718
42,545
4,278
5,102
317
3,382
599
206
13,884
56,429
5,450
13,871
844
390
1
20,556
11,145
120
2,163
1,704
1,033
2,061
667
18,893
39,449
484
134
(7,443)
23,179
16,354
626
16,980
56,429
16,213
8,846
11,058
934
1,185
605
771
39,612
4,335
4,804
230
2,302
836
179
12,686
52,298
4,789
13,788
1,127
309
6
20,019
9,854
121
1,569
1,685
831
1,744
393
16,197
36,216
484
152
(7,816)
22,619
15,439
643
16,082
52,298
86 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
for the year ended 31 December
Net profit
Taxation
Share of net profit of joint ventures/associates and other income/(loss) from
non-current investments and associates
Net finance costs
Operating profit
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
Changes in working capital:
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Trade payables and other liabilities
Pensions and similar obligations less payments
Provisions less payments
Elimination of (profits)/losses on disposals
Non-cash charge for share-based compensation
Other adjustments
Cash flow from operating activities
Income tax paid
Net cash flow from operating activities
Interest received
Purchase of intangible assets
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Disposal of property, plant and equipment
Acquisition of group companies, joint ventures and associates
Disposal of group companies, joint ventures and associates
Acquisition of other non-current investments
Disposal of other non-current investments
Dividends from joint ventures, associates and other non-current investments
(Purchase)/sale of financial assets
Net cash flow (used in)/from investing activities
Dividends paid on ordinary share capital
Interest and preference dividends paid
Purchase of Estate shares
Net change in short-term borrowings
Additional financial liabilities
Repayment of financial liabilities
Capital element of finance lease rental payments
Other movements on treasury stock
Other financing activities
Net cash flow (used in)/from financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
Notes
5
24
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
17A
€ million
2016
5,547
1,922
€ million
2015
5,259
1,961
€ million
2014
5,515
2,131
(231)
563
7,801
1,464
51
190
142
(281)
(327)
65
127
198
(81)
9,298
(2,251)
7,047
105
(232)
(1,804)
158
(1,731)
30
(208)
173
186
135
(3,188)
(3,609)
(472)
-
258
6,761
(5,213)
(35)
(257)
(506)
(3,073)
786
2,128
284
3,198
(198)
493
7,515
1,370
720
(129)
2
847
(385)
(94)
26
150
49
9,351
(2,021)
7,330
119
(334)
(1,867)
127
(1,897)
199
(78)
127
176
(111)
(3,539)
(3,331)
(579)
-
245
7,566
(6,270)
(14)
(276)
(373)
(3,032)
759
1,910
(541)
2,128
(143)
477
7,980
1,432
8
(47)
82
(27)
(364)
32
(1,460)
188
38
7,854
(2,311)
5,543
123
(359)
(1,893)
207
(313)
1,741
(82)
69
162
4
(341)
(3,189)
(521)
(880)
338
5,174
(5,305)
(16)
(467)
(324)
(5,190)
12
2,044
(146)
1,910
The cash flows of pension funds (other than contributions and other direct payments made by the Group in respect of pensions and similar
obligations) are not included in the Group cash flow statement.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 87
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP
1. ACCOUNTING INFORMATION AND POLICIES
The accounting policies adopted are the same as those which were
applied for the previous financial year, except as set out below under
the heading ‘Recent accounting developments’.
UNILEVER
The two parent companies, NV and PLC, together with their group
companies, operate as a single economic entity (the Unilever Group,
also referred to as Unilever or the Group). NV and PLC have the same
Directors and are linked by a series of agreements, including an
Equalisation Agreement, which are designed so that the positions of
the shareholders of both companies are as closely as possible the
same as if they held shares in a single company.
The Equalisation Agreement provides that both companies adopt the
same accounting principles. It also requires that dividends and other
rights and benefits attaching to each ordinary share of NV, be equal in
value to those rights and benefits attaching to each ordinary share of
PLC, as if each such unit of capital formed part of the ordinary share
capital of one and the same company.
BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
Due to the operational and contractual arrangements referred to
above, NV and PLC form a single reporting entity for the purposes of
presenting consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the
financial statements of Unilever are presented by both NV and PLC as
their respective consolidated financial statements. Group companies
included in the consolidation are those companies controlled by NV or
PLC. Control exists when the Group has the power to direct the
activities of an entity so as to affect the return on investment.
The net assets and results of acquired businesses are included in the
consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of
acquisition, being the date on which the Group obtains control. The
results of disposed businesses are included in the consolidated
financial statements up to their date of disposal, being the date
control ceases.
Intra-group transactions and balances are eliminated.
COMPANIES LEGISLATION AND ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
as adopted by the European Union (EU), IFRIC Interpretations and in
accordance with Part 9 of Book 2 of the Civil Code of the Netherlands
and the UK Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting
under IFRS. They are also in compliance with IFRSs as issued by the
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
These financial statements are prepared under the historical cost
convention unless otherwise indicated.
These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
Refer to the going concern statement on page 78.
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting policies are included in the relevant notes to the
consolidated financial statements. These are presented as text
highlighted in grey on pages 90 to 143. The accounting policies below
are applied throughout the financial statements.
FOREIGN CURRENCIES
The consolidated financial statements are presented in euros.
The functional currencies of NV and PLC are euros and UK Pound
Sterling respectively. Items included in the financial statements of
individual group companies are recorded in their respective functional
currency which is the currency of the primary economic environment
in which each entity operates.
Foreign currency transactions in individual group companies are
translated into functional currency using exchange rates at the date of
the transaction. Foreign exchange gains and losses from settlement of
these transactions, and from translation of monetary assets and
liabilities at year-end exchange rates, are recognised in the income
statement except when deferred in equity as qualifying hedges.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the balances in
individual group companies are translated from their functional
currency into euros. The income statement, the cash flow statement
and all other movements in assets and liabilities are translated at
average rates of exchange as a proxy for the transaction rate, or at the
transaction rate itself if more appropriate. Assets and liabilities are
translated at year-end exchange rates.
The ordinary share capital of NV and PLC is translated in accordance
with the Equalisation Agreement. The difference between the value for
PLC and the value by applying the year-end rate of exchange is taken
to other reserves (see note 15B on pages 112 to 113).
The effect of exchange rate changes during the year on net assets of
foreign operations is recorded in equity. For this purpose net assets
include loans between group companies and any related foreign
exchange contracts where settlement is neither planned nor likely to
occur in the foreseeable future.
The Group applies hedge accounting to certain exchange differences
arising between the functional currencies of a foreign operation and
NV or PLC as appropriate, regardless of whether the net investment is
held directly or through an intermediate parent. Differences arising on
retranslation of a financial liability designated as a foreign currency
net investment hedge are recorded in equity to the extent that the
hedge is effective. These differences are reported within profit or loss
to the extent that the hedge is ineffective.
Cumulative exchange differences arising since the date of transition to
IFRS of 1 January 2004 are reported as a separate component of other
reserves. In the event of disposal or part disposal of an interest in a
group company either through sale or as a result of a repayment of
capital, the cumulative exchange difference is recognised in the income
statement as part of the profit or loss on disposal of group companies.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS
The preparation of financial statements requires management to
make judgements, estimates and assumptions in the application of
accounting policies that affect the reported amounts of assets,
liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these
estimates. Estimates and judgements are regularly evaluated and are
based on historical experience and other factors, including
expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable.
Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in
which the estimate is revised and in any future period affected.
Information about critical judgements in applying accounting
policies, as well as estimates and assumptions that have the most
significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are
included in the following notes:
separate presentation of items in the income statement – note 3;
measurement of defined benefit obligations – note 4B;
utilisation of tax losses and recognition of other deferred tax assets –
note 6B;
key assumptions used in discounted cash flow projections for
impairment testing of goodwill and intangible assets – note 9;
likelihood of occurrence of provisions and contingencies,
including tax investigations and audits – notes 6A, 19 and 20; and
measurement of consideration and assets and liabilities acquired
as part of business combinations – note 21.
88 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
1. ACCOUNTING INFORMATION AND POLICIES CONTINUED
RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS
ADOPTED BY THE GROUP
The Group applied for the first time amendments to two standards from 1 January 2016. These did not have a material impact on the Group.
APPLICABLE STANDARD
KEY REQUIREMENTS
IMPACT ON GROUP
Amendments to IAS 1
‘Presentation of
Financial Statements’
This change provides additional principles to
assist preparers with the presentation and
disclosure of financial statements.
There is no impact as current reporting is consistent with
these principles.
Amendments to IAS 41
‘Agriculture: Bearer Plants’
This changes the reporting for bearer plants to
be consistent with IAS 16 ‘Property, Plant and
Equipment’. This is because these assets are
similar to manufacturing assets.
There is no material impact as Unilever does not have
material bearer plants.
All other standards or amendments to standards that have been issued by the IASB and were effective by 1 January 2016 were not applicable
to Unilever.
NEW STANDARDS, AMENDMENTS AND INTERPRETATIONS OF EXISTING STANDARDS THAT ARE NOT YET EFFECTIVE AND
HAVE NOT BEEN EARLY ADOPTED BY THE GROUP
The following three new standards have been released, but are not yet adopted by the Group. The expected impact and progress is shown below.
APPLICABLE STANDARD
KEY REQUIREMENTS
OR CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY
IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS
AND EXPECTED IMPACT
IFRS 9
‘Financial Instruments’
Effective from the year
ended 31 December 2018
The standard has been
endorsed by the EU
IFRS 15
‘Revenue from
Contracts with Customers’
Effective from the year
ended 31 December 2018
The standard has been
endorsed by the EU
IFRS 16
‘Leases’
Effective from the year
ended 31 December 2019
The standard is not yet
endorsed by the EU
This standard introduces new requirements in
three areas:
Classification and measurement:
Financial assets will now be classified based on
1) the objective of the Group in holding the
asset and 2) the contractual cash flows.
Impairment:
A new expected credit loss model will be used
for calculating impairment on financial assets.
A loss event does not have to occur before
credit losses are recognised.
Hedge accounting:
New general hedge accounting requirements
will allow hedge accounting based on the
Group’s risk management policies rather
than only prescribed scenarios.
The standard clarifies the accounting
for bundled services and identifying
each ‘performance obligation’ in
contractual arrangements. It also provides
more guidance on the measurement of revenue
contracts which have discounts, rebates,
payments to suppliers and consignment stock.
This standard changes the recognition,
measurement, presentation and disclosure
of leases. In particular it requires lessees
to record all leases on the balance sheet
with exemptions available for low value and
short-term leases.
During 2016, the Group continued assessing the impact of
the new requirements in IFRS 9, the work on classification
and measurement is most advanced.
Classification and measurement:
We expect a slight increase in assets classified as fair
value through profit or loss driven by the removal of
available-for-sale classification, which currently have
fair value movements recognised within equity.
Impairment:
Based on preliminary work we estimate the impact will
be immaterial.
Hedge accounting:
Based on preliminary work we estimate the impact will
be immaterial.
During 2016, the Group completed a detailed review of the
requirements of IFRS 15 against our current accounting
policies. This focused on accounting for trade expenditure,
consignment stock, bad debts and incentives.
As a result of our review we concluded that our current
accounting policies are in line with the new standard. As
our business model evolves, we will continue to review the
Group’s contracts and transactions with customers to
ensure compliance with IFRS 15 on adoption.
Based on preliminary work we estimate that more leases
will be recorded on the Group balance sheet. Significant
work is required to determine the impact due to a high
volume of lease contracts and exemptions available.
In addition to the above, the Group does not currently believe adoption of the following amendments will have a material impact on the
consolidated results or financial position of the Group.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 89
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
1. ACCOUNTING INFORMATION AND POLICIES CONTINUED
APPLICABLE STANDARD
KEY REQUIREMENTS
OR CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY
IMPACT ON GROUP
This change adds a new requirement to
explain changes in liabilities relating to
financing activities.
This will require additional disclosure to be presented by
the Group.
Amendments to IAS 7
‘Statement of Cash Flows’
Effective from the year
ended 31 December 2017
The standard is not yet
endorsed by the EU
All other standards or amendments to standards that have been issued by the IASB and are effective from 1 January 2017 onwards are not
applicable to Unilever.
2. SEGMENT INFORMATION
SEGMENTAL REPORTING
Personal Care
– primarily sales of skin care and hair care products, deodorants and oral care products.
Foods
– primarily sales of soups, bouillons, sauces, snacks, mayonnaise, salad dressings, margarines and spreads.
Home Care
– primarily sales of home care products, such as powders, liquids and capsules, soap bars and a wide range
of cleaning products.
Refreshment
– primarily sales of ice cream and tea-based beverages.
REVENUE
Turnover comprises sales of goods after the deduction of discounts, sales taxes and estimated returns. It does not include sales between
group companies. Discounts given by Unilever include rebates, price reductions and incentives given to customers, promotional couponing
and trade communication costs.
Turnover is recognised when the risks and rewards of the underlying products have been substantially transferred to the customer.
Depending on individual customer terms, this can be at the time of dispatch, delivery or upon formal customer acceptance.
CORE OPERATING PROFIT
Core operating profit represents our measure of segment profit or loss as it is the primary measure used for the purpose of making
decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of segments. Core operating margin is calculated as core operating profit
divided by turnover.
90 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
2. SEGMENT INFORMATION CONTINUED
2016
Turnover
Operating profit
Non-core items
Core operating profit
Share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates
Significant non-cash charges:
Depreciation and amortisation(a)
Impairment and other non-cash charges(b)
2015
Turnover
Operating profit
Non-core items
Core operating profit
Share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates
Significant non-cash charges:
Depreciation and amortisation(a)
Impairment and other non-cash charges(b)
2014
Turnover
Operating profit
Non-core items
Core operating profit
Share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates
Significant non-cash charges:
Depreciation and amortisation(a)
Impairment and other non-cash charges(b)
Notes
3
3
3
€ million
Personal
Care
20,172
3,704
140
3,844
(5)
437
208
20,074
3,637
151
3,788
(4)
377
267
17,739
3,259
66
3,325
(1)
307
198
€ million
€ million
Foods
Home Care
€ million
Refresh-
ment
€ million
Total
12,524
10,009
10,008
52,713
2,180
60
2,240
4
322
151
949
18
967
1
236
131
968
27
995
127
469
108
7,801
245
8,046
127
1,464
598
12,919
10,159
10,120
53,272
2,298
56
2,354
4
308
113
12,361
3,607
(1,302)
2,305
3
257
122
740
35
775
-
235
134
840
108
948
107
450
153
7,515
350
7,865
107
1,370
667
9,164
9,172
48,436
576
3
579
-
192
100
538
273
811
96
371
393
7,980
(960)
7,020
98
1,127
813
(a) All amounts included within core operating profit.
(b) These comprise share-based compensation, movements in provisions and foreign exchange losses resulting from remeasurement of the Argentinian business (in
2016 and 2015) and Venezuelan business (in 2015). Certain amounts are included within non-core items.
Transactions between the Unilever Group’s reportable segments are immaterial and are carried out on an arm’s length basis.
The Unilever Group is not reliant on revenues from transactions with any single customer and does not receive 10% or more of its revenues from
transactions with any single customer.
Segment assets and liabilities are not provided because they are not reported to or reviewed by our chief operating decision-maker, which is
Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE) as explained in the Corporate Governance Section.
The home countries of the Unilever Group are the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Turnover and non-current assets for these two countries
combined, for the United States (being the largest country outside the home countries) and for all other countries are:
2016
Turnover
Non-current assets(c)
2015
Turnover
Non-current assets(c)
2014
Turnover
Non-current assets(c)
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
Netherlands/
United
Kingdom
3,819
United
States
8,263
4,770
11,696
Others
40,631
23,358
Total
52,713
39,824
4,157
4,878
3,851
3,921
7,956
9,674
6,684
7,668
41,159
22,336
37,901
21,714
53,272
36,888
48,436
33,303
(c) Non-current assets excluding financial assets, deferred tax assets and pension assets for funded schemes in surplus.
No other country had turnover or non-current assets (as shown above) greater than 10% of the Group total.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 91
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
2. SEGMENT INFORMATION CONTINUED
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BY GEOGRAPHIES
Although the Group’s operations are managed by product area, we provide additional information based on geographies. The analysis of turnover
by geographical area is stated on the basis of origin.
2016
Turnover
Operating profit
Non-core items
Core operating profit
Share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates
2015
Turnover
Operating profit
Non-core items
Core operating profit
Share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates
2014
Turnover
Operating profit
Non-core items
Core operating profit
Share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates
(d) Refers to Asia, Africa, Middle East, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
€ million
Asia/
AMET/RUB(d)
€ million
The
Americas
€ million
€ million
Europe
Total
22,445
17,105
13,163
52,713
3,275
19
3,294
(2)
2,504
222
2,726
108
2,022
4
2,026
21
7,801
245
8,046
127
22,425
17,294
13,553
53,272
3,019
16
3,035
(1)
2,273
244
2,517
96
2,223
90
2,313
12
7,515
350
7,865
107
19,703
15,514
13,219
48,436
2,626
(15)
2,611
-
3,233
(959)
2,274
68
2,121
14
2,135
30
7,980
(960)
7,020
98
Transactions between the Unilever Group’s geographical regions are immaterial and are carried out on an arm’s length basis.
3. GROSS PROFIT AND OPERATING COSTS
RESEARCH AND MARKET SUPPORT COSTS
Expenditure on research and market support, such as advertising, is charged to the income statement as incurred.
NON-CORE ITEMS
Disclosed on the face of the income statement are costs and revenues relating to business disposals, acquisition and disposal-related costs,
impairments and other one-off items, which we collectively term non-core items due to their nature and/or frequency of occurrence. These
items are material in terms of nature and/or amount and are relevant to an understanding of our financial performance.
Business disposals generate both gains and losses which are not reflective of underlying performance. Acquisition and disposal-related costs are
charges directly attributable to the acquisition or disposal of group companies.
Turnover
Cost of sales
of which: Distribution costs
Gross profit
Selling and administrative expenses
of which: Brand and Marketing Investment
Research and Development
Operating profit
€ million
2016
52,713
(30,229)
(3,246)
22,484
(14,683)
(7,731)
(978)
7,801
€ million
2015
53,272
(30,808)
(3,358)
22,464
(14,949)
(8,003)
(1,005)
7,515
€ million
2014
48,436
(28,387)
(3,079)
20,049
(12,069)
(7,166)
(955)
7,980
92 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
3. GROSS PROFIT AND OPERATING COSTS CONTINUED
NON-CORE ITEMS
Non-core items are disclosed on the face of the income statement to provide additional information to users to help them better understand
underlying business performance.
Acquisition and disposal-related costs
Gain/(loss) on disposal of group companies(a)
Impairments and other one-off items(b)
Non-core items before tax
Tax impact of non-core items
Non-core items after tax
Attributable to:
Non-controlling interests
Shareholders’ equity
€ million
2016
(132)
(95)
(18)
(245)
60
(185)
1
(186)
€ million
2015
(105)
(9)
(236)
(350)
49
(301)
-
(301)
€ million
2014
(97)
1,392
(335)
960
(423)
537
–
537
(a) 2014 includes a gain of €1,316 million from the sale of the Ragú & Bertolli brands and related assets. The total cash consideration for this transaction was
approximately US$2.15 billion.
(b) 2016 includes €18 million in foreign exchange losses resulting from remeasurement of the Argentinian business (2015: €52 million). 2015 includes an €86 million
charge for legal cases pertaining to a number of investigations by local competition regulators (2014: €30 million), a €14 million charge relating to other one-off
legal cases (2014: nil), and €84 million in foreign exchange losses resulting from remeasurement of the Venezuelan business. 2014 includes an impairment charge
of €305 million on assets related to the Slim.Fast business.
OTHER
Other significant cost items by nature within operating costs include:
Staff costs
Raw and packaging materials and goods purchased for resale
Amortisation of finite-life intangible assets and software
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Exchange gains/(losses):
On underlying transactions
On covering forward contracts
Lease rentals:
Minimum operating lease payments
Less: Sub-lease income relating to operating lease agreements
Notes
4A
9
10
€ million
2016
(6,523)
(21,122)
(310)
(1,154)
(209)
(28)
(181)
(531)
(536)
5
€ million
2015
(6,555)
(21,543)
(273)
(1,097)
(87)
(118)
31
(534)
(546)
12
€ million
2014
(6,054)
(19,816)
(180)
(947)
12
15
(3)
(535)
(544)
9
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 93
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
4. EMPLOYEES
4A. STAFF AND MANAGEMENT COSTS
Staff costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
Share-based compensation costs
Average number of employees during the year
Asia/AMET/RUB
The Americas
Europe
Key management compensation(a)
Salaries and short-term employee benefits
Non-Executive Directors’ fees
Post-employment benefits
Share-based benefits(b)
Of which:
Executive Directors
Non-Executive Directors
Other(c)
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
€ million
2014
(5,347)
(606)
(372)
(198)
(6,523)
’000
2016
95
42
32
169
(5,474)
(606)
(325)
(150)
(6,555)
’000
2015
97
42
32
171
(4,992)
(586)
(288)
(188)
(6,054)
’000
2014
99
42
32
173
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
€ million
2014
(31)
(2)
(1)
(17)
(51)
(13)
(2)
(36)
(51)
(34)
(2)
(1)
(30)
(67)
(18)
(2)
(47)
(67)
(28)
(2)
(1)
(19)
(50)
(15)
(2)
(33)
(50)
(a) Includes full year compensation for Unilever Leadership Executive members joining part way through the year.
(b)Share-based benefits are shown on a vesting basis.
(c) Other includes all members of the Unilever Leadership Executive, other than Executive Directors.
Key management are defined as the members of Unilever Leadership Executive and the Non-Executive Directors.
Details of the remuneration of Directors are given in the parts noted as audited in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 48 to 77.
4B. PENSIONS AND SIMILAR OBLIGATIONS
For defined benefit plans, operating and finance costs are recognised separately in the income statement. The amount charged to operating cost
in the income statement is the cost of accruing pension benefits promised to employees over the year, plus the costs of individual events such as
past service benefit changes, settlements and curtailments (such events are recognised immediately in the income statement). The amount
charged or credited to finance costs is a net interest expense calculated by applying the liability discount rate to the net defined benefit liability or
asset. Any differences between the expected interest on assets and the return actually achieved, and any changes in the liabilities over the year
due to changes in assumptions or experience within the plans, are recognised immediately in the statement of comprehensive income.
The defined benefit plan surplus or deficit on the balance sheet comprises the total for each plan of the fair value of plan assets less the present
value of the defined benefit liabilities (using a discount rate based on high-quality corporate bonds, or a suitable alternative where there is no
active corporate bond market).
All defined benefit plans are subject to regular actuarial review using the projected unit method, either by external consultants or by actuaries
employed by Unilever. The Group policy is that the most important plans, representing approximately 84% of the defined benefit liabilities, are
formally valued every year. Other major plans, accounting for a further 13% of the liabilities, have their liabilities updated each year. Group policy
for the remaining plans requires a full actuarial valuation at least every three years. Asset values for all plans are updated every year.
For defined contribution plans, the charges to the income statement are the company contributions payable, as the company’s obligation is limited
to the contributions paid into the plans. The assets and liabilities of such plans are not included in the balance sheet of the Group.
94 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
4B. PENSIONS AND SIMILAR OBLIGATIONS CONTINUED
DESCRIPTION OF PLANS
The Group increasingly operates a number of defined contribution plans, the assets of which are held in external funds. In certain countries the
Group operates defined benefit pension plans based on employee pensionable remuneration and length of service. The majority of defined benefit
plans are either career average, final salary or hybrid plans and operate on a funded basis. Benefits are determined by the plan rules and are
linked to inflation in some countries. The Group also provides other post-employment benefits, mainly post-employment healthcare plans in the
United States. These plans are predominantly unfunded.
GOVERNANCE
The majority of the Group’s externally funded plans are established as trusts, foundations or similar entities. The operation of these entities is governed
by local regulations and practice in each country, as is the nature of the relationship between the Group and the Trustees (or equivalent) and their
composition. Where Trustees (or equivalent) are in place to operate plans, they are generally required to act on behalf of the plan’s stakeholders. They
are tasked with periodic reviews of the solvency of the fund in accordance with local legislation and play a role in the long-term investment and funding
strategy. The Group also has an internal body, the Pensions and Equity Committee, that is responsible for setting the company’s policies and decision-
making on plan matters, including but not limited to design, funding, investments, risk management and governance.
INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The Group’s investment strategy in respect of its funded plans is implemented within the framework of the various statutory requirements of the
territories where the plans are based. The Group has developed policy guidelines for the allocation of assets to different classes with the objective
of controlling risk and maintaining the right balance between risk and long-term returns in order to limit the cost to the Group of the benefits
provided. To achieve this, investments are well diversified, such that the failure of any single investment would not have a material impact on the
overall level of assets. The plans continue to invest a good proportion of the assets in equities, which the Group believes offer the best returns over
the long-term, commensurate with an acceptable level of risk. The plans expose the Group to a number of actuarial risks such as investment risk,
interest rate risk, longevity risk and, in certain markets, inflation risk. There are no unusual entity or plan-specific risks to the Group. For risk
control, the pension funds also have significant investments in liability matching assets (bonds) as well as in property and other alternative assets;
additionally, the Group uses derivatives to further mitigate the impact of the risks outlined above. The majority of assets are managed by a number
of external fund managers with a small proportion managed in-house. Unilever has a pooled investment vehicle (Univest) which it believes offers its
pension plans around the world a simplified externally managed investment vehicle to implement their strategic asset allocation models, currently
for bonds, equities and alternative assets. The aim is to provide high-quality, well diversified, cost-effective, risk-controlled vehicles. The pension
plans’ investments are overseen by Unilever’s internal investment company, the Univest Company.
ASSUMPTIONS
With the objective of presenting the assets and liabilities of the pensions and other post-employment benefit plans at their fair value on the
balance sheet, assumptions under IAS 19 are set by reference to market conditions at the valuation date. The actuarial assumptions used to
calculate the benefit liabilities vary according to the country in which the plan is situated. The following table shows the assumptions, weighted
by liabilities, used to value the principal defined benefit plans (which cover approximately 96% of total pension liabilities) and the plans
providing other post-employment benefits.
Discount rate
Inflation
Rate of increase in salaries
Rate of increase for pensions in payment (where provided)
Rate of increase for pensions in deferment (where provided)
Long-term medical cost inflation
31 December 2016
31 December 2015
Principal
defined benefit
pension plans
Other
post-employment
benefit plans
Principal
defined benefit
pension plans
Other
post-employment
benefit plans
2.6%
2.5%
2.9%
2.4%
2.7%
n/a
4.8%
n/a
3.0%
n/a
n/a
5.3%
3.4%
2.4%
2.7%
2.3%
2.5%
n/a
5.0%
n/a
3.1%
n/a
n/a
5.2%
The valuations of other post-employment benefit plans generally assume a higher initial level of medical cost inflation, which falls from 6% to the
long-term rate within the next five years. Assumed healthcare cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for healthcare plans.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 95
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
4B. PENSIONS AND SIMILAR OBLIGATIONS CONTINUED
For the most important pension plans, representing approximately 84% of all defined benefit plans liabilities, the assumptions used at
31 December 2016 and 2015 were:
Discount rate
Inflation
Rate of increase in salaries
Rate of increase for pensions in payment
(where provided)
Rate of increase for pensions in deferment
(where provided)
Number of years a current pensioner is
expected to live beyond age 65:
Men
Women
Number of years a future pensioner currently
aged 45 is expected to live beyond age 65:
Men
Women
United Kingdom
Netherlands
United States
Germany
2016
2.7%
3.2%
3.1%
2015
3.7%
3.0%
2.9%
2016
1.8%
1.7%
2.2%
2015
2.5%
1.7%
2.2%
3.1%
2.8%
1.7%
1.7%
3.1%
2.9%
1.7%
1.7%
22.5
24.6
23.8
26.5
22.4
24.6
23.7
26.4
21.8
24.0
24.1
26.3
21.7
23.8
23.9
25.9
2016
4.3%
2.1%
3.0%
-
-
20.8
22.8
23.1
26.2
2015
4.5%
2.3%
3.0%
-
-
21.2
23.2
22.9
24.9
2016
1.8%
1.7%
3.0%
2015
2.5%
1.7%
2.8%
1.7%
1.7%
-
-
21.7
24.0
21.7
24.0
19.4
23.0
19.4
23.0
Demographic assumptions, such as mortality rates, are set with having regard to the latest trends in life expectancy (including expectations of
future improvements), plan experience and other relevant data. These assumptions are reviewed and updated as necessary as part of the
periodic actuarial valuation of the pension plans. The years of life expectancy for 2016 above have been translated from the following tables:
UK: the year of use S1 series all pensioners (‘S1PA’) tables have been adopted, which are based on the experience of UK pension schemes over
the period 2000-2006. Scaling factors are applied reflecting the experience of our pension funds appropriate to the member’s gender and status.
Future improvements in longevity have been allowed for in line with the 2012 CMI core projections and a 1% pa long-term improvement rate.
The Netherlands: the Dutch Actuarial Society’s AG Prognosetafel 2016 table is used with correction factors to allow for the typically longer life
expectancy for fund members relative to the general population. This table has an in-built allowance for future improvements in longevity.
United States: the table RP-2016 with MP-2016 generational mortality improvement. This table has an in-built allowance for future improvements
in longevity.
Germany: fund specific tables are used which broadly equate to the Heubeck 2005 base table projected to 2045.
Assumptions for the remaining defined benefit plans vary considerably, depending on the economic conditions of the countries where they
are situated.
INCOME STATEMENT
The charge to the income statement comprises:
Charged to operating profit:
Defined benefit pension and other benefit plans:
Current service cost
Employee contributions
Special termination benefits
Past service cost including (losses)/gains on curtailments
Settlements
Defined contribution plans
Total operating cost
Finance income/(cost)
Net impact on the income statement (before tax)
Notes
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
€ million
2014
(226)
17
(6)
32
(2)
(187)
(372)
(94)
(466)
(271)
17
(9)
129
6
(197)
(325)
(121)
(446)
(259)
16
(27)
87
10
(115)
(288)
(94)
(382)
4A
5
96 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
4B. PENSIONS AND SIMILAR OBLIGATIONS CONTINUED
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Amounts recognised in the statement of comprehensive income on the remeasurement of the net defined benefit liability.
Return on plan assets excluding amounts included in net finance income/(cost)
Actuarial gains/(losses) arising from changes in demographic assumptions
Actuarial gains/(losses) arising from changes in financial assumptions
Experience gains/(losses) arising on pension plan and other benefit plan liabilities
Total of defined benefit costs recognised in other comprehensive income
€ million
2016
1,877
(217)
(2,963)
82
(1,221)
€ million
2015
(254)
(22)
1,167
233
1,124
€ million
2014
1,316
(28)
(3,076)
78
(1,710)
BALANCE SHEET
The assets, liabilities and surplus/(deficit) position of the pension and other post-employment benefit plans at the balance sheet date were:
Fair value of assets
Present value of liabilities
Net liabilities
Pension liability net of assets
Of which in respect of:
Funded plans in surplus:
Liabilities
Assets
Aggregate surplus
Pension asset net of liabilities
Funded plans in deficit:
Liabilities
Assets
Pension liability net of assets
Unfunded plans:
Pension liability
€ million
2016
Other post-
employment
benefit plans
21
(605)
(584)
(584)
-
3
3
3
(36)
18
(18)
Pension
plans
21,162
(23,751)
(2,589)
(2,589)
(5,833)
6,524
691
691
(16,783)
14,638
(2,145)
€ million
2015
Other post-
employment
benefit plans
19
(596)
(577)
(577)
-
3
3
3
(30)
16
(14)
Pension
plans
20,723
(22,466)
(1,743)
(1,743)
(5,936)
6,867
931
931
(15,411)
13,856
(1,555)
(1,135)
(569)
(1,119)
(566)
RECONCILIATION OF CHANGE IN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Movements in assets and liabilities during the year:
1 January
Current service cost
Employee contributions
Special termination benefits
Past service costs including losses/(gains) on curtailments
Settlements
Actual return on plan assets (excluding amounts in net finance
income/charge)
Interest cost
Interest income
Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from changes in demographic
assumptions
Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from changes in financial assumptions
Actuarial gain/(loss) arising from experience adjustments
Employer contributions
Benefit payments
Reclassification of benefits(a)
Currency retranslation
€ million
Assets
2016
20,742
-
17
-
-
-
1,877
-
664
-
-
-
512
(1,326)
(2)
(1,301)
€ million
Assets
2015
20,484
-
17
-
-
(16)
(254)
-
652
-
-
-
513
(1,345)
-
691
€ million
Liabilities
2016
(23,062)
(226)
-
(6)
32
(2)
-
(758)
-
(217)
(2,963)
82
-
1,326
2
1,436
€ million
Liabilities
2015
(24,055)
(271)
-
(9)
129
22
-
(773)
-
(22)
1,167
233
-
1,345
(8)
(820)
31 December
21,183
20,742
(24,356)
(23,062)
(a) Certain liabilities have been reclassified as employee benefit liabilities.
€ million
Total
2016
(2,320)
(226)
17
(6)
32
(2)
1,877
(758)
664
(217)
(2,963)
82
512
-
-
135
(3,173)
€ million
Total
2015
(3,571)
(271)
17
(9)
129
6
(254)
(773)
652
(22)
1,167
233
513
-
(8)
(129)
(2,320)
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 97
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
4B. PENSIONS AND SIMILAR OBLIGATIONS CONTINUED
The actual return on plan assets during 2016 was €2,541 million, being the sum of €1,877 million and €664 million from the table above
(2015: €398 million).
The duration of the principal defined benefit liabilities at 31 December 2016 is between 8 and 20 years (2015: 9 and 18 years). The liabilities are
split between different categories of plan participants as follows:
active members 19.9% (2015: 18.7%);
deferred members 26.0% (2015: 23.4%); and
retired members 54.1% (2015: 57.9%).
ASSETS
The fair value of plan assets at the end of the reporting period for our major and principal plans for each category are as follows:
Total assets
Equities total
– Europe
– North America
– Other
Fixed income total
– Government bonds
– Investment grade corporate bonds
– Other fixed income
Derivatives
Private equity
Property and real estate
Hedge funds
Other
Other plans
€ million
€ million
31 December 2016
31 December 2015
Other post-
employment
benefit
plans
21
-
-
-
-
20
8
12
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
Pension
plans
21,162
8,133
2,197
3,829
2,107
10,282
5,326
2,927
2,029
(1,446)
634
1,461
1,171
591
336
Other post-
employment
benefit
plans
19
-
-
-
-
18
18
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
Pension
plans
20,723
7,993
2,526
3,313
2,154
9,741
4,870
2,970
1,901
(1,647)
721
1,689
1,123
810
293
-
The fair values of the above equity and fixed income instruments are determined based on quoted market prices in active markets. The fair value
of private equity, properties, derivatives and hedge funds are not based on quoted market prices in active markets. The Group uses swaps to
hedge some of its exposure to inflation and interest rate risk. Foreign currency exposures in part are also hedged by the use of forward foreign
exchange contracts. Assets included in the Other category are commodities, cash and insurance contracts which are also unquoted assets.
Equity securities include Unilever securities amounting to €12 million (0.1% of total plan assets) and €14 million (0.1% of total plan assets) at
31 December 2016 and 2015 respectively. Property includes property occupied by Unilever amounting to €34 million at 31 December 2016
(2015: €17 million).
The pension assets above exclude the assets in a Special Benefits Trust amounting to €79 million (2015: €86 million) to fund pension and similar
liabilities in the United States (see also note 17A on pages 121 to 122) and €68 million (2015: nil) in an escrow account that would otherwise have
been payable to the main UK pension fund (see also note 11 on pages 107 to 108).
SENSITIVITIES
The sensitivity of the overall pension liabilities to changes in the weighted key assumptions are:
Discount rate
Inflation rate
Life expectancy
Long-term medical cost inflation(b)
Change in assumption
Increase by 0.5%
Increase by 0.5%
Increase by 1 year
Increase by 1.0%
Change in liabilities
-8%
+6%
+4%
+1%
An equivalent decrease in each assumption would have an equal and opposite impact on liabilities.
(b) Long-term medical cost inflation only relates to post retirement medical plans.
The sensitivity analyses above have been determined based on reasonably possible changes of the respective assumptions occurring at the end
of the reporting period and may not be representative of the actual change. It is based on a change in the key assumption while holding all
other assumptions constant. When calculating the sensitivity to the assumption, the same method used to calculate the liability recognised in
the balance sheet has been applied. The methods and types of assumptions used in preparing the sensitivity analysis did not change compared
with the previous period.
98 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
4B. PENSIONS AND SIMILAR OBLIGATIONS CONTINUED
CASH FLOW
Group cash flow in respect of pensions and similar post-employment benefits comprises company contributions paid to funded plans and
benefits paid by the company in respect of unfunded plans. The table below sets out these amounts:
Company contributions to funded plans:
Defined benefit
Defined contributions
Benefits paid by the company in respect of unfunded plans:
Defined benefit
Group cash flow in respect of pensions and similar benefits
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
€ million
2014
355
187
157
699
356
197
157
710
386
115
151
652
The triennial valuation of the UK pension fund is currently underway. The outcome will determine our funding requirements for 2017 and beyond.
Excluding the UK pension fund deficit contributions, the current estimated Group employer contributions to be paid in 2017 are €480 million for
our defined benefit plans and €210 million for our defined contribution plans.
The Group’s funding policy is to periodically review the contributions made to the plans while taking account of local legislations.
4C. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
The fair value of awards at grant date is calculated using appropriate pricing models. This value is expensed over their vesting period, with a
corresponding credit to equity. The expense is reviewed and adjusted to reflect changes to the level of awards expected to vest, except where
this arises from a failure to meet a market condition. Any cancellations are recognised immediately in the income statement.
As at 31 December 2016, the Group had share-based compensation plans in the form of performance shares, share options and other share awards.
The numbers in this note include those for Executive Directors shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 48 to 77 and those for key
management shown in note 4A on page 94. Non-Executive Directors do not participate in any of the share-based compensation plans.
The charge in each of the last three years is shown below, and relates to equity-settled plans:
Income statement charge
Performance share plans
Other plans
€ million
2016
(185)
(13)
(198)
€ million
2015
(143)
(7)
(150)
€ million
2014
(186)
(2)
(188)
PERFORMANCE SHARE PLANS
Performance share awards are made under the Management Co-Investment Plan (MCIP) and the Global Share Incentive Plan (GSIP). The MCIP
allows Unilever’s managers to invest up to 60% of their annual bonus in shares in Unilever and to receive a corresponding award of
performance-related shares. Under GSIP, Unilever’s managers receive annual awards of NV and PLC shares. The awards of both plans will vest
after three years between 0% and 200% of grant level, depending on the satisfaction of performance metrics.
The performance metrics of both MCIP and GSIP are underlying sales growth, operating cash flow and core operating margin improvement for
the Group, except for GSIP awards granted to the managers of certain business units (below the Unilever Leadership Executive) which are
subject to similar performance metrics but specific to the relevant business unit. There is an additional target based on relative total shareholder
return (TSR) for senior executives.
A summary of the status of the Performance Share Plans as at 31 December 2016, 2015 and 2014 and changes during the years ended on these
dates is presented below:
Outstanding at 1 January
Awarded
Vested
Forfeited
Outstanding at 31 December
2016
Number of
shares
15,979,140
7,016,274
(6,983,053)
(1,194,301)
14,818,060
2015
Number of
shares
17,468,291
8,890,394
(8,448,454)
(1,931,091)
15,979,140
2014
Number of
shares
18,909,204
9,724,186
(9,347,225)
(1,817,874)
17,468,291
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 99
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
4C. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS CONTINUED
Share award value information
2016
2015
2014
Fair value per share award during the year
€35.43
€33.17
€27.80
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
At 31 December 2016, shares and options in NV or PLC totalling 16,085,024 (2015: 17,363,014) were held in respect of share-based compensation
plans of NV, PLC and its subsidiaries, including North American plans.
To satisfy the options granted, certain NV group companies hold 16,936,797 (2015: 17,772,147) ordinary shares of NV or PLC. Shares acquired during 2016
represent 0.20% of the Group’s called up share capital. The balance of shares held in connection with share plans at 31 December 2016 represented 0.6%
(2015: 0.6%) of the Group’s called up share capital.
The book value of €727 million (2015: €639 million) of all shares held in respect of share-based compensation plans for both NV and PLC is eliminated on
consolidation by deduction from other reserves. Their market value at 31 December 2016 was €658 million (2015: €710 million).
At 31 December 2016, the exercise price of nil PLC options (2015: nil) were above the market price of the shares.
Shares held to satisfy options are accounted for in accordance with IAS 32 ‘Financial Instruments: Presentation’. All differences between the purchase
price of the shares held to satisfy options granted and the proceeds received for the shares, whether on exercise or lapse, are charged to reserves. The
basis of the charge to operating profit for the economic value of options granted is discussed on page 99.
Between 31 December 2016 and 21 February 2017 (the latest practicable date for inclusion in this report), 2,862,195 shares were granted, 4,803,965
shares were vested and 13,036 shares were forfeited related to the Performance Share Plans.
5. NET FINANCE COSTS
Net finance costs are comprised of finance costs and finance income, including net finance costs in relation to pensions and similar obligations.
Finance income includes income on cash and cash equivalents and income on other financial assets. Finance costs include interest costs in
relation to financial liabilities.
Borrowing costs are recognised based on the effective interest method.
Net finance costs
Finance costs
Bank loans and overdrafts
Interest on bonds and other loans(a)
Dividends paid on preference shares
Net gain/(loss) on transactions for which hedge accounting is not applied(b)
On foreign exchange derivatives
Exchange difference on underlying items
Finance income
Pensions and similar obligations
Notes
4B
2016
(584)
(67)
(501)
(4)
(12)
(215)
203
115
(94)
(563)
2015
(516)
(56)
(492)
(4)
36
(218)
254
144
(121)
(493)
2014
(500)
(57)
(425)
(4)
(14)
(655)
641
117
(94)
(477)
(a) ‘Interest on bonds and other loans’ includes the impact of interest rate derivatives that are part of a fair value hedge accounting relationship and the recycling of
results from the cash flow hedge accounting reserve relating to derivatives that were part of a cash flow hedge accounting relation.
(b)For further details of derivatives for which hedge accounting is not applied, please refer to note 16C.
100 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
6. TAXATION
6A. INCOME TAX
Income tax on the profit for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised in the income statement except to the
extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity.
Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance
sheet date, and any adjustments to tax payable in respect of previous years.
Current tax in the consolidated income statement will differ from the income tax paid in the consolidated cash flow statement primarily
because of deferred tax arising on temporary differences and payment dates for income tax occurring after the balance sheet date.
Unilever is subject to taxation in the many countries in which it operates. The tax legislation of these countries differs, is often complex and is
subject to interpretation by management and the government authorities. These matters of judgement give rise to the need to create
provisions for tax payments that may arise in future years. Provisions are made against individual exposures and take into account the specific
circumstances of each case, including the strength of technical arguments, recent case law decisions or rulings on similar issues and
relevant external advice. The provision is estimated based on the individual most likely outcome approach.
Tax charge in income statement
Current tax
Current year
Over/(under) provided in prior years
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Changes in tax rates
Recognition of previously unrecognised losses brought forward
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
€ million
2014
(2,026)
158
(1,868)
(65)
(7)
18
(54)
(1,992)
(57)
(2,049)
82
(13)
19
88
(2,111)
68
(2,043)
(112)
4
20
(88)
(1,922)
(1,961)
(2,131)
The reconciliation between the computed weighted average rate of income tax expense, which is generally applicable to Unilever companies, and
the actual rate of taxation charged is as follows:
Reconciliation of effective tax rate
Computed rate of tax(a)
Differences due to:
Incentive tax credits
Withholding tax on dividends
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
Irrecoverable witholding tax
Income tax reserve adjustments – current and prior year
Transfer to/(from) unrecognised deferred tax assets
Effective tax rate
%
2016
26
(4)
3
1
1
(1)
-
26
%
2015
24
(5)
2
2
2
2
1
28
%
2014
27
(5)
2
1
1
1
1
28
(a) The computed tax rate used is the average of the standard rate of tax applicable in the countries in which Unilever operates, weighted by the amount of profit before
taxation generated in each of those countries. For this reason the rate may vary from year to year according to the mix of profit and related tax rates.
Our tax rate is reduced by incentive tax credits, the benefit from preferential tax regimes that have been legislated by the countries and provinces
concerned in order to promote economic development and investment. The tax rate is increased by business expenses which are not deductible for
tax, such as entertainment costs and some interest expense and by irrecoverable withholding taxes on dividends paid by subsidiary companies and
on other cross-border payments such as royalties and service fees, which cannot be offset against other taxes due. In 2016 there has been a net
decrease in the amount provided for uncertain tax provisions, principally as the result of favourable audit settlements (versus a net increase in 2015).
The Group’s future tax charge and effective tax rate could be affected by several factors, including changes in tax laws and their interpretation
and still to be determined tax reform proposals in the EU, Switzerland and the United States, as well as the impact of acquisitions, disposals and
any restructuring of our businesses.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 101
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
6B. DEFERRED TAX
Deferred tax is recognised using the liability method on taxable temporary differences between the tax base and the accounting base of items
included in the balance sheet of the Group. Certain temporary differences are not provided for as follows:
goodwill not deductible for tax purposes;
differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that it is probable that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit; and
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 year end.
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.
Movements in 2016 and 2015
Pensions and similar obligations
Provisions
Goodwill and intangible assets
Accelerated tax depreciation
Tax losses
Fair value gains
Fair value losses
Share-based payments
Other
€ million
As at
1 January
2016
557
708
(1,301)
(752)
123
(25)
16
190
(75)
(559)
€ million
€ million
Income
statement
7
68
(104)
(85)
(6)
14
8
(14)
58
(54)
Other
202
146
(523)
(33)
14
4
5
(7)
98
(94)
€ million
As at
31 December
2016
766
922
(1,928)
(870)
131
(7)
29
169
81
(707)
€ million
As at
1 January
2015
874
657
(1,292)
(753)
123
(10)
10
172
(29)
(248)
€ million
€ million
Income
statement
(23)
144
8
7
14
(2)
(62)
(2)
4
88
Other
(294)
(93)
(17)
(6)
(14)
(13)
68
20
(50)
(399)
€ million
As at
31 December
2015
557
708
(1,301)
(752)
123
(25)
16
190
(75)
(559)
At the balance sheet date, the Group had unused tax losses of €4,138 million (2015: €3,338 million) and tax credits amounting to €644 million
(2015: €629 million) available for offset against future taxable profits. Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of unused tax
losses of €3,622 million (2015: €2,941 million) and tax credits of €629 million (2015: €629 million), as it is not probable that there will be future
taxable profits within the entities against which the losses can be utilised. The majority of these tax losses and credits arise in tax jurisdictions
where they do not expire with the exception of €2,363 million (2015: €1,790 million) comprising corporate income tax losses in the Netherlands
which expire between now and 2025 and state and federal tax losses in the US which expire between now and 2036.
Other deductible temporary differences of €52 million (2015: €67 million) have not been recognised as a deferred tax asset. There is no expiry
date for these differences.
At the balance sheet date, the aggregate amount of temporary differences associated with undistributed earnings of subsidiaries for which
deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised was €1,557 million (2015: €1,505 million). No liability has been recognised in respect of these
differences because the Group is in a position to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences, and it is probable that such
differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities
and when the deferred income taxes relate to the same fiscal authority. The following amounts, determined after appropriate offsetting, are
shown in the consolidated balance sheet:
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
Pensions and similar obligations
Provisions
Goodwill and intangible assets
Accelerated tax depreciation
Tax losses
Fair value gains
Fair value losses
Share-based payments
Other
Of which deferred tax to be recovered/(settled)
after more than 12 months
€ million
Assets
2016
568
579
2
(60)
128
28
9
44
56
1,354
€ million
Assets
2015
434
516
126
(66)
96
12
(5)
59
13
1,185
€ million
Liabilities
2016
198
343
(1,930)
(810)
3
(35)
20
125
25
(2,061)
€ million
Liabilities
2015
123
192
(1,427)
(686)
27
(37)
21
131
(88)
(1,744)
€ million
Total
2016
766
922
(1,928)
(870)
131
(7)
29
169
81
(707)
€ million
Total
2015
557
708
(1,301)
(752)
123
(25)
16
190
(75)
(559)
1,157
856
(2,206)
(1,811)
(1,049)
(955)
102 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
6C. TAX ON OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Income tax is recognised in other comprehensive income for items recognised directly in equity.
Tax effects of the components of other comprehensive income were as follows:
€ million
Before
tax
2016
(15)
(1,221)
217
(1,019)
€ million
Tax
(charge)/
credit
2016
-
241
-
241
€ million
€ million
After
tax
2016
(15)
(980)
217
(778)
Before
tax
2015
82
1,124
(510)
696
€ million
Tax
(charge)/
credit
2015
18
(240)
29
(193)
€ million
After
tax
2015
100
884
(481)
503
Fair value gains/(losses) on financial instruments
Remeasurements of defined benefit pension plans
Currency retranslation gains/(losses)
7. COMBINED EARNINGS PER SHARE
The combined earnings per share calculations are based on the average number of share units representing the combined ordinary shares of
NV and PLC in issue during the period, less the average number of shares held as treasury stock.
In calculating diluted earnings per share and core earnings per share, a number of adjustments are made to the number of shares,
principally: (i) conversion into PLC ordinary shares in the year 2038 of shares in a group company (refer below) and (ii) the exercise of share
options by employees.
On 19 May 2014 Unilever PLC purchased the shares convertible to PLC ordinary shares in 2038. Due to the repurchase the average number of combined
share units is not adjusted for these shares from 20 May 2014 to 31 December 2016. For 2014 the adjusted average number of share units is calculated
based on the number of days the shares were dilutive during the year ended 31 December 2014.
Earnings per share for total operations for the 12 months were calculated as follows:
Combined earnings per share
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
Core EPS
Calculation of average number of share units
Average number of shares: NV
PLC
Less shares held by employee share trusts and companies
Combined average number of share units
Add shares issuable in 2038
Add dilutive effect of share-based compensation plans
Diluted combined average number of share units
Calculation of earnings
Net profit
Non-controlling interests
Net profit attributable to shareholders’ equity
Calculation of core earnings
Net profit attributable to shareholders’ equity
Post-tax impact of non-core items
Core profit attributable to shareholders’ equity
€
2016
1.83
1.82
1.88
€
2015
1.73
1.72
1.82
Millions of share units
2016
1,714.7
1,310.2
(184.7)
2,840.2
-
13.7
2,853.9
€ million
2016
5,547
(363)
5,184
€ million
2016
5,184
186
5,370
2015
1,714.7
1,310.2
(184.8)
2,840.1
-
15.3
2,855.4
€ million
2015
5,259
(350)
4,909
€ million
2015
4,909
301
5,210
€
2014
1.82
1.79
1.61
2014
1,714.7
1,310.2
(184.4)
2,840.5
26.8
15.3
2,882.6
€ million
2014
5,515
(344)
5,171
€ million
2014
5,171
(537)
4,634
Notes
3
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 103
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
8. DIVIDENDS ON ORDINARY CAPITAL
Dividends are recognised on the date that the shareholder’s right to receive payment is established. This is generally the date when the dividend
is declared.
Dividends on ordinary capital during the year
NV dividends
PLC dividends
€ million
2016
(1,974)
(1,626)
(3,600)
€ million
2015
(1,862)
(1,542)
(3,404)
€ million
2014
(1,757)
(1,439)
(3,196)
Four quarterly interim dividends were declared and paid during 2016 totalling €1.26 (2015: €1.19) per NV ordinary share and £1.04 (2015: £0.87)
per PLC ordinary share.
Quarterly dividends of €0.32 per NV ordinary share and £0.28 per PLC ordinary share were declared on 26 January 2017, to be paid in March
2017. See note 26 ‘Events after the balance sheet date’ on page 130. Total dividends declared in relation to 2016 were €1.28 (2015: €1.21) per NV
ordinary share and £1.09 (2015: £0.88) per PLC ordinary share.
9. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
GOODWILL
Goodwill is initially recognised based on the accounting policy for business combinations (see note 21). Goodwill is subsequently measured at
cost less amounts provided for impairment. The Group’s cash generating units (CGUs) are based on the four product categories and the three
geographical areas.
Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to the Group’s CGUs, or groups of CGUs, that are expected to benefit from the
synergies of the combination. These might not always be the same as the CGUs that include the assets and liabilities of the acquired business.
Each unit or group of units to which the goodwill is allocated represents the lowest level within the Group at which the goodwill is monitored
for internal management purposes, and is not larger than an operating segment.
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Separately purchased intangible assets are initially measured at cost, being the purchase price as at the date of acquisition. On acquisition of
new interests in group companies, Unilever recognises any specifically identifiable intangible assets separately from goodwill. These
intangible assets are initially measured at fair value as at the date of acquisition.
Development expenditure for internally-produced intangible assets is capitalised only if the costs can be reliably measured, future economic
benefits are probable, the product is technically feasible and the Group has the intent and the resources to complete the project. Research
expenditure to support development of internally-produced intangible assets is recognised in profit or loss as incurred.
Indefinite-life intangibles mainly comprise trademarks and brands. These assets are not amortised but are subject to a review for impairment
annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate this is necessary. Any impairment is charged to the income statement as it arises.
Finite-life intangible assets mainly comprise software, patented and non-patented technology, know-how and customer lists. These assets
are amortised on a straight-line basis in the income statement over the period of their expected useful lives, or the period of legal rights if
shorter. None of the amortisation periods exceeds ten years.
104 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
9. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS CONTINUED
Movements during 2016
Cost
1 January 2016
Acquisitions of group companies
Disposals of group companies
Reclassification to held for disposal
Additions
Disposals
Currency retranslation
31 December 2016
Accumulated amortisation and impairment
1 January 2016
Amortisation/impairment for the year
Disposals
Currency retranslation
31 December 2016
Net book value 31 December 2016
Movements during 2015
Cost
1 January 2015
Acquisitions of group companies
Disposals of group companies
Reclassification to held for disposal
Additions
Disposals
Currency retranslation
31 December 2015
Accumulated amortisation and impairment
1 January 2015
Amortisation/impairment for the year
Disposals
Currency retranslation
31 December 2015
Net book value 31 December 2015
€ million
Goodwill
17,378
1,140
(2)
(55)
-
-
328
18,789
(1,165)
-
-
-
(1,165)
17,624
15,725
1,012
(5)
(34)
-
-
680
17,378
(1,083)
-
-
(82)
(1,165)
16,213
€ million
Indefinite-life
intangible
assets
€ million
Finite-life
intangible
assets
€ million
€ million
Software
Total
7,444
911
(83)
-
2
-
84
8,358
(13)
-
-
-
(13)
8,345
6,364
842
(42)
(9)
3
-
286
7,444
(12)
-
-
(1)
(13)
7,431
819
236
-
-
6
(1)
8
1,068
(673)
(19)
1
(7)
(698)
370
685
112
-
-
3
(3)
22
819
(644)
(8)
3
(24)
(673)
146
2,538
-
-
-
225
(42)
(143)
2,578
(1,269)
(291)
42
34
(1,484)
1,094
2,136
-
-
-
329
(7)
80
2,538
(997)
(265)
7
(14)
(1,269)
1,269
28,179
2,287
(85)
(55)
233
(43)
277
30,793
(3,120)
(310)
43
27
(3,360)
27,433
24,910
1,966
(47)
(43)
335
(10)
1,068
28,179
(2,736)
(273)
10
(121)
(3,120)
25,059
There are no significant carrying amounts of goodwill and intangible assets that are allocated across multiple cash generating units.
IMPAIRMENT CHARGES
We have tested all material goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets for impairment. No impairments were identified.
SIGNIFICANT CGUs
The goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets held in the three CGUs relating to Foods across the geographical areas and Personal Care The
Americas are considered significant within the total carrying amounts of goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets at 31 December 2016 in
terms of size, headroom and sensitivity to assumptions used. No other CGUs are considered significant in this respect.
The goodwill and indefinite-life intangible assets held in the significant CGUs are:
Foods Europe
Foods The Americas
Foods Asia/AMET/RUB
Personal Care The Americas
€ billion
2016
Goodwill
5.8
3.9
1.8
2.8
€ billion
2016
Indefinite-
life
intangibles
1.6
1.6
0.5
1.7
€ billion
2015
Goodwill
6.0
3.7
1.6
2.1
€ billion
2015
Indefinite-
life
intangibles
1.6
1.6
0.5
1.6
Value in use has been calculated as the present value of projected cash flows. A pre-tax discount rate of 7.4% (2015: 7.4%) was used.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 105
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
9. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS CONTINUED
For the significant CGUs, the following key assumptions were used in the discounted cash flow projections:
Longer-term sustainable growth rates
Average near-term nominal growth rates
Average operating margins
Foods
Europe
0.4%
-1.3%
16%
Foods
The
Americas
1.2%
3.0%
15%
Foods
Asia/
AMET/RUB
4.3%
5.6%
9%
Personal Care
The
Americas
1.2%
6.3%
17%
The projections cover a period of five years, as we believe this to be the most appropriate timescale over which to review and consider annual
performances before applying a fixed terminal value multiple to the final year cash flows.
The growth rates and margins used to estimate future performance are based on the conservative end of the range of estimates from past
performance, our annual forecast and three year strategic plan extended to year 4 and 5.
We have performed sensitivity analyses around the base assumptions. There are no reasonably possible changes in a key assumption that would
cause the carrying amount to exceed recoverable amount.
10. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment is measured at cost including eligible borrowing costs less depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.
Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the expected average useful lives of the assets. Residual values are reviewed at least
annually. Estimated useful lives by major class of assets are as follows:
Freehold buildings (no depreciation on freehold land) 40 years
Leasehold land and buildings
Plant and equipment
40 years (or life of lease if less)
2–20 years
Property, plant and equipment is subject to review for impairment if triggering events or circumstances indicate that this is necessary. If an
indication of impairment exists, the asset’s or cash generating unit’s recoverable amount is estimated and any impairment loss is charged to
the income statement as it arises.
Movements during 2016
Cost
1 January 2016
Acquisitions of group companies
Disposals of group companies
Additions
Disposals
Currency retranslation
Reclassification as held for sale
31 December 2016
Accumulated amortisation and impairment
1 January 2016
Disposals of group companies
Depreciation charge for the year
Disposals
Currency retranslation
Reclassification as held for sale
31 December 2016
Net book value 31 December 2016(a)
Includes payments on account and assets in course of construction
(a) Includes €249 million (2015: €270 million) of freehold land.
€ million
Land and
buildings
€ million
Plant and
equipment
4,551
-
(1)
358
(84)
23
(102)
4,745
(1,443)
1
(149)
56
5
47
(1,483)
3,262
189
15,366
13
(11)
1,553
(521)
64
(2)
16,462
(7,416)
7
(1,005)
332
(15)
46
(8,051)
8,411
1,236
€ million
Total
19,917
13
(12)
1,911
(605)
87
(104)
21,207
(8,859)
8
(1,154)
388
(10)
93
(9,534)
11,673
1,425
The Group has commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment of €478 million (2015: €535 million).
106 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
10. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT CONTINUED
Movements during 2015
Cost
1 January 2015
Acquisitions of group companies
Disposals of group companies
Additions
Disposals
Currency retranslation
Reclassification as held for sale
31 December 2015
Accumulated depreciation
1 January 2015
Disposals of group companies
Depreciation charge for the year
Disposals
Currency retranslation
Reclassification as held for sale
31 December 2015
Net book value 31 December 2015
Includes payments on account and assets in course of construction
11. OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
€ million
Land and
buildings
€ million
Plant and
equipment
4,200
40
-
369
(64)
37
(31)
4,551
(1,346)
-
(120)
31
(29)
21
(1,443)
3,108
217
14,714
13
(5)
1,513
(723)
(5)
(141)
15,366
(7,096)
2
(977)
620
(29)
64
(7,416)
7,950
1,334
€ million
Total
18,914
53
(5)
1,882
(787)
32
(172)
19,917
(8,442)
2
(1,097)
651
(58)
85
(8,859)
11,058
1,551
Joint ventures are undertakings in which the Group has an interest and which are jointly controlled by the Group and one or more other
parties. Associates are undertakings where the Group has an investment in which it does not have control or joint control but can exercise
significant influence.
Interests in joint ventures and associates are accounted for using the equity method and are stated in the consolidated balance sheet at cost,
adjusted for the movement in the Group’s share of their net assets and liabilities. The Group’s share of the profit or loss after tax of joint
ventures and associates is included in the Group’s consolidated profit before taxation.
Where the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in the equity accounted investee, the carrying amount of the investment is reduced to
zero and the recognition of further losses is discontinued, except to the extent that the Group has an obligation to make payments on behalf
of the investee.
Biological assets are measured at fair value less costs to sell with any changes recognised in the income statement.
Interest in net assets of joint ventures
Interest in net assets of associates
Long-term trade and other receivables
Fair value of biological assets
Other non-current assets(a)
(a) Mainly relate to assets held in escrow for the UK pension fund and tax assets.
€ million
2016
36
51
421
51
159
718
€ million
2015
48
59
413
48
203
771
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 107
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
11. OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS CONTINUED
Movements during 2016 and 2015
Joint ventures(a)
1 January
Additions
Dividends received/reductions
Share of net profit/(loss)
Currency retranslation
31 December
Associates(b)
1 January
Additions
Dividend received/reductions
Share of net profit/(loss)
Currency retranslation
31 December
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
48
24
(151)
130
(15)
36
59
7
(8)
(3)
(4)
51
52
4
(137)
117
12
48
42
24
-
(10)
3
59
(a) Our principal joint ventures are Unilever Jerónimo Martins for Portugal, the Pepsi/Lipton Partnership for the US and Pepsi Lipton International for the rest of the world.
(b) Associates as at 31 December 2016 primarily comprise our investments in Langholm Capital Partners. Other Unilever Ventures assets are included under ‘Other non-
current non-financial assets’. In 2015 we sold shares in an associate (carrying value zero) for consideration of €110 million.
The joint ventures and associates have no significant contingent liabilities to which the Group is exposed, and the Group has no significant
contingent liabilities in relation to its interests in the joint ventures and associates.
The Group has no outstanding capital commitments to joint ventures.
Outstanding balances with joint ventures and associates are shown in note 23 on page 129.
12. INVENTORIES
Inventories are valued at the lower of weighted average cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises direct costs and, where appropriate,
a proportion of attributable production overheads. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less the estimated costs necessary to
make the sale.
Inventories
Raw materials and consumables
Finished goods and goods for resale
€ million
2016
1,385
2,893
4,278
€ million
2015
1,381
2,954
4,335
Inventories with a value of €110 million (2015: €100 million) are carried at net realisable value, this being lower than cost. During 2016, €113
million (2015: €119 million) was charged to the income statement for damaged, obsolete and lost inventories. In 2016, €113 million (2015: €123
million) was utilised or released to the income statement from inventory provisions taken in earlier years.
13. TRADE AND OTHER CURRENT RECEIVABLES
Trade and other receivables are initially recognised at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequently these assets
are held at amortised cost, using the effective interest method and net of any impairment losses.
We do not consider the fair values of trade and other receivables to be significantly different from their carrying values. Concentrations of credit
risk with respect to trade receivables are limited, due to the Group’s customer base being large and diverse. Our historical experience of collecting
receivables, supported by the level of default, is that credit risk is low across territories and so trade receivables are considered to be a single class
of financial assets. Balances are considered for impairment on an individual basis rather than by reference to the extent that they become overdue.
108 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
13. TRADE AND OTHER CURRENT RECEIVABLES CONTINUED
Trade and other current receivables
Due within one year
Trade receivables
Prepayments and accrued income
Other receivables
€ million
€ million
2016
2015
3,329
504
1,269
5,102
2,917
561
1,326
4,804
Other receivables comprise financial assets of €396 million (2015: €379 million), and non-financial assets of €873 million (2015: €947 million).
Financial assets include supplier and customer deposits, employee advances and certain derivatives. Non-financial assets mainly consist of
reclaimable sales tax.
Ageing of trade receivables
Total trade receivables
Less impairment provision for trade receivables
Of which:
Not overdue
Past due less than three months
Past due more than three months but less than six months
Past due more than six months but less than one year
Past due more than one year
Impairment provision for trade receivables
Impairment provision for trade and other receivables – current and non-current impairments
1 January
Charged to income statement
Reductions/releases
Currency retranslation
31 December
€ million
€ million
2016
2015
3,472
(143)
3,329
2,537
666
102
69
98
(143)
3,329
3,047
(130)
2,917
2,200
634
73
52
88
(130)
2,917
€ million
€ million
2016
2015
155
42
(35)
4
166
145
38
(25)
(3)
155
14. TRADE PAYABLES AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Trade payables and other liabilities are initially recognised at fair value less any directly attributable transaction costs. Trade payables and
accruals are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method. Other liabilities are subsequently measured
either at amortised cost, using the effective interest method or at fair value, with changes being recognised in the income statement.
We do not consider the fair values of trade payables and other liabilities to be significantly different from their carrying values.
Trade payables and other liabilities
Due within one year
Trade payables
Accruals
Social security and sundry taxes
Others
Due after more than one year
Accruals
Others
€ million0
20160
€ million0
20150
8,591
3,655
468
1,157
13,871
159
508
667
8,296
3,616
559
1,317
13,788
120
273
393
Total trade payables and other liabilities
14,538
14,181
Included in others is deferred consideration on acquisitions, third party royalties, certain derivatives and dividends to non-controlling interests.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 109
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
15. CAPITAL AND FUNDING
ORDINARY SHARES
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of ordinary shares are recognised as a deduction
from equity, net of any tax effects.
INTERNAL HOLDINGS
The ordinary shares numbered 1 to 2,400 (inclusive) in NV (‘Special Shares’) and deferred stock of PLC are held as to one half of each class by
N.V. Elma – a subsidiary of NV – and one half by United Holdings Limited – a subsidiary of PLC. This capital is eliminated on consolidation.
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
The Group operates a number of share-based compensation plans involving options and awards of ordinary shares of NV and PLC. Full details
of these plans are given in note 4C on pages 99 to 100.
OTHER RESERVES
Other reserves include the fair value reserve, the foreign currency translation reserve, the capital redemption reserve and treasury stock.
SHARES HELD BY EMPLOYEE SHARE TRUSTS AND GROUP COMPANIES
Certain PLC trusts, NV and group companies purchase and hold NV and PLC shares to satisfy performance shares granted, share options
granted and other share awards (see note 4C). The assets and liabilities of these trusts and shares held by group companies are included in
the consolidated financial statements. The book value of shares held is deducted from other reserves, and trusts’ borrowings are included in
the Group’s liabilities. The costs of the trusts are included in the results of the Group. These shares are excluded from the calculation of
earnings per share.
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Financial liabilities are initially recognised at fair value, less any directly related transaction costs. Certain bonds are designated as being part
of a fair value hedge relationship. In these cases, the bonds are carried at amortised cost, adjusted for the fair value of the risk being hedged,
with changes in value shown in profit and loss. Other financial liabilities, excluding derivatives, are subsequently carried at amortised cost.
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Group’s use of, and accounting for, derivative instruments is explained in note 16 on page 115 and on pages 119 to 120.
The Group’s Treasury activities are designed to:
maintain a competitive balance sheet in line with A+/A1 rating (see below);
secure funding at lowest costs for the Group’s operations, M&A activity and external dividend payments (see below);
protect the Group’s financial results and position from financial risks (see note 16);
maintain market risks within acceptable parameters, while optimising returns (see note 16); and
protect the Group’s financial investments, while maximising returns (see note 17).
The Treasury department provides central deposit taking, funding and foreign exchange management services for the Group’s operations.
The department is governed by standards and processes which are approved by Unilever Leadership Executive (ULE). In addition to guidelines
and exposure limits, a system of authorities and extensive independent reporting covers all major areas of activity. Performance is monitored
closely by senior management. Reviews are undertaken periodically by corporate audit.
Key instruments used by the department are:
short-term and long-term borrowings;
cash and cash equivalents; and
plain vanilla derivatives, including interest rate swaps and foreign exchange contracts.
The Treasury department maintains a list of approved financial instruments. The use of any new instrument must be approved by the
Chief Financial Officer. The use of leveraged instruments is not permitted.
110 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
15. CAPITAL AND FUNDING CONTINUED
total equity – retained profit, other reserves, share capital, share premium, non-controlling interests (notes 15A and 15B);
Unilever considers the following components of its balance sheet to be managed capital:
short-term debt – current financial liabilities (note 15C); and
long-term debt – non-current bank loans, bonds and other loans (note 15C).
The Group manages its capital so as to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern and to optimise returns to our shareholders through
an appropriate balance of debt and equity. The capital structure of the Group is based on management’s judgement of the appropriate balance of
key elements in order to meet its strategic and day-to-day needs. We consider the amount of capital in proportion to risk and manage the capital
structure in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets.
Our current long-term credit rating is A+/A1 and our short-term credit rating is A1/P1. We aim to maintain a competitive balance sheet which we
consider to be the equivalent of a credit rating of A+/A1 in the long-term. This provides us with:
appropriate access to the debt and equity markets;
sufficient flexibility for acquisitions;
sufficient resilience against economic and financial uncertainty while ensuring ample liquidity; and
optimal weighted average cost of capital, given the above constraints.
Unilever monitors the qualitative and quantitative factors utilised by the rating agencies. This information is publicly available and is updated by
the credit rating agencies on a regular basis.
Unilever will take appropriate steps in order to maintain, or if necessary adjust, its capital structure. Unilever is not subject to financial covenants
in any of its significant financing agreements.
15A. SHARE CAPITAL
Unilever N.V.
NV ordinary shares of €0.16 each
NV ordinary shares of €428.57 each (shares numbered 1 to 2,400 – ‘Special Shares’)
Internal holdings eliminated on consolidation (€428.57 shares)
Unilever PLC
PLC ordinary shares of 31/9p each
PLC deferred stock of £1 each
Internal holding eliminated on consolidation (£1 stock)
Euro equivalent in millions (at £1.00 = €5.143)(c)
Unilever Group
Ordinary share capital of NV
Ordinary share capital of PLC
Issued,
called up
and
Issued,
called up
and
Authorised(a)
fully paid(b)
Authorised(a)
fully paid(b)
2016
2016
2015
2015
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
480
1
-
481
274
1
(1)
274
480
1
-
481
274
1
(1)
274
£ million
£ million
40.8
0.1
(0.1)
40.8
€ million
210
€ million
274
210
484
40.8
0.1
(0.1)
40.8
€ million
210
€ million
274
210
484
(a) At 31 December 2016, Unilever N.V. had 3,000,000,000 (2015: 3,000,000,000) authorised ordinary shares. The requirement for a UK company to have an authorised
share capital was abolished by the UK Companies Act 2006. In May 2010 Unilever PLC shareholders approved new Articles of Association to reflect this.
(b) At 31 December 2016, the following quantities of shares were in issue: 1,714,727,700 of NV ordinary shares; 2,400 of NV Special Shares; 1,310,156,361 of PLC
ordinary shares and 100,000 of PLC deferred stock. The same quantities were in issue at 31 December 2015.
(c) Conversion rate for PLC ordinary shares nominal value to euros is £1 = €5.143 (which is calculated by dividing the nominal value of NV ordinary shares by the
nominal value of PLC ordinary shares).
For information on the rights of shareholders of NV and PLC and the operation of the Equalisation Agreement, see the Corporate Governance
report on pages 29 to 35.
A nominal dividend of 6% per annum is paid on the deferred stock of PLC.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 111
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
15B. EQUITY
BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
Unilever is the majority shareholder of all material subsidiaries and has control in all cases. Information in relation to group companies is
provided on pages 131 to 143.
SUBSIDIARIES WITH SIGNIFICANT NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS
Unilever has one subsidiary company which has a material non-controlling interest, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL). Summary financial
information in relation to HUL is shown below.
HUL Balance sheet as at 31 December
Non-current assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
HUL Comprehensive income for the year ended 31 December
Turnover
Profit after tax
Total comprehensive income
HUL Cash flow for the year ended 31 December
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash-equivalents
HUL Non-controlling interest
1 January
Share of (profit)/loss for the year ended 31 December
Other comprehensive income
Dividend paid to the non-controlling interest
Other changes in equity
Currency translation
31 December
ANALYSIS OF RESERVES FOR THE GROUP
Fair value reserves
Cash flow hedges
Available-for-sale financial assets
Currency retranslation of group companies
Adjustment on translation of PLC's ordinary capital at 31/9p = €0.16
Capital redemption reserve
Book value of treasury stock
Other(a)
(a) Relates to option on purchase of subsidiary for non-controlling interest.
€ million
2016
791
1,160
(980)
(110)
4,084
475
484
€ million
2015
649
1,265
(968)
(125)
4,212
438
484
14
(107)
(271)
(157)
(8)
157
-
(3)
(282)
€ million
Total
2015
(98)
(174)
76
(3,285)
(164)
32
(4,119)
(182)
(7,816)
(258)
(143)
(10)
152
-
(12)
(271)
€ million
Total
2014
(198)
(234)
36
(2,901)
(164)
32
(4,125)
(182)
(7,538)
€ million
Total
2016
(113)
(168)
55
(3,034)
(164)
32
(4,164)
-
(7,443)
Unilever acquired 3,902,584 (2015: 3,342,212) NV ordinary shares and 2,268,600 (2015: 2,102,300) PLC shares through purchases on the stock
exchanges during the year. These shares are held as treasury stock as a separate component of other reserves. The total number held at
31 December 2016 was 151,953,411 (2015: 152,638,561) NV shares and 33,241,009 (2015: 33,391,209) PLC shares. Of these, 10,392,782 NV shares
and 6,544,015 PLC shares were held in connection with share-based compensation plans (see note 4C on pages 99 to 100).
112 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
15B. EQUITY CONTINUED
Treasury stock – movements during the year
1 January
Purchases and other utilisations
31 December
Currency retranslation reserve – movements during the year
1 January
Currency retranslation during the year
Movement in net investment hedges and exchange differences in net investments in foreign operations
Recycled to income statement
31 December
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME RECONCILIATION
Fair value gains/(losses) on financial instruments – movement during the year
1 January
Cash flow hedges
Available for sale financial assets
31 December
€ million
2016
(4,119)
(45)
(4,164)
€ million
2016
(3,285)
599
(365)
17
(3,034)
€ million
2016
(98)
6
(21)
(113)
€ million
2015
(4,125)
6
(4,119)
€ million
2015
(2,901)
(1,001)
617
-
(3,285)
€ million
2015
(198)
60
40
(98)
Refer to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on page 84, the consolidated statement of changes in equity on page 85, and
note 6C on page 103.
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans net of tax
1 January
Movement during the year
31 December
€ million
2016
(1,473)
(980)
(2,453)
€ million
2015
(2,357)
884
(1,473)
Refer to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on page 84, the consolidated statement of changes in equity on page 85, note 4B
from page 94 to 99 and note 6C on page 103.
Currency retranslation gains/(losses) – movement during the year
1 January
Currency retranslation during the year:
Other reserves
Retained profit
Non-controlling interest
31 December
€ million
2016
(3,512)
189
17
11
€ million
2015
(3,031)
(377)
(109)
5
(3,295)
(3,512)
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 113
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
15C. FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Financial liabilities 2016(a)(b)
Preference shares
Bank loans and overdrafts
Bonds and other loans
Finance lease creditors
Derivatives
Other financial liabilities
Notes
20
€ million
Current
2016
-
899
4,367
9
175
-
5,450
€ million
Non-current
2016
68
247
10,686
134
10
-
11,145
€ million
Total
2016
68
1,146
15,053
143
185
-
16,595
€ million
Current
2015
-
762
3,583
37
118
289
4,789
€ million
Non-current
2015
68
302
9,120
158
6
200
9,854
€ million
Total
2015
68
1,064
12,703
195
124
489
14,643
(a) For the purposes of notes 15C and 17A, financial assets and liabilities exclude trade and other current receivables and trade payables and other liabilities which are
covered in notes 13 and 14 respectively.
(b) Financial liabilities include €2 million (2015: €4 million) of secured liabilities.
ANALYSIS OF BONDS AND OTHER LOANS
Unilever N.V.
Floating Rate Notes 2018 (€)
1.750% Bonds 2020 (€)
0.500% Notes 2022 (€)
1.125% Bonds 2028 (€)
1.000% Notes 2023 (€)
0.500% Notes 2024 (€)
0.000% Notes 2020 (€)
2.950% Notes 2017 (Renminbi)
Commercial paper
Total NV
Unilever PLC
4.750% Bonds 2017 (£)
2.000% Notes 2018 (£)
Commercial paper
Total PLC
Other group companies
Switzerland
Other
United States
4.250% Notes 2021 (US$)
5.900% Bonds 2032 (US$)
4.800% Bonds 2019 (US$)
2.200% Notes 2019 (US$)
2.000% Notes 2026 (US$)
0.850% Notes 2017 (US$)
1.375% Notes 2021 (US$)
2.100% Notes 2020 (US$)
3.100% Notes 2025 (US$)
7.250% Bonds 2026 (US$)
6.625% Bonds 2028 (US$)
5.150% Notes 2020 (US$)
7.000% Bonds 2017 (US$)
5.600% Bonds 2097 (US$)
2.750% Notes 2016 (US$)
Commercial paper (US$)
Other countries
Total other group companies
Total bonds and other loans
€ million
Total
2016
€ million
Total
2015
749
748
743
692
496
492
299
41
819
5,079
466
294(c)
373
1,133
749
747
742
-
495
-
-
42
1,551
4,326
542
339(c)
-
881
-
29
950
942
714
711
655
524
519
474
470
276
216
149
142
87
-
1,892
120
8,841
15,053
912
904
686
681
-
502
-
454
451
265
206
145
136
84
458
1,532
51
7,496
12,703
(c) Of which €3 million (2015: €1 million) relates to a fair value adjustment following the fair value hedge accounting of a fix-to-float interest rate swap.
Information in relation to the derivatives used to hedge bonds and other loans within a fair value hedge relationship is shown in note 16.
114 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
16. TREASURY RISK MANAGEMENT
DERIVATIVES AND HEDGE ACCOUNTING
Derivatives are measured at fair value with any related transaction costs expensed as incurred. The treatment of changes in the value of
derivatives depends on their use as explained below.
(I) FAIR VALUE HEDGES(a)
Certain derivatives are held to hedge the risk of changes in value of a specific bond or other loan. In these situations, the Group
designates the liability and related derivative to be part of a fair value hedge relationship. The carrying value of the bond is adjusted by the
fair value of the risk being hedged, with changes going to the income statement. Gains and losses on the corresponding derivative are also
recognised in the income statement. The amounts recognised are offset in the income statement to the extent that the hedge is effective.
When the relationship no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, the fair value hedge adjustment made to the bond is amortised
to the income statement using the effective interest method.
(II) CASH FLOW HEDGES(a)
Derivatives are also held to hedge the uncertainty in timing or amount of future forecast cash flows. Such derivatives are classified as being
part of cash flow hedge relationships. For an effective hedge, gains and losses from changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised
in equity. Any ineffective elements of the hedge are recognised in the income statement. If the hedged cash flow relates to a non-financial
asset, the amount accumulated in equity is subsequently included within the carrying value of that asset. For other cash flow hedges,
amounts deferred in equity are taken to the income statement at the same time as the related cash flow.
When a derivative no longer qualifies for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss remains in equity until the related cash flow occurs.
When the cash flow takes place, the cumulative gain or loss is taken to the income statement. If the hedged cash flow is no longer expected
to occur, the cumulative gain or loss is taken to the income statement immediately.
(III) NET INVESTMENT HEDGES(a)
Certain derivatives are designated as hedges of the currency risk on the Group’s investment in foreign subsidiaries. The accounting policy for
these arrangements is set out in note 1.
(IV) DERIVATIVES FOR WHICH HEDGE ACCOUNTING IS NOT APPLIED
Derivatives not classified as hedges are held in order to hedge certain balance sheet items and commodity exposures. No hedge accounting
is applied to these derivatives, which are carried at fair value with changes being recognised in the income statement.
(a) Applying hedge accounting has not led to material ineffectiveness being recognised in the income statement for both 2016 and 2015.
The Group is exposed to the following risks that arise from its use of financial instruments, the management of which is described in the
following sections:
liquidity risk (see note 16A);
market risk (see note 16B); and
credit risk (see note 17B).
16A. MANAGEMENT OF LIQUIDITY RISK
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will face in meeting its obligations associated with its financial liabilities. The Group’s approach to
managing liquidity is to ensure that it will have sufficient funds to meet its liabilities when due without incurring unacceptable losses. In doing
this, management considers both normal and stressed conditions. A material and sustained shortfall in our cash flow could undermine the
Group’s credit rating, impair investor confidence and also restrict the Group’s ability to raise funds.
The Group maintained a cautious funding strategy, with a positive cash balance throughout 2015. This was the result of cash delivery from the
business, coupled with the proceeds from bond issuances. This cash has been invested conservatively with low risk counter-parties at maturities of
less than six months.
Cash flow from operating activities provides the funds to service the financing of financial liabilities on a day-to-day basis. The Group seeks to
manage its liquidity requirements by maintaining access to global debt markets through short-term and long-term debt programmes. In addition,
Unilever has committed credit facilities for general corporate use.
On 31 December 2016 Unilever had undrawn revolving 364-day bilateral credit facilities in aggregate of US$6,550 million (2015: US$6,550 million)
with a 364-day term out. As part of the regular annual process, the intention is that these facilities will again be renewed in 2017.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 115
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
16A. MANAGEMENT OF LIQUIDITY RISK CONTINUED
The following table shows Unilever’s contractually agreed undiscounted cash flows, including expected interest payments, which are payable
under financial liabilities at the balance sheet date:
Notes
20
14
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
Due
within
1 year
Due
between
1 and
2 years
Due
between
2 and
3 years
Due
between
3 and
4 years
Due
between
4 and
5 years
Due
after
5 years
Total
€ million
Net
carrying
amount as
shown in
balance
sheet
(4)
(909)
(4,700)
(24)
-
(4)
(4)
(1,335)
(18)
-
(4)
(243)
(1,669)
(18)
-
(4)
-
(1,882)
(17)
-
(4)
-
(1,634)
(16)
-
(72)
-
(6,733)
(127)
-
(92)
(1,156)
(17,953)
(220)
-
(68)
(1,146)
(15,053)
(143)
-
(13,156)
(125)
-
-
-
-
(13,281)
(13,476)
(247)
-
(19,040)
(18)
-
(1,504)
(24)
-
(1,958)
-
-
(1,903)
(490)
-
(2,144)
(10)
-
(6,942)
(789)
-
(33,491)
(594)
-
(30,480)
56
(70)
420
(429)
9,263
(9,580)
-
(3)
(334)
-
-
-
-
(9)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
476
(499)
9,263
(9,580)
-
(3)
(343)
(331)
(19,374)
(1,513)
(1,958)
(1,903)
(2,144)
(6,942)
(33,834)
(30,811)
20
14
(4)
(741)
(3,912)
(51)
(289)
(4)
(337)
(1,493)
(25)
-
(4)
-
(1,331)
(22)
-
(4)
-
(1,567)
(20)
-
(4)
-
(1,519)
(18)
-
(72)
-
(5,509)
(166)
(200)
(92)
(1,078)
(15,331)
(302)
(489)
(68)
(1,064)
(12,703)
(195)
(489)
(13,205)
(235)
-
-
-
-
(13,440)
(13,442)
(23)
(15)
(18,240)
(158)
-
(2,252)
-
-
(1,357)
-
-
(1,591)
-
-
(1,541)
-
-
(5,947)
(181)
(15)
(30,928)
(179)
-
(28,141)
(255)
198
5,686
(5,817)
-
(11)
(199)
(18,439)
(65)
60
-
-
-
-
(5)
(2,257)
(125)
124
-
-
-
-
(1)
(1,358)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(445)
382
5,686
(5,817)
-
-
-
(1,591)
-
-
-
(1,541)
-
-
-
(5,947)
–
(11)
(205)
(31,133)
(194)
(28,334)
Undiscounted cash flows
2016
Non-derivative financial
liabilities:
Preference shares
Bank loans and overdrafts
Bonds and other loans
Finance lease creditors
Other financial liabilities
Trade payables excluding social
security and sundry taxes
Deferred consideration
Issued financial guarantees
Derivative financial liabilities:
Interest rate derivatives:
Derivative contracts – receipts
Derivative contracts – payments
Foreign exchange derivatives:
Derivative contracts – receipts
Derivative contracts – payments
Commodity derivatives:
Derivative contracts – receipts
Derivative contracts – payments
Total
2015
Non-derivative financial
liabilities:
Preference shares
Bank loans and overdrafts
Bonds and other loans
Finance lease creditors
Other financial liabilities
Trade payables excluding social
security and sundry taxes
Deferred consideration
Issued financial guarantees
Derivative financial liabilities:
Interest rate derivatives:
Derivative contracts – receipts
Derivative contracts – payments
Foreign exchange derivatives:
Derivative contracts – receipts
Derivative contracts – payments
Commodity derivatives:
Derivative contracts – receipts
Derivative contracts – payments
Total
116 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
16A. MANAGEMENT OF LIQUIDITY RISK CONTINUED
The following table shows cash flows for which cash flow hedge accounting is applied. The derivatives in the cash flow hedge relationships are
expected to have an impact on profit and loss in the same periods as the cash flows occur.
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
Due
within
1 year
2,863
(2,905)
4
(3)
2,884
(2,883)
(2)
(11)
Due
between
1 and 2
years
Due
between
2 and 3
years
Due
between
3 and 4
years
Due
between
4 and 5
years
Due
after
5 years
-
-
(6)
-
6
-
(1)
-
-
-
-
-
348
(300)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total
2,863
(2,905)
(2)
(3)
3,238
(3,183)
(3)
(11)
€ million
Net
carrying
amount of
related
derivatives(a)
(40)
-
18
41
(1)
(5)
2016
Foreign exchange cash inflows
Foreign exchange cash outflows
Interest rate cash flows
Commodity contracts cash flows
2015
Foreign exchange cash inflows
Foreign exchange cash outflows
Interest rate cash flows
Commodity contracts cash flows
(a) See note 16C.
16B. MANAGEMENT OF MARKET RISK
Unilever’s size and operations result in it being exposed to the following market risks that arise from its use of financial instruments:
commodity price risk;
currency risk; and
interest rate risk.
The above risks may affect the Group’s income and expenses, or the value of its financial instruments. The objective of the Group’s management
of market risk is to maintain this risk within acceptable parameters, while optimising returns. Generally, the Group applies hedge accounting to
manage the volatility in profit and loss arising from market risk.
The Group’s exposure to, and management of, these risks is explained below. It often includes derivative financial instruments, the uses of which
are described in note 16C.
POTENTIAL IMPACT OF RISK
MANAGEMENT POLICY AND
HEDGING STRATEGY
SENSITIVITY TO THE RISK
(I) COMMODITY PRICE RISK
The Group is exposed to the risk of changes
in commodity prices in relation to its
purchase of certain raw materials.
At 31 December 2016, the Group had hedged
its exposure to future commodity purchases
with commodity derivatives valued at €441
million (2015: €221 million).
(II) CURRENCY RISK
Currency risk on sales, purchases and
borrowings
Because of Unilever’s global reach, it is
subject to the risk that changes in foreign
currency values impact the Group’s sales,
purchases and borrowings.
At 31 December 2016, the exposure to the
Group from companies holding financial
assets and liabilities other than in their
functional currency amounted to €76 million
(2015: €60 million).
The Group uses commodity forward contracts to
hedge against this risk. All commodity forward
contracts hedge future purchases of raw materials
and the contracts are settled either in cash or by
physical delivery.
Commodity derivatives are generally designated as
hedging instruments in cash flow hedge accounting
relations. All commodity forward contracts are
done in line with approvals from the Global
Commodity Executive which is chaired by the
Unilever Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO).
The Group manages currency exposures within
prescribed limits, mainly through the use of
forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
Operating companies manage foreign exchange
exposures within prescribed limits. Local
compliance is monitored centrally.
Exchange risks related to the principal amounts of
the US$ and Swiss franc denominated debt either
form part of hedging relationships themselves, or
are hedged through forward contracts.
The aim of the Group’s approach to management of
currency risk is to leave the Group with no material
residual risk. This aim has been achieved in all
years presented.
A 10% increase in commodity prices as at
31 December 2016 would have led to a
€46 million gain on the commodity
derivatives in the cash flow hedge reserve
(2015: €22 million gain in the cash flow
hedge reserve). A decrease of 10% in
commodity prices on a full-year basis
would have the equal but opposite effect.
As an estimation of the approximate impact
of the residual risk, with respect to financial
instruments, the Group has calculated the
impact of a 10% change in exchange rates.
Impact on income statement
A 10% strengthening of the euro against key
currencies to which the Group is exposed
would have led to approximately an additional
€7 million gain in the income statement
(2015: €6 million gain). A 10% weakening of
the euro against these currencies would have
led to an equal but opposite effect.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 117
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
16B. MANAGEMENT OF MARKET RISK CONTINUED
POTENTIAL IMPACT OF RISK
Currency risk on the Group’s net
investments
The Group is also subject to exchange risk
in relation to the translation of the net
investments of its foreign operations into
euros for inclusion in its consolidated
financial statements.
These net investments include Group
financial loans, which are monetary items
that form part of our net investment in
foreign operations, of €7.9 billion (2015:
€8.2 billion), of which €3.5 billion (2015:
€4.1 billion) is denominated in GBP. In
accordance with IAS 21, the exchange
differences on these financial loans are
booked through reserves.
Part of the currency exposure on the Group’s
investments is also managed using US$ and
Swiss franc net investment hedges with a
nominal value of €3.5 billion (2015: €3.9
billion) for US$ and €(0.9) billion (2015: nil)
for Swiss francs.
At 31 December 2016, the net exposure of
the net investments in foreign currencies
amounts to €11.1 billion (2015: €11.3 billion).
MANAGEMENT POLICY AND
HEDGING STRATEGY
Unilever aims to minimise this foreign
investment exchange exposure by
borrowing in local currency in the
operating companies themselves. In
some locations, however, the Group’s
ability to do this is inhibited by local
regulations, lack of local liquidity or by
local market conditions.
Where the residual risk from these
countries exceeds prescribed limits,
Treasury may decide on a case-by-case
basis to actively hedge the exposure.
This is done either through additional
borrowings in the related currency, or
through the use of forward foreign
exchange contracts.
Where local currency borrowings, or
forward contracts, are used to hedge
the currency risk in relation to the
Group’s net investment in foreign
subsidiaries, these relationships are
designated as net investment hedges
for accounting purposes.
(III) INTEREST RATE RISK(a)
The Group is exposed to market interest
rate fluctuations on its floating rate debt.
Increases in benchmark interest rates could
increase the interest cost of our floating-
rate debt and increase the cost of future
borrowings. The Group’s ability to manage
interest costs also has an impact on
reported results.
Taking into account the impact of interest
rate swaps, at 31 December 2016, interest
rates were fixed on approximately 81% of
the expected net debt for 2017, and 71% for
2018 (70% for 2016 and 61% for 2017 at
31 December 2015).
For interest management purposes,
transactions with a maturity shorter than six
months from inception date are not included
as fixed interest transactions.
The average interest rate on short-term
borrowings in 2016 was 0.9% (2015: 0.9%).
Unilever’s interest rate management
approach aims for an optimal balance
between fixed and floating-rate interest
rate exposures on expected net debt.
The objective of this approach is to
minimise annual interest costs after tax
and to reduce volatility.
This is achieved either by issuing fixed or
floating-rate long-term debt, or by
modifying interest rate exposure through
the use of interest rate swaps.
Furthermore, Unilever has interest rate
swaps for which cash flow hedge
accounting is applied.
(a) See the weighted average amount of net debt with fixed rate interest shown in the following table.
SENSITIVITY TO THE RISK
Impact on equity – trade-related cash flow hedges
A 10% strengthening of the euro against other
currencies would have led to a €17 million
(2015: €22 million) loss (of which €51 million
(2015: €40 million) loss would relate to
strengthening against sterling) on hedges used to
cover future trade cash flows to which cash flow
hedge accounting is applied. A 10% weakening of
the euro against other currencies would have led
to a €19 million (2015: €24 million) gain (out of
which €56 million (2015: €44 million) gain would
relate to strengthening against sterling) on
hedges used to cover future trade cash flows to
which cash flow hedge accounting is applied.
Impact on equity – net investment hedges
A 10% strengthening of the euro against other
currencies would have led to a €242 million
(2015: €352 million) loss on the net investment
hedges used to manage the currency exposure
on the Group’s investments. A 10% weakening
of the euro against other currencies would have
led to a €295 million (2015: €430 million) gain
on the net investment hedges used to manage the
currency exposure on the Group’s investments.
Impact on equity – net investments in group
companies
A 10% strengthening of the euro against all other
currencies would have led to a €1,008 million
negative retranslation effect (2015: €675 million
negative retranslation effect). A 10% weakening
of the euro against those currencies would have
led to a €1,232 million positive retranslation effect
(2015: €825 million positive retranslation effect).
In line with accepted hedge accounting treatment
and our accounting policy for financial loans,
the retranslation differences would be recognised
in equity.
Assuming that all other variables remain constant,
a 1.0 percentage point increase in floating interest
rates on a full-year basis as at 31 December 2016
would have led to an additional €11 million of
finance costs (2015: €21 million additional finance
costs). A 1.0 percentage point decrease in floating
interest rates on a full-year basis would have an
equal but opposite effect.
Assuming that all other variables remain constant,
a 1.0 percentage point increase in floating interest
rates on a full-year basis as at 31 December 2016
would have led to an additional €1 million debit in
equity from derivatives in cash flow hedge
relationships (2015: €1 million credit). A 1.0
percentage point decrease in floating interest
rates on a full-year basis would have led to an
additional €1 million credit in equity from
derivatives in cash flow hedge relationships
(2015: €1 million debit).
118 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
16B. MANAGEMENT OF MARKET RISK CONTINUED
The following table shows the split in fixed and floating-rate interest exposures, taking into account the impact of interest rate swaps and
cross-currency swaps:
Cash and cash equivalents
Current other financial assets
Current financial liabilities
Non-current financial liabilities
Net debt
Of which:
€ million
2016
3,382
599
(5,450)
(11,145)
(12,614)
€ million
2015
2,302
836
(4,789)
(9,854)
(11,505)
Fixed rate (weighted average amount of fixing for the following year)
(11,539)
(9,429)
16C. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING
The Group does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. The uses of derivatives and the related values of derivatives are
summarised in the following table. Derivatives used to hedge:
31 December 2016
Foreign exchange derivatives including cross currency swaps
Fair value hedges
Cash flow hedges
Hedges of net investments in foreign operations
Hedge accounting not applied
Interest rate swaps
Fair value hedges
Cash flow hedges
Hedge accounting not applied
Commodity contracts
Cash flow hedges
Hedge accounting not applied
31 December 2015
Foreign exchange derivatives including cross currency swaps
Fair value hedges
Cash flow hedges
Hedges of net investments in foreign operations
Hedge accounting not applied
Interest rate swaps
Fair value hedges
Cash flow hedges
Hedge accounting not applied
Commodity contracts
Cash flow hedges
Hedge accounting not applied
€ million
€ million
Trade
and other
receivables
Financial
assets
€ million
Trade
payables
and other
liabilities
€ million
Current
financial
liabilities
€ million
Non-
current
financial
liabilities
€ million
Total
-
36
-
79
-
-
-
21
(1)
135
Total assets
-
29
-
39
-
-
-
5
-
73
Total assets
-
-
174(a)
(133)(a)
3
4
43
-
-
91
226
1
45
155(a)
25(a)
-
-
4
-
-
230
303
-
(76)
-
(67)
-
-
-
(3)
-
(146)
-
-
(27)
(134)
-
-
(14)
-
-
(175)
Total liabilities
-
(34)
-
(26)
-
-
-
-
-
-
(118)
-
-
-
(10)
-
(70)
Total liabilities
-
-
(118)
-
-
-
-
-
(4)
(6)
-
-
(10)
(331)
-
-
-
(5)
-
(1)
-
-
-
(6)
(194)
-
(40)
147
(255)
3
-
23
18
(1)
(105)
(105)
1
40
155
(85)
-
(1)
4
(5)
-
109
109
(a) Swaps that hedge the currency risk on intra-group loans and offset €174 million (2015: €155 million) within ‘Hedges of net investments in foreign operations’ are
included within ‘Hedge accounting not applied’.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 119
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
16C. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING CONTINUED
MASTER NETTING OR SIMILAR AGREEMENTS
A number of legal entities within our Group enter into derivative transactions under International Swap and Derivatives Association (ISDA)
master netting agreements. In general, under such agreements the amounts owed by each counter-party on a single day in respect of all
transactions outstanding in the same currency are aggregated into a single net amount that is payable by one party to the other. In certain
circumstances, such as when a credit event such as a default occurs, all outstanding transactions under the agreement are terminated, the
termination value is assessed and only a single net amount is payable in settlement of all transactions.
The ISDA agreements do not meet the criteria for offsetting the positive and negative values in the consolidated balance sheet. This is because
the Group does not have any currently legally enforceable right to offset recognised amounts, between various Group and bank affiliates, because
the right to offset is enforceable only on the occurrence of future credit events such as a default.
The column ‘Related amounts not set off in the balance sheet – Financial instruments’ shows the netting impact of our ISDA agreements,
assuming the agreements are respected in the relevant jurisdiction.
(A) FINANCIAL ASSETS
The following financial assets are subject to offsetting, enforceable master netting arrangements and similar agreements.
€ million
Gross amounts
of recognised
financial assets
€ million
Gross amounts of
recognised
financial liabilities
set off in the
balance sheet
400
458
(174)
(155)
Related amounts not set
off in the balance sheet
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
Net amounts of
financial assets
presented in the
balance sheet
226
303
Financial
instruments
Cash
collateral
received
Net amount
(147)
-
79
(153)
(30)
120
As at 31 December 2016
Derivative financial assets
As at 31 December 2015
Derivative financial assets
(B) FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
The following financial liabilities are subject to offsetting, enforceable master netting arrangements and similar agreements.
€ million
Gross amounts
of recognised
financial liabilities
€ million
Gross amounts of
recognised
financial liabilities
set off in the
balance sheet
Related amounts not set
off in the balance sheet
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
Net amounts of
financial liabilities
presented in the
balance sheet
Financial
instruments
Cash
collateral
pledged
Net amount
505
349
(174)
(155)
331
194
(147)
(153)
-
-
184
41
As at 31 December 2016
Derivative financial liabilities
As at 31 December 2015
Derivative financial liabilities
17. INVESTMENT AND RETURN
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents in the balance sheet include deposits, investments in money market funds and highly liquid investments.
To be classified as cash and cash equivalents, an asset must:
be readily convertible into cash;
have an insignificant risk of changes in value; and
have a maturity period of three months or less at acquisition.
Cash and cash equivalents in the cash flow statement also include bank overdrafts and are recorded at amortised cost.
OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS
Other financial assets are first recognised on the trade date. At that point, they are classified as:
held-to-maturity investments;
available-for-sale financial assets; or
financial assets at fair value through profit or loss.
loans and receivables;
120 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
17. INVESTMENT AND RETURN CONTINUED
(I) HELD-TO-MATURITY INVESTMENTS
These are assets with set cash flows and fixed maturities which Unilever intends to hold to maturity. They are held at cost plus interest using
the effective interest method, less any impairment.
(II) LOANS AND RECEIVABLES
These are assets with an established payment profile and which are not listed on a recognised stock exchange. They are initially recognised
at fair value, which is usually the original invoice amount plus any directly related transaction costs. Afterwards, loans and receivables are
carried at amortised cost, less any impairment.
(III) AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS
Any financial assets not classified as either loans and receivables or financial assets at fair value through profit or loss or held-to-maturity
investments are designated as available-for-sale. They are initially recognised at fair value, usually the original invoice amount plus any
directly related transaction costs. Afterwards, they are measured at fair value with changes being recognised in equity. When the
investment is sold or impaired, the accumulated gains and losses are moved from equity to the income statement. Interest and dividends
from these assets are recognised in the income statement.
(IV) FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS
These are derivatives and assets that are held for trading. Related transaction costs are expensed as incurred. Unless they form part of a
hedging relationship, these assets are held at fair value, with changes being recognised in the income statement.
IMPAIRMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSETS
Each year, the Group assesses whether there is evidence that financial assets are impaired. A significant or prolonged fall in value below
the cost of an asset generally indicates that an asset may be impaired. If impaired, financial assets are written down to their estimated
recoverable amount. Impairment losses on assets classified as loans and receivables are recognised in profit and loss. When a later event
causes the impairment losses to decrease, the reduction in impairment loss is also recognised in profit and loss. Impairment losses on
assets classified as available-for-sale are recognised by moving the loss accumulated in equity to the income statement. Any subsequent
recovery in value of an available-for-sale debt security is recognised within profit and loss. However, any subsequent recovery in value of an
equity security is recognised within equity, and is recorded at amortised cost.
17A. FINANCIAL ASSETS
The Group’s Treasury function aims to protect the Group’s financial investments, while maximising returns. The fair value of financial assets is
the same as the carrying amount for 2016 and 2015. The Group’s cash resources and other financial assets are shown below.
Financial assets(a)
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank and in hand
Short-term deposits with maturity of less than three months
Other cash equivalents
Other financial assets
Held-to-maturity investments
Loans and receivables(b)
Available-for-sale financial assets(c)
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss:
Derivatives
Other
Total
€ million
Current
2016
€ million
Non-
current
2016
1,779
1,513
90
3,382
43
208
126
91
131
599
3,981
–
–
–
–
99
190
383
–
1
673
673
€ million
€ million
Total
2016
1,779
1,513
90
3,382
142
398
509
91
132
1,272
Current
2015
1,547
655
100
2,302
38
269
179
230
120
836
4,654
3,138
€ million
Non-
current
2015
–
–
–
–
106
34
462
–
3
605
605
€ million
Total
2015
1,547
655
100
2,302
144
303
641
230
123
1,441
3,743
(a) For the purposes of notes 15C and 17A, financial assets and liabilities exclude trade and other current receivables and trade payables and other liabilities which are
covered in notes 13 and 14 respectively.
(b)Current loans and receivables include short-term deposits with banks with maturities of longer than three months.
(c) Current available-for-sale financial assets include government securities and A- or higher rated money and capital market instruments. Non-current available-for-
sale financial assets predominantly consist of investments in a number of companies and financial institutions in Europe, India and the US, including €79 million
(2015: €86 million) of assets in a trust to fund benefit obligations in the US (see also note 4B).
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 121
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
17A. FINANCIAL ASSETS CONTINUED
Cash and cash equivalents reconciliation to the cash flow statement
Cash and cash equivalents per balance sheet
Less: bank overdrafts
Cash and cash equivalents per cash flow statement
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
3,382
(184)
3,198
2,302
(174)
2,128
Approximately €1.5 billion (or 43%) of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents are held in the parent and central finance companies,
for maximum flexibility. These companies provide loans to our subsidiaries that are also funded through retained earnings and third party
borrowings. We maintain access to global debt markets through an infrastructure of short and long-term debt programmes. We make use of
plain vanilla derivatives, such as interest rate swaps and foreign exchange contracts, to help mitigate risks. More detail is provided in notes 16,
16A, 16B and 16C on pages 115 to 120.
The remaining €1.9 billion (57%) of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents are held in foreign subsidiaries which repatriate distributable reserves
on a regular basis. For most countries, this is done through dividends which are in some cases subject to withholding or distribution tax. This
balance includes €240 million (2015: €284 million, 2014: €452 million) of cash that is held in a few countries where we face cross-border foreign
exchange controls and/or other legal restrictions that inhibit our ability to make these balances available for general use by the wider business.
The cash will generally be invested or held in the relevant country and, given the other capital resources available to the Group, does not
significantly affect the ability of the Group to meet its cash obligations.
17B. CREDIT RISK
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counter-party fails to meet its contractual obligations. Additional information
in relation to credit risk on trade receivables is given in note 13. These risks are generally managed by local controllers. Credit risk related to the
use of treasury instruments is managed on a Group basis. This risk arises from transactions with financial institutions involving cash and cash
equivalents, deposits and derivative financial instruments. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of
each class of financial assets. To reduce this risk, Unilever has concentrated its main activities with a limited number of counter-parties which
have secure credit ratings. Individual risk limits are set for each counter-party based on financial position, credit rating and past experience.
Credit limits and concentration of exposures are actively monitored by the Group’s treasury department. Netting agreements are also put in
place with Unilever’s principal counter-parties. In the case of a default, these arrangements would allow Unilever to net assets and liabilities
across transactions with that counter-party. To further reduce the Group’s credit exposures on derivative financial instruments, Unilever has
collateral agreements with Unilever’s principal counter-parties in relation to derivative financial instruments. Under these arrangements,
counter-parties are required to deposit securities and/or cash as a collateral for their obligations in respect of derivative financial instruments.
At 31 December 2016 the collateral held by Unilever under such arrangements amounted to €3 million (2015: €30 million), of which €nil (2015:
€30 million) was in cash, and €3 million (2015: €nil) was in the form of bond securities. The non-cash collateral has not been recognised as an
asset in the Group’s balance sheet.
Further details in relation to the Group’s exposure to credit risk are shown in note 13 and note 16A.
18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS FAIR VALUE RISK
The Group is exposed to the risks of changes in fair value of its financial assets and liabilities. The following table summarises the fair values and
carrying amounts of financial instruments.
Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Held-to-maturity investments
Loans and receivables
Available-for-sale financial assets
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss:
Derivatives
Other
Financial liabilities
Preference shares
Bank loans and overdrafts
Bonds and other loans
Finance lease creditors
Derivatives
Other financial liabilities
€ million
€ million
Fair value
2016
Fair value
2015
€ million
Carrying
amount
2016
€ million
Carrying
amount
2015
3,382
142
398
509
91
132
4,654
(125)
(1,147)
(15,844)
(165)
(185)
-
(17,466)
2,302
144
303
641
230
123
3,743
(132)
(1,067)
(13,509)
(217)
(124)
(489)
(15,538)
3,382
142
398
509
91
132
4,654
(68)
(1,146)
(15,053)
(143)
(185)
-
(16,595)
2,302
144
303
641
230
123
3,743
(68)
(1,064)
(12,703)
(195)
(124)
(489)
(14,643)
122 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS FAIR VALUE RISK CONTINUED
The fair value of trade receivables and payables is considered to be equal to the carrying amount of these items due to their short-term nature.
The instruments that have a fair value that is different from the carrying amount are classified as Level 2 for both 2015 and 2016 with exception of
preference shares which are classified as Level 1 for both years.
FAIR VALUE HIERARCHY
The fair values shown in notes 15C and 17A have been classified into three categories depending on the inputs used in the valuation technique.
The categories used are as follows:
Level 1: quoted prices for identical instruments;
Level 2: directly or indirectly observable market inputs, other than Level 1 inputs; and
Level 3: inputs which are not based on observable market data.
For assets and liabilities which are carried at fair value, the classification of fair value calculations by category is summarised below:
Assets at fair value
Other cash equivalents
Available-for-sale financial assets
Financial assets at fair value
through profit or loss:
Derivatives(a)
Other
Liabilities at fair value
Derivatives(b)
Contingent consideration
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
Notes
Level 1
2016
Level 1
2015
Level 2
2016
Level 2
2015
Level 3
2016
Level 3
2015
€ million
Total fair
value
2016
€ million
Total fair
value
2015
17A
17A
16C
17A
16C
21
-
138
-
-
-
-
-
14
-
120
-
-
90
98
226
131
100
180
303
-
-
273
-
1
-
447
-
3
90
509
226
132
100
641
303
123
(331)
-
(194)
-
-
(380)
-
(104)
(331)
(594)
(194)
(179)
(a) Includes €135 million (2015: €73 million) derivatives, reported within trade receivables, that hedge trading activities.
(b) Includes €(146) million (2015: €(71) million) derivatives, reported within trade payables, that hedge trading activities.
There were no significant changes in classification of fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities since 31 December 2015. There were
also no significant movements between the fair value hierarchy classifications since 31 December 2015.
The impact in the 2016 income statement due to Level 3 instruments is a gain of €94 million (2015: loss of €45 million).
Reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements of financial assets is given below:
Reconciliation of movements in Level 3 valuations
1 January
Gains and losses recognised in profit and loss
Gains and losses recognised in other comprehensive income
Purchases and new issues
Sales and settlements
Transfers into Level 3
Transfers out of Level 3
31 December
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
346
94
(12)
(247)
(187)
-
(100)
(106)
475
(45)
120
(91)
(113)
-
-
346
SIGNIFICANT UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS USED IN LEVEL 3 FAIR VALUES
The largest asset valued using Level 3 techniques is a Split-Dollar Life Insurance of €43 million (2015: €41 million).
A change in one or more of the inputs to reasonably possible alternative assumptions would not change the value significantly.
During the year, an asset with a carrying value of €62 million as at 31 December 2015 (2014: €189 million, 2013: €190 million) was de-
recognised. The asset was previously valued using Level 3 techniques and related to an unlisted investment recognised as an available for sale
financial asset. The asset was impaired in 2015 but due to unforeseen circumstances, in 2016, this impairment was reversed and the asset
disposed for a total consideration of €130 million. The 2016 profit or loss impact of the reversal of the previous impairment was a gain of €63
million recognised within ‘other income/(loss) from non-current investments’. Interest income of €5m was also recognised from this asset in
2016.
CALCULATION OF FAIR VALUES
The fair values of the financial assets and liabilities are defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability
in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair values are
consistent with those used in the year ended 31 December 2015.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 123
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
18. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS FAIR VALUE RISK CONTINUED
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES CARRIED AT FAIR VALUE
The fair values of quoted investments falling into Level 1 are based on current bid prices.
The fair values of unquoted available-for-sale financial assets are based on recent trades in liquid markets, observable market rates,
discounted cash flow analysis and statistical modelling techniques such as the Monte Carlo simulation. If all significant inputs required to fair
value an instrument are observable, the instrument is included in Level 2. If one or more of the significant inputs is not based on observable
market data, the instrument is included in Level 3.
Derivatives are valued using valuation techniques with market observable inputs. The models incorporate various inputs including the credit
quality of counter-parties, foreign exchange spot and forward rates, interest rate curves and forward rate curves of the underlying commodities.
For listed securities where the market is not liquid, and for unlisted securities, valuation techniques are used. These include the use of recent arm’s
length transactions, reference to other instruments that are substantially the same and discounted cash flow calculations.
OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (FAIR VALUES FOR DISCLOSURE PURPOSES ONLY)
Cash and cash equivalents, trade and other current receivables, bank loans and overdrafts, trade payables and other current liabilities have fair
values that approximate to their carrying amounts due to their short-term nature.
The fair values of preference shares and listed bonds are based on their market value.
Non-listed bonds, other loans, bank loans and non-current receivables and payables are based on the net present value of the anticipated future
cash flows associated with these instruments using rates currently available for debt on similar terms, credit risk and remaining maturities.
Fair values for finance lease creditors have been assessed by reference to current market rates for comparable leasing arrangements.
POLICIES AND PROCESSES USED IN RELATION TO THE CALCULATION OF LEVEL 3 FAIR VALUES
Assets valued using Level 3 valuation techniques are primarily made up of long-term cash receivables and unlisted investments. Valuation
techniques used are specific to the circumstances involved. Unlisted investments include €172 million (2015: €192 million) of investments within
Unilever Ventures companies.
19. PROVISIONS
Provisions are recognised where a legal or constructive obligation exists at the balance sheet date, as a result of a past event, where the amount
of the obligation can be reliably estimated and where the outflow of economic benefit is probable.
Provisions
Due within one year
Due after one year
Total provisions
Movements during 2016
1 January 2016
Income Statement:
Charges
Releases
Utilisation
Currency translation
31 December 2016
€ million
2016
390
1,033
€ million
2015
309
831
1,423
1,140
€ million
€ million
Other
221
Total
1,140
69
(41)
(38)
2
553
(171)
(247)
148
213
1,423
€ million
€ million
Restructuring
188
258
(33)
(116)
(6)
291
Legal
161
72
(51)
(55)
(2)
125
€ million
Disputed
indirect taxes
570
154
(46)
(38)
154
794
Restructuring provisions primarily include people costs such as redundancy costs and cost of compensation where manufacturing, distribution
or selling agreements are to be terminated.
The Group is involved from time to time in legal and arbitration proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. As previously disclosed,
along with other consumer products companies and retail customers, Unilever is involved in a number of ongoing investigations by national
competition authorities. These proceedings and investigations are at various stages and concern a variety of product markets. Where specific
issues arise, provisions are made to the extent appropriate.
Unilever expects the issues relating to these restructuring, legal and other provisions to be substantively resolved within five years.
The provision for disputed indirect taxes is primarily comprised of disputes with Brazilian authorities, in particular relating to tax credits that can
be taken for the PIS and COFINS indirect taxes in Brazil. Due to the nature of these disputes, the timing of any utilisation in relation to these
provisions is uncertain.
124 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
20. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership. All other
leases are classified as operating leases.
Assets held under finance leases are initially recognised at the lower of fair value at the date of commencement of the lease and the present
value of the minimum lease payments. Subsequent to initial recognition, these assets are accounted for in accordance with the accounting
policy relating to that specific asset. The corresponding liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments
are apportioned between finance costs in the income statement and reduction of the lease obligation so as to achieve a constant rate of
interest on the remaining balance of the liability.
Lease payments under operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
Contingent liabilities are either possible obligations that will probably not require a transfer of economic benefits, or present obligations that
may, but probably will not, require a transfer of economic benefits. It is not appropriate to make provisions for contingent liabilities, but there
is a chance that they will result in an obligation in the future. Contingent liabilities are disclosed at the risk adjusted best estimate of the
amount that would be required to settle the liability as at the balance sheet date. Where a risk weighting is not available, the maximum
exposure is reported.
€ million
€ million
Long-term finance lease commitments
Buildings(a)
Plant and machinery
The commitments fall due as follows:
Within 1 year
Later than 1 year but not later than 5 years
Later than 5 years
(a) All leased land is classified as operating leases.
€ million
Future
minimum
lease
payments
2016
202
18
220
24
69
127
220
€ million
€ million
Finance
Cost
2016
75
2
77
15
28
34
77
Present
value
2016
127
16
143
9
41
93
143
€ million
Future
minimum
lease
payments
2015
284
18
302
51
85
166
302
Finance
cost
2015
105
2
107
14
37
56
107
The table below shows the net book value of property, plant and equipment under a number of finance lease agreements.
Net book value
Cost
Accumulated depreciation
31 December 2016
Cost
Accumulated depreciation
31 December 2015
€ million
Buildings
211
(79)
132
239
(82)
157
€ million
Plant and
equipment
134
(115)
19
154
(133)
21
Present
value
2015
179
16
195
37
48
110
195
€ million
Total
345
(194)
151
393
(215)
178
The Group has sublet part of the leased properties under finance leases. Future minimum sublease payments of €31 million (2015: €41 million)
are expected to be received.
Long-term operating lease commitments
Land and buildings
Plant and machinery
Operating lease and other commitments fall due as follows:
Within 1 year
Later than 1 year but not later than 5 years
Later than 5 years
€ million
€ million
2016
2,149
692
2,841
2015
2,024
430
2,454
€ million
Operating
leases
€ million
Operating
leases
€ million
Other
commitments
€ million
Other
commitments
2016
457
1,393
991
2,841
2015
410
1,187
857
2,454
2016
1,204
1,231
30
2,465
2015
919
830
35
1,784
The Group has sublet part of the leased properties under operating leases. Future minimum sublease payments of €17 million (2015: €5 million)
are expected to be received.
Other commitments principally comprise commitments under contracts to purchase materials and services. They do not include commitments to
purchase property, plant and equipment, which are reported in note 10 on page 106.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 125
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
20. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES CONTINUED
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
Contingent liabilities are possible obligations that are not probable. They arise in respect of litigation against Group companies, investigations by
competition, regulatory and fiscal authorities and obligations arising under environmental legislation. In many markets, there is a high degree of
complexity involved in the local tax regimes. The majority of contingent liabilities are in respect of fiscal matters.
Assessing the amount of liabilities that are not probable is highly judgemental. Our best estimate of contingent liabilities at 31 December 2016
was €2,360 million (2015: €1,310 million), the largest of which relates to the local corporate reorganisation in 2001 explained further below.
There has been no material change in our total contingent liability exposure since 2015. However, in prior years the contingent liabilities in
respect of fiscal matters were disclosed on a tax assessment basis whereas in 2016 the basis has been extended to include unassessed years.
During 2004, and in common with many other businesses operating in Brazil, one of our Brazilian subsidiaries received a notice of infringement
from the Federal Revenue Service in respect of indirect taxes. The notice alleges that a 2001 reorganisation of our local corporate structure was
undertaken without valid business purpose. The 2001 reorganisation was comparable with restructurings done by many companies in Brazil. The
original dispute was resolved in the courts in the Group’s favour. However, in 2013 a new assessment was raised in respect of a similar matter.
Additionally, during the course of 2014 another notice of infringement was issued based on the same grounds argued in the previous
assessments. The total amount of the tax assessments in respect of this matter is €1,464 million. The judicial process in Brazil is likely to take a
number of years to conclude.
During 2006, Unilever filed a judicial measure to obtain the right to exclude the Brazilian ICMS indirect tax from the taxable base for the Brazilian
PIS and COFINS indirect taxes, and obtained a favourable decision in 2007. In November 2016, this favourable decision was reversed on appeal to
a higher court. The Group intends to appeal this decision. The total amount of the tax assessments in respect of this matter is €655 million.
The Group believes that the likelihood that the tax authorities will ultimately prevail is low, however there can be no guarantee of success in
court. In each case we believe our position is strong so they have not been provided for and are considered to be contingent liabilities.
21. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition accounting method as at the acquisition date, which is the date at which
control is transferred to the Group.
Goodwill is measured at the acquisition date as the fair value of consideration transferred, plus non-controlling interests and the fair value
of any previously-held equity interests less the net recognised amount (which is generally fair value) of the identifiable assets and liabilities
assumed. Goodwill is subject to an annual review for impairment (or more frequently if necessary) in accordance with our accounting
policies. Any impairment is charged to the income statement as it arises.
Contingent consideration is measured at fair value with changes being recognised in the income statement. All other deferred consideration
is held at amortised cost. Consideration transferred does not include amounts related to settlement of pre-existing relationships. Such
amounts are generally recognised in net profit.
Transaction costs are expensed as incurred, other than those incurred in relation to the issue of debt or equity securities.
Changes in ownership that do not result in a change of control are accounted for as equity transactions and therefore do not have any impact
on goodwill. The difference between consideration and the non-controlling share of net assets acquired is recognised within equity.
126 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
21. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS CONTINUED
2016
In 2016, the Group completed the following business acquisitions and disposals as listed below. Total consideration for 2016 acquisitions is €2,069
million (2015: €2,011 million for acquisitions completed during that year). More information related to the 2016 acquisitions is given on page 22.
DEAL COMPLETION DATE
ACQUIRED/DISPOSED BUSINESS
31 March 2016
Sold the bread and bakery business under the brand ‘Modern’ in India to Nimman Foods Private Limited,
part of the Everstone Group.
7 April 2016
Acquired Indulekha and Vayodha brands from Mosons Group.
6 May 2016
Sold local Alberto Culver brands Antiall, Farmaco, Veritas, the rights for VO5 in Argentina and a
manufacturing plant to Santiago Saenz.
31 July 2016
Sold the Rice Exports business in India to LT Foods Middle East DMCC, a Group company of LT Foods Limited.
10 August 2016
Acquired Dollar Shave Club, a subscription-based direct-to-consumer male grooming business.
20 October 2016
Acquired Seventh Generation, a North American home and personal care eco-friendly naturals business.
1 December 2016
Acquired Blueair, a supplier of innovative mobile indoor air purification technologies and solutions.
On 1 June 2016 the Group announced that it had signed an agreement with Coca-Cola FEMSA and The Coca-Cola Company to sell the AdeS soy
beverage business in Latin America for an aggregate amount of US$575 million. Subject to regulatory approval, the transaction is expected to
complete during the first quarter of 2017.
On 16 December 2016 the Group announced that it had signed an agreement to purchase Living Proof Inc., an innovative premium hair care
business. The transaction completed on 1 February 2017 after receiving regulatory approval. Due to the proximity of deal completion to the
issuance of the financial statements, no valuation work has commenced and no provisional numbers have been disclosed in the notes to the
consolidated financial statements.
EFFECT ON CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
Since the acquisition dates the 2016 acquisitions above have contributed €149 million to Group revenue and €21 million loss to Group
operating profit.
If all the above acquisitions had taken place at the beginning of the year, Group revenue would have been €53,127 million and Group operating
profit would have been €7,807 million.
2015
In 2015, the Group completed the following business acquisitions listed below. The acquisition accounting has been finalised and subsequent
changes to the provisional numbers published last year were immaterial.
DEAL COMPLETION DATE
ACQUIRED BUSINESS
1 May 2015
Acquired REN Skincare, a prestige Personal Care business with an iconic British skin care brand.
1 May 2015
6 May 2015
1 August 2015
Camay and Zest brands acquired from The Procter & Gamble Company. In addition a manufacturing site
was acquired.
Acquired Kate Somerville Skincare, a prestige Personal Care business with a leading independent skin
care brand.
Acquired Dermalogica, a prestige Personal Care business with the leading skin care brand in professional
salons and spas. The assets acquired were principally the Dermalogica brand.
1 September 2015
Murad, the leading clinical skin care brand, part of our prestige Personal Care business.
30 September 2015
Acquired Grom, a premium Italian gelato business.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 127
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
21. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS CONTINUED
EFFECT ON CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
The following table sets out the effect of the acquisitions in 2016, 2015 and 2014 on the consolidated balance sheet. The fair values currently
established for all acquisitions made in 2016 are provisional. Detailed information relating to goodwill is given in note 9 on pages 104 to 106.
Acquisitions
Net assets acquired
Goodwill arising in subsidiaries
Total consideration
In 2016 the net assets acquired and total consideration consist of:
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
€ million
2014
929
1,140
2,069
999
1,012
2,011
240
184
424
Intangible assets
Other non-current assets
Trade and other receivables
Other current assets
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Net assets acquired
Cash consideration
Deferred consideration
Total consideration
Goodwill
€ million
2016
1,147
115
44
122
(398)
(101)
929
1,640
429
2,069
1,140
No contingent liabilities were acquired in the acquisitions described above.
Deferred consideration includes future payments which are contingent on acquired businesses achieving or exceeding contractually agreed
financial targets within a predetermined timescale. These payments fall due up until 2021 with the maximum possible total payment of €1,950
million. A financial liability representing the best estimate of the Group’s future cash outflows is recognised in other current liabilities and other
non-current liabilities on the balance sheet. This is initially recorded at fair-value and revalued at each reporting date with movements in fair
value taken to the income statement.
At 31 December 2016, the balance held in deferred consideration for acquisitions is €594 million (2015: €179 million), of which contingent
consideration is €380 million (2015: €104 million).
Goodwill represents the future value which the Group believes it will obtain through operational synergies and the application of acquired
company ideas to existing Unilever channels and businesses.
The table below shows the impact of all disposals during the year on the Group. The results of disposed businesses are included in the consolidated
financial statements up to their date of disposal:
Disposals
Goodwill and intangible assets
Other non-current assets
Current assets
Trade creditors and other payables
Net assets sold
(Gain)/loss on recycling of currency retranslation on disposal
Profit/(loss) on sale attributable to Unilever
Consideration
Cash
Cash balances of businesses sold
Non-cash items and deferred consideration
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
€ million
2014
85
29
5
-
119
-
(95)
24
16
8
-
24
47
2
23
(2)
70
-
(9)
61
62
(1)
-
61
229
106
50
(5)
380
(76)
1,392
1,696
1,727
(4)
(27)
1,696
128 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
22. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE
Non-current assets and groups of assets and liabilities which comprise disposal groups are classified as ‘held for sale’ when all of the following
criteria are met: a decision has been made to sell; the assets are available for sale immediately; the assets are being actively marketed; and a
sale has been agreed or is expected to be concluded within 12 months of the balance sheet date.
Immediately prior to classification as held for sale, the assets or groups of assets are remeasured in accordance with the Group’s accounting
policies. Subsequently, assets and disposal groups classified as held for sale are valued at the lower of book value or fair value less disposal
costs. Assets held for sale are not depreciated.
Groups of assets held for sale(a)
Goodwill and intangibles
Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Other
Non-current assets held for sale
Property, plant and equipment
Liabilities held for sale
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
98
46
34
1
5
184
22
1
43
73
35
3
5
159
20
6
(a) Groups of assets held for sale are primarily assets of the AdeS soy beverage business in Latin America. Refer to note 21 on pages 126 to 128.
23. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A related party is a person or entity that is related to the Group. These include both people and entities that have, or are subject to, the influence
or control of the Group.
The following related party balances existed with associate or joint venture businesses at 31 December:
Related party balances
Trading and other balances due from joint ventures
Trading and other balances due from/(to) associates
€ million
2016
115
-
€ million
2015
116
-
JOINT VENTURES
Sales by Unilever group companies to Unilever Jerónimo Martins and Pepsi Lipton joint ventures were €118 million and €69 million in 2016
(2015: €121 million and €69 million) respectively. Sales from Unilever Jerónimo Martins and from Pepsi Lipton joint ventures to Unilever
group companies were €66 million and €51 million in 2016 (2015: €46 million and €51 million) respectively. Balances owed by/(to) Unilever
Jerónimo Martins and Pepsi Lipton joint ventures at 31 December 2016 were €119 million and €(4) million (2015: €121 million and €(5)
million) respectively.
ASSOCIATES
Langholm Capital Partners invests in private European companies with above-average longer-term growth prospects.
Langholm Capital II was launched in 2009. Unilever has invested €57 million in Langholm Capital II, with an outstanding commitment at the end
of 2016 of €18 million (2015: €20 million).
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 129
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
24. 2014 PURCHASE OF ESTATE SHARES CONVERTIBLE TO UNILEVER PLC SHARES IN 2038
The first Viscount Leverhulme was the founder of the company which became Unilever PLC. When he died in 1925, he left in his will a large
number of PLC shares in various trusts. When the will trusts were varied in 1983, the interests of the beneficiaries of his will were also
preserved. Four classes of special shares were created in Margarine Union (1930) Limited, a subsidiary of PLC.
One of these classes of shares (‘Estate shares’) has rights that enable it to be converted at the end of the year 2038 to 70,875,000 Unilever PLC
ordinary shares. Before this date, these shares have no rights to dividends nor do they allow early conversion. There are 20,000 Estate shares
with a nominal value of £0.01 each.
On 19 May 2014, Unilever PLC purchased all of the Estate shares for a cash consideration of £715 million plus transaction costs. The resulting
loss of €880 million, being the difference between the nominal value and the amount paid, was recorded in retained earnings. Unilever does not
intend to re-sell these shares.
25. REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS
This note includes all amounts paid to the Group’s auditors, whether in relation to their audit of the Group or otherwise.
During the year the Group (including its subsidiaries) obtained the following services from the Group auditors and its associates:
Fees payable to the Group’s auditors for the audit of the consolidated and parent
company accounts of Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC(a)
Fees payable to the Group’s auditors for the audit of accounts of subsidiaries of
Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC pursuant to legislation(b)
Total statutory audit fees(c)
Audit-related assurance services
Other taxation advisory services
Services relating to corporate finance transactions
Other assurance services
All other non-audit services
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
€ million
2014
4
10
14
–(d)
–(d)
–
–(d)
–(d)
5
9
14
–(d)
–(d)
–
–(d)
–(d)
5
9
14
–(d)
–(d)
–
–(d)
–(d)
(a) Of which €1 million was payable to KPMG Accountants N.V. (2015: €1 million; 2014: €1 million) and €3 million was payable to KPMG LLP (2015: €4 million; 2014:
€4 million).
(b) Comprises fees payable to the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative for audit work on statutory financial
statements and Group reporting returns of subsidiary companies.
(c) Amount payable to KPMG in respect of services supplied to associated pension schemes was less than €1 million individually and in aggregate (2015: less than
€1 million individually and in aggregate; 2014: less than €1 million individually and in aggregate).
(d) Amounts paid in relation to each type of service are individually less than €1 million. In aggregate the fees paid were €1 million (2015: €1 million; 2014: less than
€1 million).
26. EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE
Where events occurring after the balance sheet date provide evidence of conditions that existed at the end of the reporting period, the impact
of these events is adjusted within the financial statements. Otherwise, events after the balance sheet date of a material size or nature are
disclosed below.
On 26 January 2017 Unilever announced a quarterly dividend with the 2016 fourth quarter results of €0.3201 per NV ordinary share and £0.2768
per PLC ordinary share.
On 1 February 2017 the Group completed the acquisition of Living Proof Inc.
130 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
27. GROUP COMPANIES
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2016
In accordance with section 409 of the Companies Act 2006 a list of subsidiaries, partnerships, associates, and joint ventures as at 31 December 2016 is
set out below. All subsidiary undertakings are subsidiary undertakings of their immediate parent undertaking(s) pursuant to section 1162 (2) (a) of the
Companies Act 2006 unless otherwise indicated – see the notes on page 143. All subsidiary undertakings not included in the consolidation are not
included because they are not material for such purposes. All associated undertakings are included in the Unilever Group’s financial statements using
the equity method of accounting unless otherwise indicated – see the notes on page 143.
Principal group companies are identified in bold. These companies are incorporated and principally operate in the countries under which they
are shown.
The aggregate percentage of capital held by the Group is shown in the first column, except where it is 100%.
SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS INCLUDED IN THE CONSOLIDATION
%
72.50
98
60.75
Country of
Incorporation
Name of
Undertaking
Unilever Algérie SPA
Alimentos de Soja S.A.U.
Arisco S.A.
Helket S.A.
S.A.G.R.A. S.A.
Unilever de Argentina S.A.
Ben & Jerry’s Franchising Australia Limited
Dermalogica Holdings Pty Limited
Dermalogica Pty Limited
DSC Australia Pty Limited
Tea Too Pty Limited
TIGI Australia Pty Limited
Unilever Australia (Holdings) Pty Limited
Unilever Australia Group Partnership
Unilever Australia Group Pty Limited
Unilever Australia Limited
Unilever Australia Supply Services Limited
Unilever Australia Trading Limited
Delico Handels GmbH
Kuner Nahrungsmittel GmbH
Intuiskin GmbH
TIGI Handels GmbH
ULPC Handels GmbH
Unilever Austria GmbH
Unilever BCS Austria GmbH
Unilever Bangladesh Limited
Intuiskin SPRL
Unilever BCS Belgium NV/SA
Unilever Belgium NV/SA
Unilever Belgium Services SA/NV
Unilever Lipton Tea NV/SA
Unilever Andina Bolivia S.A.
Alberto Culver Participacoes Limitada
% holding
as between
NV/PLC
Class of share
held in subsidiary
undertaking
DZD1,000.00 Ordinary
NV 72.50
ARA1.00 Ordinary
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
ARA1.00 Ordinary
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
ARA1.00 Ordinary
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
ARA1.00 Ordinary
NV 63.26 PLC 34.74
ARA1.00 Ordinary
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
AUD1.00 Ordinary
PLC 100
AUD1.00 Ordinary
PLC 100
AUD2.00 Ordinary
PLC 100
AUD1.00 Ordinary
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
AUD1.00 Ordinary
PLC 100
AUD1.00 Ordinary-A
PLC 100
AUD1.00 Ordinary-B
PLC 100
AUD1.00 Ordinary
PLC 100
Partnership Interest
PLC 100
AUD2.00 Ordinary
PLC 100
AUD1.00 Ordinary
PLC 100
AUD1.00 Ordinary
PLC 100
AUD1.00 Ordinary
PLC 100
EUR36,337.00 Ordinary
NV 100
EUR36,336.00 Ordinary
NV 100
EUR35,000.00 Ordinary
NV 100
EUR36,336.00 Ordinary
NV 100
NV 100
EUR218,019.00 Ordinary
NV 100 EUR10,000,000.00 Ordinary
EUR35,000.00 Ordinary
BDT100.00 Ordinary
EUR185.50 Ordinary
No Par Value Ordinary
No Par Value Ordinary
No Par Value Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
BOB10.00 Ordinary
BRL1.00 Quotas
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 0 PLC 60.75
NV 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
Alberto-Culver do Brasil Cosmeticos
Limitada
Euphoria Ice Cream Comercio de Alimentos
Limitada
Cicanorte Industria de Conservas
Alimenticas S.A.
RGG – Comércio E Representações
De Produtos De Higiene Pessoal Limitada
Sorvete Escola Comercio de Alimentos
Limitada
UB 4 – Comércio de Produtos de Limpeza
Limitada
UBA 2 – Comércio e Representação de
Alimentos Limitada
UBI 2 – Comercio de Alimentos Limitada
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
BRL1.00 Quotas
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
BRL1.00 Quotas
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
BRL2.80 Ordinary
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
BRL1.00 Quotas
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
BRL1.00 Quotas
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
BRL1.00 Quotas
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
BRL1.00 Quotas
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
BRL1.00 Quotas
UBI 4 – Comércio de Alimentos Limitada
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
BRL1.00 Quotas
Unilever Brasil Gelados do Nordeste S.A.
Unilever Brasil Gelados Limitada
Unilever Brasil Industrial Limitada
Unilever Brasil Limitada
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
No Par Value Ordinary – A
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45 No Par Value Ordinary – B
BRL1.00 Quotas
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
BRL1.00 Quotas
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
BRL1.00 Quotas
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
Algeria
Argentina
Argentina
Argentina
Argentina
Argentina
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Austria
Austria
Austria
Austria
Austria
Austria
Austria
Bangladesh
Belgium
Belgium
Belgium
Belgium
Belgium
Bolivia
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
50
99
Brazil
Brazil
Bulgaria
UP! Alimentos Limitada
Veritas do Brazil Limitada
Unilever BCS Bulgaria EOOD
NV 32.28 PLC 17.72
NV 63.90 PLC 35.10
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
Registered
address
Zone Industrielle Hassi Ameur Oran 31000
Tucumán 1, Piso 4°, Cdad. de Buenos Aires
Tucumán 1, Piso 4°, Cdad. de Buenos Aires
Mendoza km 7/8 – Pocitos, San Juan
Tucumán 1, Piso 4°, Cdad. de Buenos Aires
Tucumán 1, Piso 4°, Cdad. de Buenos Aires
Level 17, 2-26 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
111 Chandos Street, Crows Nest, NSW 2065
111 Chandos Street, Crows Nest, NSW 2065
DLA Piper Australia, Level 38, 201 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Level 17, 2-26 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Level 17, 2-26 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Level 17, 2-26 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Level 17, 2-26 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Level 17, 2-26 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Level 17, 2-26 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Level 17, 2-26 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Level 17, 2-26 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Stella-Klein-Löw Weg 13, 1023 Wien
Stella-Klein-Löw Weg 13, 1023 Wien
Seilerstätte 13, 1010, Wien
Stella-Klein-Löw Weg 13, 1023 Wien
Stella-Klein-Löw Weg 13, 1023 Wien
Stella-Klein-Löw Weg 13, 1023 Wien
Stella-Klein-Löw Weg 13, 1023 Wien
51 Kalurghat Heavy Industrial Area, Kalurghat, Chittagong
Rond-Point Schuman, 6 Box 5, 1040 Ettebeek
Humaniteitslaan 292, 1190 Brussels
Humaniteitslaan 292, 1190 Brussels
Humaniteitslaan 292, 1190 Brussels
Humaniteitslaan 292, 1190 Brussels
Av. Blanco Galindo Km. 10.4 Cochabamba
Rua Líbero Badaró, 293 – 27º Floor – Suite 27D, Room 18
– São Paulo/SP
Rua Caio Prado, 267 – Room 13, São Paulo/SP
São Paulo, Estado de São Paulo, na Rua Pedroso Alvarenga,
1046, sala 147, Itaim Bibi, CEP 04531-004
Rod. BR 101-Norte, s/n, km. 43,6 – Room 4, Igarassu /PE
Av. Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 1.309 –13º floor – Room 19 –
São Paulo/SP
Rua Pedroso Alvarenga, 1046, Suit 146, Itaim Bibi, Sao Paulo
Av. Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 1.309 –13º floor – Room 29 –
São Paulo/SP
Av. Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 1.309 –13º floor – Room 21 –
São Paulo/SP
Av. Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 1.309 –13º floor – Room 24 –
São Paulo/SP
Av. Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 1.309 –13º floor – Room 28 –
São Paulo/SP
Rod. BR 232, s/n, km. 13 – Jaboatão dos Guararapes/PE
Av. Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 1.309 –13º floor – Room 23
Av. Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 1.309 –13º floor – Room 4
Av. Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek, 1.309 –12º floor – Room 23,
part of 13º floor and 14º floor – São Paulo/SP
Av. Escola Politécnica, 760, 2º Floor – Room 6 – São Paulo/SP
Av. Marechal Floriano, 19 – Room 1001 Part – Rio de Janeiro/RJ
BGN1,000.00 Ordinary City of Sofia, Borough Mladost, 1, Business Park, Building 3, Floor 1
BRL1.00 Quotas
BRL1.00 Quotas
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 131
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
27. GROUP COMPANIES CONTINUED
Country of
Incorporation
Name of
Undertaking
%
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Unilever Bulgaria EOOD
Unilever (Cambodia) Limited
Canada
Dermalogica Canada Limited
% holding
as between
NV/PLC
NV 100
NV 100
PLC 100
DSC Canada, Inc
Rexdale Property Inc.
Seventh Generation Family & Home ULC
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
No Par Value Class A
Common
CAD0.01 Common
No Par Value Common
No Par Value Common
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
Unilever BCS Canada Inc.
4012208 Canada Inc.
Unilever Canada Inc.
Class of share
held in subsidiary
undertaking
Registered
address
BGN1,000.00 Ordinary City of Sofia, Borough Mladost, 1, Business Park, Building 3, Floor 1
KHR20,000.00 Ordinary No. 443A Street 105, Sangkat Boeung Pralit, Khan 7 Makara Phnom
Penh Capital
3081, 3rd Avenue, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Y1A 4Z7
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 64.54 PLC 35.46
NV 64.54 PLC 35.46
NV 64.54 PLC 35.46
PLC 100
NV 64.54 PLC 35.46
NV 64.54 PLC 35.46
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 100
No Par Value Common
No Par Value Common
No Par Value Class A
No Par Value Class B
No Par Value Class C
No Par Value Class II
Common
No Par Value Class III
Common
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
RMB1,000,000
NV 67.71 PLC 0
CNY1.00 Ordinary
P.O. Box 49130, 2900 – 595 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC V7X 1J5
195 Belfield Road, Rexdale, Toronto, Ontario M9W 1G9
800-885 West Georgia Street, Vancouver BC V6C 3H1
195 Belfield Road, Rexdale, Toronto, Ontario M9W 1G9
1000 rue de la Gauchetière Ouest, Bureau 2500, Montreal H3B 0A2
160 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto ON M4W 3R2
Av. Carrascal N°3351, Quinta Normal, Santiago
Av. Carrascal N°3351, Quinta Normal, Santiago
Noreste de la Terminal de Contenedores Mariel,
aproximadamente 1.6 km, en el Municipio Mariel, Provincia Artemisa
298, Seaside Avenue, Hangzhou Bay New Zone
NV 67.71 PLC 0
CNY1.00 Ordinary
358, Ci Yi Road, Hangzhou Bay New Zone
NV 67.71 PLC 0
NV 67.71 PLC 0
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 67.71 PLC 0
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 0 PLC 89.98
PLC 100
NV 100
NV 0 PLC 84
CNY1.00 Ordinary
CNY1.00 Ordinary
USD1.00 Ordinary
USD1.00 Ordinary
Seaside Avenue, Cixi Econimce and Technical Development Zone
(Hangzhou Bay New Zone)
Room 23, Hall 5, No. 38, Lane 168, Xing Fu Li Road, Fenjing Town,
Jinsham District, Shanghai 201100
No.33 North Fuquan Road, Shanghai, 200335,
88 Jinxiu Avenue, Hefei Economic and Technology Development
Zone, Hefei, 230601
Jingyi Road and Weiliu Road, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin
1068 Ting Wei Road, Jinshanzui Industrial Region, Jinshan District,
Shanghai
CNY1.00 Ordinary 88 Jinxiu Avenue, Hefei Economic and Technology Development Zone,
Hefei, 230601
USD1.00 Ordinary No. 1 Unilever Avenue, Pengshan Country, Sichuan Province 610016
No.16 Wanyuan Road, Beijing E&T Development, Beijing 100076
USD1.00 Ordinary
358, Ci Yi Road, Hangzhou Bay New Zone
CNY1.00 Ordinary
USD1.00 Ordinary
USD1.00 Ordinary
CRC1000.00 Ordinary
XOF5,000.00 Ordinary
CFA 10,000.00 Ordinary
COP100.00 Ordinary
COP100.00 Ordinary
Av. El Dorado, No. 69B-45. Bogota Corporate Center Piso 7, Bogotá
Av. El Dorado, No. 69B-45. Bogota Corporate Center Piso 7, Bogotá
CRC1.00 Ordinary La Asunción de Belén, Planta Industrial Lizano, Autopista Bernardo Soto
Provincia de Heredia, Cantón Belén, Distrito de la Asunción,
de la intersección Cariari- Belén, 400 Mts. Oeste, 800 Mts., al Norte
01 BP 1751 Abidjan 01, Boulevard de Vridi
Abidjan-Marcory, Boulevard Valery Giscard d’Estaing,
Immeuble Plein Ciel, Business Center, 26 BP 1377, Abidjan 26
Strojarska cesta 20, 10000 Zagreb
Head Offices, 195C Old Road Nicosia Limassol, CY-2540 Idalion
Industrial Zone – Nicosia
Rohanské nábřeží 670/17, Karlín, Praha 8, 186 00
HRK1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
CZK100,000.00 Ordinary
Chile
Chile
China
Unilever Chile Limitada
Unilever Chile SCC Limitada
Blueair Shanghai Sales Co. Limited
67.71
China
67.71
China
67.71
China
67.71
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
China
Colombia
Colombia
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
67.71
Ningbo Qinyuan Marketing Services Co.
Limited
Ningbo Qinyuan Water Equipment Co.
Limited
Qinyuan Group Co. Limited
Shanghai Qinyuan Environment Protection
Technology Co. Limited
Unilever (China) Investing Company Limited
Unilever (China) Limited
Unilever (Tianjin) Company Limited
Unilever Foods (China) Co. Limited
Unilever Services (Hefei) Co. Limited
Unilever (Sichuan) Company Limited
Walls (China) Co. Limited
Zhejiang Qinyuan Water Treatment
Technology Co. Limited
Unilever Colombia SCC S.A.S.
Unilever Andina Colombia Limitada
Unilever de Centroamerica S.A.
Unilever Costa Rica SCC S.A.
89.98
Cote D’Ivoire
Cote D’Ivoire
Unilever-Cote D’Ivoire
Unilever Afrique de l’Ouest
Croatia
Cyprus
84
Unilever Hrvatska d.o.o.
Unilever Tseriotis Cyprus Limited
73.64
60
Czech
Republic
Czech
Republic
Denmark
Denmark
Denmark
Denmark
Dominican
Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Egypt
Egypt
Egypt
Egypt
Egypt
Egypt
El Salvador
El Salvador
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
Unilever BCS ČR, spol. s r.o.
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
Unilever ČR, spol. s r.o.
PLC 100
CZK210,000.00 Ordinary
Rohanské nábřeží 670/17, Karlín, Praha 8, 186 00
Unilever BCS Danmark A/S
Unilever Danmark A/S
Unilever Production ApS
Froosh ApS
Unilever Caribe, S.A.
Unilever Andina Ecuador S.A.
Fine Tea Co (SAE)
Unilever Mashreq – Foods (SAE)
Unilever Mashreq – Home Care (SAE)
Unilever Mashreq International Company
Unilever Mashreq Trading LLC
Unilever Mashreq – Personal Care (SAE)
Unilever Mashreq – Tea (SAE)
Unilever El Salvador SCC S.A. de C.V.
Unilever de Centro America S.A.
Accantia Group Holdings
(unlimited company)
Alberto-Culver (Europe) Limited
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 100
NV 100
NV 0 PLC 73.64
NV 100
NV 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
NV 0 PLC 60
PLC 100
PLC 100
DKK1,000.00 Ordinary
DKK1,000.00 Ordinary
DKK100.00 Ordinary
DKK1,000.00 Ordinary
DOP1,000.00 Ordinary
USD1.00 Ordinary
EGP2.00 Ordinary
EGP20.00 Ordinary
EGP2.00 Ordinary
USD1000.00 Ordinary
EGP10.00 Ordinary
EGP10.00 Ordinary
EGP100.00 Ordinary
NV 100
NV 100
NV 5.61 PLC 94.39
USD1.00 Ordinary
USD100.00 Ordinary
GBP0.01 Ordinary
Ørestads Boulevard 73, 2300 København S
Ørestads Boulevard 73, 2300 København S
Petersmindevej 30, 5000 Odense C
Lindgreens Alle 12, 3 Sal, 2300 København S
Ave. Winston Churchill, Torre Acrópolis Piso 17, Santo Domingo
Km 25 Vía a Daule, Guayaquil
Bourg El-Arab City, Alexandria
Bourg El-Arab City, Alexandria
6th of October City, 4th Industrial Zone, Piece Number 68, Giza
14th May Bridge, Ezbet Hegazy, Alexandria
Industrial Zone – 14th May Bridge, Smouha, Alexandria
6th of October City, 4th Industrial Zone, Piece Number 68, Giza
Bourg El-Arab City, 1st Industrial Zone, Block 11, Piece Number 5,
Alexandria
Boulevard del Ejercito Nacional, Km. 3 1/2, San Salvador
Boulevard del Ejercito Nacional, Km. 3 1/2, San Salvador
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
132 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
27. GROUP COMPANIES CONTINUED
Country of
Incorporation
Name of
Undertaking
%
% holding
as between
NV/PLC
Class of share
held in subsidiary
undertaking
Registered
address
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
Alberto-Culver Company (U.K.) Limited
NV 5.61 PLC 94.39
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, Springfield Drive, Leatherhead, KT22 7GR
Alberto-Culver Group Limited
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Alberto-Culver UK Holdings Limited
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Alberto-Culver UK Products Limited
Associated Enterprises Limited°
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
GBP5.00 Preference
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
BBG Investments (France) Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Brooke Bond Assam Estates Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Brooke Bond Group Limited°
PLC 100
GBP0.25 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Brooke Bond South India Estates Limited°
CPC (UK) Pension Trust Limited
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
GBP1.00 Redeemable
Preference
Limited by Guarantee
Dermalogica (UK) Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Intuiskin Limited
NV 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Margarine Union (1930) Limited°
MBUK Trading Limited
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
GBP0.01 Estate
GBP1.00 Ordinary
GBP1.00 Viscountcy
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
The Manser Building, Thorncroft Manor, Thorncroft Drive, Dorking,
KT22 8JB
16 Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 5AH
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Mixhold Investments Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Murad Europe Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Ren Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
1st Floor, 16 Charles II Street, London, SW1Y 4QU
Ren Skincare Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
The Edison, 223 – 231 Old Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5QT
T2 Tea (UK) Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
TIGI Holdings Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
TIGI International Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, Springfield Drive, Leatherhead, KT22 7GR
TIGI Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Toni & Guy Products Limited°
PLC 100
GBP0.001 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
UAC International Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
UML Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unidis Forty Nine Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever Australia Investments Limited
Unilever Australia Partnership Limited
Unilever Australia Services Limited
Unilever BCS Limited
Unilever BCS UK Limited°
Unilever BCS UK Services Limited°
Unilever Company for Industrial
Development Limited
Unilever Company for Regional Marketing
and Research Limited
Unilever Corporate Holdings Limited°
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
PLC 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
PLC 100
PLC 100
AUD10.00 Ordinary-A
GBP1.00 Ordinary
AUD10.00 Ordinary-A
GBP1.00 Ordinary
AUD10.00 Ordinary-A
GBP1.00 Ordinary
GBP1.00 Ordinary
GBP1.00 Ordinary
GBP1.00 Redeemable
Golden Share
GBP1.00 Ordinary
GBP1.00 Redeemable
Golden Share
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever Employee Benefit Trustees Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever General Partner (Colworth Park)
Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 133
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
27. GROUP COMPANIES CONTINUED
Country of
Incorporation
Name of
Undertaking
%
Unilever Innovations Limited
Unilever Overseas Holdings Limited°
% holding
as between
NV/PLC
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
Class of share
held in subsidiary
undertaking
GBP1.00 Deferred
GBP0.10 Ordinary
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Registered
address
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
Estonia
Ethiopia
Finland
Finland
Finland
Finland
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
Germany
Germany
86.25
73.64
99.99
99.99
99.99
99.99
99.99
99.99
99.99
99.99
99.99
99.99
99.99
99.99
99.99
99.99
99.99
Germany
99.99
Germany
Germany
Unilever Pension Trust Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, Springfield Drive, Leatherhead, KT22 7GR
Unilever Superannuation Trustees Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever U.K. Central Resources Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever U.K. Holdings Limited°
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever UK & CN Holdings Limited
Unilever UK Group Limited
Unilever UK Limited
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
NV 49.86 PLC 50.14
NV 1.67 PLC 98.33
NV 5.61 PLC 94.39
NV 5.61 PLC 94.39
GBP10.00 Class A
Redeemable Preference
GBP10.00 Class B
Redeemable Preference
GBP1.00 Ordinary-A
GBP1.00 Ordinary-B
GBP1.00 Ordinary-A
GBP1.00 Ordinary-B
GBP1.00 Ordinary-C
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever House, Springfield Drive, Leatherhead, KT22 7GR
Unilever UK Pension Fund Trustees Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, Springfield Drive, Leatherhead, KT22 7GR
Unilever US Investments Limited°
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever Ventures III Limited Partnership
NV 57.50 PLC 28.75
Partnership Interest
1st Floor, 16 Charles II Street, London, SW1Y 4QU
Unilever Ventures Limited
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
United Holdings Limited°
USF Nominees Limited
PLC 100
NV 99.67 PLC 0.33
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
GBP500.00 Preferred
GBP1.00 Ordinary
Unilever House, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
Unilever House, Springfield Drive, Leatherhead, KT22 7GR
Unilever Eesti AS
Unilever Manufacturing PLC
Unilever Finland Oy
Unilever Ingman Production Oy
Unilever Spreads Finland Oy
Froosh OY
Alsa France S.A.S.
Amora Maille Societe Industrielle S.A.S.
Bestfoods France Industries S.A.S.
Cogesal-Miko S.A.S.
Fralib Sourcing Unit S.A.S.
Grom France S.a.r.l
Intuiskin S.A.S.
Pégase S.A.S.
Relai D'or Centrale S.A.S
Saphir S.A.S.
Sfejer S.A.S.
Tigi Services France S.A.S.
Unilever BCS France S.A.S.
Unilever France S.A.S.
Unilever France Holdings S.A.S.
Unilever France HPC Industries S.A.S.
Unilever Retail Organization France
Dermalogica GmbH
DU Gesellschaft für
Arbeitnehmerüberlassung mbH
Maizena Grundstücksverwaltung GmbH &
Co. OHGˠ
Pfanni GmbH & Co. OHGˠ
Rizofoor GmbH
Germany
Schafft GmbH
Germany
TIGI Eurologistic GmbH
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
TIGI Haircare GmbH
UBG Vermietungs GmbH
Unilever BCS Deutschland GmbH
Unilever BCS Deutschland Immobilien
Leasing GmbH & Co. OHGˠ
NV 100
PLC 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 0 PLC 73.64
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
NV 100
NV 100
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
NV 100
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
EUR6.30 Ordinary
ETB1,000.00 Ordinary
EUR16.82 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1,250.00 Ordinary
EUR25.00 Ordinary
No Par Value Ordinary
No Par Value Ordinary
No Par Value Ordinary
No Par Value Ordinary
No Par Value Ordinary
EUR10,000.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR50.00 Ordinary
No Par Value Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
No Par Value Ordinary
No Par Value Ordinary
No Par Value Ordinary
No Par Value Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
No Par Value Ordinary
EUR25,000.00 Ordinary
DEM50,000.00 Ordinary
Kalmistu tee 28a, Tallinna linn, Harju maakond, 11216
Bole Sub City, Kebele 03/05, Lidiya Building, Addis Ababa
Post Box 254, 00101 Helsinki
Post Box 254, 00101 Helsinki
Roineentie 10, 00510 Helsinki
Energiataku 3, 00180 Helsinki
20, rue des Deux Gares, 92500, Ruiel-Malmaison
ZI de la Norge – Chevigny Saint-Sauveur, 21800 Quetigny
20, rue des Deux Gares, 92500, Rueil-Malmaison
20, rue des Deux Gares, 92500, Rueil-Malmaison
20, rue des Deux Gares, 92500, Rueil-Malmaison
81 Rue De Seine, 75006 Paris
Parc activillage des Fontaines 38926 Crolles Cedex
6 rue des Frères Caudron, 78 140 Velizy Villacoublay
7, rue Armand Peugeot 92500 Rueil-Malmaison
20, rue des Deux Gares, 92500, Rueil-Malmaison
20, rue des Deux Gares, 92500, Rueil-Malmaison
20, rue des Deux Gares, 92500, Rueil-Malmaison
20, rue des Deux Gares, 92500, Rueil-Malmaison
20, rue des Deux Gares, 92500, Rueil-Malmaison
20, rue des Deux Gares, 92500, Rueil-Malmaison
20, rue des Deux Gares, 92500, Rueil-Malmaison
20, rue des Deux Gares, 92500, Rueil-Malmaison
Gerresheimer Landstraße 71, 40627 Düsseldorf
Am Strandkai 1, 20457 Hamburg
NV 63.60 PLC 36.39
Partnership Interest
Schultetusstraße 37, 17153 Stavenhagen
NV 64.54 PLC 35.45
Partnership Interest
NV 96.45 PLC 3.55
NV 100
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
EUR15,350.00 Ordinary
EUR138,150.00 Ordinary
EUR63,920.00 Ordinary
EUR100,000.00 Ordinary
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
NV 64.74 PLC 35.26
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 66.22 PLC 33.78
EUR100.00 Ordinary
EUR24.900.00 Ordinary
EUR25,600.00 Ordinary
EUR136,377,489.00
Ordinary
EUR25,000.00 Ordinary
Partnership Interest
Schultetusstraße 37, 17153 Stavenhagen
Schultetusstraße 37, 17153 Stavenhagen
Schultetusstraße 37, 17153 Stavenhagen
Hertzstraße 6, 71083 Herrenberg-Gülstein
Hertzstraße 6, 71083 Herrenberg-Gülstein
Schultetusstraße 37, 17153 Stavenhagen
Am Strandkai 1, 20457 Hamburg
Am Strandkai 1, 20457 Hamburg
134 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
27. GROUP COMPANIES CONTINUED
Country of
Incorporation
Name of
Undertaking
%
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Unilever BCS IP Deutschland GmbH & Co.
OHGˠ
Unilever BCS Sourcing Deutschland GmbH
& Co. OHGˠ
Unilever BCS Verwaltungs GmbH
Unilever Deutschland GmbH
Germany
Unilever Deutschland Holding GmbH
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
Greece
Greece
Greece
Greece
Greece
Guatemala
Unilever Deutschland Immobilien Leasing
GmbH & Co. OHGˠ
Unilever Deutschland IPR GmbH & Co.
OHGˠ
Unilever Deutschland Produktions GmbH &
Co. OHGˠ
Unilever Deutschland Produktions
Verwaltungs GmbH
Unilever Deutschland Supply Chain Services
GmbH
Millers Swanzy (Ghana) Limited
Unilever Ghana Investments Limited
Unilever Ghana Limited
Elais Unilever Hellas SA
Elanthi SA
Unilever Knorr SA
UL BCS Logistics Consulting SA
Unilever Logistics SA
Unilever de Centroamerica S.A. Guatemala
66.56
66.56
PLC 100
NV 0 PLC 66.56
NV 0 PLC 66.56
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
Guatemala
Honduras
Unilever Guatemala SCC S.A.
Unilever de Centroamerica S.A. Honduras
NV 100
NV 100
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hungary
Hungary
Hungary
India
Blueair Asia Limited
Kate Somerville Skincare, Hong Kong Limited
Unilever Hong Kong Limited
Multifrozen Kereskedelmi Kft
Unilever BCS Hungary Kft
Unilever Magyarország Kft
Bhavishya Alliance Child Nutrition Initiatives
NV 100
NV 100
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
PLC 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
PLC 100
NV 0 PLC 67.20
67.20
India
India
67.20
Blueair Limited
Daverashola Estates Private Limited
NV 99.98 PLC 0.02
NV 0 PLC 67.20
67.20
India
Hindlever Trust Limited
NV 0 PLC 67.20
67.20
India
Hindustan Unilever Limited°
NV 0 PLC 67.20
67.20
India
Jamnagar Properties Private Limited
NV 0 PLC 67.20
67.20
India
Lakme Lever Private Limited
NV 0 PLC 67.20
67.20
India
Levers Associated Trust Limited
NV 0 PLC 67.20
67.20
India
Levindra Trust Limited
67.20
India
Pond’s Exports Limited
NV 0 PLC 67.20
NV 0 PLC 67.20
67.20
India
Unilever India Exports Limited
NV 0 PLC 67.20
India
India
84.99
Indonesia
Unilever Industries Private Limited°
Unilever Ventures India Advisory Private
Limited
PT Unilever Indonesia Tbk
PLC 100
PLC 100
NV 54.86 PLC 30.13
99.26
Indonesia
PT Unilever Enterprises Indonesia
NV 64.07 PLC 35.19
Indonesia
PT Unilever Oleochemical Indonesia
NV 100
99.35
Iran
Unilever Iran (Private Joint Stock Company)
NV 99.35 PLC 0
Ireland
Lipton Soft Drinks (Ireland) Limited
PLC 100
% holding
as between
NV/PLC
Class of share
held in subsidiary
undertaking
Registered
address
NV 64.45 PLC 35.55
Partnership Interest
Am Strandkai 1, 20457 Hamburg
NV 64.45 PLC 35.55
Partnership Interest
Am Strandkai 1, 20457 Hamburg
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
EUR25.000,00 Ordinary
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45 EUR90,000,000.00 Ordinary
EUR2,000,000.00 Ordinary
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
EUR1,000,000.00 Ordinary
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
EUR39,000.00 Ordinary
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
EUR18,000.00 Ordinary
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
EUR14,300.00 Ordinary
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
EUR5.200.00 Ordinary
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
EUR6,500.00 Ordinary
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
Partnership Interest
NV 66.33 PLC 33.67
Am Strandkai 1, 20457 Hamburg
Am Strandkai 1, 20457 Hamburg
Am Strandkai 1, 20457 Hamburg
Schultetusstraße 37, 17153 Stavenhagen
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
Partnership Interest
Schultetusstraße 37, 17153 Stavenhagen
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
Partnership Interest
Am Strandkai 1, 20457 Hamburg
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
EUR179,000.00 Ordinary
Am Strandkai 1, 20457 Hamburg
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
EUR51,150.00 Ordinary
Am Strandkai 1, 20457 Hamburg
INR10.00 Ordinary
INR10. 00 Ordinary
INR10.00 Ordinary
GTQ100.00 Ordinary
HNL10.00 Ordinary
HKD0.01 Ordinary
HKD1.00 Ordinary
HKD0.10 Ordinary
HUF1.00 Ordinary
HUF1.00 Ordinary
HUF1.00 Ordinary
INR10.00 Ordinary
GHC1.00 Ordinary
GHC10.00 Ordinary
GHC0.0192 Ordinary
EUR10.00 Ordinary
EUR10.00 Ordinary
EUR10.00 Ordinary
EUR10.00 Ordinary
EUR10.00 Ordinary
GTQ60.00 Ordinary
Swanmill, Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, Accra
Plot No. Ind/A/3A-4, Heavy Industrial Area, Tema
Plot No. Ind/A/3A-4, Heavy Industrial Area, Tema
Kymis ave & 10, Seneka str. GR-145 64 Kifissia
Kymis ave & 10, Seneka str. GR-145 64 Kifissia
Kymis ave & 10, Seneka str. GR-145 64 Kifissia
Kymis ave & 10, Seneka str. GR-145 64 Kifissia
Kymis ave & 10, Seneka str. GR-145 64 Kifissia
Diagonal 6. 10-50 zona 10, Ciudad de Guatemala. Nivel 17 Torre
Norte Ed. Interamericas World Financial Center
24 Avenida , Calzada Atanacio Tzul, 35-87 Zona 12 Ciudad de Guatemala
Anillo Periférico 600 metros después de la colonia, Residencial
Las Uvas contigua acceso de colonia residencial, Tegucigalpa
Suite 1106-8, 11/F, Tai Yau Building, 181 Johnston Road, Wanchai
Room 1505, Wheelock House, 20 Pedder Street, Central
6 Dai Fu Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, N.T.
1138-Budapest, Váci u. 182
1138-Budapest, Váci u. 182
1138-Budapest, Váci u. 182
Unilever House, B. D. Sawant Marg, Chakala, Andheri (E), Mumbai
400 099
S-327, Greater Kailash – II, New Delhi – 110048, Delhi
Unilever House, B. D. Sawant Marg, Chakala, Andheri (E), Mumbai
400 099
Unilever House, B. D. Sawant Marg, Chakala, Andheri (E), Mumbai
400 099
Unilever House, B. D. Sawant Marg, Chakala, Andheri (E), Mumbai
400 099
Unilever House, B. D. Sawant Marg, Chakala, Andheri (E),
Mumbai 400 099
1st Floor, Shreeniwas House, H. Somani Marg, (behind Bombay
Gymkhana) Fort, Mumbai 40001
Unilever House, B. D. Sawant Marg, Chakala, Andheri (E),
Mumbai 400 099
Unilever House, B. D. Sawant Marg, Chakala, Andheri (E),
Mumbai 400 099
Unilever House, B. D. Sawant Marg, Chakala, Andheri (E),
Mumbai 400 099
Unilever House, B. D. Sawant Marg, Chakala, Andheri (E),
Mumbai 400 099
Unilever House, B. D. Sawant Marg, Chakala, Andheri (E),
Mumbai 400 099
Unilever House, B. D. Sawant Marg, Chakala, Andheri (E),
Mumbai 400 099
IDR10.00 Ordinary Grha Unilever, Green Office Park Kav 3, Jalan BSD Boulevard Barat,
BSD City, Tangerang, 15345
IDR1,000.00 Ordinary Grha Unilever, Green Office Park Kav 3, Jalan BSD Boulevard Barat,
BSD City, Tangerang, 15345
KEK Sei Mangkei, Nagori Sei Mangkei, Kecamatan Bosar Maligas,
Kabupaten Simalungun 21183, Sumatera Utara
137 Shiraz Building, Corner of the 21st Street, Khaled Eslamboli Ave,
Tehran
20 Riverwalk, National Digital Park, Citywest Business Campus
Dublin 24
INR10.00 Ordinary
INR10.00 Ordinary
INR10.00 Ordinary
INR10.00 Ordinary
INR10.00 Ordinary
INR10.00 Ordinary
EUR1.26 Ordinary
INR1.00 Ordinary
INR1.00 Ordinary
INR1.00 Ordinary
IDR1,000,000.00 Ordinary
IRR1,000,000.00 Ordinary
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 135
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
27. GROUP COMPANIES CONTINUED
Country of
Incorporation
Name of
Undertaking
%
% holding
as between
NV/PLC
Class of share
held in subsidiary
undertaking
Ireland
Unilever BCS Ireland Limited
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
EUR1.00 Ordinary
Ireland
Unilever Ireland (Holdings) Limited
PLC 100
EUR1.26 Ordinary
Ireland
Unilever Ireland Limited
PLC 100
EUR1.26 Ordinary
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Israel
Unilever Superannuation (Ireland) Trust
Limited
Rational International Enterprises Limited
Beigel & Beigel Mazon (1985) Limited
Bestfoods TAMI Holdings Limited
Israel
Glidat Strauss Limited
Israel
Israel
Israel
Israel
Israel
Israel
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Jersey
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Kenya
Korea
Israel Vegetable Oil Company Limited
Lever Distribution of Personal and
Cleaning Products Limited
Unilever Israel Foods Limited
Unilever Israel Home and Personal Care
Limited
Unilever Israel Marketing Limited
Unilever Shefa Israel Limited
Gromart S.R.L.
G.L.L. S.R.L.
Grom-PD S.R.L.
Intuiskin S.R.L.
Unilever BCS Italia S.R.L.
Unilever Italia Administrative Services S.R.L.
Unilever Italia Logistics S.R.L.
Unilever Italia Manufacturing S.R.L.
Unilever Italia Mkt Operations S.R.L.
Unilever Italy Holdings S.R.L.
Unilever Japan Beverage K.K.
Unilever Japan Customer Marketing K.K.
Unilever Japan Holdings K.K.
Unilever Japan K.K.
Froosh K.K.
Unilever Japan Service K.K.
Unilever Chile Investments Limited
Brooke Bond Mombasa Limited
Mabroukie Tea & Coffee Estates Limited
The Limuru Tea Company Limited
Unilever Kenya Limited°
Unilever Tea Kenya Limited
Unilever Korea Chusik Hoesa
Laos
Unilever Services (Lao) Sole Co Limited
PLC 100
EUR1.26 Ordinary
PLC 100
NV 12.8 PLC 87.2
NV 25.11 PLC 74.89
PLC 100
PLC 100
NV 0 PLC 0
NV 25.11 PLC 74.89
USD1.00 Ordinary
ILS1.00 Ordinary
ILS0.001 Ordinary
ILS1.00 Management
ILS1.00 Ordinary
ILS1.00 Dormant†
ILS0.0001 Ordinary
PLC 100
ILS0.0001 Ordinary
NV 25.10 PLC 74.90
NV 25.10 PLC 74.90
NV 25.10 PLC 74.90
NV 25.10 PLC 74.90
PLC 100
ILS0.10 Class A
ILS0.10 Class B
ILS0.10 Class C
ILS0.0002 Special
ILS1.00 Ordinary
ILS0.0001 Ordinary
NV 25.11 PLC 74.89
ILS1.00 Ordinary
NV 25.11 PLC 74.89
EUR1,815,800.00 Ordinary
NV 100
EUR40,000.00 Common
NV 51 PLC 0
EUR40,000.00 Common
NV 100
EUR10,000.00 Ordinary
NV 100
EUR10,000.00 Ordinary
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
EUR70,000.00 Ordinary
NV 100
NV 100
EUR600,000.00 Ordinary
NV 100 EUR10,000,000.00 Ordinary
NV 100 EUR25,000,000.00 Ordinary
EUR200,000,000.00
NV 100
Ordinary
JPY50,000.00 Ordinary
JPY50,000.00 Ordinary
JPY10,000.00 Ordinary
JPY50,000.00 Ordinary
JPY50,000.00 Ordinary
JPY50,000.00 Ordinary
GBP1.00 Ordinary
KES1.00 Ordinary
KES1.00 Ordinary
KES20.00 Ordinary
KES20.00 Ordinary
KES1.00 Ordinary
KRW10,000.00 Ordinary
KRW10,000.00 Preference
LAK80,0000.00 Ordinary
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 0 PLC 73.64
NV 100
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 0 PLC 98.19
NV 0 PLC 98.19
NV 0 PLC 51.08
PLC 100
NV 0 PLC 98.20
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
Latvia
Lebanon
Lithuania
Lithuania
Malawi
Malaysia
Malaysia
Malaysia
Malaysia
Mexico
Unilever Baltic LLC
Unilever Levant s.a.r.l.
UAB Unilever Lietuva distribucija
UAB Unilever Lietuva ledu gamyba
Unilever South East Africa (Private) Limited
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
PLC 100
EUR1.00 Ordinary
LBP1,000,000.00 Ordinary
EUR3,620.25 Ordinary
EUR3,620.25 Ordinary
MWK2.00 Ordinary
Unilever (Malaysia) Holdings Sdn. Bhd.
Unilever (Malaysia) Services Sdn. Bhd.
Unilever Foods (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
Unilever Malaysia Aviance Sdn. Bhd.
Unilever de Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V.
NV 0 PLC 70
NV 0 PLC 70
PLC 100
PLC 100
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
RM1.00 Ordinary
RM1.00 Ordinary
RM75.00 Ordinary
RM1.00 Ordinary
Partnership Interest
Mexico
Unilever Holding Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V.
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
Partnership Interest
Mexico
Unilever Manufacturera S.de R.L. de C.V.
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
Partnership Interest
Mexico
Mexico
Servicios Professionales Unilever S.de R.L.
de C.V.
Unilever Mexicana S.de R.L. de C.V.
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
Partnership Interest
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
Partnership Interest
Mexico
Unilever Real Estate Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V. NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
Partnership Interest
Mexico
Unilever Servicios de Promotoria, S.de R.L.
de C.V.
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
Partnership Interest
51
73.64
98.19
98.19
51.08
98.20
70
70
Registered
address
20 Riverwalk, National Digital Park, Citywest Business Campus
Dublin 24
20 Riverwalk, National Digital Park, Citywest Business Campus
Dublin 24
20 Riverwalk, National Digital Park, Citywest Business Campus
Dublin 24
20 Riverwalk, National Digital Park, Citywest Business Campus
Dublin 24
Bridge Chambers, West Quay, Ramsey, Isle of Man, IM8 1DL
3 Gilboa St. Airport City, Ben Gurion Airport
52 Julius Simon Street, Haifa
Haharoshet 1, PO Box 2288, Akko, 24122
52 Julius Simon Street, Haifa
52 Julius Simon Street, Haifa
52 Julius Simon Street, Haifa
52 Julius Simon Street, Haifa
52 Julius Simon Street, Haifa
52 Julius Simon Street, Haifa
Piazza Paleocapa 1/D, 10100, Torino
Via Crea 10, 10095, Grugliasco
Via Roma 101, 35122, Padova
Via Tortona 25, cap 20144 – Milano
Via Paolo di Dono 3/A 00142 Roma
Piazzale Biancamano n.8, 20121, Milano
Via Paolo di Dono 3/A 00142 Roma
Via Paolo di Dono 3/A 00142 Roma
Via Paolo di Dono 3/A 00142 Roma
Via Paolo di Dono 3/A 00142 Roma
2-1-1, Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8578
2-1-1, Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8578
2-1-1, Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8578
2-1-1, Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8578
1–10–3–901 Roppongi, Minatu–ku, Tokyo 106–0032
2-1-1, Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8578
13 Castle Street, St Helier, Jersey , JE4 5UT
Head Office, Kericho-Nakuru Road, P.O. BOX 20, 20200, Kericho
Head Office, Kericho-Nakuru Road, P.O. BOX 20, 20200, Kericho
Head Office, Kericho-Nakuru Road, P.O. BOX 20, 20200, Kericho
Commercial Street, Industrial Area, P.O. BOX 30062-00100, Nairobi
Head Office, Kericho-Nakuru Road, P.O. BOX 20, 20200, Kericho
443 Taeheran-ro, Samsung-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul
Viengvang Tower, 4th Floor, Room no. 402A, Boulichan Road,
Dongpalan Thong Village, Sisattanak District, Vientiane Capital
Kronvalda bulvāris 3-10, Rīga, LV-1010
Sin El Fil, Zakher Building, Floor 4, Beirut
Skuodo st. 28, Mazeikiai, LT-89100
Skuodo st. 28, Mazeikiai, LT-89100
Abdul Majid Motor City, Chipembere Highway, Ginnery Corner,
Blantyre
Level 34, Menara TM, Jalan Pantai Baru, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
Level 34, Menara TM, Jalan Pantai Baru, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
Level 34, Menara TM, Jalan Pantai Baru, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
Level 34, Menara TM, Jalan Pantai Baru, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
Av. Tepalcapa No.2, Col. Rancho Santo Domingo, C.P. 54900
Tultitlán, Estado de México
Av. Tepalcapa No.2, Col. Rancho Santo Domingo, C.P. 54900
Tultitlán, Estado de México
Av. Tepalcapa No.2, Col. Rancho Santo Domingo, C.P. 54900
Tultitlán, Estado de México
Av. Tepalcapa No.2, Col. Rancho Santo Domingo, C.P. 54900
Tultitlán, Estado de México
Av. Tepalcapa No.2, Col. Rancho Santo Domingo, C.P. 54900
Tultitlán, Estado de México
Av. Tepalcapa No.2, Col. Rancho Santo Domingo, C.P. 54900
Tultitlán, Estado de México
Av. Tepalcapa No.2, Col. Rancho Santo Domingo, C.P. 54900
Tultitlán, Estado de México
136 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
27. GROUP COMPANIES CONTINUED
Country of
Incorporation
Name of
Undertaking
%
99.98 Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Unilever Maghreb S.A.
Unilever Mocambique Limitada
Unilever (Myanmar) Limited
Myanmar
53.76 Nepal
Netherlands
Unilever (Myanmar) Services Limited
Unilever Nepal Limited
Alberto-Culver Netherlands B.V.*
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Argentina Investments B.V.*
Ben en Jerry’s Hellendoorn B.V.*
BFO Holdings B.V.*
BFO TWO B.V.*
BrazH1 B.V.*
BrazH2 B.V.*
Brazinvest B.V.*
Brazinvestee B.V.*
Chico-invest B.V.*
Doma B.V.*
Handelmaatschappij Noorda B.V.°*
Immobilia Transhome B.V.*
Itaho B.V.*
Lever Faberge Europe-Sourcing Unit
Vlaardingen B.V.*
Lipoma B.V.°*
Marga B.V.°*
Mavibel (Maatschappij voor Internationale
Beleggingen) B.V.°*
Mexinvest B.V.*
Mixhold B.V.*
Netherlands
Naamlooze Vennootschap Elma°*†
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
New Asia B.V.*
Nommexar B.V.*
Oprichting Tessa BV
Ortiz Finance B.V.*
Pabulum B.V.*
Rizofoor B.V.*
Rolf von den Baumen’s Vetsmelterij B.V.*
Rolon B.V.*
Saponia B.V.°*
ThaiB1 B.V.*
ThaiB2 B.V.
Unilever Administration Centre B.V.*
Unilever Alser B.V.*
Unilever BCS Europe B.V.*
Unilever BCS Holdings B.V.*
Unilever BCS NL Holdings Two B.V.*
Unilever BCS Nederland B.V.*
Unilever BCS Research and Development
B.V.*
Unilever BCS Sourcing Nederland B.V.*
Unilever Berran B.V.*
Unilever Canada Investments B.V.*
Unilever Caribbean Holdings B.V.*
Unilever Employee Benefits Management
B.V.*
Unilever Employment Services B.V.*
Unilever Europe Business Center B.V.*
Unilever Finance International B.V.°*
Unilever Foodsolutions B.V.*
Unilever Global Services B.V.*
Unilever Holdings B.V.*
Unilever Home & Personal Care Nederland
B.V.*
Unilever Indonesia Holding B.V.*
Unilever Insurances N.V.
Unilever Nederland B.V.*
Unilever Nederland Foods Factories B.V.*
Unilever Netherlands Retail Operations B.V.*
Unilever Nederland Holdings B.V.°*
Unilever Nederland Services B.V.*
% holding
as between
NV/PLC
Class of share
held in subsidiary
undertaking
NV 99.98 PLC 0
NV 100
NV 100
MAD100.00 Ordinary
USD0.01 Ordinary
MMK8,200.00 Ordinary
NV 100
NV 0 PLC 53.76
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 100
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
USD10.00 Ordinary
NPR100.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary-A
EUR1.00 Ordinary-B
EUR454.00 Ordinary
EUR453.78 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR455.00 Ordinary
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 100
PLC 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 100
NV 0.25 PLC 99.75
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 100
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 100
PLC 100
NV 100
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 100
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 100
NV 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 100
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 100
PLC 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary-A
EUR1.00 Ordinary-B
EUR1.00 cumulative
preference shares
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
NLG1,000.00 5%
Cumulative Preference
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
NLG100.00 Ordinary
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
EUR454.00 Ordinary
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1,800.00 Ordinary
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
EUR454.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR454.00 Ordinary
EUR100.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR454.00 Ordinary
EUR454.00 Ordinary
EUR46.00 ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR454.00 Ordinary
EUR460.00 Ordinary
Registered
address
Km 10, Route Cotiere, Ain Sebaa, Casablanca
Avenida 24 de Julho, Edifício 24, nº 1097, 4º andar, Maputo
40,41,47, Mintheidie Kyaw Swar Street, Shwe Pyi Thar Industrial
Zone (2), Yangon
150, Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, Bahn Township, Yangon
Basamadi V.D.C. – 5, P.O. Box-11, Hetauda, Dist. Makwanpur
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Reggeweg 15, 7447 AN Hellendoorn
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Deltaweg 150, 3133 KM Vlaardingen
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Nassaukade 5, Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Nassaukade 5, 3071 JL Rotterdam
Olivier van Noortlaan 120, 3133 AT Vlaardingen
Nassaukade 3, 3071 JL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Nassaukade 5, 3071 JL Rotterdam
Nassaukade 5, 3071 JL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Nassaukade 3, 3071 JL Rotterdam
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 137
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
27. GROUP COMPANIES CONTINUED
Country of
Incorporation
Name of
Undertaking
%
% holding
as between
NV/PLC
Class of share
held in subsidiary
undertaking
Netherlands
Unilever Overseas Holdings B.V.*
PLC 100
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Unilever Research and Development
Vlaardingen B.V.*
Unilever Turkey Holdings B.V.*
Unilever US Investments B.V.°*
Unilever Ventures Holdings B.V.
Univest Company B.V.
UNUS Holding B.V.*†
Netherlands
Verenigde Zeepfabrieken B.V.*
Netherlands Wemado B.V.°*
New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand
Nicaragua
T2 NZ Limited
Unilever New Zealand Limited
Unilever New Zealand Superannuation
Trustee Limited
Unilever New Zealand Trading Limited
Ben & Jerry’s Franchising New Zealand
Limited
Unilever de Centroamerica S.A. Nicaragua
56.27 Niger
60.06 Nigeria
Nigeria
51
Norway
73.64 Norway
Pakistan
99.09
Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan
99.09
99.09
75.85
99.09
70.52
Unilever Niger S.A.
Unilever Nigeria Plc
West Africa Popular Foods Nigeria Limited
Unilever Norge AS
Froosh AS
Lever Associated Pakistan Trust (Private)
Limited
Lever Chemicals (Private) Limited
Sadiq (Private) Limited
Unilever Birds Eye Foods Pakistan (Private)
Limited
Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited
Unilever Pakistan Limited
Palestine
Panama
Unilever Market Development Company
Unilever Regional Services Panama S.A.
NV 100
EUR460.00 Ordinary
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
PLC 100
NV 0 PLC 0
NV 100
NV 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR453.79 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR0.10 Ordinary-A
EUR0.10 Ordinary-B
EUR0.10 Ordinary–B
Non-voting†
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
NLG1,000.00 Ordinary
NZD1.00 Ordinary
NZD2.00 Ordinary
NZD1.00 Ordinary
NZD1.00 Ordinary
NZD1.00 Ordinary
NV 100
NIC50.00 Ordinary
NV 0 PLC 56.27
NV 0 PLC 60.06
NV 0 PLC 51
NV 100
NV 0 PLC 73.64
PLC 99.09
NV 0 PLC 99.09
NV 0 PLC 99.09
PLC 100
XOF10,000.00 Ordinary
NGN0.50 Ordinary
NGN1.00 Ordinary
NOK100.00 Ordinary
NOK100.00 Ordinary
PKR10.00 Ordinary
PKR10.00 Ordinary
PKR10.00 Ordinary
PKR10.00 Ordinary
NV 42.02 PLC 33.83
NV 0 PLC 99.09
NV 0 PLC 70.52
PLC 100
NV 100
PKR10.00 Ordinary
PKR50.00 Ordinary
PKR100.00 Preference
ILS1.00 Ordinary
USD1.00 Ordinary
Panama
Unilever de Centroamerica S.A. Panama
NV 100
No Nominal Value
Paraguay
Unilever de Paraguay S.A.
NV 100
PYG1,000,000.00 Ordinary
Peru
Philippines
Unilever Andina Perú S.A.
Metrolab Industries, Inc.
Philippines
Unilever Philippines, Inc.
NV 100
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
PEN1.00 Ordinary
PHP1.00 Common
PHP10.00 Preference
PHP50.00 Common
Philippines
Unilever Philippines Body Care, Inc.
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
PHP100.00 Common
Philippines
Unilever Philippines Manufacturing, Inc.
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
PHP1.00 Common
50
Philippines
Unilever RFM Ice Cream, Inc.
NV 32.28 PLC 17.72
PHP1.00 Common-B
Poland
Poland
Poland
Poland
Poland
Puerto Rico
Romania
Romania
Romania
Romania
Russia
Russia
Russia
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Singapore
Singapore
Singapore
Unilever Polska Sp. z o.o.
Unilever Poland Services Sp. z o.o.
Unilever Polska S.A.
Unilever BCS Polska Sp. z o.o.
Unilever BCS Polska Holding Sp. z o.o.
Unilever de Puerto Rico, Inc°
Unilever Romania S.A.
Unilever Distribution SRL
Unilever BCS SCE SRL
Unilever South Central Europe S.A.
Concern Kalina LLC
Inmarko Trade LLC
JLLC Tulskiy Khladokombinat
OOO Unilever Rus
Binzagr Unilever Limitedx
Unilever Beograd d.o.o.
T2 Singapore PTE Limited
Unilever Asia Private Limited
Unilever Singapore Pte. Limited
99
98.29
49
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
PLC 100
NV 100
NV 99 PLC 0
NV 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 100
NV 7.12 PLC 92.88
NV 7.12 PLC 92.88
NV 6.99 PLC 91.29
NV 7.12 PLC 92.88
NV 0 PLC 49
NV 100
PLC 100
NV 100
PLC 100
PLN50.00 Ordinary
PLN50.00 Ordinary
PLN10.00 Ordinary
PLN50.00 Ordinary
PLN50.00 Ordinary
USD100.00 Ordinary
ROL0.10 Ordinary
ROL20.00 Ordinary
ROL10.00 Ordinary
ROL260.50 Ordinary
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
RUR1.00 Ordinary
Membership Interest
SAR1,000.00 Ordinary
Membership Interest
SGD1.00 Ordinary
SGD1.00 Ordinary
SGD1.00 Ordinary
Registered
address
Unilever House , 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
(Registered Seat: Rotterdam)
Olivier van Noortlaan 120, 3133 AT Vlaardingen
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Level 4, 103 Carlton Gore Rd, Newmarket, Auckland 1023
Level 4, 103 Carlton Gore Rd, Newmarket, Auckland 1023
Level 4, 103 Carlton Gore Rd, Newmarket, Auckland 1023
Level 4, 103 Carlton Gore Rd, Newmarket, Auckland 1023
Level 4, 103 Carlton Gore Rd, Newmarket, Auckland 1023
Km 11.5, Carretera Vieja a León, 800 Mts Norte, 100 Mts Este, 300
Mts Norte, Managua
BP 10272 Niamey
1 Billings Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos
1 Billings Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos
Martin Linges vei 25, Postbox 1, 1331 Fornebu
Karl Johans Gate 2, Oslo, 0154
Avari Plaza, Fatima Jinnah Road, Karachi – 75530
Avari Plaza, Fatima Jinnah Road, Karachi – 75530
Avari Plaza, Fatima Jinnah Road, Karachi – 75530
Avari Plaza, Fatima Jinnah Road, Karachi – 75530
Avari Plaza, Fatima Jinnah Road, Karachi – 75530
Avari Plaza, Fatima Jinnah Road, Karachi – 75530
Ersal St. Awad Center P.O.B 3801 Al-Beireh, Ramallah
Punta Pacífica, Calle Isaac Hanono Missri, P.H. Torre de las Américas,
Torre C, Oficina 32, corregimiento de San Francisco, Distrito y
Provincia de Panamá,
Calle Isaac Hanoro, Torre de las Americas, torre C, piso 32,
corregimiento de San Francisco, distrito y provincia de Panamá
4544 Roque Centurión Miranda N° 1635 casi San Martin.
Edificio Aymac II, Asunción
Av. Paseo de la Republica 5895 OF. 401, Miraflores, Lima 18
Linares Road, Gateway Business Park, Gen. Trias, Cavite
7th Floor, Bonifacio Stopover Corporate Center,
31st Street corner 2nd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
11th Avenue corner 39th Street, Bonifacio Triangle, Bonifacio Global
City, Taguig City
11th Avenue corner 39th Street, Bonifacio Triangle, Bonifacio Global
City, Taguig City
Manggahan Light Industrial Compound, A. Rodriguez Avenue, Bo.
Manggahan, Pasig City
Jerozolimskie 134, 02-305, Warszawa
Jerozolimskie 134, 02-305, Warszawa
Jerozolimskie 134, 02-305, Warszawa
Jerozolimskie 134, 02-305, Warszawa
Jerozolimskie 134, 02-305, Warszawa
Professional Services Park 997, San Roverta St., Suite 7, San Juan
Ploiesti, 291 Republicii Avenue, Prahova County
Ploiesti, 291 Republicii Avenue, Prahova County
Ploiesti, 291 Republicii Avenue, Prahova County
Ploiesti, 291 Republicii Avenue, Prahova County
620138, 80, Komsomol'skaya, Ekaterinburg
644031, 205, 10 let Oktyabrya, Omsk
300016, 78, Ostrovskogo Street, Tula
123022, 13, Sergeya Makeeva Street, Moscow
P.O.Box 5694, Jeddah 21432
Belgrade, Serbia, Omladinskih brigada 90b – Novi Beograd
20E Pasir Panjang Road, #06-22 Mapletree Business City, 117439
20 Pasir Panjang Road, #06-22 Mapletree Business City, 117439
20 Pasir Panjang Road, #06-22 Mapletree Business City, 117439
138 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
27. GROUP COMPANIES CONTINUED
Country of
Incorporation
Name of
Undertaking
%
% holding
as between
NV/PLC
Slovakia
Slovakia
South Africa
Unilever BCS Slovensko, spol. s r.o.
Unilever Slovensko spol. s r.o.
Nollsworth Park Properties (Pty) Limited
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 100
NV 11.21 PLC 63.04
74.25
Class of share
held in subsidiary
undertaking
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
ZAR2.00 Ordinary
South Africa
Unilever Market Development (Pty) Limited
PLC 100
ZAR1.00 Ordinary
74.25
South Africa
Unilever South Africa (Pty) Limited
NV 11.21 PLC 63.04
ZAR2.00 Ordinary
South Africa
Unilever South Africa Holdings (Pty)
Limited∆
74.25
0.02
0.009
Spain
Spain
Spain
Spain
Spain
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Tanzania
Tanzania
Tanzania
Tanzania
Thailand
Thailand
Thailand
Trinidad &
Tobago
Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia
Turkey
Intuiskin S.L.U.
Unilever BCS Spain, S.L.U.
Unilever Espana S.A.
Unilever HPC Industrial Espana S.L.U.
Unilever Services Espana S.A.
Unilever Foods Industrial Espana, S.L.U.
Brooke Bond Ceylon Limited
Ceytea Limited
Lever Brothers (Exports and Marketing)
Limited°
Maddema Trading Co. Limited
Premium Exports Ceylon (Pvt) Limited
R.O. Mennell & Co. (Ceylon) Limited
Tea Estates Ceylon Limited
Unilever Ceylon Services Limited
Unilever Ceylon Marketing Limited
Unilever Lipton Ceylon Limited
Unilever Sri Lanka Limited°
Alberto Culver AB
Blueair AB
Blueair Cabin Air AB
Unilever BCS Sourcing Sweden AB
Unilever BCS Sweden AB
Unilever Holding AB
Unilever Produktion AB
Unilever Sverige AB
Froosh AB
Froosh Sverige AB
Jonborsten AB
Intuiskin SARL
Knorr-Nährmittel AG
Oswald Nahrungsmittel GmbH
Unilever ASCC AG
Unilever BCS Schweiz GmbH
Unilever Business and Marketing Support
AG
Unilever Finance International AG
Unilever Overseas Holdings AG
Unilever Reinsurance AG
Unilever Schaffhausen Service AG
Unilever Schweiz GmbH
Unilever Supply Chain Company AG
Unilever Swiss Holdings AG
Unilever Taiwan Limited
Distan Limited
UAC of Tanzania Limited
Uniafric Trust Tanzania Limited
Unilever Tanzania Limited
Unilever Tea Tanzania Limited
Unilever Thai Holdings Limited
Unilever Thai Services Limited
Unilever Thai Trading Limited
Unilever Caribbean Limited
Unilever Tunisia S.A.
Unilever Maghreb Export S.A.
UTIC Distribution S.A.˟
Unilever Gida Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ°
74.72
24.90
73.64
99.92
50.01
97.61
97.59
47.82
99.98
NV 11.21 PLC 63.04
NV 0.005 PLC 0.015
NV 0.002 PLC 0.007
NV 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 100
NV 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 0 PLC 74.72
NV 0 PLC 24.90
NV 0 PLC 73.64
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 100
NV 100
PLC 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 64.50 PLC 35.42
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 0 PLC 50.01
NV 97.61 PLC 0
NV 97.59 PLC 0
NV 47.82 PLC 0
NV 0.05 PLC 99.93
ZAR1.00 Ordinary
ZAR1.00 Ordinary-A
ZAR1.00 Ordinary-B
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR48.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR60.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
LKR100.00 Ordinary
LKR10.00 Ordinary
LKR2.00 Ordinary
LKR10.00 Ordinary
LKR10.00 Ordinary
LKR10.00 Ordinary
LKR100.00 Ordinary
LKR10.00 Ordinary
LKR10.00 Ordinary
LKR10.00 Ordinary
LKR10.00 Ordinary
SEK100.00 Ordinary
SEK100.00 Ordinary
SEK100.00 Ordinary
SEK1.00 Ordinary
SEK1.00 Ordinary
SEK100.00 Ordinary
SEK50.00 Ordinary
SEK100.00 Ordinary
SEK0.10–A
SEK0.10–B
SEK100.00–A
SEK1.00 Ordinary
CHF100.00 Ordinary
CHF1,000.00 Ordinary
CHF800,000.00 Ordinary
CHF1,000.00 Ordinary
CHF100.00 Ordinary
CHF1,000.00 Ordinary
CHF1,000.00 Ordinary
CHF1,000.00 Ordinary
CHF1,000.00 Ordinary
CHF1,000.00 Ordinary
CHF100,000.00 Ordinary
CHF1,000.00 Ordinary
CHF1,000.00 Ordinary
TWD10.00 Ordinary
TZS20.00 Ordinary
TZS20.00 Ordinary
TZS20.00 Ordinary
TZS20.00 Ordinary
TZS20.00 Ordinary
THB100.00 Ordinary
THB100.00 Ordinary
THB100.00 Ordinary
TTD1.00 Ordinary
TND6.00 Ordinary
TND5.00 Ordinary
TND10.00 Ordinary
TRY0.01 Ordinary
99.98
Turkey
Unilever Sanayi ve Ticaret Türk AŞ°
NV 64.54 PLC 35.44
TRY0.01 Ordinary
99.99
Turkey
Besan Besin Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ
NV 64.55 PLC 35.44
TRY0.01 Ordinary
Registered
address
Karadzicova 10, 821 08 Bratislava
Karadzicova 10, 821 08 Bratislava
15 Nollsworth Crescent, Nollsworth Park, La Lucia Ridge Office
Estate, La Lucia, 4051
15 Nollsworth Crescent, Nollsworth Park, La Lucia Ridge Office
Estate, La Lucia, 4051
15 Nollsworth Crescent, Nollsworth Park, La Lucia Ridge Office
Estate, La Lucia, 4051
15 Nollsworth Crescent, Nollsworth Park, La Lucia Ridge Office
Estate, La Lucia, 4051
PA / Reding, 43, Izda 1, 29016 Malaga
C/ Tecnología 19, 08840 Viladecans
C/ Tecnología 19, 08840 Viladecans
C/ Fuente de la Mora, 3-5-7-Edificio A, 3ª planta, 28050 Madrid
C/ Tecnología 19, 08840 Viladecans
C/ Felipe del Río, 14 – 48940 Leioa
258 M Vincent Perera Mawatha, Colombo 14
258 M Vincent Perera Mawatha, Colombo 14
258 M Vincent Perera Mawatha, Colombo 14
258 M Vincent Perera Mawatha, Colombo 14
258 M Vincent Perera Mawatha, Colombo 14
258 M Vincent Perera Mawatha, Colombo 14
258 M Vincent Perera Mawatha, Colombo 14
258 M Vincent Perera Mawatha, Colombo 14
258 M Vincent Perera Mawatha, Colombo 14
258 M Vincent Perera Mawatha, Colombo 14
258 M Vincent Perera Mawatha, Colombo 14
Box 1056, Svetsarevaegen 15, 17122, Solna
Danderydsgatan 11, 114 26, Stockholm
Danderydsgatan 11, 114 26, Stockholm
Box 1056, Svetsarevaegen 15, 17122, Solna
Box 1056, Svetsarevaegen 15, 17122, Solna
Box 1056, Svetsarevaegen 15, 17122, Solna
Box 1056, Svetsarevaegen 15, 17122, Solna
Box 1056, Svetsarevaegen 15, 17122, Solna
Hammarby Kaj 24, Stockholm, 120 62
Hammarby Kaj 24, Stockholm, 120 62
Karlavagen 108, 115 26, Stockholm
Chemin Frank-Thomas 34, 1208 Genève
Bahnhofstrasse 19, CH 8240 Thayngen
Hinterbergstr. 30, CH-6312 Steinhausen
Spitalstrasse 5, 8200, Schaffhausen
Bahnhofstrasse 19, CH-8240 , Thayngen
Spitalstrasse 5, 8200 Schaffhausen
Spitalstrasse 5, 8200, Schaffhausen
Spitalstrasse 5, 8200, Schaffhausen
Baarerstrasse 75, CH-6302 Zug
Spitalstrasse 5, 8200, Schaffhausen
Bahnhofstrasse 19, CH-8240 Thayngen
Spitalstrasse 5, 8201, Schaffhausen
Spitalstrasse 5, 8200, Schaffhausen
3F., No. 550, Sec. 4, Zhongxiao East Rd., Xinyi District, Taipei City
Plot No.4A Pugu Road, Dar Es Salaam
Plot No.4A Pugu Road, Dar Es Salaam
Plot No.4A Pugu Road, Dar Es Salaam
Plot 4A Nyerere Road, Dar Es Salaam
P.O. Box 40, Mufindi
161 Rama 9 Road, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 10310
161 Rama 9 Road, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 10310
161 Rama 9 Road, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 10310
Eastern Main Road, Champs Fleurs
Z.I. Voie Z4-2014 Mégrine Erriadh – Tunis
Voie Z4-2014 Mégrine Erriadh – Tunis
Z.I. Voie Z4 , Megrine Riadh, Tunis, 2014
Saray Mahallesi Dr. Adnan Büyükdeniz Cad. No.13 34768 Ümraniye
– İstanbul
Saray Mahallesi Dr. Adnan Büyükdeniz Cad. No.13 34768 Ümraniye
– İstanbul
Saray Mahallesi Dr. Adnan Büyükdeniz Cad. No.13 34768 Ümraniye
– İstanbul
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 139
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
27. GROUP COMPANIES CONTINUED
Country of
Incorporation
Name of
Undertaking
%
% holding
as between
NV/PLC
Class of share
held in subsidiary
undertaking
99.64
Turkey
Dosan Konserve Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ
NV 64.32 PLC 35.32
TRY0.01 Ordinary
PLC 100
NV 7.12 PLC 92.88
NV 100
NV 50 PLC 0
UGX20.00 Ordinary
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
AED100,000.00 Ordinary
Registered
address
Saray Mahallesi Dr. Adnan Büyükdeniz Cad. No.13 34768 Ümraniye
– İstanbul
Plot 10/12 Nyondo Close, Industrial Area, P.O. Box 3515 Kampala
04119, 27-T, Dehtyarivska Str., Kyiv
04119, 27-T, Dehtyarivska Str., Kyiv
PO Box 17053, Jebel Ali, Dubai
NV 0 PLC 49
PLC 100
AED1,000.00 Ordinary Parcel ID 598633, German Emarati Business Centre, Dubai Complex
for Investment First, Office BC6, Dubai
P.O.Box 17055, Jebel Ali, Dubai
AED1,000.00 Ordinary
NV 49 PLC 0
AED1,000.00 Ordinary P.O.Box 18221 European Business Center Dubai Investments Park 1
50
49
49
Unilever Gulf FZE
Unilever Trading LLC˟
Unilever General Trading LLC˟
Unilever Uganda Limited
Pallada Ukraine LLC
Unilever Ukraine LLC
Severn Gulf FZCO˟
Uganda
Ukraine
Ukraine
United Arab
Emirates
United Arab
Emirates
United Arab
Emirates
United Arab
Emirates
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States Ben & Jerry’s Franchising, Inc
United States Ben & Jerry’s Gift Card, LLC
United States Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc
United States Bestfoods International (Holdings) Inc
United States Blueair Inc.
ACI Brazil Holdings, LLC
ACUSA Brazil Holdings, LLC
Alberto Share Holdings, LLC
Alberto-Culver Company
Alberto-Culver International, Inc
Alberto-Culver (P.R.), Inc
Alberto-Culver USA, Inc
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 100
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
No Par Value Ordinary
USD1.00 Ordinary
USD1.00 Ordinary
No Par Value Ordinary
USD1.00 Common
Membership Interest
USD0.01 Common
USD100.00 Common
No Par Value Ordinary
United States Carapina LLC
United States Chesebrough-Pond’s Manufacturing
NV 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
Membership Interest
No Par Value Ordinary
Company
Lipton Industries, Inc
United States Conopco, Inc
United States Dermalogica, LLC
United States Dollar Shave Club, Inc.
United States DTJJS, LLC
United States Grom Columbus LLC
United States Grom Franchising LLC
United States Grom Malibu LLC
United States Grom USA LLC
United States Hollywood LLC
United States
Intuiskin Inc
United States Kate Somerville Holdings, LLC
United States Kate Somerville Skincare LLC
United States
United States Murad LLC
United States Pantresse, Inc
United States Personal Care Marketing & Research Inc
United States Ren USA Inc
Seventh Generation Canada, Inc.
United States
Seventh Generation, Inc.
United States
Seventh Generation Ventures, Inc.
United States
Skin Health Experts, LLC
United States
Spatula LLC
United States
St. Ives Laboratories, Inc
United States
T2 US LLC
United States
Talenti Gelato, LLC
United States
Talenti Holdings, LLC
United States
United States
TIGI Linea Corp
United States Unilever AC Canada Holding, Inc
United States Unilever BCS Sourcing US Inc
United States Unilever BCS US Inc
United States Unilever Bestfoods (Holdings) LLC
United States Unilever Capital Corporation
United States Unilever Illinois Manufacturing, LLC
United States Unilever Manufacturing (US), Inc
United States Unilever Trumbull Holdings, Inc
United States Unilever Trumbull Research Services, Inc
United States Unilever United States Foundation, Inc
United States Unilever United States, Inc
United States Unilever Ventures Advisory LLC
Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay
Unilever del Uruguay S.R.L.
Unilever Uruguay SCC S.A.
Lever S.A.
Arisco Productos Alimenticios Uruguay S.A.
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
PLC 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 100
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 25.10 PLC 74.90
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 42.54 PLC 57.46
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 55.40 PLC 44.60
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
USD1.00 Common
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
No Par Value Ordinary
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
USD1.00 Ordinary
Membership Interest
USD120.00 Ordinary
USD 1.00 Common
No Par Value Common
No Par Value Common
USD.001 Common Shares
USD.001 Common Shares
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
USD0.01 Ordinary
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
No Par Value Ordinary
USD10.00 Ordinary
USD1.00 Ordinary
USD1.00 Ordinary
Membership Interest
USD1.00 Ordinary
Membership Interest
USD1.00 Ordinary
USD1.00 Common
USD1.00 Ordinary
USD1.00 Cumulative
Redeemable Preference
Membership Interest
USD0.3333 Common
Membership Interest
UYU1.00 Ordinary
UYU1.00 Ordinary
UYP0.10 Ordinary
UYP1.00 Ordinary
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
1013 Centre Road, City of Wilmington 19805, County of New Castle,
Delaware
233 Bleecker Street, New York, 10014
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
13335 Maxella Ave. Marina del Rey, CA 90292
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
233 Bleecker Street, New York, 10014
2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware
233 Bleecker Street, New York, 10014
233 Bleecker Street, New York, 10014
233 Bleecker Street, New York, 10014
55 East 59th Street, New York, 10022
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
420 South Robertson Dr., #260, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
60 Lake Street, Suite 3N, Burlington, VT 05401
60 Lake Street, Suite 3N, Burlington, VT 05401
60 Lake Street, Suite 3N, Burlington, VT 05401
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
233 Bleecker Street, New York, 10014
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
Camino Carrasco 5975, Montevideu
Camino Carrasco 5976, Montevideu
Camino Carrasco 5977, Montevideu
Camino Carrasco 5978, Montevideu
140 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
27. GROUP COMPANIES CONTINUED
Country of
Incorporation
Name of
Undertaking
%
% holding
as between
NV/PLC
Class of share
held in subsidiary
undertaking
Venezuela
Unilever Andina Venezuela S.A.
NV 100
VEB1,000.00 Ordinary
Vietnam
Zambia
Unilever Vietnam International Company
Limited
Unilever South East Africa Zambia Limited
Zimbabwe
Unilever – Zimbabwe (Pvt) Limited∆
NV 100
Membership Interest
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
ZMK2.00 Cumulative
Redeemable Preference
ZMK2.00 Ordinary
ZWD2.00 Ordinary
SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CONSOLIDATION
%
Country of
Incorporation
Name of
Undertaking
Personal Care Marketing & Technology Inc
Blueair Technology (Shenzen) Co. Limited
Unilever Suchel, S.A.
Unilever Djibouti FZCO Limited
Visanuasa S.A.
Big Sync Music Limited∆◊
Catexel Limited∆◊
Catexel Technologies Limited∆◊
% holding
as between
NV/PLC
NV 55.40 PLC
44.60
NV 100
Class of share
held in subsidiary
undertaking
KYD1.00 Ordinary
Membership Interest
NV 60 PLC 0
PLC 100
NV 100
NV 67.39 PLC 0
USD1,000.00 Ordinary
USD20.00 Ordinary
USD1.00 Ordinary
GBP0.001 A Ordinary
NV 100 GBP1.00 Preferred Ordinary
GBP0.01 Ordinary-A
GBP0.01 Ordinary-G
GBP0.01 Preference
GBP0.001 A Ordinary
NV 0 PLC 97.67
NV 0 PLC 45.25
NV 0 PLC 96.67
NV 0 PLC 79.52
Registered
address
Edificio Torre Corp Banca, Piso 15, entre Avenidas Blandín y Los
Chaguaramos, Urbanización La Castellana, Caracas
Lot A2-3, Tay Bac Cu Chi Industry Zone, Tan An Hoi Ward, Cu Chi
District, Ho Chi Minh City
Stand No. 7136, Mwembeshi Road, P.O.Box 31953 Lusaka
Box 950 Harare
Registered
address
Walker Nominees Limited, 190 Elgin Ave, Georgetown,
GC KY1-9001
Unit 1A, Building B5, Zhaoshangju Guangming Science and
Technology Park, Guanguang Road, Guangming New District,
Shenzhen City
Zona Especial de Desarrollo Mariel, Provincia Artemisa
Haramous, BP 169
Km 25 Vía a Daule, Guayaquil
5th Floor, 6 St Andrew Street, London, EC4A 3AE
5th Floor, 6 St Andrew Street, London, EC4A 3AE
5th Floor, 6 St Andrew Street, London, EC4A 3AE
Catexel Cellulosics Limited∆◊
NV 0 PLC 80.27
GBP0.001 A Ordinary
5th Floor, 6 St Andrew Street, London, EC4A 3AE
Unilever Ventures General Partner Limited◊
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
5th Floor, 6 St Andrew Street, London, EC4A 3AE
United Africa Trust Limited
Lipoma Management Consulting SA
Hindustan Unilever Foundation
PLC 100
NV 100
NV 0 PLC 67.21
GHC10.00 Ordinary
EUR10.00 Ordinary
INR10.00 Ordinary
Indonesia
Unilever Trading Indonesia
NV 100
IDR1,000.00 Ordinary
Israel
PCMR International Limited
Plot No. Ind/A/3A–4, Heavy Industrial Area, Tema
Kymis ave & 10, Seneka str. GR-145 64 Kifissia
Unilever House, B. D. Sawant Marg, Chakala, Andheri (E), Mumbai
400 099
Graha Unilever, Jalan Jenderal Gatot Subroto Kav 15,
Jakarata 12930
3 Daniel Fisch St., Tel Aviv, 6473104, Israel
White Marl Street, Spanish Town, PO Box 809, Parish Saint Catherine
Amman, Jordan
Commercial Street, P.O. BOX 40592-00100, Nairobi
Km 10, Route Cotiere, Ain Sebaa, Casablanca
Km 10, Route Cotiere, Ain Sebaa, Casablanca
Wassenaarseweg 72, 2333 AL Leiden
Weena 455, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Nyarugenge,Nyarungenge, Umujyi wa Kigali, Rwanda,
P O BOX 6428 KIgali
15 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh, EH3 8HA
NV 55.40 PLC
44.60
PLC 100
NV 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
NIS0.10 Ordinary
JMD1.00 Ordinary
JOD10.00 Ordinary
KES20.00 Ordinary
MAD50.00 Ordinary
MAD50.00 Ordinary
NV 0 PLC 79.52
NV 100
PLC 100
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR1.00 Ordinary
RWF4270.00 Ordinary
PLC 100
GBP1.00 Ordinary
NV 0 PLC 49
AED1,000.00 Ordinary
P.O.Box 18221 European Business Center Dubai Investments Park 1
NV 55.40 PLC
44.60
NV 100
NV 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
PLC 100
Membership Interest
13335 Maxella Ave. Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Membership Interest
Membership Interest
ZWD2.00 Ordinary
ZWD2.00 Ordinary
ZWD2.00 Ordinary
233 Bleecker Street, New York, 10014
233 Bleecker Street, New York, 10014
Box 950 Harare
Box 950 Harare
Box 950 Harare
Unilever Jamaica Limited
Unilever Jordan LLC
Union East African Trust Limited*
Societe Commerciale du Rif
Societe Tangeroise de Parfumerie et
d’Hygiene S.A.R.L.
Chemsenti B.V.
Unilever Europe B.V.*
Unilever Tea Rwanda Limited
Unilever Ventures (SLP) General Partner
Limited
Unilever Home & Personal Care Products
Manufacturing LLCx
United Arab
Emirates
United States DSC Distribution, Inc.
United States
United States
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Grom WTC LLC
Grom Century City LLC
Birds Eye Foods (Private) Limited
Hudson and Knight (Private) Limited
Van den Berghs and Jurgens (Private)
Limited
Cayman
Islands
China
Cuba
Djibouti
Ecuador
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
Ghana
Greece
India
Jamaica
Jordan
Kenya
Morocco
Morocco
Netherlands
Netherlands
Rwanda
Scotland
60
67.39
97.67
45.25
96.67
79.52
80.27
67.21
79.52
49
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 141
Bahrain
Brazil
Canada
Cyprus
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
England
and Wales
France
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
India
Indonesia
Ireland
%
49
50
40
49
24.22
35.72
30.11
49.53
46.30
24.93
5.98
74.60
25.19
29.84
64.22
22.22
58.32
25.41
17.71
49.99
50
50
50
50
50
50
33.61
40
51.78
70.38
21.58
19.99
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
UNILEVER GROUP CONTINUED
27. GROUP COMPANIES CONTINUED
ASSOCIATED UNDERTAKINGS
Country of
Incorporation
Name of
Undertaking
% holding
as between
NV/PLC
Class of share
held in subsidiary
undertaking
Registered
address
Unilever Bahrain Co. W.L.L.
ITB Ice Tea do Brazil Limitada
A&W Root Beer Beverages Canada Inc.
NV 0 PLC 49
NV 32.28 PLC 17.72
NV 25.82 PLC 14.18
Unilever PMT Limited∆
Arecor Limited∆◊
Blis Media Limited∆◊
NV 0 PLC 49
NV 0 PLC 24.22
NV 0 PLC 35.72
NV 30.11 PLC 0
CDDM Technology Limited∆◊
NV 0 PLC 49.53
Langholm Capital II L.P.
NV 46.30 PLC 0
BHD50.00 Ordinary
BRL1.00 Quotas
No Par Value Class B
Common
EUR1.71 Ordinary-B
GBP0.01 Ordinary
GBP0.01 A Ordinary
GBP0.00001 Series A
Participating Preference
GBP0.01 Preferred
Ordinary
Partnership Interest
161, Road 328, Block 358, Zinj, Manama
Rod. Dom Gabriel Paulino Bueno Couto, km. 66 – Part
171 West Esplanade, Suite 300, North Vancouver, British
Colombia V7M 3K9
2 Marcou Dracou str., Engomi Industrial Estate, 2409 Nicosia
Chesterford Research Park, Little Chesterford, Saffron,
Waldon CB10 1XL
3rd Floor, 101 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6XH
First Floor, 59-61 High Street West, Glossop SK13 8AZ
1st Floor, Charles House, 5-11 Regent Street, London SW1Y 4LR
Limitless Technology Limited∆◊
NV 24.93 PLC 0
GBP0.001 A Ordinary
Ashton, Hillbrow Road, Esher KT10 9UD
SCA Investments Limited∆◊
Trinny London LimitedΔ◊
Voltea LimitedΔ◊
Relais D’or Centrale S.A.S.
Hans Henglein & Sohn GmbH
Henglein & Co. Handels-und Beteiligungs
GmbH & Co. KG◊
Henglein Geschäftsführungs GmbH◊
Henglein GmbH◊
Hochreiter Frischteigwaren GmbH
Nürnberger Kloßteig NK GmbH & Co. KG◊
Kimberly Clark Lever Private Limited◊
PT Anugrah Mutu Bersama
Brandtone Holdings LimitedΔ◊
GBP0.001 A Ordinary
NV 5.98 PLC 0
GBP0.001 H Ordinary
NV 74.60 PLC 0
GBP0.001 I Ordinary
NV 25.19 PLC 0
NV 29.84 PLC 0
GBP0.001 J Ordinary
NV 64.22 PLC 0 GBP0.01 Series A Preferred
NV 0 PLC 22.22
NV 0 PLC 58.32
NV 0 PLC 25.41
NV 0 PLC 17.71
NV 32.27 PLC 17.72
NV 32.78 PLC 17.22
NV 32 PLC 18
NV 32 PLC 18
NV 32 PLC 18
NV 32.78 PLC 17.22
NV 32 PLC 18
NV 0 PLC 33.61
NV 26.22 PLC 13.78
NV 51.78 PLC 0
NV 70.38 PLC 0
NV 21.58 PLC 0
NV 19.99 PLC 0
EUR0.10 A Ordinary
EUR0.10 A Preferred
EUR0.10 A1 Preferred
EUR0.10 B Preferred
No Par Value Ordinary
EUR100,000.00 Ordinary
Partnership Interest
DEM 50,000.00 Ordinary
DEM 50,000.00 Ordinary
DEM250,000.00 Ordinary
Partnership Interest
INR10.00 Ordinary
IDR1,000,000.00 Ordinary
EUR0.001 A Ordinary
EUR0.001 Preferred
Ordinary
EUR0.001 Series 2
Preferred
EUR0.001 Series 3
Preferred
EUR0.0025 Series A2
Convertible Redeemable
Preference
EUR0.0025 Series
Convertible Redeemable
Preference
EUR1.00 B Ordinary
EUR1.00 C Preferred
EUR1.00 E Ordinary
EUR1.00 G Preferred
ILS1.00 Preference
23.70
Ireland
Clavis Technology Limited∆◊
NV 23.70 PLC 0
9.95
Ireland
Pepsi Lipton International Limited∆
99.74
Israel
Iluminage Beauty Limited∆
NV 9.95 PLC 0
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 100
NV 99.74 PLC 0
34
40.40
Japan
Mauritius
Grom Japan K.K◊
Capvent Asia Consumer Fund Limited∆
NV 34 PLC 0
NV 40.40 PLC 0
JPY50,000.00 Ordinary
USD0.01 Class A
49
Oman
Philippines
Towell Unilever LLC
Sto Tomas Paco Land Corp∆◊
NV 0 PLC 49
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
OMR10.00 Ordinary
PHP1.00 Common
Philippines
WS Holdings Inc.∆◊
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
PHP1.00 Common B
Philippines
Selecta Walls Land Corp∆◊
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
PHP10.00 Common B
Philippines
Paco Platform 7.5 Inc.∆◊
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
PHP1.00 Common
35.10
Philippines
Cavite Horizons Land, Inc.◊
45.40
Philippines
Industrial Realties, Inc.◊
NV 22.66 PLC 12.44
NV 64.55 PLC 35.45
NV 29.30 PLC 16.1
PHP1.00 Common
PHP10,000.00 Preference
PHP1.00 Common
55
55
54
55
55
Portugal
Portugal
Portugal
Portugal
Portugal
Fima Ola – Produtos Alimentares, S.A.
Gallo Worldwide, Limitada
Transportadora Central do Infante, Limitada
Unilever Jerónimo Martins, Limitada
Victor Guedes – Industria e Comercio, S.A.
NV 0 PLC 55
NV 0 PLC 55
NV 0 PLC 54
NV 0 PLC 55
NV 0 PLC 55
EUR500.00 Ordinary
EUR1,000,000.00 Quotas
EUR1.00 Ordinary
EUR26,295,157.00 Quotas
EUR5.00 Ordinary
Unit 3 Morris House, Swainson Road, London W3 7UP
Cambridge House, 16 High Street, Saffron Walden,
Essex CB10 1AX
5th Floor, 6 St Andrew Street, London EC4A 3AE
7 rue Armand Peugeot, 92500 Rueil-Malmaison
Beerbachstraße 19, 91183 Abenberg
Beerbachstraße 19, 91183 Abenberg
Beerbachstraße 19, 91183 Abenberg
Bad Bribaer Straße, 06647 Klosterhäseler
Beerbachstruße 37, 17153 Stavenhagen
Beerbachstraße 19, 91183 Abenberg
GAT No. 934-937, Village Sanaswadi
Wisma Bango Lt.05, Jl.Sulaiman No.32, Jakarta Barat 11540
51-54 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
7th Floor, O'Connell Bridge House, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2
70 Sir John Rogersons Quay, Dublin 2
Kochav Yokneam Building, 4th Floor, P.O Box 14,
Yokneam Illit 20692
#308, 5–4–1, Minami Azabu, Tokyo
3rd Floor, Harbour Front Building, President John Kennedy Street,
Port Louis
Po Box 1711, Ruwi, Postal code 112
11th Avenue corner 39th Street, Bonifacio Triangle,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, M.M
Manggahan Light Industrial Compound, A. Rodriguez Avenue,
Bo. Manggahan, Pasig City
Manggahan Light Industrial Compound, A. Rodriguez Avenue,
Bo. Manggahan, Pasig City
11th Avenue corner 39th Street, Bonifacio Triangle,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, M.M
11th Avenue corner 39th Street, Bonifacio Triangle,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
11th Avenue corner 39th Street, Bonifacio Triangle,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Largo Monterroio Mascarenhas, 1,1099–081 Lisboa
Largo Monterroio Mascarenhas, 1,1099–081 Lisboa
Largo Monterroio Mascarenhas, 1,1099–081 Lisboa
Largo Monterroio Mascarenhas, 1,1099–081 Lisboa
Largo Monterroio Mascarenhas, 1,1070-184 Lisboa
142 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
27. GROUP COMPANIES CONTINUED
Country of
Incorporation
Name of
Undertaking
% holding
as between
NV/PLC
Class of share
held in subsidiary
undertaking
Registered
address
SachaJuan Haircare AB∆◊
Al Gurg Unilever LLC
Sweden
United Arab
Emirates
United Arab
Emirates
United Arab
Emirates
United States Discuss.io Inc∆◊
Al Gurg Unilever LLC
Thani Murshid Unilever LLC
United States
United States
Pepsi Lipton Tea Partnership
Physic Ventures L.P.◊
NV 99.50 PLC 0
NV 0 PLC 49
SEK1.00 Class B Shares
AED1,000.00 Ordinary
No 18 Office & Lounge, Briger Jarlsgatan 18,114 34 Stockholm
P.O.Box 49, Dubai
NV 0 PLC 49
AED1,000.00 Ordinary
NV 49 PLC 0
AED1,000.00 Ordinary
P.O.Box 49, Dubai
Po Box 49, Abu Dhabi
NV 8.30 PLC 0
NV 15.36 PLC 0
NV 27.70 PLC 22.30
NV 57.27 PLC 0
USD0.0001 Common Stock
USD0.0001 Series Seed
Partnership Interest
Partnership Interest
C/O National Registered Agents, Inc.160 Green Tree Drive,
Suite 101, Dover, Delaware 19904
700 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632-3201
2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware
%
99.50
49
49
49
8.30
15.36
50
57.27
Notes:
* Indicates an undertaking for which Unilever N.V. has issued a declaration of assumption of liability in accordance with section 403, Book 2, Dutch Civil Code.
o Indicates an undertaking directly held by N.V. or PLC. All other undertakings are indirectly held. In the case of Hindustan Unilever Limited 51.50% is directly held and
the remainder of 15.70% is indirectly held. In the case of Unilever Kenya Limited 39.13% is directly held and the remainder of 60.87% is indirectly held. In the case of
Unilever Sri Lanka Limited 5.49% is directly held and the remainder of 94.51% is indirectly held. In the cases of each of Unilever BCS UK Services Limited and Unilever
BCS UK Limited the ordinary shares are indirectly held and the redeemable golden share is directly held. In the case of Mixhold B.V. 27.71% is directly held and the
remainder of 72.29% is indirectly held. In the cases of each of Unilever Gida Sarayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. and Unilever Sarayi ve Ticaret Turk A.Ş. a fractional amount is
directly held and the remainder is indirectly held. In the case of United Holdings Limited, the ordinary shares are directly held and the preferred shares are indirectly
held. In the case of Mixhold N.V., 55.37% of the ordinary – A shares are directly held, the remainder of 44.63% are indirectly held and the other share classes are
indirectly held. In the case of Naamlooze Vernootschap Elma the ordinary shares are directly held and the cumulative preference shares are indirectly held.
† Shares the undertaking holds in itself.
∆ Denotes an undertaking where other classes of shares are held by a third party.
X Unilever Trading LLC, Binzagr Unilever Limited, Unilever Home and Personal Care Products Manufacturing LLC and UTIC Distribution S.A. are subsidiary
undertakings pursuant to section 1162(2)(b) Companies Act 2006. Servern Gulf FZCO is a subsidiary undertaking pursuant to section 1162(4)(a) Companies Act 2006.
The Unilever Group is entitled to 50% of the profits made by Binzagr Unilever Limited. The Unilever Group is entitled to 80% of the profits made by Unilever Trading
LLC, Unilever Home and Personal Care Products Manufacturing LLC and Unilever General Trading LLC.
◊ Accounted for as non-current investments within non-current financial assets.
ˠ Exemption pursuant to Section 264b German Commercial Code.
Further to the above disclosures (1) due to the unified board of Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC, Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC are each
considered to be a subsidiary undertaking of the other in accordance with section 1162 (4) (b) of the Companies Act 2006 and (2) details of
holdings of subsidiary undertakings in the share capitals of Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC are given under the heading Our Shares on pages
30 to 32.
In addition, we have revenues either from our own operations or otherwise in the following locations: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Angola,
Antartica, Antigua, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso,
Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Equatorial
Guinea, Eritrea, Fiji, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Iceland, Iraq,
Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macao, Macedonia, Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Malta,
Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia (federated states of), Moldova (Republic of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro,
Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino,
Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan,
Timor Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu and Yemen.
The Group has established branches in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Kazakhstan, Moldova, the Netherlands, the
Philippines, Rwanda, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia and Turkey.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 143
COMPANY ACCOUNTS
UNILEVER N.V.
INCOME STATEMENT
for the year ended 31 December
Turnover
Operating profit/(loss)
Net finance costs
Finance costs
Pensions and similar obligations
Income from shares in group undertakings
Profit/(loss) on disposal of fixed assets
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Net profit
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the year ended 31 December
Net profit
Other comprehensive income
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans net of tax
Other
Total comprehensive income
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
31 December 2014
Profit or loss for the period
Other comprehensive income net of tax:
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans net of tax
Other
Total comprehensive income
Dividends on ordinary capital
Movements in treasury stock
Share-based payment credit
31 December 2015
Profit or loss for the period
Other comprehensive income net of tax:
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans net of tax
Other
Total comprehensive income
Dividends on ordinary capital
Movements in treasury stock
Share-based payment credit
31 December 2016
Notes
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
1
1
2
3
4
3,310
298
(29)
(26)
(3)
2,213
-
2,482
(128)
2,354
3,869
674
(39)
(36)
(3)
1,751
439
2,825
(166)
2,659
€ million
2016
2,354
€ million
2015
2,659
(11)
20
2,363
11
(1)
2,669
€ million
Called up
share
capital
275
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
275
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
275
€ million
Share
premium
account
20
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
20
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
20
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
Legal
reserves
16
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
16
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
16
Other
reserves
(3,325)
-
-
-
-
-
(14)
-
(3,339)
-
-
-
-
-
(25)
-
(3,364)
Retained
profit
11,525
2,659
11
(1)
2,669
(1,862)
-
25
12,357
2,354
(11)
20
2,363
(1,973)
-
35
12,782
Total
equity
8,511
2,659
11
(1)
2,669
(1,862)
(14)
25
9,329
2,354
(11)
20
2,363
(1,973)
(25)
35
9,729
144 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
BALANCE SHEET
as at 31 December
Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Investments in subsidiaries
Other non-current assets
Current assets
Trade and other current receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade payables and other current liabilities
Provisions
Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities
Pensions and similar obligations
Provisions
Deferred tax liabilities
Total liabilities
Equity
Shareholders’ equity
Called up share capital
Share premium
Legal reserves
Other reserves
Retained profit
Total liabilities and equity
Notes
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
5
6
7
8
9
10
13
11
12
13
13
15
16
17
18
19
14
1,968
29,546
4,211
35,725
2,413
6
2,419
38,144
2,031
29,260
2,766
34,057
2,479
3
2,482
36,539
23,903
24,161
4
5
23,907
24,166
4,291
102
-
115
4,508
28,415
275
20
16
(3,364)
12,782
9,729
38,144
2,850
99
3
92
3,044
27,210
275
20
16
(3,339)
12,357
9,329
36,539
For the information required by Article 2:392 of the Dutch Civil Code, refer to pages 79 to 83. Pages 146 to 150 are part of the notes to the
Unilever N.V. company accounts.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 145
NOTES TO THE COMPANY ACCOUNTS
UNILEVER N.V.
ACCOUNTING INFORMATION AND POLICIES
BASIS OF PREPARATION
The company accounts of Unilever N.V. (the Company) were prepared
on the going concern basis and comply in all material respects with
legislation in the Netherlands. As allowed by Article 2:362.1 of the
Dutch Civil Code, the company accounts are prepared in accordance
with Financial Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure
Framework’ (FRS 101), unless such standards conflict with the Civil
Code in the Netherlands which would in such case prevail.
The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention,
except for the revaluation of financial assets classified as ‘available-
for-sale’ or ‘fair value through profit or loss’, pension assets, as well
as derivative financial instruments, which are reported in accordance
with the accounting policies set out below. These have been
consistently applied to all periods presented.
Unilever N.V. is included within the consolidated financial statements
of the Group. The consolidated financial statements of the Group are
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards as issued by the IASB and as adopted by the European Union.
As permitted by FRS 101, the Company has taken advantage of the
disclosure exemptions available under that standard in relation to
share-based payments, financial instruments, capital management,
presentation of comparative information in respect of certain assets,
presentation of a cash flow statement, impairment of assets, non-
current assets held for sale, discontinued operations, business
combinations, related-party transactions and standards not yet
effective. Where required equivalent disclosures are given in the group
accounts of Unilever, which are available within this report.
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The principal accounting policies are as follows:
FOREIGN CURRENCY
The Company's functional and presentational currency is the euro.
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the Company’s
functional currency at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of
the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies at the balance sheet date are retranslated to the functional
currency at the foreign exchange rate ruling at that date. Non-
monetary assets and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical
cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at
the date of the transaction. Non-monetary assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at fair value are
retranslated to the functional currency at foreign exchange rates
ruling at the dates the fair value was determined. Foreign exchange
differences arising on translation are recognised in the profit and loss
account (except for differences arising on the retranslation of
qualifying cash flow hedges, which are recognised in other
comprehensive income).
TURNOVER
Turnover excludes value added tax and comprises royalties and service
fees received from Group companies. Unilever N.V. recognises
turnover based on the criteria of a full performance of a contract or
delivery of services.
OPERATING PROFIT/(LOSS)
The operating profit/(loss) is stated after deducting the costs that are
mainly related to the royalties and delivered services. Expenses are
allocated to the period in which they relate.
NET FINANCE COSTS
Net finance costs are comprised of finance costs and finance
income, including net finance costs in relation to pensions and
similar obligations.
TAXATION
Unilever N.V., together with certain of its subsidiaries, is part of a tax
grouping for Dutch corporate income tax purposes. Unilever N.V. is the
head of the fiscal unity. The members of the fiscal unity are jointly and
severally liable for any taxes payable by the Dutch tax grouping.
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Finite life intangible assets mainly comprise patented and
non-patented technology, licences and software including intangible
assets acquired from the Group companies. These assets are
capitalised and amortised on a straight-line basis in the income
statement over the period of their expected useful lives, or the period
of legal rights if shorter. None of the amortisation periods exceeds
15 years. Indefinite-life intangibles mainly comprise trademarks
and brands. These assets are capitalised at cost but not amortised.
They are subject to a review for impairment annually, or more
frequently if events or circumstances indicate this is necessary.
Any impairment is charged to the income statement as it arises.
INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES
Shares in group companies are stated at amortised cost less any
amounts written off to reflect a permanent impairment. Any
impairment is charged to the profit and loss account as it arises.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial
institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24
hours. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that mature in
no more than three months from the date of acquisition and that are
readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of
change in value.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company’s accounting policies are the same as the Unilever
Group’s and comply with International Accounting Standard 32
‘Financial Instruments: Presentation’ (IAS 32), IAS 39 ‘Financial
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’ and IFRS 7 ‘Financial
Instruments: Disclosures’. The policies are set out under the heading
‘Capital and funding’ in note 15 to the consolidated accounts on pages
110 to 114. Unilever N.V. is taking the exemption for financial
instruments disclosures, because IFRS 7 disclosures are given in
notes 15 to 18 to the consolidated accounts on pages 110 to 124.
NON-DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Non-derivative financial instruments comprise investments in equity
and debt securities, trade and other receivables, cash and cash
equivalents, loans and borrowings, and trade and other payables.
Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value.
Subsequent to initial recognition they are measured at amortised cost
using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses. Trade
and other payables are recognised initially at fair value. Subsequent to
initial recognition they are measured at amortised cost using the
effective interest method.
DEFERRED TAXATION
Deferred tax is recognised using the liability method on taxable
temporary differences between the tax base and the accounting base
of items included in the balance sheet of the Company. Certain
temporary differences are not provided for as follows:
the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither
accounting nor taxable profit; and
differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that
they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future.
146 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
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 year end.
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.
SHARES HELD BY EMPLOYEE SHARE TRUSTS
Shares held to satisfy options are accounted for in accordance with IAS
32 ‘Financial Instruments: Presentation’ and IFRS 10 ‘Consolidated
Financial Statements’. All differences between the purchase price of
the shares held to satisfy options granted and the proceeds received
for the shares, whether on exercise or lapse, are charged to reserves.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
Unilever N.V. is the sponsoring employer to a number of pension
schemes. There are formal agreements in place for how the
contributions to be paid are split between participating companies.
In line with this stated policy, Unilever N.V. recognises the assets
and liabilities of the schemes of which it is a sponsoring employer in
full on the NV balance sheet. The recovery of contributions from
other employing entities is in line with the existing agreements that
are already in place.
Unilever N.V. has accounted for pensions and similar benefits under
IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’. The operating and financing costs of
defined benefit plans are recognised separately in the profit and loss
account; service costs are systematically spread over the service lives
of employees; and financing costs are recognised in the periods in
which they arise. Variations from expected costs, arising from the
experience of the plans or changes in actuarial assumptions, are
recognised immediately in other comprehensive income. The costs of
individual events such as past benefits, enhancements, settlements
and curtailments are recognised immediately in the profit and loss
account. The liabilities and, where applicable, the assets of defined
benefit plans are recognised at fair value in the balance sheet. The
charges to the profit and loss account for defined contribution plans
are Unilever N.V. contributions payable and the assets of such plans
are not included in Unilever N.V.’s balance sheet.
PROVISIONS
Provisions are recognised where a legal or constructive obligation
exists at the balance sheet date, as a result of a past event, where the
amount of the obligation can be readily estimated and where the
outflow of economic benefit is probable.
DIVIDENDS
Under IAS 10 ‘Events after the Balance Sheet Date’, proposed dividends
do not meet the definition of a liability until such time as they have been
approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. Therefore, we
do not recognise a liability in any period for dividends that have been
proposed but will not be approved until after the balance sheet date.
This holds for external dividends as well as intra-group dividends paid
to the parent company.
FINANCIAL GUARANTEES
Where the Company enters into financial guarantee contracts to
guarantee the indebtedness of other companies within its group, the
Company considers these to be insurance arrangements and accounts
for them as such. In this respect, the Company treats the guarantee
contract as a contingent liability until such time as it becomes
probable that the Company will be required to make a payment
under the guarantee.
1. OPERATING PROFIT/(LOSS)
Turnover
Royalties and services charged out to
Group companies
Administrative expenses
Incurred costs and royalties paid
Amortisation of finite-life intangible
assets and software
Other administrative expenses
Operating profit
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
3,310
3,310
(3,012)
(2,796)
(93)
(123)
298
3,869
3,869
(3,195)
(3,014)
(78)
(103)
674
2. INCOME FROM SHARES IN GROUP UNDERTAKINGS
Dividends received from shares in Group
undertakings
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
2,213
1,751
2,213
1,751
3. PROFIT/(LOSS) ON DISPOSAL OF INVESTMENTS
€ million
2016
Profit on transfer of Group companies
-
-
€ million
2015
439
439
4. TAXATION
Tax charge in income statement
Current tax
Current year
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Total tax expense
Reconciliation of tax expense
Profit/(loss) for the year
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
(109)
3
(106)
8
(30)
(22)
(128)
(150)
10
(140)
(38)
12
(26)
(166)
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
2,482
2,825
Tax using the Dutch statutory corporate income
tax rate of 25% (2015: 25%)
(621)
(706)
Tax effeccts of:
Income not subject to tax (primarily
tax exempt dividends)
Non recoverable withholding tax
(Under)/over provided in prior years
Other
Total tax expense
553
(48)
(27)
15
(128)
548
(49)
22
19
(166)
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 147
NOTES TO THE COMPANY ACCOUNTS
UNILEVER N.V. CONTINUED
5. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
8. TRADE AND OTHER CURRENT RECEIVABLES
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
Indefinite-
life
intangible
assets
926
11
937
-
-
-
937
926
Cost
At 1 January 2016
Additions
At 31 December 2016
Amortisation and
Impairment
At 1 January 2016
Amortisation for the year
At 31 December 2016
Carrying amount at
31 December 2016
Carrying amount at
31 December 2015
Finite-life
intangible
assets
1,284
-
1,284
(188)
(68)
(256)
1,028
1,096
6. INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES
Cost
At 1 January 2016
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2016
Impairment losses
At 1 January 2016
At 31 December 2016
Carrying amount at 31 December 2016
Carrying amount at 31 December 2015
Loans to group companies(b)
Amounts due from group companies(b)
Software
Total
Taxation
Other
137
-
137
(128)
(6)
(134)
3
9
2,347
11
2,358
(316)
(74)
(390)
1,968
2,031
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
374
1,939
30
70
1,579
804
28
68
2,413
2,479
€ million
2016
20,357
2,507
860
179
€ million
2015
19,935
2,481
1,551
194
23,903
24,161
(b) Loans to group companies and amounts owed from group companies include
balances with several group companies which are interest bearing at market
rates and are unsecured and repayable on demand.
9. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
There was no cash at bank and in hand for which payment notice was
required at either 31 December 2016 or 31 December 2015.
10. TRADE PAYABLES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Other amounts owed to group companies(c)
Loans from group companies(c)
Bonds and other loans
€ million
Other
29,260
286
-
29,546
-
-
29,546
29,260
(c) Amounts owed to group companies include balances with several group
companies which are interest bearing at market rates. They are unsecured and
repayable on demand.
11. FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Bonds and other loans
Accruals and deferred income
Preference shares
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
4,219
2,775
4
68
7
68
4,291
2,850
Creditors due after five years amount to €2,486 million (2015: €68
million).
12. PENSIONS AND SIMILAR OBLIGATIONS
Details of the company’s subsidiary undertakings are given in note 27
to the consolidated financial statements.
7. OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Loans to group companies(a)
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
4,211
2,766
(a) Loans to group companies include balances with several group companies
which are interest bearing at market rates and are unsecured and repayable
on demand.
Funded retirement (benefit)/liability
Unfunded retirement liability
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
5
97
102
2
97
99
In respect of the key assumptions for the Netherlands, disclosures are
given in note 4B to the consolidated accounts on pages 94 to 99.
148 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
13. PROVISIONS AND SIMILAR OBLIGATIONS
At 1 January 2016
Income statement:
Charges
Releases
Utilisation
At 31 December 2016
Due within one year
Due after one year
€ million
Provisions
€ million
Deferred
Tax
8
-
(3)
(1)
4
4
-
92
23
-
-
115
-
115
At the balance sheet date, Unilever N.V. has unused tax credits
amounting to €384 million (2015: €324 million) available for offset
against future tax profits. Deferred tax assets have not been
recognised for an amount of €369 million (2015: €324 million) as it is
not probable that there will be future taxable profits against which the
credits will be utilised.
14. CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Company accounts Unilever N.V.
Unilever Group: shareholders’ equity
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
9,729
16,354
9,329
15,439
The equity of the Unilever Group €16,354 million (2015: €15,439 million)
includes the equity of Unilever N.V. €9,729 million (2015: €9,329 million),
and the equity of Unilever PLC £5,045 million (2015: £4,714 million).
The remaining difference arises from recognising investments in
subsidiaries in the Unilever N.V. accounts at cost less any amounts
written off to reflect a permanent impairment, not eliminating
intra-group balances and transactions and not performing other
consolidation procedures which are performed for the Unilever Group
financial statements.
15. CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL
The called up share capital amounting to €275 million consists of
1,714,727,700 Unilever N.V. ordinary shares and 2,400 Unilever N.V.
ordinary special shares. These special shares numbered 1 to 2,400 are
held by a subsidiary of Unilever N.V. and a subsidiary of Unilever PLC,
each holding 50%. Further details are given in note 15A to the
consolidated accounts on page 111. 151,935,895 (2015: 152,637,026) of
the ordinary shares are held by Unilever N.V. (see note 18) and 17,516
(2015: 1,535) ordinary shares are held by other group companies.
16. SHARE PREMIUM
The share premium shown in the balance sheet is not available for the
issue of bonus shares or for repayment without incurring withholding
tax payable by Unilever N.V.
17. LEGAL RESERVES
In 2006 the Unilever N.V. ordinary shares were split in the ratio 3 to 1
and at the same time the share capital, previously denominated in
Dutch guilders, was converted into euros. Due to rounding the new
nominal value per share differs from the value expressed in Dutch
guilders. As a result, the reported share capital issued at 31 December
2006 was €16 million lower than in 2005.
18. OTHER RESERVES
1 January
Change during the year
31 December
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
(3,339)
(25)
(3,364)
(3,325)
(14)
(3,339)
Unilever N.V. holds 151,935,895 (2015: 152,637,026) of its own ordinary
shares. These are included in other reserves.
19. RETAINED PROFIT
1 January
Profit for the year
Dividends
Realised profit on shares/certificates held to
meet employee share options.
Other charges
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
12,357
2,354
(1,973)
35
9
11,525
2,659
(1,862)
25
10
31 December
12,782
12,357
20. PROFIT FOR THE YEAR
Company accounts Unilever N.V.
Unilever Group excluding non-controlling interest
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
2,354
5,184
2,659
4,909
The net profit of Unilever Group of €5,184 million (2015: €4,909 million)
includes the net profit of parent Unilever N.V. €2,354 million (2015:
€2,659 million) and the net profit of parent Unilever PLC £1,671 million
(2015: £4,583 million). The remaining difference arises from the
recognition in Unilever N.V.’s accounts of investments in subsidiaries
at cost less any amounts written off to reflect a permanent
impairment, intra-group balances and transactions are not eliminated
and other consolidated procedures are not performed.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 149
NOTES TO THE COMPANY ACCOUNTS
UNILEVER N.V. CONTINUED
21. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS
Unilever N.V. has issued joint and several liability undertakings, as
defined in Article 403 of Book 2 of the Civil Code in the Netherlands, for
almost all Dutch group companies. These written undertakings have
been filed with the office of the Company Registry in whose area of
jurisdiction the group company concerned has its registered office.
The total amount of guarantees, is €10,825 million (2015: €9,292 million).
This consists mainly of joint guarantees with Unilever PLC and Unilever
United States, Inc. relating to the long-term debt and commercial paper
issued by Unilever PLC and/or Unilever Capital Corporation Inc. Unilever
N.V. also guarantees some borrowings of other group companies and
some contingent consideration of Group companies relating to past
business acquisitions. Other joint guarantees with Unilever PLC relate to
derivatives taken out by Group companies.
Additionally Unilever N.V. has guarantees and financial commitments
including indemnities arising from past business disposals and for
certain global service contracts. No value can be attributed to these
financial commitments at this time.
25. THE RULES FOR PROFIT APPROPRIATION IN THE
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION (SUMMARY OF ARTICLE 38)
The profit for the year is applied firstly to the reserves required by
law or by the Equalisation Agreement, secondly to cover losses of
previous years, if any, and thirdly to the reserves deemed necessary
by the Board of Directors. Dividends due to the holders of the
Cumulative Preference Shares, including any arrears in such
dividends, are then paid; if the profit is insufficient for this purpose,
the amount available is distributed to them in proportion to the
dividend percentages of their shares. Any profit remaining thereafter
shall be distributed to the holders of ordinary shares in proportion to
the nominal value of their respective holdings of ordinary shares.
The General Meeting can only decide to make distributions from
reserves on the basis of a proposal by the Board and in compliance
with the law and the Equalisation Agreement.
26. PROPOSED PROFIT APPROPRIATION
€ million
2016
2,354
(1,501)
€ million
2015
2,220
(1,417)
853
803
The likelihood of these guarantees, financial commitments and
contingencies being called is considered to be remote and so
accordingly the fair value is deemed to be immaterial.
Profit for the year (available for distribution)
Dividend
To profit retained
22. REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS
For details of the remuneration of the auditors please refer to note 25
on page 130.
23. DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION
Information about the remuneration of Directors is given in the tables
noted as audited in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 48 to
77, incorporated and repeated here by reference. Information on key
management compensation is provided in note 4A to the consolidated
group financial statements on page 94.
24. EMPLOYEE INFORMATION
During 2016, the average number of employees employed by Unilever
N.V. was 15, of whom 14 worked abroad.
27. POST-BALANCE SHEET EVENT
On 26 January 2017 the Directors announced a dividend of €0.3201
per Unilever N.V. ordinary share. The dividend is payable from
15 March 2017 to shareholders registered at the close of business
on 10 February 2017.
28. SPECIAL CONTROLLING RIGHTS UNDER THE ARTICLES
OF ASSOCIATION
See note 15 to the consolidated accounts on pages 110 to 114.
29. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
A resolution will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting on
26 April 2017 for the reappointment of KPMG Accountants N.V. as
auditors of Unilever N.V.
CORPORATE CENTRE
Unilever N.V.
Weena 455
PO Box 760
3000 DK Rotterdam
The Netherlands
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
24 February 2017
150 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
COMPANY ACCOUNTS
UNILEVER PLC
BALANCE SHEET
as at 31 December
Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Investments in subsidiaries
Other non-current assets
Current assets
Trade and other current receivables
Total assets
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade payables and other current liabilities
Financial liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Provisions
Total liabilities
Equity
Shareholders’ equity
Called up share capital
Share premium
Capital redemption reserve
Other reserves
Retained profit
Total liabilities and equity
Notes
£ million
2016
£ million
2015
1
2
3
4
5
6
6
7
8
9
10
160
8,365
307
8,832
268
268
9,100
3,081
719
3,800
249
3
2
254
171
8,365
-
8,536
445
445
8,981
3,617
-
3,617
648
2
-
650
4,054
4,267
41
94
11
(366)
5,266
5,046
9,100
41
94
11
(366)
4,934
4,714
8,981
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
Statement of changes in equity
31 December 2014
Profit or loss for the period
Dividends on ordinary capital
Other movements in equity
31 December 2015
Profit or loss for the period
Dividends on ordinary capital
Other movements in equity
31 December 2016
£ million
Called up
share
capital
£ million
Share
premium
account
41
-
-
-
41
-
-
-
41
94
-
-
-
94
-
-
-
94
£ million
£ million
£ million
£ million
Legal
reserves
Other
reserves
Retained
profit
11
-
-
-
11
-
-
-
11
(394)
-
-
28
(366)
-
-
-
(366)
1,497
4,583
(1,120)
(26)
4,934
1,671
(1,333)
(6)
5,266
Total
equity
1,249
4,583
(1,120)
2
4,714
1,671
(1,333)
(6)
5,046
The total profit for 2016 was £1,671 million (2015: £4,583 million).
The financial statements on pages 151 to 154 were approved by the Board of Directors on 24 February 2017 and signed on its behalf by
M Dekkers and P Polman.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
M Dekkers
Chairman
P Polman
Chief Executive Officer
24 February 2017
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 151
NOTES TO THE COMPANY ACCOUNTS
UNILEVER PLC
ACCOUNTING INFORMATION AND POLICIES
BASIS OF PREPARATION
These financial statements were prepared on the going concern basis
and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced
Disclosure Framework’ (FRS 101) and the UK Companies Act 2006.
The Companies, Partnership and Groups (Accounts and Reports)
Regulations 2015 have been adopted from 1 January 2015. No profit
and loss account is presented by Unilever PLC (the Company) as
permitted by Section s408 of the Companies Act 2006.
The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention, except
for the revaluation of financial assets classified as ‘available-for-sale’
or ‘fair value through profit or loss’, as well as derivative financial
instruments, which are reported in accordance with the accounting
policies set out below. These have been consistently applied to all
periods presented.
Unilever PLC is included within the consolidated financial
statements of the Group. The consolidated financial statements of
the Group are prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards as issued by the IASB and as adopted by the
European Union.
As permitted by FRS 101, the Company has taken advantage of the
disclosure exemptions available under that standard in relation to share
based payments, financial instruments, capital management, presentation
of comparative information in respect of certain assets, presentation of a
cash flow statement, impairment of assets, non-current assets for sale,
discontinued operations, business combinations, related party transactions
and standards not yet effective. Where required equivalent disclosures are
given in the group accounts of Unilever, which are publicly available.
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The principal accounting policies are as follows:
FOREIGN CURRENCY
The Company's functional and presentational currency is Pound
Sterling. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the
Company’s functional currency at the foreign exchange rate ruling
at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are
retranslated to the functional currency at the foreign exchange rate
ruling at that date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are
measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are
translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction.
Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies
that are stated at fair value are retranslated to the functional currency
at foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates the fair value was
determined. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are
recognised in the profit and loss account.
TAXATION
Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the
period, using the tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the
balance sheet date, and any adjustments to tax payable in respect of
previous periods.
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Finite-life intangible assets mainly comprise licenses. These assets
are capitalised and amortised on a straight-line basis in the income
statement over the period of their expected useful lives, or the period
of legal rights if shorter. None of the amortisation periods exceeds
15 years. Indefinite-life intangible assets mainly comprise trademarks
and brands. These assets are capitalised at cost but not amortised.
They are subject to a review for impairment annually, or more
frequently if events or circumstances indicate this is necessary.
Any impairment is charged to the income statement as it arises.
INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES
Shares in group companies are stated at amortised cost less any
amounts written off to reflect a permanent impairment. Any impairment
is charged to the profit and loss account as it arises.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company’s accounting policies are the same as the Unilever
Group’s and comply with International Accounting Standard 32
‘Financial Instruments: Presentation’ (IAS 32), IAS 39 ‘Financial
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’ and IFRS 7 ‘Financial
Instruments: Disclosures’. The policies are set out under the heading
‘Capital and funding’ in note 15 to the consolidated accounts on pages
110 to 114. Unilever PLC is taking the exemption for financial
instruments disclosures, because IFRS 7 disclosures are given in
notes 15 to 18 to the consolidated accounts on pages 110 to 124.
NON-DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Non-derivative financial instruments comprise investments in equity and
debt securities, trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents,
loans and borrowings, and trade and other payables. Trade and other
receivables are recognised initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial
recognition they are measured at amortised cost using the effective
interest method, less any impairment losses. Trade and other payables
are recognised initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition
they are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
DEFERRED TAXATION
Deferred tax is recognised using the liability method on taxable
temporary differences between the tax base and the accounting base
of items included in the balance sheet of the Company. Certain
temporary differences are not provided for as follows:
The initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither
accounting nor taxable profit; and
Differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that
they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future.
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 year end.
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.
SHARES HELD BY EMPLOYEE SHARE TRUSTS
Shares held to satisfy options are accounted for in accordance with IAS
32 ‘Financial Instruments: Presentation’ and IFRS 10 Consolidated
Financial Statements. All differences between the purchase price of
the shares held to satisfy options granted and the proceeds received
for the shares, whether on exercise or lapse, are charged to reserves.
PROVISIONS
Provisions are recognised where a legal or constructive obligation
exists at the balance sheet date, as a result of a past event, where the
amount of the obligation can be readily estimated and where the
outflow of economic benefit is probable.
DIVIDENDS
Under IAS 10 ‘Events after the Balance Sheet Date’, proposed
dividends do not meet the definition of a liability until such time as they
have been approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting.
Therefore, we do not recognise a liability in any period for dividends
that have been proposed but will not be approved until after the
balance sheet date. This holds for external dividends as well as intra-
group dividends paid to the parent company.
FINANCIAL GUARANTEES
Where the Company enters in financial guarantee contracts to guarantee
the indebtedness of other companies within its group, the Company
considers these to be insurance arrangements and accounts for them as
such. In this respect, the Company treats the guarantee contract as a
contingent liability until such time as it becomes probable that the
Company will be required to make a payment under the guarantee.
152 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
1. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
4. TRADE AND OTHER CURRENT RECEIVABLES
£ million
£ million
Finite-life
intangible
assets
Amounts due from group companies(c)
Total
Taxation and social security
Other
£ million
£ million
2016
195
73
-
268
2015
392
52
1
445
£ million
Indefinite-
life
intangible
assets
45
45
-
-
-
45
45
Cost
At 1 January 2016
At 31 December 2016
Amortisation & Impairment
At 1 January 2016
Amortisation for the year
At 31 December 2016
Carrying amount at
31 December 2016
Carrying amount at
31 December 2015
2. INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES
Cost
At 1 January 2016
At 31 December 2016
Impairment losses
At 1 January 2016
At 31 December 2016
Carrying amount at 31 December 2016
Carrying amount at 31 December 2015
166
166
(40)
(11)
(51)
115
126
211
211
(40)
(11)
(51)
160
171
8,370
8,370
(5)
(5)
8,365
8,365
Fixed asset investments comprise equity shares of group companies and
include the subsidiary company Hindustan Unilever Limited, with a cost of
£2,197 million (2015: £2,197 million). These are listed on the Bombay Stock
Exchange and have a market value of £11,048 million (2015: £9,764 million) as
31 December 2016. The carrying value of the investments is supported by their
underlying net assets.
Details of the company’s subsidiary undertakings are given in note 27 to
the consolidated financial statements.
3. OTHER NON CURRENT ASSETS
Loans to group companies(a)
Other(b)
£ million
2016
£ million
2015
249
58
307
-
-
-
(a) Amounts due from group companies include balances with several group
companies which are interest bearing at market rates and are unsecured and
repayable on demand if this is the case.
(b) Other non-current assets relate to £58m paid in to an escrow account relating
to the main UK pension fund (see note 4B on pages 94 to 99).
£ million
(d)Amounts due to group companies include balances with several group
(c) Amounts due from group companies include balances with several group
companies which are interest bearing at market rates and are unsecured and
repayable on demand if this is the case.
5. TRADE PAYABLES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Loans from group companies(d)
Other amounts owed to group companies(d)
Accruals and deferred income
£ million
£ million
2016
3,017
53
11
2015
3,477
129
11
3,081
3,617
companies which are interest bearing at market rates and are unsecured and
repayable on demand if this is the case.
6. FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Bonds and other loans
Current(e)
Non-current(f)
£ million
£ million
2016
2015
719
249
968
-
648
648
(e) This includes £400 million 4.75% note issued in 2009 maturing June 2017 (year-
end value amortised cost £398 million) and commercial paper.
(f) This represents a £250 million 2% note issued in 2014 maturing in December
2018 (year-end amortised cost £249 million).
7. DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES
Deferred tax liabilities
£ million
£ million
2016
3
2015
2
8. CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL
The called up share capital amounting to £41 million at 31 December
2016 (31 December 2015: £41 million) consists of 1,310,156,361 (2015:
1,310,156,361) Unilever PLC ordinary shares and 100,000 (2015:
100,000) Unilever PLC deferred stock. 50% of the deferred stock of
Unilever PLC is held by N.V. Elma – a subsidiary of Unilever N.V. and
50% owned the deferred stock of Unilever PLC is held by United
Holdings Limited – a subsidiary of Unilever PLC.
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Financial Statements 153
NOTES TO THE COMPANY ACCOUNTS
UNILEVER PLC CONTINUED
9. OTHER RESERVES
The own ordinary shares held by Unilever PLC amount to 26,696,994
as at 31 December 2016 (31 December 2015: 26,696,994) and are
included in Other reserves.
1 January
Change during the year
31 December
10. RETAINED PROFIT
1 January
Profit for the year
Other movements
Dividends paid(g)
31 December
£ million
£ million
2016
(366)
-
(366)
2015
(394)
28
(366)
£ million
£ million
2016
4,934
1,671
(6)
(1,333)
5,266
2015
1,497
4,583
(26)
(1,120)
4,934
(g)Further details are given in note 8 to the consolidated accounts on page 104.
11. PROFIT APPROPRIATION
Profit for the year (available for distribution)
Dividends(h)
To profit retained
£ million
£ million
2016
1,671
(1,039)
632
2015
4,586
(836)
3,750
(h)The dividend to be paid in March 2017 (see note 14) is not included in the 2016
dividend amount.
12. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS
The total amount of guarantees is £14,414 million (2015: £11,232
million). This mainly consists of guarantees relating to the long-term
debt and commercial paper issued by Unilever N.V. and/or Group
companies such as Unilever Capital Corporation Inc., some of which
are joint with Unilever N.V. and Unilever United States Inc. Other joint
guarantees with Unilever N.V. relate to derivatives taken out by Group
companies. There is also a guarantee to the pension fund in respect of
the UK pension scheme.
Additionally Unilever PLC has financial commitments including
indemnities arising from past business disposals and trademarks used by
joint ventures. No value can be attributed to these financial commitments
at this time.
The likelihood of these guarantees, financial commitments and
contingencies being called is considered to be remote and so accordingly
the fair value is deemed to be immaterial.
13. REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS
The parent company accounts of Unilever PLC are required to comply
with The Companies (Disclosure of Auditor Remuneration and Liability
Limitation Agreements) Regulations 2008. Auditor’s remuneration in
respect of Unilever PLC is included within the disclosures in note 25 on
page 130.
14. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENT
On 26 January 2017 the Directors announced a dividend of £0.2768
per Unilever PLC ordinary share. The dividend is payable from
15 March 2017 to shareholders registered at the close of business on
10 February 2017.
154 Financial Statements
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
FINANCIAL CALENDAR
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
NV
PLC
Date
Voting Record date
Voting and Registration date
1.30pm 26 April 2017
1.30pm 27 April 2017
29 March 2017
–
19 April 2017
25 April 2017
QUARTERLY DIVIDENDS
Dates listed below are applicable to all four Unilever listings (NV ordinary shares, PLC ordinary shares, NV New York shares, and PLC ADRs).
Quarterly dividend announced
with the Q4 2016 results
Quarterly dividend announced
with the Q1 2017 results
Quarterly dividend announced
with the Q2 2017 results*
Quarterly dividend announced
with the Q3 2017 results
Announced
26 January 2017
NV NY and PLC ADR
ex-dividend date
1.30pm 20 April 2016
8 February 2017
NV and PLC
Record date
Payment date
9 February 2017
10 February 2017
15 March 2017
20 April 2017
3 May 2017
4 May 2017
5 May 2017
7 June 2017
20 July 2017
2 August 2017
3 August 2017
4 August 2017
6 September 2017
19 October 2017
1 November 2017
2 November 2017
3 November 2017
13 December 2017
WEBSITE
Shareholders are encouraged to visit our website www.unilever.com
which has a wealth of information about Unilever.
There is a section designed specifically for investors at
www.unilever.com/investorrelations. It includes detailed coverage
of the Unilever share price, our quarterly and annual results,
performance charts, financial news and investor relations
speeches and presentations. It also includes conference and
investor/analyst presentations.
You can also view the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016 (and
the Additional Information for US Listing Purposes), and those for prior
years, at www.unilever.com/investorrelations.
PUBLICATIONS
Copies of the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016 (and the
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes) and the Annual Report
on Form 20-F 2016 can be accessed directly or ordered through
www.unilever.com/investorrelations.
UNILEVER ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2016
The Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016 (and the Additional
Information for US Listing Purposes) forms the basis for the Form
20-F that is filed with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission, which is also available free of charge at www.sec.gov.
QUARTERLY RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Available in English with figures in euros.
* Also applicable for preferential dividends NV.
CONTACT DETAILS
Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC
100 Victoria Embankment
London EC4Y 0DY
United Kingdom
Institutional Investors telephone +44 (0)20 7822 6830
Any queries can also be sent to us electronically via
www.unilever.com/resource/contactus
Private Shareholders telephone +44 (0)20 7822 5500
Private Shareholders can email us at
shareholder.services@unilever.com
SHARE REGISTRATION
THE NETHERLANDS
SGG Netherlands N.V.
Hoogoorddreef 15
1101 BA Amsterdam
Telephone
Telefax
Website
Email
+31 (0)20 522 25 55
+31 (0)20 522 25 35
www.sgggroup.com
registers@sgggroup.com
UK
Computershare Investor Services PLC
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol BS99 6ZZ
Telephone
Telefax
Website
Email
+44 (0)370 600 3977
+44 (0)370 703 6101
www.investorcentre.co.uk
webcorres@computershare.co.uk
US
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
Operations Center
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Toll-free number
Direct dial
Email
+1 866 249 2593
+1 718 921 8124
DB@amstock.com
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
Shareholder information 155
INDEX
Accounting policies _____________________________________ 88 – 90
Acquisitions __________________________________ 22, 126 – 128, 178
Americas, The __________________________________92, 94, 105 – 106
Annual General Meetings ___________________________________155
Asia/AMET/RUB _______________________________________ 94, 105
Associates ________________________ 84, 91 – 92, 107 – 108, 129, 142
Audit Committee _______________________________________ 42 – 43
Auditors ____________________________ 37, 43, 79 – 83, 130, 150, 154
Balance sheet ______________________ 25, 86, 97, 145, 151, 172 – 173
Biographies ______________________________________________ 3, 5
Board committees __________________________________________29
Boards ___________________________________________2 – 3, 29 – 30
Brand and marketing investments ____________________________ 92
Brands _________________________________________________ 1, 10
Capital expenditure _________________________________________ 87
Cash ______________________________________ 25, 86, 87, 120 – 121
Cash flow __________________________________________ 87, 99, 174
Categories ______________________________________ 14 – 16, 24, 91
Cautionary statement /safe harbour ______________ Inside back cover
Chairman _______________________________________ 2 – 3, 29 – 30
Chief Executive Officer ________________________________ 4, 48 – 77
Commitments _______________________________________ 125 – 126
Company accounts, statutory and other information ________ 144 – 154
Compensation Committee ________________________________ 48 – 77
Comprehensive income __________________________ 84, 97, 113, 144
Connected 4 Growth _____________________________________ 1 – 22
Constant core earnings per share _____________________________27
Contingent liabilities __________________________ 125 – 126, 150, 154
Core earnings per share ______________________ 22 – 23, 27, 59, 103
Core effective tax rate _______________________________________27
Core operating margin _______________ 12, 22 – 24, 27, 56, 59, 90, 168
Core operating profit __________________________ 23 – 24, 27, 90, 91
Corporate governance __________________________________ 29 – 35
Corporate responsibility ________________________________ 44 – 45
Corporate Responsibility Committee ______________________ 44 – 45
Deferred tax ______________________ 101 – 102, 146 – 147, 152 – 153
Depreciation ________________ 25, 87, 91, 93, 102, 106 – 107, 125, 169
Directors’ responsibilities ________________________________ 78, 83
Directors’ remuneration ________________________________ 48 – 77
Disposals ___________________________________________ 126 – 128
Diversity __________________________________________ 3, 21, 34, 47
Dividends ___________________ 22, 85, 87, 104, 109, 130, 147, 152, 162
Earnings per share ______________________________ 23, 84, 103, 168
Employees ___________________________________ 16, 20 – 21, 34, 94
Equalisation Agreement __________________________ 29, 33, 88, 150
Equity _______________________ 25, 84 – 86, 112 – 113, 144 – 145, 151
Europe _______________________________________ 92, 94, 105 – 106
Exchange rates _________________________ 26, 87 – 88, 162, 168, 174
Executive Directors _________________________ 2 – 3, 29, 48 – 77, 94
Finance and liquidity ___________________________________ 25, 177
Finance costs and finance income _________ 84, 87, 100, 144, 146, 168
Financial assets ______________________________ 86 – 87, 120 – 124
Financial calendar ________________________________________ 155
Financial instruments ____________________________ 110 – 124, 178
Financial liabilities _____________ 28, 86 – 87, 110 – 123, 148, 151, 153
Financial review ______________________________ 23 – 28, 175 – 178
Foods _______________________________________ 12, 14, 24, 91, 176
Free cash flow ________________________ 12, 22, 25 – 28, 59, 169, 177
Geographies ______________________________________________92
Goodwill _______________________ 25, 28, 86, 88, 104 – 106, 126 – 128
Gross profit ________________________________________________92
Home Care __________________________________ 12, 15, 24, 91, 176
Impairment _________________ 25, 87, 91, 93, 102, 104 – 106, 121, 169
Income statement _______________________________________23, 84
Innovation _______________________________________________8, 10
Intangible assets ________________________ 104 – 106, 128, 148, 153
International Financial Reporting Standards ___________________88
Inventories _______________________________________________108
Joint ventures _____________________________ 84, 91 – 92, 107 – 108
Key management ________________________________________12, 94
Key Performance Indicators ________________________________168
Leases _____________________________________________ 125 – 126
Market capitalisation _______________________________________25
Net debt __________________________________________ 28, 119, 169
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee __________46 – 47
Non-core items _______________________________________ 92 – 93
Non-Executive Directors ____________________ 2 – 3, 29 – 30, 48 – 77
Non-GAAP measures ____________________________26 28, 177 – 178
Operating costs _______________________________________ 92 – 93
Operating profit ___________________________ 23, 84, 87, 90 – 93,144
Organisational Structure ____________________________________29
Outlook __________________________________________________178
Payables _________________________________________________109
Pensions and similar obligations _________________________ 94 – 99
Personal Care ________________________________12, 14, 24, 91, 176
Post balance sheet events ___________________________130, 150, 154
Preference shares and dividends _____________________ 30 – 32, 100
Principal group companies ____________________________ 131 – 143
Property, plant and equipment __________________________106 –107
Provisions _______________________________________________124
Receivables _________________________________________ 108 – 109
Refreshment _________________________________12, 15, 24, 91, 176
Related party transactions ______________________________129, 160
Research and development _________________________________ 92
Reserves _____________________________________ 85, 112, 144, 149
Restructuring ____________________________________________124
Revenue __________________________________________________90
Risk management and control _________________________33 – 36, 43
Risks ________________________________________________ 37 – 41
Segment information ___________________________________ 90 – 92
Share-based payments ________________________________ 99 – 100
Share capital __________________________ 30 – 33, 111, 149, 151, 153
Shareholders ______________________________________ 22, 32 – 33
Share registration ________________________________________ 155
Staff costs ________________________________________________94
Strategy ______________________________________________ 10 – 11
Taxation ____________________________________________ 101 – 103
Total shareholder return ____________________________________ 75
Treasury ____________________________________________110 – 124
Turnover __________________________________________ 84, 90 – 92
Underlying volume growth ________________________________12, 27
Underlying sales growth _____________________________ 12, 26 – 27
Unilever Leadership Executive _________________________________5
Voting ____________________________________________________29
Zero based budgeting _______________________________________11
Website _________________________________________________155
156
Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US LISTING PURPOSES
FORM 20-F REFERENCES
Item 1
Item 2
Item 3
Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers ...................................................................................................................n/a
Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable ............................................................................................................................................n/a
Key Information
A.
B.
C.
D.
Selected Financial Data ...............................................................................................................................111, 162, 168 – 170
Capitalisation and Indebtedness ............................................................................................................................................n/a
Reasons for the offer and use of proceeds .............................................................................................................................n/a
Risk factors .....................................................................................................................................................................36 – 41
Item 4
Information on the Company
A.
B.
C.
D.
History and development of the company ........................................17 – 18, 22 – 35, 87, 106 – 107, 126 – 128, 155, 175 – 178
Business overview .......................................................................................................1, 6 – 11, 14 – 29, 41, 90 – 92, 175 – 178
Organisational structure ........................................................................................................................................29, 131 – 143
Property, plant and equipment ............................................................................................................................106 – 107, 178
Item 4A
Unresolved Staff Comments ...............................................................................................................................................................n/a
Item 5
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Operating results ..................................................................................4, 6 – 7, 12, 21 – 22, 23 – 28, 41, 117 – 118, 175 – 178
Liquidity and capital resources .......................................................25, 36, 78, 87, 106 – 107, 110 – 111, 114 – 126, 177 – 178
Research and development, patents and licences, etc. .........................................................................................8 – 9, 92 – 93
Trend information ...............................................................................................................4, 6 – 7, 23 – 28, 37 – 41, 175 – 178
Off-balance sheet arrangements ...............................................................................................................115 – 120, 122 – 126
Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations ..............................................................................26, 106 – 107, 114, 125 – 126
G.
Safe harbour ..................................................................................................................................................Inside back cover
Item 6
Directors, Senior Management and Employees
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Directors and senior management ..............................................................................................................................3, 29, 159
Compensation ........................................................................................................................................25, 41, 48, 63, 94 – 100
Board practices ..................................................................................................................3, 5, 29, 30, 42 – 47, 62 – 63, 73, 75
Employees .......................................................................................................................................................................94, 159
Share ownership ................................................................................................................................67, 70 – 74, 99 – 100, 159
Item 7
Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
A,
B.
C.
Major shareholders ............................................................................................................................................29, 31 – 33, 160
Related party transactions .............................................................................................................................................129, 160
Interest of experts and counsel ..............................................................................................................................................n/a
Item 8
Financial Information
A.
B.
Consolidated statements and other financial information ............................................... 78, 79, 84 – 143, 155, 162, 170 – 174
Significant changes ...............................................................................................................................................................130
Item 9
The Offer and Listing
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Offer and listing details ................................................................................................................................................160 – 161
Plan of distribution .................................................................................................................................................................n/a
Markets ...........................................................................................................................................................................30 – 32
Selling shareholders ..............................................................................................................................................................n/a
Dilution ..................................................................................................................................................................................n/a
Expenses of the issue ............................................................................................................................................................n/a
Item 10
Additional Information
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
Share capital ..........................................................................................................................................................................n/a
Articles of association ..................................................................................................................29 – 35, 46 – 47, 71, 111, 163
Material contracts .....................................................................................................................................................29, 33, 163
Exchange controls .................................................................................................................................................................163
Taxation .......................................................................................................................................................................164 – 165
Dividends and paying agents ..................................................................................................................................................n/a
Statement by experts .............................................................................................................................................................n/a
Documents on display ....................................................................................................................................................155, 163
Subsidiary information .......................................................................................................................................................... n/a
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
157
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US LISTING PURPOSES CONTINUED
Item 11
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk ......................................................... 94 – 99, 108 – 111, 115 – 124, 178
Item 12
Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
A.
B.
C.
D.1
D.2
D.3
D.4
Description of debt securities ................................................................................................................................................n/a
Description of warrants and rights .........................................................................................................................................n/a
Description of other securities ...............................................................................................................................................n/a
Name of depositary and address of principal executive .........................................................................................................n/a
Title of ADRS and brief description of provisions ....................................................................................................................n/a
Transfer agent fees and charges ...........................................................................................................................................166
Transfer agent payments – fiscal year 2016 ...........................................................................................................................166
Item 13
Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
A.
B.
Defaults .................................................................................................................................................................................166
Dividend arrearages and delinquencies .................................................................................................................................166
Item 14
Item 15
Item 16
Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds ................................................................................n/a
Controls and Procedures .............................................................................................................................................. 35 – 36, 43, 167
Reserved ............................................................................................................................................................................................n/a
Item 16A
Audit Committee Financial Expert ................................................................................................................................................30, 42
Item 16B Code of Ethics ..........................................................................................................................................................................35, 36, 44
Item 16C
Principal Accountant Fees and Services .............................................................................................................................42 – 43, 167
Item 16D Exemptions From The Listing Standards For Audit Committees ......................................................................................................n/a
Item 16E
Purchases Of Equity Securities By The Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers ...........................................................................30 – 32, 167
Item 16F
Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant ...................................................................................................................................n/a
Item 16G
Corporate Governance .................................................................................................................................................................29 – 35
Item 16H Mine Safety Disclosures .....................................................................................................................................................................n/a
Item 17
Item 18
Item 19
Financial Statements .................................................................................................................................. 78, 79, 84 – 143, 170 – 174
Financial Statements .................................................................................................................................. 78, 79, 84 – 143, 170 – 174
Exhibits …………………………………..…………………………… ...............Please refer to the Exhibit list located immediately following
the signature page for this document as filed with the SEC.
158
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
EMPLOYEES
The average number of employees for the last three years is provided in note 4A on page 94. The average number of employees during 2016
included 9,297 seasonal workers. We believe our relationship with our employees and any labour unions of which they may be part is satisfactory
in all material respects.
GLOBAL EMPLOYEE SHARE PLANS (SHARES)
In November 2014, Unilever’s new global employee plan ‘SHARES’ was launched in 17 countries. SHARES gives eligible Unilever employees
below senior management level the opportunity to invest between €25 and €200 per month from their net salary in Unilever shares. For every
three shares our employees buy (Investment Shares), Unilever will give them one free Matching Share, which will vest if employees hold their
Investment Shares for at least three years. The Matching Shares are not subject to any performance conditions. In 2015, SHARES was rolled out
globally and is now offered in more than 100 countries. Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in SHARES. As of 21 February 2017,
awards for 182,558 NV and 130,942 PLC shares were outstanding under SHARES.
NORTH AMERICAN SHARE PLANS
Unilever also maintains share plans for its North American employees that are governed by an umbrella plan referred to as the Unilever North
America Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan. These plans are the North American equivalents of the GSIP, MCIP and SHARES plans. The rules
governing these share plans are materially the same as the rules governing the GSIP, MCIP and SHARES plans, respectively. However, the plans
contain non-competition and non-solicitation covenants and they are subject to US and Canadian employment and tax laws. The plans are
administered by the North America Compensation Committee of Unilever United States Inc. and they are governed by New York law.
The foregoing description of the Unilever North America Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the Unilever North America Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan, including all amendments thereto, filed as Exhibit
99.1 to the Form S-8 (File No. 333-185299) filed with the SEC on 6 December 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Committee is concerned with the remuneration of the Executive and Non-Executive Directors and the tier of management directly below the
Boards. It also has responsibility for the cash and executive and all employee share-based incentive plans, the Remuneration Policy and
performance evaluation of the Unilever Leadership Executive and senior corporate executives.
DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
FAMILY RELATIONSHIP
There are no family relationships between any of our Executive Directors, members of the ULE or Non-Executive Directors.
OTHER ARRANGEMENTS
None of our Non-Executive Directors, Executive Directors or other key management personnel are elected or appointed under any arrangement
or understanding with any major shareholder, customer, supplier or otherwise.
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
159
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US LISTING PURPOSES CONTINUED
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
The voting rights of the significant shareholders of NV and PLC are
the same as for other holders of the class of share held by such
significant shareholder.
The principal trading markets upon which Unilever shares are
listed are Euronext Amsterdam for NV ordinary and 6% and 7%
cumulative preference shares and the depositary receipts of these
NV ordinary and 7% cumulative preference shares, and the London
Stock Exchange for PLC ordinary shares. NV ordinary shares
mainly trade in the form of depositary receipts for shares.
In the United States, NV New York Registry Shares and PLC
American Depositary Receipts are traded on the New York Stock
Exchange. Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (Deutsche
Bank) acts for NV and PLC as issuer, transfer agent and, in respect
of the PLC American Depositary Receipts, depositary.
At 21 February 2017 (the latest practicable date for inclusion in this
report), there were 4,647 registered holders of NV New York Registry
Shares and 977 registered holders of PLC American Depositary
Receipts in the United States. We estimate that approximately 11% of
NV’s ordinary shares (including shares underlying NV New York
Registry shares) were held in the United States (approximately 10%
in 2015) and approximately 13% of PLC’s ordinary shares (including
shares underlying PLC American Depositary Receipts) were held in
the United States (approximately 13% in 2015).
NV and PLC are separate companies with separate stock exchange
listings and different shareholders. Shareholders cannot convert or
exchange the shares of one for shares of the other and the relative
share prices on the various markets can, and do, fluctuate. Each NV
ordinary share represents the same underlying economic interest in
the Unilever Group as each PLC ordinary share (save for exchange
rate fluctuations).
If you are a shareholder of NV, you have an interest in a Dutch
legal entity, your dividends will be paid in euros (converted into
US dollars if you have shares registered in the United States)
and you may be subject to tax in the Netherlands. If you are a
shareholder of PLC, your interest is in a UK legal entity, your
dividends will be paid in sterling (converted into US dollars if you
have American Depositary Receipts) and you may be subject to
UK tax. Nevertheless, the Equalisation Agreement means that as
a shareholder of either company you effectively have an interest in
the whole of Unilever. On a going concern basis, you have largely
equal rights over our combined net profit and capital reserves as
shown in the consolidated accounts.
To Unilever’s knowledge, the Unilever Group is not owned or
controlled, directly or indirectly, by another corporation, any foreign
government or by any other legal or natural person, severally or
jointly. The Group is not aware of any arrangements the operation
of which may at any subsequent date result in a change of control
of Unilever.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Transactions with related parties are conducted in accordance with
agreed transfer pricing policies and include sales to joint ventures
and associates. Other than those disclosed in Note 23 to the
consolidated financial statements (and incorporated herein as
above), there were no related party transactions that were material
to the Group or to the related parties concerned that are required
to be reported in 2016 up to 21 February 2017 (the latest
practicable date for inclusion in this report).
THE OFFER AND LISTING
SHARE PRICES AT 31 DECEMBER 2016
The share prices of the ordinary shares at the end of the year were as follows:
NV per €0.16 ordinary share in Amsterdam
NV per €0.16 ordinary share in New York
PLC per 31/9p ordinary share in London
PLC per 31/9p ordinary share in New York
€39.12
US$41.06
£32.93
US$40.70
160
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
MONTHLY HIGH AND LOW PRICES FOR THE MOST RECENT SIX MONTHS
August
2016
September
2016
October
2016
November
2016
December
2016
January
2017
NV per €0.16 ordinary share in Amsterdam
(in €)
NV per €0.16 ordinary share in New York
(in US$)
PLC per 31/9p ordinary share in London
(in £)
PLC per 31/9p ordinary share in New York
(in US$)
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
41.89
40.58
46.84
44.93
36.42
34.78
47.34
45.86
42.94
40.23
47.88
44.94
36.63
35.05
48.63
46.02
(a) Through 21 February 2017 (the latest practicable date for inclusion in this report).
QUARTERLY HIGH AND LOW PRICES FOR 2016 AND 2015
NV per €0.16 ordinary share in Amsterdam (in €)
NV per €0.16 ordinary share in New York (in US$)
PLC per 31/9p ordinary share in London (in £)
PLC per 31/9p ordinary share in New York (in US$)
NV per €0.16 ordinary share in Amsterdam (in €)
NV per €0.16 ordinary share in New York (in US$)
PLC per 31/9p ordinary share in London (in £)
PLC per 31/9p ordinary share in New York (in US$)
ANNUAL HIGH AND LOW PRICES
NV per €0.16 ordinary share in Amsterdam (in €)
NV per €0.16 ordinary share in New York (in US $)
PLC per 31/9p ordinary share in London (in £)
PLC per 31/9p ordinary share in New York (in US $)
There have not been any significant suspensions in the past three years.
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
41.79
38.18
46.43
41.67
37.64
34.18
47.75
41.67
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
2016
42.94
36.39
47.88
38.66
37.64
27.63
48.63
38.78
38.30
36.39
42.19
38.66
34.44
31.07
42.15
38.78
39.28
36.80
41.06
39.12
32.93
30.92
40.79
39.14
39.37
37.40
42.32
40.27
34.03
31.91
42.58
40.51
February
2017
44.80(a)
37.49(a)
48.79(a)
40.56(a)
37.97(a)
32.04(a)
48.53(a)
41.11(a)
1st
Quarter
2016
2nd
Quarter
2016
3rd
Quarter
2016
4th
Quarter
2016
40.89
36.69
45.52
40.27
31.90
27.63
45.77
40.09
41.91
38.15
47.05
42.87
35.79
30.42
47.91
43.62
42.94
40.23
47.88
44.93
36.79
34.78
48.63
45.86
41.79
36.39
46.43
38.66
37.64
30.92
47.75
38.78
1st
Quarter
2015
2nd
Quarter
2015
3rd
Quarter
2015
4th
Quarter
2015
40.52
31.55
43.94
37.64
29.52
25.73
44.67
39.03
2015
42.48
31.55
46.51
37.64
30.15
25.24
46.07
39.03
41.88
36.86
44.98
41.40
30.15
27.30
45.08
41.83
2014
33.49
27.16
44.31
36.72
27.29
23.06
45.85
37.85
42.32
33.87
46.51
38.43
29.66
25.24
46.07
39.08
2013
32.89
27.50
42.78
37.27
28.85
23.19
43.54
37.67
42.48
35.82
46.04
40.25
29.60
26.82
45.72
40.84
2012
29.50
24.56
38.75
30.79
24.29
19.94
39.37
31.04
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
161
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US LISTING PURPOSES CONTINUED
DIVIDEND RECORD
The following tables show the dividends declared and dividends paid by NV and PLC for the last five years, expressed in terms of the revised
share denominations which became effective from 22 May 2006. Differences between the amounts ultimately received by US holders of NV and
PLC shares are the result of changes in exchange rates between the equalisation of the dividends and the date of payment.
Following agreement at the 2009 Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and separate meetings of ordinary shareholders, the Equalisation Agreement was
modified to facilitate the payment of quarterly dividends from 2010 onwards.
Dividends declared for the year
NV dividends
Dividend per €0.16
Dividend per €0.16 (US Registry)
PLC dividends
Dividend per 31/9p
Dividend per 31/9p (US Registry)
Dividends paid during the year
NV dividends
Dividend per €0.16
Dividend per €0.16 (US Registry)
PLC dividends
Dividend per 31/9p
Dividend per 31/9p (US Registry)
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
€1.28
US$1.42
€1.21
US$1.32
€1.14
US$1.47
€1.08
US$1.44
€0.97
US$1.25
£1.09
US$1.42
£0.88
US$1.32
£0.90
US$1.47
£0.91
US$1.44
£0.79
US$1.25
€1.26
US$1.40
€1.19
US$1.32
€1.12
US$1.51
€1.05
US$1.40
€0.95
US$1.23
£1.04
US$1.40
£0.87
US$1.32
£0.91
US$1.51
£0.89
US$1.40
£0.77
US$1.23
EXCHANGE RATES
Unilever reports its financial results and balance sheet position in euros. Other currencies which may significantly impact our financial
statements are sterling and US dollars. Average and year-end exchange rates for these two currencies for the last five years are given below.
Year end
€1 = US$
€1 = £
Average
€1 = US$
€1 = £
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
1.049
0.857
1.111
0.815
1.092
0.736
1.111
0.725
1.215
0.781
1.334
0.807
1.378
0.833
1.325
0.849
1.318
0.816
1.283
0.811
On 21 February 2017 (the latest practicable date for inclusion in this report), the exchange rates between euros and US dollars and between euros and
sterling as published in the Financial Times in London were as follows: €1 = US$1.063 and €1 = £0.855.
Noon Buying Rates in New York for cable transfers in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York were as follows:
Year end
€1 = US$
Average
€1 = US$
High
€1 = US$
Low
€1 = US$
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
1.055
1.086
1.210
1.378
1.319
1.103
1.110
1.330
1.328
1.286
1.152
1.202
1.393
1.382
1.346
1.038
1.052
1.210
1.277
1.206
On 17 February 2017 (the latest available data for inclusion in this report), the Noon buying rate was €1 = US$1.061.
High and low exchange rate values for each of the last six months:
High
€1 = US $
Low
€1 = US $
August
2016
September
2016
October
2016
November
2016
December
2016
January
2017
February
2017(a)
1.133
1.127
1.121
1.112
1.076
1.079
1.080
1.108
1.116
1.087
1.056
1.038
1.042
1.058
(a) Through 17 February 2017 (the latest available data for inclusion in this report).
162
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
The descriptions of the foundation agreements set forth in the Unilever
Annual Report and Accounts 2016 do not purport to be complete and
are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Equalisation
Agreement between Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC, the Deed of
Mutual Covenants and the Agreement for Mutual Guarantees of
Borrowing, including all amendments thereto, filed as Exhibits 4.1(a),
4.1(b) and 4.1(c), respectively, to this report, which are incorporated
herein by reference.
EXCHANGE CONTROLS
Under the Dutch External Financial Relations Act of 25 March 1994,
the Minister of Finance is authorised to issue regulations relating to
financial transactions concerning the movement of capital to or from
other countries with respect to direct investments, establishment,
the performing of financial services, the admission of negotiable
instruments or goods with respect to which regulations have been
issued under the Import and Export Act in the interest of the
international legal system or an arrangement relevant thereto.
These regulations may contain a prohibition to perform any of the
actions indicated in those regulations without a licence. To date, no
regulations of this type, have been issued which are applicable to NV.
Other than certain economic sanctions which may be in place from
time to time, there are currently no UK laws, decrees or regulations
restricting the import or export of capital or affecting the remittance
of dividends or other payments to holders of the company’s shares
who are non-residents of the UK. Similarly, other than certain
economic sanctions which may be in force from time to time, there
are no limitations relating only to non-residents of the UK under
English law or the company’s Articles of Association on the right to
be a holder of, and to vote in respect of, the company’s shares.
UNILEVER ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 20-F 2016
Filed with the SEC on the SEC’s website. Printed copies are available,
free of charge, upon request to Unilever PLC, Investor Relations
department, 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DY
United Kingdom.
DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY IN THE UNITED STATES
Unilever files and furnishes reports and information with the United
States SEC. Such reports and information can be inspected and copied
at the SEC’s public reference facilities in Washington DC, Chicago and
New York. Certain of our reports and other information that we file or
furnish to the SEC are also available to the public over the internet on
the SEC’s website
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
NV’s Articles of Association contain, among other things, the objects
clause, which sets out the scope of activities that NV is authorised to
undertake. They are drafted to give a wide scope and provide that the
primary objectives are: to carry on business as a holding company, to
manage any companies in which it has an interest and to operate and
carry into effect the Equalisation Agreement. At the 2010 PLC AGM, the
shareholders agreed that the objects clause be removed from PLC’s
Articles of Association so that there are no restrictions on its objects.
DIRECTORS’ BORROWING POWERS
The borrowing powers of NV Directors on behalf of NV are not limited by
NV’s Articles of Association. PLC Directors have the power to borrow on
behalf of PLC up to three times the PLC proportion of the adjusted
capital and reserves of the Unilever Group, as defined in PLC’s Articles
of Association, without the approval of shareholders (by way of an
ordinary resolution).
ALLOCATION OF PROFITS
Under NV’s Articles of Association, available profits are distributed first
to 7% and 6% cumulative preference shareholders by a dividend of 7%
and 6%, respectively, calculated on the basis of the original nominal
value of 1,000 Dutch guilders converted to euros at the official
conversion rate. The remaining profits are distributed to ordinary
shareholders in proportion to the nominal value of their holdings.
Distributable profits of PLC are paid first at the rate of 5% per year on
the paid-up nominal capital of 31/9 p of the ordinary shares, in a further
such dividend and then at the rate of 6% per year on the paid-up nominal
capital of the deferred stock of £100,000. The surplus is paid by way of a
dividend on the ordinary shares.
LAPSE OF DISTRIBUTIONS
The right to cash and the proceeds of share distributions by NV lapses
five and 20 years, respectively, after the first day the distribution was
obtainable. Unclaimed amounts revert to NV. Any PLC dividend
unclaimed after 12 years from the date of the declaration of the
dividend reverts to PLC.
REDEMPTION PROVISIONS AND CAPITAL CALL
Under Dutch law, NV may only redeem treasury shares (including
shares underlying depositary receipts) or shares whose terms permit
redemption. Outstanding PLC ordinary shares and deferred shares
cannot be redeemed. NV and PLC may make capital calls on money
unpaid on shares and not payable on a fixed date. NV and PLC only
issue fully paid shares.
MODIFICATION OF RIGHTS
Modifications to NV’s or PLC’s Articles of Association must be
approved by a general meeting of shareholders. Any modification that
prejudices the rights of 7% or 6% cumulative preference shareholders
of NV must be approved by three quarters of votes cast (excluding
treasury shares) at a meeting of affected holders.
Modifications that prejudicially affect the rights and privileges of a class
of PLC shareholders require the written consent of three quarters of
the affected holders (excluding treasury shares) or a special resolution
passed at a general meeting of the class at which at least two persons
holding or representing at least one third of the paid-up capital
(excluding treasury shares) must be present. Every shareholder is
entitled to one vote per share held on a poll and may demand a poll
vote. At any adjourned general meeting, present affected class holders
may establish a quorum.
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
163
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US LISTING PURPOSES CONTINUED
TAXATION
TAXATION FOR US PERSONS HOLDING SHARES IN NV
The following notes are provided for guidance. US persons should consult
their local tax advisers, particularly in connection with potential liability to
pay US taxes on disposal, lifetime gift or bequest of their shares. A US
person is a US individual citizen or resident, a corporation organised
under the laws of the United States, or any other legal person subject to
United States Federal Income Tax on its worldwide income.
TAXATION ON DIVIDENDS IN THE NETHERLANDS
As of 1 January 2007, dividends paid by companies in the Netherlands
are in principle subject to dividend withholding tax of 15%. Where a
shareholder is entitled to the benefits of the current Income Tax
Convention (the Convention) concluded on 18 December 1992 between
the United States and the Netherlands, when dividends are paid by NV to:
a corporation organised under the laws of the United States (or any
territory of it) having no permanent establishment in the Netherlands
of which such shares form a part of the business property; or
any other legal person subject to United States Federal Income
Tax with respect to its worldwide income, having no permanent
establishment in the Netherlands of which such shares form a
part of the business property, these dividends qualify for a
reduction of withholding tax on dividends in the Netherlands from
15% to 5%, if the beneficial owner is a company which directly
holds at least 10% of the voting power of NV shares.
Where a United States person has a permanent establishment in the
Netherlands, which has shares in NV forming part of its business
property, dividends it receives on those shares are included in that
establishment’s profit. They are subject to income tax or corporation tax
in the Netherlands, as appropriate, and tax on dividends in the
Netherlands will generally be applied at the full rate of 15% with, as
appropriate, the possibility to claim a credit for that tax on dividends in
the Netherlands against the income tax or corporation tax in the
Netherlands. The net tax suffered may be treated as foreign income tax
eligible for credit against shareholders’ United States income taxes.
The Convention provides, subject to certain conditions, for a complete
exemption from, or refund of, Dutch dividend withholding tax if the
beneficial owner is a qualified ‘Exempt Pension Trust’ as defined in Article
35 of the Convention or a qualified ‘Exempt Organisation’ as defined in
Article 36 of the Convention. It is noted that, subject to certain conditions,
foreign (non-Dutch) tax exempt entities may also be entitled to a full
refund of any Dutch dividend withholding tax suffered based on specific
provisions in the Dividend Tax Act in the Netherlands. This tax refund
opportunity under Dutch domestic tax law already applied to European
Union and European Economic Area entities as of 1 January 2007 and has
been extended as of 1 January 2012 to all foreign tax exempt entities
including, if appropriate, United States tax exempt entities.
Under the Convention, qualifying United States organisations that are
generally exempt from United States taxes and that are constituted and
operated exclusively to administer or provide pension, retirement or
other employee benefits may be exempt at source from withholding tax
on dividends received from a Dutch corporation. A Competent Authority
Agreement between the US and Dutch tax authorities on 6 August 2007,
published in the US as Announcement 2007-75, 2007-2 Cumulative
Bulletin 540, as amended by a Competent Authority Agreement
published in the United States as Announcement 2010-26, 2010-1
Cumulative Bulletin 604, describes the eligibility of these US
organisations for benefits under the Convention and procedures for
claiming these benefits.
Under the Convention, a United States trust, company or organisation
that is operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific,
educational or public purposes is subject to an initial 15% withholding
tax rate. Such an exempt organisation may be entitled to reclaim from
tax authorities in the Netherlands a refund of the Dutch dividend tax, if
and to the extent that it is exempt from United States Federal Income
Tax and it would be exempt from tax in the Netherlands if it were
organised and carried on all its activities there.
If you are an NV
shareholder resident in any country other than the United States or the
Netherlands, any exemption from, or reduction or refund of, dividend
withholding tax in the Netherlands may be governed by specific
provisions in Dutch tax law, the ‘Tax Regulation for the Kingdom of the
Netherlands’, or by the tax convention or any other agreement for the
avoidance of double taxation, if any, between the Netherlands and your
country of residence.
UNITED STATES TAXATION ON DIVIDENDS
If you are a United States person, the dividend (including the withheld
amount) up to the amount of NV earnings and profits for United
States Federal Income Tax purposes will be ordinary dividend income.
Dividends received by an individual will be taxed at a maximum rate of
15% or 20%, depending on the income level of the individual, provided
the individual has held the shares for more than 60 days during the
121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date, that NV
is a qualified foreign corporation and that certain other conditions are
satisfied. NV is a qualified foreign corporation for this purpose. In
addition, an additional tax of 3.8% will apply to dividends and other
investment income received by individuals with incomes exceeding
certain thresholds. The dividends are not eligible for the dividends
received deduction allowed to corporations.
For US foreign tax credit purposes, the dividend is foreign source
income, and withholding tax in the Netherlands is a foreign income tax
that is eligible for credit against the shareholder’s United States income
taxes. However, the rules governing the US foreign tax credit are
complex, and additional limitations on the credit apply to individuals
receiving dividends eligible for the maximum tax rate on dividends
described above.
Any portion of the dividend that exceeds NV’s United States earnings
and profits is subject to different rules. This portion is a tax-free return
of capital to the extent of your basis in NV’s shares, and thereafter is
treated as a gain on a disposition of the shares.
Under a provision of the Dividend Tax Act in the Netherlands and
provided certain conditions are satisfied, NV is entitled to a credit
(up to a maximum of 3% of the gross dividend from which dividend
tax is withheld) against the amount of dividend tax withheld before
remittance to tax authorities in the Netherlands. The United States
tax authority may take the position that withholding tax in the
Netherlands eligible for credit should be limited accordingly.
DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR US INDIVIDUAL HOLDERS
US individuals that hold certain specified foreign financial assets,
including stock in a foreign corporation, with values in excess of
certain thresholds are required to file Form 8938 with their United
States Federal Income Tax return. Such Form requires disclosure of
information concerning such foreign assets, including the value of
the assets. Failure to file the form when required is subject to
penalties. An exemption from reporting applies to foreign assets
held through a US financial institution, generally including a non-US
branch or subsidiary of a US institution and a US branch of a non-US
institution. Investors are encouraged to consult with their own tax
advisers regarding the possible application of this disclosure
requirement to their investment in the shares.
164
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
TAXATION ON CAPITAL GAINS IN THE NETHERLANDS
Under the Convention, if you are a United States person and you have
capital gains on the sale of shares of a Dutch company, these are
generally not subject to taxation by the Netherlands. An exception to
this rule generally applies if you have a permanent establishment in
the Netherlands and the capital gain is derived from the sale of shares
which form part of that permanent establishment’s business property.
SUCCESSION DUTY AND GIFT TAXES IN THE NETHERLANDS
Under the Estate and Inheritance Tax Convention between the United
States and the Netherlands of 15 July 1969, individual US persons who
are not Dutch citizens who have shares will generally not be subject to
succession duty in the Netherlands on the individual’s death, unless
the shares are part of the business property of a permanent
establishment situated in the Netherlands.
A gift of shares of a Dutch company by a person who is not a resident
or a deemed resident of the Netherlands is generally not subject to
gift tax in the Netherlands. A non-resident Netherlands citizen,
however, is still treated as a resident of the Netherlands for gift tax
purposes for ten years and any other non-resident person for one
year after leaving the Netherlands.
TAXATION FOR US PERSONS HOLDING SHARES OR
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES IN PLC
The following notes are provided for guidance. US persons should
consult their local tax advisers, particularly in connection with
potential liability to pay US taxes on disposal, lifetime gift or bequest
of their shares or American Depositary Shares (ADSs). A US person is
a US individual citizen or resident, a corporation organised under the
laws of the United States, or any other legal person subject to United
States Federal Income Tax on its worldwide income.
UNITED KINGDOM TAXATION ON DIVIDENDS
Under United Kingdom law, income tax is not withheld from dividends
paid by United Kingdom companies. Shareholders, whether resident in
the United Kingdom or not, receive the full amount of the dividend
actually declared.
UNITED STATES TAXATION ON DIVIDENDS
If you are a US person, the dividend up to the amount of PLC’s
earnings and profits for United States Federal Income Tax purposes
will be ordinary dividend income. Dividends received by an individual
will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15% or 20%, depending on the
income level of the individual, provided the individual has held the
shares or ADSs for more than 60 days during the 121-day period
beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date, that PLC is a qualified
foreign corporation and certain other conditions are satisfied. PLC is
a qualified foreign corporation for this purpose. In addition, an
additional tax of 3.8% will apply to dividends and other investment
income received by individuals with incomes exceeding certain
thresholds. The dividend is not eligible for the dividends received
deduction allowable to corporations. The dividend is foreign source
income for US foreign tax credit purposes.
Any portion of the dividend that exceeds PLC’s United States earnings
and profits is subject to different rules. This portion is a tax-free return
of capital to the extent of your basis in PLC’s shares or ADSs, and
thereafter is treated as a gain on a disposition of the shares or ADSs.
DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR US INDIVIDUAL HOLDERS
US individuals that hold certain specified foreign financial assets,
including stock in a foreign corporation, with values in excess of
certain thresholds are required to file Form 8938 with their United
States Federal Income Tax return. Such Form requires disclosure of
information concerning such foreign assets, including the value of the
assets. Failure to file the form when required is subject to penalties.
An exemption from reporting applies to foreign assets held through a
US financial institution, generally including a non-US branch or
subsidiary of a US institution and a US branch of a non-US institution.
Investors are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisers
regarding the possible application of this disclosure requirement to
their investment in the shares or ADSs.
UK TAXATION ON CAPITAL GAINS
Under United Kingdom law, when you dispose of shares you may be
liable to pay United Kingdom tax in respect of any gain accruing on
the disposal. However, if you are either:
an individual who is not resident in the United Kingdom for the
year in question; or
a company which is not resident in the United Kingdom when the
gain accrues
you will generally not be liable to United Kingdom tax on any capital
gains made on disposal of your shares.
Two exceptions are: if the shares are held in connection with a trade or
business which is conducted in the United Kingdom through a branch,
agency or permanent establishment; or if the shares are held by an
individual who becomes resident in the UK having left the UK for a
period of non-residence of five years or less and who was resident for
at least four of the seven tax years prior to leaving the UK.
UK INHERITANCE TAX
Under the current estate and gift tax convention between the
United States and the United Kingdom, ordinary shares held by an
individual shareholder who is:
domiciled for the purposes of the convention in the United States;
and
is not for the purposes of the convention a national of the
United Kingdom
will generally not be subject to United Kingdom inheritance tax:
on the individual’s death; or
on a gift of the shares during the individual’s lifetime.
Where ordinary shares are held on trust, they will generally not be
subject to United Kingdom inheritance tax where the settlor at the
time of the settlement:
was domiciled for the purposes of the convention in the
United States; and
was not for the purposes of the convention a national of the
United Kingdom.
An exception is if the shares are part of the business property of a
permanent establishment of the shareholder in the United Kingdom or,
in the case of a shareholder who performs independent personal
services, pertain to a fixed base situated in the United Kingdom.
Where ordinary shares are subject to United Kingdom inheritance tax
and United States federal gift or federal estate tax, the amount of the tax
paid in one jurisdiction can generally be credited against the tax due in
the other jurisdiction.
Where a United Kingdom inheritance tax liability is prima facie not
payable by virtue of the convention, that tax can become payable if any
applicable federal gift or federal estate tax on the shares in the United
States is not paid.
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
165
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US LISTING PURPOSES CONTINUED
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN
EQUITY SECURITIES
Deutsche Bank serves as both the transfer agent and registrar pursuant
to the NV New York Registered Share Program and the depositary
(Depositary) for PLC’s American Depositary Receipt Program.
TRANSFER AGENT FEES AND CHARGES FOR NV
Although Items 12.D.3 and 12.D.4 are not applicable to Unilever N.V.
the following fees, charges and transfer agent payments are listed, as
any fee arrangement with Deutsche Bank will cover both programs.
Under the terms of the Transfer Agent Agreement for the Unilever N.V.
New York Registered Share program, a New York Registry Share
(NYRS) holder may have to pay the following service fees to the
transfer agent:
Cancellation of NYRSs: up to US 5¢ per NYRS cancelled.
Issuance of NYRSs: up to US 5¢ per NYRS issued.
An NYRS holder will also be responsible to pay certain fees and
expenses incurred by the transfer agent and certain taxes and
governmental charges such as:
fees for the transfer and registration of shares charged by the
registrar and transfer agent for the shares in the Netherlands
(ie upon deposit and withdrawal of shares);
expenses incurred for converting foreign currency into US dollars;
expenses for cable, telex and fax transmissions and for delivery
of securities;
taxes and duties upon the transfer of securities (ie when shares are
deposited or withdrawn from deposit); and
fees and expenses incurred in connection with the delivery or
servicing of shares on deposit.
Transfer agent fees payable upon the issuance and cancellation
of NYRSs are typically paid to the transfer agent by the brokers
(on behalf of their clients) receiving the newly-issued NYRSs from
the transfer agent and by the brokers (on behalf of their clients)
delivering the NYRSs to the transfer agent for cancellation.
The brokers in turn charge these transaction fees to their clients.
Note that the fees and charges an investor may be required to pay may
vary over time and may be changed by us and by the transfer agent.
Notice of any changes will be given to investors.
DEPOSITARY FEES AND CHARGES FOR PLC
Under the terms of the Deposit Agreement for the Unilever PLC
American Depositary Shares (ADSs), an ADS holder may have to pay
the following service fees to the depositary bank:
Cancellation of ADSs: up to US 5¢ per ADS cancelled.
Processing of dividend and other cash distributions not made
Issuance of ADSs: up to US 5¢ per ADS issued.
pursuant to a cancellation or withdrawal: up to US 5¢ per ADS held.
An ADS holder will also be responsible for paying certain fees and
expenses incurred by the depositary bank and certain taxes and
governmental charges such as:
fees for the transfer and registration of shares charged by the
registrar and transfer agent for the shares in the United Kingdom
(ie upon deposit and withdrawal of shares);
expenses incurred for converting foreign currency into US dollars;
expenses for cable, telex and fax transmissions and for delivery
of securities;
taxes and duties upon the transfer of securities (ie when shares
are deposited or withdrawn from deposit);
fees and expenses incurred in connection with the delivery or
servicing of shares on deposit; and
fees incurred in connection with the distribution of dividends.
Depositary fees payable upon the issuance and cancellation of ADSs
are typically paid to the depositary bank by the brokers (on behalf of
their clients) receiving the newly-issued ADSs from the depositary
bank and by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) delivering the ADSs
to the depositary bank for cancellation. The brokers in turn charge
these transaction fees to their clients.
Note that the fees and charges an investor may be required to pay may
vary over time and may be changed by us and by the depositary bank.
Notice of any changes will be given to investors.
TRANSFER AGENT PAYMENTS – FISCAL YEAR 2016 FOR NV
In relation to 2016, NV received $1,225,000.00 from Deutsche Bank,
the transfer agent and registrar for its New York Registered Share
program since 1 July 2014, including the reimbursement of listing
fees (NYSE), reimbursement of settlement infrastructure fees
(including DTC feeds), reimbursement of proxy process expenses
(printing, postage and distribution), tax reclaim services and
program-related expenses (that include expenses incurred from
the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).
DEPOSITARY PAYMENTS – FISCAL YEAR 2016 FOR PLC
In relation to 2016, PLC received $4,061,680.12 from Deutsche Bank,
the depositary bank for its American Depositary Receipt Program since
1 July 2014, including processing of cash distributions, reimbursement
of listing fees (NYSE), reimbursement of settlement infrastructure fees
(including DTC feeds), reimbursement of proxy process expenses
(printing, postage and distribution), dividend fees and program-related
expenses (that include expenses incurred from the requirements of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).
DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
DEFAULTS
There has been no material default in the payment of principal,
interest, a sinking or purchase fund instalment or any other material
default relating to indebtedness of the Group.
DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
There have been no arrears in payment of dividends on, and material
delinquency with respect to, any class of preferred stock of any
significant subsidiary of the Group.
166
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
SHARE PURCHASES DURING 2016
Please also refer to ‘Our shares’ section on pages 30 to 32.
January
February(a)
March
April
May(a)
June(a)
July
August
September
October
November
December
Total
Total number of
shares purchased
-
13,434
Average price
paid per share (€)
-
38.82
Of which, number of
shares purchased
as part of publicly
announced plans
-
-
€ million
Maximum value that
may yet be purchased
as part of publicly
announced plans
-
-
-
-
3,076,000
3,081,750
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
40.22
40.45
-
-
-
-
-
-
6,171,184
40.33
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(a)Shares were purchased to satisfy commitments to deliver shares under our share-based plans as described in note 4C ‘Share-based compensation plans’ on
pages 99 and 100.
Between 31 December 2016 and 21 February 2017 (the latest practicable date for inclusion in this report) neither NV or PLC conducted any
share repurchases.
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
In accordance with the requirements of Section 404 of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the following report is provided by management in respect of
the Group’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in rule 13a–15(f) or rule 15d–15(f) under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934):
Unilever’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Group;
Unilever’s management has used the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) framework (2013) to evaluate
the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Management believes that the COSO framework (2013) is a suitable framework for
its evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting because it is free from bias, permits reasonably consistent qualitative and quantitative
measurements of internal controls, is sufficiently complete so that those relevant factors that would alter a conclusion about the effectiveness of
internal controls are not omitted and is relevant to an evaluation of internal control over financial reporting;
Management has assessed the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2016, and has concluded that such
internal control over financial reporting is effective; and
KPMG LLP and KPMG Accountants N.V., who have audited the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended
31 December 2016, have also audited the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as at 31 December 2016 and have
issued an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Audit fees(a)
Audit-related fees(b)
Tax fees
All other fees
€ million
2016
€ million
2015
€ million
2014
14
–(c)
–(c)
–(c)
14
–(c)
–(c)
–(c)
14
–(c)
–(c)
–(c)
(a) Amount payable to KPMG in respect of services supplied to associated pension schemes was less than €1 million individually and in aggregate (2015: less than
€1 million individually and in aggregate; 2014: less than €1 million individually and in aggregate).
(b)Includes other audit services which comprise audit and similar work that regulations or agreements with third parties require the auditors to undertake.
(c) Amounts paid in relation to each type of service are individually less than €1 million. In aggregate the fees paid were €1 million (2015: €1 million, 2014: less than
€1 million).
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
167
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US LISTING PURPOSES CONTINUED
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The schedules below provide the Group’s selected financial data for the five most recent financial years.
Consolidated income statement
Turnover
Operating profit
Net finance costs
Share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates and other
income/(loss) from non-current investments
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Net profit
Attributable to:
Non-controlling interests
Shareholders’ equity
Combined earnings per share(a)
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
2016
52,713
2015
53,272
2014
48,436
2013
49,797
2012
51,324
7,801
7,515
7,980
7,517
6,977
(563)
(493)
(477)
(530)
(535)
231
198
143
127
91
7,469
(1,922)
7,220
(1,961)
7,646
(2,131)
7,114
(1,851)
6,533
(1,697)
5,547
5,259
5,515
5,263
4,836
363
5,184
350
4,909
344
5,171
421
4,842
468
4,368
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
2016
1.83
1.82
2015
1.73
1.72
2014
1.82
1.79
2013
1.71
1.66
2012
1.54
1.50
(a) For the basis of the calculations of combined earnings per share see Note 7 ‘Combined earnings per share’ on page 103.
Consolidated balance sheet
Non-current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ equity
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity
Consolidated cash flow statement
Net cash flow from operating activities
Net cash flow from/(used in) investing activities
Net cash flow from/(used in) financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Effect of foreign exchange rates
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
Key performance indicators
Underlying sales growth (%)(b)
Underlying volume growth (%)(b)
Core operating margin (%)(b)
Free cash flow (€ million)(b)
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
2016
42,545
13,884
56,429
20,556
18,893
39,449
16,354
626
16,980
56,429
2015
39,612
12,686
52,298
20,019
16,197
36,216
15,439
643
16,082
52,298
2014
35,680
12,347
48,027
19,642
14,122
33,764
13,651
612
14,263
48,027
2013
33,391
12,122
45,513
17,382
13,316
30,698
14,344
471
14,815
45,513
2012
34,042
12,147
46,189
15,815
14,425
30,240
15,392
557
15,949
46,189
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
2016
7,047
(3,188)
(3,073)
786
2,128
284
3,198
2016
3.7
0.9
15.3
4,802
2015
7,330
(3,539)
(3,032)
759
1,910
(541)
2,128
2015
4.1
2.1
14.8
4,796
2014
5,543
(341)
(5,190)
12
2,044
(146)
1,910
2014
2.9
1.0
14.5
3,100
2013
6,294
(1,161)
(5,390)
(257)
2,217
84
2,044
2013
4.3
2.5
14.1
3,856
2012
6,836
(755)
(6,622)
(541)
2,978
(220)
2,217
2012
6.9
3.4
13.7
4,333
(b)Non–GAAP measures are defined and described on pages 26 to 28. Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to relevant GAAP measures are also detailed on pages
26 to 28.
168
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
Ratios and other metrics
Operating margin (%)
Net profit margin (%)(c)
Net debt (€ million)(b)
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (times)(d)
2016
14.8
9.8
12,614
10.8
2015
14.1
9.2
11,505
11.4
2014
16.5
10.7
9,900
12.3
2013
15.1
9.7
8,456
11.7
2012
13.6
8.5
7,355
10.2
(b)Non–GAAP measures are defined and described on pages 26 to 28. Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to relevant GAAP measures are also detailed on pages
26 to 28.
(c) Net profit margin is expressed as net profit attributable to shareholders’ equity as a percentage of turnover.
(d)In the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of net profit from continuing operations excluding net profit or loss of joint ventures and associates
increased by fixed charges, income taxes and dividends received from joint ventures and associates. Fixed charges consist of interest payable on debt and a portion
of lease costs determined to be representative of interest. This ratio takes no account of interest receivable although Unilever’s treasury operations involve both
borrowing and depositing funds.
Underlying sales growth (%)
Turnover growth (%)
Effect of acquisitions (%)
Effect of disposals (%)
Effect of exchange rates (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
Underlying volume growth (%)
Underlying volume growth (%)
Effect of price changes (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
2016
vs 2015
(1.0)
0.8
(0.2)
(5.1)
3.7
2016
vs 2015
0.9
2.8
3.7
2015
vs 2014
10.0
0.7
(0.8)
5.9
4.1
2015
vs 2014
2.1
1.9
4.1
2014
vs 2013
(2.7)
0.4
(1.3)
(4.6)
2.9
2014
vs 2013
1.0
1.9
2.9
2013
vs 2012
(3.0)
–
(1.1)
(5.9)
4.3
2013
vs 2012
2.5
1.8
4.3
2012
vs 2011
10.5
1.8
(0.7)
2.2
6.9
2012
vs 2011
3.4
3.3
6.9
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
Core operating margin and core operating profit
2016
2015
Operating profit
Acquisition and disposal-related cost
(Gain)/loss on disposal of group companies
Impairments and other one-off items
Core operating profit
Turnover
Operating margin (%)
Core operating margin (%)
7,801
132
95
18
8,046
52,713
14.8
15.3
7,515
105
9
236
7,865
53,272
14.1
14.8
2014
7,980
97
(1,392)
335
7,020
48,436
16.5
14.5
2013
7,517
112
(733)
120
7,016
49,797
15.1
14.1
2012
6,977
190
(117)
-
7,050
51,324
13.6
13.7
Net profit to free cash flow (FCF)
Net profit
Taxation
Share of net profit of joint ventures/associates and other income
from non-current investments
Net finance costs
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
Changes in working capital
Pensions and similar obligations less payments
Provisions less payments
Elimination of (profits)/losses on disposals
Non-cash charge for share-based compensation
Other adjustments
Cash flow from operating activities
Income tax paid
Net capital expenditure
Net interest and preference dividends paid
Free cash flow
Net cash flow (used in)/from investing activities
Net cash flow (used in)/from financing activities
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
2016
5,547
1,922
(231)
563
1,464
51
(327)
65
127
198
(81)
9,298
(2,251)
(1,878)
(367)
4,802
(3,188)
(3,073)
2015
5,259
1,961
(198)
493
1,370
720
(385)
(94)
26
150
49
9,351
(2,021)
(2,074)
(460)
4,796
(3,539)
(3,032)
2014
5,515
2,131
(143)
477
1,432
8
(364)
32
(1,460)
188
38
7,854
(2,311)
(2,045)
(398)
3,100
(341)
(5,190)
2013
5,263
1,851
(127)
530
1,151
200
(383)
126
(725)
228
(15)
8,099
(1,805)
(2,027)
(411)
3,856
(1,161)
(5,390)
2012
4,836
1,697
(91)
535
1,199
822
(369)
(43)
(236)
153
13
8,516
(1,680)
(2,143)
(360)
4,333
(755)
(6,622)
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
169
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US LISTING PURPOSES CONTINUED
Total financial liabilities to net debt
Total financial liabilities
Current financial liabilities
Non-current financial liabilities
Cash and cash equivalents as per balance sheet
Cash and cash equivalents as per cash flow statement
Add bank overdrafts deducted therein
Other current financial assets
Net debt
GUARANTOR STATEMENTS (AUDITED)
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
€ million
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
(16,595)
(14,643)
(12,722)
(11,501)
(10,221)
(5,450)
(11,145)
3,382
3,198
184
599
(4,789)
(9,854)
2,302
2,128
174
836
(5,536)
(7,186)
2,151
1,910
241
671
(4,010)
(7,491)
2,285
2,044
241
760
(2,656)
(7,565)
2,465
2,217
248
401
(12,614)
(11,505)
(9,900)
(8,456)
(7,355)
On 30 September 2014, Unilever N.V. and Unilever Capital Corporation (UCC) filed a US Shelf registration, which is unconditionally and fully
guaranteed, jointly and severally, by Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC and Unilever United States, Inc. (UNUS) and that superseded the NV and UCC US
Shelf registration filed on 1 November 2011, which was unconditionally and fully guaranteed, jointly and severally, by NV, PLC and UNUS. UCC
and UNUS are each indirectly 100% owned by the Unilever parent entities (as defined below). Of the US Shelf registration, US$6.3 billion of Notes
were outstanding at 31 December 2016 (2015: US$5.6 billion; 2014: US$5.0 billion) with coupons ranging from 0.85% to 5.9%. These Notes are
repayable between 2 August 2017 and 15 November 2032.
Provided below are the income statements, cash flow statements and balance sheets of each of the companies discussed above, together with
the income statement, cash flow statement and balance sheet of non-guarantor subsidiaries. These have been prepared under the historical cost
convention and, aside from the basis of accounting for investments at net asset value (equity accounting), comply in all material respects with
International Financial Reporting Standards. The financial information in respect of NV, PLC and UNUS has been prepared with all subsidiaries
accounted for on an equity basis. Information on NV and PLC is shown collectively as Unilever parent entities. The financial information in respect
of the non-guarantor subsidiaries has been prepared on a consolidated basis.
Income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2016
Turnover
Operating profit
Net finance income/(costs)
Pensions and similar obligations
Other income/(losses)
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Net profit before subsidiaries
Equity earnings of subsidiaries
Net profit
Attributable to:
Non-controlling interests
Shareholders’ equity
Total comprehensive income
€ million
Unilever
Capital
Corporation
subsidiary
issuer
€ million
Unilever(a)
parent
entities
€ million
Unilever
United
States Inc.
subsidiary
guarantor
Non-
guarantor
subsidiaries
Eliminations
€ million
€ million
€ million
-
-
1
-
-
1
-
1
-
1
-
1
1
-
269
(110)
(3)
-
156
(114)
42
5,142
5,184
-
5,184
5,170
-
52,713
(5)
(331)
(27)
-
(363)
-
(363)
804
441
-
441
468
7,537
(29)
(64)
231
7,675
(1,808)
5,867
(4,559)
1,308
363
945
517
Unilever
Group
52,713
7,801
(469)
(94)
231
7,469
(1,922)
5,547
-
5,547
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1,387)
(1,387)
-
(1,387)
363
5,184
(1,387)
4,769
(a)The term ‘Unilever parent entities’ includes Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC. Though Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC are separate legal entities, with different
shareholder constituencies and separate stock exchange listings, they operate as nearly as practicable as a single economic entity. Debt securities issued by
entities in the Unilever Group are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by both Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC.
170
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
Income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2015
Turnover
Operating profit
Net finance income/(costs)
Pensions and similar obligations
Other income/(losses)
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Net profit before subsidiaries
Equity earnings of subsidiaries
Net profit
Attributable to:
Non-controlling interests
Shareholders’ equity
Total comprehensive income
Income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2014
Turnover
Operating profit
Net finance costs
Pensions and similar obligations
Other income
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Net profit before subsidiaries
Equity earnings of subsidiaries
Net profit
Attributable to:
Non-controlling interests
Shareholders’ equity
Total comprehensive income
€ million
Unilever
Capital
Corporation
subsidiary
issuer
€ million
Unilever(a)
parent
entities
€ million
Unilever
United
States Inc.
subsidiary
guarantor
-
990
(103)
(3)
439
1,323
(461)
862
4,047
4,909
-
4,909
4,922
-
(5)
(327)
(29)
-
(361)
(87)
(448)
690
242
-
242
332
€ million
Unilever(a)
parent
entities
€ million
Unilever
United
States Inc.
subsidiary
guarantor
€ million
€ million
€ million
Non-
guarantor
subsidiaries
53,272
6,530
58
(89)
(241)
6,258
(1,413)
4,845
(9,408)
(4,563)
350
(4,913)
(4,162)
Eliminations
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,671
4,671
-
4,671
4,671
Unilever
Group
53,272
7,515
(372)
(121)
198
7,220
(1,961)
5,259
-
5,259
350
4,909
5,762
€ million
€ million
€ million
Non-
guarantor
subsidiaries
Eliminations
-
363
(97)
(4)
-
262
(93)
169
5,002
5,171
-
5,171
5,165
-
(6)
(258)
(26)
-
(290)
(562)
(852)
1,713
861
-
861
754
48,436
7,623
(28)
(64)
143
7,674
(1,476)
6,198
(5,269)
929
344
585
(317)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1,446)
(1,446)
-
(1,446)
(1,446)
Unilever
Group
48,436
7,980
(383)
(94)
143
7,646
(2,131)
5,515
-
5,515
344
5,171
4,155
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1)
€ million
Unilever
Capital
Corporation
subsidiary
issuer
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1)
(a) The term ‘Unilever parent entities’ includes Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC. Though Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC are separate legal entities, with different
shareholder constituencies and separate stock exchange listings, they operate as nearly as practicable as a single economic entity. Debt securities issued by
entities in the Unilever Group are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by both Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC.
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
171
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US LISTING PURPOSES CONTINUED
€ million
Unilever
Capital
Corporation
subsidiary
issuer
€ million
Unilever(a)
parent
entities
€ million
Unilever
United
States Inc.
subsidiary
guarantor
€ million
€ million
€ million
Non-
guarantor
subsidiaries
Eliminations
Unilever
Group
2,202
86
70
4,569
39,676
46,603
-
-
2
-
20,052
20,054
25,231
1,268
13,686
-
-
-
-
-
(19,500)
(59,728)
27,433
1,354
13,758
-
-
40,185
(79,228)
42,545
2,539
5,293
Balance sheet at 31 December 2016
Assets
Non-current assets
Goodwill and intangible assets
Deferred tax assets
Other non-current assets
Amounts due from group companies
Net assets of subsidiaries (equity accounted)
Current assets
Amounts due from group companies
Trade and other current receivables
Current tax assets
Other current assets
Total assets
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Financial liabilities
Amounts due to group companies
Trade payables and other current liabilities
Current tax liabilities
Other current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities
Amounts due to group companies
Pensions and post-retirement healthcare liabilities:
Funded schemes in deficit
Unfunded schemes
Other non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ equity
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity
-
-
-
14,931
-
14,931
14
-
-
-
14
14,945
2,415
6,682
63
-
-
70
90
6
2,705
49,308
1,700
26,514
193
-
4
9,160
28,411
5,437
4,577
-
-
-
-
5,437
14,597
348
-
348
14,945
-
7
96
-
4,680
33,091
16,217
-
16,217
49,308
4
-
-
5,297
25,351
1
15
18
21
-
55
-
14,925
101
513
46
15,585
15,640
9,711
-
9,711
25,351
33,211
5,028
227
8,459
46,925
87,110
1,334
7,846
13,597
823
387
(41,057)
-
-
-
(41,057)
(120,285)
-
5,102
317
8,465
13,884
56,429
-
5,450
(41,057)
-
-
-
-
13,871
844
391
23,987
(41,057)
20,556
1,131
4,575
2,055
1,095
3,835
12,691
36,678
49,806
626
50,432
87,110
-
11,145
(19,500)
-
-
-
-
(19,500)
(60,557)
2,163
1,704
3,881
18,893
39,449
(59,728)
16,354
-
(59,728)
(120,285)
626
16,980
56,429
(a) The term ‘Unilever parent entities’ includes Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC. Though Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC are separate legal entities, with different
shareholder constituencies and separate stock exchange listings, they operate as nearly as practicable as a single economic entity. Debt securities issued by
entities in the Unilever Group are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by both Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC.
172
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
Balance sheet at 31 December 2015
Assets
Non-current assets
Goodwill and intangible assets
Deferred tax assets
Other non-current assets
Amounts due from group companies
Net assets of subsidiaries (equity accounted)
Current assets
Amounts due from group companies
Trade and other current receivables
Current tax assets
Other current assets
Total assets
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Financial liabilities
Amounts due to group companies
Trade payables and other current liabilities
Current tax liabilities
Other current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities
Amounts due to group companies
Pensions and post-retirement healthcare liabilities:
Funded schemes in deficit
Unfunded schemes
Other non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ equity
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity
€ million
Unilever
Capital
Corporation
subsidiary
issuer
€ million
Unilever(a)
parent
entities
€ million
Unilever
United
States Inc.
subsidiary
guarantor
€ million
€ million
€ million
Non-
guarantor
subsidiaries
Eliminations
Unilever
Group
2,429
160
8
2,763
39,770
45,130
-
90
3
-
18,952
19,045
2,917
4,290
-
-
-
12,961
-
12,961
86
-
-
-
86
13,047
1,990
6,077
57
-
-
69
92
4
3,082
48,212
1,551
27,351
170
-
5
8,124
29,077
4,589
3,723
-
-
-
-
4,589
12,713
334
-
334
13,047
-
9
97
22
3,851
32,928
15,284
-
15,284
48,212
22,630
935
13,357
-
-
36,922
33,450
4,730
138
7,647
45,965
82,887
1,244
7,293
13,523
1,117
310
23,487
1,542
2,764
1,468
1,045
3,065
9,884
33,371
48,873
643
49,516
82,887
-
-
-
(15,724)
(58,722)
(74,446)
(40,743)
-
-
-
(40,743)
(115,189)
-
(40,743)
-
-
-
25,059
1,185
13,368
-
-
39,612
-
4,804
230
7,652
12,686
52,298
4,789
-
13,788
1,127
315
(40,743)
20,019
-
(15,724)
-
-
-
(15,724)
(56,467)
9,854
-
1,569
1,685
3,089
16,197
36,216
(58,722)
15,439
-
(58,722)
(115,189)
643
16,082
52,298
5
-
1
4,296
23,341
4
22
38
10
-
74
-
12,960
92
543
2
13,597
13,671
9,670
-
9,670
23,341
(a) The term ‘Unilever parent entities’ includes Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC. Though Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC are separate legal entities, with different
shareholder constituencies and separate stock exchange listings, they operate as nearly as practicable as a single economic entity. Debt securities issued by entities in
the Unilever Group are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by both Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC.
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
173
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US LISTING PURPOSES CONTINUED
Cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 December 2016
€ million
Unilever
Capital
Corporation
subsidiary
issuer
€ million
Unilever(a)
parent
entities
€ million
Unilever
United
States Inc.
subsidiary
guarantor
€ million
€ million
€ million
Non-
guarantor
subsidiaries
Eliminations
Unilever
Group
Net cash flow from/(used in) operating activities
-
45
(177)
7,179
-
7,047
Net cash flow from/(used in)investing activities
(1,053)
(679)
(783)
(1,712)
1,039
(3,188)
Net cash flow from/(used in) financing activities
1,048
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Effect of foreign exchange rates
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
(5)
-
5
-
621
(13)
3
15
5
959
(4,662)
(1,039)
(3,073)
(1)
(1)
-
(2)
805
2,126
264
3,195
-
-
-
-
786
2,128
284
3,198
Cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 December 2015
€ million
Unilever
Capital
Corporation
subsidiary
issuer
€ million
Unilever(a)
parent
entities
€ million
Unilever
United
States Inc.
subsidiary
guarantor
€ million
€ million
€ million
Non-
guarantor
subsidiaries
Eliminations
Unilever
Group
Net cash flow from/(used in) operating activities
(1)
(699)
(140)
8,170
-
7,330
Net cash flow from/(used in) investing activities
Net cash flow from/(used in) financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Effect of foreign exchange rates
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
(1,005)
1,000
(6)
-
6
-
231
558
90
5
(91)
4
(729)
(2,955)
919
(3,539)
871
(4,542)
(919)
(3,032)
2
(3)
-
(1)
673
1,908
(456)
2,125
-
-
-
-
759
1,910
(541)
2,128
Cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 December 2014
€ million
Unilever
Capital
Corporation
subsidiary
issuer
€ million
Unilever(a)
parent
entities
€ million
Unilever
United
States Inc.
subsidiary
guarantor
€ million
€ million
€ million
Non-
guarantor
subsidiaries
Eliminations
Unilever
Group
Net cash flow from/(used in) operating activities
-
579
(764)
5,728
-
5,543
Net cash flow from/(used in) investing activities
(1,038)
(2,284)
(662)
2,606
1,037
(341)
Net cash flow from/(used in) financing activities
1,033
1,676
1,426
(8,288)
(1,037)
(5,190)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Effect of foreign exchange rates
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
(5)
-
5
-
(29)
3
31
5
-
(2)
-
(2)
46
2,043
(182)
1,907
-
-
-
-
12
2,044
(146)
1,910
(a) The term ‘Unilever parent entities’ includes Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC. Though Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC are separate legal entities, with different
shareholder constituencies and separate stock exchange listings, they operate as nearly as practicable as a single economic entity. Debt securities issued
by entities in the Unilever Group are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by both Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC.
174
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
AND PROSPECTS
FINANCIAL REVIEW 2015
GROUP RESULTS AND EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following discussion summarises the results of the Group during the
years 2015 and 2014. The figures quoted are in euros, at current rates of
exchange, being the average rates applying in each period as applicable,
unless otherwise stated. Information about exchange rates between the
euro, pound sterling and US dollar is given on page 162.
In 2015 and 2014, no disposals qualified to be disclosed as discontinued
operations for purposes of reporting.
Turnover (€ million)
Operating profit (€ million)
Core operating profit (€ million)
Profit before tax (€ million)
Net profit (€ million)
Diluted earnings per share (€)
Core earnings per share (€)
2015
2014 % change
53,272
48,436
7,515
7,865
7,220
5,259
1.72
1.82
7,980
7,020
7,646
5,515
1.79
1.61
10
(6)
12
(6)
(5)
(4)
14
Turnover grew by 10% to €53.3 billion helped by a positive currency
impact of 5.9% (2014: negative 4.6%) with a strong boost in the first
half of the year due to a weaker euro. Underlying sales growth was
4.1% (2014: 2.9%) balanced between volume growth of 2.1% (2014:
1.0%) and pricing of 1.9% (2014: 1.9%). Acquisitions and disposals
had a negative impact of 0.1% (2014: negative 0.9%). Emerging
markets contributed 58% of total turnover (2014: 57%) with
underlying sales growth of 7.1% (2014: 5.7%) of which 2.7% was
volume growth. Currency devaluation continued to push up the cost
of living for consumers in many of the emerging markets. Our
performance in developed markets was flat with good volume growth
in Europe being offset by price deflation.
Core operating margin was up 0.3 percentage points to 14.8%. Gross
margin was up 0.8 percentage points to 42.2% driven by margin-
accretive innovation, pricing and continued delivery from our savings
programmes, which more than offset currency-related cost increases
and higher costs on brand and marketing investment. Commodity
costs increased by about 4%. While the price of many commodities,
such as oil, in US dollars fell during 2015, commodity costs in local
currencies increased as devaluing currencies imported inflation into
local raw material production. Overheads increased by 0.3 percentage
points reflecting an adverse currency translation impact and
favourable one-off items in 2014, such as property sales in India.
Operating profit was down 6% at €7.5 billion compared with €8.0
billion in 2014. This includes a charge of €350 million for non-core
items (2014: credit of €960 million including a €1,392 million gain
from business disposals).
The net cost of financing borrowings was €372 million compared
with €383 million in 2014. The average interest rate on net debt
improved to 3.0% (2014: 3.5%) largely as a result of higher returns
on investments. Pensions financing was a charge of €121 million
compared with €94 million in 2014.
The effective tax rate was 27.6% versus 28.2% in 2014 which included
€0.8 billion tax relating to business disposals.
Net profit from joint ventures and associates together with other
income from non-current investments was €198 million compared
with €143 million in 2014. This reflects increased profit on disposal
of associates and higher income from joint ventures. At €1.72,
diluted EPS was down 4% as 2014 included the profit on business
disposals. Core EPS increased by 14% to €1.82, including a
favourable currency impact of 3%.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON 2015 EXPENSES AND
OPERATING PROFIT
Core operating profit increased by €0.8 billion compared to 2014,
driven by an improvement across most categories, with an increase
in Personal Care of €0.5 billion, Home Care by €0.2 billion, and
Refreshment by €0.1 billion. Foods core operating profit was in line
with 2014. Operating profit decreased by €0.5 billion as prior year
contained the impact of profit on disposal of the Ragu & Bertolli
brands and related assets.
Cost of raw and packing material and goods purchased for resale
(material costs) increased by €1.7 billion, driven primarily by
exchange rate depreciation of €1.1 billion; at constant exchange
rates it was up by €0.6 billion. At constant exchange rates, gross
total input costs (including material costs, distribution and supply
chain indirects) increase of €1.5 billion was more than offset by
favourable price changes of €0.9 billion, and material costs savings
of €0.9 billion during the year, resulting in gross margin
improvement of 0.5 percentage points to 41.9%.
Staff costs increased by €0.5 billion reflecting the impact of
employee wage increases for the year. Our brand marketing
investment increased by €0.8 billion (increase of 0.2 percentage
points to 15.0%) as we stepped up investment behind our brands.
The impact of input costs and investment in our brands is discussed
further in our segmental disclosures, which also provide additional
details of the impact of brands, products and sub categories on driving
top-line growth.
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
175
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US LISTING PURPOSES CONTINUED
PERSONAL CARE
FOODS
Turnover (€ million)
Operating profit (€ million)
Core operating profit (€ million)
Core operating margin (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
Underlying volume growth (%)
Effect of price changes (%)
2015
2014 % change
20,074
17,739
3,637
3,788
18.9
4.1
2.3
1.8
3,259
3,325
18.7
3.5
1.2
2.3
13.2
11.6
13.9
0.2
Turnover (€ million)
Operating profit (€ million)
Core operating profit (€ million)
Core operating margin (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
Underlying volume growth (%)
Effect of price changes (%)
%
Change
4.5
(36.3)
2.1
(0.4)
2015
2014
12,919
12,361
2,298
2,354
18.2
1.5
0.8
0.8
3,607
2,305
18.6
(0.6)
(1.1)
0.6
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Turnover growth was 13.2% of which 7.6% was currency impact.
Underlying sales growth, while still below historical rates, improved
to 4.1% compared with 3.5% in 2014. Growth benefited from
innovations that boosted the core of our business including the
launch of dry spray deodorants in North America, the launch of Lux
Luminique in Japan and the roll-out of Dove Advanced Hair Series.
2015 also marked our entry into the prestige skin care business with
the acquisitions of Dermalogica, Murad, Kate Somerville and REN.
Core operating profit was €463 million higher than 2014 and this
included a €196 million favourable impact from exchange rate
movement. Acquisitions and disposal activities contributed €105
million while underlying sales growth and margin improvement
added €137 million and €25 million respectively. Operating margin
improvement was principally driven by margin-accretive innovation.
Gross margin was up 0.5 percentage points and brand and
marketing investment was up 13%.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Turnover growth was 4.5% which included a 5.6% positive currency
impact and 2.5% negative impact from acquisitions and disposal
activities. Underlying sales growth improved to 1.5% (from negative
0.6% in 2014) with both price and volume contributing 0.8%. Savoury
showed good volume-driven growth led by cooking products in
emerging markets and by innovations around naturalness and
health. In dressings, Hellmann’s demonstrated good growth, with
7% underlying sales growth despite increased competition from new
market entrants. Spreads gained market share but turnover
declined 5%, reflecting market competition in developed markets.
Core operating profit was up by €49 million despite a profit
reduction of €82 million relating to acquisitions and disposal
activities. Underlying sales growth added €35 million and the impact
of exchange rate movements was a favourable €151 million. In
addition, higher supply chain costs led to decline in margins and this
reduced profit by €55 million. Brand and marketing investment was
up 5%.
HOME CARE
REFRESHMENT
Turnover (€ million)
Operating profit (€ million)
Core operating profit (€ million)
Core operating margin (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
Underlying volume growth (%)
Effect of price changes (%)
%
Change
10.9
28.5
33.9
1.3
2015
10,159
2014
9,164
740
775
7.6
5.9
4.0
1.9
576
579
6.3
5.8
2.4
3.4
Turnover (€ million)
Operating profit (€ million)
Core operating profit (€ million)
Core operating margin (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
Underlying volume growth (%)
Effect of price changes (%)
%
Change
10.3
56.1
16.9
0.6
2015
10,120
2014
9,172
840
948
9.4
5.4
1.5
3.9
538
811
8.8
3.8
2.0
1.8
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Home Care turnover grew by 10.9% including a 4.5% favourable
currency impact. Underlying sales growth was 5.9%, heavily geared
toward volume growth which contributed 4.0%. The category delivered
broad-based growth including the roll-out of new Omo with enhanced
formulation and improved cleaning technology, the success of fabric
conditioners helped by the launch of Comfort Intense, and the
introduction of Cif to new markets.
Core operating profit increased by €196 million including a €22 million
increase from exchange rate movement. Underlying sales growth
contributed €41 million while improved margin added €133 million.
Gross margin was up 2.7 percentage points as a result of improved
mix, cost savings and simplification programmes. Brand and
marketing investment was up 19%.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Refreshment turnover grew by 10.3% including 4.1% favourable
currency impact. In ice cream both Magnum and Ben & Jerry’s
delivered double-digit growth contributing to the 5.4% underlying
sales growth. We continued to build our presence in the premium
gelato business with the acquisitions of Talenti and Grom. In tea more
T2 stores opened in 2015 and Lipton and PG Tips were extended
further into fruit, herbal and speciality teas.
Core operating profit was €137 million higher compared with prior
year due to exchange rate movements which added €31 million,
underlying sales growth which contributed €47 million, operating
margin improvement of €53 million and a €6 million increase from
acquisitions and disposal activities. Gross margin was up 0.3
percentage points driven by mix and savings in ice cream.
Brand and marketing investment was up 8%.
176
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
FINANCE AND LIQUIDITY
We concentrate cash in the parent and central finance companies for
maximum flexibility. These companies provide loans to our
subsidiaries that are also funded through retained earnings and third
party borrowings. We maintain access to global debt markets through
an infrastructure of short and long-term debt programmes. We make
use of plain vanilla derivatives, such as interest rate swaps and foreign
exchange contracts, to help mitigate risks.
At 31 December 2015 approximately €1.8 billion (or 79%) of the Group’s
cash and cash equivalents were held in foreign subsidiaries which
repatriate distributable reserves on a regular basis. For most countries
this is done through dividends free of tax. In a few countries we face
cross-border foreign exchange controls and/or other legal restrictions
that inhibit our ability to make these balances available in any means
for general use by the wider business. The amount of cash held in these
countries at 31 December 2015 was €284 million (2014: €452 million).
The cash is generally invested or held in the relevant country and, given
the other capital resources available to the Group, does not significantly
affect the ability of the Group to meet its cash obligations.
We closely monitor all our exposures and counterparty limits.
Unilever has committed credit facilities in place for general corporate
purposes. The undrawn bilateral committed credit facilities in place on
31 December were US$6,550 million.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
UNDERLYING SALES GROWTH (USG)
The reconciliation of USG to changes in the GAAP measure turnover is
as follows:
REFRESHMENT
Underlying sales growth (%)
Effect of acquisitions (%)
Effect of disposals (%)
Effect of exchange rates (%)
Turnover growth (%)(a)
2015
vs 2014
2014
vs 2013
5.4
1.3
(0.7)
4.1
10.3
3.8
0.4
(1.6)
(4.6)
(2.1)
(a) Turnover growth is made up of distinct individual growth components,
namely underlying sales, currency impact, acquisitions and disposals.
Turnover growth is arrived at by multiplying these individual components
on a compounded basis as there is a currency impact on each of the other
components. Accordingly, turnover growth is more than just the sum of the
individual components.
UNDERLYING VOLUME GROWTH (UVG)
The relationship between UVG and USG is set out below:
Underlying volume growth (%)
Effect of price changes (%)
Underlying sales growth (%)
FREE CASH FLOW (FCF)
The reconciliation of FCF to net profit is as follows:
Net profit
Taxation
Share of net profit of joint ventures/associates
2015
vs 2014
2014
vs 2013
2.1
1.9
4.1
1.0
1.9
2.9
€ million
2015
€ million
2014
5,259
1,961
5,515
2,131
and other income from non current investments
(198)
(143)
TOTAL GROUP
Underlying sales growth (%)
Effect of acquisitions (%)
Effect of disposals (%)
Effect of exchange rates (%)
Turnover growth (%)(a)
PERSONAL CARE
Underlying sales growth (%)
Effect of acquisitions (%)
Effect of disposals (%)
Effect of exchange rates (%)
Turnover growth (%)(a)
FOODS
Underlying sales growth (%)
Effect of acquisitions (%)
Effect of disposals (%)
Effect of exchange rates (%)
Turnover growth (%)(a)
HOME CARE
Underlying sales growth (%)
Effect of acquisitions (%)
Effect of disposals (%)
Effect of exchange rates (%)
Turnover growth (%)(a)
2015
vs 2014
2014
vs 2013
4.1
0.7
(0.8)
5.9
10.0
2.9
0.4
(1.3)
(4.6)
(2.7)
2015
vs 2014
2014
vs 2013
4.1
1.0
-
7.6
13.2
3.5
-
(0.1)
(5.0)
(1.8)
Net finance cost
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
Changes in working capital
Pensions and similar obligations less payments
Provisions less payments
Elimination of (profits)/losses on disposals
Non-cash charge for share-based compensation
Other adjustments
Cash flow from operating activities
Income tax paid
Net capital expenditure
Net interest and preference dividends paid
Free cash flow
493
1,370
720
(385)
(94)
26
150
49
477
1,432
8
(364)
32
(1,460)
188
38
9,351
7,854
(2,021)
(2,074)
(460)
4,796
(3,539)
(3,032)
(2,311)
(2,045)
(398)
3,100
(341)
(5,190)
2015
vs 2014
2014
vs 2013
Net cash flow (used in)/from investing activities
Net cash flow (used in)/from financing activities
1.5
-
(2.5)
5.6
4.5
(0.6)
-
(3.6)
(3.9)
(7.9)
2015
vs 2014
2014
vs 2013
5.9
0.2
(0.1)
4.5
10.9
5.8
1.8
-
(4.8)
2.4
CORE OPERATING PROFIT AND CORE OPERATING MARGIN
The reconciliation of core operating profit to operating profit is as follows:
Operating profit
Acquisition and disposal-related costs
(Gain)/loss on disposal of group companies
Impairments and other one-off items
Core operating profit
Turnover
Operating margin
Core operating margin
€ million
2015
€ million
2014
7,515
105
9
236
7,865
7,980
97
(1,392)
335
7,020
53,272
48,436
14.1%
14.8%
16.5%
14.5%
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
177
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR US LISTING PURPOSES CONTINUED
NET DEBT
The reconciliation of net debt to the GAAP measure total financial
liabilities is as follows:
Total financial liabilities
Current financial liabilities
Non-current financial liabilities
Cash and cash equivalents as per balance sheet
Cash and cash equivalents as per cash flow
statement
Bank overdrafts deducted therein
Current financial assets
Net debt
€ million
2015
€ million
2014
(14,643)
(12,722)
(4,789)
(9,854)
2,302
2,128
174
836
(5,536)
(7,186)
2,151
1,910
241
671
(11,505)
(9,900)
2014 ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS
On 17 January 2014 the Group sold its Royal pasta brand in the
Philippines to RFM Corporation, for US$48 million.
On 7 March 2014 the Group acquired a 55% equity stake in the
Qinyuan Group, a leading Chinese water purification business for an
undisclosed amount.
On 1 April 2014 the Group completed the sale of its meat snacks
business, including the Bifi and Peperami brands, to Jack Link’s for
an undisclosed amount.
On 30 June 2014 the Group sold its global Ragú and Bertolli pasta
sauce business to Mizkan Group for a total cash consideration of
approximately US$2.15 billion.
On 10 July 2014 the Group sold its Slim.Fast brand to Kainos Capital
for an undisclosed amount. Unilever retains a minority stake in
the business.
On 2 December 2014 the Group acquired Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto for
an undisclosed amount.
The Group’s capital expenditure is mainly on purchase of property,
plant and equipment as well as acquisition of group companies.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK
The key financial instruments used by Unilever are short-term and
long-term borrowings, cash and cash equivalents, and certain plain
vanilla derivative instruments, principally comprising interest rate
swaps and foreign exchange contracts. Treasury processes are
governed by standards approved by the Unilever Leadership Executive.
Unilever manages a variety of market risks, including the effects of
changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates, commodity costs
and liquidity.
OUTLOOK
Our priorities for 2017 continue to be volume growth ahead of our
markets, a further increase in core operating margin and strong cash
flow. The tough market conditions which made the end of the year
particularly challenging are likely to continue in the first half of 2017.
Against this background, we expect a slow start with growth improving
as the year progresses.
OTHER INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
RAW MATERIALS
Our products use a wide variety of raw and packaging materials which we
source internationally and which may be subject to price volatility, either
directly or as a result of movements in foreign exchange rates. In 2016 we
saw market inflation at low levels relative to recent years, although price
rises accelerated through the year, especially in crude oil and some soft
commodities, notably butter and other dairy products. Foreign exchange
volatility exacerbated this inflation, especially in Latin America, parts of
Africa and the Middle East and Brexit in the UK.
Looking ahead to 2017 we remain watchful for continued turbulence in
foreign exchange markets and for steadily increasing rates of inflation in
key commodities, particularly crude oil where the exceptionally low prices
seen in early 2016 mean that year-on-year increases for 2017 as a whole
are likely to be significant.
SEASONALITY
Certain of our businesses, such as ice cream, are subject to significant
seasonal fluctuations in sales. However, Unilever operates globally in many
different markets and product categories, and no individual element of
seasonality is likely to be material to the results of the Group as a whole.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
We have a large portfolio of patents and trademarks, and we conduct
some of our operations under licences that are based on patents or
trademarks owned or controlled by others. We are not dependent on
any one patent or group of patents. We use all appropriate efforts to
protect our brands and technology.
COMPETITION
As a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company, we are
competing with a diverse set of competitors. Some of these operate
on an international scale like ourselves, while others have a more
regional or local focus. Our business model centres on building
brands which consumers know, trust, like and buy in conscious
preference to competitors’. Our brands command loyalty and affinity
and deliver superior performance.
INFORMATION PRESENTED
Unless otherwise stated, share refers to value share. The market data
and competitive set classifications are taken from independent industry
sources in the markets in which Unilever operates.
IRAN-RELATED REQUIRED DISCLOSURE
Unilever operates in Iran through a non-US subsidiary. In 2016, sales in
Iran were significantly less than one percent of Unilever’s worldwide
turnover. During the year, Unilever did not have any gross revenues or net
profits derived from transactions with the Government of Iran or affiliated
entities. We advertised our products on television networks that are owned
by the Government of Iran or affiliated entities. Income, payroll and other
taxes, duties and fees (including for utilities) were payable to the
Government of Iran and affiliated entities in connection with our operations.
Our non-US subsidiary maintains bank accounts in Iran with various banks
to facilitate our business in the country and make any required payments
to the Government of Iran and affiliated entities. Our activities in Iran
comply in all material respects with applicable laws and regulations,
including US and other international trade sanctions, and we plan to
continue these activities.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
We have interests in properties in most of the countries where there are
Unilever operations. However, none are material in the context of the
Group as a whole. The properties are used predominantly to house
production and distribution activities and as offices. There is a mixture of
leased and owned property throughout the Group. We are not aware of any
environmental issues affecting the properties which would have a material
impact upon the Group, and there are no material encumbrances on our
properties. Any difference between the market value of properties held by
the Group and the amount at which they are included in the balance sheet
is not significant. We believe our existing facilities are satisfactory for our
current business and we currently have no plans to construct new facilities
or expand or improve our current facilities in a manner that is material to
the Group.
178
Additional Information for US Listing Purposes
NOTES
Notes
179
NOTES CONTINUED
180
Notes
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
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or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions of future performance or results, and their negatives, are intended to
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they guarantees of future performance.
Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Among other risks and uncertainties, the
material or principal factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are: Unilever’s global brands not meeting consumer
preferences; Unilever’s ability to innovate and remain competitive; Unilever’s investment choices in its portfolio management; inability to
find sustainable solutions to support long-term growth; customer relationships; the recruitment and retention of talented employees;
disruptions in our supply chain; the cost of raw materials and commodities; the production of safe and high quality products; secure and
reliable IT infrastructure; successful execution of acquisitions, divestitures and business transformation projects; economic and political
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Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the Group’s filings with the London Stock
Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the Annual Report on Form 20-F 2016
and the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016.
This document is not prepared in accordance with US GAAP and should not therefore be relied upon by readers as such. The Annual
Report on Form 20-F 2016 is separately filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and is available on our corporate website
www.unilever.com.
In addition, a printed copy of the Annual Report on Form 20-F 2016 is available, free of charge, upon request to Unilever, Investor
Relations Department, 100 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0DY, United Kingdom.
This document comprises regulated information within the meaning of Sections 1:1 and 5:25c of the Act on Financial Supervision
(‘Wet op het financieel toezicht (Wft)’) in the Netherlands.
The brand names shown in this report are trademarks owned by or licensed to companies within the Group.
References in this document to information on websites (and/or social media sites) are included as an aid to their location and such
information is not incorporated in, and does not form part of, the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016 or the Annual Report on Form
20-F 2016 with the exception of the explanations and disclaimers which can be accessed via KPMG’s website:
www.kpmg.com/uk/auditscopeukco2014b, which is incorporated into the Auditors’ Reports in the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2016
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