ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2015 Equipment Rental since 1954 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n In This Report Strategic Report 02 03 04 06 08 09 10 18 20 22 Financial Highlights About Us Group Businesses Celebrating 60 Years Our Business Model and Strategy Chairman’s Statement Business Review Financial Review Risk Management Corporate and Social Responsibility Governance 26 27 31 33 46 49 50 The Board Governance Audit Committee Report Remuneration Report Directors’ Report Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities Independent Auditors’ Report Financial Statements 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 Consolidated Income Statement Statements of Comprehensive Income Statements of Changes in Equity Consolidated Balance Sheet Parent Company Balance Sheet Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Parent Company Statement of Cash Flows Notes Shareholder Information 87 88 Five Year Summary Directors and Advisors Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 01 Financial Highlights GROUP REVENUE £205.6m +12.3% 205.6 183.1 161.5 167.0 138.1 BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE (PRE AMORTISATION) 54.5p +29.7% 35.5 30.8 26.1 54.5 42.0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 PROFIT BEFORE TAX AND AMORTISATION DIVIDENDS PER SHARE £26.8m +33.4% 26.8 20.1 17.4 16.0 13.8 16.50 16.50p +17.9% 14.00 12.25 11.35 10.80 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 RETURN ON AVERAGE CAPITAL EMPLOYED NET DEBT 16.2% +20.0% 16.2 13.0 12.3 13.3 13.5 £66.8m +25.9% 66.8 53.0 40.5 40.4 45.3 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 02 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com About Us Vp is a specialist rental business. Our objective is to deliver sustainable, quality returns on behalf of our shareholders by providing products and services to a diverse range of end markets including rail, transmission, water, civil engineering, construction, housebuilding and oil and gas. The Group comprises six specialist market leading divisions operating in the UK and overseas. UK AND OVERSEAS TEXT TO BE SUPPLIED TEXT TO BE SUPPLIED TEXT TO BE SUPPLIED TEXT TO BE SUPPLIED TEXT TO BE SUPPLIED S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 03 Group Businesses The Group comprises of the following divisions: Hire Station is a major national provider of small tools, climate, lifting, safety, survey and pressfitting equipment to industry, construction and homeowners throughout the UK. Specialist suppliers of rail infrastructure portable plant and related trackside services to Network Rail, London Underground and their appointed track renewal and project contractors. Groundforce is the market leading rental provider of excavation support, piling, pipe stoppers, air pressure testing, pumps, trenchless technology and temporary bridges. The division operates throughout the UK and Ireland and also in mainland Europe, out of its operational hubs in Germany. 04 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Group Businesses S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n UK Forks has established itself as the UK’s leading specialist hirer of telescopic handlers and associated equipment. We work closely with our customers to identify opportunities to improve safety and productivity on building sites. We have a fleet of over a thousand machines, controlled by a centralised hire desk, promoting efficient fleet management and supporting a range of targeted market sectors. Airpac Bukom Oilfield Services holds a market leading position in the provision of specialist compressed air and steam generation services. The business supports industry segments as diverse as well testing, offshore fabric maintenance, product transfer, cuttings transportation and LNG fabrication in most oil provinces across the globe. Our equipment spreads are mobilised from an unrivalled network of service facilities located in the UK, Singapore, Australia, U.A.E. and Latin America. TPA Portable Roadways is one of Europe’s largest suppliers of temporary access solutions. Operating from bases in the UK and Germany, TPA provides unrivalled equipment rental and installation of portable roadways, walkways and stairways, to customers in the transmission, construction, rail and outdoor events markets. Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 05 Celebrating 60 Years The Company was founded in 1954 and floated on the UK Stock Market in 1973 as Vibroplant plc. In 2000, the Company exited its historically core general plant business to focus on higher return specialist activities. At the same time it changed its name to Vp plc. Since then the Group has developed a wide range of sector leading, specialist rental businesses serving a diverse range of end markets in the UK and increasingly, internationally. 1954 Vibratory Roller & Plant Hire (Northern) Limited founded 1980 Shoring division established 1973 Floated on main market Vibroplant plc 1954 1973 1980 1975 First move into specialist - Airpac 1982 US powered access business established 1996 Tool Hire: Cannon Tool Hire acquired in 1996 1990 1990 Groundforce acquired from SGB 1996 Exit from USA; UK specialist businesses expanded 1997 Rail: Torrent Trackside acquired Turnover 1970: £2m 1980: £14m 1990: £70m 06 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n 2011 Mainland Europe - Groundforce 2006 Acquisition of Bukom Oilfield Services (Airpac Bukom formed) 2013 Acquisition of “Mr Cropper” 2013 2015 2002-2004 Shoring expansion through acquisition of Mechplant, Trenchshore & Eve Shorco 2001 Hire Station formed through merger of five regional tool businesses 2000 UK Forks division created 2001 Renamed Vp plc 2006 2010 Geographical expansion: Global (Airpac Bukom), Eire (Groundforce), Germany (TPA) 2005 TPA and ESS acquired 2014 Vp plc celebrates its 60th Anniversary 2007-2009 Continuing growth in specialist areas via acquisitions of MEP and UMole 2000: £55m 2010: £129m 2015: £206m Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 07 Our Business Model and Strategy Our aim is to generate sustainable value creation for shareholders and other stakeholders through our expertise in asset management, by exceeding customer expectations, maintaining and utilising our financial strength and retaining and attracting the best people. Use our strong balance sheet and positive cash generation to grow through fleet investment and acquisitions Embrace change and look for innovation yet take long term view Buy quality products at competitive prices, maintain our assets through their rental life cycle Create value through specialist equipment rental in niche sectors where we have market leading positions Aim to provide 'value added' services - people, training, design Retaining and attracting the best people and working safely are key to our aims of exceeding customer expectations and enhancing shareholder value Deliver product service reliability and operational excellence: - centralised hire desk - sector leading IT systems Serving diverse markets in the UK and overseas including rail, transmission, water, civil engineering, construction, house building, oil and gas. HOW WE MEASURE SUCCESS (KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS) Objective Specialism and market leading positions Value added services and operational excellence ▲ ▲ Measure PBTA, revenue growth, margins Innovation Asset management financial strength ▲ People and safety ▲ • ROACE • EBITDA gearing • Net debt • Fleet spend • Annualised employee turnover* • Reportable accidents* *shown in CSR report 08 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Chairman’s Statement It gives me great pleasure to report to shareholders on another excellent, indeed record breaking, year for the Group. Our relentless focus on exceeding and redefining customer expectations provides the foundation for these results. We only promise what we can deliver and we deliver what we promise. Chairman: Jeremy Pilkington Profits before tax and amortisation improved by 33% to £26.8 million (2014: £20.1 million) on revenues ahead by 12% at £205.6 million (2014: £183.1 million). This result exceeds, by a considerable margin, our previous best year in 2009 when the Group reported profits of £21.7 million. All of our key financial metrics have improved significantly. Margins increased to 13% (2014: 11%); return on average capital employed improved by 20% to 16.2% (2014: 13.5%) and basic earnings per share pre-amortisation grew 30% to 54.5 pence per share. The quality of the Group’s earnings is demonstrated by our ability to generate strong and improving cash flows. EBITDA increased by over 21% to £53.8 million. Capital investment in hire fleet of £49.3 million (2014: £38.2 million) was deployed to support growing demand and market share gain across a broad range of sectors. Net debt at the year-end was £66.8 million (2014: £53.0 million). In view of this outstanding set of results, the Board is recommending a final dividend of 11.5 pence per share making a total for the year of 16.5 pence per share, an increase of 18%. Subject to shareholders’ approval at our Annual General Meeting on 21 July 2015, it is proposed to pay the final dividend on 7 August 2015 to members registered as of 10 July 2015. We see the next few years as offering great opportunities for the Group assisted by the unambiguous General Election result. We are able and determined to take the fullest possible advantage of these opportunities. As always, on behalf of our shareholders and the Board, it is my great pleasure to thank employees throughout the Group for their loyalty and dedication upon whose efforts these outstanding results rest. S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Jeremy Pilkington Chairman 4 June 2015 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2014 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 09 Business Review Overview Vp plc is a specialist rental business. Our objective is to deliver sustainable, quality returns on behalf of shareholders by providing products and services to a diverse range of end markets including rail, transmission, water, civil engineering, construction, housebuilding and oil and gas. The Group comprises six specialist market leading divisions operating in the UK and overseas. Year ended 31 March 2015 Revenue Operating profit before amortisation Operating margin Investment in rental fleet ROACE £205.6 million £28.8 million 14.0% £49.3 million 16.2% Group Managing Director: Neil Stothard Year ended 31 March 2014 £183.1 million £21.8 million 11.9% £38.2 million 13.5% I am very pleased to report on another year of substantial progress for the Group with revenues improving to £205.6 million, a 12% increase on the prior year. This growth was primarily organic. Operating profits reached a record £28.8 million, a 32% increase on the prior year, with operating margins advancing strongly to 14.0% (2014: 11.9%). We maintain a clear focus on the quality of the returns generated from the assets employed in the business. It is therefore very pleasing to note that we made significant progress in the year as return on average capital employed (ROACE) increased to an excellent 16.2% (2014: 13.5%). Whilst markets have generally been supportive, we have experienced some variance within individual sectors. Housebuilding, construction and elements of infrastructure have generated strong demand in the period. By contrast the oil and gas sector, primarily driven by the oil price fall in the latter half of 2014, and the UK transmission sector have been quieter. The strongly cash generative nature of the Group was once again highlighted by EBITDA, which grew to £53.8 million (2014: £44.3 million). Investment in rental fleet increased to £49.3 million (2014: £38.2 million) as demand for our services increased, particularly in those divisions supporting the general construction and housebuilding markets. As previously reported, the Group acquired the trackside plant and equipment rental business of Balfour Beatty Rail Ltd in July 2014 for a consideration of £5.5 million. Proceeds from fleet disposals continue to be a key element of capital investment considerations and they increased to £12.0 million (2014: £8.6 million) generating profit on disposal of £3.3 million (2014: £2.9 million). The Board’s view of the markets into the new financial year is broadly in line with 2014/15. We anticipate construction and housebuilding will carry on at similar levels, though we expect some recovery in transmission, balanced by a quieter year for the UK water sector as the new AMP6 programme enters its typically low spending first year. Whilst there has been some recovery in the oil price since late 2014, we expect this market to continue to be tough but with opportunity. The results for the year further endorse the Group’s strategy to focus on specialist equipment rental providing valued expertise to our customers across a wide range of end markets, both in the UK and overseas. 10 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Business Review Rough terrain material handling equipment for industry, residential and general construction. Revenue Operating profit before amortisation Investment in rental fleet Year ended 31 March 2015 £18.2 million £4.0 million £11.2 million Year ended 31 March 2014 £16.3 million £2.5 million £7.0 million UK Forks made further substantial progress in the year with profits increasing by 62% to £4.0 million (2014: £2.5 million). Increased demand was experienced from both the general construction and housebuilding sectors and as a result, revenues grew by 12% to £18.2 million (2014: £16.3 million). UK Forks has developed an excellent reputation for quality throughout its customer base and this attribute continues to underpin the business’s position as the UK market leader and supplier of choice in the housebuilding sector. Gains in the construction and infrastructure sectors have further strengthened UK Forks’ position in the telehandler rental market. A healthy level of business growth led to capital investment in rental fleet increasing to £11.2 million (2014: £7.0 million). Successful disposal of retiring fleet remains an element of the business, and net of machine sales, the average fleet numbers increased by 13% during the year. A strong platform has been established through quality revenue gains and robust management of the cost base, which positions UK Forks well for further expansion across all its market sectors. S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 11 Business Review Excavation support systems, specialist piling equipment and trenchless technology for the water, gas, civil engineering and construction industries in the UK and mainland Europe. Revenue Operating profit before amortisation Investment in rental fleet Year ended 31 March 2015 £44.4 million £8.9 million £5.7 million Year ended 31 March 2014 £42.3 million £7.9 million £8.0 million Groundforce reported another excellent result with profits increasing to £8.9 million (2014: £7.9 million) on revenues 5% ahead of prior year at £44.4 million. Within the UK, demand from the Water Industry (AMP5) was maintained throughout the year, as contracts were closed-out prior to the commencement of the next investment programme (AMP6). Housing offered extra opportunity, as new sites were opened and demand also filtered through from the commercial property sector, where groundworks for fresh developments began, particularly in the South East. New depot openings in Aberdeen and East Anglia have widened the distribution network for the UK during the year. Piletec progressed well, completing the integration of Mr Cropper which relocated into enhanced operational locations. U Mole delivered improvement with new products being introduced. The markets in Ireland remain weaker, but the business grew revenues, as it leveraged the two depots opened at the end of last year. The operation in Germany remains relatively small as the business seeks to gain market share. It has however provided the platform to undertake a number of major contracts throughout Europe, including a basement car park in Paris and major harbour work in Bremerhaven. It also acted as the facilitator to a high profile contract in Qatar for an existing European client, which was commenced during Q4. Whilst technically challenging, this project readily illustrated the quality of solutions offered by the Groundforce engineered products. Capital investment on rental equipment was £5.7 million (2014: £8.0 million). We anticipate that trading levels in the coming year will be stable as improved construction demand balances the challenge presented by the slowdown during the transition between AMP cycles in the water sector. However, with Groundforce trading across a broad customer base, in a variety of sectors, it is well placed for further progress. 12 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Business Review Equipment and service providers to the international oil and gas exploration and development markets. Revenue Operating profit before amortisation Investment in rental fleet Year ended 31 March 2015 £21.5 million £2.8 million £5.3 million Year ended 31 March 2014 £20.2 million £2.0 million £5.8 million Airpac Bukom reported improved results with profits increasing to £2.8 million (2014: £2.0 million) on revenues 6% ahead at £21.5 million (2014: £20.2 million). The division’s result was achieved against an increasingly challenging market environment, driven by the deterioration in the price of oil in the latter part of 2014. As a consequence, revenues in the second half softened. The LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) sector continued to offer opportunities in the Asia Pacific region. Services were provided in South East Asia for the testing of the manufactured modules for two major LNG contracts in Australia, APLNG and Ichthys. Manufacture of the former completed during the financial year although our engagement in the project has continued with the testing of the installation phase on Curtis Island in Australia. Progress was also made on the installation phases of the QCLNG and GLNG contracts, also on Curtis Island. Rentals to the well testing market generally suffered in the second half, as the impact of the oil price drop took hold. Airpac Bukom secured a number of long term contracts which have provided some resilience and the division has maintained a presence in some early production projects in the Middle East. However, most geographical regions were affected by reductions in capital investment by the major oil companies. Capital expenditure on equipment was £5.3 million (2014: £5.8 million) as the division continued to update the rental fleet to meet customer demand. There is little doubt that the oil and gas industry is experiencing extremely testing conditions which are likely to remain in the immediate term. Volumes and prices are being affected across most sub-sectors and management has reshaped the business to suit. As a consequence, the year ahead will be challenging, but we remain confident that opportunities will continue to be available, albeit reduced in number. S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 13 Business Review Small tools and specialist equipment for industry and construction. Revenue Operating profit before amortisation Investment in rental fleet Year ended 31 March 2015 £77.0 million £8.7 million £20.1 million Year ended 31 March 2014 £66.2 million £4.8 million £13.4 million Hire Station continued to enjoy increasingly supportive markets throughout the year and this enabled the business to once again deliver record revenues of £77.0 million up 16.0% on the prior year. Profits increased strongly to £8.7 million (2014: £4.8 million). The tools business made further excellent progress delivering double digit revenue growth and a strong increase in profitability. New locations were opened in London to support growing activity in this region and we have relocated a number of provincial depots to larger premises. Our focus on availability, quality and compliance ensures that our customers continue to get a first class service. This philosophy has generated loyalty and a greater share of wallet from our customer base. ESS Safeforce had another record year with growth in all of its key revenue streams. The depots at Port Talbot, Exeter and Dublin, which opened in the previous year, all flourished and delivered profits well ahead of schedule. Our trading branch in Rotterdam got off to a satisfactory start with a number of significant contract wins, which provided the backdrop for accelerated investment in both resource and fleet. The MEP business, which supplies specialist press fitting and electro fusion equipment, also has the largest fleet of low level access machines in Europe. Servicing predominantly the M&E sector, the business has been very busy during the year expanding its footprint with new locations in London, where the greatest demand for product exists, as well as investing in established locations to support new customer wins. During the year, we supplied to projects in Finland and the Netherlands, supporting UK contractors, with further opportunities going forward. A positive construction sector, together with secured opportunities, led to the business increasing investment in the fleet to £20.1 million (2014: £13.4 million). Hire Station continues to have one of the youngest fleets in the market. This investment, together with our efficient workshop procedures, has meant that product availability has given us a competitive advantage as demand has increased. These record results together with significant investment in the branch network give Hire Station a strong platform for further profitable growth in the coming year. 14 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Business Review Rental and installation of portable roadways throughout the UK and mainland Europe. Revenue Operating profit before amortisation Investment in rental fleet Year ended 31 March 2015 £14.6 million £1.0 million £2.3 million Year ended 31 March 2014 £15.8 million £1.8 million £1.0 million TPA experienced a mixed year, as revenues decreased by 8% to £14.6 million, with profits reducing to £1.0 million (2014: £1.8 million). In the UK, demand from the construction and rail markets in particular showed upside, but this could not offset the contract delays and reductions in the transmission sector following the break-up of the Electricity Alliances. This, together with an unseasonally dry winter, served to create a market spike in product availability depressing prices and utilisation. In Europe, the business progressed on two fronts. Firstly, growth from an increased customer base provided greater revenue stability and secondly, the development of a more robust management structure in Germany, which will underpin future growth prospects for the region. Capital expenditure in rental fleet increased to £2.3 million (2014: £1.0 million), including investment in new products specific to targeted markets. The outlook for TPA for the coming year is improved, with an anticipated uplift from the transmission sectors in the UK and further positive development of the European activity. S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 15 Business Review Suppliers of rail infrastructure portable plant and specialist rail services to Network Rail, London Underground and their respective contractor base. Revenue Operating profit before amortisation Investment in rental fleet Year ended 31 March 2015 £29.9 million £3.4 million £4.7 million Year ended 31 March 2014 £22.3 million £2.8 million £3.0 million Torrent Trackside made further good progress in the year with revenues of £29.9 million, up 34% on the prior year, generating profits of £3.4 million (2014: £2.8 million). Torrent experienced a year of high demand with the division busy on track renewals, rail projects and track maintenance activities. In addition, activity was busy on the London Underground infrastructure programme. During the year the UK rail industry embarked on Control Spend Period 5 (CP5), which is now well underway after a slow start in the early months of the year. This is a five year funded plan for the maintenance, enhancement and renewal of track on the UK national rail network. During the course of the year Torrent acquired the plant assets, depots and staff of the track plant and equipment division of Balfour Beatty Rail. The acquisition also enhanced Torrent’s depot network in the South East where there is the greatest density of track, and as a result new locations were secured at Romford, Ashford, Eastleigh and Ruislip. Investment in fleet increased to £4.7 million (2014: £3.0 million) both to refresh the fleet and also in support of new growth opportunities. The rail market continues to be well funded, buoyant and challenging. The industry maintains its focus on delivering improved productivity, efficiency gains and unit price reductions. Torrent’s market leadership places it well to meet those demands whilst continuing to deliver service excellence to both existing and new customers. 16 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Business Review Prospects The year ended 31 March 2015 generated the best ever financial results for Vp plc. Moving into the new financial year, the constituent business units are well positioned to reap the benefits of sustained market demand particularly in general construction, housebuilding and large elements of the infrastructure sector. Oil and gas presents some shorter term challenges, but overall the Group continues to be well positioned in markets which are generally supportive. We expect to actively invest in the infrastructure of the Group in the coming year, recruiting more talent, expanding the branch network and investing strongly in fleet. This will ensure that the Group is fit and ready to deliver further incremental growth. Trading into the new financial year has started well and the Board is confident of making further positive progress for shareholders this year. Neil Stothard Group Managing Director 4 June 2015 S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 17 Financial Review Group revenues increased by 12% to £205.6 million (2014: £183.1 million). Profit before tax and amortisation rose by 33% to £26.8 million (2014: £20.1 million) with PBTA margins increasing to 13% (2014: 11%). The return on average capital employed improved strongly on prior year at 16.2% (2014: 13.5%). Group Finance Director: Allison Bainbridge EARNINGS PER SHARE, DIVIDEND AND SHARES Basic earnings per share before the amortisation of intangibles increased from 41.97 pence to 54.45 pence, an increase of 29.7%. Basic earnings per share after the amortisation of intangibles was 51.03 pence (2014: 39.78 pence). It is proposed to increase the final dividend to 11.5 pence per share. If approved, the full year dividend would be increased by 2.5 pence (18%) to 16.5 pence with a dividend cover of 3.3 times (2014: 3.0 times) based on earnings per share before amortisation. The final dividend will be paid on 7 August 2015 to all shareholders on the register on 10 July 2015. At 31 March 2015, 40.2 million shares were in issue and 1.3 million shares were held by the Employee Trust. The average number of shares in issue during the year was 38.9 million (2014: 39.5 million) after adjusting for shares held by the Employee Trust. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, DISPOSAL AND DEPRECIATION Total capital expenditure was £56.3 million (2014: £41.1 million) of which £49.3 million (2014: £38.2 million) related to equipment for hire. The increased expenditure on rental fleet reflects continued strengthening of customer demand in key market segments. Proceeds from disposals of assets amounted to £12.0 million (2014: £8.6 million) resulting in total net capital expenditure of £44.3 million (2014: £32.5 million). The disposal of hire fleet during the year produced profit of £3.3 million (2014: £2.9 million) reflecting prudent depreciation policies and good asset management. The depreciation charge for the year was £25.0 million (2014: £22.5 million), with £22.4 million (2014: £20.0 million) relating to rental equipment. ACQUISITION In July 2014 the Group acquired the business and assets of the trackside plant and equipment rental business of Balfour Beatty Rail Limited for a consideration of £5.5 million and this has been successfully integrated into Torrent Trackside. The acquisition has been consolidated into these results. CASH FLOWS AND NET DEBT The Group continues to generate strong cash flows. Cash generated from operations totalled £54.5 million (2014: £47.3 million). Accordingly, after funding significant capital expenditure and the acquisition from Balfour Beatty, net debt only increased from £53.0 million at 31 March 2014 to £66.8 million at 31 March 2015. After adjusting for movements in capital creditors, cashflows in respect of capital expenditure were £52.9 million (2014: £39.5 million). The cash cost of acquisitions in the year was £5.4 million (2014: £4.5 million), dividend payments to shareholders totalled £6.0 million (2014: £5.0 million), and cash investment in own shares on behalf of the Employee Benefit Trust during the year was £11.1 million (2014: £8.6 million). Net interest expense for the year totalled £2.0 million (2014: £1.8 million). Interest cover before amortisation was 14.2 times (2014: 12.3 times) and Net Debt/EBITDA was 1.24 (2014: 1.20), both comfortably within our banking covenants of greater than 3 times and lower than 2.5 times respectively. Gearing calculated as net debt divided by total equity was 60% (2014: 49%). BALANCE SHEET Total net assets were £111.8 million (2014: £108.0 million), representing net assets per share of 278 pence (2014: 269 pence). The net book value of property, plant and equipment was £147.8 million (2014: £124.8 million) of which rental equipment represents 89% (2014: 90%). Gross trade debtors were £41.2 million at 31 March 2015 (2014: £37.0 million). Bad debt and credit note provisions totalled £5.0 million (2014: £3.6 million) equivalent to 12.2% (2014: 9.9%) of gross debtors. Debtor days were broadly unchanged at 58 days (2014: 57 days). With no impairments, the Group carried forward £7.5 million (2014: £5.5 million) of intangible assets and £35.9 million (2014: £35.9 million) goodwill at year end. The movement in the year reflects additions of £3.7 million less amortisation of intangibles of £1.7 million. Intangible assets are recognised in relation to trade names, customer lists or relationships and supply agreements. Taking into account current and budgeted financial performance the Board remains satisfied with the carrying value of these assets. 18 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Financial Review CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND TREASURY The Group finances its operations through a combination of shareholders’ funds, bank borrowings and operating leases. The capital structure is monitored using the gearing ratio quoted above. The Group’s funding requirements are largely driven by capital expenditure and acquisition activity. As at 31 March 2015 the Group had £85 million (2014: £65 million) of committed revolving credit facilities comprising: a £35 million three year facility expiring May 2016, a £30 million four and a half year facility expiring in October 2017 and a £20 million facility also expiring in October 2017. On 11 May 2015 the £35 million revolving facility due to expire in May 2016 was replaced with a new 5 year £45 million revolving credit facility expiring in May 2020. The Group therefore now has committed facilities of £95 million, an uncommitted step up facility of £20 million and an overdraft facility of £5 million (2014: £5 million). These facilities are with Lloyds Bank plc and HSBC Bank plc. Borrowings under the Group’s bank facility are priced on the basis of LIBOR plus a margin. The Group has ten interest rate swaps which are held to hedge the risk of exposure to changes in interest rates on the Group’s secured bank loans. These swaps were taken out in four tranches and they all have a life of three years. The first tranche of three swaps, all of which are for £7.5 million of debt, had start dates in September 2012, December 2012 and August 2013. They fix interest rates net of bank margin at between 1.26% and 1.32%. The second tranche of two swaps was taken out in October and November 2013, they are both for £2.5 million of debt and fix interest rates net of bank margin at 0.98%. The third tranche of two swaps was taken out in April 2014, they are both for £1.5 million of debt and fix interest rates net of bank margin at 1.39% and 1.40%. The final tranche was taken out in March 2015 and comprises three swaps: £5.0 million commencing June 2015, £5 million commencing 1 September 2015 and £7.5 million commencing 1 December 2015. This final tranche fix net interest rates at between 1.045% and 1.2%. The Group is exposed to movements in exchange rates for both foreign currency transactions and the translation of net assets and income statements of foreign subsidiaries. The Group regards its interests in overseas subsidiary companies as long term investments and manages its translational exposures through the currency matching of assets and liabilities where possible. The matching is reviewed regularly with appropriate risk mitigation performed, where necessary. The Group has exposure to a number of foreign currencies. During the year the Group had thirteen foreign exchange hedges to reduce the risk of rate fluctuations between US dollars and Sterling in the year ended 31 March 2015. It also has a further twelve foreign exchange hedges between US dollars and Sterling covering the period from 1 April 2015 to 30 June 2016. In addition to the US dollar hedges the Group also had Australian dollar and Singapore dollar hedges in the year and has taken out hedges for the next financial year in Australian dollars and Singapore dollars. TAXATION The overall tax charge on profit before tax was £5.2 million (2014: £3.2 million), an effective rate of 20.8% (2014: 17.1%). The current year tax charge was increased by £36,000 (2014: £127,000 reduction) in respect of adjustments relating to prior years. The underlying tax rate was 20.7% (2014: 17.7%) before prior year adjustments. In the prior year the effective tax rate was reduced by 5.7% (£1.1 million) as a result of a reduction in the deferred tax liability due to the reduction in the future standard tax rate in the UK to 20%. There was no equivalent adjustment in 2014/15. A more detailed reconciliation of factors affecting the tax charge is shown in note 7 to the Financial Statements. SHARE PRICE During the year the Company’s share price increased by 4% from 634.5 pence to 659 pence, compared to a 1% decrease in the FTSE small cap index excluding investment trusts. The Company’s shares ranged in price from 565 pence to 689.5 pence and averaged 626.3 pence during the year. Allison Bainbridge Group Finance Director 4 June 2015 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 19 Risk Management The Board is responsible for determining the level and nature of risks it is appropriate to take in delivering the Group’s objectives, and for creating the Group’s risk management framework. The Board recognises that good risk management aids effective decision making and helps ensure that risks taken on by the Group are adequately assessed and challenged. RISK ASSESSMENT Our approach identifies risks arising in all parts of the Group, using both a top down and a bottom up approach. Once identified, the impact and probability of risks are determined and scored at both a gross (before mitigation) and net (after mitigation) basis. These risk scores are documented in risk registers which are maintained at a divisional and Group level. The risk registers change as new risks emerge and others diminish. Risk registers are subject to ongoing review based upon business activity. The risk profile for each division is used to determine the programme of work carried out by Internal Audit. The risk assessments are captured in consistent reporting formats, enabling Internal Audit to consolidate the risk information and summarise the key risk in the form of a Group risk profile. Mitigation action plans against each risk continue to be monitored on a regular basis. Further information is provided on page 21 on our principal risks and mitigating activities to address them. Our risk reporting framework is set out below: Board l Sets the Group strategy l Establishes the policy to reduce risk l Ensures appropriate financial and operational controls are in place l Regularly monitors Group risks ▲ ▲ Divisional Boards l Determine appropriate control procedures are in place Audit Committee l Monitors the integrity of the Group’s financial reporting process l Reviews performance against budget and forecasts l Approves the annual audit programme l Identifies, mitigates, monitors and reviews risks l Reviews work of Internal Audit l Reviews the effectiveness of internal controls l Monitors the statutory audit ▲ Internal Audit l Risk based programme of internal audit project work l Compliance testing and assurance l Production of KPI data on the Group’s key risks l Maintenance of Group Risk Register l High level risk review l Annual assurance reviews 20 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Risk Management RISK DESCRIPTION MITIGATION Market risk A downturn in economic recovery could result in worse than expected performance of the business, due to lower activity levels or prices. Competition The equipment rental market is already competitive and could become more so, impacting market share, revenues and margins. Investment/Product Management In order to grow it is essential the Group obtains first class products at attractive prices and keeps them well maintained. People Retaining and attracting the best people is key to our aim of exceeding customer expectations and enhancing shareholder value. Safety The Group operates in industries where safety is a key consideration for both the wellbeing of our employees and customers that hire our equipment. Failure in this area would impact our results and reputation. Financial risks To develop the business Vp must have access to funding at a reasonable cost. The Group is also exposed to interest rate and foreign exchange fluctuations which may impact profitability and has exposure to credit risk relating to customers who hire our equipment. Vp provides products and services to a diverse range of markets with increasing geographic spread. The Group regularly monitors economic conditions and our investment in fleet can be flexed with market demand. Vp aims to provide a first class service to its customers and maintains significant market presence in a range of specialist niche sectors. The Group monitors market share, market conditions and competitor performance and has the financial strength to maximise opportunities. Vp has well established processes to manage its fleet from investment decision to disposal. The Groups return on average capital employed was a healthy 16.2% in 2014/15. The quality of the Group’s fleet disposal margins also demonstrate robust asset management and appropriate depreciation policies. Vp offers well structured reward and benefit packages, and nurtures a positive working environment. We also try to ensure our people fulfil their potential to the benefit of both the individual and the Group, by providing appropriate career advancement and training. The Group has robust health and safety policies, and management systems and our induction and training programmes reinforce these policies. We provide support to our customers exercising their responsibility to their own workforces when using our equipment. At the year end the Group had a revolving credit facility of £85 million and maintains strong relationships with all banking contacts. Our treasury policy defines the level of risk that the Board deems acceptable. Vp continues to benefit from a strong balance sheet, with growing EBITDA, which allows us to invest into opportunities. Our treasury policy requires a tangible proportion of debt to be at fixed interest rates and we facilitate this through interest rate swaps. We have agreements in place to buy or sell currencies to hedge against foreign exchange movements. We have strong credit control practices and use credit insurance where it is cost effective. Debtor days were broadly unchanged at 58 at the year end and bad debts as a percentage of turnover remained low at 0.3% (2014: 0.6%). ➜ Decreased risk ➜ Increased risk ➜ No change CHANGE FROM 2014 ➜ ➜ ➜ ➜ ➜ ➜ Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 21 Corporate and Social Responsibility The Group has always attempted to conduct its business responsibly and ethically. Corporate and social responsibility forms an integral part of our business strategy and is focused on employees, health and safety, the environment and the wider community. OUR EMPLOYEES Our continued business success is founded upon the skills and commitment of our talented and diverse global workforce. In a competitive market, retaining and attracting the best people is key to delivering our business objectives. We continue to attract new talent to the Group as well as promoting talent from within the business. To facilitate recruitment we have launched an online Recruit Service, providing managers with guidance on recruiting the right candidate. The Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing the same level of opportunity to all, regardless of creed, colour, age, sex, disability or sexual orientation. We believe that a diverse workforce promotes innovation and business success. At 31 March 2015 the Group’s workforce of 1,753 comprised 280 females and 1,473 males. Of these 56 were senior managers, 9 being female and 47 male. One member of our Board of five is female. Our policies and procedures are reviewed regularly and our line managers are kept up to date with changes to employment legislation. Policies are applied fairly and consistently with the aim of making the Group an employer of choice who maintains a good relationship with its employees and encourages them to balance work requirements with both social and family needs. We take our duty of care to our employees seriously, and we give our employees access to an Employee Assistance Programme where they can obtain confidential advice and support on issues such as health, relationship problems and financial problems. We regularly communicate with our staff by making extensive use of our intranet as well as employee conferences and our biannual newsletter ViewPoint. Long service is valued <5 years service >5 years service >10 years service Long service is recognised and celebrated by the business and this continuity is a strong contributing factor to our success in delivering service excellence to our customers. As a Group 46% of our employees have in excess of 5 years’ service and a further 21% have more than ten years’ service, some in excess of 35 years of service. We sponsor pension plans for employees. Details of the Group’s principal pension schemes are set out in note 24 of the financial statements. The Company supports employee share ownership and, where practical offers the opportunity to participate in share schemes. At 31 March 2015, approximately 41% (2014: 37%) of UK employees were participating in the Save As You Earn scheme. Retaining talented people is vital to our continued success and we therefore operate an extensive training programme that commences with a detailed induction programme and moves on to cover all the technical skills that our employees require to carry out their roles. E learning and blended learning programmes are now used to deliver this training. Management development programmes are run for all individuals new to management roles and we actively encourage and sponsor individuals to develop themselves through further education programmes. Throughout this process we try to ensure that our people fulfil their potential to the benefit of both the individual and the Group. Our employee turnover was 18% in the year (2014: 13%). Vp recognises the need to train the engineers of the future and has successfully run apprentice schemes for a number of years and many of our current employees started with us as apprentices. We work closely with the Construction Industry Training Board to recruit and support our apprentices in plant maintenance and repair. We currently have 39 apprentices, 16 are just completing their first year and 13 completing their second year and 10 will complete their apprenticeship this year. We are recruiting a further 16 apprentices to start in September 2015. 22 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com The Class of 2014 Corporate and Social Responsibility HEALTH AND SAFETY Health and Safety is a fundamental part of our business. The Group is committed to developing a culture where all employees pay appropriate attention to health and safety risks to ensure that accidents and dangerous occurrences are prevented wherever possible. Health and safety training is provided as part of the induction process for all new employees and ongoing health and safety training is provided to all employees as appropriate for their roles. All Group sites operate in accordance with the Group’s Health and Safety and Environmental policies and procedures. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that the health and safety of all our employees, customers and anyone else who is affected by our activities is appropriately safeguarded. We ended the year with an Accident Frequency Rate of 0.26, an improvement on our 2014 rate of 0.48. The AFR is calculated by multiplying the number of RIDDOR Reportable accidents by 100,000 (the average number of hours worked in a lifetime), divided by the overall number of hours worked by all members of staff in the month. Reportable accidents under the Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 also fell to 9 in the year (2014: 16). In addition to internal activities all Group locations are subject to regular health and safety audits by an independent company with appropriate reporting at both local and Group level. The same company also provides independent advice on health and safety issues and new legislation. During the year Hire Station achieved the accolade of Hire Association Europe (HAE) Company of the Year. Independently judged, the awards recognise excellence throughout the Hire Industry. The award submission looked at health and safety, and environment along with workforce development and training. Hire Station was also the winner in the Depot Manager of the Year category, this success was partly attributed to the winner’s vital contributions to the Safety Guardians initiative which develops Safety Guardians in a supporting role to the branch manager, offering a second pair of eyes to spot potential hazards. TPA Germany was awarded the Safety Checklist Contractors (SCC) certificate, a management system operating in Germany for the certification of contractor companies and their personnel with regard to safe working practices, including health, safety and the environment. S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n In the year ended 31 March 2015 Groundforce opened a new purpose built training facility to help improve health and safety standards, and to raise awareness on the dangers of excavation construction. The training centre includes an outdoor training area, which will provide delegates with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of installing ground support systems in a live environment. All of the courses run will examine why excavations can fail and how this can be eliminated by using best practice. With an increase in basement construction, from large residential schemes and private houses to major infrastructure projects, the training ensures best practice and safety is paramount. THE ENVIRONMENT We are aware of the potential impact our operations may have on the environment. It is the Group’s policy to ensure that our operations are carried out in such a manner so as to minimise any adverse impact on the environment. Each division aims to minimise their carbon footprint. Initiatives included energy efficient buildings, the increased use of video conferences to reduce travel between locations and the use of trackers in the commercial fleet across our divisions to reduce fuel usage. The data from the trackers is used to monitor the driving performance of each driver, scoring them for fuel efficiency and safety. Acceleration, braking and cornering are all correlated to fuel usage by importing actual fuel consumption data. Drivers can then be educated on improving their driving performance increasing safety and reducing the impact on the environment. Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 23 Corporate and Social Responsibility In March 2015 the Group renewed its electricity contract with a new ‘green’ product that is recognised as a zero-carbon electricity source. Greenhouse gas emissions data for the year is set out below. Whilst this year absolute CO2 emissions have increased, adjusted for higher activity levels normalised CO2 emissions have reduced by 9% from 110.57 tonnes per £1 million of revenue to 100.92 tonnes per £1 million of revenue reflecting the initiatives outlined above. Global GHG emissions data for year Emissions from Scope 1: Combustion of fuel and operation of facility Scope 2: Electricity, heat, steam and cooling for own use Scope 3: Emissions associated with road freight Total CO2 per activity Company owned/leased vehicles Third party deliveries Electricity Heating Total Absolute Tonnes of CO2 2015 13,091 2,770 4,890 20,751 Absolute Tonnes of CO2 2015 12,279 4,890 2,770 812 Absolute Tonnes of CO2 2014 Movement 302 81 124 507 12,789 2,689 4,766 20,244 Absolute Tonnes of CO2 2014 Movement 12,014 4,766 2,689 775 265 124 81 37 507 Normalised Tonnes of CO2 per £m revenue Normalised Tonnes of CO2 per £m revenue 2015 63.67 13.47 23.78 2014 69.86 14.68 26.03 100.92 110.57 Normalised Tonnes of CO2 per £m revenue Normalised Tonnes of CO2 per £m revenue 2015 59.72 23.78 13.47 3.95 2014 65.63 26.03 14.68 4.23 100.92 110.57 20,751 20,244 GHG Emissions Report Methodology We have reported on all of the emission sources required under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Reports) Regulations 2013. The method we have used to calculate GHG emissions is the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (revised edition), together with the latest emission factors from Defra. Limitations to data collection Waste disposal, waste recycling and business travel have not been included as the data has not been collected. Scopes The GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (revised edition) requires reporting of GHG emissions by scopes 1, 2 and 3. Scope 1 Includes direct GHG emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the company such as natural gas combustion and company owned vehicles. Scope 2 Accounts for GHG emissions from the off-site generation of purchased electricity, heat and steam. Scope 3 Includes other major indirect emissions, namely external haulage. Reporting of scope 3 activities is optional, however, these activities contribute a significant portion of overall emissions and therefore we have reported these. 24 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Corporate and Social Responsibility We have a number of initiatives across the Group to use recycled rainwater to wash and clean our fleet saving water and energy. We continue to ensure that we are in full compliance with all current waste management legislation through internal review, working with specialist waste disposal companies and external consultants. In this regard most divisions are registered under environmental standard ISO 14001. COMMUNITY We aim to have a positive impact on communities in which we operate. As a business we actively encourage our teams to support their communities by providing their time and enthusiasm to raise money for local and national charities. In most cases, the Group matches monies raised by employees. During the year ended 31 March 2015 we donated over £28,000 (2014: £15,000) to charities. This included donations in support of employees participating in fund raising activities. This year Vp plc has reached its Diamond Jubilee, as part of the celebrations we have been running a Diamond Jubilee Charity Challenge aiming to raise £30,000 (to be matched by the Group) between November 2014 and July 2015. Alongside Group led events our employees proactively support charities. Family and friends of a UK Forks employee completed a 12 hour sponsored “Swimathon” raising £3,000 for Leeds Children’s Hospital. A depot manager at Torrent Trackside in Glasgow triumphed at the Tough Mudder Challenge. He took on this challenge in aid of the MacMillan Cancer Support charity and raised over £1,000. Another UK Forks employee raised more than £400 for “The Kiltwalk” charity for disadvantaged children by walking in excess of 50 miles. Two ESS Safeforce teams raced to the top of Helvellyn, in the Lake District, to raise money for the NSPCC, raising in excess of £400 for the charity. S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Other employees donate their time to volunteering initiatives. Members of Hire Station Stoke joined a local “volunteer force” which has been set up by one of their customers. This included joining a team painting new fencing at Smallthorne Primary School in Stoke on Trent. Hire Station Manchester supported The Lancashire Wildlife Trust Community Project in the historical Kirkless area of Wigan, known locally as “Rabbit Rocks”. As the ex-industrial landscape is notoriously difficult to excavate, the Lancashire Wildlife Trust volunteers were thrilled when Hire Station Manchester donated to the project the use of a ‘demolition hammer’. This equipment was able to break down the substrate, allowing the signage, which informs visitors of the views and landmarks across the Wigan townscape, to be installed. STRATEGIC REPORT The strategic report has been signed on behalf of the Board by: Neil Stothard Group Managing Director 4 June 2015 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 25 The Board Jeremy Pilkington BA (Hons) Chairman Neil Stothard MA, FCA Group Managing Director Allison Bainbridge MA, FCA Group Finance Director Appointment Appointed to the board in 1979 and became Chairman in 1981. Experience Jeremy was Chairman and Chief Executive between 1981 and 2004. Committee membership Chairman of the Nomination Committee. Appointment Appointed to the board as Finance Director in 1997 and became Group Managing Director in 2004. Experience Neil previously held Finance Director roles in the business travel management and logistics sectors. He is a non executive director of Wykeland Group Limited and was previously a non executive director of Scarborough Building Society. Committee membership None Appointment Appointed to the board as Finance Director in March 2011. Experience Allison was previously Group Finance Director of Kelda Group Limited, the holding company of Yorkshire Water and also Finance Director of Yorkshire Water. Committee membership None Steve Rogers BSc, FCA, JP Non-executive Director Phil White B Com, FCA, CBE Non-executive Director Appointment Appointed to the board in October 2008. Appointment Appointed to the board in April 2013. Experience Steve retired as a senior partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2007. He is a non-executive director of Arran Isle Group (formerly Heywood Williams Plc). He is a trustee and treasurer of the Leeds Community Foundation. Committee membership Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committees. Experience Phil is a chartered accountant and has extensive experience within both listed and private companies. He is Chairman of Kier Group Plc, Lookers Plc and Unite Group Plc as well as a non-executive director of Stagecoach Group Plc. Committee membership Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and member of the Audit and Nomination Committees. 26 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Governance INTRODUCTION FROM THE CHAIRMAN As a Board, we believe that good governance rests upon principles of fairness, integrity and respect for others. We believe these principles underpin the long term success of the Company, helping us to deliver our strategic and growth objectives. The Corporate Governance Report is set out on pages 27 to 32. This section of the annual report sets out how we manage the Group and how we comply with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code. The revised Code included a new provision C.3.7. in relation to audit tendering and during the year the Company complied with this provision, as detailed in the Audit Committee Report on pages 31 to 32. This year activity has also included a review and update of the schedule of matters reserved for board approval, and the terms of reference of board committees. I am pleased to report that we have complied in full with the provisions of June 2010 and September 2012 codes. Our Statement of Compliance is set out below. We are mindful of the ethical foundation of good governance and as a Board we are committed to acting responsibly and with integrity towards all our stakeholders. Jeremy Pilkington Chairman 4 June 2015 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE The Board has prepared this report with reference to the Codes issued by the Financial Reporting Council (“FRC”) in June 2010 and September 2012 (the “Codes”). We have also had regard to the FRC guidance on Board Effectiveness (March 2011) and FRC guidance on Audit Committees (September 2012). We are also cognisant of the 2014 update to the Codes which is effective for year ends from 1 October 2014. The Board confirms that throughout the year ended 31 March 2015 the Company has been in compliance with all of the provisions of the Codes. The following paragraphs explain how the Company has applied good governance and the relevant principles of the Codes. LEADERSHIP The role of the Board is to provide entrepreneurial leadership of the Company, whilst maintaining good corporate governance, standards of behaviour and managing risk. The Board reviews its progress against this objective on a regular basis. The Board exercises control over the performance of each operating company within the Group, principally by monitoring performance against agreed budgetary targets. The names and biographic details of the members of the board are set out on page 26. Length of service of director Balance of directors Balance of directors 31 March 2015 31 March 2015 31 March 2015 One to two years Two to three years Four to six years More than six years Gender Male Female 1 - 1 3 4 1 Role Executive Chairman Executives Non executives 1 2 2 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 27 Governance The Board has a clearly documented schedule of matters reserved for its approval, including strategy, annual budgets, major capital expenditure, significant investments or disposals and treasury policy. In certain areas, specific responsibility is delegated to committees of the Board within defined terms of reference. The roles of the Chairman and Group Managing Director are separate and clearly defined. The Chairman, Jeremy Pilkington, is responsible for the effective working of the Board and leading the development of the strategic agenda for the Group. The Chairman is also responsible for promoting a culture of openness and debate, in addition to ensuring constructive and productive relations between executive and non-executive directors. The Managing Director, Neil Stothard, has operational responsibility for the management of the Group’s business and for implementation of the strategy as agreed by the Board. Our senior independent director, Steve Rogers, is available to shareholders if they request a meeting or have concerns which contact through normal channels has failed to resolve. No such requests were received during the year. Details of Directors’ shareholdings are provided on page 42 of the Remuneration Report. EFFECTIVENESS Committees The board has established three principal Board committees to which it has delegated certain responsibilities. They are the audit committee, remuneration committee and nominations committee. The roles, membership and activities of these committees are described in more detail below. Meetings In the year ended 31 March 2015, the Board met five times. The Board also met on an ad hoc basis to deal with urgent business including the consideration and approval of major transactions. The table below lists the directors’ attendance at the Board meetings and Committee meetings during the year ended 31 March 2015. Number of meetings held Executive directors Jeremy Pilkington Neil Stothard Allison Bainbridge Non-executive directors Steve Rogers Phil White Board Audit Remuneration 5 5 5 5 5 5 3 - - - 3 3 2 - - - 2 2 Whilst Jeremy Pilkington, Neil Stothard and Allison Bainbridge are not members of the Audit Committee, they did attend all meetings. They also attended, in part, certain of the Remuneration Committee meetings. There were no nomination committee meetings. The non-executive directors provide a strong and independent monitor on the performance of both the Group and its executive management. The Board is satisfied that the Chairman and each of the non-executive directors committed sufficient time during the year to enable them to fulfil their duties as directors of the company. 28 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Governance Independence The Board considers the non-executive directors to be independent under the provisions of the Codes on the basis that they are not members of management and are free of any business or other relationships that could materially interfere with, or reasonably be perceived to materially interfere with, the independent exercise of their judgement. Appointments to the Board The Nominations Committee is chaired by the Company’s Chairman, Jeremy Pilkington, with the two non-executive directors also on the committee. The Nomination Committee meets as required to ensure that appointments to Board roles within the Group are made after due consideration of the relevant and necessary skills, knowledge and experience of the potential candidates. In addition it considers succession planning in order to ensure the continued ability of the Group to compete effectively in the market place. The Nominations Committee has written terms of reference, which are available on the Company’s website at www.vpplc.com Induction, development and support All new directors receive a full, formal and tailored induction on joining the Board, including meetings with senior management and advisers and visits to the Group’s operational locations. The Board calendar is planned to ensure that directors are briefed on a wide range of topics throughout the year and are given the opportunity to visit sites and discuss aspects of the business with employees. The Board recognises the importance of continued training for the individual directors and they are encouraged to attend external seminars and briefings appropriate to their role on the Board. To enable the Board to function effectively and assist directors to discharge their responsibilities, full and timely access is given to all relevant information. In the case of Board meetings, this consists of a comprehensive set of papers, including latest available management accounts, regular business progress reports and discussion documents regarding specific matters. In addition, senior managers are regularly invited to Board meetings and make business presentations to the Board. During Board meetings, the non-executives routinely interrogate the performance of the business and seek further information as necessary on specific topics. Whilst the Board generally meets at the Group head office in Harrogate, some meetings are held at other Group locations giving the directors the opportunity to review the operations and to meet local management. During the year one of the five Board meetings was held at another Group location. There is an agreed procedure for directors to take independent professional advice at the Company’s expense if deemed necessary for the correct performance of their duties. The Company Secretary, Allison Bainbridge, who is also the Group Finance Director, is available to all directors to provide advice and she is responsible for ensuring that Board procedures are followed and that all applicable rules and regulations are complied with. The Board continues to keep the Company Secretary role under review, but feels that the combination of the roles continues to work well for the business as a whole. Performance evaluation The evaluation of the Chairman, the Board and its committees in 2015 was conducted by way of a questionnaire completed by all of the directors, the results of which were collated by the Company Secretary and presented to the entire Board. Based upon this evaluation, the Board concluded that performance in the past year had been good. The results from the evaluation will be used to make further improvements where appropriate, to ensure the performance of the Board continues to be optimised. Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 29 Governance Re-election From 2015 all directors will retire at each Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) and may offer themselves for re-election by shareholders. Accordingly, all the directors will retire at the AGM in July 2015 and their details are provided on page 26. Accountability The directors and auditor set out their respective responsibilities for preparing and reviewing the financial statements in the statement of directors’ responsibilities on page 49 and the independent auditors’ report on pages 50 to 52. RELATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS The Board actively seeks and encourages engagement with major institutional shareholders and other stakeholders. The executive directors present the Group’s interim and full year results to brokers and analysts and also meet fund managers, brokers, analysts and the media on a regular basis to discuss business strategy, results and other issues. Presentation material used in these briefings is published on the Company’s website www.vpplc.com While the non-executive directors do not ordinarily attend these meetings, they are available if required by stakeholders. Feedback from these meetings, collated by N+1 Singer and Abchurch Communications, is reviewed by the Board as a whole. The Board encourages all shareholders to attend and ask questions at the Annual General Meeting which is attended by all directors. The Board also actively encourages communication with employees and details of this are noted in the Directors’ Report. 30 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Audit Committee Report STATEMENT FROM STEVE ROGERS, CHAIRMAN OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE I am pleased to present our Audit Committee report for the year ended 31 March 2015, the purpose of which is to give an overview of the scope of work of the Committee and to report on its activities undertaken in the past year. There were three Audit Committee meetings during the year, all of which were attended by both members of the Committee. In addition the Chairman, the Group Managing Director, the Group Finance Director and the Head of Internal Audit attended and received papers for each meeting. The Group Financial Controller attended two of the meetings; and also the external auditor was invited to, and attended two meetings. Steve Rogers The Committee meets the Code requirements that at least one member has significant, recent and relevant financial experience. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The primary role of the Audit Committee is to keep under review the Group’s financial and other systems and controls and its financial reporting procedures. In fulfilling this role, the Committee receives and reviews work carried out by the internal and external auditors. The Company’s internal audit function works to an annual programme developed in consultation with the Committee, as well as covering specific matters arising during the year. The Committee keeps the scope and cost effectiveness of both the internal and external audit functions under review. This includes a regular review of the effectiveness of the external auditor. During the year and prior to the publication of the Group’s results for 2015 the Audit Committee reviewed the half yearly financial report, the 2015 Annual Report and Accounts, the 2015 annual results press release and the reports from the external auditors, PwC on the outcomes of their half year review and audit relating to 2015. FINANCIAL REPORTING AND SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL JUDGEMENTS The Audit Committee reviews whether suitable accounting policies have been adopted and whether management has made appropriate estimates and judgements by reviewing reporting from both internal teams and the external auditors. In particular, the Committee discussed the following areas of judgement in the current year; the existence and carrying value of fleet assets. The committee concluded that it was satisfied with the existence and carrying value of fleet assets. After careful consideration of the advice of the Committee the Board has concluded that the 2014/15 Annual Report and Accounts is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the necessary information for shareholders to assess the Company’s risks, performance, business model and strategy. EXTERNAL AUDIT KPMG had been the Group’s external auditors since 1995 and were responsible for the audit of the Group’s Financial Statements ended 31 March 2014. In line with the new provision introduced in the 2012 Code and the report of the UK Competition Commission which required listed companies to tender the external audit at least once every ten years, during 2014 the Board accepted a recommendation from the Committee that such a tender be carried out. A formal Invitation to Tender was issued to three audit firms determined by the Committee to have the appropriate expertise and resources to carry out effectively the external audit for the Group. Since the Committee had been completely satisfied with KPMG’s work, they were also invited to tender. Detailed responses to the Invitation to Tender were assessed and reviewed against agreed criteria and each of the audit firms made presentations in September 2014. The Committee subsequently recommended to the Board that PwC be appointed as external auditors in succession to KPMG. The appointment was duly notified to the shareholders and the Financial Reporting Council and became effective on 15 October 2014. PwC’s fees for the audit for the year ended 31 March 2015 were considered and agreed by the Committee as part of the tender process. Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 31 Audit Committee Report The Group has policies and procedures in place to ensure that independence and objectivity of the external auditor is not impaired. These include restrictions on the types of services that they can provide, in line with APB Ethical Standards on Auditing. As part of the tender process it was determined that PwC would not provide tax services and that these would remain with KPMG for 2014/15. PwC also provides confirmation to the Committee on the arrangements and safeguards it has in place to maintain its independence and objectivity. The Committee continues to be satisfied with their independence. The total fees payable to PwC for the year ended 31 March 2015 (together with a comparison to the fees paid to KPMG in the year ended 31 March 2014) can be found in note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. The non-audit services related to the half year review and overseas accountants reports. INTERNAL AUDIT The Group’s internal audit function comprises a team of three qualified auditors. The purpose of the department is to support the business in its achievement of objectives and facilitate and aid effective risk management. Internal Audit provides assurance that the Group’s process for managing internal control is effective and appropriate to the level of risk facing the Group. During the year the Chairman of the Committee met privately with the Head of Internal Audit on two occasions. In addition the Head of Internal Audit attended each Committee meeting, where his reports were reviewed and discussed in detail. The Committee considered the results of the internal audits and the adequacy of management’s response to matters raised in them, including the time taken to resolve any such matters. The Committee were satisfied with both the reports and the responses. RISK MANAGEMENT There is in place an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating and managing significant risks faced by the Group. This process is regularly reviewed by the Board and accords with Turnbull guidance. Risk Management Reports, prepared by the operating divisions supported by Internal Audit, were submitted to the Committee at its meeting in July 2014. The Reports identified the significant risks to the Group, highlighted controls that mitigate the risks and the resultant post-mitigation risk. The Committee also considered the tolerance levels that the Group is prepared to accept. The Committee is given regular updates on risk. INTERNAL CONTROLS During the year the Committee monitored and reviewed the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control systems, accounting policies and practices, risk management procedures and compliance controls. The Group’s internal control systems are designed to manage rather than eliminate business risk. They provide reasonable but not absolute assurance against material mis-statement or loss. Such systems are necessary to safeguard shareholders’ investment and the Group’s assets and depend on regular evaluation of the extent of the risks to which the Group is exposed. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Group. The Committee is of the view that the Group has a well-designed and embedded system of internal control. WHISTLEBLOWING AND FRAUD The Committee monitors the Group’s whistleblowing policy. The Committee is pleased to report that there were no whistleblowing or fraud reports during the year. At the 2015 AGM, I shall be available to respond to any questions shareholders may raise on this report or any of the Committee’s activities. Steve Rogers Chairman of the Audit Committee 4 June 2015 32 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Remuneration Report Annual Statement DEAR SHAREHOLDER On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present our Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 March 2015. This has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013. The Remuneration Committee (the Committee) aims to operate and demonstrate good practice in the area of executive remuneration and disclosure and I hope that our report demonstrates clarity and transparency. Our report has three sections as follows: l this annual statement, which summarises and explains any major decisions and changes in respect of directors’ remuneration; Phil White l our directors’ remuneration policy; this was approved by our shareholders at the 2014 AGM and will be subject to a binding vote every three years (or sooner if changes are made to the policy); and l the annual report on remuneration, providing details of the remuneration earned by the directors in the year ended 31 March 2015 and how the policy for 2015/16 will operate. The annual report on remuneration will be subject to an advisory shareholder vote at the AGM to be held on 21 July 2015. REMUNERATION POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION 2014/15 The Committee’s view is that the base salary, performance related bonus scheme, long term incentives and pension allowances are appropriate. As set out in the annual report on remuneration, the Group has performed very well against our key simple and transparent measures of growth in profit before tax and amortisation and EPS, whilst continuing to exceed our minimum ROACE target of 12%. Our bonus and long- term incentive structures are based on challenging targets, which we believe are in line with market best practice. The Committee believes that the current year pay outcomes accurately reflect the current year’s performance. In 2014/15 profit before taxation and amortisation at £26.8 million grew by 33% on the previous year. Consequently, executive directors will qualify for bonuses of 100% of base salary, out of a maximum of 100%, in line with the strong performance of the Group against the challenging targets we set as a business. Our 2011 LTIP award, which was based upon earnings per share growth, vested in July 2014 at 100% of the total award reflecting the excellent financial performance of the Group in the challenging market conditions of 2011 to 2014. Our 2012 LTIP award is due to vest at 100% in July 2015, again as a result of strong compound annual growth performance in EPS of 18.8% per annum between 2012 and 2015 (calculated using fixed assumptions on tax rate and number of shares in issue). REMUNERATION POLICY FOR 2015/16 The Committee has reviewed the senior executive remuneration policy to ensure that it will continue to motivate and retain quality executives who are key to delivering earnings growth and shareholder returns. The Committee believes that the existing directors’ remuneration policy as approved by shareholders remains appropriate and should continue to operate in 2015/16 without changes. ALIGNMENT WITH SHAREHOLDERS We continue to be mindful of our shareholders’ interests. Our share ownership guidelines and claw back provisions for the annual bonus and long term incentive scheme support an on-going commitment to the business from our executives and continued alignment of shareholder and executive objectives. We are proud of the support we have received in the past from our shareholders, with 98.3% approval for our remuneration policy and 99.8% approval for our Remuneration Report last year. We hope that we will continue to receive your support at the forthcoming AGM. This report has been approved by the Board and is signed on its behalf by: Phil White Chairman Remuneration Committee 4 June 2015 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 33 Directors’ Remuneration Policy (unaudited) Consistent with current legislation, the directors’ remuneration policy report, which has operated from 1 April 2014, was put to a binding shareholder vote and became formally effective at the 2014 AGM. POLICY OVERVIEW The Group aims to balance the need to attract, retain and motivate executive directors of an appropriate calibre with the need to be cost effective, whilst at the same time rewarding exceptional performance. The Committee has designed a remuneration policy that balances those factors, taking account of prevailing best practice, investor expectations and the level of remuneration and pay awards made generally to employees of the Group. In addition to the above, the remuneration policy for the executive directors is based on the following key principles: l l l A significant proportion of remuneration should be tied to the achievement of specific and stretching performance conditions that align remuneration with the creation of shareholder value and the delivery of the Group’s strategic plan. There should be a focus on sustained long term performance measured over clearly specified timescales, encouraging executives to take action in line with the Group’s strategic plan. Individuals should be rewarded for success but steps should be taken, within contractual obligations, to prevent rewards for failure. SUMMARY REMUNERATION POLICY The table below summarises the directors’ remuneration policy for 2014 onwards: ELEMENT Base salary PURPOSE AND LINK TO THE STRATEGY To attract, retain and motivate individuals with skills and experience required to deliver the strategy. To provide a competitive fixed reward. Pension To provide retirement benefits. PERFORMANCE METRICS None. None. OPERATION OPPORTUNITY Base salaries are reviewed annually, and any changes are effective from 1 April in the financial year. All executives are either members of a defined contribution scheme or receive a cash allowance in lieu of pension contribution. There is no prescribed maximum annual increase. The Committee also considers average increases across the Group. Current salary levels are set out on page 42. The executive chairman receives a cash equivalent pension contribution of 25% of salary, benefits and bonus. Other executive directors receive a pension contribution ranging between 15% and 17.5% of base salary or an equivalent cash allowance. Taxable Benefits To provide market consistent benefits. Cost of providing benefits paid monthly or as required for one off events. Car allowance, health insurance and other benefits paid from time to time. None. 34 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Directors’ Remuneration Policy (unaudited) ELEMENT PURPOSE AND LINK TO THE STRATEGY OPERATION OPPORTUNITY Annual Bonus To incentivise achievement of demanding performance targets. Long Term Incentive Plan To drive sustained long term performance that supports the creation of shareholder value. Share Matching Scheme To encourage share ownership and alignment with shareholders. Up to 100% of base salary. Normal grant limit of 100% of base salary. Maximum award of shares to the value of 10% of salary. Annual bonuses are generally paid three months after the end of the financial year to which they relate. Clawback provisions apply in the event of a material misstatement of the results. Annual grant of nil cost options which normally vest after 3 years based on the achievement of profit targets, a minimum ROACE requirement and continual service. Clawback provisions apply in the event of a material misstatement of the results. Annual grant of nil cost options in proportion to the number of shares purchased by an executive director from their own funds. Clawback provisions apply in the event of a material misstatement of the results. PERFORMANCE METRICS Growth in profit before tax and amortisation. Subject to a vesting period of three years and the achievement of target growth in EPS over a three year period. Minimum ROACE requirement, currently set at 12%. Achievement of target growth in EPS over a three year period and a minimum ROACE, currently set at 12%. Save As You Earn To encourage share participation in the entire workforce. HMRC approved plan under which regular monthly savings are made over a 3 year period and can be used to fund the exercise of an option whereby the exercise price is discounted by up to 20%. None. Maximum permitted savings of £300 per month across all ongoing share save contracts in line with current legislation. Share Ownership Guidelines To increase alignment between executives and shareholders. Shareholding to be built up over 5 years. 100% of salary for executive directors. None. Non-Executive Director Fees Reflects time commitments and responsibilities and fees paid by similar sized companies. Cash fees paid, reviewed on an annual basis. No prescribed maximum annual increase. None. Notes to the policy table The performance targets are determined annually by the Committee and are set at a challenging level. The Committee is of the opinion that the performance targets for the annual bonus and the long term incentive are commercially sensitive and that it would be detrimental to the interests of the Group to disclose them before the start of the financial year. The targets will be discussed after the end of the relevant financial year in that year’s remuneration report. Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 35 Directors’ Remuneration Policy (unaudited) CHANGES TO REMUNERATION POLICY FROM THAT OPERATING IN 2013/14 There have been no changes to the remuneration policy from that operating in 2013/14. ILLUSTRATION OF APPLICATION OF REMUNERATION POLICY The chart below illustrates the total remuneration for each executive director that could result from the proposed remuneration policy in 2015/16 under three different performance scenarios. Jeremy Pilkington Percentages/Amounts (£’000) Minimum 100% Total £644 Basic salary, benefits and pension Annual bonus LTIP On plan 60% Maximum 44% 20% 28% 20% Total £1,174 28% Total £1,703 Neil Stothard Percentages/Amounts (£’000) Minimum 100% Total £421 Basic salary, benefits and pension Annual bonus LTIP and share matching On plan 54% 22% 24% Total £774 Maximum 37% 30% 33% Total £1,126 Allison Bainbridge Percentages/Amounts (£’000) Minimum 100% Total £296 Basic salary, benefits and pension Annual bonus LTIP and share matching On plan 54% 22% 24% Total £552 Maximum 37% 30% 33% Total £808 The value of base salary for 2015/16 is set out in the Base Salary table on page 42. The value of taxable benefits in 2015/16 is taken to be the value of taxable benefits received in 2014/15 as shown in the single total figure of remuneration table set out on page 39. On plan performance assumes bonus payout of 50% of salary and LTIP and share matching scheme vesting at 50% of maximum award. Maximum performance assumes 100% payout of all incentives. Share price appreciation has not been included in the calculation. 36 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Directors’ Remuneration Policy (unaudited) CONSIDERATION OF EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS ELSEWHERE IN THE GROUP Our approach to annual salary reviews is consistent across the Group, with consideration given to the level of experience, responsibility, individual performance and salary levels in comparable companies. Most employees are eligible to participate in an annual bonus scheme. The maximum opportunities available are based upon the seniority and responsibility of the role with business area specific metrics incorporated where appropriate. Senior managers can qualify to participate in the LTIP and share matching schemes. Performance conditions are consistent for all participants, while award sizes vary by organisational level. Employees can qualify to participate in approved and unapproved share option schemes whereby they are granted rights to acquire shares at a predetermined price, which cannot be less than the midmarket price on the dealing day immediately before the date of the award. Awards under these schemes are not granted to executive directors. All UK employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s SAYE scheme on the same terms. APPROACH TO RECRUITMENT The Group operates in a highly competitive market. The Committee’s approach to remuneration on recruitment is to pay sufficient to attract appropriate candidates to the role. The package of a new executive director is likely to include the same elements, and be subject to similar constraints as those of existing executive directors. The Committee may make an award in respect of a new appointment to ‘buy out’ incentive arrangements forfeited on leaving a previous employer on a like-for-like basis. In doing so, the Committee will consider relevant factors including time to vesting, any performance conditions attached to these awards and the likelihood of those conditions being met. Any such ‘buy-out’ awards will typically be made under existing annual bonus and LTIP schemes, although in exceptional circumstances the Committee may exercise discretion under Listing Rule 9.4.2R to make awards using a different structure. Any ‘buy-out’ awards would have a fair value no higher than the awards forfeited. S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 37 Directors’ Remuneration Policy (unaudited) DATE OF DIRECTORS’ SERVICE CONTRACTS OR LETTER OF APPOINTMENT Director Jeremy Pilkington Neil Stothard Allison Bainbridge Steve Rogers Phil White Date of service contract/letter of appointment 10 June 2002 10 June 2002 15 February 2011 10 September 2008 15 April 2013 The service agreements of the executive directors are terminable by either the Company or the director on twelve months’ notice. The contracts contain no specific provision for compensation for loss of office, other than an obligation to pay salary and benefits for any notice period waived by the company. Non-executive directors are appointed under letters of appointment that may be terminated on six months notice. There were no other significant contracts with directors. The terms and conditions of appointment of non-executive directors are available for inspection by any person at the Company’s registered office during normal business hours and at the AGM. APPROACH TO LEAVERS The Company’s policy is to limit severance payments on termination to pre-established contractual arrangements. Such contracts contain no specific provision for compensation for loss of office, other than an obligation to pay for any notice period waived by the Company, where pay is defined as salary plus benefits only. In the event an executive leaves for any reason, non vested LTIP and share matching awards will normally lapse. The Committee retains discretion to alter these provisions on a case-by-case basis following a review of circumstances and to ensure fairness for both shareholders and participants. CONSIDERATION OF SHAREHOLDER VIEWS The Committee considers shareholder feedback received at the AGM each year. This feedback, plus any feedback received during other meetings, is then considered as part of the Group’s annual review of remuneration policy. In addition, the Committee will seek to engage directly with major shareholders and their respective bodies should any material changes be made to the remuneration policy. Details of votes cast for and against the resolution to approve last year’s remuneration report are set out on page 45 of the annual report on remuneration. 38 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Annual Report on Remuneration SINGLE TOTAL FIGURE OF REMUNERATION (audited) The following table shows a single total figure of remuneration for the year ended 31 March 2015 together with the comparative figures for 2014. Salaries and fees Taxable benefits Pensions £000 £000 £000 Annual bonus £000 LTIP Share matching Total £000 £000 £000 Executive directors Jeremy Pilkington Neil Stothard Allison Bainbridge Non-executive directors Steve Rogers Phil White Peter Parkin TAXABLE BENEFITS 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 464 452 331 323 240 218 38 38 38 37 - 12 44 44 26 26 16 16 - - - - - - 243 183 58 57 36 33 - - - - - - 464 235 331 168 240 114 - - - - - - 1,044 1,128 749 804 503 544 - - - - - - - - 75 78 50 52 - - - - - - 2,259 2,042 1,570 1,456 1,085 977 38 38 38 37 - 12 Taxable benefits consist primarily of company car or car allowance and private health care insurance. PENSION BENEFITS Neil Stothard received 17.5% of base salary and Allison Bainbridge received 15% of base salary in lieu of pension contributions. Jeremy Pilkington received 25% of salary, bonus and benefits in lieu of pension contributions. ANNUAL BONUS PAYMENTS The annual bonus outturn presented in the table was based on performance against growth in Group profit before tax and amortisation targets as measured over the 2015 financial year. S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Maximum Growth in Growth in (% of salary) PBTA required PBTA required for maximum for threshold bonus bonus Actual growth in PBTA Actual % Actual bonus £000 of salary Jeremy Pilkington Neil Stothard Allison Bainbridge % 100 100 100 % 10 10 10 % 30 30 30 % 33 33 33 % 100 100 100 £000 464 331 240 No changes have been made to the maximum opportunity available under the 2015/16 bonus scheme. Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 39 Annual Report on Remuneration VESTING OF LTIP AND SHARE MATCHING AWARDS (audited) The LTIP and share matching amount included in the 2014/15 single total figure of remuneration is in respect of the conditional share award granted in June 2012. Vesting is dependent on earnings per share performance over the three years ended 31 March 2015, achievement of a minimum return on average capital employed of 12% and continued service until June 2015. The performance targets for this award, and actual performance against those targets, was as follows: Metric Earnings per share* Performance condition Threshold target Stretch target Actual % Vesting Normalised EPS compound annual growth rate of 4.1% pa (0% vesting) 9.6% pa (100% vesting) actual 18.8% pa 28.06 pence EPS 32.74 pence EPS 41.86 pence EPS 100 ROACE Minimum of 12.0% 12.0% N/A 16.2% see above *EPS is measured on a net basis, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, but assuming a fixed corporation tax charge on profits currently at the rate of 28% and excluding any amortisation and exceptional items shown on the face of the Income Statement or in the notes to the Company’s accounts and utilising the whole of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company, assuming a constant level of issued Ordinary Share Capital over the three years, in this case 46.185 million shares. Return on average capital employed is calculated by dividing the profit before interest and tax by the aggregate of average net assets and average net debt consistent with those shown in the management accounts of the Company for the relevant financial year. The LTIP award details for the executive directors are therefore as follows: Jeremy Pilkington Neil Stothard Allison Bainbridge Number of shares at grant Number of shares to vest Estimated value of shares vesting* 166,000 119,000 80,000 166,000 119,000 80,000 £000 1,044 749 503 *The award of the LTIP above was based upon the policy of awarding up to an equivalent of 100% of salary. The share price at the time of the award was £2.665. As the awards have not yet vested the weighted average share price for the last three months of the financial year 2014/15 of £6.29 has been used to estimate the value at vesting. The share matching awards for executive directors are therefore as follows: Jeremy Pilkington Neil Stothard Allison Bainbridge Number of shares at grant Number of shares to vest Estimated value of shares vesting* N/A 12,000 8,000 N/A 12,000 8,000 £000 N/A 75 50 *As the awards have not yet vested the weighted average share price for the last three months of the financial year 2014/15 of £6.29 has been used to estimate the value at vesting. 40 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Annual Report on Remuneration SHARE SCHEME INTERESTS AWARDED DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR (audited) The following awards were granted to executive directors: Executive Scheme Basis of award granted Date of Share price at grant date of grant £ Number of shares Face value £000 Performance Period end date Jeremy Pilkington Neil Stothard Allison Bainbridge LTIP 100% of salary 9 July 2014 6.80 68,200 464 31 March 2017 LTIP Share matching SAYE 100% of salary 10% of salary N/A 9 July 2014 30 July 2014 16 July 2014 LTIP Share matching SAYE 100% of salary 10% of salary N/A 9 July 2014 30 July 2014 16 July 2014 6.80 6.41 6.62 6.80 6.41 6.62 48,700 5,000 679 35,300 3,500 679 331 32 4 240 22 4 31 March 2017 31 March 2017 N/A 31 March 2017 31 March 2017 N/A The share price at the date of grant has been used to calculate the face value of the awards granted. PAYMENTS TO PAST DIRECTORS AND FOR LOSS OF OFFICE No payments were made to past directors or for loss of office in the year ended 31 March 2015. OUTSTANDING SHARE AWARDS (audited) The table below sets out details of outstanding share awards held by executive directors. Details of vested awards are shown in the statement of directors’ shareholdings and share interests on page 42. Executive Scheme Grant date Exercise price £ No. of shares at 31 Mar 2014 Granted during the year Vested during the year Lapsed during No. of shares at the year 31 Mar 2015 Exercise End of period performance period Jeremy Pilkington Total LTIP Various Nil 456,200 68,200 174,000 Neil Stothard Total LTIP Various Total Share Matching Various SAYE SAYE 2011 2012 SAYE 2013 SAYE 2014 Total SAYE Allison Bainbridge Total LTIP Various Total Share Matching Various SAYE 2013 SAYE 2014 Total SAYE Nil Nil 2.00 1.97 2.82 5.30 Nil Nil 2.82 5.30 326,000 48,700 124,000 32,500 5,000 12,000 1,805 1,827 638 - 4,270 - - - 679 679 1,805 - - - 1,805 220,100 35,300 84,000 21,500 3,500 8,000 1,276 - 1,276 - 679 679 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 524,400 July 2014 31 Mar 2014 to July 2024 to 31 Mar 2017 July 2014 31 Mar 2014 to July 2024 to 31 Mar 2017 July 2014 31 Mar 2014 to July 2024 to 31 Mar 2017 N/A October 2015 to March 2016 October 2016 to March 2017 October 2017 to March 2018 N/A N/A N/A July 2014 31 Mar 2014 to July 2024 to 31 Mar 2017 July 2014 31 Mar 2014 to July 2024 to 31 Mar 2017 October 2016 to March 2017 October 2017 to March 2018 N/A N/A 250,700 25,500 - 1,827 638 679 3,144 171,400 17,000 1,276 679 1,955 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 41 Annual Report on Remuneration STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ SHAREHOLDINGS AND SHARE INTERESTS (audited) Executive Shareholding as % of salary at 31 Mar 2015 Shares beneficially owned at 31 Mar 2015 Shares beneficially owned at 31 Mar 2014 Options vested but not yet exercised 31 Mar 2015 Options vested but not yet exercised 31 Mar 2014 Outstanding Outstanding share matching awards1 LTIP awards1 Outstanding SAYE awards Jeremy Pilkington Neil Stothard Allison Bainbridge Steve Rogers Phil White * 1583% 91% - - 27,220 794,921 33,000 - - 27,220 776,116 21,500 - - 174,000 - - - - 1 Unvested LTIP and share matching awards are subject to performance conditions - - - - - 524,400 250,700 171,400 - - - 25,500 17,000 - - - 3,144 1,955 - - The share price used to calculate the value of shares beneficially owned for the purposes of establishing shareholding as a percentage of salary is the share price as at 31 March 2015: £6.59. *During the year Jeremy Pilkington was interested in shares owned by Ackers P Investment Company Limited. This company is ultimately controlled by a number of trusts of which, for the purposes of Sections 252 to 255 of the Companies Act 2006, Jeremy Pilkington is deemed to be a connected person. As at 31 March 2015 Ackers P Investment Company Limited owned 20,181,411 shares (2014: 20,181,411 shares). The LTIP awards outstanding in respect of Jeremy Pilkington are notional shares which would be settled by a cash payment. The executive directors are each in compliance with the company’s requirements to hold shares equivalent to at least 100% of salary. Allison Bainbridge was only appointed a director in 2011; she has five years to build up to this required shareholding. There were no changes in the interests of the directors between 31 March 2015 and 4 June 2015. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REMUNERATION POLICY FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2016 (unaudited) A summary of how the directors’ remuneration policy will be applied during the year ended 31 March 2016 is set out below. BASE SALARY The Committee approved a 2.5% increase in base salary for Jeremy Pilkington and Neil Stothard and 10% for Allison Bainbridge from 1 April 2014 and the following base salary increases with effect from 1 April 2015: Jeremy Pilkington Neil Stothard Allison Bainbridge Steve Rogers Phil White 2016 £000 471 336 244 38 38 2015 £000 464) 331) 240) 38) 38) % increase 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 0% 0% A salary increase averaging 2.0% across the Group was awarded at the annual pay review, effective from 1 April 2015. During the year Neil Stothard served as a non executive director of Wykeland Group and received a fee of £16,000 for his services. 42 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Annual Report on Remuneration IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REMUNERATION POLICY FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2016 (unaudited) – continued PENSION ARRANGEMENTS There are no proposed changes to pension arrangements for the executive directors. ANNUAL BONUS The maximum bonus potential for the year ending 31 March 2016 will remain at 100% of salary for all executive directors. Awards will be based upon the achievement of a challenging growth target in profit before tax and amortisation. The Committee is of the opinion that the performance targets for the annual bonus and long term incentive are commercially sensitive and that it would be detrimental to the interests of the Group to disclose them before the start of the financial year. The targets will be discussed after the end of the relevant financial year in that year’s remuneration report. LONG TERM INCENTIVES Consistent with past awards the extent to which any LTIP awards granted in 2015 will vest will be dependent upon the achievement of a challenging target growth in the Group’s earnings per share. Clawback provisions in the event of significant misstatement of the results will apply to both the annual bonus and the long term incentive. PERFORMANCE GRAPH AND TABLE (unaudited) The following graph charts the Total Shareholder Return of the Group and the FTSE Small Cap Index over the six year period from 31 March 2009 to 31 March 2015. 500 450 400 S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n ) 0 0 1 o t d e s a b e R ( e c i r P 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 31 Apr 09 31 Mar 10 31 Mar 11 31 Mar 12 31 Mar 13 31 Mar 14 31 Mar 15 The FTSE Small Cap index excluding investment trusts is regarded as an appropriate bench mark for the Group’s shareholders. Total shareholder return is defined as the total return a shareholder would receive over the period inclusive of both share price growth and dividends. Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 43 Annual Report on Remuneration PERFORMANCE GRAPH AND TABLE (unaudited) – continued The total remuneration and award rates of the Executive Chairman across the same period were as follows: Single figure (£000) Annual bonus % of maximum LTIP vesting % of maximum 2010 614 20% 0% 2011 1,080 100% 44.6% 2012 1,919 100% 82% 2013 1,795 84% 95.1% 2014 2,042 52% 100% 2015 2,259 100% 100% The maximum annual bonus as a percentage of salary was increased from 50% to 100% in 2013/14. PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN’S REMUNERATION (unaudited) The table below shows the percentage change in the Executive Chairman’s salary, benefits and annual bonus between the financial year ended 31 March 2014 and 31 March 2015 compared to the percentage change for UK employees of the Group for each of these elements of pay. Salary Taxable Benefits Annual Bonus* 2014 £000 452 44 186 Jeremy Pilkington 2015 £000 % change 464 44 235 2.5% -% 26% UK employees % change 4% 6% 40% The percentage change for UK employees is based upon a consistent set of employees and is calculated using P60 and P11D data. *To be comparable to the data for the UK employees the annual bonus for Jeremy Pilkington disclosed above is the bonus paid in the relevant tax year. RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF SPEND ON PAY (unaudited) The following table shows the Group’s actual spend on pay (for all employees) relative to dividends. Staff costs Dividends £m £m 2014 62.3 5.5 2015 68.4 6.4 % change 10 17 *Dividend figures relate to amounts payable in respect of the relevant financial year and includes proposed final dividend of 11.5 pence. 44 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Annual Report on Remuneration REMUNERATION COMMITTEE (unaudited) The Group’s approach to Executive Directors’ remuneration is determined by the Board on the advice of the Remuneration Committee. The primary role of the Committee is to: l l l Review, recommend and monitor the level and structure of remuneration for executive directors; Approve the remuneration packages for executive directors; Determine the balance between base pay and performance related elements of the package so as to align directors’ interests to those of shareholders. The Committee’s terms of reference are set out on the Company’s website. The members of the Remuneration Committee, all independent non-executive directors, during the year under review were as follows: l l Phil White Steve Rogers Biographical information on Committee members and details of attendance at the Committee meetings during the year are set out on pages 26 and 28. The Remuneration Committee has access to independent advice where it considers appropriate. No advice has been sought during 2014/15. STATEMENT OF VOTING AT GENERAL MEETING At the last AGM held on 22 July 2014 the voting results in respect of the remuneration report were as follows: Votes cast in favour Votes cast against Total votes cast Abstentions Remuneration Report Remuneration Policy 32,482,262 75,357 32,557,619 43,194 99.8% 0.2% 100% 32,002,854 554,765 32,557,619 43,194 98.3% 1.7% 100% S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 45 Directors’ Report The directors of Vp plc present their annual report and the audited financial statements of the Group and Parent Company for the year ended 31 March 2015. PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES The principal activity of the Group is equipment rental and associated services. STRATEGIC REPORT Pursuant to Sections 414 A – D Companies Act 2006, the business review has been replaced with a strategic report, which can be found on pages 2 to 25. RESULTS AND DIVIDEND Group profit after tax for the year was £19.9 million (2014: £15.7 million). The directors recommend a final dividend of 11.5 pence per share. The final dividend will be paid on 7 August 2015 to all shareholders on the register as at 10 July 2015. DIRECTORS Details of the directors of the Company who were in office during the year and up to the date of signing the financial statements are given on page 26. Details of directors’ interests in shares are provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 42. The directors’ exposures to conduct and liability issues are mitigated by Directors and Officers insurance cover where applicable. SHARE CAPITAL Details of the Company’s share capital structure are shown in note 18 to the accounts. All shares have the same voting rights. SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS As at 4 June 2015 the following had notified the Company of an interest of 3% or more in the Company’s issued ordinary share capital. Ackers P Investment Company Limited Discretionary Unit Fund Managers Limited Schroders plc Unicorn Asset Management Limited Vp Employee Trust Number of Ordinary Shares Percentage of Issued Ordinary Shares 20,181,411 2,250,000 2,151,648 2,050,000 1,290,726 % 50.26 5.60 5.36 5.11 3.21 Jeremy Pilkington is a director of Ackers P Investment Company Limited which is the holding company of Vp plc. 46 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Directors’ Report DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION UNDER LISTING RULE 9.8.4. The directors confirm that the company has entered into a relationship agreement with Ackers P Investment Company Limited (a controlling shareholder) and has complied with the independence provisions of the agreement. As far as the directors are aware, the controlling shareholder and its associates have also complied with the independence provision. EMPLOYEES The directors are committed to maintaining effective communication with employees on matters which affect their occupations and future prospects while at the same time increasing their awareness of the Group’s overall activities and performance. This communication takes the form of comprehensive team briefings to all employees together with regular Group and divisional newsletters. It is the policy of the Group to employ and train disabled people whenever their skills and qualifications allow and suitable vacancies are available. If existing employees become disabled, every effort is made to find them appropriate work and training is provided if necessary. POLITICAL AND CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS The Group made no political contributions during the year. Donations to charities amounted to £28,000 (2014: £15,000). The donations made in the year principally relate to sponsorship of employee driven fund raising activities on behalf of local and national charities. SUPPLIER PAYMENT POLICY It is the Company’s policy to make payment to suppliers on agreed terms. The Company seeks to abide by these payment terms whenever it is satisfied that the supplier has provided the goods or services in accordance with the agreed terms and conditions. The number of days purchases outstanding at 31 March 2015 was 32 days (2014: 24 days). This figure fluctuates dependent on the creditor position for fleet purchases at the year end compared to the average purchases during the year. CONTRACTS There are no disclosures required under S417 of the Companies Act in relation to contractual or other arrangements with customers or suppliers. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING A resolution is to be proposed to authorise the Company to purchase its own shares, subject to certain specific limits. This resolution is in accordance with the current guidelines issued by the Investment Committees of the Association of British Insurers and the National Association of Pension Funds and will be proposed as a special resolution. The maximum and minimum prices that may be paid for an Ordinary Share in exercise of such powers is set out in Resolution 11(b) and 11(c) of the Notice of Meeting. The directors undertake to shareholders that they will not exercise the ability to purchase the Company’s own shares unless to do so would result in an increase in earnings per share and would be in the best interest of shareholders generally. The Company would consider holding any of its own shares that it purchases pursuant to the authority conferred by this resolution as treasury shares provided that the number so held did not at any time exceed 10% of the Company’s issued share capital. This would give the Company the ability to re-issue treasury shares quickly and cost-effectively and would provide the Company with additional flexibility in the management of its capital base. During the year ended 31 March 2015 the Company did not acquire any shares under the authority of the resolution passed at the Annual General Meeting. GOING CONCERN The Business Review on pages 10 to 17 sets out the Group’s business activities, markets and outlook for the forthcoming year and beyond. This is supported by the Financial Review on pages 18 and 19 which sets out the Group’s current financial position, including its cashflows, net debt and borrowing facilities and also outlines the Group’s treasury management objectives, policies and processes. Notes 14 and 15 (‘Interest Bearing Loans and Borrowings’ and ‘Financial Instruments’) to the financial statements give further information on the Group’s borrowings, financial instruments and liquidity risk. Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 47 Directors’ Report The Group is in a healthy financial position. At the year end the Group had total banking facilities of £90 million which are subject to bank covenant testing together with a step up facility of £5 million. The Board has evaluated the facilities and covenants on the basis of the budget for 2015/16 which has been prepared taking into account the current economic climate, together with appropriate sensitivity analysis. On the basis of this testing and taking into account the increase in the facilities in May 2015, as set out in the Financial Review, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future. For this reason the going concern basis has been adopted in the preparation of the financial statements. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE The Corporate Governance Statement on pages 27 to 30 forms part of the Directors’ Report. RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT OF THE DIRECTORS The directors whose names appear on page 26 confirm that to the best of their knowledge: l The financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole: and l The Business Review and Financial Review which form part of the Directors’ Report include a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with the description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face. INDEPENDENT AUDITOR The directors who held office at the date of approval of this Directors’ Report confirm that, so far as they are each aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditors are unaware; and all directors have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a director to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s auditors are aware of that information. In accordance with Section 489 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution for the re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company is to be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. By Order of the Board Allison Bainbridge Group Finance Director 4 June 2015 48 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities IN RESPECT OF THE ANNUAL REPORT AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report, the Directors’ Remuneration Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have prepared the Group and Parent Company financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to: l select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; l make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; l l state whether applicable IFRSs as adopted by the European Union have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business. The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and the Group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the Directors’ Remuneration Report comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 49 Independent Auditors’ Report INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF Vp plc Report on the financial statements Our opinion In our opinion: l Vp plc’s Group financial statements and Parent Company financial statements (the “financial statements”) give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 31 March 2015 and of the Group’s profit and the Group’s and the Parent Company’s cash flows for the year then ended; l the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as adopted by the European Union; l the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006; and l the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. What we have audited Vp plc’s financial statements comprise: l the Consolidated and Parent Company Balance Sheets as at 31 March 2015; l the Consolidated Income Statement and Statements of Comprehensive Income for the year then ended; l the Consolidated and Parent Company Statement of Cash Flows for the year then ended; l the Statements of Changes in Equity for the year then ended; and l the notes to the financial statements, which include a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information. Certain required disclosures have been presented elsewhere in the annual report, rather than in the notes to the financial statements. These are cross- referenced from the financial statements and are identified as audited. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the financial statements is applicable law and IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and, as regards the Parent Company financial statements, as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit approach Overview Materiality Audit scope l Overall group materiality: £1,260,000 which represents 5% of profit before tax. l We conducted audit work at all in scope Group accounting locations. These locations accounted for 96% of Group revenues and 95% of Group profit before tax. Areas of focus l Existence of rental equipment. l Valuation of rental equipment. The scope of our audit and our areas of focus We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) (“ISAs (UK & Ireland)”). We designed our audit by determining materiality and assessing the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. In particular, we looked at where the directors made subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain. As in all of our audits we also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud. The risks of material misstatement that had the greatest effect on our audit, including the allocation of our resources and effort, are identified as “areas of focus” in the table below. We have also set out how we tailored our audit to address these specific areas in order to provide an opinion on the financial statements as a whole, and any comments we make on the results of our procedures should be read in this context. This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit. Area of focus How our audit addressed the area of focus Existence of rental equipment Refer to page 31, page 60 (accounting policy) and page 69 (financial disclosures) We focused on this area because the Group holds a significant quantum and carrying amount of rental equipment in the normal course of their business. The net book value of rental equipment is £131.6 million. Given the volume of assets and the frequency of movement (through purchases, hires and sales) there is a complexity in maintaining an accurate fixed asset register. Our audit work in respect of the existence of rental equipment comprised a combination of understanding and evaluating management’s key controls in this area, verifying the correct recording of rental asset movements on the fixed asset register, as well as substantively testing the existence of a sample of assets. Our work in respect of this area of focus is considered in more detail below. We tested the design and effectiveness of controls in place over the accurate recording of rental equipment purchases and disposals within the fleet asset register. For a sample of rental equipment purchases in the year we agreed to invoice and capitalisation onto the fleet asset register in terms of value and date purchased. For a sample of rental equipment disposed of in the year, we agreed to disposal documentation, sales invoices where appropriate and removal from the fleet asset register. We agreed a sample of rental equipment out on hire to signed delivery notes. We did not identify any material exceptions from this work. We attended a sample of year end rental equipment counts undertaken by management and: l tested the design and effectiveness of count controls by understanding the count procedures; and l counted a sample of assets and reconciled these to both management’s count and the fixed asset register. Our testing supported the existence of rental equipment assets included in the financial statements. 50 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Independent Auditors’ Report Area of focus How our audit addressed the area of focus Valuation of rental equipment Refer to page 31, page 60 (accounting policy) and page 69 (financial disclosures) We focused on this area because in respect of the Group’s rental equipment portfolio, there is significant management judgement involved in selecting and applying accounting policies with regards to useful economic lives, estimated residual values, and impairment assessments. The utilisation of rental equipment is key to supporting their valuation and as such a downturn in the trading performance in a particular market or division presents an inherent impairment risk. Our audit work in respect of the valuation of rental equipment comprised a combination of an assessment of the accuracy of previous years’ estimates, integrity checks over the underlying fixed asset data and performing an impairment review. We considered the appropriateness of depreciation rates and estimated residual values applied through consideration of any profits/losses achieved on disposal of rental equipment and the level of fully written down assets still generating revenue, noting no issues. We tested the integrity of the data held within the fleet asset registers, given the reliance upon this information for our impairment analysis, inspecting the entire population of assets for inappropriate entries (such as assets with negative cost) and indications of inappropriate accounting policies such as assets with a useful economic life outside Group policy or evidence that the useful economic life assigned is not being applied correctly in the fixed asset register. We did not identify any material exceptions from this work. We also considered the disclosures made in note 8 to the financial statements and determined that they are consistent with the requirements of accounting standards. How we tailored the audit scope We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial statements as a whole, taking into account the geographic structure of the group, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which the group operates. The Group’s accounting process is structured around a group finance function at its head office in Harrogate. Within the head office, a supporting finance function exists in the form of a shared service centre utilised for five of the six divisions which operate in the UK and overseas. The Group also maintains local finance teams for each of its six divisions. The Group’s operating reporting units vary significantly in size and we identified 14 reporting units, 4 of which, in our view, required an audit of their complete financial information, due to their size or risk characteristics. In establishing the overall approach to the Group audit, we determined that all work could be performed by us, the Group audit team, in respect of the Group audit. No interoffice reporting from overseas audit teams was required. Our work also included, in this our first year as the Group’s auditors, a review of the predecessor auditor working papers. Together, the reporting units subject to audit procedures were responsible for 96% of Group revenues and 95% of Group profit before tax. Further specific audit procedures over central functions and areas of significant judgement, including taxation, goodwill, pension obligations and share based payments, were performed at the Group’s Head Office. Materiality The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the effect of misstatements, both individually and on the financial statements as a whole. Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows: Overall group materiality £1,260,000 How we determined it 5% of profit before tax. Rationale for benchmark applied We applied this benchmark because, in our view, this is the most relevant metric against which the performance of the Group is most commonly measured. We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above £100,000 as well as misstatements below that amount that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons. Going concern Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the directors’ statement, set out on pages 47 and 48, in relation to going concern. We have nothing to report having performed our review. As noted in the directors’ statement, the directors have concluded that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements using the going concern basis of accounting. The going concern basis presumes that the Group and Parent Company have adequate resources to remain in operation, and that the directors intend them to do so, for at least one year from the date the financial statements were signed. As part of our audit we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis is appropriate. However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, these statements are not a guarantee as to the Group’s and Parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Other required reporting Consistency of other information Companies Act 2006 opinions In our opinion: l the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and l the information given in the Corporate Governance Statement set out on page 27 with respect to internal control and risk management systems and about share capital structures is consistent with the financial statements. ISAs (UK & Ireland) reporting Under ISAs (UK & Ireland) we are required to report to you if, in our opinion: l Information in the Annual Report is: − materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial statements; or − apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, our knowledge of the Group and Parent Company acquired in the course of performing our audit; or We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. − otherwise misleading. Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 51 Independent Auditors’ Report ISAs (UK & Ireland) reporting (continued) l the statement given by the directors on page 31, in accordance with provision C.1.1 of the Code, that they consider the Annual Report taken as a whole to be fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for members to assess the Group’s and Parent Company’s performance, business model and strategy is materially inconsistent with our knowledge of the Group and Parent Company acquired in the course of performing our audit. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. l the section of the Annual Report on page 31, as required by provision C.3.8 of the Code, describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. Adequacy of accounting records and information and explanations received Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion: l we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or l adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or l the Parent Company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. Directors’ remuneration Directors’ remuneration report - Companies Act 2006 opinion In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. Other Companies Act 2006 reporting Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. Corporate governance statement Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, a corporate governance statement has not been prepared by the Parent Company. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility. Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the parent company’s compliance with ten provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code. We have nothing to report having performed our review. Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit Our responsibilities and those of the directors As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities set out on page 49, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and ISAs (UK & Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors. This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the Company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing. What an audit of financial statements involves An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of: l whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Group’s and the Parent Company’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; l the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the directors; and l the overall presentation of the financial statements. We primarily focus our work in these areas by assessing the directors’ judgements against available evidence, forming our own judgements, and evaluating the disclosures in the financial statements. We test and examine information, using sampling and other auditing techniques, to the extent we consider necessary to provide a reasonable basis for us to draw conclusions. We obtain audit evidence through testing the effectiveness of controls, substantive procedures or a combination of both. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Annual Report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report. Steve Denison (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors Leeds 4 June 2015 52 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Consolidated Income Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2015 Revenue Cost of sales Gross profit Administrative expenses Operating profit before amortisation Amortisation Operating profit Financial income Financial expenses Profit before taxation and amortisation Amortisation Profit before taxation Income tax expense Profit attributable to owners of the parent Basic earnings per 5p ordinary share Diluted earnings per 5p ordinary share Dividend per 5p ordinary share interim paid and final proposed Note 2 2 9 3 6 6 9 7 20 20 19 2015) £000) 205,602) (148,773) 56,829) (29,733) 28,780) (1,684) 27,096) 1) (2,024) 26,757) (1,684) 25,073) (5,202) 19,871) 51.03p 47.01p 16.50p 2014) £000) 183,064) (133,470) 49,594) (28,883) 21,831) (1,120) 20,711) 12) (1,790) 20,053) (1,120) 18,933) (3,238) 15,695) 39.78p 36.31p 14.00p S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 53 Statements of Comprehensive Income Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Year Ended 31 March 2015 Profit for the year Other comprehensive (expense)/income:) Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss Remeasurements of defined benefit pension scheme Tax on items taken to Other Comprehensive Income Impact of tax rate change Foreign exchange translation difference Note 24 7 7 Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges Total other comprehensive (expense)/income Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to owners of the parent Parent Company Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Year Ended 31 March 2015 Profit for the year Other comprehensive (expense)/income:) Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss Remeasurements of defined benefit pension scheme Tax on items taken to Other Comprehensive Income Impact of tax rate change Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges Total other comprehensive (expense)/income Total comprehensive income for the year Note 24 7 7 2015) £000) 19,871) (55) 12) -) (1,028) (1,011) (2,082) 17,789) 2015) £000) 13,576) (55) 12) -) (1,011) (1,054) 12,522) 2014) £000) 15,695) 233) (53) (118) (181) 704) 585) 16,280) 2014) £000) 8,668) 233) (53) (118) 704) 766) 9,434) 54 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Statements of Changes in Equity Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the Year Ended 31 March 2015 ) )Capital) Share) Redemption) ) Share) Reserve) Premium) Capital) Equity at 1 April 2013 Total comprehensive income for the year 2,008) -) 301) -) 16,192) -) Note £000) £000) £000) ) Non-) Hedging) Retained) cont rolling) Interest) Earnings) Reserve) £000) £000) ) Total) Equity) £000) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) £000) (794) 704) -) -) -) -) -) 704) 2,008) -) 301) -) 16,192) -) (90) (1,011) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) )-) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) (1,011) 83,188) 15,576) 2,876) (274) 1,735) (8,593) (4,962) 6,358) 89,546) 18,800) 1,145) 1,894) (11,059) (5,986) 4,794) 27) 100,922) 16,280) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) 2,876) (274) 1,735) (8,593) (4,962) 7,062) 27) 107,984) 17,789) -) -) -) -) -) -) 1,145) 1,894) (11,059) (5,986) 3,783) Tax movements to equity Impact of tax rate change Share option charge in the year Net movement relating to shares held by Vp Employee Trust Dividend to shareholders Total change in equity during the year Equity at 31 March 2014 Total comprehensive income for the year Tax movements to equity Share option charge in the year Net movement relating to shares held by Vp Employee Trust Dividend to shareholders Total change in equity during the year 7 7 19 7 19 Equity as at 31 March 2015 2,008) 301) 16,192) (1,101) 94,340) 27) 111,767) Parent Company Statement of Changes in Equity for the Year Ended 31 March 2015 ) Share) Capital) Equity at 1 April 2013 Total comprehensive income for the year Tax movements to equity Impact of tax rate change Share option charge in the year Net movement relating to shares held Vp Employee Trust Dividend to shareholders Total change in equity during the year Equity at 31 March 2014 Total comprehensive income for the year Tax movements to equity Share option charge in the year Net movement relating to shares held by Vp Employee Trust Dividend to shareholders Total change in equity during the year Capital) Redemption) Reserve) £000) )301) -) ) Share) Premium) £000) 16,192) -) ) Hedging) Reserve) £000) (794) 704) Note £000) 2,008 -) 7 7 19 7 19 -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) 2,008) -) 301) -) 16,192) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) 704) (90) (1,011) -) -) -) -) (1,011) Retained) Earnings) £000) 36,340) 8,730) 2,876) (274) 1,735) (8,593) (4,962) (488) 35,852) 13,533) 1,145) 1,894) ) Total) Equity) £000) 54,047) 9,434) 2,876) (274) 1,735) (8,593) (4,962) 216) 54,263) 12,522) 1,145) 1,894) (11,059) (11,059) (5,986) (473) (5,986) (1,484) S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Equity at 31 March 2015 2,008) 301) 16,192) (1,101) 35,379) 52,779) Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 55 Consolidated Balance Sheet at 31 March 2015 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment Intangible assets Employee benefits Total non-current assets Current assets Inventories Trade and other receivables Cash and cash equivalents Total current assets Total assets Current liabilities Interest-bearing loans and borrowings Income tax payable Trade and other payables Total current liabilities Non-current liabilities Interest-bearing loans and borrowings Deferred tax liabilities Total non-current liabilities Total liabilities Net assets Equity Issued share capital Capital redemption reserve Share premium Hedging reserve Retained earnings Total equity attributable to equity holders of the parent Non-controlling interest Total equity Note 8 9 24 11 12 13 14 16 14 17 18 2015) £000) 147,817) 43,394) 1,043) 192,254) 6,495) 41,102) 5,236) 52,833) 245,087) -) (1,948) (54,988) (56,936) (72,000) (4,384) (76,384) (133,320) 111,767) 2,008) 301) 16,192) (1,101) 94,340) 111,740) 27) 111,767) 2014) £000) 124,834) 41,351) 689) 166,874) 5,352) 38,356) 8,978) 52,686) 219,560) (17) (632) (44,396) (45,045) (62,000) (4,531) (66,531) (111,576) 107,984) 2,008) 301) 16,192) (90) 89,546) 107,957) 27) 107,984) The financial statements on pages 53 to 86 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 4 June 2015 and were signed on its behalf by: Jeremy Pilkington Chairman Company number: 481833 Allison Bainbridge Director 56 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Parent Company Balance Sheet at 31 March 2015 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment Intangible assets Investments in subsidiaries Employee benefits Total non-current assets Current assets Inventories Trade and other receivables Cash and cash equivalents Total current assets Total assets Current liabilities Interest-bearing loans and borrowings Income tax payable Trade and other payables Total current liabilities Non-current liabilities Interest-bearing loans and borrowings Deferred tax liabilities Total non-current liabilities Total liabilities Net assets Equity Issued share capital Capital redemption reserve Share premium Hedging reserve Retained earnings Total equity Note 8 9 10 24 11 12 13 14 16 14 17 18 2015) £000) 78,679) 17,150) 25,830) 1,043) 122,702) 1,951) 51,155) 1,555) 54,661) 177,363) (4,263) (672) (44,992) (49,927) (72,000) (2,657) (74,657) (124,584) 52,779) 2,008) 301) 16,192) (1,101) 35,379) 52,779) S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n 2014) £000) 67,518) 17,720) 25,830) 689) 111,757) 1,464) 54,186) 1,473) 57,123) 168,880) (17) (236) (49,912) (50,165) (62,000) (2,452) (64,452) (114,617) 54,263) 2,008) 301) 16,192) (90) 35,852) 54,263) The financial statements on pages 53 to 86 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 4 June 2015 and were signed on its behalf by: Jeremy Pilkington Chairman Company number: 481833 Allison Bainbridge Director Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 57 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 31 March 2015 Note 8 9 Cash flows from operating activities Profit before taxation Adjustments for: Pension fund contributions in excess of expense recognised in Income Statement Share based payment charges Depreciation Amortisation Financial expense Financial income Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment Operating cash flow before changes in working capital and provisions) (Increase)/decrease in inventories Increase in trade and other receivables Increase in trade and other payables Cash generated from operations Interest paid Interest element of finance lease rental payments Interest received Income taxes paid Net cash generated from operating activities Investing activities Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment Purchase of property, plant and equipment Acquisition of businesses and subsidiaries (net of cash acquired) 25 Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Purchase of own shares by Employee Trust Repayment of borrowings New loans Payment of finance lease liabilities Dividend paid Net cash used in financing activities Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held Cash and cash equivalents as at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents as at the end of the year 19 2015) £000) 25,073) (409) 1,894) 25,023) 1,684) 2,024) (1) (3,277) 52,011) (854) (2,746) 6,114) 54,525) (2,016) (2) 1) (2,873) 49,635) 11,982) (52,887) (5,405) (46,310) (11,059) (10,000) 20,000) (17) (5,986) (7,062) (3,737) (5) 8,978) 5,236) 2014) £000) 18,933) (376) 1,735) 22,507) 1,120) 1,790) (12) (2,862) 42,835) 364) (3,525) 7,581) 47,255) (1,848) (5) 12) (3,949) 41,465) 8,554) (39,535) (4,498) (35,479) (8,593) (54,000) 62,000) (36) (4,962) (5,591) 395) (129) 8,712) 8,978) 58 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Parent Company Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 31 March 2015 Note 8 9 Cash flows from operating activities Profit before taxation Adjustments for: Pension fund contributions in excess of expense recognised in Income Statement Share based payment charges Depreciation Amortisation Financial expense Financial income Profit on sale of property, plant and equipment Operating cash flow before changes in working capital and provisions) (Increase)/decrease in inventories Decrease in trade and other receivables (Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables Cash generated from operations Interest paid Interest element of finance lease rental payments Interest received Income taxes paid Net cash generated from operating activities Investing activities Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment Purchase of property, plant and equipment Acquisition of businesses and subsidiaries (net of cash acquired) 25 Net cash used in investing activities Cash flow from financing activities Purchase of own shares by Employee Trust Repayment of borrowings New loans Payment of finance lease liabilities Dividend paid Net cash used in financing activities Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents as at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents net of overdraft as at the end of the year 19 2015) £000) 16,209) (409) 1,894) 11,585) 570) 2,034) (1) (2,259) 29,623) (487) 3,031) (7,519) 24,648) (2,015) (2) 1) (835) 21,797) 7,300) (26,216) -) (18,916) (11,059) (10,000) 20,000) (17) (5,986) (7,062) (4,181) 1,473) (2,708) S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n 2014) £000) 10,295) (376) 1,735) 10,476) 504) 1,790) (12) (1,297) 23,115) 443) 3,507) 4,896) 31,961) (1,848) (5) 12) (1,797) 28,323) 4,656) (21,049) (4,498) (20,891) (8,593) (54,000) 62,000) (36) (4,962) (5,591) 1,841) (368) 1,473) Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 59 Notes (forming part of the financial statements) 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Statement of compliance Vp plc is a public limited company which is listed on the London Stock Exchange and incorporated and domiciled in Great Britain. These consolidated Financial Statements of Vp plc for the year ended 31 March 2015, consolidate those of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group”). The Parent Company’s Financial Statements present information about the Company as a separate entity and not about the Group. Basis of preparation Both the Parent Company Financial Statements and the Group Financial Statements have been prepared and approved by the directors in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) interpretations as adopted by the EU and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to company reporting under IFRS. In publishing the Parent Company Financial Statements here together with the Group Financial Statements, the Company has taken advantage of the exemptions in s408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to present its individual income statement and related notes that form part of these approved Financial Statements. The Financial Statements are presented in sterling, rounded to the nearest thousand. They are prepared on a going concern basis (further details are provided in the Directors’ Report) and historic cost basis except that derivative financial instruments and cash settled share options are stated at fair value. Accounting policies and restatements The Group’s accounting policies are set out below and have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these consolidated Financial Statements. There were no changes to IFRSs or IFRS IC interpretations that have had a material impact on the Group for the year ended 31 March 2015. Future standards At the date of approval of these financial statements the following standards and interpretations were in issue but not yet effective: l IFRS 9 ‘Financial instruments’ (effective for accounting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2018). l IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from contracts with customers’ (effective for accounting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2017). This standard is still subject to EU endorsement. The adoption of these Standards and Interpretations is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements of the Group or Parent Company. Basis of consolidation Subsidiaries are those entities controlled by the Company. Control exists when the Company has the power, directly or indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In assessing control, potential voting rights that presently are exercisable or convertible are taken into account. The Financial Statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated Financial Statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases. Property, plant and equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost or deemed cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Certain items of property, plant and equipment that had been revalued to fair value on or prior to 1 April 2004, the date of transition to adopted IFRSs, are measured on the basis of deemed cost, being the revalued amount at the date of that revaluation, as permitted by the exemption in IFRS 1. Leases under which the Group assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Plant and equipment acquired by way of finance leases is stated at an amount equal to the lower of its fair value and the present value of the minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease, less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Operating lease payments are accounted for as described in the accounting policy on operating leases. Depreciation is provided by the Group to write off the cost or deemed cost less estimated residual value of tangible fixed assets using the following annual rates: Land and Buildings - Freehold buildings Land and Buildings - Leasehold improvements Rental equipment Motor vehicles Other - Computers Other - Fixtures, fittings and other equipment – – – – – – 2% straight line Term of lease 7% - 33% straight line depending on asset type 25% straight line 33% straight line 10% - 20% straight line Estimates of residual values are reviewed at least annually and adjustments made as appropriate. Any profit generated on disposal is credited to cost of sales. No depreciation is provided on freehold land. 60 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Notes 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) Business combinations and goodwill For acquisitions on or after 1 April 2010, the Group measures goodwill at the acquisition date as: l the fair value of the consideration transferred; plus l the recognised amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree; plus l the fair value of the existing equity interest in the acquiree; less l the net recognised amount (generally fair value) of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Costs related to the acquisition are expensed to the income statement as incurred. In respect of acquisitions between 1 April 2004 and 1 April 2010, goodwill represents the difference between the cost of the acquisitions and the fair value of identifiable net assets and contingent liabilities acquired. Costs related to the acquisition were capitalised as part of the cost of the acquisition. Goodwill is stated at cost less any accumulated impairment losses and is included on the balance sheet as an intangible asset. It is allocated to cash generating units and is not amortised, but tested annually for impairment against expected future cash flows from the cash generating unit to which it is allocated. The Group has chosen not to restate business combinations prior to 1 April 2004 on an IFRS basis as permitted by IFRS 1. Goodwill is included on the basis of deemed cost for the transactions which represent its carrying value at the date of transition to adopted IFRSs. Other intangible assets Intangible assets other than goodwill that are acquired by the Group are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. Amortisation is included within cost of sales within the Income Statement. The rate of amortisation attempts to write-off the cost of the intangible asset over its estimated useful life using the following rates: Customer related intangibles – up to 10 years Supply agreement – the initial term of the agreement Trade names – over the estimated initial period of usage, normally 10 years No amortisation is provided where trade names are expected to have an indefinite life. Impairment The carrying amounts of non financial assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognised through the Income Statement. For goodwill and assets that have an indefinite useful life the recoverable amount is tested at each balance sheet date. Investments In the Company’s Financial Statements, investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at cost less impairment. Dividends received and receivable are credited to the Company’s Income Statement to the extent that the Company has the right to receive payment. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and selling expenses. Raw materials and consumables stock is held primarily for the repair and maintenance of fleet assets. Goods for resale relate to stock held for sale. The basis of expensing stock is either on a first-in first-out basis or weighted average basis depending on the system used within each division. Trade and other receivables Trade and other receivables are stated at their due amounts less impairment losses. Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 61 Notes 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Group’s cash management are included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purposes of the Statement of Cash Flows. Interest bearing loans and borrowings Financial assets and liabilities are recognised on the balance sheet when the Group becomes party to the contractual provision of the instrument. Interest bearing borrowings are recognised initially at fair value less directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, interest bearing borrowings are stated at amortised cost with any difference between cost and redemption value being recognised in the Income Statement over the periods of the borrowings on an effective interest basis. Taxation The charge for taxation is based on the results for the year and takes into account full provision for deferred taxation due to temporary differences. Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability method to provide for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted and are offset where amounts will be settled on a net basis as a result of a legally enforceable right. Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using rates enacted at the balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of prior years. Trade and other payables Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost. Employee benefits – pensions Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans are recognised as an expense in the income statement as incurred. The Group’s net obligation in respect of its defined benefit pension plan is calculated by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods; that benefit is discounted to determine its present value, and the fair value of any plan assets is deducted. The liability discount rate is the yield at the balance sheet date on AA credit rated bonds that have maturity dates approximating to the terms of the Group’s obligations. The calculation is performed by a qualified actuary using the projected unit credit method. The Group’s net obligation is recorded as a balance sheet asset or liability and the actuarial gains and losses associated with this balance sheet item are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income as they arise. Actuarial gains and losses occur when actuarial assumptions differ from those previously envisaged by the actuary or when asset returns differ from the liability discount rate. An asset for the surplus has been recognised on the basis that it is recoverable prior to wind up of the scheme, however the balance sheet position is sensitive to small fluctuations in the assumptions made. When the benefits of the plan are improved, the proportion of the increased benefit relating to past service by employees is recognised as an expense in the Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the average period until the benefits become vested. To the extent that the benefits vest immediately, the expense is recognised immediately in the Income Statement. The full service cost of the pension scheme is charged to operating profit. 62 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Notes 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) Dividend Dividends are recognised as a liability in the period in which they are approved, however interim dividends are recognised on a paid basis. Share Capital Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Employee trust shares The Group has an employee trust (the Vp Employee Trust) for the warehousing of shares in support of awards granted by the Company under its various share option schemes. The Group accounts include the assets and related liabilities of the Vp Employee Trust. In both the Group and Parent Company accounts the shares in the Group held by the employee trust are treated as treasury shares, are held at cost, and presented in the balance sheet as a deduction from retained earnings. The shares are ignored for the purpose of calculating the Group’s earnings per share. Treasury shares When share capital recognised as equity is repurchased and classified as treasury shares the amount of the consideration paid is recognised as a deduction from equity. When treasury shares are sold or reissued subsequently, the amount received is recognised as an increase in equity, and the resulting surplus or deficit on the transaction is transferred to/from retained earnings. Derivative financial instruments Interest rate and exchange rate swaps are accounted for in the balance sheet at fair value and any movement in fair value is taken to the Income Statement, unless the swap is designated as an effective hedge of the variability in cash flows, an “effective cash flow hedge”. Where a derivative financial instrument is designated as an effective cash flow hedge, the effective part of any gain or loss on the derivative financial instrument is recognised directly in equity. If a hedge of a forecasted transaction subsequently results in the recognition of a financial asset or a financial liability, the associated gains and losses that were recognised directly in equity are reclassified into profit or loss in the same period or periods during which the asset acquired or liability assumed affects profit or loss (i.e. when interest income or expense is recognised). For cash flow hedges, other than those covered by the preceding policy statement, the associated cumulative gain or loss is removed from equity and recognised in the Income Statement in the same period or periods during which the hedged item affects profit or loss. When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or the entity revokes designation of the hedge relationship but the hedged forecast transaction is still expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss at that point remains in equity and is recognised in accordance with the above policy when the transaction occurs. If the hedged transaction is no longer expected to take place, the cumulative unrealised gain or loss recognised in equity is recognised immediately in the Income Statement. The fair value of interest rate swaps is the estimated amount the Group would receive or pay to terminate the swap at the balance sheet date, taking into account current and future interest rates and the current creditworthiness of the swap counterparties. The fair value of the exchange rate swap is the estimated amount the Group would receive or pay to terminate the swap at the balance sheet date taking account of current and future exchange rates. The carrying value of hedge instruments is presented within other payables. Financial guarantee contracts 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. Revenue Revenue represents the amounts (excluding Value Added Tax) derived from the hire of equipment and the provision of goods and services to third party customers during the year. Revenue from equipment hire, which is the vast majority of Group revenues, is recognised from the start of hire through to the end of the agreed hire period predominately on a time apportioned basis. Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer and revenue from services rendered is recognised in the Income Statement in proportion to the stage of completion of the transaction at the balance sheet date. As the Group does not in the course of its ordinary activities routinely dispose of equipment held for hire any sales proceeds are shown as a reduction in cost of sales. Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 63 Notes 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) Share based payments The fair value of share options is charged to the Income Statement based upon their fair value at the date of grant with a corresponding increase in equity. The charge is recognised evenly over the vesting period of the options. The liabilities for cash settled share based payment arrangements are measured at fair value. The fair values are calculated using an appropriate option pricing model. The Group’s Approved, Unapproved and Save As You Earn (SAYE) schemes have been valued using the Black-Scholes model and the Income Statement charge is adjusted to reflect the expected number of options that will vest, based on expected levels of performance against non-market based conditions and the expected number of employees leaving the Group. The fair values of the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) and Share Matching scheme are calculated using a discounted grant price model, again adjusted for expected performance against non-market based conditions and employees leaving the Group. Amendments to IFRS 2, “Share Based Payments”, clarified the treatment of cancelled options, whereby if a grant of equity instruments is cancelled the Group shall account for the cancellation as an acceleration of vesting and shall recognise immediately the amount that would have been recognised over the remainder of the vesting period. Any cash settled options are valued at their fair value as calculated at each period end, taking account of performance criteria and expected numbers of employees leaving the Group and the liability is reflected in the balance sheet within accruals. The parent company recharges the subsidiary entities with the fair value of the share options relating to the employees associated with that entity. Foreign currencies Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded using the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date and the gains or losses on translation are included in the Income Statement. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are stated at fair value are translated to sterling at the foreign exchange rates ruling at the date the values were determined. The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated at foreign exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated at rates approximating to the foreign exchange rates ruling at the date of the transactions. Foreign exchange differences arising on retranslation are recognised directly in equity. Operating leases - leasor The Group’s rental fleet is hired to customers under simple operating leases with no contingent rent, purchase clauses or escalation clauses. Operating leases - leasee Payments made under operating leases are recognised in the Income Statement on a straight line basis over the term of the lease. In general the Group is party to leases for property, vehicles, office equipment and rehired rental fleet. These leases are primarily simple operating leases with no contingent rent, purchase clauses or escalation clauses. Accounting estimates and judgements The key accounting policies, estimates and judgements used in preparing the Group’s Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2015 have been reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee. The areas of principal accounting uncertainty are estimated useful lives of rental assets, including residual values and assumptions relating to pension costs. In addition the testing for impairment of goodwill and other intangibles requires significant estimates and judgements relating to cash flows. The Group continually reviews depreciation rates and using its judgement adopts a cautious policy in assessing estimated useful economic lives of fleet assets (see page 60). The rate of technological and legislative change is factored into the estimates, together with the diminution in value through use and time. The Group also takes account of the profit or loss it makes on the disposal of fixed assets in determining whether depreciation policies are appropriate. The key assumptions and sensitivities applied to pensions are disclosed in note 24. The pension scheme position is derived using actuarial assumptions for inflation, future salary increases, discount rates and mortality rates which are inherently uncertain. Due to the relative size of the scheme, small changes to these assumptions can give rise to a significant impact on the pension scheme position reported in the Balance Sheet. 64 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Notes 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) Goodwill and other intangibles are tested for impairment by reference to the expected estimated cash generated by the business unit. This is deemed to be the best approximation of value, but is subject to the same uncertainties as the cash flow forecast being used. In addition the Group’s results are subject to fluctuations caused by the cash settled share options and national insurance costs on unapproved share options as these are required to be re-measured at each reporting date based on the Company’s share price. Changes in the Company’s share price during the reporting period therefore impact the charge to the Income Statement for cash settled options and national insurance, including vested but not exercised options, as well as unvested options. The impact of a 10 pence increase in share price would increase the charge to the Income Statement by £77,000 (2014: £63,000). 2. SEGMENT REPORTING Segment reporting is presented in respect of the Group’s business and geographical segments. The Group’s reportable segments are the six business units as described on pages 4 and 5. Total external revenue in 2015 was £205,602,000 (2014: £183,064,000). Inter-segment pricing is determined on an arm’s length basis. Included within revenue is £16.0 million (2014: £15.0 million) of revenue relating to the sale of goods, the rest of the revenue is service related including hire revenue. Segment results, assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. Geographical segments Revenue is generated mainly within the United Kingdom with no single overseas geographical area accounting for more than 10% of the Group revenue. Total overseas revenue was £30.1 million (2014: £24.5 million). In addition, all material assets and liabilities of the Group are accounted for by UK based companies. Business segments 2015 Internal) Revenue) £000) 528) 205) -) 1,209) 289) 344) Revenue Total) Revenue) £000) External) Revenue) £000) 18,775) 44,555) 21,460) 78,240) 14,874) 30,273) 16,301) 42,298) 20,201) 66,174) 15,786) 22,304) 2014 Internal) Revenue) £000) 470) 159) -) 434) 292) 675) External) Revenue) £000) 18,247) 44,350) 21,460) 77,031) 14,585) 29,929) Total) Revenue) £000) 16,771) 42,457) 20,201) 66,608) 16,078) 22,979) UK Forks Groundforce Airpac Bukom Hire Station TPA Torrent Trackside Operating profit before amortisation 2015) 2014 £000) £000) 4,025) 8,833) 2,753) 8,731) 1,009) 3,429) 2,482) 7,917) 2,035) 4,798) 1,779) 2,820) 205,602) 2,575) 208,177) 183,064) 2,030) 185,094) 28,780) 21,831) A reconciliation of operating profit before amortisation to profit before tax is provided in the Income Statement. S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 65 Notes 2. SEGMENT REPORTING (continued) Business segments Assets Liabilities Net Assets UK Forks Groundforce Airpac Bukom Hire Station TPA Torrent Trackside Group/unallocated UK Forks Groundforce Airpac Bukom Hire Station TPA Torrent Trackside Group/unallocated 2015) £000) 31,605) 50,139) 31,162) 75,921) 30,082) 20,378) 5,800) 2014) £000) 24,321) 49,458) 29,618) 68,686) 29,992) 10,774) 6,711) 2015) £000) 4,643) 9,981) 6,717) 18,740) 5,731) 7,733) 79,775) 2014) £000) 3,138) 9,814) 3,856) 15,266) 4,761) 6,144) 68,597) 2015) £000) 26,962) 40,158) 24,445) 57,181) 24,351) 12,645) (73,975) 2014) £000) 21,183) 39,644) 25,762) 53,420) 25,231) 4,630) (61,886) 245,087) 219,560) 133,320) 111,576) 111,767) 107,984) Acquired Assets Capital Expenditure Depreciation and Amortisation 2015) £000) -) -) -) -) -) 5,116) -) 5,116) 2014) £000) -) 4,625) -) -) -) -) -) 4,625) 2015) £000) 11,542) 6,663) 5,528) 21,466) 2,449) 5,040) 3,649) 56,337) 2014) £000) 7,426) 8,612) 5,963) 14,621) 1,145) 3,137) 164) 41,068) 2015) £000) 3,487) 5,010) 3,769) 10,222) 1,015) 2,820) 384) 26,707) 2014) £000) 2,841) 4,600) 3,466) 9,192) 1,582) 1,534) 412) 23,627) Acquired assets relate primarily to tangible and intangible assets acquired as a result of acquisitions. Capital expenditure relates to tangible fixed assets acquired in the normal course of business. Included within segmental assets above is goodwill and indefinite life intangibles in relation to the following cash generating units: Groundforce £10.4 million (2014: £10.4 million), Airpac Bukom £4.8 million (2014: £4.8 million), TPA £9.3 million (2014: £9.3 million) and Hire Station £12.8 million (2014: £12.8 million). 3. OPERATING PROFIT Operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting): Amortisation of intangible assets Depreciation of property, plant and equipment – owned Depreciation of property, plant and equipment – leased Operating leases - Rent of land and buildings Operating leases - Hire of other assets Profit on disposal of plant and equipment Amounts paid to auditors: Audit fees – parent company annual accounts Audit fees – other group companies Audit fees – total group Tax compliance services Tax advisory services Audit related assurance services Other services pursuant to legislation 2015) £000) 1,684) 24,994) 29) 4,315) 13,558) (3,277) 62) 69) 131) -) -) 16) -) 2014) £000) 1,120) 22,485) 22) 4,048) 10,323) (2,862) 64) 70) 134) 77) 56) 31) 3) The current year figures for amounts paid to auditors relate to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ LLP. The prior year figures relate to our previous auditors KPMG. Amounts paid to the Company’s auditors in respect of services to the Company, other than audit of the Company’s Financial Statements, have not been disclosed as the information is only required to be disclosed on a consolidated basis. 66 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Notes 4. EMPLOYMENT COSTS Group The average monthly number of persons employed by the Group (including directors) during the year, analysed by category, was as follows: Number of employees Operations Sales Administration The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows: Wages and salaries Social security costs Defined benefit pension costs Other pension related costs Share option costs including associated social security costs - equity settled Share option costs including associated social security costs - cash settled 2015) 1,259) 208) 259) 1,726) 2015) £000) 57,147) 6,147) (27) 1,474) 2,548) 1,110) 68,399) 2014) 1,185) 214) 230) 1,629) 2014) £000) 50,843) 4,842) 12) 1,166) 3,295) 2,158) 62,316) 5. REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS The Group’s key management are the executive and non-executive directors. The aggregate remuneration paid to or accrued for the directors for services in all capacities during the year is as follows: Basic remuneration including bonus and benefits Cash allowances/pension contributions Share options 2015) £000) 2,232) 337) 2,421) 4,990) 2014) £000) 1,683) 273) 2,606) 4,562) Further details of directors’ remuneration, pensions and share options, including the highest paid director, are given in the Remuneration Report on pages 33 to 45. 6. FINANCIAL INCOME AND EXPENSES Financial income: Bank and other interest receivable Financial expenses: Bank loans, overdrafts and other interest Finance charges payable in respect of finance leases and hire purchase contracts 2015) £000) 1) (2,022) (2) (2,024) 2014) £000) 12) (1,785) (5) (1,790) S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 67 Notes 7. INCOME TAX EXPENSE Current tax expense) UK Corporation tax charge at 21% (2014: 23%) Overseas tax Adjustments in respect of prior years Total current tax Deferred tax expense Current year deferred tax Impact of tax rate change Adjustments to deferred tax in respect of prior years Total deferred tax Total tax expense in income statement Reconciliation of effective tax rate Profit before tax Profit multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax Effects of: Impact of tax rate changes Expenses not deductible for tax purposes Non-qualifying depreciation Gains covered by exemption/losses Overseas tax rate Adjustments in respect of prior years Other Total tax charge for the year Tax recognised in reserves Other comprehensive income: Tax relating to actuarial gains on defined benefit pension scheme Tax relating to historic asset revaluations Impact of tax rate change Direct to equity: Deferred tax relating to share based payments Current tax relating to share based payments Impact of tax rate change Total 2015) %) 21.0) 0.0) 0.4) 0.4) (0.9) 0.2) 0.1) (0.4) 20.8) 2015) £000) 5,164) 294) 99) 5,557) (295) 3) (63) (355) 5,202) 2015) £000) 25,073) 5,265) 3) 93) 101) (237) 46) 36) (105) 5,202) 2015) £000) (11) (1) -) (12) 223) (1,368) -) (1,145) (1,157) 2014) £000) 4,621) 141) (147) 4,615) (319) (1,078) 20) (1,377) 3,238) 2014) £000) 18,933) 2014) %) 23.0) 4,355) (5.7) 0.8) 0.6) (1.0) -) (0.6) -) 17.1) (1,078) 158) 115) (187) 2) (127) -) 3,238) 2014) £000) 54) (1) 118) 171) (1,135) (1,741) 274) (2,602) (2,431) The corporation tax rate for the year ended 31 March 2015 was 21% (2014: 23%). The tax rate for the year ending 31 March 2016 will be 20%. The effect of the reduction in the tax rate has been reflected in the deferred tax balance. 68 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Notes 8. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT GROUP Cost or deemed cost At 1 April 2013 Additions Acquisitions Disposals Exchange rate differences Transfer between categories At 31 March 2014 Additions Acquisitions Disposals Exchange rate differences Transfer between categories At 31 March 2015 Depreciation and impairment losses At 1 April 2013 Charge for year On disposals Exchange rate differences At 31 March 2014 Charge for year On disposals Exchange rate differences Transfer between categories At 31 March 2015 Net book value At 31 March 2015 At 31 March 2014 At 31 March 2013 COMPANY Cost or deemed cost At 1 April 2013 Additions Group transfers in Group transfers out Disposals Transfer between categories At 31 March 2014 Additions Group transfers Disposals Transfer between categories At 31 March 2015 Depreciation and impairment losses At 1 April 2013 Charge for year Group transfers out On disposals At 31 March 2014 Charge for year Group transfers On disposals At 31 March 2015 Net book value At 31 March 2015 At 31 March 2014 At 31 March 2013 S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Land and) Buildings) £000) 13,281) 1,276) -) (65) (13) -) 14,479) 4,961) 17) (537) (15) (22) 18,883) 6,041) 740) (49) (7) 6,725) 779) (477) (10) (10) 7,007) Rental) Equipment) £000) 186,468) 38,173) 1,324) (19,034) (35) -) 206,896) 49,266) 1,304) (21,450) (1,155) 58) 234,919) 87,325) 20,019) (13,376) (9) 93,959) 22,372) (12,881) (166) 5) 103,289) 11,876) 131,630) 7,754) 7,240) 112,937) 99,143) Land and) Buildings) £000) 8,172) 358) -) -) -) -) 8,530) 4,055) -) -) -) 12,585) 3,325) 260) -) -) 3,585) 293) -) -) 3,878) 8,707) 4,945) 4,847) Rental) Equipment) £000) 100,797 ) 20,165 ) 1,376 ) (1,355) (6,952) 12) 114,043) 21,338) (1,185) (9,171) -) 125,025) 48,852) 9,506) (513) (4,452) 53,393) 10,484) (641) (5,967) 57,269) 67,756) 60,650) 51,945) Motor) Vehicles) £000) 2,005) 391) 109) (86) (37) (12) 2,370) 180) -) ((591) (23) (2) 1,934) 1,552) 277) (71) (30) 1,728) 276) (556) (12) -) 1,436) 498) 642) 453) Motor) Vehicles) £000) 579) 178) 109) -) (84) (12) 770) 147) -) (223) (2) 692) 458) 72) -) (69) 461) 97) -) (188) 370) 322) 309) 121) Other) Assets) £000) 11,561) 1,228) -) (91) (28) 12) 12,682) 1,930) 68) (3,036) (33) (34) 11,577) 7,820) 1,471) (88) (22) 9,181) 1,596) (2,995) (23) 5) 7,764) 3,813) 3,501) 3,741) Other) Assets) £000) 4,329) 629) 16) -) (4) -) 4,970) 1,013) -) (48) 2) 5,937) 2,720) 638) -) (2) 3,356) 711) -) (24) 4,043) 1,894) 1,614) 1,609) Total) £000) 213,315) 41,068) 1,433) (19,276) (113) -) 236,427) 56,337) 1,389) (25,614) (1,226) -) 267,313) 102,738) 22,507) (13,584) (68) 111,593) 25,023) (16,909) (211) -) 119,496) 147,817) 124,834) 110,577) Total) £000) 113,877) 21,330) 1,501) (1,355) (7,040) -) 128,313) 26,553) (1,185) (9,442) -) 144,239) 55,355) 10,476) (513) (4,523) 60,795) 11,585) (641) (6,179) 65,560) 78,679) 67,518) 58,522) Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 69 Notes 8. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued) The cost or deemed cost of land and buildings for the Group and the Company includes £2,704,000 (2014: £2,176,000) of freehold land not subject to depreciation. Included in the total net book value of fixed assets of the Group is £nil (2014: £57,000) in respect of assets held under finance leases and similar hire purchase contracts, Company £nil (2014: £57,000). Depreciation for the year on these Group assets was £29,000 (2014: £22,000) and £29,000 (2014: £22,000) for the Company. In addition the banks have a fixed and floating charge over the assets of the Group as set out in note 14. Trade) Names) £000) Customer) Relationships) £000) Supply) Agreements) £000) 9. INTANGIBLE ASSETS GROUP Cost or deemed cost At 1 April 2013 Acquired through business combinations At 31 March 2014 Acquired through business combinations At 31 March 2015 Accumulated amortisation and impairment At 1 April 2013 Amortisation At 31 March 2014 Amortisation At 31 March 2015 Carrying amount At 31 March 2015 At 31 March 2014 At 31 March 2013 2,118) 267) 2,385) -) 2,385) 407) 86) 493) 98) 591) 1,794) 1,892) 1,711) 5,613) 1,068) 6,681) -) 6,681) 2,980) 615) 3,595) 668) 4,263) 2,418) 3,086) 2,633) Goodwill) £000) 34,269) 1,857) 36,126) -) 36,126) 280) -) 280) -) 280) Total) £000) 43,262) 3,192) 46,454) 3,727) 50,181) 3,983) 1,120) 5,103) 1,684) 6,787) 1,262) -) 1,262) 3,727) 4,989) 316) 419) 735) 918) 1,653) 3,336) 35,846) 43,394) 527) 946) 35,846) 33,989) 41,351) 39,279) Goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets considered significant in comparison to the Group’s total carrying amount of such assets have been allocated to cash generating units (CGUs) or groups of cash generating units as follows: Groundforce Airpac Bukom Hire Station TPA Goodwill Indefinite life intangible assets 2015 £000 10,397 4,762 12,766 7,921 2014 £000 10,397 4,762 12,766 7,921 2015 £000 - - - 2014) £000) -) -) -) 1,400 1,400) An intangible asset of £1,400,000 (2014: £1,400,000) with an indefinite life is included within trade names and relates to the TPA name on the basis that it is expected to be maintained indefinitely and continue to deliver future value to the Group. The impairment test of this has been performed using the same assumptions as for the other intangibles. Goodwill arising on business combinations has been allocated to the CGUs that are expected to benefit from those business combinations. As explained in note 2 the Group has identified 6 reportable segments (2014: 6 segments), four of which align with the CGUs to which goodwill is allocated. 70 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Notes 9. INTANGIBLE ASSETS (continued) The carrying value of intangibles and goodwill has been assessed for impairment by reference to its value in use. Values have been estimated using cash flow projections over a period of 5 years derived from the approved budget for the coming year. The key assumptions within the cash flow projections are those regarding revenue, margin and level of capital spend required to support the business. These assumptions have been validated based on past experience, market conditions and the size of the fleet. The group tests goodwill annually for impairment or more frequently if there are any indications that goodwill might be impaired. The pre tax discount rate applied to all CGUs was 8% (2014: 8%), an estimate based on the group’s weighted cost of capital. A growth rate factor was not applied to the projections as value in use exceeded the carrying value before such an assumption was applied. Based on this testing the directors do not consider any of the goodwill or intangible assets to be impaired even allowing for a reasonable degree of sensitivity to the underlying assumptions, including the discount rate. The compound annual growth rate in PBTA experienced by the group was 14.2% over the last 5 years and therefore could have been justifiably used in the projections. COMPANY Cost or deemed cost At 1 April 2013 Acquired through business combinations At 31 March 2014 Acquired through business combinations At 31 March 2015 Accumulated amortisation At 1 April 2013 Amortisation charge At 31 March 2014 Amortisation charge At 31 March 2015 Carrying amount At 31 March 2015 At 31 March 2014 At 31 March 2013 Trade Names £000 376 267 ) Customer) Relationships £000) 2,682) 1,068) Supply) Agreements) £000) 394) -) 643 - 643 191 51 242 64 306 337 401 185 3,750) -) 3,750) 1,305) 322) 1,627) 375) 2,002) 1,748) 2,123) 1,377) 394) -) 394) 98) 131) 229) 131) 360) 34) 165) 296) )Goodwill) £000) )13,174) )1,857) 15,031) -) 15,031) )-) -) -) -) -) Total) £000) 16,626) 3,192) 19,818) -) 19,818) 1,594) 504) 2,098) 570) 2,668) 15,031) 15,031) 13,174) 17,150) 17,720) 15,032) The directors have reviewed the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill on the same basis as the Group‘s goodwill and concluded that no impairment charge is required. S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n 10. INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES COMPANY Cost At 1 April 2013 Acquisition Transfer to intangibles At 31 March 2014 and 31 March 2015 Impairment At 1 April 2013, 31 March 2014 and 31 March 2015 Carrying amount At 31 March 2015 At 31 March 2014 At 31 March 2013 £000) 27,072) 4,600) (4,155) 27,517) 1,687) 25,830) 25,830) 25,385 ) The transfer to intangibles in the year ended 31 March 2014 related to the hiving up of the business and assets of Mr Cropper Limited to Vp plc as following: Transfer to intangibles Fair value adjustments on fixed assets and deferred tax Addition to intangibles See note 29 for details of subsidiary undertakings. £000) 4,155) (963) 3,192) Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 71 Notes 11. INVENTORIES Raw materials and consumables Goods for resale Group Company 2015 £000 3,084 3,411 6,495 2014) £000) 2,872) 2,480) 5,352) 2015 £000 883 1,068 1,951 2014) £000) 1,259) 205) 1,464) During the year, as a result of the year end assessment of inventory, there was a £237,000 increase in the provision for impairment of inventories (2014: £143,000 increase). The cost of goods for resale expensed during the year was £11.7 million (2014: 11.3 million). Due to the nature of the spares expenditure and the approach to accounting for spares, including acquiring spares on a needs basis, it is not possible to provide the value of spares inventory expensed. 12. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES Trade receivables Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings Other receivables Prepayments and accrued income Group Company 2015 £000 36,203 - 178 4,721 41,102 2014) £000) 33,366) -) 206) 4,784) 38,356) 2015 £000 14,283 33,967 - 2,905 51,155 2014) £000) 13,990) 37,412) -) 2,784) 54,186) The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of each class of receivables as shown above. The Group does not hold any collateral as security. During the year there was an increase in the provisions for impairment of trade receivables of £1,374,000 (2014: £35,000 decrease). The provision at the year end for bad debts and credit notes was £5.0 million (2014: £3.6 million). The Group has a reasonable spread of credit risk with the top 25 customers accounting for significantly less than 50% of gross trade debtors. The ageing of the Group’s trade receivables (net of impairment provision) at the end of the year was as follows: Not overdue 0 - 30 days overdue 31 - 90 days overdue More than 90 days overdue 2015) £000) 24,171) 8,184) 2,268) 1,580) 36,203) 2014) £000) 23,493) 6,777) 1,985) 1,111) 33,366) On this basis there are £12.0 million of trade receivables that are overdue at the balance sheet date that have not been provided against. There is no indication as at 31 March 2015 that debtors will not meet their payment obligations in respect of trade receivables recognised in the balance sheet that are overdue and unprovided. 13. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Bank balances 14. INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS Current liabilities Bank overdraft Obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts Non-current liabilities Secured bank loans 2015 £000 5,236 2015 £000 - - - ) 72,000 72,000 Group Company 2014 £000 8,978 2015) £000) 1,555) Group Company 2014 £000 - 17 17 62,000 62,000 2015 £000 4,263 - 4,263 72,000 72,000 2014) £000) 1,473) 2014) £000) -) 17) 17) 62,000) 62,000) 72 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Notes 14. INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS (continued) Net debt defined as total borrowings less cash and cash equivalents was: Total borrowing Cash or cash equivalents Net debt The repayment schedule of the carrying amount of the non-current liabilities as at 31 March 2015 is: 2015) £000) 72,000) (5,236) 66,764) Due in more than one year but not more than two years: Secured bank loans Due in more than two years but not more than five years: Secured bank loans Total Group Company 2015 £000 35,000 35,000 37,000 37,000 2014 £000 - - 62,000 62,000 2015 £000 35,000 35,000 37,000 37,000 2014) £000) 62,017) (8,978) 53,039) 2014) £000) -) -) 62,000) 62,000) The Group’s bank accounts are subject to set off arrangements covered by cross guarantees and, where appropriate, are presented accordingly. In particular at Group level the overdraft in Vp plc of £6.6 million with HSBC is offset against other HSBC sterling cash balances in the Group. Similarly in the Parent Company accounts the net overdraft reported of £4.3 million is after set off of sterling cash balances within the Company of £2.3 million. The bank loans and overdraft are secured by a fixed and floating charge over the assets of the Group and are at variable interest rates linked to LIBOR. The unutilised bank facilities available to the Group as at 31 March 2015 were £18.0m. There is no material difference between the carrying value and fair value of the Group’s borrowings. Further details relating to the Group’s funding strategy (including the maturity details of the bank loans) and its credit, interest rate and currency risk policies are provided in the Financial Review on pages 18 and 19 and the Risk Management Report on page 21. The loans are subject to covenants and these have been fulfilled at all times during the year. Liquidity Risk The following are cash flows relating to the Group’s financial liabilities, including estimated interest payments, but excluding the impact of netting agreements, based on the assumption that the loans are repaid at the end of the committed period and interest rates reflect future dated swap agreements. GROUP 31 March 2015 Secured bank loans Trade and other payables 31 March 2014 Secured bank loans Finance lease liabilities Trade and other payables Carrying) amount) £000) 72,000) 50,221) 122,221) 62,000) 17) 39,654) 101,671) Contractual) cash flows) £000) Less than) 1 year) £000) 75,730) 50,221) 125,951) 65,850) 19) 39,654) ) 105,523 1,615) 50,221) 51,836) 1,403) 19) 39,654) 41,076) 1-2) years) £000) 36,668) -) 36,668) 1,407) -) -) 1,407) 2-5) years) £000) 37,447) -) 37,447) 63,040) -) -) 63,040) S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 73 Notes 14. INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS (continued) COMPANY 31 March 2015 Secured bank loans Bank overdraft Trade and other payables 31 March 2014 Secured bank loans Finance lease liabilities Trade and other payables Carrying amount £000 72,000 4,263 44,114 120,377 62,000 17 48,297 110,314 Contractual) cash flows) £000) Less than) 1 year) £000) 75,730) 4,263) 44,114) 124,107) 65,850) 19) 48,297) 114,166) 1,615) 4,263) 44,114) 49,992) 1,403) 19) 48,297) 49,719) 1-2) years) £000) 36,668) -) -) 36,668) 1,407) -) -) 1,407) 2-5) years) £000) 37,447) -) -) 37,447) 63,040) -) -) 63,040) Hire purchase and finance lease liabilities GROUP Payment) Interest) Principal) Payment) Interest) Principal) 2015) £000) -) -) 2015) £000) -) -) 2015) £000) -) -) 2014) £000) 19) 19) 2014) £000) 2) 2) 2014) £000) 17) 17) Less than one year 15. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS During the year the Group had seven interest rate swaps to fix interest rates on a proportion of the revolving credit facility. Details are as follows: Start date September 2012 December 2012 August 2013 October 2013 November 2013 April 2014 April 2014 Finish date August 2015 December 2015 August 2016 October 2016 October 2016 April 2017 April 2017 Notional Debt value 7,500,000 7,500,000 7,500,000 2,500,000 2,500,000 1,500,000 1,500,000 In addition, in March 2015 the Group put in place the following interest rate swaps with start dates in the future: Start date 1 June 2015 1 September 2015 1 December 2015 Finish date 1 June 2018 1 September 2018 1 December 2018 Notional Debt value 5,000,000 5,000,000 7,500,000 Fixed margin 1.300 1.255 1.323 0.980 0.980 1.400 1.390 Fixed margin 1.045% 1.120% 1.200% All of the swaps are effective cash flow hedges and the movements in fair values have been taken to equity. Fair values of these derivatives have been determined by the respective counterparties based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. The Group had thirteen foreign exchange hedges to reduce the risk of foreign exchange fluctuations between US dollars and Sterling in the year ended 31 March 2015. It also has a further twelve foreign exchange hedges between US dollars and Sterling covering the period from 1 April 2015 to 30 June 2016. In addition to the US dollar hedges the group also had Australian dollar and Singapore dollar hedges in the year and has taken out hedges for the next financial year in Australian dollars and Singapore dollars. All the exchange rate hedges are effective cash flow hedges and movements in fair value have been taken to equity. An analysis of fair values by hierarchy level is provided below: Liabilities measured at fair value: Financial liabilities at fair value: Interest rate swaps Forward exchange rate agreements Total) £000) 278) 1,066) 1,344) 31 March 2015 Level 1 £000) -) -) -) Level 2) £000) 278) 1,066) 1,344) Level 3) £000) -) -) -) 31 March 2014) Total) £000) 145) (154) (9) The values are based on the amount the Group would pay/receive from the bank in order to settle the instruments at the year end. 74 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Notes 15. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued) The movements in liabilities are reconciled below: Opening liability/(asset) Other comprehensive income Recycled to income statement Closing liability There have been no transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy.) Interest rate) swaps) £000) 145) 133) -) 31 March 2015 Forward exchange rate agreements £000) (154) 878) 342) 278) 1,066) Total) £000) (9) 1,011) 342) 1,344) There are no material differences between the carrying value and the fair value of the Group’s other financial instruments including trade debtors and trade creditors. The risks associated with interest rate and foreign exchange rate management are discussed in the Capital Structure and Treasury section of the Financial Review on page 19 and the Risk Management Report on page 21, as are the risks relating to credit and currency management. Financial Sensitivity Analysis Ten per cent movements in Sterling exchange rates and interest rates in the current and prior year would have increased/(decreased) equity and profit/(loss) by the amounts shown below. This analysis assumes that all other variables remain constant. Equity and Profit /(Loss) 10% strengthening of Sterling against: US Dollar Australian Dollar Singapore Dollar Euro 10% weakening of Sterling against: US Dollar Australian Dollar Singapore Dollar Euro 10% movement in Sterling interest rates: Increase in interest rates Decrease in interest rates 2015) £000) (366) 19) (49) 33) 446) (22) 60) (41) (75) 75) 2014) £000) (59) 42) 11) 23) 73) (52) (13) (28) (71) 71) The exposure of the Group to other foreign exchange rate movements is not significant and therefore is not presented in the analysis above. 16. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES Current liabilities Trade payables Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings Other taxes and social security Other payables Accruals and deferred income Group Company 2015 £000 17,700 - 4,767 7,733 24,788 54,988 2014) £000) 15,640) -) 4,742) 3,863) 20,151) 44,396) 2015) £000) 6,613) 20,045) 878) 1,344) 16,112) 44,992) 2014) £000) 5,926) 30,202) 1,615) -) 12,169) 49,912) Within Group and Company other payables is £1.3 million (2014: £nil) in relation to interest rate swaps and foreign exchange rate agreements. Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 75 Notes 17. DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to the following: GROUP Property, plant) and equipment) £000) Intangible) assets) £000) Employee) benefits) £000) Note 1 April 2013 Recognised on acquisition Recognised in income statement Recognised in equity Foreign exchange At 31 March 2014 Recognised in income statement Recognised in equity Foreign exchange At 31 March 2015 COMPANY 1 April 2013 Recognised on acquisition Recognised in income statement Recognised in equity At 31 March 2014 Recognised in income statement Recognised in equity At 31 March 2015 7,002) -) (1,030) (12) 7) 5,967) 231) (1) (3) 1,418) 307) (305) -) -) (1,901) -) (40) (678) -) 1,420) (2,619) (94) -) -) (174) 212) -) 7 7 Other) items) £000) (235) -) (2) -) -) (237) (318) -) -) Total) £000) 6,284) 307) (1,377) (690) 7) 4,531) (355) 211) (3) 6,194) 1,326) (2,581) (555) 4,384) Property, plant) and equipment) £000) Intangible) assets) £000) Employee) benefits) £000) Note 5,158) -) (629) (12) 4,517) 350) (1) 4,866) 517) 307) (161) -) 663) (68) -) 595) (1,901) -) (40) (678) (2,619) (174) 212) (2,581) 7 7 Other) items) £000) (142) -) 33) -) (109) (114) -) (223) Total) £000) 3,632) 307) (797) (690) 2,452) (6) 211) 2,657) Deferred tax assets have been recognised on employee benefits and other items on the basis that there will be future taxable profits against which these assets can be utilised. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are only offset where there is a legally enforceable right of offset and there is an intention to settle the net balance. 18. CAPITAL AND RESERVES Ordinary share capital Allotted, called up and fully paid 40,154,253 Ordinary shares of 5 pence each (2014: 40,154,253) All shares have the same voting rights. 2015) £000) ) 2,008) 2014) £000) 2,008) Reserves Full details of reserves are provided in the consolidated and parent company statements of changes in equity on page 55. Own shares held Deducted from retained earnings (Group and Company) is £8,203,000 (2014: £5,795,000) in respect of own shares held by the Vp Employee Trust. The Trust acts as a repository of issued Company shares and held 1,315,000 shares (2014: 883,000) with a market value at 31 March 2015 of £8,665,000 (2014: £5,601,000). 76 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Notes 19. DIVIDENDS Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders of the Parent in the year: Ordinary shares: Final paid 10.40p (2014: 9.00p) per share Interim paid 15.00p (2014: 3.60p) per share 2015) £000) 4,039) 1,947) 5,986) 2014) £000) 3,520) 1,442) 4,962) The dividend paid in the year is after dividends were waived to the value of £198,000 (2014: £97,000) in relation to shares held by the Vp Employee Trust. These dividends will continue to be waived in the future. In addition the directors are proposing a final dividend in respect of the current year of 11.5 pence per share which will absorb an estimated £4,469,000 of shareholders’ funds. The proposed dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and has not been included as a liability in these financial statements. 20. EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic earnings per share The calculation of basic earnings per share of 51.03 pence (2014: 39.78 pence) was based on the profit attributable to equity holders of the Parent of £19,871,000 (2014: £15,695,000) and a weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year ended 31 March 2015 of 38,940,000 (2014: 39,451,000), calculated as follows: Issued ordinary shares Effect of own shares held Weighted average number of ordinary shares 2015) Shares) 000s) 40,154) (1,214) 38,940) 2014) Shares) 000s) 40,154) (703) 39,451) Basic earnings per share before the amortisation of intangibles was 54.45 pence (2014: 41.97 pence) and is based on an after tax add back of £1,330,000 (2014: £862,000) in respect of the amortisation of intangibles. Diluted earnings per share The calculation of diluted earnings per share of 47.01 pence (2014: 36.31 pence) was based on profit attributable to equity holders of the Parent of £19,871,000 (2014: £15,695,000) and a weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year ended 31 March 2015 of 42,273,000 (2014: 43,222,000), calculated as follows: Weighted average number of ordinary shares Effect of share options Weighted average number of ordinary shares (diluted) 2015 Shares 000s 38,940 3,333 42,273 2014) Shares) 000s) 39,451) 3,771) 43,222) Diluted earnings per share before the amortisation of intangibles was 50.15 pence (2014: 38.31 pence). S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 77 Notes 21. SHARE OPTION SCHEMES SAYE Scheme During the year options over a further 302,308 shares were granted under the SAYE scheme at a price of 530 pence. The outstanding options at the year end were: Date of Grant July 2012 June 2013 July 2014 Price per share 197p 282p 530p Number of shares 416,837 382,700 285,645 1,085,182 All the options are exercisable between 3 and 3.5 years. At 31 March 2015 there were 706 employees saving an average £133 per month in respect of options under the SAYE scheme. The only SAYE scheme condition is continuous employment over the term of the option. Approved Share Option Scheme Options over a further 152,025 shares were granted during the year at a price of 680 pence. The options outstanding at the year end were: Date of Grant July 2005 July 2006 July 2008 July 2009 July 2010 July 2011 July 2012 July 2013 July 2014 Price per share 200.0p Number of shares 5,000 293.0p 213.0p 154.0p 165.0p 249.5p 266.5p 389.0p 680.0p 28,540 12,488 13,530 8,559 88,588 204,250 269,075 145,825 775,855 These options are exercisable between the third and tenth anniversary of the grant. The awards for 2012 to 2014 are subject to achievement of performance targets over a three year period. The awards for 2011 and prior are vested, but not yet exercised. Unapproved Share Option Scheme Options over 395,175 shares were granted during the year at a price of 680 pence. The options outstanding at the year end were: Date of Grant July 2005 July 2006 July 2008 July 2009 July 2010 July 2011 July 2012 July 2013 July 2014 Price per share 200.0p Number of shares 15,000 293.0p 213.0p 154.0p 165.0p 249.5p 266.5p 389.0p 680.0p 63,000 24,530 17,630 155,013 214,696 807,750 630,925 383,775 2,312,319 These options are exercisable between the third and tenth anniversary of the grant. The awards for 2012 to 2014 are subject to achievement of performance targets over a three year period. The awards for 2011 and prior are vested, but not yet exercised. 78 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Notes 21. SHARE OPTION SCHEMES (continued) Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards were made during the year in relation to a further 270,000 shares. Shares outstanding at the year end were: Date of Grant July 2010 July 2011 July 2012 July 2013 July 2014 Number of shares 14,265 193,000 616,000 443,900 270,000 1,537,165 These options are exercisable between the third and tenth anniversary of the grant. The awards for 2012 to 2014 are subject to achievement of performance targets over a three year period as shown in the Remuneration Report on page 35. The awards for 2011 and prior are vested, but not yet exercised. Share Matching Awards were made during the year in relation to a further 24,000 shares. Shares outstanding at the year end were: Date of Grant August 2005 August 2006 August 2008 August 2009 August 2010 August 2011 July 2012 August 2013 July 2014 Number of shares 3,000 2,750 446 7,657 6,182 14,500 52,500 35,250 24,000 146,285 These options are exercisable between the third and tenth anniversary of the grant. The awards for 2012 to 2014 are subject to achievement of performance targets over a three year period as shown in the Remuneration Report on page 35. The awards for 2011 and prior are vested, but not yet exercised. Awards under the above schemes will be generally made utilising shares owned by the Vp Employee Trust. The market value of the ordinary shares at 31 March 2015 was 659 pence (2014: 634.5 pence), the highest market value in the year to 31 March 2015 was 689.5 pence and the lowest 565 pence. The average share price during the year was 626.3 pence. The number and weighted average exercise price of share options is as follows: Outstanding at beginning of the year Lapsed during the year Exercised during the year Granted during the year Outstanding at the end of the year Exercisable at the year end 2015 2014 Weighted) average) exercise price) Number of) options) 000s) Weighted) average) exercise price) Number of) options) 000s) 191p) 351p) 152p) 261p) 251p) 165p) 6,625) (210) (1,702) 1,144) 5,857) 888) 144p) 187p) 111p) 265p) 191p) 159p) 8,225) (330) (3,155) 1,885) 6,625) 663) The options outstanding at 31 March 2015 have an exercise price in the range of 0.0p to 680p and have a weighted average life of 2.2 years. Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 79 Notes 21. SHARE OPTION SCHEMES (continued) For options granted, the fair value of services received in return for share options granted are measured by reference to the fair value of those share options. The fair value for the approved, unapproved and SAYE options are measured using the Black-Scholes model and the LTIP and share matching schemes are valued using a discounted grant price method. Cash settled options are valued at their fair value at each year end. The assumptions used to value the models are in the following ranges: Weighted average fair value per share Share price at date of grant Exercise price (details provided above) Expected volatility Option life Expected divided yield Risk free rate 2015 315.0p 640.0p to 680.0p 0p to 680.0p 39.2% to 40.3% 3 to 10 years 2.3% to 2.4% 0.50% 2014 161.1p 352.0p to 413.5p 0p to 389.0p 23.6% to 25.3% 3 to 10 years 3.3% to 3.9% 0.50% The expected volatility is based on historic volatility which is based on the latest three years’ share price data. The cost of share options charged to the Income Statement is shown in note 4. The total carrying amount of cash settled transaction liabilities including associated national insurance at the year end was £3,136,000 (2014: £2,121,000). £1,305,000 of this liability had vested at the year end (2014: none). 22. OPERATING LEASES The total remaining cost of non-cancellable operating leases is payable as follows: GROUP Operating leases which expire: Within one year In the second to fifth years inclusive Over five years COMPANY Operating leases which expire: Within one year In the second to fifth years inclusive Over five years Land and buildings £000 3,631 5,675 852 10,158 796 1,222 180 2,198 2015 2014 Other £000 4,192 5,534 235 9,961 3,070 3,303 - 6,373 Land and buildings £000 3,574 6,160 1,099 10,833 866 1,810 342 3,018 Other) £000) 3,389) 3,034) -) 6,423) 1,951) 1,898) -) 3,849) 23. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS Capital commitments for property, plant and equipment at the end of the financial year for which no provision has been made are as follows: Contracted 24. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Group Company 2015 £000 7,630 2014 £000 3,167 2015 £000 3,674 2014) £000) 934) Defined benefit scheme The details in this section of the note relate solely to the defined benefit arrangement and exclude any allowance for contributions in respect of death in service insurance premiums and expenses which are also borne by the Company. The Company operates a UK registered trust based pension scheme that provides defined benefits. Pension benefits are linked to the members’ final pensionable salaries and service at their retirement (or date of leaving if earlier). The Trustee is responsible for running the Scheme in accordance with the Scheme’s Trust Deed and Rules. The Trustee of the Scheme is required to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries of the Scheme. 80 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Notes 24. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (continued) There are three categories of pension scheme member: l Active members: currently employed by the Company and accruing benefits l Deferred members: former employees of the Company or current employees no longer accruing benefits l Pension members: in receipt of pension. The defined benefit obligation is valued by projecting the best estimate of future benefit outgoings (allowing for future salary increases for active members, revaluation to retirement for deferred members and annual pension increases for all members) and then discounting to the balance sheet date. The majority of benefits are subject to increases linked to inflation (subject to a cap of no more than 5% pa). The valuation method used is known as the Projected Unit Method. The approximate duration of the Scheme’s defined obligation as at 31 March 2015 was 13 years. The Trustee is required to carry out an actuarial valuation every 3 years. The last actuarial valuation of the Schemes was performed by the Scheme Actuary for the Trustee as at 31 March 2012. This valuation revealed a funding shortfall of £1,341,000. The Company agreed to pay annual contributions of 24.1% of members’ pensionable salaries each year from 1 April 2013 to meet the cost of future service accrual. In respect of the deficit in the Scheme as at 31 March 2012, the Company agreed to pay £375,000 pa for 3 years 10 months. The Company therefore expects to pay £360,000 to the Scheme during the accounting year beginning 1 April 2015. The results of the last actuarial valuation have been updated to 31 March 2015 by a qualified actuary independent of the scheme’s sponsoring employer. The assumptions used are set out on page 83. Through the Scheme, the Company is exposed to a number of risks: l Asset volatility: the Scheme’s defined benefit obligation is calculated using a discount rate set with reference to corporate bond yields, however the Scheme invests significantly in equities. These assets are expected to outperform corporate bonds in the long term, but provide volatility and risk in the short term. l Changes in bond yields: a decrease in corporate bond yields would increase the Scheme’s defined benefit obligation, however this would be partially offset by an increase in the value of the Scheme’s bond holdings. l Inflation risk: a significant proportion of the Scheme’s defined benefit obligation is linked to inflation. Therefore higher inflation will result in a higher defined benefit obligation (subject to the appropriate caps in place). The majority of the Scheme’s assets are either unaffected by inflation, or only loosely correlated with inflation, therefore an increase in inflation is likely to reduce the net pension asset disclosed. l Life expectancy: if Scheme members live longer than expected, the Scheme’s benefits will need to be paid for longer, increasing the Scheme’s defined benefit obligation. The Trustee and Company manage risks in the Scheme through the following strategies: l Diversification: investments are well diversified, such that the failure of any single investment would not have a material impact on the overall level of assets. l Investment strategy: the Trustee is required to review its investment strategy on a regular basis. All actuarial gains and losses are recognised in the year in which they occur in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. From 1 April 2013 the Group and the Company have adopted IAS 19 revised as set out in the accounting policies in note 1. Present value of net surplus Group and Company Present value of defined benefit obligation Fair value of scheme assets Present value of net surplus 2015) £000) (9,345) 10,388) 1,043) 2014) £000) (8,318) 9,007) 689) S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 81 Notes 24. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (continued) The movement in the defined benefit surplus is as follows: At beginning of year Current service cost Interest (cost)/income Administration costs Re-measurements Actuarial (losses)/gains: change in demographic assumptions Actuarial (losses)/gains: change in financial assumptions Actuarial gains/(losses): actual return on assets Contributions: employer Contributions: employees Benefits paid Present) value of) obligation) £000) 2015) Fair) value of) assets) £000) (8,318) 9,007) (11) (348) -) (11) (1,115) -) -) (3) 461) -) 386) -) -) -) 1,071) 382) 3) (461) Total) £000) 689) (11) 38) -) (11) (1,115) 1,071) 382) -) -) Present) value of) obligation) £000) 2014) Fair) value of) assets) £000) (8,893) 8,973) (12) (354) -) 63) 172) -) -) (3) 709) -) 365) (11) -) -) (2) 388) 3) (709) 9,007) (9,345) 10,388) 1,043) (8,318) Total) £000) 80) (12) 11) (11) 63) 172) (2) 388) -) -) 689) Expense recognised in the Income Statement Group and Company Current service costs Net interest Administration costs 2015) £000) 11) (38) -) (((27) 2014) £000) 12) (11) 11) 12) These expenses are recognised in the following line items in the Income Statement: Group and Company Cost of sales Administrative expenses 2015) £000) 11) (38) (27) 2014) £000) 12) -) 12) Amount recognised in other Comprehensive Income Group and Company Actuarial (losses)/gains on defined benefit obligation Actual return on assets less interest Amount recognised in Other Comprehensive Income 2015) £000) (1,126) 1,071) (55) 2014) £000) 235) (2) 233) Cumulative actuarial net losses reported in the Statement of Comprehensive Income since 1 April 2004, the transition to adopted IFRSs, for the Group and Company are £2,197,000 (2014: £2,142,000). Scheme assets and returns The fair value of the scheme assets and the return on those assets were as follows: Fair value of assets Equities Bonds Cash Returns Actual return on scheme assets Group and Company 2015) £000) 5,910) 4,422) 56) 10,388) 2014) £000) 5,435) 3,509) 63) 9,007) 1,457) 363) None of the fair values of the assets shown above include any of the Company’s own financial instruments or any property occupied by or other assets used by the Company. All assets listed above have a quoted market price in an active market. 82 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Notes 24. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (continued) Principal actuarial assumptions The principal actuarial assumptions at the balance sheet date (expressed as weighted averages) are: Inflation Discount rate at 31 March Expected future salary increases Expected future pension increases Revaluation of deferred pensions Group and Company 2015 3.0% 3.1% 3.0% 2.9% 2.0% 2014 3.5% 4.3% 3.5% 3.4% 2.5% Mortality rate assumptions adopted at 31 March 2015, based on S1MA/S1PFA CMI mode 2014, imply the following life expectations on retirement at age 65 for: Male currently aged 45 Female currently aged 45 Male currently aged 65 Female currently aged 65 History of scheme The history of the scheme for the current and prior years is as follows: 2015 24 years 26 years 22 years 24 years Present value of defined benefit obligation Fair value of plan assets Present value of net obligations 2015) £000) (9,345) 10,388) 1,043) 2014) £000) (8,318) 9,007) 689) Group and Company 2013) £000) (8,893) 8,973) 80) 2012) £000) (8,958) 7,912) (1,046) 2014 24 years 26 years 22 years 24 years 2011) £000) (8,017) 7,839) (178) Gains/(losses) recognised in Statement of Comprehensive Income Difference between expected and actual return on scheme assets: Amount (£000) Percentage of scheme assets Experience gains and losses arising on the scheme liabilities: Amount (£000) Percentage of present value of scheme liabilities Effects of changes in the demographic and financial assumptions underlying the present value of the scheme liabilities: Amount (£000) Percentage of present value of scheme liabilities Total amount recognised in statement of comprehensive income: Amount (£000) Percentage of present value of scheme liabilities 2015) 1,071) 10.3%) -) 0.0%) (1,126) (12.0%) (55) (0.6%) Group and Company 2013) 2014) 2012) 2011) (2) 0.0%) -) 0.0%) 235) 2.8%) 233) 2.8%) 599) 6.7%) 350) 3.9%) (525) (6.6%) (76) (0.8%) (252) (2.8%) (754) (8.4%) 697) 7.8%) (1,355) (15.1%) 56) 0.7%) -) 0.0%) 470) 5.9%) 526) 6.6%) Sensitivity analysis The sensitivity of the net pension asset/obligation to assumptions is set out below: Assumption Discount rate RPI inflation Assumed life expectancy Change in assumption +/- 0.5% pa +/- 0.5% pa + 1 year Change in defined benefit obligation -/+ 6% +/- 2% +3% These calculations provide an approximate guide to the sensitivity of results and may not be as accurate as a full valuation carried out on these assumptions. Each assumption change is considered in isolation, which in practice is unlikely to occur, as changes in some of the assumptions are correlated. Defined contribution plans The Group also operates defined contribution schemes for other eligible employees, the main schemes being the Vp money purchase scheme and the Legal and General Stakeholder Scheme. The assets of the schemes are held separately from those of the Group. The pension cost represents contributions payable by the Group and amounted to £810,000 (2014: £635,000) in the year. Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 83 Notes 25. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS The Group acquired the following businesses from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2015: Name of acquisition Date of acquisition Type of acquisition Acquired by Trackside plant and equipment rental business of Balfour Beatty Rail Limited 28 July 2014 Business and assets Torrent Trackside Limited Mr Cropper Limited 3 September 2013 Share purchase (100% equity) Vp plc Details of the acquisitions are provided below: Group Company Property, plant and equipment Current assets Net debt Tax, trade and other payables Book value of assets acquired Fair value adjustments Intangibles on acquisition Deferred tax on intangibles Fair value adjustment to property, plant and equipment Fair value of assets acquired Goodwill on acquisition Cost of acquisitions Satisfied by Consideration Analysis of cash flow for acquisitions Consideration Net cash included in acquisitions 2015) £000) 1,389) 289) -) -) 1,678) 3,727) -) -) 5,405) -) 5,405) 2014) £000) 163) 1,612) 49) (1,379) 445) 1,335) (307) 1,270) 2,743) 1,857) 4,600) 5,405) 4,600) 5,405) -) 5,405) 4,600) (102) 4,498) 2015) £000) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) -) 2014) £000) 163) 1,612) 49) (1,379) 445) 1,335) (307) 1,270) 2,743) 1,857) 4,600) 4,600) 4,600) (102) 4,498) Intangibles were identified in relation to the acquisitions in the year ended 31 March 2015 in relation to a supply agreement. In the year ended 31 March 2014 the intangibles related to customer lists and a brand name. The amortisation periods for these intangibles are set out in note 1. The acquisition costs expensed in the year ended 31 March 2015 were £25,000. As the acquisition of the trackside plant and equipment rental business of Balfour Beatty Rail Limited was not material to the trading performance of the Group it has not been disclosed separately in the Income Statement. For the same reason disclosure of the revenue or profit for the combined entity, if the business combination had occurred on 1 April 2014, has not been provided. 84 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Notes 26. RELATED PARTIES Material transactions with key management (being the directors of the Group) mainly constitute remuneration including share based payments, details of which are included in the Remuneration Report on pages 33 to 45 and in note 5 to the Financial Statements. In addition two directors have sold some Vp plc shares they acquired, as a result of exercising their options, to the Vp Employee Trust at market value, being the previous days closing mid market share price, namely 124,000 shares at a market value of £768,180 and 61,000 shares at a market value of £377,895. Trading transactions with subsidiaries – Group Transactions between the Company and the Group’s subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are therefore not disclosed. Trading transactions with subsidiaries – Parent Company The Company enters into transactions with its subsidiary undertakings in respect of the following: l Internal funding loans l Provision of Group services (including Senior Management, IT, Group Finance, Group HR, Group Properties and Shared Service Centre) l Rehire of equipment on commercial terms Recharges are made for Group services based on the utilisation of those services, however the Group does not charge interest on internal funding. In addition to these services the Company acts as a buying agent for certain Group purchases such as insurance and IT services. These are recharged based on utilisation by the subsidiary undertaking. The amount outstanding from subsidiary undertakings to the Company at 31 March 2015 totalled £33,967,000 (2014: £37,412,000). Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings by the Company at 31 March 2015 totalled £20,045,000 (2014: £30,202,000). The Company and certain subsidiary undertakings have entered into cross guarantees of bank loans and overdrafts to the Company. The total value of such borrowings at 31 March 2015 was £72.0 million (2014: £62.0 million). 27. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES There are no contingent liabilities (2014: nil) in respect of the Group or Company. 28. ULTIMATE PARENT COMPANY The Company is a subsidiary undertaking of Ackers P Investment Company Limited which is the ultimate parent Company incorporated in Great Britain. Consolidated accounts are prepared for this Company. Ackers P Investment Company Limited is ultimately controlled by a number of Trusts of which, for the purposes of Sections 252 to 255 of the Companies Act 2006, Jeremy Pilkington is deemed to be a connected person. 29. SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS The investments in trading subsidiary undertakings are: Country of Registration or Incorporation Principal Activity Country of Principal Operation Class and Percentage of Shares Held Torrent Trackside Limited Hire Station Limited TPA Portable Roadways Limited England England England Rail equipment hire Tool hire Hire of portable roadways UK UK UK Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Airpac Bukom Oilfield Services Pte Limited Airpac Bukom Oilfield Services (Curacao) NVA Airpac Bukom Oilfield Services Middle East FZE Airpac Bukom Oilfield Services (Australia) Pty Limited Vp GmbH Vp Equipment Rental (Ireland) Limited Singapore Oilfield services Singapore Ordinary shares 100% Curacao Oilfield services Curacao Ordinary shares 100% Sharjah Oilfield services Sharjah Ordinary shares 100% Australia Germany Ireland Oilfield services Australia Ordinary shares 100% Equipment hire Germany Ordinary shares 100% Equipment hire Ireland Ordinary shares 100% Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 85 Notes 29. SUBSIDIARY UNDERTAKINGS (continued) The full list of the dormant subsidiary undertakings is: Country of Registration or Incorporation Stoppers Specialists Limited Trench Shore Limited UK Training Limited Vibroplant Investments Limited Bukom General Oilfield Services Limited Redding Hire Limited Climate Hire & Sales Limited Fred Pilkington & Son Limited Vacuum Excavation Limited Domindo Tool Hire Limited Instant Tool Hire Limited The Handi Hire Group Limited Halls Hire Centres Limited L&P 52 Limited Northern Site Supplies Limited Power Tool Supplies Limited Hire & Sales (Canterbury) Limited Handy Tool Hire (Derby) Limited Handy Tool Hire (Nottingham) Limited Handy Tool Hire (Loughborough) Limited Cool Customers Limited Arcotherm (GB) Limited Vibroplant Trustees Limited Vibrobet Limited UM (Holdings) Limited Harbray (Plant Hire) Limited Power Rental Services Limited Rapid Response Barriers Limited U Mole Limited 727 Plant Limited Cannon Tool Hire Limited Thanet (Hire) Plant Limited The Hire Brigade Limited MEP Hire Limited Able Safety (Yorkshire) Limited Arcotherm (UK) Limited Saville Hire Limited Vibroplant Limited Mechanical Electrical Press Fittings Limited Arco’therm Limited Mr Cropper Limited Airpac Bukom Oilfield Services (Nigeria) Limited England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England England Scotland England England England England Scotland England England Nigeria Principal Activity Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Dormant Country of Principal Operation Class and Percentage of Shares Held n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 90% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% Ordinary shares 100% 86 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com Five Year Summary Revenue 138,052) 161,514) 167,034) 183,064) 205,602) 2011) £000) 2012) £000) 2013) £000) 2014) £000) 2015) £000) Operating profit before amortisation 16,472) 18,500) 19,815) 21,831) 28,780) Profit before amortisation and taxation 13,785) 15,961) 17,351) 20,053) 26,757) Profit before taxation Taxation Profit after taxation Dividends✶ Share capital Capital redemption reserve Reserves 12,234) (2,451) 15,328) (3,101) 16,402) (3,353) 18,933) (3,238) 25,073) (5,202) 9,783) 12,227) 13,049) 15,695) 19,871) (4,509) (4,457) (4,437) (4,962) (5,986) 2,309) -) 89,192) 2,309) -) 88,725) 2,008) 301) 98,586) 2,008) 301) 105,648) 2,008) 301) 109,431) Total equity before non-controlling interest 91,501) 91,034) 100,895) 107,957) 111,740) Share Statistics Asset value 198p) 197p) 251p) 269p) 278p) Earnings (pre amortisation) 26.09p) 30.76p) 35.47p) 41.97p) 54.45p) Dividend✶✶ 10.80p) 11.35p) 12.25p) 14.00p) 16.50p) Times covered (pre amortisation) 2.42p) 2.71p) 2.90p) 3.00p) 3.30p) ✶✶ Dividends under IFRS relate only to dividends declared in that year. ✶✶ Dividends per share statistics are the dividends related to that year whether paid or proposed. S t r a t e g i c R e p o r t G o v e r n a n c e F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s S h a r e h o d e r l I n f o r m a t i o n Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com 87 Directors and Advisors Executive Directors Jeremy F G Pilkington, B.A. Hons. (Chairman) Neil A Stothard, M.A., F.C.A. Allison M Bainbridge, M.A., F.C.A. Non-Executive Directors Stephen Rogers B.Sc., F.C.A., J.P. Philip M White B.Com, F.C.A., CBE Secretary Allison M Bainbridge Registered Office Central House, Beckwith Knowle, Otley Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 1UD Registered in England and Wales: No 481833 Telephone: 01423 533400 Independent Auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Benson House, 33 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4JP Solicitors Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP, 2 Park Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS3 1ES Registrars and Transfer Office Capita Asset Services, The Registry, 34 Beckenham Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TU Bankers HSBC Bank plc Lloyds Bank plc Merchant Bankers N M Rothschild & Sons Limited Stockbrokers N +1 Singer Public Relations Abchurch Communications 88 Vp plc Annual Report and Accounts 2015 www.vpplc.com