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Whitbread

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FY2016 Annual Report · Whitbread
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Whitbread PLC 
Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16

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Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16

“ Making everyday 
experiences special”

Whitbread is all about people. As the UK’s leading 
hospitality company, our success is thanks to 50,000 
motivated and engaged team members delivering 
outstanding service to 27 million customers every 
month across our hotels, coffee shops and restaurants.

We use this Customer Heartbeat schematic to describe 
our business philosophy.

2015/16 is reported as 53 weeks to 3 March 2016 and information 
throughout this report is on that basis unless stated otherwise. 
The comparative period for 2014/15 was 52 weeks to 26 February 2015.

Total revenue3

£2,921.8m 

Group like for like sales

+12.0%

Up 3.0%

2015/16
2014/15
2013/14
2012/13

£2,921.8m

£2,608.1m

£2,294.3m

£2,030.0m

Underlying profit1 before tax3

Profit before tax

£546.3m 

+11.9%

£487.7m 

2015/16
2014/15
2013/14
2012/13

£546.3m

£488.1m

£411.8m

£353.4m

2015/16
2014/15
2013/14
2012/13

£347.0m
£343.2m

+5.2%

£487.7m

£463.8m

   More on Winning Teams on p14 and p28

   More on Customer Heartbeat on p18 and p32

  More on Profitable Growth on p22 and p36 

  More on Good Together on p40

   More on our financial performance

p6  Chairman’s statement 
p8  Chief Executive’s review
p54   Finance Director’s review

1   Underlying profit excluding amortisation  
of acquired intangibles, exceptional items  
and the impact of the pension finance cost  
as accounted for under IAS 19. Underlying  
basic EPS represents the basic earnings per  
share based on the above underlying profit  
definition and the tax thereon.

2   Return on capital is the return on invested 
capital which is calculated by dividing the 
underlying profit before interest and tax for  
the year by net assets at the balance sheet  
date adding back debt, taxation liabilities  
and the pension deficit.

3   For details of the impact of the 53rd week  
of the financial year on total revenue and 
underlying profit before tax see pages 54  
and 55.

Cash generated from operations

Net debt

£714.2m to £782.2m

£583.2m to £909.8m

Full–year dividend 

Group return on capital2

An interactive PDF of our  
Report and Accounts is  
available to download online

  www.whitbread.co.uk/investors

90.35p 
2015/16
2014/15
2013/14
2012/13

Net assets 

+10.0%

90.35p

82.15p

68.80p

57.40p

15.3% 

2015/16
2014/15
2013/14
2012/13

Underlying basic EPS1 

£1,977.9m to £2,404.7m

238.65p 

–0.4% pts

15.3%

15.7%

15.3%

13.9%

+11.7%

238.65p

213.67p

2015/16
2014/15
2013/14
2012/13

179.02p

149.10p

Our vision is to grow legendary  
brands by building a strong Customer 
Heartbeat and innovating to stay 
ahead. It’s our Winning Teams that 
make everyday experiences special  
for our customers so they come back 
time and again, driving Profitable 
Growth. Our Good Together 
programme makes us a force for  
good in our communities.

Chairman’s statement p6

Whitbread’s Business Model p4

A WISE move p17

Chief Executive’s review p8

Group HR Director’s report p60

Costa China p39

Good Together p40

Finance Director’s review p54

Contents

Overview

Financial highlights
1 
Introduction
2  Group at a glance

Strategic report
4  Whitbread’s Business Model
6  Chairman’s statement
8  Chief Executive’s review
11 

 Introducing the  
Executive Committee
12  Hotels & Restaurants
26  Costa 
40  Good Together
46 
 Principal risks  
and uncertainties

50  Key Performance Indicators
54  Finance Director’s review
60  Group HR Director’s report

Governance
62  Corporate governance
64  Board of Directors
71  Audit Committee report
74  Nomination Committee report
76  Remuneration report
92  Directors’ report

Consolidated accounts 2015/16
 Directors’ responsibility 
98 
statement
 Independent auditor’s report

99 
102   Consolidated  

financial statements
107   Notes to the consolidated 
financial statements

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Company accounts 2015/16
152  Balance sheet
153   Notes to the Company 
financial statements

Shareholder information
168  Shareholder services
170  Glossary

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1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group at 
a glance

The Group

Whitbread

Whitbread has built some of the UK’s most successful 
hospitality brands, including Premier Inn and Costa.  
We employ around 50,000 people in the UK and serve  
27 million customers every month. Our strategy is to grow 
our leading brands with a clear focus on returns to deliver 
substantial shareholder value. We have demonstrated  
our ability to build strong brands through consistent 
operational excellence and providing a great customer 
experience in people–intensive businesses.  

Our businesses

Hotels & Restaurants

  More on p12 to p25

Premier Inn is the UK’s leading hotel business, with over 
730 hotels and more than 64,000 rooms across the UK. 

We have more rooms in more locations than our competitors, which allows  
our customers to stay closer to where they want to be.

We offer our customers a 100% money–back guarantee of a good night’s  
sleep with a quality room, comfortable surroundings and friendly service.  
We call it our Good Night Guarantee.

All Premier Inn UK bedrooms have an ensuite bathroom, TV with Freeview  
and free Wi–Fi internet access. All our hotels have a bar and restaurant, either 
inside the building or next to it, offering a wide range of dishes. Whitbread’s 
unique joint site model means that 387 of these hotels are located alongside  
our own restaurant brands: Beefeater; Brewers Fayre; Table Table; or Whitbread 
Inns. A further 224 hotels include one of our Thyme or Kitchen restaurants.

This year we opened our first hotels in Germany, Thailand and Indonesia. 
Internationally, we now have six hotels in the Middle East, three in India,  
two in South East Asia and one in Germany, with more in the pipeline. 

Group at 
a glance

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premier Inn is the UK’s leading 
hotel business.

Costa is the UK’s favourite  
coffee shop.

  More on p54

  More on p22 and p36

Revenue by business

Hotels & Restaurants
Revenue
2015/16
2014/15

Costa
Revenue
2015/16
2014/15

£1,822.0m

£1,659.2m

Up 9.8%

£1,103.2m

£951.9m

Up 15.9%

Growth

Premier Inn
Rooms
2015/16
2014/15

Restaurants
2015/16
2014/15

Costa
Stores
2015/16
2014/15

Express machines
2015/16
2014/15

66,964

60,841

6,123
net new rooms

409
405

4
net new restaurants

3,277

3,080

5,216

4,292

197
net new stores
924
net new machines

Costa

  More on p26 to p39

Costa is the UK’s favourite coffee shop1, with over 2,000 
coffee shops in the UK, over 1,200 stores in 31 international 
markets and over 5,200 Costa Express self–serve units.

We have a multichannel strategy, with equity stores, franchise stores and stores 
operated by joint ventures, as well as a wholesale operation.

Costa was founded in London by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa in 1971 
and we attribute much of our success to the quality of our coffee and our ability 
to open coffee shops in the most convenient locations. All the coffee we serve  
in the UK, and most of that served by Costa in the rest of the world, is roasted  
at our Roastery in Lambeth, London.

Our new ‘Costa Pronto’ concept is a high speed coffee store, designed to allow 
our customers to quickly pick up a Costa coffee on the move, while Costa Fresco 
is a new food–led concept.

Costa Express was founded in 2011, after the acquisition of Coffee Nation. Our 
self–serve units provide customers with the same famous Mocha Italia blend as 
that enjoyed in our coffee shops and make drinks with fresh milk. Costa Express 
gives us access to a range of locations where customers are on the move and 
want a quality coffee on the go.

1   Independent survey by Allegra Strategies, December 2015, of 4,000 people, 

of which 2,110 stated a preference.

Group at 
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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Whitbread’s 
Business Model

The Customer  
Heartbeat schematic  
forms the basis of  
our Business Model, 
which shows how  
we create value for  
our teams, customers, 
shareholders and  
the communities in 
which we operate.

WINcard
The key elements of our Business Model  
have targets attached to them to ensure  
we consistently focus on creating and 
delivering value. We set key performance 
indicators for Winning Teams, Customer 
Heartbeat, Profitable Growth and  
Good Together. Behind each of these 
headings are clear and measurable targets 
which together make up our balanced 
scorecard, or WINcard as we call it 
(Whitbread In Numbers). A range  
of factors are taken into consideration  
when setting targets but, in most cases,  
the following principles are applied:

   A green score is achieved where the 
performance is better than both the  
prior year and target.

   An amber score is for performance  
which is better than the prior year, 
but below target.

   A red score is for a result below the 
previous year.

Further detail on each area of value creation 
and the application of Whitbread’s Business 
Model in Hotels & Restaurants and Costa  
can be found on pages 12 and 13, and  
26 and 27 respectively.

Active property
management 

Drivin
g P

Expansion in the UK
and in selected
international markets

Strong cash flow
and balance sheet

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Creating
employment
opportunities

Strong returns
on capital 

Building strong leadership 
throughout our organisation 

Creating Win
a m   a n d Community

nin

e

T

g

T

e

a

m

s

Investment in our people:
apprenticeships and 
career development   

Making everyday
experiences 
special 

Product innovation
and continuous
improvement 

t
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m er Well
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C u

Winning market share,
growing sales and
driving efficiencies

Building  a   S t

Convenient and
accessible locations

Brand
preference
and loyalty

Market–
leading
brands 

Whitbread’s 
Business Model

4

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
i

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The 
Whitbread 
Way

We build highly engaged teams who make 
everyday experiences special for our millions  
of customers, by recruiting the best people, 
investing in training and development,  
growing talented leaders and recognising  
and rewarding success.

We put the customer at the heart of everything  
we do, investing in our people, as well as 
developing new products and services to meet  
and exceed customer expectations, build 
preference and win market share. We are 
committed to maintaining the quality of our  
estate through ongoing refurbishment.

We create shareholder value by delivering good 
returns through focused investment in Premier 
Inn (including our unique joint site restaurant 
model) and Costa, where we pursue organic 
growth in domestic and selected international 
markets. We maximise Group synergies through  
a focus on delivering a consistently good 
customer experience in a service and people 
intensive environment and utilising our central 
property expertise.

We aim to be a force for good in our communities 
focusing on Teams and Community, Customer 
Wellbeing and Environment.

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Whitbread’s 
Business Model

5

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Richard Baker
Chairman

 “The fundamentals  
of our strategy  
are unchanged.”

Chairman’s 
statement

We are pleased to report 
another good set of results, 
which once again demonstrate 
the strength of our Premier Inn 
and Costa brands.

Consistent strategy 
In my first statement as Whitbread’s 
Chairman last year, I said that we had no 
plans to change our winning formula and  
this remains true today. In December 2015, 
Alison Brittain succeeded Andy Harrison, who 
led Whitbread for five extremely successful 
years, as Chief Executive. Alison has had  
the benefit of an in depth induction into the 
business and, as you will see in her report  
on pages 8 to 10, has had the opportunity 
to review our strategy. 

The fundamentals of our strategy, which is  
to provide sustainable long–term value for 
our shareholders by growing our successful 
Premier Inn and Costa brands, whilst 
delivering a good return on capital, are 
unchanged. However, as you would expect, 
Alison has brought some fresh thinking to  
the Board and this will enable us to build  
on our plans. I also said this time last year,  
that as great businesses grow they must also 
improve. We have been extremely successful 
at building scale in recent years and, whilst 
this remains a priority, we are as focused on 
getting better, as we are on getting bigger.

Our Customer Heartbeat schematic, which 
forms the basis of our business model, is 
referenced throughout this report. It is about 
providing team members with great career 
development opportunities, making everyday 
experiences special for our customers and 
growing our business in a profitable and 
sustainable way. 

Force for good
In this modern age, great employers must have 
motives beyond profit and it is important that 
we achieve our financial aims whilst being a real 
force for good in the communities in which we 
operate. I recently had the privilege of visiting 
Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, where 
a new Premier Inn Clinical Building is being 
constructed, only a mile or so from our 
much–loved former brewery in Chiswell Street. 
Our colleagues in Hotels & Restaurants 
committed to raising £7.5 million for this 
project, with the Company guaranteeing this 
amount in the event that funds raised were to 
fall short of this figure. However, I never 

doubted that our team members and 
customers would achieve the target set and  
I am immensely proud to say that, having  
raised £2 million in the last financial year, the 
total raised already stands at over £6 million.

We recognise that we also touch communities 
beyond the UK, not least the coffee–growing 
communities from which Costa sources  
its coffee, and the Costa Foundation does 
fantastic work in funding school projects  
to provide an education to children in such 
communities. In the last financial year  
over £2 million was raised for the Costa 
Foundation. To date 61 school projects  
have been completed, providing access  
to education to thousands of children. 

People, whether team members, customers, 
suppliers or investors expect companies  
to be well–run and to operate with a social 
conscience. I believe that we live up to that 
challenge and further information on how 
Whitbread acts as a force for good can  
be found in an expanded Good Together 
section on pages 40 to 45.

Investing in our Winning Teams
At Whitbread, there are no barriers to entry 
and no limits to ambition! In the last financial 
year, we provided 565 team members with 
the opportunity to manage one of our hotels, 
restaurants or coffee shops. 

A high proportion of the people who join 
Whitbread are young people aged between 
16 and 24, many of whom are taking the first 
steps in a career in the hospitality industry. 
We have a responsibility to invest in these 
young people, both for their own benefit, by 
helping them to develop successful careers, 
and also in order to ensure that we have 
enough high quality people to give our 
customers the great experiences that they 
expect in our hotels, restaurants and coffee 
shops. As we continue to grow, this is 
particularly important. The WISE programme 
(Whitbread Investing in Skills and 
Employment), which is now active across 
both Costa and our Hotels & Restaurants 
business, educates, engages and employs 
young people and supports them as they 
embark on their careers. More information  
on this and other initiatives can be found  
on pages 14 to 16 and pages 28 to 30.

I would like to thank all of the Whitbread 
team, both in the UK and overseas, for their 
continued dedication to making everyday 
experiences special for our customers. 

Chairman’s 
statement

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 “People, whether team 
members, customers, 
suppliers or investors 
expect companies to  
be well–run and to 
operate with a social 
conscience.”

New and updated customer propositions
I said earlier that it was important that we 
don’t simply strive to get bigger, but that  
we also strive to get better. One of the ways 
we are living up to this is through a range  
of innovations, many of which you will read 
more about later in this report. 

senior roles at Santander UK PLC and  
Barclays PLC. Alison has vast experience in 
successfully managing multi–site operations 
with leading brands, has proven experience  
in delivering digital online and mobile 
technology, business to business marketing, 
and managing significant property portfolios. 

In our hotels business, the ‘hub by Premier 
Inn’ brand is now starting to grow, with two 
new hotels opening in London last year and 
the first one in Edinburgh. In Restaurants,  
we recently opened the new ‘Beefeater  
Bar + Block’ in Birmingham, while Costa  
have opened the first Costa Fresco store  
in Tottenham Court Road, London and  
the first Costa Pronto at Holborn, London. 

Overseas, we believe that the German hotel 
market represents an exciting opportunity 
and we opened the first German Premier Inn 
in Frankfurt in February 2016.

Meanwhile, investment in digital technology 
and innovations such as Costa Pay are all 
aimed at making our brands more appealing 
and more accessible to our customers.

Dividend
The Board recommends a final dividend  
of 61.85 pence per share, making a total 
dividend of 90.35 pence per share, up by 
10.0%. The final dividend will be paid on  
1 July 2016 to shareholders on the register  
at the close of business on 27 May 2016.  
The Dividend Reinvestment Plan will  
continue to be operated. Details of how  
to participate in this plan can be found on  
the Company’s website.

Shareholder benefits
For a number of years, shareholders with  
64 shares or more have been entitled to 
receive shareholder offers. Last year these 
were delivered by email. We recognise that, 
for some of our shareholders, this was not very 
user–friendly. I committed at last years AGM to 
review the process and I am pleased to say that 
we have now introduced a new shareholder 
card, which I hope will be well received. Further 
details can be found on page 169.

Board
As I mentioned at the beginning of this 
statement, Alison Brittain took over from Andy 
Harrison as Chief Executive in December 2015, 
having joined the Company in September 
2015. Alison joined Whitbread from Lloyds 
Banking Group, where she was Group Director 
of their Retail Division. Previously, she held 

On 1 March 2016 we welcomed Chris Kennedy 
to the Board as an independent non–executive 
director. Chris, a qualified accountant and a 
very experienced financial executive, is Chief 
Financial Officer of ARM Holdings plc, which he 
joined in September 2015. Prior to that he was 
Group Finance Director of easyJet plc for five 
years, having previously spent 17 years in  
a variety of senior roles at EMI Group Limited. 
As well as having a strong financial background, 
his recent experience in an online, international, 
consumer–facing business with pricing models 
similar to those at Premier Inn adds very 
relevant expertise to the Whitbread Board. 
Chris will take over from Simon Melliss, who will 
also step down from the Board, as Chairman  
of the Audit Committee later in the year and  
I would like to thank Simon for his invaluable 
contribution to Whitbread over the last nine 
years. His keen eye for detail and ready dry  
wit will be missed.

On 19 April 2016, Christopher Rogers stepped 
down from the Board. He has made an 
immense contribution to Whitbread over the 
past 11 years. He joined Whitbread as Finance 
Director in 2005 and played a leading role  
in the transformation of the Group to a more 
focused and profitable business. He then took 
the helm at Costa in 2012 and, under his 
leadership, Costa has grown rapidly from under 
2,500 stores to over 3,200 today and is firmly 
established as the UK's favourite coffee shop 
chain. I should like to thank him for all he has 
done over the years and, more recently, for his 
support and typical professionalism in enabling 
a smooth succession planning process.

I look forward to meeting as many of you  
as possible at our AGM on 21 June 2016.

Richard Baker
Chairman 
25 April 2016

Chairman’s 
statement

7

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alison Brittain
Chief Executive

 “This was another good 
year for Whitbread  
with record levels of 
employee engagement,  
customer satisfaction 
and new site openings.”

Chief Executive’s 
review

I am delighted to have been 
appointed as Whitbread’s Chief 
Executive. In Costa and Premier 
Inn we have the nation’s most 
loved coffee shop and hotel 
brands. It is the strength of these 
two leading brands, along with 
our fantastic teams who deliver 
great service every day, that 
underpins Whitbread’s success 
and our future growth.

I am excited by the prospect of leading the 
next phase of Whitbread’s growth, building 
on our strong fundamentals of brand strength 
and sound capital and financial discipline.  
We will also add new capabilities to create a 
stronger business that continues to deliver for 
our customers, shareholders, colleagues and 
communities.

Another year of strong sales and  
profit growth
This was another good year for Whitbread, 
with record levels of employee engagement, 
customer satisfaction and new openings. 
These have helped us to deliver good like  
for like and total sales growth, leading to  
a strong rise in profits and strong returns  
for our shareholders.

In the year, our growth generated a further 
c.4,000 new UK jobs. We now employ  
almost 50,000 people, working across our 
2,300 hotels, restaurants and coffee shops  
in the UK. I would like to thank each and 
every one of our team members for their  
hard work, passion and commitment,  
which are what make Whitbread the great 
company it is today. 

In 2015/16, we grew like for like sales  
by 3.0% and total sales by 12.0% to  
£2,921.8 million. This growth in total sales  
was a combination of the increase in like  
for like sales and the continuing expansion  
of our network. We opened 44 new hotels, 
with a total of 4,628 new rooms, a further 
1,495 room extensions, six joint site 
restaurants and 197 net new Costa stores  
in the UK and overseas.

I am pleased to report an 11.9% growth in our 
underlying pre–tax profit to £546.3 million 
and an 11.7% growth in our underlying basic 
earnings per share. This growth in profit  
has produced a strong operating cash flow, 
increasing by 9.5% to £782.2 million, which  
in turn has supported capital investment in 
the business of £724.9 million. The Board  
has proposed an 8.6% increase in the final 
dividend, which would increase the full year 
dividend by 10.0% to 90.35 pence per share.

Hotels & Restaurants underlying operating 
profit was up 11.3% to £446.9 million. Premier 
Inn grew total sales by 12.9%, like for like  
sales by 4.2%, total RevPAR by 3.1% and the 
number of rooms available by 9.8%, with  
a record 5,461 new UK rooms opened in the 
year. Total occupancy remained high as  
we finished the year at 80.9%. Restaurants 
grew total sales by 3.5%, like for like sales  
by 0.8%, ahead of its competitors, and 
opened four net new sites. 

Costa’s underlying operating profit was  
up 15.8% to £153.5 million, with total sales 
growth of 15.9%. This was driven by UK  
like for like sales growth of 2.9%, 197 net  
new stores worldwide and 924 net new  
Costa Express machines. Further  
information on the performance of Costa  
and the Hotels & Restaurants business 
can be found later in this strategic report.

Whilst it is only six weeks into our new 
financial year, we remain confident of  
making good progress this year.

A long–term structural growth story
The success of Premier Inn and Costa  
has been built on a strategy of capitalising  
on significant market opportunities by 
developing brand and network strength, 
excellent operational delivery by our teams, 
and applying strong capital discipline.  
These together have enabled the 
achievement of market–leading positions  
and profitable growth. The fundamentals  
of this strategy will not change and we  
will continue to be ambitious in our 2020 
growth aspirations of 85,000 UK hotel  
rooms and £2.5 billion system sales in Costa. 
This growth, together with strong financial 
and capital discipline, will deliver good  
long–term sustainable returns.

Chief Executive’s 
review

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
i

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 “The expectations  
of Costa’s customers, 
like those of Premier  
Inn, are rising and  
we need to ensure  
we meet them.”

 “I have identified three 
key strategic themes 
to ensure that our 
brands get not only 
bigger, but also better.”

There is continuing growth of the budget  
hotel market as the independent sector 
continues to decline. At Premier Inn, we 
deliver a market–leading experience for both 
corporate and leisure customers. With over 
730 hotels we offer the widest choice  
of locations, the best value for money and, 
through investment in our sites and teams,  
a great product in the marketplace. All this 
drives tremendous loyalty and high occupancy 
of over 80%. This year we invested over  
£165 million on refurbishments and hotel 
enhancements, as well as upgrading the 
customer’s digital experience. Our website, 
premierinn.com, welcomes 80% of our 
customers who choose to book direct, giving 
us a significant competitive advantage. 

The coffee shop market has seen 
unprecedented growth in the past two 
decades and the coffee shop has fast 
become the place of choice for people to 
meet and work. There is a growing demand 
for great quality coffee and consumers are 
drinking more coffee than ever before. 
However, this trend has room to continue as 
coffee consumption per capita in the UK is 
still relatively low in comparison to many 
other countries. As the UK’s favourite coffee 
shop, with a network of over 2,000 stores, 
Costa is well placed to capitalise on future 
market growth, but we cannot be 
complacent. The expectations of Costa’s 
customers, like those of Premier Inn’s, are 
rising and we need to ensure we meet them. 
Fresher and healthier food, faster service, 
better loyalty schemes and a greater digital 
experience are all becoming increasingly 
important to drive customer satisfaction  
and grow sales. 

With such positive foundations there is  
much to be optimistic about. However, the 
environment in which we operate is evolving. 
Competitor dynamics are changing through 
both traditional and disruptor channels; 
customers are demanding more value and 
greater quality; technology is developing  
at pace, especially digitally and, with cost 
structures under pressure, there is a growing 
need to focus on productivity and efficiency. 
In order to continue to be successful in  
the future, we will need to invest to extend 
our current capabilities and also to build  
new ones.

To get bigger, we must get better
In the next few years, as we build and grow, 
we must retain our core strengths, but at  
the same time sharpen our customer focus  
to ensure our leading brands remain fresh  
in the eyes of our customers. In addition  
we must develop new capabilities and 
infrastructure that will support productive 
and efficient growth. This will allow us to 
achieve our significant growth ambitions  
and continue to deliver long–term sustainable 
value for our shareholders.

To do this I have identified three key  
strategic themes to ensure that our brands 
get not only bigger, but also better. 

1 Grow and innovate in our core  
UK businesses
As we grow the number of our hotels and 
coffee shops we need to develop our 
market–leading customer propositions with 
further product innovation and the consistent 
delivery of quality service and value. This is 
the way to stay the number one choice and  
at the forefront of our customers’ minds. 
Innovation is vital to our future success and 
we have launched a number of exciting new 
concepts including ‘hub by Premier Inn’  
which breaks the mould in hotel design and 
technology, as well as two new Costa store 
formats Costa Fresco and Costa Pronto 
addressing consumer demands for faster 
service, fresher food and a finer coffee 
experience. We are also improving our  
digital capabilities to ensure we stay ahead 
in this rapidly changing space. 

2 Focus on our strengths to grow 
internationally
It is clear that there are exciting market 
opportunities for Costa Retail and Costa 
Express and for establishing the Premier Inn 
brand internationally. With the international 
business at an early stage of development  
we need to make sure we focus our efforts 
and capital on the very best opportunities, 
that will produce the highest returns. We will 
continue to review our international strategy 
over the coming year.

Chief Executive’s 
review

9

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive’s 
review
continued 

Our first ‘hub by Premier Inn’ 
hotel is already gaining great 
reviews.

 “As one of the UK’s 
largest companies  
we have the 
responsibility and 
the opportunity 
to act as a force  
for good.” 

Our best ever bed provides  
our customers, young and old, 
with a great night’s sleep.

In April 2015 we set out ambitious 2020 
targets for our Good Together programme 
and I am delighted to say we are making 
good progress towards achieving them.  
Our teams are doing an amazing job raising 
millions of pounds for our chosen charities  
of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s 
Charity and the Costa Foundation helping 
improve the lives of children in the UK and 
coffee–growing communities around the 
world. We are also leading the hospitality 
industry in our innovative work to build 
sustainable buildings so that, as we grow,  
we manage our environmental footprint.  
A good example is Costa’s new Eco Pod  
store in Telford, which is the UK’s first zero 
energy coffee shop.

Delivering our exciting future
I am tremendously excited by the future  
and I am looking forward to working  
with the team to build upon the strong 
foundations of the business and create  
an even stronger Whitbread. By growing  
and innovating in the UK, focusing on our 
strengths in our international business and 
building the capabilities and platform to 
support future growth, we will ensure that,  
as we get bigger, we also get better. Our 
bigger and better Whitbread will deliver  
great outcomes for our customers, 
shareholders, colleagues and communities. 

Alison Brittain
Chief Executive 
25 April 2016

3 Build the capability and platform  
to support future growth
To deliver long term sustainable returns  
we need to ensure we are investing for the 
long term in the infrastructure to allow us  
to grow efficiently. As you might expect, for  
a company that has grown so rapidly over the 
last few years, we need to do more to ensure 
we have the skills and platforms to keep our 
products relevant, to become more agile in 
our digital capabilities and to build a robust 
infrastructure to provide efficiency. These 
investments will, in turn, provide the platform 
to deliver our growth plans, provide a better 
customer experience and, importantly, drive 
long–term productivity and efficiency that  
is right for the size of the business which  
we will become.

Brands are built on customer trust 
At Whitbread we have some of the UK’s 
favourite and most trusted hospitality brands. 
Keeping abreast of, or indeed ahead of, the 
trends and concerns which are important  
to our customers and communities is vital, 
whether that be how we look after our 
colleagues, how we protect the environment 
or how we support our communities. As one 
of the UK’s largest companies we have the 
responsibility and the opportunity to act as a 
force for good. This is not just the right thing 
to do, it is vital if we are to build a sustainable 
business for shareholders in the long term.

We are committed to creating a great place 
to work and ensuring our 50,000 team 
members have development opportunities 
that will help them realise their potential.  
We invest around £12 million annually in skills 
and development programmes including our 
WISE programme (Whitbread Investing in 
Skills and Employment) which is focused on 
supporting young people and those not in 
education, employment or training into work. 
We welcome the introduction of the new 
National Living Wage, indeed in Costa we 
implemented it six months in advance of the 
Government’s launch date. In Costa and 
Premier Inn we have taken the decision to  
pay the new wage to all employees (including 
apprentices), regardless of whether they  
are over or under 25 years old.

Chief Executive’s 
review

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Introducing the 
Executive Committee

1

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3

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Members of the  
Executive Committee

1   Paul Flaum 

Managing Director, 
Hotels & Restaurants

2   Christopher Rogers 
Managing Director, 
Costa Coffee

3   Nicholas Cadbury 

Group Finance Director

4   Alison Brittain 
Chief Executive

5   Louise Smalley 

Group HR Director

6   Chris Vaughan 
General Counsel

7   Ratnesh Verma 

Managing Director, 
Whitbread Hotels  
& Restaurants 
International

Dominic Paul will succeed Christopher Rogers 
as Managing Director, Costa Coffee and will 
be a member of the Executive Committee.

Dominic joins Whitbread from Royal Caribbean 
International, where he has been responsible  
for the international business outside of its US 
operations. He brings a wealth of experience  
in the travel and leisure industry.

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The Executive Committee meets on a 
monthly basis and is chaired by Alison 
Brittain. It has authority to manage the day  
to day operation of the Group’s businesses, 
with the exception of those matters reserved 
for the Board, within the financial limits set  
by the Board.

The Committee’s responsibilities include:
• formulation of strategy for 

recommendation to the Board;
• management of performance in 

accordance with strategy and budgets;

• talent and succession;
• risk management;
• cost efficiency, procurement and 

organisational design; and

• reputation and stakeholder management.

Dominic Paul

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11

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16Page title 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hotels & Restaurants
The Business Model in action

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomerr
HHHeartbeaaatt
Heartbeat

Profitable Growth

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomerr
Heartbeat
HHHeartbeaaatt

Profitable Growth

Winning Teams

Customer Heartbeat

Our approach
• We recruit, reward, train and develop  
our 35,000 team members to build 
highly engaged teams who deliver 
great customer service and make 
everyday experiences special.

• We offer jobs and an industry–leading 
apprenticeship programme to grow 
talented leaders.

Our approach
• Premier Inn offers customers the 

greatest choice of locations.

• Premier Inn offers a consistently  
high quality product supported  
by our Good Night Guarantee.

• At every Premier Inn we serve  

great food and drink.

• Over half of our Premier Inns  
have a Whitbread branded 
restaurant next door.

• Our dynamic pricing system means  
we can offer customers the best 
value and deliver occupancy targets.

• We are a leading online retailer —  
four out of every five bookings  
is made at www.premierinn.com.
• We build brand awareness and 

loyalty through targeted marketing 
and sales.

• Our restaurants have distinctive 
brand propositions and serve  
great quality value food appealing  
to a local customer base and  
our hotel guests.

• We continually refurbish our  
estate to maintain its quality.
• We innovate to meet customer 

needs.

Business Model in action

Business Model in action

Creating employment opportunities
• Our active talent pool contains  

the details of nearly 30,000 people 
who have expressed an interest 
in a career with us.

• 60% of our new recruits are aged 

between 16 and 24.

• We created over 2,500 work, or work 
experience, placements in the year, 
providing opportunities for young 
and unemployed people.

Building strong leadership
• 645 delegates took part in our 
Shooting Stars management 
development course in the year.
• 32% of apprentices progress to 

management roles within two years.

Investment in our people
• WISE is a ground–breaking 

programme that educates, engages 
and employs young people and 
supports them into the world of work.

• 7,385 people participated in 638 
classroom–based courses during  
the year.

Making everyday experiences special
• We now have luxurious and 

comfortable Hypnos beds in every 
single Premier Inn room, ensuring 
that our guests wake up feeling 
wonderful!

• Our restaurants aim to ‘serve up 
great memories’ and 77.1% of  
guests score us nine or ten out  
of ten, up 3.1% pts on the prior year.

Convenient and accessible locations
• With over 730 hotels across the UK, 
our customers can be confident of 
finding a Premier Inn near to where 
they want to be.

• Almost all of our 409 restaurants  
are located alongside a Premier  
Inn, making them convenient for  
Premier Inn guests and local 
communities alike.

Product innovation and continuous 
improvement
• ‘hub by Premier Inn’, our new 

compact city centre hotel brand,  
has opened three new locations  
in the year, bringing the total  
to four, with 12 more in the pipeline.

• Premier Inn launched a new  

breakfast menu, including 16 tasty 
new products, including bubble and 
squeak and American style pancakes.

• Brewers Fayre’s new Dennis The 
Menace themed play areas have 
proved popular with families.

Market–leading brands
• Premier Inn was named the UK’s top 
rated hotel chain in the 2015 Which? 
Hotel Report and achieved the 
TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 
in over 80% of its hotels.

Brand preference and loyalty
• 95% of Premier Inn guests rate  

our team members positively for 
friendliness and helpfulness.

• We now have 1.7 million members 
across our Restaurants loyalty 
schemes.

Hotels & Restaurants 
The Business Model in action

12

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Winning Teams

Our approach

Customer Heartbeat

Our approach

• We recruit, reward, train and develop  

our 35,000 team members to build 

• Premier Inn offers customers the 

greatest choice of locations.

• At every Premier Inn we serve  

great food and drink.

highly engaged teams who deliver 

great customer service and make 

everyday experiences special.

• We offer jobs and an industry–leading 

apprenticeship programme to grow 

talented leaders.

• Premier Inn offers a consistently  

high quality product supported  

by our Good Night Guarantee.

• Over half of our Premier Inns  

have a Whitbread branded 

restaurant next door.

• Our dynamic pricing system means  

we can offer customers the best 

• Our restaurants have distinctive 

brand propositions and serve  

value and deliver occupancy targets.

great quality value food appealing  

• We are a leading online retailer —  

four out of every five bookings  

is made at www.premierinn.com.

• We build brand awareness and 

loyalty through targeted marketing 

and sales.

to a local customer base and  

our hotel guests.

• We continually refurbish our  

estate to maintain its quality.

• We innovate to meet customer 

needs.

Business Model in action

Business Model in action

Creating employment opportunities

• Our active talent pool contains  

the details of nearly 30,000 people 

who have expressed an interest 

in a career with us.

Making everyday experiences special

• We now have luxurious and 

comfortable Hypnos beds in every 

single Premier Inn room, ensuring 

that our guests wake up feeling 

Convenient and accessible locations

• With over 730 hotels across the UK, 

our customers can be confident of 

finding a Premier Inn near to where 

they want to be.

• 60% of our new recruits are aged 

between 16 and 24.

• We created over 2,500 work, or work 

experience, placements in the year, 

providing opportunities for young 

and unemployed people.

Building strong leadership

• 645 delegates took part in our 

Shooting Stars management 

development course in the year.

• 32% of apprentices progress to 

management roles within two years.

Investment in our people

• WISE is a ground–breaking 

programme that educates, engages 

and employs young people and 

supports them into the world of work.

• 7,385 people participated in 638 

classroom–based courses during  

the year.

wonderful!

• Our restaurants aim to ‘serve up 

great memories’ and 77.1% of  

guests score us nine or ten out  

• Almost all of our 409 restaurants  

are located alongside a Premier  

Inn, making them convenient for  

Premier Inn guests and local 

of ten, up 3.1% pts on the prior year.

communities alike.

Product innovation and continuous 

Market–leading brands

improvement

• ‘hub by Premier Inn’, our new 

compact city centre hotel brand,  

has opened three new locations  

in the year, bringing the total  

to four, with 12 more in the pipeline.

• Premier Inn launched a new  

breakfast menu, including 16 tasty 

new products, including bubble and 

squeak and American style pancakes.

• Brewers Fayre’s new Dennis The 

Menace themed play areas have 

proved popular with families.

• Premier Inn was named the UK’s top 

rated hotel chain in the 2015 Which? 

Hotel Report and achieved the 

TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 

in over 80% of its hotels.

Brand preference and loyalty

• 95% of Premier Inn guests rate  

our team members positively for 

friendliness and helpfulness.

• We now have 1.7 million members 

across our Restaurants loyalty 

schemes.

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomerr
HHHeartbeaaatt
Heartbeat

Profitable Growth

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomeerr
HHHeeartbeaattt
Heartbeat

Profitable Growth

Profitable Growth

Our approach
• We invest in high returning, 

consistently profitable sites and  
are increasing our share of the  
UK market with rapid expansion  
of Premier Inn, especially  
in London.

• We innovate with new formats  

to provide further growth 
opportunities.

• We are entering into selected 
international markets with the 
Premier Inn brand.

• We maximise synergies and 
efficiencies with our joint site 
restaurants.

• Our joint site model creates 

incremental returns.

Expansion in the UK and in selected 
international markets
• During the year we opened 5,461 
rooms and 40 new hotels in the  
UK, taking our total number of UK 
hotels to 7371.

• The London hotel market remains  
a key growth opportunity and, by 
2020, we plan to have 18—20,000 
rooms in London, including ‘hub  
by Premier Inn’ rooms.

• By 2020 we intend to have around  

six to eight hotels in Germany, 
leveraging our UK capabilities as  
we extend into this market.

Business Model in action

Winning market share, growing  
sales and driving efficiencies
• Premier Inn grew total sales by  
12.9% to £1,260.1 million, with  
like for like sales growth of 4.2%.
• Restaurants grew total sales by  
3.5% to £561.9 million, with like  
for like sales growth of 0.8%.

Strong cash flow and balance sheet
• Our strong EBITDA growth provides 

cash generation to support our 
capital investment programme —  
we invested c. £622 million cash 
capital in growing and improving  
our estate during the year.

Strong returns on capital
• We maintained a strong return  
on capital of 12.9%. This includes 
investment in future hotel openings. 
Excluding this investment return  
on capital would have been 14.4%.

1  Includes one hotel in Ireland.

Good Together

Our approach
• We are raising £7.5 million towards  
The Premier Inn Clinical Building  
at Great Ormond Street Children’s 
Hospital.

• We are creating around 1,500 

job opportunities every year with  
a focus on 16 to 24 year olds and  
the long–term unemployed.

• We are committed to sustainable 

sourcing.

• We seek to minimise our carbon,  
waste and water usage often  
using innovative technology and 
construction methods.

Business Model in action

Team and Community
• We have now raised over £6 million 
for Great Ormond Street Hospital 
Children’s Charity.

• There are over 930 apprentices  

in learning.

Customer Wellbeing
• We are reformulating dishes to  
ensure they are healthier, without 
compromising on product safety, 
quality or taste.

Environment
• We now have solar panels on over 
12% of our hotel estate, reducing  
our carbon footprint by over  
6,000 tonnes/CO2e per annum.
• The direct operations recycling  

rate in the year was 69.2%.

• 14 grey water recycling schemes  

were installed.

Hotels & Restaurants 
The Business Model in action

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hotels & Restaurants
Winning Teams

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomerr
HHHeartbeaaatt
Heartbeat

Profitable Growth

Both Premier Inn and Restaurants  
have a clear purpose and employee  
value propositions that underpin the  
Whitbread vision.

Our promise to our Winning Teams
Our restaurant team members are passionate about 
delivering great customer experiences to our guests and  
our purpose, ‘Serving up Great Memories’, lives right at  
the heart of our business. Our great people are our ‘Main 
Ingredient’, making sure we continue to serve up these  
great memories. 

Listening and taking action
In October our team members participated in our annual 
employee engagement survey, ‘Your Say’. Building on the 
improvements we made to the survey last year, we further 
strengthened the insight and made the results easier to 
understand and to take action on. We also introduced an 
improved framework to ‘Your Say’, which provides insightful 
analysis around employee engagement and enablement. 

Our engagement results outperform the external benchmark 
scores for Leisure and Hospitality (as quoted by our survey 
provider Korn Ferry | Hay Group). 

Team engagement survey: ‘Your Say’

Premier Inn is a place made by you
with opportunities to grow, develop
and achieve your dreams too. A place
where you belong, where your future
will unfold.

At Premier Inn, our ambition is to become the most loved 
hotel brand in the world, which we will achieve by helping  
our guests feel brilliant. This is supported by our promise  
to team members that Premier Inn is ‘A place made by you’.  
Our promise to ‘hub by Premier Inn’ team members,  
 ‘Shaping your future and ours’, reflects our innovative, 
technology–centric culture. 

We are committed to making all our team members feel 
valued, nurtured, recognised and invested in, and this is 
incorporated into every activity we undertake. 

Shaping your future and ours.
Connected and always on the pulse,
your passion for interaction will give
our guests a new kind of hotel
experience.

Team turnover
We set stretching targets for a reduction in annual team 
turnover during the year in both Premier Inn and Restaurants. 
A number of initiatives to support the achievement of these 
goals only started to make a sustainable impact half way 
through the year. Although we did not achieve our targets, 
the business exited the year with positive momentum.

Engagement  Engagement  Response 
rate 
Oct 2014  Oct 2015 

score  
Oct 2015 

score 

Response 
rate 
Oct 2014

Hotels & Restaurants 

78% 

78% 

83% 

85%

Overall engagement levels remained strong and our scores 
around intention to stay increased significantly this year.  
This was driven in particular by 16 to 24 year olds in entry level 
roles, which we believe is due to the career prospects we  
offer and the introduction of our pay for progression scheme.

We have made a significant additional investment in our teams through  
the introduction of our pay for progression scheme this year. 

We also ran ‘Pulse’ surveys across the business in April, 
allowing us to delve deeper into key areas of the 2014 survey 
results and enabling us to take more focused action. For 
example, further analysis of the ‘Fair Deal’ dimension of the 
annual survey helped us build a strong business case to 
introduce pay for progression for hourly paid team members.

Investing in our Winning Teams
Across Premier Inn and Restaurants we have made a significant 
additional investment in our teams through the introduction of 
our pay for progression scheme this year. All team members 
now have clear pathways for ongoing development. Each 
progression step is supported by a proficiency curriculum 
relevant to the role, with corresponding progressions in pay.  
We remain committed to providing our teams with opportunities 
to develop their skills, rewarded with competitive pay. 

Hotels & Restaurants 
Winning Teams

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Attracting winning team members
In the last year we have invested heavily in the tools that  
we use to attract great talent to our organisation. We have 
designed a new technology platform for our external  
careers websites across all our brands to improve the 
experience potential employees have with us, from their  
very first interaction. Our new careers websites bring to  
life the spirit of our brands and have been designed to be 
more informative, interactive and easier to use across all 
digital platforms. 

To complement these new portals, we have also invested  
in a new in–house recruitment system. This enables our 
managers to find great team members more effectively  
from an active talent pool that contains the details  
of nearly 30,000 people who have already expressed  
an interest in embarking on a new career within our  
businesses. The system has been designed to offer  
potential employees greater clarity around the choice  
of possible careers across Whitbread.

Career development
Providing attractive career opportunities is a key driver  
of engagement for our teams. Likewise, our team members 
feel more enabled when they have opportunities for learning  
and development. Across Hotels & Restaurants, we are 
strengthening our leadership pipeline through proactive 
talent management.

This year has seen the roll out of a new, bespoke potential 
model across Whitbread. It will enable us to understand  
the pipeline of talent we have throughout the business  
and identify opportunities, maximise potential and  
accelerate development and progression for individuals  
with exceptional potential. 

We have also simplified our approach to performance 
management to focus on and develop individuals’ strengths. 
In our hotels, this is underpinned by regular coaching 
conversations with line managers. 

In addition to the refreshed skills curriculum aligned to the  
pay for progression scheme, we are updating our internal 
leadership development programmes and creating a new, 
cross–functional ‘Future Leaders’ programme for our  
talented middle management population. 

In Premier Inn, we have also created a leadership 
development programme specifically tailored to our teams 
from digital, strategy, finance and revenue management.  
This will enable us to attract and develop exceptional new 
talent across our ever–growing commercial functions.

In our restaurants, we ensure every team member who joins 
our business has a brilliant experience from the start through 
our ‘Best Welcome’ programme. We are also continuing our 
core development by giving opportunities for our teams to 
progress their careers into other roles, including into kitchen 
and general management. 

World–class training

Shooting Stars Management 
Development courses

645 delegates in 193 sessions  
across Hotels & Restaurants

eLearning courses — 270 available

c.240,000 course completions

Training courses — Classroom–based

7,385 people participated 
in 638 courses run this year

Supporting young people
Jobs in hospitality are often a first step for young people 
entering the workforce. In Hotels & Restaurants we have a 
young population, with people aged 16 to 24 making up 39% 
of our current workforce and 60% of our annual recruits. Since 
we recruit for attitude and potential rather than academic 
achievement, we are able to bring many young people into 
our business who are not in employment, education or 
training. We invest in developing our teams to ensure they 
have the necessary training, skills, and confidence to progress 
their careers. 

Whitbread’s 2015 OFSTED report commended our support  
of young people, saying, “Recruiting high numbers of young 
people who have little or no experience of work after leaving 
school, Whitbread makes a significant difference to the  
local and national economy, raising aspirations by giving 
employment and well–structured training that leads to long 
rewarding careers.” We are recording improved wellbeing, 
self–esteem, confidence and employability of young people 
many of whom were not previously in education, employment 
or training.

WISE investments in our people
Our WISE programme (Whitbread Investing in Skills and 
Employment), now entering its fourth year, uses an innovative 
in–house, employer–designed qualification system which 
complies with national accreditation standards. WISE is a 
ground–breaking programme that educates, engages and 
employs young people who are often facing difficult 
challenges and supports them into the world of work.  
WISE offers:
• work experience placements and school and college visits 

for 11 to 18 year olds;

• employment placements — for people of all ages who are 

not in education, employment or training;

• apprenticeships and functional skills — for team members 
who want to gain nationally recognised qualifications, from 
pre–employment at level 1 to multi–site management at 
level 7; and

• support for our suppliers to invest in developing the skills  

of their own workforces.

Hotels & Restaurants 
Winning Teams

15

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hotels & Restaurants 
Winning Teams
continued 

Whitbread’s 2015 OFSTED report confirms that WISE  
is well–embedded and has senior–level commitment.  
‘Senior leaders have a very clear strategic vision for the 
company and unwavering belief that their employees  
are the key to future success.’ Whitbread achieved  
a ‘Good’ rating across all measures. 

WISE is built into business development conversations  
to leverage better business to business contracts. A new  
national business contract with Manpower Group in 2016  
is attributable to WISE. The company said, “We initially met 
Whitbread through membership of the Movement to Work 
campaign and were very impressed by their commitment  
to providing skills and opportunities to young people.  
As a result of our shared values and beliefs, coupled with the 
quality of the Premier Inn product, we decided to appoint 
Premier Inn as one of Manpower Group’s key hotel providers.”

Work placements
We have created over 2,500 work, or work experience, 
placements this year, providing opportunities for young  
and unemployed people who may struggle with access to 
employment. We have empowered our managers to make 
meaningful links with schools, colleges and the Jobcentre 
Plus teams.

Apprenticeships
Whitbread currently has more than 900 apprentices in 
learning and we are proud of the impact our apprenticeships 
are making. We offer Intermediate, Advanced and Higher 
Apprenticeships in Hospitality. Our apprentices are learning 
on and off the job, increasing their wider industry knowledge 
and stretching their capabilities to help progress to the next 
job level. We have also launched an Advanced Apprenticeship 
in Business Administration and we have welcomed our first 
Digital Marketing Apprentice in our growing Digital team. 

Our apprenticeship graduates are very successful at Whitbread. 
32% of apprentices progress to management within two years 
compared to 20% for non–apprenticeship team members. 
OFSTED 2015 commented, “Apprentices know about the 
range of team leader and management positions available 
within Premier Inn, and talk confidently about what they  
need to do in order to take steps towards promotion.”

Engaging conversations
A key action Premier Inn took from ‘Your Say’ in 2014 was to 
improve two–way communication across the business. We 
completed a review of our internal communications and found 
that our team members and managers were hungry for more 
communication with our executive team and for better tools 
to engage with others around the business. 

To address this, we developed a bespoke digital 
communications app called ‘InTouch’ which all team members 
can access on a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer.  
The app enables us not only to share good news stories  
from around the business, but also gives our executive team  
a channel to talk directly to team members in all our sites.  
Team members can upload pictures to the ‘Photo Wall’ to 
share what is happening around our sites, and they can voice 
their views on hot topics on the ‘Question of the Week.’ We 
launched InTouch in October 2015, and within four months 
10% of team members have installed and are accessing the 
app regularly.

Restaurants team members continue to engage with our 
internal communications and social media channels, including 
our Facebook page and our monthly interactive newsletter, 
Cover Stories. 

Recognition
Recognising our Winning Teams remains at the heart of  
our ‘My Rewards’ programme, whereby team members are 
rewarded for their commitment to guests through incentive 
payments made to a Visa debit card. During the year we paid 
out £1.17 million to our teams through My Rewards. 79% of 
team members are engaging with this platform across Hotels 
& Restaurants.

During 2015, we have continued to acknowledge our  
Winning Teams through our ‘All Green’ performance 
incentives. Our kitchens were put through their paces this 
year with a dedicated kitchen WINcard to help our teams 
meet standards of excellence across a number of measures. 
They were challenged to achieve these and gain All Green 
status over four quarters with a chance to win a highly 
coveted plaque and recognition. This culminates in the top 
kitchen teams winning £1,000 and the honour of taking part 
in the final stages of the Kitchens of Excellence competition, 
with a live finale coinciding with our annual awards ceremony. 
Premier Inn team members have the potential to earn an  
extra week’s salary when they achieve an ‘All Green’ WINcard, 
hitting all their key performance metrics. 

Additionally, this year we launched an incentive across  
our hotels to acknowledge the hard work of our Head 
Housekeepers and the key role they play both in making  
our guests feel brilliant and in ensuring that their teams  
feel engaged and valued. 

Hotels & Restaurants 
Winning Teams

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A WISE 
move

Before joining Premier Inn, Paige was 
unemployed and not in education. She found  
it difficult to know where to start when trying  
to figure out what she wanted to do as a career. 
She attended a job fair in Leeds, where she met 
some of the Premier Inn team, and decided to 
take up the opportunity as a receptionist. Paige 
soon signed up for the Level 3 Apprenticeship 
and is now a fully trained Host at Premier Inn 
Leeds Arena. She is determined to continue her 
career with Premier Inn and aims to be running 
her own hotel in five years time.

 “Joining Premier Inn really turned my life around 
and I’d recommend the apprenticeship scheme 
to anyone. The support I received from my 
managers and my colleagues was invaluable and 
set me up to succeed in my role from day one.

I’ve completed my Level 3 Apprenticeship and  
am now a fully trained host at Premier Inn. In five 
years time, I want to be running my own hotel for 
Premier Inn and I’m certain that with the training  
I will continue to receive, this will be possible.”

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Hotels & Restaurants 
Winning Teams

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Hotels & Restaurants
Customer Heartbeat

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomerr
Heartbeat
HHHeartbeaaatt

Profitable Growth

We want every single one of our millions  
of guests to ‘Wake Up Wonderful’ after 
having a great night’s sleep and this  
year we’ve seen increased investment  
in our product, our people and our sites  
to ensure we deliver on this promise.

We were especially thrilled to be named the UK’s top rated 
hotel chain in the 2015 Which? Hotel Report. The report 
surveyed Which? members and the public and looked at  
key factors including value for money, customer satisfaction, 
cleanliness and bed comfort. Premier Inn scored an 
impressive 83%, 8% pts higher than our nearest competitor. 
This was echoed by TripAdvisor ratings for the year with  
over 80% of Premier Inns achieving of a TripAdvisor 
Certificate of Excellence.

Our Premier Inn teams continue to deliver exceptionally  
high standards to our guests. Recent figures from our guest 
satisfaction survey show that 95% of guests rate our teams 
positively for friendliness and helpfulness. Additionally, nine 
out of ten guests say they will or definitely will consider 
staying at a Premier Inn again.

Premier Inn continues to lead the YouGov Hotel Brand Index1 
and has retained its title as ‘Best Value Hotel’ in the Index for 
the sixth year running.

YouGov — value measure

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

–5

–10

Key

January
2011

January
2012

January
2013

January
2014

January
2015

January
2016

Premier Inn
Travelodge

Holiday Inn
Ibis

Marriott
Hilton

1   Source: YouGov Brand Index. 52 week rolling average 1 January 2016. 

Score equals the percentage of positives minus the percentage  
of negatives.

A great quality product 
At Premier Inn we offer customers a Good Night Guarantee 
and receive invocations from less than 0.9% of customers.  
We believe that for a great night's sleep you need a truly  
great bed, which is why this year we replaced a further 
23,500 mattresses and now have luxurious and comfortable 
Hypnos beds in every single one of our 60,000+ bedrooms, 
ensuring that anyone staying with us wakes up feeling 
wonderful! In 2015/16 we also refurbished over 13,000  
rooms across the estate and installed air conditioning into 
another c.2,000 rooms.

As a bike friendly hotel chain we welcome thousands of customers  
who look forward to a nice comfy bed after a day’s cycling!

This year Premier Inn were proud sponsors of the Women’s 
Best British rider in the Aviva Tour of Britain, the UK’s largest 
cycling event. As a bike friendly hotel chain we are more  
than happy for guests to take clean bikes into their rooms  
so sponsoring the Women’s race was the perfect vehicle  
to link the Premier Inn brand with the UK’s fastest growing 
participation sport and provided excellent branding and 
merchandising opportunities. It was also a great way of 
engaging our local site teams who came out in their hundreds 
along the route to cheer on the cyclists as they flew past. 

This year, Premier Inn conducted its first annual independent 
business travel survey to understand the latest trends 
amongst 1,000 UK business travellers staying in a range of 
hotels; from budget to full service. We asked business people 
what they missed most when working away from home and 
50% named their beds. Unsurprisingly, the highest scoring 
factor for selecting a hotel was a comfy bed and pillows 
followed closely by price. 

Hotels & Restaurants 
Customer Heartbeat

18

!"#$#%

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Our ‘hub by Premier Inn’ brand is at the forefront of hotel 
technology trends and has a great contemporary design 
making it the UK’s most space–efficient, digitally–advanced 
hotel brand. With four ‘hub by Premier Inn’ hotels now open, 
with three in London and one in Edinburgh, guests can 
experience interactive technology throughout their hotel stay. 
The experience includes fast check–in at our interactive 
reception kiosks and an interactive TV screen in their 
bedroom that enables them to explore what’s on in the local 
area. This year ‘hub by Premier Inn’ created a ‘world first’, 
partnering with Apple to offer our guests the ability to control 
various features in their room via their Apple Watch. We also 
launched a new ‘hub by Premier Inn’ website which is our first 
fully ‘responsive’ website, built by our own in–house design 
and development team.

Premier Inn’s presence on social media continues to grow  
with over 150,000 followers on Facebook, the launch  
of our Instagram page, and over six million organic tweet 
impressions on Twitter. 

Fun for all the family
We welcome hundreds of thousands of families every year 
and our teams love looking after children and making sure 
they not only have a great night’s sleep but also a memorable 
and fun stay. This year we ran a Countdown to Christmas  
prize draw campaign on our website in conjunction with BBC 
Christmas special, Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer’s Llamas. 
Alongside this, our hotel teams gave out over 11,000 ‘build 
your own’ Shaun the Sheep plasticine modelling kits to 
children that stayed with us on Christmas Day, to help spread 
some festive cheer.

We also partnered with the DVD launch of the international 
blockbuster ‘Minions’ to create a great kids menu in our 
Thyme restaurants and create online content to help keep 
kids amused, entertained and engaged over dinner. In the 
summer holidays we gave out fantastic Thyme ‘Wild Summer’ 
kids activity packs packed full of activity sheets, masks, 
crayons, stickers and great family day out offers. 

Brand new breakfast 
The Premier Inn breakfast is a major selling point and we 
serve an incredible c.17 million breakfasts a year. In November 
we launched our new Premier Inn Breakfast Menu having 
asked our guests what they want for breakfast so they ‘Wake 
up wonderful’. The menu now includes 16 tasty new products 
including bubble and squeak, American style pancakes, 
sourdough crumpets and smoothies. 

Our new Premier Inn breakfast is proving very popular with guests.

As well as improving our breakfast offer we conducted 
research to find out what our guests wanted from us in terms 
of a dinner offer. We found that a sizable proportion of our 
guests don’t want to eat dinner in a restaurant setting, either 
because they are dining alone and don’t feel comfortable,  
or they want to work in their room or enjoy the atmosphere  
in the bar area. This insight led us to launch a new Thyme Bar 
Menu which offers a great range of finger food, all served  
in takeaway packaging so it can be enjoyed in the bar or  
back in the guest’s room.

Growing our digital expertise and presence
With around 80% of all our bookings made directly via  
Premier Inn’s own digital channels it is crucial that our 
customers have a great experience on our website and  
this year we launched a brand new premierinn.com site. 
The dynamic and modern design is based on insight  
from hundreds of hours of customer research and the  
site is built on a completely new technology platform  
making it a much faster better experience for the user.  
The new website is also mobile friendly as 14% of all  
bookings and 27% of visits to the website are made from 
mobile devices. 

Bernard Bear is on sale in every hotel with profits going Great Ormond 
Street Hospital Children’s Charity. Follow Bernard’s adventures on 
Twitter @MrBernardBear.

Hotels & Restaurants 
Customer Heartbeat

19

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hotels & Restaurants
Customer Heartbeat 
continued 

Say hello to our new Premier Inn identity
In the year we revitalised our brand identity and made some 
enhancements to the logo and the way it is used in our point  
of sale and marketing collateral. We have kept our highly 
recognisable moon and stars motif but modernised it to  
make it more user friendly for digital devices.

Of course, a restaurant business is all about great food as well 
as great service and this year we introduced some traditional 
old favourites to our menus like ‘beef stew and horseradish 
dumplings’ along with some new dishes like ‘seabass  
en papillotte’. In Beefeater we have dialled up our focus on  
steak and retrained our teams to ensure we’re known for  
our steak expertise in the marketplace. Our expert steak  
chef and his team have redesigned the Beefeater menu  
to include new dishes which are updated seasonally, 
highlighting the importance of our steak credentials.

New Premier Inn logo.

To support the new identity we launched a marketing 
campaign, based on the promise that Premier Inn guests 
can ‘Wake Up Wonderful’ following a great night’s sleep.  
We created a new TV advert, featuring Lenny Henry, which 
showcases a number of great Premier Inn locations across the 
UK where you can ‘Wake Up Wonderful’. The advert features 
the sound track ‘Wonderful Life’ sung by Katie Melua, which 
we released as a single, the proceeds of which are shared 
between Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity  
and Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity. This multi–channel 
marketing campaign ran across outdoor, radio and CRM 
channels as well as PR and social media activity and our 
biggest ever investment in digital marketing.

Restaurants
In Whitbread we operate a unique joint site model where 
almost all of our 400 plus restaurants are all located next 
door to a Premier Inn hotel. This gives us a distinct advantage 
in the market, driving customer satisfaction and sales across 
our Premier Inn and Restaurants businesses.

Across our restaurant brands — Beefeater, Brewers Fayre,  
Table Table and Whitbread Inns — we have 14,500 restaurant 
team members who are passionate about delivering great 
customer experiences to our 49 million guests every year. 
Everyone understands our purpose which we call ‘Serving up 
Great Memories’ and it lives right at the heart of our business. 
Our teams are ‘The Main Ingredient’ and we invest heavily in 
their induction, skills training and progression opportunities. 
We are delighted that in the year we have seen record guest 
scores, with the overall net guest score at 69.3% and 77.1% of 
respondents scoring us nine or ten out of ten. However 6.3% of 
Premier Inn guests scored their breakfast or dinner at one or two 
out of five on the Premier Inn guest survey and this was higher 
than the target we set, resulting in a red score on the WINcard.

New iconographic imagery can be seen throughout our restaurants. 

Family appeal
We served up a total of 4.7 million children’s meals last year 
and make sure we provide a wide range of dishes to suit all 
tastes. We are proactively looking at ways to improve the 
nutritional content of our menus including adding hidden 
vegetables to some children’s dishes and we have reduced 
the content of added sugar in our vanilla ice cream by 15%.

Brewers Fayre, our family value brand has seen strong  
growth of its newly converted children’s play areas which 
have been specially designed around a Dennis the Menace 
theme. Whilst in our Table Table brand our family tasting 
panel and Grandparent of the Year campaigns highlight how 
important the opinions of our customers, big and small, are  
in making sure we serve up great memories.

We reviewed our various brand loyalty schemes this year and 
launched a new 12 month scheme to enable us to better tailor 
promotional and reward messages to our customers. We now 
have 1.7 million members across our Beefeater Grill Reward 
Club, Brewers Fayre Bonus Club and The Tasty Rewards 
loyalty programmes.

The presence of our restaurant brands on social media 
continues to grow. On Facebook we have 644,500 fans, 
28,000 Twitter followers and have launched an Instagram 
page for our Whitbread Inns brand.

Hotels & Restaurants 
Customer Heartbeat

20

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i

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Innovations  
at ‘hub by 
Premier Inn’

Launched in November 2014 ‘hub by Premier 
Inn’ broke the mould creating a new generation  
of compact city centre hotels that deliver 
exceptional value with highly efficient, 
contemporary room design and offer guests  
a bespoke app so they can control their whole 
hotel experience. A year on and ‘hub by Premier 
Inn’ on St. Martin’s Lane is full nearly every night. 
Three more hub hotels have opened at Tower 
Bridge and Spitalfields in London and on 
Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. There are a further 12  
sites in the pipeline.

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Hotels & Restaurants 
Customer Heartbeat

21

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hotels & Restaurants
Profitable Growth

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomerr
HHHeartbeaaatt
Heartbeat

Profitable Growth

During 2015/16 our Hotels & Restaurants 
business performed well. Total sales grew  
by 9.8%, a good performance that reflects 
like for like sales growth of 3.1% and total 
rooms available growth of 9.8%. Underlying 
profit rose by 11.3% to £446.9 million and 
we maintained a strong return on capital  
of 12.9%.

Driving profitable growth and returns
Hotels & Restaurants performed well over the period:
• revenue increasing by 9.8% to £1,822.0 million;
• Premier Inn grew total sales by 12.9% to £1,260.1 million  

(like for like sales growth of 4.2%);

• 5,461 new UK room openings;
• Restaurants grew total sales by 3.5% to £561.9 million  

(like for like sales growth of 0.8%); and

• opening of four net new restaurants, including  

 ‘Beefeater Bar + Block’.

Our strong EBITDA growth provides cash generation to 
support our capital investment programme, with the dual aim 
to maintain our market leading position through reinvestment, 
and deliver organic growth to reach our ambitious targets.  
We invested c.£622 million cash capital in growing and 
improving our hotel and restaurant estate during the period 
while at the same time maintaining strong returns of 12.9% as 
we continued to focus on growing profits and creating long 
term sustainable shareholder value. The return on capital 
includes investment in future hotel openings. Excluding this 
investment returns would have been 1.5% pts higher at 14.4%.

Grow and innovate in our core UK businesses
Premier Inn continues to deliver a market–leading customer 
experience by focusing on the quality and consistency of our 
product and service, the best choice of locations and great 
value for money. 

UK network strength
Through our UK network of 737 hotels (64,599 rooms) 1, 
Premier Inn offers consumers the widest choice of locations, 
42% more than our nearest competitor. This means guests 
are more likely to be able to stay closer to their destination, 
which is important to both our business and leisure customers.

Consistent quality
We continue to invest in our brands to further reinforce  
our competitive position, spending around £165 million  
on refurbishment and maintenance of our Premier Inn  
and restaurants estate in 2015/16, up from £150 million  
the previous year. This included the refurbishment of  

1   Includes one hotel in Ireland.

13,014 rooms, the roll out of 23,500 new beds, and the 
installation of air conditioning in around 2,000 rooms.  
Our focus on delivering great customer satisfaction through 
the quality and consistency of both our product and service 
drives customer loyalty and enables us to have a RevPAR 
premium to our direct competitors.

Value for money
Our consistently high YouGov scores (shown on page 18) 
highlight the great value for money we provide for our guests 
in both absolute terms, and relative to our peers. This is 
underpinned by our relentless drive to prioritise occupancy 
and value for money to build long–term loyalty.

Winning market share
As the UK’s leading hotel chain, Premier Inn continues to win 
market share through organic growth. By focusing on building 
occupancy, providing good value for money and by growing 
capacity, including through extensions, this has contributed  
to Premier Inn’s like for like RevPAR growth of 2.6% being 
lower than that of the midscale and economy market at 5.6%. 
As explained on page 52 this resulted in a red score on the 
WINcard for market performance. During 2015/16 we opened 
5,461 new rooms (40 new hotels) taking our total number of 
hotels to 737. Our committed pipeline continues to grow. With 
nearly 65,000 rooms today, and a net committed pipeline of 
around 12,700 rooms, we are making good progress towards 
achieving our 2020 ambition for c.85,000 UK rooms.

2020 Growth milestones — c.85,000 UK rooms

UK rooms
(Including one hotel in Ireland with 155 rooms)

c.12,700

c.77,300

c.7,700

64,599

c.85,000

2015/16
open

Key
Key

Pipeline net
of disposals

Open and
pipeline

To find/awaiting
exchange

2020
milestone

Freehold/
long leasehold

Short leasehold

Extensions

Disposals

Hotels & Restaurants 
Profitable Growth

22

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Our strong market position is underpinned by high occupancy 
of 80.9% in our current estate, as well as future growth 
opportunities in both London and the regions. ‘hub by  
Premier Inn’ facilitates our London growth by providing  
access to Central London locations whilst regional 
opportunities include room extensions to existing hotels,  
as well as entering into new catchments.

Although we focus on delivering our organic growth strategy,  
it is also important that we continue to deliver good like  
for like growth. Our focus on the quality and consistency  
of our product, combined with the key levers of dynamic 
pricing, digital, network strength and reinvestment in our 
estate, improved like for like sales by 4.2% for Premier Inn 
during 2015/16.

Digital strength
We continue to invest in our direct digital distribution  
with www.premierinn.com, with direct digital being our 
customers’ preferred booking channel, comprising 86%  
of bookings, up from 77% in 2013/14. This represents a 
significant competitive advantage for Premier Inn, providing 
us with the lowest cost booking route, enhanced customer 
insights, and superior customer service through price,  
content and relevant offers.

Volume of reservations by channel

8%

15%

9%

11%

7%

7%

77%

80%

86%

Key

Premier Inn — digital1

Premier Inn — other

Indirect channels

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

1  Including reservations from GDS and

agents of 7%.

Enhancing our digital capabilities includes the evolution  
of our dynamic pricing system which aims to provide  
efficient pricing for all our hotels through a combination  
of high occupancy and great value for money, whilst  
delivering a good return on capital. During 2015/16 we 
integrated real–time customer data for the first time,  
as well as automated event pricing, and continue to  
refine our forecasting methodologies.

Joint site model
Restaurants made good progress in the year, with total  
sales growth of 3.5% and like for like sales growth of 0.8% in  
a competitive market, outperforming the Coffer Peach ‘Pub 
Restaurants outside the M25’ competitor set. In addition our  
Guest experience continues to improve with our Guest Net 
Recommend scores rising 3.8% pts to 69.3%.

Breakfast and dinner form a key part of our customer offering. 
Through our unique joint site model we are able to guarantee 
the consistency of our product and service, which drives  
higher RevPAR, profitability and guest scores especially  
when compared to a co–location site (where a third–party 
delivers the F&B). This, combined with better operating and 
capital efficiencies, means our joint site model delivers  
better returns than both our co–located and solus sites.

We continue to make good progress in rejuvenating  
our brands and have now converted 62 Beefeaters to the  
new brand proposition. Furthermore, we launched a new 
contemporary Beefeater in Birmingham in March this year,  
 ‘Beefeater Bar + Block’, serving all day breakfast, lunch and 
dinner. This small format, new joint site model is designed to  
improve returns versus those of our solus sites and although 
early days, has already received great customer feedback.

 ‘hub by Premier Inn’
The London hotel market remains a key growth opportunity 
for us. ‘hub by Premier Inn’ is a new generation of compact, 
contemporary, city centre hotel which offers guests excellent 
connectivity and good value for money, appealing to 
customers who value price, location and design over space.  
Its smaller room design allows us to grow profitably in city 
centre locations with high property costs and deliver a good 
return on capital. 

We now have four hotels open: St. Martin’s Lane (November 
2014), Tower Bridge (November 2015), Brick Lane and 
Edinburgh Rose Street (February 2016). Our hub hotel in  
St. Martin’s Lane has now been open for over a year and  
guest feedback has been extremely positive with a TripAdvisor 
score of 4.5 and high occupancy. Although it’s early days,  
the remaining three have begun on a similarly positive note.

We have 12 ‘hub by Premier Inn’ hotels (2,270 rooms)  
in the committed pipeline, including locations in both  
London and Edinburgh.

Hotels & Restaurants 
Profitable Growth

23

OLD

23%

5%

17%

6%

15%

8%

7%

13%

11%

9%

72%

77%

77%

80%

80%

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

Percentage of reservations booked through

different channels.

Key

Premier Inn

digital direct

Premier Inn

Non–automated

Indirect channels

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hotels & Restaurants
Profitable Growth 
continued 

Focus on our strengths to grow internationally

Build the capability and platform to support 
future growth

Premier Inn Germany
We believe Germany provides an exciting growth opportunity 
for Premier Inn with a hotel market that is nearly a third larger 
than the UK. It has a fragmented competitor set and a high 
percentage of independents, which are in gradual decline. 

Our first hotel opened in Frankfurt, in February this year,  
and the feedback has been excellent. We currently have  
a committed pipeline of three more hotels with the aim  
of having six to eight hotels open by 2020. 

We are looking to commit capital of some £60—100 million 
per annum over the next three years, to gather pace in what 
we perceive as an attractive market for Premier Inn, and will 
continue to look for further opportunities to test the market 
more quickly.

Premier Inn International
In the Middle East we continue to see long–term growth 
through our successful, profitable joint venture. In India  
and South East Asia, although there is opportunity for  
growth, the market remains operationally challenging and  
we will assess the opportunities over the coming year.

Winning Teams
We need to continue to differentiate our proposition through 
our Winning Teams in a tightening labour market, by ensuring 
we employ and retain the best teams and provide them  
with the technology to do their job effectively. For example, 
we have introduced tools to provide work shift flexibility  
and improved communication via Whitbread social media.

Systems
We are still using the same core systems we had when we  
had significantly less rooms, in a world where technology has 
evolved digitally and into the cloud, where understanding of 
relevant data is paramount and where legacy systems become 
increasingly expensive to run. Over the next three to four  
years it is logical that we need to upgrade our systems and 
infrastructure to cope with the greater demand the business 
will impose on them. 

Productivity and efficiency
It is important that we move productivity and efficiency  
up our agenda and invest in our infrastructure and systems  
to give Premier Inn a better platform for future growth.

Investment
To help us achieve our future ambitions for the business there 
will be an additional £9 million P&L investment in 2016/17 net 
of cost savings.

The new Premier Inn bedrooms at our Aldgate, London, Premier Inn.

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Hotels & Restaurants 
Profitable Growth

24

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The 700th 
UK Premier Inn

In July we reached a significant landmark with 
the opening of our 700th hotel in Kingston  
upon Thames, well on our way to achieving our 
ambitious milestone of 85,000 rooms by 2020. 
With more locations than any other hotel chain  
in the UK, our customers are never far from  
a great night’s sleep. Like all our new openings 
the Kingston upon Thames Premier Inn created 
dozens of jobs within the local community  
many of which went to young people who  
were previously not in education, training  
or employment.

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Hotels & Restaurants 
Profitable Growth

25

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costa
The Business Model in action

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomerr
HHHeartbeaaatt
Heartbeat

Profitable Growth

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomerr
Heartbeat
HHHeartbeaaatt

Profitable Growth

Winning Teams

Customer Heartbeat

Our approach
•  We recruit, reward, train and  

develop our team members to  
build highly engaged teams who 
deliver a great coffee experience  
for our customers. 

• We develop talented leaders 

and offer jobs with opportunities 
and exciting international career 
prospects.

Our approach
• The size of our network and the 
number of distribution channels 
mean you are never far from  
a cup of Costa coffee.

•  We serve great quality coffee.
• We constantly develop new food  

and drink ideas.

• We use digital technology to  

improve the customer experience.

• We design our stores to create  

a warm and welcoming experience.

• We use customer insight to build 

customer satisfaction.

• We maintain quality through  

ongoing refurbishment.

• We develop new store formats  
to provide customers with more 
opportunity to visit Costa.

Business Model in action

Business Model in action

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Creating employment opportunities
• Costa created around 2,000  
new UK jobs during the year.

• 297 people were given the 

opportunity to manage one  
of our coffee shops in 2015/16.
• Since the launch of WISE within  

Costa last summer, 229 people joined 
the adult work placement scheme, 
with 76 of them already appointed 
into roles within the business.

Building strong leadership
• Over 1,000 store managers were 
taken out of the business for a 
two–day training course to enhance 
their leadership skills.

• Almost 200 leaders attended a three–
day ‘talent camp’ workshop focused 
on recruiting and developing people.

Investment in our people
• We launched the ‘Future Star’ 

programme in China during the year.
• More than 3,400 people in Costa UK 
& Ireland took part in coffee–based 
training courses during the year.

Making everyday experiences special
• We offer customers convenience, 
choice, warm and welcoming store 
environments and our friendly  
barista service.

• We are enhancing our brand 
proposition to meet customer 
demands for a faster, fresher and  
finer coffee experience.

Product innovation and continuous 
improvement
• Costa Pronto is a new high–speed 
coffee–on–the–go concept, being 
trialled in two London locations.
• Costa Fresco, which is being trialled  
in Tottenham Court Road, London, 
includes an in–house bakery and is 
designed to meet customer demand 
for an enhanced food offer.

• Costa Collect, being trialled in our 

Eldon Street store in London, allows 
customers to pre–order their coffee 
via an app and then collect it with  
no need to queue.

Convenient and accessible locations
• We have continued to grow, both  
in the UK and overseas, and have 
increased our presence in new 
channels such as drive–thru, so that 
our customers can enjoy a Costa 
coffee wherever they may be.
• We now have over 3,200 Costa  
stores worldwide together with  
over 5,200 Costa Express machines.

Market–leading brands
• For the sixth year running, Costa  

was voted the ‘UK’s Favourite Coffee 
Shop Chain’ by Allegra Strategies.

Brand preference and loyalty
• The TNS Market Monitor study 

showed that, if a Costa, Starbucks  
and Caffè Nero were next to each 
other 36% of respondents would 
choose Costa, 13% would choose 
Starbucks and 12% would choose 
Caffè Nero.

• The Costa Coffee Club has over  

2.7 million active members.

Costa 
The Business Model in action

26

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomerr
HHHeartbeaaatt
Heartbeat

Profitable Growth

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomeerr
HHHeeartbeaattt
Heartbeat

Profitable Growth

Winning Teams

Our approach

•  We recruit, reward, train and  

develop our team members to  

build highly engaged teams who 

deliver a great coffee experience  

for our customers. 

• We develop talented leaders 

and offer jobs with opportunities 

and exciting international career 

prospects.

Customer Heartbeat

Our approach

• The size of our network and the 

number of distribution channels 

mean you are never far from  

a cup of Costa coffee.

•  We serve great quality coffee.

• We constantly develop new food  

and drink ideas.

• We use digital technology to  

improve the customer experience.

• We design our stores to create  

a warm and welcoming experience.

• We use customer insight to build 

customer satisfaction.

• We maintain quality through  

ongoing refurbishment.

• We develop new store formats  

to provide customers with more 

opportunity to visit Costa.

Profitable Growth

Our approach
• We invest in our stores to strengthen 
our position as UK market leader  
and expand in selected international 
markets where we can build 
significant presence. 

• Costa Express gives us the 
opportunity to grow in new  
locations, such as petrol  
stations and offices.

• We use a number of different 

ownership models including Costa–
owned equity stores, franchise and 
joint ventures. Internationally, we 
continue to build a strong franchise 
business and are extending our 
Costa–owned equity model into  
key countries.

Business Model in action

Business Model in action

Creating employment opportunities

• Costa created around 2,000  

new UK jobs during the year.

Making everyday experiences special

• We offer customers convenience, 

choice, warm and welcoming store 

Convenient and accessible locations

• We have continued to grow, both  

in the UK and overseas, and have 

environments and our friendly  

increased our presence in new 

• 297 people were given the 

opportunity to manage one  

of our coffee shops in 2015/16.

• Since the launch of WISE within  

Costa last summer, 229 people joined 

the adult work placement scheme, 

with 76 of them already appointed 

into roles within the business.

Building strong leadership

• Over 1,000 store managers were 

taken out of the business for a 

two–day training course to enhance 

their leadership skills.

• Almost 200 leaders attended a three–

day ‘talent camp’ workshop focused 

on recruiting and developing people.

Investment in our people

• We launched the ‘Future Star’ 

• More than 3,400 people in Costa UK 

& Ireland took part in coffee–based 

training courses during the year.

barista service.

• We are enhancing our brand 

proposition to meet customer 

demands for a faster, fresher and  

finer coffee experience.

Product innovation and continuous 

channels such as drive–thru, so that 

our customers can enjoy a Costa 

coffee wherever they may be.

• We now have over 3,200 Costa  

stores worldwide together with  

over 5,200 Costa Express machines.

improvement

Market–leading brands

• Costa Pronto is a new high–speed 

coffee–on–the–go concept, being 

• For the sixth year running, Costa  

was voted the ‘UK’s Favourite Coffee 

trialled in two London locations.

Shop Chain’ by Allegra Strategies.

• Costa Fresco, which is being trialled  

in Tottenham Court Road, London, 

includes an in–house bakery and is 

designed to meet customer demand 

for an enhanced food offer.

• Costa Collect, being trialled in our 

Eldon Street store in London, allows 

Brand preference and loyalty

• The TNS Market Monitor study 

showed that, if a Costa, Starbucks  

and Caffè Nero were next to each 

other 36% of respondents would 

choose Costa, 13% would choose 

Starbucks and 12% would choose 

customers to pre–order their coffee 

Caffè Nero.

programme in China during the year.

via an app and then collect it with  

no need to queue.

• The Costa Coffee Club has over  

2.7 million active members.

Business Model in action

Winning market share, growing  
sales and driving efficiencies
• Costa’s total system sales grew by 
15.3% to £1,612.8 million in 2015/16.
• The UK Retail business delivered  
a 15.7% increase in sales, with  
like for like sales up 2.9%.

Strong cash flow and balance sheet
• Costa’s strong cash flow  

generation supports its growth  
plans and the refurbishment  
of its estate.

Strong returns on capital
• Costa grew returns by 3.6% pts  

to 49.9%.

Expansion in the UK and in selected 
international markets
• During the year we opened 103  

net new UK stores, taking the total 
number to 2,034.

• Costa has a presence in 31 countries 
outside of the UK, with the opening  
of 94 net new stores in the year 
taking the total to 1,243.

• 924 net new Costa Express machines 
were installed as we continued to 
expand the business both in the UK 
and overseas.

Good Together

Our approach
•  We raise money for the Costa 

Foundation, which builds school 
projects in coffee–growing 
communities.

• Our teams take pride in supporting  

their local communities.

• We are creating around 1,500  

new job opportunities on average 
every year.

• All our coffee is 100% Rainforest 
Alliance accredited and all our 
products are sustainably, ethically 
and, wherever possible, locally 
sourced.

• We are reducing waste to landfill  

and our carbon footprint in  
relative terms.

Business Model in action

Team and Community
• Over £2 million was raised for the 
Costa Foundation, taking the total 
amount raised to almost £10 million.

• The Costa Foundation has now 
supported a total of 61 school 
projects, providing access to 
education to thousands of children  
in coffee–growing communities.

Customer Wellbeing
• We achieved a 15% reduction in 

added sugar in our Costa Ice range.
• We have introduced new savoury  
and sweet gluten free products.

Environment
• Costa’s Eco Pod, the UK’s first  

zero energy coffee shop, is packed 
full with innovative energy saving 
technologies.

• Costa became a key signatory of the 
Keep Britain Tidy Litter Commitment.

Costa 
The Business Model in action

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costa
Winning Teams

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomerr
HHHeartbeaaatt
Heartbeat

Profitable Growth

We believe everyone at Costa brings a 
unique blend of their own personality, skills 
and ambition and we want them to grow  
and celebrate it with us. We feel this is the 
secret ingredient in how we make everyday 
experiences feel special for millions  
of Costa customers around the globe.

Attracting talent 
To ensure we attract the right kind of people to our business 
we have developed our unique Employer Value Proposition 
(EVP). Our EVP underpins what we stand for as an employer 
and what makes all of the incredible people within Costa 
different from those working in other businesses. 

Consideration was given to research consolidated from across 
the whole business and our EVP was established; ‘Passionate 
about making people smile and determined to impact the 
world around you. Together we’ll craft your talent with the 
perfect blend of opportunity and inspiration’. This statement 
will now act as a vehicle to attract those passionate 
individuals who buy into our values and vision, embrace our 
development choices and are inspired by our progression 
opportunities. 

Listening to our teams
Our annual ‘Your Say’ survey engagement score was 77% and 
our response rate was 82% which means over 12,000 of our 
team took the time to complete the survey. Costa outscored 
the external benchmark scores in comparison with the UK 
Retail industry on 18 questions, with only one question below 
the benchmark. Customer focus is exceptionally high with a 
number of scores on this theme achieving in the region of 90% 
positivity. People feel enabled to do the job, and they have the 
training and tools to do their job. Line managers demonstrate 
caring behaviours for team members and there has been a 
significant increase in positivity around getting a ‘fair deal’  
in store. 

Team engagement survey: ‘Your Say’

Engagement  Engagement  Response 
rate 
Oct 20141  Oct 2015 

score  
Oct 2015 

score 

Response 
rate
Oct 2014

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National Living Wage
In October we took the decision to implement the National 
Living Wage six months ahead of the Government legislation 
coming into effect in April 2016 and applied it to all team 
members regardless of age. This bold step was part of our 
pay for progression strategy where we recognise and reward 
our people for the skills that they have gained, building 
engagement through structured pay increases when new 
learning and skills milestones are achieved. In addition we 
moved our UK estate to a regional pay strategy, reflecting 
different ‘pay zones’ based on independent market data.

Celebrating and recognising our teams
The most important ingredient in our coffee is our people  
and we are constantly searching for relevant and impactful 
ways to celebrate and recognise achievement. Alongside the 
iconic awards we present at our conferences and meetings  
we have a ‘Gold Bean’ strategy to recognise the achievements 
and behaviours that drive our business forwards. ‘Gold Beans’ 
are an iconic form of recognition at Costa — they add sparkle 
and excitement for our teams, and create consistency across 
the globe through acting as a core expression of our culture.

Barista of the Year 2015
We have recently celebrated our tenth year of the global 
Barista of the Year competition. Over the years we have  
seen many fantastic baristas take to the stage to demonstrate 
their pride, passion and personalities with the ultimate goal  
to win the favour of the judges and secure the title ‘Champion 
of Champions’. 

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Costa 

77% 

76% 

82% 

82%

1   Re–stated to provide a like for like comparison against the  

2015 survey result.

Klara Rohel — Barista of the Year 2015.

To complement the survey, this year, we have also launched 
our first Barista listening forum across the UK and Ireland.  
The purpose of this is to give our front line staff an 
opportunity to influence senior leaders; add richness 
and flavour to our insight and inform future projects.

The outputs of the first session were recorded and loaded 
onto FeelGood (our employee reward programme portal), 
receiving 1,485 hits. It was also popular on an employee  
led Facebook forum.

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Costa 
Winning Teams

28

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Throughout the year we search the globe to seek out our  
best baristas. In 2015, they all came together in London  
for the final and competed to be crowned the best in the 
Costa world. This two–day competition tested their ability  
to produce a technically perfect cup of hand–made coffee; 
their personality and performance, flair and passion for 
coffee; knowledge and understanding of the industry;  
and their creativity by inventing their own signature drink. 

Work placement and apprenticeship schemes 
Last summer, Costa UK and Ireland launched the WISE 
programme (Whitbread Investing in Skills and Education.) 
Since its launch, 229 people embarked on the adult work 
placement scheme nationally. Each graduate from the 
programme receives a level 1 introduction to hospitality,  
in addition to gaining credible work experience and a 
reference from Costa. 

Costa is proud to have appointed 76 of these team members 
into roles within our business from June 2015 to January 2016 
as a result of this scheme. 

This reinforces how an adult work placement can not only 
make a significant difference to people’s lives in offering long 
term sustainable careers, but provides significant business 
benefits relating to employee recruitment and retention. 

In total from last year, Costa enrolled 76 team members  
on a level 2 Apprenticeship in Customer Service & Barista 
Skills. Later this year Costa will have level 3 and level 4 
apprenticeships available for our store teams to continue  
their learning. 

In 2015 Costa UK & Ireland launched the WISE programme.

We saw finalists from China, UK and Ireland, the Middle  
East, Europe and Singapore go head to head in front of  
a live audience. The winning trophy went to Klara Rohel  
from the Annadale Roadchef store on Junction 16 on the  
A74 as the winner of our 2015 Barista of the Year Champion  
of Champions. The judges were extremely impressed with 
Klara’s show–stopping and well–balanced signature drink 
which was called the ‘Peanut Long Macchiato’. She also 
wowed the judges by crafting 11 perfect espressos in an 
exhilarating two–minute espresso race against her fellow 
competitors. As we celebrate ten years of Barista of the Year, 
Klara joins the list of prestigious Barista of the Year winners.

Aubrhey Rosales from our MENA region took second place, 
with Jude Leng from China being awarded third place in the 
competition. We also had Pratik Shretha (UK and Ireland)  
win the award for Best Speciality Drink with his creation 
‘Luxurious Cocoa Sensation’, which impressed the judges  
with the interesting flavour and unique background story. 

Alongside the main Barista of the Year event, we also ran the 
Latte Art Competition for the second time. Customers and 
teams all around the globe voted for their favourite design, 
which had been whittled down from around 600 entries  
to the final three. Anthony Dalida from Kuwait won the most 
votes and was crowned Latte Art Champion 2015 with his 
adorable Bear creation. 

The event was a true celebration of the incredibly talented 
people that we have within our global business and 
emphasised the message that people really are the most 
important ingredient in our coffee. 

Team turnover 
Reducing team turnover has been a significant area of focus 
this year for our UK business and we are delighted to report  
a 5% pts reduction within the year (from 45% to 40%). This 
has been driven through focus on how we welcome new 
starters to reduce our 90–day turnover, changes in our reward 
package and significant investment in our Store Manager 
training programme, ‘Leadership Behaviours’. 

Costa 
Winning Teams

29

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costa 
Winning Teams 
continued 

Operations Graduate Scheme
Recognising our need to grow talent to fulfil the business’s 
growth, in September 2015 we welcomed nine graduates  
on to the first ever Costa Operations Graduate Scheme for  
the UK business. The scheme facilitates the opportunity  
for our graduates to rotate through different types of role  
in both store and support centre environments giving them  
a broad business understanding and a varied experience.  
We have now expanded our intake as we will be  
welcoming nine graduates onto the programme for year  
two in September 2016.

International 
Outside of the UK and Ireland our international businesses 
have been similarly focused on taking action based on their 
‘Your Say’ insight and developing our people. 

In Costa Poland there has been considerable focus on a 
programme of activities supporting the coffee craftsmanship 
in store and building clearer career planning structures to  
help support people develop their careers with our brand.  
The Coffee Master programme has become the foundation  
for a nationwide PR campaign showcasing coffee passion  
and craft.

We launched the ‘Future Star’ programme in China.

In Costa China there has also been considerable focus on  
the learning journey from Barista through to Store Manager  
in order to accelerate internal progression rates. This work  
is now being expanded to support Store Managers to grow  
into Area Managers through a range of competency based 
workshops and rotations through different store formats.  
We have also launched the ‘Future Star’ programme which 
helps university graduates into store roles. 

More than 3,400 Costa team members received coffee–based  
training during the year.

Developing our people
In 2015 in Costa UK and Ireland, we focused on the Leadership 
capabilities of our Store Managers as a foundation for our 
future growth. We invested in a Leadership Behaviours two 
day training programme to take Store Managers out of the 
business to enhance their leadership skills. We developed 
1,099 Store Managers through the programme. 

In addition we gave a further 4,744 people time out of the 
business to attend other training programmes; 3,457 for 
coffee–based training, 1,172 for development and 115 senior 
operators experienced new Operational Food Safety training. 

As our business grows so do the number of job opportunities. 
During the year, in the UK and Ireland, around 2,000 new  
jobs were created in the UK. During the year we provided  
297 people with the opportunity to manage a coffee shop  
in the UK. 

In addition, this year we put some considerable focus into 
developing our support team and senior operational leaders 
in terms of talent strategies for their teams. We have  
developed nearly 200 leaders through a three day ‘talent 
camp’ workshop, which focuses on recruiting and developing 
potential in order to support the growth of our business  
in the future.

Costa 
Winning Teams

30

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Career 
development  
at Costa

At 16, Matt joined Costa as a barista in the 
Basingstoke store, working at weekends  
whilst he was at school. In 2005 he joined the 
Southampton store as a barista maestro whilst 
studying Marketing Management at the University 
of Southampton. Two years later Matt was made 
Store Manager at Basingstoke Festival Place,  
at the same time as finishing his third year at 
university. Graduating in 2008 he also won  
the award for ‘New Store Opening of the Year’.  
Matt was promoted to Associate Retail 
Development Manager, followed in 2011 by  
a promotion to Retail Development Manager  

for Devon and Dorset. He is now Regional 
Development Manager for the M3 corridor  
where he oversees 22 stores.

 “I joined Costa because I’ve always loved coffee 
shops. They are society in a box and I loved the 
idea of working amongst that. The characters  
you meet are amazing, weird and wonderful!”

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Winning Teams

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costa
Customer Heartbeat

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomerr
Heartbeat
HHHeartbeaaatt

Profitable Growth

Serving a great cup of coffee at speed  
and with a smile is what we do best and  
in a fast expanding coffee shop market 
it is vital that we continuously seek to 
enhance our brand proposition to meet 
customer demands for a faster, fresher  
and finer coffee experience.

The Home of Irresistible Coffee
As the Home of Irresistible Coffee our success comes  
down to a few simple elements — our lovingly hand crafted  
quality coffee; the number of stores, Express machines  
and the partners we work with across the UK that means 
we can offer customers convenience and choice; warm 
welcoming store environments; and our friendly expert 
barista service. We believe that a visit to Costa is a  
chance for customers to enjoy a ‘moment of happiness’.

In our own customer satisfaction surveys our customers  
tell us that they are ‘very likely to revisit’, whilst the quality  
of our coffee scores consistently high at 60%, along with  
a strong score on ‘staff friendliness’ at 58%.

We are delighted that for six years running we have been  
voted the ‘Nation’s Favourite Coffee Shop Chain’ by Allegra 
and there is clear blue water between us and our nearest 
competitors when it comes to brand preference as you  
can see from this brand preference chart. However despite 
this significant lead over Costa’s main competitors, Costa 
did not achieve its stretching market performance target  
as explained on page 52.

Brand preference — Costa is the UK’s favourite 

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

0

Key

31%

22%

11%

36%

13%
12%

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Costa

Starbucks

Caffè Nero

Source: 2008—2014; YouGov Q. If there were a Costa Coffee, Starbucks 
and Caffè Nero next door to each other, which one would be your  
FIRST choice to visit? 2015–2016; TNS One Costa Tracker, Market Monitor, 
2,000 Nat Rep respondents per quarter.

Quality coffee is at the heart of what we do
Coffee quality is at the heart of what we do and we are 
passionate about only buying the best beans (only 1% of  
the world’s beans are good enough) and roasting them  
in our own Roastery in London under strict quality control  
to create our famous unique Mocha Italia blend. As the  
coffee market matures in the UK consumers are becoming 
increasingly sophisticated when it comes to coffee.  
They are enjoying richer more exotic tastes and expecting 
greater choice. In response to this trend, two years ago  
we launched ‘Old Paradise Street’, a series of roasts that 
change every few months to offer customers a different  
taste to our iconic Mocha Italia blend and greater variety  
to coffee lovers. Since launch there have been five roasts  
from the Old Paradise Street limited edition range and  
as customers come to experience the varied and delicious  
new tastes they have gained in popularity with over  
6.9 million cups sold in 2015/16. 

Gennaro Pellicia, Master of Coffee at Costa said, “We’ve been roasting 
coffee in Lambeth for over 40 years and Old Paradise Street has given 
our expert team of coffee roasters the chance to experiment with 
different beans and flavours!”

Costa 
Customer Heartbeat

32

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 2015 saw the launch of our trial Costa Fresco 
concept. The new Fresco store includes an in–house bakery 
and self–serve bakery table and offers oven fresh food all  
day long. The tempting menu includes handcrafted ciabattas, 
Portuguese tarts (Pastel de Nata), freshly baked cookies  
and fresh fruit juices, all using quality ingredients, alongside 
the irresistible coffee our customers know and love.

New store formats improve the customer experience 
We know that our customers use Costa for a wide variety  
of needs and occasions. In the last twelve months we have 
acted on our deep customer insights which point to two key 
trends. The first is an increased demand for ‘on the go’ coffee, 
served at speed in busy metropolitan areas. Our new ‘Costa 
Pronto’ concept is a high speed coffee store which has been 
trialled in the heart of London at our Moorgate and Holborn 
locations to great success. Costa Pronto doesn’t feature 
Costa’s relaxed seating areas, but instead is focused around 
the counter, which has been specially designed to enable  
our baristas to improve the speed of service and avoid 
lengthy customer queues.

Innovating our food offer
The second trend we are seeing is an increased customer 
demand for an enhanced food offer with a greater choice  
of fresher, lighter and healthier options such as our mini  
treats range which have less than 150 calories per cake.  
We have introduced a number of exciting new initiatives 
including a partnership with London based salad brand, 
Chop’d and a new food–led concept store, Costa Fresco,  
in London’s Tottenham Court Road.

Costa Fresco offers oven fresh food all day long alongside the 
irresistable coffee our customers know and love.

Costa Fresco is inspired by the Costa brothers’ Italian passion 
and respect for tasty handcrafted food. When Sergio and 
Bruno opened their first store in London, over forty years ago, 
they used to offer their customers freshly baked pastries each 
morning with their famous Mocha Italia blend. Coffee ‘theatre’ 
is at the heart of the store, where there is a separate coffee 
station (away from the till points) for customers to see their 
drinks being made in front of them without congesting the 
front of the store. The rest of the store is ‘zoned’ to cater for 
different customer needs, so there is a friendly quick service 
for grab and go customers and a comfortable seating area  
for those who want to stay and relax for a while.

Following a successful trial Costa rolled out Chop’d salads across  
25 London stores to offer customers great tasting healthy, fresh food.

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Costa 
Customer Heartbeat

33

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costa
Customer Heartbeat 
continued 

Building the brand beyond the UK
In order to compete effectively in international markets  
Costa has been developing its cold drinks range and created  
a new brand, Frostino. Available in Costa’s MENA stores 
(Middle East and North Africa) Frostino sales increased by 
35% in Summer 2015 and overtook sales of hot coffees in  
the Philippines, where it represents almost half of drink sales.  
In 2016 we will continue to build on the success of Frostino 
rolling it out to many more international markets, supported 
by an exciting new marketing campaign and launching some 
additional delicious Frostino flavours such as Key Lime Pie, 
Caramel Shortbread and Strawberry Cheesecake!

Digital plays an increasingly important role
At Costa we are always looking to find new and innovative 
ways to improve the customer experience which is why we 
were delighted to link up with Apple to launch Apple Pay  
in the UK earlier this summer. Apple Pay is transforming 
mobile payments with a simple, secure and private way to  
pay that is easy to set up and works with iPhone 6 devices 
and the Apple Watch. Perfect for Costa customers who  
are on the go and want to be served at speed it also makes  
it easier for our baristas to manage congestion during very  
busy periods in store. Another queue buster innovation  
is the Costa Collect trial at our Eldon Street store in 
London’s City (see case study opposite). 

Our loyalty programme continues to go from strength  
to strength with over five million active members, with over 
884,000 new registrations this year. The card is used in 
around 41% of all transactions in our UK equity stores.

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At Costa we are always looking to find new and innovative ways  
to improve the customer experience.

We continue to grow our social media presence, with  
1.4 million Facebook fans and c.190,000 Twitter followers,  
and we enjoy high levels of engagement, particularly when 
we post.

Costa’s Frostino range delivers the ultimate in iced indulgent drinks.

As Costa’s second largest market with over 380 stores  
China is Costa’s ‘second home’. This year saw the redesign  
of Costa’s very first store in China, on Nanjing Road East in 
Shanghai. The store has been restyled with London–inspired 
artwork that blends beautifully with Chinese motifs. The new 
store design will be used as the basis for future new openings 
in China and for the refurbishment of selected stores. 

Costa’s equity business in Poland, where we have over 100 
stores, is also drawing from the brand’s London roots for  
its first ever advertising campaign, entitled ‘A Coffee–house 
from the heart of London’. Following a successful re–branding 
in Poland the campaign, which runs across TV, outdoor media 
and on social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram 
and YouTube, is aimed at growing brand awareness, 
encouraging trial and building a loyal customer base in this 
growing market. 

Costa 
Customer Heartbeat

34

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Costa 
Collect

Costa Collect is an exciting new digital service 
allowing customers to pre–order their coffee and 
then come to collect it in store. Currently on trial  
at the Eldon Street store in the City of London 
customers can download the iOS Costa Collect  
app to their phone and place their order via the 
app. When they arrive at the store their coffee  
is ready and waiting for them on the Costa  
Collect counter with no need to queue.

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Costa 
Customer Heartbeat

35

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costa
Profitable Growth

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomerr
Heartbeat
HHHeartbeaaatt

Profitable Growth

Costa had another successful year during 
2015/16, with total sales up 15.9% driven  
by both strong growth in UK Retail and 
Enterprises. During the period we opened 
197 net new stores worldwide, continued  
to diversify our channel mix via drive–thrus, 
retail parks and transport hubs and installed 
924 net new Costa Express machines. 

UK Retail
During 2015/16 our UK Retail business delivered another 
strong performance with sales up 15.7% and like for like  
sales in our UK equity stores up 2.9%. 

Our strong organic growth continues and we extended  
our lead in the UK, opening 103 net new stores in the  
year, taking the total to 2,034, over double our nearest 
competitor. Backed by the strength of our brand and  
the growing consumption of coffee we see further 
opportunity to grow our store base to over 2,500 in 2020.

Driving profitable growth and returns
Underlying operating profit increased by 15.8% to  
£153.5 million, with our continued disciplined approach 
to capital deployment combined with strong cash flow 
generation increasing return on capital by 3.6% pts  
to 49.9%.

During 2015/16 we delivered total system sales of £1.6 billion 
up 15.3% year on year as we continue to make good progress 
towards achieving our 2020 milestone of growing system 
sales to c.£2.5 billion. Our strong market position combined 
with the increasing propensity of UK consumers to drink 
quality coffee, along with our international expansion plans, 
underpin our ambition. 

Grow and Innovate in our core UK businesses

The UK coffee shop market
Coffee consumption has been rising in the UK for the  
past few years and according to coffee experts Allegra 
Strategies, UK branded chain outlets have grown at  
around 6% CAGR over 2008—2014, with further growth 
expected over the next few years.

Seven years ago there were fewer than 11,000 outlets  
in the UK. Today there are over 20,000 and, in 2020, this  
is expected to rise to over 27,000. However, whilst coffee 
venues continue to act as social and community hubs, 
customer demands are evolving. Convenience and coffee 
quality remains essential but speed of service, fresher food, 
loyalty schemes and digital are gaining in importance to the 
customer experience. Our relentless focus on understanding 
the changing needs of our customers combined with our 
excellent execution has played a major part in our success, 
differentiating us from the competition within each area  
of our business. Going forward we will continue to evolve  
our product offering, store environment and digital 
capabilities to ensure we remain the UK’s favourite  
coffee shop. 

Innovation
Product innovation underpins our like for like growth. We are 
pleased with the success of our new range of coffee blends  
Old Paradise Street Limited Roasts. Furthermore we continue 
to focus on food innovation and our coffee credentials  
in response to customers evolving needs providing us the 
opportunity to extend our sales into different day parts.  
Our new Costa Fresco concept centred on fresh, healthy  
food has provided a platform for us to broaden our food  
range and quality credentials. While food capture represents 
around 40% of transactions across the estate, our Costa Fresco 
store has a higher food capture rate of c.60%, highlighting 
consumers demand for fresher food and providing us with an 
opportunity to offer a wider product offering across our estate. 

Our new limited edition coffee blends. Created at our London Roastery  
on Old Paradise Street.

In addition to Costa Fresco, we continue to improve our store 
formats and enter new channels. Our ‘fast format’ Costa 
Pronto facilitates coffee on–the–go and is based on our ability  
to offer fast, friendly service in city locations where speed  
is of the essence. Outside of London, we are seeing huge 
growth potential from drive–thrus, travel hubs and retail  
parks, responding to increasing customer demands for  
quality coffee anytime, anywhere. 

Costa 
Profitable Growth

36

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Digital and loyalty
Costa has a very loyal set of customers, with five million active 
users of our loyalty card and over 40% of our transactions 
coming from coffee club members. While 2.5% of transactions 
are currently through the mobile app, there is great potential 
to increase this, especially via new services such as Costa Pay 
and Costa Collect, which we are trialling in a few of our stores.

Focus on our strengths to grow internationally
Costa now has stores in 31 countries outside of the UK  
with a total of 1,243 stores, giving us a good geographical  
mix and revenue diversification. Our franchise business 
continues to show strong growth, with a 14.0% increase  
in sales in 28 countries. 

Costa Express
In 2015/16 Costa Express had an exceptional year, installing 
924 net new units giving a total of 5,216 units at year–end  
and we plan to install a further 1,000 machines in 2016/17.  
This puts us well on track to achieve our target of over  
8,000 machines by 2020 as we continue to expand into  
new growth channels in both the UK and internationally. 

Costa EMEI
Our equity business in Poland has made good progress 
following the re–branding of the estate to Costa with the  
stores delivering positive like for like sales growth. We 
anticipate this business will return to profitability in 2017/18. 
It is still early days for Costa France and we continue to  
focus on developing both our equity and franchise stores  
in key locations.

Over 900 Costa Express machines were installed during the year.

Our stores in Poland have been re–branded to Costa.

Costa: strength and breadth

UK Retail
Equity stores
Individual franchise

Costa Enterprises
Costa Express
Corporate partnerships

Costa EMEI
Europe, Middle East 
and India

System sales
£886.8 million
16.3% growth

Stores
1,735
+10.2%

System sales
£396.5 million
14.4% growth

Stores
299 
–16.0%
Machines
5,216
+21.5%

System sales
£230.4 million
13.7% growth1

Stores
838
+6.8%

1  At constant FX system sales, reported grew 12.8% Costa EMEI, 15.6% Costa Asia.
1  At constant FX system sales, reported grew 12.8% Costa EMEI, 15.6% for Costa Asia.

Costa Asia
China and
South East Asia

System sales
£99.0 million
8.9% growth1

Stores
405
+11.3%

Costa 
Profitable Growth

37

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costa
Profitable Growth 
continued 

Costa Asia
China, where we operate through two joint ventures, remains 
an exciting opportunity for the Group. We target around  
700 stores by 2020, underpinned by the growing coffee shop 
culture and status of Western coffee brands as an aspirational 
product. We are making good progress and continue to  
focus on disciplined profitable growth across 15 major cities. 
We have a new experienced management team with a  
strong focus on retail and an ambition to enhance our brand 
awareness through investing in new store formats, offering 
better food and beverage propositions and also enhancing  
our digital capability. During the year we opened 39 net  
new stores in China giving us a total of 383 stores across  
32 cities.

The economics of Chinese stores remains attractive and,  
with the right team and infrastructure in place, along with 
supportive market conditions, we are confident of our  
future growth trajectory in the region.

Costa Express International
We now have a total of 492 Costa Express machines in nine 
different international markets and have recently signed  
a new contract with Shell in Canada, where we plan to  
have 150 Costa Express machines by the end of year one.

Costa Express plans to have 150 machines in Canada within a year.

Build the capability and platform to support 
future growth

Winning Teams
We will develop our digital and loyalty skills in the UK and 
internationally by building the UK digital team and leveraging 
off the Hotels & Restaurants business, as well as forming a 
social media partnership team in China. We will also replicate 
our UK property expertise locally in China with a focused 
property acquisition team covering 15 cities.

Improving customer engagement
We plan to improve our customer engagement with: fresher 
food capabilities; a smarter refurbishment cycle, to deliver  
a contemporary atmosphere and a faster speed of service; 
and the development of our digital and loyalty skills in the  
UK and internationally. 

Systems
We will upgrade our systems and infrastructure to build 
resilience for 2020 and beyond. This will include the 
development of our loyalty platform and customer 
relationship management tools and the replacement  
of legacy systems such as tills and finance systems.

Productivity and efficiency 
We plan to drive productivity and efficiency through better 
procurement synergies across Whitbread and the use of staff 
scheduling tools to manage the growth in different day parts. 

Investment
Investment is a key element of our strategy, with 139 UK 
equity stores refurbished in 2015/16, as well as investment  
in our teams and processes. Our commitment to ongoing 
investment has helped us build market–leading customer 
preference, and we will continue to ensure our platforms  
can deliver our future growth plans. In 2016/17 we will focus  
on a new faster till system, new ovens, digital infrastructure,  
and new formats, along with continued refurbishment  
of our current estate. To build a better platform for our future 
growth will cost an additional £6 million P&L investment net 
of cost savings.

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Costa 
Profitable Growth

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Costa China

With over 380 stores, China is already Costa’s 
second home and, in a country with a fast 
growing coffee shop culture, our unique Mocha 
Italia blend and London–inspired stores are 
proving very popular with Chinese customers.  
We see an opportunity to almost double the size 
of our network by 2020 and our management 
team are focused on building the brand and 
driving sales with stylish new store designs, an 
enhanced food and drink offer and digital 
services that appeal to the Chinese consumer.

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Costa 
Profitable Growth

39

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chris Vaughan
General Counsel

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomeerr
HHHeeartbeaattt
Heartbeat

Profitable Growth

Good 
Together

Our commitment to doing 
business responsibly is a thread 
which runs through the entire 
organisation. 

Our Good Together programme is at the 
heart of our business philosophy and is 
broken down into three ‘pillars’ — Team  
and Community, Customer Wellbeing and 
Environment. We have developed ambitious 
targets for 2020, which are designed to 
measure the impact we are having and  
during the past six years, the programme  
has delivered tangible improvements across 
our business and has contributed towards 
creating a more sustainable business.

Team and Community
We employ around 50,000 people and  
take our responsibilities to them and those 
living in the communities where we operate 
seriously. Our WISE programme (Whitbread 
Investing in Skills and Employment) has now 
been launched in Costa following its success 
within Hotels & Restaurants. This year alone 
we invested over £3 million in WISE to give 
team members the opportunity to build their 
skills and progress in their roles to ensure we 
have capable, confident and engaged teams. 

Currently, we have over 1,000 apprentices in 
learning at Whitbread however the important 
framework required to accelerate the 
programme across all of our brands has taken 
longer to establish than predicted. We are 
committed to our apprenticeship programme, 
and are investing substantially in it. We are 
focused on delivering quality apprenticeships 
ranging from level 2 to level 7, rather than  
an over–reliance on entry–level qualifications. 
We have therefore taken the decision to 
reduce our 2020 target to 5,000 from 6,000. 

Our teams do a tremendous amount of  
work in the community, and are passionate 
about supporting our chosen charities, Great 
Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity 
(GOSHCC), and the Costa Foundation.  
We have already raised over £6 million for 
GOSHCC, and almost £10 million for the 
Costa Foundation, which builds school 
projects in coffee–growing regions around 
the world.

Customer Wellbeing
The Customer Heartbeat is at the centre  
of our business model and our Customer 
Wellbeing pillar ensures our customers  
can have confidence in the integrity of our 
products. We have now set added sugar 
reduction targets for 2020 within Costa and 
continue to work on our menus to provide  
a wider range of choice. We have also 
increased activity to strengthen our health 
and safety and food hygiene record  
in both Hotels & Restaurants and Costa. 

We welcome the introduction of the Modern 
Slavery Act and are pleased to see that 
companies will be held to account for the 
standards and practice of their supply chain. At 
Whitbread, we have been undertaking work for 
a few years now to ensure robust social, ethical 
and environmental standards are upheld in our 
operations and throughout our supply chain, 
but there is more to do, particularly in relation 
to the sourcing of materials in the supply chain. 
We aim to have 100% accredited supply for our 
critical commodities by 2020, and have recently 
been accepted as a foundation member of 
the Ethical Trading Initiative and have begun 
working with Stop The Traffik, a leading human 
trafficking prevention charity. We look forward 
to reporting on the outputs of these initiatives 
in the 2016/17 Annual Report, in line with  
the timeframes laid out by the government.

Environment
As we continue to expand, we must be 
sensitive to the impact we have on the 
environment. We must ensure that we manage 
our environmental impact by reducing  
carbon emissions, being as energy efficient as 
possible, minimising water consumption and 
diverting waste from landfill. We have invested 
in innovative technologies and new ways of 
working to reduce our water consumption and 
carbon footprint. During the year, Costa have 
opened the first zero energy coffee shop  
in the UK, and Premier Inn have more than 
doubled the size of Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) 
generation capacity. 

We aim to be a leader in developing 
sustainable business practices within our 
sectors and continue to work towards our 
2020 Good Together targets. In the following 
pages we have included more detail on the 
work of both Hotels & Restaurants and Costa 
in achieving these targets and the work being 
undertaken in each of the Good Together 
pillars. Further information on all aspects  
of our programme can be found in the 
Corporate Responsibility report on our 
website, www.whitbread.co.uk

Good 
Together

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Good Together 
2020 targets

Team and community
Hotels & Restaurants to have raised £10 million 
in total for charity (including £7.5 million for 
Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity.

Team and community
Costa to have raised £15 million in total for  
Costa Foundation, funding 100 schools projects.

£10m £15m

Team and community
6,500 employment placements.

Team and community
Around 15,000 new jobs created.

Team and community
5,000 apprenticeships.

Team and community
7,500 work experience placements.

Customer Wellbeing
100% accredited supply for critical product 
sourced commodities.

Customer Wellbeing
Costa to deliver a 25% added sugar reduction  
in all drinks.

100%

Environment
15% carbon reduction from direct operations  
(against a new 2014 baseline).

Environment
20% water consumption reduction  
(against a new 2014 baseline).

Environment
Increase direct operations recycling rate to 80%.

—15%

Whitbread 
Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16

Good 
Together

41
41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Good Together 
continued 

Hotels & Restaurants

In Premier Inn we continue to 
deliver our successful ‘Shooting 
Stars’ programmes.

We are reformulating dishes  
to ensure they are healthier.

As the owner of the UK’s favourite hotel 
chain, Premier Inn, as well as our popular 
restaurant brands, it is vital for us to ensure 
that every team member and customer is 
invested in as part of our Good Together 
programme, and that we effectively manage 
our environmental impact to ensure we are  
a force for good.

This year, we launched our new measurement 
and audit system throughout our supply 
base, to implement the responsible sourcing 
policies related to our high risk commodities. 
Where suppliers do not already comply with 
our standards, we are working with them  
to identify the root cause of the issue and 
supporting them in solving it where we can. 

Team and Community
£2m Raised for Great Ormond Street 

Hospital Children’s Charity

Apprentices in learning

938
1,609 Work experience placements

We have already made good progress towards 
our 2020 targets and continue to deliver on 
job creation, employment placements, and 
work experience placements.

In Premier Inn we continue to deliver our 
successful ‘Shooting Stars’ programmes, 
supporting the progress of high potential 
team members and managers, and helping 
them progress in their careers.

In order to achieve our 2020 target of 100% 
accreditation of critical commodities, we  
have undertaken a materiality assessment to 
identify what those critical commodities are 
for our business. These have been identified 
as cotton, timber, coffee, meat, fish and palm 
oil. We have developed our approach for 
each product area and work has commenced 
to begin increasing the amount of accredited 
supply within our business.

Environment
11.2% Carbon reduction from direct 

operations

69.2% Direct operations recycling rate
Grey water recycling schemes 
installed

14

We are proud to support Great Ormond 
Street Hospital Children’s Charity and during 
2015/16 alone we raised over £2 million 
towards the construction and fit out of the 
Premier Inn Clinical Building, due to open in 
Autumn 2017. Team members have been 
fundraising in a variety of ways to get behind 
our ambitious target and have now raised 
over £6 million for this charity.

The UK electricity grid became more carbon 
efficient in 2015/16, reducing our emissions by 
4.7%, and our investment in energy efficiency 
and solar generation has reduced our emissions 
by a further 6.5%. We have also driven water 
consumption reduction through the installation 
of 14 grey water recycling schemes and 
continuing installations of low flow taps,  
dual flush toilets and low water appliances.

Customer Wellbeing

<400kcal  
and <600kcal

Premier Inn Lighter Options range

Product 
reformulation

Reducing salt, added sugar,  
saturated fat and total fat

Fat reduction 
initiatives

Rational ovens, rapeseed oil for 
frying and moving from block  
butter to Flora Cuisine

Where possible, we are reformulating  
dishes to ensure they are healthier, without 
compromising on product safety, quality  
or taste. 

We are committed to responsibly sourcing 
products and will only work with suppliers 
who can meet the quality and quantity of 
product we require and who source their 
products responsibly according to the 
standards we set. 

During 2015/16, we invested £4 million  
of capital in energy reduction initiatives to 
deliver an annual revenue benefit of over  
£1 million. This programme focused on  
short return proven technologies such as  
low energy lighting and voltage optimisation, 
but also covered longer payback investments 
such as Solar Photo Voltaic (PV). We have 
doubled the size of our Solar PV generation 
capacity in 2015/16 and now have panels  
on over 12% of our hotel estate, generating 
around 1.3 GWh of renewable electricity 
every year, reducing our carbon footprint  
by over 6,000 tonnes/CO2e per annum. 

This year we also launched our largest 
employee engagement programme, designed 
to incentivise and empower team members 
to reduce energy consumption through 
simple energy saving actions. We have seen 
some excellent examples of best practice, 
with some sites cutting their electricity bills 
by more than 14%.

Good 
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Great Ormond 
Street Hospital 
Children’s 
Charity

Across the length and breadth of the UK our 
fantastic hotel and restaurant teams are raising 
money for our chosen charity partner, Great 
Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. 
Every year they take part in weird and wonderful 
fundraising activities, like the team members  
in this picture who are from the Gatwick North 
Terminal Premier Inn. In 2015/16 our teams raised 
a staggering £2 million taking us ever closer 
towards our target of £7.5 million to build and  
fit out the new Premier Inn Clinical Building  
which is due to open in Autumn 2017. 

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Good Together 
continued 

Costa

We achieved a 15% reduction 
in added sugar in the Costa  
Ice range.

Almost £10 million has now been 
raised for the Costa Foundation.

Costa’s growth ambitions means that it is 
increasingly important to ensure we have 
talented and engaged teams in place to 
continue to deliver for our customers and  
the communities in which we operate, and  
also to minimise our environmental impact.

Team and Community
£2m
2,000 Community initiatives completed

Raised for the Costa Foundation

797

Work experience placements, 
employment placements and 
apprenticeships

Costa are committed to actively making  
a positive difference to communities near  
and far through investing in our people  
and supporting continuous learning and 
education.

This year we launched the Costa WISE 
programme and have made good progress 
towards our 2020 targets, delivering 76 
apprenticeships, 492 work experience 
placements and 229 employment 
placements.

Our Costa Community Programme empowers 
our teams to support their local communities 
through giving volunteer time, space in stores 
and funds to support community projects.  
This year, our teams have donated over 10,000 
volunteer hours and implemented over 2,000 
local community initiatives. In 2015/16 over  
550 of our stores took part in Keep Britain 
Tidy’s Big Tidy Up campaign, the largest 
corporate litter pick ever undertaken.

Costa continues to support the Costa 
Foundation, a charity that builds school 
projects to provide access to quality 
education in coffee–growing communities 
around the world. Numerous and varied 
fundraising events have taken place, ranging 
from quiz nights to the Three Peaks 
Challenge, and in 2015/16 over £2 million was 
raised for the Costa Foundation. This takes 
the total amount raised to almost £10 million 
and the delivery of 61 school projects in 
coffee–growing communities. 

Customer Wellbeing
15%

Reduction in added sugar  
In Costa Ice range

<150kcal  
range

Little Treats range offering 
alternative to larger portion  
products

Coeliac Society 
certified

Savoury and sweet gluten  
free products available

We are committed to improving the nutritional 
balance of our products while maintaining the 
high quality and great taste our customers 
expect. Our nutritional strategy framework will 
support continuous improvement to remove, 
reformulate and recommend alternatives for 
all categories and our range will always include 
 ‘free from’ recipes.

We recognise that we have a responsibility  
to ensure sound social, ethical and 
environmental practices within our 
operations, supply chain and in every market 
in which we operate. The 2020 target to  
have all critical product commodities to be 
100% accredited against robust standards  
is underway. Costa has worked with the 
Rainforest Alliance since 2008 and is the  
first coffee shop brand to have all coffee, tea 
and hot chocolate from Rainforest Alliance 
certified sources.

Environment
12.9% Carbon reduction from direct 
operations
55.5% Direct operations recycling rate1

ISO 
certifications

The most sustainable roastery 
building

1   This excludes Waste Electrical Equipment data (WEE),  

which is recycled in line with WEE regulations)

The UK electricity grid became more carbon 
efficient in 2015/16, reducing our emissions  
by 6%. Carbon emissions relating to UK owned 
and operated stores reduced by 6.9% in 
2015/16 against a 2014/15 baseline. This 
reduction was driven by continued investment 
in energy efficient equipment and engaging 
team members in reducing energy usage 
across the operation.

During the year, we opened our first Eco Pod, 
as shown in the case study opposite — the  
first ‘zero energy’ coffee shop building in the 
UK. The Eco Pod is packed full of innovative 
energy saving technologies and such a design 
has the potential to transform not just how  
we build new stores at Costa, but the industry 
far more widely. 

We work to reduce waste and encourage  
re–use wherever possible. In 2015 we launched 
our ‘Ground for Grounds’ initiative, allowing 
customers to request used coffee grounds 
from their local Costa store to use in their 
gardens as a natural plant fertiliser. During the 
year, Costa also became a key signatory of the 
Keep Britain Tidy Litter Commitment with a 
pledge to actively work against the issue of 
litter across our countryside and communities.

Good 
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Costa  
Eco Pod

In April 2015, we opened the Costa Eco Pod  
store in Telford, the UK’s first ‘zero energy’ retail 
building. Working with landlords, Hammerson,  
we agreed an innovative investment model to 
deliver a common goal for a low carbon future. 
Costa agreed to pay a higher rent to enable 
Hammerson to develop a more sustainable, 
energy–saving building which would reduce 
running costs. As a result the Eco Pod uses 39% 
less energy than a conventional Costa store, off–
setting the additional rent. This award–winning 
building enjoys a number of industry–leading 

energy–saving features including Solar Photo 
Voltaic Panels on the roof, passive ventilation,  
a super–insulated facade, and a greywater  
recycling system.

 “I especially enjoy working here because it’s 
important to me to know that as a business  
we are doing what we can to look after and 
protect the environment.”

Donna Jackson, Store Manager, Costa Telford

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Good 
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45

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal risks 
and uncertainties

Understanding and responding to risks  
in our operations means we can make 
informed decisions that enhance our 
capacity to build value.

Risk management
Risk arises from the operations of, and strategic decisions 
taken by, every business. It is not something that can be 
avoided but should be harnessed in pursuit of business 
objectives.

The Board has ultimate responsibility for risk management 
throughout the Group and determines the nature and  
extent of the risks Whitbread is willing to take to achieve  
its objectives to determine its risk appetite. Risk is managed 
proactively by the business unit executive committees and  
the Executive Committee. Certain responsibilities, such as 
overseeing the systems of risk management and internal 
control, have been delegated to the Audit Committee,  
which completes an annual review of the effectiveness  
of these processes.

The structure and governance of the risk management 
process at Whitbread is shown on page 47, and during  
the year, a robust bottom–up assessment of risks was 
completed.

Both the Hotels & Restaurants and the Costa businesses  
complete an annual review of the risks to the achievement  
of their strategic goals, whilst also taking into account the  
key operational risks, which are updated quarterly. A top–
down risk assessment is also completed to capture the 
Board’s views on the principal risks facing Whitbread, 
considering risk appetite. Actions required to manage  
these risks are monitored and reviewed on a regular basis. 

The principal risks identified, together with a summary  
of key mitigations, are summarised on pages 48 and 49.

Viability statement
The Corporate Governance Code requires that the directors 
have considered the viability of the Group over an appropriate 
period of time selected by them, in this case a three–year 
period. In making this assessment the directors took into 
account the current financial and operational positions of the 
Group and the potential impact of the risks and uncertainties 
as outlined on pages 48 and 49.

The business planning process reviewed by the Board,  
as part of the annual strategic planning process, is over  
a five–year timeline, with the Board acknowledging that  
there is significantly more certainty over the first three  
years of the plan in light of fluctuations in the global economy, 
the entry of new competitors and customer preferences. 
Therefore the directors have determined a three–year  
period is an appropriate period over which to provide its 
viability statement. In making the viability statement, the 
Board carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks 
and uncertainties facing the Group, including those that would 
threaten the business model, future performance, solvency 
and liquidity. Scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis was 
applied to forecasted cash flows to model the potential effects 
should the principal risks actually occur and consideration was 
given to the availability and likely effectiveness of mitigating 
actions that could be taken to avoid or reduce the impact  
or occurrence of the identified risk.

In particular, it should be noted that the Group is currently 
spending a substantial part of its cash from operations  
on discretionary growth capital (c.50% on average) which 
gives the Group considerable flexibility to manage cash  
flows and would provide significant mitigation if required. 

Based upon this assessment the directors confirm that they 
have reasonable expectation that the Group will be able  
to continue in operation to meet its liabilities as they fall due  
over the three–year assessment period.

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Principal risks 
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46

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group risk framework

n
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Board
Accountable for strategic
risk management
and ensuring a sound system
of internal control and
risk management is in place

Audit Committee
Oversight and challenge
of the effectiveness
of risk management
and mitigating controls

Executive Committee
Review, challenge and
approval of Group risks

Internal Audit
Coordination
and analysis

Group
functions

Costa

Whitbread Hotels
& Restaurants

Whitbread Hotels
& Restaurants
International

Accountable for risk management in the respective business
and risk submissions to the Executive Committee

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Principal risks 
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47

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal risks 
and uncertainties 
continued 

 Principal risks

Risk

Key mitigations

Winning Teams

Engagement and retention
Failure to maintain staff  
engagement and retention  
in tightening labour market.

The success of our businesses relies upon the passion and commitment of our teams  
and their engagement is fundamental. We closely monitor our teams’ engagement  
both through our annual ‘Your Say’ survey, and reporting on team turnover — a key 
component of our WINcard Annual Incentive Scheme. 

Team turnover continues to be a challenge for us as the labour market tightens with  
the economic recovery. We have a number of training and progression programmes  
in place to address this, both at a site and support centre level. For our team members 
we will continue to review our pay structures to ensure that their reward reflects their 
increasing skills through our pay for progression programme. 

At a support centre level we are implementing a new performance management 
framework with a focus on supporting all employees to reach their potential.  
For all senior management positions we have succession plans in place and talent  
gaps are being actively addressed through recruitment, training and development.

The safety of our guests and employees is of paramount importance and is monitored 
closely at every level of the business. It is a measure on the WINcard as a hurdle for 
incentive payments and regular updates are reported to the Board.

Our key health and safety risks are our construction sites, fire safety and food hygiene 
standards. We monitor these through internal brand standard checks, compliance 
audits, and risk based reviews. This year, these have resulted in refreshed fire safety 
training in our hotels and updated training manuals for our international coffee shops  
to better address local training requirements. We also engage with third–party health 
and safety assurance provider NSF, who visit every site at least annually and support  
us in achieving consistent standards globally. 

Protecting our brands requires not only delivering consistently excellent customer 
experience, but also finding new and innovative ways to engage our customers.  
We closely monitor customer perception through market research, focus groups,  
net guest scores and TripAdvisor ratings to help us focus investment where it  
matters most to our customers. 

As a result of this, we are strengthening our existing brand proposition including 
increasing refurbishments of our estate and improving our customer’s online experience. 
We are also investing in a number of new formats including ‘hub by Premier Inn’, 
‘Beefeater Bar + Block’, Premier Inn Germany, Costa Pronto, Costa Fresco and an 
expanded Costa loyalty offering.

Health and safety
Death or serious injury  
as a result of Company  
negligence.

Customer Heartbeat

Innovation and brand strength
A long–term decline in the 
customer perception of our 
brands would impact our  
ability to grow and achieve 
appropriate levels of return.

Pandemic/terrorism
The risk of a pandemic or  
terrorism on the safety and  
security of our customers,  
staff and the consequent  
impact on trading.

The safety and security of our customers, staff and suppliers is of critical importance  
and therefore ensuring we are ready to respond appropriately in the event of a threat 
materialising is a key priority. We have crisis management procedures in place and 
management undertake training and simulations to assess our readiness and response 
capabilities should an event arise. We are implementing specific training for our hotel  
team members and embedding training policies and procedures will remain a focus  
for the coming year. 

Principal risks 
and uncertainties

48

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk

Key mitigations

Profitable Growth

Cyber and data security
Inadequate systems and  
data security reduces the 
effectiveness of our systems  
or results in a loss of data.  
This in turn could result  
in loss of income and/or 
reputational damage.

We have a series of IT security controls in place including network/system monitoring 
and regular penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities. We continue to invest in  
new skills and capabilities. A security improvement programme is in place improving 
network security, data breach controls, procedures and ensuring accountabilities are 
embedded across Whitbread. 

IT infrastructure
IT infrastructure is unable  
to adequately support our 
business growth objectives. 

We are investing heavily in our systems infrastructure. This will increase the capacity, 
resilience and stability of our core systems and digital propositions. We have a strong  
IT leadership team in place to manage this transformation and have implemented  
clear governance structures to prioritise, coordinate and deliver it efficiently with 
minimal disruption. 

Economic climate
Changes in the economic 
climate, Brexit, fall in GDP, 
RevPAR or property inflation 
could impact returns and  
our growth plans.

The ability to rapidly respond to changes in the economic environment requires a lean 
and agile cost base. To this end, we are implementing a number of efficiency initiatives  
to ensure we leverage technology and maximise synergies across our Restaurants, 
Premier Inn and Costa brands. These include reviewing our labour management 
processes, and upgrading our systems to ensure our teams are structured and  
equipped to work flexibly and efficiently. 

Economic developments are factored in to our business planning at both a macro  
and micro level. Our investment appraisal process includes modelling a diverse  
range of scenarios to ensure we continue to achieve a good level of return for all  
new openings. Our debt and gearing levels are monitored closely using our financial 
framework to ensure they are well within our financial covenants and headroom 
requirements. 

Good Together

Food safety and hygiene
The preparation or storage  
of food and/or supply  
chain failure results in food 
poisoning and reputational 
damage. 

Food safety continues to be an area of considerable investment for us, both in  
employee training, and in enforcing our stringent sourcing policies, traceability and 
testing requirements as we expand our product offering and continue to grow both  
in the UK and internationally. Independent food safety audits are completed at least 
annually across all our brands in addition to internal brand standard checks and  
audits. This will remain a key focus and priority going forward, as we look to increase  
the frequency and coverage of outlet visits.

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Principal risks 
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49

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key Performance 
Indicators

Whitbread’s Business Model, which can be found  
on page 4 shows how we create value for our 
stakeholders. The Model’s foundation is the 
Customer Heartbeat schematic — Winning Teams, 
Customer Heartbeat, Profitable Growth and Good 
Together. Behind each of these headings are clear 
and measurable targets which together make up  
our balanced scorecard or WINcard as we call it 
(Whitbread In Numbers). It is used throughout the 
Company. Every hotel, restaurant and coffee shop 
has its own WINcard. All support centres, each 
business and the Group as a whole have their own 
WINcard. Every month the results are published 
throughout the Group so that everyone knows 
exactly how they are doing against the key targets, 
both financial and non–financial, for the year.

As these are key strategic measures a number  
of them form an important part of the incentive 
schemes for our teams. Details of how the executive 
directors are rewarded for their WINcard 
performance are described in the remuneration 
report on pages 76 to 91.

The Group, Hotels & Restaurants and Costa WINcard 
targets are set at the beginning of each year and 
agreed with the Remuneration Committee. They are 
usually set above the level achieved in the previous 
year to target improved performance. In general,  
a green WINcard is achieved where the performance 
is better than both previous year and target.  
An amber score is for performance which is better 
than the prior year but below target and a red  
score is for a result below the previous year.

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomerr
HHHeartbeaaatt
Heartbeat

Profitable Growth

Winning Teams

Team turnover
We measure the percentage  
of our team members who leave  
the business during the year.  
For example, if we had team  
turnover of 50% that would mean  
that a number equivalent to half  
of our team members had  
left during the year and had  
to be replaced. 

Why this is important
We aim to keep team turnover 
as low as possible as this means 
we have more settled and consistent 
teams who will do a better job of 
making everyday experiences special 
for our customers. We also save 
money on recruitment and training 
if we can retain team members.

How we have done in 2015/16
The team turnover results are as follows 
(with the targets shown in brackets):
Group1: 43.9% (42.8%)
Premier Inn: 40.3% (37.1%)
Restaurants: 52.9% (49.9%)
Costa2: 39.6% (43.4%) 

Although we did not meet our 
stretching targets in all parts  
of the Group, we did see positive 
movement in the last quarter. 

WINcard results

  Group

  Hotels & Restaurants

  Costa

Our goals for 2016/17
The team turnover targets are as follows:
Group1: 42.65%
Premier Inn: 40.3%
Restaurants: 52.3%
Costa 2: 40.0%

1   Excludes support centre.

2   The Costa targets and results shown above 
are for Costa UK. The full Costa WINcard 
targets are based on a matrix including 
Costa China and Costa Express.

Key Performance 
Indicators

50

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Health and safety

Brand performance

Nothing could be more important  

With our aim to make everyday 

Family measures —  

Hotels & Restaurants

Customer Heartbeat

than the safety of our teams and  

our customers. Independent audits  

are carried out throughout the  

year to check that standards are  

being maintained with certain  

key areas resulting in automatic  

failure if they are not met.

experiences special it is vital  

that we have a robust way of  

measuring how our customers  

rate our performance in terms  

of recommendations and  

preference over other brands. 

The provision of a quality restaurant  

is important to our Premier Inn  

guests and our joint–site model 

provides us with good synergies.

Why this is important

Our people have a right to work  

in a safe environment and our 

customers rightly expect us to  

Why this is important

Why this is important

Without this information we would  

Measures have been developed  

not be able to measure and improve  

to make sure that our Premier Inn  

our customers’ experience or  

and Restaurants teams work well 

look after them when they choose  

compare the experience we provide  

together for the benefit of guests.  

to that provided by our competitors.

For Premier Inn, we measure the 

to sleep, eat or drink with us.  

A significant health and safety  

failure would also affect confidence  

in our business.

proportion of guests that have 

breakfast in the restaurant.  

We audit breakfast standards  

for Restaurants.

How we have done in 2015/16 

We strengthened the targets  

in 2015/16 and also increased the 

proportion of sites required to  

How we have done in 2015/16 

Premier Inn’s target was to reduce  

the percentage of guests scoring  

How we have done in 2015/16 

Premier Inn’s target was to achieve  

a 2.0% like for like increase in food  

zero to six out of ten to below 10.1%.  

and beverage sales to hotel guests  

pass the audit for each business to  

achieve a green score. Both Costa  

The result was 10.6%, which did  

not meet the stretching target.  

in joint site restaurants. The increase 

achieved was 8.0%. Restaurants had  

and Hotels & Restaurants exceeded  

Costa’s target was to increase its  

a target to reduce the proportion  

the tougher targets set.

net recommend score to 59.7%.  

The result was 54.6%, which was  

lower than the prior year.

of Premier Inn guests giving a score  

of one or two out of five for breakfast  

or dinner to below 5.4%. The result  

for the year was 6.3%.

WINcard results

WINcard results

  Group

  Costa

  Group

  Costa

  Hotels & Restaurants

  Hotels & Restaurants

WINcard results

  Premier Inn

  Restaurants

Our goals for 2016/17

Our goals for 2016/17

Our goals for 2016/17

The targets for the year ahead have  

Premier Inn’s target is to achieve  

These measures will no longer be 

been further strengthened. More  

a net recommend score of 53.6% pts  

included on the WINcard in 2016/17.

audits will take place and additional 

and Restaurants have a target net 

food hygiene questions have been  

recommend score of 43.0% pts.  

added to the audit process.

Costa’s target is to reduce detractors  

to 15% or below. Costa will have 

additional brand standards and 

innovation objectives.

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Health and safety
Nothing could be more important  
than the safety of our teams and  
our customers. Independent audits  
are carried out throughout the  
year to check that standards are  
being maintained with certain  
key areas resulting in automatic  
failure if they are not met.

Why this is important
Our people have a right to work  
in a safe environment and our 
customers rightly expect us to  
look after them when they choose  
to sleep, eat or drink with us.  
A significant health and safety  
failure would also affect confidence  
in our business.

How we have done in 2015/16 
We strengthened the targets  
in 2015/16 and also increased the 
proportion of sites required to  
pass the audit for each business to  
achieve a green score. Both Costa  
and Hotels & Restaurants exceeded  
the tougher targets set.

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomerr
Heartbeat
HHHeartbeaaatt

Profitable Growth

Customer Heartbeat

Brand performance
With our aim to make everyday 
experiences special it is vital  
that we have a robust way of  
measuring how our customers  
rate our performance in terms  
of recommendations and  
preference over other brands. 

Why this is important
Without this information we would  
not be able to measure and improve  
our customers’ experience or  
compare the experience we provide  
to that provided by our competitors.

How we have done in 2015/16 
Premier Inn’s target was to reduce  
the percentage of guests scoring  
zero to six out of ten to below 10.1%.  
The result was 10.6%, which did  
not meet the stretching target.  
Costa’s target was to increase its  
net recommend score to 59.7%.  
The result was 54.6%, which was  
lower than the prior year.

  Hotels & Restaurants

  Hotels & Restaurants

  Hotels & Restaurants

  Costa

  Costa

WINcard results

  Group

WINcard results

  Group

Our goals for 2016/17
The targets for the year ahead have  
been further strengthened. More  
audits will take place and additional 
food hygiene questions have been  
added to the audit process.

Our goals for 2016/17
Premier Inn’s target is to achieve  
a net recommend score of 53.6% pts  
and Restaurants have a target net 
recommend score of 43.0% pts.  
Costa’s target is to reduce detractors  
to 15% or below. Costa will have 
additional brand standards and 
innovation objectives.

Winning Teams

Team turnover

We measure the percentage  

of our team members who leave  

the business during the year.  

For example, if we had team  

turnover of 50% that would mean  

that a number equivalent to half  

of our team members had  

left during the year and had  

to be replaced. 

Why this is important

We aim to keep team turnover 

as low as possible as this means 

we have more settled and consistent 

teams who will do a better job of 

making everyday experiences special 

for our customers. We also save 

money on recruitment and training 

if we can retain team members.

How we have done in 2015/16

The team turnover results are as follows 

(with the targets shown in brackets):

Group1: 43.9% (42.8%)

Premier Inn: 40.3% (37.1%)

Restaurants: 52.9% (49.9%)

Costa2: 39.6% (43.4%) 

Although we did not meet our 

stretching targets in all parts  

of the Group, we did see positive 

movement in the last quarter. 

WINcard results

  Group

  Costa

Group1: 42.65%

Premier Inn: 40.3%

Restaurants: 52.3%

Costa 2: 40.0%

Our goals for 2016/17

The team turnover targets are as follows:

Family measures —  
Hotels & Restaurants
The provision of a quality restaurant  
is important to our Premier Inn  
guests and our joint–site model 
provides us with good synergies.

Why this is important
Measures have been developed  
to make sure that our Premier Inn  
and Restaurants teams work well 
together for the benefit of guests.  
For Premier Inn, we measure the 
proportion of guests that have 
breakfast in the restaurant.  
We audit breakfast standards  
for Restaurants.

How we have done in 2015/16 
Premier Inn’s target was to achieve  
a 2.0% like for like increase in food  
and beverage sales to hotel guests  
in joint site restaurants. The increase 
achieved was 8.0%. Restaurants had  
a target to reduce the proportion  
of Premier Inn guests giving a score  
of one or two out of five for breakfast  
or dinner to below 5.4%. The result  
for the year was 6.3%.

WINcard results

  Premier Inn

  Restaurants

Our goals for 2016/17
These measures will no longer be 
included on the WINcard in 2016/17.

Key Performance 
Indicators

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key Performance 
Indicators 
continued 

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomerr
HHHeartbeaaatt
Heartbeat

Profitable Growth

Profitable Growth

Profit
As with all businesses we measure  
our financial success by the profits  
we make through growing our 
brands and operating our businesses 
efficiently. A budget is agreed  
with the Board each year which  
sets a target profit level.

Like for like sales/total system  
sales growth
We closely follow the sales  
growth performance of  
our hotels, restaurants and  
coffee shops. 

Market performance
We measure our performance  
versus our competitors in terms  
of our sales growth per available  
room in Premier Inn and the  
brand preference score in Costa. 

Why this is important
Recognising that our shareholders  
have a choice in investing their money, 
we need to be able to demonstrate  
that our businesses can produce 
sustainable profit growth. This should 
mean that the underlying value of the 
Company will increase and dividends 
can be paid in line with that growth.

Why this is important
While we are investing so much in the 
organic growth of Hotels & Restaurants 
we need to keep a close eye on how  
the mature parts of the business are 
performing. This enables us to make 
better investment decisions. The 
expansion of the Costa brand is a key 
strategic goal.

Why this is important
We need to be able to understand  
how we are performing on  
a consistent basis against the  
rest of the market and to develop  
our strategy accordingly. 

How we have done in 2015/16
We grew our Group underlying profit 
before tax by 11.9% last year and  
grew our underlying basic earnings  
per share by 11.7%, with Hotels & 
Restaurants growing its underlying 
operating profits by 11.3% and  
Costa by 15.8%. 

How we have done in 2015/16
Hotels & Restaurants achieved like 
for like sales of 3.1%, which was ahead  
of last year but did not meet our 
stretching target. Costa achieved  
strong total system sales which was 
ahead of its target. Like for like sales  
for the Group were 3.0% (2014/15: 
6.5%) which was a good performance  
in a difficult economic climate,  
but was lower than the prior year.

How we have done in 2015/16
Costa achieved a brand preference 
score of 36.5% during the year,  
which although 23% pts better than  
Starbucks, did not meet the target.

We grew market share in Premier Inn, 
with 2.6% like for like RevPAR growth. 
The midscale and economy market3 
grew RevPAR by 5.6% from a low  
base and by implementing price 
increases that we chose not to follow.

Profit is not a WINcard measure,  
but is a target under the Annual 
Incentive Scheme as described  
on pages 82 and 90.

WINcard results

  Group

WINcard results

  Group

  Hotels & Restaurants

   Hotels & Restaurants

  Costa

  Costa

Our goals for 2016/17
Our profit targets are commercially 
sensitive, although they will be  
disclosed retrospectively in the  
2017/18 Annual Report. They will  
remain stretching, but achievable.

Our goals for 2016/17
Our like for like sales and total system 
sales targets are commercially sensitive, 
but are set in the budget process  
against a realistic but stretching view  
of the markets in the coming year.

Our goals for 2016/17
This will no longer be a WINcard  
target for 2016/17, although we will 
continue to closely monitor our 
performance versus competitors.

3   Hotel market performance data  

collected by STR Global.

52

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Brand expansion

Our strategy is based on the  

profitable growth of our  

Premier Inn and Costa brands.

Returns on investment 

A crucial factor in measuring our 

performance is how well we have  

Carbon consumption/ 

community engagement

Our corporate responsibility 

invested our shareholders’ money.  

programme covers a number  

Good Together

Why this is important

We have shown that we are able  

to create significant shareholder  

value by growing our successful  

brands. It is important that we  

measure our progress towards  

meeting our growth milestones.

We calculate this by dividing  

the underlying profit of an asset  

or business by the capital value  

of the asset or business it has been 

invested in. 

of areas against which we measure 

ourselves. Hotels & Restaurants  

has a carbon reduction target  

and Costa has a target for the  

number of stores participating  

in volunteering or fundraising.

Why this is important

Our investors want to be able to  

judge how well we are using their 

money in comparison to other 

Why this is important

Companies have a responsibility  

to reduce their impact on the 

environment which we fully endorse. 

investments that they could make.  

There are also clear economic  

We also want to be able to compare  

benefits in reducing carbon 

the performance of different types  

consumption primarily through  

of businesses and assets to focus  

our own plans, and measuring  

returns helps us to do so.

reduced energy bills. Being a force  

for good in our local communities is 

important to us and our stakeholders.

How we have done in 2015/16

How we have done in 2015/16

How we have done in 2015/16

Premier Inn opened a record 5,461  

Group return on capital fell from 15.7% 

80.2% of Costa stores participated  

new rooms in the year achieving  

its target. Costa opened 114 net  

to 15.3%, but still delivered a good 

in volunteering or fundraising activity, 

premium to the cost of capital. Hotels & 

which is in excess of the 60.0% target. 

new equity stores versus a stretching 

Restaurants return on capital declined 

Hotels & Restaurants achieved a  

target of 121.

from 13.5% to 12.9% and Costa grew 

4.7% reduction in like for like carbon 

returns from 46.3% to 49.9%. Returns  

consumption versus a target of 3.0%.

in Hotels & Restaurants declined due  

to the increased investment in freehold 

developments for future hotel openings 

in the UK and Germany. Excluding  

this, investment returns in Hotels & 

Restaurants would have been 1.5% pts 

higher at 14.4%.

WINcard results

  Group

  Costa

   Hotels & Restaurants

Return on capital is an important 

indicator used when considering  

all investment decisions and  

is a key measure for the Group’s  

Long Term Incentive Plan, but  

is not on the WINcard.

WINcard results

  Group

  Costa

  Hotels & Restaurants

Our goals for 2016/17

Our goals for 2016/17

Our goals for 2016/17

These targets are commercially  

To continue to make a good return  

Group and Hotels & Restaurants  

sensitive, but are set in the context  

on capital.

have a target to reduce electricity 

consumption by 1.0%. Costa’s target 

is for 85.2% of stores to participate  

in volunteering or fundraising.

of Whitbread’s growth milestones.  

In addition to these targets there will  

be new targets for net Costa Express 

machine installations and total 

occupancy for Premier Inn.

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16Page title 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Profitable Growth

Profit

Like for like sales/total system  

Market performance

As with all businesses we measure  

sales growth

our financial success by the profits  

We closely follow the sales  

we make through growing our 

growth performance of  

brands and operating our businesses 

our hotels, restaurants and  

efficiently. A budget is agreed  

with the Board each year which  

sets a target profit level.

coffee shops. 

We measure our performance  

versus our competitors in terms  

of our sales growth per available  

room in Premier Inn and the  

brand preference score in Costa. 

Why this is important

Why this is important

Why this is important

Recognising that our shareholders  

While we are investing so much in the 

We need to be able to understand  

have a choice in investing their money, 

organic growth of Hotels & Restaurants 

how we are performing on  

we need to be able to demonstrate  

we need to keep a close eye on how  

a consistent basis against the  

that our businesses can produce 

the mature parts of the business are 

rest of the market and to develop  

sustainable profit growth. This should 

performing. This enables us to make 

our strategy accordingly. 

mean that the underlying value of the 

better investment decisions. The 

Company will increase and dividends 

expansion of the Costa brand is a key 

can be paid in line with that growth.

strategic goal.

How we have done in 2015/16

How we have done in 2015/16

How we have done in 2015/16

We grew our Group underlying profit 

Hotels & Restaurants achieved like 

Costa achieved a brand preference 

before tax by 11.9% last year and  

for like sales of 3.1%, which was ahead  

score of 36.5% during the year,  

grew our underlying basic earnings  

of last year but did not meet our 

per share by 11.7%, with Hotels & 

stretching target. Costa achieved  

Restaurants growing its underlying 

strong total system sales which was 

which although 23% pts better than  

Starbucks, did not meet the target.

operating profits by 11.3% and  

ahead of its target. Like for like sales  

We grew market share in Premier Inn, 

Costa by 15.8%. 

for the Group were 3.0% (2014/15: 

with 2.6% like for like RevPAR growth. 

6.5%) which was a good performance  

The midscale and economy market3 

in a difficult economic climate,  

but was lower than the prior year.

grew RevPAR by 5.6% from a low  

base and by implementing price 

increases that we chose not to follow.

Profit is not a WINcard measure,  

but is a target under the Annual 

Incentive Scheme as described  

on pages 82 and 90.

  Group

  Costa

WINcard results

WINcard results

  Hotels & Restaurants

   Hotels & Restaurants

  Group

  Costa

Our goals for 2016/17

Our goals for 2016/17

Our goals for 2016/17

Our profit targets are commercially 

Our like for like sales and total system 

This will no longer be a WINcard  

sensitive, although they will be  

disclosed retrospectively in the  

2017/18 Annual Report. They will  

remain stretching, but achievable.

sales targets are commercially sensitive, 

target for 2016/17, although we will 

but are set in the budget process  

continue to closely monitor our 

against a realistic but stretching view  

performance versus competitors.

of the markets in the coming year.

3   Hotel market performance data  

collected by STR Global.

Brand expansion
Our strategy is based on the  
profitable growth of our  
Premier Inn and Costa brands.

Returns on investment 
A crucial factor in measuring our 
performance is how well we have  
invested our shareholders’ money.  
We calculate this by dividing  
the underlying profit of an asset  
or business by the capital value  
of the asset or business it has been 
invested in. 

Winning Teams

Customer
CCustomeerr
HHHeeartbeaattt
Heartbeat

Profitable Growth

Good Together

Carbon consumption/ 
community engagement
Our corporate responsibility 
programme covers a number  
of areas against which we measure 
ourselves. Hotels & Restaurants  
has a carbon reduction target  
and Costa has a target for the  
number of stores participating  
in volunteering or fundraising.

Why this is important
We have shown that we are able  
to create significant shareholder  
value by growing our successful  
brands. It is important that we  
measure our progress towards  
meeting our growth milestones.

Why this is important
Our investors want to be able to  
judge how well we are using their 
money in comparison to other 
investments that they could make.  
We also want to be able to compare  
the performance of different types  
of businesses and assets to focus  
our own plans, and measuring  
returns helps us to do so.

Why this is important
Companies have a responsibility  
to reduce their impact on the 
environment which we fully endorse. 
There are also clear economic  
benefits in reducing carbon 
consumption primarily through  
reduced energy bills. Being a force  
for good in our local communities is 
important to us and our stakeholders.

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How we have done in 2015/16
Premier Inn opened a record 5,461  
new rooms in the year achieving  
its target. Costa opened 114 net  
new equity stores versus a stretching 
target of 121.

WINcard results

  Group

   Hotels & Restaurants

  Costa

Our goals for 2016/17
These targets are commercially  
sensitive, but are set in the context  
of Whitbread’s growth milestones.  
In addition to these targets there will  
be new targets for net Costa Express 
machine installations and total 
occupancy for Premier Inn.

How we have done in 2015/16
Group return on capital fell from 15.7% 
to 15.3%, but still delivered a good 
premium to the cost of capital. Hotels & 
Restaurants return on capital declined 
from 13.5% to 12.9% and Costa grew 
returns from 46.3% to 49.9%. Returns  
in Hotels & Restaurants declined due  
to the increased investment in freehold 
developments for future hotel openings 
in the UK and Germany. Excluding  
this, investment returns in Hotels & 
Restaurants would have been 1.5% pts 
higher at 14.4%.

Return on capital is an important 
indicator used when considering  
all investment decisions and  
is a key measure for the Group’s  
Long Term Incentive Plan, but  
is not on the WINcard.

Our goals for 2016/17
To continue to make a good return  
on capital.

How we have done in 2015/16
80.2% of Costa stores participated  
in volunteering or fundraising activity, 
which is in excess of the 60.0% target. 
Hotels & Restaurants achieved a  
4.7% reduction in like for like carbon 
consumption versus a target of 3.0%.

WINcard results

  Group

  Hotels & Restaurants

  Costa

Our goals for 2016/17
Group and Hotels & Restaurants  
have a target to reduce electricity 
consumption by 1.0%. Costa’s target 
is for 85.2% of stores to participate  
in volunteering or fundraising.

C
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53

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16Page title 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finance 
Director’s 
review

Whitbread has continued its 
good financial performance,  
with total revenue up 12.0%  
to £2,921.8 million, underlying 
profit before tax up 11.9% to 
£546.3 million, cash generated 
from operations of £782.2 million 
and underlying basic earnings 
per share up 11.7%. Profit  
before tax, after exceptional  
and non underlying adjustments 
was £487.7 million, up 5.2%.

2015/16 is reported as 53 weeks to 3 March 
2016, the comparative period for 2014/15  
is 52 weeks to 26 February 2015. To aid 
comparison, we have shown the year on  
year percentage change both as reported 
and on a 52 weeks basis, to 25 February 2016.

Nicholas Cadbury
Finance Director

Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants
Hotels & Restaurants revenue rose to  
£1,822.0 million, up 9.8%.

Premier Inn grew its market share through 
new hotel openings and good like for  
like sales growth in the UK, with total sales 
growth of 12.9% to £1,260.1 million. In the  
UK, we opened 40 new hotels with 5,461  
new rooms, increasing our number of rooms 
to 64,599 and rooms available by 9.8%.  
Like for like sales grew by 4.2% driven by 
an increase in the like for like revenue per 
available room of 2.6%, benefitting from  
the good performance in the Regions, and 
additional revenue from hotel extensions. 

Restaurants total sales grew by 3.5% and  
like for like sales grew by 0.8%. Four net new 
restaurants were opened during the year.

Costa
Costa's revenue grew by 15.9% to 
£1,103.2 million. Costa's UK sales grew to 
£975.9 million, up 16.3%, with retail like for  
like sales increasing by 2.9% and 103 net  
new coffee shops. International sales grew  
to £127.3 million, up 12.7% (13.7% in constant 
currency) with 94 net new stores. Costa 
Express performed well with 924 net coffee 
machines installed taking the total to 5,216,  
of which 492 are overseas.

Revenue
Revenue by business segment

Hotels & Restaurants 

Costa 

Less: inter–segment 

Revenue 

2015/16 
 £m 

2014/15 
£m 

1,822.0 

1,659.2 

1,103.2 

951.9 

(3.4) 

(3.0) 

Change 
%  

9.8 

15.9 

Change 
52 week 
comparative 
%

7.8

14.0

2,921.8 

2,608.1 

12.0 

10.1

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Finance Director’s 
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54

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
i

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Profit

Hotels & Restaurants — UK and Ireland 
Hotels & Restaurants — International 

Total Hotels & Restaurants 

Costa — UK 
Costa — International 

Total Costa 

Profit from operations 

Central costs 

Underlying operating profit 

Interest 

Underlying profit before tax 

Exceptional items and non underlying adjustments 

(58.6) 

Profit before tax 

487.7 

Profit impact of 53rd week

Hotels & Restaurants 

Costa 

Underlying profit before tax 

Whitbread's underlying profit before tax  
was up 11.9% to £546.3 million. Underlying 
profit before tax excludes the pension  
interest charge, amortisation of acquired 
intangibles and exceptional items.

Hotels & Restaurants profits grew to  
£446.9 million up 11.3%, with UK profits of 
£451.5 million, up 11.0%. Margins improved 
from 24.2% to 24.5% in 2015/16, principally 
driven by like for like sales growth, partially 
offset by inflation and investment in our 
teams and systems. Rent costs increased, 
ahead of sales growth, by 14.8% to  
£123.4 million (2014/15: £107.5 million), 
reflecting the higher mix of leasehold 
properties. 

2015/16 
 £m 

2014/15 
£m 

Change 
%  

Change 
52 week 
comparative 
%

451.5 
(4.6) 

446.9 

151.0 
2.5 

153.5 

600.4 

(31.6) 

568.8 

(22.5) 

546.3 

406.6 
(5.2) 

401.4 

131.4 
1.1

132.5 

533.9 

(29.5) 

504.4 

(16.3) 

488.1 

(24.3) 

463.8 

11.0 
11.5 

11.3 

14.9 

15.8 

12.5 

(7.1) 

12.8 

(38.0) 

11.9 

8.3 
11.5

8.6

12.5 

13.3

9.8

(6.4)

10.0

(36.2)

9.1

5.2 

2.2

 £m

11.0

3.4

13.9

We continue to improve our customer 
propositions and develop the capabilities and 
platform to support future growth. During 
2015/16, we increased the number of full 
room refurbishments to around 3,700 rooms, 
completed the roll out of our ‘best ever’ bed 
and installed around 2,000 air–conditioning 
units. We increased our revenue investment 
in technology and process improvements  
to enable us to grow our digital capabilities 
and evolve our systems. This continued 
improvement in our products and capabilities 
will amount to an approximate £9 million net 
incremental revenue spend in 2016/17.

International hotel losses reduced to  
£4.6 million (2014/15: loss of £5.2 million), 
with our Middle East hotels continuing to  
be profitable in a more challenging market, 
whilst India has seen good like for like growth, 
albeit from a low base. We continue our 
investment in building our South East Asia 
operation and opened our first hotels in 
Thailand and Indonesia. 

Finance Director’s 
review

55

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finance 
Director’s 
review 
continued 

Costa’s good performance was led by  
the UK, where profits increased 14.9% to 
£151.0 million, with good growth in our UK 
retail business and continued strong growth 
from Costa Express. Costa International  
made a profit of £2.5 million (2014/15: profit  
£1.1 million) with a good performance in our 
international franchise business and in our 
mature stores in China, partially offset by 
start–up investments in Costa Express in 
Canada and Costa retail in China and France. 

In Costa, as with Hotels & Restaurants, we are 
investing in our future growth, building the 
platforms of our international businesses and 
ensuring the continued success of our core 
UK business. In 2015/16, we completed the 
re–branding of our Polish stores from 
Coffeeheaven to Costa and this year, we will 
continue to invest in our international and 
digital talent capabilities, new store formats 
with the launch of Fresco and Pronto, and in 
food and beverage innovation. We are 
investing in our systems, customer loyalty 
through the Costa Pay & Collect trial, and our 
new Roastery, to ensure we can meet future 
capacity requirements to deliver great coffee 
to our customers worldwide. These revenue 
investments will amount to approximately  
£6 million net incremental spend in 2016/17.

Profit before tax was £487.7 million  
(2014/15: £463.8 million), up 5.2% and after 
taxation, statutory profit for the year  
was £387.3 million, up 5.8% on last year. 

Exceptional items
Exceptional items and non underlying 
adjustments for the year, including tax 
related adjustments, amounted to a charge  
of £42.9 million (2014/15: a charge of  
£17.1 million).

This year’s exceptional items primarily  
relate to an increased provision for onerous 
leases on historically disposed businesses 
(£14.7 million), accelerated amortisation  
on IT intangibles where there is no future 
economic benefit arising from these assets 
(£10.1 million) and charges for the closure  
and impairment of loss making Costa stores 
principally in China and Europe (£11.6 million). 
This is offset by a tax credit of £13.0 million 
due to the change in the tax rate from  
20.0% to 18.0%.

Non underlying adjustments also include 
amortisation of acquired intangibles  
(£4.3 million) and the IAS 19 income 
statement charge for pension finance  
cost (£17.2 million).

Full details are set out in Note 6 to the 
financial statements.

Interest
The underlying interest charge for the year 
was higher than last year at £22.5 million 
(2014/15: £16.3 million) due to a higher mix  
of fixed rate debt following the £450 million 
bond issue in May and higher average net 
debt as a result of the increase in capital 
expenditure. Whilst we have a balanced 
interest rate policy concerning the fixed  
to variable proportions, the Group decided  
to take advantage of the low interest rate 
environment at the time of the bond issue. 
The bias towards fixed interest rate debt  
with 89% fixed at year–end will continue  
for the short–term.

The effective interest rate on average net 
debt increased from 4.3% to 4.7%. 

The total interest cost including exceptional 
and non underlying interest costs, was  
£40.4 million (2014/15: £37.1 million) including 
the IAS 19 pension finance charge of  
£17.2 million (2014/15: £21.6 million). 

Taxation
Underlying tax for the year amounted to 
£116.1 million at an effective tax rate of 21.3% 
(2014/15: 21.5%). Full details are set out in 
Note 9 to the financial statements.

Earnings per share
Underlying basic earnings per share for the 
year were 238.65 pence, up 11.7% on last year, 
and underlying diluted earnings per share for 
the year were 236.82 pence, up 11.9% on last 
year. Full details are set out in Note 11 to the 
financial statements.

Dividend 
The recommended final dividend is  
61.85 pence, an increase on last year of  
8.6%, making the total dividend for the year  
90.35 pence, a growth of 10.0%. With the 
final dividend, we will offer our shareholders 
the option to participate in a dividend 
reinvestment plan. Full details are set out  
in Note 12 to the financial statements.

Finance Director’s 
review

56

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net debt and free cash
The principal movements in net debt are as follows:

Cash generated from operations 

Productive improvement and maintenance capital1

Operating cash flow after maintenance capital 

Interest

Tax

Pensions

Dividends

Other

Cash flow before expansionary capital 

Expansionary capital1

Net cash flow 

Net debt brought forward 

Net debt carried forward 

1Total capital expenditure 

Cash generated from operations was strong  
at £782.2 million, an increase of 9.5% on  
last year. 

Total capital expenditure, including business 
combinations, rose to £724.9 million  
(2014/15: £565.3 million). This resulted  
from our continued investment in our hotel 
room pipeline including freehold property 
purchases, along with further investments  
in our existing estate and IT systems.  
Within this, there were also investments  
and business combinations of £9.1 million  
for our hotel acquisition of Pattaya in  
South East Asia.

Pension payments totalled £84.3 million;  
these payments are in line with our agreed 
schedule of contributions which was based  
on the last triennial review in March 2014. 

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2015/16 
 £m 

782.2 

(214.8)

567.4 

(25.0)

(85.1)

(84.3)

(155.1)

(34.4)

183.5 

(510.1)

(326.6) 

(583.2) 

(909.8) 

2014/15 
£m

714.2

(175.7)

  538.5

(18.3)

(82.8)

(81.4)

(130.6)

(27.4)

  198.0

(389.6)

(191.6)

(391.6)

(583.2)

724.9 

565.3

Dividend payments amounted to £155.1 million 
(2014/15: £130.6 million), the increase in this 
year’s dividend payments is consistent with 
the Group’s basic earnings per share growth.

Corporation tax paid in the year was  
£85.1 million (2014/15: £82.8 million).

We maintained our adjusted net debt  
to EBITDAR ratio (see financial status and 
funding) with net debt as at 3 March 2016  
of £909.8 million (2014/15: £583.2 million).

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57

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finance 
Director’s 
review 
continued 

Capital expenditure
On an accruals basis, the Group’s capital 
expenditure, including business combinations, 
was £751.8 million (2014/15: £567.5 million). 
The Group’s cash capital expenditure was 
£724.9 million (2014/15: £565.3 million), 
including business combinations. Capital 
expenditure is split between expansionary 
(which includes the acquisition and 
development of properties) and product 
improvement and maintenance.

Hotels & Restaurants cash capital expenditure 
was £622.3 million (2014/15: £483.1 million), 
with expansionary expenditure increasing  
to £455.2 million (2014/15: £333.3 million)  
as we opened a record number of rooms and 
maintained our gross pipeline at c.13,900 
rooms (net 12,700 rooms), including c.5,400  
in London. Within this, we acquired  
£209.6 million of freehold property (2014/15: 
£191.8 million) and now our freehold pipeline  
is at 52% of the total pipeline compared to 41% 
at the end of 2014/15. Premier Inn Germany 
accounted for £61.6 million of expansionary 
capital as Frankfurt opened in February 2016 
and we exchanged on two further sites in 
Munich and Leipzig. Product improvement  
and maintenance cash expenditure in Hotels  
& Restaurants was £167.1 million (2014/15: 
£149.8 million). This was an increase on the 
previous year as we stepped up the number  
of full refurbishments, and increased  
the investment in our hotels technology 
infrastructure and in our systems.

Costa cash capital expenditure was  
£102.6 million (2014/15: £82.0 million) with 
£54.9 million on expansionary capital as we 
opened 197 new coffee shops and installed 
924 net new Costa Express machines. Costa 
product improvement and maintenance 
expenditure was £47.7 million (2014/15:  
£25.9 million), the majority of which was  
spent on re–imaging 139 Costa stores and  
on investment in our systems and our  
new Roastery.

In 2016/17, we expect our gross cash capital 
expenditure to be around £700 million and 
around £550—600 million net of the proceeds 
of around £100—150 million from sale and 
lease back transactions. Hotels & Restaurants 
spend is expected to be c.£560 million, with 
around 4,000 to 4,500 room openings, and 
the higher freehold and extensions pipeline 
mix maintained. Within this, we expect to 
spend c.£60 million acquiring German hotel 
sites to add to our pipeline, following the 
opening of our first hotel in Frankfurt in 
February. Hotels & Restaurants product 
improvement and maintenance investment  
will be maintained, as we continue to improve 
our customer experience and competitive 
edge and continue to improve our digital  
and systems capabilities. Costa cash capital 
expenditure will increase by c.£40 million 
to around £140 million. Included within this  
is c.£25 million that we expect to spend on  
our new Roastery and c.£45 million on 
refurbishments and product improvement. 
Costa is planning to open around 230  
to 250 coffee shops and to install c.1,000  
Costa Express machines.

In addition to capital expenditure, our 
leasehold commitments increased by  
£64.0 million to £2,896.7 million with  
Hotel & Restaurants at £2,567.6 million  
(2014/15: £2,464.1 million) and Costa  
£282.0 million, (2014/15: £283.8 million).

Return on capital
Return on capital is a prime focus for 
Whitbread. In the year, the Group’s return  
on capital of 15.3% (2014/15: 15.7%) delivered  
a good premium to our cost of capital.  
Costa’s returns were up 3.6% pts to 49.9%  
and Hotels & Restaurants returns were  
strong at 12.9%. Hotels & Restaurants  
returns were down 0.6% pts on last year  
due to the increased investment in freehold 
developments for future hotel openings  
in the UK and Germany. Excluding this 
investment returns in Hotels & Restaurants 
would have been 1.5% pts higher at 14.4%.

Finance Director’s 
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58

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension 
As at 3 March 2016, there was an IAS 19 
pension deficit of £288.1 million (2014/15: 
£553.8 million). The main movements during 
the year were the payments of the pension 
contributions of £84.3 million and an increase 
in the discount rate from 3.30% to 3.70%.

The 2014 triennial funding valuation and 
recovery plan agreed in the prior year 
maintains the schedule of Company 
contributions agreed in the 2011 recovery  
plan up to 2018 and extends the contributions 
to 2022. The recovery plan schedule of 
Company contributions are £70 million in 
2016, £80 million per annum for 2017 to 2021 
and £7.6 million in 2022. The payments will  
be accelerated by up to £5 million per year 
where increases in ordinary dividends exceed 
RPI. The annual payment previously paid  
in August will be phased across the year in 
equal monthly payments.

The Group has sufficient facilities to finance 
our short and medium–term requirements 
with total committed facilities of c.£1.7 billion, 
compared to net debt as at 3 March 2016  
of £909.8 million. On top of the existing  
US Private Placement loans of £258 million  
(at the hedged rate), and as announced  
in May 2015, we issued a £450 million bond  
with a coupon of 3.375% and a maturity  
of October 2025. In addition, in September 
2015 Whitbread renegotiated the terms and 
tenure of its syndicated bank revolving credit 
facility (‘RCF’) with both existing and new 
banking partners. The revised RCF gives  
a total available credit of £950 million and  
runs until September 2020 with the option 
of two one–year extensions potentially  
taking the facility to September 2022. 

The Company also makes payments of  
c.£9—10 million per year into the pension  
fund through the Scottish Partnership 
arrangements.

Nicholas Cadbury
Finance Director
25 April 2016

Financial status and funding
Whitbread aims to maintain its financial 
position and capital structure consistent with 
retaining its investment grade debt status.  
To this end, we work within the financial 
framework of net debt to EBITDAR (pension 
and lease adjusted) of less than 3.5 times.  
The net debt to EBITDAR for 2015/16 was  
3.1 times, providing us with comfortable 
headroom on our debt facilities.

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Finance Director’s 
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59

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Louise Smalley
Group HR Director

Group HR 
Director’s 
report

Whitbread’s talented people  
and our winning teams mentality 
are the foundation for our 
growth. Our continued efforts  
to grow our talent, develop our 
future pipeline of leaders and 
deliver high standards for our 
customers every day is at the 
heart of our strategy. 

2015/16 has been another year of high 
performance from Whitbread’s 50,000 
employees. We are pleased to report again 
that our people strategy rests on excellent 
engagement levels in all brands, with our 
engagement rising 2% pts to 78% across 
Whitbread. To ensure this continues, we 
remain focused on three core strategies 
which underpin our business plan: 
• retaining Winning Teams; 
• developing leadership; and 
• a no barriers to entry, no limits to ambition 

environment. 

Retaining Winning Teams 
This year we have continued to challenge 
ourselves to outperform relative to our 
industry in reducing turnover, particularly in 
critical customer–facing roles, and have 
invested consciously to achieve this. We know 
that the chance to develop a career is at the 
heart of employee retention and are proud  
of our ability to create real jobs for people  
of every background, giving profit and  
loss (P&L) accountability to thousands of 
people within an accelerated timeframe.  
In 2015/16 we offered 565 team members  
the opportunity to become a site manager 
and run their own P&L. 

To cement our winning teams ambition 
into our reward strategy, we have 
implemented a new pay strategy linked to 
individual development progression, which 
guarantees salary increases on completion  
of key developmental milestones. This work 
has been combined with material investments 
in the base salary for our site teams, 
introducing Living Wage in Costa and 
Premier Inn and Pay For Progression in 
Restaurants. With the combination of these 
investments we are hopeful that our turnover 
will continue to reduce, despite a challenging 
talent market.

In addition, we are working to continually 
improve our employees’ working experience 
with technology enhancements; for  
example we have implemented a new labour 
scheduling tool in our Restaurants business 
which allows line managers to better plan  
and forecast, and critically allows team 
members to swap shifts more easily.  
This will be rolled out to all brands over  
the next 24 months. 

Developing leadership 
We continue to focus on bringing through  
the best talent into leadership roles, and 
recruit where necessary to build a high 
quality leadership pipeline for the future.  
We have made a number of broadening 
moves to provide lateral stretch for our 
leaders and invested in critical skills in the  
UK and internationally. Our apprenticeship 
schemes and graduate programmes continue 
to grow in size and strength, and we are 
particularly proud to report that we have 
hired a series of high quality global leaders  
in Germany, China, Poland and Dubai to  
drive our international growth. 

To meet the needs of our growing business 
we have also introduced a new potential 
model, rolled out across Whitbread through 
over 128 workshops designed to support 
employees and managers to have a 
meaningful conversation about the markers 
of one’s potential, backed by a consistent 
record of performance. We also continue to 
invest heavily to help our first line managers 
in our operations, with site level workshops 
on leadership behaviours in Costa, Premier 
Inn and Restaurants, ongoing development  
in coaching and management skills, and 
targeted interventions to support 
development into specific roles. 

In addition we have recognised the growing 
development needs of our support centre, 
with a suite of new programmes to support 
general management and functional skills 
development. We have just completed  
the first cohort of our new executive 
development SPRINT programme for our  
top talent, a tailor–made experience to 
accelerate the development and network  
of executives across the company, and  
in addition have launched a ‘Digital Boot  
Camp’ for developers and a brand  
Digital Academy in both Premier Inn  
and Costa. 

Group HR  
Director’s report

60

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The strategic report on pages 4 to 61 was approved by the Board  
and signed on its behalf by Chris Vaughan, General Counsel and 
Company Secretary on 25 April 2016.

No barriers to entry, no limits 
to ambition environment 
In 2015/16 we have broadened the reach  
and impact of our Diversity and Inclusion 
efforts by building it into all our programmes, 
including a new focus on the importance of 
diversity for successful innovation. We have 
made progress towards our internal targets 
on nationality mix, gender and minority 
ethnic representation at all levels. 

On gender, we have conducted an equal  
pay audit to support our work on equal 
representation. Initial results reveal that  
greater representation of female leaders  
in our top 250 roles remains our priority. 

To help support transition through the 
organisation we have also continued to  
make sure our most senior leaders are  
actively mentoring our up and coming  
diverse leaders and we are consciously  
making progress in using external recruitment 
as a lever to bring in exceptional talent whilst 
shifting representation. We are proud that  
45% of external hires we have made into  
our top 250 roles have been female and  
we have become the 6th FTSE 100 company 
to be led by a female Chief Executive.

A breakdown of the directors of the  
Company, senior managers (defined as  
those in the Directors’ Forum) and all 
Whitbread employees, split by gender,  
as at 3 March 2016 is set out below.

Finally, we are continuing to invest in ensuring 
Whitbread is an inclusive environment 
supporting the wellbeing of our employees 
and their families. In March, we rolled out 
enhanced shared parental leave to all 
employees, and have been investing in 
encouraging and developing new affinity 
groups to support our diversity and inclusion 
efforts. We have a thriving networking group 
for Women in Finance and are in the process 
of launching our GLOW network (Gay & 
Lesbian Out at Whitbread), which will be 
present at Pride in 2016. 

Internal policies
We know that the culture within Whitbread, 
and the way we work, is just as important  
as what we do. We take our values very 
seriously, and operate a compliance 
programme to ensure that our values  
and our Code of Conduct are properly  
embedded throughout the organisation. 

We have a range of other policies and  
programmes which are regularly reviewed 
and communicated to employees through  
various training modules. These include our 
human rights, anti–bribery, hospitality and 
gifts, and anti–fraud and theft policies.

Louise Smalley
Group HR Director
25 April 2016

Directors

Senior managers

All Whitbread employees1

Male

Female

Male

Female

Male

Female

36%

25%

38%

64%

75%

62%

1  Data taken from our core HR database.

Group HR  
Director’s report

61

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Richard Baker
Chairman

Corporate
governance

Introduction from Richard Baker, Chairman
At Whitbread we recognise that corporate 
governance touches all aspects of our 
business and affects all of our employees  
in many different ways. We are committed  
to maintaining high standards of governance  
to ensure that the Company is managed  
with integrity and transparency.

Key governance activities
During the year, there has been a high  
level of activity with regards to corporate 
governance. Following the decision last year 
to postpone the external board evaluation, 
this year we undertook an externally 
facilitated evaluation of the Board and its 
performance. Further details on this process 
and the outcome of the evaluation can be 
found on page 68.

During the year we have managed the 
selection process and transition of our new 
Chief Executive, and have also appointed  
a new non–executive director, following  
a review of the Board composition and skill  
sets required by the Nomination Committee. 
Details of the appointment processes can be 
found in the Nomination Committee report 
on pages 74 and 75.

In addition, in accordance with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code, we have 
prepared the longer–term view of the Group’s 
going concern basis and the definition and 
identification of significant failings or 
weaknesses during the annual review of risk 
management and internal control. Further 
details on this review can be found in the 
Audit Committee report on page 72.

UK Corporate Governance Code
The Board takes responsibility for high 
standards of accountability and ethical 
behaviour. The 2014 UK Corporate 
Governance Code (‘the Code’), which can  
be found at www.frc.org.uk, was applicable  
to the financial year covered by this Report 
and is the standard against which we 
measured ourselves. In order to measure our 
compliance we undertook a thorough review 
of our corporate governance arrangements 
including our:
• overall compliance with the Code with 
respect to business and corporate 
practices;

• matters reserved to the Board; and
• terms of reference for each of the three 

Board committees.

The results of this review were presented 
at the February Board meeting and have  
now been formally adopted by the Board.

We were fully compliant with the Code 
for the 2015/16 financial year. Details of 
how Whitbread has applied the main and 
supporting principles of the Code with  
regard to remuneration can be found in the 
remuneration report on pages 76 to 91. 
Details of the members and activities of  
the Remuneration Committee can be found 
on page 81. Details of the members and 
activities of the Audit and Nomination 
Committees can be found on pages 71 to 75.

Maintaining high standards of corporate 
governance is vital to supporting our financial 
performance and protecting your Company. 
We keep all developments under review  
and always aim for a level of governance that  
is appropriate and relevant to the Company.

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Richard Baker
Chairman
25 April 2016

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Corporate 
governance

62

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Leadership and the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors
There are ten members of the Board including the Chairman, 
Chief Executive and Senior Independent Director. The 
composition of the Board is shown in the chart below.

Composition of the Board

Chairman: 1

Executive directors: 3

Independent 
non–executive directors: 6

Biographical details of each of the directors can be found  
on pages 64 and 65. 

We believe that it is vital for the Board to include a diverse 
range of skills, backgrounds and experiences, to enable a 
broad evaluation of all matters considered and to contribute 
to a positive culture of mutual respect and constructive 
challenge. The mix of skills and experience represented on  
the Board is outlined below.

Board experience

Number of directors 

Number of directors

Retail sector 

Travel and hospitality sector 

Marketing 

Legal 

Financial 

International 

Commercial property 

Technology 

Human Resources 

8

2

4

3

5 

2 

3 

2 

3

Board responsibilities
The Board is responsible for the long–term success of  
the Company and ensures that there are effective controls  
in place which enable risk to be assessed and managed.  
All Board members have responsibility for strategy, 
performance, risk and people. 

The Chairman and Chief Executive have clearly defined  
roles which are separate and distinct. The specific duties  
and division of responsibilities between the Chairman and  
Chief Executive have been agreed by the Board and are  
set out below.

Chairman

• Leadership of the Board and setting its agenda including approval  
of the Group’s strategy, business plans, annual budget and key  
areas of business importance.

• Maintaining appropriate contact with major shareholders and  

ensuring that Board members understand their views concerning  
the Company.

• Ensuring a culture of openness and debate around the Board table.

• Leading the annual evaluation of the Board, the committees and 

individual directors.

• Ensuring, through the General Counsel, that the members of the 

Board receive accurate, timely and clear information.

Chief Executive

• Optimising the performance of the Company.

• Day–to–day operation of the business.

• Ensuring effective communication with shareholders and employees.

• The creation of shareholder value by delivering profitable growth  

and a good return on capital.

• Ensuring the Company has a strong team of high–calibre executives, 

and putting in place appropriate management succession and 
development plans.

• Leading and motivating a large workforce of people.

Senior Independent Director
The Senior Independent Director provides a sounding board 
for the Chairman and supports him in the delivery of his 
objectives. The Senior Independent Director is available to 
shareholders if they have concerns which the normal channels 
have failed to resolve or which would be inappropriate to raise 
with the Chairman or the executive team. He also leads the 
evaluation of the Chairman on behalf of the other directors.

The Senior Independent Director can be contacted directly  
or through the General Counsel.

Executive directors
The executive directors are responsible for the day–to–day 
running of the business and for implementing the operational 
and strategic plans of the Company.

Non–executive directors
The non–executive directors play a key role in constructively 
challenging and scrutinising the performance of the 
management of the Company and helping to develop 
proposals on strategy.

Corporate 
governance

63

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Board of 
Directors

Richard Baker
Chairman

Alison Brittain
Chief Executive

Date of appointment to the Board:
September 2009

Date of appointment to the Board:
September 2015

Date of appointment as Chairman:
September 2014

Age: 53

Experience:
Richard previously served as 
Chairman of Virgin Active Group, 
Chief Executive of Alliance Boots 
Group plc and Chief Operating 
Officer at Asda Group plc.

External appointments:
• Adviser to Aimia
• DFS Furniture Plc (Chairman)
• British Retail Consortium (Non–

executive director)

• Advent International Plc 

(Operating Partner)

• Lawn Tennis Association 
(Non–executive director)

• AELTC Grounds plc 

(Non–executive director)

Committee membership:
• Nomination Committee 

(Chairman)

• Remuneration Committee

Age: 51

Experience:
Alison joined Whitbread from 
Lloyds Banking Group, where she 
was Group Director of their Retail 
Division, with responsibility for  
the Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of 
Scotland retail branch networks, 
remote and intermediary channels 
and products, along with the  
Retail Business Banking and the 
wealth businesses. Prior to joining 
Lloyds Bank, Alison was Executive 
Director for Retail Distribution and 
Board Director at Santander UK 
PLC. She previously held senior 
roles at Barclays Bank.

External appointments:
• Marks and Spencer Group PLC 

(Non–executive director)
• Member of Prime Minister’s 
Business Advisory Group

Nicholas Cadbury
Group Finance Director

Louise Smalley
Group HR Director

Date of appointment to the Board:
November 2012

Date of appointment to the Board:
November 2012

Age: 50

Age: 48

Experience:
Nicholas joined Whitbread in 
November 2012 as Group Finance 
Director. He previously worked at 
Dixons Retail PLC, in a variety of 
management roles, including Chief 
Financial Officer from 2008–2011. 
Nicholas also held the position of 
Chief Financial Officer of Premier 
Farnell PLC, which he joined in 2011. 
Nicholas originally qualified as an 
accountant with Price Waterhouse.

Experience:
Louise joined Whitbread in  
1995 and has held the position  
of Group HR Director since 2007. 
During her time at Whitbread, 
Louise has held a variety of  
HR roles across the Whitbread 
businesses, including HR Director 
of David Lloyd Leisure and 
Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants. 
She previously worked in the  
oil industry, with BP and Esso 
Petroleum.

External appointments:
• DS Smith Plc  

(Non–executive director)

Corporate Governance 
Board of Directors

64

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sir Ian Cheshire
Senior Independent 
Director

Wendy Becker
Independent 
non–executive director

Chris Kennedy
Independent 
non–executive director

Date of appointment to the Board:
February 2011

Date of appointment to the Board:
January 2008

Date of appointment to the Board:
March 2016

Age: 56

Age: 50

Age: 52

Experience:
Sir Ian was Group Chief Executive  
of Kingfisher plc until the end of 
January 2015, and was also a 
former Chair of the British Retail 
Consortium.

Experience:
Wendy has been Chief Executive  
of Jack Wills Limited, Group Chief 
Marketing Officer for Vodafone, 
Managing Director of TalkTalk and a 
partner at McKinsey & Company. 

External appointments:
• Debenhams plc 

(Chairman from 7 April 2016)
• Government lead non–executive 

director

• Business in the Community 

(Trustee Director)

• Menhaden Capital PLC 

(Chairman)

• MediCinema (Trustee Chair)
• Cambridge Programme for 
Sustainability Leadership  
(Chairman of Advisory Board)

Committee membership:
• Remuneration Committee
• Nomination Committee

External appointments:
• Cancer Research UK 
(Deputy Chairman)
• Princes Trust (Trustee)
• The Design Museum (Trustee)
• NHS England (Non–executive 

director)

Committee membership:
• Audit Committee
• Nomination Committee
• Remuneration Committee

Experience:
Chris is Chief Financial Officer  
of ARM Holdings plc, which he 
joined in September 2015. Prior  
to that, Chris was Group Finance 
Director of easyJet plc for five 
years, having previously spent  
17 years in a variety of senior  
roles at EMI.

External appointments:
• ARM Holdings plc 

(Chief Financial Officer)

Committee membership:
• Audit Committee

Simon Melliss
Independent 
non–executive director

Susan Taylor Martin
Independent 
non–executive director

Stephen Williams
Independent 
non–executive director

Date of appointment to the Board:
April 2007 (due to step down at the 
end of September 2016)

Age: 63

Experience:
Simon, a chartered accountant, 
was Chief Financial Officer of 
Hammerson plc from 1995 to  
2011, having originally joined the 
company in 1991 as Group Financial 
Controller. Prior to that he served 
as the Group Financial Controller  
of Sketchley PLC and held senior 
finance positions with Reed 
International. Simon also previously 
held a non–executive directorship 
at Associated British Ports 
Holdings plc.

External appointments:
• Hermes Property Unit Trust 

(Chairman)

• University College London 
(Treasurer and member  
of the Council)

Committee membership:
• Audit Committee (Chairman)
• Nomination Committee

Date of appointment to the Board:
January 2012

Date of appointment to the Board:
April 2008

Age: 52

Age: 68

Experience:
Susan has held a number of roles  
at Thomson Reuters, including 
President, Thomson Reuters  
Media, President of Global 
Investment Focus Accounts and 
Managing Director of Legal in the UK 
and Ireland. Prior to this she was 
Global Head, Corporate Strategy for 
Reuters, which she joined in 1993. 

External appointments:
• Thomson Reuters  
(President, Legal)

• Thomson Reuters Foundation  

(Trustee)

Committee membership:
• Audit Committee

Experience:
Stephen retired as General Counsel 
and Chief Legal Officer of Unilever 
during 2010, having originally joined 
in that position in 1986. Prior to that, 
Stephen spent 11 years at Imperial 
Chemical Industries plc. From 1995 
to 2004 he was a non–executive 
director of Bunzl plc and from 2004 
to 2010 he was Senior Independent 
Director of Arriva plc.

External appointments:
• Croda International Plc  
(Non–executive director)

• Eversheds LLP  

(Non–executive director)

• Spencer Stuart LLP 
(Senior Advisor)

• Moorfields Eye Hospital  

NHS Trust (Trustee)

• De La Warr Pavilion Trust 

(Deputy Chairman)

• Amicus Curiae Limited (Director)
• Leverhulme Trust  
(Board member)

Committee membership:
• Remuneration Committee 

(Chairman)

• Nomination Committee

Corporate Governance 
Board of Directors

65

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate 
governance 
continued 

Board activities during the year
In advance of each Board meeting, a set of Board papers, 
including monthly financial and trading reports, is circulated 
so that directors have sufficient time to review them and 
arrive at the meeting fully prepared.

The Board has a rolling agenda which sets matters to be 
considered throughout the year. Two strategy days are held 
— one to consider the long–term strategy, and the other to 
consider the five–year strategy. Following these sessions, the 
Board agrees the significant topics to be discussed at the 
Board meetings during the year. The rolling agenda is then 
scheduled to ensure that there is a structured approach to the 
consideration of topics and recurring issues are evenly spread 
across the calendar. The Board gives its attention to each area 
of the business in turn so that a strong understanding of the 
entire Company is maintained. The rolling agenda is regularly 
reviewed and updated and is circulated as part of the General 
Counsel’s report before each meeting.

The agenda for each individual Board meetings is agreed  
with the Chairman and the Chief Executive on a monthly basis  
so that current events and potential future issues can be 
discussed alongside the regular reports. Standard items for each 
meeting are a review of progress on action points, reports from 
the Chief Executive, the Finance Director and the Managing 
Directors of Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants and Costa and the 
General Counsel’s report. The General Counsel keeps minutes 
of the meetings and produces a list of agreed actions for each 
meeting, to ensure follow up of Board decisions and requests.

At the meetings during the year, the Board discharged its 
responsibilities and considered a range of matters:

Board agenda 2015/16

Standing agenda items
• Chief Executive’s report
• Finance Director’s report

Q1
• Approval of year–end 

documentation and final 
dividend
• Costa UK
• Information Technology update
• Long–term strategy
• Corporate Responsibility 

activity

Q3
• Costa International
• Whitbread Hotels & 

Restaurants International
• Interim results and dividend
• Information Technology 

strategy and cyber security

• Board performance
• Strategy Day

• Health and Safety report 

(quarterly) 

• General Counsel’s report

Q2
• ‘hub by Premier Inn’
• Premier Inn Germany
• Premier Inn strategy
• Team retention

Q4
• 2016/17 budget
• Leadership and talent
• Strategy finalisation
• Information Technology 

update

• Costa China
• Risk Management
• Restaurants strategy
• Corporate Governance review

Board processes and topics to be discussed are continually 
reviewed to ensure that the correct focus is given to the  
key issues highlighted at the strategy days.

The Chairman meets with the non–executive directors  
without the executives present after Board meetings.

There is a schedule of matters reserved exclusively to the 
Board; all other decisions are delegated to management. 
Those matters reserved exclusively to the Board include 
approval of Group financial statements and the preliminary 
announcement of half and full–year results; changes relating  
to the Group’s capital structure; the annual budget and the 
Group’s business plan; approving capital projects, acquisitions 
and disposals valued at over £12 million; interim dividends  
and recommendation of final dividends; and establishment  
of Board committees. The schedule of matters reserved  
was reviewed at the February 2016 Board meeting and  
is available on our website. 

Board meetings and attendance
The Board generally holds meetings at monthly intervals 
during the year and on an ad hoc basis as and when required. 
Eleven meetings were held during the year and attendance  
at meetings by directors is set out below:

Board

Audit 
Committee

Nomination 
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Richard Baker

11/11

Alison Brittain

Andy Harrison

6/61

8/82

Nicholas Cadbury

11/11

Christopher Rogers

11/11

Louise Smalley

Wendy Becker

11/11

11/11

Sir Ian Cheshire

8/113

Simon Melliss

11/11

Susan Taylor Martin

11/11

Stephen Williams

11/11

—

—

—

—

—

—

4/4

—

4/4

4/4

—

4/4

5/5

—

—

—

—

—

4/4

2/4

4/4

—

4/4

—

—

—

—

—

5/5

3/5

—

—

5/5

Members of the executive team attended committee meetings as 
appropriate. Chris Kennedy was appointed as an independent non–
executive director on 1 March 2016 and was therefore not eligible to attend 
any Board meetings during the year.

1   Alison Brittain was appointed to the Board in September 2015 and  

was therefore only eligible to attend six Board meetings.

2   Andy Harrison stepped down from the Board in December 2015 and 

was therefore only eligible to attend eight Board meetings.

3   Due to prior commitments, Sir Ian Cheshire was unable to attend three  
Board meetings. Sir Ian received the papers and provided feedback  
for the relevant meetings.

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66

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Insurance cover
The Company has appropriate directors’ and officers’ liability 
insurance in place. In addition to this, the Company provides an 
indemnity for directors against the costs of defending certain 
legal proceedings and generating claims over and above those 
covered by insurance. These are reviewed periodically.

Training and development
On appointment, all directors receive a full and formal 
induction that is tailored to their specific needs. Further 
details can be found below, where we have outlined the 
induction process for our new Chief Executive and non–
executive director.

Effectiveness
The effectiveness of the Board, committees and individual 
directors is reviewed annually in accordance with the Code 
and this year, an external evaluation was completed.

Composition of the Board
It is believed that the Board and its committees have the 
appropriate balance of skills, experience, diversity, 
independence and knowledge of the Company to enable 
them to discharge their responsibilities effectively. The Board 
has a majority of independent non–executive directors.  
After assessing independence against the Code, the Board 
considers all non–executive directors to be independent in 
judgement and character, and also considered the Chairman 
to be independent on appointment. Simon Melliss’s nine year 
term expired in April 2016. Notwithstanding this, the Board 
has determined that Simon remains independent in character 
and judgement and he continues to be a key contributor  
to challenging debates. Simon will be stepping down from  
the Board at the end of September 2016. 

During the year, Alison Brittain was appointed Chief Executive 
and Andy Harrison stepped down from the Board in 
December 2015. In addition, Chris Kennedy was appointed  
as a non–executive director from 1 March 2016. It is intended 
that Chris will take over from Simon Melliss as Chairman  
of the Audit Committee from 1 October 2016. Details of the 
appointment procedures can be found in the report of the 
Nomination Committee on pages 74 and 75.

External directorships
Non–executive directors may serve on other boards provided 
they continue to demonstrate the required commitment to 
discharge their duties effectively. The Nomination Committee 
has reviewed the extent of other interests of the non–executive 
directors and the Board is satisfied that the Chairman and  
each of the non–executive directors commit sufficient time  
to their duties and fulfil their obligations to the Company.

No executive director has taken on more than one  
non–executive directorship in a FTSE 100 company. 

Induction process

In September 2015, Alison Brittain joined Whitbread as Chief Executive 
Designate before taking over as Chief Executive in December. 

In order to ensure a smooth transition, a full, formal and tailored 
induction process was put in place for Alison, focusing on Whitbread’s 
businesses. Initial meetings were held with the Chairman, Group Finance 
Director, Group HR Director, all executive and non–executive directors 
and the General Counsel. This was followed by time with:
•  business leaders and their teams;
•  the Head of Investor Relations;
•  the Group Communications Director;
•  the Chief Information Officer;
•  the Pensions Director; and
•  the Group Reward Director.

Alison met with a number of major investors and sell side analysts  
of the Company. Meetings were also held with the Group’s bankers, 
brokers, auditors, lawyers and advisers. Alison was provided with  
a detailed review of all our businesses and went on several visits to 
different Premier Inn, restaurant and Costa sites in the UK, as well  
as visiting various international markets, including China, Germany, 
Poland, and the United Arab Emirates. These visits provided  
valuable insight into the Company and allowed Alison to develop 
her understanding of each business before taking over from  
Andy Harrison in December 2015.

In March 2016, Chris Kennedy was appointed as a non–executive  
director. A similar induction process was put in place for Chris, and 
included meetings with the Chairman, Chief Executive, the Group  
HR Director, the Finance Director and the General Counsel. This was 
followed by time with the Managing Director of Hotels & Restaurants  
and the Managing Director of Costa, and included various visits to 
Premier Inn, restaurant and Costa sites. 

Training and development continues beyond the induction 
process and is an ongoing process for all Board members.  
The Chairman reviews and agrees the training and 
development needs with each director on an annual basis.

Directors attend external training events to update their skills 
and knowledge. Training events were attended by Board 
members during the year on a range of issues including,  
cyber security, strategic risk management, bribery, 
remuneration and innovation. 

Investor relations and market updates were also presented  
to the Board and regular updates from each of the brands  
are made to the Board.

Corporate 
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67

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate 
governance 
continued 

 “This is a collegiate, supportive but challenging  
and disciplined Board with a high degree  
of mutual trust, respect and integrity.”

All directors have access to independent professional advice at 
the Company’s expense. Directors serving on the Board 
committees confirmed that they are satisfied that they received 
sufficient resources to enable them to undertake their duties 
effectively. Each director has access to the General Counsel for 
advice on governance.

The General Counsel prepares a monthly report that includes 
updates on secretariat and legal matters, governance, 
compliance and insurance updates. This report is presented 
and discussed at each Board meeting.

Suggestions for improvement following both the internal  
and external review included:
• further clarity on the international strategies for both Premier 

Inn and Costa;

• more structured and regular focus on risk management  

and risk appetite; and

• greater discussion on certain aspects of talent management 
and succession planning, at middle management level as 
well as Board level.

Evaluation
An evaluation of the Board, its committees, individual directors 
and the Chairman is carried out each year. 

Board and committees
As disclosed last year, the external evaluation of the Board due 
to take place in January 2015 was postponed in view  
of the Chairman’s succession process that took place  
during 2014/15. The externally facilitated evaluation of the 
effectiveness of the Board therefore took place this year. There 
were three aspects to this year’s evaluation process  
of the Board and all of the committees:
• as in previous years, each director completed a formal 

questionnaire on the performance of the Board and each  
of the Board committees, considering the balance of skills, 
diversity, independence and knowledge of the Company  
on the Board, how the Board works together, and other 
factors relevant to its effectiveness;

• the Chairman also met or spoke to all directors on a  

one–to–one basis; and

• the external evaluation of the Board was facilitated by Lorna 
Parker, an independent consultant and former Managing 
Director and Partner of Spencer Stuart. As part of this 
review, Lorna had access to Board and Committee papers 
and met each of the directors and the General Counsel to 
discuss the effectiveness of the Board and its processes.

The outcome of the review was discussed with the Chairman 
and General Counsel and was then included as an agenda item 
at the Board meeting in March 2016, which was attended by 
Lorna Parker. The review concluded that the Board is 
 “functioning well and the Board dynamics are excellent”,  
with committed and engaged non–executive directors with  
a diverse mix of and relevant skills and experiences. There is 
clarity and alignment on the role of the Board and, broadly,  
on strategic priorities, key risks and challenges. The selection 
and transition of the Chairman and Chief Executive had been 
successfully managed and the Boardroom atmosphere is 
transparent and inclusive.

Work is already underway to focus attention on these areas 
with the key risks highlighted on pages 48 and 49 being 
scheduled to be discussed at the Board as part of the rolling 
board agenda.

In response to last year’s internal evaluation, the monthly Board 
papers now include a detailed KPI pack in an agreed format, 
and there has been greater focus and detail provided on 
investor perception and feedback. Further clarity has been 
provided on the strategy for Costa China and international 
strategies more broadly will be considered by the Board during 
2016/17.

Individual directors
The Chairman has one–to–one meetings with all directors  
to discuss their performance and to identify whether  
they continue to contribute effectively to the Board and 
demonstrate commitment to the role.

Chairman
The Senior Independent Director meets with the non–executive 
directors without the Chairman present to discuss the 
performance of the Chairman. The Senior Independent 
Director also speaks with the executive directors to gain  
their views before discussing the results with the Chairman.

Conflicts of interest
Directors are required to disclose any conflicts of interest 
immediately as and when they arise throughout the year.  
In addition, a formal process is undertaken in February  
each year when all directors confirm to the Board details  
of their external interests including any other directorships 
which they hold.

These are assessed by the Board to determine whether the 
director’s ability to act in the best interests of the Company 
could be compromised. If there are no such potential or actual 
conflicts, the external interests are authorised by the Board. All 
authorisations are for a period of 12 months. No director  
is counted as part of a quorum in respect of the authorisation 
of his or her own conflict.

It is recognised that all organisations are potential customers of 
Whitbread and, in view of this, the Board has authorised  
all directors’ current external directorships.

Corporate 
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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As in previous years, all voting by shareholders at this year’s 
AGM will be by poll using electronic handsets. The voting 
results, including proxy votes received, will be displayed on  
a screen at the end of the meeting. In addition, the audited 
poll results will be disclosed on the Company’s website 
following the meeting, and announced through the  
regulatory news service.

Share capital
The information that is required by DTR 7.2.6 relating to  
the share capital of the Company can be found within the 
directors’ report on pages 93 and 94.

Accountability and internal control

Internal control and risk management
The Board is responsible for the Group’s systems of internal 
control and risk management, and for reviewing their 
effectiveness. These systems are designed to manage rather 
than eliminate risk of failure to achieve business objectives. 
They can only provide reasonable, and not absolute, 
assurance against material misstatement or loss.

The Board has established an ongoing process for identifying, 
evaluating and managing the Group’s significant risks. This 
process was in place throughout the 2015/16 financial year 
and up to the date of this Report. The process is reviewed  
by the Board and accords with the internal control guidance 
for directors in the Code. A report of the key risks, together 
with the viability statement, can be found on pages 46 to 49.

Risk analysis
• The Board identifies the principal risks of the Company  
on a regular basis and throughout the year it reviews  
the actions in place to mitigate the risks together with 
assurance and monitoring activity. The analysis covers 
business and operational risks, health and safety, financial, 
market, operational and reputational risks which the 
Company may face as well as specific areas identified  
in the business plan and budget process.

• Each of the businesses also carries out its own risk  

analysis together with the Director of Internal Audit and  
this is reviewed regularly by the Hotels & Restaurants and 
Costa executive committees.

• All major capital and revenue projects, together with 

significant change programmes, include the consideration 
of the risks involved and an appropriate action plan.

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Shareholder relations
In accordance with the Code, the Board recognises that  
it has responsibility for ensuring that a satisfactory dialogue 
with shareholders takes place and any major shareholders’ 
issues and concerns are communicated to the Board through 
the Chairman.

The Company communicates with both the institutional  
and private shareholders through the following means:

Interaction with all shareholders
• The Company’s website (www.whitbread.co.uk), where 

information and news is regularly updated.

• The Annual Report, which sets out details of the Company’s 
strategy, Business Model and performance over the past 
financial year and plans for future growth.

• The Annual General Meeting, where all shareholders  

have the opportunity to vote on the resolutions proposed 
and to put questions to the Board and executive team.
• Presentations of full–year and interim results to analysts  

and shareholders, which are also available on the 
Company’s website.

Interaction with institutional shareholders
• The Chief Executive, Group Finance Director and Director  

of Investor Relations hold meetings with institutional 
investors following the full–year and interim results.
• The Chairman meets with institutional shareholders  

on request.

• The Board receives updates on the views of major 

shareholders from the Company’s brokers.

Interaction with private shareholders
• Live webcast presentations of the full–year and  

interim results.

• Electronic communications with shareholders including  

use of the online share portal.

The Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) provides all shareholders 
with the opportunity to communicate directly with the  
Board which encourages their participation at the meeting. 

In accordance with the Code, the Notice of AGM and related 
papers are sent to the shareholders at least 20 working  
days before the meeting. The Company proposes a separate 
resolution on each substantially separate issue including  
a specific resolution to approve the Report and Accounts.  
For each resolution, proxy appointment forms provide 
shareholders with the option to vote in advance of the AGM  
if they are unable to attend in person. All valid proxy votes 
received for the AGM are properly recorded and counted  
by Whitbread’s registrars.

Corporate 
governance

69

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate 
governance 
continued 

Controls
• The Company reviews and confirms its level of compliance 
with the Corporate Governance Code on an annual basis.

• The matters reserved to the Board require that major 
projects and programmes must have specific Board 
approval.

• Limits of delegation and authority are prescribed to ensure 

that the appropriate approvals are obtained if Board 
authority is not required to ensure appropriate segregation 
of tasks.

• Group financial policies, controls and procedures are in 

place and are regularly reviewed and updated. 

• The Whitbread Code of Conduct, setting out required levels 
of ethics and behaviour, is communicated to employees and 
training is provided.

• The Code of Conduct makes reference to specific policies 

and procedures which have to be followed.

• Management is responsible for ensuring the appropriate 

maintenance of financial records and processes that ensure 
that financial information is relevant, reliable, in accordance 
with applicable laws and regulations and is distributed both 
internally and externally in a timely manner.

• A review of the financial statements is completed by 
management to ensure that the financial position and 
results of the Group are appropriately reflected.

• All financial information published by the Group is subject 
to the approval of the Audit Committee and the Board.
• An annual review of internal controls is undertaken by  
the Board with the assistance of the Audit Committee. 

Assurance
• The Board, with the assistance of the Audit Committee, 
approves an audit programme which ensures that the 
significant areas of risk identified are independently 
reviewed within at least a three–year period. 

• The programme and the results of the audits are regularly 

assessed during the year.

• The Audit Committee reviews the major findings from  

both internal and external audits.

• Internal audits are carried out under the control of the 

Director of Internal Audit. The reports are reviewed by the 
Audit Committee and, on a monthly basis, by the Executive 
Committee to ensure that the actions required to address 
issues identified are implemented.

• The Director of Internal Audit reports annually to the Audit 
Committee on the effectiveness of operational and financial 
controls across the Group.

• Deloitte reviews and reports on the significant issues 

identified in its audit report. 

• An internal control evaluation process is overseen by the 

management team which assesses the level of compliance 
with the controls, policies and processes and the results  
are reviewed and tested on a sample basis by the internal 
audit team.

• Post completion reviews of major projects and investments 

are carried out and reported on to the Board.

Statement of the directors in respect of the Annual Report 
and Accounts
As required by the Code, the directors confirm their 
responsibility for preparing the Annual Report and Accounts 
and consider that the Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, 
balanced and understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s position 
and performance, Business Model and strategy. Further detail 
on how this conclusion was reached can be found in the 
report of the Audit Committee on page 72.

Statements by the auditor in respect of its reporting 
responsibilities 
Statements by the auditor about its reporting responsibilities 
can be found in the auditor’s report on pages 99 to 101.

Going concern
The directors’ going concern statement can be found in the 
directors’ report on page 96.

Viability statement
The viability statement can be found on page 46.

Business Model and strategy
Information on the Group’s Business Model and the strategy 
for delivering the objectives of the Company can be found  
on pages 4 to 61.

Board committees
The Board is supported by three committees; the Audit 
Committee, the Nomination Committee and the Remuneration 
Committee. Their terms of reference are reviewed annually 
and updated in line with best practice. They have been 
reviewed in 2016 and approved by each of the committees. 
They are available in full on the Company’s website.

A detailed report from the Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee is set out on pages 76 to 91. Reports for the Audit 
and Nomination Committees can be found on pages 71 to 75.

Corporate 
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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Audit Committee 
report

Role of the Audit Committee
The principal role of the Audit Committee  
is to monitor and review the integrity of the 
Company’s financial results, to review the 
Company’s internal controls and risk 
management systems, to monitor and review 
the effectiveness of the Company’s internal 
audit function and to make recommendations 
to the Board in relation to the external auditor.

Key responsibilities
The key responsibilities of the Committee  
are to:
• review the half–year and full–year results 

and financial statements;

• report to the Board on the appropriateness 
of our accounting policies and practices 
including critical accounting policies and 
judgements;

• oversee the relationship with the external 

auditor and review the external audit plans  
and report;

• review and evaluate the effectiveness of  

the internal controls and risk management 
system;

Simon Melliss
Chairman,  
Audit Committee

Members of the  
Audit Committee

• Simon Melliss (Chairman)

• Wendy Becker

• Chris Kennedy

• Susan Taylor Martin

• Chris Vaughan (Secretary)

• review the internal audit function, assess its 

effectiveness and consider its findings;
• review the Group’s contingent liabilities; and
• review the speaking out facility and 

consider any matters raised, review the 
procedures for detecting fraud and review 
the systems and controls for the prevention 
of bribery.

The full terms of reference are available on 
the Company’s website.

Committee meetings
The Committee meets at least four times a 
year and will hold additional meetings as and 
when required. Meetings are attended by the 
members of the Committee and, by invitation, 
the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive, 
the Group Finance Director, the Group 
Financial Controller, the Director of Internal 
Audit and other relevant people from the 
business when appropriate. As required  
by the UK Corporate Governance Code,  
the Board satisfied itself that at least one 
member of the Audit Committee has recent 
and relevant financial experience. The 
external auditor is also invited to meetings.

Main activities during the year
During the year, the Committee focused  
on the following significant matters:

Financial reporting
• The quality and acceptability of  
accounting policies and practices.
• The clarity of the disclosures and 

compliance with financial reporting 
standards and relevant financial and 
governance reporting requirements.

• Material areas in which significant 
judgements have been applied or  
where there has been discussion with  
the external auditor.

• Whether the Annual Report and Accounts, 

taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and 
understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders  
to assess the Company’s performance, 
Business Model and strategy.

• The regulatory announcements of the 

results.

• A going concern assessment.
• A longer–term assessment of the viability  
of the Group, considering the financial and 
operational position of the Group and the 
potential impact of the principal risks and 
uncertainties, as outlined on pages 48  
and 49.

To aid its review, the Committee considers 
reports from the Group Financial Controller, 
the Tax Director, the Director of Internal Audit 
and also reports from the external auditor  
on the outcomes of their half–year review  
and annual audit. The Committee looks for 
constructive challenge from Deloitte as 
external auditor.

The key areas of judgement and estimates 
considered by the Committee in relation  
to the 2015/16 accounts and disclosed in  
Note 2 of the consolidated financial 
statements were:

Impairment
A full asset impairment review is undertaken 
every year and the Committee is provided with 
information on how the impairment values have 
been derived. Areas of judgement around the 
calculation of the discount rate used, the 
growth rates applied, the sensitivities of the 
judgements and the impairments booked are 
discussed and challenged. The process is also 
assessed with assurance provided from 
external audit that the process was robust. The 
impairment values presented by management 
were noted and agreed by the Committee. 

Audit Committee 
report

71

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Audit Committee 
report 
continued 

Asset lives and residual values
The Committee reviewed the assessment of the residual 
values appropriate for the business and the useful lives of 
assets as presented by management and agreed with their 
assessment. The Committee also reviews Group policy  
on specific groups of assets and challenges accordingly. 

Liability and onerous lease provisions
The Group has a number of onerous contracts which are 
reviewed throughout the year and the level of provision 
applied by management is considered by the Committee.  
A review of contingent liabilities is also undertaken and an 
assessment as to the level of provisioning required agreed.

Taxation
The method of calculating the Group’s tax expense and 
liability and the provisioning for potential tax liabilities were 
considered. Assumptions are made around the assets which 
qualify for capital allowances (determined ultimately via the 
aid of a third–party expert), the level of disallowable expenses, 
provisions for uncertain exposures or recoveries, the extent  
of rolled over gains, indexation thereon and the tax base  
into which they have been rolled. All have an impact on  
both deferred and current tax. These were reviewed and 
challenged with the judgements being noted and agreed.  
The Committee also reviewed the judgements exercised on 
tax provisioning as part of its annual review of key provisions.

Defined benefit pension
The assumptions used to calculate the pension scheme assets 
and liabilities under IAS 19 (R) were reviewed and considered 
and the Committee exercised judgment in reviewing the 
assumptions to satisfy itself that appropriate consideration 
and balance had been given to all macroeconomic factors. 
The principal assumptions used and the sensitivities around 
them were considered and the consistency in approach  
from 2014/15 to 2015/16 was assessed, concluding with the 
same judgements reached by management. 

Fair, balanced and understandable
In order to confirm to the Board that the Annual Report 
and Accounts, taken as a whole is fair, balanced and 
understandable, there has been a thorough verification and 
approval process using the Committee’s knowledge of the 
Company, as outlined below:
• the Annual Report is drafted by the appropriate senior 

management with overall coordination by the Secretariat  
team to ensure consistency;

Internal control and risk management
The Audit Committee monitors the systems of risk 
management and internal control. In addition, the Committee 
completes an annual review of the effectiveness of these 
systems in March, assessing the risk management framework 
and policy, management’s risk assessment and review process, 
and the monitoring and reporting of risk. This review is 
completed in conjunction with an Internal Control Effectiveness 
review from Internal Audit and Group Finance, and considers  
all material controls, including financial, operational and 
compliance controls. The system and processes were 
considered to be robust and no significant weaknesses were 
noted. A robust assessment of the principal risks facing the 
Company was carried out, considering risk appetite, and each 
risk was assessed and the level of assurance required was 
determined. Further details of the principal risks identified and 
agreed by the Company can be found on pages 48 and 49.

Information systems
During the year the Audit Committee reviewed the 
information systems improvement programmes. In particular 
this included internal audit reviews on our cyber security  
and the upgrade of our hotel systems infrastructure.  
The Committee also reviewed the skills and capabilities  
within the IT team and the rationalisation of suppliers to 
improve efficiency and to take advantage of technological 
innovation. In addition the Committee reviewed an overview 
of plans to upgrade the financial and accounting systems 
within Hotels & Restaurants.

Speaking out facility
In accordance with the Corporate Governance Code, the 
Committee has continued to review the arrangements by 
which employees of the Company may, in confidence, raise 
concerns about possible improprieties in matters of financial 
reporting or other matters. The speaking out facility was 
reviewed during the year and it was agreed that appropriate 
arrangements are in place for proportionate and independent 
investigation of such matters. 

Internal audit
The Audit Committee monitors and reviews the scope, extent 
and effectiveness of the Company’s internal audit function. 
During the year, additional resource has been added to the 
Internal Audit team and regular presentations and updates 
were given to the Committee by the Director of Internal Audit. 
Private discussions were held with the Director of Internal  
Audit as and when necessary.

• comprehensive reviews of the drafts of the Report and 

Accounts are undertaken by management, the Executive 
Committee and me, as the Audit Committee Chairman;
• a final draft is reviewed by the Audit Committee prior  
to consideration by a committee of the Board; and
• formal approval of the Annual Report and Accounts 

is given by a committee of the Board.

Audit Committee 
report

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Auditor independence
To safeguard the objectivity and independence of the external 
auditor, the Committee’s Terms of Reference set out the  
non–audit services that are permitted in certain circumstances 
and those not permitted at all. This prevents the auditor  
being able to provide certain services such as internal audits.

For certain specified audit and audit–related services, the 
Group can employ the external auditor without reference  
to the Audit Committee, subject to a specified fee limit.  
For the services permitted in certain circumstances, 
agreement must be sought from me, as Chairman of the 
Committee where fees are less than the limit specified,  
or with full Audit Committee approval where fees are 
anticipated to be greater. A tender process would be  
held where appropriate.

Following a review of the services provided by our current 
external auditor, Deloitte LLP, we can confirm that it  
continues to be independent.

Committee evaluation
The Committee’s activities formed part of the internal  
review of the Board’s effectiveness undertaken during the 
year. Details of this process can be found on page 68.

Simon Melliss
Chairman, Audit Committee
25 April 2016

External audit
Following the competitive tender in 2014/15 and subsequent 
approval by shareholders at the 2015 AGM, Deloitte LLP  
was appointed as the Company’s statutory auditor. An 
extensive handover with the former auditor, Ernst & Young, 
was undertaken to ensure a smooth transition took place. 
During the year, Deloitte underwent a thorough induction 
process to enhance its understanding of the business, 
including meetings with management and executives across 
the business and a number of site visits across the UK. 
Accordingly, Whitbread confirms that it was in compliance 
with the provisions of the Statutory Audit Services for  
Large Companies Market Investigation (Mandatory Use  
of Competitive Tender Processes and Audit Committee 
Responsibilities) Order 2014 during the year.

The effectiveness of the external audit process is dependent 
on appropriate audit risk identification at the start of the  
audit cycle. We received from Deloitte a detailed audit plan, 
identifying its assessment of these key risks. For the 2015/16 
financial year, the primary risks identified were in relation  
to revenue recognition, management override of controls  
and defined benefit pension scheme, as discussed in the 
Independent Auditor’s report on page 99. These risks were 
reviewed and the work done by the auditor was challenged  
to test management’s assumptions and estimates around 
these areas. The effectiveness of the audit process was 
assessed in addressing these matters through the reporting  
we received from Deloitte at both the half–year and year–end. 
In addition, feedback has been sought from management  
on the effectiveness of the audit process and targeted and 
tailored questionnaires will be completed. As this is Deloitte’s 
first year with Whitbread, the Committee will be assessing  
the work of the year–end audit once finalised and formal 
discussion of the effectiveness review will take place at the  
Audit Committee meeting in July. 

Audit Quality Review
The Audit Quality Review team of the Financial Reporting 
Council undertook a routine review of the 2015 Ernst & Young 
audit files as part of their 2015 annual inspection of audit 
firms. The focus of the review and their reporting is on 
identifying areas where improvements are required rather 
than highlighting areas performed to or above the expected 
level. As Chairman of the Audit Committee, I received a full 
copy of the findings of the Audit Quality Review team and 
have discussed these with the Committee and Deloitte.  
The Audit Committee confirms that there were no significant 
areas for improvement identified within the report. 

Audit Committee 
report

73

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Richard Baker
Chairman,  
Nomination Committee

Members of the 
Nomination Committee

• Richard Baker (Chairman)

• Wendy Becker

• Sir Ian Cheshire

• Simon Melliss

• Stephen Williams

• Chris Vaughan (Secretary)

Nomination 
Committee report

Role of the Nomination Committee
The role of the Nomination Committee is to 
review the Board composition and identify and 
nominate directors who could add value to the 
Board’s performance. The Committee is also 
responsible for evaluating the directors on an 
annual basis and striving for a balance of skills, 
knowledge, independence, experience and 
diverse representation.

The Committee meets at least twice a year. 
The main activities during 2015/16 included:
• the appointment of the new Whitbread 

Chief Executive;

• the appointment of a new independent 

non–executive director;

• the annual planning and review meeting;
• a review of the Board size, structure and 
composition, with a view to ensuring the 
continued ability of the organisation to 
compete effectively in the marketplace;

• a review of the talent and succession 

planning for the Board, taking into account 
the challenges and opportunities facing  
the business; and

• the re–election of directors at the AGM.

The Committee is responsible for ensuring that 
Board and committee membership is 
progressively refreshed and that there is no 
undue reliance on any one individual. This is 
reviewed at the annual meeting in February.

The full terms of reference are available  
on the Company’s website.

Board appointments and diversity 
Appointments to the Board are based on merit 
against objective criteria. 

Diversity and equality have always been  
core values at Whitbread. The Board believes  
that diversity is of utmost importance, ensuring 
Board and Company effectiveness and 
continued success. Whitbread appoints 
members of the Board on the basis of 
performance and the ability to continually 
contribute to the Board, on the grounds  
of the knowledge, skills and experience 
required. We are committed to an active policy 
of equal opportunities and embrace diversity at 
all levels.

Our approach to the appointment  
of new directors
The Nomination Committee annually evaluates 
the balance of skills, experience, independence 
and knowledge on the  
Board, preparing a description of the role  
and capabilities required for a particular 
appointment.

We use external search consultants to engage 
and identify a number of candidates, ensuring 
equal representation, aligned with the role 
and capabilities required for the appointment. 
Selected candidates meet with the 
Nomination Committee and further interviews 
take place before an appointment is made.

Board changes during the year
Following an announcement in April 2015 
concerning Chief Executive succession,  
Andy Harrison stepped down from the Board 
in December 2015 after five years as Chief 
Executive. The process to find his successor 
was led by myself with the Nomination 
Committee and supported by Louise Smalley, 
Group HR Director.

Spencer Stuart was appointed as adviser  
to the Committee in the search for external 
candidates. Its only connection to the 
Company is that Stephen Williams acts as  
an adviser to it.

A preliminary list of candidates was prepared 
and a series of first stage meetings with the 
Nomination Committee was undertaken,  
after which the Committee determined who 
should go through to the next phase. The 
second stage of interviews were carried out by 
myself, the Senior Independent Director and 
Louise Smalley, where the candidates were 
asked to expand on their leadership approach 
and strategic plans for the business. 
Arrangements were also put in place for  
the final candidates to meet with Nicholas 
Cadbury, Finance Director and for a further 
meeting with Simon Melliss as Chairman  
of the Audit Committee.

Following the extensive search and selection 
process, Alison Brittain was the standout 
candidate from a very strong field and was 
appointed to succeed Andy Harrison as the 
next Chief Executive. Alison joined the 
Company in September 2015 as Chief 
Executive Designate before taking over as 
Chief Executive in December 2015, allowing  
a thorough handover with Andy to take place.

Nomination 
Committee report

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Whitbread has generated substantial value  
by getting bigger and, more importantly,  
better over the last five years under Andy’s 
leadership and we are confident that Alison’s 
appointment will ensure that Whitbread 
continues to get even better still.

During the year, following a review of the 
Board and the need to ensure membership  
is progressively refreshed, it was agreed  
that a new independent non–executive 
director should be appointed.

Following a selection process, Zygos was 
appointed as adviser to the Committee 
in the search for external candidates. Zygos  
has no other connections to the Company.  
A detailed specification for the role was 
prepared, and a preliminary list of candidates 
was prepared for consideration.

Following the interview and assessment 
process, Chris Kennedy was appointed  
as a non–executive director, joining the  
Board on 1 March 2016. As well as having  
a strong financial background, Chris’s  
recent experience in online, international, 
consumer–facing business will add  
significant value to the Whitbread Board.

Chris will take over from Simon Melliss as 
Chairman of the Audit Committee from  
1 October 2016, who will be stepping down 
from the Board after nine years of service.

In October 2015, Chris Vaughan was appointed 
as General Counsel, taking over from Simon 
Barratt, who stepped down after 18 years  
of service. In April 2016 Christopher Rogers 
stepped down from the Board.

Our approach to the annual re–election  
of directors
As required by the Code, all directors  
will be subject to re–election at the next  
AGM. The Nomination Committee held a 
planning and review meeting in February 
when the contribution and commitment of 
each member of the Board was reviewed. 
Following this discussion, it was 
recommended that all directors be  
proposed for reappointment at this year’s 
AGM. Details setting out why each director  
is deemed to be suitable for reappointment  
will be included with the AGM papers 
circulated to all shareholders.

As mentioned, Simon Melliss will be stepping 
down from the Board in October 2016 after  
nine years service. The only other non–
executive directors of the Board that have 
been directors for a term longer than six years 
are Wendy Becker and Stephen Williams.

Richard Baker
Chairman, Nomination Committee
25 April 2016

Length of tenure of directors as 3 March 2016

Richard Baker

Alison Brittain

Nicholas Cadbury

Christopher Rogers

Louise Smalley

Wendy Becker

Sir Ian Cheshire

Chris Kennedy

Simon Melliss

Susan Taylor Martin

Stephen Williams

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2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015 2016

Nomination 
Committee report

75

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stephen Williams
Chairman, Remuneration 
Committee

Remuneration report

Statement from 
Stephen Williams

Introduction
The topic of executive remuneration continues 
to be one of real focus for both shareholders 
and the public in general. In the last year or  
so both the Financial Reporting Council and 
the Institute of Business Ethics have issued 
guidance on the topic. These are initiatives 
which we warmly welcome and which will 
inform our thinking here at Whitbread. 

For some years now a significant proportion of 
the incentives available to executives has been 
paid in shares, a material element of which is 
deferred. This remains core to our remuneration 
arrangements. The Committee believes that 
executives should be required to build a 
significant shareholding in the Company in 
order to provide greater alignment between 
executives and shareholders. 

As you know, we are currently in the third  
year of the Remuneration Policy approved by 
shareholders at the AGM in 2014. This approval 
expires at the AGM in 2017, so we have begun 
the process of reviewing all aspects of our 
Remuneration Policy.

Annual Incentive Scheme
In prior years we have chosen not to disclose 
the profit targets in relation to the Annual 
Incentive Scheme on the grounds of 
commercial confidentiality, particularly as 
some of our competitors are private companies 
with no similar reporting requirements.

Leadership succession incentive
As reported last year, we added a new 
measure within the 2015/16 incentive  
scheme to incentivise leadership succession. 
Executives were able to earn up to 10%  
of base salary for the achievement of the 
stretching personal targets, and details  
of the performance of the executive  
directors can be found on page 83. 

This new incentive is in keeping with our 
philosophy that there are no barriers to entry 
and no limits to ambition and overall, I am 
pleased to say that this new measure has 
already driven improvements in Whitbread’s 
talent pipeline programmes. I am sure that  
we will see the benefits in years to come as 
the next generation of Whitbread’s leaders 
progress through the organisation.

Remuneration linked to strategy
Whitbread’s strategy is to invest in growing 
its leading brands, Premier Inn and Costa.  
The current policy has developed targets 
which, if delivered successfully, will create 
significant shareholder value. 

Along with profit and returns targets, as  
well as the new leadership succession target,  
the WINcard remains a key element of our 
remuneration structure. It measures 
performance against both financial and non–
financial targets and executives are incentivised 
based on the achievement of these targets. 
Further details can be found on page 83. 

As we said last year, the Whitbread Business 
Model, which is described on page 4 shows 
how we intend to deliver our strategic aims. 
The diagram on page 77 shows how elements 
of the remuneration package are linked to 
this model.

However, in the interest of transparency  
we believe that any non–disclosure should  
be limited to the year just ended. We must  
try to be as open as we can be in providing 
shareholders with information on targets  
and performance — without inadvertently 
damaging their own interests. This is 
demonstrated by the KPI disclosures which 
can be found on pages 50 to 53.

As a consequence, we have decided to 
disclose our profit targets for the 2013/14  
and 2014/15 financial years, together with  
our performance against those targets and 
this information can be found on page 82.

Performance 2015/16
Whitbread has produced another good set  
of results in 2015/16, with underlying profit 
before tax up by 11.9% to £546.3 million  
and underlying basic EPS up by 11.7% to  
238.65 pence. Group return on capital  
is down from 15.7% to 15.3%. I am pleased  
to say that the Company remains on track  
to meet its growth milestones. 

However, despite this good performance, 
Whitbread did not quite achieve its own 
stretching targets this year, partly due  
to headwinds in the last quarter. As a  
result, incentive payments to executives,  
as a percentage of the maximum available,  
are around 48% pts lower than last year. 

We believe that this demonstrates Whitbread’s 
determination to strive for excellence and the 
Committee’s determination that high rewards 
should only be achieved when performance  
is truly outstanding. 

Statement from 
Stephen Williams

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The statement below, the summary remuneration policy report and  
the annual report on remuneration form the directors’ remuneration 
report, which was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf  
by Stephen Williams on 25 April 2016.

Alison Brittain 
In framing Alison’s package the Committee 
was determined that the approved policy 
should be honoured and there was no  
cause to exercise any of the Committee’s 
discretions. Alison received two LTIP awards, 
each to the value of 175% of salary, in order  
to partially compensate her for awards lost  
as a result of leaving her previous employer. 
These awards are on the same terms as the 
awards made to other executives in 2014  
and 2015. Alison will be entitled to an annual 
LTIP award to the value of 200% of salary,  
the vesting of which will be dependant  
on the achievement of performance 
conditions, and to participate in the Annual 
Incentive Scheme on the same terms  
as the other executive directors. Her salary  
is £775,000 per annum.

The year ahead
As I said at the start of this report, the 
Committee’s priority for the year ahead will 
be to develop an updated Remuneration 
Policy to be put to shareholders at the  
next AGM. 

We have already started this process  
with a session where all Committee  
members, together with Alison Brittain, 
began by ‘thinking out loud’ about the  
role of remuneration in driving the right 
behaviours and sustainable performance  
at all levels of the business. 

The meeting was a forum for open discussion 
and drew the principal conclusion that 
Whitbread’s remuneration policies should  
be an expression of our culture and values.

This culture certainly rewards outstanding 
performance in the service of the long–term 
interests of the business. However, more  
than that, it is a culture that demands 
transparency in the operation of all reward 
policies, equity in their application and 
proportionality in the absolute scale  
of reward.

Our ambition therefore is that one of the 
hallmarks of the policy to be put before 
shareholders next year will be that it is 
grounded in what the Board believes  
is the long–term good of the Company.

I would welcome hearing from fellow 
shareholders with your views on this  
topic and look forward to presenting 
the updated policy to you all in 2017. 

Thank you for your support.

Stephen Williams
Chairman, Remuneration Committee
25 April 2016

Measure

Scheme

• Team turnover
• Leadership succession
• Health and safety (hurdle)

• Premier Inn guest survey — 

net recommend score
• Costa Listen & Learn — 
reduction in detractors
• Health and safety (hurdle)

• Underlying basic EPS
• Return on capital
• Underlying profit
• Brand expansion
• Like for like sales
• Total system sales

• Annual Incentive Scheme

• Annual Incentive Scheme

• LTIP

• Annual Incentive Scheme

• Electricity consumption
• Community engagement

• Annual Incentive Scheme

Statement from 
Stephen Williams

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary 
remuneration 
policy report

Introduction
The Company’s remuneration policy was approved at the 2014 AGM and is effective until the 2017 AGM. 

For executives, our approach is designed to:
• align with the business strategy and the achievement of planned business goals;
• support the creation of sustainable long–term shareholder value;
• provide an appropriate balance between remuneration elements that attract, retain and motivate the highest calibre  

of executive talent; and

• encourage a high–performance culture by ensuring performance–related remuneration constitutes a substantial proportion 

of the remuneration package and by linking maximum payout opportunity to outstanding results.

The policy table below is an extract from the approved remuneration policy and provides detail on each key element of 
remuneration, including the maximum potential value of each element, a brief summary of how it works and details of any 
performance metrics. The full remuneration policy is available on the Company’s website at www.whitbread.co.uk

Future policy table

Element

Base 
salary

Purpose and  
link to strategy

• Base salaries are set so as  
to be sufficient to attract  
and retain the calibre of 
executive talent needed  
to support the long–term 
interests of the business.

Operation

Salaries are reviewed annually 
taking account of:
• the salary review across  

the Group;

• trading circumstances;
• personal performance  

against agreed objectives;  
and

• market data for an 

appropriate comparator 
group of companies.

Benefits

• Benefits are intended to  

be competitive in the market 
so as to assist the recruitment 
and retention of executives.

• Executive directors are 

entitled to benefits relating  
to car/participation in the 
Sharesave scheme/
healthcare/personal 
insurances. Assignee 
allowances or local market 
terms may be necessary  
for directors based overseas. 

Performance 
metrics

• None

• None

Maximum  
potential value

• Annual salary increases will 

not normally exceed average 
increases for employees  
in other appropriate parts  
of the Group. 

• On occasion, increases  
may be larger where the 
Committee considers this to 
be necessary. Circumstances 
where this may apply include 
growth into a role, to reflect  
a change in scope of role and 
responsibilities, where market 
conditions indicate a level of 
under competitiveness and the 
Committee judges that there  
is a risk in relation to attracting 
or retaining executives. 
• Where the Committee 

exercises its discretion to 
award increases above the 
average for other employees, 
the resulting salary will not 
exceed the competitive 
market range.

• In 2013/14 the benefits 

received by the executive 
directors amounted to 
between 3.5% and 6.5% of 
salary. We do not anticipate 
that the maximum payable 
would exceed 10% of salary. 
However, the Committee  
may provide benefits above 
this level in certain situations 
where it deems it necessary. 
This may include, for  
example, the appointment  
of a director based overseas 
or a significant increase  
in the cost of the benefits.

Summary remuneration 
policy report

78

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Purpose and  
link to strategy

Operation

Maximum  
potential value

Performance 
metrics

• Targets for both financial  

and non–financial measures 
set at the beginning of the 
incentive year.

• 167% of base salary  

(73% of salary paid in cash  
and 94% of salary paid  
in deferred shares).

Element

Annual 
Incentive 
Scheme

Long 
Term 
Incentive 
Plan

Pension

• To provide a direct link 

between annual performance 
and reward.

• To incentivise the 

achievement of outstanding 
results across appropriate  
key stakeholder measures.
• To align with the long–term 
interests of shareholders  
and help participants build  
a significant stake in the 
business over time, by 
awarding a material part  
of the annual incentive  
in deferred equity.

• To align the interests of  

senior executives closely  
with sustainable long–term 
shareholder value creation.
• To focus rewards on both the 
sustained delivery of absolute 
long–term earnings growth 
and the efficient use of  
capital over the long term.
• To retain executives over  
the performance period  
of the awards and beyond.

• Pension benefits are provided 

in order to offer a market 
competitive remuneration 
package that is sufficient  
to attract and retain  
executive talent.

• Cash awards paid following 
the end of the financial year.
• Deferred shares awarded and, 
under normal circumstances, 
released three years after  
the date of award.
• Malus and clawback 

provisions apply to unvested 
deferred shares in the event  
of a material misstatement  
of results.

• Awards made annually.
• Awards vest after three years 

subject to performance 
conditions.

• Two–year holding period  

post vesting.

• Subject to clawback and 

malus provisions.

• Executive directors are 
entitled to participate  
in the Company’s pension 
scheme (or other pension 
arrangements relevant to their 
location if based overseas).
• Defined contribution scheme.
• Can elect for cash in lieu  
of pension contributions.
• If cash is taken, the amount  
is reduced by the value  
of the employer’s national 
insurance liability.

• A maximum of 137% of  
base salary is payable  
based on underlying profit 
performance, calculated  
on a straight–line basis 
between 95% of target 
(threshold) to 100% of 
target and from 100% to  
110% of target (maximum).
• A maximum of 30% of base 
salary is payable based  
on performance against 
WINcard and/or other 
appropriate stakeholder 
measures.

• Annual awards to a maximum 

of 200% of base salary.

• 75% of award based on  

EPS growth.

• No element of the award will 
vest unless a minimum level  
of ROCE, as determined by 
the Remuneration Committee 
on an annual basis, is achieved 
in the final year of the 
performance period.

• ROCE also acts as a multiplier 
on a straight–line sliding scale 
to increase the EPS element 
by up to a further third.

• 27.5% of base salary.

• None

Performance measures
With the exception of base salary, benefits, pension and participation in the Sharesave scheme, all other elements of the 
remuneration packages of the executive directors are linked to performance.

Full directors’ remuneration policy
The full directors’ remuneration policy can be found on the Company’s website www.whitbread.co.uk

Summary remuneration 
policy report

79

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary  
remuneration  
policy report 
continued 

Illustration of application of remuneration policy
Although the charts below do not form part of the approved policy report, they have been included to show how the 
remuneration policy will be applied in 2016/17, with details of expected remuneration levels for each director for below 
threshold performance, for on–target performance and for maximum performance. The charts that do form part  
of the approved policy are available on the Company’s website.

Executive directors — potential value of 2016/17 package

Alison Brittain

Below threshold

£989,583

On–target

£1,565,958

Maximum

£2,316,646

80%

20%

80%

20%

Nicholas Cadbury

Below threshold

£665,389

50%

13%

21%

16%

On–target

£1,161,322

Maximum

£2,116,835

46%

11%9% 19% 15%

34%

9%

32%

£m

0

0.5

1.0

1.5

25%

2.0

2.5

£m

0

25%

6%

26%

24%

19%

Louise Smalley

Below threshold

£442,149

80%

20%

On–target

£770,995

Maximum

£1,398,716

46%

11%

9% 19% 15%

25%

6%

26%

24%

19%

£m

0

0.5

1.0

1.5

Key

Fixed elements

Salary

Pension

Variable elements

LTIP

Deferred shares

Cash incentive payment

On–target performance assumes on–target profit, all amber WINcard scores and threshold vesting under the LTIP. Maximum performance  
assumes maximum profit, all green WINcard scores and maximum LTIP vesting. In both cases, for simplicity, no share price growth is assumed.  
Taxable benefits are not included.

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Summary remuneration 
policy report

80

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual report 
on remuneration

Remuneration Committee —  
membership, key duties and advisers

Members of the Remuneration Committee

• Stephen Williams 

(Chairman)
• Richard Baker
• Wendy Becker

• Sir Ian Cheshire

• Chris Vaughan (Secretary)

Key duties
Full terms of reference are available on the Company’s website.

Remuneration Committee — key duties

• Set the broad policy for the remuneration of the Chairman 

and the executive directors.

• Within the terms of the agreed policy, to determine  
the total individual remuneration package (including 
incentive payments, share awards and other benefits)  
of the Chairman and each executive director.

• Monitor the structure and level of remuneration of 

Executive Committee members.

• Approve the design of, and determine the targets for, 

incentive schemes.

• Approve awards to be made to executive directors  

and other senior executives under incentive schemes.

• Ensure that contractual terms on termination, and  
any payments made, are fair to the individual and  
the Company, that failure is not rewarded and that  
the duty to mitigate loss is fully recognised.

Internal advisers
Chris Vaughan — General Counsel 
Louise Smalley — Group HR Director

External advisers
Willis Towers Watson, one of the founding members of the 
Remuneration Consultants Code of Conduct, was appointed 
remuneration consultant by the Committee following a 
rigorous tender process and adheres to this code in its 
dealings with the Committee. Separate parts of Willis Towers 
Watson provide investment advice and actuarial services in 
relation to the pension fund and insurance broking services  
to the Group. Fees paid to Willis Towers Watson in respect  
of advice received by the Committee amounted to £46,748. 
These fees were charged on a time and material basis.

The Committee is satisfied that the advice received  
is independent and objective.

Remuneration Committee agenda — 2015/16

• Approval of Annual Incentive Scheme and targets  

for 2015/16.

• Approval of awards of cash and deferred shares to 

executive directors under the Annual Incentive Scheme.

• Executive directors’ salary review.
• Approval of 2015 LTIP awards.
• Confirmation of the performance conditions for the  

2015 LTIP awards.

• Confirmation of the vesting percentages for the LTIP 

award made in 2012 and vesting in 2015.
• Approval of the 2015 remuneration report.
• Approval of updated terms of reference.
• Approval of leaving terms for Andy Harrison.
• Approval of joining terms for Alison Brittain.
• Commencement of process to review remuneration policy.

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Annual report  
on remuneration

81

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual report  
on remuneration  
continued 

Single total figure of remuneration (audited information) — executive directors

Director 

Alison Brittain 
Andy Harrison 
Nicholas Cadbury 
Christopher Rogers 
Louise Smalley 

Basic salary

Benefits

Annual Incentive 
Scheme

LTIP

Pension

Total

2015/16 
£’000 

2014/15 
£’000 

2015/16 
£’000 

2014/15 
£’000 

2015/16 
£’000 

2014/15 
£’000 

2015/16 
£’000 

2014/151 
£’000 

2015/16 
£’000 

2014/15 
£’000 

2015/16 
£’000 

2014/15
£’000

329 
587 
490 
538 
344 

— 
747 
469 
526 
325 

10 
20 
21 
22 
19 

— 
26 
21 
22 
19  

214 
380 
320 
384 
224 

— 
1,087 
681 
736 
478 

— 
1,302 
906 
994 
591 

— 
2,314 
857 
1,918 
595 

82 
134 
112 
130 
80 

— 
164 
107 
127 
76 

635 
2,423 
1,849 
2,068 
1,258 

—
4,338
2,135
3,429
1,493

1   The values of the vesting LTIP awards for 2014/15 have been restated to reflect the actual prices at the date of exercise. These prices are disclosed  

in the table on page 86.

2   Patrick Dempsey stepped down as a director on 28 February 2015, which was two days into the financial year. His remuneration for these two days  

is not included in the table as it is considered to be immaterial.

Details of each of the elements included in the table above  
are as follows:

The awards to be made based on the 2015/16 profit measure 
are as follows: 

Base salary
Annual salary increases across the Group are effective from  
1 May each year. The base salary numbers shown in the table 
therefore include two months’ pay based on the director’s 
salary from 1 May 2014 and ten months’ pay based on the 
director’s salary from 1 May 2015. Alison Brittain’s base salary 
is from her date of appointment and Andy Harrison’s is up  
to his leaving date.

Benefits
The benefits received by each executive director include 
family private healthcare and a cash allowance in lieu  
of a company car.

Annual Incentive Scheme
The Annual Incentive Scheme payments shown above  
include both a cash payment to be made in May 2016 and 
deferred shares to be issued in April 2016. The awards were 
calculated as described below. No information is provided  
for Patrick Dempsey as he left the Company on 28 February 
2015 and was not entitled to participate in the scheme  
during the 2015/16 financial year.

Awards based on profit measure
Whilst some of our non–financial targets are disclosed 
prospectively on pages 50 to 53, the profit targets for  
2015/16 have not been disclosed, because the Board 
considers them to be commercially sensitive. Many of 
Whitbread’s competitors are private companies and not 
therefore subject to the same disclosure requirements.  
We believe that it would give those companies an  
advantage if they were able to see our profit targets.  
The Committee intends to disclose this target in the 
2016/17 report.

Director

Alison Brittain
2014/15

Andy Harrison
2014/15

Nicholas Cadbury
2014/15

Christopher Rogers
2014/15

Louise Smalley
2014/15

% of salary 
in cash

% of salary in 
deferred shares

Total % 
of salary

17.1
—

17.1
47.5

17.1
47.5

19.0
43.3

17.1
47.5

32.5
—

32.5
85.4

32.5
85.4

35.8
78.2

32.5
85.4

49.7
—

49.7
132.9

49.7
132.9

54.8
121.5

49.7
132.9

The profit target for the 2013/14 financial year was  
£385.9 million and the result was £411.9 million, which  
was 106.7% of target. The profit target for the 2014/15 
financial year was £446.0 million and the result was  
£488.2 million, which was 109.5% of target.

Awards based on WINcard and leadership  
succession measures
The WINcard targets in 2015/16 were appropriate to the 
director’s role. For example, Christopher Rogers had Costa 
specific measures. Alison Brittain, Nicholas Cadbury, Andy 
Harrison and Louise Smalley each had Group targets, some  
of which are a combination of the Costa and Hotels & 
Restaurants measures. 

Annual report  
on remuneration

82

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
i

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Total awards
The split between cash and deferred shares is as follows:

Director

Alison Brittain
2014/15

Andy Harrison
2014/15

Nicholas Cadbury
2014/15

Christopher Rogers
2014/15

Louise Smalley
2014/15

Cash award 
£’000

Cash value 
of deferred 
shares award 
£’000

96
—

171
428

144
268

172
305

101
188

117
—

209
659

176
413

211
431

123
290

Total 
£’000

214
—

380
1,087

320
681

384
736

224
478

The deferred shares will, under normal circumstances, vest  
on 1 March 2019, subject to continued employment within the 
Group. No further performance conditions apply to these 
awards. Malus provisions apply to the deferred share awards 
in the event, for example, of a material misstatement of results 
with clawback provisions applying to the cash awards. The 
share price used to calculate the awards was the average 
closing price of a Whitbread share for the five business days 
preceding 1 March 2016 (i.e. 3,821.6 pence). 

The number of deferred shares awarded to each director  
will be as follows:

Director

Alison Brittain

Andy Harrison

Nicholas Cadbury

Christopher Rogers

Louise Smalley

Number of deferred 
shares awarded 
2016

Number of deferred 
shares awarded 
2015

3,074

5,469

4,600

5,533

3,227

—

12,674

7,946

8,304

5,575

Long Term Incentive Plan
The amounts shown in the table on page 82 refer to the  
value of the LTIP awards made in 2013 and vesting in 2016. 

The value given for the LTIP awards is based on the  
average market value over the last quarter of the financial 
year (4,100.0 pence), as the awards will not vest until after  
the date of this Report.

The WINcard incentive results are as shown in the table below:

WINcard measure

Winning Teams

Team turnover

Health and safety1

Customer Heartbeat

Brand performance  
Guest recommend

Profitable Growth

Brand growth

Market performance

Like for like sales growth

Total system sales growth

Good Together

Carbon consumption/
community engagement

Total

Total 2014/152

Alison Brittain 
Andy Harrison 
Nicholas Cadbury 
Louise Smalley 
% of salary

Christopher Rogers 
% of salary

3

n/a

3

2

0

0

2

10

12

6

n/a

0

1

0

2

2

11

18

1   The health and safety measure acts as a hurdle. If the health and  

safety score had been red, payouts for the other WINcard measures 
would have been reduced by 20%. If the score had been amber,  
a 10% reduction would have applied.

2   The totals for 2014/15 were from a maximum of 30% of salary,  

whereas the maximum payable based on WINcard results in 2015/16 
was 20% of salary, with a potential 10% of salary based on personal 
leadership succession targets.

More information on the actual targets and outcomes for 
these measures can be found on pages 50 to 53.

Each executive was also entitled to earn a maximum of 10%  
of salary based on the achievement of personal leadership 
succession targets. The results achieved were such that each 
of the executive directors will receive 5% of salary based on 
these measures.

As a result, the awards to be made based on WINcard and 
talent development measures are as follows:

Director

Alison Brittain
2014/15

Andy Harrison
2014/15

Nicholas Cadbury
2014/15

Christopher Rogers
2014/15

Louise Smalley
2014/15

% of salary 
in cash

% of salary in 
deferred shares

Total % 
 of salary

12.0
—

12.0
9.6

12.0
9.6

12.8
14.4

12.0
9.6

3.0
—

3.0
2.4

3.0
2.4

3.2
3.6

3.0
2.4

15.0
—

15.0
12.0

15.0
12.0

16.0
18.0

15.0
12.0

Annual report  
on remuneration

83

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual report  
on remuneration  
continued 

The LTIP awards made to executives in 2013 were subject  
to EPS and ROCE measures on a matrix basis as shown below:

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P
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I

P
R

Threshold

  Sliding

  scale

Maximum

<4%
4%
6%
8%
10%

ROCE 2015/16

Threshold

Sliding scale

Maximum

11%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

12%

0%

19%

37%

56%

75%

13%

0%

19%

37%

56%

75%

14%

0%

20%

40%

61%

82%

15%

0%

22%

44%

66%

89%

16%

0%

24%

47%

71%

96%

17%

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

The actual EPS growth achieved was in excess of RPI plus 10% 
with the 2015/16 ROCE, which is calculated using an average 
of the previous 13 months’ net assets, being 16.6%. As a result, 
97.2% of the shares awarded under the 2013 LTIP will vest.  
The awards vesting to the executive directors are as follows:

Director

Andy Harrison

Nicholas Cadbury

Christopher Rogers

Louise Smalley

Number of 
shares vested 
2016

Number of 
shares vested 
2015

31,750

22,106

24,254

14,416

52,565

16,527

36,975

11,4691

1   The numbers shown represent the shares vesting based on the proportion 
of the performance period that Louise Smalley was a director as required 
by the regulations. This was 28 months out of 36 for the award vesting in 
2015. The total number of shares vesting to Louise in 2015 was 14,746.

Pension
The percentage of salary or pension allowance received  
by the executive directors in pension contributions is shown  
in the table below.

Director

Alison Brittain

Andy Harrison

Nicholas Cadbury

Christopher Rogers

Louise Smalley

% of salary

25.0

25.01

25.0

27.5

25.0

1   The percentage of salary received by Andy Harrison increased  

to 27.5% on 1 December 2015, shortly before he left the Company.

Executives are able to elect to receive a monthly amount 
in cash (less an amount equal to the employer’s national 
insurance contribution) in lieu of the pension contribution. 
Andy Harrison, Christopher Rogers and Alison Brittain elected 
to receive a cash payment, while Nicholas Cadbury, and 
Louise Smalley each receive a pension contribution and a  
cash supplement representing the balance over and above 
the annual allowance set by HMRC for pension contributions.

Single total figure of remuneration (audited information) — Chairman and non–executive directors

Base fee

Senior Independent 
Director fee

Fee as Chairman 
of a Board Committee

Fee as a member 
of a Board Committee

Total

2015/16 
£’000 

2014/15 
£’000 

2015/16 
£’000 

2014/15 
£’000 

2015/16 
£’000 

2014/15 
£’000 

2015/16 
£’000 

2014/15 
£’000 

2015/16 
£’000 

2014/15 
£’000

350 
55 
55 
55 
55 
55 

2031 
55 
55 
55 
55 
55 

— 
— 
10 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
10 
— 
— 
—  

— 
— 
— 
15 
— 
15 

— 
— 
— 
15 
— 
15 

— 
10 
5 
— 
5 
— 

51 
10 
5 
— 
5 
— 

350 
65 
70 
70 
60 
70 

208
65
70
70
60
70

Director 

Richard Baker 
Wendy Becker 
Sir Ian Cheshire 
Simon Melliss 
Susan Taylor Martin 
Stephen Williams 

1  Fees for part year.

Service contracts and external appointments
The key terms of the executive directors’ service contracts are as follows:
• notice period — six months by the director and 12 months by the Company;
• termination payment — see policy on payment for loss of office below;
• sickness — full salary for a maximum of 12 months in any three–year period or for a maximum of nine consecutive months; and
• non–compete — for six months after leaving.

The dates of the executive directors’ service contracts, which can be found on the Company’s website, are as follows:

Alison Brittain

Nicholas Cadbury

Christopher Rogers

Louise Smalley

21 May 2015

3 September 2012

18 February 2013

25 October 2012

84

Annual report  
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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of directors’ shareholding and share interests 
(audited information)
The Committee believes that the shareholding requirements 
for executives play an important role in the alignment of the 
interests of executives and shareholders and help to incentivise 
executives to deliver sustainable long–term performance.

The Chief Executive is required to build and hold a 
shareholding at least equal to 200% of salary, whilst the other 
executive directors are expected to reach a holding to the 
value of 125% of salary and other senior executives 75% of 
salary. Until they reach this level, executives are expected to 
retain 100% of vested awards (after the deduction of income 
tax, national insurance contributions and dealing fees).  
In addition, a newly appointed executive director is expected 
to build a shareholding in the Company in advance of any 
share awards vesting. The failure to adhere to these 
requirements may lead to the executive being excluded  
from participation in future share scheme awards. It should  
be noted that any vested LTIP awards subject to a holding 

period will not be counted for the purpose of calculating 
whether an executive has met his or her requirement. When 
determining whether a director has met the requirement,  
both the current market price and the price at the point the 
shares were acquired will be taken into consideration. 

All of the executive directors except for Alison Brittain and 
Nicholas Cadbury, who were appointed in September 2015 
and November 2012, and have already met the requirement. 
Nicholas has built a holding in the Company and is expected 
to meet his shareholding requirement later this year. Alison 
has invested in excess of £1 million in the Company’s shares 
from her own resources. Her first share scheme award is, 
subject to performance conditions being met, expected  
to vest in April 2017.

During 2014/15, shareholding requirements were introduced 
for the Chairman and the non–executive directors. They are 
each required to build a holding to the value of 100% of their 
annual fee over a three–year period.

The table below shows the holdings of directors as at 3 March 2016:

Counting towards requirement

Performance versus requirement

Additional awards

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Director 

Chairman 
Richard Baker 

Executive directors 
Alison Brittain 
Andy Harrison* 
Nicholas Cadbury 
Christopher Rogers 
Louise Smalley 

Non–executive directors 
Wendy Becker 
Sir Ian Cheshire 
Chris Kennedy 
Simon Melliss 
Susan Taylor Martin 
Stephen Williams 

 *As at date of leaving   

Number 
of 
ordinary 
shares 

Value 
based on 
purchase 
price 
£’000 

Value 
based on 
market 
price 
£’000 

Shareholding 
requirement 
% of salary 

  % of salary  % of salary 
based on 
market 
price 

based on 
purchase 
price 

Awards 
subject to 

Awards not 
subject to 
performance  performance 
conditions2

conditions1 

15,409 

367 

632 

100 

105  

181 

— 

—

20,900 
122,187 
10,770 
51,028 
33,608 

6,100 
2,189 
— 
3,000 
1,490 
11,249 

1,029 
4,055 
529 
2,383 
1,205 

65 
105 
— 
41 
50 
175 

857 
5,010 
442 
2,092 
1,378 

250 
90 
— 
123 
61 
461 

200 
200 
125 
125 
125 

100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 

133 
529 
107 
442 
348  

118 
191 
— 
75 
91 
319  

111 
668 
89 
388 
398 

455 
163 
— 
224 
111 
839 

58,392 
45,271 
47,466 
52,689 
31,515 

—
114,482
19,864
32,295
10,952

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

—
—
—
—
—
—

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1  Includes outstanding LTIP awards for which performance has not yet been tested.

2   Includes unvested/unexercised deferred shares under the Annual Incentive Scheme and unexercised LTIP awards for which the performance 

targets have already been met.

There has been no change to the interests in the tables shown on this page between the end of the financial year and the  
date of this Report. However, the column showing awards not subject to performance conditions do not include the deferred 
shares issued under the incentive scheme in 2016 even though these awards were actually made after the year–end. 

Please see tables on the following pages for details of LTIP awards, deferred shares and Sharesave options.

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Annual report  
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85

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual report  
on remuneration  
continued 

Long Term Incentive Plan (‘the Plan’) (audited information)
Potential share awards held by the executive directors under the Plan at the beginning and end of the year, and details  
of awards vesting during the year and their value, are as follows:

Director 

2015 1  Awarded  Lapsed  Exercised 

Balance at 
27 February 

Alison Brittain3 

Andy Harrison 

Nicholas Cadbury 

Christopher Rogers 

Louise Smalley 

— 
— 

— 

29,196 
29,196 

58,392 

— 
— 

— 

52,565 
35,474  
21,381  

—  
 —  
—   2,809 
8,775 
— 

109,420  

— 

16,527 
22,743 
13,406 
— 

— 
— 
— 
11,317 

52,676 

11,317 

36,975 
24,953  
15,040  
—  

— 
—  
— 
12,696 

76,968 

 12,696  

14,746  
14,832  
8,743  
—  

— 
— 
— 
7,940 

38,321 

7,940  

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

1   Or date of appointment.

2  Or date of leaving.

Balance at 
3 March 
2016 2 

Conditional 
award 
granted 

  Market 
Performance  price at 
award 
pence 

period 
concludes 

29,196   01/03/2015 
29,196   01/03/2015 

02/03/2017  5255.0 
01/03/2018  5255.0 

58,392 

52,565   01/03/2012 
32,665   01/03/2013 
12,606   01/03/2014 

26/02/2015  1687.0 
03/03/2016  2554.0 
02/03/2017  4487.0 

97,836  

— 
— 

— 

—  
— 
— 

— 

Date 
vested 
award 
exercised 

  Monetary 
value of 
exercised 
award
£’000

Price at 
exercise 
pence 

— 
— 

— 
— 
— 

— 
— 

— 
— 
— 

16,527 
— 
— 
— 

—   01/03/2012 
22,743   01/03/2013 
13,406   01/03/2014 
11,317   01/03/2015 

26/02/2015  1687.0 
03/03/2016  2554.0 
02/03/2017  4487.0 
01/03/2018  5255.0 

28/05/2015 
— 
— 
— 

5186.5 
— 
— 
— 

 16,527 

47,466 

36,975 
— 
— 
— 

—  01/03/2012 
24,953   01/03/2013 
15,040   01/03/2014 
12,696   01/03/2015 

26/02/2015  1687.0 
03/03/2016  2554.0 
02/03/2017  4487.0 
01/03/2018  5255.0 

28/05/2015 
— 
— 
— 

5186.5 
— 
— 
— 

36,975 

52,689 

14,746 
— 
— 
— 

—   01/03/2012 
14,832  01/03/2013 
8,743   01/03/2014 
7,940   01/03/2015 

26/02/2015  1687.0 
03/03/2016  2554.0 
02/03/2017  4487.0 
01/03/2018  5255.0 

28/05/2015 
— 
— 
— 

5186.5 
— 
— 
— 

14,746 

31,515 

— 
—

—

— 
— 
—

— 

857 
— 
— 
—

857

1,918 
— 
— 
—

1,918 

765 
— 
— 
—

765

3   Alison Brittain received two LTIP awards on joining the Company, each to the value of 175% of salary. The performance conditions for the first of  

these awards are aligned to the awards made to other executives in 2014 and the second of the awards have performance conditions aligned to the 
awards made to other executives in 2015. Although the awards were actually made on 11 December 2015, under the rules of the LTIP, the technical  
date of both awards is 1 March 2015 and the market price at award shown in the table above is therefore the price on 1 March 2015. The price used  
to calculate the awards was the average Whitbread share price for the five business days immediately preceding Alison's first day of employment,  
which was 4,645.2 pence.

LTIP performance conditions — past awards

2012 award

2013 award

2014 award

2015 award

Performance metrics 

TSR condition 

EPS condition

Based on underlying basic EPS growth above RPI per annum of 4% to 10% on a sliding scale with a one–third multiplier  
based on ROCE in 2014/15 of 12% to 16.7%. ROCE also acts as a hurdle and is calculated using an average of the previous  
13 months’ net assets.

Based on underlying basic EPS growth above RPI per annum of 4% to 10% on a sliding scale with a one–third multiplier  
based on ROCE in 2015/16 of 12% to 17.0%. ROCE also acts as a hurdle and is calculated using an average of the previous  
13 months’ net assets.

Based on underlying basic EPS growth above RPI per annum of 4% to 10% on a sliding scale with a one–third multiplier  
based on ROCE in 2016/17 of 13% to 18.0%. ROCE also acts as a hurdle and is calculated using an average of the previous  
13 months’ net assets.

Based on underlying basic EPS growth above RPI per annum of 4% to 10% on a sliding scale with a one–third multiplier 
based on ROCE in 2017/18 of 13% to 18.0%. ROCE also acts as a hurdle and is calculated using an average of the previous 
13 months’ net assets.

LTIP performance conditions — future awards
Details of the performance conditions for the awards to be made in 2016 can be found on page 91.

Annual report  
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86

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Incentive Scheme (‘the Scheme’) (audited information)
At 3 March 2016 the directors held the following deferred shares under the Scheme:

Balance at 
27 February 
2015 1 

Awarded 

Lapsed 

Exercised 

Balance at 
3 March 

2016 2  

Market 
price at 
award 
pence 

Release 
date 

Date 
award 
exercised 

  Monetary 
Market  value of 
vested 
price at 
award
vesting 
£’000
pence 

— 

— 

3,074 

3,074 

16,618 
19,484 
13,151 
12,674 

61,927 

3,672 
8,246 
7,946 
— 

19,864 

11,689 
14,963 
9,028 
8,304 
— 

43,984 

5,302 
7,201  
5,377 
5,575 
— 

23,455 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
4,600 

4,600 

— 
— 
— 
— 
5,533 

5,533 

— 
— 
— 
— 
3,227 

3,227 

— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

11,689 
— 
— 
— 
— 

11,689 

5,302 
— 
— 
— 
— 

3,074 

16,618 
19,484 
13,151 
12,674 

61,927 

3,672 
8,246 
7,946 
4,600 

24,464 

— 
14,963 
9,028 
8,304 
5,533 

37,828 

— 
7,201 
5,377 
5,575 
3,227 

 5,302 

21,380 

3,074 

01/03/2019 

4043.0 

28/04/2015 3  1687.0 
2554.0 
03/03/2016 
4487.0 
01/03/2017 
5255.0 
01/03/2018 

03/03/2016 
01/03/2017 
01/03/2018 
01/03/2019 

2554.0 
4487.0 
5255.0 
4043.0 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

28/04/2015 3  1687.0  28/05/2015  5186.5 
— 
03/03/2016 
— 
01/03/2017 
01/03/2018 
— 
01/03/2019 
— 

2554.0 
4487.0 
5255.0 
4043.0 

— 
— 
— 
— 

28/04/2015 3  1687.0  28/05/2015  5186.5 
— 
03/03/2016 
— 
01/03/2017 
— 
01/03/2018 
— 
01/03/2019 

2554.0 
4487.0 
5255.0 
4043.0 

— 
— 
— 
— 

—

—

— 
— 
— 
—

—

— 
— 
— 
—

—

606 
— 
— 
— 
—

606

275 
— 
— 
— 
—

275

Name 

Alison Brittain 

Andy Harrison 

Nicholas Cadbury 

Christopher Rogers 

Louise Smalley 

Year of 
award 

2016 

2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 

2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 

2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 

2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 

1   Or at date of appointment.

2   Or at date of leaving.

3   Under the rules of the Scheme awards cannot vest during a close or prohibited period. The normal release dates for the 2012 and 2013 awards  
would have been 1 March 2015 and 1 March 2016 respectively. However, as these dates were during prohibited periods the 2012 awards actually 
released on 28 April 2015 and the 2013 awards released on 3 March 2016.

 The awards are not subject to performance conditions and will vest in full on the release date subject to the director remaining an employee of 
Whitbread at that date. If the director ceases to be an employee of Whitbread prior to the release date by reason of redundancy, retirement, death, 
injury, ill health, disability or some other reason considered to be appropriate by the Remuneration Committee the awards will be released in full.  
If the director ceases to be an employee of Whitbread for any other reason the proportion of award which vests depends upon the year in which  
the award was made and the date the director ceases to be an employee. If the director leaves within the first year after an award is made none  
of the award vests, between the first and second anniversary 25% vests and between the second and third anniversary 50% vests.

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Annual report  
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87

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual report  
on remuneration  
continued 

Share options (audited information)
Executive directors may participate in the Company’s Savings–related Share Option Scheme (the ‘Scheme’), which is open  
to all employees on the same terms. The exercise periods shown below are the normal exercise periods at the date of grant. 
Actual exercise periods are subject to change in accordance with the rules of the Scheme if a director ceases to be employed 
by the Company. At 3 March 2016 the directors held the following share options under the Scheme, with the latest exercise  
date being July 2021. Savings–related share options have a six–month exercise period. 

Director 

Alison Brittain 

Andy Harrison 

Nicholas Cadbury 

Christopher Rogers 

Louise Smalley 

Number 
of shares 

Date of grant 

Exercise price 
pence 

Exercise date 

Last exercise date

 775 

775 

 513  

02/12/2015 

3866.4 

01/02/2021 

31/07/2021

(nil at 26/02/2015) 

02/12/2014 

3507.2 

01/02/2018 

31/07/2018

513 

(513 at 26/02/2015) 

 327  

256  

29/11/2013 

02/12/2014 

583 

(583 at 26/02/2015) 

 1,076  

431  

03/12/2010 

02/12/2014 

 1,507  

(1,507 at 26/02/2015) 

 470  

256  

232  

30/11/2012 

02/12/2014 

02/02/2015 

958 

(726 at 26/02/2015) 

2746.4 

3507.2 

1414.0 

3507.2 

1913.6 

3507.2 

3866.4 

01/02/2017 

31/07/2017

01/02/2018 

31/07/2018

01/02/2016 

31/07/2016

01/02/2020 

31/07/2020

01/02/2016 

31/07/2016

01/02/2018 

31/07/2018

01/02/2019 

31/07/2019

Options exercised (audited information)
None of the executive directors exercised an option under the savings–related share option scheme during the year. 

Total shareholder return

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

26 February
2009

4 March
2010

3 March
2011

1 March
2012

28 February
2013

27 February
2014

26 February
2015

3 March
2016

Key

Whitbread PLC

FTSE 100 Index

The chart looks at the value over seven years of £100 invested in Whitbread PLC on 26 February 2009 compared, on a consistent basis, with that of £100 invested in the FTSE 100 index
based on 30 trading day average values. The FTSE 100 Index has been used because, given the Company’s position within that index, the Committee believes it to be the most appropriate.

Source: Thomson Reuters Datastream

Annual report  
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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Share awards for past and future performance
Directors Incentive Scheme: Christopher ’s deferred shares will 
vest on their ordinary vesting date, being three years from the 
date of grant. He was granted 9,028 deferred shares in 2014 
and 8,304 in 2015. These deferred shares were awarded as a 
result of performance under incentive schemes in prior years. 
He also will be entitled to a cash and deferred share award, 
subject to performance, for the 2015/16 financial year, to be 
agreed by the Remuneration Committee in April 2016, and for 
the part of the 2016/17 financial year for which he is employed, 
which will be agreed by the Remuneration Committee in 2017. 
Any new deferred shares awarded in 2016 or 2017 will not vest 
until 2019 or 2020 respectively. 

LTIP: Unvested awards granted in 2014 and 2015 will lapse.  
The Remuneration Committee will determine in April 2016  
the level at which the LTIP grant made to Christopher in 2013 
(24,953 shares) will vest. No further grants will be made to 
Christopher under the LTIP.

Payments to past directors (audited information)
Andy Harrison, who retired as Chief Executive in December 
2015, exercised awards over 52,565 shares under the Long 
Term Incentive Plan and 16,618 shares under the Annual 
Incentive Scheme on 18 December 2015 at a price of  
4,403.1 pence per share, making a gain of £3.05 million.  
On 22 February 2016, Andy exercised a savings–related share 
option over 171 shares at an option price of 3,507.2 pence and 
retained the shares. The price on exercise was 3,893.0 pence 
per share, which means that Andy made a notional gain  
of £6,657.

Patrick Dempsey, who left the Company on 28 February 2015, 
exercised awards over 24,616 shares under the Long Term 
Incentive Plan and 25,478 shares under the Annual Incentive 
Scheme on 28 May 2015 at a price of 5,186.5 pence per share, 
making a gain of £2.60 million. Patrick also received  
£592,277 in lieu of notice, made up of base salary and the 
cash equivalent of pension contributions and other benefits. 
In addition the Company paid outplacement fees on his  
behalf of £20,000 plus VAT.

With the exception of the payments disclosed above and 
regular pension payments and dividends on Whitbread 
shares, no other payments were made during the year  
to past directors.

Remuneration Committee discretion 
During the year, it was announced that Andy Harrison would 
retire from the Company and step down as a director on  
7 December 2015. The Committee exercised its discretion, in 
accordance with the approved policy, to apply ‘good leaver’ 
terms to Andy. A disclosure under Section 403 (2B) of the 
Companies Act 2006 was made on the Company’s website 
and the details are as follows: 

All payments are in line with the Company’s stated 
Remuneration Policy for a good leaver (published in  
the Annual Report for 2013/14) and approved by the 
shareholders at the 2014 AGM.

Salary and benefits
Andy will receive his salary, benefits and pension  
allowance as usual until the date he leaves the Company.

Accrued share awards for past performance
Directors Incentive Scheme: Andy’s deferred shares earned 
from the 2013, 2014 and 2015 incentive schemes will vest  
three years from the date of their respective awards. He will  
be entitled to a cash and deferred share award, subject  
to performance and prorated for the period he is employed,  
for the 2015/16 financial year which will be agreed by the 
Remuneration Committee in April 2016.

LTIP: Outstanding awards made under the LTIP in 2013  
and 2014 are subject to time prorating and achievement  
of applicable performance criteria over the full performance 
period. The maximum possible vesting, if performance 
conditions are fully met, would be 35,474 shares for 2013  
and 21,381 shares for 2014. The extent to which these shares 
vest will be confirmed by the Remuneration Committee  
in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The shares vesting from the 
2014 grant are subject to a further 12 month holding period. 
Andy will not receive a grant under the LTIP in 2015.

Since the year–end it was announced that Christopher  
Rogers would step down from the Board on 19 April 2016 and 
as Managing Director of Costa on 1 July 2016. The Committee 
exercised its discretion to apply ‘good leaver’ terms to 
Christopher for the purposes of the Annual Incentive Scheme. 
A disclosure under Section 403 (2B) of the Companies Act 
2006 was made on the Company’s website and the details  
are as follows:

All payments are in line with the Company’s stated 
Remuneration Policy (published in the Annual Report 
for2013/14) and approved by the shareholders at the 2014 AGM.

Salary and benefits 
Christopher will continue to receive normal salary and 
benefits, as provided under his Service Agreement, up to  
and including 1 July 2016. 

Annual report  
on remuneration

89

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual report  
on remuneration  
continued 

Chief Executive’s remuneration 
The Chief Executive’s remuneration (including base salary, 
benefits and annual incentive payment) decreased by  
20.9% in the year, compared with an increase of 4.2% for  
the Group’s employees as a whole.

The following table shows the Chief Executive’s pay over the 
last seven years, with details of the percentage of maximum 
paid out under the Annual Incentive Scheme and the LTIP 
vesting percentage for each year.

Year

Chief Executive

2015/16 Alison Brittain
Andy Harrison
Combined

2014/15 Andy Harrison

2013/141 Andy Harrison

2012/13 Andy Harrison

2011/12 Andy Harrison

2010/11 Andy Harrison

Alan Parker
Combined

2009/10 Alan Parker

Single total 
figure of 
remuneration 
£’000

% of maximum 
incentive 
achieved

% of LTIP 
award vesting

634
2,423
3,057

4,554

6,374

3,432

1,444

534
2,509
3,043

2,634

38.8
38.8
38.8

86.8

82.6

74.9

45.6

94.4
94.4
94.4

100.0

n/a
97.2
97.2

100.0

100.0

89.8

n/a

n/a
82.4
82.4

75.9

1   The single total figure of remuneration for Andy Harrison in 2013/14 
included a one–off matching award, valued at £2.58 million. This 
award was given to Andy on his appointment.

Fees from external directorships
The executive directors are entitled to retain fees from 
external directorships. Christopher Rogers is a non–executive 
director of Travis Perkins Plc and retained a fee of £59,666 in 
respect of that directorship. Louise Smalley is a non–executive 
director of DS Smith Plc and retained a fee of £53,750.  
Andy Harrison is Chairman of Dunelm Group plc and retained 
a fee of £98,026 up to the date he retired from Whitbread. 
Alison Brittain is a non–executive director of Marks and 
Spencer Plc and retained a fee of £29,167 for the period  
since she joined the Whitbread Board. None of the  
other executive directors received any fees from external 
directorships during the year.

Relative importance of spend on pay
The graph below compares the change in total expenditure 
on employee pay during the year to the changes in profit after 
tax and dividend payments.

£m

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

Key

+10.4% 

+5.8%

+18.8%

Profit
after tax

Dividends

Employee
costs

2014/15

2015/16 

Implementation of remuneration policy in 2016/17

Base salary
The base salaries of the executive directors with effect from  
1 May 2016 will be as follows:

Director

Alison Brittain

Nicholas Cadbury

Louise Smalley

Base salary at  
1 May 2016 
£’000

795

540

357

1  With effect from date of appointment.

700
Base salary at  
1 May 2015 
600
£’000

500

7751

494

400

347

300

200

Nicholas Cadbury will receive a salary increase of 9.3%.  
100
This reflects the fact that Nicholas is an experienced leader  
of the Finance and IS functions and is a key member of the 
0
executive team, bringing continuity and stability to the 
Company’s leadership. The other executive directors will  
each receive a salary increase in the range of 2.5% to 3.0%, 
which is the same as the range for the general increase  
being given to employees across the Group.

Benefits
The benefits received by each executive director will continue 
to include family private healthcare and a cash allowance in 
lieu of a company car.

Annual Incentive Scheme
The Annual Incentive Scheme will continue to operate on 
broadly the same terms as it did in 2015/16. Executive directors 
will be able to earn up to 137% of salary based on performance 
against a profit target and a further 30% of salary based on 
performance against WINcard and other stakeholder targets. 
For 2016/17 the executive directors have a Group underlying 
PBT measure.

Annual report  
on remuneration

90

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
i

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As explained on page 82, the profit targets are commercially 
sensitive and, for that reason, are not disclosed. The 
Committee intends to retrospectively disclose this target  
in the 2017/18 report.

Cash awards will be made in May 2017, with deferred  
equity issued in April 2017 and due to vest on 1 March 2020, 
with no further performance conditions applying.

Profit performance (% of salary)

150

120

90

60

30

0

Threshold

On–target

Stretch
(maximum)

Key

Total

Deferred shares

Cash

Each executive director will be incentivised based on WINcard 
and other stakeholder targets appropriate to the director’s 
role. The targets include upweighted measures and standard 
measures. 80% of any awards made in relation to these 
measures are made in cash, with the remaining 20% being 
deferred equity. The measures and the percentage of salary 
payable based on each measure are outlined below and 
further detail on some of the specific targets can be found 
on pages 50 to 53.

WINcard measure

Winning Teams

Team turnover

Leadership succession

Health and safety1

Customer Heartbeat

Guest recommend

Profitable Growth

Premier Inn total occupancy

Brand growth

Like for like  
sales growth

Costa total system sales growth

Good Together

% of salary

0

0

n/a

0

0

0

0

n/a

2

2.5

n/a

4.5

1.5

1.5

0.75

0.75

4

5

n/a

9

3

3

1.5

1.5

Electricity consumption

3

1.5

0

1   The health and safety measure is a hurdle. If the health and safety  
score is amber, payouts for the other WINcard measures will be  
reduced by 10% and if it is red they will be reduced by 20%.

Long Term Incentive Plan
The awards to be made in 2016 will be based on 200%  
of base salary for Alison Brittain and 125% of base salary 
for the other executive directors, calculated by reference 
to the average of the closing price of a Whitbread share for 
the five business days preceding 1 March 2016 (i.e. 3,821.6 
pence). They will vest in April 2019, subject to the director’s 
continued employment within the Group and satisfaction  
of the performance conditions. The awards will be subject  
to a two–year holding period post vesting. 

The matrix below shows how the performance conditions  
will operate.

e
v
o
b
a
h
t
w
o
r
g
S
P
E

m
u
n
n
a
r
e
p

I

P
R

Threshold

  Sliding

  scale

Maximum

<4%
4%
6%
8%
10%

ROCE 2018/19

Threshold

Sliding scale

Maximum

12%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

13%

0%

19%

37%

56%

75%

14%

0%

19%

37%

56%

75%

15%

0%

20%

40%

61%

82%

16%

0%

22%

44%

66%

89%

17%

0%

24%

47%

71%

96%

18%

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

The number of shares awarded under the LTIP to each director 
will be as follows:

Director

Alison Brittain

Nicholas Cadbury

Louise Smalley

Number of  
shares awarded

40,558

16,153

11,333

Value of  
award 
£’000

1,550

617

433

Non–executive directors fees
The base annual fee for non–executive directors increased 
from £55,000 to £57,000 on 1 March 2016. The fees for the 
chairmanship of the Audit Committee and the Remuneration 
Committee were increased from £15,000 to £20,000. The fee 
for the Senior Independent Director remained at £15,000 and 
the fees for membership of the Audit and Remuneration 
Committees are also unchanged at £5,000.

Statement of shareholder voting
At the Annual General Meeting in 2015 the advisory resolution 
to approve the annual report on remuneration was passed.  
In total 109,590,846 votes were cast on the resolution, with 
108,691,303 (99.18%) in favour and 899,543 (0.82%) against. 
There were 4,181,536 votes withheld.

Annual report  
on remuneration

91

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chris Vaughan
General Counsel

Directors’ 
report

The directors present their Report and 
Accounts for the year ended 3 March 2016
Certain information required for disclosure in 
this Report is provided in other appropriate 
sections of the Annual Report and Accounts. 
These include the corporate governance and 
remuneration reports and the Group financial 
statements and Notes to those financial 
statements and accordingly these are 
incorporated into the report by reference.

Results and dividends

Group underlying profit before tax 

£546.3 million

Group profit before tax 

£487.7 million

Interim dividend paid on 
18 December 2015 

28.50p per share

Recommended final dividend 

61.85p per share

the directors may exercise all the powers  
of the Company to borrow money, issue 
shares, appoint and remove directors and 
recommend and declare dividends.

Appointment and replacement of directors
Directors shall be no less than two and  
no more than 20 in number. Directors may  
be appointed by the Company, by ordinary 
resolution or by the Board of Directors.

In accordance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2014 all directors will  
stand for annual re–election at each AGM.

The Company may, by special resolution, 
remove any directors before the expiration  
of his/her term of office.

Total dividend for the year 

90.35p per share

Directors automatically stop being directors if:

Subject to approval at the Annual General 
Meeting (AGM), the final dividend will be 
payable on 1 July 2016 to the shareholders  
on the register at the close of business on  
27 May 2016.

Board of Directors
The directors at the date of this Report  
are listed on pages 64 and 65. All except  
for Alison Brittain and Chris Kennedy served 
throughout the year. Alison Brittain joined  
the Board on 28 September 2015 and 
succeeded Andy Harrison as Chief Executive 
on 7 December 2015. Andy Harrison stepped 
down from the Board on 7 December 2015. 
Chris Kennedy was appointed to the  
Board on 1 March 2016. Christopher Rogers 
served as a director throughout the year,  
but stepped down from the Board on  
19 April 2016. Patrick Dempsey stepped down 
from the Board on 28 February 2015.

i. 

ii. 

they give the Company a written 
notice of resignation (at the date such 
notice expires);

they give the Company a written notice  
in which they offer to resign and the  
other directors decide to accept the offer;

iii.  all of the other directors (who must 

comprise at least three people) pass  
a resolution or sign a written notice 
requiring the director to resign;

iv.  they are or have been suffering from 

mental or physical ill health and the 
directors pass a resolution removing  
the director from office;

v. 

they have missed directors’ meetings 
(whether or not an alternate director 
appointed attends those meetings) 
for a continuous period of six months  
without permission from the directors  
and the directors pass a resolution 
removing the director from office;

Details of the directors’ service contracts are 
given in the remuneration report on page 84. 
None of the non–executive directors has a 
service contract.

vi.  a bankruptcy order is made against 

them or they make any arrangement  
or composition with their creditors 
generally;

Details of directors’ training are given in the 
corporate governance report on pages 67 
and 68.

Powers of directors
The business of the Company is managed  
by the directors who may exercise all the 
powers of the Company, subject to the 
Company’s Articles of Association, any 
relevant legislation and any directions  
given by the Company by passing a special 
resolution at a general meeting. In particular, 

vii.  they are prohibited from being a director 

under any applicable legislation; or

viii.  they cease to be a director under any 
applicable legislation or are removed 
from office under the Company’s 
Articles of Association.

Directors’ indemnity
A qualifying third–party indemnity  
provision (as defined in Section 236 (1)  
of the Companies Act 2006) is in force  
for the benefit of the directors.

Directors’ 
report

92

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
i

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Compensation for loss of office
There are no agreements between the 
Company and its directors or employees 
providing for compensation for loss  
of office or employment that occurs as  
a result of a takeover bid.

Directors’ share interests
Details regarding the share interests of  
the directors in the share capital of the 
Company, including with respect to options 
to acquire ordinary shares, are set out in  
the remuneration report on pages 85 to 88.

Share capital
Details of the issued share capital can be 
found in Note 27 to the accounts.

Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to 
attend and speak at general meetings of the 
Company, to appoint one or more proxies 
and, if they are corporations, corporate 
representatives to attend general meetings 
and to exercise voting rights. Holders of 
ordinary shares may receive a dividend and 
on a liquidation, may share in the assets of  
the Company. Holders of ordinary shares are 
entitled to receive the Company’s Annual 
Report and Accounts. Subject to meeting 
certain thresholds, holders of ordinary shares 
may requisition a general meeting of the 
Company or the proposal of resolutions  
at AGMs.

Voting rights
On a show of hands at a general meeting of 
the Company, every holder of ordinary shares 
present, in person or by proxy and entitled  
to vote, has one vote (unless the proxy is 
appointed by more than one member in 
which case the proxy has one vote for and 
one vote against if the proxy has been 
instructed by one or more members to vote 
for the resolution and by one or more 
members to vote against the resolution) and 
on a poll every member present in person or 
by proxy and entitled to vote has one vote  
for every ordinary share held. Voting rights 
for any ordinary shares held in treasury are 
suspended. None of the ordinary shares carry 
any special rights with regard to control of 
the Company. Electronic and paper proxy 
appointments and voting instructions must 
be received by the Company’s registrars not 
later than (i) 48 hours before a meeting or 
adjourned meeting (excluding non–working 
days), or (ii) 24 hours before a poll is taken,  
if the poll is not taken on the same day as the 
meeting or adjourned meeting.

Unless the directors decide otherwise, a 
shareholder cannot attend or vote at any 
general meeting of the Company or at any 
separate general meeting of the holders of 
any class of shares in the Company or upon  
a poll or exercise any other right conferred by 
membership in relation to general meetings 
or polls if he or she has not paid all amounts 
relating to those shares which are due at the 
time of the meeting.

Where a shareholder with at least a 0.25% 
interest in a class of shares has been served 
with a disclosure notice in relation to a 
particular holding of shares and has failed  
to provide the Company with information 
concerning those shares, those shares will  
no longer give that shareholder any right  
to vote at a shareholders’ meeting.

Restrictions on transfer of shares
There are the following restrictions on the 
transfer of shares in the Company:
• certain restrictions which may from time  

to time be imposed by laws and regulations  
(for example, insider trading laws);

• pursuant to the Company’s share dealing 
code, the directors and senior executives  
of the Company require approval to deal  
in the Company’s shares;

• where a person with at least a 0.25% 

interest in a class of shares has been served 
with a disclosure notice and has failed to 
provide the Company with information 
concerning interests in those shares;
• the subscriber ordinary shares may not  
be transferred without the prior written 
consent of the directors;

• the directors can, without giving any 
reason, refuse to register the transfer  
of any shares which are not fully paid;
• transfers cannot be in favour of more  

than four joint holders; and

• the directors can refuse to register the 

transfer of an uncertificated share in the 
circumstances set out in the uncertificated 
securities rules (as defined in the 
Company’s Articles of Association).

The Company is not aware of any agreements 
between shareholders that may result in 
restrictions on the transfer of shares or on 
voting rights.

Directors’ 
report

93

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ 
report 
continued

B shares and C shares
Holders of B shares and C shares are  
entitled to receive an annual non–cumulative 
preferential dividend calculated at a rate  
of 75% of six month LIBOR on a value of  
155 pence per B share and 159 pence per C 
share respectively, but are not entitled to any 
further right of participation in the profits  
of the Company. They are also entitled  
to payment of 155 pence per B share and  
159 pence per C share respectively on a return  
of capital on winding–up (excluding any  
intra–group reorganisation on a solvent basis).

Except in limited circumstances, the holders 
of the B shares and C shares are not entitled  
in their capacity as holders of such shares, to 
receive notice of any general meeting of the 
Company nor to attend, speak or vote at any 
such general meeting. 

Purchase of own shares
The Company is authorised to purchase its 
own shares in the market. Approval to renew 
this authority will be sought from the 
shareholders at the 2016 AGM.

The Company did not purchase any of its own 
shares during the year. 12.6 million shares are 
held as treasury shares (26 February 2015: 
13.3 million). During the course of the year, the 
Company transferred 709,000 shares from 
treasury to the Employee Share Ownership 
Trust for the future satisfaction of awards 
under the Company’s share schemes.

Employee share schemes
Whitbread does not have any employee share 
schemes with shares which have rights with 
regard to the control of the Company that are 
not exercisable directly by the employees.

Major interests
As at the end of the financial year, the 
Company had received formal notification, 
under the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, 
of the following material holdings in its shares  
(the percentages shown are the percentages 
at the time of the disclosure and have not  
been re–calculated based on the issued share 
capital at the year–end):

FMR LLC

BlackRock Inc.

MFS Investment 
Management

Number  
of shares

% of issued 
share capital

14,856,619

9,466,386

9,330,908

8.14

5.18

5.11

The Company was informed on 11 March 2016 
that BlackRock Inc. had reduced its holding 
to 9,422,457 shares, representing 5.15% of 
the total voting rights. No other changes to 
the above have been disclosed to the 
Company in accordance with rule 5 of the 
Disclosure and Transparency Rules between 
the end  
of the financial year and 25 April 2016.

Employment policies
Whitbread has a range of employment 
policies covering such issues as diversity, 
employee wellbeing and equal opportunities.

The Company takes its responsibilities  
to the disabled seriously and seeks not 
to discriminate under any circumstances 
(including in relation to training, career 
development and promotion) against current 
or prospective employees because of any 
disability or for any other reason. Fair and  
full consideration is given to applications for 
employment made by disabled persons, 
having regard to their aptitudes and abilities. 
Employees who become disabled during their 
career at Whitbread will be retained in 
employment wherever possible and given 
help with rehabilitation and training.

Employee involvement
The importance of good relations and 
communications with employees is 
fundamental to the continued success of  
our business. Each of the Group’s operating 
businesses maintains employee relations  
and consults employees as appropriate  
to its own particular needs. In addition, our 
employee opinion survey, ‘Your Say’, is 
conducted twice a year to provide insight  
into the views of employees.

Our employees are actively encouraged  
to take part in our Sharesave scheme, which 
is available to all employees and offers an 
option price discounted by 20%.

Regular internal communications are made  
to all employees to ensure that they are kept 
well informed of the performance of the 
Group and of financial and economic factors 
that may affect the Company’s performance.

Further information on employee involvement 
can be found in the Winning Teams sections  
on pages 14 to 17 and 28 to 31.

Directors’ 
report

94

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mandatory Greenhouse Gas (‘GHG’) 
reporting 
Our environmental reporting complies  
with the requirements of the Companies  
Act 2006 (Strategic and Directors’ Report) 
Regulations 2013. 

We have considered the six main GHGs and 
report in CO2e for our Scope 1 (direct) and 
Scope 2 (indirect) CO2 emissions. We have 
used the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting 
and Reporting Standard methodology to 
calculate our emissions and DEFRA GHG 
Conversion Factors for Company Reporting. 

Scope 1 includes emissions from the fuels we 
use in our hotels, restaurants, offices and 
coffee shops such as natural gas and liquid 
petroleum gas. It also includes CO2e from 
owned vehicles which include company cars 
but excludes logistics as this is an outsourced 
operation. Refrigerant gas, F–Gas, losses are 
captured for UK operations only due to 
reporting capabilities.

Scope 2 relates to the indirect emissions 
associated with the generation of the 
electricity consumed in our sites. 

When defining the scope of our data we do 
not report on operations under Joint Venture 
agreements where we do not have 
operational control such as Costa Beijing and 
Premier Inn (UAE). For reasons of materiality, 
small office operations in pan–Pacific  
areas have been excluded. All other sites 
throughout the world are included. 

Where possible we have reported billed or 
AMR data which now represents 88% of our 
total global emissions. For those operations 
which are currently beyond our reporting 
capabilities, such as Costa Shanghai, we have 
used an estimation approach using known 
sales data and local conversion factors. For 
further information about our estimation 
techniques and the number and location of 
Whitbread sites please view the Corporate 
Responsibility pages on our website.

Direct 
emissions

Indirect 
emissions

Gross 
emissions

Source of emissions

Scope 1

Natural Gas

Fuel Oil

LPG

F–gas

Owned Transport

Tonnes of 
CO2e 2014/15

Tonnes of 
CO2e 2015/16

Change 
%

52,993

197

3,175

5,033

1,534

54,105

203

3,246

4,109

3,510

2.10

3.05

2.24

(18.36)

128.81

Scope 2

Electricity

211,733

209,950

(0.84)

274,665

275,122

0.17

Turnover (£m)
Tonnes carbon per £1 million turnover

2,608.10
105.31

2,921.70
94.17

12.02
(10.58)

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Directors’ 
report

95

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ 
report 
continued

Amendment of the Company’s Articles  
of Association 
Any amendments to the Articles of Association 
of the Company may be made in accordance 
with the provisions of the Companies Act 
2006 by way of special resolution.

Significant agreements
The Company’s facility, bond and private 
placement loan notes agreements, details 
of which can be found in Note 21 to the 
accounts, contain provisions entitling the 
counterparties to exercise termination  
or other rights in the event of a change  
of control of the Company.

Contractual arrangements
The Group has contractual arrangements 
with numerous third–parties in support  
of its business activities, none of which are 
considered individually to be essential to  
its business and, accordingly, it has not been 
considered necessary for an understanding 
of the development, performance or  
position of the Group’s business to disclose 
information about any of those third–parties.

Financial instruments
Information on the Company’s use of financial 
instruments, financial risk management 
objectives and policies and exposure is given 
in Note 24 and Note 25 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

Political donations
The Company has not made any political 
donations during the year and intends to 
continue its policy of not doing so for the 
foreseeable future.

Auditor
Deloitte LLP has expressed its willingness  
to continue in office as auditor of the 
Company and a resolution proposing its 
reappointment will be put to shareholders  
at the 2016 AGM. After proper consideration, 
the Audit Committee is satisfied that  
Deloitte LLP continues to be objective and 
independent of the Company. In coming to 
this conclusion the Audit Committee gave full 
consideration to any non–audit work carried 
out by Deloitte LLP, and has concluded that 
certain services will not be carried out by 
Deloitte LLP, as outlined in the Committee’s 
terms of reference. 

Disclosure of information to auditor
The directors have taken all reasonable steps 
to make themselves aware of relevant audit 
information and to establish that the auditor 

is aware of that information. The directors are 
not aware of any relevant audit information 
which has not been disclosed to the auditor.

Going concern
The Group’s business activities, together  
with the factors likely to affect its future 
development, performance and position are 
set out in the strategic report on pages 4  
to 61. The financial position of the Company, 
its cash flows, net debt and borrowing 
facilities and the maturity of those facilities 
are set out in the Finance Director’s review  
on pages 54 to 59. In addition there are 
further details in the financial statements  
on the Group’s financial risk management, 
objectives and policies (Note 24) and on 
financial instruments (Note 25).

A combination of the strong operating cash 
flows generated by the business and the 
significant headroom on its credit facilities 
supports the directors’ view that the Group 
has sufficient funds available for it to meet  
its foreseeable working capital requirements. 
The directors have concluded that the  
going concern basis remains appropriate.

The viability statement can be found on  
page 46.

Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held at 2pm on 21 June 2016 
at Church House Conference Centre, Dean’s 
Yard, Westminster, London SW1P 3NZ.  
The Notice of Meeting is enclosed with  
this report for shareholders receiving hard 
copy documents, and is available at www.
whitbread.co.uk for those who have elected 
to receive documents electronically. At the 
2016 AGM, all voting will be by poll. Electronic 
handsets will be utilised and results will be 
displayed on the screen at the meeting.

Approved by the Board on 25 April 2016  
and signed.

Chris Vaughan
General Counsel and Company Secretary

Registered Office: 
Whitbread Court 
Houghton Hall Business Park 
Porz Avenue 
Dunstable 
Bedfordshire 
LU5 5XE

Directors’ 
report

96

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated 
accounts 
2015/16

 Directors’ responsibility statement 
98 
 Independent auditor’s report
99 
102   Consolidated income statement 
103   Consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income
104   Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity 

105   Consolidated balance sheet 
106   Consolidated cash flow statement 
107   Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements 

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Whitbread 
Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16

Consolidated  
accounts 2015/16

97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ responsibility 
statement

Statement of directors’ responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report 
and Accounts in accordance with applicable UK laws and 
regulations. UK company law requires the directors to prepare 
financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, 
the directors have prepared the Group financial statements in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union (EU) and 
applicable UK law. Further, they have elected to prepare the 
Company financial statements in accordance with Financial 
Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’  
and applicable UK law.

Under company law, the directors must not approve the 
financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give  
a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and 
Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. 

In preparing the Group financial statements, the directors  
are required to:
• select suitable accounting policies in accordance with  
IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting 
Estimates and Errors, and then apply them consistently;

• present information, including accounting policies, in  

a manner which presents relevant, reliable, comparable  
and understandable information;

• provide additional disclosures when compliance with the 

specific requirements in IFRS is insufficient to enable users 
to understand the impact of particular transactions, other 
events and conditions on the Group’s financial position and 
financial performance; 

• state that the Group financial statements comply with IFRS, 
subject to any material departures disclosed and explained 
in the financial statements;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and 

prudent; and

• prepare the consolidated financial statements on a going 

concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the 
Group will continue in its business.

In preparing the Company financial statements, the directors 
are required to:
• select suitable accounting policies and apply them 

consistently;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and 

prudent;

• state whether applicable UK accounting standards have 

been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed 
and explained in the financial statements; and

• 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 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 comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, with 
regard to the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the  
IAS Regulation. They are also responsible for the system  
of internal control for safeguarding the assets of the Group  
and the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps  
to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for preparing the strategic 
report (including the corporate governance report) and the 
directors’ remuneration report and the directors’ report in 
accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and applicable 
regulations, including the Listing Rules and the Disclosure  
and Transparency Rules. 

A copy of the financial statements of the Group is posted  
on the Group’s website. The directors are responsible for the 
maintenance and integrity of the Annual Report included on 
the website. Information published on the Group’s website is 
accessible in many countries with different legal requirements. 
Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements may differ from 
legislation in other jurisdictions.

Each of the directors, the names and functions of whom  
are set out on pages 64 and 65, confirms that, to the best  
of their knowledge, they have complied with the above 
requirements in preparing the financial statements in 
accordance with applicable accounting standards and that 
the financial statements give a true and fair view of the  
assets, liabilities, financial position and result of the Group.  
In addition, each of the directors confirms that the strategic 
report includes a fair review of the development and 
performance of the business and the position of the Group 
and together with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that it faces.

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual  
Report in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 
Having taken advice from the Audit Committee, the Board 
considers the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, 
to be fair, balanced and understandable and that it provides 
the information necessary for the shareholders to assess  
the Group’s and Company’s performance, business model  
and strategy.

Signed on behalf of the Board

Alison Brittain 
Chief Executive 

Nicholas Cadbury
Finance Director

Consolidated 
accounts 2015/16

98

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Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent auditor’s report  
to the members of Whitbread PLC

Opinion on the financial statements of Whitbread PLC 
In our opinion:
• the financial statements give a true and fair view of the  
state of the Group’s and of the parent Company’s affairs  
as at 3 March 2016 and of the Group’s profit for the year 
then ended;

• the Group financial statements have been properly prepared 

in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union;
• the parent Company financial statements have been 

properly prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting 
Standard 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’; and 

• the financial statements have been prepared in accordance 
with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and,  
as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the 
IAS Regulation. 

The financial statements comprise the consolidated income 
statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, 
the consolidated statement of changes in equity, the consolidated 
balance sheet, the consolidated cash flow statement, the 
parent Company balance sheet, Group related notes 1 to 33 
and the parent Company related notes 1 to 11. The financial 
reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation 
of the Group financial statements is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted 
by the European Union. The financial reporting framework 
that has been applied in the preparation of the parent 
Company financial statements is applicable law and Financial 
Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’.

Going concern and the directors’ assessment of the 
principal risks that would threaten the solvency or liquidity 
of the Group
As required by the Listing Rules we have reviewed the 
directors’ statement regarding the appropriateness of the 
going concern basis of accounting contained within the 
directors’ report on page 96 and the directors’ statement  
on the longer–term viability of the Group contained within  
the strategic report on page 46. 

We agreed with the directors’ adoption of the going concern 
basis of accounting and we did not identify any such material 
uncertainties. However, because not all future events or 
conditions can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee 
as to the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.

We have nothing material to add or draw attention to in 
relation to:
• the directors’ confirmation on page 46 that they have 

carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing 
the Group, including those that would threaten its business 
model, future performance, solvency or liquidity;

• the disclosures on pages 48 and 49 that describe those 

risks and explain how they are being managed or mitigated;

• the directors’ statement within the directors’ report on  

page 96 about whether they considered it appropriate to 
adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing 
them and their identification of any material uncertainties  
to the Group’s ability to continue to do so over a period  
of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the 
financial statements;

• the directors’ explanation on page 46 as to how they have 
assessed the prospects of the Group, over what period  
they have done so and why they consider that period to  
be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they  
have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able  
to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they  
fall due over the period of their assessment, including any 
related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary 
qualifications or assumptions.

Independence
We are required to comply with the Financial Reporting 
Council’s Ethical Standards for Auditors and we confirm that 
we are independent of the Group and we have fulfilled our 
other ethical responsibilities in accordance with those 
standards. We also confirm we have not provided any of the 
prohibited non–audit services referred to in those standards.

Our assessment of risks of material misstatement
The key risks we identified were:
• revenue recognition;
• defined benefit obligation; and
• management override of controls.

The assessed risks of material misstatement described below 
are those that had the greatest effect on our audit strategy, 
the allocation of resources in the audit and directing the 
efforts of the engagement team.

The description of risks below should be read in conjunction 
with the significant issues considered by the Audit Committee 
discussed on pages 71 to 73.

These matters were addressed in the context of our audit  
of the financial statements as a whole and in forming our 
opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion  
on these matters.

Risk — Revenue recognition
We focused on this area due to the significant value of revenue to  
the Group, £2.9bn (2015: £2.6bn). The main revenue streams comprise  
a high volume of low value transactions in accommodation, restaurants 
and food and beverage sales. The risk around revenue is focused  
on adjustments to revenue outside of these transactional amounts,  
for example in respect of loyalty schemes and franchise fees.  
See Note 3, page 116.

How the scope of our audit responded to the risk
To address this risk we have performed the following procedures:
• Significant risk areas: we tested a sample of manual journal entries 
posted to revenue and verified to supporting documentation to 
confirm the entry was valid and appropriate. For loyalty schemes  
we have tested the redemption rate calculation, agreed the  
number of loyalty points outstanding to third–party evidence and  
re–performed the liability calculation. For franchise income we  
have recalculated the deferred revenue based on agreements  
with franchisees.

We have also performed the following other procedures over revenue:
• Controls testing: we tested the controls over revenue including  
those in the IT systems that support the recording of revenue;
• Analytical reviews: we have performed substantive analytical 

procedures on the major revenue streams; and

• Tests of details: we used analytical software to perform substantive 
tests of detail for a sample of the revenue balance by reconciling 
source data for each sample to the general ledger and cash receipts.

99

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16Consolidated accounts 2015/16Overview p1/3Strategic report p4/61Governance p62/96Consolidated accounts 2015/16 p97/149Company accounts 2015/16 p150/165Independent auditor’s report  
to the members of Whitbread PLC 
continued 

Risk — Defined benefit obligation
We have focused on this risk due to the size of the net deficit, £288.1m 
(2015: £553.8m). The actuarial assumptions, such as discount rate,  
inflation and mortality, used to value the defined benefit pension  
scheme obligation are judgemental, and a small change in assumptions 
outside of the requirements of IAS 19(R) Employee Benefits may result  
in a material difference to the liability.

The Group engages independent actuaries to assist in its assessment  
of the defined benefit obligation. See Note 31, page 144.

How the scope of our audit responded to the risk
To address this risk we performed the following procedures:

• Actuarial assumptions: our actuarial audit specialists challenged the 
key assumptions used by the Group’s actuaries in the valuation of the 
pension scheme by using external data to benchmark against market 
practice to assess their appropriateness in calculating the scheme 
assets and liabilities.

This included comparison of the discount rate and inflation assumption 
with external market data and benchmarking mortality assumptions 
against standard mortality tables. We also tested the information 
provided to the actuaries; and

• Asset values: we have verified pension plan assets and values held to 
external confirmations from relevant fund managers. We have tested 
the roll–forward of plan asset values to the year–end date. We have 
re–performed valuations of quoted funds.

Risk — Management override of controls
There are a number of judgements across the consolidated financial 
statements which are not significant individually, but which could be  
in combination.

We therefore focused on management override of controls in particular in 
relation to potential management bias in key judgements which include:
• residual values and useful economic lives (UELs) of fixed  

assets (Note 2);

• fixed asset impairments (Note 15);
• property provisions (Note 23);
• valuation of the defined benefit pension liability (Note 31);
• assessment of deferred tax (Note 9); and
• judgemental items in revenue (Note 4).

Certain of these are included in the Group’s assessment of the significant 
accounting judgements and estimates as disclosed in Note 2 of the 
consolidated financial statements.

How the scope of our audit responded to the risk
To address the risk we have performed the following procedures:
• we have sample tested the residual values and UELs associated  

with categories of assets, including benchmarking to industry data  
and using information provided by the Whitbread property 
department, and tested the mechanical accuracy of the depreciation 
model and assumptions;

• we tested fixed asset impairments by assessing the assumptions in the 
business plans, growth rates, discount rates (with the assistance of 
valuations experts) and key risks to the plan that could impact fixed 
asset impairment;

• we agreed property provisions to underlying contracts and purchase 
prices to valuers’ reports and performed sensitivity analysis on the 
main assumptions, including discount rates, estimates of future sub–
lease income and periods of non–use;

• we benchmarked the key assumptions used in the valuation of the 

defined benefit pension liability (separately identified as a significant 
risk — please see above);

• our tax audit specialists assessed the principles applied to compute  
the deferred tax balances and performed detailed testing of the 
deferred tax balance with consideration of the judgements made;

• analysis of adjustments to revenue (separately identified as a 

significant risk — please see above); and

• challenge and assessment of journal postings exhibiting key 

characteristics of fraud and/or management override to determine 
whether they represent valid journals.

We considered each of these areas individually for evidence of 
management bias in the context of the Group’s control environment  
and IT systems, and also performed an overall assessment as to  
whether there was any cumulative bias across the consolidated  
financial statements.

Our application of materiality
We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement  
in the financial statements that makes it probable that the 
economic decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable person 
would be changed or influenced. We use materiality both in 
planning the scope of our audit work and in evaluating the 
results of our work.

We determined materiality for the Group to be £25.0m, which  
is below 1% of revenue, below 5% of profit before tax, and 
below 2% of equity. 

Our audit work at each location was executed at levels of 
materiality applicable to each individual entity which were 
lower than Group materiality and ranged from £0.5m  
to £20.0m.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to 
the Committee all audit differences in excess of £0.5m, as well as 
differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted 
reporting on qualitative grounds. We also report to the Audit 
Committee on disclosure matters that we identified when 
assessing the overall presentation of the financial statements. 

An overview of the scope of our audit 
Our Group audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of 
the Group and its environment, including Group–wide controls, 
and assessing the risks of material misstatement at the Group 
level. Based on that assessment, we focused our Group audit 
scope primarily on the audit work at five components:  
WHR UK, Costa UK, Costa Poland, Costa Shanghai and WHRI.  
The first four of these were subject to a full audit where the 
extent of our testing was based on our assessment of the risks 
of material misstatement and of the materiality of the Group’s 
operations at those locations and WHRI was subject to review 
procedures performed by the Group audit team. These 
locations represent the principal business units and together 
account for 99.5% of the Group’s revenue and 96.9% of the 
Group’s profit before tax. They were also selected to provide  
an appropriate basis for undertaking audit work to address  
the risks of material misstatement identified above.

At the parent entity level we also tested the consolidation 
process and carried out analytical procedures to confirm  
our conclusion that there were no significant risks of material 
misstatement of the aggregated financial information  
of the remaining components not subject to audit or audit  
of specified account balances.

The Group audit team followed a programme of planned visits 
that has been designed so that a senior member of the audit 
team visits each of the locations where the Group audit scope 

100

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significant of them at least once a year. In the current year  
we visited China and Poland. In years when we do not visit  
a significant component we will include the component  
audit team in our team briefing, discuss their risk assessment 
and review documentation of the findings from their work.

Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies  
Act 2006 
In our opinion:
• the part of the directors’ remuneration report to be  

audited has been properly prepared in accordance with  
the Companies Act 2006; and

• 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.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 

Adequacy of explanations received and accounting records
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report  
to you if, in our opinion:
• we have not received all the information and explanations 

we require for our audit; or

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 
parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have  
not been received from branches not visited by us; or
• the parent Company financial statements are not in 
agreement with the accounting records and returns.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

Directors’ remuneration
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are also required  
to report if, in our opinion, certain disclosures of directors’ 
remuneration have not been made or the part of the  
directors’ remuneration report to be audited is not in 
agreement with the accounting records and returns.  
We have nothing to report arising from these matters.

Corporate governance statement
Under the Listing Rules we are also required to review  
part of the corporate governance statement relating to the 
Company’s compliance with certain provisions of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code. We have nothing to report 
arising from our review.

Our duty to read other information in the Annual Report
Under International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland), 
we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, 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 acquired  
in the course of performing our audit; or

• otherwise misleading.

In particular, we are required to consider whether we have 
identified any inconsistencies between our knowledge 
acquired during the audit and the directors’ statement  
that they consider the Annual Report is fair, balanced and 
understandable and whether the Annual Report appropriately 
discloses those matters that we communicated to the  
Audit Committee which we consider should have been 
disclosed. We confirm that we have not identified any  
such inconsistencies or misleading statements.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities 
statement, 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 International Standards on Auditing 
(UK and Ireland). We also comply with International Standard 
on Quality Control 1 (UK and Ireland). Our audit methodology 
and tools aim to ensure that our quality control procedures 
are effective, understood and applied. Our quality controls 
and systems include our dedicated professional standards 
review team and independent partner reviews.

This report is made solely to the Company’s members,  
as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the 
Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken  
so that we might state to the Company’s members those 
matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s  
report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent 
permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility 
to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s 
members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or  
for the opinions we have formed.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements
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: whether the accounting 
policies are appropriate to the Group’s and the parent 
Company’s circumstances and have been consistently applied 
and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant 
accounting estimates made by the directors; and the overall 
presentation of the financial statements. 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.

Nicola Mitchell fca 
(Senior statutory auditor) 
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP,  
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 
London 
25 April 2016

101

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16Consolidated accounts 2015/16Overview p1/3Strategic report p4/61Governance p62/96Consolidated accounts 2015/16 p97/149Company accounts 2015/16 p150/165Consolidated income statement
Year ended 3 March 2016

Revenue 
Operating costs 

Operating profit 

Share of profit from joint ventures 
Share of profit from associate 

Operating profit of the Group, joint ventures and associate 

Finance costs 
Finance revenue 

Profit before tax 

Analysed as: 
Underlying profit before tax 
  Exceptional items and non underlying adjustments 

Profit before tax 

Tax expense 

Analysed as: 
  Underlying tax expense 
  Tax on exceptional items and non underlying adjustments 

Tax expense 

Profit for the year 

Attributable to: 
  Parent shareholders 
  Non–controlling interest 

Earnings per share 
(Note 11) 

Earnings per share 
Basic 
Diluted 

Underlying earnings per share 
Basic 
Diluted 

Notes 

3, 4 
5 

16 
17 

8 
8 

4 

4 
6 

4 

9 
6 

9 

Year to 
3 March 
2016 
£m 

Year to  
26 February 
2015 
£m 

2,921.8 
(2,397.9) 

2,608.1  
(2,110.6)

523.9 

497.5

3.3 
0.9 

528.1 

(41.2) 
0.8 

487.7 

546.3 
(58.6) 

487.7 

(100.4) 

(116.1) 
15.7 

(100.4) 

2.6 
0.8 

500.9 

(39.4) 
2.3

463.8 

488.1  
(24.3) 

463.8 

(97.7)

(104.9)  
7.2

(97.7) 

387.3 

366.1

391.2 
(3.9) 

387.3 

370.1  
(4.0)

366.1 

Year to 
3 March 
2016 
pence 

Year to  
26 February 
2015 
pence 

215.66 
214.00 

204.81 
202.79

238.65 
236.82 

213.67 
211.56

102

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Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Year ended 3 March 2016

Profit for the year 

Items that will not be reclassified to the income statement: 
Re–measurement gain/(loss) on defined benefit pension scheme 
Current tax on pensions 
Deferred tax on pensions 
Deferred tax: change in rate of corporation tax on pensions 

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the income statement: 
Net gain/(loss) on cash flow hedges 
Current tax on cash flow hedges 
Deferred tax on cash flow hedges 
Deferred tax: change in rate of corporation tax on cash flow hedges 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 

Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year, net of tax 

Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax 

Attributable to: 
  Parent shareholders 
  Non–controlling interest 

Notes 

31 
9 
9 
9 

25 
9 
9 
9 

Year to 
3 March 
2016 
£m 

387.3 

Year to  
26 February 
2015 
£m 

366.1 

201.6 
14.7 
(55.4) 
(0.7) 

160.2 

6.5 
(0.9) 
(0.4) 
(0.1) 

5.1 

7.1 

(76.3) 
15.4  
0.8  
—

(60.1)

(3.0) 
— 
0.6  
—

(2.4)

1.7

172.4 

(60.8)

559.7 

305.3 

563.5 
(3.8) 

559.7 

309.3 
(4.0)

305.3 

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Consolidated statement of changes in equity
Year ended 3 March 2016

Share 
Share 
capital  premium 
(Note 27)  (Note 28) 
£m 

£m 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
(Note 28) 
£m 

Retained 
earnings 
(Note 28) 
£m 

Currency 

reserve 

translation  Treasury 
reserve 
(Note 28)  (Note 28) 
£m 

£m 

Merger  Hedging 
reserve 
reserve 
(Note 28)  (Note 28) 
£m 

£m 

Non– 
  controlling 
interest 
£m 

Total 
£m 

Total 
equity 
£m

At 27 February 2014 

 149.6  

 56.2  

 12.3   3,644.5  

 (3.1)   (212.6)  (1,855.0)   (18.4)  1,773.5  

 9.5   1,783.0 

Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive loss 

— 
— 

Total comprehensive income  — 

0.2  
— 

Ordinary shares issued 
Loss on ESOT shares issued  
Accrued share–based  
  payments 
—  
Tax on share–based payments  — 
Equity dividends 
— 
— 
Additions 

— 
— 

— 

 3.0  
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
—  

— 

— 
— 

 370.1  
 (59.5) 

310.6  

— 
 (8.1) 

 13.5  
— 
—  
 3.1  
—    (130.6) 
— 
— 

— 
1.7 

1.7 

— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 

— 

—  
 8.1  

—  
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 

— 

— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
 (3.0) 

370.1  
(60.8) 

 (4.0)   366.1  
(60.8)

— 

 (3.0) 

 309.3  

(4.0)  305.3 

— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 

3.2  
— 

— 
— 

3.2 
— 

 13.5  
 3.1  
 (130.6) 
— 

13.5  
— 
— 
 3.1  
—  (130.6) 
 0.4 

 0.4 

At 26 February 2015 

 149.8  

 59.2  

 12.3    3,833.0  

 (1.4)   (204.5)  (1,855.0)   (21.4)  1,972.0  

 5.9   1,977.9 

Profit for the year 
— 
Other comprehensive income  — 

Total comprehensive income  — 

Ordinary shares issued 
Loss on ESOT shares issued 
Accrued share–based  
  payments 
Tax rate change on  
  historical revaluation 
Equity dividends 

0.2 
— 

— 

— 
— 

— 
— 

— 

3.4 
— 

— 

— 
— 

— 
— 

— 

— 
— 

— 

— 
— 

391.2 
158.8 

550.0 

— 
(6.7) 

17.3 

1.3 
(155.1) 

— 
7.0 

7.0 

— 
— 

— 

— 
— 

— 
— 

— 

— 
6.7 

— 

— 
— 

— 
— 

— 

— 
— 

— 

— 
— 

— 
6.5 

6.5 

— 
— 

— 

— 
— 

391.2 
172.3 

563.5 

3.6 
— 

17.3 

(3.9)  387.3 
0.1  172.4

(3.8)  559.7

— 
— 

— 

3.6 
— 

17.3 

1.3 
(155.1) 

— 
1.3 
—  (155.1)

At 3 March 2016 

150.0 

62.6 

12.3  4,239.8 

5.6  (197.8) (1,855.0)  (14.9)  2,402.6 

2.1  2,404.7

104

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Consolidated balance sheet
At 3 March 2016

ASSETS 

Non–current assets 
Intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Investment in joint ventures 
Investment in associate 
Derivative financial instruments 
Trade and other receivables 

Current assets 
Inventories 
Derivative financial instruments 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

Assets held for sale 

Total assets 

LIABILITIES 

Current liabilities 
Financial liabilities 
Provisions 
Derivative financial instruments 
Income tax liabilities 
Trade and other payables 

Non–current liabilities 
Financial liabilities 
Provisions 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deferred income tax liabilities 
Pension liability 
Trade and other payables 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

EQUITY 

Share capital 
Share premium 
Capital redemption reserve 
Retained earnings 
Currency translation reserve 
Other reserves 

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent 

Non–controlling interest 

Total equity 

Alison Brittain 
Chief Executive 

25 April 2016

Nicholas Cadbury
Finance Director

Notes 

3 March 
2016 
£m 

26 February 
2015 
£m 

13 
14 
16 
17 
25 
19 

18 
25 
19 
20 

14, 17 

258.1 
3,831.0 
39.5 
— 
21.6 
7.7 

248.1 
3,278.4  
30.3  
2.0  
2.2  
7.3

4,157.9 

3,568.3 

44.8 
3.2 
140.0 
57.1 

245.1 

2.3 

37.1 
1.2  
124.0  
2.1 

164.4 

1.1 

4 

4,405.3 

3,733.8 

21 
23 
25 
9 
26 

21 
23 
25 
9 
31 
26 

4 

4 

27 
28 
28 
28 
28 
28 

94.0 
14.7 
4.4 
41.2 
538.2 

692.5 

872.9 
22.7 
9.6 
94.7 
288.1 
20.1 

73.1  
6.7  
4.8  
35.4  
464.1 

584.1

512.2  
27.8  
13.8  
43.7  
553.8  
20.5 

1,308.1 

1,171.8 

2,000.6 

1,755.9 

2,404.7 

1,977.9 

150.0 
62.6 
12.3 
4,239.8 
5.6 
(2,067.7) 

149.8  
59.2  
12.3  
3,833.0  
(1.4)  
(2,080.9)

2,402.6 

 1,972.0

2.1 

5.9 

2,404.7 

1,977.9 

105

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Consolidated cash flow statement
Year ended 3 March 2016

Profit for the year 

Adjustments for: 
  Taxation charged on total operations 
  Net finance cost 
  Total income from joint ventures 
  Total income from associate 
  Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and property reversions 
  Depreciation and amortisation 

Impairment of property, plant and equipment  

  Share–based payments 
  Other non–cash items 

Cash generated from operations before working capital changes 

Increase in inventories 
Increase in trade and other receivables 
Increase in trade and other payables 

Cash generated from operations 

Payments against provisions 
Pension payments 
Interest paid 
Interest received 
Corporation taxes paid 

Net cash flows from operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Purchase of intangible assets 
Costs of disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Business combinations, net of cash acquired 
Capital contributions and loans to joint ventures 
Dividends from associate 

Net cash flows from investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 
Proceeds from issue of share capital 
Increase in short–term borrowings 
Proceeds from long–term borrowings 
(Repayments of)/increases in long–term borrowings 
Renegotiation costs of long–term borrowings 
Dividends paid 

Net cash flows from financing activities 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
Opening cash and cash equivalents 
Foreign exchange differences 

Closing cash and cash equivalents shown within current assets on the balance sheet 

Year to 
3 March 
2016 
£m 

387.3 

Year to  
26 February 
2015 
£m 

366.1 

100.4 
40.4 
(3.3) 
(0.9) 
20.9 
197.6 
5.4 
17.3 
5.6 

770.7 

(7.6) 
(15.2) 
34.3 

782.2 

(15.1) 
(84.3) 
(25.6) 
0.6 
(85.1) 

572.7 

97.7  
37.1  
(2.6)  
(0.8) 
3.3 
168.4  
(3.4)  
13.5  
7.9

687.2 

(6.6) 
(7.4) 
41.0

714.2 

(12.3) 
(81.4) 
(18.6) 
0.3 
(82.8)

519.4 

(680.3) 
(35.4) 
(0.2) 
(9.2) 
(3.0) 
0.8 

(518.5) 
(27.3) 
(0.1) 
(19.5) 
(0.6) 
0.8 

(727.3) 

(565.2)

3.6 
20.8 
445.2 
(101.9) 
(3.6) 
(155.1) 

209.0 

54.4 
2.1 
0.6 

57.1 

3.2  
71.2  
—  
63.9 
(0.4) 
(130.6)

7.3

(38.5) 
41.4  
(0.8) 

2.1

Notes 

9 
8 
16 
17 
6 
13, 14 
14, 15 
30 

23 
31 

4 
4 

10 

22 
22 
22 
22 
12 

22 
22 
22 

20 

106

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
At 3 March 2016

 1 Authorisation of consolidated financial statements

The consolidated financial statements of Whitbread PLC for the year ended 3 March 2016 were authorised for issue  
by the Board of Directors on 25 April 2016. Whitbread PLC is a public limited company incorporated and fully domiciled  
in England and Wales. The Company’s ordinary shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange.

The significant activities of the Group are described in Note 4, Segment information.

2 Accounting policies

Basis of accounting and preparation
The consolidated financial statements of Whitbread PLC and all its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted for use in the European Union and as applied in accordance 
with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

The consolidated financial statements are presented in pounds sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest hundred 
thousand except when otherwise indicated. The financial year represents the 53 weeks to 3 March 2016 (prior financial year:  
52 weeks to 26 February 2015). The significant accounting policies adopted are set out below. 

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are consistent with those 
followed in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 26 February 2015, except for the 
adoption of the new standards and interpretations that are applicable for the year ended 3 March 2016.

The Group has adopted the following standards and interpretations which have been assessed as having no financial  
impact or disclosure requirements at this time:

• The IASB’s annual improvement process, 2010–2012;
• The IASB’s annual improvement process, 2011–2013;
• IFRIC Interpretation 21 Levies (IFRIC 21); and
• IAS 19 Defined Benefit Plans: Employee Contributions — Amendment to IAS 19.

Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the accounts of Whitbread PLC and all its subsidiaries, together with  
the Group’s share of the net assets and results of joint ventures and associate incorporated using the equity method of 
accounting. These are adjusted, where appropriate, to conform to Group accounting policies. The financial statements of 
significant trading subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting year as the parent Company except for Yueda Costa 
(Shanghai) Food & Beverage Management Company Limited which has a year–end of 31 December as per Chinese legislation.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the Group. Control is the power to direct the relevant activities of the subsidiary  
which significantly affect the subsidiary’s return, so as to have rights to the variable return from its activities.

Apart from the acquisition of Whitbread Group PLC by Whitbread PLC in 2000/01, which was accounted for using merger 
accounting, acquisitions by the Group are accounted for under the acquisition method and any goodwill arising is capitalised  
as an intangible asset. The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated 
financial statements from, or up to, the date that control passes respectively. All intra–Group transactions, balances, income 
and expenses are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated, unless the transaction provides evidence  
of an impairment of the asset transferred.

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At 3 March 2016

2 Accounting policies continued

Significant accounting policies
Goodwill
Goodwill arising on acquisition is capitalised and represents the excess of the fair value of consideration over the Group’s 
interest in the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of a subsidiary, at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is reviewed 
for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may  
be impaired. On disposal of a subsidiary, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit  
or loss on disposal.

Intangible assets
Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are carried initially at cost. An intangible asset acquired as part of  
a business combination is recognised outside of goodwill if the asset is separable, or arises from contractual or other legal 
rights, and its fair value can be measured reliably.

Amortisation is calculated on a straight–line basis over the estimated life of the asset as follows:
• trading licences have an indefinite life;
• reacquired franchise rights are amortised over the life of the acquired franchise agreement;
• IT software and technology is amortised over periods of three to six years;
• the asset in relation to acquired customer relationships is amortised over 15 years; and
• operating rights agreements are amortised over the life of the contract.

The carrying values are reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they may not be recoverable.

Property, plant and equipment
Prior to the 1999/2000 financial year, properties were regularly revalued on a cyclical basis. Since this date, the Group  
policy has been not to revalue its properties and, whilst previous valuations have been retained, they have not been updated.  
As permitted by IFRS 1, the Group has elected to use the UK GAAP revaluations before the date of transition to IFRS as 
deemed cost at the date of transition. Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost or deemed cost at transition to IFRS, 
less accumulated depreciation and any impairment in value. Gross interest costs incurred on the financing of qualifying assets 
are capitalised until the time that the assets are available for use. Depreciation is calculated on a straight–line basis over the 
estimated useful life of the asset as follows:
• freehold land is not depreciated;
• freehold and long leasehold buildings are depreciated to their estimated residual values over periods up to 50 years; and
• plant and equipment is depreciated over three to 30 years.

The residual values are reviewed annually.

The carrying values of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be recoverable. Any impairment in the values of property, plant  
and equipment is charged to the income statement.

Profits and losses on disposal of property, plant and equipment reflect the difference between net selling price and carrying 
amount at the date of disposal and are recognised in the income statement.

Payments made on entering into, or acquiring, leaseholds that are accounted for as operating leases represent prepaid  
lease payments. These are amortised on a straight–line basis over the lease term.

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Impairment
The Group assesses assets or groups of assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that  
the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Individual assets are grouped, for impairment assessment purposes,  
at the lowest level at which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups  
of assets (cash generating units or CGUs). If such indication of impairment exists, or when annual impairment testing for an 
asset group is required, the Group makes an estimate of the recoverable amount.

An assessment is made at each reporting date as to whether there is any indication that previously recognised impairment 
losses may no longer exist or may have decreased. If such an indication exists, the CGU’s recoverable amount is estimated.  
A previously recognised impairment loss is reversed only if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the 
asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognised. If that is the case, the carrying amount of the  
asset is increased to its recoverable amount. That increased amount cannot exceed the carrying amount that would have  
been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior years. Such a reversal  
is recognised in the income statement. After such a reversal, the depreciation charge is adjusted in future periods to allocate  
the asset’s carrying amount, less any residual value, on a straight–line basis over its remaining useful life.

The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. In assessing 
value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value, using a pre–tax discount rate that reflects 
current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. For an asset that does not  
generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined with reference to the CGU to which the  
asset belongs. Impairment losses are recognised in the consolidated income statement within operating costs.

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of an asset or CGU exceeds its estimated recoverable amount. 
Impairment losses recognised in respect of CGUs are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated  
to the units and then to reduce the carrying amounts of other assets in the CGU, on a pro–rata basis. 

For the purposes of impairment testing, all centrally held assets are allocated in line with IAS 36 to CGUs based on 
management’s view of the consumption of the asset. Any resulting impairment is recorded against the centrally held asset.

Goodwill and intangibles
Goodwill acquired through business combinations is allocated to groups of CGUs at the level management monitor goodwill, 
which is at strategic business unit level. The Group performs an annual review of its goodwill to ensure that its carrying  
amount is not greater than its recoverable amount. In the absence of a comparable recent market transaction that 
demonstrates that the fair value, less the costs of disposal, of goodwill and intangible assets exceeds their carrying amount,  
the recoverable amount is determined from value in use calculations. An impairment is then made to reduce the carrying 
amount to the higher of the fair value less the costs of disposal and the value in use.

Property, plant and equipment
For the purposes of the impairment review of property, plant and equipment, the Group considers each trading outlet  
to be a separate CGU.

The carrying values of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Consideration is also given, where appropriate, to the market value of the asset either from independent sources or, in 
conjunction with, an accepted industry valuation methodology.

Investments in joint ventures and associates
The Group assesses investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying  
value may not be recoverable. If any such indication of impairment exists, the carrying amount of the investment is compared 
with its recoverable amount, being the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. Where the carrying  
amount exceeds the recoverable amount, the investment is written down to its recoverable amount. 

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At 3 March 2016

2 Accounting policies continued

Assets held for sale
Non–current assets and disposal groups are classified as held for sale only if available for immediate sale in their present 
condition and a sale is highly probable and expected to be completed within one year from the date of classification. Such assets 
are measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value, less the cost to sell, and are not depreciated or amortised.

Inventories 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is calculated on the basis of first in, first out and net 
realisable value is the estimated selling price less any costs to sell.

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when: the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event; it is probable 
that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the 
obligation. 

Provisions are discounted to present value, using a pre–tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the 
time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. The amortisation of the discount is recognised as a finance cost.

Onerous contracts
Present obligations arising under onerous contracts are recognised and measured as provisions. An onerous contract  
is considered to exist where the Group has a contract under which the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under  
the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it.

Warranties
Provisions for the expected costs of warranty obligations arising on the acquisition or disposal of a business are recognised at 
the date of the relevant transaction, at the directors’ best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the Group’s obligation.

Non underlying performance measure
To monitor the financial performance of the Group, certain items are excluded from the profit measure. This measure is called 
‘underlying’ and represents the business performance excluding items that the directors consider could distort the understanding 
of the performance or the comparability between periods. The face of the income statement presents underlying profit before  
tax and reconciles this to profit before tax as required to be presented under the applicable accounting standards. 

Underlying earnings per share is calculated having adjusted profit after tax on the same basis. The term underlying profit  
is not defined under IFRSs and may not be comparable with similarly titled profit measures reported by other companies.  
It is not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to, statutory measurements of profit. The adjustments made to reported 
profit in the consolidated income statement, in order to present an underlying performance measure, include:

Exceptional items 
The Group includes in non underlying performance measures those items which are exceptional by virtue of their size or 
incidence so as to allow a better understanding of the underlying trading performance of the Group. The Group includes  
within exceptional items the profit or loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, property reversions and other onerous 
leases, profit or loss on the sale of a business, impairment and exceptional interest and tax;

IAS 19 income statement finance charge/credit for defined benefit pension schemes
Underlying profit excludes the finance cost/revenue element of IAS 19 as this does not relate to the Group’s ongoing  
activities as the schemes are closed to future accrual; 

Amortisation charge on acquired intangible assets
Underlying profit excludes the amortisation charge on acquired intangible assets as this relates to transactions outside of the 
underlying business; and 

Taxation 
The tax impact of the items above and the impact of tax rate changes are also excluded in arriving at underlying earnings.

Foreign currency translation 
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange quoted  
at the balance sheet date. Non–monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated 
using the exchange rates as at the dates of the initial transactions.

Trading results are translated into the functional currency (generally sterling) at average rates of exchange for the year. Day–to–
day transactions in a foreign currency are recorded in the functional currency at an average rate for the month in  
which those transactions take place, which is used as a reasonable approximation to the actual transaction rate. Translation 
differences on monetary items are taken to the income statement. The differences that arise from translating the results of 
foreign entities at average rates of exchange, and their assets and liabilities at closing rates, are also dealt with in a separate

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component of equity. On disposal of a foreign entity, the deferred cumulative amount recognised in equity relating to that 
particular foreign operation is recognised in the income statement. All other currency gains and losses are dealt with in the 
income statement.

A number of subsidiaries within the Group have a non–sterling functional currency. The financial performance and end position 
of these entities are translated into sterling in the consolidated financial statements. Balance sheet items are translated at the 
rate applicable at the balance sheet date. Transactions reported in the income statement are translated using an average rate 
for the month in which they occur.

Revenue recognition 
Revenue is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of the goods or services provided have transferred to the buyer, 
the amount of revenue can be measured reliably and it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction 
will flow to the Group.

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration receivable from the sale of goods and services to third–parties after 
deducting discounts, allowances for customer loyalty and other promotional activities. Revenue includes duties which the 
Group pays as principal, but excludes amounts collected on behalf of other parties, such as value added tax. All sales between 
Group businesses are eliminated on consolidation.

Revenue of the Group comprises the following streams:

Sale of goods
Revenue from the sale of food, beverages and merchandise is recognised at the point of sale, with the exception of wholesale 
transactions which are recognised on delivery.

The Group operate some customer loyalty programmes. Where award credits are granted as part of a sale transaction,  
a portion of revenue equal to the fair value of the award points earned is deferred until redemption. The fair value of points 
awarded is determined with reference to the discount received upon redemption and the level of redemption; 

Rendering of services
Revenue from room sales and other guest services is recognised when rooms are occupied and as services are provided; and

Franchise fees
Revenue from fees received in connection with the franchise of the Group’s brand names is recognised when earned.

Leases
Leases where the lessor retains substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership of the asset are classified as operating 
leases. Rental payments in respect of operating leases are charged against operating profit on a straight–line basis over the 
period of the lease. Lease incentives are recognised as a reduction of rental costs over the lease term.

Finance revenue
Interest income is recognised as the interest accrues, using the effective interest method.

Borrowing costs 
Borrowing costs are recognised as an expense in the period in which they are incurred, except for gross interest costs incurred 
on the financing of major projects, which are capitalised until the time that the projects are available for use.

Retirement benefits
In respect of the defined benefit pension scheme, the obligation recognised in the balance sheet represents the present value 
of the defined benefit obligation, reduced by the fair value of the scheme assets. The cost of providing benefits is determined 
using the projected unit credit actuarial valuation method. Re–measurements are recognised in full in the period in which they 
occur in the statement of comprehensive income and are not reclassified to the income statement in subsequent periods.

For defined benefit plans, the employer’s portion of the past and current service cost is charged to operating profit, with net 
interest costs reported within finance costs. In addition, all administration costs, other than those relating to the management 
of plan assets or taxes payable by the plan itself, are charged as incurred to operating costs in the income statement. Net 
interest is calculated by applying the opening discount rate to the opening net defined benefit obligation taking into account 
the expected contributions and benefits paid.

Curtailments and settlements relating to the Group’s defined benefit plan are recognised in the period in which the curtailment 
or settlement occurs.

Payments to defined contribution pension schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

111

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At 3 March 2016

2 Accounting policies continued

Share–based payment transactions
Equity–settled transactions
Certain employees and directors of the Group receive equity–settled remuneration in the form of share–based payment 
transactions, whereby employees render services in exchange for shares or rights over shares. The cost of equity–settled 
transactions with employees is measured by reference to the fair value, determined using a stochastic model, at the date at 
which they are granted. The cost of equity–settled transactions is recognised, together with a corresponding increase in equity, 
over the period in which the performance conditions or non–vesting conditions are fulfilled, ending on the relevant vesting 
date. Except for awards subject to market–related conditions for vesting, the cumulative expense recognised for equity–settled 
transactions, at each reporting date until the vesting date, reflects the extent to which the vesting period has expired, and is 
adjusted to reflect the directors’ best available estimate of the number of equity instruments that will ultimately vest. The 
income statement charge or credit for a period represents the movement in cumulative expense recognised as at the 
beginning and end of that period. If options are subject to market–related conditions, awards are not cumulatively adjusted  
for the likelihood of these targets being met. Instead, these conditions are included in the fair value of the awards.

Where an equity–settled award is cancelled, it is treated as if it had vested on the date of cancellation, and any expense  
not yet recognised for the award is recognised immediately. Where an equity–settled award is forfeited, the related expense 
recognised to date is reversed.

Cash–settled transactions
The cost is fair–valued at grant date and expensed over the period until the vesting date, with recognition of a corresponding 
liability. The liability is re–measured to fair value at each reporting date, up to and including the settlement date, with changes 
in fair value recognised in the income statement for the period.

Tax
The income tax charge represents both the income tax payable, based on profit for the year and deferred income tax.

Deferred income tax is recognised in full, using the liability method, in respect of temporary differences between the tax base 
of the Group’s assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts that have originated but have not been reversed by the balance 
sheet date. No deferred tax is recognised if the temporary difference arises from goodwill, or the initial recognition of an asset 
or liability, in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting 
profit nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred income tax is recognised in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with 
investments in associates and interests in joint ventures, except where the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences 
can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which  
the deductible temporary differences can be utilised. The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed at each 
balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow 
all, or part of, the deferred income tax asset to be utilised.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year when the asset is 
realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Income tax is charged or credited to other comprehensive income if it relates to items that are charged or credited to other 
comprehensive income. Similarly, income tax is charged or credited directly to equity if it relates to items that are charged or 
credited directly to equity. Otherwise, income tax is recognised in the income statement.

Treasury shares
Own equity instruments which are held by the Group (treasury shares) are deducted from equity. No gain or loss is recognised 
in the income statement on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of the Group’s own equity instruments.

Investments in joint ventures and associates
Investments in joint arrangements are classified as either joint operations or joint ventures depending on the contractual  
rights and obligations of each investor. The Group has assessed the nature of its joint arrangements and determined them  
to be joint ventures.

Associates are all entities over which the Group has significant influence but not control, generally accompanying a 
shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights.

Investments in joint ventures and associates are initially recognised at cost, being the fair value of the consideration given, 
including acquisition charges associated with the investment.

After initial recognition, investments in joint ventures and associates are accounted for using the equity method.

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Recognition and derecognition of financial assets and liabilities 
The recognition of financial assets and liabilities occurs when the Group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the 
instrument. The derecognition of financial assets takes place when the Group no longer has the right to cash flows, the risks 
and rewards of ownership, or control of the asset. The derecognition of financial liabilities occurs when the obligation under  
the liability is discharged, cancelled or expires.

Financial assets
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Some assets held by the Group are classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. On initial recognition  
these assets are recognised at fair value. Subsequent measurement is also at fair value, with changes recognised through 
finance revenue or costs in the income statement.

Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables are non–derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an  
active market, do not qualify as trading assets and have not been designated as either fair value through profit and loss or 
available–for–sale. Such assets are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method if the time value of money  
is significant. Gains and losses are recognised in the income statement when the loans and receivables are derecognised  
or impaired, as well as through the amortisation process.

Trade receivables are recognised and carried at original invoice amount less any uncollectable amounts. An estimate for 
doubtful debts is made when collection of the full amount is no longer probable. Bad debts are written off when identified.

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and short–term deposits in the balance sheet comprise cash at bank, cash in hand and short–term deposits with an 
original maturity of three months or less. For the purpose of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents consist  
of cash and cash equivalents as defined above, net of outstanding bank overdrafts. 

Derivative financial instruments 
The Group enters into derivative transactions with a view to managing interest and currency risks associated with underlying 
business activities and the financing of those activities. Derivative financial instruments used by the Group are stated at fair 
value on initial recognition and at subsequent balance sheet dates. Cash flow hedges mitigate exposure to variability in cash 
flows that are either attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognised asset or liability or a forecast transaction.  
Fair value hedges mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognised asset or liability or an unrecognised firm 
commitment and include foreign currency swaps.

Hedge accounting is only used where, at the inception of the hedge, there is formal designation and documentation of the 
hedging relationship, it meets the Group’s risk management objective strategy for undertaking the hedge and it is expected  
to be highly effective.

The fair value of derivative instruments is calculated by discounting all future cash flows by the applicable market yield curves 
at the balance sheet date.

The portion of any gains or losses on cash flow hedges which meet the conditions for hedge accounting and are determined  
to be effective, is recognised directly in the statement of comprehensive income. The gains or losses relating to the ineffective 
portion are recognised immediately in the income statement. 

The change in fair value, of derivatives designated as part of a fair value hedge, is recognised in the income statement  
in finance costs. The change in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability, that is attributable to the hedged risk, is also 
recognised in the income statement within finance costs. 

When a firm commitment that is hedged becomes an asset or a liability recognised on the balance sheet, then, at the time  
the asset or liability is recognised, the associated gains or losses that had previously been recognised in equity are included  
in the initial measurement of the acquisition cost or other carrying amount of the asset or liability. For all other cash flow 
hedges, the gains or losses that are recognised in equity are transferred to the income statement in the same period in  
which the transaction that results from a firm commitment that is hedged affects the income statement.

Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting, are recognised 
immediately in the income statement.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, exercised or no longer qualifies 
for hedge accounting. At that point in time, for cash flow hedges, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument 
recognised in equity is kept in equity until the forecast transaction occurs. If a hedged transaction is no longer expected to 
occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognised in equity is transferred to the income statement. When a fair value hedge  
item is derecognised, the unamortised fair value is recognised immediately in the income statement.

113

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At 3 March 2016

2 Accounting policies continued

Borrowings
Borrowings are initially recognised at the fair value of the consideration received, net of any directly associated issue costs. 
Borrowings are subsequently recorded at amortised cost, with any difference between the amount initially recorded and the 
redemption value, recognised in the income statement using the effective interest method.

Significant accounting judgements and estimates
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect  
the amounts reported as assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date and the amounts reported as revenues and expenses 
during the year. However, the nature of estimation means that the actual outcomes could differ from those estimates. In the 
process of applying the Group’s accounting policies, management has made the following judgements which have the most 
significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements:

Impairment
An impairment test of tangible and intangible assets is undertaken each year on both an EBITDA multiple approach and  
a discounted cash flow approach. Note 15 describes the assumptions used together with an analysis of the sensitivity to 
changes in key assumptions;

Residual values and asset lives
The residual value is the net realisable value of an asset at the end of its useful economic life. The Group has taken an 
assessment of the residual values that are appropriate for the business and reviews this assessment annually.

Asset lives are based upon management’s estimation at the point of capitalisation. Periodically these are reviewed to ensure 
that the estimated lives of the assets are accurate and if not the assets are re–lifed prospectively;

Onerous contracts provisions
Judgement involving estimates is used in determining the value of provisions carried for onerous contracts. This is primarily 
based around assumptions on rent and property–related costs for the period the property is vacant as well as assumptions of 
future rental incomes or potential reverse lease premiums paid. Note 23 provides details of the value of the provisions carried;

Defined benefit pension
Defined benefit pension plans are accounted for in accordance with actuarial advice using the projected unit credit method. 
Note 31 describes the assumptions used together with an analysis of the sensitivity to changes in key assumptions;

Share–based payments
The cost of equity–settled share–based payments is measured with reference to their fair value at grant date calculated using  
a stochastic model, including estimates of inputs of dividend yield, share price volatility and risk free interest rates, as well  
as assumptions on outcomes of non–market vesting conditions. Note 30 provides details of the assumptions applied; and

Taxation 
The calculation of the Group’s total tax charge necessarily involves a degree of estimation and judgement in respect of certain 
items, where the tax treatment cannot be finally determined until resolution has been reached with the relevant tax authority. 
The final resolution of some of these items may give rise to material income statement and/or cash flow variances.

Corporation tax is calculated on the basis of income before taxation, taking into account the relevant local tax rates and 
regulations. For each operating entity, the current income tax expense is calculated and differences between the accounting 
and tax base are determined, resulting in deferred tax assets or liabilities.

Assumptions are also made around the assets which qualify for capital allowances and the level of disallowable expenses  
and these affect the income tax calculation. Provisions may be made for uncertain exposures or recoveries, which can have  
an impact on both deferred and current tax. 

Assumptions are also made around the tax net book value of assets to which capital allowances apply, the level of capital 
allowances, the extent of rollover gains, indexation thereon and the tax base into which they have been rolled.

A deferred tax asset shall be recognised for the carry forward of unused tax losses, pension deficits and unused tax credits  
to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the unused tax losses and unused tax 
credits can be utilised. 

Detailed amounts of the carrying value of corporation and deferred tax can be found in Note 9.

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Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) not effective for the current year and not 
early adopted by the Group
The following standards and interpretations, which have been issued by the IASB and are relevant for the Group, subject 
to EU ratification, become effective after the current year–end and have not been early adopted by the Group:

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments was first issued in November 2009 and had since been amended several times. A complete 
version of the standard was issued in July 2014 and is a replacement of IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and 
Measurement. IFRS 9 covers the classification, measurement and derecognition of financial assets and financial liabilities, 
together with a new hedge accounting model and a new expected credit loss model for calculating impairment. The new 
standard becomes effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018, subject to EU adoption. The Group  
is currently considering the impact of IFRS 9 on its consolidated results and financial position.

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The IASB issued IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers in May 2014. The new standard provides a single,  
five–step revenue recognition model, applicable to all sales contracts, which is based upon the principle that revenue is 
recognised when control of goods or services is transferred to the customer. It replaces all existing revenue recognition 
guidance under current IFRS and becomes effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018, subject  
to EU adoption. The Group is currently considering the impact of IFRS 15 on its consolidated results and financial position.

IFRS 16 Leases
The IASB issued IFRS 16 Leases in January 2016. The new standard provides a single lessee accounting model, requiring 
lessees to recognise assets and liabilities for all leases unless the lease term is 12 months or less or the underlying asset  
has a low value. It replaces the existing leasing Standard, IAS 17 Leases, and related Interpretations and becomes effective 
for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019, subject to EU adoption. The Group is currently considering the 
impact of IFRS 16 on its consolidated results and financial position.

IAS 7 Disclosure Initiative — Amendment to IAS 7
The IASB issued the amendment in January 2016. The improvements to disclosure relate to the statement of cash flows 
and require companies to provide information about changes in their financing liabilities and come as a response to 
requests from investors for information that helps them better understand changes in a company’s debt. The amendments 
will help investors to evaluate changes in liabilities arising from financing activities, including changes from cash flows  
and non–cash changes (such as foreign exchange gains or losses) and become effective for annual periods beginning  
on or after 1 January 2017, subject to EU adoption. The Group has determined that the impact of IAS 7 will be limited  
to disclosure and will have no impact on its consolidated result and financial position.

Whilst the following standards and interpretations are relevant to the Group, they have been assessed as having minimal 
or no financial impact or additional disclosure requirements at this time1:
• IAS 1 Disclosure Initiative — Amendments to IAS 1;
• IAS 16 and IAS 38 Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation — Amendments to IAS 16  

and IAS 38;

• IAS 16 and IAS 41 Bearer Plants — Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 41;
• IAS 27 Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements — Amendments to IAS 27;
• IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28 Investment Entities: Applying the Consolidation Exception — Amendments to IFRS 10,  

IFRS 12 and IAS 28;

• IFRS 11 Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations — Amendments to IFRS 11;
• IFRS 14 Regulatory Deferral Accounts; and
• The IASB’s annual improvement process, 2012–2014.

1   As the consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union, the adoption  

date is as per the EU, not the IASB.

115

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At 3 March 2016

3 Revenue

An analysis of the Group’s revenue is as follows:

Rendering of services 
Franchise fees 
Sale of goods 

Revenue 

4 Segment information

2015/16 
£m 

1,260.0 
35.0 
1,626.8 

2014/15 
£m 

1,116.4  
31.4  
1,460.3 

2,921.8 

2,608.1

For management purposes, the Group is organised into two strategic business units (Hotels & Restaurants and Costa) based 
upon their different products and services:
• Hotels & Restaurants provide services in relation to accommodation and food; and
• Costa generates income from the operation of its branded, owned and franchised coffee outlets.

The UK and International Hotels & Restaurants segments have been aggregated on the grounds that the International segment 
is immaterial.

Management monitors the operating results of its strategic business units separately for the purpose of making decisions  
about allocating resources and assessing performance. Segment performance is measured based on underlying operating 
profit. Included within the unallocated and elimination columns in the tables below are the costs of running the public company.  
The unallocated assets and liabilities are cash and debt balances (held and controlled by the central treasury function), 
taxation, pensions, certain property, plant and equipment, centrally held provisions and central working capital balances. 

Inter–segment revenue is from Costa to the Hotels & Restaurants segment and is eliminated on consolidation. Transactions 
were entered into on an arm’s length basis in a manner similar to transactions with third–parties. 

The following tables present revenue and profit information and certain asset and liability information regarding business 
operating segments for the years ended 3 March 2016 and 26 February 2015.

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4 Segment information continued

Year ended 3 March 2016  

Revenue 
Underlying revenue from external customers 
Inter–segment revenue 

Total revenue (Note 3) 

Underlying operating profit 
Underlying interest 

Underlying profit before tax 
Exceptional items and non underlying adjustments (Note 6): 
  Amortisation of acquired intangibles 

IAS 19 income statement charge for pension finance cost 

  Net loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

  and property reversions 
Intangible assets accelerated amortisation 
Impairment 
Impairment reversal 
  Exceptional interest 

Profit before tax  
Tax expense (Note 9) 

Profit for the year 

Assets and liabilities 
Segment assets 
Unallocated assets 

Total assets 

Segment liabilities 
Unallocated liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Other segment information 
Share of profit from joint ventures (Note 16) 
Share of profit from associate (Note 17) 

Investment in joint ventures and associate 

Total property rent (Note 5) 

Capital expenditure: 
  Property, plant and equipment — cash basis 
  Property, plant and equipment — accruals basis (Note 14) 

Intangible assets (Note 13) 

Depreciation — underlying 
Amortisation — underlying 

Hotels &  
Restaurants 
£m 

Unallocated 
and 
elimination 
£m 

Costa 
£m 

Total 
operations 
£m

1,822.0 
— 

1,099.8 
3.4 

— 
(3.4) 

2,921.8 
—

1,822.0 

1,103.2 

(3.4) 

2,921.8

446.9 
— 

446.9 

153.5 
— 

153.5 

— 
— 

(0.4) 
(7.2) 
(1.7) 
2.0 
— 

(4.3) 
— 

(5.5) 
(0.9) 
(6.0) 
0.3 
— 

439.6 

137.1 

(31.6) 
(22.5) 

(54.1) 

— 
(17.2) 

(15.0) 
(2.0) 
— 
— 
(0.7) 

(89.0) 

568.8 
(22.5)

546.3 

(4.3) 
(17.2) 

(20.9) 
(10.1) 
(7.7) 
2.3 
(0.7)

487.7 
(100.4) 

387.3 

 3,842.2 
— 

3,842.2 

444.4 
— 

444.4 

— 
118.7 

118.7 

4,286.6 
118.7

4,405.3 

(366.4) 
— 

(136.8) 
— 

— 
(1,497.4) 

(503.2) 
(1,497.4)

(366.4) 

(136.8) 

(1,497.4) 

(2,000.6)

3,475.8 

307.6 

(1,378.7) 

2,404.7

3.3 
0.9 

36.3 

123.4 

581.0 
604.6 
32.2 

(112.0) 
(9.0) 

— 
— 

3.2 

111.2 

99.3 
102.6 
3.2 

(59.4) 
(2.7) 

— 
— 

— 

0.1 

— 
— 
— 

3.3
0.9

39.5

234.7

680.3 
707.2 
35.4

— 
(0.1) 

(171.4) 
(11.8) 

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
At 3 March 2016

4 Segment information continued

Year ended 26 February 2015 

Revenue 
Underlying revenue from external customers 
Inter–segment revenue 

Total revenue (Note 3) 

Underlying operating profit 
Underlying interest 

Underlying profit before tax 
Exceptional items and non underlying adjustments (Note 6): 
  Amortisation of acquired intangibles 

IAS 19 income statement charge for pension finance cost 

  Net loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

  and property reversions 
Impairment 
Impairment reversal 

  Share of impairment in fixed assets in joint venture 
  Exceptional interest 

Profit before tax  
Tax expense (Note 9) 

Profit for the year 

Assets and liabilities 
Segment assets 
Unallocated assets 

Total assets 

Segment liabilities 
Unallocated liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Other segment information 
Share of profit from joint ventures (Note 16) 
Share of profit from associate (Note 17) 

Investment in joint ventures and associate 

Total property rent (Note 5) 

Capital expenditure: 
  Property, plant and equipment — cash basis 
  Property, plant and equipment — accruals basis (Note 14) 

Intangible assets (Note 13) 

Depreciation — underlying 
Amortisation — underlying 

Hotels &  
Restaurants 
£m 

1,659.2 
— 

1,659.2  

401.4  
— 

401.4 

— 
— 

(0.5) 
(2.9) 
8.1 
(1.1) 
— 

Unallocated 
and 
elimination 
£m 

— 
(3.0) 

(3.0) 

(29.5) 
(16.3) 

(45.8) 

— 
(21.6) 

— 
— 
— 
— 
0.8 

Costa 
£m 

948.9 
3.0 

951.9 

132.5 
— 

132.5 

(2.5) 
— 

(2.8) 
(2.3) 
0.5 
— 
— 

405.0 

125.4 

(66.6) 

Total 
operations 
£m

2,608.1 
—

2,608.1

504.4 
(16.3)

488.1 

(2.5) 
(21.6) 

(3.3) 
(5.2) 
8.6 
(1.1) 
0.8

463.8 
(97.7) 

366.1 

3,293.0 
— 

 3,293.0 

395.8 
— 

395.8 

— 
45.0 

45.0 

3,688.8  
45.0

3,733.8

(308.7) 
— 

(109.7) 
— 

— 
(1,337.5) 

(418.4) 
(1,337.5)

(308.7) 

(109.7) 

(1,337.5) 

(1,755.9)

2,984.3 

286.1 

(1,292.5) 

1,977.9

2.6 
0.8 

29.3 

107.5 

451.1 
449.5 
22.7  

(102.3)  
 (7.5) 

— 
— 

3.0 

101.0 

67.4 
71.2 
4.4 

(53.4) 
(2.0) 

— 
— 

— 

0.2 

— 
— 
0.2 

2.6
0.8

32.3

208.7

518.5 
520.7 
27.3

— 
(0.7) 

(155.7) 
(10.2)

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4 Segment information continued

Revenues from external customers are split geographically as follows:

United Kingdom1 
Non United Kingdom 

2015/16 
£m 

2,822.4 
99.4 

2014/15 
£m

2,519.8  
88.3

2,921.8 

2,608.1 

1   United Kingdom revenue is revenue where the source of the supply is the United Kingdom. This includes Costa franchise income invoiced from the UK.

Non–current assets2 are split geographically as follows:

United Kingdom 
Non United Kingdom 

2  Non–current assets exclude derivative financial instruments.

5 Group operating profit

This is stated after charging/(crediting):

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense 
Employee benefits expense (Note 7) 
Operating lease payments net of sublease receipts 
Amortisation of intangible assets (Note 13) 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (Note 14)  
Utilities, rates and other site property costs  
Net foreign exchange differences  
Other operating charges  
Exceptional items (Note 6) 

Minimum lease payments attributable to the current period 
IAS 17 — impact of future minimum rental uplifts 

Minimum lease payments recognised as an operating expense   
Contingent rents 

Total property rent  
Plant and machinery operating lease payments  
Operating lease payments — sublease receipts  

Total operating lease payments net of sublease receipts 

2016 
£m 

3,973.1 
163.2 

2015 
£m

3,477.1  
89.0 

4,136.3 

3,566.1 

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15 
£m

368.2 
737.1 
235.9 
16.1 
171.4 
694.4 
0.3 
138.1 
36.4 

332.8 
667.9 
214.5  
12.7 
155.7  
615.8  
1.2  
110.1  
(0.1)

2,397.9 

2,110.6

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15 
£m

219.0 
(0.4) 

218.6 
16.1 

234.7 
3.4 
(2.2) 

235.9 

191.0 
3.0

194.0  
14.7

208.7  
7.8  
(2.0)

214.5

119

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
At 3 March 2016

5 Group operating profit continued

Fees paid to the auditor during the year consisted of:

Audit of the Group’s financial statements 
Audit of the Group’s subsidiaries 

Total audit fees 
Audit related assurance 

Total non–audit fees 

Included in other operating charges 

6 Exceptional items and non underlying adjustments

Exceptional items before tax and interest:

Operating costs 
  Net loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and property reversions1 

Intangible assets accelerated amortisation2 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment (Note 15) 
Impairment reversal (Note 15) 

Exceptional operating costs  

Share of impairment in fixed assets in joint venture3 

Exceptional items before interest and tax 

Exceptional interest: 
Interest on exceptional tax4 
Unwinding of discount rate on provisions5 

Exceptional items before tax 

Non underlying adjustments made to underlying profit before tax to arrive at reported profit before tax: 
Amortisation of acquired intangibles (Note 13) 
IAS 19 income statement charge for pension finance cost (Note 31) 

Items included in reported profit before tax, but excluded in arriving at underlying profit before tax 

Tax adjustments included in reported profit after tax, but excluded in arriving at underlying profit after tax:

Tax on exceptional items 
Exceptional tax items — tax base cost 
Deferred tax relating to UK tax rate change6  
Tax on non underlying adjustments 

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15 
£m

0.5 
0.3 

0.8 
0.1 

0.1 

0.9 

0.4  
0.2 

0.6 
—

—

0.6

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15 
£m

(20.9) 
(10.1) 
(7.7) 
2.3 

(36.4) 

— 

(36.4) 

— 
(0.7) 

(0.7) 

(37.1) 

(4.3) 
(17.2) 

(21.5) 

(58.6) 

(3.3) 
— 
(5.2) 
8.6

0.1

(1.1)

(1.0)

1.6 
(0.8)

0.8

(0.2) 

(2.5) 
(21.6)

(24.1)

(24.3)

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15 
£m

(1.5) 
(0.1) 
13.0 
4.3 

15.7 

0.4 
2.0  
—  
4.8 

7.2

1   The Group is currently negotiating terms on a number of properties with onerous leases, which reverted to the Group in prior years under privity  
of contracts, and as a consequence has increased the provision by £14.7m to reflect those expected terms. The balance relates to other onerous  
leases in France of £1.4m and Poland of £0.8m and minor disposals in the year of £4.0m. 

2   Following a review of IT software and technology assets during the year, additional amortisation of £10.1m has been recognised in the income 

statement in respect of systems for which there is now no future economic benefit.

3   Share of impairment of fixed assets in the Gulf joint venture.

4   Interest calculated and settled on closure of prior tax periods.

5   The interest arising from the unwinding of the discount rate within provisions is included in exceptional interest, reflecting the exceptional nature  

of the provisions created.

6   Impact of the reduction in the main rate of UK corporation tax to 19% from 1 April 2017 and to 18% from 1 April 2020.

120

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7 Employee benefits expense

Wages and salaries  
Social security costs  
Pension costs  

2015/16 
£m 

682.1 
46.5 
8.5 

737.1 

2014/15 
£m

617.3  
43.3  
7.3

667.9

Included in wages and salaries is a share–based payments expense of £17.3m (2014/15: £13.6m), which arises from transactions 
accounted for as equity–settled and cash–settled share–based payments.

The average number of people directly employed in the business segments on a full–time equivalent basis was as follows:

Hotels & Restaurants  
Costa  
Unallocated  

Total operations 

Excluded from the above are employees of joint ventures and associate undertakings.

Directors’ remuneration is disclosed below:

Directors’ remuneration  
Aggregate contributions to the defined contribution pension schemes 
Aggregate gains on the exercise of share options 

Number of directors accruing benefits under defined contribution schemes   

2015/16 
Number 

27,115 
13,990 
70 

41,175 

2014/15 
Number

26,111  
12,645  
60 

38,816 

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15 
£m

3.6 
0.1 
10.1 

3.9  
0.1 
12.1

2015/16 
Number 

2014/15 
Number

2 

2

121

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
At 3 March 2016

8 Finance (costs)/revenue

Finance costs 
Bank loans and overdrafts  
Other loans 
Interest capitalised (Note 14) 

Finance revenue 
Bank interest receivable  
Other interest receivable 
Impact of ineffective portion of cash flow and fair value hedges (Note 25) 

Underlying interest 

Exceptional and non underlying interest 
IAS 19 income statement charge for pension finance cost (Note 31) 
Exceptional finance revenue 
Unwinding of discount rate on provisions (Note 23) 

Total net interest 

Total finance costs  
Total finance revenue 

Total net interest 

9 Taxation

Consolidated income statement 

Current tax: 
  Current tax expense  
  Adjustments in respect of previous periods  

Deferred tax: 
  Origination and reversal of temporary differences  
  Adjustments in respect of previous periods 
  Change in UK tax rate to 18% 

Tax reported in the consolidated income statement 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

Current tax: 
  Cash flow hedges 
  Pensions 

Deferred tax: 
  Cash flow hedges 
  Pensions 
  Change in UK tax rate to 18% — pensions 
  Change in UK tax rate to 18% — cash flow hedges 

Tax reported in other comprehensive income 

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15 
£m

(5.3) 
(28.0) 
10.0 

(23.3) 

0.4 
0.2 
0.2 

0.8 

(5.7) 
(15.6) 
4.3 

(17.0) 

0.1  
0.1 
0.5

0.7

(22.5) 

(16.3)

(17.2) 
— 
(0.7) 

(17.9) 

(40.4) 

(41.2) 
0.8 

(40.4) 

(21.6)  
1.6 
(0.8)

(20.8)

(37.1) 

(39.4)  
2.3 

(37.1)

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15 
£m

116.1 
(8.0) 

108.1 

(2.9) 
8.2 
(13.0) 

(7.7) 

100.4 

110.3  
(6.2)

104.1 

(6.3) 
(0.1) 
—

(6.4)

97.7

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15 
£m

0.9 
(14.7) 

— 
(15.4)

0.4 
55.4 
0.7 
0.1 

42.8 

(0.6) 
(0.8) 
—  
— 

(16.8)

122

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9 Taxation continued 

A reconciliation of the tax charge applicable to underlying profit before tax and profit before tax at the statutory tax rate,  
to the actual tax charge at the Group’s effective tax rate, for the years ended 3 March 2016 and 26 February 2015 respectively  
is as follows:

Profit before tax as reported in the consolidated income statement  

Tax at current UK tax rate of 20.08% (2014/15: 21.17%)  
Effect of different tax rates and unrecognised losses in overseas companies   
Effect of joint ventures and associate 
Expenditure not allowable 
Adjustments to current tax expense in respect of previous years 
Adjustments to deferred tax expense in respect of previous years 
Impact of change in tax rate on deferred tax balance 

Tax expense reported in the consolidated income statement    

Current tax liability
The corporation tax balance is a liability of £41.2m (2015: liability of £35.4m).

Deferred tax
Deferred tax relates to the following:

Deferred tax liabilities 
Accelerated capital allowances 
Rolled over gains and property revaluations  

Gross deferred tax liabilities  

Deferred tax assets 
Pensions  
Other  

Gross deferred tax assets  

Deferred tax expense 

Net deferred tax liability  

2015/16 

2014/15

Tax on 
underlying 
profit 
£m 

546.3 

109.7 
3.5 
(0.9) 
4.0 
(8.0) 
7.8 
— 

116.1 

Tax on 
profit 
£m 

487.7 

98.0 
5.1 
(0.9) 
11.0 
(8.0) 
8.2 
(13.0) 

100.4 

Tax on 
underlying 
profit 
£m 

488.1 

103.3 
4.6 
(1.0) 
2.0 
(4.5) 
0.5 
— 

104.9 

Tax on 
profit 
£m

463.8

98.2  
5.2  
(0.8) 
1.4  
(6.2) 
(0.1)  
—

97.7 

Consolidated 
balance sheet 

Consolidated  
income statement

2016 
£m 

2015 
£m 

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15 
£m

48.7 
73.3 

122.0 

(28.7) 
1.4 

(27.3) 

52.0 
82.6 

134.6  

(82.6) 
(8.3) 

(90.9) 

94.7 

43.7 

 (3.3) 
(8.0) 

(0.3) 
(3.3) 

(2.2) 
 5.8 

(3.1) 
0.3

(7.7) 

(6.4)

Total deferred tax liabilities relating to disposals during the year were £nil (2015: £nil).

The Group has incurred overseas tax losses which, subject to any local restrictions, can be carried forward and offset against 
future taxable profits in the companies in which they arose. The Group carries out an annual assessment of the recoverability  
of these losses and does not think it is appropriate at this stage to recognise any deferred tax asset. If the Group were to 
recognise these deferred tax assets in their entirety, profits would increase by £10.7m (2015: £10.0m), of which, the share 
attributable to the parent shareholders is £8.9m (2015: £7.8m).

At 3 March 2016, there was no recognised deferred tax liability (2015: £nil) for taxes that would be payable on any unremitted 
earnings, as all such amounts are permanently reinvested or, where they are not, there are no corporation tax consequences  
of such companies paying dividends to parent companies.

Tax relief on total interest capitalised amounts to £2.0m (2015: £0.8m). 

Factors affecting the tax charge for future years
The Finance (No 2) Act 2015 reduced the main rate of UK corporation tax to 19% from 1 April 2017 and to 18% from 1 April 2020. 
The effect of the new rate is a reduction of the deferred tax liability by a net £13.5m, comprising a credit of £13.0m to the 
income statement, a charge of £0.8m to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, and a reserves movement  
of £1.3m. In his Budget of 16 March 2016, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an additional 1% reduction in the main 
rate of UK corporation tax to 17% with effect from 1 April 2020. This change had not been substantively enacted at the balance 
sheet date and consequently is not included in these financial statements. The effect of the proposed reduction would be to 
reduce the net deferred tax liability by £6.9m. The rate changes will also impact the amount of the future cash tax payments  
to be made by the Group.

123

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
At 3 March 2016

 10 Business combinations

On 1 May 2015, Costa Singapore Pte Limited acquired the trade and assets of nine stores in Singapore from a franchisee  
for nominal consideration.

On 15 December 2015, WHRI Holdings Company Limited acquired the entire share capital of Mid–Tier Singapore Pte Limited  
for a total cash consideration of £9.1m.

The fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquired businesses at the date of acquisition were:

Property, plant and equipment (Note 14) 
Onerous contract provisions 

Net assets 

Goodwill arising on acquisition (Note 13) 

Total consideration 

Cash flow on acquisition: 
Cash paid 

Net cash outflow 

Provisional 
fair value 
to Group 
£m

8.9  
(0.4)

 8.5

0.6 

9.1 

(9.1)

(9.1)

Fair values are described as provisional due to the proximity of the acquisitions to the year–end.

Of the goodwill arising on acquisition, £0.8m relates to the Mid–Tier Singapore Pte Limited acquisition and arises as a result  
of the expected synergies from the business combination. Negative goodwill amounting to £0.2m arose on the Singapore 
acquisition and was taken to the income statement. 

From the date of acquisition, the business combinations contributed £3.4m revenue and £1.2m loss to the Group. If the 
acquisitions had taken place at the beginning of the year, the profit for the Group would have been reduced by £1.4m and  
the revenue increased by £4.8m.

Business combinations in the prior year
Business combinations undertaken in the year ended 26 February 2015 included provisional fair values due to the proximity  
of the acquisitions to the year–end. The review of fair value of assets and liabilities acquired was completed within 12 months  
of the acquisition date and final adjusting consideration of £0.1m was also paid. This has resulted in the value of property,  
plant and equipment acquired being increased by £0.3m and goodwill on acquisition decreasing by £0.2m.

124

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 11 Earnings per share

The basic earnings per share figures (EPS) are calculated by dividing the net profit for the year attributable to ordinary 
shareholders, therefore before non–controlling interests, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the 
year after deducting treasury shares and shares held by an independently managed employee share ownership trust (ESOT).

The diluted earnings per share figures allow for the dilutive effect of the conversion into ordinary shares of the weighted 
average number of options outstanding during the year. Where the average share price for the year is lower than the option 
price, the options become anti–dilutive and are excluded from the calculation. The number of such options was nil (2015: nil).

The numbers of shares used for the earnings per share calculations are as follows:

Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares  
Effect of dilution — share options  

Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares 

2015/16 
million 

181.4 
1.4 

182.8 

2014/15 
million

180.7  
1.8 

182.5 

The total number of shares in issue at the year–end, as used in the calculation of the basic weighted average number  
of ordinary shares, was 195.2m, less 12.6m treasury shares held by Whitbread PLC and 0.9m held by the ESOT (2015: 195.0m,  
less 13.3m treasury shares held by Whitbread PLC and 0.6m held by the ESOT).

The profits used for the earnings per share calculations are as follows:

Profit for the year attributable to parent shareholders 
Exceptional items and non underlying adjustments — gross 
Exceptional items and non underlying adjustments — taxation   
Exceptional items and non underlying adjustments — non–controlling interest 

Underlying profit for the year attributable to parent shareholders 

Basic on profit for the year 
Exceptional items and non underlying adjustments — gross 
Exceptional items and non underlying adjustments — taxation   
Exceptional items and non underlying adjustments — non–controlling interest 

Basic on underlying profit for the year 

Diluted on profit for the year 
Diluted on underlying profit for the year 

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15 
£m

391.2 
58.6 
(15.7) 
(1.2) 

432.9 

2015/16 
pence 

215.66 
32.30 
(8.65) 
(0.66) 

370.1 
24.3 
(7.2) 
(1.1)

386.1

2014/15 
pence

204.81  
13.45 
(3.98) 
(0.61)

238.65 

213.67 

214.00 
236.82 

202.79  
211.56

125

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
At 3 March 2016

 12 Dividends paid and proposed

Final dividend relating to the prior year 

Paid in the year 

Interim dividend for the current year  

Paid in the year 

Total equity dividends paid in the year 

Dividends on other shares: 
  B share dividend 
  C share dividend 

Total dividends paid  

Proposed for approval at Annual General Meeting:

2015/16 

2014/15

pence 
per share 

56.95 

28.50 

0.80 
0.80 

pence 
per share 

47.00 

25.20 

0.70 
0.70 

£m 

103.4 

103.4 

51.7 

51.7 

155.1 

— 
— 

— 

155.1 

£m

85.1

85.1

45.5

45.5

130.6 

—  
—

— 

130.6

Final equity dividend for the current year 

61.85 

112.4 

56.95 

103.1

 13 Intangible assets

Cost 
At 27 February 2014  
Additions  
Businesses acquired  
Assets written off  
Transfers 
Foreign currency adjustment 

At 26 February 2015 

Additions  
Businesses acquired (Note 10)  
Assets written off 
Foreign currency adjustment 

At 3 March 2016 

Amortisation and impairment 
At 27 February 2014  
Amortisation during the year 
Amortisation on assets written off 
Transfers 
Foreign currency adjustment 

At 26 February 2015 

Amortisation during the year 
Amortisation on assets written off 

At 3 March 2016 

Goodwill 
£m 

Brand 
£m 

Customer 
relationships 
£m 

IT software 
 and  
technology 
£m 

177.6  
— 
1.9 
— 
—  
(0.1)  

179.4  

— 
0.6 
— 
— 

180.0 

—  
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

— 
— 

—  

 5.1  
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

 5.1  

— 
— 
(5.1) 
— 

— 

 (5.1) 
 — 
— 
 — 
 — 

 (5.1) 

— 
5.1 

— 

 — 

 5.9  
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

 5.9  

— 
— 
— 
— 

 64.0  
 27.2  
—  
 (4.7)  
 (0.9)  
(0.1) 

 85.5  

34.0 
— 
(2.7) 
0.2 

Other 
£m 

Total 
£m

7.6  
0.1  
 9.4  
 —  
— 
0.1 

 260.2  
 27.3  
11.3  
 (4.7)  
 (0.9) 
 (0.1) 

 17.2  

 293.1

1.4 
— 
— 
— 

35.4 
0.6 
(7.8) 
0.2

5.9 

117.0 

18.6 

321.5

(1.4) 
 (0.4) 
— 
— 
— 

 (28.9) 
 (11.3) 
4.7 
0.1 
0.1 

 (1.8) 

 (35.3) 

(0.4) 
— 

(2.2) 

3.7 

(22.0) 
2.7 

(54.6) 

62.4 

 (1.8) 
 (1.0) 
— 
— 
— 

 (2.8) 

(3.8) 
— 

(6.6) 

(37.2) 
(12.7) 
4.7 
0.1 
0.1

(45.0)

(26.2) 
7.8

(63.4)

12.0 

258.1

Net book value at 3 March 2016 

180.0 

Net book value at 26 February 2015 

179.4  

 —  

 4.1 

 50.2  

 14.4  

 248.1 

Included in the amortisation for the year is amortisation relating to acquired intangibles amounting to £4.3m (2014/15: £2.5m) 
and accelerated amortisation of IT software and technology assets of £10.1m (2014/15: £nil).

126

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 13 Intangible assets continued

The carrying amount of goodwill allocated by segment is presented below:

Hotels & Restaurants 
Costa 

Total 

2016 
£m 

113.4 
66.6 

180.0 

2015 
£m

112.6 
66.8

179.4

The carrying amount of goodwill at 3 March 2016 comprised £113.4m for Hotels & Restaurants and £66.6m for Costa.  
The Hotels & Restaurants CGU and the Costa CGU are also operating segments and represent the lowest level within the  
Group at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes.

The customer relationships asset arose with the acquisition of Coffee Nation in a previous financial year. It is being amortised 
over a period of 15 years.

IT software and technology has been assessed as having finite lives and will be amortised under the straight–line method  
over periods ranging from three to six years from the date the asset became fully operational. 

Other intangibles
Other intangibles comprise Costa overseas trading licences and territory fees, reacquired franchise rights, Costa Express 
operating rights agreements and development costs. 

The trading licences, which have a carrying value of £1.6m (2015: £1.8m), are deemed to have indefinite lives as there is  
no foreseeable limit to the period over which they are expected to contribute to the Group’s net cash inflow. The operating 
rights agreements are being amortised over ten years and have a carrying value of £0.2m (2015: £1.7m). Development costs 
have a carrying value of £2.6m (2015: £1.3m) and are being amortised over six years. The reacquired franchise right arose  
from the acquisition of Life Coffee Cafés Limited in 2014/15 and is being amortised over five years and has a carrying value  
of £7.2m (2015: £9.2m). The balance of £0.4m (2015: £0.4m) relates to territory fees which are being amortised over 20 years.

Capital expenditure commitments 
Capital expenditure commitments in relation to intangible assets at the year–end amounted to £10.9m (2015: £4.2m).

 14 Property, plant and equipment

Cost 
At 27 February 2014 
Additions  
Businesses acquired  
Interest capitalised  
Reclassified 
Assets written off 
Foreign currency adjustment 
Transfers 
Disposals 

At 26 February 2015 

Additions  
Businesses acquired (Note 10)  
Interest capitalised  
Reclassified 
Assets written off 
Foreign currency adjustment 
Disposals 

At 3 March 2016 

Land and 
buildings 
£m  

Plant and 
equipment 
£m  

Total 
£m

2,351.7  
331.0 
9.3 
4.3 
1.5 
(4.9) 
0.6 
— 
(2.4) 

1,162.3  
189.7 
2.1 
— 
(1.5) 
(83.9) 
0.6 
0.9 
(8.8) 

 3,514.0 
520.7 
11.4 
4.3 
— 
(88.8) 
1.2 
0.9 
(11.2)

2,691.1  

1,261.4  

 3,952.5 

439.9 
8.9 
10.0 
0.2 
(6.0) 
4.0 
(1.1) 

267.3 
0.3 
— 
(0.2) 
(71.1) 
2.2 
(4.2) 

707.2 
9.2 
10.0 
— 
(77.1) 
6.2 
(5.3)

3,147.0 

1,455.7 

4,602.7

127

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
At 3 March 2016

 14 Property, plant and equipment continued

Depreciation and impairment 
At 27 February 2014  
Depreciation charge for the year  
Impairment (Note 15) 
Reclassified 
Depreciation on assets written off 
Foreign currency adjustment 
Transfers 
Disposals 

At 26 February 2015 

Depreciation charge for the year  
Impairment (Note 15) 
Reclassified 
Depreciation on assets written off 
Foreign currency adjustment 
Disposals 

At 3 March 2016 

Net book value at 3 March 2016 

Net book value at 26 February 2015 

Land and 
buildings 
£m  

Plant and 
equipment 
£m  

(166.2) 
(16.8) 
5.1 
0.5 
4.9 
0.6 
— 
1.5 

 (453.7) 
(138.9) 
(1.3) 
(0.5) 
83.9 
(0.5) 
(0.1) 
7.4 

Total 
£m

(619.9) 
(155.7) 
3.8 
— 
88.8 
0.1 
(0.1) 
8.9

(170.4) 

(503.7) 

(674.1)

(19.2) 
0.5 
0.8 
6.0 
(0.1) 
0.7 

(152.2) 
(5.9) 
(0.8) 
71.1 
(1.2) 
2.7 

(171.4) 
(5.4) 
— 
77.1 
(1.3) 
3.4

(181.7) 

(590.0) 

(771.7)

2,965.3 

865.7 

3,831.0

2,520.7  

757.7  

3,278.4

Included above are assets under construction of £511.4m (2015: £263.5m).

There is a charge in favour of the pension scheme over properties with a market value of £408.0m (2015: £408.0m).  
See Note 31 for further information. 

Capital expenditure commitments 

Capital expenditure commitments for property, plant and equipment  
  for which no provision has been made  

2016 
£m 

2015 
£m

142.4 

123.5 

In addition to the capital expenditure commitments disclosed above, the Group has also signed agreements with certain  
third–parties to develop new trading outlets within the Hotels & Restaurants strategic business unit as part of its pipeline.  
These developments are dependent upon the outcome of future events, such as the granting of planning permission, and 
consequently, do not represent a binding capital commitment at the year–end. The directors consider that developments 
likely to proceed as planned will result in further capital investment of £500.0m over the next five years (2015: £440.0m).

Capitalised interest
Interest capitalised during the year amounted to £10.0m, using an average rate of 3.9% (2014/15: £4.3m, using an average  
rate of 4.1%). 

Assets held for sale
One site with a net book value of £0.3m (2015: three sites with a net book value of £1.1m) continued to be classified as held 
for sale at the year–end. Two sites were sold during the year (2015: nil) and an impairment loss of £nil (2015: £0.4m) was 
recognised in the year.

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 15 Impairment

During the year, impairment losses of £7.7m (2014/15: £5.2m) and impairment reversals of £2.3m (2014/15: £8.6m) were 
recognised.

Impairment losses 
Hotels & Restaurants 
Costa  

Total impairment losses  

Impairment reversals 
Hotels & Restaurants 
Costa  

Total impairment reversals  

Total net impairment charge/(reversal) 

2015/16 
Property,  
plant and 
equipment 
£m 

2014/15 
Property, 
plant and 
equipment 
£m

1.7 
6.0 

7.7 

(2.0) 
(0.3) 

(2.3) 

5.4 

2.9  
2.3

5.2

(8.1) 
(0.5)

(8.6)

(3.4) 

Property, plant and equipment
The Group considers each trading site to be a CGU and each CGU is reviewed annually for indicators of impairment.  
Where indicators of impairment are identified an impairment assessment is undertaken.

In assessing whether an asset has been impaired, the carrying amount of the CGU is compared to its recoverable amount.  
The recoverable amount is the higher of its fair value, less costs of disposal and its value in use. In the absence of any 
information about the fair value of a CGU, the recoverable amount is deemed to be its value in use.

The Group estimates value in use using a discounted cash flow model, which applies a pre–tax discount rate of 8.1% in the UK 
(2014/15: 8.6%), 8.1% in France (2014/15: 9.2%), 8.4% in China (2014/15: 9.5%) and 8.8% in Poland (2014/15: 9.9%). The future 
cash flows are based on assumptions from the business plans and cover a five–year period. These business plans and forecasts 
include management’s most recent view of medium–term trading prospects. Cash flows beyond this period are extrapolated 
using a long–term growth rate for the relevant country, ranging from 2.0% to 4.2% with the UK, the most significant country, 
being 2.0% (2014/15: 2.0%).

The events and circumstances that led to the impairment charge of £7.7m are set out below:

Hotels & Restaurants
The impairment of £1.7m at six sites in this strategic business unit was driven by a number of factors:
• changes in the local competitive environment in which the hotels are situated; 
• decisions to exit some sites where current market values are lower than book values; and
• high asset prices in the market at the point of acquisition for acquired sites and also anticipated higher growth rates at that 

time than are now expected.

Costa
The £6.0m impairment charge includes £0.4m in the UK, £2.0m in China, £3.2m in France and £0.4m in Poland, where stores 
are to be closed or are underperforming. The non–controlling interest portion of this cost was £1.0m (2014/15: £0.7m).

Impairment reversals
Following an improvement in trading performance and an increase in amounts of estimated future cash flows of previously 
impaired sites, reversals of £2.3m have been recognised, £2.0m in Hotels & Restaurants and £0.3m in Costa.

Sensitivity to changes in assumptions
The level of impairment is predominantly dependent upon judgements used in arriving at future growth rates and the discount 
rates applied to cash flow projections. The impact on the impairment charge of applying different assumptions to the growth 
rates used in the five–year business plans and in the pre–tax discount rates would be an incremental impairment charge of:

Incremental impairment charge 

Impairment if business plan growth rates were reduced by 1% pt 
Impairment if discount rates were increased by 1% pt 

Hotels & 
Restaurants 
£m 

1.1 
1.1 

Costa 
£m 

— 
— 

Total 
£m

1.1 
1.1

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
At 3 March 2016

 15 Impairment continued

Goodwill
Goodwill acquired through business combinations is allocated to groups of CGUs at strategic business unit level, being  
the level at which management monitor goodwill.

The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. In the absence of a recent market 
transaction, the recoverable amount is determined from value in use calculations. The future cash flows are based on 
assumptions from the business plans and cover a five–year period. These business plans and forecasts include management’s 
most recent view of medium–term trading prospects. Cash flows beyond this period are extrapolated using a 2.0% growth 
rate (2014/15: 2.0%). The pre–tax discount rate applied to cash flow projections is 8.1% (2014/15: 8.6%).

The resultant impairment review required no impairment of goodwill allocated to either the Hotels & Restaurants CGU  
or the Costa CGU.

 16 Investment in joint ventures

% equity interest

Principal joint ventures 

Investment held by 

Principal activity 

Country of incorporation 

Premier Inn Hotels LLC  

PTI Middle East Limited 

Hotels  

United Arab Emirates  

Hualian Costa (Beijing)  
Food & Beverage  
Management 
Company Limited 

PT. Tasland Indonesia 

Costa Beijing Limited 

Coffee shops 

China 

WHRI Holdings 
Company Limited 

Hotels  

Indonesia 

Premier Inn Kier Limited 

Premier Inn Hotels Limited 

Property 

England 

2016 

49.0 

50.0 

 50.0  

 50.0  

During the year, the Group acquired a 50% interest in both PT. Tasland Indonesia and Premier Inn Kier Limited for total 
consideration of £3.0m.

The following table provides summarised information of the Group’s investment in joint ventures:

Share of joint ventures’ balance sheets 

Current assets 
Non–current assets  

Share of gross assets  

Current liabilities  
Non–current liabilities  

Share of gross liabilities  

Loans to joint ventures 

Share of net assets  
Premium paid on acquisition (cost in excess of share of net assets at acquisition) 

Aggregate carrying amount of the Group’s interest in joint ventures 

2016 
£m 

12.3 
56.5 

68.8 

(8.5) 
(24.8) 

(33.3) 

2.6 

38.1 
1.4 

39.5 

2015

 49.0 

 50.0 

— 

—

2015 
£m

10.4  
49.6

60.0 

(6.1) 
(26.1)

(32.2)

2.5

30.3 
— 

30.3

Share of joint ventures’ revenue and expenses 

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15 
£m

Revenue  
Operating costs  
Finance costs  

Operating profit before tax and exceptionals  
Impairment of fixed assets  

Profit before tax  
Tax 

Net profit 

30.6 
(26.5) 
(0.8) 

3.3 
— 

3.3 
— 

3.3 

At 3 March 2016, the Group’s share of the capital commitments of its joint ventures amounted to £2.5m (2015: £2.9m).

27.0  
(22.3) 
(1.0)

3.7 
(1.1)

2.6 
— 

2.6

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 17 Investment in associate

Principal associate 

Investment held by 

Principal activity 

Country of incorporation 

Morrison Street 
Hotel Limited

Whitbread Group PLC 

Hotels  

Scotland  

% equity interest

2016 

40.0 

2015

40.0  

The associate is a private entity which is not listed on any public exchange and, therefore, there is no published quotation  
price for the fair value of this investment.

The following table provides summarised information of the Group’s investment in the associated undertaking:

Share of associate’s balance sheet 

Current assets  
Non–current assets  

Share of gross assets  

Current liabilities  
Non–current liabilities  

Share of gross liabilities  

Share of net assets  

Transferred to assets held for sale 

Aggregate carrying amount of the Group’s interest in associate 

Share of associate’s revenue and profit 

Revenue  
Profit  

 18 Inventories

Raw materials and consumables (at cost)  
Finished goods (at cost)  

Total inventories at lower of cost and net realisable value  

2016 
£m 

1.9 
5.2 

7.1 

(0.4) 
(4.7) 

(5.1) 

2.0 

(2.0) 

— 

2015 
£m

 2.2  
 5.1 

 7.3 

(0.7) 
(4.6)

(5.3)

2.0 

—

2.0

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15 
£m

2.9 
0.9 

 2.8  
 0.8 

2016 
£m 

10.0 
34.8 

44.8 

2015 
£m

6.7  
30.4 

37.1 

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
At 3 March 2016

 19 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables  
Prepayments and accrued income 
Other receivables  

Analysed as: 
  Current 
  Non–current — other receivables 

Trade and other receivables are non–interest bearing and are generally on 30–day terms.

The provision for impairment of receivables at 3 March 2016 was £5.8m (2015: £3.9m).

The ageing analysis of trade receivables is as follows:

2016 
£m 

92.7 
39.0 
16.0 

2015 
£m

78.4  
35.6 
17.3

147.7 

131.3

140.0 
7.7 

147.7 

124.0  
7.3 

131.3 

Neither past due nor impaired 

Past due but not impaired: 
  Less than 30 days 
  Between 30 and 60 days 
  Greater than 60 days 

20 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand  
Short–term deposits 

2016 
£m 

83.6 

7.9 
0.8 
0.4 

92.7 

2016 
£m 

57.0 
0.1 

57.1 

Short–term deposits are made for varying periods of between one day and one month depending on the immediate cash 
requirements of the Group. They earn interest at the respective short–term deposit rates. The fair value of cash and cash 
equivalents is £57.1m (2015: £2.1m).

For the purposes of the consolidated cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprise the following:

Cash at bank and in hand  
Short–term deposits  

2016 
£m 

57.0 
0.1 

57.1 

2015 
£m

67.4 

8.9 
1.8 
0.3

78.4 

2015 
£m

1.9  
0.2

2.1

2015 
£m

1.9  
0.2

2.1

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21 Financial liabilities

Bank overdrafts  
Short–term borrowings  

Other loans 
Revolving credit facility (£950m) 
Private placement loan notes 
Senior unsecured bonds  

Maturity 

On demand  
On demand  

2016 
2020 
2017 to 2022 
2025 

Current 

Non–current

2016 
£m 

— 
92.0 

92.0 

2.0 
— 
— 
— 

2015 
£m 

 —  
 71.2 

71.2  

1.9 
— 
— 
— 

94.0 

 73.1  

2016 
£m 

— 
— 

— 

— 
146.6 
282.6 
443.7 

872.9 

2015 
£m

— 
—

—

—  
249.1  
 263.1 
—

512.2 

Short–term borrowings
Short–term borrowings are typically overnight borrowings, repayable on demand. Interest rates are variable and linked  
to LIBOR.

Revolving credit facility (£950m)
The committed revolving credit facility (RCF) was entered into on 4 November 2011 and originally ran until November 2016.  
In 2013/14, an extension was agreed to take the loan to November 2018. In 2014/15, a further extension was agreed taking the 
loan to November 2019. As part of the review of the long–term financing requirements of the business, on 7 September 2015, 
the terms and tenure of the RCF was renegotiated with both existing and new banking partners. The revised terms give  
a total available committed credit of £950m which runs until September 2020 with options over two one–year extensions, 
subject to agreement by the banking partners, that will potentially extend the maturity to September 2022. Loans have  
variable interest rates linked to LIBOR. The facility is multi–currency.

Private placement loan notes
The Group holds loan notes with coupons and maturities as shown in the following table:

Title 

Series A loan notes 

Series B loan notes  

Series C loan notes  

Series A loan notes  

Series B loan notes  

Series C loan notes 

Series D loan notes 

Year issued 

Principal value 

Maturity 

2010 

2010 

2010 

2011 

2011 

2011 

2011 

US$40.0m 

US$75.0m 

£25.0m 

US$60.0m 

US$56.5m 

US$93.5m 

£25.0m 

13 August 2017 

13 August 2020 

13 August 2020 

26 January 2019 

26 January 2019 

26 January 2022 

6 September 2021 

Coupon

4.55%

5.23%

5.19%

3.92%

4.12%

4.86%

4.89%

The Group entered into a number of cross–currency swap agreements in relation to the loan notes to eliminate any foreign 
exchange risk on interest rates or on the repayment of the principal borrowed. These swaps expire in line with the loan notes  
and are discussed in Note 25.

Senior unsecured bonds
The Group issued £450.0m 2025 bonds with a coupon of 3.375% on 28 May 2015.

An analysis of the interest rate profile and the maturity of the borrowings, together with related interest rate swaps, is as follows:

Year ended 3 March 2016 

Fixed rate  
Fixed to floating rate swaps 
Floating to fixed interest rate swaps  

Floating rate  
Fixed to floating rate swaps 
Floating to fixed interest rate swaps  

Within  
1 year  
£m  

— 
— 
50.0 

50.0 

94.0 
— 
(50.0) 

44.0 

94.0 

1 to 2  
years  
£m  

28.1 
— 
— 

28.1 

— 
— 
— 

— 

28.1 

2 to 5  
years  
£m  

163.9 
(50.1) 
50.0 

163.8 

146.6 
50.1 
(50.0) 

146.7 

310.5 

Over 
5 years  
£m  

534.3 
— 
— 

534.3 

— 
— 
— 

— 

534.3 

Total 
£m 

726.3 
(50.1) 
100.0

776.2

240.6 
50.1 
(100.0)

190.7

966.9

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
At 3 March 2016

21 Financial liabilities continued

Year ended 26 February 2015 

Fixed rate  
Fixed to floating interest rate swaps 
Floating to fixed interest rate swaps  

Floating rate  
Fixed to floating interest rate swaps 
Floating to fixed interest rate swaps  

Within  
1 year  
£m  

— 
— 
— 

— 

73.1 
— 
— 

73.1 

73.1 

1 to 2  
years  
£m  

— 
— 
50.0 

50.0 

— 
— 
(50.0) 

(50.0) 

— 

2 to 5  
years  
£m  

101.0 
— 
— 

101.0 

249.1 
— 
— 

249.1 

350.1 

Over 
5 years  
£m  

162.1 
(50.1) 
50.0 

162.0 

— 
50.1 
(50.0) 

0.1 

162.1 

Total 
£m 

263.1 
(50.1) 
100.0

313.0

322.2 
50.1 
(100.0)

272.3

585.3 

The maturity analysis is grouped by when the debt is contracted to mature rather than by repricing dates, as allowed under IFRS.

There are £50.0m of swaps (2015: £50.0m) with maturities beyond the life of the current RCF (2020), which are in place to 
hedge against the core level of debt the Group will hold.

The carrying amount of the Group’s borrowings is denominated in sterling and US dollars.

At 3 March 2016, the Group had available £800.0m (2015: £398.0m) of undrawn committed borrowing facilities in respect  
of revolving credit facilities on which all conditions precedent had been met.

22 Movements in cash and net debt

Year ended 3 March 2016 

Cash at bank and in hand  
Short–term deposits 
Overdrafts 

Cash and cash equivalents  

Short–term bank borrowings  

Loan capital under one year  
Loan capital over one year  

Total loan capital  

Net debt  

Year ended 26 February 2015 

Cash at bank and in hand  
Short–term deposits 
Overdrafts 

Cash and cash equivalents  

Short–term bank borrowings  

Loan capital under one year  
Loan capital over one year  

Total loan capital  

Net debt  

26 February 
2015 
£m  

Cost of 
borrowings 
£m 

Cash flow 
£m  

Foreign 
exchange 
£m  

Fair value  Amortisation 
of premiums 
and discounts 
£m 

adjustments 
to loans 
£m  

1.9 
0.2 
— 

2.1 

(71.2) 

(1.9) 
(512.2) 

(514.1) 

(583.2) 

— 

— 

54.4 

(20.8) 

0.6 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

3.6 

3.6 

(343.3) 

(309.7) 

(14.1) 

(13.5) 

(5.1) 

(5.1) 

(1.9) 

(1.9) 

3 March 
2016 
£m

57.0 
0.1 
—

57.1

(92.0)

(2.0) 
(872.9)

(874.9)

(909.8)

27 February 
2014 
£m  

Cost of 
borrowings 
£m 

Cash flow 
£m  

Foreign 
exchange 
£m  

Fair value 
adjustments 
to loans 
£m  

Amortisation 
of premiums 
and discounts 
£m 

26 February 
2015 
£m

41.3 
0.1 
— 

41.4 

— 

—  
(433.0) 

(433.0) 

 (391.6) 

— 

— 

0.4 

0.4 

(38.5) 

(71.2) 

(0.8) 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(63.9) 

(173.6) 

(12.3) 

(13.1) 

(3.9) 

(3.9) 

(1.4) 

(1.4) 

1.9  
0.2 
—

2.1

(71.2)

(1.9) 
(512.2)

(514.1)

(583.2)

Net debt includes US$ denominated loan notes of US$325.0m (2015: US$325.0m) retranslated to £233.8m (2015: £214.6m). 
These notes have been hedged using cross–currency swaps. At maturity, £208.3m (2015: £208.3m) will be repaid taking  
into account the cross–currency swaps. If the impact of these hedges is taken into account, the reported net debt would be 
£884.3m (2015: £576.9m).

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23 Provisions

At 27 February 2014  
Created 
Unwinding of discount rate 
Utilised 

At 26 February 2015  

Created 
Unwinding of discount rate 
Utilised  
Business acquired (Note 10) 

At 3 March 2016 

Analysed as: 
  Current  
  Non–current  

At 3 March 2016 

Analysed as: 
  Current  
  Non–current  

 At 26 February 2015 

Onerous 
contracts 
£m 

38.2 
0.4 
0.8 
(12.2) 

27.2 

16.9 
0.7 
(15.0) 
0.4 

30.2 

14.7 
15.5 

30.2 

6.7 
20.5 

27.2 

Other 
£m  

7.4 
— 
— 
 (0.1)  

7.3 

— 
— 
(0.1) 
— 

7.2 

— 
7.2 

7.2 

— 
7.3  

7.3  

Total 
£m

45.6  
0.4  
0.8  
(12.3)

34.5 

16.9 
0.7 
(15.1) 
0.4

37.4

14.7 
22.7

37.4

6.7  
 27.8 

34.5

Onerous contracts
Onerous contract provisions relate primarily to property reversions. Provision is made for rent and other property related  
costs for the period that a sublet or assignment of the lease is not possible. Where the property is deemed likely to be 
assigned, provision is made for the best estimate of the reverse lease premium payable on the assignment.

Where the property is deemed likely to be sublet, the rental income and the timing of the cash flows are estimated by  
both internal and external property specialists and a provision is maintained for the estimated cost incurred by the Group.

Onerous lease provisions are discounted using a discount rate of 3.74% (2015: 3.74%) based on an approximation for the  
time value of money.

The amount and timing of the cash outflows are subject to variation. The Group utilises the skills and expertise of both 
internal and external property experts to determine the provision held. Provisions are expected to be utilised over a period  
of up to 25 years.

Other
Other provisions relate to warranties given on the disposal of businesses. These are expected to be used over periods  
of up to two years.

135

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
At 3 March 2016

24 Financial risk management objectives and policies

The Group’s principal financial instruments, other than derivatives, comprise bank loans, private placement loans, senior 
unsecured bonds, cash, short–term deposits, trade receivables and trade payables. The Group’s financial instrument policies 
can be found in the accounting policies in Note 2. The Board agrees policies for managing the financial risks summarised below:

Interest rate risk 
The Group’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to the Group’s long–term sterling debt 
obligations. Interest rate swaps are used to achieve the desired mix of fixed and floating rate debt in conjunction with private 
placement loan notes. The Group’s policy is to maintain 35% to 65% fixed rate debt in the long–term. Some transactions, such 
as the issuance of senior unsecured bonds in 2015/16, can lead to a deviation from this policy, but not without prior approval 
from the Group Finance Director. This policy reduces the Group’s exposure to the consequences of interest rate fluctuations.  
At the year–end, £766.2m (88.9%) of Group debt was fixed for an average of 7.29 years at an average interest rate of 4.1% 
(2015: £313.0m (61.1%) for 4.88 years at 5.0%).

Although the private placement loan notes are US dollar denominated, cross–currency swaps mean that the interest rate risk  
is effectively sterling only.

In accordance with IFRS 7, the Group has undertaken sensitivity analysis on its financial instruments which are affected by 
changes in interest rates. This analysis has been prepared on the basis of a constant amount of net debt, a constant ratio of 
fixed to floating interest rates, and on the basis of the hedging instruments in place at 3 March 2016 and 26 February 2015 
respectively. Consequently, the analysis relates to the situation at those dates and is not representative of the years then ended. 
The following assumptions were made:
• balance sheet sensitivity to interest rates applies only to derivative financial instruments, as the carrying value of debt and 

deposits does not change as interest rates move;

• gains or losses are recognised in equity or the income statement in line with the accounting policies set out in Note 2; and
• cash flow hedges were effective. 

Based on the Group’s net debt position at the year–end, a 1% pt change in interest rates would affect the Group’s profit before 
tax by approximately £1.0m (2014/15: £2.0m), and equity by approximately £13.1m (2015: £16.6m).

Liquidity risk
In its funding strategy, the Group’s objective is to maintain a balance between the continuity of funding and flexibility through 
the use of overdrafts and bank loans. This strategy includes monitoring the maturity of financial liabilities to avoid the risk  
of a shortage of funds.

Excess cash used in managing liquidity is placed on interest–bearing deposit where maturity is fixed at no more than three 
months. Short–term flexibility is achieved through the use of short–term borrowing on the money markets. 

The tables below summarise the maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities at 3 March 2016 and 26 February 2015  
based on contractual undiscounted payments, including interest:

3 March 2016 

Interest–bearing loans and borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments 
Trade and other payables 
Accrued financial liabilities 
Provisions in respect of financial liabilities 

26 February 2015 

Interest–bearing loans and borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments 
Trade and other payables 
Accrued financial liabilities 
Provisions in respect of financial liabilities 

On 
demand 
£m 

Less than 
3 months 
£m 

92.0 
— 
— 
— 
— 

92.0 

1.0 
— 
204.7 
— 
3.7 

209.4 

On 
demand 
£m 

Less than 
3 months 
£m 

71.2 
— 
— 
— 
— 

71.2 

0.3 
1.8 
166.8 
— 
1.7 

170.6 

3 to 12 
months 
£m 

28.0 
2.6 
— 
218.2 
11.2 

260.0 

3 to 12 
months 
£m 

13.4 
1.8 
— 
177.6 
5.0 

197.8 

1 to 5 
years 
£m 

413.1 
2.7 
20.1 
— 
10.7 

446.6 

1 to 5 
years 
£m 

383.4 
6.9 
20.5 
— 
9.6 

420.4 

More than 
5 years 
£m 

621.4 
2.0 
— 
— 
7.7 

631.1 

More than 
5 years 
£m 

174.7 
4.1 
— 
— 
17.6 

Total 
£m

1,155.5 
7.3 
224.8 
218.2 
33.3

1,639.1

Total 
£m

643.0 
14.6 
187.3 
177.6 
33.9

196.4 

1,056.4 

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24 Financial risk management objectives and policies continued

Credit risk
There are no significant concentrations of credit risk within the Group.

The Group is exposed to a small amount of credit risk that is primarily attributable to its trade and other receivables.  
This is minimised by dealing with counterparties with high credit ratings. The amounts included in the balance sheet are  
net of allowances for doubtful debts, which have been estimated by management based on prior experience and any  
known factors at the balance sheet date which may indicate that a provision is required. The Group’s maximum exposure  
on its trade and other receivables is the carrying amount as disclosed in Note 19.

With respect to credit risk arising from the other financial assets of the Group, which comprise cash and cash equivalents,  
the Group’s exposure arises from default of the counterparty, with a maximum exposure equal to the carrying value of  
these instruments. The Group seeks to minimise the risk of default in relation to cash and cash equivalents by spreading 
investments across a number of counterparties.

In the event that any of the Group’s banks get into financial difficulty, the Group is exposed to the risk of withdrawal of  
currently undrawn committed facilities. This risk is mitigated by the Group having a range of counterparties to its facilities  
and by maintaining headroom.

Foreign currency risk
Foreign exchange exposure is currently not significant to the Group. Although the Group has US dollar denominated loan 
notes, these have been swapped into sterling thereby eliminating foreign currency risk. Sensitivity analysis has therefore  
not been carried out. 

The Group monitors the growth and risks associated with its overseas operations and will undertake hedging activities  
as and when they are required.

Capital management
The Group’s primary objective in regard to capital management is to ensure that it continues to operate as a going concern  
and has sufficient funds at its disposal to grow the business for the benefit of shareholders. The Group seeks to maintain  
a ratio of debt to equity that balances risks and returns and also complies with lending covenants. See pages 54 to 59 of this 
Report for the policies and objectives of the Board regarding capital management, analysis of the Group’s credit facilities  
and financing plans for the coming years.

The Group aims to maintain sufficient funds for working capital and future investment in order to meet growth targets.  
The Group has adopted a framework to keep leverage (debt divided by EBITDAR) on a pensions and lease adjusted basis  
at 3.5 times or below, which was achieved for the year ended 3 March 2016. This calculation takes account of net debt,  
the pension deficit and the capital value of leases. The management of equity through share buy backs and new issues  
is considered as part of the overall leverage framework balanced against the funding requirements of future growth.  
In addition, the Group may carry out a number of small sale and leaseback transactions to provide further funding for growth.

The Group’s financing is subject to financial covenants. These covenants relate to measurement of EBITDA against 
consolidated net finance charges (interest cover) and total net debt (leverage ratio, on a not–adjusted–for pension and 
property lease basis). The Group has complied with all of these covenants.

The above matters are considered at regular intervals and form part of the business planning and budgeting processes.  
In addition, the Board regularly reviews the Group’s dividend policy and funding strategy.

25 Financial instruments

Fair values
As in the prior year, the carrying value of financial assets and liabilities disclosed in Notes 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 26 are  
considered to be reasonable approximations of their fair values.

The fair value of derivative instruments is calculated by discounting all future cash flows by the market yield curve at the 
balance sheet date using level 2 techniques. 

137

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At 3 March 2016

25 Financial instruments continued

Hierarchical classification of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value
IFRS 13 requires that the classification of financial instruments at fair value be determined by reference to the source of inputs 
used to derive the fair value. The classification uses the following three–level hierarchy:

Level 1
Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2
Other techniques for which all inputs, which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value, are observable, either directly 
or indirectly; and

Level 3
Techniques which use inputs, which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value, that are not based on observable 
market data.

3 March 2016 

Financial assets 
Derivative financial instruments 

Financial liabilities 
Derivative financial instruments 

26 February 2015 

Financial assets 
Derivative financial instruments 

Financial liabilities 
Derivative financial instruments 

Level 1 
£m 

Level 2 
£m 

Level 3 
£m 

—  

—  

24.8 

14.0 

 —  

 —  

Level 1 
£m 

Level 2 
£m 

Level 3 
£m 

 —  

 —  

 3.4 

18.6 

 —  

 —  

Total 
£m

 24.8 

 14.0 

Total 
£m

 3.4 

18.6 

During the year ended 3 March 2016, there were no transfers between fair value measurement levels. Derivative financial 
instruments include £21.6m assets (2015: £2.2m) and £9.6m liabilities (2015: £13.8m) due after one year.

Derivative financial instruments

Hedges 
Cash flow hedges
At 3 March 2016, the Group has interest rate swaps in place to swap a notional amount of £100.0m (2015: £100.0m) whereby,  
it receives a variable interest rate based on LIBOR on the notional amount and pays fixed rates of between 5.145% and 5.372% 
(2015: 5.145% and 5.372%). The swaps are being used to hedge the exposure to changes in future cash flows from variable rate 
debt. The Group also has cross–currency swaps in place whereby it received a fixed interest rate of between 3.92% and 4.86% 
(2015: 3.92% and 4.86%) on a notional amount of $250.0m (2015: $250.0m) and paid an average of 4.72% on a notional sterling 
balance of £158.2m (2015: 4.72% on £158.2m).

There are £50.0m of swaps (2015: £50.0m) with maturities beyond the life of the current revolving credit facility (2020), which 
are in place to hedge against the core level of debt the Group will hold. 

The cash flow hedges were assessed to be highly effective at 3 March 2016 and a net unrealised loss of £6.5m (2014/15: net 
unrealised loss of £3.0m) has been recorded in other comprehensive income. The ineffectiveness recorded within finance costs 
in the income statement for 2015/16, a debit of £1.0k, and 2014/15, a debit of £14.0k, was immaterial.

Fair value hedges 
At 3 March 2016, the Group has cross–currency swaps in place whereby it receives a fixed interest rate of 5.23% (2015: 5.23%) 
on a notional amount of $75.0m (2015: $75.0m) and paid a spread of between 1.715% and 1.755% (2015: 1.715% and 1.755%)  
over 6m GBP LIBOR on a notional sterling balance of £50.1m (2015: £50.1m).

The fair value hedges were also assessed to be highly effective at 3 March 2016. 

An increase in the fair value of the interest rate swap of £5.4m (2015: an increase of £4.4m) offset by a loss in the fair value 
of the hedged items of £5.2m (2015: loss of £3.9m) led to a credit of £0.2m recorded within finance revenue in the income 
statement (2015: a credit of £0.5m in finance revenue in the income statement). 

Cash flow and fair value hedges are expected to impact on the income statement in line with the liquidity risk table shown  
in Note 24. 

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26 Trade and other payables

Trade payables  
Other taxes and social security  
Deferred income  
Accruals  
Other payables  

Analysed as: 
  Current 
  Non–current 

27 Share capital

Ordinary share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid ordinary shares of 76.80p each (2015: 76.80p each)  

At 27 February 2014  
Issued  

At 26 February 2015 

Issued 

At 3 March 2016  

2016 
£m 

144.4 
44.6 
70.7 
218.1 
80.5 

558.3 

538.2 
20.1 

558.3 

2015 
£m

 121.6  
56.1  
63.6 
177.6  
65.7 

484.6 

464.1  
20.5 

484.6 

million  

 194.7  
 0.3  

195.0 

0.2 

£m

 149.6  
 0.2 

149.8

0.2

195.2 

150.0

At the 2015 Annual General Meeting, the Company was authorised to purchase up to 18.2m of its own shares on the open 
market. 

During the year, no ordinary shares were acquired (2014/15: nil). No shares were cancelled in the year (2014/15: nil). 

During the year, options over 0.2m ordinary shares, fully paid, were exercised by employees under the terms of various  
share option schemes (2014/15: 0.3m).

The total number of shares in issue at the year–end, as used in the calculation of the basic weighted average number  
of ordinary shares, was 195.2m, less 12.6m treasury shares held by Whitbread PLC and 0.9m held by the employee share 
ownership trust (ESOT) (2015: 195.0m, less 13.3m treasury shares held by Whitbread PLC and 0.6m held by the ESOT).

139

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
At 3 March 2016

27 Share capital continued

Preference share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid shares of 1p each (2015: 1p each)  

At 27 February 2014, 26 February 2015 and 3 March 2016 

B shares 

C shares

million 

2.0 

£m 

— 

million 

1.9 

£m

—

B shareholders are entitled to an annual non–cumulative preference dividend paid in arrears on or around 2 July each year  
on a notional amount of 155p per share.

C shareholders are entitled to an annual non–cumulative preference dividend paid in arrears on or around 14 January each  
year on a value of 159p per share.

Other than shares issued in the normal course of business as part of the share–based payments schemes, there have been  
no transactions involving ordinary shares or potential ordinary shares since the reporting date and before the completion  
of these consolidated financial statements.

28 Reserves

Share premium
The share premium reserve is the premium paid on the Company’s 76.80p ordinary shares. The issue of shares in lieu of cash 
dividends was treated as a bonus issue, with the nominal value of the shares being charged against the share premium account. 

Capital redemption reserve
A capital redemption reserve was created on the cancellation of the Group’s B and C preference shares (Note 27) and also 
includes the nominal value of cancelled ordinary shares.

Retained earnings
In accordance with IFRS practice, retained earnings include revaluation reserves which are not distributable under UK law.

Currency translation reserve
The foreign currency translation reserve is used to record exchange differences arising from the translation of the consolidated 
financial statements of foreign subsidiaries and other foreign currency investments.

Treasury reserve
This reserve relates to shares held by an independently managed employee share ownership trust (ESOT) and treasury  
shares held by Whitbread PLC. The shares held by the ESOT were purchased in order to satisfy outstanding employee share 
options and potential awards under the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) and other incentive schemes.

Merger reserve
The merger reserve arose as a consequence of the merger in 2000/01 of Whitbread Group PLC and Whitbread PLC.

Hedging reserve
This reserve records movements for effective cash flow hedges measured at fair value.

The total of the treasury, merger and hedging reserves equals other reserves in the consolidated balance sheet.

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28 Reserves continued

The movement in treasury shares during the year is set out in the table below:

At 27 February 2014  
Exercised during the year 

At 26 February 2015 

Transferred 
Exercised during the year 

At 3 March 2016  

Treasury shares held by 
Whitbread PLC 

ESOT shares held

million 

 13.3  
—  

13.3  

(0.7) 
— 

12.6 

£m 

million 

 194.7  
 —  

 194.7  

(10.3) 
— 

184.4 

 1.2  
 (0.6) 

 0.6 

0.7 
(0.4) 

0.9 

£m

 17.9  
 (8.1)

 9.8 

10.3 
(6.7)

13.4

The treasury shares reduce the amount of reserves available for distribution to shareholders by £197.8m (2015: £204.5m).

29 Commitments and contingencies

Operating lease commitments
The Group leases various buildings which are used within the Hotels & Restaurants and Costa businesses. The leases are  
non–cancellable operating leases with varying terms, escalation clauses and renewal rights. The Group also leases various  
plant and equipment under non–cancellable operating lease agreements.

Contingent rents are the portion of the lease payment that is not fixed in amount but based upon the future amount  
of a factor that changes other than with the passage of time (e.g. percentage of future sales, amount of future use, future  
price indices or future market rates of interest).

Future minimum rentals payable under non–cancellable operating leases, on an undiscounted basis, are as follows:

Due within one year  
Due after one year but not more than five years  
Due after five years but not more than ten years 
Due after ten years 

2016 
£m 

214.5 
724.6 
675.4 
1,282.2 

2015 
£m

196.6 
671.1  
629.4 
1,335.6

2,896.7 

2,832.7 

Future minimum rentals payable under non–cancellable operating leases disclosed above includes £40.5m in relation  
to privity contracts (2014/15: £78.6m). Future lease costs in respect of these privity contracts are included within the  
onerous contracts provision (Note 23). Onerous contracts are under constant review and every effort is taken to reduce  
this obligation.

The weighted average lease life of future minimum rentals payable under non–cancellable operating leases is 12.3 years  
(2015: 13.3 years).

Group companies have sublet space in certain properties. The future minimum sublease payments expected to be received 
under non–cancellable sublease agreements as at 3 March 2016 are £49.5m (2015: £58.5m) of which £36.6m (2015: £45.9m) 
relates to privity contracts.

Contingent liabilities
There are no contingent liabilities to be disclosed in the year ended 3 March 2016 (2015: £nil).

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
At 3 March 2016

30 Share–based payment plans

Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
The LTIP awards shares to directors and senior executives of the Group. Vesting of all shares under the scheme will depend  
on continued employment and meeting earnings per share (EPS) performance targets over a three–year period (the vesting 
period). In addition, awards from 2012 onwards are dependent on meeting a return on capital employed (ROCE) target over 
the vesting period. Grants prior to this were dependent on meeting a total shareholder return (TSR) target over the vesting 
period. Details of the performance targets for the LTIP awards can be seen in the remuneration report on pages 76 to 91.

The awards are settled in equity once exercised.

Movements in the number of share awards are as follows:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year  
Granted during the year  
Exercised during the year  
Expired during the year  

Outstanding at the end of the year  

Exercisable at the end of the year  

2016 
Awards 

2015 
Awards

817,642 
223,730 
(302,577) 
(53,369) 

977,348  
202,809  
(329,389) 
(33,126)

685,426 

817,642

9,963 

5,497 

Deferred equity awards
Awards are made under the Whitbread Leadership Group Incentive Scheme implemented during 2004/05.

The awards are not subject to performance conditions and will vest in full on the release date subject to continued employment 
at that date. If the director or senior executive of the Group ceases to be an employee of Whitbread prior to the release date, 
normally three years after the award, by reason of redundancy, retirement, death, injury, ill health, disability or some other 
reason considered to be appropriate by the remuneration committee, the awards will be released in full. If employment ceases 
for any other reason, the proportion of awards which vest depends upon the year in which the award was made and the date 
that employment ceased. If employment ceases in the first year after an award is made none of the awards vest, between the 
first and second anniversary, 25% vests and between the second and third anniversary, 50% vests. 

Movements in the number of share awards are as follows:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year 
Granted during the year 
Exercised during the year 
Expired during the year 

Outstanding at the end of the year 

Exercisable at the end of the year 

2016 
Awards 

2015 
Awards

415,264 
158,573 
(129,252) 
(32,065) 

478,494 
141,751 
(191,917) 
(13,064)

412,520 

415,264 

— 

—

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30 Share–based payment plans continued

Employee sharesave scheme
The employee sharesave scheme is open to all employees and provides for a purchase price equal to the market price  
on the day preceding the date of invitation, with a 20% discount. The shares can be purchased over the six–month period 
following the third or fifth anniversary of the commencement date, depending on the length chosen by the employee.

Movements in the number of share options and the related weighted average exercise price (WAEP) are as follows:

Outstanding at the beginning of the year  
Granted during the year  
Exercised during the year  
Expired during the year  

Outstanding at the end of the year  

Exercisable at the end of the year  

2016 

2015

Options 

WAEP 
£ per share 

Options 

WAEP 
£ per share

  1,224,544 
465,854 
(208,513) 
(188,736) 

27.30  1,099,022 
535,621 
38.66 
(249,888) 
17.01 
(160,211) 
31.26 

1,293,149 

32.49  1,224,544 

89,110 

18.80 

60,083 

19.58  
35.07  
12.75 
23.48

27.30

13.01

The weighted average contractual life of the share options outstanding as at 3 March 2016 is between two and three years. 
Outstanding options to purchase ordinary shares of 76.80p between 2015 and 2020 are exercisable at prices between  
£14.14 and £38.66 per share (2015: between 2014 and 2019 at prices between £10.08 and £35.07). 

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for employee share scheme options exercised during the year was 
£43.25 (2015: £49.01).

The following table lists the inputs to the model used for the years ended 3 March 2016 and 26 February 2015:

Grant 
date 

Number 
of shares 
granted 

Fair 
value 
% 

Fair  Exercise 
price 
£ 

value 
£ 

grant  Expected 
term 
date 
Years 
£ 

dividend  Expected 
volatility 
% 

yield 
% 

Price at 

  Expected 

LTIP 
awards 

Deferred 
equity 
awards 

SAYE —  
3 years 

SAYE — 
5 years 

29/04/2015  223,730  94.2  11,001,341 
7,773,665 
01/05/2014  202,809  94.2 

28/04/2015  158,573  94.2 
29/04/2014  141,751  94.2 

7,916,916 
5,449,337 

— 
— 

— 
— 

02/12/2015  388,343  20.5 
02/12/2014  427,177  24.9 

3,739,296  38.66 
4,924,795  35.07 

02/12/2015 
77,511  22.7 
02/12/2014  108,444  26.6 

826,437  38.66 
1,335,575  35.07 

52.20 
40.69 

53.00 
40.81 

46.97 
46.30 

46.97 
46.30 

3.00 
3.00 

3.00 
3.00 

3.25 
3.25 

5.25 
5.25 

2.0 
2.0 

2.0 
2.0 

2.0 
2.0 

2.0 
2.0 

n/a 
n/a 

n/a 
n/a 

20.0 
20.0 

20.0 
20.0 

Risk– 
free 
rate 
% 

Vesting 
conditions

n/a  Non–market 1,2, 3 
n/a  Non–market 1,2, 3

n/a 
n/a 

0.86 
1.04 

1.35 
1.47 

Service 3 
Service 3 

Service 3 
Service 3

Service 3 
Service 3

1  Return on capital employed.

2  Earnings per share.

3  Employment service.

The fair value of share options granted is estimated as at the date of grant using a stochastic model, taking into account  
the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted.

Expected volatility reflects the assumption that historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which may not necessarily  
be the actual outcome.

The risk–free rate is the rate of interest obtainable from government securities over the expected life of the equity incentive.

The expected dividend yield is calculated on the basis of publicly available information at the time of the grant date which,  
in most cases, is the historic dividend yield. 

No other features relating to the granting of options were incorporated into the measurement of fair value. 

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
At 3 March 2016

30 Share–based payment plans continued

Employee share ownership trust (ESOT)
The Company funds an ESOT to enable it to acquire and hold shares for the LTIP. The ESOT held 0.9m shares at 3 March 2016 
(2015: 0.6m). All dividends on the shares in the ESOT are waived by the Trustee.

Total charged to the income statement for all schemes

Long Term Incentive Plan 
Deferred equity  
Employee sharesave scheme  

Equity–settled 
Cash–settled 

31 Retirement benefits

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15 
£m

7.4 
6.4 
3.5 

17.3 

17.3 
— 

17.3 

6.8  
4.5  
2.3

13.6 

13.5 
0.1

13.6 

Defined contribution schemes
The Group operates a contracted–in defined contribution scheme under the Whitbread Group Pension Fund. Contributions  
by both employees and Group companies are held in externally invested, trustee–administered funds.

The Group contributes a specified percentage of earnings for members of the above defined contribution scheme, and  
thereafter has no further obligations in relation to the scheme. The total cost charged to income in relation to the defined 
contribution scheme in the year was £8.1m (2014/15: £7.2m).

At the year–end, 29,307 employees (2015: 26,673) were active members of the scheme, which also had 6,181 deferred  
members (2015: 4,282).

Defined benefit scheme
The defined benefit (final salary) section of the principal Group pension scheme, the Whitbread Group Pension Fund, was  
closed to new members on 31 December 2001 and to future accrual on 31 December 2009. The Whitbread Group Pension  
Fund is set up under UK trust law, registered with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and regulated by the Pensions  
Regulator. The Whitbread Group Pension Fund is governed by a corporate trustee which operates the scheme in accordance  
with the requirements of UK pensions legislation.

At the year–end the scheme had no active members (2015: nil), 22,792 deferred pensioners (2015: 23,543) and 16,647 pensions 
in payment (2015: 16,696).

The liability recognised in the balance sheet in respect of the defined benefit pension scheme is the present value of the  
defined benefit obligation at the end of the reporting period less the fair value of plan assets. The IAS 19(R) pension cost relating  
to the defined benefit section of the Whitbread Group Pension Fund is assessed in accordance with actuarial advice from, and 
calculations provided by, Lane Clark & Peacock, using the projected unit credit method. The present value of the defined benefit 
obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high quality corporate bonds 
that have terms to maturity approximating to the terms of the related pension obligation. Actuarial gains and losses arising 
from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are charged or credited to equity in other comprehensive 
income in the period in which they arise. As the scheme is closed to future accrual, there is no future service cost.

Under the governing documentation of the Whitbread Group Pension Fund, any future surplus in the Fund would be returnable  
to Whitbread PLC by a reduction in future contributions. As such, there are no adjustments required in respect of IFRIC 14  
 ‘IAS 19 — The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction’.

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit plan obligation at the end of the reporting period is 16.5 years  
(2015: 17.5 years). 

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31 Retirement benefits continued

Funding
Expected contributions to be made in the next reporting period total £82.1m (2015: £76.5m). In 2015/16, contributions were 
£82.0m with £73.0m from the employer, £8.9m from Moorgate Scottish Limited Partnership (SLP) and £0.1m of benefits 
settled by the Group in relation to an unfunded scheme (2014/15: £81.4m, with £72.4m from employer, £8.9m from Moorgate 
SLP and £0.1m of benefits settled by the Group in relation to an unfunded scheme). In addition, Whitbread paid £2.3m 
(2014/15: £nil) of investment manager expenses.

A scheme specific actuarial valuation for the purpose of determining the level of cash contributions to be paid into the 
Whitbread Group Pension Fund was undertaken as at 31 March 2014. A deficit recovery plan and some protection whilst the 
scheme remains in deficit have been agreed with the Trustee. The Group made a £70.0m payment in 2015/16 and will make  
the following payments to the Fund: £70.0m in 2016/17; £80.0m in 2017/18; £80.0m in 2018/19; £80.0m in 2019/20; £80.0m  
in 2020/21; £80.0m in 2021/22 and £7.6m in 2022/23. For the period of the deficit, the Group has agreed to give undertakings 
to the Trustee similar to some of the covenants provided in respect of its banking agreements, up to the value of any 
outstanding recovery plan payments or the remaining deficit, if lower. Until the next valuation, the Trustee has also been  
given a promise of accelerated payments of up to £5.0m per annum where increases in ordinary dividends exceed RPI  
and the right to consultation before any special distributions can be made. 

In addition to the scheduled deficit contribution payments described above, the Pension Scheme will receive a share  
of the income, profits and a variable capital payment from its investment in Moorgate SLP, which was established by  
the Group in the year ended 4 March 2010 (the share in profits is accounted for by the Group as contributions when paid).  
The partnership interests in Moorgate SLP are held by the Group, the general partner and by the Pension Scheme. 

Moorgate SLP holds an investment in a further partnership, Farringdon Scottish Partnership (SP), which was also established 
by the Group during 2009/10. Property assets with a market value of £221.0m have been transferred from other Group 
companies to Farringdon SP and leased back to Whitbread Group PLC and Premier Inn Hotels Limited. The Group retains 
control over these properties, including the flexibility to substitute alternative properties. However, the Trustee has first charge 
over the property portfolio and certain other assets with an aggregate value of £228.0m. The Group retains control over  
both partnerships and, as such, they are fully consolidated in these consolidated financial statements. 

The Pension Scheme is a partner in Moorgate SLP and, as such, is entitled to an annual share of the profits of the partnership 
over the next nine years. At the end of this period, the partnership capital allocated to the Pension Scheme partner will, 
depending on the funding position of the Pension Scheme at that time, be transferred in cash to the Pension Scheme up  
to a value of £150.0m (2015: £150.0m). 

Under IAS 19(R), the investment held by the Pension Scheme in Moorgate SLP, a consolidated entity, does not represent a plan 
asset for the purposes of the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the pension deficit position in these consolidated 
financial statements does not reflect the £165.8m (2015: £165.8m) investment in Moorgate SLP held by the Pension Scheme. 

During the year ended 28 February 2013, the Group entered into a charge in favour of Whitbread Pension Trustees Limited 
over properties with a market value totalling £180.0m at that date. The charge was to secure the obligations of the Group  
to make payments to the Pension Fund as part of the recovery plan to reduce the deficit. This, together with the properties 
secured as a consequence of the arrangement surrounding the partnerships, secures properties totalling £408.0m in favour  
of the Pension Scheme. 

Risks
Through its defined benefit scheme, the Group is exposed to a number of risks in relation to the IAS 19 deficit, the most 
significant of which are detailed below:

Risk

Description

Market volatility

The defined benefit obligation is linked to AA–rated corporate bonds whilst scheme 
assets are invested in equities, gilts, bonds, property and cash. This exposes the  
Group to risks including those relating to interest rates, equity markets, property 
markets and foreign exchange. Changing market conditions, in conjunction with 
discount rate fluctuations, will lead to volatility in the Group’s net pension liability  
on the balance sheet, pension expense in the income statement and re–measurement 
movements in other comprehensive income. 

Principal impact on assets  
and obligation reconciliations

Return on plan assets

Inflationary risk 

Due to the link between the scheme obligation and inflation, an increased rate of 
inflation will lead to higher scheme liabilities. 

Actuarial movements in financial 
assumptions

Accounting 
assumptions

The defined benefit obligation is calculated by projecting the future cash flows  
of the scheme for many years into the future. Consequently, the assumptions used  
can have a significant impact on the balance sheet position and income statement 
charge. In practice, future Scheme experience may not be in line with the assumptions 
adopted. For example, an increase in the life expectancy of members would increase 
scheme liabilities.

Discount rate: interest income on 
scheme assets and cost on liabilities

Mortality: actuarial movements  
in demographic assumptions

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At 3 March 2016

31 Retirement benefits continued
The principal assumptions used by the independent qualified actuaries in updating the most recent valuation carried out as at 
31 March 2014 of the UK scheme to 3 March 2016 for IAS 19(R) purposes were:

Pre–April 2006 rate of increase in pensions in payment 
Post–April 2006 rate of increase in pensions in payment  
Pension increases in deferment 
Discount rate  
Inflation assumption  

At 
3 March 
2016 
% 

At 
26 February 
2015 
%

2.80 
2.00 
2.80 
3.70 
2.90 

2.80 
2.00 
2.80 
3.30 
2.90

The mortality assumptions are based on standard mortality tables which allow for future mortality improvements. The 
assumptions are that a member currently aged 65 will live on average for a further 21.3 years (2015: 21.2 years) if they are male 
and for a further 24.4 years (2015: 24.3 years) if they are female. For a member who retires in 2036 at age 65, the assumptions 
are that they will live on average for a further 22.8 years (2015: 22.7 years) after retirement if they are male and for a further 
25.9 years (2015: 25.6 years) after retirement if they are female.

The amounts recognised in the income statement in respect of the defined benefit scheme are as follows:

Net interest on net defined benefit liability 
Administrative expenses 

Total expense recognised in the income statement (gross of deferred tax)  

Amounts recognised in operating profit for service costs or curtailment are £nil (2014/15: £nil).

The amounts taken to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income are as follows:

Actuarial (gains)/losses 
Return/(reduction) on plan assets greater than discount rate 

Re–measurement effects recognised in other comprehensive income 

The amounts recognised in the balance sheet are as follows:

Present value of defined benefit obligation  
Fair value of scheme assets  

Liability recognised in the balance sheet  

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15  
£m

17.2 
3.0 

20.2 

21.6  
3.0 

24.6

2015/16 
£m 

(203.9) 
2.3 

(201.6) 

2014/15  
£m

339.7 
(263.4)

76.3

2016 
£m 

2015 
£m

(2,220.4) 
1,932.3 

(2,447.8) 
1,894.0 

(288.1) 

(553.8)

During the year, the accounting deficit decreased from £553.8m at 26 February 2015 to £288.1m at 3 March 2016. The principal 
reason for this improvement was an increase in the discount rate.

Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation are as follows:

Opening defined benefit obligation  
Interest cost  
Re–measurement due to: 
  Changes in financial assumptions 
  Changes in demographic assumptions 
  Experience adjustments 
Benefits paid  
Benefits settled by the Group in relation to an unfunded pension scheme1  

Closing defined benefit obligation  

2016 
£m 

2,447.8 
79.5 

(154.8) 
— 
(49.1) 
(102.9) 
(0.1) 

2015  
£m

2,104.9 
88.7 

276.4 
84.5 
(21.2) 
(85.4) 
(0.1)

2,220.4 

2,447.8

146

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31 Retirement benefits continued

Changes in the fair value of the scheme assets are as follows:

Opening fair value of scheme assets  
Interest income on scheme assets 
Return on plan assets (lower)/greater than discount rate2 
Contributions from employer1 
Additional contributions from Moorgate SLP1 
Investment manager expenses paid by the employer1 
Benefits paid  
Administrative expenses 

Closing fair value of scheme assets  

The major categories of plan assets are as follows:

2016 
£m 

1,894.0 
62.3 
(2.3) 
73.0 
8.9 
2.3 
(102.9) 
(3.0) 

2015 
£m

1,570.6 
67.1 
263.4 
72.4 
8.9 
— 
(85.4) 
(3.0)

1,932.3 

1,894.0

Equities 
Government bonds  
Corporate bonds 
Property  
Other3  

Quoted and 
pooled 
£m 

804.4 
686.3 
129.2 
125.9 
16.0 

2016 

Unquoted 
£m 

75.2 
— 
33.5 
61.8 
— 

Total 
£m 

879.6 
686.3 
162.7 
187.7 
16.0 

Quoted and 
pooled 
£m 

869.0 
532.3 
124.6 
123.6 
84.3 

2015

Unquoted 
£m 

88.4 
— 
25.4 
46.4 
— 

Total 
£m

957.4 
532.3 
150.0 
170.0 
84.3

1,761.8 

170.5 

1,932.3 

1,733.8 

160.2 

1,894.0

1  The total of these four items equals the cash paid by the Group as per the consolidated cash flow statement.

2  Includes cost of managing fund assets.

3  Other relates to assets held in respect of cash and net current assets.

The assumptions in relation to discount rate, mortality and inflation have a significant effect on the measurement of scheme 
liabilities. The following table shows the sensitivity of the valuation to changes in these assumptions:

Discount rate 
0.25% increase to discount rate 
0.25% decrease to discount rate 
Inflation 
0.25% increase to inflation rate 
0.25% decrease to inflation rate 
Life expectancy 
Additional one year increase to life expectancy 

(Increase)/decrease 
in liability

2016 
£m 

2015 
£m

88.0 
(94.0) 

(69.0) 
66.0 

103.0 
(114.0) 

(86.0) 
82.0 

(75.0) 

(83.0)

The above sensitivity analyses are based on a change in an assumption whilst holding all other assumptions constant.  
In practice, this is unlikely to occur and changes in some of the assumptions may be correlated. When calculating the  
sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to significant actuarial assumptions, the same method (projected unit credit 
method) has been applied as when calculating the pension liability recognised within the balance sheet. The methods  
and types of assumptions did not change.

147

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements
At 3 March 2016

32 Related party disclosure

The Group consists of a parent Company, Whitbread PLC, incorporated in the UK and a number of subsidiaries, joint  
ventures and associate held directly and indirectly by Whitbread PLC, which operate and are incorporated around the world. 
Note 11 to the Company’s separate financial statements lists details of the interests in subsidiaries and related undertakings.

The Group holds 6% as a general partnership interest in Moorgate Scottish Limited Partnership (SLP) with Whitbread Pension 
Trustees holding the balance as a limited partner. Moorgate SLP holds a 67.8% investment in a further partnership, Farringdon 
Scottish Partnership (SP), which was established by the Group to hold property assets. The remaining 32.2% interest in 
Farringdon SP is owned by the Group. The partnerships were set up in 2009/10 as part of a transaction with Whitbread 
Pension Trustees and the Group retains control over both partnerships and, as such, they are fully consolidated in these 
consolidated financial statements. Further details can be found in Note 31.

Shares in Whitbread Group PLC are held directly by Whitbread PLC. Shares in the other subsidiaries are held directly and 
indirectly by Whitbread Group PLC. All significant trading subsidiary undertakings have the same year–end as Whitbread PLC, 
with the exception of Yueda Costa (Shanghai) Food & Beverage Management Company Limited which has a year–end  
of 31 December as required by Chinese legislation. 

Related party

Joint ventures 
2015/16 
2014/15 

Associate 
2015/16 
2014/15 

Compensation of key management personnel (including directors):

Short–term employee benefits  
Post employment benefits  
Share–based payments  

Sales to 
related 
parties 
£m 

Amounts 
owed by 
related 
parties 
£m 

Amounts 
owed to 
related 
parties 
£m

3.8 
3.7  

3.3 
3.5  

0.9 
 1.2  

— 
 0.3  

(0.1) 
 — 

— 
 — 

2015/16 
£m 

2014/15 
£m

6.2 
0.2 
5.9 

12.3 

7.0  
0.2 
5.5

12.7

148

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32 Related party disclosure continued

Joint ventures
For details of the Group’s investments in joint ventures see Note 16.

Associate
For details of the Group’s investment in associate see Note 17.

Terms and conditions of transactions with related parties
Sales to, and purchases from, related parties are made at normal market prices. Outstanding balances at year–end  
are unsecured and settlement occurs in cash. There have been no guarantees provided, or received, for any related  
party receivables. For the year ended 3 March 2016, the Group has raised a provision for doubtful debts of £nil relating  
to amounts owed by related parties (2015: £0.1m). An assessment is undertaken, each financial year, through examining  
the financial position of the related parties and the market in which the related parties operate.

Transactions with other related parties
Details of transactions with directors are detailed in the remuneration report on pages 76 to 91.

33 Events after the balance sheet date

A final dividend of 61.85p per share (2015: 56.95p) amounting to a dividend of £112.4m (2015: £103.1m) was recommended  
by the directors at their meeting on 25 April 2016. A dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) alternative will be offered. These 
consolidated financial statements do not reflect this dividend payable.

149

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Company 
accounts 
2015/16

152   Company balance sheet
153   Notes to the Company financial statements

i

O
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r
v
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3

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G
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6
5

Whitbread 
Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16

Company  
accounts 2015/16 

151

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company balance sheet
At 3 March 2016

Fixed assets 
Investment in subsidiaries  

Total non–current assets 

Current assets 
Debtors: amounts falling due within one year  

Current liabilities 
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 

Net current liabilities 

Net assets 

Capital and reserves 
Share capital  
Share premium 
Capital redemption reserve 
Retained earnings 
Treasury reserve  

Shareholders’ funds  

Alison Brittain 
Chief Executive 

25 April 2016 

Nicholas Cadbury
Finance Director

Notes 

3 March 
2016 
£m 

26 February 
2015 
£m 

5 

2,356.4 

2,256.1

2,356.4 

2,256.1 

6 

7 

8 
9 
9 
9 
9 

9 

1.5 

—

(252.1) 

(250.6) 

(59.9)

(59.9)

2,105.8 

2,196.2

150.0 
62.6 
12.3 
2,078.7 
(197.8) 

149.8  
59.2  
12.3  
2,169.6 
(194.7)

2,105.8 

2,196.2

152

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Notes to the Company financial statements
At 3 March 2016

1 Basis of accounting

The financial statements of Whitbread PLC for the year ended 3 March 2016 were authorised for issue by the Board  
of Directors on 25 April 2016.

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable UK  
Accounting Standards.

The Company meets the definition of a qualifying entity under FRS 100 ‘Application of Financial Reporting Requirements’  
as issued by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). Accordingly, in the year ended 3 March 2016, the Company has  
undergone transition from reporting under UK GAAP to FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’. The financial statements 
have therefore been prepared in accordance with FRS 101. This transition is not considered to have had a material effect  
on the financial statements.

The financial year represents the 53 weeks to 3 March 2016 (prior financial year: 52 weeks to 26 February 2015).

As permitted by FRS 101, the Company has taken advantage of the disclosure exemptions available under that standard in 
relation to share–based payment, non–current assets held for sale, financial instruments, capital management, presentation 
of comparative information in respect of certain assets, presentation of a cash flow statement, standards not yet effective, 
impairment of assets and related party transactions.

Where required, equivalent disclosures are given in the consolidated financial statements of the Group.

2 Summary of significant accounting policies

Investments
Investments held as fixed assets are stated at cost less provision for any impairment. The carrying value of investments are 
reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

3 Profit earned for ordinary shareholders

The profit and loss account of the parent Company is omitted from the Company’s accounts by virtue of the exemption 
granted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006. The loss generated in the year for ordinary shareholders and included  
in the financial statements of the parent Company amounted to £5.9m (2014/15: profit of £0.5m).

4 Dividends paid and proposed

Final dividend relating to the prior year 

Paid in the year 

Interim dividend for the current year 

Paid in the year 

Total equity dividends paid in the year 

Dividends on other shares: 
  B share dividend  
  C share dividend  

Total dividends paid 

2015/16 

2014/15

pence 
per share 

56.95 

28.50 

0.80 
0.80 

pence 
per share 

47.00 

25.20 

0.70 
0.70 

£m 

103.4 

103.4 

51.7 

51.7 

155.1 

— 
— 

— 

155.1 

£m

85.1

85.1

45.5

45.5

130.6

— 
—

—

130.6

Proposed for approval at Annual General Meeting:

Final equity dividend for the current year 

61.85 

112.4 

56.95 

103.1

A final dividend of 61.85p per share (2015: 56.95p) amounting to a dividend of £112.4m (2015: £103.1m) was recommended  
by the directors at their meeting on 25 April 2016. A dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) alternative will be offered. These 
financial statements do not reflect this dividend payable.

153

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Notes to the Company financial statements
At 3 March 2016

5 Investment in subsidiary undertakings

Investments at cost 

At 26 February 2015 
Additions1 

At 3 March 2016 

1  Contributions to subsidiaries in respect of share–based payments.

Significant trading subsidiary undertakings  

Principal activity 

Whitbread Group PLC  

Hotels & Restaurants 

Premier Inn Hotels Limited  

Hotels  

Costa Limited  

 Operators of coffee shops and roasters 
and wholesalers of coffee beans 

2016 
£m 

2015 
£m 

2,256.1 
100.3 

2,256.1 
—

2,356.4 

2,256.1

Country of 
incorporation 

Country of 
principal 
operations 

% of 
equity and 
votes held

England  

England  

England  

England  

100.0

100.0

England  

England  

100.0 

Yueda Costa (Shanghai)  
Food & Beverage Management  
Company Limited

Operators of coffee shops 

China 

China 

51.0 

Coffeeheaven International Limited 

 Operators of coffee shops in Eastern Europe 

England  

Poland 

Costa Express Limited 

 Operators of customer–facing  
espresso–based self–serve coffee bars 

England 

England 

100.0

100.0 

Whitbread Group PLC, in which the Company has an investment, holds 6% as a general partnership interest in Moorgate Scottish 
Limited Partnership (SLP) with Whitbread Pension Trustees holding the balance as a limited partner. Moorgate SLP holds  
a 67.8% investment in a further partnership, Farringdon Scottish Partnership (SP), which was established by the Group to  
hold property assets. The remaining 32.2% interest in Farringdon SP is owned by the Whitbread Group PLC. The partnerships  
were set up in 2009/10 as part of a transaction with Whitbread Pension Trustees. Further details can be found in Note 31  
of the Whitbread PLC consolidated financial statements. 

Shares in Whitbread Group PLC are held directly by Whitbread PLC. Shares in the other subsidiaries are held directly or 
indirectly by Whitbread Group PLC or its subsidiaries. All significant trading subsidiary undertakings have the same year–end  
as Whitbread PLC, with the exception of Yueda Costa (Shanghai) Food & Beverage Management Company Limited which  
has a year–end of 31 December as required by Chinese legislation. The companies listed above are those which materially  
affect the amount of profit and the assets of the Group. A full list of subsidiaries and related undertakings is provided in Note 11.

6 Debtors

Amounts falling due within one year 

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings 

7 Creditors

Amounts falling due within one year 

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings 
Unclaimed dividends  
Corporation tax payable 

2016 
£m 

1.5 

1.5 

2016 
£m 

246.5 
5.6 
— 

252.1 

2015 
£m 

—

—

2015 
£m 

53.8 
6.0  
0.1

59.9

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8 Share capital

Ordinary share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid ordinary shares of 76.80p each (2015: 76.80p each)   

At 27 February 2014 
Issued  

At 26 February 2015 
Issued  

At 3 March 2016 

million  

 194.7 
0.3  

195.0 
0.2 

195.2 

£m

149.6  
 0.2

149.8  
0.2

150.0

At the 2015 Annual General Meeting, the Company was authorised to purchase up to 18.2m of its own shares on the open market. 

During the year, no ordinary shares were acquired (2014/15: nil). No shares were cancelled in the year (2014/15: nil). 

During the year, options over 0.2m ordinary shares, fully paid, were exercised by employees under the terms of various share 
option schemes (2014/15: 0.3m).

Preference share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid shares of 1p each (2015: 1p each)  

At 27 February 2014, 26 February 2015 and 3 March 2016 

B shares 

C shares

million 

2.0 

£m 

— 

million 

1.9 

£m

—

At 3 March 2016 there were outstanding options for employees to purchase up to 1.3m (2015: 1.2m) ordinary shares  
of 76.80p each between 2015 and 2020 at prices between £14.14 and £38.66 per share (2015: between 2014 and 2019  
at prices between £10.08 and £35.07 per share).

9 Shareholders’ funds

At 27 February 2014 
Ordinary shares issued  
Profit for the financial year  
Equity dividends 

At 26 February 2015 

Ordinary shares issued  
Share–based payments  
ESOT adjustment  
Loss on ESOT shares issued 
Profit for the financial year  
Equity dividends 

At 3 March 2016 

Share 
capital 
£m  

 149.6 
 0.2 
 —  
 —  

 149.8  

0.2 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

Share  
premium 
£m  

Capital 
 redemption 
reserve  
£m  

Retained 
 earnings  
£m  

2,299.7 
— 
0.5 
 (130.6) 

Treasury 
reserve 
£m  

(194.7) 
— 
 —  
 —  

Total 
£m

2,323.1  
3.2  
0.5  
(130.6)

12.3 
— 
 —  
 —  

 12.3  

 2,169.6  

 (194.7) 

 2,196.2 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
100.3 
(23.5) 
(6.7) 
(5.9) 
(155.1) 

— 
— 
(9.8) 
6.7 
— 
— 

3.6 
100.3 
(33.3) 
— 
(5.9) 
(155.1)

56.2 
3.0 
 —  
 —  

 59.2  

3.4 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

150.0 

62.6 

12.3 

2,078.7 

(197.8) 

2,105.8

Included in retained earnings is distributable reserves of £1,978.4m. 

The movement in treasury shares during the year is set out in the table below:

At 26 February 2015 

ESOT adjustment 
Transferred 
Exercised in the year 

At 3 March 2016 

Treasury shares held 
by Whitbread PLC 

ESOT shares held

million 

13.3  

— 
(0.7) 
— 

12.6 

£m 

million 

 194.7  

— 
(10.3) 
— 

184.4 

— 

0.6 
0.7 
(0.4) 

0.9 

£m

—

9.8 
10.3 
(6.7)

13.4

155

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Notes to the Company financial statements
At 3 March 2016

10 Contingent liabilities

Whitbread PLC is a member of the Whitbread Group PLC VAT group. All members are jointly and severally liable for the 
liability. At the balance sheet date the Group liability stood at £27.2m (2015: £39.0m).

 11 Related parties

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption under paragraph 8(k) of Financial Reporting Standard 101 not to disclose 
transactions with other Group companies. 

Details of related undertakings are shown below: 

Active related undertakings

Name of related undertaking 

Country of incorporation 

Class of shares held 

Boutique Premier Inn Soi 11 Limited 

Thailand 

Ordinary THB 100.00 

Brickwoods Limited 

Chiswell Overseas Limited 

Coffeeheaven Holdings Limited 

Coffeeheaven International Limited 

Costa Beijing Limited 

Costa Card ELMI Limited 

Costa Catering Management 
(Shanghai) Company Limited 

Costa China Holdings Limited 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

China 

England 

Costa Coffee India Private Limited 

India 

Costa Coffee Polska SA 

Costa Express Canada Limited 

Costa Express Holdings Limited 

Costa Express Limited 

Costa France SAS 

Costa International Limited 

Costa Limited 

Poland 

Canada 

England 

England 

France 

England 

England 

Ordinary £0.25 

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £0.01 

Ordinary £0.01 

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary HKD 1.00 

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary INR 10.00 

Ordinary PLN 10.00 

Ordinary CAD 1.00 

Deferred Ordinary £0.01 

Ordinary — A £0.01 

Ordinary — B £0.01 

Ordinary £0.10 

Ordinary EUR 1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Deferred USD 1.00 

Costa M.E.N.A Trading DMCC 

United Arab Emirates  Ordinary AED 1,000 

Costa Singapore Private Limited 

Singapore 

Ordinary SGD 1.00 

Duttons Brewery Limited 

Elm Hotel Holdings Limited 

Farringdon Scottish Partnership 

Hulian Costa (Beijing) Food & Beverage 
Management Company Limited 

Life Coffee Cafes Limited 

England 

England 

Scotland 

China 

England 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £0.10 

n/a 

Ordinary USD 1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

% of class of 
shares held 
by the 
parent 
Company  

% of class of 
shares held 
by the Group 
(if different 
 from the 
parent 
Company) 

% of nominal 
value (where 
applicable)

 — 

 — 

 — 

— 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

—  

—  

 — 

 — 

 — 

—  

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

—  

n/a  

 — 

 — 

 100.0  

 100.0  

99.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

n/a  

 100.0 

 100.0 

 99.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 2.9 

 72.1 

 25.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

— 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

n/a 

 50.0  

 50.0 

 100.0  

 100.0 

156

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16Company accounts 2015/16Overview p1/3Strategic report p4/61Governance p62/96Consolidated accounts 2015/16 p97/149Company accounts 2015/16 p150/165 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 11 Related parties continued

Active related undertakings continued

Name of related undertaking 

Country of incorporation 

Class of shares held 

Mid–Tier Singapore Private Limited 

Singapore 

Ordinary SGD 1.00 

Milton (SC) 2 Limited 

Milton (SC) Limited 

Milton 1 Limited 

Scotland 

Scotland 

England 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Moorgate Scottish Limited Partnership 

Scotland 

n/a 

Morrison Street Hotel Limited 

Scotland 

Orchard Incorporations (13S) Ltd 

Scotland 

A Ordinary £1.00 

B Ordinary £1.00 

A Cumulative Redeemable 
Preference 

B Cumulative Redeemable 
Preference 

A Ordinary £1.00 

B Ordinary £1.00 

P I Hotels and Restaurants Ireland Limited  Ireland 

Ordinary EUR 1.00 

Premier Inn (Jersey) Limited 

Premier Inn Castleford Limited 

Premier Inn Doncaster Limited 

Premier Inn Glasgow Limited 

Premier Inn GmbH 

Premier Inn Hotels Limited 

Jersey 

England 

England 

England 

Germany 

England 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary EUR 25,000 

Ordinary £1.00 

Premier Inn Hotels LLC 

United Arab Emirates  Ordinary AED 1,000 

Premier Inn Hotels Qatar LLC 

Premier Inn India Private Limited 

Premier Inn International  
Development Limited 

Premier Inn Kier Limited 

Qatar 

India 

England 

England 

Premier Inn Manchester Airport Limited 

England 

Premier Inn Manchester Holdings Limited  England 

Premier Inn Manchester Limited 

England 

Premier Inn Manchester Trafford Limited  England 

Premier Inn Ochre Limited 

Premier Inn Pattaya Limited 

Premier Inn Portsmouth Limited 

Premier Inn Westminster Limited 

Premier Travel Inn India Limited 

England 

Thailand 

England 

England 

England 

Ordinary QAR 100.00 

Ordinary INR 10.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

A Ordinary £1.00 

B Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

A Ordinary £1.00 

A Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary THB 10.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

% of class of 
shares held 
by the 
parent 
Company  

% of class of 
shares held 
by the Group 
(if different 
 from the 
parent 
Company) 

% of nominal 
value (where 
applicable)

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

n/a  

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

n/a  

100.0  

—  

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

n/a 

 16.1 

 24.1 

 40.0  

 16.8 

 40.0  

40.0  

— 

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 49.0  

 49.0  

 43.0 

 40.0 

 60.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 49.0 

 49.0 

 100.0  

 100.0 

 100.0  

 100.0 

— 

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

50.0 

 50.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

157

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16Company accounts 2015/16Overview p1/3Strategic report p4/61Governance p62/96Consolidated accounts 2015/16 p97/149Company accounts 2015/16 p150/165 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
Notes to the Company financial statements
At 3 March 2016

 11 Related parties continued

Active related undertakings continued

Name of related undertaking 

Country of incorporation 

Class of shares held 

PT. Tasland Indonesia 

PT. Whitbread Indonesia 

Indonesia 

Indonesia 

Ordinary IDR 500,000 

Ordinary USD 1.00 

PTI Middle East Limited 

United Arab Emirates  Ordinary AED 1,000 

Shires Insurance Limited 

SIA Coffee Nation 

Silk Street Hotels Limited 

St Andrews Homes Limited 

Stoneshell Limited 

Swift Hotels Limited 

Bermuda 

Latvia 

England 

England 

England 

England 

T. F. Ashe & Nephew Limited 

England 

Ordinary BMD 1.00 

Ordinary LVL 1.00 

Deferred £1.00 

Ordinary USD 0.01 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Preference £5.00  

Ordinary £1.00 

Deferred £1.00 

Ordinary £0.01 

The Costa Foundation 

England 

n/a 

Whitbread & Company Finance B.V. 

Netherlands 

Ordinary EUR 45.38 

Whitbread Asia Pacific Private Limited 

Singapore 

Ordinary SGD 100.00 

Whitbread East Pennines Limited 

Whitbread Group PLC 

England 

England 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £0.25 

A Ordinary £0.25 

Whitbread Holdings Germany GmbH 

Germany 

Ordinary EUR 25,000 

Whitbread Hotel Company Limited 

Whitbread Properties Limited 

England 

England 

Whitbread West Pennines Limited 

England 

Ordinary £0.10 

5% Non–Cumulative 
Preference £0.50 

7% Non–Cumulative 
Preference £0.25 

Ordinary £0.175 

Ordinary £1.00 

WHRI Development DMCC 

United Arab Emirates  Ordinary AED 1,000 

WHRI Holding Company Limited 

England 

Ordinary £1.00 

Yueda Costa (Shanghai) Food & Beverage 
Management Company Limited 

China 

Ordinary CNY 1.00 

% of class of 
shares held 
by the 
parent 
Company  

% of class of 
shares held 
by the Group 
(if different 
 from the 
parent 
Company) 

% of nominal 
value (where 
applicable)

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

 — 

—  

— 

—  

—  

—  

n/a  

—  

—  

—  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 50.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 n/a  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

—  

—  

 50.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 99.9 

 0.1 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 0.1 

 99.9 

 100.0 

 — 

 n/a 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 50.0 

 50.0 

—  

—  

 100.0  

 100.0 

 99.0  

 99.0 

—  

 100.0 

 24.9 

—  

—  

— 

— 

—  

—  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 16.4 

 58.7 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 51.0  

 51.0

158

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16Company accounts 2015/16Overview p1/3Strategic report p4/61Governance p62/96Consolidated accounts 2015/16 p97/149Company accounts 2015/16 p150/165 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 11 Related parties continued

Dormant related undertakings

Name of related undertaking 

Country of incorporation 

Class of shares held 

% of class of 
shares held 
by the 
parent 
Company  

% of class of 
shares held 
by the Group 
(if different 
 from the 
parent 
Company) 

% of nominal 
value (where 
applicable)

Advisebegin Limited 

England 

Alastair Campbell & Company Limited 

Scotland 

Archibald Campbell Hope & King Limited  Scotland 

Autumn Days Limited 

Belgrave Hotel Limited 

England 

England 

Belstead Brook Manor Hotel Limited 

England 

Brewers Fayre Limited 

Britannia Inns Limited 

Broughton Park Hotel Limited 

C.H.I Hungary Kft 

Carpenters of Widnes Limited 

England 

England 

England 

Hungary 

England 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary HUF 1.00 

Ordinary £0.01 

Deferred Ordinary £1.00 

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

Cherwell Inns Limited 

England 

A Ordinary Non–Voting £1.00  —  

Chiswell Properties Limited 

Churchgate Manor Hotel Limited 

Coffee Nation Employee Benefit 
Trustee Limited

England 

England 

England 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary — A £0.01 

Ordinary — B £0.01 

Coffee Nation UK Limited 

England 

Ordinary £1.00 

—  

—  

—  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

Condor Overseas Holdings  
Two Limited — UK tax resident

British Virgin Islands 

Deferred Consideration £1.00   —  

Ordinary B £1.00 

Preference B £1.00 

Ordinary EUR 25,000 

Ordinary DKK 1,000 

Costa Coffee Germany GmbH 

Costa Denmark ApS 

Germany 

Denmark 

Costa Hong Kong Limited 

Hong Kong 

Ordinary HKD 1.00 

Country Club Hotels Limited 

Cromwell Hotel (Stevenage) 

Cymric Hotel Company Limited 

Danesk Limited 

David Williams (Builth) Limited 

Dealend Limited 

Delamont Freres Limited 

Delauney Freres Limited 

Dome Restaurants Limited 

Dragon Inns & Restaurants Limited 

Dukes Head 1988 Limited  

England 

England 

England 

Scotland 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

B Ordinary £1.00  

W Ordinary £1.00 

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 99.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 99.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 99.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 99.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 — 

 100.0 

 66.7 

 33.3 

 99.0 

 100.0 

 2.9

 72.1 

 25.0 

 100.0 

 33.2

 33.6 

 33.2 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 99.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 99.0 

 50.0 

 50.0 

159

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16Company accounts 2015/16Overview p1/3Strategic report p4/61Governance p62/96Consolidated accounts 2015/16 p97/149Company accounts 2015/16 p150/165 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
  
   
 
 
  
   
 
   
 
Notes to the Company financial statements
At 3 March 2016

 11 Related parties continued

Dormant related undertakings continued

Name of related undertaking 

Country of incorporation 

Class of shares held 

% of class of 
shares held 
by the 
parent 
Company  

% of class of 
shares held 
by the Group 
(if different 
 from the 
parent 
Company) 

% of nominal 
value (where 
applicable)

E. Lacon & Co., Limited 

E.B. Holdings Limited 

Evan Evans Bevan Limited 

Finite Hotel Systems Limited 

England 

England 

England 

England 

Fleet Wines & Spirits Limited 

England 

Forest of Arden Golf and 
Country Club Limited 

Gable Care Limited 

Goodhews (Castle) 

England 

England 

England 

Goodhews (Holdings) Limited 

England 

Goodhews (Inns) 

Goodhews (Restaurants) 

Goodhews B. & S. Limited 

Goodhews Enterprises 

Goodhews Limited 

Gough Brothers Limited 

Grosvenor Leisure Limited 

Hammock Limited 

Hart & Co., (Boats) Limited 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

Harveys Leisure Promotions Limited 

England 

Hunter & Oliver Limited 

J. Burton (Warwick) Limited 

J.J. Norman and Ellery Limited 

James Bell and Company Limited 

Jestbread Limited 

Kingsmill Hotel Company Limited 

Lambtons Ale Limited 

Latewise Limited 

Lawnpark Limited 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

Scotland 

England 

England 

England 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

A Ordinary £1.00  

B Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

A Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

A Ordinary £1.00 

B Ordinary £1.00 

C Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Deferred Ordinary £0.20 

Ordinary £0.20 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

1% Non–Cumulative 
Preference 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £0.01 

A Ordinary £1.00 

B Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Deferred Ordinary £0.25  

Ordinary £0.01 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

 —  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

 99.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 53.4  

 99.0

 100.0 

 100.0 

 50.0 

 50.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 51.0 

 49.0 

 42.2 

 42.2 

 15.6

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0

 100.0 

 100.0 

 97.6 

 2.4 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 99.0 

 1.0 

 — 

 70.0 

 30.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 96.2 

 3.8 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 53.4 

 100.0  

 100.0

160

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16Company accounts 2015/16Overview p1/3Strategic report p4/61Governance p62/96Consolidated accounts 2015/16 p97/149Company accounts 2015/16 p150/165 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 11 Related parties continued

Dormant related undertakings continued

Name of related undertaking 

Country of incorporation 

Class of shares held 

Leisure and Retail Resources Limited 

England 

Ordinary £1.00 

Lloyds Avenue Catering Limited 

England 

3% Non–Cumulative 
Preference £1.00 

London International Hotel Limited 

Lorimer & Clark, Limited 

Mackeson & Company Limited 

Mackies Wine Company Limited 

Maredrove Limited 

Marine Hotel Porthcawl Limited 

Marlow Catering Limited 

Meon Valley Golf and Country  
Club Limited 

Milton 2 Limited 

Morans of Bristol Limited 

Morris’s Wine Stores Limited 

England 

Scotland 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

New Clapton Stadium Company Limited  England 

Norseman Lager Limited 

P I Hotels Limited  

P I Hotels York Limited 

England 

England 

England 

Pacific Caledonian Properties Limited 

Scotland 

Percheron Properties Limited 

Peter Dominic Limited 

Piquant Caterers Limited 

Pizzaland Limited 

Premier Inn (UK) Limited 

Premier Inn Belfast Limited 

Premier Inn Bournemouth Limited 

Premier Inn Chippenham Limited 

Premier Inn Gateshead Limited 

Premier Inn Hull Limited 

Premier Inn Limited 

Premier Inn Northampton Limited 

Premier Inn Sheffield Limited 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

Premier Inn Trentham Gardens Limited 

England 

Premier Reservations Private Limited 

India 

Premier Restaurant Holdings Limited 

Ireland 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

5.6% Non–Cumulative 
Preference £1.00 

Ordinary £0.05 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £2.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £0.10  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary INR 10.00  

Ordinary EUR 1.27  

% of class of 
shares held 
by the 
parent 
Company  

% of class of 
shares held 
by the Group 
(if different 
 from the 
parent 
Company) 

% of nominal 
value (where 
applicable)

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

 99.6  

 99.6 

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 50.0 

 50.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 5.4 

 94.6 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0

 100.0 

 100.0 

161

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16Company accounts 2015/16Overview p1/3Strategic report p4/61Governance p62/96Consolidated accounts 2015/16 p97/149Company accounts 2015/16 p150/165 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
Notes to the Company financial statements
At 3 March 2016

 11 Related parties continued

Dormant related undertakings continued

Name of related undertaking 

Country of incorporation 

Class of shares held 

% of class of 
shares held 
by the 
parent 
Company  

% of class of 
shares held 
by the Group 
(if different 
 from the 
parent 
Company) 

% of nominal 
value (where 
applicable)

Priory Leisure Limited 

PSU2 Kft 

R. C. Gough & Co. Limited 

Raybain (Northern) Limited 

Raybain (Wine Bars) Limited 

Respotel Limited 

Rhymney Breweries Limited 

S & S Property Limited 

S. H. Ward & Company Limited 

Salford Automatics Limited 

Scorechance 1 Limited 

Scorechance 12 Limited 

Scorechance 17 Limited 

Scorechance 25 Limited 

Scorechance 8 Limited 

Sheffield Automatics Limited 

Shewell Limited 

Silk Street Hotel Liverpool Limited 

Small & Co. (Engineering) Limited 

Small & Co. Limited 

Spring Soft Drinks Limited 

Sprowston Manor Hotel Limited 

Square October 1 Limited 

Square October 2 Limited 

Square October 3 Limited 

St Andrews Homes (1995) Limited 

St Martins Care Homes 
Investments Limited 

Stripe Travel Inn Limited 

Strong and Co. of Romsey Limited 

Summerfields Care Limited 

Sun Taverns Limited 

Sweetings (Chop House) Limited 

Swift (Lurchrise) Limited 

Swift Hotels (1995) Limited 

Swift Hotels (Management) Limited 

Swift Inns and Restaurants Limited 

England 

Hungary 

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 

England 

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary HUF 1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £2.00  

Ordinary £0.25  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00  

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

7% Cumulative 
Preference £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 99.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 99.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 0.7 

 99.3 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

162

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16Company accounts 2015/16Overview p1/3Strategic report p4/61Governance p62/96Consolidated accounts 2015/16 p97/149Company accounts 2015/16 p150/165 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 11 Related parties continued

Dormant related undertakings continued

Name of related undertaking 

Country of incorporation 

Class of shares held 

% of class of 
shares held 
by the 
parent 
Company  

% of class of 
shares held 
by the Group 
(if different 
 from the 
parent 
Company) 

% of nominal 
value (where 
applicable)

Swift Profit Sharing Scheme 
Trustees Limited 

Swift Quest Limited 

Swingbridge Hotel Limited 

Tewkesbury Park Golf and 
Country Club Ltd

England 

England 

England 

England 

The Barcave Group Limited 

England 

The Dominic Group Limited 

The Four Seasons Hotel 
Investments Limited 

England 

England 

The Four Seasons Hotel Investments 
Management Limited 

The Four Seasons Hotel Limited 

The Oyster Spa Company Limited 

The Portsmouth and Brighton United 
Breweries, Limited 

Thomas Wethered & Sons Limited 

Threlfalls (Liverpool & Birkenhead) 
Limited 

Threlfalls (Salford) Limited 

Trentrise Limited 

Uncle Sam’s Limited 

Virlat Limited 

W. M. Darley, Limited 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

W. R. Wines Limited 

England 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

USD 0.01 

7% Cumulative 
Preference £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

8% Cumulative 
Preference A £1.00 

8% Cumulative 
Preference B £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Preferred Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Preference £1.00 

Preferred Ordinary £0.01 

Deferred £1.00 

Ordinary £0.01 

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 99.0  

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

100.0

 — 

 90.9 

 9.1 

 99.0 

—  

 100.0  

 33.0 

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

—  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 28.1 

 30.2 

 8.8 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 49.8 

 49.8 

 0.4 

 99.0 

 1.0 

Wentworth Guarantee Company 
(BVI) Limited — UK tax resident 

British Virgin Islands 

Ordinary £1.00 

—  

 100.0  

 100.0 

Wentworth Guarantee Company Limited  England 

n/a 

 n/a  

 n/a  

 n/a

Wentworth No. 1 Limited — 
UK tax resident 

Wentworth No. 2 Limited — 
UK tax resident 

British Virgin Islands 

Ordinary £1.00 

British Virgin Islands 

Ordinary £1.00 

— 

— 

100.0  

 100.0 

 100.0  

 100.0 

163

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Notes to the Company financial statements
At 3 March 2016

 11 Related parties continued

Dormant related undertakings continued

Name of related undertaking 

Country of incorporation 

Class of shares held 

% of class of 
shares held 
by the 
parent 
Company  

% of class of 
shares held 
by the Group 
(if different 
 from the 
parent 
Company) 

% of nominal 
value (where 
applicable)

British Virgin Islands 

Ordinary £1.00 

British Virgin Islands 

Ordinary £1.00 

Wentworth No. 3 Limited — 
UK tax resident 

Wentworth No. 4 Limited — 
UK tax resident 

West Country Breweries Limited 

Wheeler Gate Limited 

Whitbread (G.C.) Limited 

Whitbread Company Two Limited 

Whitbread Developments Limited 

Whitbread Devon Limited 

Whitbread Directors 1 Limited 

Whitbread Directors 2 Limited 

Whitbread Dunstable Limited 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

Whitbread Enterprise Centre Limited 

England 

Whitbread Finance PLC 

Whitbread Fremlins Limited 

England 

England 

Whitbread Golf and Country Club Limited  England 

Whitbread Golf Club Limited 

England 

Whitbread Healthcare Trustees Limited 

England 

Whitbread Hotel (Bournemouth) Limited  England 

Whitbread Hotels (Management) Limited  England 

Whitbread International Limited 

England 

Whitbread International Trading Limited  England 

Whitbread Investment Company Limited  England 

Whitbread Investment Company 
Securities Limited 

Whitbread London Limited 

Whitbread Nominees Limited 

Whitbread Pension Trustee Directors 
Company Limited 

Whitbread Pension Trustees 

Whitbread Pub and Bars Limited 

Whitbread Pub Partnership Limited 

Whitbread Pub Restaurants 
Business Limited 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £0.05 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

5% Non–Cumulative  
Preference £1.00 

A Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £0.05 

Deferred £1.00  

USD 0.01 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £0.25 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

n/a 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

 n/a  

— 

— 

— 

— 

 100.0  

 100.0 

 100.0  

 100.0 

 99.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 n/a  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 99.0  

 99.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 18.0 

 82.0 

 100.0 

 n/a 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

— 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 99.0 

 100.0  

 100.0 

 99.0  

 99.0 

 100.0  

 100.0 

 n/a  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 n/a 

 100.0 

 100.0

 100.0 

 100.0  

 100.0 

164

Whitbread Guarantee Company 
Two Limited 

England 

n/a 

n/a  

England 

Ordinary £1.00 

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16Company accounts 2015/16Overview p1/3Strategic report p4/61Governance p62/96Consolidated accounts 2015/16 p97/149Company accounts 2015/16 p150/165 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 11 Related parties continued

Dormant related undertakings continued

Name of related undertaking 

Country of incorporation 

Class of shares held 

% of class of 
shares held 
by the 
parent 
Company  

% of class of 
shares held 
by the Group 
(if different 
 from the 
parent 
Company) 

% of nominal 
value (where 
applicable)

Whitbread Quest Trustee Limited 

England 

Whitbread Restaurants (Australia) Limited  England 

Whitbread Restaurants Limited 

Whitbread Scotland Limited 

Whitbread Secretaries Limited 

Whitbread Share Ownership 
Trustees Limited 

Whitbread Spa Company Limited 

England 

Scotland 

England 

England 

England 

Whitbread Sunderland (1995) Limited 

England 

Whitbread Sunderland 2 Limited 

England 

Whitbread Sunderland Limited 

England 

Whitbread Trafalgar Properties Limited 

England 

Whitbread UK Limited 

Whitbread Wales Limited 

Whitbread Wessex Limited 

White Cross Films Limited 

Wiggin Tree Limited 

Willhouse Limited 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

England 

William Overy Crane Hire Limited 

England 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £0.56 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £0.05 

4% Preference £0.05 

n/a 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

5.6% Non–Cumulative 
Preference £1.00 

Ordinary £5.00 

Preference £5.00  

A Ordinary £1.00 

B Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

Deferred £1.00 

Q Ordinary £1.00 

W Ordinary £1.00 

Ordinary £1.00 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

 n/a  

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

 100.0  

 100.0 

100.0  

100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

100.0  

 n/a  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 99.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

 100.0  

— 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 50.0 

 50.0 

 n/a 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 57.0 

 43.0 

 50.0 

 50.0 

 50.0 

 50.0 

 100.0 

 99.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 100.0 

 50.0 

 25.0 

 25.0 

 100.0

165

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Shareholder 
information

168   Shareholder services 
170  Glossary

i

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Whitbread 
Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16

Shareholder 
information

167

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder 
services

Contact details 

Registrars
Capita Asset Services 
Whitbread Share Register 
The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham 
Kent 
BR3 4TU

The website address is www.capitaassetservices.com

For enquiries regarding your shareholding please telephone 
+44 (0)344 855 2327. Alternatively you can email: 
whitbread@capita.co.uk

You can also manage your shareholding by visiting  
www.whitbread–shares.com. This is a secure online site  
where you can:
• sign up to receive shareholder information by email  

instead of post;

• buy and sell shares via the Capita Share Dealing Service1;
• view your holding and get an indicative valuation; and
• change your personal details. 

Please have your investor code to hand, which can be found 
on any of the following documentation: share certificate; 
dividend voucher; or proxy card.

Please ensure that you advise Capita promptly of any  
change of address.

Share Dealing Service1
Capita Share Dealing Services, telephone +44(0)371 664 0445. 
Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will 
vary by provider. Calls from outside the United Kingdom will 
be charged at the applicable international rate. We are open 
between 09:00—17:30, Monday to Friday excluding public 
holidays in England and Wales.

1   These details have been provided for information only and any  

action you take is at your own risk. If you are in any doubt about  
what action to take, please consult your own financial adviser.  
Should you not wish to use these services you could find a broker 
in your local area, on the internet or enquire about share dealing  
at any high street bank or building society. The availability of this  
service should not be taken as a recommendation to deal.

Registered office
Whitbread PLC 
Whitbread Court 
Houghton Hall Business Park 
Porz Avenue 
Dunstable 
Bedfordshire 
LU5 5XE

General Counsel and Company Secretary
Chris Vaughan

Dividend Reinvestment Plan
To reinvest your dividend you will need to sign up for  
the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the ‘DRIP’). The Terms  
and Conditions of the DRIP and a Shareholder Dividend  
Form are available at www.whitbread-shares.com or can  
be requested from Capita Asset Services. For enquiries  
regarding the DRIP please telephone +44 (0)371 664 0381.

Dividend payments by BACS
We can pay your dividends direct to your bank or building 
society account using the Bankers’ Automated Clearing 
Service (BACS). This means that your dividend will be  
in your account on the same day we make the payment.  
Your tax voucher will be posted to your home address.  
If you would like to use this method please ring the  
registrars on +44 (0)344 855 2327. 

Dividend history 

2015/16
2014/15
2013/14
2012/13
2011/12

90.35p

82.15p

68.80p

57.40p

51.25p

Dividend diary 2016/17 

Ex dividend date for final dividend

Record date for final dividend

DRIP election date

Payment of final dividend

26 May 2016

27 May 2016

6 June 2016

1 July 2016

Ex dividend date for interim dividend

10 November 2016

Record date for interim dividend

DRIP election date

Payment of interim dividend

Financial reporting calendar
Dates subject to confirmation

Half year–end

Announcement of half–year results

End of financial year

11 November 2016

21 November 2016

16 December 2016

1 September 2016

25 October 2016

2 March 2017

Capital gains tax
For further information on:
• the market value of shares in the Company as at  

31 March 1982;

• the reduction of Capital on 10 May 2001; and
• the special dividend and share consolidation  

in May 2005,

or if you require any further information on capital gains  
tax allocations, please refer to the investors’ section  
of the Company’s website www.whitbread.co.uk

Shareholder information 
Shareholder services

168

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16Overview p1/3Strategic report p4/61Governance p62/96Consolidated accounts 2015/16 p97/149Company accounts 2015/16 p150/165Analysis of shares at 3 March 2016

Number 
of holders 

% of 
holders 

% of 
Number 
share 
of shares  capital

23,916  

52.62 

 885,434  

0.45

 15,354  

33.82 

 3,663,954  

1.88

3,261  

7.18 

 2,293,425  

1.17

2,053  

4.51 

 3,824,691  

1.96 

198  

335  

104  

151  

29  

37  

 5  

0.43 

 1,373,097  

0.71

0.73 

 8,042,732  

4.12

0.23 

 7,498,232  

3.84

0.33 

 31,973,110  

16.38

0.06 

 20,755,375  

10.63

0.08 

 71,367,919  

36.55

0.01 

 43,567,611  

22.31

45,443  

100.00 

 195,245,580   100.00

Band 

1—100 

101—500 

501—1,000 

1,001—5,000 

5,001—10,000 

10,001—50,000 

50,001—100,000 

100,001—500,000 

500,001—1,000,000 

1,000,001—5,000,000 

5,000,001+ 

Total 

Share price history 

5440p

5285p

3649p

3846p

4397p

2015/16

2014/15

2013/14

2012/13

2011/12

Key

High
Low

2392p

2692p

1637p

1737p

1409p

Annual General Meeting 2016
The 2016 AGM will be held at 2pm on Tuesday 21 June 2016 at 
Church House Conference Centre, Dean’s Yard, Westminster, 
London SW1P 3NZ.

Shareholder FAQs

Where can I find information about B and C shares?
As outlined in the original Circulars, the Company made  
two separate purchase offers for the B and C shares. There  
will be no further purchase offers. The Company does have 
the right to convert the B and C shares to ordinary shares,  
but there is no current intention to do so. The B and C shares 
will continue to attract an annual dividend payment.

How can I find the current share price?
You can keep up to date with the current share price at the 
Company’s website www.whitbread.co.uk

I have lost my share certificate, how can I get  
a replacement?
If you have lost your certificate please contact the Company’s 
registrars, Capita Asset Services, on the shareholder helpline 
+44 (0)344 855 2327. They will be able to assist you in 
arranging a replacement.

Am I entitled to shareholder benefits?
Shareholders with a holding of 64 shares or more are eligible  
to receive a shareholder benefits card. Those shareholders who 
registered to receive offers in 2015 should automatically have 
received the card with the Annual Report mailing. Shareholders 
who wish to register for a card can do so by contacting Capita, 
whose contact details are shown on page 168.

Unsolicited mail
We are aware that some shareholders have had occasion  
to complain of the use, by outside organisations, of 
information obtained from Whitbread’s share register. 
Whitbread, like other companies, cannot by law refuse  
to supply such information provided that the organisation 
concerned pays the appropriate statutory fee.

If you are a resident in the UK and wish to stop receiving 
unsolicited mail then you should register with the Mailing 
Preference Service, telephone: 0845 703 4599 or you  
may prefer to register online: www.mpsonline.org.uk

Warning to shareholders — boiler room scams
In recent years, many companies have become aware that 
their shareholders have received unsolicited phone calls  
or correspondence concerning investment matters. These  
are typically from overseas based ‘brokers’ who target UK 
shareholders, offering to sell them what often turn out to  
be worthless or high risk shares in US or UK investments. 
These operations are commonly known as ‘boiler rooms’. 
These ‘brokers’ can be very persistent and extremely 
persuasive, and a 2006 survey by the Financial Conduct 
Authority (FCA) reported that the average amount lost  
by investors is around £20,000, with around £200m lost  
in the UK each year.

It is not just the novice investor that has been duped  
in this way; many of the victims had been successfully 
investing for several years. Shareholders are advised  
to be wary of unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares  
at a discount or offers of free company reports. If you  
receive any unsolicited investment advice:
• make sure you get the correct name of the person  

or organisation;

• check that they are properly authorised by the  

FCA before getting involved by visiting www.fca.org.uk  
and contact the firm using the details on the register;

• report the matter to the FCA either by calling  

0800 111 6768 or visiting www.fca.org.uk/scams;

• if the calls persist, hang up; and
• REMEMBER if it sounds too good to be true,  

it probably is!

If you deal with an unauthorised firm, you will not be  
eligible to receive payment under the Financial Services 
Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if things go wrong.  
The FCA can be contacted by completing an online form  
at www.fca.org.uk/scams or you can call the FCA Consumer 
Helpline on 0800 111 6768 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Details of any share dealing facilities that the Company 
endorses will be included in Company mailings.

More detailed information on this or similar activity can  
be found on the FCA website, www.fca.org.uk/consumer

Shareholder information 
Shareholder services

169

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Glossary

Average Room Rate (ARR)
Hotel accommodation income divided by the number  
of rooms occupied by guests.

Equity stores
Costa stores leased or owned by Whitbread, as opposed 
to those leased or operated under franchise agreements.

Barista
An individual with specific training to expertly prepare  
and serve hand–made espresso–based coffees.

IAS 
International Accounting Standards.

Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)
The year–on–year growth rate of an annualised gain over  
a specified number of years.

Co–location
A site which has both a Premier Inn and a pub restaurant  
in one location where the pub restaurant is not a  
Whitbread–owned brand or business.

Costa at Home
Costa have teamed up with Tassimo to bring a range  
of Costa at Home drinks for customers to enjoy at home.

Directors’ forum
A group of Whitbread’s senior leaders.

Dynamic pricing system
The system which we deploy to vary our prices according  
to demand levels and room availability within certain 
prescribed limits.

Earnings
Profit after tax which is attributable to the parent 
shareholders.

Earnings per share (EPS)
Earnings divided by the weighted average of ordinary  
shares in issue during the year after deducting treasury  
shares and shares held by an independently managed  
share ownership trust (‘ESOT’).

EBITDA 
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. 

EBITDAR 
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation  
and rent. 

Engagement score
The engagement score is calculated by adding together  
the positive responses to the ‘Your Say’ questions regarding 
pride in the organisation, advocacy, recommending the 
Company as a place of work and intention to stay and 
motivation. These scores are then averaged to produce  
an overall engagement score. 

IFRS 
International Financial Reporting Standards. 

Income before fixed costs (IBFC)
Hotels & Restaurants operating profit before directly 
attributable fixed costs (such as rent, rates, insurance, etc.), 
head office and central costs. To obtain the IBFC margin  
IBFC is divided by sales.

Income after fixed costs (IAFC)
Hotels & Restaurants operating profit after directly 
attributable fixed costs but before allocating head office  
and central costs. To obtain the IAFC margin, IAFC is  
divided by sales.

Joint sites
A site which has both a Premier Inn and Whitbread–owned 
pub restaurant in one location. 

Like for like sales
Period over period change in total sales, less sales  
generated by businesses acquired or disposed of and  
retail outlets opened or closed during the current year  
and the previous year.

Net Guest Score
Based on the fundamental perspective that every company’s 
customers can be divided into three categories when 
completing a survey with ten score choices: Promoters (score 
nine to ten), Passives (score seven to eight), and Detractors 
(score zero to six). The net guest score can be calculated  
by taking the percentage of customers who are Promoters 
and subtract the percentage who are Detractors.

Occupancy
Number of hotel bedrooms occupied by guests expressed  
as a percentage of the number of bedrooms available  
in the period.

Operating margin
Operating profit expressed as a percentage of total revenue.

Shareholder information 
Glossary

170

Whitbread Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16Overview p1/3Strategic report p4/61Governance p62/96Consolidated accounts 2015/16 p97/149Company accounts 2015/16 p150/165Profit per outlet
Operating profit (after allocation of overheads but before 
exceptional items) divided by the average of the opening  
and closing number of outlets.

RevPAR/yield
Revenue per available room is also known as ‘yield’.  
This hotel measure is achieved by multiplying the ARR  
by the occupancy rate. This measure ignores non–room 
income such as food and beverage.

Returns, Return on Capital Employed or ROCE
Dividing the underlying profit before interest and tax for  
the year by net assets at the balance sheet date, adding  
back debt, taxation liabilities and the pension deficit.

Solus sites
Consist of standalone Premier Inn hotels with an  
integrated restaurant.

System sales
Retail sales from Costa outlets irrespective of whether  
it is an equity or a franchise store.

Tassimo
The Tassimo Hot Beverage System is a consumer  
single–serve coffee system that prepares one–cup  
servings of espresso, regular coffee, tea, hot chocolate  
and various other hot drinks.

Total Shareholder Return (TSR)
The total return of a stock to an investor (capital gain  
plus dividends).

Turnover per outlet
Turnover in a period divided by the average of opening  
and closing outlets.

Underlying basic EPS 
Underlying profit attributable to the parent shareholders 
divided by the basic weighted average number of ordinary 
shares. 

Underlying operating profit 
Underlying operating profit is operating profit excluding  
the amortisation of acquired intangibles and exceptional 
items before tax and interest. 

Underlying profit before tax 
Underlying operating profit excluding exceptional interest  
and tax and the impact of the pension finance cost  
accounted for under IAS 19(R). 

Shareholder information 
Glossary

171

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