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XP Power

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FY2020 Annual Report · XP Power
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ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 
for the year ended 31 December 2020

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P O W E R I N G  T H E   W O R L D ’ S   C R I T I C A L   S Y S T E M S 

DRIVING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WE PROVIDE OUR CUSTOMERS  
WITH  SOLUTIONS TO POWER  
THEIR CRITICAL SYSTEMS.

We have moved steadily up the value chain from a specialist 
distributor, to designer, to design manufacturer.

WE ARE DRIVING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH 

We have performed extremely well in a period  
of unprecedented difficulty throughout  
the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrating  
the resilience of our business model.

READ ABOUT OUR PURPOSE  
AND VISION ON PAGE 9  

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Our people

Ensuring safety and  
wellbeing of our people above 
all else, who in turn, look after 
our customers

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WE ARE  
BUILDING A 
SUSTAINABLE, 
MARKET-LEADING 
BUSINESS  
THROUGH:

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03

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contents

OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION 

DRIVING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH 

OUR PURPOSE, VISION, STRATEGY, VALUES 
AND CULTURE 

FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

REASONS TO INVEST 

XP POWER AT A GLANCE

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

STRATEGIC REPORT
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SUCCESSION

OUR MARKETPLACE

OUR MARKETPLACE: OUR GROWTH DRIVERS 

OUR BUSINESS MODEL

POWERING LONG-TERM VALUE

OUR STRATEGY

OUR STRATEGY IN ACTION 

OUR RESPONSE TO COVID-19

OUR KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

PERFORMANCE: OPERATIONAL REVIEW

PERFORMANCE: FINANCIAL REVIEW 

MANAGING OUR RISKS 

SECTION 172(1) STATEMENT

SUSTAINABILITY 

SECTION 1: EMBEDDING SUSTAINABILITY

SECTION 2: HEALTH AND SAFETY

SECTION 3: OUR PEOPLE

SECTION 4: ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP

SECTION 5: SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS

SECTION 6: ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE

GOVERNANCE
CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION TO 
GOVERNANCE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT

REMUNERATION REPORT – ANNUAL REPORT

REMUNERATION POLICY

OTHER GOVERNANCE AND 
STATUTORY DISCLOSURES

STATEMENT BY DIRECTORS

FINANCIALS
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF  
CHANGES IN EQUITY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF  
CASH FLOWS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

NOTES TO THE COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

FIVE YEAR REVIEW CONSOLIDATED 
INFORMATION

ADVISERS

IFC

2

8

10

11

12

16

20

22

26

28

31

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36

39

40

42

48

52

61

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102

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127

132

133

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141

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145

180

181

191

192

01

“ I am pleased that we have once again 
demonstrated the resiliency of our business 
and have been able to meet the demands 
of our customers in the most challenging 
environment of the COVID-19 pandemic, 
whilst producing an excellent financial 
performance for our Shareholders. This is all 
down to the hard work and commitment of 
the XP team globally.”

Gavin Griggs 
Chief Executive Officer

2 March 2021

FIND US ONLINE AT 
XPPOWER.COM

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

OVERVIEWDRIVING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

01

OUR PEOPLE 

ENSURING SAFETY AND 
WELLBEING 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, 
we have placed the safety and wellbeing 
of our people as our top priority. We 
have followed all the recommended 
epidemic prevention and control 
measures in all of our facilities around 
the world, enabling them to stay 
open and keep product flowing to our 
customers.

STAYING CONNECTED

We were able to stay close to our 
colleagues throughout the epidemic  
by frequent all-hands video conferences 
and tailored employee surveys while  
the majority of our people worked  
from home.

Over 2,000

Employees across 14 countries

READ MORE ABOUT OUR UNIQUE 
CULTURE ON PAGE 8

READ MORE ABOUT OUR 
INNOVATIONS ON PAGE 46

READ MORE ABOUT HOW WE 
OPERATE ON PAGE 29

02

OVERVIEW

02

PRIORITISING 
OUR CUSTOMERS
Over 4,500

POWERING THE WORLD’S 
CRITICAL SYSTEMS

Direct customers

Our customers provide mission 
critical systems to service the 
Healthcare, Industrial Technology 
and Semiconductor Manufacturing 
Equipment markets. Our Healthcare 
customers saw unprecedented demand 
due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We 
were proud to support them to expedite 
shipments and provide the power for 
the critical care equipment required to 
treat COVID-19. 

READ MORE ON PAGE 24

RELENTLESS CUSTOMER 
FOCUS

While our Healthcare customers 
experienced unprecedented demand, 
our customers making Semiconductor 
Manufacturing Equipment also saw 
significant demand. This was due to the 
acceleration of technological changes 
due to COVID-19, and advancements 
in semiconductor manufacturing 
technology, which we were able 
to support in the most challenging 
environment.

READ MORE  
ON PAGE 24

Keeping our customers  
supplied with product
We are designed into numerous ventilator products and other  
critical care devices such as drug delivery systems, patient monitors, 
specialist ultrasound and X-ray equipment.

READ MORE  
ON PAGE 39

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

03

DRIVING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

CONTINUED

03

STRENGTHENING  
OUR SUPPLY CHAIN

CONTINUING TO SUPPLY 
OUR CUSTOMERS DURING 
COVID-19

Our Vietnamese facility was able to 
keep product flowing to customers, 
while China was shut down in the early 
stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our 
supply chain team expedited component 
deliveries and rapidly expanded capacity 
to respond to the worldwide crisis and 
support our customers.

READ MORE  
ON PAGE 39

TALENT AND EXPANSION

We have strengthened our supply 
chain talent in 2020 with a number 
of key hires. We have expanded our 
Vietnamese capacity and have closed 
our facility in Minden, Nevada, and 
successfully transferred production to 
Vietnam. This has resulted in significant 
cost savings for 2021.

04

Over 3,000

Products now approved for manufacture in Vietnam

READ MORE  
ON PAGE 37

Our low-cost manufacturing 
in both China and Vietnam  
provides the supply chain 
resiliency our customers value
Over 2,000

Products capable of manufacture in China

READ MORE  
ON PAGE 45

OVERVIEW

04

GROWING 
OUR PRODUCT 
PORTFOLIO

ENGINEERING NEW 
PRODUCTS

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, 
we have been able to continue to 
maintain our product development and 
invest in new products.

PRODUCT FAMILIES

Over the years, we have built a broad 
product portfolio of over 250 product 
families to give us the broadest product 
offering in the industry.

YEAR
2020

FAMILIES
+20

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

+32

+27

+27

+47

+22

+26

+31

+19

+38

+31

2021
Next-generation high-power platforms 
scheduled for launch

2018
Added high voltage/high power through 
the acquisition of Glassman High Voltage

2019
5kW high-power  
product line released

2017
Added RF Power through the 
acquisition of Comdel

2015
Added high voltage DC-DC Modules through 
the acquisition of EMCO High Voltage

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

05

DRIVING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

CONTINUED

05

MAINTAINING A STRONG 
CASH POSITION

117%

Adjusted Operating Cash Conversion

READ MORE  
ON PAGE 50

We were able to resume  
dividend payments from the  
second quarter of 2020
74 pence

Dividend of 74 pence per share (2019: 55 pence per share)

READ MORE  
ON PAGE 51

PRESERVING OUR CASH

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, 
we took swift action to ensure we 
preserved cash in the face of worldwide 
uncertainty. We focused on early 
collection of receivables and prudent 
management of inventory in the face 
of unprecedented demand from our 
Healthcare customers. We took the 
difficult decision to cancel the 2019 
final dividend and did not declare a 
dividend for the first quarter of 2020.

OPERATING CASH FLOW

The actions we took and prudent 
management resulted in strong 
operating cash conversion. Strong 
performance allowed us to resume 
dividend payments with effect from the 
second quarter of 2020.

06

OVERVIEW

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

07

OUR PURPOSE, VISION, STRATEGY,  
VALUES AND CULTURE

We link our purpose, vision, strategy, 
values and culture to clearly communicate 
to our colleagues and drive our business 
forward. This alignment ensures we  
can create sustainable value today  
and into the future for the  
benefit of our stakeholders.

OUR CULTURE

OUR CORE 
VALUES

OUR  
VISION

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OUR  
STRATEGY

OUR CULTURE

Our unique character and ecosystem:
We place our people and customers at the heart of everything 
we do. We understand that if we provide our people with the 
ultimate experience they will provide the ultimate experience to 
our customers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THE BOARD 
MONITORS CULTURE, SEE PAGE 95

08

 
OUR CULTURE

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OUR PURPOSE

Why we exist: 
We power the world’s critical systems.

Being a purpose-led business:
We add genuine value to our customers, helping them get to 
market quickly with complete power solutions. Our people 
understand where we create value for the customer. 

OUR VISION

Where we want to be: 
To be the first-choice power solutions provider delivering the 
ultimate experience for our customers and our people.

OUR STRATEGY

How we will deliver our vision: 
We have a well articulated strategy that we have continued to 
refine and consistently execute over a significant period of time.

READ MORE ON PAGES 32 TO 38

OUR CORE VALUES

Our fundamental beliefs for continued success: 
Our core values of Integrity, Knowledge, Flexibility, Speed 
and Customer Focus are our DNA and are fundamental to our 
continued success.

Integrity

Customer Focus

Speed

Flexibility

Knowledge

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OVERVIEW

09

 
FINANCIAL AND  
OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Order Intake (£m)
+20% 
£258.0m

Total Revenue (£m)
+17% 
£233.3m

Adjusted Profit Before Tax (£m)1
+37% 
£44.3m

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

258.0

2020

233.3

2020

44.3

214.9

198.4

184.3

133.5

2019

2018

2017

2016

199.9

195.1

166.8

129.8

2019

2018

2017

2016

32.3

41.2

36.1

28.6

Adjusted Earnings Per Share1
+40% 
198.4p

Dividend Per Share
+35% 
74p

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

198.4

2020

141.4

172.8

147.0

115.3

2019

2018

2017

2016

74

55

85

78

71

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

•  Gross margin increased to 47.2% due to 

manufacturing efficiencies from increased production 
to meet demand.

•  Further production and supply chain optimisation 

across the group, including the transfer of low-power, 
high voltage DC-DC manufacturing from Nevada to 
Vietnam

•  Strong growth in order intake and revenue driven by 
the recovery in the Semiconductor Manufacturing 
Equipment sector and demand from our Healthcare 
customers as they increased supply of critical care 
devices for the treatment of COVID-19, offsetting 
weakness in Industrial Technology sector. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR 
PERFORMANCE PLEASE SEE PAGES 42–47

10

REASONS TO INVEST

OVERVIEW

WE ARE DRIVING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH TO  
CREATE LONG-TERM VALUE FOR ALL STAKEHOLDERS

01

02

A growing penetration of 
global, blue-chip customers 
enabling sound organic 
growth over a long period 
of time.

Strong positions in 
customers exposed to 
growing, essential markets 
enabling consistent market 
share gains.

03

Strong financials – attractive 
operating margins with 
potential for expansion.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON 
OUR GROWTH DRIVERS PLEASE 
SEE PAGES 26–27

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON 
OUR MARKETPLACE PLEASE 
SEE PAGES 14–15

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
ON OUR FINANCIAL 
PERFORMANCE PLEASE SEE 
PAGES 48–51

04

Cash generation – high 
conversion of profit to cash, 
due to a well-managed 
business with light capital 
requirements.

05

Revenue annuity – once 
designed into our customers’ 
applications, we enjoy a 
revenue stream for lifetime 
of the customers’ product 
lifecycle, which is typically 
seven to eight years.

06

Capital allocation – a 
disciplined approach, 
prioritising a strong balance 
sheet, with a focus on 
investing in the business to 
drive organic growth.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON 
CASH GENERATION PLEASE SEE 
PAGE 50

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON 
REVENUE ANNUITY PLEASE SEE 
PAGE 30

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON 
INVESTING IN THE BUSINESS 
PLEASE SEE PAGE 50

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

11

OVERVIEWXP POWER  
AT A GLANCE

WHO WE ARE

OUR POWERFUL OFFERING

XP Power designs and manufactures  
power control systems, the essential 
hardware component in every piece 
of electrical equipment that converts 
power from the electricity grid into the 
right form for equipment to function.

These products will either power the electronics, in  
the case of our low voltage products, or processes,  
in the case of our high voltage and radio frequency 
(RF) power systems, in critical systems in the 
Healthcare, Industrial Technology or Semiconductor 
Manufacturing Equipment sectors.

We believe we have the broadest, most up-to-date 
power conversion product portfolio available in the 
market today. This makes us a valuable partner to  
the blue-chip original equipment manufacturers 
who are trying to reduce costs by consolidating their 
supplier base.

WHAT IS A POWER CONVERTER?

All electronic equipment needs a stable low voltage, direct 
current to be able to operate as it invariably contains numerous 
semiconductor devices that only operate at such voltages. By 
contrast, the distribution of electrical power is via the mains 
supply, which, due to other factors, is an alternating current at 
relatively high voltage to avoid unnecessary energy losses during 
transmission. The power converter achieves the transformation 
of voltage. We can also transform the mains supply to a very high 
voltage to power processes such as particle ionisation or transform 
to a signal switching at radio frequencies to produce a plasma, to 
sterilise or to weld plastics for instance. 

HOW DOES IT WORK?

A modern power converter works by firstly “rectifying” the 
alternating mains supply to a high voltage direct current and then 
“switching” it back to an alternating current at a much higher 
frequency using precisely controlled power semiconductor devices. 
This high-frequency voltage can then be converted to the lower 
required voltage using magnetics and a final stage of rectification 
to the stable low voltage direct current. Various microprocessors 
are used to control this process and provide communication to and 
from the customer’s application.

WHY IS A POWER CONVERTER 
IMPORTANT?

A power converter not only provides the correct, stable voltage 
that any piece of electronic equipment needs to operate, it 
also prevents electrical noise radiating or conducting into the 
environment that would interfere with our communications and 
other equipment. Importantly, it also provides the critical isolation 
barrier between the potentially lethal mains supply and the user 
of the end equipment, whatever it might be. So it is also a safety 
critical device in any electronic system.

12

 
OVERVIEW

BUSINESS INSIGHT: 
POWERING CRITICAL SYSTEMS

Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, it became evident that the world rapidly needed 
significantly more critical care equipment for the treatment of patients with the virus.  
XP Power was already designed into much of this equipment, which included ventilators of 
various types, patient monitors, drug delivery systems, suction pumps, hospital beds, and 
specialist ultrasound and portable X-ray equipment. Our customers placed orders for the 
power converters they needed for this equipment in unprecedented volumes, requiring very 
short lead times. Demand for this equipment commenced at a time when China was itself shut 
down due to the epidemic. We were able to respond swiftly due to the benefit of having our 
Vietnamese facility, which had been recently expanded.

SEE PAGE 14 TO DISCOVER THE OTHER 
CRITICAL SYSTEMS THAT WE POWER

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR 
OPERATIONS DURING COVID-19, SEE 
PAGE 39

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

13

OVERVIEWXP POWER  
AT A GLANCE

OUR MARKET SECTORS

Every piece of electronic equipment 
requires a power converter to 
operate. Numerous products in 
our daily lives contain our power 
conversion solutions. We do not 
see these power systems as they 
are embedded inside our customers’ 
equipment.

SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING 
EQUIPMENT

Semiconductor manufacturing equipment is an important and 
attractive sector for XP Power. These customers have demanding 
state-of-the-art applications that manufacture the semiconductor 
devices, which are becoming more and more prevalent in our lives. 
We are one of few companies in the world that can provide these 
customers with the complete spectrum of power solutions used 
in their tools from low to high power and low to high voltage. 
Applications in this customer set include:

•  Deposition
•  Wafer handling
•  Etch
•  Semiconductor test

Ion implantation

• 
•  Wafer cleaning
•  Lithography

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

Industrial technology is the most diverse customer base we 
have. The types of applications are numerous but generally 
individual programmes are smaller than in semiconductor 
manufacturing equipment or healthcare. The products need to 
be robust and highly reliable. We generally target niche high-
growth sectors in industrial technology, which include:

•  3D and industrial printing 
•  Process control
•  Robotics
•  Test and measurement

•  Smart grid
•  Transport
•  Security

HEALTHCARE

There are special safety requirements regarding power 
solutions that are in a medical environment, especially if they 
are in contact with the patient. These customers, therefore, 
have rigorous safety and quality requirements often including 
full component traceability. XP Power has a broad offering 
of medically approved power conversion solutions making 
us an attractive partner to the makers of medical equipment. 
Applications are numerous but include:

•  Diagnostics
•  Laboratory instruments

•  Analytics and imaging
•  Patient monitoring
•  Life science
•  Surgical tools

14

OVERVIEW

THE POWER OF OUR GLOBAL REACH
Our global reach and target sectors help insulate us from market volatility. Our network gives XP Power 
a strong competitive advantage over both its smaller competitors, who do not have the scale and 
geographic reach to serve global customers, and its larger competitors, who often lack the operational 
flexibility to provide the excellent service and speed that customers seek.

KEY

  R&D

  Manufacturing

  Global Warehouse

NORTH AMERICA

EUROPE

ASIA

The North American network 
consists of 11 sales offices, design 
centres in Massachusetts, New 
Jersey and Southern California, and 
an engineering solutions group in 
Silicon Valley. This network allows 
XP Power to provide its major 
customers with local, face-to-face 
support and rapid response times.

Production facilities are based in 
Massachusetts, New Jersey and 
Silicon Valley.

 Total revenue

£147.2m
+27%

ON LAST YEAR’S REVENUE

In Europe, the network consists 
of eight direct sales offices and a 
further nine distributor offices. In 
addition, XP Power has engineering 
solutions centres in Germany and in 
the UK. With good coverage across 
Europe, we have the operational 
flexibility to provide high quality and 
rapid service delivery.

We maintain a small production 
facility in the UK for customer 
modifications.

Total revenue

£65.0m
+1%

ON LAST YEAR’S REVENUE

We have five direct sales offices in 
Asia run from Singapore, where we 
also manage a network of seven 
distributors serving the region.

We have design engineering 
solutions capability in Singapore 
and South Korea to complement our 
offering to customers in the region.

Total revenue

£21.1m
+6%

ON LAST YEAR’S REVENUE

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

15

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

James Peters 
Chairman

“We made significant 
strategic progress in 2020 
and produced an excellent 
set of results in a difficult 
environment.”

Our progress in 2020
We made significant strategic progress 
in 2020 and produced an excellent set 
of results in a difficult environment. The 
year was dominated by the exceptional 
challenges of the global health crisis 
caused by COVID-19. A key priority 
throughout has been to protect the 
health and wellbeing of our colleagues 
and I would like to thank them all for their 
commitment and adaptability during this 
unprecedented period.

We have delivered record orders, revenues 
and earnings, and strong cash generation, 
against a difficult global backdrop. 
COVID-19 impacted the demand 
dynamics in our Industrial Technology 
sector, but this was more than offset by 
the continuation of the strong recovery 
in the Semiconductor Manufacturing 
Equipment sector and exceptional demand 
from our Healthcare customers for critical 
care equipment for the treatment of 
COVID-19 affected patients. We can feel 
proud of what we achieved in 2020 and 
our contribution to helping our customers 
produce much needed life-saving 
equipment rapidly, and at a time when the 
global supply chain was being adversely 
affected by the pandemic. 

Having taken the difficult decision to cancel 
both the final 2019 dividend and first 
quarter 2020 dividend in response to the 
uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 crisis, 
our strong cash generation and confidence 
in the Group’s long-term prospects enabled 
us to resume the payment of dividends 
from Q2 2020. The Board is proposing a 
final dividend of 36p (2019: nil), which, if 
approved, will bring the total 2020 dividend 
per share to 74p (2019: 55p).

COVID-19
The Group’s presence in China meant 
it was exposed to the challenges of the 
COVID-19 pandemic earlier than many 
international organisations, as our Chinese 
manufacturing facility was unable to 
reopen as planned in late January 2020 
following the Chinese New Year. As the 
seriousness of the situation became clear, 

we quickly established very clear priorities 
and protocols for the organisation to 
manage through the challenges of the 
pandemic, namely:

1.  Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all 

our colleagues;

2.  Keeping our customers supplied with 
product (particularly those providing 
critical healthcare equipment for the 
treatment of COVID-19 patients); and 

3.  Preserving cash and maintaining 

liquidity. 

This swift response was well received by our 
people and customers and was instrumental 
to us successfully navigating through the 
challenges that we subsequently faced. 
Our China facility reopened on 17 February 
2020 and we have kept all production 
and warehouse facilities operational 
since then, apart from short breaks for 
COVID-19 decontaminations. This clearly 
demonstrates the built-in resilience of our 
supply chain.

We are continuing to monitor the global 
situation in respect of COVID-19 closely 
and remain mindful of the significant 
challenges and uncertainty it continues to 
present.

OUR RESPONSE TO COVID-19 
ON PAGE 39

Our Board
In October 2020 we announced that, after 
over 17 years as Chief Executive Officer, 
Duncan Penny had informed the Board 
of his intention to retire as CEO. Duncan 
stepped down as CEO on 31 December 
2020 and will leave the Board and the 
Group at the Annual General Meeting on 
20 April 2021. 

The Board also announced that, following 
a thorough search process, Gavin Griggs 
would succeed Duncan as Chief Executive 
Officer from 1 January 2021. Gavin has 
been Chief Financial Officer at XP Power 
since November 2017 and has worked very 
closely with Duncan in that time. Gavin is 
a proven business leader with significant 
experience and expertise across a variety 

“We have produced record orders, revenues 
and earnings and strong cash generation, 
against a difficult global backdrop.”

17%

Revenue increase

40%

Adjusted earnings  
per share increase

16

of growth-oriented business sectors and 
the Board is confident that Gavin is the 
right person to take XP Power forward.

The transition from Duncan to Gavin has 
been smooth as anticipated and I have 
confidence that under his leadership the 
Group will deliver further Shareholder 
value in the future.

The search for Gavin’s successor as Chief 
Financial Officer is underway, and an 
appointment will be announced in due 
course.

Duncan joined XP Power as Chief Financial 
Officer in 2000, becoming CEO in 2003, 
and has led our business with distinction. 
On behalf of the entire XP Power team, I 
want to thank Duncan for his significant 
and enduring contribution to our Group 
and wish him well for the future. 

SEE PAGES 84–133 FOR OUR BOARD 
AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Our people and values
The success of any organisation is 
dependent on its culture and the people 
and talent within it. The Board continues 
to work closely with the Executive 
Leadership Team to ensure the Group is 
identifying and developing its key people 
and bringing new talent and capabilities 
into the business, to help underpin our 
growth ambitions. We recruited a leader 
for our Global Supply Chain and a Chief 
People Officer during the year. These 
are two important senior executive 
appointments that have significantly 
enhanced our capabilities and demonstrate 
the ambition we have for the Group. 

I am proud of what our people have 
achieved in 2020 and I know from our 
engagement with them that they are 
proud to be part of the XP Power team. 

significant expansion of our addressable 
markets has been achieved through a 
combination of internal organic investment 
and targeted acquisitions. Although we are 
one of a few power companies in the world 
with a product portfolio across such a 
broad power and voltage spectrum we still 
have relatively low market share, we can 
use our product portfolio and engineering 
services and capabilities to provide 
customers with a complete power solution 
and increase our market share. 

Our strategy continues to work effectively 
to achieve sustainable long-term earnings 
growth through market share gains in 
our target sectors and customers. This 
success is demonstrated by our consistent 
performance and resilience over the cycles 
in the sectors in which we operate. We 
are confident we can continue to develop 
market leading products and, encouraged 
by the potential of our product and sales 
pipeline, to continue to deliver organic 
growth. 

Following a bank refinancing in 2020, 
we have sufficient committed funds 
to support targeted acquisitions to 
enhance our product portfolio and 
expand our addressable market. We see 
acquisitions as an important element of 
our growth strategy but will maintain a 
disciplined approach. We also continue 
to make improvements to our systems 
and processes, in our product life cycle 
management and our supply chain to 
support the sales growth we are generating, 
as well as bringing new talent into the 
business to support our continued growth. 

While our new CEO will continually 
review our strategic progress, we expect 
development to be evolutionary not 
revolutionary but with a heightened focus 
on execution and organisational and supply 
chain agility.

READ MORE ABOUT OUR 
CULTURE ON PAGE 95

SEE PAGES 32–38 TO SEE OUR 
STRATEGY IN MORE DETAIL

Strategy review
The Group has consistently executed 
a clearly outlined strategy for several 
years which has successfully delivered 
meaningful value creation for all 
stakeholders. In summary, it is built on the 
development of a market-leading range 
of competitive products to enable further 
penetration of existing target accounts, 
combined with a drive to move our product 
portfolio up the power and voltage scale. 
This product portfolio development and the 

Sustainability
We are committed to the long-term 
sustainable success of XP Power in all its 
aspects. In 2020, we engaged with our 
key stakeholders to better understand 
which aspects of their relationship with XP 
Power were most important to them, with 
a focus on sustainability in particular. We 
have incorporated this feedback into our 
sustainability strategy and have reported 
this in our 2020 Annual Report. 

Sustainability has been a long-term focus 
for XP Power. In 2009, we established 
an environmental committee led by the 
CEO, which set the bold goal of leading 
our industry on environmental matters. 
We have helped lead the industry in 
developing “green” products that deliver 
power more efficiently and consume less 
energy, while powering their application, 
or in standby mode. These products 
reduce the annual CO2 emissions of the 
equipment throughout its life and are by 
far the biggest positive impact we can 
make on the environment. We have set 
Company targets to reduce CO2 emissions 
intensity by a minimum of 3% per annum 
over the short and medium term and an 
aspiration to achieve carbon neutrality by 
2040. During 2021 we will develop further 
strategies to bring this date forward.

Sustainability also resonates with our 
employees. We have adopted energy 
and water saving practices throughout 
the Group and have a network of 
passionate environmental representatives 
who promote best practices and raise 
awareness of sustainability issues, 
including social ones, across our global 
workforce. 

READ MORE ABOUT OUR 
SUSTAINABILITY ON PAGES 62–83

Outlook
We delivered an excellent performance in 
2020 despite facing significant external 
challenges, once again demonstrating 
the resilience of our business model and 
quality of our people. 

Trading conditions in the early months 
of 2021 give grounds for continued 
optimism. Despite the challenges and 
uncertainty that remain regarding 
COVID-19, we entered the year with a 
strong order book and with a positive 
backdrop within the Semiconductor 
Manufacturing Equipment sector. While 
we are mindful of the headwind that the 
recent strengthening of Sterling creates 
and the continued uncertainty created by 
COVID-19, we currently expect further 
underlying revenue growth this financial 
year. We remain excited regarding the 
long-term prospects of the Group.

James Peters 
Chairman

17

OVERVIEWXP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020S
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18

 
Contents

STRATEGIC REPORT
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SUCCESSION

OUR MARKETPLACE

OUR MARKETPLACE: OUR GROWTH DRIVERS 

OUR BUSINESS MODEL

POWERING LONG-TERM VALUE

OUR STRATEGY

OUR STRATEGY IN ACTION 

OUR RESPONSE TO COVID-19

OUR KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

PERFORMANCE: OPERATIONAL REVIEW

PERFORMANCE: FINANCIAL REVIEW 

MANAGING OUR RISKS 

SECTION 172(1) STATEMENT

SUSTAINABILITY 

SECTION 1: EMBEDDING SUSTAINABILITY

SECTION 2: HEALTH AND SAFETY

SECTION 3: OUR PEOPLE

SECTION 4: ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP

SECTION 5: SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS

SECTION 6: ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE

20

22

26

28

31

32

36

39

40

42

48

52

61

62

62

67

71

75

79

81

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

19

STRATEGICREPORTCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SUCCESSION

“I am pleased to report 
that we have delivered 
an excellent financial 
performance in the most 
challenging environment”

In my final update to Shareholders, I am 
pleased to report that we have delivered 
an excellent financial performance in 
the most challenging environment, while 
prioritising the safety and wellbeing of our 
people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking back over the last 21 years at XP 
Power, 17 of those as CEO, it has been 
a remarkable journey as we transformed 
from a specialist distribution business, to 
a private label model, then to designer 
and design manufacturer, followed 
finally by our move into Radio Frequency 
Power and High Voltage. On our journey, 
we have built the enduring relations 
with key customers in the Healthcare, 
Industrial Technology and Semiconductor 
Manufacturing Equipment sectors that 
are at the heart of our success. Our 
target customers value our knowledge, 
speed and flexibility to solve their power 
problems and assist them to get their 
products to market in the shortest 
possible time. 

As a business that designs its power 
solutions into capital equipment, we are 
subject to the inherent cyclicality of those 

end markets. I have experienced several 
such cycles in my time at XP Power, but 
what is striking is that we have always 
made good strategic progress in a down 
cycle and emerged a stronger business 
each time. I believe the reason for this  
is that we continue to execute against  
our strategy relentlessly regardless of  
the circumstances we find ourselves  
in. The COVID-19 pandemic has been  
no exception.

Gavin Griggs joined XP Power as CFO 
in November 2017. It has been a great 
pleasure working with him and he has 
been instrumental in helping refine and 
execute our strategy since his arrival.  
While it was entirely appropriate for the 
Board to conduct a thorough executive 
search process for my replacement, I am 
pleased that we were able to appoint a 
strong internal candidate into the CEO 
role. I believe the benefits to our people, 
our customers and Shareholders in having 
this continuity are significant.

It has been a real privilege to lead XP 
Power as CEO, working with such a 
talented and passionate team of people. 
To see and experience the Group grow 
from its origins as a distributor to a design 
manufacturer and leader in its industry has 
been hugely rewarding. As I retire, I am 
confident the Group will continue  
to prosper and under Gavin’s leadership  
it will enter the next successful phase  
of its development.

Duncan Penny 
Chief Executive Officer 
(Retired as CEO 31 December 2020)

“ It has been a real privilege 
to lead such a talented and 
passionate team of people 
and experience the Group 
grow from a distributor to 
a design manufacturer and 
leader in its industry.”

20

At the outset of the pandemic we set 
three very clear priorities of:

1.  Ensuring the safety and wellbeing  

of our people; 

2.  Keeping product flowing to our 

customers; and 

3.  Preserving our cash and maintaining 

liquidity.

These priorities served us well in guiding 
us through the challenges of 2020 and  
we will continue to follow these in the 
year ahead.

XP Power is a successful, long-term 
business with excellent prospects. I am 
looking forward to leading the Group into 
its next phase of development, shaping 
its strategy and leading a team of high-
performing and committed colleagues.

“The Company has a sound 
businesss model, strong 
customer relationships, and 
a passionate and dedicated 
workforce.”

On joining the Company as CFO in 
November 2017, I was immediately 
impressed by the passion its people had 
for the business and the organisation’s 
willingness to continually change and 
evolve. Since then, we have continued 
to develop, not just our product range, 
but our processes, systems and talent to 
build a platform for further future growth. 
I am excited to have been given the 
opportunity to serve as Chief Executive 
Officer and to lead the business in its next 
stage of development.

The Company has a sound business  
model, strong customer relationships,  
and a passionate and dedicated workforce. 
We are proud of the further progress we 
made in 2020 and the strength of the 
financial results we were able to deliver  
in what was an exceptional year due to  
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

While the challenges and uncertainties 
regarding COVID-19 are not yet behind 
us, I am confident in the resiliency of the 
business and its long-term prospects.

Gavin Griggs 
Chief Executive Officer 
(Appointed 1 January 2021)

“ XP Power is a successful, 
long-term business with 
excellent prospects. I am 
looking forward to leading 
the Group into its next  
phase of development.”

OUR APPROACH TO SUCCESSION PLANNING

Our approach to succession planning and the process the Board 
followed in appointing a new CEO is set out in detail in the 
Nomination Committee Report.

READ MORE IN OUR NOMINATION 
COMMITTEE REPORT ON PAGES 102–109

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

21

STRATEGICREPORTOUR MARKETPLACE

DRIVING SUSTAINABLE 
GROWTH BY GROWING  
OUR ADDRESSABLE MARKET

GLOBAL POWER CONVERTER MARKET

A highly diverse market gives us an  
opportunity to grow market share

Overview 
Our end markets can be broken down 
to the low voltage market – principally 
powering electronic systems and the 
high voltage and radio frequency (RF) 
market – which powers processes 
such as the generation of plasmas or 
some sort of particle acceleration or 
ionisation. The fragmented nature of 
the market means we have numerous 
competitors dependent on the product 
type, end application or geographic 
location with no one competitor 
having a dominant share. We consider 
that we have strong relationships 
with the leading customers in the 
higher growth market niches, which 
will allow us to continue to grow our 
market share. This is particularly true 
in process power where our share is 
currently very low. 

Trends shaping the market

The Group is exposed to several long term growth 
drivers that will support future growth. These 
include the key trends of the proliferation of 
electronic devices, accelerating global digitisation 
and the long-term demand for healthcare 
equipment.

Our position 
Our broad and up-to-date product portfolio, 
combined with our engineering services capability 
to modify products, allows our product to 
more effectively integrate into the customer’s 
application. This means we are ideally positioned 
to support our customers and solve their power 
problems. We are also ideally placed to acquire 
complementary businesses to expand our 
product and engineering offering to expand our 
addressable market within our existing customer 
base.

US $ BILLIONS

Estimated  
market

Low voltage

XP Power 
estimated 
share

3.2 8.4%

Process power

1.7 2.6%

Total

4.9 6.4%

Source: Microtech Consultants and XP Power 
management estimates

01

MARKET TREND
Electronic devices are becoming 
ever more pervasive in our lives.

IMPACT ON MARKETS 
In every aspect of our lives, we 
see more and more electronics 
and digitalisation, all of which 
require our type of products.  

02

MARKET TREND
Increased need for a complete 
power solution and connectivity to 
the customer’s application using 
firmware.

IMPACT ON MARKETS 
Our customers’ systems are getting 
more complex and trends such as 
Industrial 4.0 and the Industrial 
Internet of Things means there is high 
demand for our engineering services, 
which allow the power converter to 
communicate with the customer’s 
application and vice versa.

03

MARKET TREND
Healthcare technologies continue 
to evolve. There is also an ageing 
world population and a growing 
market for home healthcare 
products.

IMPACT ON MARKETS 
As more and more diagnostic and 
medical procedures are developed, 
the demand for the healthcare 
power converters we design and 
manufacture grows. 

04

MARKET TREND

More and more roles that are 

performed by people will be taken 

over by electronic machines and 

robotics as artificial intelligence 

advances.

IMPACT ON MARKETS 

Demand for semiconductor devices 

and the equipment required to 

manufacture these will continue 

to grow driving demand for our 

low voltage and process power 

solutions. 

22

STRATEGIC
REPORT

HIGH VOLTAGE MARKET

RF POWER MARKET

OUR CUSTOMERS

$500m

Total market value

$1,200m

Total market value

Overview 
High voltage high power is an attractive 
market where we are finding many new 
opportunities since acquiring this product 
range.

Our response 
Our salesforce is finding attractive 
opportunities in our existing customer 
base in semiconductor manufacturing 
equipment, research, additive 
manufacturing and healthcare applications 
for these products

Overview 
The RF Power market is significant and 
has attractive growth prospects. The 
semiconductor equipment manufacturers 
are significant users of this product, but it 
is also used in healthcare and applications 
involving dielectric and induction heating.

Our response 
The RF Power market presents an exciting 
opportunity for us to grow our revenues 
with customers who already value our 
service and support.

READ MORE ABOUT OUR PRODUCT 
PORTFOLIO ON PAGE 36

Our customers are original 
equipment manufacturers who 
can be characterised as having 
expertise in their particular field, 
whether it be healthcare devices, 
fast growing industrial technologies 
or semiconductor equipment 
manufacturing, but generally do not 
have deep in-house power conversion 
expertise.

XP Power provides this expertise 
and assists our customers to design 
in a suitable power supply from our 
extensive range of products that meet 
the customer’s cost and technical 
requirements. Technical requirements 
often involve helping the customer 
meet the relevant equipment 
safety standards that operate in 
their particular industry such as 
relevant medical or electrical safety 
standards as well as Electro Magnetic 
Compatibility (conducted and radiated 
electrical noise). 

We pride ourselves on our customer 
focus, providing rapid response to 
their technical issues in order to solve 
their power problems and help them 
get to market as fast as possible.

01

MARKET TREND

Electronic devices are becoming 

ever more pervasive in our lives.

IMPACT ON MARKETS 

In every aspect of our lives, we 

see more and more electronics 

and digitalisation, all of which 

require our type of products.  

02

MARKET TREND

Increased need for a complete 

power solution and connectivity to 

the customer’s application using 

firmware.

IMPACT ON MARKETS 

03

MARKET TREND

Healthcare technologies continue 

to evolve. There is also an ageing 

world population and a growing 

market for home healthcare 

products.

Our customers’ systems are getting 

IMPACT ON MARKETS 

more complex and trends such as 

Industrial 4.0 and the Industrial 

As more and more diagnostic and 

medical procedures are developed, 

Internet of Things means there is high 

the demand for the healthcare 

demand for our engineering services, 

power converters we design and 

which allow the power converter to 

manufacture grows. 

communicate with the customer’s 

application and vice versa.

04

MARKET TREND
More and more roles that are 
performed by people will be taken 
over by electronic machines and 
robotics as artificial intelligence 
advances.

IMPACT ON MARKETS 
Demand for semiconductor devices 
and the equipment required to 
manufacture these will continue 
to grow driving demand for our 
low voltage and process power 
solutions. 

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

23

OUR MARKETPLACE CONTINUED

THE MARKET SECTORS WE SERVE

We focus our resources on the key accounts that value our quality and high level of service and support, particularly during the critical 
design in stage when they are trying to get the power converter to effectively and safely power their prototype system, whatever type 
of application it might be.

Revenue trends
The revenue trends for each sector are set out below:

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

The market for industrial technology 
is by far the most diversified of all our 
markets. There are no large individual 
programmes even though we are 
dealing with many blue-chip industrial 
customers. We focus on fast growing 
niches in this market such as robotics, 
test and measurement, 3D printing and 
additive manufacturing, smart grid, and 
analytical instruments.

HOW THIS MARKET HAS BEEN  
AFFECTED BY COVID-19: 

Demand from our industrial technology 
customers contracted 19% as a result of 
the pandemic as demand for their products 
dropped or their own manufacturing 
or supply chains were disrupted due to 
COVID-19. We started to see recovery in 
this sector in the second half of 2020.

5%

5 Year CAGR

Total revenue (£m)
-19%
£94.4m

Revenue (£m) 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

HEALTHCARE
We have a strong healthcare business 
due to our broad medical power 
converter offering, full traceability of 
components and high-quality in-house 
manufacturing. We believe we are now 
the largest provider of medical power 
conversion products in the world.

HOW THIS MARKET HAS BEEN  
AFFECTED BY COVID-19: 

Early during the pandemic we saw significant 
demand for our products that were designed 
into critical care applications required 
for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. 
These included various types of ventilators, 
patient monitors, drug delivery devices, 
hospital beds, suction pumps and specialist 
ultrasound and portable X-ray. We estimate 
that we received an additional £15–£20 
million of orders as a result. By contrast, 
other areas of healthcare such as robotic 
surgery, endoscopy, other diagnostics and 
dentistry, were extremely weak compared to 
2019. We expect these to recover in 2021.

16%

5 Year CAGR

Total revenue (£m)
+51%
£69.3m

Revenue (£m) 

69.3

45.9

43.6

51.0

37.9

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

24

SEMICONDUCTOR 
MANUFACTURING 
EQUIPMENT

Our customers recovered strongly from 
the cyclical downturn in this sector 
that started in 2018 and started to 
recover in Q4 2019 in terms of orders. 
A combination of increased demand in 
the memory market and advances in 
process technology drove the growth. 
We see this as an attractive sector for 
our long-term growth as the demand 
for semiconductor devices is driven 
by multiple factors such as Artificial 
Intelligence (AI), big data, the Internet of 
Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles and 
the roll out of 5G. 

HOW THIS MARKET HAS BEEN  
AFFECTED BY COVID-19: 

We believe that COVID-19 has and will 
cause acceleration of many trends in the 
world such as remote working, general 
digitalisation, and online shopping, which 
will fuel further growth for semiconductor 
devices.

47%

5 Year CAGR

Total revenue (£m)
+86%
£69.6m

94.4

116.6

104.1

Revenue (£m) 

86.7

76.8

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

69.6

37.4

47.4

29.1

15.1

STRATEGIC
REPORT

NORTH AMERICA

EUROPE

ASIA

Overview
North America is a significant market 
for power electronics with many large 
customers, particularly in healthcare 
and semiconductor manufacturing 
equipment.

Overview
The European market is much more 
fragmented than North America 
or Asia. In particular, it contains 
numerous smaller industrial 
technology companies as well 
as a number of larger healthcare 
companies.

Overview
Although Asia is a large market, 
much of it is not available to XP 
Power, as many customers value 
purely cost over service and support. 
Nevertheless, there are a number 
of significant niches where our 
proposition is compelling. Asia’s 
up and coming semiconductor 
manufacturing equipment market is 
particularly attractive. 

63%  
OF REVENUES

28%  
OF REVENUES

9%  
OF REVENUES

TRENDS SHAPING  
THE REGIONAL MARKET

In general, our customers in North 
America are the most innovative and 
fast moving. We see this particularly 
in healthcare. North America is also 
the de facto leader in semiconductor 
manufacturing equipment; a sector 
we consider to have strong long-term 
growth prospects for XP Power. 

PERFORMANCE 

North America produced excellent 
growth in 2020 as the semiconductor 
manufacturing equipment sector 
recovered strongly and healthcare 
orders due to COVID-19 more than 
compensated for weakness in industrial 
technology. 

TRENDS SHAPING  
THE REGIONAL MARKET

TRENDS SHAPING  
THE REGIONAL MARKET

Our customers in Europe are principally 
involved in industrial technology 
with some healthcare and very 
little semiconductor manufacturing 
equipment. It is, therefore, by far, our 
most diverse market. 

PERFORMANCE 

Although Europe produced growth in 
difficult conditions due to COVID-19 
related healthcare business, it was 
hardest hit due to its exposure to 
industrial technology. Europe also did 
not benefit from the semiconductor 
manufacturing equipment exposure that 
Asia and North America enjoy.

Markets in Asia are generally growing 
faster than in North America and 
significantly faster than in Europe. Many 
applications are not attractive to us 
where customers prioritise cost over 
service and support. However, there 
are many attractive areas that we can 
service with our more complex high-
power and high-voltage products.

PERFORMANCE 

Asia produced excellent growth 
in 2020, following a strong 2019, 
driven principally by customers in 
the semiconductor manufacturing 
equipment sector.

Revenue (£m)

Revenue (£m)

Revenue (£m)

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

147.2

2020

115.5

119.1

94.4

68.6

2019

2018

2017

2016

65.0

64.4

61.1

57.5

49.4

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

21.1

20.0

14.9

14.9

11.8

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

25

READ MORE ABOUT OUR 
PERFORMANCE ON PAGES 42 TO 47

OUR MARKETPLACE  CONTINUED

OUR GROWTH DRIVERS

The opportunities for XP Power –  
expanding our addressable market

We consider that we have strong and enduring relations with the key accounts that place 
value on our proposition of a broad and up-to-date product portfolio, excellent service 
and support, resilient supply chain, and low cost Asian manufacturing provides the 
flexibility to combine our products into a customised complete power solution using our 
engineering services group.

PROLIFERATION OF 
ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Electronic devices are becoming 
more and more pervasive in our lives 
as new technologies and innovation 
continues. This trend is accelerating 
with the adoption of the Internet of 
Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), 
big data and the roll out of 5G. These 
devices drive demand for semiconductor 
manufacturing equipment, which is a 
key focus area for XP Power. 

HOW WE ARE RESPONDING

We have the broadest range of standard 
products in our industry that are 
designed to be easy to modify to power 
the customers’ specific application. 
Many of our products are suitable to 
power semiconductor manufacturing 
equipment processes and electronics, 
and these customers value our 
engineering services proposition. 

LINK TO STRATEGY

CONNECTIVITY AND 
INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION 4.0

Customers’ applications are becoming ever 
more complicated and increasingly more 
connected enabling Industrial Revolution 
4.0. Demand for communication between 
the customers’ applications and the power 
conversion solution are rapidly expanding.

HOW WE ARE RESPONDING

Our engineering services groups are 
providing complete power solutions 
including connectivity to and from the 
customers’ application using firmware and 
software and, where required, connection 
to the internet.  

HEALTHCARE 

A global population that is both 
increasing and ageing, coupled with 
advances in diagnostic technology 
and surgical robotics, is driving the 
demand for more healthcare devices. 
This makes healthcare an excellent 
sector for XP Power. The customers 
in this area demand the ultimate 
quality and reliability, and appreciate 
and value XP Power’s proposition. 
COVID-19 has brought into focus 
that generally the healthcare 
infrastructure is inadequate in 
today’s world. 

HOW WE ARE RESPONDING

We have the broadest, most up-to-
date range of medically approved 
power converters in our industry 
and are the world’s leading provider 
of healthcare power conversion 
products. 

LINK TO STRATEGY

LINK TO STRATEGY

26

    
    
    
STRATEGIC
REPORT

CUSTOMER 
PENETRATION

Our blue-chip customer base provides 
good opportunities to win additional 
new product programmes from multiple 
engineering teams across the globe. 
We have gained corporate approval at 
many blue-chip companies over the past 
few years. We are now capitalising on 
these approvals to win a larger share of 
the business that is available in those 
customers by expanding our product 
offering.

HOW WE ARE RESPONDING

RF Power solutions from the acquisition 
of Comdel, and high voltage solutions 
from the acquisition of Glassman, 
increase our available market from 
US$2.7 billion to $4.9 billion. 

CLIMATE CHANGE 

Climate change and emission of 
greenhouse gases is becoming an 
increasingly significant issue as 
emerging countries develop and 
urbanise. XP Power has taken a leading 
role in developing ultra-efficient 
products, which consume and waste 
less energy and are suitable for use in 
healthcare and industrial applications.

HOW WE ARE RESPONDING

We have developed a portfolio of “XP 
Green Power” XP Power products with 
class-leading efficiencies and have 
the most environmentally friendly 
manufacturing facility in our industry. 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND 
RELIABILITY 

The requirement from customers and 
legislation for products to consume 
and waste less energy is driving 
demand for more efficient power 
converters. This goes hand-in-hand 
with reliability for critical applications 
as ultra-high efficiency products do 
not require relatively unreliable fans to 
cool them, and cooler systems mean 
key components such as electrolytic 
capacitors have longer lifetimes.

HOW WE ARE RESPONDING

We have developed a portfolio of “XP 
Green Power” XP Power products 
with class-leading efficiencies and low 
standby power, which can operate 
without fan cooling.

LINK TO STRATEGY

LINK TO STRATEGY

LINK TO STRATEGY

LEGISLATION

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT

INNOVATION

Our industry continues to be the 
subject of an increasing raft of 
legislation from numerous countries 
and standard setters relating to areas 
such as environmental impacts, safety 
requirements and, above all, energy 
efficiency. The compliance costs of 
keeping up with this legislation are 
significant. XP Power is of a size where 
we can dedicate significant resources to 
this area, yet be agile to respond quickly 
with new products or documentation as 
required.

Our products are designed into and 
power capital equipment and, as such, 
are subject to the capital equipment 
cycles. We have found growth niches 
in new industrial technologies such 
as 3D printing, analytical instruments, 
smart grid and robotics. New capital 
investment generally leads to greater 
productivity. We consider that the 
medium and long-term opportunities 
remain positive for capital equipment. 
This is particularly the case in emerging 
markets as labour costs rise significantly.

HOW WE ARE RESPONDING

HOW WE ARE RESPONDING

We have dedicated resources devoted 
to power converter legislation, including 
the latest safety regulations, which our 
customers value.

We have the largest direct sales force in 
our industry together with the broadest 
product portfolio, so we are well 
positioned to take advantage of growth 
in the capital equipment markets. We 
have also targeted newer and faster 
growth industrial sectors such as 3D 
printing, analytical instruments, robotics 
and smart grid infrastructure.

Our customers possess a competitive 
need to launch new products offering 
increased productivity and functionality 
while reducing harmful environmental 
impacts. In addition, our customers are 
trying to differentiate their products 
from their competitors, which frequently 
results in different or new power 
conversion requirements. 

HOW WE ARE RESPONDING

With the acquisitions in RF Power in 
2017, and high voltage power in 2018, 
we now have five design centres around 
the globe offering a diverse range of 
products. 

LINK TO STRATEGY

LINK TO STRATEGY

LINK TO STRATEGY

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

27

    
    
    
    
    
    
OUR BUSINESS MODEL

Our business model has evolved from that of a specialist 
distributor, to designer, to design manufacturer. 

OUR PURPOSE 

WHY WE EXIST: 

We power the world’s critical 
systems.

OUR VALUES

•  Integrity

•  Knowledge

•  Speed

•  Flexibility

•  Customer Focus

KEY ACTIVITIES
DESIGN

We have transitioned our business from a specialist distributor, to designer, to design 
manufacturer. This has enabled us to ascend the value chain to grow our revenues and 
margins. Through acquisition, we have moved further up the power and voltage scale so we 
can fulfil more of the opportunities presented to us by our target customers. We have design 
engineering teams on three continents – this allows us to release a high number of innovative 
new products required by this highly diversified market. These products often have class-
leading energy efficiency and small footprints to meet the ever-higher demands of our key 
customers. Additional engineering service teams in Germany, North America, Singapore and the 
UK are able to provide value-added services close to our key customers. We are able to provide 
modified product solutions, which allow the customer to more easily integrate the power 
converter into their equipment, therefore delivering a cost saving.

PRODUCTS

OUR VISION

WHERE WE WANT TO BE: 

To be the first choice power 
solutions provider delivering 
the ultimate experience for our 
customers and our people.

We have the broadest, most up-to-date product offering in the industry, with over 250 product 
families in our portfolio. Our products are specific to the requirements of the various industries 
and applications we target. Our philosophy is to provide highly flexible products that are easy 
to modify.

This saves our customers the cost, time and risk of pursuing a fully customised solution. Our 
product portfolio has been enhanced with high voltage modules following the acquisition of 
EMCO in November 2015, RF Power from Comdel in September 2017 and high voltage/ 
high power products from Glassman in May 2018.

KEY RESOURCES

STRONG RELATIONSHIPS

with our suppliers, employees 
and Shareholders.

STRONG LEADERSHIP 

A strong Executive  
team with a clear strategic 
vision.

PEOPLE

An experienced and committed 
workforce.

TECHNOLOGY 

We are investing in our future 
through our investment in 
infrastructure and technology.

28

MANUFACTURING

We manufacture our own products and this provides us with the ability to ensure excellent 
quality, and an agile supply chain to meet customers’ lead time expectations.

BUILDING AND MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS WITH CUSTOMERS 

Our customers are at the heart of what we do. Our model is to sell directly to our key 
customers where we can add genuine value, offering excellent service and support combined 
with class-leading products.

We have carved out a leading position in our industry. An up-to-date, high-efficiency product 
offering, delivered to our customers by the largest and most technically competent sales 
engineering team in the industry, backed up by highly skilled power systems engineers, 
combined with the safety and reliability benefits of world-class manufacturing, provide a 
compelling value proposition to our customers.

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

The management of our supply chain is critical to our success. Quality and reliability are 
paramount to our customers who often provide critical healthcare or industrial systems. For 
that reason, we need excellent suppliers with high-quality standards.

We have a rigorous approval process that looks at all aspects of a supplier before we engage 
with them. This not only includes a prospective suppliers’ quality systems and standards, but 
also their financial viability and, of course, their environmental performance and treatment 
of their people. We are a full member of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) and have 
adopted the RBA Code of Conduct throughout our organisation. This not only deals with 
environmental standards but also treatment of people, health and safety and business ethics. 
Our customers demand excellent quality and security of supply and strong corporate social 
responsibility standards. 

QUALITY

Our stringent quality standards ensure the ultimate in quality and reliability. This is vital to our 
customers. This starts from the design phase right through to production and after sales support.

0102SALES CYCLE
Our sales process is generally a technical sale, 
between XP Power sales engineers and customer 
design engineers. Our customers are typically experts 
in their field, whether it is robotic surgery, a state-
of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing tool or a 
high-end communications device operating in a harsh 
environment. They will approach a company such as 
ours to recommend and assist them to design a power 
converter into their end system to allow it to function.

Generally, with larger customers, it is not possible to 
engage on a specific opportunity until we are on an 
approved or preferred vendor list. This will involve 
qualification by the customer’s technical, quality and 
purchasing teams and may often involve a physical 
audit of our quality systems and a factory audit.

PRODUCTION

 05

The customer commences production 
of their product and XP Power’s 
revenue stream starts. This revenue 
stream typically continues for seven 
to eight years depending on the 
application and end market.

APPROVAL 04

The power converter is approved for 
use in the customer system following 
the customer’s technical evaluation 
and external safety agency approval. 
This is generally the longest part 
of the sales cycle as the technical 
and safety evaluation are very 
time consuming for the customer. 
XP Power will often add value by 
providing technical assistance during 
this stage and it is not unusual for us 
to have a technical power systems 
engineer working directly with the 
customer.

01  

IDENTIFICATION

A new design programme is identified 
at a customer where we are an 
approved or preferred vendor. This is 
typically quite late in the customer’s 
development cycle as they will 
not usually know the total power 
requirement of their system until they 
have a working prototype.

02  

QUOTATION

An XP Power sales person will work 
with the customer to understand the 
requirements including the power 
requirements at different voltages, 
communication required between the 
power converter and end system, any 
specific safety agency requirements 
and the physical dimensions. XP 
Power will then advocate a solution 
and provide a quotation to the 
customer. This solution could be a 
modification of one of our standard 
products.

03  

SAMPLE

One or more samples are provided 
to the customer for them to evaluate 
in their system. This is a critical stage 
of the sale and we often find that 
the first company providing a sample 
that works in the equipment will win 
the design slot. Speed is, therefore, 
critical. Our power systems engineers 
will often work closely with the 
customer at this stage to assist them 
with any issues they might experience 
such as dealing with electrical noise.

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

29

03REVENUE STREAMS
•  We gain substantial revenue annuity over the life cycle of a 
product. The design in cycle is typically 18–24 months.

•  Once designed in to a customer’s programme, we generate 
ongoing revenue streams that typically continue to seven 
to eight years depending on the application and end 
market.

We are part of the Responsible 
Business Alliance (RBA)

Our employees can take a day 
of paid time off to support local 
community activities

74 pence

dividend per share

3.97

Employee cultural survey score

20

additional product families to our 
portfolio during 2020

STRATEGIC
REPORT

SHORT-TERM VALUE GENERATION 
FOR STAKEHOLDERS
OUR PEOPLE

•  A diverse workforce

•  A safe and healthy working environment

•  Talent management

•  Engagement

OUR CUSTOMERS

•  Quality and value

•  Innovation and expansion to further  

enhance value

•  High-efficiency product offering

•  Excellent service and support

OUR SUPPLIERS

•  Fair negotiation

•  Visibility on revenues

•  Dealing with a member of the Responsible 

Business Alliance

•  Supply chain ethics and due diligence

OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT

•  Community initiatives

•  Raising money for charities and volunteer work

•  A focus on reducing harmful emissions

•  Environmentally friendly design concepts

OUR SHAREHOLDERS

•  Dividend policy as shown below

•  Investing in a growing business with attractive 

margins and market opportunities

Ten year dividend history (pence per share)

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

55

74

85

78

71

66

61

55

50

45

30

0405POWERING LONG-TERM VALUE

POWERING LONG-TERM VALUE FOR OUR STAKEHOLDERS

We have a clearly articulated strategy that we continue to refine and consistently execute. 
We strive to create an environment where our people can be at their best so they can, in turn, 
solve our customers’ power problem allowing them to get to market on time with our leading 
portfolio of products, combined with our excellent service and support. This is achieved 
through adopting sustainable business practices to ensure the business can continue to 
evolve and prosper for the benefit of all our stakeholders.

How we create long-term value  
for our people 
We provide a safe and healthy working  
environment that is stimulating and collegiate.  
We take the approach that if we look  
after our people they will look after  
our customers.

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o f ti m

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OUR STRATEGY

Our vision is to be the first-choice power solutions provider delivering the ultimate 
experience for our people and our customers. XP Power has followed a clear and 
consistent dual track strategy of moving up the value chain through its internally 
developed products and adding complementary products through acquisitions to 
target key accounts where we can add genuine value.

DEVELOP A MARKET-LEADING 
RANGE OF COMPETITIVE 
PRODUCTS

We need a market-leading range 
of products to be attractive to 
our customers. The product range 
also needs to be broad due to the 
fragmented nature of the markets 
we serve, which have a multitude of 
product requirements. The broader and 
more up to date our product range, the 
more chance we will have something 
that will work effectively in our target 
customers’ applications.

TARGET ACCOUNTS WHERE  
WE CAN ADD VALUE

VERTICAL PENETRATION  
OF FOCUS ACCOUNTS

We pride ourselves in the level of 
service and support we offer to our 
customers, particularly during the 
design-in stage. We have a compelling 
proposition where customers expect 
excellent quality and reliability to 
power their mission-critical equipment, 
but in particular where they face a 
power problem due to either heat 
dissipation or electrical noise. These are 
the type of customers that we target.

We still have a relatively small share of 
the available business in some of the 
accounts we call on. We are continuing 
to expand our product portfolio so we 
can address more of the opportunities 
that are available in these accounts to 
grow our revenues.

32

Photo of our Vietnam factory

STRATEGIC
REPORT

BUILD A GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN 
THAT BALANCES HIGH EFFICIENCY 
WITH MARKET-LEADING 
CUSTOMER RESPONSIVENESS

Since listing in 2000, we have built a 
strong brand in the power converter 
market. This, together with our 
product portfolio and excellent 
customer service, has allowed us to 
consistently take market share and 
grow significantly. As the Company 
grows, we need to upgrade our systems 
and processes and, in particular, our 
supply chain processes, in order to 
scale and run a much larger business as 
we continue to grow. 

LEAD OUR INDUSTRY ON 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

MAKE SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS  
OF COMPLEMENTARY BUSINESSES 
TO EXPAND OUR OFFERING

Strong corporate social responsibility 
is not only important to our key 
customers but also to our employees 
and the communities in which we 
operate. This incorporates not only 
environmental performance, but also 
health and safety, treatment of our 
people and business ethics.

Our strong balance sheet and cash 
generative business model allow us 
the capacity to pursue complementary 
business acquisitions. This is another 
avenue to expand our product offering 
and addressable market.

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

33

OUR STRATEGY CONTINUED

DEVELOP A MARKET-
LEADING RANGE OF 
COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS

TARGET/GOAL

To release sufficient products to 
achieve at least a 10% organic 
revenue growth at attractive 
margins.

PAST 
PERFORMANCE

Over the past few years, 
we have been expanding 
our product portfolio and 
have developed a number of 
highly efficient, leading-edge 
products.

PLANNED 
FUTURE 
ACTIONS

We are placing emphasis on 
product platforms that are easy 
to modify and can be reused 
over multiple sectors and 
applications.

TARGET ACCOUNTS WHERE  
WE CAN ADD VALUE

VERTICAL PENETRATION  
OF FOCUS ACCOUNTS

BUILD A GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN 

LEAD OUR INDUSTRY ON 

THAT BALANCES HIGH EFFICIENCY 

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

MAKE SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS  

OF COMPLEMENTARY BUSINESSES 

TO EXPAND OUR OFFERING

WITH MARKET-LEADING 

CUSTOMER RESPONSIVENESS

Organic revenue growth in 
excess of 10%.

Organic revenue growth in 
excess of 10%.

Reduction in manufacturing costs and 

Excellent health and safety 

Bolt-on acquisitions driving inorganic 

freight and logistics, together with 

performance and consistent reduction 

revenue growth in excess of 5%.

We have targeted customers 
for which reliability is key or 
where their equipment may be 
located in harsh environments. 
These customers value the 
support and service that our 
highly trained sales force and 
power systems engineers 
deliver.

We are prioritising our resource 
on the customers that fit our 
value proposition. We are de- 
emphasising customers that 
may have significant revenue 
potential but where cost is a 
more critical factor than quality 
and reliability or engineering 
support during the design 
phase.

We have spent the last few 
years gaining approved or 
preferred supplier status at the 
key customers in the Healthcare, 
Industrial Technology, and 
Semiconductor Manufacturing 
Equipment sectors. We are 
focused on this existing customer 
base in order to grow our 
revenues.

As we expand our product 
offering through continued 
product development augmented 
by acquisitions, we aim to 
address an increasing proportion 
of our customers’ requirements 
with our excellent service and 
support.

consistent improvement in lead time 

in our CO2 intensity.

and on time delivery.

We have evolved from a distributor 

We are a full member of the 

Through our recent acquisitions we 

to a manufacturer, now having 

manufacturing facilities in China, 

Responsible Business Alliance (RBA). 

have added both RF Power and high 

The RBA Code of Conduct, to which 

power/high voltage to our product 

Vietnam and North America. We have 

we comply, addresses all of these 

range.

recruited new supply chain and logistics 

important ethical and environmental 

talent to achieve this transformation.

matters, which we strongly endorse.

As the business continues to grow 

We will remain a committed member of 

We continue to develop a pipeline of 

and become more complex, we will 

the RBA.

continue to add talent to our supply 

chain operations in 2021.

We strive to lead our industry on 

sustainability matters and have 

In 2019, we have upgraded our ERP 

engaged with our key stakeholders in 

system in our sales companies in Asia, 

2020 to develop our strategy regarding 

Europe and North America. We plan 

sustainability.

to roll the system out into our supply 

chain in 2021.

READ MORE ON PAGES 62–83

potential acquisitions to further expand 

our product offering and engineering 

capabilities.

LINK TO KPIs

•  New product families 

•  Revenue growth

released

•  Revenue growth

•  Revenue from top  

30 customers

•  Adjusted earnings per share

•  Lifetime CO2 emissions savings from 

•  New product families released

“Green” products

•  Health and safety incident rates

LINK TO RISKS

•  Competition from new 

•  Dependence on key 

•  Dependence on key 

•  Loss of key personnel or failure to 

•  Risks relating to regulation, 

•  Strategic risk association with 

market entrants and new 
technologies

customers

customers

•  Product recall/quality 

•  Product recall/quality 

•  Loss of key personnel 

management

management

attract new personnel

compliance and taxation

valuing or integrating new 

•  Cybersecurity/information systems 

•  Loss of key personnel or failure to 

failure

attract new personnel

acquisitions

or failure to attract new 
personnel

34

DEVELOP A MARKET-

LEADING RANGE OF 

COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS

TARGET ACCOUNTS WHERE  

VERTICAL PENETRATION  

WE CAN ADD VALUE

OF FOCUS ACCOUNTS

TARGET/GOAL

To release sufficient products to 

Organic revenue growth in 

Organic revenue growth in 

achieve at least a 10% organic 

excess of 10%.

excess of 10%.

PAST 

PERFORMANCE

revenue growth at attractive 

margins.

Over the past few years, 

we have been expanding 

our product portfolio and 

have developed a number of 

highly efficient, leading-edge 

products.

We have targeted customers 

for which reliability is key or 

We have spent the last few 

years gaining approved or 

where their equipment may be 

preferred supplier status at the 

located in harsh environments. 

key customers in the Healthcare, 

These customers value the 

support and service that our 

Industrial Technology, and 

Semiconductor Manufacturing 

highly trained sales force and 

Equipment sectors. We are 

power systems engineers 

focused on this existing customer 

deliver.

base in order to grow our 

revenues.

BUILD A GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN 
THAT BALANCES HIGH EFFICIENCY 
WITH MARKET-LEADING 
CUSTOMER RESPONSIVENESS

Reduction in manufacturing costs and 
freight and logistics, together with 
consistent improvement in lead time 
and on time delivery.

LEAD OUR INDUSTRY ON 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

MAKE SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS  
OF COMPLEMENTARY BUSINESSES 
TO EXPAND OUR OFFERING

Excellent health and safety 
performance and consistent reduction 
in our CO2 intensity.

Bolt-on acquisitions driving inorganic 
revenue growth in excess of 5%.

We have evolved from a distributor 
to a manufacturer, now having 
manufacturing facilities in China, 
Vietnam and North America. We have 
recruited new supply chain and logistics 
talent to achieve this transformation.

We are a full member of the 
Responsible Business Alliance (RBA). 
The RBA Code of Conduct, to which 
we comply, addresses all of these 
important ethical and environmental 
matters, which we strongly endorse.

Through our recent acquisitions we 
have added both RF Power and high 
power/high voltage to our product 
range.

PLANNED 

FUTURE 

ACTIONS

We are placing emphasis on 

We are prioritising our resource 

As we expand our product 

product platforms that are easy 

on the customers that fit our 

offering through continued 

to modify and can be reused 

value proposition. We are de- 

product development augmented 

over multiple sectors and 

applications.

emphasising customers that 

may have significant revenue 

potential but where cost is a 

by acquisitions, we aim to 

address an increasing proportion 

of our customers’ requirements 

more critical factor than quality 

with our excellent service and 

and reliability or engineering 

support.

support during the design 

phase.

As the business continues to grow 
and become more complex, we will 
continue to add talent to our supply 
chain operations in 2021.

In 2019, we have upgraded our ERP 
system in our sales companies in Asia, 
Europe and North America. We plan 
to roll the system out into our supply 
chain in 2021.

We will remain a committed member of 
the RBA.

We strive to lead our industry on 
sustainability matters and have 
engaged with our key stakeholders in 
2020 to develop our strategy regarding 
sustainability.

READ MORE ON PAGES 62–83

We continue to develop a pipeline of 
potential acquisitions to further expand 
our product offering and engineering 
capabilities.

LINK TO KPIs

•  New product families 

•  Revenue growth

•  Adjusted earnings per share

•  Lifetime CO2 emissions savings from 

•  New product families released

“Green” products

•  Health and safety incident rates

•  Revenue from top  

30 customers

LINK TO RISKS

•  Competition from new 

•  Dependence on key 

•  Dependence on key 

market entrants and new 

customers

customers

•  Product recall/quality 

•  Product recall/quality 

management

management

•  Loss of key personnel or failure to 

attract new personnel

•  Risks relating to regulation, 
compliance and taxation

•  Cybersecurity/information systems 

•  Loss of key personnel or failure to 

failure

attract new personnel

•  Strategic risk association with 
valuing or integrating new 
acquisitions

released

•  Revenue growth

technologies

•  Loss of key personnel 

or failure to attract new 

personnel

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

35

STRATEGICREPORTOUR STRATEGY IN ACTION:
PRODUCT PORTFOLIO

OUR PORTFOLIO

We believe we have the broadest, and most up-to-date product portfolio 
in our industry, making us the ideal partner for our key customers who 
are looking to save costs by reducing their vendor base. We are also one 
of the few companies in the world that has the complete spectrum of 
product offering from low to high power and low to high voltage. 

High Power/High Voltage
Market size – 
0.5 USD billions

XP Power – 
0.5 USD billions

RF Power
Market size –
1.2 USD billions

XP Power – 
1.2 USD billions

Low Voltage
Market size – 
3.0 USD billions

XP Power – 
2.7 USD billions

100kW+

50kW

10kW

5kW

3kW

1.5kW

500W

140W

75W

30W

10W

1W

Low Power/High Voltage
Market size – 
0.2 USD billions

XP Power – 
0.25 USD billions

5V

24V

60V

400V

800V

6kV

10kV

30kV

60kV

100kV+

WHAT WE’VE DONE  
THIS YEAR

Robust design methodology and 
platform approach
We have continued to develop our 
processes to ensure our designs are 
robust, yet we can meet customers’ 
expectations in terms of rapid time to 
market. We have continued our journey 
to focus on higher power products with 
increased complexity. We have closed our 
UK design centre to deploy resources in 
other parts of our product portfolio, which 
we believe will provide greater returns. 

AMBITIONS FOR 2021

LINK TO STRATEGY

New product platforms
We have a number of exciting, higher 
power product platforms we expect to 
release in 2021. We will also continue to 
develop our design processes such that 
we can reuse more of the technology 
and know how we have across different 
applications and sectors.

We are continuing to expand and enhance 
our range of market-leading competitive 
products.

LINK TO VALUES AND 
CULTURE

Our approach to new product 
development is supported by our values 
of speed and flexibility, ensuring our 
customers have access to leading-edge 
products and can get them to market in 
the shortest possible time.

READ MORE  
ON PAGES 22 AND 23

36

 
OUR STRATEGY IN ACTION:
STRENGTHENING OUR SUPPLY CHAIN

STRATEGIC
REPORT

OUR SUPPLY CHAIN

We have a flexible and resilient supply chain with low-cost Asia 
manufacturing sites in China and Vietnam. The resiliency we 
have demonstrated to deal with Section 301 Tariffs in 2019 and 
COVID-19 in 2020 is highly valued by our key customers. 

WHAT WE’VE DONE  
THIS YEAR

Supply chain strategy
We have continued the transfer of 
products from China to Vietnam to 
provide robust business continuity to 
support our key customers regarding 
Section 301 Tariffs and to keep them 
supplied with product when China was 
closed down in the early stages of the 
COVID-19 pandemic. We have also closed 
our manufacturing facility in Minden, 
Nevada, transferring the manufacture of 
our high voltage DC-DC converters to 
Vietnam, saving £4 million per annum with 
effect from Q4 2020 (£2 million of which 
will be reinvested back into the business 
for further product transfers).

Agility and resiliency
We have demonstrated supply chain 
agility and resiliency to keep our key 
customers in the Healthcare and 
Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment 
sectors supplied with product throughout 
the challenges of the COVID-19 
pandemic.

Lead time reduction
We will review our planning, forecasting, 
logistical and inventory planning processes 
to reduce lead times to provide our 
customers with improved logistical 
support to enable them to respond more 
dynamically to changes in demand in their 
end markets.

AMBITIONS FOR 2021

LINK TO STRATEGY

Further product transfers
We will transfer the manufacture of 
more products from North America to 
Vietnam to further reduce our product 
costs and increase efficiency. We will 
also continue our journey of developing a 
lean manufacturing philosophy to remove 
waste and cost from our processes. 

We are building a global supply chain 
that balances high efficiency with market 
leading responsiveness.

LINK TO VALUES AND 
CULTURE

Our agile supply chain is supported by 
our cores value of speed, flexibility and 
customer focus, to provide the ultimate 
experience for our key customers.

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

37

OUR STRATEGY IN ACTION

SOLVING OUR CUSTOMERS’ POWER CHALLENGES

saving them development time and the 
cost of the additional control circuitry. 
In addition, on start-up the customer’s 
application required a controlled ramp 
of current, which our product supported 
“out-of-the-box”, using our user defined 
“current soft start”, configured by the 
customer through the GUI. Finally, the 
customer’s system required an enable 
control of the power system (rather than 
an inhibit), which could also be configured 
via the GUI.

We worked hand-in-hand with the 
customer to get the power solution 
working in their application. Once they 
had defined all the parameters through the 
GUI, we were able to preprogramme the 
power converters in our manufacturing 
facility once in production again saving the 
customer time and cost.     

LINK TO STRATEGY

This is an excellent example of how 
we are able to use our product and 
power conversion expertise to vertically 
penetrate this customer, and save them 
time and cost, and enable them to get 
to market in the shortest possible time. 
This is also a good example of how we 
have expanded our product portfolio with 
a power product that is able to work in 
numerous applications due to its digital 
programmability.

LINK TO VALUES AND 
CULTURE

This case study demonstrates many of our 
core values in action: Knowledge, Speed, 
Flexibility and Customer Focus delivering 
genuine value to our customer.

READ MORE  
ON PAGES 23–36

THE CHALLENGE

Our customer required 5–20kW of power, 
depending on their system configuration, 
to drive an array of ultraviolet LED lights 
used in a curing process. The customer 
required a number of voltages between 
100–400V but also needed to supply 
power to their system at constant current.

HOW WE RESPONDED

We were able to build the customer a 
complete power solution using our 5kW 
programmable building block. This power 
conversion platform is fully programmable 
using a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 
through our proprietary Graphical User 
Interface (GUI). The platform is also 
digitally controlled allowing numerous 
parameters to be altered through its 
proprietary software. 

Ordinarily, the customer would have 
designed and built an additional constant 
current control circuit into their system. 
However, with our product, the customer 
was able to control the power converter 
themselves through the digital interface,

38

OUR RESPONSE TO COVID-19

STRATEGIC
REPORT

HOW WE HAVE 
CONSIDERED OUR 
STAKEHOLDERS  
DURING COVID-19

Our team was dealing with the 
consequences of COVID-19 at an early 
stage of the pandemic. In January, it 
became clear that there would be severe 
disruption in China and our Kunshan 
manufacturing facility would not be 
able to open after Chinese New Year as 
planned. We immediately implemented 
our Business Continuity Plan, which 
had already considered the actions 
that we would need to take in the face 
of a pandemic. Our Executive team 
immediately set the clear structure of 
hierarchical priorities of:

1.  Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of 

our people;

2.  Keeping product flowing to customers; 

and

3.  Preserving our cash.

We are pleased to report that we were 
able to keep our people safe, ensure our 
customers’ businesses could operate by 
keeping product flowing and produce 
excellent financial results in this most 
challenging of situations. This was 
achieved without the need to furlough any 
employees or make use of any government 
loans or assistance other than what was 
automatically provided in Singapore and 
China to all companies regardless of need.

OUR PEOPLE

We swiftly adopted all the epidemic 
preventative and control measures 
recommended by the authorities in the 
regions we operate. Control measures 
were firstly implemented in China, but 
we immediately adopted the same 
measures in our Vietnamese facility. The 
situation developed rapidly such that all 
our employees around the world who 
could work from home did so. We kept 
the organisation connected by frequent 
all hands video calls informing our 
people of the latest situation and general 
developments within the business. These 
calls occurred multiple times per week 
and were extremely well received by 
our people. In addition, we conducted a 
number of employee surveys to identify 
and address any issues associated 
with new working practices due to the 
pandemic, such as working from home or 
a lack of connectedness to others. We also 
increased the awareness on mental health 
for all our staff. We were particularly 
mindful of the wellbeing of the people in 
our production and logistics facilities who 
could not perform their roles from home, 
who were keeping the business running 
and product flowing to our customers.

CUSTOMERS

It quickly became evident that there was 
a huge demand for critical healthcare 
devices across the world to treat 
COVID-19 patients. We received large 
orders from many of our key healthcare 
customers who supply various ventilators, 
patient monitors, drug delivery systems, 
suction pumps, hospital beds, and 
specialist ultrasound and portable X-ray 
devices required to equip critical care 
units. These customers had an immediate 
need that put huge strain on our supply 
chain teams to add capacity and source 

components quickly at a time when 
China was still effectively shut down. Our 
organisation responded magnificently, 
pulling in components and adding capacity 
rapidly as well as transferring production 
to Vietnam while China could not 
operate. We estimate that we received 
additional orders of £15–20 million 
related to COVID-19. We are proud that 
our products are designed into so many 
critical care devices and we were able to 
respond effectively. Our semiconductor 
manufacturing equipment customers also 
saw strong demand throughout 2020 and 
we are pleased to report that we were also 
able to keep products flowing to these key 
customers during this challenging time.

PRESERVING CASH

Although we benefited from demand from 
critical healthcare and semiconductor 
manufacturing equipment customers, 
industrial technology and non-critical 
healthcare demand dropped significantly 
and many companies struggled as their 
demand reduced or they could not 
produce due to supply chain disruptions. 
We took the prudent but difficult action 
of cancelling our final dividend for 2019 
and our Q1 2020 dividend given the 
highly uncertain outlook. We quickly 
reviewed our cash flows and took all 
actions we could to slow outflows, while 
not impacting the medium-term health 
of the business, and focused on cash 
collections from customers. These actions 
allowed us to preserve cash and we were 
able to resume dividend payments to 
Shareholders from Q2 2020. 

READ MORE ABOUT OUR RESPONSE 
TO COVID-19 IN OUR OPERATIONAL 
REVIEW ON PAGES 42–47

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

39

OUR KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
We have defined a number of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), both financial and non-financial,  
which are closely aligned with our strategy and core values. 

Our performance over the years demonstrates significant and consistent progress.

FINANCIAL

REVENUE GROWTH (%)

2020

2019

2

2018

2017

2016

17

17

18

29

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

58

49

52

50

44

DEFINITION

We target revenue growth of 10% per 
annum. Whether we achieve this or not  
can depend on market cyclicality and 
exchange rates.

We expect revenue from our top 30 
customers to increase as we pursue  
our strategy.

REVENUE FROM 
TOP 30 CUSTOMERS (%)

ADJUSTED OPERATING CASH 
CONVERSION (%)

ADJUSTED DILUTED 

EARNINGS PER SHARE 

(“EPS”) GROWTH (%)

NEW PRODUCT FAMILIES 

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT 

SAVINGS FROM “GREEN” 

RELEASED

SCORE

PRODUCTS (TONNES)

LIFETIME CO2 EMISSION 

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

117

132

62

81

97

We target adjusted operating cash 
conversion of 100%. 

We aim to grow this metric by a 

Not all products are equal in terms 

We target to improve this score and 

We have set a target to increase  

double digit percentage each year.

of their complexity to develop or 

be at least above the benchmark for 

the lifetime CO2 emissions savings 

their revenue potential. In assessing 

similar sized international companies. 

from “XP Green Power” products  

by at least 5% per annum.

new product opportunities, we 

consider the potential revenue from 

a new product family as well as the 

absolute number of new product 

introductions. We target 30 new 

releases per annum.

WHY DO WE 
MEASURE THIS?

Provides an indicator of the success of  
our strategy.

Used to assess how effectively we are 
targeting top customers. 

Provides an indicator of value created 
for Shareholders to ensure our earnings 
are translated into cash.

Used to assess the adjusted 

Used to assess the expansion of the 

To develop our leaders and to assess 

Used to assess the Group’s 

earnings performance of the Group.

Group’s product portfolio.

the Group’s performance against its 

performance against its 

People objectives.

environmental objectives.

TARGET 
ACHIEVED (AND 
COMMENTARY)

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

•  Cyclical recovery in semiconductor 

manufacturing equipment combined 
with new programme wins in the past 
three years and COVID-19 related 
healthcare demand offset declines in 
industrial technology and non-critical 
healthcare

•  Further expanded our specialist 

distribution channels in Europe and 
North America

•  Continue to utilise our broad product 
offering through all sales regions

•  Provide increasing support to our 

customers through our engineering 
solutions group

•  This metric improved in 2020 as 
the market for semiconductor 
manufacturing equipment recovered 
from its cyclical downturn

•  We continue to grow share of our large 

customers

• 

• 

Improved our working capital 
management, specifically related to 
inventory and receivables

Improved cash flow forecasting to 
make better use of available cash, 
either through debt repayment or 
short-term deposits

•  Continue to grow our share of 

customers’ business where we are 
preferred or approved suppliers

•  Expansion of our product portfolio to 

increase our addressable market in our 
existing customer base

•  Continue to seek opportunities to 
reduce working capital by reducing 
lead times and improved inventory 
management

•  Earnings positively impacted 

•  We released 20 new product 

•  We continue to undertake an 

•  Of the 20 new product families 

by the recovery in the 

semiconductor manufacturing 

equipment sector and 

demand for critical healthcare 

equipment. This more than 

offset weakness in industrial 

technology and non-critical 

healthcare

families in 2020 (2019: 32)

•  17 (2019: 25) of these new 

product families can be classified 

as “XP Green Power” products

annual employee engagement 

survey to identify areas our 

people tell us where we can 

improve to deliver the ultimate 

employee experience

• 

In 2021, we changed providers to 

Gallup, which will have benefits 

in providing tools for leadership 

development

launched in 2020, 17 were 

“Green”

•  Our revenues from “XP Green 

Power” products increased by 

23% to £52.7 million in 2020

•  Revenue and earnings outcome 

•  We are focusing our design 

•  Use the results of the new Gallup 

•  We will continue to release 

survey to develop leaders

products with class-leading 

for 2021 is dependent on 

continued demand in the 

semiconductor manufacturing 

equipment sector and recovery 

in industrial technology to 

offset the non-repeat of orders 

associated with COVID-19

engineering on producing 

product platforms that can more 

easily be shared and reused 

over numerous applications and 

sectors

•  We expect to release two 

exciting significant product 

platforms in 2021

efficiency

•  We will continue to promote 

environmental awareness and 

adopt environmentally friendly 

practices

•  Target accounts where we can add 

•  Vertical penetration of focus accounts

•  Build a global supply chain 

•  Target customers where we can 

•  Develop a broad range of 

•  Supports all aspects of our 

•  Leading our industry regarding 

value

that balances high efficiency 
with market-leading customer 
responsiveness

•  Vertical penetration of focus 

add value

accounts

competitive products

strategy

sustainability matters

OUR PROGRESS 
IN 2020

OUR PLANS  
FOR 2021

LINK TO  
STRATEGY

LINK TO CORE 
VALUES

LINK TO RISK

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 11

1

2

3

4

5

LINK TO 
REMUNERATION

Revenue growth drives the annual growth 
of our adjusted profit before tax, which is a 
target in our Group bonus plan

Placing emphasis on revenue from our top 
30 customers aligns with our strategy and 
drives long-term earnings growth. Long-
term earnings growth is a performance 
condition in the Company’s Long-Term 
Incentive Plan (LTIP)

Operating cash conversion is a metric 
in our Group bonus plan

•  Growth in adjusted EPS is a 

performance condition in our 

Long-Term Incentive Plan

40

FINANCIAL

REVENUE GROWTH (%)

REVENUE FROM 

TOP 30 CUSTOMERS (%)

ADJUSTED OPERATING CASH 

CONVERSION (%)

FOR MORE 
INFORMATION ON 
OUR STRATEGY SEE 
PAGES 32 AND 36

ADJUSTED DILUTED 
EARNINGS PER SHARE 
(“EPS”) GROWTH (%)

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

18

18

27

11

 FOR MORE 
INFORMATION ON 
RISKS SEE  
PAGES 52–60

NON-FINANCIAL

 FOR MORE 
INFORMATION ON 
OUR CULTURAL 
JOURNEY  
SEE PAGE 95

FOR MORE 
INFORMATION ON 
SUSTAINABILITY 
SEE PAGES 62 AND 83

NEW PRODUCT FAMILIES 
RELEASED

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT 
SCORE

40

2020

20

2020

3.97

LIFETIME CO2 EMISSION 
SAVINGS FROM “GREEN” 
PRODUCTS (TONNES)

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

117,000

108,000

108,000

134,000

72,000

DEFINITION

We target revenue growth of 10% per 

annum. Whether we achieve this or not  

We expect revenue from our top 30 

customers to increase as we pursue  

We target adjusted operating cash 

conversion of 100%. 

We aim to grow this metric by a 
double digit percentage each year.

can depend on market cyclicality and 

our strategy.

exchange rates.

We target to improve this score and 
be at least above the benchmark for 
similar sized international companies. 

We have set a target to increase  
the lifetime CO2 emissions savings 
from “XP Green Power” products  
by at least 5% per annum.

2019

2018

2017

2016

32

27

27

47

Not all products are equal in terms 
of their complexity to develop or 
their revenue potential. In assessing 
new product opportunities, we 
consider the potential revenue from 
a new product family as well as the 
absolute number of new product 
introductions. We target 30 new 
releases per annum.

TARGET 

ACHIEVED (AND 

COMMENTARY)

Yes 

OUR PROGRESS 

IN 2020

•  Cyclical recovery in semiconductor 

•  This metric improved in 2020 as 

• 

Improved our working capital 

the market for semiconductor 

management, specifically related to 

manufacturing equipment recovered 

inventory and receivables

from its cyclical downturn

•  We continue to grow share of our large 

customers

• 

Improved cash flow forecasting to 

make better use of available cash, 

either through debt repayment or 

short-term deposits

manufacturing equipment combined 

with new programme wins in the past 

three years and COVID-19 related 

healthcare demand offset declines in 

industrial technology and non-critical 

healthcare

•  Further expanded our specialist 

distribution channels in Europe and 

North America

OUR PLANS  

FOR 2021

•  Continue to utilise our broad product 

•  Continue to grow our share of 

•  Continue to seek opportunities to 

offering through all sales regions

•  Provide increasing support to our 

customers’ business where we are 

preferred or approved suppliers

customers through our engineering 

•  Expansion of our product portfolio to 

reduce working capital by reducing 

lead times and improved inventory 

management

solutions group

increase our addressable market in our 

existing customer base

WHY DO WE 

MEASURE THIS?

Provides an indicator of the success of  

Used to assess how effectively we are 

our strategy.

targeting top customers. 

Provides an indicator of value created 

for Shareholders to ensure our earnings 

are translated into cash.

Used to assess the adjusted 
earnings performance of the Group.

Used to assess the expansion of the 
Group’s product portfolio.

To develop our leaders and to assess 
the Group’s performance against its 
People objectives.

Used to assess the Group’s 
performance against its 
environmental objectives.

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

•  Earnings positively impacted 

by the recovery in the 
semiconductor manufacturing 
equipment sector and 
demand for critical healthcare 
equipment. This more than 
offset weakness in industrial 
technology and non-critical 
healthcare

•  We released 20 new product 
families in 2020 (2019: 32)

•  17 (2019: 25) of these new 

product families can be classified 
as “XP Green Power” products

•  Revenue and earnings outcome 
for 2021 is dependent on 
continued demand in the 
semiconductor manufacturing 
equipment sector and recovery 
in industrial technology to 
offset the non-repeat of orders 
associated with COVID-19

•  We are focusing our design 
engineering on producing 
product platforms that can more 
easily be shared and reused 
over numerous applications and 
sectors

•  We expect to release two 

exciting significant product 
platforms in 2021

•  We continue to undertake an 
annual employee engagement 
survey to identify areas our 
people tell us where we can 
improve to deliver the ultimate 
employee experience

• 

In 2021, we changed providers to 
Gallup, which will have benefits 
in providing tools for leadership 
development

•  Use the results of the new Gallup 

survey to develop leaders

•  Of the 20 new product families 
launched in 2020, 17 were 
“Green”

•  Our revenues from “XP Green 
Power” products increased by 
23% to £52.7 million in 2020

•  We will continue to release 
products with class-leading 
efficiency

•  We will continue to promote 

environmental awareness and 
adopt environmentally friendly 
practices

LINK TO  

STRATEGY

value

•  Target accounts where we can add 

•  Vertical penetration of focus accounts

•  Build a global supply chain 

•  Target customers where we can 

add value

•  Develop a broad range of 
competitive products

•  Supports all aspects of our 

•  Leading our industry regarding 

strategy

sustainability matters

•  Vertical penetration of focus 

accounts

that balances high efficiency 

with market-leading customer 

responsiveness

LINK TO CORE 

VALUES

LINK TO RISK

6

7

8

9

10 11

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

6

7

8

9

10 11

LINK TO 

REMUNERATION

Revenue growth drives the annual growth 

Placing emphasis on revenue from our top 

Operating cash conversion is a metric 

of our adjusted profit before tax, which is a 

30 customers aligns with our strategy and 

in our Group bonus plan

target in our Group bonus plan

•  Growth in adjusted EPS is a 

performance condition in our 
Long-Term Incentive Plan

drives long-term earnings growth. Long-

term earnings growth is a performance 

condition in the Company’s Long-Term 

Incentive Plan (LTIP)

41

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020STRATEGICREPORT 
PERFORMANCE: OPERATIONAL REVIEW

which reopened on 17 February 2020. 
We immediately implemented all the 
recommended prevention and control 
procedures in our Kunshan facility and 
deployed these same procedures in 
Vietnam to protect our people and keep 
the business operating safely. 

The difficulties our people experienced in 
travelling back to work and the quarantine 
requirements also meant that we were 
operating at a reduced level of capacity 
into April 2020. During this period, 
demand from our customers supplying 
critical healthcare equipment to treat 
patients with the virus soared and we 
received an estimated £15–20 million 
of additional COVID-19-specific orders. 
Our customers in the Semiconductor 
Manufacturing Equipment sector were 
also experiencing strong demand. The 
combination of these factors created an 
urgent need for our products at a time 
when our capacity in China was severely 
restricted. Positively, Vietnam was not 
affected by such severe restrictions, so we 
were able to produce greater quantities 
from Vietnam during this difficult period, 
while accelerating the transfer of more 
products and materials from China 
to Vietnam to maintain supply to our 
customers.

During Q2 of 2020, the China supply 
chain was operating normally with reliable 
supply of components and other materials 
re-established. We expanded headcount 
in both production facilities and invested 
in additional capital equipment in Vietnam 
to increase production for Q3 of 2020 and 
beyond. 

Our production facilities in North America 
and logistics facilities around the world 
have been able to operate normally with 
prevention controls in place in line with all 
public health advice.

We have continued to invest in the 
business through this difficult period and 
have achieved an excellent set of results 
without benefiting from any furlough 
scheme, reducing our workforce, or taking 
advantage of discretionary government 
COVID-19 financing or other optional 
financial concessions. 

The Semiconductor Manufacturing 
Equipment sector, which had started to 
recover in terms of order intake in Q4 
of 2019, performed strongly throughout 
2020. The strong performance was 
underpinned by a combination of 
increased end market demand and our 
market share gains from design wins 
on new tools, driven by advancements 
in technology in the logic and memory 
segments. The ongoing design wins are 
being supported by the development 
of closer relationships with our 
customers. In addition, we benefited 
from unprecedented demand from our 
Healthcare customers as they boosted 
production to provide critical care 
equipment in response to COVID-19. Our 
exposure to these two sectors more than 
made up for COVID-19-related weakness 
in our Industrial Technology sector.

The recent expansion of our Vietnamese 
production facility was fundamental in 
mitigating the effects of Section 301 
Tariffs in 2019 and it has once again 
proven its value in 2020. Our Vietnam 
facility allowed us to keep product flowing 
to our customers while our Chinese 
facility was not able to operate due to 
Chinese government imposed COVID-19 
restrictions. Our diversified manufacturing 
footprint and supply chain resilience is 
recognised as an important strategic 
differentiator by our key customers, many 
of whom are concerned about USA/China 
trade relations and general supply chain 
resiliency.

The new Enterprise Resource Planning 
(ERP) system, deployed in certain sites 
in Q4 of 2019, is running well and we 
are making significant progress with 
production and operations efficiency. 
The deployment is in line with our 
vision of being the first-choice power 
solutions provider, delivering the ultimate 
experience to our customers and making 
XP Power a great place to work for our 
people. 

COVID-19 – THE RESILIENCE 
OF OUR BUSINESS MODEL

We first experienced the impact of 
COVID-19 in January 2020, as Chinese 
authorities extended the Chinese Lunar 
New Year holiday and imposed travel and 
operational restrictions to control the 
virus. These measures caused a two-
week delay to the recommencement 
of production at our Kunshan facility, 

Gavin Griggs 
Chief Executive Officer

REVIEW OF OUR YEAR

We are proud of both our 
financial performance, and 
our contribution to the 
fight against COVID-19 in 
2020. The Group produced 
an excellent set of results 
while ensuring the safety 
and wellbeing of our people, 
and we continued to make 
good strategic progress 
despite the challenges of 
navigating through the 
COVID-19 pandemic. This is 
all down to the hard work 
and commitment of the XP 
team globally.

42

+20%

Order Intake

+40%

Adjusted Earnings per Share

mining. Typical drivers for our revenue in 
this sector include 3D printing, analytical 
instruments, displays, industrial printing, 
renewable energy, robotics, smart grid, 
defence and test and measurement 
equipment. Industrial Technology has 
traditionally been a resilient, long term 
growth market. Anecdotal feedback 
and the financial results of customers 
in this sector suggests many suffered a 
drop in end demand due to COVID-19, 
particularly in Q2, and were short of other 
parts as conditions recovered, which 
meant their demand for power converters 
from XP Power also reduced. We would 
expect to see a recovery in this sector as 
conditions gradually return to normal. Our 
Distribution business, which represents 
10% (2019: 11%) of our overall revenue 
and is exposed to a very diverse range of 
end markets, is also included within our 
Industrial Technology sector. Distribution 
has been a good growth market where 
we have been growing market share with 
existing and adding new distributors to 
expand geographic reach and increase our 
market penetration.

BALANCE SHEET AND 
LIQUIDITY

In response to COVID-19, we prioritised 
the preservation of cash and the 
availability of sufficient liquidity to manage 
potential short-term downside risks. As 
a result, we took the difficult decision 
to cancel the 2019 final dividend, which 
would have represented a cash outflow 
of £6.9 million in April 2020, and the 
first quarter dividend for 2020. As the 
Group’s position became clearer, we 
resumed payment of dividends from the 
second quarter of 2020 but continued to 
manage our cash tightly through 2020, 
whilst still investing in working capital and 
our manufacturing facilities to meet the 
increased demand from customers.

We continue to have a strong balance 
sheet with circa. £91 million of available 
liquidity and net debt to EBITDA of 0.32 
times at 31 December 2020. 

MARKETPLACE

The Group delivered revenue growth of 
17% to £233.3 million (2019: £199.9 
million).

Order intake was up 20% on a reported 
basis to £258.0 million (2019: £214.9 
million), which included £15–20 million 
of COVID-19 related orders. Orders and 
revenue for 2020 represent a full year, 
book-to-bill ratio of 1.11 (2019: 1.08). The 
Group had an order book of £124.1 million 
at 31 December 2020 (31 December 
2019: £98.2 million), providing good 
visibility for 2021. 

MARKETPLACE: SECTOR 
DYNAMICS

For the first time this year, we have 
consolidated the reporting of our 
Industrial and Technology sectors due to 
the overlap between the customer base. 

Revenue from the Industrial Technology 
sector declined by 19% to £94.4 million 
(2019: £116.6 million) and represented 
40% (2019: 58%) of overall revenue. 
Industrial Technology remains our largest 
sector, but it is very diversified with few 
of these customers making it into our top 
30 customer list by revenue. Applications 
in this sector vary significantly and are 
principally driven by new and emerging 
electronic technologies and high-growth 
niches rather than traditional areas such 
as industrial machinery, automotive or 

43

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020STRATEGICREPORTPERFORMANCE: OPERATIONAL REVIEW 

CONTINUED

Revenue from Healthcare customers 
grew by 51% to £69.3 million (2019: 
£45.9 million) representing 30% of overall 
revenue (2019: 23%). The demand for 
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure 
(CPAP) machines, drug delivery systems, 
hospital beds, lung X-ray applications, 
patient monitors, specialist ultrasound, 
suction pumps, and various types of 
ventilators, increased significantly. By 
contrast, other applications such as 
dentistry, endoscopy, medical imaging, 
and robotic surgical tools showed declines 
compared to the prior year, as the sector 
focused on critical care applications for 
the treatment of patients with the virus. 

Healthcare remains an attractive market 
for XP Power given long term growth 
demand dynamics, the safety critical 
nature of products, the breadth of our 
medical product range and high level of 
customer service focused on blue chip 
medical device manufacturers. Healthcare 
customers are demanding in terms of 
quality and reliability, making our value 
proposition very attractive to them. We 
provide mission critical power solutions for 
numerous applications in the healthcare 
arena and understand the many special 
requirements and regulatory approvals 
that a medical power solution must meet. 
In normal circumstances. Healthcare tends 
to be much less cyclical than the other 
sectors we address, which adds resilience 
to our diversified business model.

The Semiconductor Manufacturing 
Equipment sector remains an exciting 
and important area for XP Power with 
excellent long-term growth prospects. 
Revenue from these customers increased 
by 86% to £69.6 million (2019: £37.4 
million). We believe we not only benefited 
from a cyclical recovery but also from 

market share gains as a number of new 
programme wins, driven by technology 
advances, entered production. These 
included, in particular, reduced geometries 
in leading edge logic devices and 
increasing stacking in the 3D NAND 
market as producers moved from 64, to 96 
and to 128 layers of memory and beyond, 
in a single device. The critical components 
in the smartphones, tablets, computers, 
and other electronic devices that drive 
our lives are made using extremely high 
technology semiconductor manufacturing 
tools and processes requiring numerous 
power conversion devices that XP 
Power can provide. Revenue from the 
Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment 
sector customers represented 30% 
of overall revenue (2019: 19%). Our 
expansion into Radio Frequency (“RF”) and 
high-voltage and high-power products, 
combined with our engineering services 
offering, has made us an attractive supplier 
to this market. The new higher power and 
higher voltage products we now have allow 
us to service considerably more of the 
opportunities in this sector, significantly 
expanding our addressable market, which 
is reflected in our robust revenue growth. 

Despite the sector’s historical cyclicality, 
this market remains highly attractive 
due to its robust long term, structural 
growth drivers, which are being driven 
by the proliferation of applications 
including the Internet of Things (IoT), 
artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous 
vehicles, big data, and the roll out of 5G 
technology, which is still in its early stages. 
The latest generation of semiconductor 
logic and memory devices are becoming 
more capital intensive to manufacture 
as they become multi-layered, and as 
dimensions continue to shrink. This plays 

to XP Power’s strengths as one of the few 
companies in the world that can offer the 
whole spectrum of power and voltage 
required for semiconductor manufacture, 
and an ability to combine these into a 
complete power solution, making us a 
compelling partner to the manufacturers 
of these state-of-the-art tools. 

MARKETPLACE: NORTH 
AMERICA

Our North America revenue was 
US$188.1 million in 2020 (2019: 
US$147.5 million), an increase of 28%. 
North America represented 63% of overall 
revenue (2019: 58%).

Order intake in North America was 
US$209.8 million (2019: US$161.7 
million), an increase of 30%, resulting in a 
healthy book-to-bill ratio of 1.12. 

MARKETPLACE: ASIA

Asia revenue was US$26.8 million in 2020 
(2019: US$25.6 million), an increase of 
5%, with strong growth in Healthcare 
and Semiconductor Manufacturing 
Equipment, offset by weakness in 
Industrial Technology. Our Asia business is 
benefiting from new design wins with the 
RF and high voltage/high power products 
added to the product portfolio through 
the Comdel and Glassman acquisitions. 
We expect these designs to contribute 
to revenue in 2021 and beyond. Prior 
to acquisition, these companies had 
minimal sales representation in Asia, which 
presents a significant future opportunity 
for the Group. Asia represented 9% of 
overall revenue (2019: 10%).

Order intake in Asia was US$25.7 million 
(2019: US$28.2 million), a decrease of 9%, 
resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 0.96.

44

MARKETPLACE: EUROPE

Our European revenue grew by 1% to 
£65.0 million (2019: £64.4 million). While 
Europe benefited from significantly higher 
demand for critical healthcare products, 
it was also most impacted by the decline 
in the Industrial Technology sector due to 
COVID-19. Europe represented 28% of 
overall revenues (2019: 32%). 

Order intake in Europe was £72.6 million 
(2019: £65.0 million), an increase of  
12%, resulting in a strong book-to-bill 
ratio of 1.12.

OUR STRATEGY AND VALUE 
PROPOSITION

Our vision is to be the first-choice 
power solutions provider, delivering the 
ultimate experience for our customers 
and making XP Power a great place to 
work. Over time, we have gradually moved 
our product portfolio up the power and 
voltage scale to enhance our margins and 
provide our customers with a broader 
offering to solve their power problems. 
We have also increased our engineering 
resource to provide enhanced engineering 
services capabilities, so we are able to 
deliver a complete power solution to our 
key customers. We are now one of very 
few providers who can offer customers 
a complete spectrum of power and 
voltage capabilities and package several 
power converters into an overall solution 
customised to the customer’s application. 
This makes us an extremely attractive 
partner to our key customers and is a key 
driver in our market share gains.

We have followed a consistent strategy 
that has enabled us to produce strong 
results over a sustained period. The 
fundamental essence of this strategy is 
targeting key accounts where we can add 
value and gain more of the customer’s 
available business, combined with moving 
the product line up in power, voltage, 
and complexity. Although this strategy 
continues to remain appropriate and 
effective, we constantly challenge and 
refine it, as we have done again in 2020.

Our strategy can be summarised as 
follows:

•  Develop a market-leading range of 

competitive products, organically and 
through selective acquisitions;

•  Target accounts where we can add 

value;

•  Increase penetration of those target 

accounts;

•  Build a global end-to-end supply 

chain that balances high efficiency 
with market-leading customer 
responsiveness; and

•  Lead our industry on environmental 

matters.

The challenges of managing the effects of 
COVID-19 have not diverted us from our 
strategic path and we continue to invest for 
the medium and long term. We continued 
to execute well against our strategy in 
the period, gaining further design wins 
with our newer product introductions, 
particularly in higher power applications, 
and our increased focus on engineering 
solutions, which provide more value to 
our customers. Acquisitions have been a 
key part of our growth strategy expanding 
our product portfolio and expanding 
the addressable market that we can sell 
into. The successful implementation of 
our strategy continues to drive market 
share gains and the strength of our new 
programme wins is encouraging despite 
the challenges of COVID-19. We continue 
to focus our own engineering resources 
on high-power applications and address 
the lower power applications through 
third-party products. It was for this reason 
that we took the decision in January 2020 
to close our UK design centre in Fyfield, 
Essex, which was focused on low-power, 
low voltage products. Costs relating to 
the closure were £1.7 million, which 
have been treated as restructuring costs 
within specific items. These costs include 
the write down of capitalised product 
development work of £1.2 million in 
progress at the time of the site closure. 

Our value proposition to customers is 
to solve their power problems, reduce 
their overall cost of design, manufacture 
and operation, and help them get their 
product to market as quickly as possible. 
We achieve this by providing excellent 
sales engineering support and producing 
new highly reliable products that are easy 
to design into the customer’s system, 
consume less power, take up less space 
and reduce installation times.

Looking forward, whilst our strategy is 
clearly working and adding Shareholder 
value, it will continue to evolve building 
further organisational and supply chain 
agility to better serve our customers 
and further enhance execution. We will 
also increase our focus on people and 
development to ensure we are able to 
continue to grow our business. 

MANUFACTURING

We completed the construction of an 
extension to the factory on our existing 
site in Vietnam in Q1 of 2019, adding, 
at a conservative estimate, more than 
US$150 million of manufacturing capacity 
per year and increasing our total Asian 
manufacturing capacity to more than 
US$350 million per year. The move into 
Vietnam, and the subsequent capacity 
expansion, have proved particularly timely 
given the continued deterioration in trade 
relations between China and the USA. The 
US Government implemented Section 301 
tariffs at a rate of 10% from September 
2018 and increased these to 25% in 
May 2019. Many of our competitors 
have Chinese-based manufacturing 
facilities, which puts them at a significant 
commercial disadvantage if they are selling 
into the USA. The ability to manufacture 
in Vietnam has become a compelling value 
proposition to our customers wherever 
they are located. 

The outbreak of COVID-19 further 
underlined the benefits of our diversified 
manufacturing footprint as we were able to 
divert production from China to Vietnam 
when COVID-19 severely disrupted supply 
from our Chinese factory and supply chain 
in February and March 2020. Several 
of our customers have subsequently 
accelerated their qualification processes 
to transfer production from our China 
facility to our Vietnam facility to address 
the impact of Section 301 tariffs and 
COVID-19. This is a compelling option 
for our customers as they have become 
increasingly focused on the security and 
certainty of supply following COVID-19. 

During 2020, we invested in additional 
equipment in Vietnam to expand capacity 
with a new surface mount line, and 
additional test and burn-in facilities, 
to meet demand from both increased 
business due to COVID-19 and the 
transfer of more products into Vietnam 
from China and our North American 
manufacturing facilities, as we seek to 
reduce costs.

45

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020STRATEGICREPORTPERFORMANCE: OPERATIONAL REVIEW 

CONTINUED

Vietnam is now qualified to produce a total 
of 2,616 different low-voltage products 
(2019: 2,080), demonstrating our progress 
with the transfer of production capabilities. 
In addition, the transfer of low-power, 
high-voltage DC-DC modules, previously 
manufactured in Minden, Nevada, was 
completed in 2020 and there are now 476 
different high-voltage modules capable of 
being manufactured in Vietnam.

We expect this important strategic 
capability of having production facilities in 
both Vietnam and China to enable us to 
win more design slots with key customers. 
A number of customers have already 
informed us that they will no longer design-
in products manufactured in China due to 
concerns over China/USA trade tensions. 

Our end objective is to provide a 
resilient and flexible supply chain with 
the capability to manufacture the 
majority of products in both China and 
Vietnam to provide enhanced business 
continuity planning. We also have 
three manufacturing facilities in North 
America. We have a customer focused 
Engineering services facility in California, 
a site in New Jersey focused on high 
voltage products and an RF focused 
facility in Massachusetts. These facilities 
have continued to operate throughout 
2020 except for short periods where 
decontamination occurred following 
COVID-19 cases. The demand for RF 
products has led to some supply shortages 
and we are increasing capacity to meet the 
demand levels.

We monitor market dynamics closely 
working through our supply partners 
and maintain a level of safety stocks of 
key components. Towards the end of the 
period, we began to see supply issues for 
certain components and increased safety 
stocks to manage through any future 
supply issues.

RESTRUCTURING OF LOW-
POWER, HIGH-VOLTAGE 
MANUFACTURING AND 
TRANSFER TO VIETNAM

To take advantage of our expanded 
Vietnam capacity, competitive labour rates 
and excellent quality, in August 2019 we 
announced that we would be transferring 
the manufacture of all our low-power, 
high voltage DC-DC modules from our 
Nevada factory to Vietnam. We completed 
this transfer in 2020, closing the Minden 

46

manufacturing facility in September. We 
expect that this will result in annualised 
cost savings of approximately £3 million. 
Approximately £1 million of these cost 
savings will be reinvested back into the 
business to expand and strengthen our 
new product introduction team. The 
enlarged team will facilitate further 
transfers of existing engineering services 
production from our facility in Sunnyvale, 
California, to Vietnam, as well as new 
standard products as they are introduced, 
resulting in additional future savings. We 
incurred £0.6 million in costs associated 
with the closure of the Minden site, which 
are included in specific items.

RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT

 New products are fundamental to our 
revenue growth. The broader our product 
offering, the higher the probability that we 
will have a product that will work in the 
customer’s application with or without a 
modification by our engineering team. By 
expanding into RF Power, and high voltage 
in 2017 and 2018, we estimate that our 
addressable market has increased from 
around US$2.7 billion to approximately 
US$4.7 billion. 

The design-in cycles required by our 
customers to qualify the power converter 
into their equipment and to gain the 
necessary safety agency approvals 
are lengthy. Typically, we see a period 
of around 18 months, or even longer 
in Healthcare, from first identifying a 
customer opportunity to receiving the first 
production order. Revenue will then start 
to build from this point, often peaking a 
number of years later. The positive aspect 
of this characteristic is that our business has 
a strong annuity base where programmes 
typically last five to seven years. Another 
aspect of this model is that the many 
new products we have introduced over 
the last three years have yet to make a 
meaningful impact on our revenue, creating 
a significant benefit for future years. 

We have continued to invest in research 
and development to further expand our 
portfolio of products and the size of our 
addressable market opportunity. We 
released 20 new product families in 2020 
(2019: 32), and 17 of these can be classified 
as “Green XP Power” products having ultra-
high efficiency and/or low standby power 
(2019: 27). We had a particularly high 
number of new products introductions in 

2019 from our third-party design partners, 
particularly DC-DC converters.

We continue to move our product 
portfolio up the power and voltage scale 
and away from our more traditional low-
power/low-voltage offering, to protect 
our margins and expand our addressable 
market. RF Power is a significant long-
term opportunity and is a market that 
contains many interesting and significant 
niches beyond the Semiconductor 
Manufacturing Equipment sector including 
medical equipment, induction and 
dielectric heating, and industrial lasers. 
We have, therefore, directed more of our 
internal product development resources 
away from low-power/low-voltage 
applications and are supplementing the 
low-power area with more third-party 
products designed to our specifications 
and quality standards while expanding the 
RF development resources. 

ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS

As well as expanding our product offering, 
we have continued to expand our 
engineering solutions groups, particularly 
in Asia and North America. As we continue 
to move our capabilities up to higher power 
and higher voltages, we are becoming 
an increasingly attractive partner for 
customers whose applications are becoming 
more and more demanding. These 
demands include not only power delivery 
and management, but also sophisticated 
connectivity, involving software and 
firmware that enable the customer’s 
application to control the power solution 
and the power solution to communicate 
back to the application. As the world 
becomes more connected and the fourth 
industrial revolution gains traction, we 
expect this trend to gather pace. Customers 
place a high value on our engineering 
solutions capabilities, which differentiate us 
from many of our competitors, who focus 
only on providing standard products with 
little additional value added. 

Our engineering solutions groups work 
closely with the customer’s engineering 
teams to provide these customised 
solutions. Speed and proximity to the 
customer are critical as the power solution 
is often one of the last parts of the system 
to be designed, so is invariably one of the 
gating items to get the end product to 
market. This is an area where XP Power 
adds significant value to its customers, 
and we are seeing increasing demand for 
these services. 

We are one of the few power companies 
that can offer its customers a full range 
of solutions across the voltage and power 
spectrum and provide the engineering 
services to package these together to 
provide a complete power solution, 
including communication with the 
customers’ application through firmware. 
This is a powerful proposition that makes 
us an ideal partner for many customers 
and greatly expands our addressable 
market.

SUSTAINABILITY

We are acutely aware of the increasing 
concerns our people, customers, suppliers, 
governments, and Shareholders have 
around climate change and sustainability 
issues in general. We consider that we 
have taken a lead in our industry in 
developing and promoting high-efficiency 
products, which consume less energy and, 
therefore, help reduce carbon emissions 
over their lifetime in use. We established 
a Sustainability Committee as early as 
2009 and set ourselves the bold goal 
of becoming the leader in our industry 
regarding sustainability matters. We have 
consistently included sustainability factors 
into our decision making and have adopted 
environmentally responsible practices 
in our facilities. In particular, we believe 
that our Vietnamese production facility 
is the most environmentally friendly in 
our industry with its efficient building 
envelope, building management system, 
water recycling and solar panel array.

We determined many years ago that one 
of the biggest impacts we could have 
on the environment was designing and 
promoting “XP Green Power” products, 
which consume and, therefore, waste less 
energy over their operational lifetimes. 
This results in significant and ongoing 
reductions in CO2 emissions generated 
by our customers’ equipment. “XP Green 
Power” products generated revenues 
of £52.7 million in 2020 (2019: £43.2 
million), representing 23% (2019: 22%) of 
total revenue. 

In 2020, we engaged with our employees 
and key customers, and suppliers, to 
better understand their material areas of 
focus and concern regarding sustainability 
matters. We have also better understood 
the priorities of our Shareholders. The 
results of this engagement allowed us to 
build the topics that are most important 
to our stakeholders into our sustainability 
strategy. We were encouraged to discover 
that the most material interests of our 
stakeholders align very closely with those 
of executive management. These topics 
include product responsibility, attracting 
and retaining talent, health and safety 
(incorporating occupational), employee 
welfare, reducing emissions, diversity and 
inclusion. 

We regard the continuing emphasis and 
concern over climate change as a positive 
for our business as our customers have 
embraced our high-efficiency “XP Green 
Power” products. These products are not 

only significantly more environmentally 
friendly due to their ongoing reduced 
carbon emissions, but are inherently 
more reliable, making them a compelling 
economic proposition. XP Power is 
committed to continuing to lead the 
industry in this area. We also believe that 
legislation on the efficiency requirements 
for power conversion will become more 
and more stringent and the standards 
currently in place for higher volume 
consumer applications, such as external 
power supplies, will be extended to 
industrial and healthcare applications 
where we will be well positioned to 
address this customer need. Concerns 
over climate change should lead to an 
increasing emphasis by our customers on 
efficiency and more revenue opportunities 
to power renewable energy systems and 
controllers.

We have set Company targets to reduce 
CO2 emissions intensity by a minimum of 
3% per annum over the short and medium 
term and an aspiration to achieve carbon 
neutrality by 2040. During 2021 we will 
develop further strategies to bring this 
date forward.

The Strategic Report on pages 18–83 
has been reviewed and approved by the 
Board.

Gavin Griggs 
Chief Executive Officer

2 March 2021

47

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020STRATEGICREPORTPERFORMANCE: FINANCIAL REVIEW

STATUTORY RESULTS 

Revenue was £233.3 million (2019: 
£199.9 million), representing growth of 
17%. Statutory operating profit was £37.4 
million (2019: £26.7 million), an increase 
of 40% over the prior year, with operating 
margins at 16.0% (2019: 13.4%). Net 
finance costs were £1.7 million (2019: 
£2.7 million), resulting in profit before tax 
of £35.7 million (2019: £24.0 million) and 
an income tax expense of £4.0 million 
(2019: £3.2 million), equivalent to an 
effective tax rate of 11% (2019: 13%). 
Basic earnings per share were 163.0 pence 
(2019: 107.0 pence), an increase of 52%.

ADJUSTED RESULTS 

Throughout this results announcement, 
adjusted and other alternative 
performance measures are used to 
describe the Group’s performance. These 
are not recognised under International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or 
other generally accepted accounting 
principles (GAAP). 

When reviewing XP Power’s performance, 
the Board and Management team focus 
on adjusted results rather than statutory 
results. There are a number of items that 
are included in statutory results, but 
are considered to be one-off in nature 
or not representative of the Group’s 
performance, and are excluded from 
adjusted results. The tables in Note 2 
show the full list of adjustments between 
statutory operating profit and adjusted 
operating profit, between statutory profit 
before tax and adjusted profit before tax, 

as well as between statutory profit after 
tax and adjusted profit after tax at Group 
level for both 2020 and 2019. 

REVENUE PERFORMANCE 

The Group’s revenue performance was 
driven by growth in the Semiconductor 
Manufacturing Equipment sector, which 
increased 86% to £69.6 million (2019: 
£37.4 million). The Healthcare sector grew 
51% to £69.3 million (2019: £45.9 million), 
which includes the COVID-19 related 
shipments. This was partially offset by a 
decline in the Industrial Technology sector 
down 19% to £94.4 million (2019: £116.6 
million). 

Our North American region benefited 
from growth in the Semiconductor 
Manufacturing Equipment sector, 
increasing by 28% to US$188.1 million 
from US$147.5 million in 2019. Europe 
delivered growth of 1% to £65.0 million 
(2019: £64.4 million), as growth from 
Healthcare customers was offset by a 
decrease in the Industrial Technology 
sector. Asia revenue grew by 5% to 
US$26.8 million (2019: US$25.6 million), 
driven by good growth in the Healthcare 
sector. 

OTHER INCOME

Included in other income are £0.6 million 
received related to the COVID-19 
pandemic, primarily from the Singaporean 
government as part of the Jobs Support 
Scheme (JSS). The JSS was extended to all 
active employers in Singapore. 

Johan Olivier 
Acting Chief Financial Officer

The Group delivered excellent 
financial results in 2020 
against the backdrop of the 
unprecedented challenges 
of COVID-19, reflecting the 
resilience of the Group and 
our people.

“ Excellent financial results 
despite a challenging 
environment, reflecting the 
resilience of the Group and 
our people”

48

GROSS PROFITABILITY 

Gross margin increased to 47.2% (2019: 
45.1%), benefiting from production 
efficiency gains at our manufacturing 
facilities due to the increased demand 
and the transition of production from 
Minden to Vietnam. This more than offset 
the incremental COVID-19 related costs 
of £0.9 million incurred by the Group 
during the year, predominantly related 
to additional safety measures at our 
manufacturing facilities.

ADJUSTED OPERATING 
EXPENSES AND MARGINS 

The Group continued to invest in the 
business, which resulted in adjusted 
operating expenses increasing by 16% to 
£64.2 million. In addition to investment 
in people we have also invested in our IT 
infrastructure, specifically related to the 
ERP implementation. Due to COVID-19, 
travel was severely restricted from early 
March leading to a decline in travel 
costs of £2.0 million compared to 2019. 
Adjusted operating margin increased 
to 19.7% (2019: 17.5%) due to volume 
leverage on higher revenue

FINANCE COST 

Net finance cost decreased by 37% to 
£1.7 million (2019: £2.7 million). The lower 
interest expense was a result of lower 
interest rates and borrowing levels.

ADJUSTED PROFIT 
BEFORE TAX 

The Group generated adjusted profit 
before tax and specific items of £44.3 
million, an increase of 37% compared to 
last year. 

SPECIFIC ITEMS 

In 2020, the Group incurred £8.6 million 
(2019: £8.3 million) of specific items, 
predominantly related to £3.2 million 
for amortisation of intangible assets due 
to business combination (2019: £3.2 
million), costs associated with acquisitions 
of £0.3 million (2019: £0.9 million) and 
ERP implementation costs of £1.9 million 
(2019: £2.2 million). In addition, the Group 
incurred legal costs of £0.4 million (2019: 
£1.9 million) related to a non-customer 
related legal dispute in North America, 
restructuring costs of £2.3 million (2019: 
£1.0 million) related to the closure of a UK 
design centre and the production facility 
in Minden, Nevada, and fair value loss on 
currency hedges of £0.5 million (2019: 
gain of £0.9 million). 

The ERP implementation will continue 
through 2021 and costs related to the 
project and amortisation of intangible 
assets due to business combinations will 
continue to be classified to specific items. 

LEGAL

the U.S. District Court for the Northern 
District of California, alleging trade secret 
misappropriation relating to RF match and 
generator technology (Comet Technologies 
USA Inc., Comet AG, and YXLON 
International v. XP Power LLC, Case No. 
5:20-cv-6408 (N.D. Cal.)). 

The Group believes there is no merit to 
this lawsuit and intends to vigorously 
defend against any claims brought against 
us by Comet. 

The Group expects to incur further legal 
costs until this matter is resolved, the 
magnitude of which cannot currently be 
estimated with any certainty. The Group 
incurred legal costs of £0.4 million in 2020 
(2019: £1.9 million) related to this matter 
which are treated as specific items and 
excluded from management’s assessment 
of profit as they are non-repetitive and 
therefore could distort the Group’s 
underlying earnings.

TAXATION 

The effective tax rate on adjusted profit 
before tax decreased by 210 bps to 11.5% 
(2019: 13.6%). The lower effective tax rate 
was due to deductions for employee share 
option awards, the utilisation of tax losses 
and research and development tax credits. 

The effective tax rate on statutory profit 
before tax decreased by 210 bps to 11.2% 
(2019: 13.3%). 

On 11 September 2020, Comet 
Technologies USA Inc., Comet AG, and 
YXLON International (collectively “Comet”) 
filed a lawsuit against XP Power LLC in 

Going forward, XP Power expects the 
effective tax rate to be approximately 
16–18% depending predominantly on the 
regional mix of profits. 

“ Adjusted profit before tax 
grew by 37%, benefitting 
from good revenue growth, 
strong gross margins and 
lower finance costs”

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

49

STRATEGICREPORTPERFORMANCE: FINANCIAL REVIEW 

CONTINUED

RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT (R&D)

Gross R&D expenditure was £15.9 million, 
an increase of 22% on 2019 or 7% of 
revenue. R&D investment is a key part of 
the Group’s strategy and is expected to 
continue to grow as the Group expands 
its engineering capabilities. The Group is 
particularly focused on our RF and high-
power, high-voltage product development 
activities.

The Group capitalised £7.7 million of R&D 
costs (2019: £8.0 million), which reflects the 
continued development of new products as 
the Group expands its product portfolio.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

The Group continued to invest in its 
infrastructure, with particular focus 
on the upgrade of our ERP system and 
capital investment at our manufacturing 
facilities to expand capacity and improve 
operational performance. £7.2 million 
(2019: £8.3 million) was incurred on 
capital expenditure during 2020. 

We plan to invest c.£11 million during 
the new financial year, with the main 
investments related maintenance and 
expansion of our manufacturing facilities 
and the upgrade of our ERP system. 

ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER 
SHARE

Basic and diluted adjusted earnings per 
share increased by 40% to 201.8 pence 
and 198.4 pence respectively (2019: 
144.1 pence and 141.4 pence).

CASH FLOW 

The Group continues to be highly cash 
generative with net cash from operations 
of £45.6 million (2019: £46.2 million) 
representing cash conversion of 122% 
(2019: 173%). The slightly lower level of 
operating cash flows was largely a result 
of investing in working capital to meet 

50

STRATEGIC
REPORT

the increased demand from customers, 
specifically related to a £12.3 million 
increase in inventory. This was partially 
offset by good cash collections which 
saw trade and other receivables decrease 
by £2.7 million despite the 17% revenue 
increase. 

Interest cover was 46 times (2019: 17 
times), which is well in excess of the four 
times minimum required in our banking 
covenant. Leverage ratio at the year-end 
was comfortable at 0.32 times (2019: 
0.91). The covenant level for net debt to 
EBITDA is a maximum of three times. 

The Group plans to operate in a range of 
between 1–2 times net debt to Adjusted 
EBITDA in the medium term. Given 
the impact of COVID-19 on the global 
economic environment, the Board is 
comfortable with the current leverage of 
0.32 in the short term.

Free cash flow before acquisitions, 
dividends and repayment of borrowings 
was £31.3 million (2019: £26.2 million).

The Group finished 2020 with net debt 
of £17.9 million (2019: £41.3 million), 
comprising cash and cash equivalents of 
£13.9 million and gross debt of £31.8 
million. The decrease in net debt during 
2020 was a result of the strong free cash 
generation, offset by £7.3 million paid in 
dividends during the year. 

DEBT FACILITY

The Group’s debt is sourced from a 
Revolving Credit Facility (“RCF”) provided 
by HSBC UK Bank PLC, J.P. Morgan 
Securities PLC, and DBS Bank Ltd. The 
Group has exercised an option in the RCF 
agreement in October 2020 to extend the 
facility expiry date by a year to November 
2024. The Group also converted US$30 
million of accordion option to committed 
facilities, increasing the committed facility 
to US$150 million (£110 million at year-
end exchange rate), with a further US$30 
million accordion option. 

The Group is subject to two financial 
covenants, which are tested quarterly. 
These covenants relate to the leverage 
ratio between adjusted EBITDA and net 
debt and the interest cover ratio between 
adjusted EBITDA and finance costs. 

CAPITAL ALLOCATION

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

The Group will continue its disciplined 
approach to capital allocation, prioritising 
the maintenance of a strong balance 
sheet, and sufficient committed facilities, 
while continuing to focus on investing in 
the business to drive organic growth. The 
Group continues to seek out and review 
acquisition opportunities that are in line 
with the Group’s strategy and that meet 
management’s strict acquisition criteria to 
deliver value creation to Shareholders. 

Due to the uncertainties caused by 
COVID-19, the Board took the difficult 
decision to cancel the final dividend for 
2019 and the first quarter dividend for 
2020. Dividend payments were resumed 
from the second quarter of 2020.

The strong finish to the year’s cash flow 
performance and continued good liquidity 
has enabled the Board to recommend 
a final dividend of 36 pence per share 
for Q4 of 2020. This dividend will be 
payable to members on the register on 26 
March 2021 and will be paid on 28 April 
2021. When combined with the interim 
dividends for the previous three quarters, 
the total dividend for the year will be 74 
pence per share (2019: 55 pence).

The Group reports its results in Sterling, 
but the US Dollar continues to be 
our principal trading currency, with 
approximately 85% (2019: 83%) of our 
revenues denominated in US Dollars. The 
average Sterling to US Dollar exchange 
rate remained in line with 2019 at 1.28, 
meaning that constant currency results are 
in line with reported results. 

Johan Olivier 
Acting Chief Financial Officer

117%

Adjusted operating cash 
conversion

-56%

Change in net debt

51

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020MANAGING OUR RISKS

The Group has well- 
established risk management 
processes to identify and 
assess risks.

The Group’s principal risks 
are regularly reviewed by the 
Board and are mapped onto 
a risk universe from which 
risk mitigation or reduction 
can be tracked and managed. 
This helps facilitate further 
discussions regarding risk 
appetite and draws out the 
risks that require a greater 
level of attention.

OUR RISK ASSESSMENT 

The key risks that have been identified 
and the mitigating actions are summarised 
on the following pages and classified 
according to:

•  The assessment of their level of impact 
to the viability of the business if they 
occurred – ranging from minor to 
severe;

•  The likelihood of a risk occurring – 

ranging from low to high; and

•  The direction in which they are 

trending – risks are classified according 
to whether they are assessed as 
becoming more likely to occur, less 
likely to occur or whether the risk of 
occurrence remains unchanged.

Although the attributes assigned to the 
identified risks are judgemental and 
qualitative in nature, the Board regards the 
methodology as useful in determining the 
focus that should be given to each risk.

This is not an exhaustive list of risks that 
the Board has identified and considered 
but does include all risks, which are 
assessed as having a severe or moderate 
impact to the business if they occurred.

RISK APPETITE

The Board determines the appropriate 
level of risk for operating the business 
and pursuing their vision and strategic 
objectives. A key focus for the Board 
is minimising the Group’s exposure to 
financial, operational, human, legislative 
and reputational risks.

OUR RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

TOP DOWN

THE BOARD

Identifying, assessing and mitigating 
risk at Group level. Setting the risk 
appetite for the Group.

BOTTOM UP

A robust risk assessment has been carried out at Board level and where possible 
actions set to mitigate and/or reduce the identified risk. The Board acknowledges that 
it is responsible for the Group’s internal controls and for reviewing their effectiveness. 
XP Power has an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating and managing the 
significant risks faced by the Group; these identified risks and processes are 
documented, reviewed and updated at Board meetings.

AUDIT COMMITTEE AND INTERNAL AUDIT

The Audit Committee ensures that the Group is effectively managing risk and internal 
control procedures. This is achieved through: 

•  The Audit Committee reviewing the effectiveness of internal controls.

•  An internal audit and risk assurance programme. 

OPERATIONAL LEVEL
A key control procedure is the day-to-day supervision of the business; this is 
supported by managers within the Group’s companies. These include: 

•  Authority matrices are in place to clearly define who is able to authorise particular 
transactions, transfer funds, commit Company resources and enter into particular 
agreements.

•  Monthly reporting of management accounts and key metrics to senior management 

with performance measured to budget and material variances reported to the 
Board.

•  Quality control checks throughout our manufacturing process, burn in to eliminate 
early failures, in circuit electrical testing, 100% functional testing, hipot testing of 
isolations barriers and quality inspection.

Identifying, assessing and mitigating 
risk across functional and geographic 
areas.

•  Business continuity plans and disaster recovery plans and are in place for all key 
facilities, documented and communicated to key personnel to help cope with 
unexpected material events.

52

COVID-19

Our business continuity plans across the 
world had identified a pandemic as a 
potential material event and appropriate 
disaster recovery plans were already in 
place before COVID-19 started to affect 
our Chinese facility in January 2020. The 
disaster recovery plan was immediately 
implemented with great success, including 
review of learnings to enhance our 
response to the next pandemic or other 
potential disruptive event.

EMERGING RISKS

Although there is understandably 
much attention on COVID-19, the risk 
associated with a pandemic was already 
identified and incorporated into our risk 
management processes. 

Recent history shows that novel 
communicable diseases are increasing in 
frequency and another pandemic is highly 
likely. However, the pandemic has caused 
businesses to re-evaluate their supply 
chains for resilience and redundancy, and 
we are doing the same. We are fortunate 
that we have multi-site manufacturing in 
Asia and the majority of our products can 
now be produced in either our Chinese 
or Vietnamese facility. We have been 
working to develop our supply chain to 
reduce dependency on single sources 
or single regions, in particular, China. 
In 2019, we split out risks associated with 
the supply chain that were previously 
combined in dependence on key 
customers/suppliers.

STRATEGIC
REPORT

HEAT MAP OF THE IDENTIFIED RISKS INDICATING  
THE LIKELIHOOD AND LEVEL OF IMPACT

Impact

Severe

1

2

9

3

8

7

11

4 5

6 10

Minor

Low

High

Likelihood

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

An event that causes a disruption to 
one of our manufacturing facilities.

Fluctuations of revenues, expenses and  
operating results due to an economic shock.

Supply chain.

Cybersecurity/information systems failure.

Dependence on key customers,

Product recall.

Competition from new market entrants  
and new technologies.

Risks relating to regulation, compliance  
and taxation.

Strategic risk associated with valuing or 
integrating new acquisitions.

Exposure to exchange rate fluctuations.

Loss of key personnel or failure to  
attract new personnel.

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

53

MANAGING OUR RISKS 

CONTINUED

Risks that could have a severe impact on the Company’s business and possibly on the viability of the Company’s business:

EXPLANATION  
OF RISK

POTENTIAL  
IMPACT

MITIGATION

PRIORITIES FOR 2021

ASSESSED
TREND

RISK

1

AN EVENT  
CAUSES A 
DISRUPTION 
TO OUR 
MANUFACTURING 
FACILITIES

LINK TO STRATEGY

An event that results 
in the temporary or 
permanent loss of a 
manufacturing facility 
would be a serious 
issue.

As the Group 
manufactures 80% of 
revenues, this would 
undoubtedly cause 
at least a short-term 
loss of revenues and 
profits, and disruption 
to our customers and 
therefore damage to 
reputation.

•  We now have two 

facilities (China and 
Vietnam) where we 
are able to produce 
the majority of our 
power converters. 

•  We have disaster 
recovery plans 
in place for both 
facilities.

•  We have 

undertaken a risk 
review with the 
manufacturing 
management to 
identify and assess 
risks that could 
cause a serious 
disruption to 
manufacturing, 
and then identified 
and implemented 
actions to reduce or 
mitigate these risks 
where possible.

•  Although not 

immune from an 
economic shock 
or the cyclicality 
of the capital 
equipment markets, 
the Group’s diverse 
customer base, 
geographic spread 
and revenue 
annuities reduce 
exposure to this 
risk.

•  The Group’s 

business model is 
not capital intensive 
and the strong 
profit margins lead 
to healthy cash 
generation, which 
also helps mitigate 
risks from these 
external factors.

•  Further transfer 
of products 
from China to 
Vietnam and from 
North America 
to Vietnam and 
China to increase 
redundancy.

• 

Increase local 
sourcing in Vietnam.

•  We will plan 2021 
prudently in light 
of significant 
economic 
uncertainty 
following the 
COVID-19 
pandemic.

•  We will transfer 
the manufacture 
of products from 
California to 
Vietnam in order to 
reduce costs.

•  We will explore 
outsourcing 
of appropriate 
products and 
subassemblies to 
reduce our fixed 
costs.

2

FLUCTUATIONS  
OF REVENUES, 
EXPENSES AND 
OPERATING  
RESULTS DUE TO  
AN ECONOMIC 
SHOCKS

LINK TO STRATEGY

In response to a 
changing competitive 
environment, the 
Group may elect from 
time to time to make 
certain pricing, service, 
marketing decisions 
or acquisitions that 
could have a short-
term material adverse 
effect on the Group’s 
revenues, results 
of operations and 
financial condition.

The revenues, 
expenses and 
operating results of 
the Group could vary 
significantly from 
period to period as 
a result of a variety 
of factors, some of 
which are outside its 
control. These factors 
include: general 
economic conditions; 
adverse movements 
in interest rates; 
conditions specific to 
the market; seasonal 
trends in revenues, 
capital expenditure and 
other costs; and the 
introduction of new 
products or services 
by the Group, or by its 
competitors. 

KEY

 DEVELOP A MARKET LEADING RANGE OF COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS 

 BUILD A GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN

 TARGET ACCOUNTS WHERE WE CAN ADD VALUE

 LEAD OUR INDUSTRY ON ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

 VERTICAL PENETRATION OF FOCUS ACCOUNTS

 MAKE SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS

No change to risk

Increase in risk

Decrease in risk

KEY

54

EXPLANATION  
OF RISK

POTENTIAL  
IMPACT

MITIGATION

PRIORITIES FOR 2021

ASSESSED
TREND

•  We will design 

new products with 
multiple sources of 
components where 
possible.

•  We will continue 
to diversify and 
localise our supply 
chains.

•  We will develop 
outsourced 
resource for various 
subassemblies and 
finished goods as 
appropriate.

We will continue to 
enhance our cyber 
security tools and 
processes and continue 
to promote heightened 
awareness to cyber 
security risks amongst 
our people.

RISK

3

RISK ASSOCIATED 
WITH SUPPLY 
CHAIN

LINK TO STRATEGY

The Group is 
dependent on retaining 
its key suppliers and 
ensuring that deliveries 
are on time and the 
materials supplied are 
of appropriate quality.

As the proportion of 
our own-manufactured 
products has increased, 
the reliance on 
suppliers for third-
party product has 
been mitigated 
proportionally. There 
has been a shift from 
a finished goods risk 
to a raw materials risk 
particularly where 
components have a 
single source of supply.

•  We conduct regular 
audits of our key 
suppliers and in 
addition keep large 
amounts of safety 
inventory of key 
components, which 
we also regularly 
review. We also 
dual source our 
components where 
possible to minimise 
dependency on any 
single supplier.

4

CYBER SECURITY/ 
INFORMATION 
SYSTEMS FAILURE

LINK TO STRATEGY

The Group is reliant on 
information technology 
in multiple aspects 
of the business from 
communications to 
data storage. Assets 
accessible online are 
potentially vulnerable 
to theft and customer 
channels are vulnerable 
to disruption.

Any failure or 
downtime of these 
systems or any data 
theft could have a 
significant adverse 
impact on the Group’s 
reputation or on the 
results of operations.

•  The Group has a 
defined Business 
Impact Assessment 
which identifies 
the key information 
assets; replication 
of data on different 
systems or in 
the Cloud; an 
established backup 
process in place 
as well as a robust 
anti-malware 
solution on our 
networks.

• 

Internally produced 
training materials 
are used to educate 
users regarding 
good IT security 
practice and to 
promote the 
Group’s IT policy.

•  A cyber assessment 
carried out by the 
outsourced internal 
auditor resulted in 
recommendations 
that are being 
implemented to 
further mitigate 
cyber risk and 
safeguard the 
Group’s assets.

READ MORE ABOUT OUR STRATEGY 
ON PAGES 32 TO 38

55

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020STRATEGICREPORTMANAGING OUR RISKS

CONTINUED

RISK

5

DEPENDENCE ON 
KEY CUSTOMERS

LINK TO STRATEGY

EXPLANATION  
OF RISK

POTENTIAL  
IMPACT

The Group is 
dependent on retaining 
its key customers.

Should the Group 
lose a number of its 
key customers, this 
could have a material 
impact on the Group’s 
financial condition and 
results of operations. 
However, for the year 
ended 31 December 
2020, no single 
customer accounted 
for more than 14% 
of revenue and that 
revenue was spread 
over 200 individual 
programmes.

A product recall due 
to a quality or safety 
issue.

6

PRODUCT  
RECALL

LINK TO STRATEGY

This would have 
serious repercussions 
to the business in 
terms of potential 
cost and reputational 
damage as a supplier to 
critical systems.

56

PRIORITIES FOR 2021

ASSESSED
TREND

Given that a key 
tenant of the Group’s 
strategy is to vertically 
penetrate its key 
customers, customer 
concentration is likely 
to increase. However, 
the Board believes 
that because each 
customer revenue 
stream is made up 
of a multitude of 
individual programmes 
and that these are 
designed in that 
the loss of an entire 
customer is unlikely. 
We will continue to 
ensure we provide 
excellent service to 
our key customers 
at competitive price 
points.

•  Continue to 
enhance our 
product design 
processes.

•  Expand supplier 

quality capabilities.

MITIGATION

•  The Group 

mitigates this 
risk by providing 
excellent service. 
Customer 
complaints and non-
conformances are 
reviewed monthly 
by members of 
the Executive 
Leadership team.

•  We perform 

100% functional 
testing on all own 
manufactured 
products and 100% 
hi-pot testing, 
which determines 
the adequacy of 
electrical insulation. 
This ensures the 
integrity of the 
isolation barrier 
between the mains 
supply and the 
end user of the 
equipment. We 
also test all the 
medical products 
we manufacture 
to ensure the 
leakage current is 
within the medical 
specifications.

•  Where we have 
contracts with 
customers, we limit 
our contractual 
liability regarding 
recall costs.

•  No single customer 
project accounts for 
more than 5% of 
overall revenue.

EXPLANATION  
OF RISK

POTENTIAL  
IMPACT

MITIGATION

PRIORITIES FOR 2021

ASSESSED
TREND

RISK

7

COMPETITION 
FROM NEW 
MARKET 
ENTRANTS 
AND NEW 
TECHNOLOGIES

LINK TO STRATEGY

The power supply 
market is diverse 
and competitive. The 
Directors believe that 
the development of 
new technologies could 
give rise to significant 
new competition to the 
Group, which may have 
a material effect on the 
business.

At the lower end of the 
Group’s target market, 
in terms of both power 
range and programme 
size, the barriers to 
entry are lower and 
there is, therefore, a 
risk that competition 
could quickly increase, 
particularly from 
emerging low cost 
manufacturers in Asia.

Improvements in 
power conversion 
technology have 
tended to be 
incremental as more 
high performing 
components become 
available.

The Group operates in 
multiple jurisdictions 
with applicable trade 
and tax regulations 
that vary. 

8

RISKS RELATING  
TO REGULATION, 
COMPLIANCE  
AND TAXATION

LINK TO STRATEGY

Failing to comply with 
local regulations or a 
change in legislation 
could impact the 
profits of the Group. 
In addition, the 
effective tax rate of 
the Group is affected 
by where its profits 
fall geographically. The 
Group’s effective tax 
rate could therefore 
fluctuate over time 
and have an impact 
on earnings and 
potentially its share 
price.

•  Gallium Nitride 
being a current 
example where we 
plan to introduce 
new products

•  We continue to 
develop higher-
power, higher-
voltage and 
high-complexity 
product platforms 
de-emphasising 
low-power, 
low-voltage 
low-complexity 
areas of the market.

We will continue 
to ensure we stay 
current with the 
latest legislation 
and will ensure we 
have the necessary 
contemporaneous 
documentation for 
compliance and tax 
purposes.

•  The Group reviews 
activities of its 
competition, in 
particular product 
releases, and stays 
up to date with 
new technological 
advances in our 
industry, especially 
those relating to 
new components 
and materials. The 
Group also tries 
to keep its cost 
base competitive 
by manufacturing 
in low-cost 
geographies where 
appropriate.

•  The general 

direction of our 
product roadmap is 
to move away from 
lower complexity 
products and 
to increase our 
engineering 
solutions 
capabilities as 
to reduce the 
inherent market 
competitiveness.

•  An outsourced 
internal audit 
function provides 
risk assurance in 
targeted areas of 
the business and 
recommendations 
for improvement. 
The scope of these 
reviews includes 
behaviour, culture 
and ethics.

•  The Group hires 
employees with 
relevant skills 
and uses external 
advisers to 
keep up to date 
with changes in 
regulations and to 
remain compliant.

KEY

 DEVELOP A MARKET LEADING RANGE OF COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS 

 BUILD A GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN

 TARGET ACCOUNTS WHERE WE CAN ADD VALUE

 LEAD OUR INDUSTRY ON ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

 VERTICAL PENETRATION OF FOCUS ACCOUNTS

 MAKE SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS

KEY

No change to risk

Increase in risk

Decrease in risk

57

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020STRATEGICREPORT 
MANAGING OUR RISKS

CONTINUED

RISK

9

STRATEGIC RISK 
ASSOCIATED  
WITH VALUING  
OR INTEGRATING 
NEW  
ACQUISITIONS

LINK TO STRATEGY

10

EXPOSURE TO 
EXCHANGE RATE 
FLUCTUATIONS

LINK TO STRATEGY

11

LOSS OF KEY 
PERSONNEL 
OR FAILURE TO 
ATTRACT NEW 
PERSONNEL

LINK TO STRATEGY

EXPLANATION  
OF RISK

POTENTIAL  
IMPACT

MITIGATION

PRIORITIES FOR 2021

ASSESSED
TREND

The Group may elect 
from time to time 
to make strategic 
acquisitions. A degree 
of uncertainty exists 
in valuation and in 
particular in evaluating 
potential synergies.

Post-acquisition risks 
arise in the form of 
change of control and 
integration challenges. 
Any of these could 
have an effect on the 
Group’s revenues, 
results of operations 
and financial condition.

The Group therefore 
has an exposure to 
foreign currency 
fluctuations. This 
could lead to material 
adverse movements in 
reported earnings and 
cash flows.

The loss of the services 
of key employees could 
have a material adverse 
effect on the Group’s 
business.

The Group deals in 
many currencies for 
both its purchases 
and sales including 
US Dollars, Euro and 
its reporting currency 
Pounds Sterling. In 
particular, North 
America represents an 
important geographic 
market for the Group 
where virtually all 
the revenues are 
denominated in US 
Dollars. The Group also 
sources components 
in US Dollars and the 
Chinese Yuan.

The future success 
of the Group 
is substantially 
dependent on the 
continued services 
and continuing 
contributions of its 
Directors, senior 
management and other 
key personnel.

In event of an 
acquisition, we will 
ensure we have robust 
integration plans and 
perform a post-
acquisition review.

We will continue to 
regularly review our 
balance sheet and 
cash flow exposures 
and take action to 
mitigate exposures as 
appropriate.

We will enhance our 
people management 
and leadership 
development under the 
leadership of our new 
Chief People Officer 
appointed in June 
2020.

•  Preparation of 

robust business 
plans and cash 
projections with 
sensitivity analysis 
and the help 
of professional 
advisers if 
appropriate.

•  Post-acquisition 
reviews are 
performed to 
extract “lessons 
learned”.

•  The Group reviews 
balance sheet and 
cash flow currency 
exposures and 
where considered 
appropriate, uses 
forward exchange 
contracts to hedge 
these exposures. 

•  The Group does 
not hedge any 
translation of its 
subsidiaries’ results 
to Sterling for 
reporting purposes.

•  The Group 
undertakes 
performance 
evaluations and 
reviews to help it 
stay close to its key 
personnel as well 
as annual employee 
engagement 
surveys. Where 
considered 
appropriate, the 
Group also makes 
use of financial 
retention tools such 
as equity awards.

KEY

 DEVELOP A MARKET LEADING RANGE OF COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS 

 BUILD A GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN

 TARGET ACCOUNTS WHERE WE CAN ADD VALUE

 LEAD OUR INDUSTRY ON ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

 VERTICAL PENETRATION OF FOCUS ACCOUNTS

 MAKE SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS

No change to risk

Increase in risk

Decrease in risk

KEY

58

In forming the viability statement, the 
Directors carried out an assessment 
of the principal risks and uncertainties 
facing the Group which could impact 
the business. Whilst the impact of 
Covid-19 on the Group’s 2020 financial 
performance has been minimal, the Group 
has considered the increased uncertainty 
that the pandemic brings in the near term. 
Particular focus was given to the potential 
impact on our manufacturing facilities in 
the event of extended lockdowns and the 
impact on the broader economy and our 
customers. 

The financial model was stress-tested 
with various downside scenarios. The 
potential impact of the principal risks was 
then considered in the context of each 
of these downside scenarios. Certain 
subjective assumptions and judgments 
were made to achieve this. Given the cash 
generative nature of the business, each 
risk scenario occurring in isolation did not 
breach the Group’s theoretical borrowing 
facility headroom. The most severe threats 
occurring in isolation were found to be 
a prolonged closure of a manufacturing 
facility, or a significant and permanent 
economic collapse. 

The unlikely event of more than one 
risk occurring at the same time was also 
considered. A combination the loss of 
key customers together with a serious 
and prolonged economic shock was 
considered. The potential impact of this 
scenario did not put the Group in breach 
of its theoretical borrowing capacity.

Based on this assessment, the Directors 
confirm that they have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group will continue 
in operation and meet its liabilities as they 
fall due for at least a period of three years 
to 31 December 2023.

VIABILITY STATEMENT

In accordance with provision 4.31 of 
the 2018 revision of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, the Directors are 
required to assess the prospects of the 
Group over a period longer than the 12 
months required by the “Going Concern” 
provision.

In making this assessment, the Directors 
considered the Group’s current financial 
position, its recent and historic financial 
performance and forecasts, its strategy 
and business model (pages 19–83) and 
the principal risks and uncertainties 
set out on pages 52–59. The impact of 
the COVID-19 pandemic has also been 
considered in determining the impact 
of the severe but plausible downside 
scenarios.

The Directors have determined the 
three-year period to December 2023 
to be an appropriate period over which 
to assess the Group’s viability, as this 
timeframe is within the Group’s strategic 
financial planning period used to evaluate 
performance and liquidity and aligns with 
the design-in cycle for which the Group 
has visibility. In making the assessment, 
the Directors considered a three-year 
financial model including the Group 
Annual Plan for 2021 and strategic 
financial plan for the years beyond this. 

The Group has a business model 
where its products are designed into 
numerous applications, with numerous 
customers, in numerous geographies. 
The Group’s products are all designed 
into capital equipment, which is generally 
in production for several consecutive 
years, resulting in a revenue annuity. This 
diversity and revenue annuity are both 
deemed important factors in mitigating 
many of the risks that could affect the 
long-term viability of the Group. 

In determining the viability term, the 
Board assessed the deliberately austere 
scenarios against the controls in place to 
prevent or mitigate the risks occurring.

It also considered them against the 
Group’s current banking facilities, a 
revolving credit facility of US$150 million, 
which expires in November 2024.

59

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020STRATEGICREPORT60

SECTION 172(1) STATEMENT

DRIVING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH BY CONSIDERING  
OUR STAKEHOLDERS IN DECISION-MAKING

Engaging with our stakeholders 
and our Section 172(1) 
Statement
Section 172 requires the directors of a 
company to act in the way they consider, 
in good faith, would be most likely to 
promote the success of the company for 
the benefit of its members as a whole, and 
in doing so have regard to:

a.  the likely consequences of any decision 

in the long term,

b.  the interests of the company’s 

employees,

•  Our Remuneration Committee chair 
and Chairman have had discussions 
with our key Shareholders regarding 
executive remuneration and CEO 
succession to ensure we can take 
account of their views. 

•  We held quarterly business reviews 
with our key suppliers to monitor 
performance but also to understand 
their challenges, issues and concerns 
throughout the pandemic.

•  We have a Code of Conduct, which all 
our employees and key suppliers sign 
up to dealing with business ethics, 
responsible environmental behaviour, 
health and safety and treatment of 
people.

SEE HOW THE BOARD HAS 
CONSIDERED KEY STAKEHOLDERS  
IN KEY BUSINESS DECISIONS ON 
PAGES 96 AND 97

Further information as to how the Board has had regard to the s172 factors:

c.  the need to foster the company’s 

s172(1) factor

Key example(s)

business relationships with suppliers, 
customers and others,

d.  the impact of the company’s operations 
on the community and the environment,

e.  the desirability of the company 

maintaining a reputation for high 
standards of business conduct; and

f.  the need to act fairly as between 

members of the company.

The key decisions made by management 
in 2020 related to the management 
of COVID-19 and we rapidly set the 
following priorities:

1.  The safety and wellbeing of our people;

2.  Keeping our customers supplied with 

product; and

3.  Preserving our cash and managing 

liquidity.

During 2020, we consulted with our 
various stakeholders regarding matters that 
we consider would be important to them:

•  COVID-19 presented us with 

significant challenges, in particular the 
ensuring the safety and wellbeing of 
our people. We communicated to our 
employees through frequent all hands 
video meetings with open questions 
and answers with the CEO and CFO 
and other regional leaders. 

•  We also conducted a number of specific 
employee surveys relating to COVID-19 
and the challenges of working from 
home to ensure we could support our 
employees in all ways possible.

•  We have surveyed our key customers, 

key suppliers and our employees 
regarding matters of business 
sustainability in order to understand 
what are the material matters that 
impact them regarding environmental, 
social and governance. This has been 
used as input to development our 
approach to sustainability.

Consequence of any decision in the long term Strategy

Interests of employees

Fostering business relationships with  
suppliers, customers and others

Sustainability

Engagement

Impact of operations on the community and 
the environment

Engagement

Maintaining high standard of business conduct Governance

Acting fairly between members

Balanced long-term 
decision making

Balanced decision making

Governance

Customers

OUR  
STAKEHOLDERS

s
r
o
t
s
e
v
n
I

Page(s)

32–36

62–83

96

71

81

101

101

P

e

o

p

l

e

S

u

p

pliers

u nitie s

m

m

o

C

61

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020STRATEGICREPORTSUSTAINABILITY 

Gavin Griggs 
Chief Executive Officer

“ We set an aspiration of 
carbon neutrality by 2040 
and are developing plans to 
achieve this.”

62

SECTION 1:  
EMBEDDING 
SUSTAINABILITY

WHY SUSTAINABILITY 
MATTERS
Introduction to Sustainability 
from the CEO
The COVID-19 crisis has put many things 
in perspective. The pandemic and climate 
change are both global threats that we all 
must come together to address. Whilst the 
pandemic is far from over, climate change 
is probably the greatest challenge of our 
generation and the next ten years will be 
crucial to addressing it. Together, we must 
reduce CO2 emissions and halt the rise in 
the Earth’s temperature.

At XP Power, we are committed to 
partnering with our customers and 
suppliers in their sustainability journeys, 
and we strive to become carbon neutral, 
in line with our strategy of leading our 
market in sustainability. If the world is to 
achieve the United Nations Sustainable 
Development Goals (UNSDGs) by 2030, 
we must build momentum now — and 
bring everyone with us. 

In 2012, we became the first power 
converter manufacturer to be admitted 
into the Responsible Business Alliance 
(formerly the Electronic Industry 
Citizenship Coalition) adopting its Code  
of Conduct. This not only set high 
standards for environmental performance 
but also covers the treatment of people, 
health and safety, business ethics and 
business systems.

CONTENTS

SECTION 1:

EMBEDDING SUSTAINABILITY

•  Why sustainability matters

•  Materiality assessment

•  Sustainability roadmap

•  Sustainable business goals

SECTION 2:

HEALTH AND SAFETY

•  Response to COVID-19 for 2020

•  Safety first

•  Safety performance

•  Health and wellbeing

SECTION 3:

OUR PEOPLE

•  Engagement

•  Diversity and inclusion

•  Talent and career management

•  Community partnerships

SECTION 4:

ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP

•  Managing environmental 

performance

•  Energy and greenhouse gas 

emissions

•  Water consumption

•  Waste management

SECTION 5:

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS

•  Boosting innovation

•  Responsible sourcing

SECTION 6:

ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE

•  Modern slavery

•  Whistleblowing

•  Anti-bribery and corruption

•  Human rights

•  Information systems and 

technology

•  Tax compliance

Wherever possible, we have championed 
sustainable initiatives including solar 
panels on multiple sites, introducing low-
energy lighting, reducing the time and 
recycling the electricity we use to burn in 
our products as well as launching a broad 
range of “green” high-efficiency products 
which we continually develop to support 
our customers sustainability agendas.

This is part of the momentum we’ve 
been building through more than ten 
years of engagement and innovation in 
sustainability through our entire supply 
chain. XP Power seeks to empower all 
its stakeholders to make the most of 
their energy and resources. Our high-
efficiency products balance the growth 
and proliferation of electronic devices 
and a carbon-free future for our planet.  
Our engineers bring ideas, skills, and 
innovation to reducing energy usage for 
our customers. Our people act to reduce 
XP’s carbon impact and serving local 
communities around the world.

In 2020, we set an aspiration of carbon 
neutrality by 2040 and we are developing 
the plans to be able to achieve this 
objective. But we appreciate we can 
and should go further and recognise 
the greatest impact we can have is on 
developing high-efficiency power supplies 
and in supporting our customers on their 
individual sustainability journeys and 
partner with vendors who are committed 
to this journey.

We believe that XP Power can make a 
positive impact. 

Gavin Griggs 
Chief Executive Officer

Our Sustainability Strategy is to:

•  Produce quality products that are 

safe and solve our customers’ power 
problems; 

•  Minimise the impact we and our 

products have on the environment;

•  Adopt responsible sourcing practices 
considering social and environmental 
impacts; 

•  Make XP Power a workplace where  

our people can be at their best ensuring 
an environment that is safe, diverse, 
inclusive and attracts and retains the 
best talent; and

•  Uphold the highest standard of 
business ethics and integrity.

STRATEGIC
REPORT

MATERIALITY ASSESSMENT
The materiality assessment we 
undertook in 2020 involved engaging 
with our employees, customers and 
suppliers regarding what aspects of 
sustainability were most important to 
them. This exercise was conducted using 
a comprehensive survey followed up with 
a number of meetings where appropriate. 
We have also taken account of the views 
of key Shareholders who have expressed 
their views in terms of what they would 
like to see regarding sustainability 
considerations.

By combining the importance of the 
issues identified by our stakeholders 
with the significance of their economic, 
environmental, social impacts and 
governance on the business, we derive 
the relative materiality of each issue. A 
summary of this work is shown in the 
material issues matrix below, including 
how the factors we assessed aligned with 
those of XP Power. We are pleased to 
report that there is very close alignment.

MATERIALITY ASSESSMENT MATRIX

Product 
responsibility
(safety and quality)

Responsible 
supply chain

Product 
solutions and 
innovation

Employee 
welfare

Attracting 
retaining and 
rewarding talent

Health and 
safety (inc. 
occupational)

Ethical 
conduct and
compliance

l

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t
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r
e
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P
P
X
o
t
e
c
n
a
t
r
o
p
m

I

Energy 
efficiency

Waste 
management

Diversity 
and equal 
opportunity

Emissions

Watch list 

Ongoing importance 

Importance to XP Power 

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

Focus area

63

 
 
 
 
SUSTAINABILITY 

CONTINUED

SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP
Achievements in 2020
•  Maintained the safety and wellbeing 
of our people during the COVID-19 
pandemic

•  Shipped “XP Green Power” products in 

2020 resulting in estimated lifetime CO2 
emission savings of over 117,000 tonnes

•  Undertook a sustainability 

materiality impact assessment with 
key stakeholders to formulate a 
sustainability strategy

•  Review and enhanced corporate 
framework for health and safety 
management to apply the same 
minimum standards in all locations

•  Healthy and safety incident rate per 

1,000 employees reduced 8% to 10.4 

•  Reduced our CO2 emissions intensity 
by 7% to 27.9 tonnes of CO2 per 
million GBP of revenue

•  Trained all employees on our Code of 
Conduct; no reported breaches of the 
Code during 2020

•  Develop action plans from the results 

of the Gallup survey to further enhance 
employee engagement 

•  Company car scheme in the UK now 

•  Ship “XP Green Power” products 

resulting in minimum lifetime CO2 
emission savings of 120,000 tonnes

SUSTAINABLE  
BUSINESS GOALS
The table below shows the linkage 
between the United Nations Sustainable 
Development Goals (UN-SDG), XP Power’s 
business goals, how they are measured, 
and how this links to our Sustainability 
Strategy. The Board of Directors has 
ultimate oversight of, and responsibility for 
the Company’s Sustainability Strategy.

only allows electric vehicles

Priorities going forwards
•  Maintain the safety and wellbeing 

of our people during the COVID-19 
pandemic

•  Develop plans to achieve carbon 

neutrality by 2040

•  Continue to enhance design processes 
including product reliability, efficiency 
and safety

•  Conduct annual refresher training on 

our Code of Conduct

•  Continue to enhance health and safety 

processes across the Group

•  Reduce CO2 emissions intensity by a 

minimum of 3% per annum 

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

LINK TO XP POWER 
SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES

HEALTH AND SAFETY 
Improve the physical and 
mental health of our people and 
provide them with a safe place 
to work

LINK TO XP POWER 
SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES

OUR PEOPLE 
Create a workplace 
environment where our people 
can be at their best ensuring 
an environment that is safe, 
diverse, inclusive and attracts 
and retains the best talent 

GENDER EQUALITY

5.5 Ensure women’s full and 
effective participation and equal 
opportunities for leadership at all 
levels of decision making in politic 
al, economic and public life

BUSINESS KPIS

Reduce the annual lost 
time from health and 
safety incidents through 
implementing best practice in 
training, incident reporting, 
audits and risk assessments

2020:  
62 days

Target (Year):  
Zero days (2021)

More information:  
Page 68 

BUSINESS KPIS

Gallup Employee Engagement 
score

2020:  
3.91

Target (Year):  
4.18 (2021)

More information: 
Page 71 

64

WORK AND ECONOMIC 
GROWTH

LINK TO XP POWER 
SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES

8.8 Protect labour rights and 
promote safe and secure working 
environments for all workers, 
including migrant workers, in 
particular women migrants, and 
those in precarious employment

OUR PEOPLE 
Create a workplace 
environment where our people 
can be at their best ensuring 
an environment that is safe, 
diverse, inclusive and attracts 
and retains the best talent

REDUCED INEQUALITIES

10.3 Ensure equal opportunity 
and reduce inequalities of 
outcome, including by eliminating 
discriminatory laws, policies and 
practices and promoting appropriate 
legislation, policies and action in  
this regard

LINK TO XP POWER 
SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES

OUR PEOPLE 
Create a workplace 
environment where our people 
can be at their best ensuring 
an environment that is safe, 
diverse, inclusive and attracts 
and retains the best talent

BUSINESS KPIS

Employees completed ethics 
training %

2020:  
100%

Target (Year):  
100% (2022)

More information: 
Page 81 

BUSINESS KPIS

Proportion of women in 
management roles

2020:  
31%

CLIMATE ACTION

13.2 Integrate climate change 
measures into national policies, 
strategies and planning

LINK TO XP POWER 
SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES

BUSINESS KPIS

CO2 intensity metric

OUR PEOPLE 
We are committed to being 
a leader in our industry by 
reducing our impact on 
the environment. We are 
committed to reducing energy 
usage and CO2 emissions 
resulting from the manufacture 
and use of our products.

Target (Year):  
35% (2022)

More information: 
Page 72 

2020:  
27.9 kg CO2/£’000  
of revenue

Target (Year):  
22.3 kg CO2/£’000  
of revenue (2025)

More information: 
Page 77 

65

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020STRATEGICREPORTSUSTAINABILITY 

CONTINUED

INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND 
INFRASTRUCTURE

LINK TO XP POWER 
SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES

9.1 Develop quality, reliable, 
sustainable and resilient 
infrastructure, including regional 
and transborder infrastructure, to 
support economic development  
and human well-being, with a  
focus on affordable and equitable 
access for all

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS 
We will continue to develop 
innovative, high-quality and 
safe products that consume 
less energy, use less materials 
and avoid the use of hazardous 
substances, and solve our 
customers’ power problems

BUSINESS KPIS

New “XP Green Power” 
product introductions

2020:  
17 product families

Target (Year):  
15 product families 
(2021)

More information: 
Page 76 

RESPONSIBLE 
CONSUMPTION AND 
PRODUCTION

12.5 By 2030, substantially 
reduce waste generation through 
prevention, reduction, recycling and 
reuse

12.7 Promote public procurement 
practices that are sustainable, in 
accordance with national policies 
and priorities

LINK TO XP POWER 
SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS 
We will continue to develop 
innovative, high-quality and 
safe products that consume 
less energy, use less materials 
and avoid the use of hazardous 
substances, and solve our 
customers’ power problems

BUSINESS KPIS

CO2 estimated lifetime savings 
from “XP Green Power” 
products

2020:  
117,000 tonnes  
of CO2

Target (Year):  
3% reduction  
per annum

More information: 
Page 77 

PEACE, JUSTICE AND  
STRONG INSTITUTES

LINK TO XP POWER 
SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES

16.5 Substantially reduce corruption 
and bribery in all their forms

ETHICS AND 
COMPLIANCE 
We uphold the highest standard 
of business ethics and integrity 
and expect our suppliers to do 
the same

BUSINESS KPIS

Our goal is to have zero 
breaches of our Code of 
Conduct

2020:  
0

Target (Year):  
0 (2021)

More information: 
Page 81 

66

SECTION 2:  
HEALTH AND SAFETY 

Our Sustainable Business Goal is to 
improve the physical and mental health 
of our employees and provide them a 
safe place to work. This aligns with the 
UNSDG 3 “Good health and wellbeing”.

RESPONSE TO COVID-19
XP Power’s exposure to COVID-19 
started earlier than most companies given 
we have a major manufacturing facility 
in Kunshan, China. In January 2020, 
over the Lunar New Year Holiday, the 
Chinese authorities introduced rigorous 
epidemic prevention and control measures 
including travel restrictions to control 
the COVID-19 virus. We immediately 
implemented the recommended provisions 
to control the spread of the virus 
enhanced by our own control measures, 
identified through our risk assessments, 
to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our 
people. These included:

•  Social distancing;

•  Compulsory wearing of face masks;

•  Sanitisation of hands and feet at the 

entrance to the site;

•  Temperature checks and monitoring 

before entering the site;

•  Sanitisation of any vehicles entering the 

site; and

•  Special distancing and barrier measures 

in the canteen.

Concurrently, we adopted the same 
rigorous epidemic prevention and control 
measures in our Vietnam facility. Vietnam 
had not been affected by the virus at 
this stage of the pandemic and the 
control measures adopted early on by 
the Vietnamese authorities meant that 
Vietnam was one of the least affected 
countries in the world.

Our business continuity plans had 
considered the possibility of a pandemic 
and we were immediately able to 
implement our disaster recovery plan to 
ensure effective management, control and 
communication as the crisis developed.

Cases of COVID-19 quickly began to be 
reported in Europe and we immediately 
adopted the measures recommended 

by the local authorities in countries in 
which we operate, again enhanced by the 
results of our own risk assessments. These 
measures included:

•  Working from home wherever possible;

•  Social distancing;

•  Sanitisation on entering any facility;

•  Temperature monitoring and screening 

on entering any facility;

•  Regular deep cleans and regular 

sanitisation of surfaces in the facilities;

•  Restrictions on any visitors to the 
facilities. Where a visit from a non-
employee was necessary (e.g. for 
matters relating to health and safety 
such as fire extinguisher checks) the 
same controls were implemented 
together with a questionnaire and 
declaration that the visitor had no 
symptoms nor had been in contact with 
any persons who had been diagnosed 
with the virus or who had symptoms; 
and

•  A track and trace process in the event 
any employee in a facility developed 
symptoms or was diagnosed with the 
virus so people could self-isolate as 
appropriate.

In regions where we operate with very 
high local instances of the virus, which 
includes a number of our facilities in 
North America, we have also implemented 
mandatory weekly testing of employees.

We were conscious of the difficulties 
imposed on our people through long 
periods of working from home without 
regular face-to-face contact with their 
colleagues and the potential implications 
for their mental health. We held frequent 
(multiple times per week) all hands video 
updates to keep our colleagues connected 
and informed on what was happening. 
We also conducted a number of specific 
anonymous surveys to understand how 
our people were coping in the midst of 
the pandemic, and in particular working 
from home. The surveys indicated that we 
were managing the COVID-19 crisis well 
and we were able to make changes to help 
our employees during this difficult time. 
Some of these changes were practical in 
ensuring they had the correct equipment 
to work effectively and safely from home. 
We also made sure that a third-party 
Employee Assistance Programme was 
available to our employees and their 
relatives should they be experiencing 
difficulties.

We continue to closely monitor the 
situation with the virus and the safety 
and wellbeing of our people remains our 
absolute top priority during this difficult 
time.

SAFETY FIRST
Safety is a top priority at XP Power and 
aside from the specific challenges and 
importance of safeguarding our people 
(and contractors) from the COVID-19 
virus, health and safety remains of 
paramount importance to us as a 
responsible employer. Our health and 
safety management system is driven from 
the top with the Board having ultimate 
responsibility.

We have a corporate health and safety 
framework, which clearly defines 
the persons who are responsible and 
accountable for health and safety at 
each of our key sites. The procedure also 
defines the minimum standards required 
at each key site, which can be summarised 
as follows:

•  Risk assessments based on the 

activities performed at each site, which 
are reviewed and updated annually;

•  An annual internal audit of the health 
and safety processes at each site 
to ensure they are in line with the 
corporate procedure;

•  Health and safety metrics are recorded 
covering health and safety incidents 
and near misses and these are reported 
and analysed. The Board of Directors 
reviews these health and safety metrics 
at each Board meeting;

•  Metrics relating to walk through safety 
audits, fire drills and update of risk 
assessments are also recorded and 
monitored; and

•  Consideration is given at each site to 
ergonomics, laboratory and electrical 
safety, legal requirements, use of 
chemicals, use of equipment and tools, 
facility preparedness and evacuation, 
and slips, trips and falls.

67

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020STRATEGICREPORTSUSTAINABILITY

CONTINUED 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

REVIEWS HEALTH AND SAFETY 
PERFORMANCE

CEO

RESPONSIBLE FOR HEALTH AND 
SAFETY PROGRAMME AT XP POWER

RESPONSIBLE FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY AT THE SITE AND THAT APPROPRIATE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE

SITE LEADERS ACROSS 17 DIFFERENT SITES 

RESPONSIBLE FOR DAY-TO-DAY HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAMME THROUGH A CROSS FUNCTIONAL TEAM

SITE HEALTH AND SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES  

The Company has invested during 
2020 to enhance health and safety 
due to COVID-19 including social 
distancing and signage, thermometer 
and temperature scanners, physical 
screening, COVID-19 testing, 
sanitisation materials and deep cleaning 
costs.

In addition, we have enhanced health 
and safety through expenditure on 
improved product racking, use of health 
and safety consultants, advisers and 
auditors.

XP Power’s health and safety policy is 
available on our website at xppower.
com/company/policies. The key elements 
of our policy are to maintain a healthy 
and safe working environment to 
minimise the number of occupational 

accidents and illnesses and ultimately 
achieve an accident-free workplace. 
We are committed to this goal and to 
achieving continual improvement. We 
encourage our people to look out for 
each other to keep us all safe.

SAFETY PERFORMANCE
We report all health and safety incidents 
including near misses whether or not 
they resulted in lost time. We actively 
encourage the reporting of near misses 
so we can analyse those events and 
learn and make improvements. There 
were two near misses reported in 2020. 
Our incident rate is calculated as the 
total number of incidents divided by the 
average number of employees expressed 
as incidents per 1,000 employees. Our 
target is to have an incident rate of zero.

HEALTH AND SAFETY INCIDENTS

In 2020 we had 22 health and safety 
incidents and 2 near misses. Of these, 
10 incidents resulted in total lost time 
of 62 days. Two incidents in China were 
serious enough to contribute 50 days 
of absence from work. One was a slip 
on a wet surface resulting in 30 days of 
absence, and one was a slip on the stairs 
resulting in a broken foot, which caused 
20 days of absence. We continue to 
review all accidents and near misses to 
ensure we learn from them and improve 
the environment to keep all employees 
safe from harm or injury. No incidents 
resulted in death or serious injury of any 
persons. We provide all our employees 
with health and safety training 
appropriate to their role.

Asia

Europe

North America

Total
Average number of employees

Incident rate per 1,000 employees

68

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

10

–

12

22

2,108

10.4

7

3

11

21

1,859

11.3

6

8

3

17

1,972

8.6

9

9

14

32

1,953

16.4

6

2

5

13

1,506

8.6

STRATEGIC
REPORT

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

69

SUSTAINABILITY

CONTINUED 

HEALTH AND WELLBEING
We encourage our employees to have 
active lifestyles and, where facilities allow, 
we provide showers so our people can 
exercise during their breaks or be able 
to cycle to work. Some of our sites have 
five-a-side football teams or participate 
in softball leagues. We have also provided 
yoga sessions in some sites during lunch 
time. Our Chinese facility has a frequently 
used outside basketball court and our 
Vietnamese facility a five-a-side football 
pitch. Unfortunately, these activities have 
had to be cancelled during the pandemic 
but we are keen to resume them once we 
can safely do so. 

We operate a comprehensive Employee 
Assistance Programme (EAP) in Europe 
and North America, which we intend to 
roll out in Asia in 2021. This EAP service 
provides a complete support network 
that offers confidential expert advice 
and compassionate guidance 24/7, 
online and by phone in the relevant 
language, covering a wide range of issues, 
and wellbeing resources both to our 
employees and their immediate families. 

70

SECTION 3:  
OUR PEOPLE

Our Sustainable Business Goal is to create 
an environment where our people can be 
at their best. This aligns with the UNSDGs 
5 “Gender equality”, 8 “Decent work and 
economic growth”, and 10 “Reduced 
inequalities”.

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
Our vision is to not only deliver the 
ultimate experience for our customers but 
also for our people. We want XP Power to 
be a great place to work. Pauline Lafferty 
is the designated Non-Executive Director 
responsible for workforce engagement and 
ensuring the views of our employees are 
heard at the Board level and are taken into 
account in Board discussions and decision 
making. Pauline is ideally qualified for this 
role as a former Chief People Officer and a 
person who is passionate about employee 
engagement.

We use a number of methods to engage 
with our people including a Gallup 
engagement survey conducted in 
December 2020 that had an excellent 
participation rate 94% across the entire 
workforce. 2020 was the first year we 
have used the Gallup survey and we 
scored a respectable 3.91 out of 5.00 
placing us at the 38th percentile rank in 
the Gallup database. The survey results 
are being used to drive further employee 
engagement and we are targeting to 
improve our score to 4.18 in 2021.

We also conducted two specific pulse 
surveys relating to COVID-19 during 
2020 and held numerous all hands video 
meetings to keep our people connected 
and to answer any questions or concerns 
they had. 

FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
We allow all of our employees to freely 
associate with any relevant unions. Our 
employees in Vietnam are members of the 
local union.

to participate in either our general or 
executive bonus scheme. The overall 
bonus pools are determined by the level 
of adjusted profit before tax and operating 
cash conversion. Individual bonuses 
are then allocated based on individual 
performance.

We also have a number of spot recognition 
award schemes and have a CEO award, 
which is made annually for each region 
and globally to individuals who have gone 
significantly beyond what is expected 
of them. These awards are sometimes 
awarded to teams rather than individuals 
to recognise and promote collaboration.

As well as recognition schemes, we also 
provide health care benefits and life 
assurance according to the customs in the 
regions in which we operate.

TALENT MANAGEMENT AND 
SUCCESSION PLANNING
Talent management and succession 
planning for the Executive Directors and 
Senior Leadership team is reviewed and 
discussed at Board level. In June 2020 
Anna Mealings joined the Group as 
Chief People Officer and in Q4 of 2020 
established people and organisational 
plans for 2021 with each member of the 
Executive Leadership Team. Anna and the 
Board will be reviewing talent management 
and succession planning during 2021 
including the layer below the Executive 
Leadership team.

REWARD AND RECOGNITION
All our employees receive annual 
performance evaluations. We operate 
various bonus schemes and all non-sales 
commissioned employees are eligible 

NUMBER OF STAFF BY YEAR BY REGION

Europe

North America

Asia

Total

EMPLOYEE TURNOVER BY YEAR

2020

165

375

1,723

2,263

2020

5%

10%

31%

26%

2019

174

444

1,275

1,893

2019

10%

8%

43%

32%

Europe

North America

Asia

Total

Number

2020

9

38

534

581

2019

18

34

546

598

TRADE UNION REPRESENTATION

Average number of employees represented

% of employees represented

Europe

North America

Asia

Total

–

–

1,200

1,200

–

–

70%

53%

71

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020STRATEGICREPORTSUSTAINABILITY

CONTINUED 

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Becoming a truly diverse and inclusive 
Company is not only the right thing to 
do, it is crucial to helping us grow our 
business, innovate, attract and retain 
talent, and engage the people who buy our 
power solutions. Different experiences, 
views and opinions allow us to explore 
many more options when considering 
decisions, which we believe results in 
better outcomes from the business and 
our various stakeholders. 

We operate globally and recognise the 
cultural differences that may exist in the 
countries in which we do business. We 
recognise that a truly diverse workforce 
reflects our markets and will help us 
succeed in those markets. We will not 
tolerate any form of discrimination. 

We are committed to equality of 
opportunity in all of our employment 
practices, procedures and policies. When 
we hire or promote someone, we choose 
the best candidate irrespective of age, 
race, national origin, disability, religion, 
gender, gender reassignment, sexual 
preference, marital status or membership/
non-membership of any trade unions. We 
apply the same standards when selecting 
business partners. 

Our policy is to aim:

•  To create an environment in which 
individual differences and the 
contributions of all team members are 
recognised and valued.

•  To create a working environment that 

promotes dignity and respect for every 
employee.

•  To not tolerate any form of 

intimidation, bullying, or harassment, 
and to discipline those that breach this 
policy.

•  To make training, development and 

progression opportunities available to 
all staff. 

•  To promote equality in the workplace, 
which XP Power believes is good 
management practice and makes sound 
business sense. 

•  To encourage anyone who feels they 

have been subject to discrimination to 
raise their concerns so we can apply 
corrective measures. 

•  To regularly review all our employment 

practices and procedures so that 
fairness is maintained at all times. 

The Board of Directors has oversight 
of the Company’s diversity policy, 
which is also available on our website 

at xppower.com/company/policies. Our 
diversity policy is also embedded in our 
Code of Conduct and our employees 
receive online training regarding our both 
our Code of Conduct and diversity. 

The Group is supportive of flexible 
working policies such as working from 
home, part-time, and flexible hours 
according to the requirements of the 
position.

In the UK, for employees with more than 
two years’ service we pay maternity or 
adoption leave for three months at 100% 
of salary compared to the statutory six 
weeks at 90% of salary. We also provide 
two weeks paid paternity leave at 100% 
of salary compared to statutory paternity 
leave of two weeks at £151 or 90% of 
usual pay if lower.

We have chosen to publish our gender 
pay gap data even though we have 
fewer than 250 employees in the UK 
and are, therefore, exempt from gender 
pay gap reporting. We are committed to 
eliminating any form of discrimination. 
One in three of the women in the bottom 
quartile work part-time, which explains 
their over representation in this quartile. 
40% of our UK workforce are female.

EMPLOYEES BY GENDER AND REGION AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

UK GENDER PAY GAP

Genders in each pay band:

Lower quartile pay band

Lower middle quartile pay band

Upper middle quartile pay band

Upper quartile pay band

Europe

North America

Asia

Total

GENDER DIVERSITY STATISTICS

Board

Executive Management 

Management

All other

Total

72

2020

2019

2018

2017

Male

Female

Male

Female

Male

Female

Male

Female

40%

58%

77%

92%

60%

42%

23%

8%

40%

58%

77%

92%

60%

42%

23%

8%

48%

52%

72%

90%

Male

105

258

761

52%

48%

28%

10%

33%

48%

74%

81%

Female

60

117

962

1,124

1,139

67%

52%

26%

19%

Total

165

375

1,723

2,263

Male

Female

Total

%%Male

Female

5

6

88

1,025

1,124

2

1

39

1,097

1,139

7

7

127

2,122

2,263

71%

86%

69%

48%

50%

29%

14%

31%

52%

50%

STRATEGIC
REPORT

TALENT AND CAREER 
MANAGEMENT
Developing our talent is key to our 
ongoing success and in June 2020 
we recruited a Chief People Officer 
who created People and Organisation 
Plans with each of our executive 
leaders identifying enablers to drive 
the attainment of our plan in 2021 and 
beyond. We also have commenced a 
People Leadership Programme where 

we provided learning opportunities and 
feedback to 96% of our people leaders 
(anyone with more than four direct 
reports).

An online learning portal (Learning 
Management System) was implemented 
during 2020 and rolled out to all 
employees that allowed us to deliver a 
number of pieces of training, including 
Code of Conduct training, in multiple 
languages to all of our people. This tool 

is also being used for onboarding new 
employees and for training on new 
information technology tools such as our 
various cyber security applications. All of 
our employees have access to our learning 
management system.

We have six apprenticeships programmes 
in areas such as finance, human resources, 
information technology and logistics. 

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

73

SUSTAINABILITY

CONTINUED 

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
We believe that it is important to 
contribute to the communities in which 
we operate and this resonates well with 
our employees. We allow every employee 
to take a paid day’s leave to contribute 
to a charitable or worthy cause in the 
community. As COVID-19 made many 
volunteer activities difficult in 2020, we 
encouraged our employees to donate blood 
to help alleviate the shortages caused by 
COVID-19 and allowed them to use their 
community time off for this purpose.

Community activities in 2020:

•  A campaign to encourage our people 
to donate blood across the globe to 
help alleviate shortages caused by 
COVID-19 (we allowed them a paid day 
off in order to do this).

•  Our Southern California office 

participated in a clothing and food 
drive in September. We organised a 
curbside drop off for our employees 
working from home and we collected 
bags of clothing, baby essentials, and 
boxes of food.

•  In New Jersey during February we 

organised a food drive and donated 
over 300 kg of groceries to local food 
banks to help those in need.

•  Our team in Gloucester, Massachusetts, 
participated collected a similar amount 
of provisions for local food banks in 
March 2020.

Examples of community activities our 
people have engaged in from previous 
years across our various locations include: 

•  Collaboration with the local food banks, 
distributing food bundles by going door 
to door to underprivileged households. 

•  Collection of refuse in local fields and 
roadways. The total amount of refuse 
collected during one day exceeded  
100 kg. 

•  Helping to sort, distribute and prepare 
food for residents of the local Rescue 
Mission Centre. We have developed a 
good relationship over the past three 
years with this organisation that is local 
to our Southern California location. 

•  Food drives and collections at some of 
our other locations that are donated to 
local food banks. This has been done 
during the non-holiday season as this is 
when donations are most in need.

We believe that we should give back to 
the communities in which we work as they 
make up an integral part of our lives. 

The Group made cash donations to local 
charities totalling £1,490 in 2020.

74

SECTION 4:  
ENVIRONMENTAL 
LEADERSHIP

Our Sustainable Business Goal is to be 
the leader of our industry regarding 
environmental matters and minimise the 
impact we and our products have on the 
environment. This aligns with the UNSDG 
13 “Climate action”.

MANAGING ENVIRONMENTAL 
PERFORMANCE
XP Power is committed to be the world 
leader in our industry by reducing its 
impact on the environment. We will 
strive to improve our environmental 
performance by: 

•  As a minimum, complying with all 
relevant environmental legislation 
and regulations as they relate to each 
location and community in which we 
operate. 

•  Employ best practices to maximise the 
efficient use of resources to minimise 
waste and prevent pollution. 

not received any environmental fines 
or improvement notices in the last 12 
months.

•  Focus on promoting an environment 
of continuous improvement and 
risk mitigation through identifying 
objectives and setting measurable 
goals. 

•  Consider and respond to environmental 

issues through all phases of our 
product lifecycle. 

•  Communicating our environmental 

policy and objectives to our suppliers 
and employees and encourage their 
participation in environmental best 
practices.

Our Environmental Policy is available on 
our website at xppower.com/company/
policies.

The Company has an Environmental 
Management System with accredited 
certification to international standard 
ISO 14001:2015. Compliance is ensured 
through our internal audit process 
together with external assessments by 
our registrar, British Standards Institution 
(BSI). The Group has not had any 
environmental incidents in 2020 and has 

We continue to collaborate annually  
with the Carbon Disclosure Project. We 
submit our environment performance 
data to the Carbon Disclosure Project 
and this data is accessible through the 
Carbon Disclosure Project website at 
www.cdproject.net.

Our Environmental Committee consists 
of a network of site representatives who 
drive improvement in our environmental 
performance and promote awareness of 
environmental and sustainability matters 
amongst our people. The Committee is 
chaired by Sean Ross, who is also our Vice 
President of Quality Assurance. We also 
publish a quarterly “Green Newsletter” 
publicising and encouraging environmental 
and community initiatives. The 
contributions our people made to local 
communities are set out in the Community 
Partnerships section of this report. Polly 
Williams is the Non-Executive Director 
who provides oversight for environmental 
and climate matters. 

Green News

4th Quarter 2020

Issue 23

Step into the Season

Seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth’s rotational 
axis away or toward the sun as it travels through its 
year-long path around the sun.  They impact many 
parts of our daily lives. Climate and weather can 
affect much of what we do each day and allows for 
many different types of work, food, celebrations and 
recreation. Seasons invite us to embrace the energy of 
change as they transition.  For every season there is a 
purpose.

Green News

3rd Quarter 2020 issue.22

On Earth Day, lessons from Covid-19 pandemic offer hope

“Every emergency reveals that ‘impossible’ things are actually doable,” 

Positive Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment

The worldwide disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in numerous impacts on the environment and the
climate. The considerable decline in planned travel[2] has caused many regions to experience a large drop in air pollution. In
China, lockdowns and other measures resulted in a 25 per cent reduction in carbon emissions[3] and 50%reduction in nitrogen
oxides emissions which one Earth systems scientist estimated may have saved at least 77,000 lives over two months. Other
positive impacts on the environment include governance-system-controlled investments towards a sustainable energy transition
and other goals related to environmental protection such as the European Union's seven-year €1 trillion budget proposal and
€750 billion recovery plan "Next Generation EU" which seeks to reserve 25% of EU spending for climate-friendly expenditure 

U.S. Plastics Pact Vows to Make All 
Plastic Packaging Recyclable by 2025 

Plastic pollution is a global crisis that needs local 
solutions and one of the biggest opportunities where 
regional interventions can result in transformative 
change around the world, Government agencies and 
nonprofits are coming together to create a circular 
economy for plastics in the United States with 
environmental advocacy organizations like Ocean 
Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund around a 
series of goals to reduce single-use plastics by 2025.

75

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020STRATEGICREPORTSUSTAINABILITY 

CONTINUED

ENERGY AND GREENHOUSE 
GAS EMISSIONS 
The Group has taken a number of actions 
to reduce its energy consumption as 
follows:

•  Recycling of burn-in power used in 

manufacturing in China and Vietnam.

•  Efficient building insulation and air 
conditioning system in Vietnam. 

•  We believe our Vietnam facility to 

be the most environmentally friendly 
in our industry and it was the first 
building in Vietnam to be accredited 
with the BCA Gold Mark+ relating to its 
environmental performance.

•  We use high efficiency T6 or LED 

lighting in our facilities.

•  Vietnam and the UK have PV solar 
panels generating electricity from 
sunlight.

•  We provide electric car charging in our 
Californian and UK facilities for our 
employees to drive electric cars. 

However, by far the largest impact 
the Group can have on reducing CO2 
emissions is by developing and promoting 
its “XP Green Power” products, which 
had ultra-high efficiency and low standby 
power. These products consume less 
power and therefore result in lower 
CO2 emissions over the whole lifetime 
of the customer’s equipment. We are 
producing high-efficiency products with 
efficiency rates up to 95% while historical 
efficiencies in the industry have typically 
only been around 80%. 

As we have demonstrated in the past, 
the example below helps convey the 
significance of this delta in efficiency rating:

•  XP Power supplies a 95% efficient 
product to power a 100 watt load. 
105 watts of input power is required 
to deliver 100 watts at this level of 
efficiency.

•  Competitor supplies an 80% efficient 
product to power a 100 watt load. 
125 watts of input power is required 
to deliver 100 watts at this level of 
efficiency.

•  Moving from 80% efficiency to 95% 
is actually a five-fold saving in waste 
energy.

The waste heat as highlighted above is 
calculated in Watts. There is a significant 
difference considering there is a five-
fold improvement in energy wastage and 
the overall potential for savings will be 
throughout the entire lifetime of electronic 
equipment. To achieve these efficiency gains 
requires a greater number of higher cost 
components and more complex circuits.

“XP Green Power” products also have 
functionality that enables them to 
consume less energy when on standby 
mode while not powering the customers’ 
application. The return on investment of a 
higher-efficiency product can be captured 
in terms of consumption of electricity. The 
full payback on electricity costs is usually 
within the first year of use. Therefore, we 
continue to promote and encourage the 
use of these high efficiency products. 

We anticipate that the trend in the market 
through both demand and legislation for 
higher-efficiency products is expected to 
continue in the electronics industry. These 
legislative requirements are projected 
to extend across various industries from 
consumer equipment to the healthcare 
and industrial markets that we serve.

We measure our CO2 emissions in 
accordance with the internationally 
recognised Greenhouse Gas (GHG) 
Protocol and our metrics include Scope 
1 and Scope 2 emissions. Scope 3 CO2 
emissions represent estimated CO2 
emissions from air travel and paper usage. 
As the Group’s sustainability programmes 
develop we will capture more of our 
Scope 3 emissions and aim to reduce 
them and will disclose them in our annual 
sustainability report. 

The Group is targeting a 3% annual 
reduction in our CO2 emissions intensity 
metric. Actions in order to achieve this 
are reduction in burn in times for mature 
products, reduction of air freight to 
use more sea and rail and evaluation 
of packaging. However, our biggest 
contribution to reduction in CO2 emissions 
is from adoption of our “XP Green Power” 
products. The CO2 emission savings from 
these products consistency exceed the 
combination of our Scope 1 and Scope 2 
CO2 emissions.

“ We shipped “XP Green Power” 
products in 2020 with estimated 
lifetime CO2 savings of over 
117,000 tonnes.”

76

ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS DATA

Scope 1 (tCO2e)
Scope 2 – location based (tCO2e)

Total scope 1 and 2 (location)

Scope 3 (tCO2e)
Intensity ratio (per Group turnover) (tCO2e/£M)
Estimate lifetime savings from “XP Green Power” 
products (tCO2e) 

FY20

Global 
(excl UK)

9
6,283

6,292

550

UK

–
68

68

19

FY19

Global 
(excl UK)

12
5,321

5,333

429

Total

12
5,379

5,391

616
30.0

108,000

UK

–
58

58

187

Total

Emissions

9
6,351

6,360

569
29.7

117,000

Energy (kWh)

Oil 

Gas

Total non-renewable fuels consumption (kWh)

–

11,710

11,710

32,300

956,293

988,593

32,300

968,003

1,000,303

–

9,671

9,671

44,450

44,450

1,296,433

1,306,104

1,340,883

1,350,554

Total non-renewable electricity consumption (kWh)

123,725

10,668,213

10,791,938

150,511

9,907,011

10,057,522

Total non-renewable energy consumption (kWh)

135,435

11,656,806

12,792,241

160,182

11,247,894

11,408,076

Total renewable energy consumption (kWh)

Solar-generated electricity 

3,346

39,605

42,951

1,862

43,644

45,506

Total operational energy consumption (kWh)

138,781

11,696,411

12,835,192

162,044

11,291,538

11,453,582

ESTIMATED LIFETIME SAVINGS FROM “XP GREEN POWER” PRODUCTS

We have included the estimated lifetime 
savings from the “XP Green Power” 
products that we have shipped during 
2020 which is significant and even in 
one year more than offsets our Scope 
1 and Scope 2 CO2 emissions. This is a 
significant positive impact we are having 
on reduction of CO2 emissions.

These “XP Green Power” product are 
our high efficiency products, which 
consume less electricity while powering 
the load and while in standby mode when 
compared to the average power converter. 
In estimating these savings we have 
assumed the following:

•  An average power converter is 80% 

efficient (“XP Green Power” products 
are generally around 90% efficient).

•  The power converter will run for 8 

hours a day, 5 days a week, 50 weeks 
a year for 7 years in the customers’ 
equipment.

•  The customer will run the power 

converter at 75% of its rated power.

•  One kWh of electricity produces 

0.418 kg of CO2.

A power converter operating at 90% 
efficiency is actually wasting less than half 
what a power supply operating at 80% 
efficiency does. Consequently, the savings 
in energy and therefore CO2 emissions 
of the lifetime of the product are very 
compelling.

THIRD-PARTY VERIFICATION
For 2019 and 2020, we engaged Intertek 
to advise us on our how we should 
capture and report our environmental 
data. The accuracy of our energy, water, 
paper, solar power, green power and CO2 
emissions data disclosed in this report 
have been independently reviewed by 
Intertek.

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

7777

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020STRATEGICREPORTSUSTAINABILITY 

CONTINUED

WATER CONSUMPTION
We have determined that our operations 
are considered as low water usage and 
we do not have operations in any regions 
with high water-stress. Water is not used 
in the design, manufacturing or services 
of our products. However, XP Power 
recognises water is finite and therefore 
considers water management throughout 
all activities of the Company and that 
water should be treated in a manner that 
will protect it for future generations. We 
therefore try to limit water use and employ 
best practices to reduce its usage in all our 
facilities. This includes rainwater capture 
and reuse in our Vietnam facility and the 
deployment of reduced flush toilets in a 
number of our facilities. 

Our water usage is tracked and monitored 
as one of our key environmental metrics 
across the business. 

•  Engage with suppliers to encourage 

their participation in responsible water 
management best practices. 

Our Water policy is to: 

•  Employ best practices to maximise the 
efficient use of water and minimise 
pollution and waste. 

•  Regularly review and report on the 

water use of our facilities and activities. 

•  Commit to continuous improvement 
in responsible water management 
through identifying objectives and 
setting measurable goals. 

•  Involve and educate employees, 

contractors and customers in our water 
use programmes. 

•  Disengage with any suppliers who 
may be found to be negligent or 
non-compliant with responsible 
water management and who do not 
aggressively implement corrective 
actions.

Our Environmental Committee has 
ultimate oversight of the Water policy.

Our water policy is also available on 
our website at xppower.com/company/
policies.

WATER CONSUMPTION AND INTENSITY METRICS

Freshwater usage (m3)

Intensity ratio (m3 per £m revenue)
Intensity ratio (m3 per employee)
Average number of employees

2020

43,429

186

20.6

2,108

2019

30,478

152

16.4

1,859

2018

39,605

203

20.1

1,972

2017

39,480

237

20.2

1,953

2016

32,582

251

21.6

1,506

The reduction in water consumed in 2019 was the result of not requiring extra shifts of production at our China facility and a faulty 
water meter not recording the total amount of water used. We aim to reduce our water usage per employee by 3% per annum.

WASTE MANAGEMENT
XP Power is committed to be the world 
leader in our industry by reducing 
its impact on the environment. Our 
Environmental Committee is responsible 
for our Environmental Policy (available on 
our website at xppower.com/company/
policies) including waste management.

Our manufacturing processes produce 

2020 WASTE MANAGEMENT

Sent for recycling (kg)

Recycled solder received (kg)

Net waste professionally disposed

Recovery rate

Intensity ratio (kg per £m revenue)

relatively little waste. The main single 
source of waste is the excess solder from 
the wave solder machines, so called 
“solder dross”. This is returned to the 
manufacturer to be recycled into new 
solder. In 2020, we sent 8,579 kg of solder 
dross for recycling and received back 
5,602 kg of recycled solder, which is a 
65% recovery rate. 

We also use certain chemicals to clean 
flux from printed circuit boards, which 
is itself cleaned using activated carbon. 
We dispose of these chemicals and the 
containers in which they are delivered 
through a certified professional third 
party who is licensed to deal with safe 
disposal of these materials. Paper and 
other packaging is collected by recycling 
providers. 

Solder

8,579

5,602

2,977

65%

13

Hazardous waste

Total waste

–

–

10,415

0%

44

8,579

5,602

13,392

42%

57

The Group also recycled 301 (2019: 269) tonnes of paper and packaging during the year.

78

STRATEGIC
REPORT

SECTION 5:  
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS

Our Sustainable Business Goal is to 
reduce the CO2 emissions resulting from 
the use of our products and minimise the 
impact we and our products have on the 
environment. This aligns to the UNSDG 9 
“Industry, innovation and infrastructure” 
and 12 “Responsible consumption and 
production”.

BOOSTING INNOVATION
In order to have a sustainable business, 
we need to continue to develop products 
and solutions that are innovative and solve 
our customers’ power problems. When we 
engaged with our key customers in 2020 
regarding sustainability, product design 
was their top material impact and scored 
even higher than customer experience and 
satisfaction. 

Power conversion technology has been 
evolutionary rather than revolutionary 
advancing as new materials and 
components become commercially 
available rather than driven by completely 
new ways of rectifying or converting 
voltages. 

We consider that we have the broadest 
and most up-to-date product portfolio 
in our industry. Our engineering teams 
monitor and evaluate new components 
as they become available and their price 
points drop to a level where they become 
commercially viable in our products. We 
continue to integrate sustainability into 
our product design as follows:

•  Energy efficiency – We have 

consistently led the industry in 
developing high-efficiency “XP Green 
Power” products, in the industrial and 
medical sectors, which consume and 
therefore waste less electricity. This is 
while powering the application or while 
the application is on standby mode. 
This results in significantly reduced 
CO2 emissions over the lifetime of the 
customer’s equipment, which is often 
seven to eight years. We estimate that 
our high-efficiency products shipped in 
2020 alone will reduce CO2 emissions 
by over 117,000 tonnes over their 
lifetime of use. 

•  Novel materials – We have 

incorporated novel components into our 
higher-end products where economic 
to do so such as highly efficient silicon 
carbide devices. We have also made 
use of new semiconductor components 
for the control of our power supplies, 
which allow “soft switching” to obtain 
very high-efficiency rates and allow low 
standby power ratings to be achieved. 
There are some exciting developments 
in power transistor technology, which 
we will be using as soon as price 
points allow. This will allow significant 
reduction in the size of power 
converters and increase their efficiency 
in some applications.

•  Product lifecycle management – 

Our design processes consider the 
complete product lifecycle of our power 
conversion products from the outset. 
This means we are considering how 
the product will be disposed of and 
recycled at the end of its useful life 
before we design it. Interestingly the 
characteristics of a product which make 
it more energy efficient also increase 
its reliability and its useful lifetime. 
Highly efficient products run cooler, 
which increases the lifetime of the key 

components, which are sensitive to heat 
such as electrolytic capacitors. They 
also frequently allow the product to 
operate without an electromechanical 
fan to exhaust the waste heat – one of 
the most unreliable components of a 
traditional power conversion system.

•  Hazardous substances – We avoid the 
use of hazardous substances in our 
products facilitating their recycling at 
the end of their lifetime and reducing 
their impact on the environment. 

•  Low carbon manufacturing – As well 
as designing our products so they are 
highly efficient, we also consider the 
manufacturing process. Traditionally 
products undergo “burn-in” after 
manufacture to eliminate early failures 
by running them under stress. When 
we burn-in our products we recycle 
the power in the manufacturing facility 
to significantly reduce our carbon 
footprint. Burn-in cycles are monitored 
and reduced based on the defect data 
further reducing CO2 emissions.

•  Product safety – A power converter 

is a safety critical part of any electrical 
system or application as it provides the 
isolation barrier between the user of 
the end equipment and the potentially 
lethal high voltage mains electricity. 
A drug delivery system is an excellent 
example where a steel needle could 
be inserted into a vein of a patient, 
directly connected to the mains via 
a conducting solution containing 
the drug, passing through the drug 
delivery machine, connected to the 
mains via the power converter. All our 
products are 100% tested for isolation 
using a high voltage. In addition, all 
our medically approved products are 
100% tested for mains leakage current 
to ensure their absolute safety. All XP 
Power products come under the remit 
of our ISO9001 registration.

79

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020SUSTAINABILITY 

CONTINUED

80

RESPONSIBLE SOURCING
Code of Conduct
We have a comprehensive Code of 
Conduct that we regularly refresh. All 
of our employees are trained regarding 
our Code of Conduct to ensure they 
are aware and understand its contents 
(refer to page 66 for more information). 
We also require our suppliers to adhere 
to this Code of Conduct, which covers, 
amongst other things, diversity, modern 
slavery and human trafficking, health 
and safety, business integrity and ethics, 
environment and sustainability. Our 
supplier qualification and ongoing audit 
programme review compliance with our 
Code of Conduct and we will disengage 
with suppliers who do not meet these 
standards.

XP POWER’S CODE OF CONDUCT 
IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE 
AT XPPOWER.COM/COMPANY/
POLICIES

Conflict Minerals
XP Power supports the initiatives and 
regulations to avoid the use of any 
“conflict minerals”, which originate from 
mining operations in the Democratic 
Republic of the Congo (DRC) and adjoining 
countries. These involve tantalum, tin, 
tungsten and gold. We only purchase our 
electronic components from reputable 
sources and purchases of materials such 
as solder are only purchased from vendors 
who are on the Conformant Smelter & 
Refiner Lists. We also obtain information 
from our suppliers concerning the origin of 
the metals used in the manufacture of XP 
Power products. In this way, we can assure 
ourselves and our customers that we are 
not knowingly using conflict minerals in 
our products.

Our supply chain organisation is 
responsible for the qualification and 
ongoing monitoring or our suppliers.

XP POWER’S POLICY ON CONFLICT 
MINERALS IS SET OUT ON OUR 
WEBSITE AT XPPOWER.COM/
COMPANY/POLICIES

SECTION 6:  
ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE

Our Sustainable Business Goal is to have 
zero breaches of our Code of Conduct and 
uphold the highest standard of ethics and 
integrity. This aligns to the UNSDG 16 
“Peace, justice and strong institutions”.

Business ethics and compliance are 
extremely important to XP Power. The 
first of our five core values is Integrity 
and this is, therefore, embedded into our 
culture. It is also embedded into our Code 
of Conduct and the policies outlined in the 
following sub-sections. 

We ensure compliance with our Code of 
Conduct firstly by ensuring all employees 
are trained on its contents so they are 
aware of it and understand it. This occurs 
through our online Learning Management 
System on an annual basis. The Company 
also relies on our general financial 
controls, authority matrix and by general 
management oversight and review of 
financial and other reporting. In addition, 
we have an independent whistleblowing 
service available to employees who do not 
feel able to raise issues of concern to their 
line manager or their superior. The Audit 
Committee is responsible for monitoring 
and compliance matters are regularly 
reviewed by the Board of Directors.

Over the last three years, only one breach 
of our Code of Conduct was substantiated. 
This occurred in 2019 in our Chinese 
manufacturing facility and was brought to 
light through our whistleblowing process. 
The incident was investigated by a third 
party and involved collusion between two 
employees and a supplier, and resulted in 
the individuals concerned being summarily 
dismissed from the Company.

MODERN SLAVERY
XP Power supports the Modern Slavery 
Act 2015 and this is explicitly included 
within our Code of Conduct. We do not 
engage in any slavery or human trafficking 
activities and we are strongly against 
any offences of slavery, servitude forced 
labour and/or human trafficking. XP Power 
has also adopted a corporate policy, which 
has been communicated to all employees 
through our Code of Conduct. 

THIS POLICY IS AVAILABLE ON 
OUR WEBSITE AT XPPOWER.COM/
COMPANY/POLICIES

Modern Slavery Policy 
XP Power is committed to a work 
environment that is free from modern 
slavery. 

This is achieved by:

•  Communicating that as an organisation 
we do not engage and are strongly 
against any offences of slavery, 
servitude/forced labour and/or human 
trafficking.

•  Performing due diligence on our 

supply chain. We would immediately 
disengage with any supplier that does 
not have the same vision on forced 
labour as XP Power.

•  Complying with all relevant legislation 

including the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

•  Adopting this policy within our Code of 

Conduct.

This policy is supported by all levels of 
the XP Power organisation. Any abuse 
of human rights would be acted upon 
immediately and appropriate action taken. 

All of our employees are trained regarding 
our modern slavery policy through the 
annual Code of Conduct training managed 
through our online Learning Management 
System.

81

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020STRATEGICREPORTSUSTAINABILITY 

CONTINUED

WHISTLEBLOWING

XP Power is committed to an environment 
where open, honest communications 
are the expectation. Employees should 
be comfortable in bringing any concerns 
forward where they believe violations of 
policies or standards have occurred in the 
secure knowledge that they will be taken 
seriously and there will be no adverse 
repercussions where they have acted in 
good faith. This is embedded into our 
Code of Conduct.

We operate an internally well publicised 
confidential whistleblowing programme 
through an independent third party called 
“Speak Up” in every country in which we 
operate in the local language whatever that 
might be. This service allows employees to 
raise concerns over a website or phone in 
their local language on an anonymous basis 
if they wish. Any whistleblowing report is 
automatically reported to the Senior Non-
Executive Director by the independent 
third-party provider. 

Our whistleblowing policy encourages 
our employees to report issues that they 
are not comfortable raising with their line 
manager or their superior where they have 
a reasonable belief:

•  Our Code of Conduct has been breached.

•  A criminal offence has been committed, 
is being committed, or is likely to be 
committed.

•  A person has failed, is failing, or is likely 
to fail to comply with a legal obligation.

•  A miscarriage of justice has occurred, is 

occurring, or is likely to occur.

•  The Health and Safety of any individual 
has been, is being or is likely to be, 
endangered.

•  The environment has been, is being or 

is likely to be damaged.

•  Information tending to show any 

matter falling within any one of the 
above categories has been, is being or 
is likely to be deliberately concealed.

The “Speak Up” process is completely 
confidential and the Company protects 
employees who are whistleblowers from 
any detrimental treatment resulting from 
any whistleblowing providing they acted in 
good faith.

In 2019 there were two whistleblowing 
events, one of which could not be 
substantiated after thorough investigation. 
The other incident was investigated by a 
third party and involved collusion between 
two employees and a supplier and resulted 
in the individuals concerned being 
summarily dismissed from the Company. 
There were no whistleblowing events 
in 2020.

XP is proud to have a culture of openness 
and honesty; we have developed this 
independent ‘Speak Up’ process to 
guarantee that employee experiences of 
legal or ethical misconduct will be heard 

and acted upon quickly wherever it occurs 
within the business. The Company is 
committed to taking appropriate action 
with respect to all qualifying disclosures 
which are upheld.

ANTI-BRIBERY AND 
CORRUPTION 

It is the XP Power’s policy to conduct 
all of its business in an honest and 
ethical manner. We will not at any time 
take or give bribes or other means of 
inducement to obtain improper advantage. 
The Company takes a zero-tolerance 
approach to bribery and corruption and 
is committed to acting professionally, 
fairly and with integrity in all its business 
dealings and relationships wherever it 
operates and implementing and enforcing 
effective systems to counter bribery. 

Our policy on anti-bribery and corruption 
is embedded in our Code of Conduct on 
which all our employees receive annual 
training. Our Code of Conduct’s section 
on bribery and corruption is detailed and 
includes numerous examples so that our 
employees can clearly understand what 
is acceptable and what is not acceptable. 
The requirements of our Code of Conduct 
are communicated to our suppliers and 
they are required to comply with its 
provisions.

82

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

The Group has no direct relationships 
where it sells products or services to any 
government entity.

We use our online Learning Management 
System which was rolled out worldwide in 
2020 to manage and monitor the training 
of our employees. Our Code of Conduct 
was refreshed in 2020 and all employees 
were required to complete our Code of 
Conduct training and acknowledge that 
they understand the Code. 

The Board of Directors is ultimately 
responsible for compliance with all aspects 
of our Code of Conduct. There were no 
instances of bribery or corruption in 2020 
to which the executive management or 
Board were aware.

HUMAN RIGHTS

In accordance with our commitment to 
the United Nations Universal Declaration 
of Human Rights, we support and respect 
internationally recognised labour rights, 
including freedom of association, the 
avoidance of discrimination, the abolition 
of forced and child labour and antislavery 
legislation. We do not support forced 
and child labour and we expect the same 
commitment from our stakeholders.

Our policy on human rights is set out in 
our Code of Conduct and all employees 
are trained on this on an annual basis.

The Board of Directors is ultimately 
responsible for compliance with all aspects 
of our Code of Conduct including human 
rights. 

INFORMATION SYSTEMS 
AND TECHNOLOGY

The Group considers that it has 
appropriately robust and secure 
information technology (IT) systems while 
acknowledging that no IT system can be 
absolutely secure. 

The Group IT Director is responsible for 
the integrity and security of the IT systems 
and communications network. The Group 
has processes in place for penetration 
testing, data back-up and recovery. It 
also has various processes, software and 
hardware in place to prevent data security 
breaches and unauthorised access to the 
Group’s systems and data.

The Group also conducts regular cyber 
security training and awareness to ensure 
that our employees remain alert to cyber 
security threats.

TAX TRANSPARENCY

The Group is committed to compliance 
with all applicable tax laws and regulations 
in all the jurisdictions in which it operates 
or is required to make filings. All required 
tax filings are made accurately and on 
time with the relevant authorities. It is 
the Group’s policy not to engage in any 
aggressive tax planning or tax avoidance 
schemes.

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

83

STRATEGICREPORTG
O
V
E
R
N
A
N
C
E

READ ABOUT OUR LEADERSHIP 
STRUCTURE ON PAGe 92

READ ABOUT HOW WE DELIVER AN 
EFFECTIVE BOARD ON page 105

84

Contents

GOVERNANCE
CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION TO 
GOVERNANCE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT

REMUNERATION REPORT – ANNUAL REPORT

REMUNERATION POLICY

OTHER GOVERNANCE AND STATUTORY 
DISCLOSURES

STATEMENT BY DIRECTORS

86

88

90

102

110

116

119

127

132

133

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

85

GOVERNANCELETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN  
INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNANCE

I am pleased to introduce our 
Governance Report for the 
financial year ended  
31 December 2020. This 
report provides detailed 
information on how the 
Group is managed and the 
governance, culture and 
framework under which XP 
Power operates.

The Board remains committed to high 
standards of governance across the 
Group. We have reported against the UK 
Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the 
“Code”) issued by the Financial Reporting 
Council and our Governance Report, along 
with the information in the Strategic and 
Remuneration Reports, explains how we 
have applied its principles and provisions. 
Except for the independence of the 
Chairman, which we explain on page 99, 
each principle was applied and provision 
complied with throughout 2020 as 
required by the Listing Rules.

The Board considers that the Annual 
Report taken as a whole is fair, balanced 
and understandable. It provides the 
information necessary for Shareholders to 
assess the Group’s position, performance, 
business model and strategy. The February 
2021 Audit Committee meeting confirmed 
to us that the 2020 Annual Report and 
Accounts were true and fair, that the work 
of the external Auditor was effective, 
and that the process supporting the 
viability statement was robust. The Board 
asked the Executive Directors to provide 

evidence around the content and process 
for preparing the 2020 Annual Report and 
Accounts at our February 2021 Board 
meeting. Consequently, the Board is able 
to confirm that the 2020 Annual Report 
and Accounts taken as a whole are fair, 
balanced and understandable.

COVID-19

COVID-19 has brought unprecedented 
challenges to the world and to XP Power. 
We quickly established the clear  
priorities of:

1.  Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of 

our people;

2.  Keeping our customers supplied with 

product; and

3.  Preserving our cash.

These priorities immediately became the 
guiding principles of how we managed 
through 2020. The pandemic resulted in 
strong demand from our customers who 
provide critical care equipment to treat 
COVID-19 patents. This placed significant 
strain on our supply chain, which itself was 
constrained due to supply issues early in 
the pandemic. We were able to respond 
decisively to get product rapidly flowing 
to these customers to enable lives to 
be saved. Our people are very proud of 
what we were able to achieve in the most 
challenging of circumstances and we are 
proud of their outstanding efforts.

READ MORE  
ON PAGE 39

James Peters 
Chairman

“ The Board remains 
committed to high 
standards of governance 
across the Group.”

86

PURPOSE AND CULTURE

The role of the Board is to promote 
the long-term sustainable success of 
the Company, generating value for 
Shareholders. In order to achieve this, 
we have established a clear vision: “To be 
the first-choice power solutions provider 
delivering the ultimate experience to 
our customers and our people”, and a 
clear purpose of “Powering the world’s 
critical systems”. We have defined the 
core values, which shape our culture and 
contribute to our success, which are: 
Integrity, Knowledge, Speed, Flexibility 
and Customer Focus. The Board have 
reviewed our culture with the Executive 
Directors and are satisfied that the 
Company’s culture and workforce policies 
and practices are consistent and align with 
its purpose, strategy and values.

READ MORE  
ON PAGE 95

DIVISION OF 
RESPONSIBILITIES

It is the responsibility of the Chairman 
to manage the Board and ensure it is 
effective. We encourage a culture of 
openness and debate to ensure all views 
are heard and taken into consideration. 
The CEO and CFO ensure that Directors 
receive accurate, timely, clear and relevant 
information in order to discharge their 
duties.

There is clear division of responsibility 
between the Chairman, who responsible 
for the management of the Board, and 
the CEO, who is responsible for the 
day-to-day running of the Company and 
execution of our strategy.   

STRATEGY

We have deployed a consistent strategy 
over many years, which we continue to 
refine, review and constructively challenge 
as a Board as the business continues to 
grow and develop. We have reviewed 
this strategy again in 2020 and made 
refinements where appropriate. We are 
pleased to report that we have, again, 
executed well against our strategy as 
evidenced by the results we have achieved 
and progress we have made. 

Many of our employees have been 
working from home and we have stayed 
connected with them through frequent 
all hands employee meetings over video 
with questions and answers. We have also 
conducted a number of employee surveys. 
Two of these surveys specifically related 
to COVID-19 and the challenges  
of working from home.

FUTURE OF XP POWER

We have confidence in our strategy and 
business model and the Management 
team in place to execute our strategic 
plans. The business has performed 
strongly over a significant period of time 
despite numerous external challenges. We 
remain confident and excited regarding 
the long-term prospects for the future of 
XP Power. 

READ MORE  
ON PAGES 32 AND 36

James Peters 
Chairman

WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT

2 March 2021

Workforce engagement has been 
particularly important in 2020 due to 
the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the 
restrictions on international travel, we 
have endeavoured to stay close to our 
employees and support them during this 
difficult time. We have ensured that our 
managers take extra time to check in with 
their teams who are working from home. 

“ Our purpose is to power 
the world’s critical 
systems.”

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

87

GOVERNANCEBOARD OF DIRECTORS 

BOARD ROLE

 Chairman 

 Executive Director 

 Senior Non-Executive Director  

 Non-Executive Director

JAMES PETERS 

DUNCAN PENNY 

GAVIN GRIGGS 

ANDY SNG 

 CHAIRMAN

  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

  CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
OFFICER

  EXECUTIVE VICE 
PRESIDENT, ASIA

Date of appointment:  
30 June 2014

Executive/Non-Executive: 
Non-Executive 

Committee Membership:  
Nomination (Chair)

Independent: No

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

•  James founded XP Power 

in November 1988. 

•  Appointed European 
Managing Director in 
April 2000, responsible 
for the development of 
the Group’s European 
business.

•  Became Deputy Chairman 
in February 2003 and 
moved to a Non-Executive 
role in May 2012, before 
his appointment as Non-
Executive Chairman in 
June 2014.

EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS: 

None 

Date of appointment: 
Duncan joined the Group in 
April 2000 as Group Finance 
Director and became  
Chief Executive Officer on  
3 February 2003 until  
31 December 2020. Duncan 
will be stepping down from 
the Board at the Company’s 
AGM scheduled for 20 April 
2021.

Executive/Non-Executive: 
Executive

Committee Membership: 
None

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

•  Extensive experience of 

corporate finance matters.

•  Worked for LSI Logic 
Corporation for eight 
years where he held senior 
financial positions in both 
Europe and Silicon Valley.

•  Controller for the 

European, Middle Eastern 
and African regions of Dell 
Computer Corporation 
between 1998 and 2000.

EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS: 

Date of appointment:  
Gavin joined the Group on 
31 October 2017 as Chief 
Financial Officer. Gavin was 
appointed Chief Executive 
Officer with effect from 
1 January 2021.

Executive/Non-Executive: 
Executive 

Committee Membership: 
None

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

•  CIMA qualified accountant 
who has worked in a range 
of acquisitive businesses 
with an international 
footprint.

•  Held senior finance roles 

at Logica, Sodexo, PepsiCo 
and SABMiller.

•  Served as CFO of 

Alternative Networks 
plc, a listed Information 
Technology and 
Telecommunications 
provider, prior to its 
acquisition by Daisy in 
December 2016 when he 
became Group Finance 
Director for Daisy Group.

Date of appointment:  
24 April 2007

Executive/Non-Executive: 
Executive

Committee Membership: 
None

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

•  Over 16 years in the 

power converter industry.

•  Graduated from Nanyang 
Technological University 
with a degree in Electrical 
and Electronic Engineering 
and an MBA from 
Manchester Business 
School.

•  Prior to joining the 

Group, held technical and 
commercial roles with 
companies such as Silicon 
Systems (Singapore) and 
Advanced Micro Devices 
(Singapore).

EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS: 

None

•  Duncan is a non-executive 

director of The Vitec 
Group plc.

EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS: 

None

88

TERRY TWIGGER 

POLLY  WILLIAMS 

PAULINE LAFFERTY 

  SENIOR NON-
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR

  NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR

Date of appointment: 
1 January 2015

Date of appointment:  
1 January 2016

Date of appointment: 
3 December 2019

Executive/Non-Executive: 
Non-Executive

Executive/Non-Executive: 
Non-Executive

Executive/Non-Executive: 
Non-Executive

Committee Membership: 
Audit (Chair), Nomination, 
Remuneration

Committee Membership: 
Audit, Nomination, 
Remuneration 

Committee Membership: 
Remuneration (Chair), Audit, 
Nomination

Independent: Yes

Board representative for ESG

Independent: Yes

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

•  Between July 1993 and 
May 2013, Terry spent 
20 years with Meggitt 
PLC, the FTSE 100 global 
engineering group

•  For the last 12 years at 

Meggitt, Terry was Chief 
Executive Officer and 
grew its revenues from 
£0.4 billion to £1.6 billion 
through a combination 
of organic growth and 
numerous successful 
acquisitions.

EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS: 

None

Independent: Yes

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

•  Polly is a chartered 

accountant and a former 
Partner at KPMG LLP. 
She resigned from her 
partnership in 2003 and 
has since held a number of 
non-executive directorship 
roles. 

EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS: 

Polly is currently a non-
executive director at: 

•  Jupiter Fund Management 

plc; and

•  Royal Bank of Canada 

Europe Ltd.

•  She is also a Trustee of the 
Guide Dogs for the Blind 
Association.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

•  Pauline was formerly Chief 
People Officer at The 
Weir Group plc, a position 
she held between 2011 
and 2017. Prior to that, 
she worked in executive 
search from 1998 to 
2011, as a partner with 
The Miles Partnership and, 
previously, as an executive 
director at Russell 
Reynolds Associates. 

EXTERNAL 
APPOINTMENTS: 

Pauline currently holds non-
executive positions at: 

•  Centurion Group; and

•  Scottish Event Campus 

Limited (SEC).

CHANGES TO THE BOARD

Duncan Penny stepped 
down as Chief Executive 
Officer on 31 December 
2020 and will step down 
from the Board at the 
Annual General Meeting 
scheduled for 20 April 2021.

Gavin Griggs was appointed 
Chief Executive Officer with 
effect from  
1 January 2021.

As described in the 
Remuneration Committee 
report Pauline Lafferty 
took over the Chair and 
position of Designated 
Non-Executive Director from 
Polly Williams with effect 
from 1 December 2020.

89

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCECORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
STATEMENT 2020

Compliance with the UK 
Corporate Governance  
Code 2018
The Board of Directors’ primary remit is 
to provide direction to help shape the 
strategy of the Group and ensure that 
this is being executed effectively within a 
structure that is well controlled, mitigates 
risk and is compliant with corporate and 
social responsibility. Good corporate 
governance emanates from the top, 
which is why the Board gives continued 
prominence to this area.

The Financial Reporting Council updated 
The UK Corporate Governance Code 
and that new update came into effect 
for accounting periods beginning after 
1 January 2019 (the “Code”). We were 
compliant with the new Code throughout 
2020, with the exception of the 
independence of the Chairman, which we 
explain on page 101. 

We have tried to clearly lay out on the 
following pages how we meet the five 
principles of the Code, namely: (1) Board 
leadership and Company purpose, (2) 
division of responsibilities, (3) composition, 
succession and evaluation, (4) audit, risk 
and internal control, and (5) remuneration. 

Under the Singapore Companies Act, 
Chapter 50, the Company is not required 
to follow the Singapore Corporate 
Governance Code. The Company has 
voluntarily agreed to the principles of 
corporate governance contained in the UK 
Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”) 
as required under the Listing Rules of the 
Financial Services Authority of the United 
Kingdom.

James Peters 
Chairman

Gavin Griggs 
Chief Executive Officer

2 March 2021

OUR APPROACH TO GOVERNANCE

Code principles

01

BOARD LEADERSHIP AND COMPANY PURPOSE

A   Effective Board (page 100)

B   Purposes, values and culture (pages 8 and 9)

C   Governance framework and Board resources (page 92)

D   Stakeholder engagement (pages 96 and 97)

E   Workforce policies and practices (page 98)

02

DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

F   Board roles (page 100)

G   Independence (page 101)

H   External commitments and conflicts of interest (page 101)

I   Key activities of the Board in 2020 (page 94)

03

COMPOSITION, SUCCESSION AND EVALUATION

J   Appointments to the Board (pages 102–109)

K   Board skills, experience and knowledge (page 105)

L   Annual Board evaluation (pages 108 and 109)

04

AUDIT, RISK AND INTERNAL CONTROL

M    Financial reporting (pages 48–51)  

External Auditor and internal audit (pages 136–140)

N    Review of the 2020 Annual Report (pages 141–191)

O   Internal financial controls (page 99)

05

REMUNERATION

P   Linking remuneration with purpose and strategy (pages 116–131)

Q   Remuneration Policy review (pages 127–131)

R   Performance outcomes in 2020 and strategic targets (page 120)

9090

GOVERNANCE

BOARD LEADERSHIP AND COMPANY PURPOSE

DRIVING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

XP Power’s long-term success is founded 
upon a clear purpose of powering the 
world’s critical systems and supporting 
strategy, which considers the views and 
needs of its many stakeholders.

The diagram below sets out the Board’s 
contribution to the long-term success of 
the Company while ensuring responsible 
governance, strategy implementation and 
oversight of operations.

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 READ MORE ON PAGES 
32 TO 36

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SUPPORTING  
XP POWER’S  
LONG-TERM  
SUCCESS

Addressing  
material issues to 
deliver a sustainable 
proposition for 
investors

 READ MORE ON PAGES 
62 TO 83

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

9191

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT 

CONTINUED

LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AUDIT  COMMITTEE

CHAIR: TERRY TWIGGER

Provides oversight of the financial 
reporting, audit process, the Company’s 
systems of internal controls and 
compliance with laws and regulations 

INTERNAL AUDIT
Provide assurance that the Company’s 
risk management, governance and 
internal controls are operating 
effectively

CHAIRMAN

Managing and providing leadership to 
the Board of Directors

SENIOR NON-EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR
Supporting the Chairman in his role 
and acting as an intermediary for other 
Directors

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
CHAIR: PAULINE LAFFERTY

Sets the policy for the remuneration of 
the Executive Directors and Executive 
Leadership team

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Challenging and supporting the 
Executive Directors and acting in 
the best interest of the Company’s 
stakeholders

NOMINATION COMMITTEE
CHAIR: JAMES PETERS

Review and consider the appointment 
of new Directors and succession 
planning for the Board and Executive 
Leadership team

DESIGNATED  
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ensuring the views and concerns of the 
workforce are brought to the Board 
and taken into account in discussions 
and decisions

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Manages the overall operations 
and resources of the Company in 
accordance with the strategy approved 
by the Board 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Design, develop and implement 
strategic plans and provide leadership 
to the organisation

READ MORE ABOUT THE BOARD’S 
RESPONSIBILITIES ON PAGE 100

9292

BOARD MEETINGS

The Board met five times, excluding 
committee meetings, during 2020 and 
all Directors attended every meeting. 
In addition, there were a series of 
meetings with management outside of 

the formal Board meetings to review 
risk management, product lifecycle 
management, people plans, and the 
Corporate Governance Code. 

An estimate of how the Board spent its 
time during 2020 is shown in the graphic.

BOARD MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE 2020

MEETINGS

ATTENDANCE (%)

JAMES PETERS

DUNCAN PENNY

GAVIN GRIGGS

ANDY SNG

TERRY TWIGGER

POLLY WILLIAMS

PAULINE LAFFERTY

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

HOW THE BOARD SPENT  
ITS TIME

Strategy, performance and operations (35%)

Committee matters (15%)

Governance and risk management (15%)

Reviews with senior management (20%)

Workforce/stakeholder engagement (10%)
Reviewing implications of COVID-19 (5%)

93

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCECORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT 

CONTINUED

BOARD ACTIVITIES IN 2020

Main areas:

STAKEHOLDER 
ENGAGEMENT

STRATEGY AND 
OPERATIONS

COMMITTEE  
MATTERS

KEY ACTIVITIES AND DISCUSSIONS

KEY ACTIVITIES AND DISCUSSIONS

KEY ACTIVITIES AND DISCUSSIONS

•  Reviewed results of employee 

•  Reviewed Company strategy with 

•  Search for new Chief Executive 

surveys and Shareholder feedback

Executive Directors

Officer

FUTURE PRIORITIES

•  Review results of 2021 employee 
engagement survey and resulting 
actions and progress

•  Review results of new stakeholder 
surveys and resulting actions  

•  Continue to consult with 

Shareholders on remuneration 
matters

•  Reviewed business performance 
and strategic priorities at each 
Board meeting

FUTURE PRIORITIES

•  Continue to monitor progress 

against strategic priorities at each 
Board meeting

•  Further reviews with senior 
managers below Board level

•  Development of new remuneration 

policy

•  Continuing to evolve the Group’s 
risk and compliance framework 
and ongoing review of the new 
ERP system

FUTURE PRIORITIES

•  Chief Financial Officer search

•  Succession planning and talent 

STAKEHOLDERS CONSIDERED

•  Annual review of strategy

management

STAKEHOLDERS CONSIDERED

•  External audit tender

STAKEHOLDERS CONSIDERED

FINANCIAL AND RISK 
MANAGEMENT

COMMERCIAL  
MATTERS

KEY ACTIVITIES AND DISCUSSIONS

KEY ACTIVITIES AND DISCUSSIONS

•  Inventory and cost management 

during semiconductor 
manufacturing equipment and 
critical healthcare ramp

•  Preservation of cash during 

COVID-19 pandemic 

FUTURE PRIORITIES

•  Operating cash conversion 

•  Keeping customers supplied with 
product during the COVID-19 
pandemic

•  Geographical diversification of 
supply chain to build increased 
supply chain resilience

•  Closure of Minden facility and 
production move to Vietnam

•  Maintaining and raising operating 

margins 

FUTURE PRIORITIES

•  Transfer higher running 

STAKEHOLDERS CONSIDERED

engineering services production 
from North America to Vietnam to 
reduce costs

•  Manage geographic impact of 

COVID-19

•  Growth and product development 

opportunities

STAKEHOLDERS CONSIDERED

SUSTAINABILITY

KEY ACTIVITIES AND DISCUSSIONS

•  Ensuring the safety and wellbeing 

of our people

•  Engaging with our stakeholders 

to understand their sustainability 
issues to enhance our strategy 

FUTURE PRIORITIES

•  Maintaining the safety and 
wellbeing of our people

•  Developing our sustainability 

strategy 

STAKEHOLDERS CONSIDERED

KEY  

 People  

 Customers  

 Investors  

 Suppliers  

 Communities  

 The Environment

9494

GOVERNANCE

PROMOTING A POSITIVE CULTURE
OUR CULTURE JOURNEY

The Board is responsible for the culture of the Company. Its role is to influence and monitor culture to 
ensure we are emulating desired beliefs and behaviours in and outside the boardroom and identifying 
areas where culture is embedded strongly and where there are gaps. The Board has been on a journey to 
help influence the right culture throughout the Company, as set out below:

2018

January 
Anonymous online cultural survey conducted

April
Board visited and engaged with employees in 
Boston, Silicon Valley and Orange County

May 
Glassman acquisition – core values training 
and roll out of XP Power performance 
management system

2019

January
Anonymous online cultural survey conducted

May
Board visited and engaged with employees in 
China, Vietnam and Singapore

September
Leaders surveyed on culture – Executive 
Management team workshop to critically 
evaluate XP Power culture

October
Executive Management team presents 
the results of the workshop on culture 
to the Board – feedback provided to the 
organisation

2020

January
Anonymous online cultural survey conducted 

February
Board reviewed results and actions from the 
cultural survey 

June
Chief People Officer appointed

October
People and organisational review process 
implemented

December
New employee engagement survey and 
process  implemented

HOW THE BOARD MONITORED CULTURE IN 2020

ACTION

DESCRIPTION

REVIEWED 
RESULTS AND 
UPDATES FROM 
EMPLOYEE 
ENGAGEMENT 
SURVEYS

The Board have continued to review the results 
of cultural and engagement surveys during 
2020. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, we 
have been able to monitor trends in employee 
satisfaction and understanding how the 
Company’s core values have been embraced.

NEW CHIEF 
PEOPLE OFFICER

People and organisational reviews have been 
conducted with each member of the Executive 
Leadership Team. The new Chief People Officer 
presented to the Board in October 2020. 

NEW 
ENGAGEMENT 
SURVEY

A new Gallup engagement survey was introduced 
in December 2020, which will be used to drive 
even higher employee engagement in 2021.

CODE OF 
CONDUCT 
TRAINING

Our Code of Conduct was refreshed and rolled 
out to all employees including reinforcement of 
our core values of: Integrity, Knowledge, Speed, 
Flexibility and Customer Focus.

SENIOR 
LEADERSHIP 
WORKSHOPS

The Executive Leadership Team engaged with all 
leaders in the organisation through a series of 
three workshops covering strategy and priorities 
for 2021 and beyond. Leaders communicated 
these materials and the outcome from these 
sessions back to their teams.

SUSTAINABILITY 
IMPACT 
ASSESSMENT

During Q4 of 2020, we engaged with our 
employees to understand what sustainability 
impacts are most important to them. This has 
been factored into our sustainability strategy. 
The Board will be reviewing this work in 2021.

READ MORE ABOUT XP POWER’S CULTURE 
AND VALUES ON  PAGES 8 AND 9

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

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CONTINUED

ENGAGING WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS
How the Board engaged with stakeholders this year

MATERIALITY ASSESSMENT

During the later part of 2020, we engaged a number of our key stakeholder 
groups through a comprehensive survey followed up by a number of discussions 
to understand what aspects of sustainability were most important to them. This 
included our employees, customers and suppliers. We are pleased to report that 
there is very close alignment between the Company’s materiality assessment and 
those of our stakeholders.

“ We are pleased to report 
that there is very close 
alignment between the 
Company’s materiality 
assessment and those of 
our stakeholders.”

EMPLOYEES

CUSTOMERS

SUPPLIERS

•  We surveyed our key customers 

in Q4 of 2020 to understand what 
their top material issues were. This 
was followed up in a number of 
meetings.

•  In addition, we are able to 

engage  with some of our larger 
key customers who hold regular 
business reviews to assess 
key performance indicators, 
product road maps and other 
developments.

WE IDENTIFIED THAT OUR 
CUSTOMERS’ TOP THREE 
MATERIAL ISSUES WERE: 

1.  Product design, quality and safety

2.  Customer experience and 

satisfaction

3.  Manufacturing capability and 

flexibility

•  We surveyed our key suppliers in 
Q4 of 2020 to understand their 
top material issues using a similar 
process to that used with our 
customers.

•  We also hold business reviews 
with our key suppliers to assess 
performance levels regarding on 
time delivery, quality and cost. 
We will also engage with them 
regarding their product road 
map and market dynamics as 
appropriate. Regular audits of our 
key suppliers are conducted to 
ensure compliance with our Code 
of Conduct.

WE IDENTIFIED THAT  
OUR SUPPLIERS’ TOP THREE 
ISSUES WERE:

1.  Customer experience and 

satisfaction

2.  Product design, quality and safety

3.  Brand value and reputation

•  We formally engage with our 
employees by conducting an 
annual cultural survey. We 
changed our survey partner to 
Gallup in December 2020 and 
focused this activity firmly on 
employee engagement.

•  We also conducted numerous 
all hands meetings and specific 
surveys as we navigated the 
COVID-19 pandemic during the 
year.

•  We also held a number of 

leadership workshops in during 
the year where the Executive 
Leadership Team presented 
strategy and priorities to our 
leaders and obtained their 
feedback.

WE IDENTIFIED THAT OUR 
EMPLOYEES’ TOP THREE MATERIAL 
ISSUES WERE:

1.  Attracting, retaining and rewarding 

talent

2.  Customer experience and 

satisfaction

3.  Product portfolio expansion and 

innovation

96

ENGAGEMENT WITH SHAREHOLDERS

FORMAL INVESTOR MEETINGS

The CEO, CFO and investor relations have conducted 
numerous investor meetings during 2020, generally over 
video due to the situation with COVID-19. In addition, the 
CEO and CFO have attended a number of virtual investor 
conferences including one for North American based 
investors.

The Remuneration Committee Chair held discussions with 
major Shareholders to consult them regarding the Company’s 
new remuneration policy put before Shareholders in April 
2020.

The Chairman offered and attended a number of meetings 
with major Shareholders regarding CEO succession in 
October 2020.

FEEDBACK FROM BROKERS AND 
FINANCIAL PR

As well as obtaining feedback directly from Shareholders, 
the Board reviews formal feedback on various investor 
roadshows obtained from brokers and our financial PR 
company. The Board also reviews analyst notes and other 
financial articles concerning the Company.

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

KEY THEMES DISCUSSED

We review feedback from Shareholders and other 
stakeholders and take this into consideration when drafting 
our Annual Report and Accounts. We make our Annual 
Report and Accounts available on our website as soon as it is 
practicable following our final earnings release.

CORPORATE WEBSITE

The Company makes every effort to ensure that its corporate 
website contains material that is useful to Shareholders and 
other stakeholders. This includes an investor alert service and 
a number of short videos covering what our product does, 
our markets, our strategy, our business model, growth drivers 
and our investment proposition.

We also publish a video presentation of our interim and 
final results, so all our Shareholders can benefit from 
communication directly from the CEO and CFO.

The following key themes have been discussed with 
Shareholders during 2020: 

•  CEO succession

•  Managing with the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic

•  Supply chain consequences of COVID-19 and the 

challenges of ramping capacity to meet Healthcare and 
Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturing demand

•  Cycles within the Semiconductor Equipment 

Manufacturing sector and changes in technology

•  Drivers for 2020 and 2021 within the Company’s 

Healthcare customer base

•  The Company’s remuneration policy

•  The Company’s dividend policy

•  Our longer-term prospects

97

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CONTINUED

DESIGNATED NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT

HOW WE ENGAGED  
WITH OUR WORKFORCE 
THIS YEAR

The COVID-19 pandemic meant that it 
was not possible for us to travel freely 
and engage with our employees around 
the world in the same way we could do in 
previous years. We were able to continue 
to conduct and review the various cultural 
and engagement surveys as we have done 
in prior years. In addition, we reviewed 
specific pulse surveys conducted by 
Executive management to determine 
how our people were coping during the 
pandemic, particularly those who were 
working from home.

WORKFORCE PRACTICES 
AND POLICIES

We have been very supportive of the clear 
priorities set by Executive management 
from the very start of the pandemic. These 
were: (1) ensuring the safety and wellbeing 
of our people; (2) keeping product flowing 
to our customers; and (3) conserving our 
cash. We were also highly supportive of 
the frequent (multiple per week) all hands 
meetings held by management to keep our 
employees connected. The results of the 
surveys show these were well received 
and our employees considered that we 
were managing the pandemic well. 

Q  HOW DO YOU ENSURE THE 

EMPLOYEE VOICE IS HEARD  
ON THE BOARD?

With my background as a Chief People 
Officer, this is a matter to which I give 
great importance and I always ensure the 
voice of employees is considered in any 
Board discussions or decisions that could 
affect them.

We have a number of processes to ensure 
the views of employees are solicited.

As well as the various surveys that we 
review, we also have a confidential 
whistleblowing service that is 
administered by an independent third 
party and available in multiple languages. 
We did not have any whistleblowing 
events in 2020.

Q   WHAT WERE SOME  

OF THE KEY HIGHLIGHTS 
IN 2020?

2020 has been extremely challenging 
due to the COVID-19 pandemic; not only 
the challenges in managing the strong 
demand we experienced by our customers 
supplying critical care devices but also 
the pressure our employees were under 
due to the pandemic and adjusting to 
working from home. I believe the results 
of  our surveys have shown we managed 
this very well. Another key highlight 
in 2020 was the appointment of Anna 
Mealings as Chief People Officer in June. 
Anna comes with a wealth of experience 
and this appointment demonstrates the 
Board’s ambition for the business and the 
importance that our people play in the 
future development of the business.

Q  WHAT AREAS DOES THE 

BOARD WANT TO FOCUS ON 
IN FUTURE?

We have not been able to have the same 
face-to-face engagement with employees 
that we had in previous years due to 
COVID-19. I hope that travel restrictions 
will ease in 2021 and we will be able to 
resume this type of engagement. The 
business has grown significantly over the 
past few years and we have invested in 
the systems and processes to ensure we 
can support that growth. There is more 
work to do to continue to upgrade and 
develop the talent of our people.  

Pauline Lafferty 
Designated Non-Executive Director  
for Workforce Engagement

WORKFORCE 
ENGAGEMENT PROCESS

THE BOARD

AUDIT COMMITTEE

ENGAGEMENT WITH THE 
WORKFORCE

– DNED, Pauline Lafferty

LIVE COMMUNICATION 
MEETINGS

SPECIFIC ANONYMOUS 
EMPLOYEE SURVEYS

CONFIDENTIAL, 
INDEPENDENT 
WHISTLEBLOWING 
HOTLINE 

98

CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF THE 
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

Certain Directors are available at the 
Annual General Meeting to answer any 
questions from Shareholders.

However, given that we have a 
Singaporean Parent Company, we 
recognise it is not generally convenient 
for our UK-based investors to attend this 
meeting. The Chief Executive Officer and 
Chief Financial Officer do, however, make 
themselves readily available throughout 
the year to answer questions from 
Shareholders.

Interested parties are also able to register 
for the Group’s email alert service on this 
website to receive timely announcements 
and other information published from time 
to time.

The Chairman and Senior Independent 
Director are available to meet 
Shareholders if required. The Board 
members receive any feedback prepared 
by brokers or our financial PR company 
following meetings with Shareholders in 
order to keep in touch with Shareholders’ 
opinions.

The Remuneration Committee consulted 
with major Shareholders in respect 
of significant decisions on Executive 
remuneration including the Company’s 
new remuneration policy put before 
Shareholders at the April 2020 Annual 
General Meeting.

INTERNAL CONTROL

As might be expected in a group of this size, 
a key control procedure is the day-to-day 
supervision of the business by the Executive 
Directors supported by managers within the 
Group companies. Examples of key controls 
with respect to ongoing processes include:

•  Authority matrices are in place to 

clearly define who is able to authorise 
particular transactions, transfer funds, 
commit Company resources and enter 
into particular agreements.

•  Monthly reporting of management 
accounts and key metrics to senior 
management with performance 
measured to budget and material 
variances reported to the Board.

•  Quality control checks throughout 
our manufacturing process, burn-
in, electrical testing to detect early 
failures, 100% functional testing, and 
quality inspection.

•  Disaster recovery and business 

continuity plans are in place at all 
our key facilities, documented and 
communicated to key personnel to help 
cope with unexpected events.

•  An internal audit and risk assurance 

programme is operating.

•  The Audit Committee reviews the 
effectiveness of internal controls.

SHAREHOLDER 
COMMUNICATION

In order for the Company to meet its 
responsibilities to Shareholders and 
stakeholders, the Board should ensure 
effective engagement with, and encourage 
participation from, these parties.

The Group engages in two-way 
communication with both its institutional 
and private investors and responds quickly 
to all queries received. The Group uses its 
website xppowerplc.com to give private 
investors access to the same information 
that institutional investors receive in 
terms of investor presentations. This 
includes video interviews with the Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer available on the morning of the 
day that the interim and annual results 
are published. The Company also makes 
available a number of informational videos 
on its investor relations website which 
cover products, markets, strategy, business 
model, growth drivers and its investment 
proposition.

99

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CONTINUED

DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES 
The Chairman leads the Board and is responsible for its overall 
effectiveness in directing the Company.

The Chairman should demonstrate objective judgement 
throughout their tenure and promote a culture of openness 
and debate. In addition, the Chair facilitates constructive Board 
relations and the effective contribution of all Non-Executive 
Directors, and ensures that Directors receive accurate, timely and 
clear information.

The roles of Non-Executive Chairman (James Peters) and Chief 
Executive Officer (Gavin Griggs) are separate and clearly defined. 
The Chairman is responsible for the running of Board meetings. 
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the day-to-day 
running of the Company and the execution of the strategy.

In order to ensure the Board is effective, we review and monitor 
the skill set of the Directors. We also ensure there is a clear 
division of responsibilities as set out below. These principles are 
demonstrated through the skills matrix on the following page.

SENIOR NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The senior Non-Executive Director supports the Chairman in their role. They also 
lead the Non-Executive Directors in the annual evaluation of the Chairman. The 
senior Non-Executive Director is also available to Shareholders in the event they have 
concerns that contact through the Chairman, CEO or CFO has failed to resolve.

Terry Twigger is the senior Non-Executive Director.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Other than their normal attendance and participation in discussions at Board meetings 
the Non-Executive Directors actively participate in the review and determination of 
the Company’s strategy.

The following matters are specifically reserved for the Board’s decision:

•  Opinion on the Group’s viability and going concern.

•  Approval of strategic plans, financial plans and budgets and any material changes 

to them.

•  Oversight of the Group’s operations, ensuring competent and prudent 

management, sound planning, an adequate system of internal control and adequate 
accounting and other records.

•  Changes to the structure, size and composition of the Board.

•  Consideration of the independence of Non-Executive Directors.

•  Review of management structure and senior management responsibilities.

•  With the assistance of the Remuneration Committee, approval of remuneration 

policies across the Group.

•  Final approval of annual financial statements and accounting policies.

•  Approval of the dividend policy.

•  Approval of the acquisition or disposal of subsidiaries and major investments and 

capital projects.

•  Delegation of the Board’s powers and authorities, including the division of 

responsibilities between the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and the other 
Executive Directors.

DESIGNATED NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The designated Non-Executive Director is responsible for engaging with the 
workforce and ensuring that their views and interests are considered in Board 
discussions and decision making.

Pauline Lafferty is the designated Non-Executive Director.

Polly Williams is the designated Non-Executive Director for ESG matters.

CHAIRMAN
The Chairman sets the calendar and 
agenda of the Board and facilitates 
the discussions. The Chairman also 
initiates and coordinates the processes 
defined below, which evaluate the 
effectiveness of the Board and of the 
individual Directors.

HOW OUR CHAIRMAN 
PROMOTES A CULTURE OF 
OPENNESS
The Chairman conducts Board 
meetings in a manner that the views 
of all Board members are sought 
and welcomed. Open discussion is 
encouraged. An evaluation of Board 
effectiveness is conducted each 
year. In 2019, a full evaluation by an 
independent party was performed.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Other than their normal attendance 
and participation in discussions at 
Board meetings the Executive Directors 
are responsible for the day-to-day 
running of the Company and the 
implementation of the agreed strategy.

100100

GOVERNANCE

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND  
TIME COMMITMENT
It is important that Non-Executive Directors have sufficient 
time to meet their Board responsibilities. The Non-Executive 
Directors provided constructive challenge, strategic guidance, 
specialist advice and held management to account during 2020. 

While it is recognised that the Chairman and retiring Chief 
Executive Officer have significant shareholdings, none of the 
Board have any conflict of interest with those of the Company.

No Directors had any significant changes to their  outside 
commitments during 2020 and each devoted significant time to 
their XP Power Board responsibilities during 2020.

All Directors attended all Board meetings.

CHANGE IN DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
As described in the Remuneration Committee Report, with effect 
from 1 December 2020, Pauline Lafferty took over as Chair of 
the Remuneration Committee and designated Director to ensure 
the views of the workforce were considered in Board discussions 
and decisions from Polly Williams.

On 1 January 2021, Gavin Griggs, formerly CFO, took over the 
role of CEO from Duncan Penny who will retire from the Board 
at the 2021 Annual General Meeting.

The Company has an ongoing executive search for a CFO.

BOARD INDEPENDENCE
The Board consists of four Non-Executives including the 
Chairman and three Executives. Of the Non-Executives, three 
(75%) are considered independent. There is clear division of 
responsibilities between the Executives and Non-Executives.

The Chairman, James Peters, is not considered independent 
based on the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code. However, 
the Board’s view is that his material shareholding in the 
Company aligns his interests closely with Shareholders as 
a whole and that this, combined with his knowledge of the 
business and industry, and the fact that there are clear divisions 
of responsibility between the Chairman and CEO means that 
this is advantageous to Shareholders as a whole and does not 
present a problem. 

James Peters holds 1,254,279 shares in the Company 
representing 6.6% of the issued share capital. No other Non-
Executive Directors have a sharing in the Company.

ANTI-TAKEOVER MEASURES
As a policy, we do not have any devices that would limit the 
ability to perform a takeover of XP Power. This includes devices 
that would limit share ownership and/or issue new capital for 
the purpose of limiting or stopping a takeover.

VOTING
Our capital structure is such that one vote is afforded per 
common share.

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

101
101

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCENOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT 

DEAR SHAREHOLDER

2020 was an extremely active year for the 
Nomination Committee as we conducted 
a search for a new CEO to replace Duncan 
Penny who retires as an Executive Director 
at the 2021 Annual General Meeting. 
In October 2020, we were delighted to 
announce that, after a thorough executive 
search company-led process, Gavin Griggs, 
formerly our CFO, was to succeed Duncan 
as CEO on 1 January 2021. We were 
pleased that we were able to appoint a 
strong internal candidate to facilitate a 
smooth succession. We are confident that 
our selection process for a new CEO was a 
formal, rigorous, and transparent process.  

Pauline Lafferty joined the Board 
in December 2019 and, given her 
background in strategic human resources 
and remuneration matters, she agreed to 
take over as Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee with effect from 1 December 
2020.

In December 2020, we completed 
a review of the effectiveness of the 
Nomination Committee and no material 
issues were noted from this review.

In 2021, our primary focus will be the 
appointment of a new CFO. We will also 
continue to review the strength and depth 
of the talent within our business to ensure 
we have the relevant capabilities on board 
to support the continued growth of the 
business and continue to review our 
succession plans.

James Peters 
Chairman

2 March 2021

COMMITTEE 
MEMBERSHIP

James 
Peters 
Chair

Terry 
Twigger

Pauline 
Lafferty

Polly 
Williams

Committee highlights in 2020

•  New CEO search

•  Appointment of Pauline Lafferty 
as Remuneration Committee 
Chair and designated Director for 
workforce engagement

•  Effectiveness review

Area of focus for 2021

•  Appointment of a new CFO

•  Review of talent and capabilities

•  Continued review of succession 

plans

James Peters 
Nomination Committee Chair

102

NOMINATION COMMITTEE 
MEMBERSHIP

Given the importance of Board and other 
senior management appointments all 
Non-Executive Directors are members 
of our Nomination Committee. The Chief 
Executive will also attend meetings on 
request to present to the Nomination 
Committee or to be consulted where 
appropriate. 

The Nomination Committee consists 
of James Peters (Chair), Terry Twigger, 
Pauline Lafferty and Polly Williams. The 
Committee reviews and considers the 
appointment of new Directors and all 
Non-Executive Directors are involved in 
the appointment of proposed candidates. 

Any appointment of a new Director is 
voted on by the whole Board. 

The Nomination Committee met formally 
twice during the year. The attendees were 
as follows:

Date

31 July  
2020 

Attendees

All and Duncan Penny 
(guest)

5 October  
2020

All and Duncan Penny 
(guest)

Committee responsibilities
The Nomination Committee’s main 
responsibilities are:

•  To regularly review the structure, size 

and composition of the Board including 
skills, knowledge and capabilities;

•  To review succession planning for 

Directors and other senior executives, 
taking account of the skills and 
expertise needed on the Board in the 
future;

•  To be responsible for identifying and 

nominating for approval by the Board, 
candidates to fill Board vacancies when 
they arise; and

•  To keep under review the leadership 
needs of the organisation, both 
Executive and Non-Executive, with 
a view to ensuring the continued 
ability of the organisation to compete 
effectively in the marketplace. 

The terms of reference of the Nomination 
Committee is available on the Company’s 
website at xppowerplc.com.

103

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CONTINUED

COMPOSITION, SUCCESSION 
AND EVALUATION

What has been on the 
Committee’s agenda during 
the year?
Board succession: We were pleased 
to be able to appoint a strong internal 
candidate as our new CEO. Gavin Griggs 
became CEO on 1 January 2021 and 
succeeds Duncan Penny who will retire as 
an Executive Director at the 2021 Annual 
General Meeting. We appointed Gavin 
after a rigorous executive search process, 
which is set out in some detail later in this 
report. This process occupied a significant 
amount of time for the Nomination 
Committee in 2020. Having appointed 
Gavin as CEO, we are now actively 
searching for CFO to succeed Gavin. This 
search will be conducted with similar rigor 
and process as that for the CEO.

As the business continues to grow in size 
and complexity, we will continue to review 
succession plans for Board and senior 
management positions in 2021.

Remuneration Committee Chair: Pauline 
Lafferty joined the Board on 3 December 
2019. Given her background in strategic 
human resource management and 
remuneration matters, she agreed to 

take over the Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee and be designated Director 
responsible for engaging with the 
workforce with effect from 1 December 
2020.

Committee evaluation: As with our 
other Board committees, we performed 
an anonymous online evaluation survey 
using an external consultant to gain 
feedback regarding the effectiveness of 
the Nomination Committee. There were 
no significant issues identified in the 
survey and the results were very positive 
and indicated that the Committee was 
operating effectively.

Board diversity: Becoming a truly diverse 
and inclusive company is not only the right 
thing to do, it is crucial to helping us grow 
our business, innovate, attract and retain 
talent, and engage the customers who buy 
our power solutions.

We operate globally and recognise the 
cultural differences that may exist in the 
countries in which we do business. We 
recognise that a truly diverse workforce 
reflects our markets and will help us 
succeed in those markets. We will not 
tolerate any form of discrimination. 

The Company supports the Hamilton-
Alexander and Parker reviews.

We are committed to equality of 
opportunity in all our employment 
practices, procedures and policies. When 
we hire or promote someone, we choose 
the best candidate irrespective of age, 
race, national origin, disability, religion, 
gender, gender reassignment, sexual 
preference, marital status or membership/
non-membership of any trade unions. 
We apply the same standards when 
selecting business partners and regarding 
appointments to the Board.

Our Diversity Policy is available on our 
website at xppower.com

Board skills and experience: In searching 
for and selecting Board Directors we have 
ensured that we have a strong balance 
of the necessary skills, experience and 
specific capabilities required based on the 
markets we serve and our chosen strategy 
and business model. A matrix summarising 
the skills of our Board is set out on page 
105. This includes specific industry skills, 
as well as non-specific industry skills, such 
as strategic human resource management, 
business development and managing 
growth.

104

GOVERNANCE

DELIVERING AN EFFECTIVE BOARD
BOARD COMPOSITION

We continue to review the size, structure and composition of the Board to ensure it can continue to 
be effective in executing our strategy and to deliver sustainable profitable growth over the cycle of the 
markets in which we operate. We consider that the Board has an appropriate structure and balance of 
skills and diversity as demonstrated below.

BOARD CHARACTERISTICS

2

Board gender 
profile

5

Board age 
profile

4

2

1

 Male

 Female

 40–44 (0)

 45–50

 51–55

 55+

Power electronics experience

2
Public company experience

3

Board 
tenure

1

Ethnicity

2

6

 1 year < (0)

 1–3 years

 4–6 years

 7 years +

 White

 Asian

BOARD SKILLS MATRIX

POWER ELECTRONICS EXPERIENCE

RISK MANAGEMENT

ELECTRONICS AND INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXPERIENCE

STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGING GROWTH

PRIOR PUBLIC COMPANY EXPERIENCE

INVESTOR RELATIONS

NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

105

NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT 

CONTINUED

APPOINTMENTS TO THE BOARD AND DIRECTOR RE-ELECTION
Each Director offers themselves for re-election each year. A majority of votes cast at the Annual General Meeting  
is required for the re-election of each Director. No new appointments to the Board were made in 2020.

CHIEF  EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Our process for the search and appointment of a new CEO is set out on the infographic below.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SEARCH AND APPOINTMENT TIMELINE

Overview of candidate specification and  search criteria 
A detailed candidate specification was developed with the chosen executive search firm that encompassed the desired 
experience and expertise, leadership capabilities, cultural fit and impact. The initial long list of candidates was selected from a 
diverse range of potential candidates from various industries so our diversity policy was considered from the outset of the search. 

2020
MAY
Selection of executive search firm
Selection of an executive search firm after members of the Nomination Committee met with a three potential firms. 
Candidate profile developed in collaboration with the selected executive search firm. Search strategy agreed and long 
list of candidates developed.

JUNE TO SEPTEMBER
Interviews and assessments
Shortlist of ten candidates developed and interviewed by the Chairman. Shortlist reduced to four candidates. 
Executive search firm conducts psychometric assessment and three shortlisted candidates interviewed by all Non-
Executive Directors. Chairman conducts additional interviews with the final two candidates in a more informal setting.

OCTOBER
Final decision
Interview of final two candidates. Nomination Committee meeting to review final candidates resulting in the 
appointment of Gavin Griggs.

106

GOVERNANCE

BOARD INDUCTION AND 
TRAINING

Directors receive a full induction 
on joining the Board. The induction 
programme is tailored to the individual 
needs of each Director and includes 
meeting a number of Executive Leadership 
Team and training regarding the product 
and markets.

An example of a Board induction process 
is outlined in the infographic.

BOARD TRAINING IN 2020

In normal circumstances the Board would 
physically visit a number of sites to engage 
with the work force and receive face-to-
face presentations from functional heads. 
This was not possible during 2020 due to 
the COVID-19 epidemic. However, the 
Board were able to meet members of the 
Executive Leadership Team over video and 
attended presentations relating to product 
development and product lifecycle 
management together with a presentation 
from the new Chief People Officer relating 
to people and organisational planning. We 
hope that site visits can recommence in 
2021 as the virus subsides.  

BOARD INDUCTION PROCESS 

STAGE 1
UNDERSTANDING 
THE BUSINESS

This will include an overview of the 
structure, history, strategy, Board 
procedures, listing requirements and 
governance

STAGE 4

Understanding what knowledge 
would be beneficial to enable the 
Board to function more effectively

STAGE 2
MEETING THE 
TEAM

Meeting members of the Executive 
Leadership Team

STAGE 5

Determining how best to train or 
impart the knowledge required

Meeting external brokers and 
advisers as required

STAGE 3
VISITING SITES

Visiting sites to understand the 
operations of the business and 
specific functional areas

STAGE 6

Implementation by way of 
training or specific site visits with 
presentations from the functional 
areas

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

107

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020NOMINATION COMMITTEE REPORT 

CONTINUED

BOARD EVALUATION

BOARD EVALUATION PROCESS 

STAGE 1

Directors complete an anonymous online questionnaire. 
This utilises questions such as whether the Directors 
operate with independent judgement.

STAGE 2

The results of the questionnaire are collated by an 
external consultant. The consultant reviews the results 
and produces a report for the Board.

STAGE 3

The results of the evaluation report are discussed by the 
Board and actions for improvement are determined.

Every three years the discussion is facilitated by an independent third party.

The Corporate Governance Code 
discusses the need to evaluate the Board. 
This evaluation should cover the Board’s 
composition and diversity, and how 
effectively members work together to 
achieve objectives.

The Board’s evaluation of its own 
performance and that of its Committees 
is conducted annually using a number of 
anonymous online Board effectiveness 
questionnaires conducted by a third 
party. The questionnaire covered all 
aspects of effectiveness: capabilities and 
communication; culture and practice; 
process and organisation; as well as 
meeting rigour and relationships. With 
respect to continually improving Board 
effectiveness, the questionnaire also asked 
Directors to comment on what it should 
stop doing, start doing and continue doing.

In 2019, the Board extended the 
evaluation process and commissioned 
an independent third party. As well 
as the questionnaires, each Board 
member was interviewed regarding the 
Board effectiveness and a report and 
presentation was then made to the Board 
on the findings.

108

BOARD EVALUATION 
FINDINGS 2020

There were no significant issues or 
concerns identified in the 2020 Board 
effectiveness questionnaires. The benefits 
of having more presentations from the 
executive leaders of the key functions was 
highlighted and the Board agreed that this 
would occur in 2021. It was also agreed 
that more time and resources would be 
applied to succession planning.

FINDING 1
More presentations to the Board from 
functional leaders

ACTIONS FOR 2021
A number of additional presentations 
to the Board are earmarked for 2021. 
These already include supply chain 
management and strategic marketing.

FINDING 2
Further development regarding 
succession planning and talent 
management

ACTIONS FOR 2021
New Chief People Officer appointed in 
June 2020 who presented people and 
organisational plans for 2021 to the 
Board.

2019 BOARD EVALUATION PROGRESS

No significant issues or concerns were identified as a result of the Board effectiveness review, which was conducted  
by an independent third party in 2019. The output from this review and actions taken in 2020 as a result are set out below.

2019 EVALUATION FINDING
Improving Shareholder/potential 
investor communications 

2019 EVALUATION FINDING
Continued medium to long-range 
strategy development and review 

ACTIONS TAKEN THIS YEAR
Despite COVID-19 restrictions, the 
number of Shareholder meetings and 
investor conferences have increased in 
2020, albeit via video. Three separate 
virtual investor conferences also 
occurred in 2020.

ACTIONS TAKEN THIS YEAR
The Board reviewed progress against 
the strategy in 2020 with the Executive 
Directors. Some refinements were 
made but no significant changes were 
considered necessary.

2019 EVALUATION FINDING
Further development regarding 
succession planning and talent 
management

ACTIONS TAKEN THIS YEAR
New Chief People Officer appointed in 
June 2020 who presented people and 
organisational plans for 2021 to the 
Board.

109

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCEAUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT 

In last year’s report, I anticipated that the 
external audit would be retendered in 
2021 after the completion of the upgrade 
of the Group’s ERP system.  Because of 
the COVID-19 pandemic, the upgrade 
of the ERP system has been deferred 
until 2021. In addition, the promotion 
of the CFO to CEO and hence the 
need to appoint a new CFO, together 
with the COVID-19 travel restrictions, 
means that we have decided to delay 
the retender of the audit. As a result, 
the Audit Committee has recommended 
to the Board that the reappointment of 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP should 
be proposed at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting and I hope you will 
support me in this resolution.

Terry Twigger 
Audit Committee Chair 

2 March 2021

MEMBERS OF THE  
AUDIT COMMITTEE

Terry 
Twigger 
(Chair)  
Independent 
Non-
Executive 
Director

Pauline 
Lafferty 
Independent 
Non-
Executive 
Director

Polly 
Williams 
Independent 
Non-
Executive 
Director

DEAR SHAREHOLDER

As Chairman of the XP Power Audit 
Committee, I am pleased to present 
the 2020 Audit Committee Report to 
Shareholders. I trust that this report 
will provide you with an insight into our 
work, the matters handled and the focus 
of the Audit Committee’s deliberations 
during 2020. 

As covered elsewhere in the Annual 
Report, 2020 was dominated by the global 
healthcare crisis caused by the COVID-19 
pandemic. The pandemic has led to new 
ways of working and the Committee had 
to adjust its agenda whilst still maintaining 
oversight of the Group’s internal controls 
and risk management framework and 
financial reporting. The Committee has 
continued to scrutinise the Group’s 
internal control framework, specifically 
focusing on the internal audit agenda 
and ensuring that this continues despite 
the challenges brought by the pandemic. 
Particular focus was given to the impact 
of COVID-19 on the business and in 
particular the going concern and viability 
statements. 

The report aims to provide the following 
information:

•  The Audit Committee’s principal 

responsibilities and its governance.

•  The key activities that were reviewed 
by the Audit Committee, including 
those items of regular annual review 
and other current areas of focus.

•  The discussions and actions 

undertaken, in conjunction with the 
external auditor and internal auditors 
on any significant judgements and/or 
issues.

•  Details of the ongoing review of the 
external auditor and the amount of 
non-audit work undertaken.

I believe that the Audit Committee has 
the necessary experience, expertise, 
and financial understanding, supported 
by the internal and external auditors, to 
fulfil its responsibilities and to continue 
to monitor and contribute to the various 
improvement initiatives. 

The Audit Committee is satisfied that 
the Company has maintained adequate 
risk management and internal controls 
throughout the year, and that the internal 
audit programme has been planned and 
sufficiently resourced to confirm this. 

Terry Twigger 
Audit Committee Chair 

“ The Committee 
maintained oversight 
of the Group’s internal 
controls and risk 
management framework 
and the integrity of the 
financial reporting process, 
with particular focus to 
the impact of COVID-19 
on the business.”

110

GOVERNANCE

The current Audit Committee members 
are all independent Non-Executive 
Directors and have financial and/or related 
business experience gained in senior 
positions in other diverse organisations. 
Terry Twigger has been the Audit 
Committee Chair since 2015 and the 
Board is satisfied that Terry has recent  
and relevant financial experience.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION 
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

During the year, the Audit Committee 
reviewed its performance facilitated by 
an anonymous online survey managed by 
an independent third party as part of the 
Board’s updated evaluation process.

The Committee considered it has 
adequate qualifications and skills to 
perform its responsibilities, particularly 
through Terry Twigger’s financial and 
management background and Polly 
Williams’ financial and audit experience, 
but felt that in future the assessment 
of the internal and external auditors 
performance could be more rigorous.

MEETINGS OF THE  
AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee met four times 
during 2020 with attendance on the  
dates as follows:

The Audit Committee supports the 
Board and reports to it on a regular basis, 
certainly no less frequently than at every 
Board meeting following a meeting of the 
Audit Committee.

There is an annual cycle of items that are 
considered by the Audit Committee.

The timetable of these items is scheduled 
in accordance with the requirement of 
the annual audit cycle and any other 
requirements of the Audit Committee.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE  
AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Committee is responsible for, amongst 
other things:

•  Ensuring that the financial performance 
of the Group is properly reported and 
monitored;

•  Advising the Board on whether it 
believes the Annual Report and 
Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, 
balanced and understandable;

•  Compliance with legal requirements;

•  Adoption and correct implementation 

of accounting standards;

•  Meeting the requirements of the UK 

Listing Authority;

•  Assessing the Group’s internal control 
processes and assurance framework;

•  Reviewing any instances of fraud or 

Attendees

whistleblowing;

Date

27 February 2020

7 May 2020

29 July 2020

1 December 2020 

All

All

All

All

Although not members of the Audit 
Committee, the Chief Executive Officer, 
the Chief Financial Officer and Group 
Finance Director were involved at each of 
the meetings as were the external auditor, 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and the 
outsourced internal audit firm, Deloitte 
LLP. Other management staff were also 
invited to attend as appropriate. 

The Committee also discussed matters 
with both the external auditor and internal 
auditor without the Group’s management 
being present. 

•  Supervising the relationship and 
performance of the external and 
internal auditors; and

•  Reviewing the nature and extent of 

audit and non-audit services provided 
to the Group by the external auditor.

The Terms of Reference of the Audit 
Committee are available in the 
Corporate Governance section of the 
Company’s investor relations website 
xppowerplc.com.

ACTIVITIES OF THE  
AUDIT COMMITTEE

In 2020, the Audit Committee’s activities 
included:

•  Examining the 31 December 2020 
Annual Report and discussing them 
with management and the external 
auditor to assess whether the 
reports, taken as a whole, were fair, 
balanced, and understandable prior to 
recommending these to the Board for 
approval.

•  Received reports from management 
and the external auditor on the 
key accounting issues and areas of 
significant judgement, reviewing and 
challenging these areas and the level 
of disclosure. The principal matters 
discussed are described in “Significant 
risks and judgements in the financial 
reporting” below.

•  Challenging the assumptions and 

analysis produced by management in 
relation to the Group’s going concern 
basis of preparation, the long-term 
viability statement and associated 
risk assumptions, the accounting 
policies and disclosures, the financial 
reporting issues and the assumptions 
and adjustments made, including those 
related to goodwill and capitalised 
product development.

•  Approved the going concern and 
viability statements, including the 
impact of COVID-19.

•  Reviewing the 30 June 2020 Half-Year 
Report and received reports from 
management and the external auditor 
on the key accounting issues and areas 
of significant judgement, reviewing and 
challenging these areas and the level of 
disclosure. This included an assessment 
of the impact of COVID-19 on the 
Group’s results and the going concern 
assessment. 

•  Continuing to evolve the Group’s risk 

and compliance framework by directing 
the outsourced internal auditor, 
Deloitte LLP, and reviewing the work 
scopes of the target areas within the 
total audit universe.

•  Reviewing the internal audit plan. 

•  Reviewing the findings of the internal 

audit work and the follow-up of 
reviews performed in the previous year.

111

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCEAUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT 

CONTINUED

•  Ongoing review of the development 

and implementation of the Company’s 
new ERP system.

•  Assessing the accounting principles to 
be adopted in the preparation of the 
2020 accounts.

•  Reviewing any material issues of fraud, 

whistleblowing, and litigation.

The Audit Committee is satisfied that 
the Company has maintained adequate 
risk management and internal controls 
throughout the year.

•  Reviewing the external audit plan; and 
updates on delivery of the external 
audit plan and reports from the external 
auditor on the Group’s financial 
reporting and observations made on the 
internal financial control environment in 
the course of their work.

•  Reviewing the effectiveness of 

the Group’s internal controls and 
disclosures made in the Annual Report 
and Financial Statements, considering 
the impact of COVID-19.

SIGNIFICANT RISKS AND 
JUDGEMENTS IN THE 
FINANCIAL REPORTING

In relation to the 31 December 2020 
Annual Financial Statements included in 
this report on pages 141–179, the Audit 
Committee considered the following 
topics. It considered these areas to 
be significant, considering the level of 
materiality and the degree of judgement 
exercised by management. The Audit 
Committee questioned and challenged the 
judgements and estimates made on each 
of the significant issues detailed below 
and resolved that they were appropriate 
and acceptable.

Significant matters for the year ended 31 December 2020

How the Audit Committee addressed these matters

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a minimal negative impact on the Group; 
however, the Committee still considered how the impact of COVID-19 was 
addressed throughout the Annual Report, in terms of consistency and clarity 
of reporting, as well as management’s assessment of the impact on potential 
impairment of goodwill, inventory and receivables.

The carrying value of goodwill is a significant item within the Group’s balance 
sheet and is prone to further increase while the Group remains acquisitive. 
Impairment assessments, performed annually, require judgements in relation to 
discount rates and future growth forecasts to generate discounted cash flows for 
the cash generating units. 

The Committee challenges the appropriateness of judgements and forecasts 
used in management’s impairment assessment. In particular, the Committee 
enquired and challenged the assumptions made with regard to forecasted 
operating margins and understanding the discount rates calculated separately by 
management and the external auditor. In addition, the Committee reviews the 
calculation to ensure that sensitivity analysis is performed by management, which 
reflects reasonable downside scenarios. It also assesses the carrying value in the 
context of the Group’s wider net asset value and market capitalisation.

Given that the impairment calculations indicated that there remains significant 
headroom between the value in use and the carrying value, the Committee was 
satisfied that there was no indication of impairment.

The Group’s product development activity leads to direct costs associated 
with new products being capitalised and amortised over the useful life of the 
products. The carrying value of the product development costs is rising in line 
with increased product development as the business has grown and expands 
its product portfolio. The future success and the useful lives of these products 
require a degree of judgement. The Committee regularly assesses the revenue 
streams of capitalised products that have been released for sale against their 
carrying value. The Committee also reviews a projection of the estimated future 
carrying values. The Committee was satisfied with the judgements used.

COVID-19 IMPACT

IMPAIRMENT ASSESSMENT  
OF GOODWILL

CAPITALISED PRODUCT  
DEVELOPMENT

112

Significant matters for the year ended 31 December 2020

How the Audit Committee addressed these matters

DEFERRED TAX ON  
UNREMITTED EARNINGS

INVENTORY

VIABILITY STATEMENT AND  
GOING CONCERN

FAIR, BALANCED AND  
UNDERSTANDABLE REPORTING

The Group does not currently record deferred tax on the unremitted earnings 
held in Group subsidiaries. The Committee recognises that, where there is no 
intention to repatriate these earnings to the Parent Company, deferred tax should 
not be provided.

The Committee receives periodic updates on the unremitted earnings position, 
including forward projections. The Committee determined that there is no 
specific requirement to move earnings currently held in subsidiaries.

Exposure to the risk of inventory obsolescence remains an area of ongoing 
review. Inventory levels increased during the year as the Group’s manufacturing 
facilities increased production to meet demand. The Committee considered the 
provision policy, provision levels and the nature and condition of inventory at the 
balance sheet date. The Committee was satisfied that appropriate provisions for 
loss and delinquency were made.

Physical inventory was validated through a combination of wall-to-wall stock 
counts, and where comprehensive physical counts were not possible sample 
counts held at year-end and cycle counts conducted through the year, covering 
all sites where the Group holds inventory. These counts were reviewed by the 
external auditor and the results reported to the Committee. The Committee was 
satisfied that the counts were conducted appropriately.

The Committee reviewed management’s process for assessing the Group’s longer-
term viability to in advising the Board in making the Group’s viability statement. 
The Committee considered and challenged the determination of the period over 
which viability should be assessed, and which of the Group’s principal risks should 
be reflected in the modelling of sensitivity analysis for liquidity and solvency. 
It reviewed the results of management’s scenario modelling and the reverse 
stress-testing of these models. In addition, the Committee considered additional 
testing over key assumptions to determine the resilience of the business model 
to specific stresses with additional disclosure being included in the 2020 Annual 
Report to this effect. The impact of COVID-19 was also considered in the 
modelling of underlying performance. 

Based on this review, the Committee confirmed to the Board that we considered 
it reasonable for the Directors to make the going concern and viability 
statements, which can be found on pages 145 and 60 respectively.

The Committee considered the Annual Report and Interim Report, on behalf 
of the Board, to ensure that they were fair, balanced and understandable, 
in accordance with requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code. In 
particular, the Committee considered the impact of COVID-19 on the Group 
and the reporting of these impacts throughout the Annual Report. To assist in 
this process, the Committee also considered comments raised by the external 
auditors. The Committee also considered the use of alternative performance 
measures by the Group, including the appropriateness of their current use and 
their disclosure in the Financial Statements and Strategic Report. The Committee 
concluded that their current use was fair, balanced and understandable.

113

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCEAUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT 

CONTINUED

FAIR, BALANCED AND 
UNDERSTANDABLE

The Committee considered the Annual 
Report and Interim Report, on behalf 
of the Board, to ensure that they were 
fair, balanced and understandable, in 
accordance with requirements of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code. In particular, 
the Committee considered the impact of 
COVID-19 on the Group and the reporting 
of these impacts throughout the Annual 
Report. 

To assist in this process, the Committee 
also considered comments raised by 
the external auditors. The Committee 
also considered the use of alternative 
performance measures by the Group, 
including the appropriateness of their 
current use and their disclosure in the 
Financial Statements and Strategic 
Report. The Committee concluded that 
their current use was fair, balanced and 
understandable.

INTERNAL CONTROL

The Board is ultimately responsible for the 
Group’s system of internal controls and 
the ongoing assessment of these, further 
details of which are included in our Risk 
Management Framework of the Strategic 
Report section on page 52.

In 2020 the Committee, on behalf of 
the Board and with the assistance of 
the internal audit function, monitored, 
reviewed and assessed the effectiveness 

of the Group’s internal control systems 
and principal financial risks. The 
Committee reviewed the outcome of the 
audits of key financial controls included in 
the internal audit programme at each of 
its meetings during the year. Management 
also provided the Committee with an 
update of key accounting issues and 
financial controls at each meeting. 

INTERNAL AUDIT

The internal audit function, performed by 
Deloitte LLP, provides independent and 
objective assurance of the effectiveness 
of the Group’s risk management, 
control, and governance processes. The 
Committee reviewed the scope and 
the nature of the internal audit work 
performed by Deloitte LLP at the start 
of the year and reviewed updates to the 
plan at subsequent meetings, including 
changes to the plan to reflect the impact 
of COVID-19. These reviews also ensure 
that the internal audit framework remains 
appropriate in combination with the 
Board’s risk monitoring process and used 
it to identify areas for risk assurance work 
and internal audits to be carried out. In 
2020, these included a review of the IT 
General Controls around the Group’s ERP 
system, an assessment of key treasury 
processes and controls, a global review 
of the Group’s Business Continuity and 
IT Disaster Recovery processes, and an 
assessment of the adequacy of the key 
health and safety controls operated by the 
Group. The Group has continued with a 

programme of Controls Self-Assessments 
completed for all sites and this was 
reviewed by the internal audit team. The 
recommendations made by the internal 
auditor are assessed by management and 
addressed within an agreed timeline.

The recommendations and control 
observations from the reviews are rated 
and presented to the Committee for 
comment or further action.

The internal auditor regularly follows up 
on these actions and keeps the Committee 
informed of progress against the agreed 
timeline.

EXTERNAL AUDIT 
EFFECTIVENESS  
AND INDEPENDENCE

The Committee assesses audit 
effectiveness continually through the 
financial year. The assessment includes 
reviewing the detailed audit plan and the 
key audit risks included in it, the amount 
and composition of resources on the 
audit and the use of specialists where 
appropriate. In addition, the amount of 
resources devoted to training of staff 
and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s 
internal quality processes, including 
internal and external inspections 
was reviewed. The Committee also 
reviewed the results from the Singapore 
Accounting and Corporate Regulatory 
Authority (ACRA) and PCAOB external 
inspections of PricewaterhouseCoopers 

114

•  The award of tax consulting services 
to the auditor in excess of £50,000, 
subject to compliance with the EU 
member state restrictions, must first 
be approved by the Chair of the Audit 
Committee; and

•  The award of other non-audit related 
services to the auditor in excess of 
£20,000 must first be approved by the 
Chair of the Audit Committee.

During the year, non-audit fees of 
£0.02 million (2019: £0.1 million) were 
paid to the auditor for review of the  
30 June 2020 interim financial statements. 

LLP. Particular focus was given in 2020 
to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s ability 
to adapt their audit approach to the risks 
posed by COVID-19 and the need to 
conduct some audit procedures remotely. 
The Committee reviewed and agreed 
issues that arose during the course of the 
audit and agreed the resolution of these 
issues with the external auditor.

The Committee also received feedback 
from management evaluating the 
performance of the external audit teams. 
Consideration was specifically given to the 
quality of the audit, communication and 
interaction with the various finance teams 
across the Group. Management concluded 
that the relationship with the external 
auditor continued to be effective. 

The Committee has concluded that the 
external auditor and the audit process 
were effective and that audit teams 
had provided effective challenge. The 
Committee has therefore reported to 
the Board that the reappointment of 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP should 
be proposed at the forthcoming Annual 
General Meeting.

The current external auditor, 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, was 
appointed in 2007. In line with best 
practice, as recommended by the Financial 
Reporting Council, the external audit is 
expected to be retendered no later than 
2022, COVID-19 permitting. This has 
been rescheduled from previous expected 
timing due to continued travel restrictions 
resulting from COVID-19 and the ERP 

Implementation planned for 2021, which 
will improve the embedded controls and 
change the approach to the audit and the 
change in senior management.

The Audit Committee keeps under 
review the role and independence of 
the external auditor. A formal statement 
of independence is received each year 
together with a report on the safeguards 
that are in place to maintain their 
independence and the internal measures 
to ensure their objectivity. The Committee 
also discusses with the external auditor 
areas where they have challenged 
management and how any disagreements 
have been resolved.

The Committee is satisfied that this 
independence has been maintained.

The Committee has formalised its policy 
and approved a set of procedures in 
relation to the appointment of external 
auditors to undertake audit and non-audit 
work. Under this policy:

•  The award of audit-related services to 
the auditor in excess of £50,000 must 
first be approved by the Chair of the 
Audit Committee, who, in his decision 
to approve, will consider the aggregate 
of audit-related revenue already earned 
by the auditor in that year. Audit-
related services include formalities 
relating to borrowing, Shareholder and 
other circulars, regulatory reports, work 
relating to disposals and acquisitions, 
tax assurance work and advice on 
accounting policies. 

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

115

GOVERNANCEREMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT 

DEAR SHAREHOLDER

I took over as Chair of the XP Power 
Remuneration Committee from 1 December 
2020, after a year serving on both the XP 
Power Board and on the Remuneration 
Committee. My thanks go to Polly Williams, 
my predecessor, who has chaired the 
Remuneration Committee since 2016. We 
are fortunate that she is continuing as a 
member of the Committee.

The circumstances brought about by 
the COVID-19 pandemic made 2020 a 
particularly challenging year. The business 
was exposed very early on in 2020 to 
the pandemic due to our significant 
manufacturing presence in China. From 
the outset we had three clear priorities:

1.  Ensuring the safety and wellbeing  

of our people.

2.  Keeping product flowing to our 

customers especially those customers 
involved in the production of critical 
healthcare equipment for the treatment 
of patients with the virus.

3.  Preserving our cash and maintaining 

liquidity.

Despite the difficulties, the performance 
of the business has been very strong. 
Revenue and profit growth have 
been driven by the recovery in the 
Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturing 
sector, with revenue up 86% on the 
prior year and the demand for critical 
healthcare equipment to support the 
treatment of COVID-19 was 51% ahead 
in revenue terms. This more than offset a 
19% decline in the Industrial Technology 
sector due to COVID-19 and weakness in 
non-critical care medical applications. Our 
Total Shareholder Return was 54.5% over 
the year and 46.8% over the three years 
ended 31 December 2020.

The Board has been impressed by the 
stamina and resilience of the Leadership 
team and by the tenacity and dedication 
of all our employees. When the supply 
chain was severely compromised because 
of government restrictions in China, 
production was shifted to Vietnam to 
deal with the significant order backlog. 
This placed intense pressure on the 
organisation, particularly in the supply 
chain and sales teams. Even so, XP Power 
has delivered excellent results in terms of 
profit, cash generation and Shareholder 
value and was promoted to the FTSE 250 
in March 2020.

MEMBERS OF THE  
REMUNERATION 
COMMITTEE

Pauline 
Lafferty 
(Chair), 
Independent 
Non-
Executive 
Director

Terry 
Twigger 
Independent 
Non-
Executive 
Director

Polly 
Williams 
Independent 
Non-
Executive 
Director

Pauline Lafferty 
Remuneration Committee Chair 

“ The Board has been 
impressed by the stamina 
and resilience of the 
Leadership team and 
by the tenacity and 
dedication of all our 
employees.”

116

THE CONTEXT TO THE MAJOR DECISIONS AND ACTIVITIES MADE IN THE YEAR

Every year shareholders are required to vote on the executive remuneration as proposed by the Board. The Remuneration Committee 
was grateful that the majority of Shareholders supported the three resolutions on remuneration that were put to the vote at the Annual 
General Meeting (“AGM”) in 2020. The Directors’ Remuneration Report was supported by 82.96% of Shareholders voting and the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report and the Restricted Share Plan by 79.15% and 78.80% respectively. We consulted extensively with our 
largest Shareholders in the months leading up to the AGM and afterwards.

It is clear that views among our Shareholders on the Restricted Share Plan (“RSP”) were mixed and others questioned the timing of the 
base salary increases for the Executive Directors. We shall continue to engage extensively with our Shareholders and strive to strike the 
right balance of interest. The decisions we have taken on annual bonus payments for 2020, the vesting of the October and November 
2017 LTIP awards and 2018 LTIP award under the Long-Term Incentive Plan and the approach to the salary levels on appointment of 
our new Chief Executive Officer and the future appointment of our new Chief Financial Officer, have been made with our stakeholders 
very much in mind as follows and are summarised as follows:

FURLOUGH

•  The Company did not benefit from any furlough schemes.

REDUNDANCIES

•  No redundancies were made due to COVID-19.

STATE AID  
OR FUNDING

EMPLOYEE  
EXPERIENCE

CUSTOMER  
EXPERIENCE

•  No voluntary state funding was taken.

•  XP Power received circa £0.6 million predominantly in Singapore for COVID-19 assistance 

payments, all these payments were made to all companies regardless of need. 

•  The Group also incurred circa £0.9 million of incremental COVID-19 related costs.

•  Health and Safety is a top priority at XP Power, and we were quick to implement rigorous epidemic 

prevention and control measures in all our sites.

•  We have instigated working from home for all employees where their work allows them to do so 

and ensured they have the appropriate tools and materials to do so.

•  At sites in areas with high instances of the virus, which included a number of our facilities in North 
America, we have also implemented mandatory weekly testing for employees who need to work 
on site.

•  Across the business we have held ‘all hands’ meetings, often multiple times a week, to keep our 

employees connected to what is happening in the business and to each other.

•  China resumed production on 17 February 2020, which was 16 days later than planned, following 
the annual shutdown for the Chinese New Year, due to the Chinese governmental restrictions. 
Apart from this, all facilities remained operational throughout 2020 supplying our customers with 
product. 

•  There were short shutdowns in each of the USA facilities for deep cleaning following COVID-19 

cases, but these did not materially affect customer deliveries.

•  Deliveries to customers providing critical healthcare devices were prioritised and accelerated.

SHARE PRICE AND 
DIVIDENDS

•  The share price has performed well over the year and over the last three years. The share price 

was £31.00 on 31 December 2019 and increased to £46.90 on 31 December 2020 representing a 
51% increase.

•  Out of caution, the final dividend for 2019 of 36 pence per share was cancelled to preserve cash 

in the face of extreme uncertainty at the beginning of the pandemic.

•  The Q1 2020 dividend (Q1 2019: 17 pence per share) was not paid for the same reason.

•  Dividends resumed from Q2 2020 onwards.

117

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCEREMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT 

CONTINUED

KEY REMUNERATION 
DECISIONS FOR 2020 

Annual bonus
The annual bonus for 2020 is based 
on adjusted profit before tax, adjusted 
operating cash conversion measured at 
each quarter end and the attainment of 
strategic goals. The details of the financial 
measures and targets and the achievement 
against them is shown on page 120.

Bonus payments for 2020, as a percentage 
of maximum, were 98.0%, 99.5% and 
91.0% of maximum for Duncan Penny, 
Gavin Griggs and Andy Sng, respectively. 
The Remuneration Committee debated 
whether, taking stakeholders’ interests 
into account, including not paying a 
dividend in Q1 2020 and the 51% increase 
in share price over the last 12 months as 
well as the Remuneration Committee’s 
objective of paying for performance, any 
adjustment should be made but decided 
that no adjustment should be made to the 
formulaic bonus outturns and bonuses 
should be paid in full. It also considered 
the bonus payments made to XP Power 
employees, including the general 
employee bonus, all XP Power employees 
of 6% of salary at a cost of £3.4 million. 
Half the bonuses earned by the Executive 
Directors are deferred into shares for two 
years, and clawback provisions may be 
invoked up to three years after the date of 
payment.

The vesting of the October and 
November 2017 LTIP awards
Awards that were made in October and 
November 2017 under the LTIP, vested 
in equal tranches based on adjusted EPS 
growth and relative Total Shareholder 
Return (TSR).

•  The EPS three-year Compound Annual 
Growth Rate (“CAGR”) of EPS was 
10.51% and the target CAGR range was 
5% to 10%, resulting in 100% vesting 
of the EPS portion of the awards.

•  XP Power’s TSR performance was 

above the upper quartile and hence this 
portion of the shares vested in full.

The overall percentage of shares that 
vested was 100% of the total award. Half 
of the shares vested on 31 December 
2020 and the remainder on 12 October 
2021 for the October 2017 awards and  
31 December 2021 for the November 
2017 award.

118

The vesting of the  
2018 LTIP award
The 2018 awards made under the LTIP 
vested in equal tranches on the basis of 
adjusted EPS growth and relative Total 
Shareholder Return (TSR).

•  The three-year compound annual 

growth rate of EPS was 10.51% and 
the target CAGR range was 6% to 12%, 
resulting in 81.40% vesting of the EPS 
portion of the awards.

•  XP Power’s TSR performance was 

above the upper quartile and hence this 
portion of the shares vested in full.

The overall percentage of shares that 
vested was 90.70% of the total award. 
Half of the shares vest three years after 
the grant date and the remainder a year 
later.

The implications of  
Board changes
We announced in October that Duncan 
Penny would be stepping down as CEO at 
the end of the year and that Gavin Griggs 
would succeed him from 1 January 2021. 
At that time, we said that Duncan would 
leave the Board and the Group at the 
Annual General Meeting in April 2021.

In keeping with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code and as per our XP post-
employment shareholding policy, Duncan 
will retain shares, with an after-tax value 
of 200% of his 2020 base salary for the 
first year of his leaving and 100% for the 
second year. Duncan has sufficient awards 
that have been granted but have yet to 
vest that fall due for vesting during this 
period to cover this requirement. Exercise 
of these shares during this time will 
require authorisation by the current CEO 
and either the Board Chair or the Chair of 
the Remuneration Committee.

Both Duncan and Gavin’s salaries were 
increased last year by 12% as the first 
part of a two-year market adjustment. The 
Remuneration Committee decided that 
Gavin’s new salary on his promotion to 
CEO should be £500,000. The Committee 
will review his salary again next year (at 
the earliest from 1 April 2022) considering 
the circumstances at the time and with the 
intention of moving Gavin closer to market 
levels for companies of a similar size and 
scope.

The new salary is 11% higher than Duncan 
Penny’s. The Remuneration Committee 

was mindful that this is Gavin Griggs’ first 
appointment as a CEO. However, as stated 
in the Nomination Committee Report we 
undertook a thorough executive search 
company-led process and were delighted 
to appoint a strong internal candidate. 
Gavin’s knowledge of the business, 
acquired over the last three years, coupled 
with his values-based leadership approach, 
in the Committee’s view, justify this 
level of pay. Moreover, in relative terms, 
his new salary (which is a considerable 
increase on his previous salary of 
£323,000 effective from 1 April 2020), is 
between the lower quartile and median 
of the companies in the bottom half of 
the FTSE 250. His new annual bonus 
maximum is 125% of salary and the face 
value of his LTIP award for 2021 is 150%. 
His resulting total target remuneration is 
at the lower quartile of the companies in 
the bottom half of the FTSE 250.

The Remuneration Committee also 
took the opportunity of reviewing Andy 
Sng’s salary and made the decision to 
increase his salary from S$265,225 to 
S$300,000 (13%). This decision was 
based on benchmarking his salary in the 
Singaporean market and in recognition of 
the additional activities Andy performs 
over and above his role. The average 
market base salary movement in Singapore 
is anticipated to be in the region of 3% for 
2021.

The Chair’s fee
The Chair’s fee was reviewed during the 
year for the first time since 2014 and 
increased by £10,000 from £50,000 to 
£60,000 a year. The Chair will continue 
to receive this level of fee in 2021 at 
his request, notwithstanding that this is 
materially below typical fees paid to the 
Chair of FTSE 250 companies. The basic 
fees of the Non-Executive Directors, 
which are decided by the Chair and the 
Executive Directors, were also increased 
by £10,000 to £50,000 a year.

The views of our Shareholders are 
important to us. I hope that you will 
support the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report. If you have any questions 
or comments, I can be reached at 
ir@xppower.com.

Pauline Lafferty 
Remuneration Committee Chair

2 March 2021

ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION

Single total figure of remuneration
The table below shows the total remuneration receivable for each Executive Director with respect to the financial year ended  
31 December 2020.

£’000

Executive Directors
Duncan Penny

Gavin Griggs

Mike Laver1

Andy Sng

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

Chair and Non-Executive Directors
James Peters

2020

Pauline Lafferty2

Polly Williams

Terry Twigger

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

Salary/fees

Benefits³

Pension

Total fixed 
pay

Annual  
bonus⁵

Long-term
incentives⁴

438

399

314

286

–

76

149

147

58

50

48

3

51

40

56

45

4

4

23

23

–

12

38

42

2

2

–

–

–

–

–

–

30

15

23

12

–

3

10

10

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

472

418

360

321

–

91

197

199

60

52

48

3

51

40

56

45

441

43

321

31

–

8

137

130

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

444

101

197

–

–

50

100

20

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total 
variable 
pay

885

144

518

31

–

58

237

150

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total 

1,357

562

878

352

–

149

434

349

60

52

48

3

51

40

56

45

1.  Mike Laver retired from the Board on 16 April 2019. Total remuneration for Mike in 2019 reflects pay for the portion of the year in which he was an Executive 

Director.

2.  Pauline Lafferty was appointed to the Board on 3 December 2019. Total remuneration for Pauline in 2019 reflects pay for the portion of the year in which she 

was an Executive Director.

3.  Benefits include life insurance, private medical cover, housing allowance in China for Andy Sng and car allowance. 

4.  The value of long-term incentives represents share options and LTIP that vested during the year. The value was determined based on the gain on vesting date, 

being the difference between the XP Power share price on vesting date and the grant price, and the dividend equivalent due on vesting date.

5.  The value of the annual bonus represents performance over the relevant financial year, 50% of the payout was deferred into shares. Futher details of the annual 

bonus, including performance measures, actual performance and bonus payouts, can be found on pages 120 to 121. 

Notes to the single total figure table
BASE SALARY IN THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Executive Directors’ base salaries are reviewed by the Remuneration Committee with effect from 1 April 2020 each year and when an 
individual changes position or responsibility. Changes in Executive Directors’ base salaries during the year are shown below:

Duncan Penny

Gavin Griggs

Andy Sng

Base salary from 1  April 2019

Base salary from 1 April 2020

Percentage increase

£401,700

£288,400

S$257,496

£450,000

£323,000

S$265,225

+12%

+12%

+3%

These changes were the first phase of a two-stage process to bring the level of their salaries nearer to the market range. The CEO’s new 
salary is below the lower quartile of equivalent roles in FTSE 250 companies of similar size.

119

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCEREMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT 

CONTINUED

CHAIR’S AND NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ FEES

Fees for the Chair and the Non-Executive Directors were reviewed and increased with effect from 1 April 2020. The changes in fees 
during the year are shown below (as disclosed last year). This was the first change since 2014.

Chair’s fee

Base fee

Additional fee for chairing a Committee

Additional fee for acting as Senior Independent Director

Fee from 1 January 2020

Fee from 1 April 2020

£50,000

£40,000

–

£5,000

£60,000

£50,000

£5,000

£5,000

Due to the current Chair’s shareholding, he has agreed to take the same fee as the Senior Independent Director which, from April 2020, 
was £60,000. This represented an increase of £10,000 from his previous fee but remains materially below the fees for the Chair of 
other UK-listed companies of a similar size.

PENSIONS IN THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Executive Directors’ pension contributions are aligned to those offered to all XP Power employees in their respective countries of 
employment. This is 8% of base salary for UK Executive Directors and 6% of base salary for Any Sng, who is based in Singapore.

ANNUAL BONUS IN THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

The maximum annual bonus opportunity for Executive Directors in 2020 was 100% of base salary. The table below summarises 
performance against the Group performance targets set by the Remuneration Committee for the year. 

Adjusted profit before tax1
Adjusted operating cash conversion2

Strategic objectives

Total

Weighting

50%

25%

25%

Threshold  
(25%)

£38.0m

90%

On-target  
(50%)

£41.3m

100%

See below

Maximum 
(100%)

£44.0m

110%

Actual

% achieved

£44.3m

133%

50%1
25%

23.0%–24.5%

Duncan Penny

Gavin Griggs

Andy Sng

98.0%

99.5%

91.0%

1.  Andy Sng’s adjusted profit before tax targets are set with reference to divisional performance, and the targets are considered to be commercially sensitive. 

Performance against these targets was between on-target and stretch, resulting in 42.8% out of 50% becoming payable for this element of his annual bonus.

2.  Calculated as adjusted operating cash flow as a percentage of adjusted operating profit measured at the end of each quarter and the average performance taken. 
This is to ensure cash conversion is an ongoing focus throughout the year, The full year adjusted operating cash conversion was 117% which also exceeded the 
maximum of the target range set. 

The table below summarises the strategic team objectives for each Executive Director in the year.

DP

GG

Performance assessment in 2020

To drive XP Powers’ 
strategic priorities as 
agreed by the Board

To review and 
implement the new 
organisational design

To embed a series of 
process and system 
improvements as 
agreed by the Board

To institutionalise 
Product Lifecycle 
Management

12%/15%

9%/10%

•  Strong leadership shown by the Executive Directors in the challenging context of 

the year

•  All new design win targets were exceeded in key Asia markets
•  Performance against objectives of the regional teams was well managed, closely 
monitored and effectively communicated across the year, which ensured strong 
performance

30%/30%

20%/20% •  The new Global Organisational Design for the next three years were signed off and 

implemented during 2020

•  Through recruitment to key central function roles, the Executive Directors increased 

XP Power’s depth of talent and organisational capability

–

49%/50% •  Significant improvements were made to how we work, including business 

simplification through process redesign and optimisation and the introduction of new 
tools and systems to reduce manual work

•  An effective Business Intelligence tool was implemented in the year to improve 

efficiency of the supply chain and other functions (including Product Development)

20%/20% –

•  Key milestones were achieved against the Capability Maturity Model Integration 

(CMMI) in all engineering design centres and supply chain management to improve 
Product Lifecycle Management

120

To lead key product 
development and 
milestones

DP

GG

Performance assessment in 2020

15%/20% –

•  Key milestones were achieved on time and on budget relating to the largest two 

product developments for new platforms

•  Some adjustments in approach were required during the year due to COVID-19, 

and aspects of the new platforms were integrated into existing products for proof of 
concept rather than prototypes

To develop a new 
strategy and approach 
to investor relations

–

10%/10% •  A new Investor Relations plan was designed and executed in the year to support 

existing and new investors

•  XP Power delivered two US investor conferences in the Autumn and a targeted US 

To manage the 
Company through the 
COVID-19 pandemic

roadshow

•  The high number of investor engagements undertaken during 2020 were well 

received, with positive feedback from investors and brokers

15%/15%

10%/10% •  The Executive Directors managed the global XP business through the COVID-19 

pandemic, achieving strong financial performance (as outlined above) while working 
to the Board’s agreed priorities – Employees, Customers and Cash

•  Employee safety and engagement was a key priority during the year, and all 

COVID-19 cases within the Company have been effectively and safely managed
•  XP continued to support the Customer through the pandemic, with effective supply 

chain management and customer engagement

•  XP was able to deliver on all critical care orders while faced with a significant 

backlog due to the pandemic

Andy Sng’s strategic performance objectives are set with reference to divisional performance and are considered to be more sensitive 
than the Group objectives. The Remuneration Committee was impressed with his leadership during a challenging year, particularly in 
the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in China. His strategic objectives largely reflected the priorities set out above for Duncan 
Penny and Gavin Griggs.

Half of the Executive Directors’ annual bonuses in 2020 is deferred in shares for two years. The Remuneration Committee considered 
carefully whether this outturn was appropriate and, reflecting strong performance in difficult circumstances, the Committee did not 
apply its discretion to reduce the formulaic outturn in the year.

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AWARDS VESTED OR DUE TO VEST WITH RESPECT  
TO PERFORMANCE IN THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

November 2017 LTIP awards

LTIP awards granted to Gavin Griggs on 1 November 2017 were measured over three financial years from 1 January 2018, based 
50% on compound annual EPS growth and 50% on TSR compared with companies in the FTSE 250 index excluding investment trusts.  
Awards were shares worth 100% of salary.  The table below summarises performance against the performance targets.

EPS growth

TSR

Total

50%

50%

5%

Median

Weighting

Threshold (25%)

Maximum (100%)

10%

Actual

10.51%

Upper quartile

Above upper quartile

% achieved

100%

100%

100%

Half of the shares under award vested on 31 December 2020 and half will vest on 31 December 2021.

Date of grant

Type of award

Number of 
shares awarded

Gavin Griggs

1 November 2017 Nominal-cost options

8,000

Dividend 
equivalent  
payments per 
share¹

Number of 
shares vested 
or due  
to vest

Value of  
shares vested 
or due  
to vest¹

2.25

8,000

£380,858

% vesting

100%

1.  The value of long-term incentives represents LTIP awards that vest with respect to performance periods ending during the year.  As half of these awards were not 
due to vest until 31 December 2021, the value of these has been estimated using the average share price in the last three months of 2020, being £43.8344, and 
an estimate of dividend equivalents.

121

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCEREMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT 

CONTINUED

2018 LTIP awards

The 2018 LTIP awards granted on 16 May 2018 were measured over three financial years from 1 January 2018, based 50% on 
compound annual EPS growth and 50% on TSR compared with companies in the FTSE 250 index excluding investment trusts. Awards 
were granted to Duncan Penny and Andy Sng over shares worth 101% and 72% of salary, respectively. The table below summarises 
performance against the performance targets.

EPS growth

TSR

Total

50%

50%

6%

Median

Weighting

Threshold (25%)

Maximum (100%)

12%

Actual

10.51%

Upper quartile

Above upper quartile

% achieved

81.40%

50%

90.70%

Half of the shares under award vested on 16 May 2021 and half on 16 May 2022.

Date of grant

Type of award

Duncan Penny

16 May 2018

Nominal-cost options

Andy Sng

16 May 2018

Nominal-cost options

Number of 
shares awarded

11,200

2,857

% vesting

90.70%

90.70%

Dividend 
equivalent  
payments per 
share¹

2.14

2.14

Number of 
shares due  
to vest

10,158

2,591

Value of  
shares due  
to vest¹

£466,906

£119,094

1.  The value of long-term incentives represents LTIP awards that vest with respect to performance periods ending during the year. As these awards were not due to 
vest until May 2021 and May 2022, the value of these has been estimated using the average share price in the last three months of 2020, being £43.8344, and 
an estimate of dividend equivalents 

SCHEME INTERESTS AWARDED IN THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

The following awards were granted to Executive Directors in 2020:

Date of grant

Duncan Penny

22 April 2020

22 April 2020

04 March 2020

Gavin Griggs

22 April 2020

Andy Sng

22 April 2020

04 March 2020

22 April 2020

22 April 2020

04 March 2020

Plan

LTIP 2017¹

RSP 2020²

DBP 2017³

LTIP 2017¹

RSP 2020²

DBP 2017³

LTIP 2017¹

RSP 2020²

DBP 2017³

Type of award

Face value of 
award4

Number of 
shares awarded

End of 
performance 
period

Nominal-cost options

£450,000

14,563

31/12/2022

Nominal-cost options

Nil-cost options

£56,250

£21,555

1,820

657

n/a

n/a

Nominal-cost options

£323,000

10,453

31/12/2022

Nominal-cost options

Nil-cost options

£40,375

£15,475

1,307

471

n/a

n/a

Nominal-cost options

£100,000

3,236

31/12/2022

Nominal-cost options

Nil-cost options

£12,500

£65,147

405

1,931

n/a

n/a

1.  2020 awards were granted under the LTIP 2017 based on the share price for 21 April 2020, being £30.90.

2.  2020 awards were granted under the RSP 2020 based on the share price for 21 April 2020, being £30.90.

3.  2020 awards were granted under the DBP 2017 based on the share price for 4 March 2020, being £32.80.

4.  The face value of the award has been calculated using the share price of each award stated in Note 1 to 3.

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE MEASURES AND TARGETS

The performance targets for the 2019 and 2020 LTIP awards are summarised below.

2019 award
(67% EPS and 33% TSR)

2020 award
(67% EPS and 33% TSR)

Earnings Per Share Operation

Growth in adjusted EPS over three financial years

Cumulative EPS over three financial years 

Threshold (25% vest)

Maximum (100% vest)

Total Shareholder 
Return

Operation

6% p.a.

12% p.a.

523.4p

586.0p

Relative TSR compared with that for the 
constituents of the FTSE 250 index 
(excluding investment trusts)

Relative TSR compared with that for the 
constituents of the FTSE 250 index 
(excluding investment trusts)

Threshold (25% vest)

Maximum (100% vest)

Median (50th percentile)

Median (50th percentile)

Upper quintile (80th percentile)

Upper quintile (80th percentile)

Awards of restricted shares which were granted to Shareholders in 2020 are not subject to performance conditions on vesting.

122

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ SHAREHOLDING AND SHARE INTERESTS

A shareholding guideline applies to Executive Directors, which requires them to build and maintain a shareholding equal to 200% of 
base salary. The guideline will continue to apply in full for one year post-cessation, with 50% of the guideline level (100% of base salary) 
applying for a second year. Deferred bonus shares, Restricted Shares, vested Share Options and LTIP shares that are still in their holding 
period will be counted against these requirements on a net of tax basis. 

The table below summarises the Executive Directors’ beneficial interests (including that of their connected persons) in the Company’s 
shares.

Beneficially 
owned shares 
at 31 December 
2019

Beneficially 
owned shares 
at 31 December 
2020

206,990

106,990

–

24,000

–

24,000

Interest in share awards

Subject to 
performance 
measures

Not subject to 
performance 
measures

33,587

24,112

8,114

16,241

5,778

6,048

Vested but 
unexercised

52,395

8,864

1,449

Shareholding 
guideline
(% of salary)

Shareholding 
guideline met?

200%

200%

200%

Y

N

Y

Duncan Penny

Gavin Griggs

Andy Sng

The table below summarises the outstanding share awards for Duncan Penny.

Date of grant

Exercise price

Interest as at 
31/12/19

Granted in the 
year

Forfeited in 
the year

Exercised in 
the year

Interest as at 
31/12/20

Vesting date

Expiry date

2012 Share Options
10/10/12

23/02/16

2017 LTIP
30/05/17

16/05/18

08/03/19

22/04/20

2020 RSP
22/04/20

Deferred Bonus
02/03/18

06/03/19

04/03/20

£9.46

£15.425

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

–

–

–

60,750

39,800

6,000

11,200

19,024

–

–

3,975

6,057

–

–

–

–

–

–

14,563

1,820

–

–

657

–

–

(873)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(60,750)

– 

– 

10/10/22

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

39,800

23/02/20

23/02/26

5,127

11,200

19,024

14,563

30/05/20

16/05/21

30/05/22

16/05/23

08/03/22

08/03/24

22/04/23

22/04/24

1,820

22/04/25

22/04/26

3,975

6,057

657

31/12/19

31/12/20

28/02/22

–

–

–

The table below summarises the outstanding share awards for Gavin Griggs.

Date of grant

Exercise price

Interest as at 
31/12/19

Granted in the 
year

Forfeited in 
the year

Exercised in 
the year

Interest as at 
31/12/20

Vesting date

Expiry date

2017 LTIP
01/11/17

08/03/19

22/04/20

2020 RSP
22/04/20

Deferred Bonus
02/03/18

06/03/19

04/03/20

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

–

–

–

8,000

13,659

–

–

515

4,349

–

–

–

10,453

1,307

–

–

471

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

8,000

13,659

10,453

31/12/20

08/03/22

01/11/22

08/03/24

22/04/23

22/04/24

1,307

22/04/25

22/04/26

515

4,349

471

31/12/19

31/12/20

28/02/22

–

–

–

123

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCEREMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT 

CONTINUED

The table below summarises the outstanding share awards for Andy Sng.

Date of grant

Exercise price

Interest as at 
31/12/19

Granted in the 
year

Forfeited in 
the year

Exercised in 
the year

Interest as at 
31/12/20

Vesting date

Expiry date

2012 Share Options
23/02/16

£15.425

7,960

2017 LTIP
30/05/17

16/05/18

08/03/19

22/04/20

2020 RSP
22/04/20

Deferred Bonus
02/03/18

06/03/19

04/03/20

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

–

–

–

2,000

2,857

4,878

–

–

420

1,389

–

–

–

–

–

3,236

405

-

-

1,931

–

(7,900)

60

23/02/20

23/02/26

(291)

(854)

855

30/05/20

30/05/22

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,857

4,878

3,236

16/05/21

16/05/23

08/03/22

08/03/24

22/04/23

22/04/24

405

22/04/25

22/04/26

(420)

–

–

–

1,389

1,931

31/12/19

31/12/20

28/02/22

–

–

–

The closing share price of the Company’s shares as at 31 December 2020 was £46.90 (£31.00 at 31 December 2019) and the price 
range fluctuated between £21.30 and £47.90 over the financial year.

PAYMENTS TO PAST DIRECTORS

Payments of £0.2 million were made in 2020 to Mike Laver following his retirement.

PAYMENTS FOR LOSS OF OFFICE

Duncan Penny stepped down as CEO on 31 December 2020 and will leave the Board at the AGM. Duncan will continue to receive his 
base salary, benefits and pension until he steps down from the Board and will be eligible to receive an annual bonus in respect of 2021. 
If any bonus is earned it will be pro-rated for the period worked.

ASSESSING PAY AND PERFORMANCE

The chart below shows the Total Shareholder Return for XP Power since 31 December 2010 compared with that of the FTSE 250 
(excluding investment trusts), rebased at 100.

0
0
1
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a
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a
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1
0
2
r
e
b
m
e
c
e
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1
3
t
a

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

XP Power

FTSE 250 (ex ITs)

0
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

1
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

2
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

3
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

4
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

5
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

6
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

7
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

8
1
0
2
/
2
1
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1
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9
1
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

0
2
0
2
/
2
1
/
1
3

Source: Thomson Reuters Datastream

The table below shows total remuneration, annual bonus outturn and long-term incentive outturn for the CEO over the same period.

CEO total remuneration
(£’000)

Annual bonus
(% of maximum)

Long-term incentives
(% of maximum)

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

£328

£274

£271

£271

£310

£800

£531

£684

£562

£1,357

0%

n/a

0%

n/a

0%

n/a

0%

15%

27%

100%

71%

11%

98%

n/a

n/a

81%

n/a

n/a

80%

81%

124

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHAIR’S AND NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS’ SHARE INTERESTS

The table below summarises the Chair’s and Non-Executive Directors’ beneficial interests (including that of their connected persons) in 
the Company’s shares.

James Peters

Terry Twigger

Polly Williams

Pauline Lafferty

Beneficially owned shares at  
31 December 2019

Beneficially owned shares at  
31 December 2020

1,529,279

1,254,279

–

–

–

–

–

–

ANNUAL PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES

The table below shows the percentage change in salary, taxable benefits and annual bonus earned between 2019 and 2020 in respect 
of each Director, compared to that of the average employee (excluding employees in China and Vietnam, where there has been 
significant salary inflation).

Executive Directors

Non-Executive Directors

Percentage change between 2019 and 2020  

Base salary

Taxable benefits

Annual bonus

Average employee

Duncan Penny

Gavin Griggs

Andy Sng

James Peters

Terry Twigger

Polly Williams
Pauline Lafferty1

4%

10%

10%

1%

15%

25%

27%

1338%

3%

3%

-2%

-9%

1%

–

–

–

670%

923%

938%

6%

–

–

–

–

1.  Pauline Lafferty was appointed to the Board on 3 December 2019. Total remuneration for Pauline in 2019 reflects pay for the portion of the year in which she 

was an Executive Director.

CEO PAY RATIO

The table below shows the ratio of the CEO’s total remuneration to that of the lower quartile, median and upper quartile UK employee 
and for the CEO.

Year

2020

2019

Method1

Option A

Option A

25th percentile pay ratio

50th percentile pay ratio

75th percentile pay ratio

50 : 1

21 : 1

31 : 1

13 : 1

18 : 1

7 : 1

1.  Option A was selected because it is the best reflection of the underlying data. Because a large portion of the CEO’s pay is variable, the pay ratio is heavily 

dependent on the outcomes of variable pay plans and, in the case of long-term share-based awards, share price movements.

The year-on-year difference in the ratio of the CEO’s pay to the pay of UK employees is principally explained by the variable pay 
outturns paid in 2020 which were significantly higher than those paid in 2019.  Annual bonus and long-term incentives make up a 
significant proportion of Executive remuneration while is only a relatively low proportion of total pay for the wider workforce.

125

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCEREMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT 

CONTINUED

The table below shows the total pay and benefits and the salary component of this for the employees who sit at each of the three 
quartiles in 2020.

Year

25th percentile

50th percentile

75th percentile

Chief Executive

Total pay and benefits

Salary component of total pay

£26,924

£43,210

£74,903

£1,357,000

£24,959 

£36,075

£62,025

£437,925

The ratio of the CEO’s pay to the median pay of employees in the UK is a function of XP Power’s pay, reward and progression policies 
for the Company’s UK employees indeed for all XP Power’s employees. The Company aims to pay all employees including the CEO in 
accordance with both its values, a desire to pay for performance, internal relativities and the appropriate external market reference points. 

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF SPEND ON PAY

The table below illustrates the relative importance of spend on pay compared to Shareholder dividends paid.

£m

Distribution to Shareholder dividends1
Group employment costs2

2020

7.3

70.3

2019

16.7

59.7

% change

(56)%

18%

1.  Refer to Financial Statements – Note 9 for more details.

2.  Group employment costs includes Directors’ remuneration. Refer to Financial Statements – Note 5 for more details.

Remuneration Committee membership and considerations in the year
MEMBERS OF THE REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

The Remuneration Committee met on 3 occasions during the year. Polly Williams acted as Chair of the Committee until 1 December 
2020 and Pauline Lafferty was appointed as Chair of the Committee from that date. Polly remains a member of the Remuneration 
Committee.

Pauline Lafferty (Committee Chair from 1 December 2020)

Polly Williams (Committee Chair to 1 December 2020)

James Peters (Chair)

Terry Twigger (Senior Independent Director)

ADVICE RECEIVED IN THE YEAR

Meetings attended

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

During the year, h2glenfern Remuneration Advisory provided advice to the Company with respect to the Executive Directors’ 
remuneration. Fees were charged pursuant to an annual retainer and on a cost incurred basis in relation to advice and support provided 
and totalled £34,700 in the year.

Following an external selection process undertaken in the year, the Remuneration Committee appointed FIT Remuneration Consultants 
LLP (“FIT”) as its adviser. FIT provides no other services to the Remuneration Committee, has no further connection with the Company 
or individual Directors and is a signatory to the Remuneration Consultants Group’s Code of Conduct. The fees paid by the Company 
to FIT in the year were £15,875. On this basis, the Remuneration Committee satisfied itself that the advice of FIT was objective and 
independent.

VOTING ON REMUNERATION

The table below sets out voting in respect of the approval of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy and the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report at the Annual General Meeting on 21 April 2020.

Votes for

% of votes for

Votes against

% of votes against

Votes withheld

Approval of Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy

Approval of Directors’ 
Remuneration Report

Approval of the Restricted Share 
Plan 2020

11,125,326

79.15%

2,930,138

20.85%

299,852

11,660,119

82.96%

2,395,345

17.04%

299,852

11,075,541

78.80%

2,979,923

21.20%

299,852

We consulted extensively with our largest Shareholders in the months leading up the AGM and afterwards. It is clear that views among 
our Shareholders on restricted shares were mixed and others took the view that the timing of the increases in the base salaries of the 
Executive Directors were not ideal. We shall continue to engage extensively with our Shareholders on executive remuneration and seek 
to strike the right balance of interest among all our Shareholders.

126

Implementation of the Directors’ remuneration policy in 2021
BASE SALARIES

Gavin Griggs’ base salary was set at £500,000 on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer from 1 January 2021.

Duncan Penny agreed to remain on the Board until the 2021 AGM and the Remuneration Committee agreed that he would continue to 
receive a base salary of £450,000 pro-rated for the period worked during the year.

The Remuneration Committee undertook its regular review of Executive Directors’ base salaries, with increases due to take effect from 
1 April 2021. Andy Sng’s base salary will increase from S$265,225 to S$300,000 (an increase of 13%). The other Executive Directors 
were not eligible to receive an increase from 1 April 2021.

ANNUAL BONUS

For 2021, the maximum bonus opportunity will be capped at 125% of salary for the Chief Executive Officer and 100% for other 
Executive Directors, with on-target pay outs of 50% of maximum. Andy Sng has a maximum bonus opportunity of 100%, with an 
on-target pay out of 50% of base salary. Duncan Penny will be eligible to receive a pro-rated annual bonus for the portion of the year 
worked.

Bonuses will continue to be based on a combination of financial and strategic performance measures. The precise targets are 
considered commercially sensitive and so the targets are not disclosed prospectively. The targets and performance achieved against 
these will be published in next year’s Annual Report on Remuneration. The performance measures which will apply are:

•  Adjusted profit before tax (50%)

•  Adjusted operating cash flow as a percentage of adjusted operating income (25%)

•  Strategic objectives (25%)

Andy Sng’s strategic performance objectives are set with reference to divisional performance and largely reflect the priorities set out for 
Gavin Griggs.

LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

Under the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, Performance Share Plan (PSP) and Restricted Share Plan (RSP) awards can be made up to an 
aggregate award of 150% of base salary (or 200% of salary in exceptional circumstances).  For the purpose of calculating the limit, RSP 
awards are multiplied by two to reflect that they do not have specific performance conditions attached. RSP awards are limited to 15% 
of salary (equivalent to PSP based awards of 30% of salary).

In 2021, the Remuneration Committee anticipates granting RSP awards of 9.2% of salary and PSP awards of 38% of salary for Andy Sng 
and RSP awards of 12.5% of salary and PSP awards of 100% of salary for the Chief Executive Officer.

The PSP awards will vest subject to a combination of (i) cumulative diluted adjusted EPS performance and (ii) TSR performance 
compared with the TSR of companies in the FTSE 250 excluding investment trusts, both measured over three financial years.  The 
performance targets are set out below:

Cumulative diluted adjusted EPS performance 2021, 2022 and 2023 (67% of maximum)

645.9 pence per share or above

576.7 pence per share

Below 576.7 pence per share

Vesting between threshold and maximum will be measured on a straight-line basis

TSR performance compared with constituents of the FTSE 250 excluding investment trusts (33% of maximum)

Upper quintile (80th percentile) or above

Median (50th percentile)

Below median

Vesting between threshold and maximum will be measured on a straight-line basis

Vesting

100%

25%

No vesting

Vesting

100%

25%

No vesting

127

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCEREMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT 

CONTINUED

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION POLICY

The table below summarises the key components of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy as approved by Shareholders at the AGM on 
21 April 2020. The full Directors’ Remuneration Policy is available in the 2020 Directors’ Remuneration Report and is available on our 
website at xppower.com.

Component

Purpose

Operation

Opportunity

Applicable performance measures

Base salaries are set by the 
Remuneration Committee and 
reviewed annually, and increases 
are effective from 1 April, although 
increases may be awarded at other 
times if the Remuneration Committee 
considers it appropriate.

A market benchmarking exercise 
will be undertaken periodically as 
determined by the Remuneration 
Committee to ensure that base salary 
remains around the median of the 
market level for roles of a similar 
nature and to reflect the individual’s 
skills, experience and performance.

Base salaries are reviewed 
annually. Increases will not 
normally exceed the range of 
increases awarded to other 
employees within the Group.

n/a

The Remuneration Committee 
may also increase a Director’s 
salary should there be a change in 
the scope of their role, the scale 
or complexity of the business 
or if significant changes to 
market practice arise, which the 
Remuneration Committee believes 
justifies a further increase in base 
salary.

Benefits are set by the Remuneration 
Committee and reviewed annually.

Benefits currently received by the 
Directors include:

The Company provides a range 
of market-benchmarked benefits. 
The costs of these benefits may 
change year-on-year due to 
external costs.

n/a

The Remuneration Committee 
has flexibility to provide benefits 
that would typically have been 
available to an Executive Director 
in an overseas jurisdiction when 
recruiting from outside of the UK.

Up to 125% of base salary for 
CEO and up to 100% for other 
Executive Directors (previous 
policy was 100% for both).

Specific targets and weightings may 
vary according to strategic priorities and 
may include:

•  Financial performance

•  Attainment of personal and 

strategic objectives

•  Weighting will focus on Group 

financial performance

No further options are intended to 
be granted to Executive Directors.

Vesting of outstanding options is based 
on total Shareholders’ return relative to 
the FTSE 350 Electronic and Electrical 
Equipment Sector. Top 20th percentile: 
100% vest. Between median and top 
20th percentile: vest on a straight-line 
basis between 25% and 100%. Below 
median: zero vest.

•  Paid holidays

•  Life insurance

•  Private medical cover

•  Housing allowance

•  Car allowance

The annual bonus scheme 
participation levels (including 
maximum opportunities) are 
determined by the Remuneration 
Committee following the end of the 
year, based on performance achieved 
against the performance metrics set. 
Awards are split equally between 
(i) cash and (ii) shares vesting after 
two years, subject to continued 
employment or good leaver status.

The Remuneration Committee has 
the power to reduce unpaid annual 
bonuses and clawback bonuses 
already paid on a net basis in 
circumstances set out below this table.

Prior to the adoption of the XP Power 
Long-Term Incentive Plan, market 
value share options were granted with 
50% options vesting after three years 
from date of grant and 50% options 
vesting after four years.

The Remuneration Committee has 
the discretion to claw back unvested 
options or require the return of 
the net value of vested options in 
circumstances of material financial 
misstatement, a major environmental 
event or a breach of the Company’s 
code of ethics or a serious health and 
safety issue.

BASE SALARY To help recruit, retain 

and motivate high-
performing Executives.

Reflects the individual 
experience, role and 
importance of the 
Executive Director to 
the business.

BENEFITS

To help recruit, retain 
and motivate high-
performing Executives.

To provide market 
competitive benefits.

ANNUAL  
BONUSES

Align interests of 
Executive Directors 
and Shareholders in 
the short and medium 
terms.

SHARE 
OPTION 
PLAN

Align the interests of 
Executive Directors 
and Shareholders in the 
long term.

Incentives long-term 
value creation.

128

Component

Purpose

Operation

Opportunity

Applicable performance measures

PENSIONS

Provide a basic pension 
benefit that would 
be expected for the 
position.

Percentage of base salary paid into a 
defined contribution scheme.

LONG-TERM 
INCENTIVE 
PLAN (“LTIP”)

Align the interests of 
Executive Directors 
and Shareholders in the 
long term. 
Incentivises long term 
value creation.

The XP Power LTIP is made up of a 
Performance Share Plan (PSP) that 
was approved at the 2017 Annual 
General Meeting and a Restricted 
Share Plan (RSP) that was approved 
at the 2020 Annual General Meeting. 
This replaced the Company’s share 
option scheme for awards to 
Executive Directors.

PSP awards may be made in the form 
of conditional share awards, nil or 
nominal cost. The PSP also provides 
for awards to be structured as stock 
appreciation or phantom rights, which 
may be suitable for awards granted in 
overseas jurisdictions.

Performance is typically measured 
over three financial years starting 
with the year of date of grant, or any 
longer period as the Remuneration 
Committee may decide.

An award will be distributed two years 
after vesting.

RSP awards may be granted without 
performance conditions.

Restricted share awards normally vest 
five years from the date of award.

n/a

In line with pension benefits 
offered to the XP Power workforce 
in the relevant geography, which is 
currently 8% in the UK. (Previous 
policy was 2–3% depending on 
geography).

The normal maximum award level 
under the LTIP is 150% (previous 
policy was 100%) of base salary 
or such higher amount as the 
Remuneration Committee in its 
absolute discretion may determine, 
up to a maximum of 200% of base 
salary. The 200% cap is restricted 
to exceptional circumstances only.

In respect of PSP awards, it is the 
Remuneration Committee’s intention 
to set relative TSR targets for 33% of 
the award and cumulative adjusted EPS 
targets for 67%. (previous intention 
50%: 50%).

Up to a maximum of 15% of base 
salary may be granted as restricted 
shares without performance 
conditions.

In calculating value against 150% 
of salary LTIP limit, the value of 
restricted share awards will be 
multiplied by two to reflect that 
they do not have performance 
conditions attached.

129

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCEREMUNERATION COMMITTEE REPORT 

CONTINUED

Component

Purpose

Operation

Opportunity

Applicable performance measures

LONG-TERM 
INCENTIVE 
PLAN (“LTIP”) 
(CONTINUED)

Claw Back:  The Remuneration 
Committee has the discretion to 
claw back some or all of the awards 
granted under the LTIP by reducing 
unvested awards or requiring 
the return of the net value of 
vested awards to the Company in 
circumstances set out below this table.

Amounts equivalent to any dividends 
or Shareholder distributions made in 
respect of awards at vesting, are paid 
at the discretion of the Remuneration 
Committee.

Where a participant ceases to be an 
employee for good leaver reasons 
during the first three years of the 
performance or restricted share period, 
the number of shares vesting will be 
subject to a pro-rata reduction by 
reference to relevant performance 
achievement and the period of time 
elapsed between the award date and 
the date of cessation.  Shares will vest at 
the end of the two-year holding period 
or such earlier date as the Remuneration 
Committee determines.

The Remuneration Committee has the 
discretion to permit acceleration of 
vesting and to disapply pro-rating. 

Where participants cease employment 
after the first three years of the 
performance and / or restricted period 
no pro-rating will apply, but awards will 
vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant 
of the award unless the Remuneration 
Committee exercises its discretion to 
permit earlier vesting.

On a change of control of the Company 
during the performance measurement 
or restricted period the Remuneration 
Committee has the discretion to 
determine the number of shares vesting 
by assessing the achievement of the 
relevant performance conditions and 
apply a pro-rata reduction based on the 
proportion of the performance period 
elapsed at the time of the event, unless 
it determines a pro-rata reduction is not 
appropriate.

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

SHARE- 
HOLDING 
(MINIMUM)

Align the interests of 
Executive Directors 
and Shareholders in the 
long term.

To build a minimum shareholding 
equivalent to two years’ salary. 
Directors have a period of five years 
to achieve this.

POST 
EMPLOYMENT 
SHARE- 
HOLDING

Align the interests of 
Executive Directors 
and Shareholders in the 
long term.

Post-cessation Executives must hold 
shares 200% of salary for the first year 
and 100% of salary for the second 
year or, if their holding is lower than 
this at cessation, the value of their 
holding at the point of cessation.

Shares that have been or are in future 
purchased by Executives will not be 
subject to restrictions on sale.

Deferred bonus shares in their 
deferral period and vested LTIP 
awards that are still in their holding 
period will be counted against the 
percentage requirement on a net of 
tax basis

NON-
EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTORS’ 
FEES

Fees are set at a level 
which is sufficient to 
attract, motivate and 
retain quality Non-
Executive Directors.

Fees are reviewed periodically. The 
Board (excluding the Non-Executive 
Directors) is responsible for setting 
Non-Executive Directors’ fees.

The total amount of Non-
Executive Directors’ fees shall not 
exceed £600,000. (Previous policy 
was £300,000). 

n/a

Non-Executive Directors are not 
entitled to participate in the Group’s 
incentive plans.

130

£2,500

£2,000

£1,500

£1,000

0

£2,034

37%

£1,753

28%

36%

31%

£628

10%

£500

6%

4%

4%

90%

53%

32%

28%

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Maximum with 50% 
share price growth

Gavin Griggs, CEO

Fixed

RSP

Annual bonus

PSP

£1,065

12%

29%

ILLUSTRATION OF THE APPLICATION OF THE DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION POLICY (UPDATED)

The charts below give an indication of the level of remuneration that would be received by each Executive in accordance with the 
approved Directors’ Remuneration Policy, updated for 2021.

£2,500

All figures are shown in thousands.

£2,000
£2,500

£2,500

£1,500
£2,000

£2,000

£1,000
£1,500

£1,500

£500
£1,000

£1,000

£489

100%
£628
10%

10%

£500

Minimum

£2,034

£2,034

£1,753
£939

28%
48%

£1,753

28%

£939
37%

48%

37%

36%
52%

36%

31%
52%

31%

£714

32%
£1,065

£1,065

12%
68%
29%

12%

29%

£628

6%

6%

On-target

4%

4%

Maximum

4%

4%

Maximum with 50% 
share price growth

28%

28%

90%

90%

53%

53%
Duncan Penny, Executive Director

32%

32%

0
Minimum

Minimum

Fixed

RSP
On-target

On-target

Annual bonus
Maximum

Maximum

PSP
Maximum with 50% 
share price growth

Maximum with 50% 
share price growth

£2,500

£2,500

£2,000

£2,000

£1,500

£1,500

£1,000

£1,000

£500

£500

£714

£714

£489

£489

32%

32%

£939

£939

£939

£939

48%

48%

48%

48%

100%

100%

68%

68%

52%

52%

52%

52%

0

0
Minimum

Minimum

On-target

On-target

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum with 50% 
share price growth

Maximum with 50% 
share price growth

Gavin Griggs, CEO

Gavin Griggs, CEO

Duncan Penny, Executive Director

Duncan Penny, Executive Director

Fixed

Fixed
RSP

RSP
Annual bonus

Annual bonus
PSP

PSP

Fixed

Fixed
RSP

RSP
Annual bonus

Annual bonus
PSP

PSP

Amounts are shown on an annualised basis

0
£500

0

S$2,000

S$1,500

S$1,000

5%

4%

S$603

25%

66%

S$838

14%
36%

47%

3%

S$909

19%

33%

44%

4%

S$500

S$424

7%

93%

S$0

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Maximum with 50% 
share price growth

Andy Sng, Executive Vice President, Asia

Fixed

RSP

Annual bonus

PSP

S$2,000

S$2,000

S$1,500

S$1,500

S$1,000

S$1,000

S$500

S$500

S$424

S$424

5%

7%

7%

4%

S$603

S$603

5%
25%

4%

25%

3%

S$838

S$838

S$909

S$909

14%
36%
3%

14%
36%

4%

19%

33%
4%

19%

33%

93%

93%

66%

66%

47%

47%

44%

44%

S$0

S$0

Minimum

Minimum

On-target

On-target

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum with 50% 
share price growth

Maximum with 50% 
share price growth

The charts above illustrate the value of the remuneration package for each Executive in 2021, under four scenarios:

RSP
Annual bonus
•  Minimum: Fixed pay (consisting of base salary, benefits and pension) and full vesting under the RSP

Annual bonus
PSP

RSP
Fixed

Fixed

PSP

Andy Sng, Executive Vice President, Asia

Andy Sng, Executive Vice President, Asia

•  On-target: Fixed pay, full vesting under the RSP, on-target outturn under the annual bonus (50% of maximum) and threshold vesting 

under the PSP (25% of maximum)

•  Maximum: Fixed pay, full vesting under the RSP, maximum outturn under the annual bonus and full vesting under the PSP

•  Maximum (with 50% share price growth): As shown in the “maximum” scenario, with 50% share price appreciation assumed for the 

RSP and PSP

The fixed elements of remuneration are as follows (on an annualised basis):

Position

Chief Executive Officer

Executive Director

Name

Gavin Griggs

Duncan Penny

Base salary

£500,000

£450,000

Benefits

£25,000

£3,000

Pension

Total fixed pay

£40,000

£36,000

£565,000

£489,000

Executive Vice President, Asia

Andy Sng

S$300,000

S$77,000

S$19,500

S$396,500

DIRECTORS’ CONTRACTS

The Executive Directors’ contracts run for an indefinite period, with the Company being able to terminate the contracts without cause 
giving 12 months’ notice. When a Director is terminated without cause, the Director is entitled to a termination payment of 12 months 
of basic pay. Directors’ service contracts are available for inspection at the Annual General Meeting of the Company. Directors are able 
to terminate the contracts giving 12 months’ notice.

The Non-Executive Directors’ contracts run for an indefinite period, with the Company being able to terminate the contracts without cause 
giving 12 months’ notice. If the Shareholders do not re-elect a Non-Executive Director, or they are retired from office under the Articles, their 
appointment terminates automatically, with immediate effect and without compensation. In accordance with the Code, Non-Executive Directors 
will not serve more than nine years. Non-Executive Directors are not entitled to share option awards, long-term incentive plans or pensions.

131

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCEOTHER GOVERNANCE AND  
STATUTORY DISCLOSURES

DIRECTORS

DIVIDENDS

The Directors of the Company in office at the date of this report 
are as follows:

Gavin Griggs 
James Peters 
Terry Twigger 
Pauline Lafferty

Polly Williams
Duncan Penny
Andy Sng

All Directors will retire and, being eligible, offer themselves  
for re-election at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting on  
20 April 2021.

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS IN SHARES  
OR SHARE OPTIONS

The present membership of the Board and the interests of the 
Directors in the shares of XP Power Limited are set out in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report.

SUBSTANTIAL INTERESTS

Dividends were paid and are proposed as follows:

Period

First Quarter

Payment date

Amount

2019 
Comparative

–

–

17.0 pence

Second Quarter

9 October 2020

18.0 pence

18.0 pence

Third Quarter

15 January 2021

20.0 pence

20.0 pence

Fourth Quarter 
(proposed)

Total

28 April 2021

36.0 pence

–

74.0 pence

55.0 pence

The proposed final dividend of 36.0 pence per share, which would 
be paid on 28 April 2021 to members on the register as at  
26 March 2021. This would make the total dividend for the year 
74.0 pence (2019: 55.0 pence), which is an increase of 35%.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

The members of the Audit Committee at the end of the financial 
year were as follows:

Other than the Directors’ interests, as at 31 December 2020 the 
Company was aware of the following interests in 3% or more of 
the issued ordinary share capital of the Company:

Terry Twigger (Chair)
Polly Williams
Pauline Lafferty

Standard Life Aberdeen

Kempen Capital Mgt

Mawer Investment Mgt

BlackRock Inc

Montanaro Investment Managers

Janus Henderson Group plc

Canaccord genuity Group Inc 

Number of 
shares 

Percentage of 
shares in issue

2,725,321

13.88

997,500

948,727

837,311

757,214

652,612

598,777

5.08

4.83

4.26

3.86

3.32

3.05

During the period between 31 December 2020 and 2 
March 2021, the Company did not receive any notice, under 
the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure Guidance & 
Transparency Rules, of any shareholding increasing to 3.00% or 
more.

All members of the Audit Committee were Non-Executive 
Directors.

The Audit Committee carried out its functions in accordance with 
Section 201B(5) of the Singapore Companies Act. In performing 
those functions, the Audit Committee reviewed:

•  The audit plan of the Company’s independent Auditor and 
its report on internal accounting controls arising from the 
statutory audit;

•  The assistance given by the Company’s management to the 

independent Auditor; and

•  The balance sheet of the Company and the consolidated 

financial statements of the Group for the financial year ended 
31 December 2020 before their submission to the Board of 
Directors, as well as the independent Auditor’s report on the 
balance sheet of the Company and the consolidated financial 
statements of the Group.

The Audit Committee has recommended to the Board that the 
independent Auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, be nominated 
for reappointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting of 
the Company.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

The independent Auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, has 
expressed its willingness to accept reappointment.

132

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 

Certain laws and regulations require that specific information should be included in the Directors’ Report. The table below shows the 
items that are incorporated into this Directors’ Report by reference:

Information incorporated into the Directors’ Report by reference

Location and page

Statement of the amount of interest capitalised by the Group 
during the year with an indication of the amount and treatment  
of any related tax relief

Note 6 to the Group’s consolidated financial statements  
(page 159)

Related tax relief is insignificant

Details of long-term incentive plans

Remuneration Committee Report (page 129)

Details of any arrangements under which a Director of the 
Company has waived or agreed to waive any emoluments  
from the Company or any subsidiary undertaking

Remuneration Committee Report (page 118)

Details of any arrangements under which a Director of the 
Company has agreed to waive future emoluments, details of  
such waiver together with those relating to emoluments that were 
waived during the period under review.

Nothing to disclose

Details of allotments for cash of ordinary shares made during  
the period under review

Nothing to disclose

Contracts of significance to which the Company is a party and  
in which a Director is materially interested

Nothing to disclose

Contracts of significance between the Company and a controlling 
Shareholder

Nothing to disclose

Contracts for the provision of services to the Company by a 
controlling Shareholder

Nothing to disclose

Details of any arrangement under which a Shareholder has waived 
or agreed to waive dividends

Nothing to disclose

Agreements related to controlling Shareholder requirements under 
LR 9.2.2ARD(1)

Nothing to disclose

STATEMENT BY DIRECTORS
IN THE OPINION OF THE DIRECTORS,

a.  the balance sheet of the Company and the consolidated financial statements of the Group as set out on pages 141 to 190 are drawn 
up so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the Group as at 31 December 2020 and of the 
results of the business, changes in equity and cash flows of the Group for the financial year then ended; and 

b.  at the date of this statement, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and  

when they fall due.

On behalf of the Directors

James Peters
Non-Executive Chairman

Gavin Griggs
Chief Executive Officer

2 March 2021

133

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020GOVERNANCEF
I
N
A
N
C

I

A
L
S

134

Contents

FINANCIALS
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT  
OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF  
CHANGES IN EQUITY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF  
CASH FLOWS

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

NOTES TO THE COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

FIVE-YEAR REVIEW CONSOLIDATED 
INFORMATION

ADVISERS

136

141

142

143

144

145

180

181

191

192

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020

135

FINANCIALSINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

TO THE MEMBERS OF XP POWER LIMITED

The basis for our opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
Standards on Auditing (“ISAs”). Our responsibilities under those 
standards are further described in the “What are we responsible 
for” section of our report.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient 
and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Independence
We are independent of the Group in accordance with the 
Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority’s Code of 
Professional Conduct and Ethics for Public Accountants and 
Accounting Entities (“ACRA Code”) together with the ethical 
requirements that are relevant to our audit of the consolidated 
financial statements in Singapore, and we have fulfilled our other 
ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and 
the ACRA Code. 

REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our opinion
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial 
statements of XP Power Limited (the “Company”) and its 
subsidiary corporations (the “Group”) and the balance sheet 
of the Company are properly drawn up in accordance with the 
provisions of the Singapore Companies Act, Chapter 50 (the 
“Act”) and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) 
as adopted by the European Union, so as to give a true and fair 
view of the consolidated financial position of the Group and the 
financial position of the Company as at 31 December 2020, and 
of the consolidated financial performance, consolidated changes 
in equity and consolidated cash flows of the Group for the 
financial year ended on that date. 

What we have audited
The financial statements of the Company and the Group 
comprise:

•  The consolidated statement of comprehensive income of the 

Group for the financial year ended 31 December 2020;

•  The balance sheet of the Group as at 31 December 2020;

•  The balance sheet of the Company as at 31 December 2020;

•  The consolidated statement of changes in equity of the Group 

for the financial year then ended;

•  The consolidated statement of cash flows of the Group for the 

financial year then ended; and

•  The notes to the financial statements, including a summary of 

significant accounting policies.

Our audit approach – overview 

MATERIALITY

Materiality

The overall materiality which we have used to plan our work for the Group amounted to £2.0 
million, which represented 5.6% of profit before taxation. The overall materiality applied to the 
audit of the Company balance sheet amounted to £1.03 million. 

AUDIT SCOPE

Audit Scope

We performed an audit of the complete financial information and of significant financial statement 
line items for significant reporting units which included operations based in North America, Europe 
and Asia. This accounted for approximately 92% of Group revenues and 93% of Group assets.

Key 
Audit
Matters

KEY AUDIT MATTERS

We identified the following key audit matters: 

•  Goodwill; and

•  Capitalised product development.

136

 
 
   
We designed our audit of the Group by determining materiality 
and assessing the risks of material misstatement in the financial 
statements. In particular, we looked at where management made 
subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant 
accounting estimates, that involved making assumptions and 
considering future events that are inherently uncertain. As in all of 
our audits, we also addressed the risk of management override of 
internal controls, including evaluating whether there was evidence 
of bias by the management that represented a risk of material 
misstatement due to fraud. 

We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed 
sufficient work to be able to give an opinion on the financial 
statements as a whole, taking into account the geographic 
structure of the Group, the accounting processes and controls, 
and the industry in which the Group operates. 

What are the key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in the auditor’s 
professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit 
of the financial statements of the current period. Key audit 
matters include the most significant assessed risks of material 
misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by the 
auditors, including those which had the greatest effect on: the 
overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; 
and the directing of the efforts of the engagement team. These 
matters, and any comments we make on the results of our 
procedures thereon, were addressed in the context of our audit 
of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion 
thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these 
matters. This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our 
audit.

How we determined materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of 
materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. 
These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to 
determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and 
extent of our audit procedures on the financial statement 
line items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of 
misstatements, both individually and in aggregate on the financial 
statements as a whole. 

For each component in the scope of our Group audit, we allocated 
a materiality that is less than our overall Group materiality. The 
range of materiality allocated across components was £0.47 
million to £1.99 million. Certain components were audited to a 
local statutory audit materiality that was also less than our overall 
Group materiality.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined that the 
benchmark of profit before taxation is appropriate as it reflects 
the Group’s growth and investment plans. We believe this is a key 
measure used by shareholders in assessing the performance of 
the Group.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to 
them misstatements identified during our audit above £0.2 million 
as well as misstatements below that amount that, in our view, 
warranted reporting for qualitative reasons. 

How we tailored the audit scope
The Group operates across North America, Europe and Asia. 
In establishing the overall approach to the Group audit, we 
determined the type of work that needed to be performed at 
the local operations by us, as the Group engagement team, or 
component auditors from other PwC network firms operating 
under our instruction. Where the work was performed by 
component auditors, we determined the level of involvement 
we needed to have in the audit work at those local operations 
to be able to conclude whether sufficient appropriate audit 
evidence had been obtained as a basis for our opinion on the 
Group financial statements as a whole. In the current year, the 
Group engagement team visited the Group’s operations in North 
America.

137

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

TO THE MEMBERS OF XP POWER LIMITED

Key audit matters

Goodwill

Refer to page 112 (Report from the Chair of the Audit 
Committee), page 155 (Critical accounting judgements and key 
sources of estimation uncertainty – Impairment of Goodwill) and 
page 162 (Note 11 – Goodwill).

The Group has goodwill of £52.2 million at 31 December 2020 
contained within three cash-generating units (“CGUs”) defined 
by its geographical split – North America, Europe and Asia. 

We focused on this area due to the relative size of the carrying 
amount of goodwill, which represented 22% of total assets, and 
because management’s assessment of the ‘value-in-use’ of the 
Group’s CGUs involves significant judgements and assumptions 
about the future results of the business and the discount rates 
applied to future cash flow forecasts. 

Key judgements and assumptions about the future results of 
the business include: revenue and profit growth rates, expected 
changes to overhead costs as well as risks specific to the three 
CGUs.

Capitalised product development

Refer to page 112 (Report from the Chair of the Audit 
Committee), page 155 (Critical accounting judgements and key 
sources of estimation uncertainty – Recoverability and useful 
lives of Capitalised development costs) and page 163 (Note 12 – 
Intangible assets).

Part of the Group’s strategy is to invest in research and 
development to create new products. As at 31 December 2020, 
the carrying value of product development costs capitalised as 
an intangible asset is £25.1 million, of which £7.7 million was 
capitalised in the current financial year. 

We focused on the appropriateness of capitalisation of product 
development costs due to the relative size of the carrying 
amount of this intangible asset, which represented 10% of 
total assets, and because significant judgement is involved in 
determining whether the criteria to capitalise such product 
development costs, as set out in IAS 38 Intangible Assets, have 
been fulfilled and that the capitalised amounts are recoverable. 

We also identified the useful lives of the capitalised product 
development costs as an area involving significant judgement. 
The carrying value of the capitalised product development 
costs is heavily dependent on the useful lives of the developed 
products. Management determined the useful lives of the 
developed products based on the expected life cycle of these 
products, taking into consideration expected customer demand 
and technological innovation. 

How did our audit address these

We evaluated the suitability and appropriateness of the 
impairment model as prepared by management and noted no 
significant exceptions. 

We assessed the reasonableness of the inputs used to derive 
the discount rates. We also focused on understanding and 
challenging management’s plans for future growth for each 
of the three CGUs. Forecasted growth in revenue and profits 
are driven by constant innovation in the development of new 
product families as well as the broadening of the customer 
base in the three CGUs. We benchmarked key market-related 
assumptions in management’s forecasts such as revenue and 
profit growth rates and changes in the overhead costs with 
relevant economic, industry indicators and historical trends 
for revenue growth and considered that such targets as set by 
management were achievable. Sensitivity analyses were also 
performed on the discount rates and growth rates. We agreed 
with management that no impairment was required. 

We assessed the appropriateness of capitalisation of product 
development costs by ensuring compliance with the criteria to 
capitalise product development costs as set out in IAS 38, and 
challenged management through discussions and qualitative 
reviews of the products’ feasibility. We also tested the accuracy 
and allocation of capitalised material costs and labour costs. 
Management was able to support the capitalisation of product 
development costs.

For selected samples of developed products, we reviewed 
the actual sales during the year along with projected sales to 
ensure that the capitalised development costs are supported by 
demand and are recoverable. For selected samples of products 
in development, we reviewed the project business case, 
forecasted demand, and other supporting analysis to support the 
recoverability of these products. 

In the assessment of the useful lives of the capitalised product 
development costs, we performed a benchmarking exercise to 
compare the useful lives of the capitalised product development 
costs against other companies within the same industry. The 
useful lives as determined by management are in line with that 
of the industry and consistent with our understanding of the life 
cycle of the products. 

138

INFORMATION OTHER THAN THE FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS AND AUDITOR’S REPORT 
THEREON

Going concern
Under the UK Listing Rules (“Listing Rules”) we are required to 
review the Directors’ statement, set out on page 133, in relation 
to going concern. We have nothing to report having performed 
our review. 

The Directors’ assessment of the  
prospects of the Group 
Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the Directors’ 
statement that they have carried out a robust assessment of the 
principal risks facing the Group and the Directors’ statement 
in relation to the longer-term viability of the Group, set out on 
page 59. Our review was substantially less in scope than an 
audit and only consisted of making enquiries and considering the 
Directors’ process supporting their statements; checking that the 
statements are in alignment with the relevant provisions of the 
UK Corporate Governance Code; and considering whether the 
statements are consistent with the knowledge acquired by us in 
the course of performing our audit. We have nothing to report 
having performed our review. 

Corporate governance statement
Under the Listing Rules, we are required to review the part of the 
Corporate Governance Statement relating to Provisions 6 and 24 
to 29 of the UK Corporate Governance Code. We have nothing to 
report having performed our review. 

Other information
Management is responsible for the other information. The 
other information comprises the “Overview” section set out on 
pages 1 to 17, “Strategic Report” section set out on pages 19 to 
83, “Governance” section set out on pages 85 to 133, and the 
“Financials” section on page 191 of the Annual Report. Other 
information, as defined in this section, does not include matters 
that we are required to review and report on under the Listing 
Rules, as described above. 

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other 
information and we do not and will not express any form of 
assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our 
responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent 
with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the 
audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 

If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that 
there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are 
required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this 
regard. 

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS AND THE AUDIT

What are Management and  
Directors responsible for
Management is responsible for the preparation of financial 
statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with the 
provisions of the Act and IFRS as adopted by the European Union, 
and for devising and maintaining a system of internal accounting 
controls sufficient to provide a reasonable assurance that assets 
are safeguarded against loss from unauthorised use or disposition; 
and transactions are properly authorised and that they are 
recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of true and fair 
financial statements and to maintain accountability of assets.

In preparing the financial statements, management is responsible 
for assessing the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, 
disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and 
using the going concern basis of accounting unless management 
either intends to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or 
has no realistic alternative but to do so. 

THE DIRECTORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 
OVERSEEING THE GROUP’S FINANCIAL 
REPORTING PROCESS. 

What are we responsible for
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an 
auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance 
is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit 
conducted in accordance with ISAs will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud 
or error and are considered material if, individually or in the 
aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the 
economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial 
statements. 

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs, we exercise 
professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism 
throughout the audit. We also: 

•  Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the 
consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or 
error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to 
those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and 
appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of 
not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is 
higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve 
collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or 
the override of internal control. 

•  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the 

audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate 
in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an 
opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control. 

139

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

TO THE MEMBERS OF XP POWER LIMITED

REPORT ON OTHER LEGAL AND 
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

In our opinion, the accounting and other records required by 
the Act to be kept by the Company and by those subsidiaries 
incorporated in Singapore of which we are the auditors, have 
been properly kept in accordance with the provisions of the Act. 

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this 
independent auditor’s report is Greg Unsworth. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Public Accountants and Chartered Accountants 

Singapore

2 March 2021

•  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used 

and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related 
disclosures made by management. 

•  Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of 

the going concern basis of accounting and based on the audit 
evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists 
related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt 
on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we 
conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to 
draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures 
in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures 
are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are 
based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our 
auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may 
cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern. 

•  Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the 
consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures, 
and whether the consolidated financial statements represent 
the underlying transactions and events in a manner that 
achieves fair presentation. 

•  Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the 
financial information of the entities or business activities 
within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated 
financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, 
supervision and performance of the Group audit. We remain 
solely responsible for our audit opinion. 

We communicate with the Audit Committee regarding, among 
other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and 
significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in 
internal control that we identify during our audit. 

We also provide the Audit Committee with a statement that 
we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding 
independence, and to communicate with them all relationships 
and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our 
independence, and where applicable, related safeguards. 

From the matters communicated with the Audit Committee, we 
determine those matters that were of most significance in the 
audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current 
year and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these 
matters in our auditor’s report, unless law or regulation precludes 
public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare 
circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be 
communicated in our report because the adverse consequences 
of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public 
interest benefits of such communication.

140

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

£m
Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit
Other income

Expenses

Distribution and marketing

Administrative

Research and development

Operating profit
Finance charge

Profit before tax
Income tax expense

Profit after tax

Other comprehensive income:

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Cash flow hedges

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Currency translation differences arising from consolidation

Other comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year

Profit attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Note

4

7

7

7

7

6

8

2020

233.3

(123.2)

110.1

0.6

(52.4)

(5.0)

(15.9)

37.4

(1.7)

35.7

(4.0)

31.7

–

(3.6)

(3.6)

 *

(3.6)

28.1

31.5

0.2

31.7

27.9

0.2

28.1

2019

199.9

(109.8)

90.1

–

(43.2)

(7.2)

(13.0)

26.7

(2.7)

24.0

(3.2)

20.8

(0.1)

(4.2)

(4.3)

(0.1)

(4.4)

16.4

20.5

0.3

20.8

16.2

0.2

16.4

Earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the Company (pence per share)
Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

* Balance is less than £100,000.

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

10

10

163.0

160.3

107.0

105.0

141

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

£m

ASSETS

Current assets
Corporate tax recoverable

Cash and cash equivalents 

Inventories

Trade receivables

Other current assets

Derivative financial instruments 

Total current assets

Non-current assets
Goodwill

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Right-of-use assets

Deferred income tax assets

ESOP loan to employees

Total non-current assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities
Current income tax liabilities

Trade and other payables

Derivative financial instruments

Lease liabilities

Accrued consideration

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Accrued consideration

Borrowings

Deferred income tax liabilities

Provisions

Lease liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

NET ASSETS

EQUITY

Equity attributable to equity holders of the Company
Share capital

Merger reserve

Share option reserve

Treasury shares reserve

Translation reserve

Other reserve

Retained earnings 

Non-controlling interests

TOTAL EQUITY

* Balance is less than £100,000.

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

142

Note

2020

2019

16

17

18

19

23

11

12

13

14

24

20

23

22

21

21

22

24

22

25

25

25

25

25

25

25

3.8

13.9

54.2

30.2

4.6

0.3

107.0

52.2

46.6

28.4

5.1

2.9

*

135.2

242.2

4.9

28.2

0.1

1.5

–

34.7

1.0

31.8

6.7

0.1

3.4

43.0

77.7

164.5

27.2

0.2

4.1

(0.1)

(3.8)

3.6

132.6

163.8

0.7

164.5

2.0

11.2

44.1

34.8

3.3

0.6

96.0

53.2

46.4

29.3

6.6

1.8

0.1

137.4

233.4

3.1

25.2

–

1.6

0.5

30.4

1.2

52.5

5.5

0.1

4.8

64.1

94.5

138.9

27.2

0.2

3.9

(0.5)

(0.2)

(0.8)

108.4

138.2

0.7

138.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT 
OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

 Attributable to equity holders of the Company

Note

Share 
capital

Share 
option 
reserve

Treasury 
shares 
reserve

Merger 
reserve

Hedging 
reserve

Translation 
reserve

Other
reserve

Retained
earnings

Non-
controlling 
interests

Total

Total 
equity

0.2

0.1

4.0

(0.8)

104.6

136.4

1.0

137.4

27.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

27.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2.1

–

0.7

1.1

*

*

–

–

*

3.9

(1.2)

1.5

(0.1)

*

–

–

*

–

*

(1.0)

0.5

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(0.5)

0.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

27.2

4.1

(0.1)

0.2

–

–

–

–

–

(0.1)

–

–

–

–

–

(4.2)

–

–

(0.1)

(4.2)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

*

–

–

0.5

0.7

1.1

–

–

–

0.5

0.7

1.1

(16.7)

(16.7)

(0.5)

(17.2)

–

–

20.5

(4.2)

(0.1)

(4.3)

(0.1)

20.5

–

0.3

(0.1)

20.8

20.5

16.2

0.2

16.4

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(0.2)

(0.8)

108.4

138.2

0.7

138.9

–

–

–

–

–

–

(3.6)

–

(3.6)

4.3

–

–

–

(0.1)

0.2

–

–

–

-

–

–

(7.3)

–

–

3.5

1.5

(0.1)

(7.3)

(0.1)

–

–

–

*

–

3.5

1.5

(0.1)

(7.3)

(0.1)

0.2

(0.2)

–

*

31.5

(3.6)

31.5

*

0.2

(3.6)

31.7

31.5

27.9

0.2

28.1

(3.8)

3.6

132.6

163.8

0.7

164.5

£m

Balance at 
1 January 2019
Exercise of share options

Employee share option 
plan expenses

Tax on employee share 
option plan expenses

Dividends paid

9

Exchange difference arising 
from translation of financial 
statements of foreign 
operations

Net change in cash flow 
hedges

Profit for the year

Total comprehensive 
income for the year

Balance at 
31 December 2019
Exercise of share options

Employee share option 
plan expenses

Tax on employee share 
option plan expenses

Dividends paid

9

Future acquisition of non-
controlling interest

Change in non-controlling 
interest

Exchange difference arising 
from translation of financial 
statements of foreign 
operations

Profit for the year

Total comprehensive 
income for the year

Balance at 
31 December 2020

* Balances are less than £100,000.

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

143

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSCONSOLIDATED STATEMENT 
OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

£m

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit after tax

Adjustments for:
– Income tax expense
– Amortisation and depreciation
– Finance charge
– Share option expense
– Fair value loss/(gain) of derivative financial instruments
– Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment
– Loss on disposal of intangible assets
– Unrealised currency translation loss
– Provision for doubtful debts
Change in working capital, net of effects from acquisitions:

– Inventories
– Trade and other receivables
– Trade and other payables
– Provision for liabilities and other charges
Cash generated from operations
Income tax paid, net of refund

Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases and construction of property, plant and equipment

Additions of development costs

Additions of intangible software and software under development

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from repayment of ESOP loans

Payment of accrued consideration

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of borrowings 

Principal payment of lease liabilities

Proceeds from exercise of share options

Interest paid

Dividend paid to equity holders of the Company

Dividend paid to non-controlling interests

Net cash used in financing activities

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of financial year

Effects of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at end of financial year

* Balances are less than £100,000.

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

144

Note

8

7

6

5

30 (d)

26

26

26

26

13

12

12

21

22

22

22

9

16

2020

31.7

4.0

14.0

1.7

1.5

0.5

*

1.2

0.2

0.4

(12.3)

2.7

3.3

*

48.9

(3.3)

45.6

(4.0)

(7.7)

(3.2)

0.1

*

(0.6)

(15.4)

(20.7)

(1.7)

3.5

(1.3)

(7.3)

*

(27.5)

2.7

11.2

*

13.9

2019

20.8

3.2

12.7

2.7

0.7

(0.9)

–

–

0.9

–

10.3

(3.7)

4.5

(0.5)

50.7

(4.5)

46.2

(4.7)

(8.0)

(3.6)

*

*

–

(16.3)

(8.8)

(1.5)

0.5

(2.7)

(16.7)

(0.5)

(29.7)

0.2

11.5

(0.5)

11.2

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

XP Power Limited (the “Company”) is listed on the London Stock Exchange and incorporated and domiciled in Singapore. The address of 
its registered office is 401 Commonwealth Drive, Lobby B, #02-02, Haw Par Technocentre, Singapore 149598.

The nature of XP Power Limited and its subsidiaries’ operations and its principal activities are set out in the “Markets and Products” 
sections of the Annual Report on pages 22–23.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out below. These policies 
have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

2.1 Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements of XP Power Limited and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) have been prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union (IFRS as adopted by the EU). 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost convention except as disclosed in the accounting 
policies below. 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee 
(“IFRIC”) requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of these accounting policies 
and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical 
experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of 
making the judgements about carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Areas involving 
a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial 
statements, are disclosed in Note 3.

a.  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 22 to 27. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are 
described in the financial review on pages 48 to 51. The principal risks of the Group are set out on pages 54 to 59. The directors have 
considered these areas alongside the principal risks and how they may impact going concern.   

The directors reviewed budgets and forecasts to assess the cash requirements of the Group to continue in operational existence for a 
minimum period of 12 months from the date of the approval of these financial statements. 

The Directors also reviewed downside scenarios to the budgets and forecasts, which reflect the possible impact of risks identified in 
the risk management framework. The greatest consideration was given to those risks with the highest potential impact if they occurred 
and those with the highest probability of occurring. Throughout these downside scenarios, the Group continues to have significant 
headroom on its financial debt covenants.   

Therefore, after making the above enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources 
to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Group, therefore, continues to adopt the going concern basis in 
preparing its consolidated financial statements.

b.  CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY AND DISCLOSURES

i   New and amended standards adopted by the Group

On 1 January 2020, the Group adopted the new or amended IFRS and IFRIC that are mandatory for application for the financial year. 
Changes to the Group’s accounting policies have been made as required, in accordance with the transitional provisions in the respective 
IFRS and IFRIC.

The adoption of these new or amended IFRS did not result in substantial changes to the Group’s accounting policies and had no material 
effect on the amounts reported for the current or previous financial years.

ii  New standards and interpretations issued not yet adopted

Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for 31 December 2020 reporting 
periods and have not been early adopted by the Group. These standards are not expected to have a material impact on the entity in the 
current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions. 

145

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALS 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

2.2 Foreign currency translation
a.  FUNCTIONAL AND PRESENTATION CURRENCY

Items included in the financial statements of each entity in the Group are measured using the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which the entity operates (“functional currency”). The consolidated financial statements are presented in Pounds 
Sterling, which is different from the Company’s functional currency. The Company’s functional currency is the US Dollar.

The financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling, as the majority of the Company’s Shareholders are based in the UK and the 
Company is listed on the London Stock Exchange. It is the currency that the Directors of the Group use when controlling and monitoring 
the performance and financial position of the Group.

b.  TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the 
transactions or valuation where items are remeasured. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such 
transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies 
are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income, except when deferred in other currency translation reserve as qualifying cash 
flow hedges. 

Non-monetary items measured at fair value in foreign currencies are translated using exchange rates at the date when the fair values are 
determined. Currency translation differences on these items are included in other comprehensive income.

c.  TRANSLATION OF GROUP ENTITIES’ FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The results and financial position of all the Group entities that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are 
translated into the presentation currency as follows:

(i)  Assets and liabilities of the Group’s foreign operations are translated at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date; 

(ii) 

Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the period unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly, 
and the average rate is not considered a reasonable approximation of the cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the 
transaction dates in which case income and expenses are translated using the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions; 

(iii)  Exchange differences arising, if any, are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the currency translation 
reserve. These currency translation differences are reclassified to profit or loss on disposal or partial disposal of the entity giving 
rise to such reserve; and

(iv)  Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign 

entity and translated at the closing rate at the date of the balance sheet. The Group has elected to treat goodwill and fair value 
adjustments arising on the acquisitions before the date of transition to IFRS as Pound Sterling denominated assets and liabilities 
converted using the exchange rates at the dates of acquisition. 

2.3 Revenue recognition
a.  SALES OF GOODS

The Group manufactures and sells a range of power products. Sales are recognised when control of the products has transferred to 
its customer, being when the products are delivered to the buyer, the buyer has full discretion over the channel and price to sell the 
products, and there is no unfulfilled obligation that could affect the buyer’s acceptance of the products. Delivery occurs when the 
products have been shipped to the specific location, the risks of obsolescence and loss have been transferred to the buyer, and either 
the buyer has accepted the products in accordance with the sales contract, the acceptance provisions have lapsed, or the Group has 
objective evidence that all criteria for acceptance have been satisfied.

Power products are sometimes sold with volume discounts based on aggregate sales over a 12-month period or early payment 
discounts if the customers made early repayment. Revenue from these sales is recognised based on the price specified in the contract, 
net of the discounts. Accumulated experience is used to estimate and provide for the volume discounts, using the expected value 
method, and early payment discounts, using most likely approach. Revenue is only recognised to the extent that it is highly probable 
that a significant reversal will not occur. No element of financing is deemed present as the sales are made with a credit term of 30 days, 
which is consistent with market practice. The Group will usually issue a credit note for refund for faulty products.

A receivable (financial asset) is recognised when the goods are delivered as this is the point in time that the consideration is 
unconditional because only the passage of time is required before payment is due.

Volume rebates and early payment discounts are recognised when the goods are delivered and is presented as a reduction in trade and 
other receivables.

The Group has elected to apply the practical expedient not to adjust the transaction price for the existence of significant financing 
component when the period between the transfer of control of good or service to a customer and the payment date is one year or less.

146

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(b)  INTEREST INCOME

Interest income is recognised using the effective interest method.

2.4 Group accounting 
a. SUBSIDIARIES

Subsidiaries are all entities (including special purpose entities) over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when 
the Group is exposed to, or has the rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those 
returns through its power over the entity. The existence and effect of potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible 
are considered when assessing whether the Group controls another entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which 
control is transferred to the Group. They are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases.

The Group uses the acquisition method of accounting to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred for the 
acquisition of a subsidiary comprises the fair value of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred, and the equity interests issued by 
the Group. The consideration transferred also includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration 
arrangement and the fair value of any pre-existing equity interest in the subsidiary. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. 
Identifiable assets acquired, liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair 
values at the acquisition date. On an acquisition-by-acquisition basis, the Group recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquiree 
either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquiree’s net assets. 

The excess of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the acquisition-date fair 
value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired, is recorded as 
goodwill. If this is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired in the case of a bargain purchase, the difference is 
recognised directly in the statement of comprehensive income.

Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. Unrealised losses 
are also eliminated. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies 
adopted by the Group.

Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost less impairment in the separate financial statements. This cost of investment is 
subsequently adjusted to reflect changes in contingent consideration, if any. In the separate financial statements, cost of investment in 
subsidiaries also includes directly attributable acquisition costs.

b. TRANSACTIONS WITH NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

Non-controlling interests comprise the portion of a subsidiary’s net results of operations and its net assets, which is attributable to the 
interests that are not owned directly or indirectly by the equity holders of the Company. They are shown separately in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity, and balance sheet. 

Total comprehensive income is attributed to the non-controlling interests based on their respective interests in a subsidiary, even if this 
results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.

The Group treats transactions with non-controlling interests as transactions with equity owners of the Group. For purchases of shares 
from non-controlling interests, the difference between any consideration paid and the relevant share acquired of the carrying value of 
net assets of the subsidiary, is recorded in equity. Gains or losses on disposals to non-controlling interests are also recorded in equity.

When the Group ceases to have control or significant influence, any retained interest in the entity is remeasured to its fair value, with 
the change in carrying amount recognised in the statement of comprehensive income. The fair value is the initial carrying amount 
for the purposes of subsequently accounting for the retained interest as an associate, joint venture or financial asset. In addition, any 
amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income in respect of that entity are accounted for as if the Group had directly 
disposed of the related assets or liabilities. This may mean that amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income are 
reclassified to the statement of comprehensive income.

2.5 Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The cost of finished goods and work-in-progress comprises raw 
materials, direct labour, other direct costs and related production overheads (based on normal operating capacity) but excludes 
borrowing costs.

Cost is calculated using the weighted average method. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all estimated costs 
of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

147

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

2.6 Property, plant and equipment 
Items of property, plant and equipment, including land and buildings, are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any 
recognised impairment losses.

The historical cost of an item of property, plant and equipment initially recognised includes its purchase price and any cost that is 
directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner 
intended by management.

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits 
associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance are 
charged to the statement of comprehensive income during the financial period in which they are incurred.

Freehold land and property under development are not depreciated. Depreciation on other items of property, plant and equipment is 
calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost over their estimated useful lives as follows:

Plant and equipment 
Motor vehicles 
Building improvements 
Buildings 

–  10–33%
–  20–25%
–  10–33%
–  2–5%

The residual values, estimated useful lives and depreciation method of property, plant and equipment are reviewed, and adjusted as 
appropriate, at each balance sheet date. The effects of any revision are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income when the 
changes arise.

An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its 
estimated recoverable amount.

Gains or losses arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset are determined as the difference between the sale proceeds less cost to 
sell and the carrying amount of the asset, and are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

2.7 Intangible assets
a. GOODWILL

The excess of the consideration transferred, the amount of non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the acquisition-date fair value 
of any previous equity interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the Group’s share of identifiable net assets acquired, is recorded as 
goodwill. 

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and whenever there is an indication that the goodwill may be impaired. Goodwill is carried at 
cost less accumulated impairment losses. Impairment losses on goodwill are not reversed. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity 
include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.

Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units (“CGUs”) for the purpose of impairment testing. The allocation is made to those CGUs 
or groups of CGUs that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill arose, identified according to 
operating segment.

b. INTERNALLY GENERATED INTANGIBLE ASSETS – RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURE

The cost of an item of internally generated intangible assets initially recognised includes materials used, direct labour and other 
directly attributable costs to bringing the asset to the condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by 
management.

Expenditure on research activities is recognised as an expense as incurred.

An internally generated intangible asset arising from the Group’s product development is recognised only if all of the following criteria 
are met:

•  There is an ability to use or sell the asset;

•  Management intends to complete the asset and use or sell it;

•  It can be demonstrated the asset will generate probable future economic benefits;

•  It is technically feasible to complete the asset so that it will be available for use;

•  Adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the asset  are available; and

•  The expenditure attributable to the asset during its development can be reliably measured.

Internally generated intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over their useful lives, which vary between three and seven 
years depending on the exact nature of the project undertaken. Amortisation commences when the product is ready and available for use.

148

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

c. ACQUIRED COMPUTER SOFTWARE LICENCES

Acquired computer software licences are initially capitalised at cost which includes the purchase prices (net of any discounts and 
rebates) and other directly attributable costs of preparing the asset for its intended use. Direct expenditures including employee costs, 
which enhance or extend the performance of computer software beyond its specifications and which can be reliably measured, are 
added to the original cost of the software. Costs associated with maintaining the computer software are expensed off when incurred.

Computer software licences are subsequently carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. These 
costs are amortised to profit or loss using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of seven to ten years.

The amortisation period and amortisation method of intangible assets other than goodwill are reviewed at least at each balance sheet 
date. The effects of any revision are recognised in profit or loss when the changes arise.

d.  OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Other intangible assets that are acquired by the Group are initially recognised at cost. The cost of intangible assets acquired in a 
business combination is its fair value as at the date of acquisition. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less 
any accumulated amortisation. Amortisation is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the 
estimated useful lives as follows:

Brand 
Technology 
Customer relationships 
Customer contracts 

–  10%–50%
–  10%–20%
–  10%–20%
–  90%–100%

2.8 Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss using the effective interest method except for these costs that are directly attributable 
to the construction or development of properties and assets under construction. This includes those costs on borrowings acquired 
specifically for the construction or development of properties and assets under construction, as well as those in relation to general 
borrowings used to finance the construction or development of properties and assets under construction.

2.9 Impairment of non-financial assets
a. GOODWILL

Goodwill recognised separately as an intangible asset is tested for impairment annually and whenever there is indication that the 
goodwill may be impaired.

For the purpose of impairment testing of goodwill, goodwill is allocated to each of the Group’s cash-generating units (“CGU”) expected 
to benefit from synergies arising from the business combination.

An impairment loss is recognised when the carrying amount of a CGU, including the goodwill, exceeds the recoverable amount of the 
CGU. The recoverable amount of a CGU is the higher of the CGUs’ fair value less cost to sell and value-in-use.

The total impairment loss of a CGU is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of goodwill allocated to the CGU and then to the 
other assets of the CGU pro rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the CGU.

An impairment loss on goodwill is recognised as an expense and is not reversed in a subsequent period.

b.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS, PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

Intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and investments in subsidiaries are reviewed for impairment whenever events or 
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount 
by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value 
less costs to sell and value-in-use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there 
are separately identifiable cash flows (cash-generating units). Non-financial assets other than goodwill that suffered impairment are 
reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date. 

149

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

2.10 Fair value estimation of financial assets and liabilities
The fair values of financial instruments traded in active markets (such as exchange-traded and over-the-counter securities and 
derivatives) are based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. The quoted market prices used for financial assets are the 
current bid prices; the appropriate quoted market prices used for financial liabilities are the current asking prices.

The fair values of currency forwards are determined using actively quoted forward exchange rates. 

The fair values of current financial assets and liabilities carried at amortised cost approximate their carrying amounts.

2.11 Financial assets
Beginning 1 January 2019, the Group classifies its financial assets in the following measurement categories:

•  Those to be measured at amortised cost; and

•  Those to be measured subsequently at fair value (either through other comprehensive income, or through profit or loss).

The classification depends on the Group’s business model for managing the financial assets as well as the contractual terms of the cash 
flows of the financial assets.

For assets measured at fair values, gains or losses will either be recorded in profit or loss or other comprehensive income.

At initial recognition, the Group measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through 
profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. Transaction costs of financial assets 
carried at fair value through profit or loss are expensed in profit or loss.

AT SUBSEQUENT MEASUREMENT

Debt instruments

Debt instruments mainly comprise of “trade receivables”, “other current assets (excluding prepayments, VAT receivables and rights to 
returned goods)”, “cash and cash equivalents” and “ESOP loans to employees” in the balance sheet.

There are three subsequent measurement categories, depending on the Group’s business model for managing the asset and the cash 
flow characteristics of the asset:

Amortised cost: Debt instruments that are held for collection of contractual cash flows where those cash flows represent solely 
payments of principal and interest are measured at amortised cost. A gain or loss on a debt instrument that is subsequently measured 
at amortised cost and is not part of a hedging relationship is recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised or impaired. 
Interest income from these financial assets is included in finance income using the effective interest rate method. 

Fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”): Debt instruments that are held for collection of contractual cash flows and 
for sale, and where the assets’ cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest, are classified as FVOCI. Movements in 
fair values are recognised in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) and accumulated in fair value reserve, except for the recognition 
of impairment gains or losses, interest income and foreign exchange gains and losses, which are recognised in profit and loss. When 
the financial asset is derecognised, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in OCI is reclassified from equity to profit or loss 
and presented in “other gains/(losses)”. Interest income from these financial assets is recognised using the effective interest rate and 
presented in “interest income”.

Fair value through profit or loss (“FVPL”): Debt instruments that are held for trading as well as those that do not meet the criteria for 
classification as amortised cost or FVOCI are classified as FVTPL. Movement in fair values and interest income that is not part of a 
hedging relationship is recognised in profit or loss in the period in which it arises and presented in “other gains/(losses)”.

The Group applies the simplified approach permitted by the IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, which requires expected lifetime losses to be 
recognised from initial recognition of the receivables. The Group uses a provision matrix to measure expected credit loss.

Expected credit loss is assessed separately for each of the Group’s key regions and is based on each region’s two-year historical credit 
loss experience.

Offsetting financial instruments

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the balance sheet when there is a legally enforceable right to 
offset and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or realise the asset and the liability simultaneously.

150

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

2.12 Trade and other payables
Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods and services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. 
Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less (or in the normal operating cycle of the 
business if longer). If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade and other payables are initially recognised at fair value, and subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest 
method.

2.13 Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, and it is more likely 
than not that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and the amount has been reliably estimated. 

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditure expected to be required to settle the obligation using a pre-tax 
discount rate that reflects the current market assessment of the time value of money and the risks specific to the obligation. The 
increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognised as a finance expense. Changes in the estimated timing or amount of 
the expenditure or discount rate are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income when the changes arise.

2.14 Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised 
cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognised in the statement of 
comprehensive income over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

Fees paid on the establishment of loan facilities are recognised as transaction costs of the loan to the extent that it is probable that 
some or all of the facility will be drawn down. In this case, the fee is deferred until the drawdown occurs. To the extent there is no 
evidence that it is probable that some or all of the facility will be drawn down, the fee is capitalised as a prepayment for liquidity 
services and amortised over the period of the facility to which it relates.

Borrowings are presented as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least 12 months 
after the balance sheet date, in which case they are presented as non-current liabilities.

2.15 Leases
When the Group is the lessee:

At the inception of the contract, the Group assesses if the contract contains a lease. A contract contains a lease if the contract convey 
the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Reassessment is only required when 
the terms and conditions of the contract are changed.

a. RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS

The Group recognised a right-of-use asset and lease liability at the date which the underlying asset is available for use. Right-of-use 
assets are measured at cost which comprises the initial measurement of lease liabilities adjusted for any lease payments made at or 
before the commencement date and lease incentive received. Any initial direct costs that would not have been incurred if the lease had 
not been obtained are added to the carrying amount of the right-of-use assets.

These right-of-use assets are subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the earlier of 
the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term.

b. LEASE LIABILITIES

The initial measurement of lease liability is measured at the present value of the lease payments discounted using the implicit rate in the 
lease, if the rate can be readily determined. If that rate cannot be readily determined, the Group shall use its incremental borrowing rate.

Lease payments include the following:

•  Fixed payment (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivables;

•  Variable lease payment that are based on an index or rate, initially measured using the index or rate at the commencement date;

•  Amount expected to be payable under residual value guarantees;

•  The exercise price of a purchase option if is reasonably certain to exercise the option; and

•  Payment of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the Group exercising that option.

151

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

For contract that contain both lease and non-lease components, the Group allocates the consideration to each lease component on the 
basis of the relative standalone price of the lease and non-lease component. The Group has elected to not separate lease and non-lease 
component for property leases and account these as one single lease component.

Lease liability is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Lease liability shall be remeasured when:

•  There is a change in future lease payments arising from changes in an index or rate;

•  There is a change in the Group’s assessment of whether it will exercise an extension option; or 

•  There is modification in the scope or the consideration of the lease that was not part of the original term.

Lease liability is remeasured with a corresponding adjustment to the right-of-use asset, or is recorded in profit or loss if the carrying 
amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero.

Lease payments are presented as follows in the Group statement of cash flows:

•  Short-term lease payments, payments for leases of low-value assets and variable lease payments that are not included in the 

measurement of the lease liabilities are presented within cash flows from operating activities;

•  Payments for the interest element of recognised lease liabilities are included in ‘interest paid’ within cash flows from financing 

activities; and

•  Payments for the principal element of recognised lease liabilities are presented within cash flows from financing activities.

c. SHORT-TERM OR LOW-VALUE LEASES

The Group has elected to not recognised right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have lease terms of 12 
months or less and leases of low-value leases, except for sublease arrangements. Lease payments relating to these leases are expensed 
to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

d. VARIABLE LEASE PAYMENTS

Variable lease payments that are not based on an index or a rate are not included as part of the measurement and initial recognition of 
lease liability. The Group shall recognise those lease payments in profit or loss in the periods that triggered those lease payments.

2.16 Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities
A derivative financial instrument for which no hedge accounting is applied is initially recognised at its fair value at the date the contract 
is entered into and is subsequently carried at its fair value. Changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss. The Group does not 
apply hedge accounting for its derivative financial instruments. 

The Group’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The 
Group periodically uses foreign exchange forward contracts to manage the foreign currency exposures. 

152

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

2.17 Current and deferred income tax
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on the taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the statement 
of comprehensive income because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further 
excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been 
enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with 
respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation. It establishes provisions, where appropriate, on the 
basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities. 

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities 
in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the 
balance sheet liability method. 

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the 
extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such 
assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition (other than in a 
business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit. 

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, and 
interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the 
temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. 
Deferred tax is charged or credited in the statement of comprehensive income, except when it relates to items charged or credited 
directly to equity in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax 
liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax 
assets and liabilities on a net basis.

As the timing of the tax deduction and the recognition of the employee share option expense differs, IAS 12 Income Taxes requires the 
recognition of the related deferred tax asset if the deferred tax asset recognition criteria are met. For an equity-settled share-based 
payment, if the cumulative amount of tax deduction exceeds the tax effect of the related cumulative remuneration expense at the 
reporting date, the excess of the associated deferred tax shall be recognised directly in equity. All taxes related to cash-settled share-
based payments shall be recognised in profit or loss.

153

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

2.18 Cash and cash equivalents
For the purpose of presentation in the consolidated cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and deposits 
with financial institutions.

2.19 Share-based payments
The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain employees. Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at 
fair value at the date of grant. The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on a 
straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of shares that will eventually vest. The vesting conditions are 
service conditions and performance conditions only. At each balance sheet date, the Group revises its estimates of the number of shares 
under options that are expected to become exercisable on the vesting date and recognises the impact of the revision of the estimates 
in the statement of comprehensive income, with a corresponding adjustment to the share option reserve over the remaining vesting 
period. 

When the options are exercised, the proceeds received (net of transaction costs) and the related balance previously recognised in the 
share option reserve are credited to share capital account, when new ordinary shares are issued, or to the “treasury shares” account, 
when treasury shares are reissued to the employees.

2.20 Defined contribution plans
The Group operates several defined contribution plans. Defined contribution plans are post-employment benefit plans under which the 
Group pays fixed contributions into separate entities on a mandatory, contracted or voluntary basis. The Group has no further payment 
obligations once the contributions have been paid.

2.21 Employee leave entitlements
Employee entitlements to annual leave are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income when they accrue to employees. A 
provision is made for the estimated liability for leave as a result of services rendered by employees up to the balance sheet date.

2.22 Share capital and treasury shares
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new ordinary shares are shown in equity, 
net of tax, from the proceeds.

When any entity within the Group purchases the Company’s ordinary shares (“treasury shares”), the consideration paid, including any 
directly attributable incremental cost (net of income taxes), is deducted from equity attributable to the Company’s equity holders, until 
they are cancelled, sold or reissued.

When treasury shares are subsequently cancelled, the cost of treasury shares are deducted against the share capital account if the 
shares are purchased out of capital of the Company, or against the retained earnings of the Company if the shares are purchased out of 
earnings of the Company.

When treasury shares are subsequently sold or reissued pursuant to the employee share option scheme, the cost of treasury shares 
is reversed from the treasury share reserve and the realised gain or loss on sale or reissue, net of any directly attributable incremental 
transaction costs and related income tax, is recognised in the retained earnings of the Company.

Other reserve comprises future transactions with the non-controlling interest. The amount that may become payable under the 
agreement is initially recognised at the present value of the redemption amount within liabilities with a corresponding charge directly 
to equity. The liability is subsequently accreted through equity up to the redemption amount that is payable at the date at which the 
agreement first becomes exercisable. 

2.23 Dividend distribution
Dividend distributions to the Company’s Shareholders are recognised when the dividends are approved for payment or, in the case of 
interim dividends, when paid.

2.24 Segment reporting
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the Chief Operating Decision Makers 
who are responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments. Segment reporting is disclosed in 
Note 4.

154

3. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

In the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies, as described in Note 2, management has made the following judgements and 
estimations that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

a. Recoverability of capitalised development costs
During the year £7.7 million (2019: £8.0 million) of development costs were capitalised, bringing the total carrying amount of 
development costs capitalised as intangible assets as at 31 December 2020 to £25.1 million (2019: £23.4 million), net of amortisation. 
Management has reviewed the balances by project, compared the carrying amount to expected future revenues and profits and 
is satisfied that no impairment exists and that the costs capitalised will be fully recovered as the products are launched to market. 
New product projects are monitored regularly and should the technical or market feasibility of a new product be in question, the 
project would be cancelled and capitalised costs to date will be removed from the balance sheet and charged to the statement of 
comprehensive income. Significant judgements are used by the Group to estimate future sales of products and expected future cash 
flows. In making these estimates, management has relied on past performance, its expectations of market developments, and industry 
trends.

b. Useful lives of capitalised development costs
The Group estimates the useful lives of capitalised development costs based on the period over which the assets are expected to be 
available for use by the Group. Significant judgements are used by the Group in determining the useful lives of capitalised development 
costs based on the expected life cycle of these products, taking into consideration expected customer demand and technological 
innovation.

c.  Impairment of goodwill
The Group tests annually for impairment of goodwill, or more frequently if there are indications that goodwill might be impaired.

An impairment loss is recognised when the carrying amount of a CGU, including the goodwill, exceeds the recoverable amount of the 
CGU. The recoverable amount of a CGU is the higher of the CGU’s fair value less cost to sell and value-in-use.

The recoverable amount of the goodwill is determined from value-in-use calculations. The key assumptions and estimates for the value-
in-use calculations are those regarding the discount rates, growth rates and expected changes to sales and overheads during the period. 
Management estimates discount rates using pre-tax rates that reflect current market assessments of the time value of money and the 
risks specific to the cash-generating units.

The Group prepares cash flow forecasts derived from the most recent financial results and takes into account industry growth forecasts 
for the next five years and extrapolates cash flows for the following five years assuming no growth from that date. The carrying amount 
of goodwill as at 31 December 2020 was £52.2 million (2019: £53.2 million) with no impairment adjustment required for 2020.

Management assessed that there are no realistic foreseeable changes that will result in impairment loss on the goodwill allocated to the 
North America, Europe and Asia operating segments. 

4. SEGMENTED AND REVENUE INFORMATION

Management has determined the operating segments based on the reports reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Makers (“CODM”) 
that are used to make strategic decisions. The CODM are the Executive Board of Directors who will review the operating results and 
forecasts to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segments and assess their performance.

The Executive Board of Directors considers and manages the business on a geographic basis. Management manages and monitors the 
business based on the three primary geographic areas: North America, Europe and Asia. All geographic locations market the same class 
of products to their respective customer base.

The Executive Board of Directors assesses the performance of the operating segments based on net sales and operating income. 
Net sales for geographic segments are based on the location of the design win rather than where the end sale is made. The operating 
income for each segment includes net sales to third parties, related cost of sales, operating expenses directly attributable to the 
segment, and a portion of corporate expenses. Costs excluded from segment operating income include stock-based compensation 
expense, income taxes, various non-operating charges, and other separately managed general and administrative costs. 

Segment assets consist primarily of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, intangible assets, inventories, trade receivables, cash and 
cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments and exclude tax assets.

Segment liabilities comprise trade and other current liabilities, derivative financial instruments, borrowings, accrued contingent 
consideration and exclude tax liabilities.

155

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

4. SEGMENTED AND REVENUE INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

(i) Revenue
The Group derives revenue from the transfer of goods at a point in time in the following major product lines and geographical regions.

The revenue by class of customer and location of the design win is as follows:

Year to 31 December 2020

Year to 31 December 2019

£m

Semiconductor 
Manufacturing Equipment

Industrial Technology

Healthcare

Total

Europe

North
America

1.2

42.8

21.0

65.0

66.6

37.4

43.2

147.2

Asia

1.8

14.2

5.1

21.1

Total

Europe

69.6

94.4

69.3

233.3

0.4

52.0

12.0

64.4

North
America

36.6

47.7

31.2

115.5

Asia

Total

0.4

16.9

2.7

20.0

37.4

116.6

45.9

199.9

Revenues of £32.1 million (2019: £20.5 million) are derived from a single external customer. These revenues are attributable to the 
semiconductor manufacturing equipment sector. 

The revenue by region or country where sales are generated is as follows:

£m

North America

United Kingdom

Singapore

Germany

Switzerland

France

Other countries

Total revenue

2020

134.8

33.4

31.0

14.5

2.6

3.8

13.2

233.3

 2019

107.5

31.8

29.1

13.9

2.7

3.7

11.2

199.9

The majority of North America’s revenue is generated from the United States of America.

(ii) Segment
As permitted under IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, the aggregated transaction price allocated to unsatisfied 
contracts of periods one year or less, or are billed based on time incurred, is not disclosed.

The segment information provided to the CODM for the reportable segments for the year ended 31 December 2020 and prior year 
comparatives is as follows:

Reconciliation of segment results to profit after tax:

£m

Europe 

North America

Asia

Segment results
Research and development 

Manufacturing

Corporate cost from operating segment

Adjusted operating profit
Finance charge

Specific items

Profit before tax

Income tax expense

Profit after tax

2020

18.0

43.7

7.3

69.0

(10.1)

(0.3)

(12.6)

46.0

(1.7)

(8.6)

35.7

(4.0)

31.7

 20191  

16.4

32.0

6.6

55.0

(9.4)

(2.3)

(8.3)

35.0

(2.7)

(8.3)

24.0

(3.2)

20.8

1  Prior year comparatives were reclassified to ensure consistency with 2020 segmental presentation and the classification of fair value adjustment on currency 

hedge as a specific item.

156

 
 
4. SEGMENTED AND REVENUE INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

£m

Other information
Property, plant and equipment 
additions

Depreciation of property, plant 
and equipment

Right-of-use assets additions

Depreciation of right-of-use 
assets

Intangible assets additions

Amortisation

Balance sheet

Segment assets
Unallocated deferred and current 
income tax

Consolidated total assets

Segment liabilities
Unallocated deferred and current 
income tax

Consolidated total liabilities

* Balance is less than £100,000.

Year to 31 December 2020

Year to 31 December 2019

Europe

North
America

Asia

Total

Europe

North
America

Asia

Total

0.1

0.4

0.4

0.5

*

0.2

1.8

1.5

*

1.1

4.4

4.2

2.1

2.1

0.4

0.3

6.5

3.7

4.0

4.0

0.8

1.9

10.9

8.1

0.2

0.5

0.3

0.3

–

0.3

2.3

1.1

1.4

1.1

4.1

4.2

2.2

2.0

*

0.3

7.5

2.9

4.7

3.6

1.7

1.7

11.6

7.4

29.1

130.7

75.7

235.5

31.1

123.7

74.8

229.6

(5.8)

(44.8)

(15.5)

6.7

242.2

(66.1)

(11.6)

(77.7) 

(5.3)

(66.2)

(14.4)

Non-current assets, other than deferred income tax assets, by countries:

£m

North America

United Kingdom

Singapore

Germany

Switzerland

France

Other countries

Total non-current assets

* Balance is less than £100,000. 

2020

81.6

11.8

25.2

0.5

0.1

*

13.1

132.3

RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED MEASURES

The Group presents adjusted operating profit and adjusted profit before tax by making adjustments for costs and profits, which 
management believes to be significant by virtue of their size, nature or incidence or which have a distortive effect on current year 
earnings. Such items may include, but are not limited to, costs associated with business combinations, gains and losses on the disposal 
of businesses, fair value movements, restructuring changes, acquisition related costs and amortisation of intangible assets arising from 
business combinations. 

In addition, the Group presents an adjusted profit after tax measure by making adjustments for certain tax charges and credits, which 
management believes to be significant by virtue of their size, nature or incidence or which have a distortive effect.

The Group uses these adjusted measures to evaluate performance and as a method to provide shareholders with clear and consistent 
reporting. See below for a reconciliation of operating profit to adjusted operating profit, a reconciliation of profit before tax to adjusted 
profit before tax and a reconciliation of profit after tax to adjusted profit after tax.

157

3.8

233.4

(85.9)

(8.6)

(94.5)

 2019

84.3

13.1

23.1

0.5

0.1

*

14.5

135.6

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALS 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

4. SEGMENTED AND REVENUE INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

a. A reconciliation of operating profit to adjusted operating profit is as follows:

£m

Operating profit

Adjusted for:

Acquisition costs

Costs related to ERP implementation

Amortisation of intangible assets due to business combination

Legal costs

Restructuring costs

Fair value loss/(gain) on currency hedge2

Adjusted operating profit 

b. A reconciliation of profit before income tax to adjusted profit before tax is as follows:

£m

Profit before tax (“PBT”)

Adjusted for:

Acquisition costs

Costs related to ERP implementation

Amortisation of intangible assets due to business combination

Legal costs

Restructuring costs

Fair value adjustments on currency hedge2

Adjusted PBT

c. A reconciliation of profit after tax to adjusted profit after tax is as follows:

£m

Profit after tax (“PAT”)

Adjusted for:

Acquisition costs

Costs related to ERP implementation

Amortisation of intangible assets due to business combination

Legal costs

Restructuring costs

Fair value adjustments on currency hedge2
Non-recurring tax benefits1

Adjusted PAT

2020

37.4

0.3

1.9

3.2

0.4

2.3

0.5

8.6

46.0

2020

35.7

0.3

1.9

3.2

0.4

2.3

0.5

8.6

44.3

2020

31.7

0.3

1.9

3.2

0.4

2.3

0.5

(1.1)

7.5

39.2

 2019

26.7

0.9

2.2

3.2

1.9

1.0

(0.9)

8.3

35.0

 2019

24.0

0.9

2.2

3.2

1.9

1.0

(0.9)

8.3

32.3

 2019

20.8

0.9

2.2

3.2

1.9

1.0

(0.9)

(1.2)

7.1

27.9

1  Adjusted for tax on specific items relating to completed acquisitions of £0.1 million (2019: £0.2 million), costs related to ERP implementation of £0.3 million (2019: 
£0.4 million), legal costs of £0.1 million (2019: £0.5 million), restructuring costs of £0.5 million (2019: £0.2 million) and fair value loss on currency hedge of £0.1 
million (2019: gain £0.1 million)

2 From 2020 fair value adjustments on currency hedges are included as a specific item as they are not considered representative of the Group’s performance and are 
excluded from adjusted results. For consistency, the comparative figures have been updated to include this item. 

5. EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION (INCLUDING DIRECTORS)

£m

Wages and salaries

Employers’ contribution to defined contribution plans (Note 27)

Share option expense

Less: amount capitalised in intangible assets 

Total

For further information regarding Directors’ remuneration, refer to the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

158

2020

60.7

8.1

1.5

70.3

(6.9)

63.4

 2019

51.4

7.6

0.7

59.7

(6.8)

52.9

6. FINANCE CHARGE

£m

Interest income

Interest expense on bank loans and overdrafts
 — Bank borrowings
 — Lease liabilities

Unwinding of discount for asset retirement obligation

Unwinding of discount for accrued consideration

Less: amount capitalised in intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

Amount recognised in profit or loss

* Balances are less than £100,000.

Finance expenses on general financing were capitalised at a rate of 1.2% per annum (2019: 4.0% per annum).

7. EXPENSES BY NATURE 

£m

Profit after tax is after charging:
Amortisation of intangible assets 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

Employee compensation (Note 5)

Foreign exchange loss

Fair value adjustment on currency hedge

(Gain) on foreign exchange forwards

Purchases of inventories

Changes in inventories

Fees payable to the Group’s Auditor for the audit of the Group’s accounts

Fees payable to the Group’s Auditor for non-audit services

Fees payable to other audit firm for audit related services

Tax fees payable to other firms for services provided to the Group

Lease expense (Note 14)

Finance charge (Note 6)

Recruitment

Information systems

Consultancy fees

Travel and entertainment 

Costs related to ERP implementation 

Legal costs

Restructuring costs 

Other charges

Total

* Balances are less than £100,000.

2020

*

1.5

0.3

1.8

*

*

1.8

(0.1)

1.7

 2019

*

2.7

0.3

3.0

*

*

3.0

(0.3)

2.7

2020

 2019

8.1

4.0

1.9

63.4

1.0

0.5

-

110.1

(10.1)

0.6

–

*

0.2

0.2

1.7

1.2

2.9

3.7

0.6

1.9

0.4

2.3

3.6

7.4

3.6

1.7

52.9

0.8

(0.9).)

(0.4)

78.6

12.4

0.5

0.1

*

0.1

0.4

2.7

0.6

2. 2.5 

3.0

2.4

2.2

1.9

1.0

2.4

198.2

175.9

159

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALS2020

 2019

4.5

(0.1)

0.5

(1.4)

0.1

3.6

(0.1)

0.5

4.0

2.5

(0.2)

0.9

(1.0)

0.2

2.4

1.0

(0.2)

3.2

 2019

24.0

4.1

(0.5)

0.5

*

0.3

–

(1.4)

0.2

3.2

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

8. INCOME TAXES

£m

Singapore corporation tax
 — current year
 — over-provision in prior financial year
Overseas corporation tax
 — current year
 — over-provision in prior financial year
Withholding tax

Current income tax

Deferred income tax
 — current year
 — under/(over)-provision in prior financial years
Income tax expense

Taxation for other jurisdictions is calculated at the rates prevailing in the respective jurisdictions at the balance sheet date.

The differences between the total income tax expense shown above and the amount calculated by applying the standard rate of 
Singapore income tax rate to the profit before income tax are as follows:

£m

Profit before tax
Tax on profit at standard Singapore tax rate of 17% (2019: 17%)

Tax incentives

Higher rates of overseas corporation tax

Deduction for employee share options

Non-deductible expenditure

Non-taxable income 

Over provision of tax in prior financial years

Withholding tax

Income tax expense 

2020

35.7

6.1

(0.6)

0.5

(1.2)

0.3

(0.2)

(1.0) 

0.1

4.0

There is no (2019: £nil) tax (charge)/credit relating to components of other comprehensive income.

Aggregate deferred tax asset arising in the reporting period and not recognised in net profit or loss or other comprehensive income but 
directly (debited) or credited to equity:

£m

Deferred tax asset – share option plan expenses

Total

* Balances are less than £100,000.

2020

*

*

 2019

1.1

1.1

160

9. DIVIDENDS

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the period: 

Prior year third quarter dividend paid

Prior year final dividend paid

First quarter dividend paid

Second quarter dividend paid

Total

* Dividends in respect of 2019 (55.0p).

^ Dividends in respect of 2020 (74.0p).

2020

Pence 
per share

20.0*

–

–

18.0^

38.0

2019

Pence 
per share

19.0

33.0

17.0*

18.0*

87.0

£m

3.6

6.3

3.3

3.5

16.7

£m

3.8

–

–

3.5

7.3

The third quarter dividend of 20.0 pence per share was paid on 15 January 2021. The proposed final dividend of 36.0 pence per share 
for the year ended 31 December 2020 is subject to approval by Shareholders at the Annual General Meeting scheduled for 20 April 
2021 and has not been included as a liability in these financial statements.  It is proposed that the final dividend be paid on 28 April 
2021 to members on the register as at 26 March 2021.

10. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The calculations of the basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the Company are based on the 
following data:

£m

Earnings
Earnings for the purposes of basic and diluted earnings per share
(profit attributable to equity holders of the Company)

Earnings for earnings per share

Number of shares
Weighted average number of shares for the purposes of basic earnings per share (thousands)

Effect of potentially dilutive share options (thousands)

Weighted average number of shares for the purposes of dilutive earnings per share (thousands)

Earnings per share from operations

Basic

Basic adjusted*

Diluted

Diluted adjusted*

* Reconciliation to compute the diluted adjusted earnings from operations is as per below:

£m

Earnings for the purposes of basic and diluted earnings per share

(profit attributable to equity holders of the Company)

Amortisation of intangible assets due to business combination

Acquisition costs

Non-recurring tax benefits

Costs related to ERP implementation

Legal costs

Restructuring costs

Fair value adjustments on currency hedge

Adjusted earnings

2020

 2019

31.5

31.5

19,326

327

19,653

163.0p

201.8p

160.3p

198.4p

20.5

20.5

19,154

368

19,522

107.0p

144.1p

105.0p

141.4p

2020

 2019

31.5

3.2

0.3

(1.1)

1.9

0.4

2.3

0.5

39.0

20.5

3.2

0.9

(1.2)

2.2

1.9

1.0

(0.9)

27.6

161

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALS 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

11. GOODWILL

£m

Cost 

At 1 January 

Accrued consideration (Note 21)

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December

Accumulated impairment loss

At 31 December

Carrying amount

At 31 December

2020

 2019

53.2

(0.3)

(0.7)

52.2

–

54.1

0.3

(1.2)

53.2

–

52.2

53.2

Goodwill arises on the consolidation of business/subsidiary undertakings. 

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill has been allocated to the cash-generating units according to operating segments 
identified in Note 4.

The recoverable amount of the goodwill is determined from value-in-use calculations. 

Key assumptions used for value-in-use calculations:

North America

Europe

Asia

31 December 2020

31 December 2019

Growth rate1

Discount rate2

5.3%

2.4%

7.8%

11.9%

11.0%

14.0%

Terminal 
growth rate

2.0%

2.0%

2.0%

Growth rate1

Discount rate2

8.4%

4.0%

8.8%

13.0%

12.7%

14.0%

Terminal  
growth rate

2.0%

2.0%

2.0%

1 Compound annual growth rate of projected revenue over five years
2 Pre-tax discount rate applied to the pre-tax cash flow projections

The Group prepares cash flow forecasts derived from the most recent financial results and takes into account industry growth forecasts 
for five years and estimates cash flows based on these forecasts.

A sensitivity analysis was performed for each of the CGUs or group of CGUs and other than for the North America CGU, management 
concluded that no reasonably possible change in any of the key assumptions would result in the carrying value of the CGU to exceed its 
recoverable amount.

The impairment test carried out at 31 December 2020 for the Europe CGU, which includes 18.3% of the goodwill recognised on 
the balance sheet, has revealed that the recoverable amount of the CGU is £45.5 million or 97.2% higher than its carrying amount. 
A reasonably possible change of a 19.0% increase in the discount rate or a decrease in growth rate by 4.9% would result in the 
recoverable amount of the Europe CGU being equal to its carrying value.

The impairment test carried out at 31 December 2020 for the North America CGU, which includes 78.8% of the goodwill recognised on 
the balance sheet, has revealed that the recoverable amount of the CGU is £126.4 million or 28.0% higher than its carrying amount. A 
reasonably possible change of a 3.7% increase in the discount rate or a decrease in growth rate by 0.9% would result in the recoverable 
amount of the North America CGU being equal to its carrying value.

162

 
12. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

£m

Cost
At 1 January 2019

Additions

Transfer

Reclassification from 
property, plant and 
equipment

Foreign currency 
translation

At 31 December 2019
Additions

Disposal

Transfer

Foreign currency 
translation

At 31 December 2020

Amortisation
At 1 January 2019

Charge for the year

Transfer

Reclassification from 
property, plant and 
equipment

Foreign currency 
translation

At 31 December 2019
Charge for the year

Transfer

Foreign currency 
translation

At 31 December 2020

Carrying amount

At 31 December 2020
At 31 December 2019

Development 
costs

Brand Trademarks

Technology

Customer 
relationships

Customer 
contracts

Intangible 
software

36.4

8.0

–

–

(1.2)

43.2

7.7

(1.2)

–

(1.3)

48.4

16.3

3.9

–

–

(0.4)

19.8

4.1

–

(0.6)

23.3

25.1
23.4

1.0

1.0

5.2

18.6

0.6

–

*

–

*

1.0

–

–

–

(0.1)

0.9

0.1

0.1

*

–

*

0.2

*

–

0.1

0.3

0.6
0.8

*

*

–

*

1.0

–

–

–

0.1

1.1

0.9

–

–

–

–

0.9

–

–

0.1

1.0

0.1
0.1

–

*

–

(0.3)

4.9

–

–

–

*

4.9

0.8

0.6

*

–

*

1.4

0.6

–

*

2.0

2.9
3.5

–

–

–

(0.8)

17.8

–

–

–

(0.6)

17.2

2.4

2.5

–

–

(0.2)

4.7

2.5

–

(0.4)

6.8

10.4
13.1

–

–

–

*

0.6

–

–

–

*

0.6

0.6

–

–

–

*

0.6

–

–

*

 0.6 

–
–

0.2

0.2

4.9

2.3

(0.2)

7.4

0.3

–

1.3

(0.3)

8.7

*

0.3

–

1.6

*

1.9

0.9

–

(0.1)

 2.7 

6.0
5.5

Intangible 
software 
under 
development

1.7

3.4

(4.9)

Total

64.7

11.6

–

–

2.3

(0.2)

–

2.9

–

(1.3)

(0.1)

1.5

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 – 

1.5
–

(2.7)

75.9

10.9

(1.2)

–

(2.3)

83.3

21.1

7.4

–

1.6

(0.6)

29.5

8.1

–

(0.9)

 36.7 

46.6
46.4

* Balances are less than £100,000.

The amortisation period for development costs incurred on the Group’s products varies between three and seven years according to the 
expected useful life of the products being developed.

Amortisation commences when the product is ready and available for use.

The remaining amortisation period for customer relationships ranges from two to eight years. 

The Group’s trademarks used to identify and distinguish the Group’s name and logo have a carrying amount of £0.1 million (2019: 
£0.1 million). The Group intends to renew the trademarks continuously and evidence supports its ability to do so, based on its past 
experience. An analysis of market and competitive trends provides evidence that the trademarks will generate net cash inflows for the 
Group for an indefinite period. Therefore, the trademarks are carried at cost without amortisation, but is tested for impairment on an 
annual basis. 

163

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

13. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

£m

Freehold land

Buildings

and equipment Motor vehicles

Plant 

Building 
improvements

Projects under 
development

Cost
At 1 January 2019

Additions

Disposals

Transfer

Reclassification to intangible 
assets

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2019
Additions

Disposals

Transfer

Reclassification to intangible 
assets

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2020

Depreciation
At 1 January 2019

Charge for the year

Disposals

Transfer

Reclassification to intangible 
assets

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2019
Charge for the year

Disposals

Transfer

Reclassification to intangible 
assets

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2020

Carrying amount

At 31 December 2020
At 31 December 2019

* Balances are less than £100,000.

1.6

–

–

–

–

*

1.6

–

–

–

–

(0.1)

1.5

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1.5
1.6

14.5

–

–

3.5

–

(0.7)

17.3

*

–

–

–

(0.2)

17.1

2.9

0.3

–

–

–

(0.1)

3.1

0.5

–

–

–

*

3.6

13.5
14.2

26.1

2.1

(1.6)

1.0

(2.1)

(1.0)

24.5

1.9

(0.8)

1.6

–

(0.6)

26.6

15.7

2.7

(1.6)

*

(1.6)

(0.6)

14.6

2.8

(0.7)

–

–

(0.2)

16.5

10.1
9.9

0.5

0.1

(0.2)

–

–

*

0.4

*

(0.1)

–

–

*

0.3

0.3

0.1

(0.1)

–

–

*

0.3

0.1

(0.1)

–

–

(0.1)

0.2

0.1
0.1

5.3

1.2

*

*

(0.2)

(0.2)

6.1

0.5

*

–

–

(0.3)

6.3

2.2

0.5

(0.1)

*

–

*

2.6

0.6

*

–

–

(0.1)

3.1

3.2
3.5

3.2

1.3

–

(4.5)

*

*

–

1.6

–

(1.6)

–

*

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

Total

51.2

4.7

(1.8)

–

(2.3)

(1.9)

49.9

4.0

(0.9)

–

–

(1.2)

51.8

21.2

3.6

(1.8)

–

(1.6)

(0.7)

20.6

4.0

(0.8)

–

–

(0.4)

23.4

28.4
29.3

164

 
14. LEASES

a.  Right-of-use assets
Carrying amounts and depreciation charge during the year

£m

Cost
At 1 January 2019

Additions

Disposals

Depreciation charge during the year

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2019
Additions

Disposals

Depreciation charge during the year

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2020

* Balances are less than £100,000.

b.  Lease expense not capitalised in lease liabilities

£m

Lease expense – short-term leases

Lease expense – low-value leases

Total (Note 7)

Leasehold land 
and buildings

Equipment and 
motor vehicles

6.9

1.4

*

(1.7)

(0.3)

6.3

0.5

(0.3)

(1.7)

*

4.8

0.1

0.3

–

*

(0.1)

0.3

0.3

(0.1)

(0.2)

*

0.3

2020

0.2

*

0.2

Total

7.0

1.7

–

(1.7)

(0.4)

6.6

0.8

(0.4)

(1.9)

*

5.1

 2019

0.3

0.1

0.4

c.  Total cash outflow for all leases in 2020 was £2.2 million (2019: £2.2 million).

d.  Future cash outflows which are not capitalised in lease liabilities

EXTENSION OPTIONS

The leases for certain office spaces contain extension periods, for which the related lease payments have not been included in lease 
liabilities as the Group is not reasonably certain to exercise these extension options. The Group negotiates extension options to 
optimise operational flexibility in terms of managing the assets used in the Group’s operations. All the extensions are exercisable by 
the Group and not by the lessor.

e.  Nature of the Group’s leasing activities

LEASEHOLD LAND AND BUILDINGS

The Group has made an upfront payment to secure the right-of-use of two 50-year leasehold lands, which are used in the 
Group’s production operations. The Group also leases office space for the purpose of back office operations, sales activities, and 
warehousing activities.

EQUIPMENT AND MOTOR VEHICLES

The Group leases vehicles to render logistic services, and leases copier machines for back office use.

165

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

15. SUBSIDIARIES

Details of principal subsidiaries as at 31 December 2020, all of which are consolidated, are as follows:

Name of Subsidiary

Held by the Company
XP Power Plc

Place of 
incorporation/
ownership
(or registration)
and operation

UK

XP Power Singapore Holdings Pte Limited

Singapore

Held by the Group
XP PLC

XP Power Holdings Limited

XP Power AG

Powersolve Electronics Limited*

XP Power Srl

XP Power ApS

XP Power Sweden AB

XP Power GmbH

XP Power SA

XP Power Norway AS

XP Power International Limited

Forx, Inc.

XP Power LLC

XP Power (Shanghai) Co., Limited

XP Power (Hong Kong) Limited

UK

UK

Switzerland

UK

Italy

Denmark

Sweden

Germany

France

Norway

UK

Delaware

USA

China

Hong Kong

Vietnam

XP Power (Vietnam) Co., Limited

XP Power Singapore Manufacturing Pte. Ltd.

Singapore

XP Power (Israel) Ltd

XP Power Japan K.K.1

Hanpower Co., Ltd*

Israel

Japan

South Korea

¹ XP Power Japan K.K. was dissolved and certified on 16 December 2020.

* Refer to Note 21.

16. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 

£m

Cash at bank and on hand

Short-term bank deposits

Total 

Proportion of 
ownership
2020
(%)

Proportion of 
ownership
2019
(%)

100

100

100

100

100

89.9

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

-

66

100

100

100

100

100

89.9

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

51

Statutory Auditor of subsidiaries

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Karpf Treuhand & Revisions AG

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Exempted to be audited by local statutory law

Bierholm

Rodl & Partner Nordic AB

Exempted to be audited by local statutory law

Deloitte 

BDO AS

Exempted to be audited by local statutory law

Exempted to be audited by local statutory law

Exempted to be audited by local statutory law

Shanghai Jahwa CPAs

PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited

PricewaterhouseCoopers (Vietnam) Limited

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Ernst and Young Solutions LLP

Exempted to be audited by local statutory law

Exempted to be audited by local statutory law

2020

13.8

0.1

13.9

 2019

11.1

0.1

11.2

For the purpose of presenting the consolidated cash flow statement, the consolidated cash and cash equivalents comprise the following:

£m

Cash at bank balances (as above)

Cash and cash equivalents per consolidated cash flow statement

2020

13.9

13.9

 2019

11.2

11.2

166

17. INVENTORIES

£m

Goods for resale

Raw materials

Work in progress

Total

2020

24.6

22.2

7.4

54.2

 2019

18.6

21.8

3.7

44.1

The cost of inventories recognised as an expense and included in “cost of sales” amounts to £100.0 million (2019: £91.0 million).  

18. TRADE RECEIVABLES

£m

Current assets

Trade receivables 

Loss allowance (Note 30 (d))

Total 

2020

 2019

30.7

(0.5)

30.2

34.9

(0.1)

34.8

The average credit period taken on sales of goods is 47 days (2019: 64 days). No interest is charged on the outstanding receivables 
balance. The carrying amounts of trade receivables approximate their fair values.

19. OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

£m

Prepayments

Deposits

VAT receivables

Rights to returned goods

Other receivables

Total 

Other current assets are not impaired as at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019.

20. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

£m

Trade payables

Other taxes

Other creditors and accruals

Refund liabilities

Total

2020

 2019

3.0

0.3

0.5

0.5

0.3

4.6

2020

12.0

3.5

11.8

0.9

28.2

2.1

0.3

0.4

0.2

0.3

3.3

 2019

12.7

2.3

9.8

0.4

25.2

Trade and other payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. The carrying amounts of 
trade and other payables approximate their fair values.

The refund liabilities and rights to returned goods (Note 19) are recognised for products expected to be returned from customers.

167

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

21. ACCRUED CONSIDERATION

£m

At 1 January

Movement in provision during the year

Payment

At 31 December

£m

Current portion

Non-current portion

At 31 December

2020

1.7

(0.1)

(0.6)

1.0

2020

–

1.0

1.0

 2019

1.4

0.3

–

1.7

 2019

0.5

1.2

1.7

The Group owns 89.9% (2019: 89.9%) of the shares of Powersolve Electronics Limited (“Powersolve”) and entered into an amended 
agreement on 29 October 2016 to purchase the remaining 10.1% of the shares in 2022. On 26 February 2021, the Group entered 
into a deed of variation to amend the purchase of the remaining 10.1% of shares in 2022 to purchase 0.7% of the shares in 2022 and 
another 9.4% in 2025. 

The Group entered into an agreement on 20 May 2015 with Hanpower Co Ltd (“Hanpower”) to purchase an additional 15.0% of the 
shares in 2020 and another 15% of the shares in 2025. During the year, the transaction to purchase the additional 15% of shares has 
been completed and the Group now owns 66% (2019: 51%) of the shares of Hanpower. 

The commitment to purchase the remaining ownership interests has been accounted for as accrued consideration and is calculated 
based on the expected future payment which will be based on a predefined multiple of the average earnings for three years.

The future payment is discounted to the present value, with the discount amortised to interest expense each period as the payment 
draws nearer. At each reporting period, the anticipated future payment is recalculated and an adjustment made accordingly, with 
a corresponding adjustment to goodwill for Powersolve. For Hanpower, the amount that is payable under the agreement is initially 
recognised at the present value of the redemption amount within liabilities with a corresponding charge directly to equity. The liability is 
subsequently accreted through equity up to the redemption amount that is payable in 2025.

22. BORROWINGS AND LEASE LIABILITIES

a.  Bank borrowings
The borrowings are repayable as follows:

£m

On demand or within one year

In the second year

In the third year

In the fourth year

Total

The carrying amounts of the Group’s borrowings are denominated in the following currency:

£m

Bank loans (in USD)

Total

UNDRAWN BORROWING FACILITIES 

£m

Expiring beyond one year

Total

2020

 2019

–

–

–

31.8

31.8

2020

31.8

31.8

2020

76.9

76.9

–

–

–

52.5

52.5

 2019

52.5

52.5

 2019

37.1

37.1

The facility has no fixed repayment terms until maturity. The revolving loan is priced at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.0%–1.2% (2019: 1.2%) 
for the utilisation facility and a margin of 0.4%–0.5% (2019: 0.4%–0.5%) for the unutilised facility.

There is no drawdown on bank overdrafts (2019: £nil) during the year. 

The fair value of the Group’s bank loans and overdrafts approximates their book value.

168

22. BORROWINGS AND LEASE LIABILITIES (CONTINUED)

b.  Lease liabilities

£m

Current

Non-current

Total

2020

1.5

3.4

4.9

 2019

1.6

4.8

6.4

RECONCILIATION OF LIABILITIES ARISING FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

£m

Bank loans

Lease liabilities

£m

Bank loans

Lease liabilities

1 January 
2020

52.5

6.4

Principal 
and interest 
payments

(21.7)

(2.0)

Adoption 
of IFRS 16

–

–

1 January 
2019

63.5

–

Principal 
and interest 
payments

(11.2)

(1.8)

Adoption 
of IFRS 16

–

6.4

Non-cash changes

Disposal 
during 
the year

–

(0.4)

Non-cash changes

Disposal 
during 
the year

–

–

Addition 
during 
the year

–

0.7

Addition
during 
the year

–

1.6

Interest 
expense

1.5

0.3

Interest 
expense

2.7

0.3

Foreign 
exchange 
movement

(0.5)

(0.1)

31 December 
2020

31.8

4.9

Foreign 
exchange 
movement

31 December 
2019

(2.5)

(0.1)

52.5

6.4

23. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Forward foreign exchange contracts
The Group utilises currency derivatives to hedge highly probable forecast transactions. The instruments purchased are denominated in 
the currencies of the Group’s principal markets. These contracts were taken up to protect against exchange rate movements on future 
purchases of goods. Hedge accounting has not been applied to these contracts.

The total notional amount and fair value asset/(liability) of these forward contracts are as follows:

December 2020 £m

Forward foreign exchange contracts

Current portion

Total

December 2019 £m

Forward foreign exchange contracts

Current portion

Total

Assets

Liabilities

Contract 
notional 
amount

5.8

5.8

Fair value 
asset

0.3

0.3

Contract 
notional 
amount

2.4

2.4

Fair value
 (liability)

(0.1)

(0.1)

Assets

Liabilities

Contract
notional 
amount

11.3

11.3

Fair value
asset

0.6

0.6

Contract
 notional 
amount

Fair value
 (liability)

–

–

–

–

169

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

24. DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

The movement in deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the financial year is as follows:

Deferred income tax assets

£m 

At 1 January 2019

Credit to statement of comprehensive income

Charge to equity

At 31 December 2019
Credit to statement of comprehensive income

At 31 December 2020

Deferred income tax liabilities

£m 

At 1 January 2019

(Charge)/credit to statement of comprehensive income

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2019
(Charge)/credit to statement of comprehensive income

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2020

* Balance less than £100,000. 

Share-based 
payment

Tax losses

Other
temporary 
differences

0.6

0.1

1.1

1.8

0.5

2.3

–

–

–

–

0.4

0.4

–

–

–

–

0.2

0.2

Accelerated
tax
depreciation

Intangible 
assets
amortisation

Capitalised
development
costs

Other
temporary 
differences

(0.6)

(0.4)

–

(1.0)

(0.8)

*

(1.8)

(0.9)

(0.2)

–

(1.1)

(0.3)

*

(1.4)

(4.4)

(0.9)

0.2

(5.1)

(0.6)

0.2

(5.5)

1.2

0.6

(0.1)

1.7

0.2

*

1.9

Total

0.6

0.1

1.1

1.8

1.1

2.9

Total

(4.7)

(0.9)

0.1

(5.5)

(1.5)

0.3

(6.7)

25. SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES

Called up share capital 

£m

Allotted and fully paid 19,642,296 ordinary shares (2019: 19,242,296)

Reserve
The reserves of the Group comprise the following balances:

£m

Merger reserve

Share option reserve

Treasury shares reserve

Translation reserve

Other reserve

Retained earnings

Balance at 31 December

2020

27.2

 2019

27.2

2020

0.2

4.1

(0.1)

(3.8)

3.6

132.6

136.6

 2019

0.2

3.9

(0.5)

(0.2)

(0.8)

108.4

111.0

Merger reserve represents the difference between the value of shares issued by the Company in exchange for the value of shares of 
subsidiaries acquired under common control.

Share option reserve represents the equity-settled share options granted to employees. The reserve is made up of the cumulative value 
of services received from employees recorded over the vesting period commencing from the grant date of equity-settled share options, 
and is reduced by the expiry or exercise of share options.

Treasury shares reserve represents the amount of treasury shares held by the Group. 

Treasury shares held by the Group’s Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Beginning of the financial year 

Shares issued and held on behalf by ESOP Trust

Employees shares purchase under the DPS held on behalf by ESOP Trust

Shares distributed in the year

End of the financial year

2020

46,090

400,00

12,500

(301,630)

156,960

 2019

79,740

0

0

(33,650)

46,090

2020

(0.5)

–

–

0.4

(0.1)

 2019

(1.0)

0.0

0.0

0.5

(0.5)

During the year, the Company issued 400,000 ordinary shares at 1 pence per share and held under ESOP Trust.

170

25. SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (CONTINUED)

Hedging reserve comprises the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of cash flow hedging instruments.

Translation reserve represents exchange differences arising from the translation of financial statements of foreign operations whose 
functional currencies are different from that of the Group’s presentation currency.

Other reserves comprises future transactions with the non-controlling interest. The amount that may become payable under the 
agreement is initially recognised at the present value of the redemption amount within liabilities with a corresponding change directly to 
equity. The liability is subsequently accreted through finance charges up to the redemption amount that is payable at the date at which 
the agreement first becomes exercisable. The Group has an agreement with the non-controlling shareholders of its Hanpower Co. Ltd 
(“Hanpower”) subsidiary to purchase an additional 15.0% of the shares in 2020 and another 15.0% of the shares in 2025. 

26. CASH FLOW FROM MOVEMENT IN WORKING CAPITAL 

The following adjustments have been made to reconcile from the movement in balance sheet heading to the amount presented in 
the cash flow from the movement in working capital. This is in order to more appropriately reflect the cash impact of the underlying 
transactions. 

2020 £m

Trade and other payables (Note 20)

Accrued consideration (Note 21) 

Provisions 

At 31 December 2020

At 31 December 2019 

Balance sheet movement 

Provision for doubtful debts 

Payment of accrued considerations 

Effects of currency translations 

Movements as shown in Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 

2019 £m

Trade and other payables (Note 20)

Accrued consideration (Note 21) 

Provisions 

At 31 December 2019

At 31 December 2018

Balance sheet movement 

Increase in interest accruals 

Accrued considerations on acquisitions 

Effects of currency translations 

Movements as shown in Consolidated Cash Flow Statement 

27. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS

Trade and other 
receivables 
(Note 18 
and 19)

Inventories 
(Note 17)

Trade and other 
payables

Provisions

Total working 
capital 
movement

–

–

–

54.2

44.1

(10.1)

–

–

(2.2)

(12.3)

–

–

–

34.8

 38.1

3.3

(0.4)

–

(0.2)

2.7

(28.2)

(1.0)

–

(29.2)

(26.9)

2.3

–

0.6

0.4

3.3

–

–

(0.1)

(0.1)

(0.1)

*

–

–

–

*

(4.5)

(0.4)

0.6

(2.0)

(6.3)

Trade and other 
receivables 
(Note 18 
and 19)

Inventories 
(Note 17)

Trade and other 
payables

Provisions

Total working 
capital 
movement

–

–

–

44.1

56.5

12.4

–

–

(2.1)

 10.3

–

–

–

 38.1

 36.3

(1.8)

–

–

(1.9)

(3.7)

(25.2)

(1.7)

–

(26.9)

(23.8)

3.1

0.3

(0.2)

1.3

4.5

–

–

(0.1)

(0.1)

(0.5)

(0.4)

–

–

(0.1)

(0.5)

13.3

0.3

(0.2)

(2.8)

10.6

The total cost recognised is £8.1 million (2019: £7.6 million) for the Group. 

In the USA, the total cost charged to the statement of comprehensive income of £4.8 million (2019: £4.1 million) represents the Group’s 
defined contribution.

In the United Kingdom and Europe, the Group operates defined contribution pension schemes for its employees with contributions 
amounting to £2.0 million (2019: £2.1 million). 

In Asia, the Group contributes to the defined contribution plans regulated and managed by the governments of the countries in which 
the Group operates. The Group’s contribution to the defined contribution plans is charged to the statement of comprehensive income in 
the period to which the contributions relate. The total cost charged to the statement of comprehensive income was £1.3 million (2019: 
£1.4 million).

171

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

28. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties of the Company, have been eliminated on 
consolidation and are not disclosed in this note.

As at 31 December 2020, the Company’s Employee Share Ownership Plan provided nil (2019: nil) interest-free loans to Directors for 
the deferred payment share scheme. The detailed information is provided for in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 116–131.

The remuneration of the Directors of the Group who are considered to be key management is set out below for each of the categories 
specified in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures. Further information about the remuneration of the individual Directors is provided in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 116–131.

£m

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Share option expense

Total Directors’ remuneration

* Balances are less than £100,000.

29. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

2020

 2019

1.9

0.1

0.6

2.6

1.3

*

0.5

1.8

Share Option Plans
Options have been granted under the Company’s Approved Share Option Schemes. The number of shares outstanding, subscription 
prices and exercise periods are as follows: 

Number of shares

10,000

105,145

115,145

* 2012 Approved option scheme has been fully vested.
# 50% of 2016 Approved option scheme vested in 2019 and 50% vested in 2020.

Exercise price (pence)

Grant date

Expiry date 

946

 1,543

10 October 2012* 
23 February 2016#

10 October 2022

23 February 2026

Outstanding at beginning of the year

Granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year
Exercisable at the end of the year

2020

2019

Number of 
share options

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
(pence)

Number of 
share options

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
(pence)

389,583

1,358

510,750

1,391

–

(4,798)

(269,640)

115,145

115,145

–

–

(1,301)

1,491

1,491

–

(89,120)

(32,047)

389,583

252,392

–

–

(1,346)

1,358

1,261

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for the share options exercised during the period was £38.44 (2019: £25.37). 
The options outstanding at 31 December 2020 had a weighted average exercise price of £14.91 (2019: £13.58), and a weighted 
average remaining contractual life of 4.8 years.

For options granted in 2016, the Group has taken a charge of £14,000 (2019: £0.1 million). The fair value of options was determined 
using the Black–Scholes Model with a share price of £15.43 and a weighted average exercise price of £15.43, standard deviation of 
expected share returns of 0.292, and an annual risk free interest rate of 0.28%.

The volatility measured as the standard deviation of expected share price returns was based on statistical analysis of the Company’s 
share price over the last year.

172

 
 
 
 
 
29. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)

Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”)
The Group has introduced a LTIP scheme to replace the Share Option Plan. Under the scheme, conditional awards of share options are 
made to the scheme participants at nil or nominal cost or deferred cash.

Number of shares

Exercise price (pence)

39,400

2,250

8,000

55,107

800

124,216

71,996

301,769

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Grant date

30 May 2017 *

Expiry date 

30 May 2022

12 October 2017

12 October 2022

1 November 2017

1 November 2022

16 May 2018

16 May 2023

4 September 2018

4 September 2023

8 March 2019

22 April 2020

8 March 2024

22 April 2024

* 50% of May, October and November 2017 LTIPs vested in 2020 and 50% will vest in 2021.

At the vesting date, the share award will either vest, in full or in part, or lapse depending on the outcome of the performance conditions. 
The performance conditions of the awards are based on the growth in Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) and the Total Shareholder Return 
(“TSR”) of the Group measured against that of the FTSE 250 over the Performance Period. The Group has taken a charge of £1.2 
million (2019: £0.3 million) for the LTIPs granted in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. The fair value of the equity-settled LTIP options was 
calculated at the grant date using the Monte Carlo model and the Black–Scholes model based on the assumptions below.

Options granted

Fair value at grant date

Assumption used:

Share price

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Expected option life

Expected dividend yield

Risk-free interest rate

2020

71,996

£22.26

£30.90

£0.01

36.56%

3 years

1.78%

0.33%

LTIP

2019

123,747

£13.94

£20.50

£0.01

29.44%

3 years

3.74%

1.21%

2018

54,999

£24.84

£35.50

£0.01

27.66%

3 years

2.59%

1.50%

2017

49,650

£17.13

£26.77

£0.01

27.69%

3 years

3.75%

0.99%

Volatility was estimated based on the historical volatility of the shares over a three-year period prior to grant date.

Outstanding at beginning of the year

Granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year
Exercisable at the end of the year

2020

2019

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
(pence)

1

1

(1)

(1)

1

1

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
(pence)

1

1

(1)

–

1

–

Number of 
LTIP options

104,649

123,747

(4,630)

–

223,766

–

Number of 
LTIP options

223,766

73,373

(9,933)

(12,234)

274,972

15,295

50% of the share awards will vest after the third year and the remaining 50% of the share awards will vest after the fourth year. Upon 
vesting, employees will receive one share for each vested share award.

173

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALS 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

29. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS (CONTINUED)

Restricted Share Plan (“RSP”)
Restricted shares award has been granted under the Company’s RSP 2020. Under the RSP, restricted shares will not have performance 
conditions.

Number of shares

3,673

3,532

7,205

Exercise price (pence)

1

1

Grant date

22 April 2020

22 April 2020

Expiry date 

22 April 2024

22 April 2026

The award will vest between three to five years from the date of award. The Group has taken a charge of £32,000 (2019: £nil) for the 
RSPs granted in 2020. The fair value of the equity-settled RSP options was calculated at the grant date using the Black–Scholes model 
based on the assumptions below.

Options granted

Fair value at grant date

Assumption used:

Share price

Exercise price

Expected volatility

Expected option life

Expected dividend yield

Risk-free interest rate

 RSP

2020 
(Three-year 
vesting period)

2020 
(Five-year 
vesting period)

3,673

£28.24

£30.90

£0.01

36.56%

3 years

3.00%

0.33%

3,532

£26.60

£30.90

£0.01

36.56%

5 years

3.00%

0.33%

Volatility was estimated based on the historical volatility of the shares over a four-year period prior to grant date.

Outstanding at beginning of the year

Granted during the year

Forfeited during the year

Exercised during the year

Outstanding at the end of the year

Exercisable at the end of the year

30. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

2020

Number 
of RSP
options

–

7,205

–

–

7,205

–

Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
(pence)

–

1

–

–

1

–

The Group’s activities expose it to capital risk, currency risk (including both transactional and translational currency risk), interest rate 
risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group seeks to minimise adverse effects from the unpredictability of financial markets on the 
Group’s financial performance. 

a.  Capital risk
The Group manages its capital to ensure that the entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the 
return to Shareholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity.

The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, which includes the borrowings disclosed in Note 22, cash and equity attributable to 
equity holders of the parent, comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in Note 25.

The Board reviews the capital structure of the business and considers the cost of capital and risks associated with each class of capital. 
The Group aims to balance its overall capital structure through the payment of dividends, new share issues and share buyback as well as 
the issue of new debt or the redemption of existing debt.

174

 
 
30. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

b.  Currency risk
The Group operates in North America, Europe and Asia and its activities expose it to transactional risks resulting from changes in 
foreign currency exchange rates. The Group monitors and manages these transactional foreign exchange risks relating to the operations 
of the Group through internal reports analysing major currency exposures. Where possible, the Group seeks to offset exposures by 
matching monetary asset and liability exposures in like currencies against each other, often using its bank facilities to square off or 
reduce exposures. To manage the currency risk, the Group manages the overall currency exposure mainly through currency forwards. 

Group’s risk management policy is to hedge known and certain forecast transactions exposures based on historical experience and 
projections. 

In addition, the Group is exposed to translation risk when the results of its various operations are translated from their local functional 
currencies to Sterling, the Group’s reporting currency. In particular a significant proportion of the Group’s revenues and earnings are 
derived in US Dollars. The Group is therefore exposed to risk when these US Dollar revenue streams are translated into Sterling for 
Group reporting purposes. The Group regards this as a fundamental consequence of operating in markets that are dominated by US 
Dollar transactions. The Group does not hedge this translational risk as there is no underlying mismatch of foreign currencies as the 
translation is merely performed for reporting the Group’s results in Sterling.

The Group’s transactional currency exposure based on the information provided to key management is as follows:

£m

At 31 December 2020

Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade receivables

Other current assets

ESOP loan to employees

Subtotal

Financial liabilities
Borrowings

Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Other financial liabilities

Subtotal

Net financial assets/(liabilities)
Currency forwards 

Currency profile excluding non-financial assets and liabilities
Financial (assets)/liabilities denominated in the respective 
entities’ functional currencies

Currency exposure of financial assets/(liabilities)

* Balance is less than £100,000.

GBP

EUR

USD

Others

Total

4.6

1.8

0.1

*

6.5

–

(4.2)

(0.3)

(0.7)

(5.2)

1.3

8.2

9.5

(2.4)

7.1

0.8

2.2

*

–

3.0

–

(0.9)

(0.5)

–

(1.4)

1.6

–

1.6

(0.8)

0.8

7.2

25.7

0.3

–

33.2

(31.8)

(18.9)

(3.6)

–

(54.3)

(21.1)

–

(21.1)

26.8

5.7

1.3

0.5

0.2

–

2.0

–

(3.6)

(0.5)

(0.4)

(4.5)

(2.5)

–

(2.5)

0.1

(2.4)

13.9

30.2

0.6

–

44.7

(31.8)

(27.6)

(4.9)

(1.1)

(65.4)

(20.7)

8.2

(12.5)

23.7

11.2

175

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

30. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

£m

At 31 December 2019

Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade receivables

Other current assets

ESOP loan to employees

Subtotal

Financial liabilities
Borrowings

Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Other financial liabilities

Subtotal
Net financial (assets)/liabilities

Currency forwards 

Currency profile excluding non-financial assets and liabilities
Financial (assets)/liabilities denominated in the respective 
entities’ functional currencies

Currency exposure of financial assets/(liabilities)

* Balance is less than £100,000.

GBP

EUR

USD

Others

Total

1.4

2.6

0.1

0.1

4.2

–

(2.9)

(0.6)

(1.0)

(4.5)

(0.3)

11.3

11.0

(0.7)

10.3

0.5

2.8

*

–

3.3

–

(0.7)

(0.5)

–

(1.2)

2.1

–

2.1

(2.2)

(0.1)

8.2

29.1

0.2

–

37.5

(52.5)

(17.5)

(4.8)

–

(74.8)

(37.3)

–

(37.1)

44.3

7.0

1.1

0.3

0.3

–

1.7

–

(3.5)

(0.5)

(0.8)

(4.8)

(3.1)

–

(3.1)

0.3

(2.8)

11.2

34.8

0.6

0.1

46.7

(52.5)

(24.6)

(6.4)

(1.8)

(85.3)

(38.6)

11.3

(27.1)

41.7

14.4

If the US Dollar and Euro change against Sterling by 1% and 1% respectively (2019: US Dollar 5%, Euro 0.4%) with all other variables, 
including tax rates, being held constant, the effects arising from the net financial asset/(liability) position will be as follows: 

£m

Group

EUR against GBP
 — strengthened
 — weakened
USD against GBP
 — strengthened
 — weakened

2020
Profit after tax

2019
Profit after tax

*

*

 *

*

*

*

0.3

(0.3)

* Balances are less than £100,000.

The impact of the currency risk on the other comprehensive income is not significant.

c.  Interest rate risk
Cash flow interest rate risk is the risk that the future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market 
interest rates. As the Group has no significant interest-bearing assets, the Group’s income is substantially independent of changes in the 
market interest rates.

All of the Group’s borrowings are at variable interest rates and are denominated in US Dollars. If the average interest rates on these 
borrowings increased/decreased by 1.0% (2019: 0.5%) with all other variables, including tax rates, being held constant, the profit before 
tax will be lower/higher by £318,000 (2019: £262,000) as a result of higher/lower interest expense on these borrowings.

d.  Credit risk
Credit risk refers to the risk that the counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in a financial loss to the Group. For 
trade receivables the Group adopts a policy of only dealing with customers of appropriate credit history or rating. For other financial 
assets, the Group adopts the policy of only dealing with high credit quality counterparties.

The Group uses a provision matrix to measure the lifetime expected credit loss allowance for trade receivables. In measuring the 
expected credit loss, trade receivables are grouped based on shared credit risk characteristics and days past due.

176

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

In calculating the expected credit loss rates, the Group considers historical loss rates for each category of customers and adjusts to 
reflect current and forward macroeconomic factors affecting the ability of the customers to settle the receivables. The Group has 
identified gross domestic product (GDP) and the public policy of the countries in which it sells goods as the most relevant factors.

Trade receivables are written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery, such as a debtor failing to engage in a repayment 
plan with the Group. The Group considers a financial asset as in default if the counterparty fails to make contractual payments within 
90 days when they fall due and writes off the financial asset when a debtor is in significant financial difficulties and have defaulted 
on payment that is usually greater than 120 days past due. Where receivables are written off, the Company continues to engage in 
enforcement activity to attempt to recover the receivables due. Where recoveries are made, these are recognised in profit or loss.

As at 31 December 2020, management has identified a group of debtors from the North America region to be credit impaired as they 
experienced significant financial difficulties or the aged balances can neither be matched nor acknowledged by the customers. Hence, 
management has assessed the recoverability of the outstanding balances separately from the provision matrix.

DEBTORS SEPARATELY IDENTIFIED AS CREDIT-IMPAIRED

£m

Gross carrying amount

Less: loss allowance

Carrying amount net of allowance 

2020

0.5

(0.5)

–

The Group’s credit risk exposure in relation to trade receivables under IFRS 9 is set out in the provision matrix as follows:

£m

At 31 December 2020

North America region
Expected loss rate

Trade receivables

Loss allowance

Europe region
Expected loss rate

Trade receivables

Loss allowance

Asia region
Expected loss rate

Trade receivables

Loss allowance

£m

At 31 December 2019

North America region
Expected loss rate

Trade receivables

Loss allowance

Europe region
Expected loss rate

Trade receivables

Loss allowance

Asia region
Expected loss rate

Trade receivables

Loss allowance

* Balances are less than £100,000.

Current

1–30 days

31–60 days

61–90 days

91–120 days

>120 days

Total

Past due

0.0%

15.5

–

0.0%

7.0

–

0.0%

3.6

–

0.1%

1.2

*

0.1%

1.4

*

0.0%

0.2

–

0.2%

0.3

*

0.2%

0.3

*

0.0%

0.1

–

0.2%

0.1

*

0.2%

0.2

*

0.0%

*

–

Past due

0.3%

0.1

*

0.3%

0.1

*

0.0%

*

–

37.8%

*

*

24.0%

0.1

*

0.0%

*

–

17.2

*

9.1

*

3.9

–

Current

1–30 days

31–60 days

61–90 days

91–120 days

>120 days

Total

0.0%

12.7

–

0.0%

8.0

–

0.0%

4.2

–

0.1%

3.2

*

0.1%

2.1

*

0.0%

1.7

–

0.2%

0.3

*

0.2%

0.7

*

0.0%

0.3

–

0.2%

0.7

*

0.2%

0.3

*

0.0%

*

–

0.3%

0.2

*

0.3%

0.1

*

0.0%

*

–

31.1%

0.2

*

38.6%

0.2

*

0.0%

*

–

17.3

*

11.4

*

6.2

–

177

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 

30. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

The movement in the allowance for impairment of trade receivables is as follows: 

£m

Beginning of financial year

Restated allowance for impairment under IFRS 9
Loss allowance(a) recognised in profit or loss during the year on assets acquired/originated
Receivables written off as uncollectible

Foreign currency translation

End of the financial year

(a) Loss allowance measured at lifetime ECL.
* Balances are less than £100,000.

2020

(0.1)

(0.1)

(0.4)

*

*

(0.5)

 2019

(0.1)

(0.1)

*

*

*

(0.1)

e.  Liquidity risk
Prudent liquidity risk management includes maintaining sufficient cash, the availability of funding through an adequate amount of 
committed credit facilities (Note 22) and the ability to close out market positions at a short notice. The Group manages liquidity risk by 
maintaining adequate reserves, banking facilities and reserve borrowing facilities by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash 
flows. All significant subsidiaries prepare weekly cash forecast on a 13-weeks outlook basis and reviewed it on a weekly basis with the 
management.

At the balance sheet date, assets held by the Group and the Company for managing liquidity risk included cash and short-term deposits 
as disclosed in Note 16.

The Group has sufficient credit facilities to meet both its long and short-term requirements. The Group’s credit facilities are provided by 
a revolving credit facility at the year-end. In November 2019, the Group renewed its facility from US$105.0 million to US$120.0 million 
with a US$60.0 million accordion option with a four-year term up to November 2023. In October 2020, the Group exercised US$30.0 
million additional accordion option increasing the size of the bank facility from US$120.0 million to US$150.0 million. At the same time, 
the Group also exercised the option to extend the bank facility for a further one year to November 2024. 

The Group’s US$150m Revolving Credit Facility (“RCF”) is due to mature in November 2024. The main features of the RCF are as follows: 

•  The interest rate on the amounts drawn under the facility is determined as US LIBOR plus margin depending on leverage ratio .

•  Market standard financial covenants of the facility, as discussed below.

•  A US$30.0 million accordion feature, providing the Group with additional flexibility to increase the size of the banking facility to 

US$180.0 million, subject to approval of its bank lending group.

The Group had undrawn committed borrowing facilities available at the year-end totalling US$105.0 million (2019: US$49.0 million) 
expire in four years from 31 December 2020. 

The covenants to 31 December 2020 include:

•  The ratio of net debt to consolidated EBITDA permitted under the revolving credit facility must not exceed a multiple of three times.

•  Consolidated EBITDA must also cover relevant finance charges by a minimum of four times.

For covenant testing purposes, the Group’s definition of consolidated EBITDA is adjusted to exclude specific items. Consolidated 
EBITDA, for covenant test purposes, is based on the previous 12-month period, measured on the last day of each financial quarter of 
the Group. Throughout the year and at 31 December 2020 both of these covenants were met.

The table below analyses the maturity profile of the Group’s non-derivative financial liabilities at the balance sheet date based on 
contractual undiscounted cash flows. Balances due within 12 months equal their carrying amounts as the impact of discounting is not 
significant.

178

30. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

£m

Group

At 31 December 2020
Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Accrued consideration

Borrowings, including interest 

Total
At 31 December 2019

Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Accrued consideration

Borrowings, including interest 

Total

Less than  
1 year

Between  
1 and 2 years

Between  
2 and 5 years

Over  
5 years

27.6

1.8

–

0.7

30.1

24.6

1.9

0.5

1.9

28.9

–

1.4

0.1

0.7

2.2

–

2.0

1.0

1.8

4.8

–

2.0

0.9

33.0

35.9

–

2.4

0.2

55.7

58.3

–

0.3

–

–

0.3

–

0.9

–

–

0.9

Total

27.6

5.5

1.0

34.4

68.5

24.6

7.2

1.7

59.4

92.9

The Group manages the liquidity risk by maintaining sufficient cash and bank facilities to enable it to meet its normal operating 
commitments.

f.  Fair value measurements
The table below analyses financial instruments carried at fair value, by valuation method. The different levels have been defined as follows: 

(i)  Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1);

(ii) 

Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly  (i.e. as prices) or 
indirectly (i.e. derived from prices) (Level 2); and

(iii)  Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs) (Level 3).

The following table presents the assets and liabilities measured at fair value at 31 December 2020.

2020 £m

Assets
Derivative financial instruments

Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments

2019

Assets
Derivative financial instruments

Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments

 Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

–

–

–

–

0.3

(0.1)

0.6

–

–

–

–

–

0.3

(0.1)

0.6

–

The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (for example, over-the-counter derivatives) is determined 
by using valuation techniques. The Group uses a variety of methods and makes assumptions that are based on market conditions 
existing at each balance sheet date. The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is determined using quoted forward exchange 
rates at the balance sheet date. These derivative financial instruments are included in Level 2.

g.  Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities
The Group has no financial instruments subject to enforceable master netting arrangements. 

31. OTHER INFORMATION

These financial statements were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors of XP Power Limited on 
3 March 2020.

179

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSNote

2020

2019

35

36

37

38

39

34

40

41

41

45

44

46

38

43

47

47

47

47

4,336

46,132

845

300

15,827

67,440

43,484

1,561

336

17,738

6,593

69,712

5,016

42,437

565

632

10,949

59,599

44,892

1,626

333

16,377

6,806

70,034

137,152

129,633

39,016

4,794

111

263

46,509

2,449

–

167

44,184

49,125

2,832

96

2,928

47,112

90,040

29,774

565

15,530

44,171

90,040

2,479

173

2,652

51,777

77,856

29,770

404

18,868

28,814

77,856

COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

£‘000

ASSETS

Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Other current assets

Derivative financial instruments

Inventories

Total current assets

Non-current assets
Investment in subsidiaries

Property, plant and equipment

Right-of-use assets

Intangible assets

Long-term receivable

Total non-current assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables

Current income tax liabilities

Derivative financial instruments

Lease liabilities

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Deferred income tax liabilities

Lease liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

NET ASSETS

EQUITY
Share capital

Share option reserve

Translation reserve

Retained earnings

TOTAL EQUITY

180

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY  
BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

32. GENERAL INFORMATION

XP Power Limited (the “Company”) is listed on the London Stock Exchange and incorporated and domiciled in Singapore. The address of 
its registered office is 401 Commonwealth Drive, Lobby B, #02-02, Haw Par Technocentre, Singapore 149598.

The nature of the Company’s operations and its principal activities are providing power supply solutions and acting as an investment 
holding company.

33. BASIS OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company applies the same principal accounting policies as the Group as set out in Note 2 under the Group Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

On 1 January 2020, the Company adopted the new or amended IFRS and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee 
(“IFRIC”) that are mandatory for application for the financial year. Changes to the Company’s accounting policies have been made as 
required, in accordance with the transitional provisions in the respective IFRS and IFRIC.

The adoption of these new or amended IFRS and IFRIC did not result in substantial changes to the Company’s accounting policies and 
had no material effect on the amounts reported for the current or previous financial years except for the following:

Financial guarantees
The Company has issued corporate guarantees to banks for bank borrowings of its subsidiaries. These guarantees are financial 
guarantees as they require the Company to reimburse the banks if the subsidiaries fail to make principal or interest payments when due 
in accordance with the terms of their borrowings. Intra-Group transactions are eliminated on consolidation.

Financial guarantee contracts are initially measured at fair values plus transaction costs and subsequently measured at the higher of:

(a) premium received on initial recognition less the cumulative amount of income recognised in accordance with the principles of IFRS 

15; and

(b) the amount of expected loss computed using the impairment methodology under IFRS 9.

34. INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES

£m

Cost at carrying value
At 1 January 

Exchange differences on translation 

At 31 December 

2020

 2019

44,892

(1,408)

43,484

46,951

(2,059)

44,892

Auditor of Subsidiaries

Place of incorporation/
Ownership (or registration) and 
operation

Proportion of 
ownership %
2020

Proportion of 
ownership %
2019

Name of Subsidiary

XP Power Plc

XP Power Singapore Holdings Pte Limited

35. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

£‘000

Cash at bank

Total 

UK

Singapore

100

100

100

100

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

2020

4,336

4,336

 2019

5,016

5,016

The Company’s cash at bank is denominated in the following currencies:

At 31 December 2020
Cash at bank

At 31 December 2019

Cash at bank

GBP
£‘000

USD
£‘000

495

3,000

GBP
£‘000

USD
£‘000

EUR
£‘000

687

EUR
£‘000

SGD
£‘000

130

SGD
£‘000

JPY
£‘000

TOTAL
£‘000

24

4,336

JPY
£‘000

TOTAL
£‘000

197

4,548

6

264

1

5,016

181

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALS 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY  
BALANCE SHEET CONTINUED

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

36. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

£m

Trade receivables

Trade receivables from related parties

Other receivables from related parties

Loan receivables from a related party

Total 

2020

3,408

29,100

6,980

6,644

46,132

 2019

6,223

13,219

12,482

10,513

42,437

The average credit period taken on sales of goods to third party is 40 days (2019: 78 days). No interest is charged on the outstanding 
receivables balance.

The carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates their fair value.

Loan from a related party is unsecured and bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.5% per annum.

Trade and other receivables from related parties are interest-free.

37. OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

£m

Prepayments

Deposit

VAT receivables

Other receivables

Total 

2020

578

72

148

47

845

 2019

408

65 

92

–

565

Other current assets are not impaired as at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019.

38. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The total notional amount of outstanding currency forward contracts that the Company has committed is £8.2 million (2019: £11.3 million). 
These contracts are to hedge against exchange movements on future sales and hedge accounting has not been applied to these contracts. 

Assets

Liabilities

Contract 
notional 
amount

5,800

5,800

Assets

Contract 
notional 
amount

11,300

11,300

Fair 
value
 asset

300

300

Fair 
value
 asset

632

632

Contract 
notional 
amount 

2,400

2,400

Liabilities

Contract 
notional 
amount 

–

–

Fair 
value
 (liability)

(111)

(111)

Fair 
value
 (liability)

–

– 

2020

15,827

 2019

10,949

December 2020 £‘000

Current portion

Total

December 2019 £‘000

Current portion

Total

39. INVENTORIES

£m

Goods for resale

182

40. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Freehold 
land

Building

Plant and 
equipment

Motor 
vehicles

Building 
improvements

1,848

1,586

230

–

–

(10)

220

–

–

–

(7)

213

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(81)

1,767

–

–

–

(54)

1,713

563

56

–

(27)

592

55

–

(24)

623

213
220

1,090
1,175

104

(43)

(72)

1,575

64

(7)

65

(60)

1,637

1,346

141

(42)

(62)

1,383

101

(7)

(48)

1,429

208
192

43

–

–

(2)

41

–

–

–

(1)

40

18

9

–

(1)

26

9

–

(2)

33

7
15

500

–

–

(22)

478

32

–

–

(14)

496

459

16

–

(21)

454

13

–

(14)

453

43
24

£‘000

Cost
At 1 January 2019

Additions

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2019
Additions

Disposals

Transfer from related party

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2020

Depreciation
At 1 January 2019

Additions

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2019
Additions

Disposals

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2020

Carrying amount

At 31 December 2020
At 31 December 2019

41. RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS

£‘000

At 1 January 2019

Depreciation charge during the year

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2019
Depreciation charge during the year

Additions 

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2020

Total

4,207

104

(43)

(187)

4,081

96

(7)

65

(136)

4,099

2,386

221

(42)

(110)

2,455

178

(7)

(88)

2,538

1,561
1,626

Leasehold land 
and buildings

546

(202)

(11)

333

(224)

241

(14)

336

183

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALS 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY  
BALANCE SHEET CONTINUED

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

42. INTANGIBLE ASSETS 

£‘000

Cost
At 1 January 2019

Additions

Transfer

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2019
Additions

Disposals

Transfer

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2020
Amortisation

At 1 January 2019

Charge for the year

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2019
Charge for the year

Foreign currency translation

At 31 December 2020

Carrying amount

At 31 December 2020
At 31 December 2019

* Balance is less than £1,000.

Development 
costs

Trademarks

Intangible 
software

Intangible 
software under 
development

16,524

4,006

(91)

(857)

19,582

3,565

(1,180)

–

(707)

21,260

6,219

2,439

(361)

8,297

2,805

(445)

10,657

10,603
11,285

–

*

91

(4)

87

–

–

–

(3)

84

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

84
87

254

65

4,949

(97)

5,171

3

–

1,252

(194)

6,232

38

133

(5)

166

598

(42)

722

1,699

3,392

(4,949)

(142)

–

2,911

–

(1,252)

(118)

1,541

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

5,510
5,005

1,541
–

Total

18,477

7,463

–

(1,100)

24,840

6,479

(1,180)

–

(1,022)

29,117

6,257

2,572

(366)

8,463

3,403

(487)

11,379

17,738
16,377

The amortisation period for development costs incurred varies between three and seven years according to the expected useful life of 
the products being developed. 

Amortisation commences when the products are ready for sale.

43. DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities recognised by the Company and movements thereon during the current and prior 
reporting period.

£‘000

At 1 January 2019

Charge to statement of comprehensive income

Exchange difference

At 31 December 2019
Charge to statement of comprehensive income

Exchange difference

At 31 December 2020

Accelerated
 tax
depreciation

Capitalised 
development 
costs

Intangible 
assets 
amortisation

Other
temporary
differences

90

(65)

(2)

23

(135)

8

(104)

(1,773)

(231)

86

(1,918)

60

56

(1,802)

–

(505)

18

(487)

(356)

38

(805)

(55)

(46)

4

(97)

(29)

5

(121)

Total

(1,738)

(847)

106

(2,479)

(460)

107

(2,832)

184

44. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

£‘000

Trade payables and other creditors

Amount payable to related parties

Total 

2020

6,480

32,536

39,016

 2019

5,056

41,453

46,509

Trade and other payables principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs. Amount payable to related 
parties includes borrowings from related parties and trade and other payables to related parties. The Directors consider that the 
carrying amount approximates their fair value.

The Company borrows from subsidiaries at an interest rate of 1.5%–2.0% above LIBOR. The borrowing is repayable upon demand.

45. LONG-TERM RECEIVABLE

£‘000

Loans to related parties

Total 

2020

6,593

6,593

 2019

6,806

6,806

Loans to related parties bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.5%–2.0% per annum. The loans to related parties are unsecured. The Directors 
consider the carrying amount approximates their fair value.

46. CURRENT INCOME TAX LIABILITIES

Movement in current income tax liabilities: 

£‘000

At 1 January

Currency translation differences

Income tax paid (net of refund)

Current year tax expense

Over provision in prior financial year

At 31 December

47. SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES

Share capital £‘000

Allotted and fully paid 19,242,296 ordinary shares

The movement in 2020 relates to transaction costs incurred in anticipation of an equity issuance.

Share option reserve £‘000

Balance at 1 January

Share option expense 

Exchange differences on translation 

Balance at 31 December

Hedging reserve £‘000

Foreign exchange risk

Balance at 1 January

Net change in cash flow hedges 

Balance at 31 December

2020

2,449

(339)

(1,648)

4,332

–

4,794

 2019

3,784

(231)

(3,233)

2,350

(221)

2,449

2020

29,774

 2019

29,770

2020

404

174

(13)

565

 2019

179

232

(7)

404

2020

 2019

–

 –

–

42

 (42)

–

185

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE COMPANY  
BALANCE SHEET CONTINUED

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

47. SHARE CAPITAL AND RESERVES (CONTINUED)

Translation reserve £‘000

Balance at 1 January

Exchange differences on translation

Balance at 31 December

Retained earnings £‘000

Balance at 1 January

Dividends paid

Profit for the year

Balance at 31 December 

2020

18,868

(3,338)

15,530

2020

28,814

(7,360)

22,717

44,171

 2019

22,502

(3,634)

18,868

 2019

31,326

(16,675)

14,163

28,814

48. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The Company’s activities expose it to capital risk, currency risk (including both transactional and translational currency risk), interest rate 
risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The Company seeks to minimise adverse effects from the unpredictability of financial markets on the 
Company’s financial performance. 

a.  Capital risk
The Company manages its capital to ensure that it will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the return to 
Shareholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance.

The capital structure of the Company consists of debt, cash and equity attributable to equity holders of the parent, comprising issued 
capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in Note 47.

b.  Currency risk
The Company transacts in North America, Europe and Asia and its activities expose it to transactional risks resulting from changes 
in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company monitors and manages these transactional foreign exchange risks relating to the 
operations of the Company through internal reports analysing major currency exposures. Where possible the Company seeks to offset 
exposures by matching monetary asset and liability exposures in like currencies against each other often using its bank facilities to 
square off or reduce exposures. To manage the currency risk, the Company manages the overall currency exposure mainly through 
currency forwards. 

Company’s risk management policy is to hedge known and certain forecast transactions exposure based on historical experience and 
exposure. 

In addition, the Company is exposed to translation risk when the results of its operations and balance sheet are converted from 
its functional currency to Sterling, the Group’s reporting currency. In particular a significant proportion of the Company’s revenues 
and earnings are derived in US Dollars. The Company regards this as a fundamental consequence of operating in markets which are 
dominated by US Dollar transactions. The Company does not hedge this translational risk as there is no underlying mismatch of foreign 
currencies as the translation is merely performed for reporting the Company’s results in Sterling.

186

48.  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

The Company’s currency exposure based on the information provided to key management is as follows:

At 31 December 2020 £‘000

Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables

Other current assets

Long-term receivables

Subtotal

Financial liabilities
Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Subtotal

Net financial (liabilities)/assets
Currency forwards

Currency profile excluding non-financial assets and liabilities 
Less: Financial assets denominated in the entity’s 
functional currency

Currency exposure of financial (liabilities)/assets

At 31 December 2019 £‘000

Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables

Other current assets

Long-term receivables

Subtotal

Financial liabilities
Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Subtotal

Net financial (liabilities)/assets
Currency forwards

Currency profile excluding non-financial assets and liabilities 
Less: Financial assets denominated in the entity’s 
functional currency

Currency exposure of financial assets/(liabilities)

GBP

495

866

–

–

EUR

687

357

–

–

1,361

1,044

(10,208)

–

(10,208)

(8,847)

8,200

(647)

–

(647)

GBP

197

3,973

–

–

(232)

–

(232)

812

–

812

–

812

EUR

6

1,778

–

–

4,170

1,784

(12,471)

–

(12,471)

(8,301)

11,300

2,999

–

2,999

(400)

–

(400)

1,384

–

1,384

–

1,384

USD

Others

Total

2,999

43,655

47

6,593

53,294

(28,006)

–

(28,006)

25,288

–

25,288

25,288

–

155

1,254

72

–

1,481

(474)

(359)

(833)

648

–

648

–

648

4,336

46,132

119

6,593

57,180

(38,920)

(359)

(39,279)

17,901

8,200

26,101

25,288

813

USD

Others

Total

4,549

35,953

–

6,806

47,308

(32,807)

–

(32,807)

14,501

–

14,501

14,501

–

264

733

65

–

1,062

(613)

(340)

(953)

109

–

109

–

109

5,016

42,437

65

6,806

54,324

(46,291)

(340)

(46,631)

7,693

11,300

18,993

14,501

4,492

187

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY  
BALANCE SHEET CONTINUED

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

48.  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

c.  Interest rate risk
Cash flow interest rate risk is the risk that the future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market 
interest rates. As the Group has no significant interest-bearing assets, the Group’s income is substantially independent of changes in the 
market interest rates.

The Company borrows from subsidiaries at an interest rate of 1.5%–2.0% above LIBOR. If the average interest rates on these 
borrowings increased/decreased by 1.45% (2019: 0.76%) with all other variables, including tax rates, being held constant, the profit 
before tax will be lower/higher by £394,140 (2019: £152,738) as a result of higher/lower interest expense on these borrowings.

d.  Credit risk
Credit risk refers to the risk that the counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in a financial loss to the Company. 
For trade receivables the Company adopts a policy of only dealing with customers of appropriate credit history or rating. For other 
financial assets, the Company adopts the policy of only dealing with high credit quality counterparties.

The Company is not exposed to significant credit risk as a majority of the sales are made to the subsidiaries. Trade receivables are 
neither past due nor impaired are substantially companies with a good collection track record with the Company.

The Company does not hold any collateral and the maximum exposure to credit risk for each class of financial instruments is the 
carrying amount of that class of financial instruments on the balance sheet.

The Company applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit loss which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance 
for all trade receivables. To measure the expected credit losses, it is based on the Company’s two years historical credit loss experience 
and a provision matrix has been set up using the amount of bad debt incurred over the carrying value of the trade receivables per ageing 
brackets at each financial year end.

The Company’s credit risk exposure in relation to trade receivables under IFRS 9 are set out in the provision matrix as follows:

£‘000

At 31 December 2020
Expected loss rate

Trade receivables

Loss allowance

£‘000

At 31 December 2019

Expected loss rate

Trade receivables

Loss allowance

Current

1–30 days

31–60 days

61–90 days

91–120 days

>120 days

Total

Past due

0%

7,637

–

0%

2,969

–

0%

3,385

–

0%

4,188

–

Past due

0%

4,413

–

0%

9,916

–

32,508

–

Current

1–30 days

31–60 days

61–90 days

91–120 days

>120 days

Total

0%

10,268

–

0%

5,907

–

0%

2,321

–

0%

74

–

0%

207

–

0%

665

–

19,442

–

The Company assessed the credit risk of each intercompany loan by considering the terms of the loans, whether the loan is past due, 
borrower’s cash position, revenue, profit before tax and net assets. Based on these, it was concluded that the credit risk is low and 
hence, the Company compute the expected credit loss on a 12-month basis instead of a lifetime approach.

FINANCIAL ASSETS AT AMORTISED COSTS

Category of internal 
credit rating

Definition of category

Performing

Underperforming

Non-performing

Write off

Issuers have a low 
risk of default and a 
strong capacity to meet 
contractual cash flows

Issuers for which there is 
a significant increase in 
credit risk, as significant 
in credit risk is presumed 
if interest and/or 
principal repayment are 
30 days past due

Interest and/or principal 
payments are 90 days 
past due

Interest and/or principal 
repayments are 120 days 
past due and there is no 
reasonable expectation of 
recovery

Basis of recognition of 
expected credit loss

12-month expected 
credit losses

Lifetime expected credit 
losses

Lifetime expected credit 
losses

Asset is written off

188

48.  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

e.  Liquidity risk
The table below analyses the maturity profile of the Company’s financial liabilities at the balance sheet date based on contractual 
undiscounted cash flows. Balances due within 12 months equal their carrying amounts as the impact of discounting is not significant.

£‘000

At 31 December 2020
Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Total

£‘000

At 31 December 2019

Trade and other payables

Lease liabilities

Total

Less than 
1 year

Between 
1 and 2 years

Between 
2 and 5 years

Over 
5 years

38,920

275

39,195

–

89

89

–

–

–

–

–

–

Less than 
1 year

Between 
1 and 2 years

Between 
2 and 5 years

Over 
5 years

46,290

176

46,466

–

174

174

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total

38,920

364

39,284

Total

46,290

350

46,640

The Company manages the liquidity risk by maintaining sufficient cash and bank facilities to enable it to meet its normal operating 
commitments. 

The Group’s debt is sourced from a Revolving Credit Facility (“RCF”) provided by HSBC UK Bank PLC, J.P. Morgan Securities PLC and 
DBS Bank Ltd. The Group’s exercised an option in the RCF agreement in October 2020 to extend the facility expiry date by a year to 
November 2024. The Group also converted US$30 million of accordion to committed facilities, increasing the facility to US$150 million, 
with a further US$30 million accordion option. The facility has no fixed repayment terms until maturity. The revolving loan is priced at 
US LIBOR plus a margin of 1.0% for the utilisation facility and a margin of 0.4% for the unutilised facility. 

f.  Fair value measurements
The table below analyses financial instruments carried at fair value, by valuation method. The different levels have been defined as follows: 

(i)  Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1);

(ii) 

Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or 
indirectly (i.e. derived from prices) (Level 2); and

(iii)  Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs) (Level 3).

The following table presents the assets measured at fair value at 31 December 2020:

£‘000

2020

Assets
Derivative financial instruments

Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments

2019

Assets
Derivative financial instruments

Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments

 Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

–

 –

–

 –

300

(111)

632

–

–

–

–

–

300

(111)

632

–

189

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSNOTES TO THE COMPANY  
BALANCE SHEET CONTINUED

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

48.  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

g.  Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities
(i) FINANCIAL ASSETS

The Company has the following financial instruments subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements as 
follows:

Related amounts set off in the balance sheet

Related amounts not set off in the balance sheet

Gross
amounts – 
financial
assets

Gross
amounts –
financial
liabilities

Net amounts –
financial assets 
presented in 
the balance 
sheet

Financial 
assets/ 
liabilities

Financial 
collateral 
received

Net amount

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

10,845

10,845

(332)

(332)

10,513

10,513

29,100

29,100

13,219

–

13,219

–

–

–

–

–

29,100

29,100

13,219

–

13,219

£’000

At 31 December 2020
Trade receivables

Total
At 31 December 2019

Trade receivables 

Loan receivables from a related parties 

Total

(ii) FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

The Company has the following financial instruments subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements as 
follows:

£’000

At 31 December 2020
Trade payables

Total
At 31 December 2019

Trade payables 

Total

Related amounts set off in the balance sheet

Related amounts not set off in the balance sheet

Gross
amounts – 
financial
assets

Gross
amounts –
financial
liabilities

Net amounts –
financial assets 
presented in 
the balance 
sheet

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Financial 
assets/ 
liabilities

(32,536)

(32,536)

(41,453)

(41,453)

Financial 
collateral 
received

Net amount

–

–

–

–

(32,536)

(32,536)

(41,453)

(41,453)

190

FIVE-YEAR REVIEW CONSOLIDATED 
INFORMATION 

Results
Revenue

Profit from operations

Profit before tax

Assets employed
Non-current assets

Current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Financed by
Equity

Non-controlling interests

Key statistics (pence)
Earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Diluted adjusted earnings per share

Share price in the year (pence)
High

Low

Dividends per share (pence)

2020
£m

233.3

37.4

35.7

135.2

107.0

(34.7)

(43.0)

164.5

163.8

0.7

164.5

163.0

201.8

160.3

198.4

2019
£m

199.9

26.7

24.0

137.4

96.0

(30.4)

(64.1)

138.9

138.2

0.7

138.9

107.0

144.1

105.0

141.4

2018
£m

195.1

39.3

37.6

129.2

105.1

(26.8)

(70.1)

137.4

136.4

1.0

137.4

157.8

176.1

154.9

172.8

2017
£m

166.8

32.5

32.2

88.1

83.5

(25.1)

(29.6)

116.9

116.0

0.9

116.9

148.3

149.4

146.0

147.0

2016
£m

129.8

28.0

27.8

73.2

65.7

(25.8)

(6.2)

106.9

106.1

0.8

106.9

112.0

116.2

111.2

115.3

4,790.0

2,130.0

74.0

3,110.0

1,965.0

55.0

3,740.0

2,090.0

85.0

3,626.0

1,725.0

78.0

1,845.0

1,410.0

71.0

191

XP Power Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020FINANCIALSADVISERS

COMPANY BROKERS
Investec 
2 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7QP
United Kingdom

PRINCIPAL BANKERS
HSBC Bank plc
Level 7
Thames Tower
Station Road
Reading 
RG1 1LX 
United Kingdom

SOLICITORS
Eversheds Sutherland
1 Wood Street
London
EC2V 7WS
United Kingdom

REGISTRARS
Link Asset Services
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent
BR3 4TU
United Kingdom

COMPANY SECRETARY
M & C Services Private Limited
112 Robinson Road #05-01
The Corporate Office
Singapore 068902

AUDITORS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
7 Straits View 
Marina One, East Tower, Level 12
Singapore 018936

192

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XP Power Limited
401 Commonwealth Drive
Haw Par Technocentre
Lobby B #02-02
Singapore 149598
T: +65 6411 6900
F: +65 6479 6305