Annual Report • Jun 23, 2021
Annual Report
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Halma plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
Growing a
future for everyone, every day

Contents
Governance
Introduction to governance Board of Directors Executive Board
Remuneration at a glance Directors' Remuneration Policy Annual Remuneration Report
Report
Directors' Report Directors' responsibilities
The Board's application of the UK Corporate Governance Code Principles
Other Information
Halma is a global group of life-saving technology companies. Our companies provide innovative solutions to many of the key problems facing the world today.
We have a unique set of organisational and cultural genes which power our continued growth. We call this Halma's DNA. Our DNA runs through our business at all levels. It provides competitive advantage and stability, and allows us to continuously adapt to new market needs. Our DNA embodies the core elements of our organisation and culture that are inextricably linked to our past and which enable our future success.
We continuously evaluate our portfolio, and decide on new product development and target acquisitions based on their alignment to achieving our purpose. We allocate capital and talent to maximise our positive impact, in line with our purpose. We pursue enhanced digital technologies and international expansion strategies to ensure we reach "everyone, every day".
We create long-term sustainable value for all stakeholders by continuously delivering a simple formula: strong growth + sustainable returns + positive impact = long-term sustainable value creation.
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Our technologies solve some of the world's most pressing issues, from air quality to road safety to preventable blindness.
Halma companies, by growing, make the world a safer, cleaner and healthier place, and contribute towards multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
We track our progress in fulfilling our purpose through a range of financial and non-financial indicators covering key aspects of performance that matter to our stakeholders.
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| 2021 | 2020 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | £1,318.2m | £1,338.4m | (2)% |
| Adjusted1 profit before taxation |
£278.3m | £267.0m | +4% |
| Adjusted2 earnings per share | 58.67p | 57.39p | +2% |
| Statutory profit before taxation | £252.9m | £224.1m | +13% |
| Statutory earnings per share | 53.61p | 48.66p | +10% |
| Total dividend per share3 | 17.65p | 16.50p | +7% |
| Return on sales4 | 21.1% | 19.9% | |
| Return on total invested capital5 | 14.4% | 15.3% | |
| Net debt | £256.2m | £375.3m |
1 Adjusted to remove the amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets, acquisition items, restructuring costs, profit or loss on disposal of operations and the effect of equalisation of benefits for men and women in the defined benefit pension plans (2019 only), in 2021 totalling £25.4m (2020: £42.9m). See note 1 to the Accounts.

For full information about these metrics please refer to the Our people and culture section on pages 60-63 and the Sustainability section on pages 64-77.



Asia Pacific Revenue £216m

Process Safety's technologies protect people and assets at work across a range of critical industrial and logistics operations.
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Revenue £189m
14% of Group revenue
Adjusted1 operating profit7
£37m 12% of Adjusted1 operating profit7

Environmental & Analysis provides technologies that monitor and protect the environment and ensure the quality and availability of life-critical resources.
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Revenue
£309m 24% of Group revenue
Adjusted1 operating profit7 £77m 25% of Adjusted1 operating profit7

Infrastructure Safety's technologies save lives, protect infrastructure and enable safe movement.
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Revenue £450m 34% of Group revenue
Adjusted1 operating profit7
£111m 35% of Adjusted1 operating profit7 Strategic Report
Governance

Medical's technologies enhance the quality of life for patients and improve the quality of care delivered by healthcare providers.
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Revenue

Adjusted1 operating profit7
£87m 28% of Adjusted1 operating profit7
"Sustainability has been at the heart of what we do for decades, working together to have a positive impact on the world."

Paul Walker, Chair
As I will be stepping down from the Board at the 2021 AGM, I would like to take this opportunity, in my final statement as Chair, to reflect not only on the past year, but also on Halma's substantial progress over the last decade.
The pandemic has truly tested our purpose, people, DNA and business model, and I am really proud of the way that, together, they have enabled us to deliver another record profit in challenging circumstances. These robust financial results were achieved without seeking government or shareholder financial support and in an environment where our primary focus was on the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues. I would like to thank the management teams across the Group for leading the business with agility and integrity, and for successfully balancing the interests of multiple stakeholders in their decision-making.

I extend my thanks to everyone at Halma for their dedication during the year. Despite the personal and professional challenges that many have faced, they have ensured the continued supply of life-critical products to our customers and truly brought our purpose to life.
Our ability to attract and retain exceptional talent is more important than ever before and we continue to seek ways to develop our people and provide opportunities for promotion within the Group. Our succession planning at Board level saw the appointment earlier this year of Dame Louise Makin as non-executive Director & Chair Designate and Dharmash Mistry as non-executive Director, well ahead of me and Daniela Barone Soares stepping down from the Board at the AGM in July 2021.
Halma has a strong culture – articulated in our DNA – which enables all our colleagues to share common values while respecting individual diversity. This drives a high level of engagement and commitment in our workforce, and it is great to see this reflected in our annual employee engagement survey, which had a very high response rate of 87% and which showed a further improvement in our engagement score to 78%.
We have continued to benefit from our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across all levels of the organisation. Our drive to improve gender balance at Board, Executive Board and one level below the Executive Board has really come to fruition in the last year, with women representing 46%, 63% and 36% respectively across those groups as at 31 March 2021. Our focus on improving ethnic diversity is also delivering improvements. At Board level, we will continue to meet the Parker Review target this year.
Since the 1970s, Halma has had a focus on protecting people and assets and improving quality of life. This means that sustainability has been at the heart of what we do for decades, working together to have a positive impact on the world. As we have seen growing calls for action for companies to secure a sustainable planet for future generations and to accelerate their efforts in reducing energy, water and waste footprints, the Board has increased its oversight of this area and made new commitments to support this agenda. In addition to more fully articulating the continued positive impact from our technologies, products and services, we have introduced a new Sustainability Framework and set a target, in line with guidance from the Science-based Targets Initiative, to reduce our greenhouse gas
emissions by 42% from 2019/20 levels by 2029/30. We are also targeting net zero scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. One foundation of our growth is our continued investment in research and new product development. With R&D spend remaining above 5% of revenue in the year, we are well-positioned to benefit from the new opportunities that are likely to arise from a 'green recovery' and from the broad market and societal changes brought about by the pandemic.
Following the success of the Gift of Sight campaign last year, in October 2020 we announced the launch of our Water for Life community campaign. We are working together with WaterAid to use our knowledge and products to transform lives in eastern India, by bringing clean water to 8,000 people in a remote region who do not have access to safe drinking water.
It is really pleasing to note that despite the challenges of the past year, we have improved on our health & safety performance, recording our lowest Accident Frequency Rate (AFR). As all accidents are preventable, the Board continues to drive a culture of health & safety across the Group to prevent any accidents occurring.
As I look back, I am very proud of Halma's achievements over the past decade. When I joined Halma in 2013, it was a FTSE 250 company with a share price of £5 and market value of under £2bn. Today, Halma is around the 50th largest company in the FTSE 100 index by market capitalisation. Its share price has increased by more than five times and we have continued to grow dividends by 5% or more each year. I believe this exceptional performance is attributable to our continued discipline and focus on our purpose and maintenance of a decentralised operating model, which enables agility and local decision-making, and promotes a strong and open culture. These factors remain highly relevant today and position Halma well for the future.
I am immensely proud to have been part of Halma's journey and to have led such a strong Board over the past eight years. I leave the business in the knowledge that it is even stronger and better placed to deliver on its purpose, for the benefit of all, in the years ahead. I would like to thank our loyal investor base for their support, many of whom I have had the pleasure of meeting over the years, and I wish all of our stakeholders a happy and healthy future.
Paul Walker
Chair

Dame Louise Makin will replace Paul Walker as Chair, when he retires at the AGM on 22 July 2021.
As a purpose-driven company, Halma is naturally very attractive. Its positive impact on the world is supported by its decentralised operating structure, which ensures that its businesses benefit from being close to their customers and end markets and are responsive to their needs. It has a great culture, exceptional talent and its strong growth and returns story speaks for itself! I would like to thank Paul for the excellent job that he has done as Chair and I am really looking forward to continuing his work in leading the Board to further Halma's growth.
I am passionate about people and purpose. I want Halma to continue its long track record of strong performance and growth while maintaining its positive culture and ambition, to deliver even greater positive impact and become a more environmentally sustainable business that considers wider stakeholder interests in all our decision-making.
Absolutely not! Halma's autonomous, decentralised structure enables our entrepreneurial culture to thrive and our companies to maintain competitive advantage through their agility. Their performance through the pandemic is testimony to its success. I see Halma's operating model and organisational design as the core foundation from which the Group can invest to grow organically and through acquisition.
Governance

Andrew Williams, Group Chief Executive
In January 2021, Halma was recognised as Britain's Most Admired Company 2020 by a peer group of FTSE 100 executives, analysts and commentators. This award is the longest-running peer-reviewed survey of corporate reputation in the UK and winning it in such a challenging year is testament to our clear purpose and the dedication and commitment of our people. This combination has underpinned Halma's sustained success over many decades, and will continue to do so in the future.

"I have never been prouder or more impressed with Halma's financial performance while also satisfying the broader needs of all stakeholders."
I am pleased to report Halma's 18th consecutive year of profit growth in the most challenging of circumstances, demonstrating both the value of our Sustainable Growth Model and the authenticity of our purpose. Our robust performance in the past year also reflected the fundamental strength of Halma's DNA, including our focus on market niches with long-term growth drivers, and our ability to adapt rapidly to changes in our markets when they arise.
Adjusted1 profit before taxation rose by 4% to £278.3m, on revenue which was broadly similar to last year at £1,318.2m. Statutory profit before taxation, which benefited from the profit realised on the disposal of Fiberguide Industries, increased by 13% to £252.9m. Returns remained at a high level, with Return on Sales1 increasing from 19.9% to 21.1% and a Return on Total Invested Capital of 14.4%, remaining well above our Weighted Average Cost of Capital of 6.7%. Cash generation was impressive, with cash conversion of 104%, and our balance sheet position remained strong, with net debt reducing by £119m to £256m, representing gearing (net debt to EBITDA) of 0.76 times.

It is worth reminding ourselves that this time last year, although faced with major uncertainties, we had a clear short-term operational, financial, and organisational strategy to guide us through the coming year in the interests of all stakeholders. Our expectation was that profit would be 5-10% below the prior year, and therefore ultimately delivering 4% profit growth is a terrific achievement. While the Group has reported higher levels of growth in previous years, I have never been prouder or more impressed with Halma's ability to deliver a robust financial performance while also satisfying the broader needs of all stakeholders. I was also pleased that this was recognised externally with Halma being awarded Britain's Most Admired Company 2020, as voted for by our peers.
Our companies continued to meet their customers' needs by providing lifesaving and life-sustaining solutions, while establishing new ways of working to maintain the safety of their people, suppliers, and customers throughout the pandemic. Many Halma companies also directly provided support to their local and national healthcare providers either through their core products, or by repurposing their manufacturing capabilities to supply urgently needed personal protective equipment. Meanwhile, as a Group, we provided assistance to those colleagues and businesses in difficulty through a variety of support programmes, without seeking Government financial assistance, while continuing to create value for shareholders.
I would like to pay tribute to everyone in all our businesses for what they have achieved throughout the year and to thank them personally for their continued support, unwavering commitment, and operational excellence.
Given our performance in the year and the opportunities we see for future growth, the Board is recommending an 8% increase in the final dividend to 10.78p per share. Together with the 6.87p per share interim dividend, this would result in a total dividend for the year of 17.65p, up 7%, making this the 42nd consecutive year of dividend per share growth of 5% or more.
£278.3m +4% Cash generation 104%
Our Sustainable Growth Model is designed to be resilient and to deliver strong growth and returns over the long term. At its core is our purpose, which is to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day. This creates a motivating and stretching ambition for everyone at Halma to play their part in growing our positive impact on the world, while ensuring that we consider the needs of all our stakeholders. Our positive impact is articulated and amplified by Halma's Sustainability Framework, which is discussed later in this review.
Our purpose has never been more relevant than it is today, as our customers look to Halma to help them address significant, long-term challenges, which have global impacts. Many of these are well aligned with the increasing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) demands being placed on individual citizens, corporations and countries: from the pressure on natural resources that comes from climate change and growing populations; to increasing safety, environmental and health regulation; and the impact of demographic and societal shifts, such as urbanisation, ageing populations and changing lifestyles. The demand from our customers for products and services which help them address these ESG issues will sustain our growth over the long term.

In December 2020, Halma acquired Static Systems Group. The company, based in Wolverhampton, UK, is highly aligned to our purpose of growing a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day. It is a designer, manufacturer and installer of critical communication systems, which are central to UK healthcare trusts' patient care infrastructure. Its technology enables hospital patients to alert healthcare specialists in an emergency, protecting lives and improving the response time of care provided.
The positive interdependency of our financial model, organisational structure and growth strategy is critical to our sustainability. The diversity of our portfolio and focus on valuable market niches provides us with broad growth opportunities and strong returns over the long term, but also enables us to be resilient, rapidly adapting to changes in markets and economic conditions. Our decentralised organisational model protects and grows the valuable intellectual property in our companies to maintain their strong market positions and financial returns, as well as providing agility for portfolio management if long-term market trends change.
Our Sustainable Growth Model enabled us to adapt our products and operations quickly to the changes in our markets during the year, including those brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, our trading performance strengthened as the year progressed.
In the early part of the year, we saw significant changes in demand in certain end markets and geographies, and our companies faced a broad spectrum of challenges in manufacturing, sales, and distribution as a result of the pandemic. These included the overriding need to ensure safe working conditions and the limitations on gaining physical access to customer sites.
Our agility and collaborative culture allowed us to respond rapidly to these changes. To ensure that we maintained our financial strength, we reduced our quarterly overhead cost run-rate by more than £20m in the first quarter, with each company determining what savings were appropriate for their situation. To preserve liquidity, we decided not to complete any acquisitions in the first half, and limited capital investment to research and development (R&D) and essential projects only, until the impact of the pandemic on our trading and balance sheet became clearer. We also focused on effective management of working capital, while ensuring that we maintained productive relationships with our customers and suppliers.
At the same time as our companies were rapidly addressing new challenges from disruptions to supply chains and their distribution networks, they were also responding to new opportunities arising from changes in their markets. These factors, combined with demand normalising in some market segments during the course of the year, meant that our trading momentum progressively strengthened, allowing us to gradually ease some of the financial constraints we had put in place in the early part of the year. These included a rebounding in M&A activity in the second half of the financial year and it is pleasing to see that this has continued into the new financial year.
"Our purpose has never been more relevant than it is today."
The sector reviews later in this document contain further details of their individual performances, although there were several common themes. These included accelerating the digitalisation of products and introducing more online training and remote installation support in response to restriction in physical access; flexing manufacturing footprints and distribution capabilities to respond to changes in product demand and product mix; responding to new regulatory requirements; and rapidly adapting existing technology to meet new market needs. The agility of this response supported our delivery of a robust financial performance in the year, and will be a key element in sustaining our growth in the future.
Our strategy is to acquire and grow companies providing valuable solutions for selected market niches with global reach, in our chosen areas of safety, the environment and health. These niche markets offer opportunities for sustainable, superior growth with high returns, which are supported by longterm demographic, climate, and regulatory trends.
The effects of the pandemic have accelerated some of the existing longterm trends in our markets and have led to the emergence of new growth opportunities and areas of investment:
— The pandemic has further heightened awareness of the need to conserve increasingly scarce natural resources, given that climate change and the degradation of the environment have the potential to increase our susceptibility to disease in the future. We expect this to increase demand for our technologies supporting the transition to cleaner energy, water analysis and treatment, environmental monitoring and improving industrial efficiency and energy usage.
Given our market opportunities, strong cash generation and robust liquidity position, we increased investment for growth and even accelerated our efforts in key areas.
Our companies continued to invest in new product development, with R&D expenditure staying at the same level as the previous year. They invested £70m, representing 5.3% of revenue, reflecting their confidence in their long-term growth prospects.
We have accelerated our planned technology investments, given that the pandemic has amplified the importance of digital technologies, both in terms of how we operate, and the way our customers want to access our services and solutions.
In addition to the investments made by individual Halma operating companies, we expect to invest at the Group level around £10m of incremental expenditure over the next three years, as well as adding around £2m per annum to our operating costs. These will bring significant benefits in support of our companies' growth in the medium term and modernise ways of working across Halma. These include:

Investment in our innovation and digital growth programmes has been focused on supporting our companies in bringing their digital products to market and in enhancing the impact of our R&D spend by supporting agile decision-making to increase the speed and reduce the cost of new product development.
We currently have over 20 digital and agile new product development projects underway within these programmes. These are being supported by our Innovation and Digital team and our Digital Champions network which enables the sharing of expertise between companies. The interest these initiatives has generated was reflected in our recent Digital Execution Accelerator Summit event, which saw 130 attendees from across Halma explore new ways of providing value to customers through digital products. To help our companies assess their current digital development and potential, we have further refined our definitions of digital offerings. We now measure digital revenue based on connected devices, IoT (Internet of Things) solutions, and software and services revenues, while non-digital products include mechanical and non-connected intelligent devices. Approximately 40% of our revenue currently comes from digital products and solutions. These new definitions are more consistent with external benchmarks and will allow us to better assess our ability to capture, support and monetise digital opportunities.
Total Shareholder Return
We have continued to develop our external partnerships, including making minority investments through our Halma Ventures programme, that offers Halma access to new technology and capabilities. In January 2021, we announced that we had agreed a minority investment and strategic partnership with Oxbotica, a global leader in autonomous vehicle software. This strengthens the existing relationship between Oxbotica and our Halma company Navtech, which specialises in radar technology for transport applications.
Shortly before the year end, we also completed the spin-out of our food technology start-up, OneThird, from our company Ocean Insight. This new digital business was created following our first Halma Digital Edge programme in 2019 and uses spectroscopy data, a software platform and artificial intelligence to predict the shelf life of fresh produce to avoid food wastage. The spin-out will provide OneThird with access to new external partners to further accelerate its growth, with Halma retaining a minority shareholding in the company.
We are continuing to invest in the expansion and modernisation of our operating facilities to support recent and future growth expectations. After a year of reduced activity and spend during the pandemic of £26m, capital investment in the coming year is expected be higher at around £30m, including the start of construction of a new manufacturing facility for one of our largest companies, BEA, in Belgium.
During the year we announced several organisational, leadership and reporting changes. These demonstrate our commitment to developing our people to ensure we have a strong and sustainable leadership succession for the future, as well as our ability to recruit the very best talent.
In September 2020, we welcomed Funmi Adegoke as Group General Counsel. Funmi's international legal and commercial background has enabled her to have an immediate positive impact with our operating companies, sectors, and Executive Board.
We announced at our half year results in November that, from 1 April 2021, we would operate and report as three sectors to better align with our purpose and focus on safety, environmental and health markets, while still providing an easily scalable organisational model as we grow. Each of the three sectors is led by a Sector CEO and small sector support team, following the same model we have successfully deployed since 2014.
Two of our Divisional CEOs, Wendy McMillan and Constance Baroudel have been promoted to Sector Chief Executive for the Safety and Environmental & Analysis sectors respectively, while Laura Stoltenberg will continue to lead the Medical Sector. This change to three sectors will result in increased and dedicated M&A support for our Environmental & Analysis and Medical growth opportunities, and maintain the existing level of support for the combined Safety sector.

Following the resignation of Paul Simmons at the start of the pandemic in March 2020, Adam Meyers remained on our Executive Board as interim Chief Executive of our Safety sector. After completion of the Sector leadership succession process outlined above, Adam will retire from the Executive Board and Halma Board after our forthcoming Annual General Meeting in July 2021. I would like to thank Adam for his exceptional contribution since he joined the Group in 1996. In his time as a member of the Executive Board (since 2003) and the Halma Board (since 2008), Adam has completed over 20 acquisitions and had Divisional or Sector responsibility for almost every company in the Group. He has been a tremendous supporter of emerging talent and over the years has done a fantastic job helping new Divisional CEOs and Sector CEOs transition into their new roles. On behalf of everyone at Halma, I wish him all the best for a long and happy retirement.
Our M&A strategy is focused on acquiring businesses with valuable intellectual property, which operate in market niches aligned with our purpose of growing a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day.
Our organisational model is easily scalable and gives us the ability to continue acquiring small-to-medium sized businesses which increase our market opportunities and achieve our strategic growth objectives. We are also able to sell and merge businesses relatively easily should market dynamics change, enabling us to maintain a growth-oriented portfolio without it becoming significantly more complex to manage. The benefit of this active portfolio management is reflected in the number of companies within Halma remaining relatively stable, whilst we have grown and maximised value for our shareholders. For example, in 2011, Halma had revenue of £518m from 38 operating companies, and today we have only 42 operating companies delivering revenue of over £1.3bn.
After our decision to postpone M&A transactions in the first half of the year, activity rapidly picked-up in the second half and this has continued into the new financial year.
In December 2020, we acquired Static Systems Group, a UK-based manufacturer of critical healthcare communication systems, for £37.6m. In the same month, we divested Fiberguide Industries, Inc., a US-based manufacturer of fibre optic technology, for US\$38m (£27.6m).
Following the year-end, in April 2021, we acquired PeriGen, a US company whose advanced technology protects mothers and their unborn babies by alerting doctors, midwives and nurses to potential problems during childbirth, for US\$58m (equivalent to approximately £42m at the time of announcement).
We have also continued to strengthen our companies' capabilities across our three sectors through bolt-on acquisitions:
Our new Sustainability Framework, which we have developed this year, aims to demonstrate our positive impact through continued and more focused efforts to minimise our environmental footprint, maximise our social impact, and be a responsible business. It is designed to assist us in understanding the areas of sustainability which are most important both for Halma and our stakeholders, and to help our companies prioritise the actions that are going to deliver the greatest return for the time and resources invested.
Many of our technologies enable others to achieve their own sustainability commitments including through the protection of natural resources or reduction of carbon emissions. We have recognised this by explicitly including climate change as a new key long-term growth driver for our products and services, and when assessing opportunities for future organic and inorganic growth. The beneficial effects of our products and services, which help solve many critical safety, environmental and health issues, also contribute to the achievement of our chosen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Our Sustainability Framework prioritises specific Key Sustainability Objectives (KSOs), which we believe are both highly aligned to our purpose, and key issues for Halma and our stakeholders. While these may be refined over time, the initial focus of our KSOs will be on addressing climate change, transitioning our business towards a circular economy, and continuing to build inclusion, diversity and equity in delivering our purpose-aligned growth.
In the coming financial year, we will set challenging objectives and KSO targets, and in future consider aligning management incentives with them where appropriate. We will also continue to develop policies and metrics relating to a wider scope of responsible business issues in support of these KSOs.
The delivery of our Sustainability Framework is supported by our new Head of Sustainability, who joined in September 2020, and two new leadership groups created this year: our Group-wide Sustainability Network, which includes representatives from almost every Halma company, and a Sustainability Management Committee, which is responsible for oversight of our sustainability initiatives and KSOs, and includes senior Halma group executives.
In addition to these structural changes, we have made substantial progress on our specific sustainability initiatives. For climate change, we have set a 1.5 degree-aligned 2030 target for our Scope 1 and 2 emissions, in line with guidance from the Science-Based Target Initiative, and a target to achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040. Alongside these commitments, we recognise the need for us to work towards net zero across our entire value chain. Over the year, we will be carrying out a full assessment of our supply chain and other Scope 3 emissions to determine the targets and commitments that will be most appropriate for Halma.
These objectives are supported by our ongoing work to further increase the percentage of the energy we consume from renewable sources. We have also commenced work towards implementing the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), including initial identification of opportunities and risks for Halma. Our target is to report fully under the TCFD framework from next year.
We have also made progress in assessing the importance to Halma of other key sustainability-related issues. We have commenced an analysis of the sustainability-related impact and risk across our supply chains, and an initial analysis of our operating presence in water-stressed areas while improving our

environmental reporting on water and waste. These will enable us to establish more robust baselines for reporting our future progress.
A critical component of Halma's continued success is our culture, which in turn is dependent on the quality and diversity of our leaders and teams. We seek to ensure that Halma is an organisation that is inclusive and treats all people equitably. In doing this, we maximise the pool of talent available to us, recruit and retain the best people for every role, and build committed, diverse and resilient teams. These qualities and benefits were critical in our ability to deliver a robust performance in the year.
Our continued efforts to embed the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within Halma were supported by several new initiatives this year. These included the global implementation of an equal parental leave policy for all our employees and the launch of Accelerate Inclusion, our programme to build deeper awareness and provide practical tools to enable our teams around the world to create inclusive cultures. These principles were reinforced by the new public commitments we made in the year, including paying a Real Living Wage across our UK operations from 1 June 2022, signing up to the Change the Race Ratio campaign, and disclosing for the first time the gender pay gap in our UK and US operations.
We are confident that our efforts will deliver results, as we have already seen from the significant progress we have made in recent years. For example, with new appointments to the Board and Executive Board, our gender balance is now 42% and 70% women respectively as at 10 June 2021. You can find more detail on our progress on diversity, equity and inclusion in Our People and Culture section on pages 60 to 63.
Earlier in 2021, we welcomed Dame Louise Makin and Dharmash Mistry to our Board as non-executive Directors. Both will bring significant additional expertise to our Board and I am looking forward to working more closely with Louise when she steps up to become our new Chair after our AGM in July.
With these changes, and in addition to the retirement of Adam Meyers referred to above, Daniela Barone Soares and Paul Walker will be retiring as non-executive Director and Chair respectively, at the AGM. Both have made significant contributions to Halma's development and growth and we give them our thanks and best wishes for their new challenges ahead. On a personal level, I would particularly like to thank Paul for his support and guidance as Halma's Chair. During his tenure, Halma has transitioned into a FTSE 100 company with its market capitalisation growing from around £2bn in 2013 to over £9bn at the end of this financial year. I have really appreciated Paul's commitment to ensuring that we have strengthened our culture and talent pool as we grow, the benefits of which are clearly to be seen in the recent leadership succession processes for our Executive and Sector Boards. He leaves a strong legacy and a foundation upon which I am confident that Halma will continue to deliver success in the future.
Our water
clean water.
harvest water.
and sanitation.
technologies show our purpose in action
In late 2020, Halma launched a partnership to help tackle the global challenge of bringing clean water to some of the 2.2 billion people in the world without access to safe supplies. Working with WaterAid, our group of global technology companies committed to supplying our specialist water testing equipment and raising money to support and train villagers in India to overcome dangerous local environmental contaminants.
Through our Water for Life campaign, we are helping to build a safe and clean water supply and use our specialised testing kits from Palintest to provide 8,000 people in Bhagalpur and Buxar with access to a reliable source of clean and safe water. We will also train community volunteers from across ten villages to maintain the water quality and also provide 3,000 people with the resources to safely
This campaign also helps engage our employees, customers, shareholders, future talent and partners on a critical issue identified through the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, SDG 6, Clean water
Without clean water, people are denied access to opportunities that should be open to everyone, everywhere. Whole communities are held back, simply because they don't have access to
Halma's purpose is to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future, for everyone, every day. It underpins our growth strategy, financial model, culture and organisational design. The combination and interaction of these elements has created increasing value for all stakeholders on a sustainable basis for almost 50 years.
Together, they have enabled us to make further progress during the ongoing pandemic, giving us an agility which has been crucial in allowing us to address short-term challenges while simultaneously investing for a fastchanging future. Our progress has also been supported by our teams' relentless execution across all parts of our business, and our resilience which stems from the diversity of our market niches, their fundamental growth drivers, and the value of the solutions we provide.
For the year ahead, we expect our markets to continue to recover, albeit at varying rates, while acknowledging that there are potential headwinds including currency, inflation, and supply chain constraints. Organic constant currency revenue for the period from the beginning of January to the end of May is up 10% year-on-year. We have made a good start to the year, order intake is currently ahead of revenue and the same period last year, and we also have a good pipeline of potential acquisition opportunities. We currently expect to deliver full year low double-digit percentage organic constant currency profit growth (prior to any IAS 38 impact) and a more normal level of return on sales. We look forward to making further progress, in this year and the longer term.
Group Chief Executive
1 See Highlights.
Our Sustainable Growth Model delivers superior and sustainable growth, consistently high returns and positive impact. We actively manage each of the elements of this model and together they create a self-reinforcing system that gives us the strength and flexibility to address new opportunities and challenges. It is the combination and interdependency of all of them that enables us to deliver value over the long term for all our stakeholders.
Our purpose has driven our business for over 50 years. It powers every decision we make, from choosing our markets to finding the right talent. It attracts people who want to solve the same problems as we do, and keeps us focused on the things that matter to our business.
The combination of our organisational model and culture is a fundamental part of what makes Halma a successful, sustainable business. We call this Halma's DNA, and it runs through our business at all levels.

Our strategy is powered by our purpose. It is focused on acquiring and growing businesses in global niche markets, in our chosen areas of safety, health and the environment.

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We choose our markets because they have resilient, long-term growth drivers. Their growth is driven by increasing demand for healthcare and life-critical resources, increasing regulation, and by growing global efforts to address climate change, waste and pollution.
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We seek to deliver superior and sustainable value for our investors, while delivering a positive impact for all our stakeholders. We set ourselves challenging targets, and aspire to double our earnings every five years.
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Our business model Our business model is simple. It is driven by our strategy and supported by Halma's DNA. It is focused on sustaining our companies' growth and returns over the long term, while delivering strong performance in the shorter term.

Our purpose drives every business decision we make. It ensures everyone who works with us is focused on doing those things that make it happen.
Our companies develop technologies which save lives and protect critical infrastructure and services. Our technologies solve some of the world's most pressing issues, from air quality and clean water, to road safety and preventable blindness.
Our purpose defines the three broad market areas where we choose to operate:
Protecting life as populations grow and enhancing worker safety.
Improving food and water quality, and monitoring air pollution.
Meeting rising healthcare demand as growing populations age and lifestyles change.
We believe these issues are global and long-term in nature. We expect them to support Halma's success sustainably for the foreseeable future.
Learn more about our positive impact



Halma's DNA runs through our business at all levels. It embodies the core elements of our organisation and culture that are inextricably linked to enable our success. Even though we have to continuously change, these core elements remain constant.
These are the core elements of our business structure and have proved themselves to be fundamental drivers in delivering consistent, long-term growth. They describe what we will protect while we continuously transform ourselves.
Our purpose powers every business decision we make, from choosing our markets to finding the right talent.
We are built to be responsive. Individual businesses make decisions close to our customers. We manage our portfolio to respond rapidly when market dynamics change.
We insist on exceptional leaders who are empowered and accountable to set strategy and grow their own businesses. Diverse viewpoints on every team help to ensure we don't miss a thing.
We are disciplined in targeting high-return, global niches in markets with long-term growth drivers. We innovate with cuttingedge technology in these niches using our deep application knowledge.
Our diverse portfolio allows us to take a long-term view and means we can continue to innovate for the future regardless of individual short-term market conditions.
Individual businesses within the Group have access to our internal and external networks, enabling us to go faster by learning from the experiences of others. Central expertise and capital are available to accelerate organic growth, which in turn allow us to continue to acquire additional growth and capabilities.

These are the unique cultural and behavioural principles that we require, protect and leverage to effectively optimise our organisational genes and deliver our purpose.
Be passionate about making the world safer, cleaner and healthier. See real problems and create innovative solutions.
Continually grow and change, as individuals and collectively. Challenge assumptions and see opportunities. Seek insight from all directions and leverage diverse points of view.
Be an owner, risk-taker, visionary. Transform bold ambitions into reality. Be agile and responsive in the face of constant change. Be successful through and with others.
Choose Yes, and... to seemingly conflicting priorities. Build for tomorrow and deliver today. Have stability and constantly evolve. Enjoy autonomy and eagerly collaborate to accomplish our goals.
Play to win, but not at the expense of others. Operate with impeccable ethics, transparency and integrity in all that you do.
Our strategy is powered by our purpose. It is focused on acquiring and growing businesses in global niche markets, in our chosen areas of safety, health and the environment.
Our Core strategy is an evolution of what we have always done and focuses on growing through enhanced digital offerings, new product development, international expansion and acquisitions aligned to our purpose.
Our Convergence strategy recognises that we can go faster by partnering with others who want to solve the same problems as we do. Our Edge strategy explores disruptive new business models and solutions.

We expect to drive consistently superior growth and returns over the long term from our disciplined focus on acquiring and growing businesses in these niche markets.
We continuously reinvest in our companies to ensure that we maintain strong positions in our chosen markets. This includes investment in developing our people, our products and services, our intellectual property and our knowledge of the markets we serve.
Our companies are small- to medium-sized businesses, which provide technology solutions in the safety, health and environmental markets.
We have a variety of routes to market, from direct sales to third party distribution, and a wide range of customers, from individuals to large OEMs.
Our customers operate in diverse sectors, including commercial and public buildings, utilities, healthcare, science, the environment, process industries, and energy and resources.
Developing new products, services and business models by combining existing Halma technologies and capabilities in new ways, and potentially by adding capabilities and partnerships.
20+ countries
We operate in more than 20 countries, with major operations in the UK, Mainland Europe, the USA and Asia.

We seek to create sustainable value for our stakeholders, by delivering consistently strong growth and returns and a positive impact. We set ourselves challenging targets, and aspire to double our earnings every five years, while maintaining a conservative capital structure and delivering high returns.

Growth Returns Positive impact
We deliver high growth and returns. Over the past five years, organic revenue growth has averaged 6.8% and growth in adjusted earnings per share has averaged 11.3%. Return on Sales has averaged 20.3% and Return on Total Invested Capital has averaged 15.2% over the same time period.
Our business is strongly cash generative. Cash generation (adjusted operating cash flow as a percentage of adjusted operating profit) has averaged 92% over the past five years. We maintain modest levels of leverage, to allow us flexibility for organic investment and to make acquisitions, with gearing (net debt to EBITDA) having averaged 0.85 times over the past five years.
Our purpose is to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day, and this gives us a strong motivation to make a positive difference to people's lives worldwide, and provides us with exciting opportunities for growth in a diverse range of markets. We seek to amplify this positive impact through our Sustainability Framework, which focuses us on the areas of sustainability which are both highly aligned to our purpose and most material for Halma and our stakeholders.
We manage the mix of businesses in our Group to ensure we can sustain strong growth and returns over the long term, aligned with our purpose. We acquire businesses to accelerate penetration of more attractive market niches, we merge businesses when market characteristics change, and we exit markets which offer less attractive long-term growth and returns through carefully planned disposals.
We have delivered record levels of profit for 18 consecutive years, Return on Sales of 16% or more for 36 consecutive years, and have a 42-year track record of growing dividend per share by 5% or more every year.
Our business model is simple. It is underpinned by our purpose, driven by our strategy and supported by Halma's DNA. It is focused on sustaining our companies' growth and returns over the longer term, while delivering strong performance in the shorter term.
Our structure is simple and lean, with only three layers – companies, sectors and Group executive and teams – all three of which are focused and rewarded on driving growth. This allows for fast decision-making, and minimises bureaucracy.
Each company is a separate legal entity with a board of directors. This drives accountability for performance and supports good governance. It also allows companies to drive innovation in their chosen niche markets, and be agile and responsive to changes in their customers' needs to drive sustainable growth.
Our sector teams are the vital connection between our companies and Growth Enablers . They promote internal networks and collaboration between companies, enabling companies to capitalise on broader sector trends, and support M&A through small sector teams.
Group executive and teams provide expertise in capital management and control frameworks. They support our companies through our Growth Enablers, manage our portfolio of companies and the allocation of capital, set our risk appetite, and ensure compliance and good governance.
Our purpose and strategy define the markets we operate in, and our focus on growing and acquiring businesses in global niches in the safety, health and environmental markets.
Our choice of markets results in a highly sustainable financial model: strong organic growth and cash generation allow us to continuously reinvest in future growth and acquisitions.
The foundation of our financial model is strong and consistent organic revenue and profit growth. This is driven by our disciplined focus on markets which have resilient, long-term growth drivers, and market niches that offer consistently superior organic growth and high returns.
We also choose markets that have relatively low capital intensity and high returns on sales. In turn, this drives strong returns on capital and high levels of cash generation.
We use this cash generation to continuously reinvest in R&D and product innovation to maintain our strong market and product positions, and to drive growth and maintain a high return on sales.
Strong cash generation also allows us to make value-enhancing acquisitions in core and adjacent markets to expand our growth opportunities and geographical reach.
We maintain modest levels of financial leverage, to allow us flexibility to invest and sustain a progressive dividend policy for our shareholders.
Our Growth Enablers support our companies in delivering our growth strategy. These seven Growth Enablers leverage a unique set of skills and expertise from across the Group, powered and coordinated by small central teams.
We acquire and grow businesses sustainably over the long term in line with our strategy, and sell or merge businesses which are no longer aligned.

We assist our companies in growing their business in key export markets, including through our hubs in the USA, UK, India and China.

We ensure Halma has world-class teams and high-performance, inclusive cultures across our operating model.
Finance, Legal and Risk We give our leaders the insight to make good decisions, through accurate, timely, and actionable financial data,
legal advice and risk analysis.
We provide accelerator programmes to challenge our companies to discover new opportunities, and support them with the digital capabilities and technology to grow.

We connect our companies with each other and experts globally to help them learn faster, see new market trends and establish strategic partnerships.

We enable our companies to reach all stakeholders by helping them build their brand, understand their market needs and develop leading positions.
Halma companies, by growing, make the world a safer, cleaner and healthier place. We aim to amplify this positive impact by working towards achieving our Key Sustainability Objectives, as part of our Sustainability Framework.
We measure our achievements through financial and non-financial key performance indicators (KPIs), and through customer satisfaction and the delivery of shareholder value.
We aspire to double our earnings every five years while maintaining high returns, and set targets for our growth, returns, cash generation and investment KPIs. We work hard to ensure that we have the right culture, talent and diversity and set challenging targets for employee engagement, health and safety and training.
We closely monitor our companies' performance, their strategic plans and forecasts. Each company certifies twice a year its compliance with minimum controls for finance, legal and IT; this is complemented by independent peer reviews of financial performance, and internal and external audits. We are developing new ways of measuring the delivery of our strategy, for example in the effect of Convergence and Edge strategies, and how we are achieving our purpose, by more effectively measuring our impact on the world.
Our people are rewarded on performance. We reward them for delivering superior and sustainable growth and returns and hold them accountable for delivering our strategy and complying with our control frameworks. Short-term incentives based on Economic Value Added (profit growth, adjusted for a charge for the use of any capital) are balanced by longer-term incentives in the form of Halma shares.

"We delivered a robust financial performance, with record profits and strong cash flow, while increasing investment and further strengthening our balance sheet."
Marc Ronchetti, Chief Financial Officer
Halma delivered a robust financial performance in the period, despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We responded rapidly to the challenges and new opportunities which arose in the year to deliver a record profit for the 18th consecutive year, while increasing our investment in future growth opportunities and further strengthening our balance sheet. This financial performance reflects the value of our Sustainable Growth Model and the authenticity of our purpose.
Revenue for the year to 31 March 2021 was £1,318.2m (2020: £1,338.4m), down 1.5%. This reflected a resilient organic performance, supported by the agility of our companies in responding to fastchanging market conditions, and a benefit from recent acquisitions. Adjusted1 profit before taxation grew 4.2% to £278.3m (2020: £267.0m), and benefited from discretionary variable cost reductions, good ongoing control of overheads and a reduction in financing costs. Statutory profit before taxation increased by 12.9% to £252.9m (2020: £224.1m), and included a £21.6m gain on disposal of Fiberguide Industries, Inc. in the second half of the year.
The decrease in revenue included a 5.6% decline in organic constant currency revenue. The contribution from acquisitions was a positive 5.4% (5.1% net of disposals), and there was a negative effect from currency translation of 1.0%. The 4.2% increase in Adjusted1 profit comprised a 0.7% increase in
organic constant currency profit, a 4.7% contribution from acquisitions (4.5% net of disposals), and a negative effect from currency of 1.0%.
Statutory profit before taxation of £252.9m is calculated after charging the amortisation of acquired intangible assets of £42.3m (2020: £38.3m), a £22.1m gain on disposals (2020: £2.9m), and other items of a net £5.2m (2020: £7.5m). Further detail on these items is given in note 1 to these Accounts.
Cash conversion was very strong at 104%, primarily driven by good underlying working capital control, in addition to specific actions taken in response to the pandemic. As a result, net debt (on an IFRS 16 basis which includes lease commitments) reduced substantially to £256.2m (31 March 2020: £375.3m).
Revenue fell by 5.4% in the first half and increased by 2.2% in the second half. Having declined in the first quarter, revenue increased sequentially in each subsequent quarter. Constant currency organic revenue declined by 5.6%, comprising an 11.0% reduction in the first half, reflecting the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a decline of only 0.3% in the second half. There was a small negative effect of 0.4% from currency translation in the first half which increased in the second half, giving a negative effect of 1.0% for the year as a whole.
Adjusted1 profit declined by 5.3% in the first half, but grew by 13.1% in the second half. As a result, the first half/second half split of adjusted profit was 44%/56%, compared to our typical 45%/55% pattern.
| Percentage growth | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 £m |
2020 £m |
Change £m |
Total % |
Organic growth2 % |
Organic growth2 at constant currency % |
||
| Revenue | 1,318.2 | 1,338.4 | (20.2) | (1.5) | (6.6) | (5.6) | |
| Adjusted1 profit before taxation |
278.3 | 267.0 | 11.3 | 4.2 | (0.3) | 0.7 | |
| Statutory profit before taxation | 252.9 | 224.1 | 28.8 | 12.9 | – | – |
1 In addition to those figures reported under IFRS Halma uses alternative performance measures as key performance indicators, as management believe these measures enable them to better assess the underlying trading performance of the business by removing non-trading items that are not closely related to the Group's trading or operating cash flows. Adjusted profit excludes the amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; restructuring costs and profit or loss on disposal of operations. All of these are included in the statutory figures. Notes 1 and 3 to the Accounts give further details with the calculation and reconciliation of adjusted figures.
2 See Highlights.






* Comprises Africa, Near and Middle East & other countries.
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | % of total |
£m | % of total |
Change £m |
% growth |
% organic growth2 at constant currency |
|
| Process Safety | 188.8 | 14 | 200.0 | 15 | (11.2) | (5.6) | (11.9) |
| Infrastructure Safety | 450.5 | 34 | 466.5 | 35 | (16.0) | (3.4) | (4.7) |
| Environmental & Analysis | 308.8 | 24 | 325.0 | 24 | (16.2) | (5.0) | (2.7) |
| Medical | 371.3 | 28 | 347.2 | 26 | 24.1 | 7.0 | (5.4) |
| Inter-segment sales | (1.2) | (0.3) | (0.9) | ||||
| 1,318.2 | 100 | 1,338.4 | 100 | (20.2) | (1.5) | (5.6) |
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | % of total |
£m | % of total |
Change £m |
% growth |
% organic growth2 at constant currency |
|
| Process Safety | 36.6 | 12 | 43.9 | 14 | (7.3) | (16.7) | (21.5) |
| Infrastructure Safety | 110.6 | 35 | 107.7 | 35 | 2.9 | 2.7 | 1.2 |
| Environmental & Analysis | 77.4 | 25 | 69.4 | 23 | 8.0 | 11.4 | 14.7 |
| Medical | 86.6 | 28 | 84.4 | 28 | 2.2 | 2.6 | (10.5) |
| Sector profit3 | 311.2 | 100 | 305.4 | 100 | 5.8 | ||
| Central administration costs | (22.9) | (26.3) | 3.4 | ||||
| Net finance expense | (10.0) | (12.1) | 2.1 | ||||
| Adjusted4 profit before tax | 278.3 | 267.0 | 11.3 | 4.2 | 0.7 |
3 Sector profit before allocation of adjustments. See Note 1 to the Financial Statements.
4 Adjusted profit excludes the amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; restructuring costs; and profit or loss on disposal of operations. All of these are included in the statutory figures. Note 3 to the Accounts gives further details with the calculation and reconciliation of adjusted figures.
Strategic Report
As with revenue, profit grew sequentially from the first quarter onwards, and there was a small negative effect from currency translation in the first half, which increased in the second half. Organic profit at constant currency declined by 11.1% in the first half, but increased by 11.8% in the second half, resulting in modest growth of 0.7% for the year.
Profitability in the year benefited from the discretionary variable cost reductions delivered in the first quarter, good ongoing control of overheads including reduced travel and trade show costs and reduced absolute research and development spend in line with revenue. These savings were, in part, offset by increased distribution costs and one-off enhanced employee COVID-19 related payments. These overall savings included the impact of our decision during the second half to repay all employees below the Executive Board the temporary salary reductions implemented from 1 April 2020 for a three-month period (ensuring all employees were paid at least 100% for hours worked). The Board and Executive Board incurred a reduction in salaries of 20% for the first quarter and did not feel it appropriate for this to be repaid.
Our companies saw significant and varying changes in demand in the year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this was reflected in the different sector performances. Having seen a substantial decline in the first quarter (compared to the final quarter of the prior year), overall performance improved as the year progressed. All sectors delivered a stronger absolute revenue and profit performance in the second half, compared to the first half of the year. For the full year as a whole, while revenue increased in only one sector, three of the four sectors grew profit on a reported basis, and two on an organic constant currency basis.
Process Safety revenue declined 5.6%, which included a benefit from the acquisition of Sensit Technologies in the prior year. Revenue on an organic constant currency basis fell 11.9%, which reflected the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the difficulty of gaining access to customer sites and the deferral of project-based business, in addition to a challenging oil and gas market and a strong comparative in Industrial Access Control (which included a large logistics contract). Profit decreased by 16.7% (21.5% on an organic constant currency basis), mainly because of the decline in higher margin US onshore oil and gas business, as well as one-off restructuring costs of £1.9m. As a result, Return on Sales was lower, at 19.4% (2020: 21.9%). The second half saw a sequential improvement in revenue, albeit still marginally down on the same period last year, with revenue declining 1.0% on a reported basis and 6.5% on an organic constant currency basis. Our companies have continued to broaden and diversify their revenue streams and acted to more closely align overheads with revenue, to deliver an improved profit performance as the year progressed. Looking ahead we anticipate some recovery in the Process Safety end markets which, in addition to new product introductions, should return the sector to growth for the year ahead.
Infrastructure Safety delivered a resilient performance for the year, despite a 13.5% fall in revenue in the first half (a decline of 16.2% on an organic constant currency basis) which included an adverse impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. As market conditions started to recover, revenue grew by 6.6% in the second half of the year (6.7% on an organic constant currency basis) compared to the same period in the prior year, resulting in revenue for the full year being down 3.4% (4.7% on an organic constant currency basis). Return on Sales was higher at 24.5% (2020: 23.1%), reflecting an improvement in gross margin from
favourable business mix and good underlying overhead control. As a result, reported profit grew by 2.7% in the full year and by 1.2% on an organic constant currency basis. Looking ahead we expect a continuation of the recovery we saw in the second half, albeit against the potential headwinds relating to ongoing supply chain challenges and the ongoing risk of further COVID-19 related disruption.
The Environmental & Analysis sector delivered a robust performance for the year. While reported revenue declined by 5.0%, this was partly due to the disposal of Fiberguide Industries, Inc. in the third quarter of the year, and revenue on an organic constant currency basis fell by only 2.7%. This was a resilient performance given the very strong comparative in the second half of the previous year. Profit grew strongly, by 11.4% on a reported basis and by 14.7% on an organic constant currency basis, reflecting the benefit to gross margin from a favourable mix of business, and very strong control of overheads. As a result, Return on Sales increased to 25.1% (2020: 21.4%) and, given that this was driven by mix of business, discretionary variable cost reductions and the phasing of a long-term photonics project, we do not expect this high level of Return on Sales to be maintained in the coming year. Looking ahead we expect the sector to make continued progress albeit against a strong comparative with the continued contribution of some large photonics projects, in addition to the timing of the UK water infrastructure investment cycle and the continued recovery of the water testing markets.
The Medical sector delivered good revenue growth of 7.0% for the year. This included a significant contribution from prior year acquisitions, with revenue declining by 5.4% on an organic constant currency basis. Sector companies experienced substantially different changes in demand as a result of the pandemic, with some having to meet significantly increased
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | % of total |
£m | % of total |
Change £m |
% change |
% change organic at constant currency |
|
| United States of America | 508.8 | 39 | 510.3 | 38 | (1.5) | (0.3) | (6.0) |
| Mainland Europe | 276.0 | 21 | 276.4 | 21 | (0.4) | (0.2) | (3.0) |
| United Kingdom | 213.6 | 16 | 221.2 | 16 | (7.6) | (3.5) | (7.0) |
| Asia Pacific | 216.1 | 16 | 213.3 | 16 | 2.8 | 1.3 | (3.6) |
| Africa, Near and Middle East | 54.1 | 4 | 63.2 | 5 | (9.1) | (14.4) | (15.1) |
| Other countries | 49.6 | 4 | 54.0 | 4 | (4.4) | (8.1) | (5.3) |
| 1,318.2 | 100 | 1,338.4 | 100 | (20.2) | (1.5) | (5.6) |
demand for products and services related to the diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19, and others seeing substantial falls in revenue as a result of a slowdown in elective procedures and difficulties in gaining access to hospitals. This change in business mix had an adverse effect on gross margin which, alongside an increased R&D spend in the year, meant that Return on Sales decreased by 1 percentage point to 23.3%. Our companies responded with agility to these changes, both in terms of addressing new revenue opportunities and adjusting overheads where required. This, together with some modest recovery in elective procedures as the year progressed and a further contribution from acquisitions, resulted in the sector returning to revenue and profit growth in the second half. Looking ahead, we expect to continue to see the recovery in elective procedures and for there to be a decline in demand for COVID-19 related products. These factors, alongside the continued contribution from recent acquisitions means that the sector is expected to deliver more normal levels of growth for the year ahead.
We continue to hold an additional £5.0m central provision for bad debt, reflecting the continuing increased risk of customer bad debt in all sectors due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Central administration costs, which include our Growth Enabler functions, decreased to £22.9m (2020: £26.3m). This principally reflected the discretionary cost reduction measures implemented in the first quarter of the year, in addition to ongoing overhead control for the balance of the year. These actions delivered savings across all functions driven by reduced travel, the use of virtual conferences, deferred spend on projects, reduced development programmes and a reduction in bonus payments as a result of financial performance. These savings were in part offset by the one-off enhanced employee COVID-19 related payments of £2m and the acceleration of planned IT investment spend. As we plan to increase and selectively accelerate investment in our Growth Enablers in the year ahead, we expect central costs to increase to approximately £32m in 2022 (excluding up to £5m of IT Software as a Service (SaaS) configuration and customisation costs).
This will include both a return to more normalised levels of central investment, in addition to an acceleration in our investments in IT and Technology, strategic communications and governance and compliance (including ESG), and a return to more normal levels of annual bonus payments. This level of investment is expected to normalise (relative to revenue) during the financial year ending 2023.
As previously announced, from 1 April 2021, we will align our organisational structure and financial reporting with our purpose and core market focus. We will report our performance in three sectors, namely Safety, Environmental & Analysis, and Medical.
The Group's four major regions delivered a resilient revenue performance and individually reflected the mix of businesses and the extent of contributions from recent acquisitions in each region. Asia Pacific delivered a small amount of growth, the USA and Mainland Europe were flat, and the UK saw a small decline. The contribution from acquisitions was largest in the USA, with a modest benefit in the other three major regions. Revenue in other regions fell more sharply, with the effects of the pandemic more severe and sustained in a number of developing markets.
Revenue in the USA declined by 0.3%, and remains our largest revenue destination, accounting for 39% of Group revenue, an increase of one percentage point compared to the prior year. Organic constant currency revenue declined by 6.0%. There was a wide range of performances by each sector. On a reported basis, Medical delivered strong growth, which included a substantial benefit from recent acquisitions, and the other three sectors saw modest declines. Revenue in Process Safety benefited from the acquisition of Sensit, but on an organic constant currency basis saw a significant decline given a strong comparator (due to a large logistics contract in the prior year), in addition to weak demand for safety products in the US onshore oil and gas related businesses and site access issues.
Environmental & Analysis delivered the most resilient performance on an organic constant currency basis, but total revenue was impacted by the disposal of Fiberguide Industries, Inc. in the third quarter.
Mainland Europe revenue was 0.2% lower. There was a modest contribution from recent acquisitions, and revenue on an organic constant currency basis declined by 3.0%. The region's largest sector, Infrastructure Safety, saw a small decline in revenue, despite a strong performance in the People and Vehicle Flow sub sector. The other three sectors grew on a reported basis, with Process Safety benefiting from the fulfilment of some significant projects, Environmental & Analysis seeing a good performance in Water Analysis and Treatment, and Medical's performance including the benefit of recent acquisitions.
UK revenue was 3.5% lower, or 7.0% on an organic constant currency basis. Infrastructure Safety grew slightly, supported by a strong recovery in the Fire and Security businesses in the second half of the year. Environmental & Analysis, however, saw a substantial decline against a very strong prior year comparator, particularly in our Water businesses. In the other, much smaller, sectors, Process Safety delivered a resilient performance, with a modest decline in revenue, while the Medical sector revenue grew strongly on a reported basis, with the benefit of the Static Systems acquisition offsetting a sharp decline on an organic constant currency basis.
Asia Pacific grew 1.3%, which included double-digit growth in China, as it recovered from the effects of the pandemic. There was good growth in South Korea, but significant declines in other markets, largely as a result of the pandemic. There was good growth in the Environmental & Analysis sector, supported by the recovery in China, and a solid performance in Medical which benefited from recent acquisitions. Revenue in the Safety sectors declined with a slowing of large project approvals in Process Safety. Infrastructure Safety's performance benefited from the acquisition of Ampac in Australia in the prior year. On an organic constant currency basis, Asia Pacific revenue declined by 3.6%.
| Weighted average rates used in the Income Statement |
Exchange rates used to translate the Balance Sheet |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First half | 2021 Full year |
2020 Full year |
2021 Year end |
2020 Year end |
|
| US\$ | 1.267 | 1.308 | 1.271 | 1.378 | 1.25 |
| Euro | 1.116 | 1.121 | 1.144 | 1.174 | 1.133 |
In other regions, revenue was 11.5% lower and 10.6% down on an organic constant currency basis. This performance reflected the significant and continuing impact of the pandemic on developing regions, with all sectors seeing a decline in revenue. Of the larger countries, only Canada delivered growth. As a result, and despite the modest improvement in Asia Pacific, revenue from territories outside the UK/Mainland Europe/the USA fell by 3.2%, which was below our 10% KPI growth target.
Halma's Return on Sales2 has exceeded 16% for 36 consecutive years. Our KPI target is to deliver Return on Sales in the range of 18–22% and this year Return on Sales increased to 21.1% (2020: 19.9%). This reflected discretionary cost reductions of over £20m realised in the first quarter of the year (compared to the previous quarter's run rate), strong ongoing overhead control, and a modest reduction in research and development spend, in line with revenue. The previously reported £5m increase in customer bad debt provision included in 2020 due to the additional risk from COVID-19 has remained in place.
We successfully achieved our objective of continuing to invest in our businesses while delivering growth and we maintained a high level of Return on Total Invested Capital (ROTIC)2, the post-tax return on the Group's total assets including all historical goodwill. This year, ROTIC was 14.4% (2020: 15.3%), with the change principally reflecting a lower level of constant currency earnings growth than in the prior year, as well as lower dividend growth in the year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our ROTIC remains well ahead of our KPI target of 12% and substantially in excess of Halma's Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), estimated to be 6.7% (2020: 7.7%).
Halma reports its results in Sterling. Our other key trading currencies are the US Dollar, Euro and to a lesser extent the Swiss Franc, the Chinese Renminbi and the Australian Dollar. Over 45% of Group revenue is denominated in US Dollars and approximately 12% in Euros.
The Group has both translational and transactional currency exposure with translational exposures not hedged. For transactional exposures, after matching currency of revenue with currency of costs wherever practical, forward exchange contracts are used to hedge a proportion (up to 75%) of the remaining forecast net transaction flows where there is a reasonable certainty of an exposure. We hedge up to 12 months forward.
Sterling strengthened on average in the year, principally in the second half. This gave rise to a negative currency translation impact of 1.0% on revenue and on profit for the full year.
Based on the current mix of currency denominated revenue and profit, a 1% movement in the US Dollar relative to Sterling changes revenue by £6.3m and profit by £1.3m. Similarly, a 1% movement in the Euro changes revenue by £1.6m and profit by £0.3m.
If currency rates for the financial year 2022 were US Dollar 1.378/ Euro 1.174 relative to Sterling, and assuming a constant mix of currency results, we would expect approximately a £39m negative revenue and a £9m negative profit impact compared to financial year 2021, with the majority of the impact in the first half of the year.
The net financing cost in the Income Statement of £10.0m was lower than the prior year (2020: £12.1m). This reflected the lower average net borrowings in the year given strong cash generation, a lower level of expenditure on acquisitions, and lower interest rates (see the "Average debt and interest rates'" table on page 30 for more information).
Interest cover (EBITDA as a multiple of net interest expense as defined by our Revolving Credit Facility) was 47 times (2020: 40 times) which was substantially in excess of the four times minimum required in our banking covenants.
The net pension financing impact under IAS 19 is included within the net financing cost. This year the Group recognised a gain of £0.1m (2020: charge of £0.8m), reflecting the lower net deficit at 31 March 2020.
The Group has major operating subsidiaries in 10 countries and the Group's effective tax rate is a blend of these national tax rates applied to locally generated profits.
The Group's effective tax rate on adjusted profit was higher than in the prior year at 20.1% (2020: 18.5%). This was mainly due to the reversal of one-off credits in the prior year and a change in the expected mix of profits arising from increased profits in higher tax jurisdictions. Based on the forecast mix of adjusted profits for the year to 31 March 2022 we currently anticipate the Group effective tax rate to increase to approximately 21.5% of adjusted profits. The forecast increase is a result of changes in tax laws reducing the benefits arising from intra-group financing arrangements.
On 2 April 2019, the European Commission published its final decision that the UK controlled Finance Company Partial Exemption (FCPE) constituted State Aid. In common with many other UK companies, Halma has benefited from the FCPE. The total benefit to Halma in the periods affected by the European Commission's decision has been approximately £15.4m in respect of tax. Halma has appealed
| 2021 £m |
2020 £m |
|
|---|---|---|
| Operating profit | 240.8 | 233.4 |
| Net acquisition costs and contingent consideration fair value adjustments | 5.2 | 7.5 |
| Amortisation and impairment of acquisition-related acquired intangible assets | 42.3 | 38.3 |
| Adjusted operating profit | 288.3 | 279.2 |
| Depreciation and other amortisation | 50.8 | 51.5 |
| Working capital movements | 2.8 | (9.3) |
| Capital expenditure net of disposal proceeds | (25.9) | (32.2) |
| Additional payments to pension plans | (13.0) | (12.5) |
| Other adjustments | (2.7) | (4.5) |
| Adjusted operating cash flow | 300.3 | 272.2 |

Strategic Report
against the European Commission's decision, as have the UK Government and several other UK companies. Following receipt of a charging notice from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in January, we made payment of £13.9m to HMRC in respect of tax, and since the year end have received a further charging notice in respect of interest of approximately £0.8m. We expect these payments to be refundable in the event of a successful appeal and have recognised a corporation tax asset of £13.9m in the balance sheet.
Cash generation is an important component of the Halma model, underpinning further investment in organic growth, supporting valueenhancing acquisitions and funding an increasing dividend. Our cash conversion in 2021 was strong.
Cash generated from operations was £331.4m (2020: £307.9m) and adjusted operating cash flow, which excludes operating cash adjusting items, and includes net cash capital expenditure, was £300.3m (2020: £272.2m) which represented 104% (2020: 97%) of adjusted operating profit. This was significantly ahead of our cash conversion KPI target of 90%, reflecting a strong underlying performance primarily driven by good working capital control and the cash conservation measures in place during the year. Adjusted operating cash flow is defined in note 3 to the Accounts.
A summary of the year's cash flow is shown in the tables below. The largest outflows in the year were in relation to acquisitions, dividends and taxation paid.
There was a working capital inflow of £2.8m, comprising changes in inventory, receivables and creditors (2020: outflow of £9.3m), reflecting an increase in creditors, including from the acquisition of Static Systems Group, a reduction in debtors, given the Group's success in collecting aged receivables, and the deferral of employer social security tax liabilities in the USA.
The deferral of payment of tax liabilities related to the employers' share of quarterly social security tax deposits in the USA, as permitted during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in a deferral of a cash tax liability of approximately US\$6m (£5m) relating to the period 27 March 2020 to 31 December 2020. Half of this amount was due by 31 December 2021 and the remainder by 31 December 2022. Given the Group's strong financial position, we paid substantially all of the amount due in May 2021, with the remainder to be paid in June, ahead of these due dates.
Dividends totalling £63.7m (2020: £61.2m) were paid to shareholders in the year.
Taxation paid increased to £53.8m (2020: £52.4m), and included the £13.9m paid to HMRC following the receipt of the charging notice for the UK FCPE State Aid issue. Excluding the £13.9m payment, the taxation paid decreased compared to last year mainly due to changes in the timing of tax payments in the prior year.
Halma aims to deliver high returns, measured by ROTIC², well in excess of our cost of capital. We invest to deliver the future earnings growth and strong cash returns which underpin this aim, and our capital allocation priorities remain as follows:
All sectors continue to innovate and invest in new products, with R&D spend determined by each individual Halma company. R&D expenditure as a percentage of revenue remained well above our KPI target of 4% or more at 5.3% (2020: 5.4%). In absolute terms, this meant that R&D expenditure declined by 2.1%, in line with revenue, reflecting the caution and agility of our companies in the earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the medium term we expect R&D expenditure to continue to increase broadly in line with revenue growth.
Under IFRS accounting rules we are required to capitalise certain development projects and amortise the cost over an appropriate period, which we determine as three years. In the 2021 financial year we capitalised £15.4m (2020: £15.6m), impaired £1.9m (2020: £5.2m) and amortised £7.9m (2020: £7.9m).
The closing intangible asset carried on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, after a £2.0m loss (2020: £0.5m gain) relating to foreign exchange was £38.9m (2020: £36.1m). All R&D projects, and particularly those requiring capitalisation, are subject to rigorous review and approval processes.
Capital expenditure on property, plant, equipment and vehicles, computer software and other intangible assets was £26.4m (2020: £34.1m). The expenditure on fixed assets was lower than in the prior year, reflecting our actions to limit capital investment to essential projects and R&D due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We anticipate capital expenditure to increase to approximately £30m in the coming year, reflecting a level of catch up in deferred expenditure as a result of the actions taken this year and further investment across our sectors to support our future growth. This includes the start of construction of a new manufacturing facility for one of our largest companies, BEA, in Belgium, and other facility expansions.
We are also investing in automation and technology upgrades including the Group-level investment in enhanced security, improved data and analytics capability and investments to support our companies in upgrading their operating technology and creating new digital models in line with our Halma 4.0 growth strategy. We expect this investment to total approximately £12m in the financial year ending 31 March 2022, which we expect to be mostly operating expense although this will depend on the specifics of each project.
Lease right-of-use asset additions were £24.3m (2020: £21.9m). This included additions of £0.6m as a result of acquisitions made in the year, and the commencement of new leases and extensions or renewals of existing leases.
Acquisitions and disposals are a key component of our sustainable growth strategy, as they keep our portfolio of companies focused on markets which have strong growth opportunities over the medium and long term.
In the year we made one acquisition at a cost of £38.4m (net of cash acquired of £7.9m and including acquisition costs). In addition, we paid £10.4m in contingent consideration and other payments for acquisitions made in prior years, giving a total spend of £48.8m. We also divested Fiberguide Industries, Inc., for £26.1m, net of disposal costs.
| 2021 £m |
2020 £m |
|
|---|---|---|
| Adjusted operating cash flow | 300.3 | 272.2 |
| Tax paid | (53.8) | (52.4) |
| Acquisition of businesses including cash/debt acquired and fees | (48.8) | (238.0) |
| Purchase of equity investments | (3.4) | (4.8) |
| Disposal of businesses | 26.1 | 7.6 |
| Net movement in loan notes | – | 0.1 |
| Net finance costs and arrangement fees (excluding lease interest) | (7.0) | (8.5) |
| Lease liabilities additions | (23.7) | (26.3) |
| Dividends paid | (63.7) | (61.2) |
| Own shares purchased | (16.2) | (16.7) |
| Adjustment for cash outflow on share awards not settled by own shares | (7.8) | (6.0) |
| Effects of foreign exchange | 17.1 | (9.3) |
| Movement in net debt | 119.1 | (143.3) |
| Opening net debt | (375.3) | (181.7) |
| Closing net debt | (256.2) | (375.3) |
| 2021 £m |
2020 £m |
|
|---|---|---|
| Adjusted operating profit | 288.3 | 279.2 |
| Depreciation and amortisation (excluding acquired intangible assets) | 50.8 | 51.5 |
| EBITDA | 339.1 | 330.7 |
| Net debt to EBITDA | 0.76 | 1.13 |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average gross debt (£m) | 445.5 | 388.4 |
| Weighted average interest rate on gross debt | 2.32% | 2.86% |
| Average cash balances (£m) | 148.8 | 88.3 |
| Weighted average interest rate on cash | 0.51% | 0.63% |
| Average net debt (£m) | 296.7 | 300.1 |
| Weighted average interest rate on net debt | 3.22% | 3.52% |
Other Information
Details of the acquisitions and investments made in the year are given in the sector reviews on pages 36 to 57 of the Report and in notes 25 and 14 to these Accounts. Details of acquisitions made since the year end are contained in the Group Chief Executive's review.
The acquisitions completed in the current and prior year contributed to revenue in 2021 in line with expectations overall, albeit that individual company performances were affected by end market variations caused by the pandemic, and we expect a good performance from these acquisitions in the future.
Adjusted earnings per share increased by 2.2% to 58.67p (2020: 57.39p) and statutory earnings per share, which included a gain on disposal of Fiberguide Industries, Inc., increased by 10.2% to 53.61p (2020: 48.66p).
The Board is recommending an 8.2% increase in the final dividend to 10.78p per share (2020: 9.96p per share), which together with the 6.87p per share interim dividend gives a total dividend per share of 17.65p (2020: 16.50p), up 7.0% in total. Dividend cover (the ratio of adjusted profit after tax to dividends paid and proposed) is 3.33 times (2020: 3.48 times).
The final dividend for 2021 is subject to approval by shareholders at the AGM on 22 July 2021 and, if approved, will be paid on 12 August 2021 to shareholders on the register at 9 July 2021.
We aim to increase dividends per share each year, while maintaining a prudent level of dividend cover, and declare approximately 35-40% of the anticipated total dividend as an interim dividend. The Board's determination of the proposed final dividend increase this year took into account the Group's financial performance, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the continued strong balance sheet and medium-term organic constant currency growth.
Halma's operations have continually been cash generative and the Group has access to competitively priced committed debt finance, providing good liquidity for the Group. Group treasury policy remains conservative and no speculative transactions are undertaken.
We have a strong balance sheet, strong cash generation, and substantial available liquidity. At the year end, our committed facilities totalled approximately £670m, based on exchange rates at that time, with the earliest maturity being in 2023.
The financial covenants on these facilities remain for leverage (net debt/adjusted EBITDA on a pre-IFRS 16 basis) to not be more than three times and for adjusted interest cover to be not less than four times. The Group continues to operate well within its banking covenants with significant headroom under each financial ratio.
At 31 March 2021, net debt was £256.2m, a combination of £325.3m of debt, £65.0m of IFRS 16 lease liabilities and £134.1m of cash held around the world to finance local operations. Net debt at 31 March 2020 was £375.3m.
The gearing ratio at the year end (net debt to EBITDA) was 0.76 times (2020: 1.13 times) on a post-IFRS 16 basis and 0.59 times (2020: 1.00 times) on a pre-IFRS 16 basis. Net debt (on a post-IFRS 16 basis) represented 3% (2020: 5%) of the Group's year-end market capitalisation.
The Group accounts for post-retirement benefits in accordance with IAS 19 Employee Benefits. The Consolidated Balance Sheet reflects the net deficit on our pension plans at 31 March 2021 based on the market value of assets at that date and the valuation of liabilities using year end AA corporate bond yields.
We closed the two UK defined benefit (DB) plans to new members in 2002. In December 2014 we ceased future accrual within these plans with future pension benefits earned within the Group's Defined Contribution (DC) pension arrangements.
On an IAS 19 basis the deficit on the Group's DB plans at the 2021 year end increased to £22.5m (2020: £5.2m) before the related deferred tax asset. The value of plan assets increased to £333.1m (2020: £298.8m). Plan liabilities increased to £355.6m (2020: £304.0m) due to movements in the discount rate and inflation rate. The discount rate decreased from 2.55% to 1.95%, as bond markets stabilised following the disruption at 31 March 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The inflation rate increased from 2.5% to 3.2% reflecting economic conditions at the balance sheet date.
The plans' actuarial valuation reviews, rather than the accounting basis, determine any cash deficit payments by Halma. In 2021 these contributions amounted to £13.7m, consistent with our expectations, following a triennial actuarial valuation of the two UK pension plans in 2017/18, after which cash contributions increasing at 7% per annum aimed at eliminating the deficit were agreed with the trustees. In the unlikely
event that these payments result in a surplus on winding up, the Group has an unconditional right to a refund under the plan rules.
The Group adopted new accounting standards and interpretations with effect from 1 April 2020 with no material impact on the Group's financial statements. After the year-end, the IFRS Interpretations Committee published a paper covering the finalisation of their agenda decision regarding configuration and customisation costs in Cloud Computing Arrangements (Software as a Service, 'SaaS') under IAS 38. This agenda decision offers clarification of the treatment of implementation costs which is relevant to the Group's ongoing technology investments and Company operational technology upgrades which are predominantly SaaS arrangements with third party implementation partners.
The Interpretations Committee paper clarifies that much of the implementation costs that previously may have been capitalised as intangible assets are now likely to be expensed against profit immediately for SaaS arrangements unless they meet the definition of separate intangible assets. Going forward this will result in an acceleration of costs recorded in the Income Statement in relation to these projects. There was no material financial impact in this or previous financial years, and we estimate an impact of up to £12m for the financial year ending 31 March 2022, with subsequent years' costs being lower where amortisation will not occur. The timing and quantum of cash outflows for these projects will be unchanged.
We delivered a robust financial performance, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering a record profit and strong cash flow, while increasing our investment in future growth opportunities and further strengthening our balance sheet. I am proud of the commitment shown by my colleagues in our finance and risk teams in helping our companies to respond to the opportunities and challenges in the year by ensuring that they had rapid access to actionable insights, and in maintaining high standards of control. I would like to thank all of them for their hard work in difficult circumstances.
Chief Financial Officer

Organic revenue growth (%)
(6)% performance
20.2 19.9 20.3 19.9 21.1
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
We choose to operate in market niches which are capable of delivering growth and high returns. The ability to sustain these returns is a result of maintaining strong market and product positions sustained by continuing product and process innovation.
Return on Sales remained well above our minimum target, and within our longerterm target range of 18-22%. This reflected reductions in discretionary costs, strong ongoing overhead control, and a modest reduction in research and development spend. Return on Sales remained well above our minimum target in each of
Return on Sales is defined as adjusted profit before taxation from continuing operations expressed as a percentage of revenue from
We aim to achieve a Return on Sales within the 18% to 22% range while continuing
Return on Sales is a measure of the value our customers place on our solutions and of our operational efficiency. High profitability supports the generation of high economic value and cash generation. We choose a range in order to maintain a balance between short-term performance and investment
to invest to sustain growth.
for longer-term growth.
our four sectors.
continuing operations.
6
9
3
0
12
≥5% target
Return on Sales (%) ROTIC (%)
21.1% performance
≥18%
target
(Return on Total Invested Capital)
15.3 15.2 16.1 15.3 14.4
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
process innovation.
the year.
Share Plan.
We choose to invest in high return on capital businesses operating in markets which are capable of delivering growth and high returns. The ability to sustain growth and high returns is a result of maintaining strong market and product positions sustained by continuing product and
ROTIC remained ahead of our target and substantially above our Weighted Average Cost of Capital, which is estimated to be 6.7% (2020: 7.7%). The change compared to the prior year was a result of a lower level of constant currency earnings growth and lower dividend growth on amounts paid in
ROTIC is defined as the post-tax return from continuing operations before amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; profit or loss on disposal of operations; the effect of equalisation of benefits from men and women in the defined benefit pension plans (2019 only); the associated taxation thereon and the effect of the US tax reform measures (2018 only), as a percentage of Total Invested Capital.
A range of 12% to 17% is considered representative of the Board's expectations over the long term to ensure a good balance between growth, investment, and returns.
ROTIC performance, averaged over three financial years, is 50% of the performance condition attaching to the Executive
14.4% performance
≥12%
target
(constant currency)
4 10 10 5 (6)
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Through careful selection of our market niches and targeted strategic investment, we aim to achieve organic growth in excess of our blended market growth rate, broadly matching revenue and profit growth in the
Organic revenue growth at constant currency was below our target, which reflected the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on all sectors. Overall performance improved as the year progressed, with the 11.0% reduction in organic constant currency revenue in the first half moderating to a decline of only 0.3% in the second half.
Organic revenue growth is calculated at constant currency and measures the change in revenue achieved in the current year compared with the prior year from continuing Group operations. The effect of acquisitions and disposals made during the current or prior financial year has
The Board has established a long-term minimum organic revenue growth target of 5% pa, slightly above the blended long-term average growth rate of
Organic revenue drives earnings growth which contributes to the EVA performance. This forms the basis of the annual bonus plan for Group, sector and company boards, requiring consistent annual and longer-term growth with disciplined
10
0
-6
medium term.
been eliminated.
our markets.
financial management.
Organic profit growth (%)
1% performance 6
1 4 3 6 1
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
financially.
year profit.
We buy companies with business and market characteristics similar to those of existing Halma operations. Acquired businesses have to be a good fit with our operating culture and strategy in addition to being value enhancing
Acquisition profit growth was below our target of 5%. This reflected our decision not to complete any acquisitions in the first half of the financial year, given the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. M&A activity recommenced in the second half of the year and has continued into the new financial year.
Acquisition profit growth measures the annualised profit (net of financing costs) from acquisitions made in the year, measured at the date of acquisition, expressed as a percentage of prior
Acquisitions must meet our demanding criteria and we continue to have a strong pipeline of opportunities to meet our minimum 5% growth target.
Growth in acquired profit is the second key element of the EVA performance which forms the basis of the annual bonus plan for Group, sector and company boards, requiring consistent annual and longer-term
growth, with disciplined financial
management.
4 5
≥5% target
Acquisition profit growth (%) EPS growth (%)
1% performance
≥5% target
(adjusted earnings per share)
17 13 17 9 2
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
The measure of how successful we are in growing our business organically and by acquisition coupled with strong financial disciplines, including those related to tax and capital allocation, is captured in the Group's adjusted earnings per share.
Growth in adjusted earnings per share was below our KPI. This principally reflected lower levels of organic and acquired growth as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a higher tax rate, with these effects partly offset by lower finance costs. EPS growth over the past five years has averaged 11.5%.
Adjusted earnings are calculated as earnings from continuing operations excluding the amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; restructuring costs; profit or loss on disposal of operations; in the 2019 financial year, the effect of equalisation of benefits for men and women in the defined benefit pension plans; the associated taxation thereon; and the effect of the US tax reform measures
We aim for the combination of organic and acquisition growth to exceed an average of 10% pa over the long term. The Directors consider that adjusted earnings represent a more consistent measure of underlying performance.
EPS provides a clear link to the aims of the business growth strategy. It is a key financial driver for our business and provides a clear line of sight for our executives. EPS growth is 50% of the performance condition attaching
to the Executive Share Plan.
(2018 only).
2% performance
target
≥10%
(constant currency)
4 9 11 2 1
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Through careful selection of our market niches and strategic investment in people development, international expansion and innovation we aim to achieve organic growth in excess of our blended market growth rate, broadly matching revenue and profit growth in the medium term.
Organic profit growth at constant currency was below our target. This principally reflected the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a decline in organic profit of 11.1% in the first half of the year. Organic profit growth in the second half of the year was well above our target, at 11.8%. Organic growth over the last five years has averaged 5%, in line with our target.
Organic profit growth is calculated at constant currency and measures the change in adjusted profit achieved in the current year compared with the prior year from continuing Group operations. The effect of acquisitions and disposals made during the current or prior financial year has been eliminated.
The Board has established a long-term organic growth target of at least 5% pa, slightly above the blended long-term average growth rate of our markets.
Growth in organic profit is a key element of the Economic Value Added (EVA) performance which forms the basis of the annual bonus plan for Group, sector and company boards, requiring consistent annual and longer-term growth, with disciplined
financial management.
Key performance indicator
Strategic focus
Comment
Definition
Target
Remuneration linkage



Through careful selection of our market niches and targeted strategic investment, we aim to achieve organic growth in excess of our blended market growth rate, broadly matching revenue and profit growth in the medium term.

Organic revenue growth at constant currency was below our target, which reflected the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on all sectors. Overall performance improved as the year progressed, with the 11.0% reduction in organic constant currency revenue in the first half moderating to a decline of only 0.3% in the second half.
Organic revenue growth is calculated at constant currency and measures the change in revenue achieved in the current year compared with the prior year from continuing Group operations. The effect of acquisitions and disposals made during the current or prior financial year has been eliminated.
The Board has established a long-term minimum organic revenue growth target of 5% pa, slightly above the blended long-term average growth rate of our markets.
Organic revenue drives earnings growth which contributes to the EVA performance. This forms the basis of the annual bonus plan for Group, sector and company boards, requiring consistent annual and longer-term growth with disciplined financial management.

We choose to operate in market niches which are capable of delivering growth and high returns. The ability to sustain these returns is a result of maintaining strong market and product positions sustained by continuing product and process innovation.
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Digital Growth Engines Innovation Network
Return on Sales remained well above our minimum target, and within our longerterm target range of 18-22%. This reflected reductions in discretionary costs, strong ongoing overhead control, and a modest reduction in research and development spend. Return on Sales remained well above our minimum target in each of our four sectors.
Return on Sales is defined as adjusted profit before taxation from continuing operations expressed as a percentage of revenue from continuing operations.
We aim to achieve a Return on Sales within the 18% to 22% range while continuing to invest to sustain growth.
Return on Sales is a measure of the value our customers place on our solutions and of our operational efficiency. High profitability supports the generation of high economic value and cash generation. We choose a range in order to maintain a balance between short-term performance and investment for longer-term growth.

(Return on Total Invested Capital)

We choose to invest in high return on capital businesses operating in markets which are capable of delivering growth and high returns. The ability to sustain growth and high returns is a result of maintaining strong market and product positions sustained by continuing product and process innovation.

ROTIC remained ahead of our target and substantially above our Weighted Average Cost of Capital, which is estimated to be 6.7% (2020: 7.7%). The change compared to the prior year was a result of a lower level of constant currency earnings growth and lower dividend growth on amounts paid in the year.
ROTIC is defined as the post-tax return from continuing operations before amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; profit or loss on disposal of operations; the effect of equalisation of benefits from men and women in the defined benefit pension plans (2019 only); the associated taxation thereon and the effect of the US tax reform measures (2018 only), as a percentage of Total Invested Capital.
A range of 12% to 17% is considered representative of the Board's expectations over the long term to ensure a good balance between growth, investment, and returns.
ROTIC performance, averaged over three financial years, is 50% of the performance condition attaching to the Executive Share Plan.

Employee Engagement (%) Health & Safety
78% performance
74%
target
80
7574 75 75 78
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Halma conducts an annual survey of its employees to assess engagement across the Group. This provides visibility of engagement at the Group, sector and
2017 was our inaugural engagement survey which established the baseline for our target. We were pleased to see the overall employee engagement score rise 3 percentage points to 78%. In addition, more than three-quarters (78%) of employees said they were proud of their company's response to the pandemic – a credit to the hard work and ingenuity of our people.
The engagement of employees as measured through an externally facilitated survey over nine dimensions: engagement, empowerment, accountability, collaboration and teamwork, communication, development, ethics and fair treatment, innovation and leadership.
Our target remains to match or beat the baseline achieved in 2017 of 74%
engagement.
60
40
20
0
company levels.
(accident frequency rate)
0.12 0.04 0.09 0.06 0.02
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Safety is critical and a major priority for the Group. Halma collects details of its worldwide reported health and safety incidents and encourages all Group companies to seek continuous improvement in their health and safety records and culture.
The Health & Safety AFR performance this year was 0.02 (2020: 0.06) representing an improvement against last year. We continue to review all reported incidents and there are no specific underlying patterns which
The year-to-date Accident Frequency Rate (AFR) is the total number of reportable* incidents in the period divided by the number of hours worked in that period by employees (including temporary staff and any overtime) multiplied by 100,000 hours (representing the estimated number of working hours in an employee's work lifetime). The AFR figure represents an indication of how many incidents employees will have in their working lives. * Specified major injury incidents are reportable incidents which result in more than three working days lost
The target is set at the lowest rate we have
achieved as a Group.
0.02 performance
< 0.04
target
0.16 0.14 0.12
0.08 0.10
0.04 0.02
0
cause concern.
0.06
Development programmes (%) (management development)
60 89 72 87 n/a
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Our range of leadership development programmes are targeted towards developing our talent and equipping them with the right skills to manage, lead and deliver on our growth strategy.
During the year, we rapidly refocused our resources on digital learning, moving to online development until face-to-face development opportunities can start again. We also piloted new online learning platforms which provided management with business and personal development opportunities. We delivered over 2,700 hours of training to 685 of our
The percentage of senior leaders who have attended a development programme compared with the estimated pool of
As we were unable to conduct face-to-face management and leadership courses during the year, we have not reported on our performance
We are reviewing our non-financial key performance indicators with a view to using a series of new measures. Details will be
reported in the coming year.
senior leaders.
this year.
qualifying participants.
n/a performance
target
50%
Cash generation (%) International revenue growth (%) Research and development
19 16 3 10 (3)
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
The safety, health and environmental markets in developing regions are evolving quickly. We continue to invest in establishing local selling, technical and manufacturing resources to meet this current and future need.
Revenue outside the UK, the USA and Mainland Europe decreased by 3%, reflecting the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on developing regions. This was offset by a modest improvement in the Asia Pacific region which grew 1.3%, including double-digit growth in China as it recovered from the effects of the pandemic.
Total sales to markets outside the UK, the USA and Mainland Europe compared with
The emphasis on international revenue growth at twice the rate of overall organic growth reinforces the importance of emerging markets and our strategy of establishing operations
International markets are an important component of organic growth which, in turn, drives the year-on-year improvement in EVA demanded by our Annual Bonus plan.
close to our end markets.
the prior year.
(3)% performance
≥10%
target
104% performance
-4 0
≥90%
target
Key performance indicator
Strategic focus
Comment
Definition
Target
Remuneration
linkage
the year.
86 85 88 97 104
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Strong cash generation provides the Group with freedom to pursue its strategic goals of investment in organic growth, acquisitions and progressive dividends without becoming highly leveraged. Our decentralised structure ensures that cash management is controlled at the individual company level and then transferred to the central treasury function.
Our cash conversion was strong and increased to 104%, well ahead of our target. We delivered a strong underlying cash performance, reflecting good control of working capital, including a focus on collection of aged receivables, and the cash conservation measures put in place during
Cash generation is calculated using adjusted operating cash flow as a percentage of adjusted operating profit. We have increased the target for this KPI from 85% to 90%, to account for the beneficial effect of the implementation of IFRS 16, which increases cash conversion by approximately 5 percentage points. This change took effect in 2020 and applies to all subsequent years. We have not restated historical comparatives prior to 2020, which should be compared to
The goal of Group cash inflow exceeding 90% of profit has relevance at all levels of the organisation and aligns management action with Group needs. We ensure that strong internal cash flow and availability of external funding underpin our strategic goals of organic growth, acquisitions and progressive dividends.
Strong cash generation is closely correlated with high return on capital which is a key component of our EVA bonus plan and our ROTIC Executive Share Plan vesting measure.
the previous 85% target.
(% of revenue)
5.3 5.2 5.2 5.4 5.3
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
internationally.
COVID-19 pandemic.
continuing operations.
We have maintained high levels of R&D investment and spending on innovation. The successful introduction of new products is a key contributor to the Group's ability to build competitive advantage and grow organically and
Total R&D spend remained well above our KPI target at 5.3% of revenue (2020: 5.4%). In absolute terms, R&D expenditure in the year decreased by 2.1% to £70.3m (2020: £71.8m), reflecting the caution and agility of our companies in the earlier stages of the
Total research and development expenditure in the financial year (both that expensed and capitalised) as a percentage of revenue from
New products contribute strongly to organic growth, maintaining high returns and building strong market positions. The 4% minimum investment target is appropriate to the mix of product life cycles and technologies within Halma.
Successful research and development investment is a key component of sustaining strong growth and returns which, in turn, help to drive EVA, EPS and ROTIC – all key elements of our annual bonus and LTIP plans.
5.3% performance
≥4% target


Halma conducts an annual survey of its employees to assess engagement across the Group. This provides visibility of engagement at the Group, sector and company levels.

2017 was our inaugural engagement survey which established the baseline for our target. We were pleased to see the overall employee engagement score rise 3 percentage points to 78%. In addition, more than three-quarters (78%) of employees said they were proud of their company's response to the pandemic – a credit to the hard work and ingenuity of our people.
The engagement of employees as measured through an externally facilitated survey over nine dimensions: engagement, empowerment, accountability, collaboration and teamwork, communication, development, ethics and fair treatment, innovation and leadership.
Our target remains to match or beat the baseline achieved in 2017 of 74% engagement.

Digital Growth Engines

Safety is critical and a major priority for the Group. Halma collects details of its worldwide reported health and safety incidents and encourages all Group companies to seek continuous improvement in their health and safety records and culture.
The Health & Safety AFR performance this year was 0.02 (2020: 0.06) representing an improvement against last year. We continue to review all reported incidents and there are no specific underlying patterns which cause concern.
The year-to-date Accident Frequency Rate (AFR) is the total number of reportable* incidents in the period divided by the number of hours worked in that period by employees (including temporary staff and any overtime) multiplied by 100,000 hours (representing the estimated number of working hours in an employee's work lifetime). The AFR figure represents an indication of how many incidents employees will have in their working lives.
* Specified major injury incidents are reportable incidents which result in more than three working days lost
The target is set at the lowest rate we have achieved as a Group.
Development programmes (%) (management development)
Strategic Communications
and Brand

Our range of leadership development programmes are targeted towards developing our talent and equipping them with the right skills to manage, lead and deliver on our growth strategy.

During the year, we rapidly refocused our resources on digital learning, moving to online development until face-to-face development opportunities can start again. We also piloted new online learning platforms which provided management with business and personal development opportunities. We delivered over 2,700 hours of training to 685 of our senior leaders.
The percentage of senior leaders who have attended a development programme compared with the estimated pool of qualifying participants.
As we were unable to conduct face-to-face management and leadership courses during the year, we have not reported on our performance this year.
We are reviewing our non-financial key performance indicators with a view to using a series of new measures. Details will be reported in the coming year.
Our impact
The shift to digital business models has resulted in a rapid expansion of e-commerce and global logistics. Now, due to the impacts of COVID-19 on consumer behaviour, this shift has accelerated at breakneck speed.
Research is forecasting the global logistics market to be worth around US\$12 trillion in 2023, almost triple its 2018 value. This rate of growth has put additional pressure on the transportation and warehousing industry to move goods quickly, safely and efficiently.
safer
In terms of logistics, North America is the world's second largest market. The USA alone moves approximately 64% of its freight by truck and has over 500,000 loading bays. The most recent statistics reported 819 deaths and 270,000 injuries occurring in the USA in one year. Of these, more than 25% of accidents happened at loading docks, with accidental drive-aways accounting for around a quarter of these accidents. Each accident is estimated to cost US\$189,000 and for every accident there are 600 near misses.



Many of these accidents are caused by human error, mainly through misunderstanding or miscommunication. Technological advancements have enabled Halma company SPS to focus on designing an innovative solution that removes the need to verbally communicate loading updates, preventing accidental drive-aways by locking the delivery vehicle to the loading bay door for safe loading or unloading.
Initially developed in response to a customer request, the Salvo Loading Dock Safety System is now installed at tens of thousands of loading bays globally. Once implemented, customers report no accidental drive-offs, keeping workers and drivers safe and ensuring compliance with all Health & Safety regulations.
Working closely with their customers allowed SPS to gain deeper insights into other issues that warehouse facilities are facing. With increased efficiency at the top of the list, Salvo InSite digitises the Salvo Loading Dock Safety System. This technology provides real-time data on key activities, performance analytics and traceability reports that help reduce operational inefficiencies while keeping everyone safe.
Their passion for helping their customers has given SPS its market-leading expertise in protecting workers in high-risk environments and is helping to create a safer future for everyone, every day.
Strategic Report
Governance
Financial Statements
Other Information



Systems to manage the movement of people in high risk areas, preventing accidents and ensuring that critical processes operate safely.

£188.8m (5.6)%
Adjusted operating profit5


Process Safety's technologies protect people and assets at work, across a range of critical industrial and logistics operations.
Process Safety has a key part to play in making critical industrial processes safer and cleaner. We provide innovative and increasingly digitally connected products to address our customers' needs around the world. The longer-term growth prospects for our Process Safety businesses are supported by increasing health and safety regulation and associated legal risks, higher environmental standards to address the challenges of climate change, the continuing move toward renewable energy sources and conserving scarce natural resources, and growing industrialisation and automation.
Our ability to find new applications in adjacent industrial markets is broadening the sector's growth opportunities, both organically and through acquisition. In Gas Detection, market growth over the longer term is being driven by ongoing industrialisation, increasing safety and environmental regulatory standards, greater demand for continuous monitoring of harmful substances to protect worker safety, and the accelerated use of wireless sensors and connected devices.
Increasing automation, higher electrical safety standards and the increasing need for remote safety monitoring are growth drivers for our Industrial Access Control, Pressure Management and Safe Storage and Transfer businesses which serve a diverse range of industrial end markets. The COVID-19 pandemic has also further accelerated the growth of e-commerce and therefore of the logistics sector which supports it; this offers opportunities to help our customers ensure safe working environments in these highly automated facilities.
Several of our businesses, notably in Pressure Management, operate in markets driven by the increasing need for energy and other critical resources. Global energy demand is estimated to have reduced by 4% in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but is forecast to increase by 4.6% in 2021, and to continue to grow over the long term, with forecasts putting demand in 2050 at between 25% and 50% higher than current levels. Renewable energy is expected to account for an ever greater proportion of consumption, and in absolute terms to be at least three times greater in 2050 than currently. The drive towards net zero emissions offers our companies good opportunities for growth, both in helping our customers minimise their environmental impact, and as we repurpose our solutions to support more sustainable energy solutions.
It was a challenging year for Process Safety, with significant reductions in end-market demand resulting in declines in both revenue and profitability. There was a gradual improvement in trading as the year progressed but overall performance was affected by the lower oil price, which resulted in a fall in demand for higher margin safety products in the US onshore oil and gas-related businesses, by site access issues as a result of the pandemic, and a slowdown in new projects in Gas Detection. The sector's performance year-on-year also reflected a strong prior year comparative in Industrial Access Control (which included a large logistics contract), although this was partly offset by good demand in this segment from logistics and paper and packaging and electrical safety customers. The sector's companies continued to invest in new connected technologies and in diversification away from the oil market, which together with the development of products and services to help customers address increasing safety and environmental regulation, are expected to improve performance in the longer term.


Revenue was £188.8m (2020: £200.0m), 5.6% lower. This included a benefit from the acquisition in the prior year of Sensit Technologies, and revenue was 11.9% lower on an organic constant currency basis. Performance improved as the year progressed, resulting in a small decline in reported revenue in the second half and a moderate reduction on an organic constant currency basis.
Revenue trends on a regional basis reflected the trends in the underlying markets. Mainland Europe grew, benefiting from the fulfilment of significant Safe Storage and Transfer projects, some of which had been in the order book prior to the start of the financial year. However, revenue in the USA declined substantially on an organic constant currency basis, due to weakness in the onshore oil and gas market and the strong comparative in Industrial Access Control, although on a reported basis this was partly offset by a good contribution from the Sensit acquisition. The UK delivered a resilient performance, but a slowing of large project approvals affected Asia Pacific, particularly in the first half, and our businesses in the Middle East. Performance improved in each of the USA, the UK and Asia Pacific in the second half.

Profit was £36.6m (2020: £43.9m), representing a decline of 16.7%, or 21.5% on an organic constant currency basis. Gross margin was broadly stable, with favourable product mix in Gas Detection offsetting the effect of a decline in higher margin Pressure Management business. Return on Sales, however, decreased to 19.4% (2020: 21.9%), despite good overhead control, reflecting lower revenues from higher Return on Sales businesses in US onshore oil and gas and Industrial Access Control, one-off restructuring costs of £1.9m, and a £1.6m increase in R&D expenditure, to 4.8% of revenues (2020: 3.7%) as the sector continued to invest in opportunities for future growth such as connected safety monitoring solutions.
There were no acquisitions or disposals in the year, and the net impact of prior year acquisitions was a positive effect of 6.9% on revenue and 5.3% on profit. Currency exchange movements had a small negative effect, of 0.6% on revenue and 0.5% on profit. Since the year end one small bolt-on acquisition has been completed, with our industrial access control company, Fortress, buying the assets and IP associated with monitored safety valves from FluidSentry Pty Ltd in Australia for A\$0.6m. This acquisition provides complementary products which ensure the safety of hydraulic and pneumatics systems whose usage is growing as automation increases.
Looking ahead we anticipate a recovery in the Process Safety end markets which, in addition to new product introductions, should return Process Safety to growth in the year ahead.

The combination of agility, quick decision-making and collaboration matter when circumstances change. Halma company Crowcon Detection Instruments has shown this in action.
Over the last year, the team were able to draw on their core culture of flexibility and agility and their commitment to saving lives through gas detection. They were able to adapt quickly to meet changing customer demands – like prioritising the manufacturing of 30 urgent portable oxygen detector devices for the UK National Health Service, which were delivered in record time.
"Our operational heroes – those front-line colleagues working in our facilities – were able to change their production focus to meet these requests and then team up with sales managers around the country to deliver right across the UK," explains Graham Jardine, Managing Director, Crowcon.
The team also looked at new ways to support channel partners and customers by addressing short and long-term needs. Crowcon introduced a new webinar series on their knowledge-sharing platform to upskill and educate audiences. This provided a consistent forum for exchanging ideas, understanding changing needs and listening to partners. The platform has never been busier, delivering live and on-demand information, and the insights
gathered mean Crowcon is now better able to deliver the right technology solutions in the right way, at the right time, every day.
The company has not only adapted to changes but has also been continually sharing best practice with Halma peers, highlighting the effectiveness of our structure and culture. Their guidance video on creating COVID-19 secure facilities is a notable example, which has helped other Halma companies implement their own measures.
"We rose to meet new challenges last year and thanks to our business model and culture this was something the team did instinctively. The core skills we have allow us to continually support our customers in person or virtually and that is something I am proud to say has been tested in extraordinary times."
Graham Jardine
Managing Director, Crowcon.

Digital Growth Engines
Innovation Network Strategic
Communications and Brand
42
The Infrastructure Safety sector makes the world a safer place by protecting commercial, industrial and public buildings and spaces and enabling safe movement. Our products and services address increasing life safety concerns, more stringent regulatory requirements and accelerating demand for connected infrastructure systems globally.
Growth in our Infrastructure Safety markets is supported by expanding and ageing populations, increasing urbanisation, and tighter safety regulation. We expect the agility of our companies in responding to the evolution of these trends to support our growth over the long term.
While we see the growth of cities as likely to continue, given their economic, community and cultural attractions, new ways of living and working are emerging as a result of the pandemic. These are likely to lead to the acceleration and amplification of a number of existing trends in our markets, and changes in the way urban environments evolve, which we expect to provide opportunities for our companies. They include upgrades of office space to allow for better collaboration, health, and flexibility; changes in the use of buildings; 'green' initiatives to improve energy use; increased remote monitoring and efficiency through digital innovation and connected products; and the use of touchless technologies to support safety and hygiene.
We expect these trends to support continued growth across our Infrastructure Safety markets. For example, the greater need to manage health and safety concerns as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is already presenting new opportunities for our People and Vehicle Flow businesses to enhance safety through automated access solutions as people move around, and increasing population
densities are driving demand for our solutions which address congestion and help to increase the capacity of existing infrastructure.
In global fire detection and suppression equipment, growth is expected to be sustained by more stringent regulation and increased adherence to that regulation, driven both by rising standards from national and supranational regulators and by international initiatives such as the International Fire Safety Standards (IFSS) coalition. In addition, infrastructure upgrades are expected to support greater demand for connected, intelligent building systems to drive greater efficiency and support remote monitoring and control.
The medium-term forecasts for the global elevator market also reflect the trends of rising urbanisation and increasing spending on maintenance and modernisation of existing equipment and increased accessibility requirements. Opportunities are also emerging to enhance efficiency through remote monitoring and preventative maintenance, and safety and hygiene through touchless operation.

Fire Detection Networked fire detection systems, cloud-based fire compliance and software support services, wired and wireless fire detection components.

Sensing solutions for automatic door systems and for access control, safety, and security, for use in public, commercial and industrial buildings and transportation.
Advanced radar systems that make roads safer and more efficient and protect critical infrastructure.

Security Sensors Security sensors, control panels and apps to protect commercial, residential and public buildings.

Fire Suppression Systems to automatically extinguish fires, protecting people, property and assets.

Safety and communications components and systems that make elevators smarter, simpler and safer. Emergency communications systems that protect people in buildings in critical circumstances.

Adjusted operating profit5 £110.6m +2.7%
% of Group revenue

Financial Statements
Governance
Infrastructure Safety delivered a solid performance, with profit growing both on a reported and organic constant currency basis, despite a modest decline in revenue. Having been affected in the early part of the year by difficulties of gaining physical access to sites and the impact of furlough (or local equivalent schemes) on the availability of installers, the sector's performance improved substantially as the year progressed. This was partly driven by the easing of lockdown restrictions and the furloughed employees returning to work. It also reflected the agility of our companies in responding to changes in demand and new customer requirements. For example, a number of companies accelerated online training and remote installation support in response to restrictions on physical access, while the People and Vehicle Flow subsector delivered a robust performance, driven by their agility in responding to increased demand from logistics customers for door automation technologies, and by refocusing their business to address a mix shift away from sliding door sensors, to sensors which can be retrofitted to swing doors and other touchless entry devices. Our companies also successfully positioned themselves to take advantage of new regulatory requirements in a number of geographies, notably in the Fire businesses in the UK and the Middle East, and for new opportunities emerging in highway safety, and in retrofitting buildings, for example in Area of Refuge (part of the Elevator Safety subsector).
Revenue of £450.5m (2020: £466.5m) was 3.4% lower, and 4.7% lower on an organic constant currency basis. This included a substantially improved performance in the second half of the year, with organic constant currency revenue increasing by 6.7%.
The stronger second half performance included a substantial recovery in Fire Detection, particularly in the UK market, and in Security Sensors, as well as a strong performance in People and Vehicle Flow. As a result, revenue in the UK market grew modestly for the year as a whole, both on a reported and organic constant currency basis, despite the substantial impact of the pandemic in the early part of the year. Revenue in Mainland Europe saw a modest decline; however, the region returned to growth in the second half, with an improvement in revenue trends across all subsectors and a strong performance in People and Vehicle Flow, driven by its swift response to changes in customer demand. Asia Pacific revenue also saw a modest decline; its performance included a contribution from the acquisition of Ampac in Australia last year. In the USA, revenue declined, but momentum improved in the second half, and there were strong performances in People and Vehicle Flow and Area of Refuge. Revenue fell in other regions largely due to the prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in these territories.



Profit grew by 2.7% to £110.6m (2020: £107.7m), or by 1.2% on an organic constant currency basis, and Return on Sales increased to 24.5% (2020: 23.1%). This growth reflected an increase in gross margin from a favourable mix of business, good overhead control and, following last year's substantial increase, a modest reduction in R&D expenditure as a percentage of revenue, to 5.7% (2020: 6.1%).
There were no acquisitions or disposals in the year, and the impact of prior year acquisitions was a positive effect of 1.6% on revenue and 1.8% on profit. Currency exchange movements had a small negative effect, of 0.3%, on both revenue and profit.
In January 2021, we announced that we had agreed a minority investment and strategic partnership with Oxbotica, a global leader in autonomous vehicle software. This strengthens the existing relationship between Oxbotica and the Halma company Navtech, which specialises in radar technology for transport applications.
Since the year end, one small bolt-on acquisition has been completed, with the Argus wireless fire safety company purchasing its Italian distributor for €0.5m.
Looking ahead we expect a continuation of the recovery we saw in the second half albeit against the potential headwinds relating to ongoing supply chain challenges and risk of further COVID-19 related disruption.

The past year has demanded that companies make swift decisions, and quickly recognise market changes and reinvent solutions. Halma company BEA – a leading manufacturer of sensing solutions for automatic doors systems – was able to meet these demands due to a close and collaborative relationship with its partners and a team that is flexible and focused.
"We are trusted advisers to our customers and that comes from daily interactions. By understanding the changes in our customers' needs and their pain-points, we were positioned to take specific actions and to adapt new solutions in time," explains Laurent Sarlette, Chief Marketing Officer, BEA.
Adapting and reinventing is part of BEA's culture and the redesign of the Magic Switch Chroma – a touchless switch that activates when you wave your hand in front of it – is one example. The need for solutions that avoid surface transmission of COVID-19 was becoming increasingly clear and so BEA accelerated its redesign, allowing their customers to suggest different solutions to meet their needs. Another example of meeting new market need is BEA's adaptation of their people-counting device that allows controlled entry and real-time information to help monitor the occupancy of a building.
The BEA purchase & operations team were instrumental in the delivery of these products. As demand accelerated, they were able to draw on the support of the broader team. Remote-working colleagues were invited to help the operations teams 'on-site' one or two days a week to assist in boxing, labelling or shipping products – a testament to BEA's teamwork and flexibility.
"Our culture of agility and adaptability enabled us to move at speed and provide innovative new solutions to our customers. We couldn't have done this without the passion and dedication of our people, and throughout this last year we have focused on their health, providing wellbeing and mental health support at every stage."
Elmar Koch, CEO, BEA

Growth Enablers used by BEA:
Digital Growth Engines
Innovation Network
Strategic Communications and Brand
Water is the most important resource on our planet. Yet every day billions of litres of water are lost through leakage, and by 2030 it is estimated that global water shortages could displace around 700 million people.
The reduction of network leakage has been identified as a critical factor in achieving water sustainability. In the UK alone, there are over 345,000km of mains water pipes. Throughout this vast network, Water UK reports that 2,954 million litres of water, which is around 20-30% of UK water production, is lost each day because of leakage. The UK regulator, Ofwat, is leading the way globally by setting water companies a target to reduce leakage by 16% by 2025, and UK water companies have committed to going further, aiming to deliver a 50% reduction in leakage by 2050.
cleaner
PermaNET+ leak noise sensors listen to acoustic changes in the water network.
When there is an anomaly, an alert is sent to a digital dashboard.
Operators are alerted to a possible leak with a pinpointed location.
Governance
Strategic Report
In order to meet these ambitious targets, large-scale network monitoring projects are needed which is a hugely complicated undertaking due to legacy water infrastructure. Approximately 90% of all leaks never show at ground level so leak detection still very much relies on manual listening tools and reactive measures; nothing much has changed for 50 years.
Now digital technology is changing that. New digital solutions are enabling water companies to create more intelligent networks, fit for a modern water infrastructure. Halma company HWM is leading this transition with PermaNET+, their award-winning leak detection system that combines an acoustic leak sensor with cellular connectivity which can be placed strategically across the water network.
Attached to the water pipe's valve with a strong magnet, the sensors listen (predominantly at night) for any anomalies. Their findings are sent back to base and overlaid with digital maps to identify the exact location of any leak, enabling an engineer to quickly investigate the issue.
More recently HWM launched SpillSens, a digital positioning sensor that acts as an early warning system for sewer blockages and sewer overflows, preventing flooding incidents and pollution. This has been so successful that Severn Trent Water has deployed 1,600 sensors in target
problem areas in the Midlands to provide early warning of issues so cleaning crews can remove blockages before pollution events occur.
HWM was also named as one of the eight companies that will be collaborating with United Utilities in their Innovations Lab to develop the technology even further.
HWM's innovative technologies are supporting the sustainability goals of water companies globally while also ensuring that this life-critical resource is protected for everyone, every day.
Business review

Optical Analysis World-class optical, optoelectronic and spectral imaging systems that use light to analyse materials in applications including life sciences, bioprocessing, food safety, research, and industrial process control.
Water Analysis and Treatment Systems that assist communities around the world by sustainably improving water quality and availability.

Environmental Monitoring Technologies used to analyse water, air and gases to monitor the quality of our environment and ensure that our resource infrastructure operates efficiently.
£308.8m (5.0)%
Adjusted operating profit5 £77.4m
+11.4%
% of Group revenue

Environmental & Analysis' technologies are used to preserve, monitor and protect the environment, ensure the availability, quality and sustainability of natural resources, and to analyse materials in a wide range of applications.
The Environmental & Analysis sector is focused on growing a safer, cleaner and healthier future by improving the quality and availability of life-critical natural resources such as air, water and food, by protecting the environment and wellbeing, and by delivering high-technology solutions in a wide variety of end markets based on our digital, optical and optoelectronic expertise. Our valuable solutions are technically differentiated through strong application knowledge, supported by high quality and customer responsiveness.
The sector's long-term growth is sustained by rising demand for life-critical resources, increasing environmental regulations and worldwide population growth with rising standards of living. It is underpinned by our ability to design, develop and manufacture innovative, high-technology detection and analysis solutions with applications in a wide range of sectors. These include water and waste water management and treatment (including water utilities); gas analysis and detection; food, beverage, agriculture and aquaculture; medical and bio-medical; communications; research and science; and a variety of industrial markets.
demand for life-critical natural resources, such as clean water and air, and these resources are under growing pressure as a result of factors including climate change, increasing urbanisation and industrialisation, and changing patterns of land use. For example, according to the United Nations, water use has been growing globally at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century, and 2.3 billion people live in water-stressed countries, of which 721 million people live in high and critically water-stressed countries. In terms of waste water, according to the United Nations, less than 50% of domestic waste water is safely treated (based on 24 out of 75 reporting countries, most of which are high-income countries), and over 3 billion people are at risk because the health of their rivers, lakes and groundwater is unknown. This drives demand for our water testing and disinfection technologies, and for our water network monitoring solutions which help to ensure integrity of networks.
Population growth is driving increasing
Similarly, air pollution is a growing health risk in both developing and developed countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution kills 7 million people worldwide every year. Their data shows that nine out of ten people breathe air that exceeds WHO guideline limits containing high levels of pollutants, with low- and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposures. This underpins the growth opportunities for our spectroscopy solutions which assist in the precise detection of contaminates, and for our environmental solutions which support emissions and air quality monitoring and calibrate pollution monitoring equipment.
Environmental & Analysis delivered a robust performance. While there was a modest decline in revenue, this compared to a very strong performance in the prior year, and profit grew strongly, both on a reported and organic constant currency basis. The agility of our companies in responding to market changes contributed to the sector's performance in the year. Examples included our gas flowmeter business, Alicat, rapidly adapting its technology to make components to meet urgent new requirements from ventilator manufacturers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Optical Analysis businesses addressing new opportunities which are emerging in end-to-end measurement and calibration solutions for use in a wide range of applications, including in laboratory instrumentation, consumer electronics, biopharmaceuticals and food and beverage.


Revenue of £308.8m (2020: £325.0m) was 5.0% lower, which partly reflected the loss of revenue from the disposal of Fiberguide Industries, Inc. in the third quarter of the year. On an organic constant currency basis, revenue declined by 2.7% against a very strong comparator, with the prior year having benefited both from delivery of some large photonics projects within the Optical Analysis subsector in the second half of the year, and increased spending by UK water companies ahead of the end of the previous five year Asset Management Plan (AMP) investment cycle.
There was strong revenue growth in Asia Pacific across all three subsectors, driven by recovery in China, and Mainland Europe grew, benefiting from a good performance in Water Analysis and Treatment. The USA, the sector's largest region, delivered a resilient performance, given a strong prior year comparative and the phasing of some large photonics projects; underlying growth trends in photonics remain strong, given increasing demand from customers to help them build their digital and data capabilities. The UK saw a substantial decline in revenue, given a very strong performance

Profit grew by 11.4% to £77.4m (2020: £69.4m), or by 14.7% on an organic constant currency basis, and Return on Sales increased substantially to 25.1% (2020: 21.4%). This reflected a benefit to gross margin from a favourable mix of business, including from some COVID-19 related and one-off orders, and very strong control of overheads. R&D expenditure remained above the Group average as a percentage of sales, at 5.4% (2020: 6.0%), reflecting continued high investment in future growth across all three subsectors.
There were no acquisitions in the year, and the net impact of prior year acquisitions and the disposal of Fiberguide Industries, Inc. was a negative effect of 0.7% on revenue and 1.2% on profit. Currency exchange movements also had a negative effect, of 1.6% on revenue and 2.1% on profit.
Since the year end, two sector companies have completed small bolt-on acquisitions. The UV Group acquired Orca GmbH, a German manufacturer of ultraviolet disinfection systems, primarily for the food and beverage sector, for an initial consideration of €6.2m (£5.3m), and Crowcon, which became part of the sector after the year end, purchased its UK flue gas analyser distribution partner, Anton Industrial Services Limited, for £1.9m.
Looking ahead we expect the sector to make continued progress albeit against a strong comparative with the continued contribution of some large photonics projects, in addition to the timing of the UK water infrastructure investment cycle and the continued recovery of the water testing markets. We expect Return on Sales to return to more normalised levels driven by the mix of business and growth going forward.

In March 2020 the world witnessed a massive surge in demand for ventilators to help patients suffering from COVID-19 to breathe.
Robust testing is key to making sure that all the ventilators rolling off the production line are safe and reliable. But how do you measure a breath? That question is critical when considering how to build a ventilator testing system. The dozen circuit boards, miniature valves, and intricate pathways that go into a ventilator all work towards one purpose: to simulate and assist the very human, highly variable, deceptively intricate act of taking a breath.
Alicat Scientific, a pioneer in the precise measurement of gases and liquids, produces the technology that helps to measure a breath. Their solutions ensure each ventilator delivers just the right volume and pressure flow rate of oxygen to vulnerable patients to enable them to breathe more easily.
In response to the pandemic, Alicat went above and beyond in supporting multiple customers, working at breakneck speed to adapt their production line and ramp up manufacturing in a COVID-19 secure environment. This allowed them to deliver on increased orders while also protecting their employees.
Their ability to stay close to their customers and adapt quickly has allowed them to continue to respond to new demand for their products. Their solutions are now being used in the manufacture of vaccines, supplying gases to the bioreactors where the vaccine is cultivated.
"Alicat was proud to
be a key player in the acceleration of ventilator manufacturing at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our people and technology were well suited to deliver solutions in days, not weeks or months, needed by the manufacturers to respond to an unprecedented and urgent global need."
David Lashbrook President of Alicat

Digital Growth Engines Innovation Network
Strategic Communications and Brand
The global pandemic has placed a spotlight on how our healthcare facilities work. It has exposed a pressing need to develop smarter hospitals that can improve staff and patient safety, while reducing the burden on clinical staff.
Research has shown that digital technologies, specifically the internet of things (IoT), could lower the costs of operational and clinical inefficiencies by US\$100 billion per year. In addition, around two-thirds of physicians believe that digital technologies can help relieve the pressure on nurses and doctors, allowing them to spend more time on direct patient care.
healthier
Real-time locations system (RTLS) technology creates a connected operating system for hospitals. It tracks, manages and monitors data allowing healthcare facilities to optimise workflow, look after assets, assure staff safety and improve patient care.
A real time location sensor in the badge detects when they enter a patient's room or ward.
The technology gently reminds them to wash their hands to help prevent the spread of infections.


One Halma company is showing the way forward for the future of healthcare with their advanced RTLS technology. CenTrak provides location and environmental condition data across the entire healthcare facility, giving care professionals the insight they need to make well-informed decisions for their patients and their colleagues.
As an example, hospital acquired infections (HAIs) are a significant safety risk for patients and hospital staff. They cost the industry billions of dollars a year and can also undermine trust in healthcare facilities. CenTrak's automatic hand hygiene compliance monitoring system is a simple and effective infection prevention strategy.
It works by adding RTLS technology to a digital staff badge that provides a gentle reminder to staff if hygiene protocols are not followed prior to the interaction with a patient. It also accurately documents current hand hygiene processes. This type of actionable insight enables healthcare facilities to provide additional training where it is needed most.
Hospital wards can also use digital staff badges to provide more efficient care to patients, as it will notify the nearest available clinical staff that can attend a patient call. This decreases call response times and also generates automatic patient care reports, based on staff presence, thus reducing manual paperwork.
The same location technology can also be used in tracking important mobile medical equipment, allowing clinical staff to locate the nearest available life-saving device. Additionally, this helps prevent cross-contamination of equipment by ensuring that everything is cleaned according to recommended protocols.
By enabling healthcare facilities to connect their processes and patient care, CenTrak is helping to define the future of healthcare.
Strategic Report
Governance
Financial Statements
Medical's technologies enhance the quality of life for patients and improve the quality of care delivered by healthcare providers.
The Medical sector is focused on growing a healthier future by enhancing the quality of life for patients and improving the quality of care delivered by providers.
We serve niche applications in global markets providing critical components, devices, systems and therapies which are embedded in the standard of care. We look for niches where there is a 'nondiscretionary' element, meaning our products and technologies are critical to the function or management of care, for example cataract surgery or cardiac monitoring, and where there is a connection between medical conditions and chronic illnesses, thereby driving potentially higher rates of demand on a sustainable basis.
The sector's long-term growth is supported by increasing demand due to worldwide population growth and ageing, and the greater prevalence of chronic illnesses. There is little evidence that people today are in better health than previous generations. We see an increase in the prevalence of common health conditions associated with ageing, which include cataracts, back and neck pain and osteoarthritis, and diabetes, as well as
cardiac and pulmonary disease, depression and dementia. In addition, COVID-19 has reduced average life expectancy and will likely present continued health complications. These factors are key growth drivers for our Therapeutic Solutions businesses, given their presence in the ophthalmic surgery device, respiratory therapy and bone replacement markets.
In Healthcare Assessment, we expect the rising prevalence of cardiac, circulatory, and respiratory illness, increased health awareness and availability of healthcare to drive growth over the longer term. In addition, healthcare facilities are seeking to improve outcomes, reduce costs and ensure the safety of patients and staff, which is driving the global market for our real-time location services business.
In Life Sciences, the market for our critical fluidic components is being driven by more directed and personalised diagnostic methods combined with increased testing efficiency. North America and Europe continue to be our largest markets, with Asia Pacific exhibiting the fastest growth rate.

Life Sciences
Focusing on technologies and solutions to enable in-vitro diagnostic systems and lifescience discoveries and development.


Providing components, devices and systems that provide valuable information to understand patient health and enable providers to make decisions across the continuum of care.

Adjusted operating profit5 £86.6m +2.6%

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Revenue
+7.0%

Medical sector companies experienced significant variations in demand in the year. Demand for products and services related to elective healthcare procedures reduced sharply. This moderated as the year progressed, reflecting an easing of the initial acute effects of the pandemic on healthcare systems including some modest improvement during the year in patient demand for elective surgeries and discretionary ophthalmic diagnosis procedures. Demand in general health diagnostics, including vital signs monitoring, and in products supporting patient oxygenation remained at a high level relative to previous years. Life Sciences businesses continued to be adversely impacted by the ongoing focus on COVID-19 testing and point-of-care diagnostics. In Health Assessment, while our location services business was affected by hospital access restrictions, it has built a strong order book, driven by the need for its healthcare customers to improve efficiency and ensure hygiene and access control.
Revenue grew by 7.0% to £371.3m (2020: £347.2m), which included a substantial contribution from current and prior year acquisitions. On an organic constant currency basis, revenue declined by 5.4%, reflecting the fall in demand for elective healthcare and diagnostic procedures which represents a majority of our Medical portfolio, partially offset by increases in patient monitoring and respiratory products.
Revenue grew in four out of five regions. The USA, which accounts for over half of sector revenues, grew strongly, benefiting from recent acquisitions, including Maxtec (part of Perma Pure), which saw a very substantial increase in demand for its oxygen analysis and delivery products. On an organic constant currency basis, the USA delivered a resilient performance given the agility of our companies in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the modest decline in revenue also reflecting the mix of businesses in the region. Mainland Europe and Asia Pacific saw a similar pattern, with modest increases in reported revenue and declines on an organic constant currency basis. There was strong growth in China as the country recovered from the effects of the pandemic, driven by good commercial execution. The UK, which represents only 5% of sector revenue, delivered very strong growth, benefiting from the acquisition in the third quarter of Static Systems Group, a UK-based manufacturer of critical healthcare communication systems, for £43.9m, including cash acquired; revenue on an organic constant currency basis, however, saw a substantial decline. Other regions saw revenues decline, principally as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.


Profit grew by 2.6% to £86.6m (2020: £84.4m) and declined by 10.5% on an organic constant currency basis. Return on Sales remained above the Group average at 23.3% (2020: 24.3%), with the decline reflecting the impact on gross margin of the substantial changes in business mix in the year, and a further 14% increase in research and development (R&D) investment to £18.8m; R&D expenditure in the year represented 5.1% of revenues (2020: 4.8%). These effects were partly offset by operational efficiencies and strong overhead control.
The impact of current and prior year acquisitions (net of prior year disposals) was a positive effect of 14.3% on revenue and 14.1% on profit. Currency exchange movements had a negative effect, of 1.9% on revenue and 1.0% on profit.
After the year end, we acquired PeriGen, Inc., whose advanced technology protects mothers and their unborn babies during childbirth, for US\$58m (approximately £42m), expanding our presence in patient assessment and monitoring into the US perinatal care market, and further extending our analytics capabilities. The sector also completed one bolt-on acquisition, with Riester acquiring the trade and assets of RNK, a US-based digital stethoscope company, for an initial consideration of US\$2.7m (£1.9m).
Looking ahead, we expect to continue to see a recovery in elective procedures and for there to be a decline in demand for COVID-19 related products. These factors, alongside the continued contribution from recent acquisitions, means that the sector is expected to deliver more normal levels of growth for the year ahead.


Halma acquired Maxtec in February 2020 to help accelerate Perma Pure's growth in medical moisture management products. This acquisition could not have come at a more critical time. Within a couple weeks of closing the deal, COVID-19 expanded from a regional outbreak to a global pandemic. As Perma Pure and Maxtec technology is directly applicable to treating patients with respiratory issues, this resulted in a surge in demand for their products.
Perma Pure's solutions are used in a variety of patient monitoring technologies, as well as respiratory technology, and these were also in high demand as hospitals experienced a steep increase in new cases.
Both companies, under the leadership of CEO Sharon Bracken, drew on their culture and in-built agility to respond quickly, while keeping their employees safe and managing the post-merger integration of the two businesses.
The teams were creative in finding ways to protect their people and keep production lines running to meet the steep increase in demand. One key initiative was to introduce flexible working, including two four-hour shifts and staggered shift work, to accommodate the challenges working parents were having with balancing the needs of childcare and work.
"The agility of the Halma model allowed us to move quickly to acquire Maxtec and expand our capabilities. By ramping up and tripling our supply when customers needed us most, we could help people everywhere breathe easier and be healthier."
Sharon Bracken
President of Perma Pure
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Digital Growth Engines

Strategic Communications and Brand
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
Maintaining strong stakeholder relationships is essential to Halma's long-term sustainable success.
The Board seeks to engage with the workforce throughout the year and further details are set out on pages 96 and 97.
The Board is in regular communication with our companies through site visits, presentations and the annual Leadership conference. This ensures alignment relating to the development and performance of the companies and of Halma's strategic priorities and culture.
Our Executive Board and Divisional Chief Executives work closely with major customers to ensure that we offer and develop innovative solutions using our technology and deep application knowledge.
Our Executive Board and the Divisional Chief Executives work closely with key suppliers to ensure that we continue to deliver the best products and services for our customers and have the infrastructure in place to respond to market developments. The Divisional Chief Executives report back to the Board periodically on significant supplier contracts and arrangements.

The Board recognises that it has a duty to act in the best interests of the Company for the benefit of its shareholders, as well as considering other stakeholder interests. Factors the Board consider include:
Our companies and sector M&A teams continue to build relationships with businesses that could become acquisition prospects or strategic business partners.
— The executive Directors are in dialogue with our business partners and will meet or engage with management at potential acquisition targets as part of the due diligence process.
How the Board engages — The Directors engage with non-governmental organisations and other interest groups to improve their understanding of current and emerging ESG related matters. — The Head of Sustainability engages regularly with stakeholders on sustainability issues and reports frequently to the Board on these
— The Board reviews the portfolio to consider how our businesses and their products align with
— Protecting people.
Investors and
Shareholders and lenders provide the financial liquidity we require to operate, and are key beneficiaries in the value that we create. As investors in our business, we are committed to transparent and open engagement with them.
The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018 require that Directors explain how they have had regard to the matters set out in section 172(1)(a) to (f) (S.172(1)) of the Companies Act 2006 when performing their duty to promote the success of the Company. Throughout the year, while discharging their S.172(1) duty, the Directors have acted in a way that they considered, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of shareholders, and in doing so had regard, amongst other matters, to:
The Board also considered the interests of a wider set of stakeholders including its operating companies, acquisition prospects and business partners. The table opposite identifies Halma's stakeholders, the key issues the Directors considered relevant, and the Board's engagement methods and response during the year.
Examples of how the Directors discharged their S.172(1) duty when taking principal decisions during the year are set out on page 98.
matters.
our purpose.
Other Information
Governance

"Halma's culture is one of our unique strategic assets. It reflects the collective capabilities of our people and is a fundamental part of what makes Halma a successful, sustainable business."
Our people share a common purpose to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day. Over the past year they have demonstrated this purpose in action and brought to life Halma's DNA through their response to the most challenging health and economic crisis in a generation.
Customers, suppliers and communities relied on us to continue producing the technologies needed to protect lives and maintain critical infrastructure. Even as market conditions substantially changed, our people supported each other to keep our businesses running and ensured that this technology got to the people who needed it most.
Employee engagement 78% +3 percentage points We supplied ventilator technology to hospital patients; we kept critical infrastructure running for our communities and our countries; and even now our technology is helping with the global vaccine roll out.
Our leaders also embodied Halma's DNA as they faced an unprecedented test of leadership and resilience. Despite these challenges, they demonstrated responsive and empathetic leadership ensuring their employees' health, safety and welfare needs were protected, and that their customers' demands were met.
We believe it is our DNA that will continue to give us resilience and continued success in the long term as markets recover. We are proud of how, individually and collectively, our employees and leaders have lived our purpose and we are grateful for everything they have done and continue to do.
Our employee engagement scores reflect our agile and collaborative culture, and the inclusive work environment we are striving to create. Each year we survey our employees on a range of subjects to understand how engaged they are in their work. This year, 87% of all employees took the opportunity to share their perspective with us, representing a one percentage point increase from last year, despite the logistical challenges posed by COVID-19.
We were pleased to see the overall employee engagement score rise 3 percentage points to 78%. In fact, all categories of the survey were improved from prior years with the areas related to our pandemic response most significantly improved: Ethics and Fair treatment (+4), Empowerment (+3), Leadership (+4) and Communications (+3). Two of the individual items that were key drivers of the overall engagement score were: "Where I work we are treated with respect" and "I am proud of my company's response to the pandemic". As in the previous year, we saw no significant engagement differences across gender, ethnicity or nationality.
We continued to prioritise our people's health and wellbeing to ensure they are fulfilled, engaged and can perform at their best. This year we created a resource centre on HalmaHub, our internal digital platform, to provide dedicated help and advice to support our employees' mental health. Some of our companies also provided training for mental health aiders, introduced their own mental health programmes and held virtual talks to allow people to come together to hear from experts and support each other.
We remain committed to bringing our purpose to life for all our employees, demonstrating how our technologies are addressing the world's biggest challenges in creating a safer, cleaner and healthier future. This year we launched Water for Life – our new purpose-driven campaign that leverages our technologies to help tackle the issue of access to clean water in some of the most vulnerable communities in India. Many of our companies have

pledged their support and are engaging their workforce through awareness-raising and fundraising activities to help us deliver on our purpose.
Our purposeful and inclusive culture is a competitive advantage that helps attract the best talent and allows us to stay agile as the needs of our stakeholders change. Reflecting our commitment to build a diverse and inclusive culture throughout our group of 42 companies, we have selected Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as one of our Key Sustainability Objectives within our Sustainability Framework, as outlined further in the Sustainability Report on pages 64 to 77.
We have continued to make progress on gender diversity, and we are pleased to have achieved the Hampton-Alexander Review gender diversity targets for Executive management. Our gender diversity figures at 31 March 2021 are set out in the section below, and following our AGM in July 2021, Halma's Board and
Executive Board will be 44% and 78% women respectively. The three Sector Chief Executives who lead our portfolio of companies are women, and the gender ratio of our next generation of leaders is now more balanced with 49% women in our latest Halma Future Leaders cohort. We have also made progress towards our ambition for all our company boards to be within a gender balance range of 40%-60%, with female representation increasing from 19% last year to 22% this year.
We recognise that gender diversity is only one element of a truly diverse organisation. We have made public commitments to increase racial and ethnic participation in our senior leadership roles by joining Change the Race Ratio, a campaign founded by the Confederation of British Industry to increase racial diversity on boards. In July 2020, we also committed to reporting on long term actions specifically on black inclusion. This includes tracking ethnicity data, conducting listening sessions to understand the experiences of black
colleagues, and celebrating black leaders and talent in our organisation.
We have already made progress against the campaign's goals with two recent appointments – a new plc Board Director and an Executive Board member – who are from ethnically diverse backgrounds. We are also tracking ethnicity data to improve transparency and provide a benchmark which we can build on for the future.
We appreciate that diversity is a broad subject and not just confined to gender, ethnicity and nationality. Therefore, this year we introduced a new question in our employee engagement survey to assess whether employees consider themselves to be diverse in another way; 15% of employees responded to say they do.
A focus of our diversity strategy is working with recruiters to ensure they run a diverse application process and expanding our campus recruitment strategy for university and college graduates. While we base our recruitment decisions on skills and competencies, we hold recruiters
Figures as at 31 March 2021

1 Includes non-executive Directors.
2 Defined as Executive Board members who are not appointed to the Halma plc Board, Divisional Chief Executives and Directors of our companies.
3 Response to questions posed in the 2021 Engagement Survey.
Governance

accountable for presenting diverse shortlists which include varied educational and work backgrounds. We are confident that our focus on diverse hiring practices will start to deliver results and increase diversity at all levels of our organisation. As an example, this year 49% of the recruits into our Future Leaders Programme are from an ethnically diverse background.
We know that diversity, equity and inclusion require active leadership and commitment from all levels of the organisation. To facilitate this, we are giving our people the tools to practice inclusive behaviour and use it in their day-to-day work. We are doing this through Accelerate Inclusion, a peer learning programme translated into 10 languages and which is available to all our businesses. More than 5,000 employees (around 70% of total employees) have joined the programme across all the countries we operate in since its launch.
As part of our ongoing commitment to building fairer and more inclusive businesses, in October 2020 we launched a global parental leave policy for all Halma employees. This offers equal paid leave regardless of gender or sexual orientation. We are also committing to paying a Real Living Wage across our UK operations from 1 June 2022. A number of our UK companies are already paying wages in line with the levels set by the Real Living Wage Foundation.
Halma is not obliged under the Gender Pay Gap Regulations to report our gender pay gap as we do not directly employ more than 250 employees. However, we support the intent of the effort and therefore this year we are voluntarily disclosing the gender pay gap for all employees of Halma in the USA and the UK as at 31 March 2021. The approximate overall mean pay gap was 26%.
The pay gap is due to more women in operations and assembly roles in the lowest quartile (54%) compared to more men in the top quartile (76%). This supports our existing focus to address the gender balance at our company leadership team levels, which will help to close the overall pay gap with more female representation at this level. Our goal is to achieve a 40-60% gender balance at this level, which is 22% female at 31 March 2021.
The pay gap data provides us with a robust baseline to measure our progress against, and in the coming year we will be implementing a global HR solution that will provide us with further insights that we can act on. We believe that we pay men and women equally for similar level
roles. We are also committed to addressing the gender pay imbalance through inclusive and diverse recruitment and better work-life arrangements, such as our global parental leave policy and our Future of Work philosophy.
Equipping our leaders with the skills to manage, lead and deliver on our growth strategy is a key focus. We aim to empower all our people to continually grow and change to help us cultivate our open and inclusive culture.
During the year we rapidly refocused our resources on digital learning, moving to online development until face-to-face development opportunities can start again. We also piloted new online learning platforms to help managers with business and individual development. We delivered approximately 2,800 hours of training to 685 senior leaders and other Group employees.
We are actively working with Halma company boards to ensure that people development is high on the agenda. We are helping build out local initiatives, which are critical in ensuring that we have strong succession pipelines, and for attracting and retaining key talent.



* Specified major injury incidents are reportable incidents which result in more than three working days lost.

We continue to leverage our Functional Networks and HalmaHub, to continuously share best practice and stimulate knowledge-sharing, enabling us to go faster by learning from the experiences of others. This year there were more than 850,000 learning interactions on HalmaHub.
Looking after the wellbeing of our people is critical to our business and a key priority for all our leaders. The Group's health and safety performance was particularly strong in the current year with an Accident Frequency Rate of 0.02. There were no work-related fatalities in FY20/21 or in prior years and you can find details of recorded injuries during the year and the prior four years in the graphs opposite.
The pandemic has redefined our people's expectations around how they would prefer to work in the future. In response to this, we have developed an approach for enabling more flexible working for Halma's employees at the Group level. We are also guiding our companies to create their own core principles about future working practices. Our companies led the way by finding innovative practices to provide flexibility to production employees, with many companies empowering the teams themselves to design working patterns that deliver the business needs and also accommodate the flexible needs of the team members.
We are confident that these efforts will build on our progress in making our work environments more flexible and inclusive for everyone.

"Looking after the wellbeing of our people is critical to our business."
Our purpose of growing a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day is the foundation for our approach to sustainability.
Our purpose drives every business decision we make. It ensures everyone who works with us is focused on doing those things that make it happen. Our technologies solve some of the world's most pressing issues, from air quality to road safety and preventable blindness. Our purpose defines the three broad market areas where we choose to operate, within the safety, environmental, and health markets. We believe the issues we address are global and long-term in nature and expect them to support delivery of sustainable growth with positive impact.
This purpose-aligned growth is a key component of our Sustainable Growth Model, in which the value we create comes from the combination of our growth and returns, and our positive impact. Halma companies make the world a safer, cleaner and healthier place, as illustrated by our contribution towards multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as we set out on pages 66-67.
Halma companies also recognise that their operations have negative environmental and social impacts. These are relatively small within our own operations, given that we have low capital-intensity manufacturing processes and our operations are geographically close to our end markets. However, as we begin to measure and understand our wider value chain impacts, and as various environmental and social issues, including the climate crisis, are becoming more acute, we are ambitious to go further and faster in reducing our negative effects at the same time as increasing our positive impacts. We also want to ensure we are focused on opportunities to multiply our positive impact, for example in how we design our products and services, in the way we do business, and in how we interact with our employees, our suppliers, our communities and wider society.
Given the structure of our Group, which is made up of more than 40 small to medium-sized companies, we recognise the need to prioritise our time and resources in those areas that will deliver the largest reduction in negative impact or the greatest amplification of positive impact.
As the Board member responsible for sustainability, part of my focus in the year has been on more explicitly incorporating sustainability issues into our Sustainable Growth Model (our overall corporate business model and strategy), and prioritising them to support our long-term growth aspirations.
We are introducing a Sustainability Framework, which we will further develop and roll out across our companies over the next 12 months.
Under this framework, we will prioritise a small number of areas that are highly purpose-aligned, important to Halma and our stakeholders, and relevant to most of our companies – our Key Sustainability Objectives (KSOs). By setting ambitious objectives and stretching supporting targets for these KSOs, we believe we can significantly amplify our existing purposedriven positive impact. In turn, these KSOs will be supported by the policies and metrics that we consider essential to responsible business conduct.
Read more in this report

Read more in the Our people and culture section


Our initial KSOs will be focused on Climate Change, the Circular Economy, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Our specific actions in these areas will evolve, but we expect to address climate change in terms of both the opportunities and risks it presents and by minimising our own greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). We expect to work towards designing out waste and pollution and incorporating reuse and recycled materials within our products where feasible, and we will prioritise diversity, equity and inclusion to support our purpose-aligned growth.
Progress updates on our work in these three areas and related metrics can be found throughout this Annual Report as indicated in the diagram below.
We will seek to disclose more specific objective statements and additional supporting, medium and long-term targets for our KSOs as they are developed, and in future consider aligning management incentives with them where appropriate. This year, we have already committed to new GHG emission reduction targets to support our Climate Change KSO, which include a 1.5 degree aligned Scope 1 & 2 target for 2030 and a commitment to net zero emissions by 2040 for Scope 1 & 2.
Supporting these KSOs, the sustainability issues, policies and metrics that we include within the Responsible Business section of our Sustainability Framework are those which relate to other areas of corporate social responsibility, compliance, or risk reduction. In many cases we expect these areas to be of lower materiality, or be material but already well managed by our companies compared to our KSOs. As a result, while we will continue to develop and maintain compliance against appropriate policies, procedures and standards, and to report our progress on them, we do not expect to develop ambitious targets in these areas.
As part of the continued development of the Sustainability Framework, we will be reviewing our current non-financial KPIs against the Framework and any newly introduced targets and metrics over the next 12 months to determine the most appropriate non-financial KPIs for the Group going forward.
I believe our Sustainability Framework, combined with our continued focus on purpose-aligned growth, will energise our colleagues, inspire future talent, attract partners who will help us solve some of the world's most pressing problems, and make Halma even more sustainable.
Board Member responsible for Sustainability


Medicel, a Halma company based in Altenrhein, Switzerland, makes the world a healthier place by supplying instruments for cataract surgery that improve patients' quality of life. Their intraocular lens injectors allow surgeons to minimise incisions during surgery. Over 5 million lenses are implanted every year with Medicel injection systems.
Translating these positive impacts into their value to society, we have assessed the economic benefits from Medicel's intraocular lens injector systems for patients by the avoided years living with cataract disability; by the avoided infections from alternative forceps-based surgery methods; and by the avoided lost income from full employment; and for governments by the avoided medical costs associated with supporting cataract disabilities.
Using third party data, we broadly estimate the annual economic benefit of cataract surgery attributable to Medicel's technology to be more than £600m per annum – many times the cost to patients and governments.
Annual value to society from Medicel's injector technology
Our purpose primarily drives our positive impacts over the longer term, and these impacts are applicable across multiple sustainability themes. In particular, our positive impacts enable Halma to contribute towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including four SDGs that are highly aligned to our purpose and our products and services – SDG 3 Good health & well-being, SDG 6 Clean water & sanitation, SDG 9 Industry, innovation & infrastructure and SDG 11 Sustainable cities & communities. Our website sets out the UN's targets and indicators that sit beneath these four SDGs that are most relevant to Halma.
In the year ended 31 March 2021, over two-thirds of our revenue continued to contribute towards the broad aims of these four SDGs, helping to illustrate how our positive impact contributes to key global challenges for the period to 20301 .
In addition, as we incorporate climate change as a long-term growth driver, we expect our products and services to contribute more towards SDGs 7, 9 and 13 relating to climate change mitigation and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
These pages show some examples of the positive impact we deliver through our products and services, particularly where we contribute towards one of our four chosen SDGs or our key sustainability objective-related themes of climate change and circular economy.
| Our impact2 | Applicable SDGs | |
|---|---|---|
| Providing diagnostics and monitoring |
We supply more than 1 million diagnostic products per year, for blood pressure monitoring, ophthalmology, and other vital signs monitoring. |
TARGET 3.4 |
| Helping improve health outcomes | Our products support more than 7 million surgeries per annum, including those to treat preventable blindness. |
TARGET 3.4 |
| Making roads safer | We make roads safer, with our road safety technology being used on more than 3,000km of highways. |
TARGET 3.6 |
| Conserving water | Our products are used to monitor more than 110,000km of water pipelines. With UK water pipeline leakage estimated at around 8,500 litres per kilometre per day3, our products help conserve billions of litres of water per year. |
TARGET 6.4 GOAL 13 |
| Making water safer | We enable over 200 million water tests and supply more than 5 million water quality tests to partners working in international relief and development annually. |
TARGET 6.1 TARGET 3.9 TARGET 11.5 |
| Ensuring urban environments and public spaces are safer |
Our fire detection products protect buildings with an aggregate area of more than 5,000 square kilometres. |
GOAL 11 TARGET 8.8 |
| Protecting lives | Our gas sensor products protect the safety of more than 250,000 people every day. |
GOAL 11 TARGET 8.8 |
| Keeping workers safe | Our interlock products protect workers' safety in more than 40,000 manufacturing and other facilities. |
TARGET 8.8 |
| Supporting the energy transition | We protect more than 10,000 wind turbines by supplying over 23,000 fire suppression systems. |
TARGET 7.2 |
1 We describe and calculate our impact and revenue alignment with the broad principles of the four SDGs as follows:
– SDG 3 – Halma's technology helps to diagnose and treat disease earlier and more accurately; to improve road safety; and to reduce water and air pollution. Revenue is included from medical companies (excluding CenTrak and Static Systems which focus on hospital communications, logistics and efficiency) and our vehicle flow company. – SDG 6 – Halma's products and services help to ensure access to clean drinking water; to ensure efficient and effective wastewater treatment; and to maintain robust water and wastewater
networks, minimising leakage and maintaining pressure. Revenue is included from our water analysis and treatment companies. – SDG 9 – Halma is continuously developing innovative technologies to increase industrial efficiency and safety, and safety in public places. In addition, Halma's growth strategy provides a
major opportunity to help our customers with the challenges of automation and digitisation. We do not currently measure applicable revenues. – SDG 11 – Halma's technology makes cities safer, through fire and security protection, elevator safety products, and products and services addressing safety in public spaces, including
enhancing road safety. Halma's environmental and analysis technology helps to promote cleaner cities, ensure clean drinking water, and monitors gaseous emissions and the treatment of wastewater. Revenue is included from our fire, elevator safety, people flow and gas detection companies.
2 These metrics are approximate estimates, based on best available data and a number of management assumptions about usage of our products. They are updated for significant changes which are not expected to occur on an annual basis. The key assumptions are set out on our website at www.halma.com.
3 Source: Water UK; England and Wales, April 2019 to March 2020.

Labsphere's remote sensing calibration systems calibrate imaging systems within Earth Orbiting Satellites that monitor climate change and alert authorities to global environmental events. They also calibrate image systems used to provide quick decisions for efficient crop management.
Reducing recycling costs Ocean Insight's recycling solution detects types of aluminium enabling it to be sorted into different grades within milliseconds. This application increases speed and reduces recycling costs, supporting the transition to a more circular economy.
Fortress supplies safety and interlock solutions to numerous clean energy projects, keeping people safe and protecting equipment for years to come in some of the harshest environments. Recent UK projects include offshore wind farms and hydroelectric power and battery storage projects.

OneThird uses infrared sensors, AI algorithms and machine learning to predict and extend the shelf-life of fresh produce. This noninvasive solution is helping to reduce food loss and waste, from farm to fork.
OneThird was spun-out from Halma's digital growth programme in 2021 and Halma retains a minority investment.

Our partnership with WaterAid will utilise our Palintest water testing technologies to deliver long-lasting infrastructure and education to 8,000 people in a remote region of India who suffer from poor water provision. Community volunteers from across 10 villages will also be trained to maintain water quality.
Sofis prevents accidental releases of harmful chemicals by providing solutions that make chemical processes safer and more controlled.
Improved safety systems also enable more frequent maintenance and flushing out of waste products, increasing the energy efficiency of the process.

Advanced's fire panels protect cultural heritage as varied as Durham Cathedral, the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, and His Majesty's Theatre in Perth, Australia.

One of Crowcon's products helps detect refrigerant and SF6 leaks, both significant contributors to climate change.
Oseco-Elfab's rupture disc products are being specially designed for industrial customers who are transitioning away from SF6, a potent greenhouse gas, to alternative gases within gas insulated switchgear used for electricity transmission.

Alicat has almost doubled the number of testing and calibration products sold into R&D facilities that are working on innovation in hydrogen fuel cell applications.

Cosasco's products, traditionally used within the Oil & Gas industries, are being applied in municipal facilities to monitor pipe wall thickness degradation and the effectiveness of chemical treatments, to reduce lead contamination, chemical waste and leakage.


Strategic Report
Our Chief Financial Officer, Marc Ronchetti, has principal responsibility for our sustainability activities and policy, including Environment and Health & Safety.
Sustainability is an integral part of our Sustainable Growth Model, and a key focus for the Board, which engaged with multiple sustainability-related topics and received updates on sustainability at the majority of scheduled Board meetings during the year. Sustainability was one of three key topics discussed at the Board Strategy Meeting in September 2020, and in March 2021 the Board discussed the draft Sustainability Framework and the Key Sustainability Objectives (KSOs). Please see the Climate Change section on pages 70 to 73 for further information on the Board's role in Climate-related governance.
We also appointed our first Head of Sustainability in September 2020, and we have created two new groups within our organisation to help deliver on our Sustainability Framework over the longer term. Firstly, we launched the Sustainability Network in mid-2020. Chaired by one of our Divisional Chief Executives (DCEs), it brings together sustainability representatives from our companies to share ideas and best practice.
Secondly, we have recently created a Sustainability management committee, made up of Executive Board members, functional representatives and DCEs, to assist Marc Ronchetti and our Head of Sustainability with direction and oversight of our sustainability initiatives and implementation of our Sustainability Framework.

During the year, we have taken initial steps to assess the materiality of various sustainability-related issues arising in our wider value chain, to help develop our Sustainability Framework and KSOs. This is work in progress, with steps taken so far focused on developing strategy, rather than reporting. We will continue to develop our more formal impact and stakeholder analysis throughout the next 12 months.
This work has included engaging with a number of our companies, representing over half of our revenue, to understand their key sustainability-related priorities, activities and challenges. Their input has helped identify our KSOs and will influence the policies, procedures and processes that we will look to include in 'toolkits' to support our companies with achieving the KSOs.
In addition, we have undertaken discussions on sustainability-related issues with a number of our largest ESG-focused shareholders, as well as informally reviewing wider industry, peer and customer sustainability priorities. We also carried out an initial desktop supply chain impact assessment and a water scarcity assessment (see more detail on these assessments within the Responsible Business section). The results of these exercises fed into our selection of our KSOs.
This year end, we have also collected more granular data from our companies on water withdrawals and discharge, hazardous waste, electronic waste and solid waste and waste disposal methods. These figures can be found in the Sustainability data section on page 76.
While we are not able to show comparatives for these metrics this year, this change enables us to better assess the materiality of these impacts, improve our external and internal reporting, and create a baseline for improvement. While many companies already measure and proactively manage these impacts, aggregated Group-level data will help us determine which policies, metrics and targets we may require at a Group level to manage these impacts in the future.

As set out on pages 66 to 67, our positive impacts through purpose-aligned growth contribute towards multiple SDGs. In addition, our Sustainability Framework and Sustainable Growth Model enable us to contribute towards those and many other SDGs, through the way we do business and create value, how we treat our employees, and how we interact with our communities.
In particular, our KSOs are broadly aligned with:
We are at the initial stages of understanding the most relevant focus areas and potential longer-term goals for our Circular Economy KSO. However, a number of our companies are already making progress in implementing more circular principles into their businesses.
Crowcon is significantly reducing the amount of copper required within its solutions and working towards removing lead, a hazardous material, from its oxygen sensors throughout its product range. Alongside this, their fixed detector products can be fully disassembled for recycling.
Cosasco utilises waste components from its manufacturing and servicing processes to build and refurbish products.
Apollo began a small pilot project to assess Lifecycle Analysis techniques that could be used to analyse environmental impacts associated with some of its products. This work was put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Multiple companies are transitioning to more sustainable packaging solutions, including reuse of incoming packing material, replacing physical manuals with online versions, and replacing plastic foam with recycled paper product protection.
We expect our existing aim to reuse or recycle more than 99% of electronic waste (e-waste) to be formalised as a supporting target for our Circular Economy KSO. Based on available data, almost half of currently reported e-waste is already recycled, and we have appointed a global e-waste recycling supplier that our companies can utilise to increase their recycling rates and offer a recycling service to customers where feasible.
The climate crisis is one of the biggest issues facing our society and our environment, and it impacts Halma's efforts to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day.
At the same time, we believe that addressing the climate crisis, through creating low-carbon economies, transitioning to responsible consumption and production methods, and addressing social inequities and health issues, creates multiple opportunities for Halma within niche markets with long-term growth drivers.
Recognising this, we have identified the transition to a low-carbon economy as a key long-term growth driver that we will use internally to assess organic and inorganic growth opportunities. In addition, we have increased the priority of the climate crisis across our business by highlighting the issue as a Key Sustainability Objective (KSO) within our new Sustainability Framework. This KSO is supported by significantly increased ambitions to reduce our own operational carbon footprint, as evidenced by our new targets set out below.
We have also taken initial steps during the year towards applying the principles of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), in line with our commitment to fully report against TCFD in our Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2022. The information in the rest of this section reflects the broad format of the TCFD recommendations.
Our GHG emissions targets

absolute reduction in Scope 1 & 21 GHG emissions by 2030 from 2020 baseline
Achieve net zero Scope 1 & 21 GHG emissions by

1 Market-based Scope 2 methodology

With products and materials needing to be transported around the world to meet customer demands, delivering on time while also reducing CO2 emissions is top of mind for Halma company BEA, a leading manufacturer of sensing solutions for automatic doors systems.
The Belgian-based company has taken steps to increase the proportion of deliveries that are shipped rather than air-freighted between Angleur (its headquarters) and Pittsburgh (its US premises), and to utilise barge transportation instead of lorries between Angleur and the port of Antwerp to reduce both congestion and CO2 emissions. BEA is also increasing the proportion of train transportation between its China premises and Angleur, which is more reliable and faster than shipping but with significantly lower emissions compared to air freight. While Halma doesn't currently include logistics emissions within its Scope 3 footprint, these actions exemplify BEA's commitment to growing a safer, cleaner, healthier future.
"BEA's solution is a mix between sea, train and air… and we are working towards our goal of 70 – 75% of our shipments transported by sea or train."
Camilo Zuluaga, Quality, Health, Safety and Environment Management Supervisor, BEA
Marc Ronchetti is the Board member responsible for assessing and managing climate-related risks and opportunities, as part of his broader role in relation to sustainability. Prior to year end the Board reviewed and discussed the initial climate-related risks and opportunities identified on the facing page. They also reviewed and approved our new GHG reduction targets and will be regularly appraised of the Group's progress towards achieving these.
During the coming year, formal training will be provided to the Board to ensure all members are fully equipped to provide oversight of climate-related risks and opportunities as these are identified by the management team. In addition, a process for routine flagging of Board agenda items that have climate relevance, such as M&A, will be developed. This will supplement an annual standalone agenda item to review how climaterelated risks and opportunities are being managed, as part of the annual strategic planning process.
The Executive Board is fully engaged on climate issues, and, to ensure effective and efficient decision making, have delegated responsibility for overall identification and management of climate-related risks, as well as ensuring strategic opportunities are assessed and developed where appropriate for the Group as a whole, to the Sustainability management committee. In addition, each of the three Sector Chief Executives (from 1 April 2021) are responsible for assessing climate-related opportunities at the sector level.
Overall, we believe that Halma's agile, decentralised business model equips us well to mitigate both physical and transition climate risks. In addition, our companies operate close to their end markets and we have an active M&A strategy. We expect both of these to enable us to identify and take advantage of climate-related opportunities where these arise, particular in relation to the transition to a low-carbon economy. Some of our products and services already address this issue, either directly or indirectly, as outlined further in the Positive impact through purpose-aligned growth section on pages 66 to 67.
| Potential risk or opportunity | Additional detail and existing management processes |
|---|---|
| Physical | |
| Business and supply chain interruption or costs Potential risk |
Most of our companies operate as final assemblers of components, and therefore have supply chains that may be at risk of interruption or additional costs as physical climate impacts increase. The agility within our model, where our companies manage their own supply chains and operate close to their suppliers and end markets, means that we can respond quickly to changes in our supply chains. |
| Transition | |
| M&A strategy Potential opportunity |
We believe an opportunity exists for Halma to access new markets and technologies that will be required for the low-carbon transition, given our current market focus in highly aligned areas of safety, environment and health. In particular, our proven experience in acquiring small to medium sized businesses in niche markets should enable us to capitalise on this opportunity through our M&A strategy. |
| Regulatory landscape Potential opportunity Potential risk |
Ever increasing regulation, as standards for safety, cleanliness and care become ever higher, is a key existing long-term growth driver for Halma. Our experience and expertise operating in regulated markets, and helping our customers meet their regulatory requirements, positions us well to benefit from increasing levels of regulation as governments and regulators look to accelerate climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. |
| On the other hand, a reactive, inconsistent and geographically fragmented policy and regulatory response, as well as additional reporting and governance requirements, could present a significant challenge for our small to medium-sized companies' operations and procedures or could limit access to some markets. |
|
| New products and markets Potential opportunity |
We believe there will be multiple opportunities for Halma to drive organic growth through current and new products and technologies, as well as potential greater demand for existing product lines (including sensors and analytics) as a result of the low-carbon transition. |
| The agility and autonomy of our companies, operating close to their end markets, as well as their collaborative approach, means that we are already responding to these opportunities. |
|
| Skills and information Potential risk |
While multiple opportunities have been identified, there is the risk that Halma may lack the appropriate knowledge and skills required in order to identify, evaluate, pursue and deliver on low |
| carbon opportunities relative to competitors. This is closely related to Halma's principal risk around Talent and Diversity, and our current focus on growing and attracting talent through our Talent and Culture Growth Enabler positions us well to identify and rectify gaps in our strategic knowledge. We also have experience of utilising partnerships and investments to explore new and adjacent technology and markets, which may be relevant to managing this risk going forward. |
Our overall approach to risk management and a summary of our Principal Risks can be found on pages 78 to 83. In the prior year, we identified the broad topic of Climate Change as an emerging risk within our risk management framework. This year, based on our developing understanding of physical and transition risks, and assisted by the workshop outlined below, we have incorporated the broad concept of climate change risk into our Climate Change and Natural Hazards principal risk.
During the year, we conducted a highlevel workshop with our Executive Board, our Divisional Chief Executives, and our M&A leads to review two generic climaterelated scenarios and identify initial risks and opportunities that may arise for Halma within each scenario. This workshop took a top-down view of the Group and our sectors, with a particular focus on the medium and longer-term. The workshop was supported by two generic narrative scenarios – being an orderly 1.5 degree 'Steady Path to Sustainability' scenario (SSP 1 – RCP 2.6 combination) and an orderly 4 degree 'Fossil-Fuelled Growth' scenario (SSP 5 – RCP 8.5 combination).
A selection of the initial risks and opportunities identified for further analysis are set out in the table on page 71. These risks and opportunities have not been evaluated to understand their materiality, relevant timescales or potential impact, but they provide a starting point for further work over the coming year.
2021 Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions1,2 15,000
tonnes CO2e
2020 baseline Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions1 18,600 tonnes CO2e
In particular, we will be developing our scenario analysis to 'deep-dive' into one or more of these risks. This will help us understand potential qualitative impacts and the resilience of our business model, as well as identify and prioritise mitigation strategies and related targets and metrics where relevant.
Other risks and opportunities identified during the workshop may rise in prominence as we continue our work in this area, and some of those set out on page 71 may be assessed to be immaterial at a Group level. In addition, we do not yet have enough information to assess the potential risk of carbon pricing or similar mechanisms within our supply chain. We will determine the scale of this risk as we expand our measurement of Scope 3 emissions over the coming year.
During the year ended 31 March 2022, we will look to integrate climate scenarios, at a high-level, into our overall risk management process, to help our companies identify those climate-related risks and opportunities most relevant to their individual growth strategies.
Alongside this, our Sector Chief Executives will lead work to further investigate and refine key opportunities for each sector as part of our strategic planning process.
While our own operational carbon footprint is relatively small and we have not specifically identified it as a potential risk within the TCFD framework, we are committed to reducing this footprint.
From 2010 to 2021, we set a target to reduce our total carbon emissions relative to revenues by 10% over consecutive three-year periods. This intensity target has always been achieved, including for the three years ending in March 20212.
As of 1 April 2021, we have adopted an absolute, 1.5 degree-aligned emissions reduction target, calculated using the guidance from the Science-based Target Initiative. We are targeting reducing our global Scope 1 & 21 GHG emissions (tonnes of CO2e) by 42% by the year ended 31 March 2030, compared to our 2020 base year.
In addition, we have committed to achieving net zero for our global Scope 1 & 21 GHG emissions by 2040. We intend to define net zero utilising applicable guidance for Scope 1 & 2 from the Science-based Targets Initiative. While this guidance is currently under development, we expect that we will abate our emissions as much as feasibly possible before neutralising residual emissions by permanently removing an equivalent volume of atmospheric CO2.
Approximately three-quarters of our operational footprint relates to purchased electricity (Scope 2), with Scope 1 emissions broadly split between natural gas (largely for space heating) and vehicle emissions, alongside other small emission sources. We expect to achieve our targets through a combination of energy efficiency measures, self-generated renewables, purchased renewables, transitioning our vehicle fleet towards electric vehicles and low-carbon heating sources. We expect the largest challenges to our low-carbon transition to arise from the short leases which we hold on the majority of our buildings, as well as the decentralised nature of our operations where contracts are contracted and managed at the individual company level.
During the year, we have continued to work towards reducing our operational carbon footprint. Two sites in the UK and the USA installed new solar panels, bringing approximately 400 kW of additional on-site solar capacity into our operations. In the prior period, we set an ambition to move all our UK sites to REGO-certified renewable electricity and gas by the end of calendar year 2022. During the year, approximately 35% of our UK electricity and gas consumption was from REGO-certified renewable tariffs or on-site generation. Together with renewable usage in other territories, including Europe, the USA and Australia, these measures have increased the percentage of our electricity and gas consumption that is derived from renewable sources, whether purchased externally or self-generated, to 15% (2020: 8%) of total electricity consumption and 14% (2020: 7%) of total electricity and gas consumption.
1 Market-based Scope 2 methodology.
2 Our emissions in 2021 have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and do not reflect emissions for a more normalised year. Please see additional commentary in the Sustainability Data section on page 75.
Strategic Report
Governance
Financial Statements
Other Information
We have also completed initial assessments of renewable generation and purchase options for our largest US-based electricity consumers, which contribute approximately 30% of our total Scope 2 emissions. In addition, a number of our companies have implemented energy efficiency measures during the period, including moving into more energy efficient premises, installing energy efficient lighting, programmable thermostats, rapid roller shutter doors and shipping bay curtains, and replacing gas space heating with more efficient electric solutions.
For example, during the period Sofis, one of our Safe Storage and Transfer companies, replaced existing lighting within its factory and warehouse with LED lighting. This action is expected to reduce its electricity consumption by over 25%, while increasing lighting levels to improve the working environment.
Alongside our Scope 1 & 2 commitments, we recognise the need for us to work towards net zero across our entire value chain. We currently measure certain categories of Scope 3 emissions, including business travel (by air and employeeowned and hire cars), Well to Tank emissions and emissions related to water withdrawals and waste and wastewater generated.
During this financial year, all our GHG emissions were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but in particular our Scope 3 emissions benefited from a significant reduction in air travel.
Going forward, our new Future of Work philosophy encourages our colleagues to assess when business travel is necessary and beneficial against the impacts on climate change and employee wellbeing. In addition, we are currently reviewing our company and employee car policy with a view to reducing our Scope 1 emissions and Scope 3 business travel emissions over time.
Over the next 12 months, we will be carrying out a full assessment of our supply chain and other Scope 3 emissions sources to determine the targets and commitments that will be most appropriate for Halma. Initial assessments undertaken during the year have indicated that our largest Scope 3 emissions are likely to arise within our supply chain. We expect to disclose further information on this in our next Annual Report and Accounts.
We recognise that all of our activities have an environmental impact. Our key impacts have been identified as emissions to air and water, water and energy consumption, and waste production, and since 2005 we have reported annual data at a Group level on greenhouse gas emissions, total water consumption, and total solid and liquid waste production.
Our environmental impact within our operations is relatively low compared to other manufacturers, due to our fairly low capital-intensity manufacturing processes and operations that are geographically close to our end markets. However, our environmental impacts within our wider value chain are likely to be significantly larger than our operational impacts.
We encourage our companies and their suppliers to improve energy efficiency, reduce water consumption, waste and emissions and, in terms of materials, to reduce or make more efficient use of them. Focusing on our Key Sustainability Objectives (KSOs) will particularly help us limit our key environmental impacts including energy consumption, GHG emissions and hazardous and other waste production.
All Group companies are encouraged to undertake ISO 14001 accreditation, where warranted. For the year to 31 March 2021, based on available data reported by our companies, approximately 20% of the Group's revenue was derived from companies with an ISO 14001 accreditation.
During the year, we conducted a highlevel analysis of our operations in waterscarce areas. We reviewed whether we have manufacturing, testing or R&D sites, or Hubs and Group Head Offices employing more than 50 people, operating in areas of 'high (40-80%)' or 'extremely high (>80%)' baseline water stress, according to the World Resources Institute's Water Aqueduct water risk atlas tool.
These sites were required to report their water withdrawals (including water withdrawn by any office, warehouse or other facilities sharing the same site) separately for the first time this year.
We have identified that 17 of these types of sites are located in areas of 'extremely high' baseline water stress and 25 in areas of 'high' baseline water stress. Together, these sites withdrew approximately 37,000 m3 of water in 2021 from municipal systems, around 45% of Halma's total water withdrawal.
While our total water withdrawal is low compared to peers, water conservation is a key issue for some of our stakeholders and a higher profile issue for Halma due to our water analysis and treatment companies. Therefore, as part of our two-year partnership with WaterAid (see page 15 for more information), we are engaging with these sites to work towards reducing withdrawals in these waterscarce regions.
These initiatives will build on the current water-conservation procedures and activities underway at a number of our companies, including measures such as installing water efficient taps and low-flow toilets, monitoring water usage and setting usage targets.
Our positive role in society is underpinned by our DNA, and by specific policies and initiatives, including our Code of Conduct, Modern Slavery Act Statement, Human Rights and Labour Conditions policy, Health and Safety policy, Whistleblowing procedures, Anti-Bribery and Corruption policy, Competition Law and Competition Compliance Manual, Data Protection and Privacy policy, and Conflict Minerals policy. It is also supported by our work towards building responsible, resilient and sustainable supply chains, as outlined further below.
Information on all of our policies and procedures can be found in the Our policies and procedures section on pages 85 to 86.
Our operating companies have a strong focus on product quality and safety. For the year to 31 March 2021, based on available data reported by our companies, we estimate that at least half of the Group's revenue was derived from companies with an ISO 9001 accreditation.
We are reviewing the applicability of additional disclosures in relation to product safety as part of our ongoing work towards applying the standards from the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).

In the prior year, we undertook a comprehensive risk assessment exercise that mapped potential modern slavery risks in our business and supply chain, and covered over £500m of annual procurement expenditure from the year ended 31 March 2019 (representing over 96% of expenditure excluding intercompany payments, employee expenses, tax and sales commissions) across over 3,500 suppliers.
Each of our companies is responsible for managing modern slavery risk within their own supply chains and may take varying approaches, such as supplier due diligence, questionnaires and the use of terms and conditions, according to their specific circumstances. For example, BEA, one of our largest companies, visits and audits key suppliers, with whom they have ongoing business, between every four months and two years depending on total spend, to review working and labour conditions, the working environment and worker safety.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during 2021 our companies have faced some challenges around carrying out on-site audits and rolling out further risk assessment and additional actions around modern slavery risk.
As an example, one of our largest companies, Apollo, recognised that the restrictions around on-site audits during the COVID-19 pandemic was a potential additional modern slavery risk. Therefore, they developed a 'tabletop' approach for remote auditing, using video and documentation evidence as part of a 'live' session.
Alongside their existing risk management actions, we will be working with our companies to support them in targeted risk assessments of key suppliers, and to determine what additional actions we can take to continue to reduce risks and encourage ongoing monitoring.
Additional information on our Modern Slavery Act Statement can be found in the Our policies and procedures section on pages 85 to 86 and on www.halma.com.
The responsible sourcing of materials will be a focus area for Halma during our transition to more circular manufacturing and business practices. We recognise that conflict minerals are a key issue of concern for our stakeholders.
Our companies are responsible for managing their own supply chains, which includes complying with conflict mineral due diligence requests from their customers where applicable, supported by Group guidance within the Conflict Minerals policy. A number of our companies already certify that their supply chains are conflict mineral-free, including a number of our largest companies. Historically, we have not collated data on these policies or procedures centrally. As part of our ongoing programme of data improvements, we are reviewing options for more complete disclosures in future periods. We also expect to further develop policies, procedures and targets where appropriate to tackle conflict minerals throughout our remaining supply chains as part of our Circular Economy KSO.
Additional information on our Conflict Minerals policy can be found in the Our policies and procedures section on pages 85 to 86.
We encourage our companies to build responsible, resilient and sustainable supply chains, including by:
Halma expects suppliers to endeavour to reduce environmental impacts where relevant, including reducing energy use, GHG emissions, pollutants to water and air, and water usage, and to consider reuse and recycling of resources consumed by their businesses. This expectation is included in our Environmental Commitment Statement that is available on our website at www.halma.com.
Our manufacturing model is decentralised and allows us to operate close to our suppliers, which helps to mitigate various risks within our supply chain. We encourage our suppliers to operate with the high ethical standards that are set out in our Code of Conduct, and set standards for our suppliers, which include requiring all suppliers who contract on our standard business terms to comply with anticorruption, anti-bribery and anti-slavery laws (including the Modern Slavery Act).
During the year, we built on the supply chain mapping undertaken for the Modern Slavery Risk Assessment in 2020. Using data collated on our first-tier suppliers for the year ended 31 March 2019, an inputoutput model was utilised to complete an initial desktop assessment of our extended supply chain. This analysis identified potential positive and negative impacts across financial, human, intellectual, social and natural capital, and provided an initial view of industries and geographies that may be considered higher risk in relation to environmental and social issues.
We remain committed to developing an overarching sustainable procurement policy for Halma in collaboration with current and new suppliers, supported as appropriate by minimum standards. This would supplement existing procurement policies within our companies, and further enable sustainable supply chain practices which embrace responsible business, human rights, equal opportunities, community benefits and positive social and environmental values. Our work in this area is being supported by the results of the supply chain impact assessment, and we expect to show further progress on this during the next 12 months.
We recognise that we can go further in working with our supply chain to reduce our environmental impacts, and to this end we will continue to work with our key suppliers in mitigating these impacts. Our companies carry out supplier due diligence and there are many examples where additional requirements are imposed by our companies for their key suppliers, such as ISO 14001 accreditation to ensure the supplier operates responsibly in regard to the environment.
As we continue our work around assessing Scope 3 emissions linked to our supply chain, we will look to survey our key suppliers and may work with them where appropriate to help reduce their emissions. We may also engage with these suppliers and request them to submit supplier questionnaires alongside our annual voluntary CDP response.

| Tonnes of CO2e | 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 | 1 April 2019 to 31 March 20201,2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emissions from: | UK and offshore |
Global (excluding UK and offshore) |
TOTAL | UK and offshore |
Global (excluding UK and offshore) |
TOTAL |
| Scope 1: Combustion of fuel and operation of facilities3 | 1,562 | 2,643 | 4,205 | 2,158 | 2,982 | 5,140 |
| Scope 2 (Location-based): Electricity, heat, steam and cooling purchased for own use |
2,434 | 8,301 | 10,735 | 2,696 | 10,418 | 13,114 |
| Scope 2 (Market-based): Electricity (net of market instruments), heat, steam and cooling purchased for own use3 |
2,285 | 8,552 | 10,837 | 2,899 | 10,562 | 13,461 |
| Total gross Scope 1 & Scope 2 emissions (Location-based) |
3,996 | 10,944 | 14,940 | 4,854 | 13,400 | 18,254 |
| Total gross Scope 1 & Scope 2 emissions (Market-based) |
3,847 | 11,195 | 15,042 | 5,057 | 13,544 | 18,601 |
| Energy consumption in MWh used to calculate above emissions |
19,402 | 32,937 | 52,339 | 21,684 | 40,599 | 62,283 |
| Scope 3: Business air travel, WTT (Well to Tank), grey fleet (private cars used for business), waste and wastewater generation, water withdrawal |
1,100 | 5,489 | 6,589 | 4,191 | 13,525 | 17,716 |
| Total gross emissions (Location-based) | 5,096 | 16,433 | 21,529 | 9,045 | 26,925 | 35,970 |
| Total gross emissions (Market-based) | 4,947 | 16,684 | 21,631 | 9,248 | 27,069 | 36,317 |
| Intensity measure of tonnes of CO2e gross emissions per £m of revenue (Location-based) |
13.3 | 17.4 | 16.2 | 21.8 | 27.1 | 25.6 |
| Intensity measure of tonnes of CO2e gross emissions per £m of revenue (Market-based) |
12.9 | 17.7 | 16.3 | 22.3 | 27.3 | 25.8 |
As a quoted company incorporated in the UK, we comply with all mandatory energy and carbon reporting regulations. We have reported on all the emission sources required under the Companies (Directors' Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Energy and Carbon Report) Regulations 2018. We have employed the Operational Control definition to outline our carbon footprint boundary; included within that boundary are Scope 1 and 2 emissions from manufacturing sites and offices which we own and/or operate. Excluded from our footprint boundary are emissions from manufacturing sites and offices which we do not own and/or operate and emissions considered non-material by the business.
We have reported on emissions from Scope 1 and 2 emissions sources and selected Scope 3 emissions sources (business travel by air, in employee-owned cars and hire cars, Well to Tank emissions, and emissions from waste and wastewater generation and water withdrawals). We have used the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (revised edition) and the Environmental Reporting Guidelines (March 2019) including streamlined energy and carbon reporting guidance published by the UK's Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). A narrative description of measures taken to improve our energy efficiency during the year is included on pages 72 to 73. Our emissions across all Scopes have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Scope 1 and Scope 3 have been particularly impacted by a substantial reduction in business travel (via air and car).
Emission factors were sourced from the UK Government's GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting 2020 and the International Energy Agency's Emissions Factors (2020 edition). For our Scope 2 market-based calculations, we used residual emission factors where available from the Reliable Disclosure Organization (RE-DISS 2019 edition). Combined with our current relatively low renewables penetration, the use of these factors, which are generally higher than grid average factors used for location-based calculations, leads to our market-based Scope 2 emissions exceeding our location-based Scope 2 emissions in the current and prior year. Further information about our basis of preparation for all sustainability data can be found on our website at www.halma.com.
3 Included in this Scope are GHG emissions from direct fuel combustion at our sites and from fuel use in our company-owned or leased vehicle fleet.
1 We have shown our Scope 2 emissions using a market-based methodology for the first time in this Annual Report, and included a market-based calculation comparative period. Our Scope 1 & 2 (market-based) GHG emissions for the year ended 31 March 2020 form the baseline for our Science-based target to reduce our Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 42% by 2030. Therefore, given the acquisitive nature of Halma, we expect to regularly recalculate our base year for the structural change trigger of acquisitions and disposals, and have chosen to apply an 'all-year' approach. This means that we have recalculated our current year and 2020 baseline figures to include full year emissions for acquisitions made during 2021 and 2020, and to remove all emissions relating to Fiberguide, which was sold during 2021. Prior to setting our Science-based target, we did not adjust our current or baseline figures for acquisitions and disposals. This base year recalculation for structural change trigger increased our 2020 total Scope 1 & 2 emissions by approximately 4%.
2 Regular review of data is carried out to ensure accuracy and consistency. This review has led to changes to our comparative figures for Scope 1 & 2 emissions, including corrections to our previous calculation methodology for location-based Scope 2 emissions, geographical intensity measures and minor corrections for new or revised data. The net impact of these changes was to increase our 2020 baseline total Scope 1 & 2 emissions by approximately 2%.
| Total | |
|---|---|
| m3 | |
| Total water withdrawals¹ | 83,436 |
| Water withdrawals in water scarce areas2 | 37,474 |
| Total water withdrawals per £1,000 revenue | 0.063 |
Total water discharge 75,071
1 Water is withdrawn from and discharged to municipal/third party sources, with the exception of one facility which utilises a ground water source (not located in a water-scarce area). The amount withdrawn from ground water is estimated to be approximately 1% of total water withdrawal.
2 Defined as manufacturing, testing or R&D sites, or Hubs and Group Head Offices employing more than 50 people, operating in areas of 'high (40-80%)' or 'extremely high (>80%)' baseline water stress, according to the World Resources Institute's Water Aqueduct water risk atlas tool.
| Recycled | Non-recycled | Total Metric tonnes |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Metric tonnes | Metric tonnes | ||
| Solid waste (non-hazardous) | 1,4851 | 3,050 | 4,535 |
| Solid waste (hazardous) | 351 | 9 | 44 |
| Electronic waste | 8 | 8 | 16 |
| % total solid waste diverted from landfill | 33% | ||
| Total solid waste production per £1,000 revenue (kg) | 3.5 |
1 Approximately 233 metric tonnes of non-hazardous solid waste and 9 metric tonnes of hazardous solid waste included within the Recycled total was incinerated with energy recovery.
| m3 | |
|---|---|
| Total liquid waste (hazardous) | 181 |
| Total liquid waste (non-hazardous) | 440 |
We have significantly changed our methodology for collecting and reporting our water and waste data in 2021. As such, meaningful comparatives are not available. Total figures are based on available source data and estimated if appropriate where source data is not available. In particular, both actual and estimated data at the company-level is limited for all types of solid and liquid waste, and therefore the figures shown are likely to be under-estimated. We expect to improve these disclosures going forward. Prior year data compiled under the previous methodology, as well as further information on our basis of preparation for this data, can be found at www.halma.com.
The US-based SASB sets out sustainability reporting standards for various sectors. The following table summarises our responses to those disclosures against which we are currently able to report under the sector-specific standard for Electrical & Electronic Equipment. We aim to improve our reporting against SASB over the next years. Disclosures which are either not relevant to our business, or against which we do not currently report, are not shown below.
| Topic | Metric | SASB Code | Our response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Management | (1) Total energy consumed (2) percentage grid electricity, (3) percentage renewable |
RT-EE-130a.1 | (1) 46,000 MWh1 (2) 68%1 (3) 13%1 |
| Hazardous Waste Management |
Amount of hazardous waste generated, percentage recycled | RT-EE-150a.1 | Please see waste disclosures in the table above. Approximately 60% of solid hazardous waste disclosed was recycled2 |
| Business Ethics | Description of policies and practices for prevention of: (1) corruption and bribery and (2) anti-competitive behaviour |
RT-EE-510a.1 | Please see the Our policies and procedures section on pages 85 to 86 of this report |
| Total amount of monetary losses as a result of legal proceedings associated with bribery or corruption |
RT-EE-510a.2 | £nil or not material | |
| Total amount of monetary losses as a result of legal proceedings associated with anticompetitive behaviour regulations |
RT-EE-510a.3 | £nil or not material | |
| Activity metrics | Number of employees | RT-EE-000.B | An average of 7,120 employees globally during the year ended 31 March 2021³ |
1 Measured in MWh not GJ. (1) includes gas, electricity and fuel consumed for heating and other machinery. It excludes fuel for business travel. (2) & (3) are calculated as a percentage of (1). 2 Hazardous waste is defined in accordance with the legal or regulatory framework applicable within the country/jurisdiction where the waste is generated, or if this is not available, in
accordance with the EU Waste Framework Directive. Percentage recycled excludes incineration with energy recovery.
3 Please see page 180 for full disclosures on employee numbers.

The following table indicates where additional sustainability-related information and data can be found within this Annual Report, where information is not contained within the Sustainability section above.
| Topic | Annual Report Section | Pages |
|---|---|---|
| Workforce | ||
| — Diversity and inclusion | Our people and culture | 60 to 63 |
| — Gender pay gap | ||
| — Real living wages | ||
| — Health and Safety, mental health and wellbeing | ||
| — Employee engagement | ||
| — Flexible working | ||
| — Training and development | ||
| — Health and Safety policy | Our policies and procedures | 85 to 86 |
| — Diversity and Inclusion policy | ||
| — Equal opportunities policy | ||
| — Code of Conduct | ||
| Social responsibility | ||
| — Water for Life global charitable campaign | Group Chief Executive's review | 15 |
| — Whistleblowing policy | Our policies and procedures | 85 to 86 |
| — Modern Slavery Act statement | ||
| — Human Rights and Labour Conditions policy | ||
| — Data Protection and Privacy policy | ||
| — Competition Law and Competition Compliance Manual |
||
| — Conflict Minerals policy | ||
| — Anti-Bribery and Corruption policy | ||
| Environment | ||
| — Environmental policy | Our policies and procedures | 85 to 86 |
| — Environmental commitment statement | ||
| Governance | Governance sections | 88 to 143 |
| Taxation | Note 9 to the financial statements | 181 |
Effective risk management is integral to achieving Halma's strategic goals and provides a solid foundation from which our business can grow. The Group's risk appetite is set and approved at Board level and underpins Halma's attitude to risk.
Whilst there are formal processes as outlined in our framework below, our decentralised business model empowers every employee at Halma to be a risk manager in some capacity; to identify and manage risks and take advantage of opportunities.
Our risk awareness culture allows management to make better commercial decisions and maximise the benefits of our decentralised business model.
The Board has overall responsibility for risk management, including setting the risk appetite and determining the nature and extent of the principal risks it is willing to take to achieve its strategic objectives.
Each company or function within Halma identifies risks and opportunities as part of their strategic reviews, assesses how these are currently controlled and whether any further actions are required. A similar exercise is performed at sector and
Group level to develop an overall "bottom up" picture of risk for the Group. The principal and emerging risks identified by the plc Board and Executive Board are compared with the bottom up risk picture to ensure appropriate alignment of risk and execution of risk appetite.
During the year, updates from management to the Board covered all of our principal and emerging risks. The Audit Committee, on behalf of the Board, obtained assurance that the risk management and internal control system was operating effectively throughout the organisation and that risks were being managed in line with the risk appetite set by the Board.
In addition to reports from management, the Board and Audit Committee received updates from Group Risk & Internal Audit about how the risk management process was operating across the organisation.
On behalf of the Board, the Nomination Committee ensured there was an optimum balance of skills, knowledge and experience within the executive management team to deliver the strategy and effectively manage risk, while the Remuneration Committee ensured that the right reward system existed to drive an appropriate culture of high performance with commensurate controls.
The Board has overall responsibility for internal control. Halma's decentralised business model provides significant autonomy to companies, within the structure of a clear control framework.
This framework ensures there is sufficient oversight and clear identification of matters reserved for the Board. The key elements of this framework include:
The COVID-19 pandemic required significant focus during the year. Our companies were able to adapt quickly, making decisions locally and ensuring a safe working environment for our employees. We successfully shared information and learnings rapidly around the Group and this network remains in place to continue to support our companies as needed. Our agility and speed of adaptation means that we are well positioned to invest for growth going forward.


During the year, the Executive Board performed a detailed review of our principal risks to ensure that they continue to best capture Halma's principal risks for monitoring and communication both internally and externally. They were then discussed and agreed by the plc Board. The following principal risks have been updated.
We consider emerging risks as part of our risk management review process. Whilst there are a number of risks that we identify and manage, currently, none of these are expected to become future principal risks. Climate change was an emerging risk we reported last year and this has now been captured as a principal risk.
Global electricity demand is expected to surpass pre-COVID levels by the end of 2021. At the same time consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious, driving huge demand for renewable energy. Compared to conventional energy sources, wind power significantly reduces carbon emissions.
Wind farms are often situated in remote locations, both offshore and onshore, with a wind turbine's generator over 300 feet in the air. As a result, a significant number of fires go unnoticed until it is too late and this adds increased complexity for firefighters in tackling these fires. Not only are these fires costing operators millions of pounds in damage and downtime, but undetected fires can have devastating consequences to the surrounding area. In July 2019, melted debris falling from a turbine fire set the surrounding grass and brush on fire to cause the Juniper Fire wildfire in the USA, which put 39 buildings in danger. It took almost 200 fire crew members to contain the 250-acre fire over three days.
A Halma company, Firetrace, manufactures automatic fire detection and suppression systems, stopping small fires where they start, limiting the damage caused by fire and reducing the subsequent downtime. By adding this technology to wind turbines, operators can build an extra layer of protection to help extinguish fires at source before they can cause serious harm.

Change No change
Risk appetite Open
Gross risk level High
Change No change
Risk appetite Open
Growth Enablers
Risk and impact
Failing to deliver desired organic growth, resulting in missed expected strategic growth targets and erosion of shareholder value.
growth target for acquisitions and investments due to insufficient opportunities being identified, poor due diligence or poor integration, resulting in erosion of shareholder value. Whilst this risk remains high, our available financial resources and performance during the last year means we are well positioned to continue our acquisition strategy going forward. This risk has been updated during the year to also include strategic partnerships and minority equity investments as well as 100% equity or asset purchases.
Change No change
Risk appetite Open
Growth Enablers

Failing to clearly articulate or adapt our business model as Halma grows through exploring and implementing additional or new business models, resulting in missed growth opportunities and
erosion of shareholder value. We have refined the communications risk reported last year to specifically cover our business model which is critical to our growth strategy, both organic and through acquisition.

Talent & Culture Finance, Legal & Risk

Strategic Communications and Brand
Risk appetite Open

Not having the right talent and diversity at all levels of the organisation to deliver our strategy, resulting in reduced financial performance. The increased risk reflects retention risks emerging due to our rapid escalation through the FTSE 100, increased profile and track record of success.
High
Change No change
Growth Enablers

Failing to innovate to create new high-quality products to meet customer needs, or failure to adequately protect intellectual property, resulting in a loss of market share and poor financial performance.
innovation metrics. — Regular promotion, training and monitoring of agile or lean start-up ways of working in companies.
Non-compliance with Laws and Regulations Risk Owner: Funmi Adegoke
Gross risk level High
Change No change
Risk appetite Averse

We are not fully compliant with relevant laws and regulations, resulting in fines, reputational damage and possible criminal liability for Halma senior management.
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
Financial Statements
Strategic Report
Governance
Gross risk level High
Change Increased
Risk appetite Averse
Growth Enablers
Change No change
Risk appetite Cautious
Loss of digital intellectual property/data or ability to operate systems or connected devices due to internal failure or external attack. There is resulting loss of information or ability to continue operations, and therefore financial and reputational damage. The continued increase in this risk reflects the growing threat generally from cyber-crime around the world.
Risk and impact Failure to anticipate or adapt to geopolitical changes or a recession, resulting in a decline in financial performance and an impact on the carrying value of goodwill and other assets. This risk remains elevated in certain geographies due to COVID-19 and also USA/China trade relations. Any residual risks related to Brexit are now significantly reduced.
How do we manage the risk? — Diverse portfolio of companies across the sectors, in multiple countries and in relatively non-cyclical global niche markets help to minimise the impact of any single event operating in
Gross risk level
Medium
Change No change
Risk appetite

Failure in financial controls either on its own or via a fraud which takes advantage of a weakness, resulting in financial loss and/or misstated reported financial results.



Network

Strategic Communications and Brand
Increased

Climate change has the potential to impact the longterm success and reputation of our business in a variety of ways, from the changing macroeconomic landscape and market regulation to changes in technology and potential increased costs. We have therefore decided to include climate change for the first time this year.
More widely, there is a risk we are unable to respond to large scale natural hazards such as hurricanes, floods, fires or pandemics, resulting in the inability of one or more of our businesses to operate, causing financial loss and reputational damage. COVID-19 required significant focus during the year. Our companies were able to adapt quickly, make decisions locally and ensure a safe working environment for our employees.
How do we manage the risk? — Analysis of market requirements, including safety, are made during a product design phase to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and customer needs. — Companies have strict product development and testing procedures in place to ensure quality of products and compliance with appropriate
— Rigorous testing of products during development and also during the manufacturing process. — Clear quality requirements imposed on suppliers to ensure safety and quality checks are performed on
regulations.
product received.
Gross risk level Medium Change No change Risk appetite Averse
Growth Enablers
Change Decreased
Risk appetite Averse

Risk and impact A failure in one of our products results in serious injury, death or damage to property, including due to non-compliance with product regulations, resulting in financial loss and reputational damage.
The risk was higher at this time last year as there was increased uncertainty around the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and leverage was higher.
Our previous Treasury risk included both liquidity and foreign exchange. Whilst foreign exchange risk will continue to be managed as currently, we have decided that it is a well understood and expected area for financial reporting and no longer needs to be a principal risk.
Financial Statements
Governance
During the year, the Board carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks affecting the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity. The principal risks and uncertainties, including an analysis of the potential impact and mitigating actions are set out on pages 80 to 83 of the Strategic Report.
The Board has assessed the viability of the Group over a threeyear period, taking into account the Group's current position and the potential impact of the principal risks and uncertainties. While the Board has no reason to believe that the Group will not be viable over a longer period, it has determined that three years is an appropriate period. In drawing its conclusion, the Board has aligned the period of viability assessment with the Group's strategic planning process (a three-year period). The Board believes that this approach provides greater certainty over forecasting and, therefore, increases reliability in the modelling and stress testing of the Company's viability. In addition, a three-year horizon is typically the period over which we review our external bank facilities and is also the performance-based period over which awards granted under Halma's share-based inventive plan are measured.
In reviewing the Company's viability, the Board has identified the following factors which they believe support their assessment:
The Group operates in diverse and relatively noncyclical markets.
1

There is considerable financial capacity under current facilities and the ability to raise further funds if required.
The decentralised nature of our Group ensures that risk is spread across our businesses and sectors, with limited exposure to any particular industry, market, geography, customer or supplier.
3

There is a strong culture of local responsibility and accountability within a robust governance and control framework.
5
An ethical approach to business is set from the top and flows throughout our business.
In making their assessment, the Board carried out a comprehensive exercise of financial modelling and stress-tested the model with a downside scenario based on the principal risks identified in the Group's annual risk assessment process. The scenarios modelled used the same assumptions as for the going concern review, as set out on page 142, for the years ending 31 March 2022 and 31 March 2023 with further assumptions applied for the year ending 31 March 2024. The downside scenario included a reduction in trading which could be caused by a significant downside event with the addition of impacts from the Group's other principal risks such as litigation or product failure.
In both scenarios, the effect on the Group's KPls and borrowing covenants was considered, along with any mitigating factors. The Board also considered the renewal of the Revolving Credit Facility, which is due to expire in November 2023, and have assumed for the purposes of assessing the viability of the Group that this will be renewed with the same facility and covenant requirements. Based on this assessment, the Board confirms that they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the three-year period to 31 March 2024.

| Our policies and guidance documents |
Description and due diligence processes |
|---|---|
| Environmental Policy and Environmental Commitment Statement |
Halma's Environmental Policy has been set by the Board and our Chief Financial Officer, Marc Ronchetti, has principal responsibility for coordinating and monitoring the Policy. This internal-facing policy includes our Carbon Policy, while our Environmental Commitment statement on our website at www.halma.com sets out our guiding principles and commitments for both internal and external audiences. Our commitments include to the continued development of equipment for measuring and monitoring environmental changes and controlling the impact of industrial activities over the long term, as well as our commitment to encouraging all Halma companies to reduce their negative environmental impact by continually improving the efficiency of their production methods and their supply chain. |
| Both the Policy and the Commitment Statement will be reviewed in light of our new Sustainability Framework and Key Sustainability Objectives over the next 12 months. |
|
| Code of Conduct | Our culture is purpose-led and one of honesty, openness, integrity and accountability, and is embedded within our Cultural Genes as set out on page 19. We require our employees to act fairly in their dealings with fellow employees, customers, suppliers and business partners. Our Code of Conduct applies to operations owned or controlled by Halma and their officers and employees, and each officer or employee who joins the Group is required to acknowledge that they have read the Code and understood its importance. |
| We also expect our external business partners and suppliers to be aware of the Code and apply similar ethical standards in their operations. Each of our companies is responsible for monitoring the standards of their business partners and suppliers. The Code of Conduct aims to ensure that Halma maintains consistently high ethical standards globally, while recognising that our businesses operate in markets and countries with cultural differences and practices. It has been translated into nine languages, and is issued to all Halma employees and published on our website. |
|
| Health and Safety Policy |
Marc Ronchetti, Chief Financial Officer, is the Director responsible for Halma's health and safety compliance. The Group has a strong health and safety record, driven by a deeply embedded culture of safety. |
| Our Health and Safety Policy requires businesses to manage their activities in a way which avoids causing unnecessary or unacceptable risks to health and safety and provides clear guidelines for our businesses on managing health and safety risks to ensure a safe work environment. It has been reinforced with support and guidance given to our businesses to reflect the particular health and safety issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. We collect details of our worldwide reported health and safety incidents through our central financial consolidation system and the Board monitors health and safety performance at every meeting. We thoroughly review the root cause of any accidents to ensure that we take preventative measures, including further training and education of our employees. |
|
| In line with Halma's autonomous structure, operational responsibility for compliance with local health and safety regulations, including that of suppliers, resides with the board of each operating company. However, we routinely monitor health and safety performance across the Group and companies are encouraged to seek continuous improvement and to promote a strong health and safety culture. Our Policy requires businesses to carry out an independent health and safety review every three years to assess compliance and to ensure that there is a consistent and adequate level of reporting and investigation of health and safety incidents across the Group. In addition, our lead global insurer reviews employee and third-party safety and controls at four to five properties per year as part of their rotational assessments. |
|
| Based on available data reported by our companies, approximately 16% of the Group's revenue is derived from companies who have been accredited with ISO 45001 or BS OHSAS 18001, a minimum standard for occupational health and safety management best practice. We continue to encourage our companies to certify to the ISO 45001 standard. In addition, during the year ended 31 March 2021 approximately 700 employees completed our Group online health and safety training programmes. |
|
| Further information on our Health and Safety performance during the year is available in the Our people and culture section on pages 60 to 63. |
|
| Human Rights and Labour Conditions Policy |
Halma's Human Rights and Labour Conditions Policy reflects the core requirements of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the group observes the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, including the conventions relating to forced labour, child labour, non-discrimination, freedom of association and right to collective bargaining. |
| Our Group Chief Executive, Andrew Williams, has overall responsibility for ensuring that human rights considerations are integral to the way in which existing operations and new opportunities are developed and managed. Compliance with, and respect for, these fundamental principles are integrated throughout our organisation. Managers and supervisors must provide leadership that promotes human rights as an equal priority to other business issues. All employees are responsible for ensuring that their own actions do not impair the human rights of others, and are encouraged to bring forward, in confidence, any concerns they may have about human rights. |
|
| Modern Slavery Act Statement |
Halma is committed to conducting its business ethically and in line with all relevant legislation including human rights laws. Halma has published three Modern Slavery Act Statements since September 2016, which detail the progressive steps taken annually to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking. Since the introduction of the Act, we have worked to raise awareness of this important agenda. |
| A detailed guidance note has been provided to all businesses to raise awareness of the Act and the issue of modern slavery in business and supply chains. Each business has been required to consider the potential issue of modern slavery and human trafficking within their business and supply chain. In addition, online compliance training on the Modern Slavery Act has been rolled out to senior management, all subsidiary board members and other relevant employees across the Group. Approximately 300 employees have completed this training during the year ended 31 March 2021. This is an important tool to assist our business management in raising awareness of the issues and understanding their responsibilities in their operations. |
|
| Further information on steps taken during the year in relation to Modern Slavery can be found in our Modern Slavery Act Statement on our website at www.halma.com and in the Sustainability section on page 74. |
| Our policies and guidance documents |
Description and due diligence processes |
|---|---|
| Conflict Minerals Policy |
One particular area of concern for our customers and other stakeholders is whether certain metals that may originate in conflict zones are included in our products. US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules require US publicly traded companies to certify whether such conflict minerals are contained within their products. In order to assist our customers who are subject to this SEC rule, we have a Conflict Minerals Policy which gives guidance to all companies on how to determine whether any of the four minerals or their derivatives classified by the US government as 'conflict minerals' are contained in any product. |
| Please also see page 74 of the Sustainability section for additional discussion of Conflict Minerals within our supply chain. | |
| Whistleblowing Policy |
Halma has a Group-wide Whistleblowing Policy which applies to all employees and Halma operations as well as joint venture partners, suppliers, customers and distributors relating to our businesses. While we encourage an open culture where any issues can be raised and handled locally at business level, we recognise that there will be times when it is not appropriate, or a person will not be comfortable raising a concern through line management. |
| NavexGlobal, an independent third-party, provides our confidential reporting service to enable any concerned parties, including employees and suppliers, to raise any concerns they may have in confidence, via telephone or web-reporting. Where permitted by law, employees may report anonymously if they wish. Halma is committed to ensuring that anyone raising a concern in good faith is not subject to any victimisation or detrimental treatment. |
|
| Details about the confidential reporting service are available in our Code of Conduct (which is available on our website), our internal HalmaHub and Sharepoint sites, and are prominently displayed on posters within all of our Group and operating company locations. |
|
| All reports are treated confidentially and seen by the Company Secretary. Where appropriate, the review and investigation is undertaken or led by the Director of Risk & Internal Audit or the Talent & Culture Executive for the relevant sector. All reports are appropriately investigated and concluded. The Audit Committee receives details of any reports relating to financial misconduct and the Board receives an overview of reports relating to people and culture. |
|
| Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy |
Halma has a zero-tolerance policy on bribery and corruption which extends to all business dealings and transactions in which the Group is involved. This includes a prohibition on making political donations, offering or receiving inappropriate gifts or making undue payments to influence the outcome of business dealings. Every business records and reports on any gifts, hospitality or charitable donations which exceed the Group policy limits. |
| Our policy and guidance in this area is well understood, routinely reviewed and compliance is checked as part of the half year and year-end control process. We also require customers and suppliers who contract on our standard business terms to comply with anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws. Suspected breaches of compliance with this Policy can be reported through the whistleblowing reporting service. |
|
| Online Anti-bribery and corruption compliance trainings cover senior management, all subsidiary board directors and other relevant employees. Approximately 900 employees completed training during the year ended 31 March 2021. |
|
| Competition Law and Competition Compliance Manual |
The Group has a policy on Competition Law which is communicated to all company directors and to relevant sales and procurement employees. Our companies must confirm that the relevant people in their business are familiar with the policy as part of the half year and year-end control process. Online anti-Competition compliance training covers senior management, all subsidiary board directors and other relevant employees. Approximately 350 employees completed training during the year ended 31 March 2021. |
| Data Protection Policy and guidance |
Halma has a Group-wide Data Protection Policy and Guidance which requires our companies to comply with six key data protection principles, which are Lawfulness, Fairness and Transparency, Purpose Limitation, Data Minimisation, Accuracy, Storage Limitation and Integrity and Confidentiality. |
| The Policy also requires our companies to only process personal data where it is necessary and consent has been obtained. The Policy requires all companies to have their own Privacy Policy in place which is tailored to their business and local law, relating to the categories of individuals whose personal data they process. |
|
| Privacy Policies and security measures are required to be reviewed at least annually and tested where appropriate. Our companies are also required to ensure appropriate and robust clauses are included in any contracts with third parties where personal data will be disclosed. |
|
| During the year ended 31 March 2021, approximately 5,300 relevant employees from across the Group have been enrolled on data privacy and security training. |
|
| Diversity and Inclusion Policy |
Our Diversity and Inclusion Policy sets out our commitment to building inclusive and diverse businesses, and is available at www.halma.com. More information about our commitment and progress on diversity, inclusion and equity can be found in the Our People section on pages 60 to 63. |
| Equal opportunities Policy |
We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all employees and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. |
| It is a Group policy to not discriminate against staff or candidates on the basis of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. |

In compliance with the Non-Financial Reporting requirements contained in sections 414CA and 414CB of the Companies Act 2006, the table set out below, and the information it refers to, is intended to help stakeholders understand our position on key non-financial matters, while the Our policies and procedures on pages 85 and 86 highlights the key processes and outcomes associated with the relevant non-financial policies. The description of our business model can be found on pages 16 to 23 and stakeholder engagement information can be found on pages 58 and 59.
| Reporting requirement | Relevant policies, standards and approaches |
Additional information about the impact of our activities, outcome of our policies, non-financial KPIs and principal risks relating to these matters |
Pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental matters | — Environmental Policy1 — Environmental commitment statement2 |
— Sustainability Section including: — Introduction — Sustainability governance and strategy — Climate Change — Responsible Business — Sustainability Data, including carbon emissions, water and waste metrics — Risk: Climate Change and Natural Hazards |
64-77 |
| Employees | — Code of Conduct2 — Whistleblowing Policy3 — Health and Safety Policy1 — Diversity and Inclusion Policy2 — Conflicts of interest3 — Inside information1, 3 |
— Our People section including: — Health and safety (including metrics) — Employee wellbeing — Employee engagement (including metrics) — Diversity and inclusion (including metrics) — Gender pay gap reporting (including metrics) — Training and development (including metrics) — Our DNA — Risk: Talent and Diversity — Non-financial KPIs: — Accident Frequency Rate — Employee Engagement % — Development Programmes |
60-63 19 81 35 |
| Human rights | — Modern Slavery Act statement2 — Human Rights and Labour Conditions Policy3 — Whistleblowing Policy1,3 |
— Sustainability section, including: — Responsible Business — Risk: Non-compliance with Laws and Regulations |
64-77 81 |
| Social matters | — Code of Conduct2 — Data Protection Policy1 — Competition Policy1 — Conflict Minerals Policy1 |
— Sustainability section, including: — Our Positive Impact — Responsible Business — Our People section — Business review — Water for Life global campaign |
64-77 60-63 36-57 15 |
| Anti-bribery & corruption |
— Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy1, 3 — Gifts and hospitality1, 3 — Political payments and donations1, 3 |
— Risk: Non-compliance with Laws and Regulations | 81 |
1 Available to all employees of Halma and our subsidiary companies. Not published externally.
2 Available both on our website at www.halma.com and to employees of Halma and our subsidiary companies.
3 Included within our Code of Conduct
The Strategic Report was approved by the Board of Directors on 10 June 2021 and signed on its behalf by:
Andrew Williams
Group Chief Executive
Marc Ronchetti Chief Financial Officer
Cautionary note: this Strategic Report has been prepared solely to assist shareholders to assess the Board's strategies and their potential to succeed. It should not be relied on by any other party, for other purposes. Forward looking statements have been made by the Directors in good faith using information available up until the date that they approved the Report. Forward looking statements should be regarded with caution because of the inherent uncertainties in economic trends and business risks.

Paul Walker, Chair
"Halma's organisational structure, supported by its robust governance and control framework, provides a strong foundation from which the Group can continue to deliver sustainable growth, returns and positive impact for the benefit of all our stakeholders."
I am pleased to present the Corporate Governance Report for the year ended 31 March 2021. This Report outlines the governance framework within which the Company operates and provides an understanding of how the Principles, set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018, have been applied.
Last year, I outlined that the Board's priorities for 2020/21 would be focused on navigating the operational and economic impact of the pandemic on our business, our people and our wider stakeholders; and building the pipeline of M&A targets so that we could continue to invest for growth when conditions allowed. I am pleased to report that, with the outstanding support from my colleagues across the Group, the Board has successfully delivered on these priorities by ensuring a safe working environment for our employees; providing financial and wellbeing support to our colleagues through difficult times; continuing to invest for growth in our companies; and by completing the acquisition of Static Systems Group in December 2020, concluding a strategic partnership with Oxbotica in January 2021, and, after the year end, making a number of smaller bolt-on acquisitions and acquiring PeriGen, Inc.
Our continued positive impact and focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters has been apparent in a number of areas, as outlined in the Sustainability section of this Annual Report, and our work to reduce the negative impact that our operations have on the world has led to important commitments to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to the strategic progress that we have made over the year, we continued to improve the diversity of our Board, Executive Board and senior leadership levels and rolled out further training on diversity, equity and inclusion.
The past year has seen our succession plans come to fruition with the appointment of Dame Louise Makin as non-executive Director & Chair Designate and Dharmash Mistry as nonexecutive Director. I welcome them both to the Board and am confident that their contributions will help to shape Halma's future over the coming years.
In line with best practice, Daniela Barone Soares and I will retire at the 2021 AGM and not seek re-election. Daniela is a very valued member of the Board and we have benefitted greatly from her knowledge and experience, particularly on ESG. I would like to thank Daniela, on behalf of the Board, for her contribution and constructive challenge over her tenure and we wish her well for the future.
At the 2021 AGM, Adam Meyers will also be retiring from the Board – having extended his tenure last year to lead Halma's Safety sector on an interim basis. Adam joined the Halma Board in April 2008 and has always provided valuable insight on the business, derived from his extensive experience across all of Halma's sectors. On behalf of my fellow Board members, we would like to thank Adam greatly for his long service to the Company and wish him well in retirement.
The Company reports against the Financial Reporting Council's (FRC) UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the "Code"), which is available at www.frc.org.uk. The Board has complied with the Principles set out in the Code for the year ended 31 March 2021 and reported against the Code Provisions. The new Remuneration Policy, being put to shareholders for approval at the 2021 AGM, will address most of the areas where the Company has not been in a position to fully comply with the Code Provisions and will also facilitate the engagement with employees on how executive remuneration aligns with wider pay policy. Further details on the proposed Policy are set out in the Remuneration Report.

While there is still uncertainty around the economic and health impact of the pandemic in the short and longer term, Halma is well-positioned to benefit from the opportunities that will arise and under Dame Louise's leadership, I am confident that Halma will continue its growth by maintaining strategic discipline and thoughtful capital allocation. The Board's priorities for 2021/22 will be:
The exceptions to full compliance with the Provisions of the Code for the year ended 31 March 2021, along with the expected date by which we intend to comply with each Provision, are set out below.
Information on diversity, internal control and risk management, share capital and the composition and operation of the Board and its Committees is included in the Reports within this Governance section.
While our preference would have been to welcome shareholders in person for our 2021 AGM, the restrictions on public gatherings and social distancing measures in place at the date of this Report, have led us to make alternative arrangements for our AGM. We will have minimal physical attendance at our registered office in Amersham and strongly encourage shareholders to join the meeting virtually this year. This hybrid format will ensure that a wider group of shareholders can participate in the meeting and will crucially prioritise health and safety without compromising shareholder engagement with the Board or real-time voting at the meeting. I am really looking forward to welcoming shareholders virtually for the first time in Halma's AGM history.
I hope that you will find the information set out in this Report helpful in understanding our approach to governance, how we have applied the Principles of the Code and how our framework is structured to enable Halma to operate effectively in a rapidly changing political, economic, socio-cultural and technological environment.
Finally, on a personal note, I am very proud of Halma's achievements and have been honoured to serve as Chair. Its strong culture and corporate purpose is led from the top and I am grateful to the senior leadership team who have supported me throughout my tenure. I truly believe that Halma's organisational structure, supported by its robust governance and control framework, provides a strong foundation from which the Group can continue to deliver sustainable growth, returns and positive impact for the benefit of all our stakeholders.
Paul Walker Chair
10 June 2021
| Code Provision | Explanation of non-compliance | Expected compliance by |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | The Remuneration Committee has not developed a formal policy for post employment shareholding requirements. This item has been incorporated into our new Remuneration Policy (see pages 122 to 128) which is subject to a shareholder vote at the 2021 AGM. |
22 July 2021 |
| 37 | Remuneration schemes and policies do not enable the use of discretion to override formulaic outcomes. This item has been incorporated into our new Remuneration Policy (see pages 122 to 128) which is subject to a shareholder vote at the 2021 AGM. |
22 July 2021 |
| 38 | The pension contribution rates for executive Directors, or payments in lieu, are not aligned with those available to the workforce. The executive Directors have voluntarily committed to lower their cash-in-lieu of pension to 10.5% which will align to the maximum company contribution rate offered to the wider UK workforce. |
31 December 2022 |
| 41 | The Annual Report does not include a description of what engagement with the workforce has taken place to explain how executive remuneration aligns with wider pay policy. The Remuneration Committee intends to recommend to the Board an appropriate approach for engagement with the workforce once the new Policy is approved by shareholders. |
31 March 2022 |

Paul Walker Chair
Career and experience: Paul gained extensive management, operational, financial and technology sector experience in his executive career as Chief Executive Officer of The Sage Group plc from 1994 to 2010, having previously been its Finance Director and Chief Financial Controller. Paul has held several board positions including as non-executive Director at Diageo plc, Mytravel Group plc, Sophos Group plc and Experian plc. He provides strong leadership to the Board and is committed to robust corporate governance and stakeholder engagement. Paul qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young. Paul will retire as Chair at the 2021 AGM and will not stand for re-election.
RELX plc, non-executive Chair Ashtead Group plc, non-executive Chair


Tony Rice Senior Independent Director
Career and experience: Tony has held senior management positions at a number of UK listed companies, spanning a range of sectors, and has extensive board level experience in companies operating internationally and in regulated industries. He was Chief Executive Officer at Cable & Wireless Communications plc and Tunstall plc and held a number of senior roles at BAE Systems plc. Tony has served as a nonexecutive Director of Spirit Pub Company plc, where he was Senior Independent Director and Remuneration Committee Chair. Tony brings a wealth of UK listed company experience to his role as Senior Independent Director.
Dechra Pharmaceuticals plc, Chair Ultra Electronics Holdings plc, Chair Whittington Hospital Trust, non-executive Director


Dame Louise Makin Independent non-executive Director, Chair Designate
Career and experience: Louise is an experienced executive and board director, having led businesses across multiple sectors. She was the Chief Executive Officer of BTG plc, the international specialist healthcare company, from 2004 to 2019. Louise led the transformation of the company through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions, and significantly increased its market capitalisation before its sale in 2019. She previously served as a non-executive Director of Premier Foods plc and Woodford Patient Capital Trust plc, and as a director of several not-for-profit organisations. Louise will replace Paul Walker as Chair at the conclusion of the 2021 AGM and brings a wealth of leadership and international experience to the Board.
Atotech Ltd, non-executive Director Intertek Group plc, non-executive Director (until 30 June 2021)


Carole Cran Independent non-executive Director
Career and experience: Carole was Chief Financial Officer of Aggreko plc until December 2017, prior to which she held a number of senior finance roles within that group. Previously, she worked at BAE Systems plc in a range of senior financial positions, which included four years in Australia. Carole commenced her career in the audit division of KPMG where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Carole has extensive financial experience and has a strong focus on governance and risk.
Forth Ports Limited, Chief Financial Officer

Chair of Committee Member of Committee

Andrew Williams Group Chief Executive
(February 2005 as Group Chief Executive)
Career and experience: Andrew joined Halma in 1994 as Manufacturing Director of an operating company, becoming its Managing Director in 1997. He joined Halma's Executive Board in 2002 and was appointed as Group Chief Executive in 2005. Andrew has proven his ability to grow and acquire companies globally while evolving the Group portfolio for sustainable growth and high returns. He brings clear strategic leadership to the Board and has a deep understanding of the operating companies and the Group's stakeholders. He is a Chartered Engineer. Andrew served as a non-executive Director of Capita plc from January 2015 until May 2021.
N
Cardiff Blues Limited, non-executive Director

Independent non-executive Director
Career and experience: Jo has significant international experience, gained most recently as Corporate Vice President of the Phones Business Unit at Microsoft. She previously worked at Nokia as Executive Vice President of Smart Devices. Before her move into consumer electronics, Jo worked in strategic marketing at Reebok and Procter & Gamble. Jo brings a wealth of expertise to the Board in digital, technology, sales and marketing. She is Chair of the Remuneration Committee at InterContinental Hotels Group plc, and Chair of the Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Committee, and member of the Remuneration Committee, at J Sainsbury plc.
InterContinental Hotels Group plc, non-executive Director J Sainsbury plc, non-executive Director Ceconomy AG, Member of the Supervisory Board


Marc Ronchetti Chief Financial Officer
Career and experience: Marc joined Halma in 2016 as Group Financial Controller. He was previously Finance Director of the UK operations of Wolseley plc (now Ferguson plc) and prior to that held various group and divisional roles at Inchcape plc. Marc has gained commercial and financial experience across a range of senior finance roles focused on driving operational performance through financial insights. Marc qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Jennifer Ward Group Talent, Culture and Communications Director
Career and experience: Jennifer joined the Halma Executive Board in March 2014 and has global responsibility for talent and culture as well as internal and external communications and brand across Halma. Prior to joining Halma as Group Talent Director, Jennifer spent over 15 years leading Human Resources, Talent and Organisational Development for divisions of PayPal, Bank of America and Honeywell. Jennifer brings a wealth of experience to the Board to ensure we secure and develop talent ahead of our growth needs and build a sustainable culture of high performance.

Adam Meyers Executive Director
Career and experience: Adam became a member of the Halma Executive Board in 2003, as a Divisional Chief Executive and served as, Sector Chief Executive – Medical and Environmental until September 2019, having joined Halma in 1996 as President of Bio-Chem Valve. Adam has considerable experience and deep knowledge of Halma and the regulated markets in which it operates. He has led the acquisition of several companies in the Medical and Environmental & Analysis sectors. Adam is a Systems Engineering graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Adam stepped down as interim Sector Chief Executive, Safety, on 31 March 2021 following the appointment of his successor. He will retire from the Board at the conclusion of the 2021 AGM.

Career and experience: Roy is Chief Executive of IMI plc, having been appointed to the IMI Board in February 2007. During his career with IMI, Roy has held several senior management roles including Managing Director of IMI Norgren UK (2001), President of IMI Hydronic Engineering (2004), President of Retail Dispense (2007) and President of IMI Precision Engineering (2009) and Divisional Managing Director of IMI Critical Engineering (2011). Roy brings wide-ranging knowledge of the engineering sector along with extensive management and operational experience.
Current appointments: IMI plc, Chief Executive


Daniela Barone Soares Independent non-executive Director
Career and experience: Daniela began her career in the private equity and investment banking sectors working at BancBoston Capital, Goldman Sachs and Citibank.
Daniela is the CEO of Snowball Impact Management, a diversified, multi-asset investment vehicle. Prior to that, Daniela was CEO of venture philanthropy organisation Impetus and held senior roles at Save the Children UK. Daniela has considerable global knowledge of capital markets and sustainability, and has successfully led ventures with government institutions. Daniela will retire from the Board at the conclusion of the 2021 AGM.
Intercontinental Hotels Group plc, non-executive Director Snowball Investment Management, CEO The Haddad Foundation, Trustee


Dharmash Mistry Independent non-executive Director
Career and experience: Dharmash is an experienced technology venture capitalist, entrepreneur and non-executive director. He was formerly a Partner at Balderton & Lakestar, an executive at Emap PLC and worked earlier in his career at The Boston Consulting Group and as a Brand Manager at Procter & Gamble. Dharmash is founder of blow LTD, which he now chairs, and has served as a non-executive director at Hargreaves Lansdown PLC and Dixons Retail PLC.
British Business Bank, non-executive Director BBC Commercial Holdings, non-executive Director

Financial Statements
Strategic Report
Governance
The Executive Board is a management committee chaired by the Group Chief Executive, which primarily develops strategy, reviews operational matters and monitors business performance.

Andrew Williams Group Chief Executive

Jennifer Ward Group Talent, Culture and Communications Director

Marc Ronchetti Chief Financial Officer

Adam Meyers Executive Director

Laura Stoltenberg Sector Chief Executive, Medical
Career and experience: Laura was appointed to the Executive Board in October 2019. She joined Halma as Divisional Chief Executive, Medical & Environmental in January 2019 from Medtronic, where she was Vice President and General Manager for MDI Solutions at Medtronic Diabetes. Prior to Medtronic, Laura was Chief Commercial Officer at Exact Sciences Corporation, and held leadership roles at GE Healthcare in general management, business development and strategy. Laura brings strong experience and capability in delivering growth-oriented strategies, managing talent and capital allocation as well as a depth of M&A experience in the Medical sector. Laura holds degrees in Electrical Engineering & Management from Bucknell University and an MBA from Columbia University.

Constance Baroudel Sector Chief Executive, Environmental & Analysis
Career and experience: Constance was appointed to the Executive Board in April 2021. She joined Halma as Divisional Chief Executive, Medical & Environmental in August 2018 from FirstGroup plc where she held the position of Director, Strategy & Operational Performance. Prior to that she was Managing Director of Solutions at De La Rue plc. She brings a wealth of industrial and innovation experience and strong capability in driving organic growth in her sector. Constance holds an MSc in International Accounting & Finance from London School of Economics.


Wendy McMillan Sector Chief Executive, Safety
Career and experience: Wendy was appointed to the Executive Board in April 2021. She joined Halma as a Divisional Chief Executive in the Safety Sector in February 2018. Prior to Halma she held a range of leadership roles with a focus on growth and transformation at Dyson, Arqiva and BT. Her early career was spent as a strategy consultant at Bain & Company. Wendy holds a Masters in Engineering, Economics and Management from Oxford University and has an MBA from INSEAD.

Inken Braunschmidt Chief Innovation and Digital Officer Director
Career and experience: Inken joined Halma and was appointed to the Executive Board in July 2017 and is responsible for driving Halma's Digital and Innovation Strategy. Prior to joining Halma, Inken was the Chief Innovation Officer of innogy SE, a renewables energy company based in Germany and a subsidiary of RWE. Previously, Inken was MD of RWE's Strategy and Management Consultancy practice. Inken studied Business Administration and Innovation & Technology Management at Kiel University and has a PhD in Technology Management.
Current appointments: James Fisher and Sons plc, non-executive Director

Catherine Michel Chief Technology Officer
Career and experience: Catherine is the first Chief Technology Officer for Halma. She has global responsibility for the Group's data and IT strategy, with a focus on leveraging our data more fully, both operationally and in the solutions we provide to our customers and partners. Prior to joining Halma, Catherine was Chief Technology Officer and Chief Strategy Officer at Sigma Systems. Catherine began her career at Accenture and was founder and CTO of Tribold (later acquired by Sigma Systems in 2013).
Current appointments: UK5G Advisory Board Blancco Technology Group plc, non-executive Director

Funmi Adegoke Group General Counsel
Career and experience: Funmi joined Halma's Executive Board as Group General Counsel in September 2020. She has global responsibility for the Group's legal and compliance affairs, as well as overseeing the Company Secretariat function. Prior to joining Halma, Funmi held senior legal and commercial roles in BP and Bombardier. She brings extensive experience in legal, regulatory and compliance matters to support the Group's growth. Funmi is a Barrister and holds a law degree from the University of Cambridge.
Current appointments: Melrose Industries plc, non-executive Director # The Board's application of the UK Corporate Governance Code Principles
The Company reports against the Financial Reporting Council's (FRC) UK Corporate Governance Code, published in July 2018, which is available on its website at www.frc.org.uk. This section of the Report explains how the Company has applied the Principles set out in the Code.
The Board's role is to provide entrepreneurial leadership, within a framework of prudent and effective controls, that promotes the interests of the Company over the long term for the benefit of stakeholders. The Board sets the Group's strategic goals and has ultimate responsibility for its management, direction and performance. The Company's Articles of Association set out the Board's powers. The Board has adopted a formal schedule of matters reserved solely for its decision (a summary of which is set out on page 102) and certain decision-making and monitoring activities are delegated to Board Committees or management committees.
As a decentralised organisation, it is critical that Halma's governance and control structure is robust, clearly communicated and operates effectively. The Board has established three principal Committees – Audit Committee, Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee – which review and monitor key areas on behalf of the Board and make recommendations for its approval. Each Board Committee operates under written terms of reference which are approved by the Board and made available at www.halma.com. The Chair of each Committee reports to the Board on their activities after each meeting and minutes are circulated to all Board members once they have been approved by the Committee. Further information on the activities and composition of each Committee is set out in the separate Committee reports.
In addition to the principal Board Committees, the Board has established three topic-specific Committees to which it has delegated certain powers to negotiate, review and administer matters – Share Plans Committee, Bank Guarantees and Facilities Committee, and Acquisitions & Disposals Committee.
The Executive Board is a management committee, chaired by the Group Chief Executive, which primarily develops strategy, monitors progress against the Group's strategic objectives and reviews operational and business performance. In addition, informal management groups have been established to review, monitor and take decisions in respect of minority investments and collaborative partnerships, and ESG matters. A summary of the responsibilities of each Board Committee and the Executive Committee are set out opposite.
The Board schedules six meetings per year but will usually meet on other occasions, as required, to discuss urgent matters or to approve event-driven items such as M&A, trading updates and, in the past year, to review and take decisions in response to the pandemic. All Directors are issued with an agenda and meeting papers in the week prior to the Board meeting. Papers are delivered via an electronic board portal for security and efficiency.
During the year, attendance by Directors at scheduled Board meetings was as follows:
| Board attendance | Eligible | Attended |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Walker | 6 | 6 |
| Dame Louise Makin | 1 | 1 |
| Andrew Williams | 6 | 6 |
| Marc Ronchetti | 6 | 6 |
| Adam Meyers | 6 | 6 |
| Jennifer Ward | 6 | 6 |
| Daniela Barone Soares | 6 | 6 |
| Carole Cran | 6 | 6 |
| Jo Harlow | 6 | 6 |
| Tony Rice | 6 | 6 |
| Roy Twite | 6 | 6 |
The Board assesses and monitors the Group's culture and ensures its alignment with our purpose, values and strategy. Our strategy is powered by our purpose of 'growing a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day.' The Group's culture is an essential component of our strategy, demonstrated by the Talent & Culture Growth Enabler and the organisational and culture genes within Halma's DNA. Our culture promotes autonomous and agile decision-making, a collaborative approach which allows constructive challenge, innovative diversity of thought, and a sense of shared purpose and open collaboration. Halma's values are the behavioural principles that we demand, protect and leverage to effectively optimise our cultural genes as set out on page 19. It is essential that the Board and Executive management act in a constructive and respectful manner, exhibiting the tone that we expect across our companies. We consider that this culture promotes good governance across the Group and empowers our people to make good and ethical decisions. At each meeting, the Board reviews any workforce concerns raised via the whistleblowing line or directly to the Executive or Company Secretary. All reports are investigated and appropriate action taken. Details of each report are provided to the Board in its role of monitoring corporate culture. The annual engagement survey results are also reviewed by the Board and any areas for improvement discussed.
At the annual Board strategy meeting – and regularly at the Nomination Committee meetings – the Group Talent, Culture and Communications Director provides detailed insight and feedback on Halma's talent pool, development programmes and culture across the Group.
Our businesses benefit from an autonomous operational structure. In order to maintain oversight and control from a Group perspective, and to obtain assurance over the compliance and control environment, businesses must comply with Halma's suite of financial and non-financial policies and procedures.
An authority matrix sets out the matters that are reserved for decision by the Board, those that can be approved by the Group Chief Executive and the financial authority that has been delegated to Executive Board members, the Divisional Chief Executives (DCEs) and to business managing directors. This approach ensures that businesses have a clear framework within which they can operate, balancing autonomy with the need for oversight and control, and provides clarity as to whether financial commitments can be approved at company, sector, Group or Board level. The connection between the operating companies and the Board governance structure is described below and, for

Provides strategic leadership to the Group within a framework of robust corporate governance and internal control, monitoring the culture, values and standards that are embedded throughout our business to deliver long-term sustainable growth for the benefit of our shareholders and other stakeholders.

Responsible for the administration arrangements relating to share-based incentives (following approval of the award by the Remuneration Committee or the Board).
Management Committee

Agrees and approves arrangements for issuing guarantees, indemnities or other support for bank loans and other financing facilities.

Reviews and approves the terms and structure of acquisitions or disposals which have been agreed in principle by the Board.
Financial Statements
risk management, is illustrated in the risk governance framework on page 78.
Each operating company in the Group has its own board of directors which meets regularly to fulfil its legal duties and to maintain operational and financial management of the company's affairs. The DCE chairs each of their operating company boards and will meet with the Executive Board at least three times per year. In addition, the DCE provides a written report on the financial and business performance (including areas such as talent, culture, diversity, ESG and M&A) to the Executive Board and Halma's Chair on a regular basis.
Each Sector Chief Executive holds regular sector board meetings, attended by DCEs, relevant managing directors and sector employees, which provides a valuable forum for businesses to share and collaborate.
The Group's policies and procedures set out our requirements in the areas of financial reporting and control, health & safety, ethics, human resources, IT, data privacy and legal compliance. These procedures are made available to all employees via a dedicated SharePoint site. The Audit Committee has been delegated responsibility for reviewing the adequacy and security of the Group's arrangements for employees and contractors to raise concerns about possible improprieties in financial reporting and control or other matters but the Board reviews regular reports on workforce concerns that have been raised. Halma has appointed NavexGlobal to operate a confidential, multilingual, telephone and web reporting service. All reports are reviewed by the Company Secretary, investigated and action taken as appropriate.
The Board oversees the Company's dialogue with shareholders. The Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer have regular contact with investors and analysts. Reports prepared for the Board by the Head of Investor Relations outline the Company's dialogue with investors and analysts. The Chair is available to meet with shareholders throughout the year and the Senior Independent Director provides an alternative channel for shareholders to raise concerns, independent of executive management and the Chair. The Board attends the AGM which gives individual shareholders the opportunity to engage directly with them and raise questions about the Company. In 2020 we were forced to hold a closed AGM but allowed shareholders to submit questions ahead of the meeting. For 2021, despite the current restrictions, we are able to improve our engagement by offering a hybrid AGM facility whereby shareholders can attend, speak and vote online. The Company normally hosts an annual investor engagement event, to showcase one of Halma's sectors, but this was not possible during the year as a result of the pandemic.
In accordance with the Code, the Board reviewed the methods that it uses to engage with its workforce and concluded that none of the three set out in the Code would be the most effective for engaging with Halma's global workforce. Our decentralised operating model and geographic spread of our companies led us to choose alternative engagement mechanisms which we consider are more fitting with our operating model and culture, as described below.
Each operating company has its own legally constituted board of directors which meets on a regular basis. Around one-third of these are UK companies which are also subject to the duty to promote the success of the company under section 172 of the Companies Act and requires them to have regard to employee interests and the impact of board decisions on their other stakeholders.
The chair of each of our 42 companies meets with the Executive Board at least three times per year and normally with the Halma Board annually, which facilitates regular dialogue on workforcerelated matters. We consider that engagement by the local company board with their own workforce, as well as the engagement by the Halma Board with the Group's global workforce, provides an effective platform for clear and open communication with employees. To support this, we have put in place reporting mechanisms such that concerns and feedback raised at the operating company level is fed back into the Halma Board via each company chair.
There are currently three Executive Board members with operational responsibility for all of our operating companies. They regularly interact with the Halma executive and the Board, which ensures that there are close channels of communication with our businesses. There are also frequent opportunities for the employee voice to be relayed to the Board via company management, operating company chair reports, Board presentations, site visits and through regular reporting of workforce concerns that have been raised via management or the independent whistleblowing service.
The Board-level position of Group Talent, Culture and Communications Director demonstrates the importance that we place on developing and communicating with our people and improving engagement and the culture across the Group. The results of the annual employee engagement survey are outlined on page 35.
HalmaHub is a mobile-first, social and collaborative platform, which has helped accelerate the pace of innovation across the Group and enhanced our culture of collaboration.
Recognising the opportunity to amplify the ambition and impact of Halma's diverse and geographically dispersed businesses, HalmaHub connects more than 5,000 employees across 21 countries to share knowledge, skills and ideas every day. This has accelerated the pace of change across the Group and led to the creation of entirely new business models and product collaborations.
The Board strongly believes that our mechanisms for engaging with our workforce are appropriate for our organisational structure and, most importantly, are an effective means of bilateral engagement. The graphic below gives a summary of the mechanisms in place to facilitate effective engagement with the various groups across our workforce.

The Board's considers other stakeholder groups in its decision-making and our interaction with key stakeholders is set out in the table on pages 58 and 59 of the Strategic Report.
The principal decisions taken by the Board during the year, along with how the Directors considered stakeholder interests when discharging their duties under section 172 of the Companies Act, is set out below.
| Principal Decision and stakeholders considered |
Board's decision-making process | Long-term considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Shareholders, potential investors, lenders, employees, customers and suppliers. |
The financial resources required to execute our strategy, including organic investment needs and acquisition opportunities; the Group's medium-term rate of organic constant currency growth; maintaining a prudent level of dividend cover and moderate indebtedness; equitable treatment of our stakeholders given the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Dividends consistent with the Company's financial performance without detriment to the strength of the balance sheet and future sustainability. |
| Capital allocation Shareholders, potential investors, lenders, employees, customers, operating companies. |
The Group's budget, approved by the Board, sets the allocation of capital to deliver our growth strategy through investment in R&D, capital expenditure, talent and acquisitions. The weighting of each is determined by our strategic priorities over the short to medium term. |
Balancing investment for future growth with the requirement to reduce discretionary spend and overheads in light of the pandemic and the uncertainty around the effects of COVID-19. |
| Acquisitions Shareholders, potential investors, lenders, operating companies, vendors of companies, future employees and partners, and professional advisers. |
The Board received detailed acquisition proposals from the Group Chief Executive on the long-term implications of acquisitions and their effect on Halma's stakeholders. The Board balances the financial commitment required against the risks and anticipated return, while considering the strategic fit with our purpose, the opportunities for geographic or market growth (either organic or through further M&A) and the talent and know-how which will be acquired. |
Halma's discipline in making acquisitions which are aligned to our purpose and which are in market niches with long-term growth drivers ensures that we can continue to grow sustainably for the benefit of all our stakeholders. |
| COVID-19 response Shareholders, potential investors, lenders, employees, operating companies, customers, suppliers, government, society. |
The Board were quick to meet to understand the implications of the health and economic crisis as its potential impact became apparent, with the health and wellbeing of our employees being the priority. Weekly updates were provided to the Board on the welfare of our employees, site closures and financial and operational performance of our businesses. Our businesses not only ensured the supply of life-sustaining products and services over the period but many re-purposed their operations to produce personal protective equipment for their local healthcare providers. The Board considered a wide range of operational and financial scenarios and the interests of multiple stakeholder groups to determine the appropriate level of overhead reductions. They took the decision to reinstate pay to normal levels and, given the strong performance in the second half of the year, decided to compensate employees for the temporary salary reductions that they had taken during the year to support the Group and ensure its strong financial position through those uncertain times. |
The Board's approval of cost reduction measures was considered essential for Halma's long-term success. It balanced the need for short-term overhead reduction and cash preservation against the longer term expectations of shareholders and employees. While Halma was eligible for UK government support, we self-funded furlough payments to ensure that funds were made available to the smaller businesses that needed it. The Board's decision not to take government support has enabled us to maintain our progressive dividend payments to shareholders. |
| Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets Shareholders, lenders, employees, operating companies, customers, suppliers, government, society. |
The Board recognised the importance of a low carbon economy and the role that Halma has to play in achieving this and were mindful that this is a high priority for multiple stakeholder groups. Accordingly, the Board focused on areas where Halma can make most impact and took the decision to set a climate-related target – in line with the guidance from the Science Based Target Initiative – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42% (from 2019/20 levels) by 2029/30, and are targeting net zero Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. |
The Board recognises the effect that climate change is having on the natural and business world. While it presents a strategic opportunity for Halma, as a responsible company the Board recognises that the Company must act now to minimise the negative impact from its operations, to ensure a sustainable future for all. Setting targets and monitoring the Group's sustainability performance is an essential part of Halma's philosophy and strategy, which investors and other stakeholders will expect us to report on annually. |
The Group's policies and procedures set out our requirements in the areas of financial reporting and control, health & safety, ethics, human resources, IT, data privacy and legal compliance. Halma's workforce-related polices and practices are set out in employee handbooks, tailored to meet local company law and needs.
Halma's Code of Conduct stipulates the expected behaviours and ethical duties that we require all employees to demonstrate. The Code of Conduct is reviewed annually by the Board and is acknowledged by every employee when they join the company. It provides a plain language summary on anti-bribery and corruption, insider dealing, conflicts of interest, modern slavery and human trafficking and information on how employees can raise concerns with senior management or via the third party confidential reporting service operated by NavexGlobal. Halma's Code of Conduct has been translated into nine languages, copies of which are available on our website at www.halma.com.
Paul Walker was independent on his appointment as Chair and has remained objective in his leadership of the Board. He ensures that no Director dominates Board meetings and that the voice of all Directors is heard and respected. Halma's culture of openness and transparency is apparent in how the Board members interact individually and collectively. The Executives genuinely value the views and challenge that the non-executive Directors bring and the transparent reporting by the Executives ensures that all stakeholder interests can be debated and well-informed, collective decisions made. Dame Louise was independent on appointment as a non-executive Director and remains so at the date of this Report. As part of her induction, the Company Secretary has supported Dame Louise on Board process and understanding the Board dynamics in order to preserve the Board's independent and objective thinking and appropriate level of challenge from the non-executives.
The Board is currently composed of 12 Directors, each bringing a variety of skills, knowledge and experience, in addition to diverse thinking. With four executive Directors and eight non-executive Directors (including the Chair), there is a strong independent element to Halma's Board which ensures that the balance of power rests with the non-executive members of the Board. After the AGM in July 2021, the Board will comprise nine directors, with three executive and six non-executive, maintaining an appropriate balance of independence.
The Board has reviewed the independence of each non-executive Director and, following an assessment of any relationships or circumstances which are likely to affect a Director's judgement, consider each to be independent of management. The Board believes that any shares in the Company held by the Chair and non-executive Directors serve to align their interests with those of shareholders. Tony Rice was appointed Senior Independent Director in July 2015 and is available as an alternative channel of communication for shareholders, independent from executive management and the Chair.
The Chair, with the endorsement of the Nomination Committee, considers that the Board structure is appropriate for Halma – both in terms of size and the balance of skills and experience – which was recently echoed by the Directors in the externallyfacilitated Board evaluation.
Biographies of each Director, including an overview of their skills and experience, are set out on pages 90 and 91.
The division of responsibilities between the Directors and the Company Secretary is set out below.
Other Information
Director availability and time commitment to the Company is essential and we have experienced no issues with this during a particularly busy year where more frequent meetings were held, often at short notice. In addition to the scheduled and ad hoc Board and Committee meetings, all Directors are expected to attend the Annual General Meeting, the annual strategy meeting, Accelerate Halma/CEO and undertake operating company visits. The Board approve all significant external appointments before a Director can accept the appointment.
Our policy is that executive Directors are permitted to accept one external appointment, provided that it is beneficial to the Company and the development of the individual. It must not present a conflict of interest with the Group's activities or require a significant time commitment which could interfere with the performance of their executive duties.
For non-executive Directors, the number of external directorships is an important consideration when recruiting and a preferred candidate must reassure the Nomination Committee that they can allocate sufficient time to the role (around 20 days per annum is anticipated) before they are recommended for appointment. Prior to the Board's approval of any additional roles, an assessment is made of the time commitment required. All Directors are subject to an annual review, and time commitment and their personal contribution is a key factor that is assessed.
Tony Rice is Chair of two FTSE 250 companies, in addition to the Senior Independent Director and non-executive Director role he fulfils at Halma. The Board have no concerns in respect of 'over-boarding' and he shows true commitment to the Company. Tony has not only dedicated a considerable amount of time in supporting Halma and its businesses over the past year, including his attendance at all scheduled and the exceptional number of ad hoc Board and Committee meetings, but he has admirably led the successful search and appointment process for our new Chair.
Following the Chair's evaluation of each Director, the Board is satisfied that all Directors remain committed to the Company and have devoted the appropriate amount of time and effort to their role.
Details of Board attendance during the year is set out on page 94 and attendance for each Committee is in the relevant Committee reports on pages 104, 109 and 115.
Halma's clear and focused strategy has led to strong financial performance in challenging times and enabled the Board to increase the dividend. The Board has supported the evolution of Halma's growth strategy and the development of our growth enablers has helped to align the Board's allocation of human and capital resources to its strategic priorities – enabling our companies to continue to invest and deliver sustainable growth.
The Board has set a clear strategy which includes a significant growth element being delivered through M&A. Key resources, both in terms of people and finance, are made available to ensure that we can deliver on this strategic priority. The M&A pipeline is regularly reviewed and discussed by the Board and all material acquisitions are subject to its approval. Post-acquisition value creation strategies are under regular review, along with the financial performance of newly acquired businesses.
The Board has formally adopted matters reserved for its decision and a schedule of matters that it delegates to executive management. This governance structure ensures that major changes, financial commitments or new business developments are reviewed by the Board, while permitting local and sector autonomy to operate and adapt their businesses for international growth.
The Board recognises the importance of talent and culture in driving not only Halma's growth, but also the behaviours that we expect from our people. In September 2016, the Board recognised the importance of talent to Halma's growth strategy and appointed Jennifer Ward to the Board to help to shape the talent pipeline, lead our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and also develop our brand and communications strategy. Talent discussions are a key feature at each Nomination Committee meeting and monitoring the Group's culture, diversity, equity and inclusion is an important role for the Board.
The Board has established a clear and robust framework to control financial investment, oversee financial performance and reporting, and to manage risks and opportunities. In 2020, the Board endorsed a new legal and compliance framework to enable operating companies to maintain their autonomy and agility while leveraging the scale of Halma to get quality advice and support, via a hand-picked panel of external lawyers, at competitive cost.
The Board take a close interest in Halma's desire to expand its digital capability and, in addition to allocating resource to support the Digital & Innovation function and for R&D within the operating companies, it appointed Dharmash Mistry in April 2021 to bring digital expertise to the Boardroom.
The Directors share their deep and diverse knowledge and experience with senior management and company personnel throughout the year – enabling Halma companies to leverage the breadth of their network and obtain support, guidance and contacts in areas which are new.
A key focus in the Board's budget approval process has been allocating capital to resource the central and sector teams to support our businesses in developing market-leading positions by connecting with customers through their brand, marketing, product positioning and the effective use of all media channels.
The Board and each Director has access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary, Mark Jenkins, and each can obtain independent professional advice at the Company's expense.
The Board has an established approach for seeking and evaluating candidates for Board positions, which was utilised for the appointment of Dame Louise Makin and Dharmash Mistry.
Prior to the Nomination Committee making a recommendation to the Board for an appointment, it identifies the skills, knowledge and experience required for the roles and agrees a job specification with the external search firm. A review of a long list of candidates, with commentary from the recruiter, is undertaken and any concerns over potential time commitment is a key consideration at this stage. Following the Committee's input, a shortlist of candidates is drawn up and interviews are held with a number of the Directors – including the Group Chief Executive, the Group Talent, Culture and Communications Director
A summary of the Board's activities throughout the year, including standing items and matters reserved for its decision, is set out below:
In addition to the Board matters considered above over the past year, at each meeting there are standing items, which include:
and the Chair. Based on the feedback from these interviews, references are taken up for the preferred candidates to inform the final decision. The Remuneration Committee agree the terms of the proposed offer and the Nomination Committee recommends their preferred candidate to the Board for approval. Once the candidate indicates that they will accept the role, the Board formally approve it and make an announcement to the market.
The skills and experience of each Director is set out in their biography on pages 90 and 91. Consideration of the tenure for each non-executive Director is a key factor for the Nomination Committee in putting in place succession plans. The successful appointment of the Chair Designate and a new non-executive Director well ahead of the time when the current Chair and non-executive Director will step down demonstrates the effectiveness of the succession planning process. This has also enabled an appropriate overlap for handover and induction.
Newly appointed non-executive Directors follow a tailored induction programme, which includes dedicated time with Group executives and visits to companies within each of the sectors. The Chair reviews the training and development needs of the Board, and each individual Director, at least annually. Further details can be found in the Nomination Committee Report.
The Chair leads the annual evaluation of the Board's effectiveness and the individual performance review of each Director. The formal evaluation includes an assessment of the appropriateness of the Board's composition and diversity. The principal Committees of the Board undertake a separate annual evaluation of their effectiveness, in accordance with their terms of reference.
For 2021, the Board undertook its triennial externally-facilitated evaluation with the support of Independent Audit, which has no connection to Halma. The Board, on the recommendation of the Nomination Committee, decided that an interview-based assessment of the Directors with observation at meetings was not appropriate this year. Given the significant changes to the Board over the coming months (see below) and the fact that the pandemic had altered the normal meeting programme – with shorter, virtual meetings being focused largely on business critical decisions and the health and wellbeing of our employees – an external questionnaire-based evaluation was undertaken. The evaluation process and output is described in more detail in the Nomination Committee Report.
In line with our succession plans, Paul Walker, Daniela Barone Soares and Adam Meyers are standing down from the Board at the conclusion of the 2021 AGM and will not be standing for re-election. Following the annual evaluation of the Board and its Committees, and the individual performance reviews undertaken by the Chair, all Directors that are standing for re-election are considered to be effective in their role, hold recent and relevant experience for Halma's business and sector and they each continue to demonstrate commitment (in terms of time and effort) to the role.
Biographical details of each Director are set out on pages 90 and 91 and in the Notice of Meeting, along with the rationale for recommending their re-election.
M. Role of the Audit Committee in ensuring independence and effectiveness of internal and external audit functions and integrity of reporting See Audit Committee Report on page 114.
N. Fair, balanced and understandable reporting See Audit Committee Report on page 114 and Directors' Responsibilities statement on page 143.
The Board has overall responsibility to the shareholders for the Group's system of internal control and risk management and the review of the system's effectiveness is carried out with the assistance of the Audit Committee. While not providing absolute assurance against material misstatements or loss, this system is designed to identify and manage those risks that could adversely impact the achievement of the Group's objectives. The Group's risk management structure and process is detailed on pages 78 and 79. The Group's principal risks and uncertainties are detailed on pages 80 to 83.
The Board confirms that there is an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating and managing the emerging and principal risks faced by the Group and for determining the nature and extent of the significant risks it is willing to take in achieving its strategic objectives. The Board, advised by the Audit Committee, regularly reviews this process, which has been in place for the year under review and up to the date of approval of the Annual Report and Accounts. This risk framework is in accordance with the Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and Business Reporting. The Board has continued to improve and embed controls throughout the Group and will continue to keep the systems under review to ensure that the internal control and risk management framework remains fit for purpose.
The Board's regular review of the effectiveness of the Group's risk management and internal control systems (including financial, operational and compliance controls) is principally based on reports from management. These reports consider whether significant risks have been identified, evaluated, managed and controlled. The Group's external Auditor,
PricewaterhouseCoopers, has audited the financial statements and has reviewed the financial control framework to the extent considered necessary to support the audit report.
See Remuneration Committee Report on pages 115 to 139.
Q. Development of Remuneration Policy See Remuneration Committee Report on pages 115 to 139.
See Remuneration Committee Report on pages 115 to 139.

Paul Walker, Nomination Committee Chair
| Eligible | Attended | |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Walker (Chair) | 5 | 5 |
| Dame Louise Makin | 1 | 1 |
| Carole Cran | 5 | 5 |
| Daniela Barone Soares | 5 | 5 |
| Jo Harlow | 5 | 5 |
| Tony Rice | 5 | 5 |
| Roy Twite | 5 | 5 |
| Andrew Williams | 5 | 5 |
From 1 April 2021, Dharmash Mistry became a member of the Committee
The Committee normally schedules three meetings a year. However, due to the level of activity during the year, the Committee met five times and held a special meeting to discuss the appointment of the Chair Designate. The attendance at each Committee meeting is set out in the table above.
The Board recognises the benefits of a diverse leadership team. The table opposite illustrates the composition and diversity of the Board at the date of this Report, along with the shape of the Board after our 2021 AGM. Details of the gender diversity of all our employees, including senior management, are set out in the Our people and culture section on page 61.
The Committee comprises the Chair, the Group Chief Executive and the five independent non-executive Directors. It is chaired by Paul Walker but he did not chair the meeting held in February 2021 which considered the recommendation to the Board for the appointment of Dame Louise Makin as a non-executive Director and Chair Designate.
Only Committee members are entitled to attend meetings although the Group Talent, Culture and Communications Director is a regular attendee and external search consultants may be invited for specific items.
The Committee is appointed by the Board and operates under written terms of reference (available at www.halma.com) which are reviewed at least annually.
The primary duties of the Committee are:

The Committee's main activities have been:
The Board recognises the benefits of a diverse leadership team. The charts below illustrate the composition and diversity of the Board at the date of this Report and immediately after our 2021 AGM.

The Board has an established approach for identifying and evaluating suitable candidates for Board positions, which was utilised in the recruitment of Dame Louise Makin and Dharmash Mistry. Prior to the Committee making a recommendation to the Board for an appointment, it undertakes the following steps:
The Committee reviews the process and output from the annual Board and Committee evaluations. The formal evaluation process involves a review of the performance of each Director through individual meetings held with the Chair and for the Chair, the Senior Independent Director. The Board and each Committee undertakes an evaluation of its own effectiveness and reports the findings to the Board. For the year ended 31 March 2021, the Board concluded that it, and its three Committees, had operated effectively.
In 2021, the evaluation was an externally-facilitated questionnaire-based evaluation undertaken by Independent Audit. In September 2020, the Committee formed a subcommittee comprising the Chair, Group Chief Executive, Group Talent, Culture and Communications Director and the Company Secretary to review the options for the external board evaluation. An initial review of the board evaluation market was undertaken by the Company Secretary and input obtained from each Director on the evaluators they had interacted with in their listed companies. This insight helped to shape a long list of 10 providers from which a shortlist of five were asked to provide written proposals. The Company Secretary engaged directly with each firm to understand their approach and points of difference. The first decision for the sub-committee was on the format of the evaluation. The following options were considered:
4) Undertake a full interview-based external evaluation with a mid or top tier evaluation firm.
The sub-committee agreed that the upcoming changes in July 2021 – namely, the Chair stepping down following eight years tenure, the retirement of one non-executive Director who has served for nine years, the retirement of one Executive Director and the corresponding new appointments to the Board – will inevitably change the shape and dynamics of the Board. In addition, it was recognised that the pandemic had changed the cycle, frequency, format and focus of Board and Committee meetings over the past year (which were mainly virtual) such that a backwards-looking evaluation would not be reflective of the structure, format and business at future meetings. With the Committee's support, it was agreed that it would still be beneficial to undertake an external evaluation this year – not least to inform the incoming Chair of the current state – and the Committee and the Board concluded that a questionnaire-based format was most appropriate.
The final step in the process was to select two providers for a more detailed review. For each evaluation firm, the subcommittee reviewed their stated approach, their points of difference, cited FTSE clients and the fee proposed. Ultimately, the Committee recommended to the Board that Independent Audit be appointed to undertake the Board and Committee evaluations.
Independent Audit prepared questionnaires for the Board and three Committees using their Thinking Board online platform. The questions were reviewed by the Company Secretary, the Chair and the Committee Chairs and adapted to reflect topics that are most relevant to Halma at this time. The questionnaire was completed by the Board and Committee members and the Company Secretary. The executive Directors did not complete the questionnaire for Committees that they are not routinely attending. Independent Audit analysed the results and compiled a draft report, which was discussed with the Chair and Company Secretary. There were no significant revisions made to the report before it was issued to the Board. Independent Audit did not conduct interviews, observe meetings or review papers as part of the exercise but they did present their findings and suggested recommendations at the March 2021 Board meeting.
The report set out the scoring for each question and any narrative comments made. Independent Audit analysed the statements that scored the lowest and also identified the areas where the Directors thought that the Board was doing well.
| Action taken/to be taken | |
|---|---|
| At our strategy review, we will refresh our understanding of macro-trends and disruptions which could re-shape elements of our strategy in the future. |
|
| Since the evaluation was undertaken, we have already focussed heavily on ESG matters – evidenced by our carbon reduction commitments and Key Sustainability Objectives. |
|
| The Board plans to review, in September, the learnings and any changes to our operating model or approach that have arisen from the experience we have gained through the pandemic, to improve our preparedness for future risk events. |
|
| Cyber updates are a regular agenda item at the Board and Audit Committee. |
|
| Decision-making during the pandemic amplified the need to carefully consider stakeholder interests in order to strike an appropriate balance in Board decisions. The embedded practice of reviewing the impact of decisions on our stakeholders has |
|
Specific suggestions were made, based on Independent Audit's experience and best practice, in response to areas raised from the questionnaire responses.
Independent Audit acknowledged that, overall, responses were very positive and that the scores were significantly better than most boards that they review. The vast majority of questions received a positive score from everyone, indicating that the Directors feel that the Board and its committees are functioning well across almost all aspects of board effectiveness. They also identified that it is indicative of a well-functioning Board that non-executive Directors and executives are very aligned in their thinking. The report highlighted areas for the Board to develop further, clustered around a relatively small number of themes.
The development areas identified have been reviewed with the Chair and Chair Designate and will influence the Board and Committee meeting agendas for the coming year to ensure that each gets the Board's focus. We will report on our progress in next year's Committee Report.
The strengths, development areas and agreed actions for the Board are summarised in the table above.
Details of the findings relating to each Committee are set out in the respective Committee reports.
The Committee's evaluation found that it is strong at planning and executing succession plans for both non-executive Director and executive Director roles and has a good oversight of talent management. One area that was identified for further consideration was setting diversity and inclusion targets for the Group.
In accordance with best practice, Independent Audit have reviewed and approved the narrative in this section of the Committee's Report.
Halma has a group-wide diversity and inclusion policy which sets out our commitment that all candidates are considered fairly, regardless of their gender, race, age, sexual orientation, professional or academic background and it is our practice to ensure that there is a diverse selection of candidates before we commence the assessment process. While appointments are ultimately based on merit – taking account of an individual's relevant skills and experience for the role – we recognise the strong benefits that a diverse workforce brings. Accordingly, we require recruiters to make diversity a priority in their selection of potential candidates, which ensures that we factor diversity and inclusion into our process at the outset.
The work that Halma is doing to improve diversity across the Group, along with our open and inclusive culture ensures that all candidates are fairly considered for each role. See the Our people and culture section on pages 60 to 63 of the Strategic Report for more information on the gender diversity across the Group and our efforts to further embrace diversity and inclusion. While specific targets may be set in the future relating to other elements of diversity, we are mindful that maintaining a flexible
approach is favourable, as it enables steps to be taken to achieve a genuinely inclusive culture and diverse workforce across all levels.
The Committee recognises the benefits of a diverse Board and embraces diversity and inclusion in its widest sense. The Board has adopted a Diversity Policy, to complement the group-wide diversity and inclusion policy. This Policy confirms our commitment to ensuring that all candidates are fairly treated. We have achieved great progress on gender diversity at Board and Executive Board level and our Group Chief Executive's membership of the 30% Club since 2017 demonstrates our long-term commitment to this agenda. We will continue to focus our efforts on driving gender and ethnic diversity at the senior level throughout our business, complementing management's focus on diversity across the wider workforce.
The Board supports the recommendations of the Hampton-Alexander Review on gender diversity (to have at least 33% representation of women on FTSE 350 boards, the executive committee and direct reports by the end of 2020) and the Parker Review on ethnic diversity (to have at least one director from an ethnic minority background on FTSE 100 boards by 2021).
I am pleased to report that we exceeded the Hampton-Alexander target - as at 31 December 2020, we had 40% women on the Halma Board, 62.5% on the Executive Board and 36% women directly reporting into an Executive Board member. Halma has also had an ethnically diverse Director on the Board since 2011, which is prior to the publication of the Parker Review Committee's final report in October 2017 – so I am pleased to report that we met the Parker Review target at its inception and we will continue to meet the target this year.
Maintaining a focus on gender and ethnic diversity remains an important factor for the Committee when it is reviewing the composition of the Board, its Committees and talent within the senior management group.
Committee Chair
For and on behalf of the Committee
10 June 2021

Carole Cran, Audit Committee Chair
| Eligible | Attended | |
|---|---|---|
| Carole Cran (Chair) | 4 | 4 |
| Daniela Barone Soares | 4 | 4 |
| Jo Harlow | 4 | 4 |
| Tony Rice | 4 | 4 |
| Roy Twite | 4 | 4 |
From 1 April 2021, Dharmash Mistry became a member of the Committee
During the year, the Committee met formally on four occasions in July, September, November and January. The July and November meetings focusing on the Full Year and Half Year Reports and Results Announcements. The January meeting primarily focusing on the external and internal audit plans for the coming year and the September meeting, which in 2020/21 covered an IT and cyber security controls update and the risk and control environment within the Medical and the Environmental & Analysis sectors, which were presented by the Chief Technology Officer and Sector CEO respectively.
In addition, during the year as Audit Chair I have regular conversations with the Chief Financial Officer, Director of Risk & Internal Audit, Group Financial Controller, Company Secretary and also the audit partner at PwC, our external Auditor.
Given the impact of COVID-19 on business performance and work patterns, the Committee was particularly cognisant of any impact this may have on the key accounting judgements and on the control environment more broadly, with nothing of note to report thanks to everyone's hard work and the resilience of the business.
The Committee comprised five independent non-executive Directors throughout the year, with Dharmash Mistry joining from 1 April 2021. Carole Cran is Chair of the Committee and continues to have recent and relevant financial experience, and competence in accounting. Carole qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, has held senior financial positions at FTSE listed companies and is currently Chief Financial Officer at Forth Ports Limited and was a business representative on the review panel led by Sir Donald Brydon to look at the quality standards delivered by UK auditors.
Only Committee members are entitled to attend meetings, although the Committee Chair invites the Chair, executive Directors, Group Financial Controller, Director of Risk & Internal Audit and representatives from the external Auditor to regularly attend meetings. Subject matter experts, such as the Chief Technology Officer, Head of Tax (who presented to the January 2021 meeting), Head of Treasury, sector CEOs and sector CFOs are invited to present on a cyclical basis to keep the Committee updated.
Appointments to the Committee are made by the Board and the remuneration of the Committee Chair reflects the additional responsibilities and time commitment required in the role. As part of the induction process for new members of the Committee, they will meet separately with key individuals – including the Committee Chair, the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Risk & Internal Audit and the external Auditor. While each non-executive Director will largely manage their own continuing development, the Committee receives relevant updates throughout the year, a specific update at the November meeting from the external Auditor and may request additional information, as required.
The Committee is appointed by the Board and operates under written terms of reference (available at www.halma.com) which are reviewed annually at the January meeting.
The primary duties of the Committee are:
— Monitoring the adequacy and effectiveness of the internal controls and processes.
The Committee has four scheduled meetings per year, to coincide with the key events in the corporate reporting calendar and audit cycle. The Committee, and independently the Committee Chair, regularly meets with the Director of Risk & Internal Audit and separately with the external Auditor, without any executive Directors present. The Committee Chair maintains regular contact with management, particularly the Chief Financial Officer, Group Financial Controller and the Company Secretary.
All members of the Committee further their internal network and knowledge of the businesses through company visits, corporate events and Halma's annual leadership conference (which was held virtually in 2020).
The Committee receives updates from the external Auditor and other professional advisers, where appropriate, on matters relevant to financial reporting, internal control, tax, audit and risk.
The Committee as a whole has competence relevant to the Company's sector, with each member bringing valuable experience, diversity of thought and independent judgement.
Biographies for each member of the Committee are set out on pages 90 and 91.
The Committee Chair sets the forward agenda for the year but also allows for flexibility in the timing and the schedule to ensure that new or unforeseen areas can be appropriately reviewed. The agenda and meeting papers are circulated in a timely manner, in accordance with the terms of reference.
The Committee Chair reports to the Board after each meeting on the key matters discussed. Committee minutes are circulated to all Board members and the external Auditor once they have been approved. Internal Audit reports that identify any significant control or compliance weakness, or other risk that requires immediate management attention, are circulated to the Committee via the Company Secretary when the report is issued. At the same time, commentary from the Chief Financial Officer on the background to the weakness, any mitigating controls and the actions being taken to address the findings is sent to the Committee members.
An evaluation of the Committee's own effectiveness is undertaken each year and the findings are reported to the Board. In 2021, this evaluation took the form of an externally-facilitated Committeespecific questionnaire prepared by Independent Audit and the report was provided to all Committee members. The evaluation demonstrated that the Committee was working effectively and noted that the members of the Committee considered it to be exercising good oversight of the reporting environment and effectively supporting and overseeing the work of the internal and external auditors. Some areas for improvement were identified which the Committee Chair discussed with the Chair, Group Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and the external Auditor to form a collective view on how best to address these points. A proposal was presented at the June 2021 Audit Committee and the actions to address each area were agreed.
The Committee's main activities have been:
The Committee have responsibility for reviewing the adequacy and security of the Group's arrangements for employees and contractors to raise concerns about possible improprieties in financial reporting, fraud, other financial or ethical misconduct. Halma has appointed an external third-party provider, NavexGlobal, to operate a confidential, multilingual, telephone and web reporting service, 24/7, through which concerns can be raised. Further details are set out in the Our polices and procedures section on 86.
All reports are provided to the Company Secretary for review, to ensure that they are appropriately investigated – with the support of Internal Audit and external resource, if required. In line with many listed companies, most matters reported through the NavexGlobal service relate to personnel/HR matters and, while these are not areas for review by the Committee, such matters are duly investigated in the same manner and reported directly to the Board in its role of monitoring culture and workforce concerns. Following a review during the year, the Committee was satisfied with the adequacy and security of the arrangements in place for concerns to be raised.
The external Auditor is appointed to give an opinion on the Group and Company financial statements. The audit includes the review and testing of the data contained in the financial statements to the extent, and materiality level, necessary for expressing an audit opinion as to whether they present a true and fair view of the state of the Group and parent company affairs as at 31 March 2021. Following a tender process, PwC were appointed Auditor to the Company at the Annual General Meeting in 2017. Owen Mackney has been the Senior Statutory Auditor since 2017 and, in accordance with our Auditor Independence Policy, he will undertake his last audit for Halma for 2021/22.
The Committee has primary responsibility for recommending to the Board the appointment or re-appointment of the external Auditor before it is put to shareholders at the AGM. The Committee will, at the appropriate time, lead the audit tender process. This process will be carried out at least every 10 years and, unless it is undertaken earlier, it is the Committee's policy to consider whether a tender is appropriate every five years – to coincide with the change in Senior Statutory Auditor. Accordingly, it is anticipated that the Committee will review the position this year, ahead of the financial year end in 2022. If a tender is not considered to be appropriate, then the rationale will be stated within the Committee's Report next year.
The Company confirms that it complied throughout the year with the provisions of the Competition and Markets Authority's Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies Market Investigation (Mandatory Use of Competitive Tender Processes and Audit Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014.
The Group has adopted a Policy on 'Auditor Independence and Services provided by the External Auditor' which sets out the limited services that the external Auditor can provide to Group companies, which do not conflict with the Auditor's independence. The Policy was updated last year to align to the FRC's revised Ethical Standard which applied from March 2020 and a summary is set out on page 112.
During the year, three pieces of permitted audit-related services work (in addition to the Half Year Report review) were undertaken by PwC, with total fees of circa £36,000. This work was preapproved by the Committee Chair and reported to the Committee in accordance with our Policy.
In addition to Halma's Policy, the Auditor runs its own independence and compliance checks, prior to accepting any engagement, to ensure that all non-audit work is compliant with the Ethical Standard in force and that there is no conflict of interest.
The audit fees payable to PwC for the year ended 31 March 2021 were £1.7m (2020: £1.7m) and permitted audit-related service fees were £0.1m (2020: £0.1m).
Audit-related services are non-audit services, as specified in the revised Ethical Standard, that are largely provided by the external auditor and where the work is closely related to the work performed in the audit and where threats to auditor independence are clearly insignificant and safeguards need not be applied. These audit-related services include:
The external auditor can be engaged by management to perform audit-related services, and without the requirement for a separate tender process, unless the anticipated fees exceed £150,000. If the anticipated fees are above £150,000, the Committee must approve the decision to engage the external auditor in advance, and always subject to the overall fee cap outlined below. The Committee is notified of auditrelated projects with the external auditor which have estimated fees between £75,000 and £150,000 and, at each meeting, the Committee will receive a summary of all fees, audit and non-audit related, that are payable to the external auditor.
The general policy is that the external Auditor must not carry out any non-audit services (other than audit-related services) for the Company or its global subsidiaries. In exceptional circumstances, the Committee (or the Committee Chair for amounts up to £15,000) may approve the engagement but only where:
The total fees for audit-related and non-audit services paid to the external auditor in any year cannot exceed 70% of the average fees for audit services charged over a three-year period.
During the year and prior to the publication of the Group's results for the half year ended 30 September 2020 and the full year ended 31 March 2021, the Committee considered the significant risks and material issues, judgements and estimates made in relation to the Group's financial statements, comprising:
These issues were discussed with management at various stages during the year and during the preparation and finalisation of the financial statements. After reviewing the presentations and reports from management, the Committee is satisfied that the financial statements appropriately address the critical judgements and key estimates, both in respect of the amounts reported and the disclosures made. The Committee is also satisfied that the significant assumptions used for determining the value of assets and liabilities have been appropriately scrutinised, challenged and are sufficiently robust. The Committee has discussed these issues with the Auditor during the audit planning process and at the finalisation of the year-end audit and is satisfied that its conclusions are in line with those drawn by the Auditor in relation to these issues.
The Committee's process for challenging the assumptions of management and addressing the risks identified includes the following activities:

The Committee undertakes an annual review of the effectiveness of both the Internal Audit function and the External Auditor. During the year KPMG were engaged to perform an independent review of the effectiveness of the Internal Audit function. For the External Auditor, the review process was conducted primarily by way of a tailored on-line questionnaire which was completed by Committee members and other senior management who are engaged in the audit process. A summary of the process and key findings is set out below.
| External review covering |
Interviews held with | Results | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| — Review of key documentation — Review of a sample of audit files — Interviews with key business stakeholders — Benchmarking against internal audit functions in comparable organisations |
— Audit Committee Chair — Group Chief Executive — Chief Financial Officer — Company Secretary — Managing Director for Halma IT — Sample of Sector management — Sample of company Board members |
The report was shared with the Audit Committee and the findings presented by KPMG at a Committee meeting. |
Following review of the outcome of the quality assessment and feedback from the Chief Financial Officer and the Chair, the Committee concluded that the Internal Audit function is effective and that its strategy is in line with best practice. |
— Internal Audit — PwC Audit Partner
Results of the questionnaire are collated centrally by the Group Financial Controller and a summary of the findings and the FRC's AQR Report on PwC as a firm, are provided to the Committee and the external Auditor.
Following a review by the Committee of the outcome from the 2021 questionnaire and the AQR Report findings, the Committee confirmed that PwC is effective as external Auditor and recommended to the Board their reappointment as Auditor be proposed to shareholders at the 2021 AGM.
Financial Statements
As part of the above process the Committee specifically considered the following:
The Committee maintains oversight of the risk management and internal control framework and monitors its effectiveness. During 2021, the risk management and internal control processes, that were enhanced in the prior year, were embedded across the business. Individual risk owners, the Divisional Chief Executives, Executive Board and Halma Board were fully engaged in the process to update the Group's Principal Risks and the new minimum controls framework sets a clear expectation on the baseline of controls and compliance that Halma companies require. Regular reporting to the Committee by the Director of Internal Audit & Risk, and by circulation of internal audit findings to Committee members, ensures that there is a good understanding of any non-compliance that arises and the swift action being taken to close any gaps.
The Committee is satisfied that the risk management and internal control framework remains robust and effective, while still allowing autonomous and agile decision-making which is essential to Halma's decentralised structure and an integral part of Halma's growth strategy. No significant failings or weaknesses have been identified in the internal controls. Full details of the internal control framework and approach to risk management are set out on pages 78 and 79.
The Internal Audit function comprises the Director of Risk & Internal Audit and four audit managers – two based in the UK, one in the USA and one in China. The structure of the function ensures coverage across the Group's global operations. A risk-based audit work plan is agreed by the Committee annually and takes account of the rotational visits undertaken by the external Auditor under their audit programme. In addition, companies acquired during the year are audited within nine months from the date that they are acquired. Progress against the work plan is reviewed at each Committee meeting, in order that any changes in priorities or resourcing can be discussed and agreed.
The Committee has oversight of the internal audit budget and resources available and it has satisfied itself that the Internal Audit function has the appropriate level of resources and funds available to undertake its role. During the year, the Committee approved an increase in headcount, to add a US-based auditor to provide sufficient risk-based coverage for the USA as the group continues to grow. In addition, Grant Thornton have been appointed to provide IT co-source resource. All Internal Audit reports are issued to management and the external Auditor. Any reports which contain high priority findings which require immediate management action, are circulated to the Committee with commentary from the Chief Financial Officer on the underlying issues and remedial or mitigating actions being taken to address the findings.
To ensure that the report and accounts are fair, balanced and understandable, the Committee considers the output from a series of focused exercises that take place during the Annual Report and Accounts production process. These can be summarised as follows:
The Directors' statement on a fair, balanced and understandable Annual Report and Accounts is set out on page 143.
For and on behalf of the Committee 10 June 2021

Jo Harlow, Remuneration Committee Chair
| Eligible | Attended | |
|---|---|---|
| Jo Harlow (Chair) | 6 | 6 |
| Dame Louise Makin | 1 | 1 |
| Tony Rice | 6 | 6 |
| Paul Walker | 6 | 6 |
| Daniela Barone Soares | 6 | 5 |
| Roy Twite | 6 | 6 |
| Carole Cran | 6 | 6 |
Dharmash Mistry became a member of the Committee with effect from 1 April 2021.
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present our Directors' Remuneration Report for the year ending 31 March 2021 and I am particularly pleased to be presenting this as Halma reports its 18th consecutive year of profit growth in the most challenging of circumstances. Halma continues to be a purpose-driven business with a sustainable mix of organic and acquisition growth, delivering 42 consecutive years of dividend per share growth of 5% or more.
This report includes both our proposed Remuneration Policy (which will be submitted for shareholder approval at the 2021 AGM) and our Annual Report on Remuneration, which sets out how our current policy was implemented during the year under review, and how, subject to its approval, our revised policy will be applied for the year ahead.
I would like to start this letter by addressing how we responded to the COVID-19 crisis, noting that Halma's business model, agility and resilience were major assets throughout the pandemic, as evidenced by the results we have achieved in such an unprecedented time.
The points below outline the early remuneration actions taken to preserve cash due to the high level of uncertainty of our business performance related to the pandemic, as well as actions taken to restore pay where appropriate:
Halma did not request or receive support from the UK Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. We also did not utilise the UK Government's Covid Corporate Finance Facility. Halma did not need to raise additional capital, maintained payments to suppliers, paid back debt that came due in the period and was able to pay final 2020 and interim 2021 dividends.
The Committee continuously monitored remuneration decisions being taken across the Group over the fiscal year and considered executive pay in the context of the wider workforce and the broader impact on society, the Company and its shareholders. Whilst in parts of the world businesses and life are returning to some form of normality, for Halma, as a global business, the speed of recovery and the return to a more usual operating environment will vary across the sectors and geographies in which we operate. Our priority therefore remains, as it has been throughout the pandemic, the safety and wellbeing of our employees, our communities and customers. I know I and my colleagues on the Board are immensely grateful to all our employees for the dedication and commitment they have shown through this difficult year and to the management who have been exceptional in their leadership through this crisis.
In spite of the pandemic, our business has demonstrated robust levels of performance through this last year, with strong returns. Return on Sales increased from 19.9% to 21.1% and Return in Total Invested Capital (ROTIC) of 14.4% remaining well above our Weighted Average Cost of Capital of 6.7%. We have also seen adjusted profit growth of 4% in an extremely difficult year. Our financial strength has enabled continued investment in organic growth, as well as the return to Halma's strategy of acquisition growth, with the acquisition of Static Systems Group in December 2020 and PeriGen in April 2021. Our total shareholder return has continued to materially outperform the FTSE 100 index, with an investment of £100 in Halma shares on 31 March 2018 worth £177 as at 31 March 2021, compared to £109 for a similar investment in the FTSE 100 index. As mentioned above, we have also been able to continue with our progressive dividend policy, paying both a full year dividend for 2020 and the interim dividend of 6.87p per share for 2021 in February this year. The Board's recommendation of a final dividend of 10.78p per share, results in a total dividend for the year of 17.65p, representing an increase of 7.0% on the prior year.
Putting the 2021 outcomes into the context of Halma's consistent delivery of growth, returns and value, Halma has delivered another outstanding year, in spite of the pandemic. Halma's valuation reflects a rapid rise through the FTSE 100, based on strong fundamentals and future growth prospects:
At the start of the 2021 fiscal year and as the extent of the COVID-19 pandemic became apparent, the business made a prudent management decision to create a £5m central bad debt provision for potential impact on its receivables. As the extent or quantum of any bad debt was unknown at the time, the Committee considered it was equitable to exclude this item in rewarding management for the strong performance in 2020. The 2021 figures do not include the release of the £5m central bad debt provision which remains on the Balance Sheet as we go into 2022. The release of any or all of this provision will also be excluded from future remuneration award calculations.
Bonuses for 2021 were based on Economic Value Added (EVA) performance against a weighted average target of EVA for the past three years, and the targets were set to take COVID-19 into account. The Committee considered the targets to be both demanding and appropriate for the circumstances.
The Group's EVA performance metric generated total annual bonus payments for the executive directors of 48.2% of maximum potential outcome, with one third deferred into shares which will become available after two years. The Committee believes that this payout reflects the self-sufficient and robust performance of the business through this most difficult year.
In line with the changes made to the annual bonus plan for 2021, the Executive Share Plan (ESP) targets were set to ensure alignment with the changes to business forecasts due to COVID-19 and the 2020 grant was made on this basis. No change was made to inflight awards granted in 2018 and 2019.
For the 2018 ESP award, the three-year performance for average ROTIC (15.3%) and adjusted EPS growth over the three-year period (9.04%) has been strong and is reflected in the 73.7% vesting percentage.
In line with the 2018 Corporate Governance Code (Code), the Committee reviewed the outcomes of the individual incentive plans as well as the overall levels of remuneration to ensure that they remained consistent with the underlying performance of the business. The Committee is satisfied that the total remuneration received by Executive Directors in respect of the year ended 31 March 2021 is a fair reflection of performance over the period and no use of discretion is warranted.
Our current policy was approved by shareholders at the 2018 AGM with a vote of over 97% in favour. The 2018 Policy reflected no material changes to the previous policy, acknowledging that we had just become a member of the FTSE 100. We have continued to operate our executive remuneration framework in a culture of strong governance and clear purpose and this approach has been supported by the principles which underline our current Policy:
A strong pay for performance culture, focusing on the long-term success of the organisation and the alignment to business strategy.
A dedication to attracting, retaining and motivating the right quality of talent, acknowledging the Halma DNA.
A balance of focus on growth and returns ensuring the creation of shareholder value.
A focus on being a good corporate citizen in line with our culture, the 2018 Corporate Governance code and market best practice.

1 We have changed our cash conversion KPI to 90% to account for the beneficial effect of implementation of IFRS 16, which increases cash conversion by approximately 5 percentage points. This change took effect in 2020 and applies to all subsequent years. We have not restated historical comparatives prior to 2020, which should be compared to the previous 85% target.
We believe that these principles continue to serve us well and were used to consider changes for the 2021 policy update. The focus areas of our policy review were to implement changes in line with updates to the UK Corporate Governance Code, and to ensure that Halma's executive pay structure is aligned with stakeholder experience and reflects the Company's historical growth and future growth potential.
Our strong financial results have translated into significant returns for shareholders. In response, Halma's valuation has grown over the last five years from the FTSE 250, into the FTSE 100 in December 2017 and at the time of writing, the FTSE 50. Halma's outstanding leadership team has been critical to achieving Halma's success and the Committee is keen to ensure that Halma continues to be able to motivate, retain and recognise this talent.
At the Board we review the succession plans and talent base for the Company regularly. Further, the recruitment, development and retention of talent at all levels has been identified as a principal risk with a high gross risk level (as noted on page 81).
As Halma has grown and has actively diversified its portfolio of companies and business models, the scale, scope and complexity of group, sector and operating company leadership roles have also grown substantially. Accordingly, there has been significant investment in our high performers and the recruitment of new talent globally to ensure Halma has the appropriate capabilities to fulfil its growth ambitions. Consequently, we have made significant amendments to remuneration below the Board to attract and retain this high calibre talent. At the same time, we have been conservative with Executive Director remuneration, with Halma's pay remaining aligned with the FTSE 250 benchmark.
The recruitment of talent in key roles at the corporate and individual company level has created compression with Executive Director pay. Retention risk has also become acute, as Halma has seen two members of the Executive Board leave the business; one to become a CEO at a FTSE 250 company and the other to join a private equity business. The Committee is also concerned that effective succession planning for the CEO and other Executive Director roles is not possible unless Halma offers an appropriate remuneration package for its size, complexity and growth trajectory. As such, the Committee has concluded that the new policy must address these issues in the current quantum of its Executive Directors.
We engaged with shareholders representing circa 50% of our share capital, along with proxy agencies and we have really valued the time that has been taken to consider and fully understand our proposals. The constructive feedback we have received through our two rounds of shareholder consultation – via virtual meetings, emails and letters – has helped shape the Committee's thinking and the development of our New Policy. The key changes are:
— We will align the pension contributions of the Executive Directors with those of the wider workforce. The incumbent Executive Directors have voluntarily committed to lowering their cash-in-lieu pension contributions, in a single step, to 10.5% by 31 December 2022. For Andrew Williams, our Group CEO, this is a reduction from 26% (20% pension contribution and 6% Defined Benefit pension compensatory payment) and for the other executive directors, a reduction from 18.7%. This change will be accompanied by an increase to employer pension contributions for the UK wider workforce, subject to a pensions consultation process. Specifically, there will be a change to the upper limit of the company contribution rate to 10.5%, the introduction of a new employee contribution tier with employees on the lowest pay offered higher company contributions. For most of our lower paid employees there is an increase in company contributions offered of at least 1%, showing our commitment to the financial wellbeing of our employees. In addition, we will formalise a decision that was made last year for any new UK Executive Director appointee – whether internal or external – to receive a company pension contribution (or cash equivalent) of 10.5% of salary, aligned with the new maximum company contribution rate offered to the UK employees.
— A re-calibration of the incentive quantum to align with the FTSE 100, (excluding financial services companies), with increases to maximum opportunity under the annual bonus and ESP to be implemented immediately for the 2021 awards. Specific details are noted on page 124.
— An increase to shareholding guidelines aligned to the increase in incentive quantum.
— The introduction of a two-year post-cessation shareholding requirement at the lower of the share ownership guidelines or actual shareholding.
— The introduction of enhanced malus and clawback provisions, applying to both the annual bonus and ESP awards.
— The current flexibility to amend the annual bonus will be extended to the long-term incentive plan in the New Policy, ensuring that sustainability can be incorporated in the future in the annual bonus and / or the long-term incentives. Around two-thirds of Halma's revenue is broadly aligned with the four UN sustainability goals (SDG 3, 6, 9 and 11) that underpin Halma's purpose of growing a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day. In that regard, the current measures for the annual bonus and the LTIP are also measuring Halma's success in focusing on sustainability. As a result of a strong, strategic leadership focus on diversity and inclusion over the last several years, over 60% of Halma's leaders on our Executive Board today are women. To further amplify our positive impact, the intention is to measure and track potential additional key environmental and social indicators over 2022, with a view to selecting the most appropriate for implementation in remuneration from 1 April 2022. The Committee will consider whether the selected measures are both material and measurable enough to become additional metrics or modifiers to the existing financial measures. Therefore, through 2022, there will be a focus on core business financials in incentives, both annual and long-term.
As part of our consultation process, we found broad agreement with our shareholders on the need to align Halma's remuneration to its current size and complexity. We are cognisant of the current climate around executive pay and so I would like to set out further information regarding the salary and incentive quantum increases below:
| Executive Director2 | Current Position |
Proposed Change – 2022 |
Proposed Change – 2023, subject to performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group CEO | £669,325 | £776,500 | £900,000 |
| Group CFO | £425,000 | £493,000 | £574,000 |
| GTCC Director | £340,000 | £395,000 | £460,000 |
— The intention is for this to be a one-off salary adjustment (implemented over two years) before returning to our normal approach of restraint, with future increases being aligned to the increases for the wider workforce (barring further significant changes to role and complexity).
The Committee has thought very carefully about these changes and believes that they are fully aligned with shareholders' interests.
Last year, in line with the overall sentiment of the decision for salary reductions to be taken by the Executive and non-executive Directors, a planned increase to the Chair's fee noted in our 2019 report was deferred acknowledging the impact of COVID-19. We have now taken the opportunity to review the fees for our Chair and you will find details of this on page 134.
2 No details set out here for the Sector Chief Executive – Safety, Adam Meyers. Please see the next page for director changes.
We continue to operate our executive remuneration framework in a culture of strong governance and in line with our clear purpose.
We will continue to use EVA as the performance metric for annual bonus, with stretching growth targets aligned with our standard growth KPIs. We plan to proceed as normal with regards to the granting of share awards under the ESP, using adjusted EPS growth and ROTIC as our performance metrics based on stretching performance conditions. In 2022, we will internally pilot potential sustainability measures for future remuneration cycles. We believe that these arrangements demonstrate our continued commitment to aligning to shareholder expectations and represent stretching targets.
For the 2020 inflight ESP award subject to COVID-19 performance conditions, which you will find on page 132, we will continue to monitor performance through the vesting period and will engage with shareholders to ensure that outcomes reflect the underlying performance of the company and the experience of our stakeholders over the performance period.
Following the conclusion of our policy consultation, the Committee has reached several decisions with respect to applying the new policy to the 2022 cycle. These are laid out in detail on pages 133 and 134, and are summarised below:
| Base Salary |
We will implement the first part of the proposed increases to base salary with effect from 1 June 2021 |
|---|---|
| Annual Bonus |
— The maximum opportunity will increase in line with policy proposals: |
| — From 150% to 200% of salary for the CEO and — From 150% to 180% of salary for all other Executive Directors |
|
| — The target payout will be reduced from 60% of maximum to 50% of maximum |
|
| — For fiscal year 2022, performance measure remains unchanged as EVA |
|
| — The deferral of a third of any payout for two years remains unchanged |
|
| ESP | — The maximum opportunity will increase in line with the policy proposals to: |
| — From 200% to 300% of salary for the CEO — From 175% to 250% of salary for the CFO — From 150% to 200% of salary for the GTCC Director |
|
| — For fiscal year 2022, performance measures remain unchanged as adjusted EPS growth and ROTIC with performance conditions as set out on page 134 |
|
| — Two-year post-vesting holding remains unchanged |
In addition, the changes to the share ownership guidelines and tightening of malus and clawback provisions, as described on page 125, will also come into effect for 2022. The changes in pension to align with the wider workforce will be effective from 31 December 2022, at the latest.

We believe that our people should be rewarded appropriately, and we work hard to continually improve our reward offering. Our all-employee share plan has been in place in the UK since the 1980s, offering employees the opportunity to benefit from Halma's success. We introduced a global parental leave policy in October 2020, evidence of our continued focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. We also support our employees' mental wellbeing through an Employee Assistance Programme, an offering of particular importance especially through the pandemic.
Our pension change project which will affect UK employees is a benefit change that we are particularly proud to be implementing, ensuring that we look after the financial wellbeing of our employees, with a view to making similar benefit changes across our other regions. You will find further examples in Our people and culture report on pages 60-63 on how we support our employees.
As part of the review of our proposals, we are implementing ESP maximum increases of 5% to 30% for participants below Executive Director level, which we believe will continue to support our goal of mitigating retention risk and aligning all leaders to our long term growth and shareholder interests.
You can read how the Board engages with the wider workforce on pages 96 and 97. Clearly some of that activity has been limited over the last year but we hope we can progress work in this area as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted around the world.
Adam Meyers' retirement from the Executive Board and the Board was deferred, due to Paul Simmons' decision to leave Halma. As such, Adam served as Sector Chief Executive – Safety from 1 July 2020 to ensure an orderly handover to Paul's ultimate successor, Wendy McMillan who took over on 1 April 2021. Adam will be standing down from the Board at the AGM. Accordingly, Adam's remuneration package will be changed with effect from that date until his retirement on 1 July 2022 and you can find details of this on page 138.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new Chair, Dame Louise Makin. As announced on 9 February 2021, Louise was appointed as an independent non-executive Director, with the intention to appoint her as Chair of the Board at the AGM as Paul Walker steps down after eight years in his role. Details of the remuneration arrangements on Louise's appointment as Chair can be found on page 134. Dharmash Mistry also joined as a non-executive Director on 1 April 2021 and I would like to take this opportunity to welcome him to the Halma plc Board. Daniela Barone Soares has now reached the end of her nine-year term and so will also be stepping down at the AGM. Both Paul and Daniela have provided invaluable support in my role as Remuneration Committee Chair and I wish them the very best for the future.
I would once again like to thank our shareholders for the level and quality of your engagement over this last year. We will continue to maintain a close dialogue with you as we seek to deliver a competitive, motivating pay framework that is tightly aligned to your experience. We are very grateful to those investors for the time they took with us and for the feedback they provided, and we look forward to receiving your support for our New Policy as put forward at the 2021 AGM.
Committee Chair
For and on behalf of the Committee 10 June 2021
Executive Share Plan – outcome against targets: 73.7%

Up to 50% of PSP awards vest based on adjusted EPS growth over a three-year period, with a target range of 5% to 12% (actual: 9.04% average growth = 34.1% vesting

Up to 50% of PSP awards vest based on three-year average ROTIC, with a target range of 11% to 17% (actual: 15.3% average = 39.6% vesting)
Annual bonus plan – Outcome of 48% of max
Group threshold
£201m Group actual £264m +31%
Organic profit growth1 at constant currency 0.7%
1 See note 3 to the Accounts.
Dividends to shareholders

Return on Sales
21.1%

| Current Position | Proposed policy | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Group CEO | Other Executive Directors |
Group CEO | Other Executive Directors |
| Annual Bonus | 150% max for all positions | 200% max | 180% max | |
| Target | 60% of max for all positions | 50% of max for all positions | ||
| Deferral | 33.3% for two years | |||
| Long-Term Incentives | 200% max | CFO: 175% max GTCC Director: 150% max |
300% max | CFO: 250% max GTCC Director: 200% max |
| Post-vesting holding period | Two years for awards granted since the July 2018 AGM | |||
| Share ownership | 200% max for all | 300% max | CFO: 250% max GTCC Director: 200% max |
|
| Post-cessation share ownership |
No policy in place | Two years post-cessation at the lower of the share ownership guidelines or actual shareholding |
||
| Malus and Clawback | A recovery and withholding provision in place | Enhanced wording |
Proportion of short-term incentive award received in shares:
33.3% annual bonus incentives
Increased shareholding guideline based on award size:
300%
For Group CEO, 250% for Group CFO and 200% for Group Talent Culture Communications Director Proportion of long-term incentive awards subject to mandatory two-year holding period:

of vesting shares (net of tax and social security) arising from performance share awards granted since the 2018 AGM
Introduction of postcessation requirement for a period of:
2 years at the lower of the share ownership guidelines or actual shareholding
Wider workforce: Improvement to maximum pension contribution rate offered to the majority of UK employees

3 Pension scheme changes are subject to member consultation
Executive Directors: Reduction in
26% to 10.5%
pension cash supplement from 26% (CEO) and 18.7% (Others)
This section of the Report sets out our new Remuneration Policy (the "New Policy") in detail. We consulted with shareholders extensively whilst we were formulating the New Policy to ensure that it aligned with the expectations of our shareholders. If the New Policy is approved at the AGM to be held on 22 July 2021, it will apply from that date. The current Remuneration Policy for Executive Directors applied from the date of the 2018 AGM (the "Policy") and continues to apply until the New Policy is approved at the 2021 AGM. The Remuneration Committee intends that the New Policy will operate for three years.
In designing the New Policy, the Committee was supported by internal experts and external advisers and undertook extensive shareholder consultation to ensure that all the proposals reflect best practice. The Committee determined that the principles which underpin our current Policy would remain unchanged as they reflect our culture of strong governance and clear purpose.
These principles are:
The areas which the Committee focused on in respect of the 2021 Policy review are:
| Shareholder alignment |
Pension | Sustainability | Quantum reset |
|---|---|---|---|
| — Increase to shareholding guidelines aligned to the increase in incentive quantum — Introduction of a two-year post-cessation shareholding requirement and enhanced Malus and Clawback terms |
— Benefit improvement for UK employees — Alignment of Executive Director offering to the wider workforce |
— No immediate change in performance metrics — Flexibility incorporated into the Annual Bonus and ESP to introduce measures in the future |
— Ensuring robust succession planning — Addressing compression and retention issues |
Whilst reviewing the Policy the Committee was cognisant of the remuneration factors set out in provision 40 of the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code. The table below shows how the New Policy addresses each of these factors.
| Clarity | We ensure pay for performance and our policy is designed to be logical and transparent. We believe this is clearly communicated to and understood by our stakeholders and participants. |
|---|---|
| Simplicity | Remuneration for Executive Directors is comprised of distinct elements: fixed pay, annual bonus award and the long-term incentive award. |
| Risk | A number of features within the Remuneration Policy exist to manage different kinds of risks; these include: — Malus and clawback provisions operating across all incentive plans. |
| — The introduction of a post-cessation shareholding requirement. | |
| — Deferral of remuneration and holding periods. | |
| — Remuneration Committee discretion to override formulaic outturns to ensure incentive pay-outs reflect underlying business performance and shareholder experience. |
|
| — Limits on awards specified within the policy and plan rules. | |
| Predictability | Target ranges and potential maximum payments under each element of remuneration are disclosed. The Committee regularly reviews the performance of the inflight awards, so it understands the likely outcomes. |
| Proportionality | The Committee believes that poor performance should not be rewarded. Therefore, a significant portion of remuneration is performance based and requires achievement against challenging performance targets. |
| Alignment to Culture | Our business is performance orientated and our remuneration structure is appropriately aligned to our culture, with performance measures for variable awards being aligned to the Company's wider strategy. |
See Corporate Governance Statement for an explanation of remuneration-related non-compliance with the Code and the expected compliance date (page 89).
The table below summarises the key components of the New Policy:
| Fixed Pay: Salary | |
|---|---|
| Purpose and link to strategy |
A fair, fixed remuneration reflecting the size and scope of the executive's responsibilities which attracts and retains high calibre talent necessary for the delivery of the Group's strategy. |
| Operation | Reviewed annually or following a material change in responsibilities. Salary is benchmarked to market median levels periodically against appropriate comparators of a similar size and operating in a similar sector and is linked to individual performance and contribution. Salary is the only element of remuneration that is pensionable. |
| Maximum Opportunity |
Base salary increases will be applied in line with the outcome of annual reviews (normally with effect from 1 June). Salaries for the financial year under review (and the following year) are disclosed in the Annual Report on Remuneration. Salary increases for Executive Directors will not normally exceed the average of the wider employee population other than in exceptional circumstances. Where increases are awarded in excess of the wider employee population, for example where there is a material change in the responsibility, size or complexity of the role, the Committee will provide the rationale in the relevant year's Annual Report on Remuneration. |
| Performance metrics | Not Applicable. |
| Fixed Pay: Benefits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Purpose and link to strategy |
To provide benefits that are competitive within the relevant market. | |
| Operation | Benefits are appropriate to the location of the Director and typically comprise (but are not limited to) a company car, life insurance, permanent disability insurance, private medical insurance, relocation and tax advice for international assignments. |
|
| Maximum Opportunity |
Benefits may vary by role, and the level is determined to be appropriate for the role and circumstances of each individual Director. The maximum value will equate to the reasonable market cost of such benefits. The Committee retains the discretion to approve a higher cost of benefits in exceptional circumstances (e.g. relocation expenses or an expatriation allowance on recruitment, etc.) or in circumstances where factors outside the Company's control have changed materially (e.g. market increases in insurance costs). The rationale behind the exercise of such discretion will be provided in the relevant year's Annual Report on Remuneration. |
|
| Performance metrics | Not Applicable. | |
| Fixed Pay: Pension | ||
| Purpose and link to strategy |
To provide competitive post-retirement benefits, or the cash allowance equivalent, to provide the opportunity for executives to save for their retirement. |
|
| Operation | Executive Directors participate in a Group Defined Contribution pension plan. Cash supplements in lieu of Company pension contributions may be made to some individuals at a level dependent upon seniority and length of service. Cash supplements may be reduced to reflect the additional employer social costs thereon. To the extent the pension contributions exceed the local tax allowance, the contributions may be paid to the executive, subject to taxes and social charges. Some executives are deferred members of the Group Defined Benefit pension plan, which closed to future accrual in December 2014. |
|
| Maximum Opportunity |
Defined Contribution: maximum contribution of 20% of pensionable salary, reducing to 10.5% of salary by the end of 31 December 2022 in line with wider workforce. Cash supplement: Halma contributes up to 26% of full salary if the Executive Director is a former active member of the Defined Benefit pension plan. This will be reduced to 10.5% of salary by the end of 31 December 2022 in line with the UK wider workforce. Defined Contribution/Money Purchase members whose contributions exceed the local tax allowance are paid the excess contributions, on pensionable salary, as a cash supplement, net of employer social costs. Defined benefit: now closed to future accrual, but provides a maximum pension equivalent to two thirds of final pensionable salary, up to a CPI-indexed cap: £165,678 for 2020 and £166,506 for 2021. |
|
| Performance metrics | Not Applicable. | |
| Annual Bonus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Purpose and link to strategy |
To incentivise and focus management on the achievement of an objective annual target which is set to support the short to medium-term strategy of the Group. |
|
| Operation | The structure of the Annual Bonus is reviewed at the start of the year to ensure that the performance measures and their weightings remain appropriately aligned with the Group's strategy and are sufficiently challenging. Performance targets are calibrated and set at the start of the year, with reference to a range of relevant reference points including the annual budget agreed by the Board. At the end of the year, the Committee determines the extent to which these targets have been achieved. Payment of one third of any bonus is in the form of an award of shares that is deferred for two years, with vesting normally subject to continued service. Dividend equivalents accrue over the vesting period. Dividend equivalents are paid in cash or shares at the end of the vesting period. Deferral into shares provides a link to the long-term strategy of the Group and enhances the retentiveness of the policy. A recovery and withholding provision enables the Company to recoup overpayments either through withholding future remuneration or requiring the executive to repay the requisite amount in the event of misstatement, error or misconduct; serious reputational damage to the business by the individual; and/or a breach of the company code of conduct. |
|
| Maximum Opportunity |
Maximum opportunity: 200% of salary for Group CEO, 180% for other Executive Directors. Bonus payable at threshold: 0% of salary. The Committee can exercise discretion to override the formulaic bonus outcome within the limits of the scheme where it believes the outcome is not truly reflective of performance and to ensure fairness to both shareholders and participants. |
|
| Performance metrics | The bonus is based on the achievement of financial performance targets, including EVA. Other financial measures may supplement EVA at the discretion of the Committee. Such financial measures must comprise at least 80% of the overall bonus opportunity. The balance of 20% may be utilised, at the Committee's discretion, to support non-financial, but measurable, strategic growth priorities. |
| Long Term incentive: Executive Share Plan (ESP) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Purpose and link to strategy |
To incentivise executives to achieve superior returns to shareholders over a three-year period rewarding them for sustained performance against challenging long-term targets; to retain key individuals and align interests with shareholders, reflecting the sustainability of the business model over the long term and the creation of shareholder value. |
|
| Operation | Executive Directors are granted annual awards over Halma plc shares or a cash equivalent where required by regulations as determined by the Committee; awards vest after a period of at least three years based on Group performance. Dividend equivalents accrue over the vesting period. Dividend equivalents are paid in cash or shares at the end of the vesting period, and only on those shares which vest. A recovery and withholding provision enables the Company to recoup overpayments either through withholding future remuneration or requiring the executive to repay the requisite amount in the event of misstatement, error or misconduct; serious reputational damage to the business by the individual; and/or a breach of the company code of conduct. A mandatory two-year holding period applies for awards granted after the 2018 AGM. |
|
| Maximum Opportunity |
Maximum opportunity: Up to 300% of salary for Group CEO, 250% of salary for Group CFO and 200% of salary for other Executive Directors. The Committee can exercise discretion to override the formulaic ESP outcome within the limits of the scheme where it believes the outcome is not truly reflective of performance and to ensure fairness to both shareholders and participants and will ensure formulaic outturns do not result in windfall gains. Threshold performance will result in the vesting of 25% of the maximum award. |
|
| Performance metrics | Vesting of performance share awards is subject to continued employment and the Company's performance over a three-year performance period. Financial measures must comprise at least 80% of the overall ESP opportunity. The balance of 20% may be utilised, at the Committee's discretion, to support non-financial, but measurable, strategic growth priorities. |
| Share Incentive Plan (SIP) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Purpose and link to strategy |
To encourage share ownership across all UK-based employees using HMRC-approved schemes | |
| Operation | The SIP is an HMRC-approved arrangement. It entitles all eligible UK-based employees to receive Halma shares in a potentially tax advantageous manner. |
|
| Maximum Opportunity |
Participation limits are in line with those set by HMRC from time to time. | |
| Performance metrics | Not applicable. |
Other Information
| Purpose and link to strategy |
Align Executive Directors' interests with those of long-term interests of shareholders. | |
|---|---|---|
| Operation | Executive Directors are expected to build a holding in the Company's shares to a minimum value broadly equivalent to their ESP award maximum opportunity: 300% for CEO, 250% for CFO and 200% for other Executive Directors. In addition, Executive Directors required to hold shares after cessation of employment. The requirement is to hold shares to the value of the share ownership guidelines or actual shareholding (if lower) for a period of two years post cessation of employment. Progress towards the share ownership guideline is monitored on an annual basis. |
|
| Maximum Opportunity |
No maximum holding but requirement to build to minimum value. | |
| Performance metrics | Not applicable. |
Share Ownership Guideline
The remuneration policy for the Executive Directors is more heavily weighted towards variable and share-based pay than for other employees, to make a greater part of their pay conditional on the successful delivery of business strategy. This aims to create a clear link between the value created for shareholders and the remuneration received by the Executive Directors. However, the pension arrangements for the current Executive Directors are currently in the process of being aligned on the same terms as those offered to eligible UK employees. All UK-based employees have the opportunity to participate in the Share Incentive Plan.
The Committee will honour any commitment entered into, and Executive Directors will be eligible to receive payment from any award made, prior to the approval and implementation of the New Policy. Details of these awards are disclosed in the Annual Report on Remuneration.
The performance measures used in Halma's executive incentives have been selected to ensure incentives are challenging and reinforce the Group's strategy and align executive interests closely with those of our shareholders.
In the annual bonus, the use of EVA, in summary, profit less a charge for capital employed (definition is provided on page 131) reinforces the Group's business objective to double every five years through a mix of acquisitions and organic growth. Profit is a function of the extent to which the Company has achieved both its organic growth target and its success in identifying appropriate acquisition targets in current and past years. Ensuring that the cost of funding acquisitions is reflected in the bonus model means that executives share the benefit of an acquisition that outperforms expectations, but equally bear the cost of overpaying for an acquisition. Good or poor management of working capital is also reflected in the calculation of EVA.
In the ESP, EPS provides a disciplined focus on increasing profitability and thereby provides close shareholder alignment through incentivising shareholder value creation, and ROTIC reinforces the focus on capital efficiency and delivery of strong returns, thereby further strengthening the alignment of remuneration with the Group strategy. Performance targets are set to be stretching yet achievable, considering the Company's strategic priorities and the economic environment in which it operates. Targets are calibrated considering a range of reference points but are based primarily on the Group's strategic plan.
The Committee believes that it is appropriate for all variable pay awards to be subject to provisions that allow it to recover any value delivered (or which would otherwise be delivered) in connection with any variable award including annual incentive and ESP awards in exceptional circumstances, and where it believes that the value of those variable pay awards is no longer appropriate.
Malus provisions apply before payment and clawback provisions are in place following payment of the annual bonus (or vesting of any element of annual bonus deferred into an award over shares) or vesting of any ESP award.
The malus and clawback provisions can be used in certain scenarios. Such scenarios include but are not limited to:
The following charts provide an estimate of the potential future rewards for Executive Directors, and the potential split between different elements of pay, under three different performance scenarios: "Fixed", "On-target" and "Maximum".
Potential reward opportunities are based on Halma's proposed new remuneration policy, applied to salaries as at 1 June 2021. The projected values exclude the impact of any share price movements and dividend equivalents.
The "Fixed" scenario shows base salary, pension and benefits only.
The "On-target" scenario shows fixed remuneration as above, plus a target level of 50% of the maximum under the annual bonus and vesting of 50% of a single year's award under the ESP.
The "Maximum" scenario reflects fixed remuneration, plus maximum level of annual bonus and ESP awards.

Long term incentive awards in the ESP are granted in shares and as such the value can vary significantly depending on share price movement over the vesting and holding period. The table below shows how the maximum values above would change as a result of a 50% change in the share price over the vesting and holding period:
| Executive Director | 50% increase in share price |
|---|---|
| Andrew Williams | 6,053 |
| Marc Ronchetti | 3,345 |
| Jennifer Ward | 2,389 |
In the case of appointing a new Executive Director, the Committee may make use of any of the existing elements of remuneration, as follows:
| Component | Approach |
|---|---|
| Salary | The base salaries of new appointees will be determined by reference to relevant market data, experience and skills of the individual, internal relativities and the current salary of any incumbent in the same role. Where a new appointee has an initial base salary set below market, the Committee may make phased increases over a period of several years to achieve the desired position, subject to the individual's development and performance in the role. |
| Benefits | New appointees will be eligible to receive benefits in line with the current Policy, as well as expatriation allowances and any necessary expenses relating to an executive's relocation on appointment. |
| Pension | New appointees will be eligible to participate in the Company's defined contribution/money purchase arrangements, receive a cash supplement or local equivalent. |
| Annual bonus |
The scheme as described in the Policy Table will apply to new appointees with the relevant maximum being pro-rated to reflect the proportion of the year employed. |
| ESP | New appointees will be granted performance awards under the ESP on the same terms as other executives, as described in the Policy Table. |
| SIP | New appointees in the UK will be eligible to participate on identical terms to other employees. |

In addition to the elements of remuneration set out in the Policy Table, in exceptional circumstances the Committee may consider it appropriate to grant an incentive award under a different structure in order to facilitate the recruitment of an individual or to replace incentive arrangements forfeited on leaving a previous employer. In making such awards, the Committee will look to replicate the arrangements being forfeited as closely as possible and in doing so consider relevant factors including any performance conditions attached to these awards, the payment mechanism, expected value and the remaining vesting period of these awards.
Remuneration for new Executive Directors appointed by way of internal promotion will similarly be determined in line with the policy for external appointees, as detailed above. Where an individual has contractual commitments made prior to their promotion to the Board, the Company will continue to honour those commitments. Incentive opportunities for employees below Board level are generally no higher than for Executive Directors, and incentive measures vary to ensure they are appropriate.
It is the Company's policy that Executive Directors should have contracts with an indefinite term providing for a maximum of one year's notice. The details of the Directors' contracts are summarised in the table below. Contracts will be available for inspection at the AGM and throughout the year at the Company's registered office.
| Executive Director | Date of service contract | Notice period |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Williams | April 2003 | One year |
| Marc Ronchetti | July 2018 | One year |
| Jennifer Ward | January 2014 | One year |
The Company's policy is to limit payments on cessation to pre-established contractual arrangements. In the event that the employment of an Executive Director is terminated, any amount payable will be determined in accordance with the terms of the service contract between the Company and the employee, as well as the rules of any incentive plans. No predetermined amount is provided for in the Directors' contracts. The UK Executive Director contracts enable the Company to pay up to one year's salary in lieu of notice, with no contractual entitlement to any other benefits, and, under the rules, the Remuneration Committee may determine the individual's leaving status for share plan vesting purposes.
If the financial year end has passed, any bonus earned is payable to the individual.
When considering termination payments under incentive schemes, the Committee reviews all potential incentive outcomes to ensure they are fair to both shareholders and participants. The table below summarises how the awards under the annual bonus and share plans are treated in specific circumstances under the rules of the relevant plan and the extent to which the Committee has discretion:
| Reason for leaving | Timing of payment/vesting | Calculation of payment/vesting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual bonus | Death, injury or disability, redundancy, retirement, or any other reasons the Committee may determine |
After the end of the financial year, although the Committee has discretion to accelerate (e.g. in relation to death) |
Performance against targets will be assessed at the end of the year in the normal way and any resulting bonus normally will be pro-rated for time served during the year |
| All other reasons | No bonus is payable | – | |
| Deferred bonus | Death, injury or disability, redundancy, retirement, or any other reasons the Committee may determine |
On the second anniversary of the Award |
Awards vest in full |
| All other reasons | On the second anniversary of the award (unless the Remuneration Committee determines otherwise) |
Awards vest in full | |
| Share Plans | Injury or disability, redundancy, or any other reason the Committee may, at its discretion, determine |
On the third anniversary of the award |
Awards will normally be pro-rated for time to the date of cessation of employment and performance metrics assessed as at the third anniversary |
| Death | Immediately (unless otherwise determined by the Committee at its discretion) |
Any outstanding awards normally will be pro-rated for time and performance up to the point of death |
|
| All other reasons | Awards lapse | – |
The Committee acknowledges that Executive Directors may be invited to become independent non-executive Directors of other listed companies which have no business relationship with the Company and that these roles can broaden their experience and knowledge to Halma's benefit.
Executive Directors are permitted to accept one such appointment with the prior approval of the Chair. Approval will only be given where the appointment does not present a conflict of interest with the Group's activities and the wider exposure gained will be beneficial to the development of the individual. Where fees are payable in respect of such appointments, these are retained by the Executive Director.
| Purpose and link to strategy |
To attract and retain individuals with the requisite skills, experience and knowledge to contribute to the Board |
|---|---|
| Operation | Non-executive Director fees are determined by the Board and may comprise a base fee, committee chair fee and Senior Independent Director fee. The Chair's fee is determined by the Committee. Travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of non-executive duties for the Company may be reimbursed or paid for directly by the Company, as appropriate, including any tax due on the benefits. |
| Maximum Opportunity |
Fees are normally reviewed annually. Increases are typically effective from 1 January. The fee paid to the Chair is determined by the Committee and fees to non-executive Directors are determined by the Board. The fees are calculated by reference to market levels and take account of the time commitment and the responsibilities of the non-executive Directors. These fees are the sole element of non-executive remuneration and they are not eligible for participation in Group incentive awards, nor do they receive any retirement benefits. |
| Performance metrics |
Not applicable. |
Unless otherwise indicated, all non-executive Directors have a specific three-year term of engagement, subject to annual re-election at the AGM, which may be renewed for up to two further three-year terms if both the Director and the Board agree. The remuneration of the Chair and the non-executive Directors is determined by the Committee and the Board respectively, in accordance with the remuneration policy approved by shareholders.
The contract in respect of the Chair's services provides for termination, by either party, by giving not less than six months' notice.
The non-executive Directors have contracts in respect of their services, which can be terminated without compensation, by either party, by giving not less than three months' notice. Contracts are available for inspection at the AGM and throughout the year at the Company's registered office. Summary details of terms and notice periods for non-executive Directors are included below.
| Non-executive Director | Date of appointment | End of next term | Notice period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Walker | April 2013 | No fixed term | 6 months | |
| Daniela Barone Soares | November 2011 | July 2021 | 3 months | |
| Roy Twite | July 2014 | July 2023 | 3 months | |
| Tony Rice | August 2014 | August 2023 | 3 months | |
| Carole Cran | January 2016 | January 2022 | 3 months | |
| Jo Harlow | October 2016 | October 2022 | 3 months | |
| Louise Makin | February 2021 | February 2024 | 3 months |
In recruiting a new Chair or non-executive Director, the Committee will use the policy as set out above.
The Committee considers the remuneration and employment conditions elsewhere in the Group when determining remuneration for Executive Directors. Due to the nature of our business and the impact of COVID-19, we did not specifically consult with employees as part of the process of developing the New Policy. However, in addition to the employee engagement detailed on pages 96 and 97 we have established an approximate gender pay gap figure for our UK and US companies and the CEO pay ratio is available to employees. The Committee ensures that it is fully briefed on pay practices across the Company generally and it usually reviews external market data annually.
When determining remuneration, the Committee takes into account the views of our shareholders and 'best practice' guidelines set by shareholder representative bodies. The Committee has actively engaged with shareholders as part of formulating the New Policy. Outline proposals were sent to shareholders, who together own approximately 50 per cent of the Company and meetings were held with the shareholders that chose to engage with us on the proposals. A meeting was also held with ISS and we corresponded with Glass Lewis and the Investment Association via letters and emails on the proposals.
The Remuneration Committee also seeks ongoing advice from its external advisers on wider shareholder views, to ensure that it is kept up to date with any changes in market practice and shareholder sentiment.
Other Information
In this section we give details of the composition of the Committee and the activities undertaken during 2021. All members of the Committee are considered independent within the definition set out in the Code. The Committee is appointed by the Board and operates under written terms of reference, which are available at www.halma.com. The membership comprises:
Committee members: All other non-executive Directors in office at the date of this Remuneration Report.
No member of the Committee has any personal financial interest in Halma (other than as shareholders), conflicts of interests arising from cross directorships or day-to-day involvement in running the business.
The primary responsibilities of the Remuneration Committee are to:
Only members of the Committee have the right to attend Committee meetings. The Group Chief Executive, the Group Talent, Culture and Communications Director and Head of Total Rewards attend Committee meetings by invitation but are not present when their own remuneration is discussed. The Committee also takes independent professional advice as required.
During the year, the Committee met formally six times. Attendance by individual members of the Committee is disclosed on page 115. In addition, informal conference calls can also take place. The principal agenda items at the formal meetings were as follows:
| Meeting | Agenda items | |
|---|---|---|
| June 2020 | — Appointment of new Remuneration Adviser — 2020 Annual Bonus outturn — 2020 ESP vesting |
— 2021 Remuneration elements – Annual Bonus and ESP targets — Shareholder update — Review of Remuneration Policy |
| July 2020 | — 2020 Directors' Remuneration Report — 2020 Remuneration elements – Approval of annual bonus payout and vesting of ESP |
— 2021 Remuneration elements – Annual Bonus and ESP targets — Review of Remuneration Policy |
| October 2020 | — Review of Remuneration Policy | — Update on global parental leave policy |
| November 2020 | — Review of Remuneration Policy, including confirmation to commence the first round of shareholder consultation |
— ESP vesting update |
| January 2021 | — Corporate governance code matters — Review of Remuneration Policy including update on first round of shareholder consultation |
— Deep dive on Annual Bonus and ESP measures |
| March 2021 | — Corporate governance code matters — Review of Remuneration Policy including update on second round of shareholder consultation — 2021 Directors' Remuneration Report |
— 2021 Remuneration elements – update on formulaic outcome estimates and ESP vesting — 2022 Annual Bonus targets |
Mercer Kepler (Mercer) acted as independent remuneration adviser to the Committee until June 2020, having done so since November 2017. After a thorough and competitive process, Willis Towers Watson was appointed.
Willis Towers Watson is a member of the Remuneration Consultants' Group and, as such, voluntarily operates under the Remuneration Consultants' Group Code of Conduct in relation to executive remuneration consulting in the UK. This is based upon principles of transparency, integrity, objectivity, competence, due care and confidentiality by executive remuneration consultants. Willis Towers Watson has confirmed that it has adhered to that Code of Conduct throughout the year for all remuneration services provided to the Company. Therefore, the Committee is satisfied that it is independent and objective. The Remuneration Consultants' Group Code of Conduct is available at remunerationconsultantsgroup.com. Willis Towers Watson's fees for the year with respect to executive remuneration matters was £121,627, based on an agreed fee and Mercer's was £21,710 (2020: £37,200). Willis Towers Watson also provided services to the Company globally which comprise remuneration benchmarking and other consultancy advice.
The following table shows the results of the vote on the Annual Remuneration Report at the 2020 AGM and the binding vote on the current Remuneration Policy at the 2018 AGM.
| For | Against | Total | Withheld | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remuneration Policy (2018) | ||||
| Number of votes cast | 274,561,279 | 6,136,623 | 280,697,902 | 2,510,606 |
| % of votes cast | 97.81% | 2.19% | 100% | |
| Directors' Remuneration Report (2020) | ||||
| Total number of votes | 289,576,827 | 13,355,617 | 302,932,444 | 1,725,497 |
| % of votes cast | 95.59% | 4.41% | 100% |
This Report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the Large and Medium-Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and subsequent amendments.
The Report also meets the relevant requirements of the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and describes how the Board has applied the principles relating to directors' remuneration in the UK Corporate Governance Code. Changes are proposed to the Remuneration Policy, which will be subject to a binding vote at the 2021 AGM and the Annual Report on Remuneration will be subject to an advisory vote by shareholders also at the 2021 AGM.
In line with the Regulations, the following parts of the Annual Report on Remuneration are audited: the single figure for total remuneration for each Director, including annual bonus and performance share plan outcomes for the financial year ending 31 March 2021; plan interests awarded during the year; pension entitlements; payments to past Directors and payments for loss of office; and Directors' shareholdings and share interests. All other parts of the Annual Report on Remuneration are unaudited.
The table below sets out the single figure of total remuneration received by Directors for the years to 31 March 2021 and 31 March 2020.
| Andrew Williams £000 |
Marc Ronchetti £000 |
Adam Meyers1 £000 |
Jennifer Ward £000 |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| Salary | 636 | 669 | 404 | 425 | 412 | 423 | 323 | 340 |
| Benefits2 | 31 | 33 | 24 | 17 | 30 | 20 | 24 | 24 |
| Pension3 | 165 | 174 | 76 | 79 | 62 | 67 | 60 | 64 |
| Total Fixed Pay | 832 | 876 | 504 | 521 | 504 | 510 | 407 | 428 |
| Annual Bonus4 | 484 | 808 | 307 | 515 | 295 | 368 | 246 | 411 |
| ESP5 | 1,708 | 2,225 | 948 | 643 | 778 | 1,004 | 625 | 813 |
| Total Variable Pay | 2,192 | 3,033 | 1,255 | 1,158 | 1,073 | 1,372 | 871 | 1,224 |
| SIP6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | – | 3 | 3 | |
| Total Pay | 3,027 | 3,912 | 1,762 | 1,682 | 1,577 | 1,882 | 1,281 | 1,655 |
1 Remunerated in US dollars and translated at the average exchange rate for the year (2021: US\$1.308, 2020: US\$1.271 )
2 Benefits: mainly comprises company car and private medical insurance
3 Pension: value based on the Company's pension contribution, or cash supplement in lieu of pension, during the year 4 Annual bonus: payment for performance during the year; two thirds is payable in cash and one third is deferred into shares which vest two years from award without any performance conditions. Table shows total bonus including amounts to be deferred.
5 ESP: Figures relate to awards vesting based on performance to the years ended 31 March 2021 and 2020. For the 2021 award as the share price on the date of vesting is currently unknown, the value shown is estimated using the average share price over the three-months to 31 March 2021 of 2436p. For the award vesting for the year ended 31 March 2020, these figures have been revised from last year's report to reflect the actual share price on the vesting date of 2187p.
6 SIP is based on the face value of shares at grant.
No exit payments were made in the year.
On his retirement from the Board in July 2018, Kevin Thompson retained the following interests under the ESP, which vested during the year:
— 19,261 time pro-rated 2017 PSP shares vesting at 91.25% based on performance to 31 March 2020 vested on 15 July 2020.
— 12,691 DSA shares granted in 2018 vested on 15 July 2020.
In 2021, the maximum bonus opportunity for Executive Directors was 150% of salary, solely linked to performance as measured by an Economic Value Added (EVA) calculation.
As disclosed in last year's report, since the bonuses for 2021 continued to be based on EVA performance against a weighted average target of EVA for the past three years, the Committee decided to adjust the targets to take account of COVID-19. In adjusting the targets the Committee felt that the resulting targets were as demanding and appropriate given the circumstances.
Bonuses for the Executive Directors are calculated based on Group profit exceeding a target calculated from the profits for the three preceding financial years after charging a cost of capital, including on the cost of acquisitions. As the EVA for each year is utilised for a further three years in the comparator calculations, Executives must consider the medium-term interests of the Group otherwise there is the potential for an adverse impact on their capacity to earn a bonus.

Operating company directors and other sector and central senior management participate in bonus arrangements similar to those established for senior executives.
Further details of the bonuses payable (cash and deferred share awards) and performance against targets are provided in the tables below.
| Executive Director | EVA threshold 000 |
EVA maximum 000 |
EVA actual 000 |
Overall bonus outcome (% of salary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Williams | £201,497 | £269,424 | £264,193 | 72% |
| Marc Ronchetti | £201,497 | £269,424 | £264,193 | 72% |
| Adam Meyers | US\$265,976 | US\$355,639 | US\$348,735 | 72% |
| Jennifer Ward | £201,497 | £269,424 | £264,193 | 72% |
Last year, the Committee applied judgment in determining the annual bonus outcome for 2020 with the exclusion of the additional bad debt provision from the calculation. As was agreed at the time, the benefit on any release of the provision would be excluded in future years. At present, the additional provision release has not been released and as such no adjustment is made in the annual bonus outcome for 2021. This will be excluded upon release in the future.
The deferred bonus awards are derived as one third of the bonus earned for 2021. The number of shares over which awards will be made will be determined by the share price for the five trading days prior to the date of award. The value of each individual's award, relative to their bonus has been fixed as follows:
| Executive Director | Overall bonus outcome (% of salary) |
Bonus for 2021 |
Cash-settled | Value of 2021 deferred bonus award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Williams | 72% | £484,225 | £322,817 | £161,408 |
| Marc Ronchetti | 72% | £307,467 | £204,978 | £102,489 |
| Adam Meyers | 72% | \$388,038 | \$259,479 | \$128,559 |
| Jennifer Ward | 72% | £245,974 | £163,983 | £81,991 |
Deferred bonus awards will be granted under the ESP in June 2021. These awards will not be subject to any further performance conditions and will vest in full on the second anniversary of the date of grant. Full details will be provided in next year's Annual Remuneration Report.
In July 2018, the Executive Directors received awards of performance shares under the ESP. The performance targets for ESP awards granted are set out below. The vesting criteria are 50% EPS-related and 50% ROTIC-related.
Performance conditions for these awards are as follows:
| EPS1 | ROTIC2 (post-tax) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance levels | % of award vesting3 |
Performance levels | % of award vesting3 |
|||
| < 5% | 0.0% | < 11.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | ||
| 5% | 12.5% | 11.0% | 12.5% | 25% | ||
| 12% or more | 50% | 17.0% or more | 50% | 100% |
1 Adjusted earnings per share growth over the three-year performance period.
2 Average ROTIC over the performance period.
3 There is straight line vesting in between threshold and maximum vesting.
The three-year period over which these two independent performance metrics are measured ended on 31 March 2021. Average ROTIC was 15.3% (the average ROTIC for financial years 2019, 2020 and 2021) and adjusted EPS growth was 9.04% per annum for the period from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2021, resulting in vesting of 73.7% of the awards. The estimated vesting value included in the 2021 single figure of Total Remuneration for Directors is detailed in the table below:
| Executive Director | Interest held |
Face value at grant |
Vesting % |
Interest vesting |
Three-month average price at year end |
Estimated vesting value |
…of which value attributable to share price growth |
and value attributable to corporate performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Williams | 95,121 | 1,302 | 70,104 | 1,708 | 854 | 854 | ||
| Marc Ronchetti | 52,786 | 723 | 38,903 | 948 | 474 | 474 | ||
| Adam Meyers | 43,342 | 593 | 73.7% | 31,943 | 2436p | 778 | 389 | 389 |
| Jennifer Ward | 34,797 | 476 | 25,645 | 625 | 313 | 312 |
Vested awards are net settled, with the appropriate reduction in shares made to cover the employee tax and social security liability at vesting. Awards normally lapse if they do not vest on the third anniversary of their award.
In line with regulations, the values disclosed above and in the single total figure of remuneration table on page 130 capture the number of interests vesting for performance to 31 March 2021. As the market price on the date of vesting is unknown at the time of reporting, the values are estimated using the average market value over the 3-month period to 31 March 2021 of 2436p. The actual values at vesting will be trued-up in the next Annual Remuneration Report.
Long-term incentive – Executive Share Plan: Performance Share Awards (granted during the year to 31 March 2021) On 28 July 2020, the Executive Directors were granted performance share awards under the ESP.
The three-year performance period over which ROTIC and EPS performance will be measured is 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023.
The ROTIC element will be based on the average ROTIC for 2021, 2022 and 2023. The EPS element will be based on EPS growth from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023. These two elements are equally weighted at 50% each. The performance targets applying to these awards are as set out below and are based on an adjustment that was made to align targets with the changes to the business forecasts due to COVID-19.
| EPS1 | ROTIC2 (post-tax) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance levels | % of award vesting3 |
Performance levels | % of award vesting3 |
|
| < 2% | 0.0% | < 9.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2% | 12.5% | 9.5% | 12.5% | 25% |
| 10% or more | 50% | 15.5% or more | 50% | 100% |
1 Adjusted earnings per share growth over the three-year performance period.
2 Average ROTIC over the performance period. 3 There is straight line vesting in between threshold and maximum vesting.
The award is eligible to vest in full on the third anniversary of the date of grant (28 July 2023), subject to ROTIC and EPS performance.
| Executive Director | % of salary | Awards made during the year |
Five-day average market price at award date |
Face value at award date £000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Williams | 200% | 59,083 | 1,335 | |
| Marc Ronchetti | 175% | 32,756 | 740 | |
| Adam Meyers | 150% | 28,099 | 2259.6p | 635 |
| Jennifer Ward | 150% | 22,411 | 506 |
UK executive Directors had part of their full award entitlement delivered through the Share Incentive Plan.
On 28 July 2020, the Executive Directors were granted deferred share awards under the ESP in respect of one third of the bonus earned for the financial year ended 31 March 2020. Awards are not subject to performance conditions as they are deferred awards relating to bonus earned for the year ended 31 March 2020. Awards vest in full on the second anniversary of the date of grant (28 July 2022).
| Executive Director | Awards made during the year |
Five-day average market price at award date |
Face value at award date £000 |
Bonus to 31 March 2020 £000 |
Amount awarded in shares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Williams | 11,925 | 269 | 808 | 33.3% | |
| Marc Ronchetti | 7,593 | 172 | 515 | 33.3% | |
| Adam Meyers | 5,430 | 2259.6p | 123 | 368 | 33.3% |
| Jennifer Ward | 6,057 | 137 | 411 | 33.3% |
Part of the proposals for the New Policy includes increases to base salaries for the Executive Directors over the next two years. The Committee has thought very carefully about these changes, ultimately deciding that the adjustments are a fair reflection of the contribution the individuals bring to the business, address key remuneration issues and are fully aligned with shareholders' interests.
The Committee has also decided to move the effective date of any increases to 1 June going forward.
The increases for the 2022 fiscal year are shown below but are subject to approval at the AGM. In the event the increases are approved at the AGM, they will be implemented in August 2021 and backdated to 1 June 2021. The proposed increases for 2023 are also shown but these will be subject to performance over the next financial year and will be reported on in next year's Report.
| Executive Director | Salary from 1 June 2021 |
Salary from 1 April 2020 |
% change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Williams | £776,500 | £669,325 | 16% |
| Marc Ronchetti | £493,000 | £425,000 | 16% |
| Jennifer Ward | £395,000 | £340,000 | 16% |
| Executive Director | Salary from 1 June 2022 |
Salary from 1 June 2021 |
% change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Williams | £900,000 | £776,500 | 16% |
| Marc Ronchetti | £574,000 | £493,000 | 16% |
| Jennifer Ward | £460,000 | £395,000 | 16% |
Pension contributions will remain unchanged for 2022 but will reduce to 10.5% by 31 December 2022 in line with the maximum rate offered to the UK wider workforce.
The maximum annual bonus opportunity for 2021 will increase in line with the policy proposals and will be 200% for the CEO and 180% for the other Executive Directors. One third of the bonus earned will be deferred into a share award which vests in full after two years.
Bonuses for 2022 will continue to be based on EVA performance against a weighted average target of EVA for the past three years as described above. Bonus payments will be subject to recovery and withholding provisions during a period of three years from the date of payment. As targets are commercially sensitive, they are not disclosed at this time but will be in next year's Annual Report on Remuneration.
Under the ESP, performance share awards and deferred bonus awards will be made in June 2021, based on the current policy. If the New Policy is approved, a top-up grant would be made after the AGM in July 2021. The number of shares over which awards will be made is determined by the average share price for the five trading days prior to the date of award. The value of each performance share award, relative to salary and reflecting the policy proposals has been fixed as follows:
| Executive Director | Salary for 2022 |
Performance share award |
Value of award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Williams | £776,500 | 300% | £2,329,500 |
| Marc Ronchetti | £493,000 | 250% | £1,232,500 |
| Jennifer Ward | £395,000 | 200% | £790,000 |
The performance share awards will be subject to an adjusted EPS performance target for 50% of the award and a ROTIC target for 50% of the award measured over the three financial years 2021, 2022 and 2023. The full performance conditions are set out in detail below.
| EPS1 | ROTIC2 (post-tax) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance levels | % of award vesting3 |
Performance levels | % of award vesting3 |
Total | |
| < 5% | 0.0% | < 11.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | |
| 5% | 12.5% | 11.0% | 12.5% | 25% | |
| 12% or more | 50% | 17% or more | 50% | 100% |
1 Adjusted earnings per share growth over the three-year performance period.
2 Average ROTIC over the performance period. 3 There is straight line vesting in between threshold and maximum vesting.
The Committee will review the impacts of the accounting interpretation of IAS 38 with regards to configuration and customisation costs for cloud computing arrangements on the Group's ongoing technology investments and the impact of tax law changes on the Group's effective tax rate. This review will be done based on the principle that any adjustment ensures that the outturn is measured on a like for like basis as the targets.
The Chair's and the non-executive Directors' fees were last increased by the Board in April 2019. Last year, in line with the overall sentiment of the decision for salary reductions to be taken by the Executive and non-executive Directors, a planned increase to the Chair's fee noted in our 2019 report was deferred acknowledging the impact of COVID-19. We have now taken the opportunity to review the fees for our Chair. There are no changes to the fees for the non-executive Directors but a review will be carried out in January 2022.
| Fees | Fees from 1 June 2021 |
Fees from 1 April 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Chair | £400,000 | £280,000 |
| Base fee | £58,500 | £58,500 |
| Senior Independent Director | £10,000 | £10,000 |
| Audit Committee Chair | £15,000 | £15,000 |
| Remuneration Committee Chair | £10,000 | £10,000 |
| Committee Member | £nil | £nil |
The following table sets out the total remuneration for the Chair and the non-executive Directors for the year end 31 March 2021.
| Non-executive Director1 | 2021 £000 |
2020 £000 |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Walker | 266 | 280 |
| Daniela Barone Soares | 56 | 59 |
| Roy Twite | 56 | 59 |
| Tony Rice | 65 | 77 |
| Carole Cran | 70 | 74 |
| Jo Harlow | 65 | 59 |
| Louise Makin2 | 8 | n/a |
1 Fees have been rounded to the nearest £1,000 2 Louise Makin was appointed from 9 February 2021

This is our second year of reporting the CEO pay ratio and the following table sets out our CEO pay ratio figures in respect of 2021 and 2020. All figures are calculated using pay and benefits data for the year to 31 March 2021 and for part-time employees, the full-time equivalent salary and benefits is used.
| Year | Method | 25th Percentile: pay ratio, total pay and benefits, (salary) |
50th Percentile: pay ratio, total pay and benefits, (salary) |
75th Percentile: pay ratio, total pay and benefits, (salary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Option A | 141:1 | 110:1 | 68:1 |
| £21,496 | £27,568 | £44,220 | ||
| (£19,830) | (£25,450) | (£40,097) | ||
| 2020 | Option A | 183:1 | 139:1 | 86:1 |
| £20,700 | £27,300 | £43,900 | ||
| (£19,200) | (£25,300) | (£40,000) |
As was done last year, Option A was chosen as it is the most statistically accurate method, considered best practice by the Government, in line with shareholder expectations and is directly comparable to the CEO's remuneration. This method requires calculation of pay and benefits for all UK employees using the same methodology that is used to calculate the CEO's single figure per the table on page 130.
We are satisfied that the median pay ratio reported this year is consistent with our wider pay, reward and progression policies for employees. The CEO is remunerated predominantly on performance-related elements – bonus and share awards, which have delivered robust returns – even through the challenging COVID circumstances.
The composition of our business did not change significantly through the year, despite the Board's decision to self-fund the small percentage of our workforce who were furloughed by their companies. In a normal year, we would expect the ratio to be higher. However, over the period from 1 April to 30 June 2020, the CEO took a 20% salary reduction. In addition, compared to last year, the CEO's variable pay has reduced as a result of the COVID-19 impact on business performance as seen in the lower vesting percentage for the 2018 award. In contrast, employee pay at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile has remained broadly the same, resulting in a lower CEO pay ratio for the year.
A review has been undertaken of pension arrangements across the UK companies, the result of which is that there will be an increase to employer pension contributions for the UK wider workforce to a maximum of 10.5% from 4.8% by 31 March 2022. Executive Directors' pension arrangements were included in this review and they have voluntarily committed to lowering their cash-in-lieu pension contributions to 10.5% by 31 December 2022. For Andrew Williams, this is a reduction from 26% and for the other Executive Directors, a reduction from 18.7%. If any new directors are appointed, their pension arrangements will be in line with the wider UK workforce.
Andrew Williams is the only UK Executive Director who is a deferred member of the defined benefit section of the Halma Group Pension Plan (Plan). This benefit is a funded final salary occupational pension plan registered with HMRC, providing a maximum pension of two thirds of final pensionable salary after 25 or more years' service at normal pension age (60). Up to 5 April 2006, final pensionable salary was the greatest salary of the last three complete tax years immediately before retirement or leaving service. From 6 April 2011, final pensionable salary was capped at £139,185 and is increased annually thereafter by CPI (£166,506 for 2021).
Bonuses and other fluctuating emoluments and benefits-in-kind are not pensionable nor subject to any pension supplement. The Plan also provides a pension in the event of early retirement through ill-health and a dependant's pension of one-half of the member's prospective pension. Where an executive has a form of pension protection, life cover is provided under a separate policy.
Early retirement pensions, currently possible from age 55 with the consent of the Company and the trustees of the Plan, are subject to actuarial reduction. Pensions in payment increase by 3% per annum for service up to 5 April 1997, by price inflation (subject to a maximum of 5%) through to 31 March 2007 and 3% thereafter.
The Company closed the Defined Benefit section to future accrual with effect from 1 December 2014 and, following a period of consultation, members were offered compensating benefits above those available to Defined Contribution members who had not been in the Defined Benefit section. In April 2014, Andrew Williams chose to cease future service accrual in the Plan in return for a pension supplement on his base salary. This supplement is equivalent to a 20% employer contribution plus an additional 6% compensatory payment, in line with the enhanced contribution rate offered to other members who were in the Defined Benefit section when future accrual was ceased.
Marc Ronchetti and Jennifer Ward were not members of the Defined Benefit section but are entitled to join the Defined Contribution section of the plan. Due to annual allowance and lifetime allowance restrictions, both Jennifer and Marc have opted to receive a pension supplement of 18.7% of salary, in lieu of the 20% employer contribution that the Company would otherwise pay into their pension.
One Director accrued benefits under the Company's defined benefit pension plan during the year as follows.
| Executive Director | Age at 31 March 2021 |
Years of pensionable service at 31 March 2021 |
Increase in accrued benefits £000 |
Increase in accrued benefits net of inflation £000 |
Accrued benefits at 31 March 2021 £000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Williams | 53 | 20 | 0.4 | – | 67 |
The table below shows the percentage change in the salary/fees, bonus outcomes and benefits of the Directors for 2020 and 2021, compared with the percentage change in the same components of pay for employees. The employee percentages shown represent the change in median employee pay, comparing the median UK employee on 31 March 2021 with the median UK employee on 31 March 2020, ranked based on the total of salary, benefits and bonus.
| Salary/fee % change |
Benefits % change |
Annual Bonus % change |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Directors | |||
| Andrew Williams | (5%) | (6%) | (40%) |
| Marc Ronchetti | (5%) | 41% | (40%) |
| Adam Meyers | 3% | (50%) | 20% |
| Jennifer Ward | (5%) | 0% | (40%) |
| Non-executive Directors | |||
| Paul Walker | (5%) | n/a | n/a |
| Daniela Barone Soares | (5%) | n/a | n/a |
| Roy Twite | (5%) | n/a | n/a |
| Tony Rice | (16%) | n/a | n/a |
| Carole Cran | (5%) | n/a | n/a |
| Jo Harlow | 10% | n/a | n/a |
| Louise Makin1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Employees | (5%) | (22%) | 10% |
1 Louise Makin was appointed on 9 February 2021.
The table below shows the percentage change in total employee pay expenditure and shareholder distributions (i.e. dividends and share buybacks) from the financial year ended 31 March 2020 to the financial year ended 31 March 2021.
| 2021 £m |
2020 £m |
% change |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Distribution to shareholders | 66.8 | 62.5 | 6.9 |
| Employee remuneration (gross) | 366 | 376 | (2.7) |
| Employee remuneration (pro-rated) | 334 | 328 | 1.8 |
The Directors are proposing a final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2021 of 10.78p per share (2020: 9.96p).
Pro-rated employee remuneration represents a restatement of the prior year gross employee remuneration for the current year number of employees.
The ten-year graph below shows the Company's TSR performance over the ten years to 31 March 2021 as compared to the FTSE 100 index. Over the period indicated, the Company's TSR was 690% compared to 66% for the FTSE 100. The table below the graph details the CEO's single figure remuneration and actual variable pay outcomes over the same period.
The FTSE 100 has been selected because the Company believes that the constituent companies of this index are the most appropriate for this comparison as they are affected by similar commercial and economic factors to Halma.
Halma was a constituent of the FTSE 250 until December 2017 when it became a constituent of the FTSE 100.


| remuneration (£000) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual bonus outcome (% of maximum) |
40% | 48% | 37% | 53% | 53% | 34% | 89% | 100% | 81% | 48% |
| PSP vesting outcome (% of maximum) |
100% | 98% | 74% | 78% | 95% | 92% | 90% | 90% | 91% | 74% |
The interests of the Directors in office at 31 March 2021 (and their connected family members) in the ordinary shares of the Company at the following dates were as follows:
| 31 March 2021 |
31 March 2020 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Paul Walker | 30,000 | 30,000 |
| Andrew Williams | 701,072 | 650,922 |
| Marc Ronchetti | 26,296 | 8,019 |
| Adam Meyers | 350,480 | 348,480 |
| Jennifer Ward | 67,127 | 42,882 |
| Daniela Barone Soares | 2,473 | 2,473 |
| Roy Twite | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Tony Rice | 16,939 | 16,939 |
| Carole Cran | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Jo Harlow | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Louise Makin | 10,000 | – |
The Executive Directors, excluding Marc Ronchetti, each meet the guideline of holding Company shares to the value of at least two times salary. Until such time as this threshold is achieved, Marc is required to retain no less than 50% of the net of tax value of any vested conditional share or deferred share awards. There are no other non-beneficial interests of Directors. There were no changes in Directors' interests from 1 April 2021 to 10 June 2021.
Details of Directors' interests in shares and options under Halma's long-term incentives are set out in the sections below.
Details of Directors' outstanding deferred share awards (DSA), conditional share awards (ESP) and free shares under the SIP are outlined in the tables below:
| Executive Share Plans | Date of grant |
As at 1 April 2020 |
Granted/ (vested) in the year |
Five-day average share price on grant (p) |
As at 31 March 2021 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Williams | ESP | 03-Jul-17 | 111,484 | (101,729) | 1118 | – |
| ESP | 02-Jul-18 | 95,121 | 1369.2 | 95,121 | ||
| DSA | 02-Jul-18 | 20,339 | (20,339) | 1369.2 | – | |
| ESP | 01-Jul-19 | 65,264 | 2045.6 | 65,264 | ||
| DSA | 01-Jul-19 | 15,961 | 2045.6 | 15,961 | ||
| ESP | 28-Jul-20 | 59,083 | 2259.6 | 59,083 | ||
| DSA | 28-Jul-20 | 11,925 | 2259.6 | 11,925 | ||
| Marc Ronchetti | ESP | 03-Jul-17 | 11,511 | (10,503) | 1118 | – |
| ESP | 23-Nov-17 | 20,720 | (18,907) | 1293.4 | – | |
| ESP | 02-Jul-18 | 52,786 | 1369.2 | 52,786 | ||
| DSA | 02-Jul-18 | 4,796 | (4,796) | 1369.2 | – | |
| ESP | 01-Jul-19 | 36,182 | 2045.6 | 36,182 | ||
| DSA | 01-Jul-19 | 8,642 | 2045.6 | 8,642 | ||
| ESP | 28-Jul-20 | 32,756 | 2259.6 | 32,756 | ||
| DSA | 28-Jul-20 | 7,593 | 2259.6 | 7,593 | ||
| Adam Meyers | ESP | 03-Jul-17 | 50,300 | (45,899) | 1118 | – |
| ESP | 02-Jul-18 | 43,342 | 1369.2 | 43,342 | ||
| DSA | 02-Jul-18 | 3,997 | (3,997) | 1369.2 | – | |
| ESP | 01-Jul-19 | 30,046 | 2045.6 | 30,046 | ||
| DSA | 01-Jul-19 | 9,773 | 2045.6 | 9,773 | ||
| ESP | 28-Jul-20 | 28,099 | 2259.6 | 28,099 | ||
| DSA | 28-Jul-20 | 5,430 | 2259.6 | 5,430 | ||
| Jennifer Ward | ESP | 03-Jul-17 | 40,733 | (37,169) | 1118 | – |
| ESP | 02-Jul-18 | 34,797 | 1369.2 | 34,797 | ||
| DSA | 02-Jul-18 | 8,295 | (8,295) | 1369.2 | – | |
| ESP | 01-Jul-19 | 24,755 | 2045.6 | 24,755 | ||
| DSA | 01-Jul-19 | 7,821 | 2045.6 | 7,821 | ||
| ESP | 28-Jul-20 | 22,411 | 2259.6 | 22,411 | ||
| DSA | 28-Jul-20 | 6,057 | 2259.6 | 6,057 |
The balance of ESP awards that did not vest during the year have lapsed. The performance conditions attached to these awards are described earlier in this Report.
Adam Meyers will stand down from the Board on 22 July 2021. He will remain as an employee of the Group and be available for 15 days per quarter until he retires from the company on 1 July 2022. From 22 July 2021, he will receive a pro-rated annual salary of \$134,500 and reimbursement for any business and travel expenses. Adam will not be entitled to a bonus for the period from 23 July 2021 or a PSP award in June 2021 but will be entitled to a bonus for the period 1 April 2021 to 22 July 2021. His outstanding Deferred Bonus awards, including any deferred bonus award granted in 2022, will vest in full at the normal vesting date (two years from grant) and, as a good leaver, Adam's outstanding PSP awards will vest, subject to performance, on a time pro-rata up to his retirement date.

| Share Incentive Plan | Date of grant |
As at 1 April 2020 |
Granted, >3 years or (withdrawn) in the year |
Share price on award (p) |
As at 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Williams | >3 years | 4,441 | 322 | 4,763 | |
| 01-Oct-18 | 239 | 1504 | 239 | ||
| 01-Oct-19 | 183 | 1961 | 183 | ||
| 01-Oct-20 | 183 | 2397 | 150 | ||
| Marc Ronchetti | >3 years | 314 | 314 | ||
| 01-Oct-18 | 239 | 1504 | 239 | ||
| 01-Oct-19 | 183 | 1961 | 183 | ||
| 01-Oct-20 | 183 | 2397 | 250 | ||
| Jennifer Ward | >3 years | 1,358 | 318 | 1,676 | |
| 01-Oct-18 | 239 | 1504 | 239 | ||
| 01-Oct-19 | 183 | 1961 | 183 | ||
| 01-Oct-20 | 150 | 2397 | 150 |
The SIP shares are held in trust and become the employee's, subject to the rules of the plan, after three years. There are tax benefits for retaining the shares in the trust for at least five years from award date. Adam Meyers does not participate in the SIP as he is not UK-based.
There have been no variations to the terms and conditions for share awards during the financial year.
The Directors present their report on the affairs of the Company, together with the audited financial statements and Independent Auditors' Report, for the year ended 31 March 2021.
The Company's principal activity is to act as a holding company. The Company is incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales. A list of its subsidiary companies is set out on pages 217 to 222. Subsidiaries of the Company have established branches in a number of different countries in which they operate. The information set out below, which forms part of this Directors' Report and is incorporated by reference, can be located in the Strategic Report on pages 2 to 87:
The Directors recommend a final dividend of 10.78p per share and, if approved, the dividend will be paid on 12 August 2021 to ordinary shareholders on the register at the close of business on 9 July 2021. Together with the interim dividend of 6.87p per share already paid, this will make a total dividend of 17.65p (2020: 16.50p) per share for the financial year.
The Group did not make any political donations or incur any political expenditure during the year.
The directors of the Company as at the date of this Report, together with their biographical details, are shown on pages 90 and 91.
The Remuneration Report on pages 129 to 139 provides details of the interests of each Director in the shares of the Company.
The Company has agreed to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each of the Company's Directors against any liability incurred in respect of acts or omissions arising in the course of their office. Each Director is covered by appropriate directors' and officers' liability insurance, at the Company's expense.
Disclosures relating to financial risk management objectives and policies are set out in note 27 to the financial statements and along with exposures relating to price risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk.
Details of the share capital, together with details of the movements in the share capital during the year, are shown in note 23 to the accounts. The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income. Each share carries the right to one vote at general meetings of the Company.
There are no other classes of share capital. There are no specific restrictions on the size of a holding nor on the transfer of shares, with both governed by the general provisions of the Company's Articles of Association and prevailing legislation. No person has any special rights of control over the Company's share capital and all issued shares are fully paid.
Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to attend and speak at general meetings of the Company and to appoint one or more proxies or, if the holder of shares is a corporation, one or more corporate representatives. On a show of hands, each holder of ordinary shares who (being an individual) is present in person or (being a corporation) is present by a duly appointed corporate representative, not themselves being a member, shall have one vote, as shall proxies (unless they are appointed by more than one holder, in which case they may vote both for and against the resolution in accordance with the holders' instructions). On a poll, every holder of ordinary shares present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for every share of which they are the holder.
Electronic and paper proxy appointments and voting instructions must be received not later than 48 hours before the meeting. A holder of ordinary shares can lose the entitlement to vote at general meetings where that holder has been served with a disclosure notice and has failed to provide the Company with information concerning interests held in those shares. Except as set out above and as permitted under applicable statutes, there are no limitations on voting rights of holders of a given percentage, number of votes or deadlines for exercising voting rights.
The Company has established an Employee Benefit Trust and the trustee has waived its right to vote and its right to all dividends.
The Directors may refuse to register a transfer of a certificated share that is not fully paid, provided that the refusal does not prevent dealings in shares in the Company from taking place on an open and proper basis or, where the Company has a lien over that share. The Directors may also refuse to register a transfer of a certificated share unless the instrument of transfer is: (i) lodged, duly stamped (if necessary), at the registered office of the Company or any other place as the Board may decide accompanied by the certificate for the share(s) to be transferred and/or such other evidence as the Directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer; (ii) in respect of only one class of shares; (iii) in favour of a person who is not a minor, infant, bankrupt or a person of unsound mind; or (iv) in favour of not more than four persons jointly.
Transfers of uncertificated shares must be carried out using CREST and the Directors can refuse to register a transfer of an uncertificated share in accordance with the regulations governing the operation of CREST.
There are no other restrictions on the transfer of ordinary shares in the Company except certain restrictions which may from time to time be imposed by laws and regulations (for example insider trading laws); or where a shareholder with at least a 0.25% interest in the Company's certificated shares has been served with a disclosure notice and has failed to provide the Company with information concerning interests in those shares. The Directors are not aware of any agreements between holders of the Company's shares that may result in restrictions on the transfer of securities or on voting rights.
An overview of the Board's engagement with employees along with the mechanisms for sharing information are included on pages 96 and 97. Aligning the interests of employees in the Company's performance is achieved through a variety of share and bonus schemes.
The Company gives full and fair consideration to applications of employment from disabled people. Training, career development and promotion opportunities are equally applied for all our employees, regardless of disability. In the event of an existing employee becoming disabled, every effort will be made to ensure that their employment with the Group continues and that appropriate support is provided.

A description of how the Directors have had regard to the need to foster the Company's business relationships with suppliers, customers and others, and the effect of Director engagement with our stakeholders, is set out on pages 58 and 59. Examples of how the Directors had regard to stakeholder interests when making principal decisions during the year are set out on page 98.
With regard to the appointment and replacement of Directors, the Company is governed by its Articles of Association, the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Companies Act and related legislation. Directors can be appointed by the Company by ordinary resolution at a general meeting or by the Board. If a Director is appointed by the Board, such a Director will hold office until the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) and shall then be eligible for election at that meeting. In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code each of the Directors, being eligible, will offer themselves for election or re-election at this year's AGM. The Company can remove a Director from office, including by passing a special resolution or by notice being given by all the other Directors. The Articles themselves may be amended by special resolution of the shareholders.
The powers of Directors are set out in the Articles of Association and a description of the matters reserved for decision by the Board is summarised in the Corporate Governance Report on page 102.
There are a number of agreements that take effect, alter or terminate upon a change of control of the Company, principally bank loan agreements, private placement debt and employee share plans.
There are two significant agreements, in terms of the likely impact on the business of the Group as a whole, containing such provisions:
The Group has contractual arrangements with a wide range of suppliers. The Group is not unduly dependent upon contractual arrangements with any particular customer. While the loss or disruption to certain of these arrangements could temporarily affect the Group's business, none are considered to be essential.
The Company's share plans contain provisions as a result of which awards may vest and become exercisable on a change of control of the Company in accordance with the rules of the plans.
The Directors are not aware of any agreements between the Company, its Directors or employees that provide for compensation for loss of office or employment that occurs because of a takeover bid.
Under the Companies Act 2006 the Directors may only allot shares if authorised by shareholders to do so. At the AGM an ordinary resolution will be proposed which, if passed, will authorise the Directors to allot and issue shares up to an aggregate nominal value of £9,400,000 (up to 94,000,000 ordinary shares of 10p each), being just less than one quarter of the issued share capital of the Company (excluding treasury shares) as at 10 June 2021 (the latest practicable date prior to the publication of the Notice of Meeting).
In accordance with the Directors' stated intention to seek annual renewal, the authority will expire at the earlier of the conclusion of the AGM of the Company in 2022 and 22 October 2022. Passing this resolution will give the Directors flexibility to act in the best interests of shareholders, when opportunities arise, by issuing new shares. As at 10 June 2021, the Company had 379,645,332 ordinary shares of 10p each in issue.
The Companies Act 2006 also requires that, if the Company issues new shares for cash or sells any treasury shares, it must first offer them to existing shareholders in proportion to their current holdings. At the AGM a special resolution will be proposed which, if passed, will authorise the Directors to issue a limited number of shares for cash and/or sell treasury shares without offering them to shareholders first.
The authority is for an aggregate nominal amount of up to 10% of the aggregate nominal value of the issued share capital of the Company as at 10 June 2021 of £3,780,000. The resolution will also modify statutory pre-emption rights to deal with legal, regulatory or practical problems that may arise on a rights issue or other pre-emptive offer or issue. The authority will expire at the same time as the resolution conferring authority on the Directors to allot shares. The Directors consider this authority necessary in order to give them flexibility to deal with opportunities as they arise, subject to the restrictions contained in the resolution. There are no present plans to issue shares, other than the release of treasury shares under share plans previously approved at general meeting.
As at 31 March 2021, the Company had been notified, in accordance with DTR 5 of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, of the following interests in voting rights in its shares.
| 31 March 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of ordinary shares |
Percentage of voting rights and issued share capital |
Nature of holdings |
|
| The Capital Group Companies, Inc. | 37,851,729 | 9.97 | Indirect |
| BlackRock, Inc. | 23,932,882 | 6.30 | Indirect |
During the period between 31 March 2021 and 10 June 2021 (the latest practicable date prior to the publication) no changes to substantial shareholdings were disclosed to the Company.
The Company was authorised at the 2020 AGM to purchase up to 37,900,000 of its own 10p ordinary shares in the market. This authority expires on 31 August 2021. The Company did not purchase any of its own shares under this authority during the year. In accordance with the Directors' stated intention to seek annual renewal a special resolution will be proposed at the AGM to renew this authority until the earlier of the end of the Company's 2022 AGM and 22 October 2022, in respect of up to 37,900,000 ordinary shares, which is approximately 10% of the Company's issued share capital (excluding treasury shares) as at 10 June 2021.
The Company's AGM will be held on 22 July 2021. Given the continuing uncertainty regarding the easing of UK Government public health guidance and legislation relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, and mindful of the health and wellbeing of our shareholders and employees, we propose to hold this year's AGM as a combined physical and electronic meeting via a live webcast (a hybrid format). Accordingly, we expect only a small number of Directors and the Company Secretary to attend the AGM in person. Although we expect attendance in person at the AGM to be possible, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation and the uncertainties regarding future developments, we strongly encourage shareholders not to attend the AGM in person. Shareholders can instead attend and participate in the AGM virtually via a live webcast, where they will be able to vote electronically and ask questions.
The Notice of Meeting, together with an explanation of the proposed resolutions, is enclosed with this Annual Report and Accounts and is also available on the Company's website at www.halma.com.
Each of the persons who is a Director at the date of approval of this Annual Report and Accounts confirms that:
This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) has expressed its willingness to continue in office as Independent Auditor and a resolution to appoint PwC will be proposed at the forthcoming AGM.
The Group's business activities, together with the main trends and factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position, and the financial position of the Group as at 31 March 2021, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are set out in the Strategic Report. In addition, note 27 to the financial statements contains further information concerning the security, currency, interest rates and maturity of the Group's borrowings.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. In adopting the going concern basis the Directors have considered all of the above factors, including potential scenarios and its principal risks set out on pages 80 to 83. Under the potential scenarios considered, which includes a severe but plausible downside scenario, the Group remains within its debt
facilities and the attached financial covenants for the foreseeable future and the Directors therefore believe, at the time of approving the financial statements, that the Company is well placed to manage its business risks successfully and remains a going concern. The key facts and assumptions in reaching this determination are summarised below.
Our financial position remains robust with committed facilities totalling approximately £670m which includes a £550m Revolving Credit Facility maturing in November 2023 of which £333.4m remains undrawn at the date of this report. The earliest maturity in these facilities is for £70.0m in January 2023. The financial covenants on these facilities are for leverage (net debt/adjusted EBITDA1) of not more than three times and for adjusted interest cover of not less than four times.
Our base case scenario has been prepared using forecasts from each of our operating companies as well as cash outflows on acquisitions and dividends in line with pre COVID-19 levels. In addition, a severe but plausible downside scenario has been modelled showing trading at similar levels to those in the year ended 31 March 2021. This reduction in trading to that currently forecasted could be caused by further significant, unexpected COVID-19 impacts or another significant downside event. In mitigating the impacts of the downside scenario there are actions that can be taken which are entirely discretionary to the business such as acquisitions spend and dividend growth rates. In addition, the Group has demonstrated strong resilience and flexibility in the first half of the year in managing overheads which could be used to further mitigate the impacts of the downside scenario.
Neither of these scenarios result in a breach of the Group's available debt facilities or the attached covenants and accordingly the Directors believe there is no material uncertainty in the use of the going concern assumption.
Events subsequent to the year end are reported in note 32 to the Accounts on page 209.
For the purposes of compliance with DTR 4.1.5 R(2), the required content of the management report can be found in this Directors' Report and the Strategic Report, including the sections of the Annual Report and Accounts incorporated by reference.
Disclosures required by LR 9.8.4 R can be located as follows:
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Details of long-term incentives | 193 |
| Contracts of significance | 141 |
| Shareholder waiver of dividends | 140 |
| Shareholder waiver of future dividends | 140 |
The Company's statement on corporate governance can be found in the Corporate Governance Report on page 88. The Corporate Governance Report forms part of this Directors' Report and is incorporated into it by cross-reference.
Company Secretary
By order of the Board 10 June 2021
1 Net debt and adjusted EBITDA are on a pre-IFRS 16 basis for covenant purposes

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulation.
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have prepared the group financial statements in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 'Reduced Disclosure Framework', and applicable law). Additionally, the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules require the directors to prepare the group financial statements in accordance with international financial reporting standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union. Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and Company and of the profit or loss of the Group and Company for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are required to:
The Directors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group and Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the Directors' Remuneration Report comply with the Companies Act 2006.
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
The Directors consider that the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group and Company's position and performance, business model and strategy.
Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed on pages 90 and 91 confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:
In the case of each Director in office at the date the Directors' Report is approved:
On behalf of the Board
Group Chief Executive
Chief Financial Officer
10 June 2021
— Halma plc's group financial statements and company financial statements (the "financial statements") give a true and fair view of the state of the group's and of the company's affairs as at 31 March 2021 and of the group's profit and the group's cash flows for the year then ended;
We have audited the financial statements, included within the Annual Report and Accounts (the "Annual Report"), which comprise: the consolidated and company balance sheets as at 31 March 2021; the consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of comprehensive income and expenditure, the consolidated cash flow statement, and the consolidated and company statements of changes in equity for the year then ended; the accounting policies; and the notes to the financial statements.
Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the Audit Committee.
As explained in note Accounting Policies to the financial statements, the group, in addition to applying international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, has also applied international financial reporting standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union.
In our opinion, the group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with international financial reporting standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union.
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) ("ISAs (UK)") and applicable law. Our responsibilities under ISAs (UK) are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
We remained independent of the group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, which includes the FRC's Ethical Standard, as applicable to listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.
To the best of our knowledge and belief, we declare that non-audit services prohibited by the FRC's Ethical Standard were not provided.
Other than those disclosed in note 6 to the financial statements, we have provided no non-audit services to the company or its controlled undertakings in the period under audit.
As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. In particular, we looked at where the directors made subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently uncertain.
Key audit matters are those matters that, in the auditors' professional judgement, were of most significance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by the auditors, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters, 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.
Acquisition accounting – valuation of acquired intangibles (group) and Impairment of investments (company), which were key audit matters last year, are no longer included because of the relative level of assessed audit risk associated with them. Otherwise, the key audit matters below are consistent with last year.
There are ten acquisitions which were completed in previous years where the final contingent consideration remains unsettled at 31 March 2021. The total provision held in respect of all contingent consideration estimated at 31 March 2021 is £29.4m . The performance periods relevant for the calculation of the contingent consideration typically range between 1 and 3 years. Given the uncertainty regarding future levels of performance of these acquired businesses and the significant range of potential outcomes (maximum possible exposure of £70.7m) there is a risk of material misstatement in the assessment of the fair value of contingent consideration. Judgement has been applied by management in establishing their best estimate of the liability in respect of each of the related acquisitions based on risk weighted assessments of the forecast performance of each business. Of the ten acquisitions with outstanding contingent consideration at 31 March 2021, we have concluded that 9 have a low risk of material misstatement and our work has principally focussed on the one balance assessed as higher risk.
Refer to Accounting Policies note and notes 20, 25 and 27 for management's disclosures of the relevant judgements and estimates.
A contingent liability of up £13.9m is disclosed in the Annual Report in relation to the European Commission ('EC') decision that the United Kingdom controlled foreign company ('CFC') group financing partial exemption ('FCPE') constitutes State Aid. On 2 April 2019, the European Commission's final decision concluded that the FCPE rules, as they applied up to 31 December 2018, did constitute State Aid. In January 2021, the Group received a Charging Notice from HM Revenue & Customs ("HMRC") for £13.9m assessed for the period from 1 April 2016 to 31 December 2018. The Group has appealed against the notice but as there is no right of postponement the amount charged was paid in full in February 2021. Although the Group has appealed against the notice, the final outcome remains uncertain. The £13.9m payment made has been recognised as a receivable on the basis that management believes it is more likely than not that the amount will be recovered. The resulting £13.9m contingent liability is disclosed in note 31.
Based on the work done, as summarised above, we have concluded the contingent consideration is appropriately stated.
Based on the work performed and summarised above, we have concluded that the Group's treatment of the State Aid exposure and the associated disclosures of the resulting contingent liability are appropriate. Other tax exposures within the Group have either been appropriately provided for or the underlying risks have been assessed as remote and we concur with this assessment.
The Group holds significant goodwill and other intangible assets balances of £808.5m (2020: £838.4m) and £290.0m (2020: £328.4m) respectively as at 31 March 2021. The valuation of these assets is judgemental and there is a risk they may be impaired.
Under IAS 36 'Impairment of Assets', goodwill must be tested for impairment at least annually. Management have performed an annual impairment review for each of the 11 CGU groups, which is the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored by the Group.
The impairment reviews performed by management contain a number of significant judgements and estimates including the allocation of new acquisitions to CGU groups, revenue growth rates and discount rates. A change in these assumptions could result in a material change in the valuation of the assets, and as a result there is a risk that goodwill and other intangible assets balances are no longer deemed to be recoverable and hence should be impaired.
As per management's impairment model, there is a substantial headroom in all CGU Groups. The CGU Group with the lowest headroom is the Healthcare Assessment CGU group, where the assumptions used are more sensitive and where we have specifically assessed the risk of impairment as higher.
Management also assessed whether there are any indications that other intangible assets may be impaired. Where such indications are identified, management estimates the recoverable amount of these assets and compares them to the carrying amounts. No material impairment losses have been recognised as a result of this assessment and we have not identified any significant judgements or sensitive assumptions in management's workings which would make the risk of misstatement anything other than a normal risk.
Refer to Accounting Policies note and note 11 for management's disclosures of the relevant judgements and estimates involved in assessing these assets for impairment.
Based on our work summarised above, we have concluded that goodwill and other intangible assets balances are not impaired at 31 March 2021 and that appropriate disclosures have been made in the financial statements.
The outbreak of COVID-19 continued to impact the Group during the year ended 31 March 2021 although the trading impact was more significant in the first half of the year. Management has considered the impact of the pandemic on both the Group and Company financial statements. Primarily, these considerations related to the estimate of expected credit losses on accounts receivable balances and an additional provision of £5m which was created in FY20 is still in place at 31 March 2021.
There is a risk that the financial impact arising from COVID-19 which has been recorded by management is inadequate.
Refer to Accounting Policies note and note 16 as well as the Directors' Report and Strategic Report for management's disclosures of the relevant judgements, estimates and impacts.
Based on the work performed, as summarised above, we have concluded that the Group's conclusions in respect of the impact of COVID-19 are appropriate.
We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial statements as a whole, taking into account the structure of the group and the company, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which they operate.
The Group is split into four sectors being Process Safety, Infrastructure Safety, Environmental & Analysis and Medical. Each sector consists of a number of businesses spread globally across more than 20 countries. The businesses are further disaggregated into more than 240 reporting components within the consolidation.
We did not identify any individually significant components within the Group, with no single component providing more than 15% of the Group's external revenue or profit before taxation before adjustments. We determined the most efficient approach to scoping was to perform full scope procedures over 28 reporting components where statutory audits are already required in the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Australia, Switzerland, Singapore and Italy. Full scope procedures were also performed in relation to the component holding all consolidation adjustments. In addition, specified audit procedures were performed over all material balances for a further 12 components in the United States. Additional audit procedures were performed on specific financial statement line items for a further 8 components in the United States, China, the UK and the Czech Republic. This approach ensured that appropriate audit coverage has been obtained over all financial statement line items.
Where work was performed by component auditors, we determined the appropriate level of involvement we needed to have in that audit work to ensure we could conclude that sufficient appropriate audit evidence had been obtained for the Group financial statements as a whole. We issued written instructions to all component auditors and had regular communications with them throughout the audit cycle. We have held remote meetings with each component team and reviewed all significant matters reported. Working paper reviews have also been performed for all components which are individually material to the Group; that is exceeding 5% of the Group's profit before taxation or 3% of the Group's revenue.
Based on the detailed audit work performed across the Group, we have gained coverage of 68% of total revenue, 66% of profit before tax, and 88% of net assets.
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 individual 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.
Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:
| Financial statements – group | Financial statements – company | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall materiality | £13,900,000 (FY20: £13,300,000). | £11,160,000 (FY20: £11,200,000). |
| How we determined it | Based on 5% of profit before tax before adjustments. |
Based on 1% of total assets. |
| Rationale for benchmark applied | Based on the benchmarks used in the Annual Report, profit before tax before adjustments is the primary measure used by the stakeholders in assessing the underlying performance of the Group. This benchmark excludes the impact of adjustments in respect of amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets, acquisition items, significant restructuring costs and profit or loss on disposal of operations. |
We believe that a total asset benchmark is appropriate given that the Company does not generate revenues of its own. |
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 £0.1m to £11.2m. Certain components were audited to a local statutory audit materiality that was also less than our overall group materiality.
We use performance materiality to reduce to an appropriately low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceeds overall materiality. Specifically, we use performance materiality in determining the scope of our audit and the nature and extent of our testing of account balances, classes of transactions and disclosures, for example in determining sample sizes. Our performance materiality was 75% of overall materiality, amounting to £10,425,000 for the group financial statements and £8,370,000 for the company financial statements.
In determining the performance materiality, we considered a number of factors – the history of misstatements, risk assessment and aggregation risk and the effectiveness of controls – and concluded that an amount at the upper end of our normal range was appropriate.
We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above £695,000 (group audit) (FY20: £665,000) and £695,000 (company audit) (FY20: £665,000) as well as misstatements below those amounts that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.
Our evaluation of the directors' assessment of the group's and the company's ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting included:
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group's and the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this conclusion is not a guarantee as to the group's and the company's ability to continue as a going concern.
In relation to the directors' reporting on how they have applied the UK Corporate Governance Code, we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to the directors' statement in the financial statements about whether the directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
The other information comprises all of the information in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our auditors' report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this report, any form of assurance thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify an apparent material inconsistency or material misstatement, we are required to perform procedures to conclude whether there is a material misstatement of the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report based on these responsibilities.
With respect to the Strategic report and Directors' Report, we also considered whether the disclosures required by the UK Companies Act 2006 have been included.
Based on our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the Companies Act 2006 requires us also to report certain opinions and matters as described below.
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Strategic report and Directors' Report for the year ended 31 March 2021 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we did not identify any material misstatements in the Strategic report and Directors' Report.
In our opinion, the part of the Annual Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.
The Listing Rules require us to review the directors' statements in relation to going concern, longer-term viability and that part of the corporate governance statement relating to the company's compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified for our review. Our additional responsibilities with respect to the corporate governance statement as other information are described in the Reporting on other information section of this report.
Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following elements of the corporate governance statement, included within the Governance section of the Annual report is materially consistent with the financial statements and our knowledge obtained during the audit, and we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to:
Our review of the directors' statement regarding the longer-term viability of the group was substantially less in scope than an audit and only consisted of making inquiries and considering the directors' process supporting their statement; checking that the statement is in alignment with the relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code; and considering whether the statement is consistent with the financial statements and our knowledge and understanding of the group and company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit.
In addition, based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following elements of the corporate governance statement is materially consistent with the financial statements and our knowledge obtained during the audit:
We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when the directors' statement relating to the company's compliance with the Code does not properly disclose a departure from a relevant provision of the Code specified under the Listing Rules for review by the auditors.
As explained more fully in the Directors' Responsibilities, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable framework and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. The directors are also responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the group's and the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the group or the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
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 auditors' 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 (UK) 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.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Based on our understanding of the group and industry, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to The Listing Rules, UK and US tax legislation, Pensions legislation, Employment regulation, Health and safety regulation and equivalent local laws and regulations applicable to reporting component teams, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We evaluated management's incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to posting inappropriate journal entries, either in the underlying books and records or as part of the consolidation process, and management bias in accounting estimates. The group engagement team shared this risk assessment with the component auditors so that they could include appropriate audit procedures in response to such risks in their work. Audit procedures performed by the group engagement team and/or component auditors included:
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
Our audit testing might include testing complete populations of certain transactions and balances, possibly using data auditing techniques. However, it typically involves selecting a limited number of items for testing, rather than testing complete populations. We will often seek to target particular items for testing based on their size or risk characteristics. In other cases, we will use audit sampling to enable us to draw a conclusion about the population from which the sample is selected.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditors' report.
This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the company's members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.
Companies Act 2006 exception reporting Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.
Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, we were appointed by the members on 20 July 2017 to audit the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2018 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is 4 years, covering the years ended 31 March 2018 to 31 March 2021.
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors Watford
10 June 2021
| Year ended 31 March 2021 | Year ended 31 March 2020 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | Before adjustments* £m |
Adjustments* (note 1) £m |
Total £m |
Before adjustments* £m |
Adjustments* (note 1) £m |
Total £m |
|
| Continuing operations | |||||||
| Revenue | 1 | 1,318.2 | – | 1,318.2 | 1,338.4 | – | 1,338.4 |
| Operating profit | 288.3 | (47.5) | 240.8 | 279.2 | (45.8) | 233.4 | |
| Share of loss of associate | 14 | – | – | – | (0.1) | – | (0.1) |
| Profit on disposal of operations | 30 | – | 22.1 | 22.1 | – | 2.9 | 2.9 |
| Finance income | 4 | 1.0 | – | 1.0 | 0.6 | – | 0.6 |
| Finance expense | 5 | (11.0) | – | (11.0) | (12.7) | – | (12.7) |
| Profit before taxation | 6 | 278.3 | (25.4) | 252.9 | 267.0 | (42.9) | 224.1 |
| Taxation | 9 | (55.8) | 6.2 | (49.6) | (49.4) | 9.7 | (39.7) |
| Profit for the year | 1 | 222.5 | (19.2) | 203.3 | 217.6 | (33.2) | 184.4 |
| Attributable to: | |||||||
| Owners of the parent | 203.4 | 184.4 | |||||
| Non-controlling interests | (0.1) | – | |||||
| Earnings per share | 2 | ||||||
| From continuing operations | |||||||
| Basic and diluted | 58.67p | 53.61p | 57.39p | 48.66p | |||
| Dividends in respect of the year | 10 | ||||||
| Paid and proposed (£m) | 66.8 | 62.5 | |||||
| Paid and proposed per share | 17.65p | 16.50p |
* Adjustments include the amortisation of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; significant restructuring costs, and profit or loss on disposal of operations; and the associated taxation thereon. Note 3 provides more information on alternative performance measures.
| Profit for the year Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to the Consolidated Income |
Notes | 2021 £m 203.3 |
2020 £m 184.4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statement: | |||
| Actuarial (losses)/gains on defined benefit pension plans | 29 | (30.6) | 22.5 |
| Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified | 9 | 5.9 | (4.0) |
| Items that may be reclassified subsequently to the Consolidated Income Statement: | |||
| Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges | 27 | 1.0 | (0.5) |
| Deferred tax in respect of cash flow hedges accounted for in the hedging reserve | 9 | (0.2) | 0.1 |
| Exchange (losses)/gains on translation of foreign operations and net investment hedge | (72.7) | 29.1 | |
| Exchange (gains)/losses on translation of foreign operations recycled to the income | |||
| statement on disposal | (2.8) | 0.1 | |
| Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the year | (99.4) | 47.3 | |
| Total comprehensive income for the year | 103.9 | 231.7 | |
| Attributable to | |||
| Owners of the parent | 104.0 | 231.7 | |
| Non-controlling interests | (0.1) | – |
The exchange losses of £72.7m (2020: gains of £29.1m) includes gains of £19.9m (2020: losses of £11.9m) which relate to net investment hedges as described in note 27.
| 31 March | 31 March | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | 2021 £m |
2020 £m |
|
| Non-current assets | |||
| Goodwill | 11 | 808.5 | 838.4 |
| Other intangible assets | 12 | 290.0 | 328.4 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 13 | 180.8 | 184.3 |
| Interest in associates and other investments | 14 | 9.3 | 4.8 |
| Retirement benefit asset | 29 | – | 5.4 |
| Tax receivable | 31 | 13.9 | – |
| Deferred tax asset | 22 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| 1,303.8 | 1,362.6 | ||
| Current assets | |||
| Inventories | 15 | 167.8 | 170.6 |
| Trade and other receivables | 16 | 268.0 | 286.6 |
| Tax receivable | 2.5 | 10.7 | |
| Cash and bank balances | 134.1 | 106.3 | |
| Derivative financial instruments | 27 | 1.7 | 1.0 |
| 574.1 | 575.2 | ||
| Total assets | 1,877.9 | 1,937.8 | |
| Current liabilities | |||
| Trade and other payables | 17 | 186.7 | 186.7 |
| Borrowings | 19 | 3.0 | 75.1 |
| Lease liabilities | 28 | 13.3 | 13.0 |
| Provisions | 20 | 35.4 | 28.0 |
| Tax liabilities | 8.9 | 9.4 | |
| Derivative financial instruments | 27 | 0.7 | 1.0 |
| 248.0 | 313.2 | ||
| Net current assets | 326.1 | 262.0 | |
| Non-current liabilities | |||
| Borrowings | 19 | 322.3 | 345.0 |
| Lease liabilities | 28 | 51.7 | 48.5 |
| Retirement benefit obligations | 29 | 22.5 | 10.6 |
| Trade and other payables | 21 | 16.8 | 13.3 |
| Provisions | 20 | 8.4 | 21.6 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 22 | 40.6 | 48.7 |
| 462.3 | 487.7 | ||
| Total liabilities | 710.3 | 800.9 | |
| Net assets | 1,167.6 | 1,136.9 | |
| Equity | |||
| Share capital | 23 | 38.0 | 38.0 |
| Share premium account | 23.6 | 23.6 | |
| Own shares | (20.9) | (14.3) | |
| Capital redemption reserve | 0.2 | 0.2 | |
| Hedging reserve | 0.7 | (0.1) | |
| Translation reserve | 73.2 | 148.7 | |
| Other reserves | (13.6) | (7.7) | |
| Retained earnings | 1,065.8 | 949.2 | |
| Equity attributable to owners of the Company | 1,167.0 | 1,137.6 | |
| Non-controlling interests | 0.6 | (0.7) | |
| Total equity | 1,167.6 | 1,136.9 |
The financial statements of Halma plc, company number 00040932, were approved by the Board of Directors on 10 June 2021.
Andrew Williams Marc Ronchetti Director Director
| Share capital £m |
Share premium account £m |
Own shares £m |
Capital redemption reserve £m |
Hedging reserve £m |
Translation reserve £m |
Other reserves £m |
Retained earnings £m |
Non controlling interest £m |
Total £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 April 2020 | 38.0 | 23.6 | (14.3) | 0.2 | (0.1) | 148.7 | (7.7) | 949.2 | (0.7) | 1,136.9 |
| Profit for the year | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 203.4 | (0.1) | 203.3 |
| Other comprehensive income | ||||||||||
| and expense: | ||||||||||
| Exchange loss on translation of | ||||||||||
| foreign operations and net | ||||||||||
| investment hedge | – | – | – | – | – | (72.7) | – | – | – | (72.7) |
| Exchange gains on translation | ||||||||||
| of foreign operations recycled to | ||||||||||
| income statement on disposal | – | – | – | – | – | (2.8) | – | – | – | (2.8) |
| Actuarial losses on defined | ||||||||||
| benefit pension plans | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (30.6) | (30.6) | |
| Effective portion of changes in | ||||||||||
| fair value of cash flow hedges | – | – | – | – | 1.0 | – | – | – | – | 1.0 |
| Tax relating to components of | ||||||||||
| other comprehensive income | ||||||||||
| and expense | – | – | – | – | (0.2) | – | – | 5.9 | – | 5.7 |
| Total other comprehensive | ||||||||||
| income and expense | – | – | – | – | 0.8 | (75.5) | – | (24.7) | – | (99.4) |
| Dividends paid | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (63.7) | – | (63.7) |
| Share-based payment charge | – | – | – | – | – | – | 11.9 | – | – | 11.9 |
| Deferred tax on share-based | ||||||||||
| payment transactions | – | – | – | – | – | – | (0.4) | – | – | (0.4) |
| Excess tax deductions related | ||||||||||
| to share-based payments on | ||||||||||
| exercised awards | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1.6 | – | 1.6 |
| Purchase of own shares | – | – | (16.2) | – | – | – | – | – | – | (16.2) |
| Performance share plan | ||||||||||
| awards vested | – | – | 9.6 | – | – | – | (17.4) | – | – | (7.8) |
| Adjustments to non-controlling | ||||||||||
| interest arising on acquisition | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| At 31 March 2021 | 38.0 | 23.6 | (20.9) | 0.2 | 0.7 | 73.2 | (13.6) | 1,065.8 | 0.6 | 1,167.6 |
Own shares are ordinary shares in Halma plc purchased by the Company and held to fulfil the Company's obligations under the Group's share plans. At 31 March 2021 the number of shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust was 891,622 (2020: 760,894). The market value of own shares was £21.2m (2020: £14.6m).
The Translation reserve is used to record the difference arising from the retranslation of the financial statements of foreign operations. The Hedging reserve is used to record the portion of the cumulative net change in fair value of cash flow hedging instruments that are deemed to be an effective hedge.
The Capital redemption reserve was created on repurchase and cancellation of the Company's own shares. The Other reserves represent the provision for the value of the Group's equity-settled share plans.
| Share capital £m |
Share premium account £m |
Own shares £m |
Capital redemption reserve £m |
Hedging reserve £m |
Translation reserve £m |
Other reserves £m |
Retained earnings £m |
Non controlling interest £m |
Total £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 April 2019 | 38.0 | 23.6 | (4.7) | 0.2 | 0.3 | 119.5 | (5.6) | 810.1 | – | 981.4 |
| Impact of changes in Accounting policies: |
||||||||||
| IFRS 16 'Leases' | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (4.0) | – | (4.0) |
| Restated balance at 1 April 2019 |
38.0 | 23.6 | (4.7) | 0.2 | 0.3 | 119.5 | (5.6) | 806.1 | – | 977.4 |
| Profit for the year Other comprehensive income and expense: |
– | – | – | – | – | – | – | 184.4 | – | 184.4 |
| Exchange gain on translation of foreign operations and net |
||||||||||
| investment hedge Exchange loss on translation of foreign operations recycled to |
– | – | – | – | – | 29.1 | – | – | – | 29.1 |
| income statement on disposal Actuarial gains on defined benefit |
– | – | – | – | – | 0.1 | – | – | – | 0.1 |
| pension plans | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 22.5 | – | 22.5 |
| Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges Tax relating to components of |
– | – | – | – | (0.5) | – | – | – | – | (0.5) |
| other comprehensive income and expense |
– | – | – | – | 0.1 | – | – | (4.0) | – | (3.9) |
| Total other comprehensive | ||||||||||
| income and expense | – | – | – | – | (0.4) | 29.2 | – | 18.5 | – | 47.3 |
| Dividends paid | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (61.2) | – | (61.2) |
| Share-based payment charge Deferred tax on share-based |
– | – | – | – | – | – | 10.5 | – | – | 10.5 |
| payment transactions Excess tax deductions related to share-based payments on |
– | – | – | – | – | – | 0.5 | – | – | 0.5 |
| exercised awards | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1.4 | – | 1.4 |
| Purchase of own shares | – | – | (16.7) | – | – | – | – | – | – | (16.7) |
| Performance share plan awards vested |
– | – | 7.1 | – | – | – | (13.1) | – | – | (6.0) |
| Non-controlling interest arising | ||||||||||
| on acquisition | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (0.7) | (0.7) |
| At 31 March 2020 | 38.0 | 23.6 | (14.3) | 0.2 | (0.1) | 148.7 | (7.7) | 949.2 | (0.7) | 1,136.9 |
| Year ended 31 March |
Year ended 31 March |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | 2021 £m |
2020 £m |
|
| Net cash inflow from operating activities | 26 | 277.6 | 255.5 |
| Cash flows from investing activities | |||
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment – owned assets | 13 | (22.8) | (31.2) |
| Purchase of computer software | 12 | (2.8) | (2.6) |
| Purchase of other intangibles | 12 | (1.2) | (0.3) |
| Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and capitalised development costs | 0.9 | 1.9 | |
| Development costs capitalised | 12 | (15.4) | (14.7) |
| Interest received | 0.8 | 0.5 | |
| Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired | 25 | (46.4) | (232.8) |
| Disposal of business | 30 | 26.1 | 7.6 |
| Purchase of equity investments | 14 | (3.4) | (4.8) |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (64.2) | (276.4) | |
| Cash flows from financing activities | |||
| Dividends paid | (63.7) | (61.2) | |
| Purchase of own shares | (16.2) | (16.7) | |
| Interest paid | (10.0) | (11.1) | |
| Proceeds from bank borrowings | 26 | – | 308.1 |
| Repayment of bank borrowings | 26 | (7.3) | (151.7) |
| Repayment of loan notes | 26 | (72.2) | – |
| Repayment of lease liabilities, net of interest | (14.1) | (13.7) | |
| Net cash generated (used in)/from financing activities | (183.5) | 53.7 | |
| Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 26 | 29.9 | 32.8 |
| Cash and cash equivalents brought forward | 105.4 | 72.1 | |
| Exchange adjustments | (4.2) | 0.5 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents carried forward | 26 | 131.1 | 105.4 |
| Year ended 31 March |
Year ended 31 March |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||
| Notes | £m | £m | |
| Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt | |||
| Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 29.9 | 32.8 | |
| Net cash outflow/(inflow) from repayment/(drawdown) of bank borrowings | 26 | 7.3 | (156.4) |
| Loan notes repaid | 26 | 72.2 | 0.1 |
| Lease liabilities – additions including interest | (25.0) | (18.1) | |
| Lease liabilities – arising on acquisition | (0.5) | (8.2) | |
| Lease liabilities – extinguished on disposal | 1.8 | – | |
| Repayment of lease liabilities | 28 | 16.4 | 15.8 |
| Exchange adjustments | 17.0 | (9.3) | |
| Decrease/(increase) in net debt | 119.1 | (143.3) | |
| Net debt brought forward | (375.3) | (181.7) | |
| Impact of changes in accounting policies – IFRS 16 'Leases' | – | (50.3) | |
| Restated net debt brought forward | (375.3) | (232.0) | |
| Net debt carried forward | (256.2) | (375.3) |
The consolidated financial statements of Halma are prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and have also applied International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union (EU). The financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) interpretations issued and effective at the time of preparing these financial statements.
The principal Group accounting policies are explained below and have been applied consistently throughout the years ended 31 March 2021 and 31 March 2020, other than those noted below.
The Group accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except as described below under the headings 'Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting', 'Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)', 'Pensions' and 'Business combinations and goodwill'.
The following Standards with an effective date of 1 January 2020 have been adopted without any significant impact on the amounts reported in these financial statements:
In April 2021 the IFRS IC published its final agenda decision on Configuration and Customisation ('CC') costs in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. The agenda decision considers how a customer accounts for configuration or customisation costs where an intangible asset is not recognised in a cloud computing arrangement. The agenda decision does not have a material impact on the Group in respect of the current year or prior years. The Group is evaluating the IFRIC publication in respect of costs expected to be incurred in the next year and will update its accounting policy accordingly in the short term to reflect the agenda decision published.
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations that are potentially relevant to the Group, and which have not been applied in these financial statements, were in issue but not yet effective (and in some cases had not yet been adopted by the EU or UK):
The Directors anticipate that the adoption of these Standards and Interpretations in future periods will have no material impact on the financial statements of the Group.
In the reporting of the financial information, the Group uses certain measures that are not required under IFRS, the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) under which the Group reports. The Directors believe that Return on Total Invested Capital (ROTIC), Return on Capital Employed (ROCE), Organic growth at constant currency, Adjusted profit and earnings per share measures and Adjusted operating cash flow provide additional and more consistent measures of underlying performance to shareholders by removing non-trading items that are not closely related to the Group's trading or operating cash flows. These and other alternative performance measures are used by the Directors for internal performance analysis and incentive compensation arrangements for employees. The terms ROTIC, ROCE, organic growth at constant currency and 'adjusted' are not defined terms under IFRS and may therefore not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies. They are not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP measures.
The principal items which are included in adjusting items are set out below in the Group's accounting policy and in note 1. The term 'adjusted' refers to the relevant measure being reported for continuing operations excluding adjusting items.
Definitions of the Group's material alternative performance measures along with reconciliation to their IFRS equivalent measure are included in note 3.
Below we set out our key accounting policies, with a list of all other accounting policies thereafter.
The Group's business activities, together with the main trends and factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position, and the financial position of the Group as at 31 March 2021, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are set out in the Strategic Report. In addition, note 27 contains further information concerning the security, currency, interest rates and maturity of the Group's borrowings.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. In adopting the going concern basis the Directors have considered all of the above factors, including potential scenarios and its principal risks set out on pages 80 to 83. Under the potential scenarios considered, which includes a severe but plausible downside scenario, the Group remains within its debt facilities and the attached financial covenants for the foreseeable future and the Directors therefore believe, at the time of approving the financial statements, that the Company is well placed to manage its business risks successfully and remains a going concern. The key facts and assumptions in reaching this determination are summarised below.
Our financial position remains robust with committed facilities totalling approximately £670m which includes a £550m Revolving Credit Facility maturing in November 2023 of which £333.4m remains undrawn at the date of this report. The earliest maturity in these facilities is for £70.0m in January 2023. The financial covenants on these facilities are for leverage (net debt/adjusted EBITDA*) of not more than three times and for adjusted interest cover of not less than four times.
* Net debt and adjusted EBITDA are on a pre-IFRS 16 basis for covenant purposes.
Our base case scenario has been prepared using forecasts from each of our Operating Companies as well as cash outflows on acquisitions and dividends in line with pre COVID-19 levels. In addition, a severe but plausible downside scenario has been modelled showing trading at similar levels to those in the year ended 31 March 2021. This reduction in trading to that currently forecasted could be caused by further significant, unexpected COVID-19 impacts or another significant downside event. In mitigating the impacts of the downside scenario there are actions that can be taken which are entirely discretionary to the business such as acquisitions spend and dividend growth rates. In addition, the Group has demonstrated strong resilience and flexibility in the first half of the year in managing overheads which could be used to further mitigate the impacts of the downside scenario.
Neither of these scenarios result in a breach of the Group's available debt facilities or the attached covenants and accordingly the Directors believe there is no material uncertainty in the use of the going concern assumption.
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method as at the acquisition date, which is the date on which control is transferred to the Group. The Group measures goodwill at the acquisition date as:
Costs related to the acquisition, other than those associated with the issue of debt or equity securities, are expensed as incurred. Any contingent consideration payable may be accounted for as either:
For acquisitions between 4 April 2004 (the date from which the financial statements were reported under IFRS) and 2 April 2010, goodwill represents the difference between the cost of the acquisition, including acquisition costs and the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired. Goodwill has an indefinite expected useful life and is not amortised, but is tested annually for impairment.
Goodwill is recognised as an intangible asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Goodwill therefore includes non-identified intangible assets including business processes, buyer-specific synergies, know-how and workforce-related industry-specific knowledge and technical skills. Negative goodwill arising on acquisitions would be recognised directly in the Consolidated Income Statement. On closure or disposal of an acquired business, goodwill would be taken into account in determining the profit or loss on closure or disposal.
As permitted by IFRS 1, the Group elected not to apply IFRS 3 'Business Combinations' to acquisitions prior to 4 April 2004 in its consolidated accounts. As a result, the net book value of goodwill recognised as an intangible asset under UK GAAP at 3 April 2004 was brought forward unadjusted as the cost of goodwill recognised under IFRS at 4 April 2004 subject to impairment testing on that date; and goodwill that was written off to reserves prior to 28 March 1998 under UK GAAP will not be taken into account in determining the profit or loss on disposal or closure of previously acquired businesses from 4 April 2004 onwards.
Payments for contingent consideration are classified as investing activities within the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement, with movements in contingent consideration provisions after the measurement period included as a reconciling item between operating profit and cash inflow from operating activities.
An intangible resource acquired with a subsidiary undertaking is recognised as an intangible asset if it is separable from the acquired business or arises from contractual or legal rights, is expected to generate future economic benefits and its fair value can be measured reliably. Acquired intangible assets, comprising trademarks, technology and know-how and customer relationships, are amortised through the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives of between four and 20 years. The carrying value of intangible assets is reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.
Research expenditure is charged to the Consolidated Income Statement in the financial year in which it is incurred.
Development expenditure is expensed in the financial year in which it is incurred, unless it relates to the development of a new or substantially improved product, is incurred after the technical feasibility and economic viability of the product has been proven and the decision to complete the development has been taken, and can be measured reliably. Such expenditure, meeting the recognition criteria of IAS 38 'Intangible Assets', is capitalised as an intangible asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at cost and is amortised through the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line basis over its estimated economic life of three years.
The Group makes contributions to various pension plans.
For defined benefit plans, the asset or liability recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet is the difference between the fair value of the plan's assets and the present value of the defined obligation at that date. The defined benefit obligation is calculated separately for each plan on an annual basis by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method.
Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full in the period in which they occur and are taken to other comprehensive income.
Current and past service costs, along with the impact of any settlements or curtailments, are charged to the Consolidated Income Statement. The net interest expense on pension plans' liabilities and the expected return on the plans' assets is recognised within finance expense in the Consolidated Income Statement.
Contributions to defined contribution plans are charged to the Consolidated Income Statement in the period the expense relates to.
The Group assesses on a forward-looking basis the expected credit losses associated with its trade and other receivables carried at amortised cost. The impairment methodology applied depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk.
The Group applies the simplified approach permitted by IFRS 9, which requires expected lifetime losses to be recognised from initial recognition of the receivables. In order to estimate the expected lifetime losses, the Group categorises its customers into groups with similar risk profiles and determines the historic rates of impairment for each of those categories of customer. The Group then adjusts the risk profile for each group of customers by using forward looking information, such as the government risk of default for the country in which those customers are located, and determines an overall probability of impairment for the total trade and other receivables at the balance sheet date.
The preparation of Group accounts in conformity with IFRS requires the Directors to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experiences and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The following areas of critical accounting judgement and key estimation uncertainty have been identified as having significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities:
Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires management's judgement in assessing cash generating unit (CGU) groups to which goodwill should be allocated. Management allocates a new acquisition to a CGU group based on which one is expected to benefit most from that business combination. The allocation of goodwill to existing CGU groups is generally straightforward and factual, however over time as new businesses are acquired and management reporting structures change management reviews the CGU groups to ensure they are still appropriate. Further details are provided in note 11. There have been no changes to the CGU groups in the current year.
In the current year, determining the recoverability of tax assets requires management's judgement in assessing the amounts paid in relation to group financing partial exemption applicable to UK controlled foreign companies as a result of the decision by the European Commission that this constitutes state aid. Management's assessment is that this represents a contingent liability and that the £13.9m paid to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in the year, included within non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, will ultimately be recovered. Further details are provided in note 31.
Determining the value of contingent consideration recognised as part of the acquisition of a business requires management to estimate the expected performance of the acquired business and the amount of contingent consideration that will therefore become payable. Initial estimates of expected performance are made by the management responsible for completing the acquisition and form a key component of the financial due diligence that takes place prior to completion. Subsequent measurement of contingent consideration is based on the Directors' appraisal of the acquired business's performance in the postacquisition period and the agreement of final payments. See notes 20 and 27 for details of the changes in estimates made in the year and the sensitivity of contingent consideration payables to further changes.
IFRS 3 (revised) 'Business Combinations' requires that goodwill arising on the acquisition of subsidiaries is capitalised and included in intangible assets. IFRS 3 (revised) also requires the identification and valuation of other separable intangible assets at acquisition. The assumptions involved in valuing these intangible assets require the use of management estimates. IAS 38 'Intangible Assets' requires that development costs, arising from the application of research findings or other technical knowledge to a plan or design of a new or substantially improved product, are capitalised, subject to certain criteria being met. Determining the technical feasibility and estimating the future cash flows generated by the products in development requires the use of management estimates.
The estimates made in relation to both acquired intangible assets and capitalised development costs include identification of relevant assets, future growth rates, expected inflation rates and the discount rate used. Management also make estimates of the useful economic lives of the intangible assets. Management engages third party specialists to assist with the valuation assumption in respect of acquired intangible assets.
The 'value in use' calculation used to test for impairment of goodwill involves an estimation of the present value of future cash flows of CGU groups. The future cash flows are based on annual budgets and forecasts of CGUs, as approved by the Board, to which management's expectation of market-share and long-term growth rates are applied. The present value is then calculated based on management's estimate of future discount and growth rates. The Board reviews these key assumptions (market-share, long-term growth rates, and discount rates) and the sensitivity analysis around these assumptions. Management believes that there is no reasonably possible change in any of the key assumptions that would cause the carrying value of any CGU group to exceed its recoverable amount. Further details are provided in note 11.
Determining the value of the future defined benefit obligation requires estimation in respect of the assumptions used to calculate present values. These include future mortality, discount rate and inflation. Management determines these assumptions in consultation with an independent actuary. Details of the estimates made in calculating the defined benefit obligation are disclosed in note 29.
The Group accounts include the accounts of Halma plc and all of its subsidiary companies made up to 31 March 2021, adjusted to eliminate intra-Group transactions, balances, income and expenses. The results of subsidiary companies acquired or discontinued are included from the month of their acquisition or to the month of their discontinuation.
An associate is an entity over which the Group is in a position to exercise significant influence, but not control or joint control, through participation in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but without control or joint control over those policies.
The results and assets and liabilities of associates are incorporated in these financial statements using the equity method of accounting. Investments in associates are carried in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at cost as adjusted by post-acquisition changes in the Group's share of the net assets of the associate, less any impairment in the value of individual investments. Losses of an associate in excess of the Group's interest in that associate (which includes any long-term interests that, in substance, form part of the Group's net investment in the associate) are recognised only to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.
Any excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group's share of the fair values of the identifiable net assets of the associate at the date of acquisition is recognised as goodwill. The goodwill is included within the carrying amount of the investment and is assessed for impairment as part of that investment. Any deficiency of the cost of acquisition below the Group's share of the fair values of the identifiable net assets of the associate at the date of acquisition (i.e. discount on acquisition) is credited in profit or loss in the year of acquisition.
Where a Group company transacts with an associate of the Group, profits and losses are eliminated to the extent of the Group's interest in the relevant associate. Losses may provide evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred in which case appropriate provisioning is made for impairment.
Where the Group disposes of its entire interest in an associate a gain or loss is recognised in the income statement on the difference between the amount received on the sale of the associate less the carrying value and costs of disposal.
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) comprise equity securities which are not held for trading, and which the Group has irrevocably elected at initial recognition to recognise as FVOCI. The Group considers this classification relevant as these are strategic investments.
Financial assets at FVOCI are adjusted to the fair value of the asset at the balance sheet date with any gain or loss being recognised in other comprehensive income and held as part of other reserves. On disposal any gain or loss is recognised in other comprehensive income and the cumulative gains or losses are transferred from other reserves to retained earnings.
Computer software that is not integral to an item of property, plant or equipment is recognised separately as an intangible asset, and is amortised through the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line basis over its estimated economic life of between three and five years.
Other intangibles are amortised through the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives of between three and five years.
All non-current assets are tested for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying value may be impaired. Additionally, goodwill and capitalised development expenditure relating to a product that is not yet in full production are subject to an annual impairment test.
An impairment loss is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement to the extent that an asset's carrying value exceeds its recoverable amount, which represents the higher of the asset's fair value less costs to dispose and its 'value in use'. An asset's 'value in use' represents the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from the asset or from the cash generating unit to which it relates. The present value is calculated using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects the current market assessment of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset concerned.
Impairment losses recognised in previous periods for an asset other than goodwill are reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the asset's recoverable amount, but only to the extent that the carrying amount of the asset does not exceed its carrying amount had no impairment loss been recognised in previous periods. Such reversals are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement. Impairment losses in respect of goodwill are not reversed.
Other information
Other Information
An operating segment is a distinguishable component of the Group that is engaged in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, and whose operating results are reviewed regularly by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (the Group Chief Executive) to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information is available.
Reportable segments are operating segments that either meet the thresholds and conditions set out in IFRS 8 or are considered by the Board to be appropriately designated as reportable segments. Segment result represents operating profits and includes an allocation of Head Office expenses. Segment result excludes tax and financing items. Segment assets comprise goodwill, other intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and Right-of-Use assets (excluding land and buildings), inventories, trade and other receivables. Segment liabilities comprise trade and other payables, provisions and other payables. Unallocated items represent land and buildings (including Right-of-Use assets), corporate and deferred taxation balances, defined benefit plan liabilities, contingent purchase consideration, all components of net cash/borrowings, lease liabilities and derivative financial instruments.
Inventories and work in progress are included at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is calculated either on a 'first in, first out' or an average cost basis and includes direct materials and the appropriate proportion of production and other overheads considered by the Directors to be attributable to bringing the inventories to their location and condition at the year end. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all estimated costs to complete and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.
The Group's revenue streams are the sale of goods and services in the specialist safety, environmental technologies and health markets. The revenue streams are disaggregated into four sectors, that serve like markets. Those sectors are Process Safety, Infrastructure Safety, Environmental & Analysis and Medical.
Revenue is recognised to depict the transfer of control over promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the amount of consideration specified in a contract with a customer, to which the Group expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.
It is the Group's judgement that in the majority of sales there is no contract until such time as the Company satisfies its performance obligation, at which point the contract becomes the supplier's purchase order governed by the Company's terms and conditions. Where there are Master Supply Arrangements, these are typically framework agreements and do not contain clauses that would result in a contract forming under IFRS 15 until a Purchase Order is issued by the customer.
Revenue represents sales, net of estimates for variable consideration, including rights to returns, and discounts, and excluding value added tax and other sales related taxes. The amount of variable consideration is not considered to be material to the Group as a whole. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis.
Performance obligations are unbundled in each contractual arrangement if they are distinct from one another. There is judgement in identifying distinct performance obligations where the product could be determined to be a system, or where a combination of products and services are provided together. For the majority of the Group's activities the performance obligation is judged to be the component product or service rather than the system or combined products and services. The contract price is allocated to the distinct performance obligations based on the relative standalone selling prices of the goods or services.
The way in which the Group satisfies its performance obligations varies by business and may be on shipment, delivery, as services are rendered or on completion of services depending on the nature of product and service and terms of the contract which govern how control passes to the customer. Revenue is recognised at a point in time or over time as appropriate.
Where the Group offers warranties that are of a service nature, revenue is recognised in relation to these performance obligations over time as the services are rendered. In our judgement we believe the associated performance obligations accrue evenly across the contractual term and therefore revenue is recognised on a pro-rated basis over the length of the service period.
In a small number of instances across the Group, products have been determined to be bespoke in nature, with no alternative use. Where there is also an enforceable right to payment for work completed, the criteria for recognising revenue over time have been deemed to have been met. Revenue is recognised on an input basis as work progresses. Progress is measured with reference to the actual cost incurred as a proportion of the total costs expected to be incurred under the contract. This is not a material part of the Group's business as for the most part, where goods are bespoke in nature, it is the Group's judgement that the product can be broken down to standard component parts with little additional cost and therefore has an alternate use, or there is no enforceable right to payment for work performed. In these cases, the judgement is made that the requirements for recognising revenue over time are not met and revenue is recognised when control of the finished product passes to the customer.
A contract asset is recognised when the Group's right to consideration is conditional on something other than the passage of time, for example the completion of future performance obligations under the terms of the contract with the customer.
In some instances, the Group receives payments from customers based on a billing schedule, as established in the contract, which may not match with the pattern of performance under the contract. A contract liability is only recognised on noncancellable contracts that provide unconditional rights to payment from the customer for products and services that the Group has not yet completed providing or that it will provide in the near future. Where performance obligations are satisfied ahead of billing then a contract asset will be recognised.
Contract assets are recognised within Trade and other receivables and are assessed for impairment on a forward-looking basis using the expected lifetime losses approach, as required by IFRS 9 ('Financial Instruments').
The incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer are capitalised as an asset if the Group expects to recover them. Costs such as sales commissions may be incurred when the Group enters into a new contract. Costs to obtain or fulfil a contract are presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as assets until the performance obligation to which they relate has been met. These assets are amortised on consistent basis with how the related revenue is recognised. Costs to obtain or fulfil a contract are immaterial as at 31 March 2021 or 31 March 2020.
The Group applies the practical expedient in IFRS 15 (paragraph 94) and recognises incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortisation period of the asset that the Group would otherwise have recognised is one year or less.
When items of income or expense are material and they are relevant to an understanding of the entity's financial performance, they are disclosed separately within the financial statements. Such adjusting items include costs or reversals arising from acquisitions or disposals of businesses, including acquisition costs, creation or reversals of provisions related to changes in estimates for contingent consideration on acquisition, amortisation of acquired intangible assets, and other significant one-off items that may arise.
Taxation comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in Total equity, in which case it too is recognised in Total equity. Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, along with any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the Consolidated Income Statement because it excludes items that are never taxable or deductible.
Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method, apart from the following differences which are not provided for: goodwill not deductible for tax purposes; the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit; and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, using tax rates and laws, which are expected to apply in the year when the liability is settled, or the asset is realised. Deferred tax assets are only recognised to the extent that recovery is probable.
The Group presents its accounts in Sterling. Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate of exchange at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are reported at the rates prevailing at that date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are measured in terms of historical costs using the exchange rate at the date of the initial transaction. Any gain or loss arising on monetary assets and liabilities from subsequent exchange rate movements is included as an exchange gain or loss in the Consolidated Income Statement.
Net assets of overseas subsidiary companies are expressed in Sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the end of the financial year, and trading results and cash flows at the average rates of exchange for the financial year. Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a foreign business is treated as an asset of the foreign entity and is translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the end of the financial year. Exchange gains or losses arising on these translations are taken to the Translation reserve within Total equity.
In the event that an overseas subsidiary is disposed of or closed, the profit or loss on disposal or closure will be determined after taking into account the cumulative translation difference held within the Translation reserve attributable to that subsidiary. As permitted by IFRS 1, the Group has elected to deem the translation to be £nil at 4 April 2004. Accordingly, the profit or loss on disposal or closure of foreign subsidiaries will not include any currency translation differences which arose before 4 April 2004.
Interest bearing loans and borrowings are initially recognised in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value less directly attributable transaction costs and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.
Trade payables are non-interest bearing and are stated at amortised cost.
The Group enters into derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to foreign exchange rate risk using forward exchange contracts. Further details of derivative financial instruments are disclosed in note 27. The Group continues to apply the requirements of IAS 39 for hedge accounting.
Derivative financial instruments are classified as fair value through profit and loss (held for trading) unless they are in a designated hedge relationship.
Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured to their fair value at each balance sheet date. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement, unless the derivative is designated and effective as a hedging instrument, in which event the timing of the recognition in the Consolidated Income Statement depends on the nature of the hedge relationship. The Group designates certain derivatives as hedges of highly probable forecast transactions or hedges of foreign currency risk of firm commitments (cash flow hedges), or hedges of net investments in foreign operations.
A derivative with a positive fair value is recognised as a financial asset whereas a derivative with a negative fair value is recognised as a financial liability. A derivative is presented as a non-current asset or a non-current liability if the remaining maturity of the instrument is more than 12 months and it is not expected to be realised or settled within 12 months. Other derivatives are presented as current assets or current liabilities.
The Group designates certain hedging instruments as cash flow hedges.
At the inception of the hedge relationship, the entity documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, along with its risk management objectives and its strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. Furthermore, at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, the Group documents whether the hedging instrument has been or is expected to be highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item.
Note 27 sets out details of the fair values of the derivative instruments used for hedging purposes and the movements in the Hedging reserve in equity.
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognised in other comprehensive income. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion as a result of being over hedged is recognised immediately in the Consolidated Income Statement.
Amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity are reclassified to the Consolidated Income Statement in the periods when the hedged item is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement. However, when the forecast transaction that is hedged results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or a non-financial liability, the gains and losses previously accumulated in equity are transferred from equity and included in the initial measurement of the cost of the non-financial asset or non-financial liability.
Hedge accounting is discontinued when the Group revokes the hedging relationship, the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. Any gain or loss recognised in other comprehensive income at that time is accumulated in equity and is recognised, when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognised, in the Consolidated Income Statement. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the gain or loss accumulated in equity is recognised immediately in the Consolidated Income Statement.
The Group uses foreign currency denominated borrowings as a hedge against the translation exposure on the Group's net investment in overseas companies. Where the hedge is fully effective at hedging, the variability in the net assets of such companies caused by changes in exchange rates and the changes in value of the borrowings are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and accumulated in the Translation reserve. The ineffective part of any change in value caused by changes in exchange rates is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement.
Share-based incentives are provided to employees under the Group's share incentive plan, the performance share plan and the executive share plan.
Awards of shares under the share incentive plan are made to qualifying employees depending on salary and service criteria. The shares awarded under this plan are purchased in the market by the plan's trustees at the time of the award, and are then held in trust for a minimum of three years. The costs of this plan are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement over the three-year vesting period of the awards.
Under the Executive share plan, awards of shares are made to executive Directors and certain senior employees participate. Grants under this plan are in the form of Performance Awards or Deferred Share Awards.
Performance Awards are subject to non-market-based vesting criteria, and Deferred Share Awards are subject only to continuing service of the employee. Share awards are equity-settled. The fair value of the awards at the date of grant, which is estimated to be equal to the market value, is charged to the Consolidated Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, with appropriate adjustments being made during this period to reflect expected and actual forfeitures. The corresponding credit is to Other reserves within Total equity.
For cash-settled awards, a liability equal to the portion of the services received is recognised at the current fair value determined at each balance sheet date.
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Group will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the balance sheet date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of the cash flows.
When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, a receivable is recognised as an asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received, and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.
Contingent liabilities are disclosed where a possible obligation dependent on uncertain future events exists as at the end of the reporting period or a present obligation for which payment either cannot be measured or is not considered to be probable is noted. Contingent liabilities are not accrued for and no contingent liability is disclosed where the possibility of payment is considered to be remote.
Government grant income that is linked to capital expenditure is deferred to the Consolidated Balance Sheet and credited to the Consolidated Income Statement over the life of the related asset. In addition, the Group claims research and development expenditure credits arising on qualifying expenditure in its UK-based subsidiaries and shows these 'above the line' in operating profit. Where the credits arise on expenditure that is capitalised as part of internally generated capitalised development costs, the income is deferred to the Consolidated Balance Sheet and credited to the Consolidated Income Statement over the life of the related asset in line with the policy stated above.
Operating profit is presented net of direct production costs, production overheads, selling costs, distribution costs and administrative expenditure (see note 6). Operating profit is stated after charging restructuring costs but before the share of results of associates, profit or loss on disposal of operations, finance income and finance costs.
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances, deposits with an initial maturity of less than three months, and bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand.
Dividends payable to the Company's shareholders are recognised as a liability in the period in which the distribution is approved by the Company's shareholders.
Property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less provisions for accumulated impairment and accumulated depreciation which, with the exception of freehold land which is not depreciated, is provided on a straight-line basis over each asset's estimated economic life. The principal annual rates used for this purpose are:
| Freehold property | 2% |
|---|---|
| Leasehold improvements: | |
| Long leases (more than 50 years unexpired) | 2% |
| Short leases (less than 50 years unexpired) | Period of lease |
| Plant, equipment and vehicles | 8% to 33.3% |
The Group assesses at contract inception whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. That is, if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Where the Group determines the contract is, or contains, a lease, a right-of-use asset and a lease liability is recognised at the lease commencement date.
The lease term is determined from the commencement date of the lease and covers the non-cancellable term. If the Group has an extension option, which it considers reasonably certain to exercise, then the lease term will be considered to extend beyond that non-cancellable period. If the Group has a termination option, which it considers it reasonably certain to exercise, then the lease term will be considered to be until the point the termination option will take effect. The Group deem that it is not reasonably certain to exercise an extension option or a termination option with an exercise date past the planning horizon of five years.
The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, comprising the initial amount of the lease liability plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to restore the underlying asset, less any lease incentives received. The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the end of the lease term unless the right-of-use asset is deemed to have a useful life shorter than the lease term. The Group has taken the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components and so account for both as a single lease component.
The right-of-use assets are also subject to impairment testing under IAS 36. Refer to the previous section on Impairment of noncurrent assets for further details.
The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using the incremental borrowing rate. The lease payments include fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments) less any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, and amounts expected to be paid under residual value guarantees. Variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, and amounts expected to be paid under residual value guarantees are not material to the Group. The lease payments also include the exercise price of a purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised by the Group and payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the Group exercising the option to terminate. Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are recognised as expenses (unless they are incurred to produce inventories) in the period in which the event or condition that triggers the payment occurs. The lease liability is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method by increasing the carrying amount to reflect interest on the lease liability and by reducing the carrying amount to reflect the lease payments made. The lease liability is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or a rate or a change in the Group's assessment of whether it will exercise an extension or termination option. When the lease liability is remeasured, a corresponding adjustment is made to the right-of-use asset.
Payments associated with short-term leases or low-value assets are recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense in the Consolidated Income Statement. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less. Low-value assets mostly comprise of IT equipment and small items of office furniture. Lease payments for short-term leases, low-value assets and variable lease payments not included in the measurement of the lease liability are classified as cash flows from operating activities within the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement. The Group has classified the principal and interest portions of lease payments within financing activities.
The Group recognises interest income or expense using the effective interest rate method. Finance income and finance costs include:
Sector analysis and disaggregation of revenue
The Group has four reportable segments (Process Safety, Infrastructure Safety, Environmental & Analysis and Medical) which are defined by markets rather than product type. Each segment includes businesses with similar operating and market characteristics. These segments are consistent with the internal reporting reviewed each month by the Group Chief Executive.
The following is a description of the principal activities – separated by reportable segments, which are defined by markets rather than product type – from which the Group generates its revenue.
Further disaggregation of sector revenue by geography and by the pattern of revenue recognition depicts how economic factors affect the timing and uncertainty of the Group's revenues.
Process Safety sector generates revenue from providing products that protect assets and people at work across a range of critical industrial and logistics operations. Products include: specialised interlocks that control critical processes safely; instruments that detect hazardous gases and analyse air quality; and explosion protection and corrosion monitoring systems. Products are generally sold separately, with contracts less than one year in length. Warranties are typically of an assurance nature. Revenue is typically recognised as control passes on delivery or despatch.
Payment is typically due within 60 days of invoice, except where a retention is held for documentation.
Infrastructure Safety sector generates revenue from providing products that protect people, property and assets and enable safe movement in public spaces. Products include: fire detection systems; specialist fire suppression systems; elevator safety systems; security sensors; and people and vehicle flow technologies. Products are generally sold separately, with contracts typically less than one year in length. Warranties are typically of an assurance nature. Revenue is recognised as control passes on delivery or despatch.
Payment is typically due within 60 days of invoice.
Environmental & Analysis generates revenue providing products and technologies that monitor and protect the environment, ensuring the quality and availability of life-critical resources, and use optical and imaging technologies in materials analysis. Products include: market-leading optical, optoelectronic and spectral imaging systems; water, air and gases monitoring technologies; and systems for water analysis and treatment. Products and services are generally sold separately. Warranties are typically of an assurance nature, but some companies within the Group offer extended warranties. Depending on the nature of the performance obligation, revenue may be recognised as control passes on delivery, despatch or as the service is delivered. Contracts are typically less than one year in length, but some companies have contracts where certain service-related performance obligations are delivered over a number of years; this can result in contract liabilities where those performance obligations are invoiced ahead of performance.
Payment is typically due within 60 days of invoice.
Medical sector generates revenue from providing products and services that enhance the quality of life for patients and improve quality of care delivered by healthcare providers. Products include: critical fluidic components used by medical diagnostics and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), laboratory devices and systems that provide valuable information to understand patient health and enable providers to make decisions across the continuum of care; technologies and solutions to enable in-vitro diagnostic systems and life-science discoveries and development; and technologies that enable positive outcomes across clinical specialties. Products are generally sold separately, and warranties are typically of an assurance nature. Depending on the nature of the performance obligation, revenue is recognised as control passes on delivery or despatch or as the service is delivered. Contracts are typically less than one year in length, but a limited number of companies have contracts where certain service-related performance obligations are delivered over a number of years; this can result in contract liabilities where those performance obligations are invoiced ahead of performance.
Payment is typically due within 60 days of invoice.
Segment revenue disaggregation (by location of external customer)
| Year ended 31 March 2021 Revenue by sector and destination (all continuing operations) |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America £m |
Mainland Europe £m |
United Kingdom £m |
Asia Pacific £m |
Africa, Near and Middle East £m |
Other countries £m |
Total £m |
|
| Process Safety | 62.5 | 40.6 | 27.6 | 30.5 | 20.2 | 7.4 | 188.8 |
| Infrastructure Safety | 97.4 | 138.7 | 111.0 | 69.9 | 17.3 | 16.2 | 450.5 |
| Environmental & Analysis | 148.9 | 35.7 | 56.4 | 56.4 | 5.8 | 5.6 | 308.8 |
| Medical | 200.6 | 61.0 | 19.2 | 59.3 | 10.8 | 20.4 | 371.3 |
| Inter-segmental sales | (0.6) | – | (0.6) | – | – | – | (1.2) |
| Revenue for the year | 508.8 | 276.0 | 213.6 | 216.1 | 54.1 | 49.6 | 1,318.2 |
| Revenue by sector and destination (all continuing operations) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America £m |
Mainland Europe £m |
United Kingdom £m |
Asia Pacific £m |
Africa, Near and Middle East £m |
Other countries £m |
Total £m |
||||
| Process Safety | 67.0 | 39.7 | 28.7 | 33.2 | 21.8 | 9.6 | 200.0 | |||
| Infrastructure Safety | 105.5 | 142.9 | 109.9 | 70.9 | 22.6 | 14.7 | 466.5 | |||
| Environmental & Analysis | 157.3 | 34.3 | 67.2 | 51.9 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 325.0 | |||
| Medical | 180.7 | 59.6 | 15.4 | 57.3 | 11.7 | 22.5 | 347.2 | |||
| Inter-segmental sales | (0.2) | (0.1) | – | – | – | – | (0.3) | |||
| Revenue for the year | 510.3 | 276.4 | 221.2 | 213.3 | 63.2 | 54.0 | 1,338.4 |
Inter-segmental sales are charged at prevailing market prices and have not been disclosed separately by segment as they are not considered material. Revenue derived from the rendering of services was £52.6m (2020: £53.1m). All revenue was otherwise derived from the sale of products.
| Year ended 31 March 2021 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue recognised over time £m |
Revenue recognised at a point in time £m |
Total Revenue £m |
||
| Process Safety | 0.6 | 188.2 | 188.8 | |
| Infrastructure Safety | 3.4 | 447.1 | 450.5 | |
| Environmental & Analysis | 69.2 | 239.6 | 308.8 | |
| Medical | 20.6 | 350.7 | 371.3 | |
| Inter-segmental sales | – | (1.2) | (1.2) | |
| Revenue for the year | 93.8 | 1,224.4 | 1,318.2 |
| Year ended 31 March 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue recognised over time £m |
Revenue recognised at a point in time £m |
Total Revenue £m |
||
| Process Safety | 0.7 | 199.3 | 200.0 | |
| Infrastructure Safety | 1.6 | 464.9 | 466.5 | |
| Environmental & Analysis | 67.3 | 257.7 | 325.0 | |
| Medical | 13.0 | 334.2 | 347.2 | |
| Inter-segmental sales | – | (0.3) | (0.3) | |
| Revenue for the year | 82.6 | 1,255.8 | 1,338.4 |
Segment revenue disaggregation continued
| Year ended 31 March 2021 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue from | ||||
| performance | Revenue from | |||
| obligations | Revenue | performance | ||
| entered | previously | obligations | ||
| into and | included as | satisfied in | ||
| satisfied | contract | previous | Total | |
| in the year | liabilities | periods | Revenue | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| Process Safety | 188.1 | 0.7 | – | 188.8 |
| Infrastructure Safety | 449.1 | 1.4 | – | 450.5 |
| Environmental & Analysis | 302.8 | 6.0 | – | 308.8 |
| Medical | 365.8 | 5.2 | 0.3 | 371.3 |
| Inter-segmental sales | (1.2) | – | – | (1.2) |
| Revenue for the year | 1,304.6 | 13.3 | 0.3 | 1,318.2 |
| Year ended 31 March 2020 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue from performance obligations entered into and satisfied in the year £m |
Revenue previously included as contract liabilities £m |
Revenue from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods £m |
Total Revenue £m |
||
| Process Safety | 199.3 | 0.7 | – | 200.0 | |
| Infrastructure Safety | 465.3 | 1.2 | – | 466.5 | |
| Environmental & Analysis | 320.8 | 4.1 | 0.1 | 325.0 | |
| Medical | 336.2 | 11.0 | – | 347.2 | |
| Inter-segmental sales | (0.3) | – | – | (0.3) | |
| Revenue for the year | 1,321.3 | 17.0 | 0.1 | 1,338.4 |
The Group has unsatisfied (or partially satisfied) performance obligations at the balance sheet date with an aggregate amount of transaction price as follows. The time bands represented present the expected timing of when the remaining transaction price will be recognised as revenue.
| Aggregate transaction price allocated to | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| unsatisfied performance obligations | |||||
| 31 March | |||||
| 2021 | Recognised < 1 | Recognised 1-2 | Recognised > 2 | ||
| Total | year | years | years | ||
| £m | £m | £m | £m | ||
| Process Safety | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.1 | – | |
| Infrastructure Safety | 17.4 | 12.7 | 0.5 | 4.2 | |
| Environmental & Analysis | 15.2 | 6.3 | 2.9 | 6.0 | |
| Medical | 6.7 | 6.3 | 0.4 | – | |
| Inter-segmental sales | – | – | – | – | |
| Total | 40.3 | 26.2 | 3.9 | 10.2 |
| Aggregate transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March 2020 Total £m |
Recognised < 1 year £m |
Recognised 1-2 years £m |
Recognised > 2 years £m |
|
| Process Safety | 1.9 | 1.8 | 0.1 | – |
| Infrastructure Safety | 4.0 | 3.8 | 0.2 | – |
| Environmental & Analysis | 15.2 | 6.1 | 2.4 | 6.7 |
| Medical | 5.8 | 4.9 | 0.7 | 0.2 |
| Inter-segmental sales | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 26.9 | 16.6 | 3.4 | 6.9 |
| Profit (all continuing operations) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year ended | Year ended | |
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 £m |
2020 £m |
|
| Segment profit before allocation of adjustments* | ||
| Process Safety | 36.6 | 43.9 |
| Infrastructure Safety | 110.6 | 107.7 |
| Environmental & Analysis | 77.4 | 69.4 |
| Medical | 86.6 | 84.4 |
| 311.2 | 305.4 | |
| Segment profit after allocation of adjustments* | ||
| Process Safety | 30.3 | 38.6 |
| Infrastructure Safety | 96.5 | 83.4 |
| Environmental & Analysis | 92.2 | 62.6 |
| Medical | 66.8 | 77.9 |
| Segment profit | 285.8 | 262.5 |
| Central administration costs | (22.9) | (26.3) |
| Net finance expense | (10.0) | (12.1) |
| Group profit before taxation | 252.9 | 224.1 |
| Taxation | (49.6) | (39.7) |
| Profit for the year | 203.3 | 184.4 |
* Adjustments include the amortisation of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; and significant restructuring costs and profit or loss on disposal of operations. Note 3 provides more information on alternative performance measures.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group's accounting policies. Acquisition transaction costs, adjustments to contingent consideration and release of fair value adjustments to inventory (collectively 'acquisition items') are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement. Segment profit, before these acquisition items and the other adjustments, is disclosed separately on the previous page as this is the measure reported to the Group Chief Executive for the purpose of allocation of resources and assessment of segment performance. These adjustments are analysed as follows:
| Year ended 31 March 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acquisition items | |||||||
| Amortisation of acquired intangible assets £m |
Transaction costs £m |
Adjustments to contingent consideration £m |
Release of fair value adjustments to inventory £m |
Total amortisation charge and acquisition items £m |
Disposal of operations and restructuring (note 30) £m |
Total £m |
|
| Process Safety | (5.5) | – | – | (0.8) | (6.3) | – | (6.3) |
| Infrastructure Safety | (11.7) | – | (2.4) | – | (14.1) | – | (14.1) |
| Environmental & Analysis | (8.6) | – | 1.3 | – | (7.3) | 22.1 | 14.8 |
| Medical | (16.5) | (1.9) | 0.4 | (1.8) | (19.8) | – | (19.8) |
| Total Segment & Group | (42.3) | (1.9) | (0.7) | (2.6) | (47.5) | 22.1 | (25.4) |
The transaction costs arose on the acquisition of Static Systems (£0.5m) during the year and costs relating to Visiometrics (£1.4m), both in the Medical sector.
The £0.7m adjustment to contingent consideration comprised: a charge of £2.4m in Infrastructure Safety arising from an increase in the estimate of the payables for Navtech (£1.5m) and FireMate (£0.9m); a credit of £1.3m in Environmental & Analysis arising from a decrease in estimate of the payables for Invenio (£0.8m) and Enoveo (£0.5m), and a credit of £0.4m in Medical arising from a decrease in the estimated payable for NeoMedix (£1.7m), offset by an increase in estimate of the payable for Infowave (£0.9m) and Spreo (£0.2m), and a charge of £0.2m arising from exchange differences on balances denominated in Euros.
The £2.6m release of fair value adjustments to inventory relates to Sensit (£0.8m) in Process Safety and NovaBone (£1.3m), Maxtec (£0.2m) and Static Systems (£0.3m) in Medical. All amounts have now been released in relation to Sensit, NovaBone, Maxtec and Static Systems.
| Year ended 31 March 2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acquisition items | |||||||
| Amortisation of acquired intangible assets £m |
Transaction costs £m |
Adjustments to contingent consideration £m |
Release of fair value adjustments to inventory £m |
Total amortisation charge and acquisition items £m |
Disposal of operations and restructuring (note 30) £m |
Total £m |
|
| Process Safety | (4.2) | (0.7) | – | (0.4) | (5.3) | – | (5.3) |
| Infrastructure Safety | (11.0) | (2.3) | (8.2) | (2.8) | (24.3) | – | (24.3) |
| Environmental & Analysis | (9.2) | (0.2) | 2.6 | – | (6.8) | – | (6.8) |
| Medical | (13.9) | (2.7) | 8.1 | (0.9) | (9.4) | 2.9 | (6.5) |
| Total Segment & Group | (38.3) | (5.9) | 2.5 | (4.1) | (45.8) | 2.9 | (42.9) |
In the prior year, the transaction costs arose mainly on the acquisitions during that year. In Process Safety they related to the acquisition of Sensit (£0.7m). In Infrastructure Safety, they related to the acquisition of Ampac (£2.1m) and FireMate (£0.2m). In Environmental & Analysis, they related to the acquisition of Invenio (£0.1m) and Enoveo (£0.1m). In Medical, they mainly related to the acquisition of Infowave (£0.1m), NeoMedix (£0.1m), NovaBone (£1.7m), Spreo (£0.1m) and Maxtec (£0.3m).
The £2.5m adjustment to contingent consideration comprised: a debit in Infrastructure Safety of £8.2m arising from an increase in the estimate of the payable for Navtech; a credit of £2.6m in Environmental & Analysis arising from decreases in estimates of the payables for Mini-Cam (£2.6m) and Invenio (£0.1m), offset by an increase in estimates of the payable for Enoveo (£0.1m); and a credit of £8.1m in Medical arising from a decrease in estimates of the payables for NovaBone (£8.0m) and Infowave (£1.1m) offset by an increase in the estimate of the payable for NeoMedix (£1.0m).
The £4.1m release of fair value adjustments to inventory related to Sensit (£0.4m) in Process Safety, Navtech (£0.4m) and Ampac (£2.4m) in Infrastructure Safety; and NeoMedix (£0.3m), NovaBone (£0.5m), and Maxtec (£0.1m) in Medical. All amounts have now been released in relation to Navtech, Ampac and NeoMedix.
Segment assets and liabilities
| Assets | Liabilities | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before goodwill, interest in associates and other investments and acquired intangible assets are allocated to specific segment assets/liabilities |
31 March 2021 £m |
31 March 2020 £m |
31 March 2021 £m |
31 March 2020 £m |
| Process Safety | 88.1 | 96.4 | 24.7 | 27.3 |
| Infrastructure Safety | 213.5 | 189.0 | 77.7 | 67.8 |
| Environmental & Analysis | 111.5 | 138.6 | 50.0 | 54.5 |
| Medical | 155.7 | 161.1 | 54.0 | 46.2 |
| Total segment assets/liabilities excluding goodwill, interest in associates and other investments and acquired intangible assets |
568.8 | 585.1 | 206.4 | 195.8 |
| Goodwill | 808.5 | 838.4 | – | – |
| Interest in associate and other investments | 9.3 | 4.8 | – | – |
| Acquired intangible assets | 241.7 | 283.3 | – | – |
| Total segment assets/liabilities including goodwill, interest in associates and other investments and acquired intangible assets |
1,628.3 | 1,711.6 | 206.4 | 195.8 |
| Liabilities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | |
| After goodwill, interest in associates and other investments and acquired intangible assets are allocated to | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 |
| specific segment assets/liabilities | £m | £m | £m | £m |
| Process Safety | 191.8 | 216.4 | 24.7 | 27.3 |
| Infrastructure Safety | 528.6 | 515.0 | 77.7 | 67.8 |
| Environmental & Analysis | 290.4 | 339.3 | 50.0 | 54.5 |
| Medical | 617.5 | 640.9 | 54.0 | 46.2 |
| Total segment assets/liabilities including goodwill, interest in associates and | ||||
| other investments and acquired intangible assets | 1,628.3 | 1,711.6 | 206.4 | 195.8 |
| Cash and bank balances/borrowings | 134.1 | 106.3 | 325.3 | 420.1 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 1.0 |
| Other unallocated assets/liabilities | 113.8 | 118.9 | 177.9 | 184.0 |
| Total Group | 1,877.9 | 1,937.8 | 710.3 | 800.9 |
Segment assets and liabilities, excluding the allocation of goodwill, interest in associate and other investments and acquired intangible assets, have been disclosed separately above as this is the measure reported to the Group Chief Executive for the purpose of monitoring segment performance and allocating resources between segments. Other unallocated assets include land and buildings, right-of-use assets, retirement benefit assets, deferred tax assets and other central administration assets. Unallocated liabilities include contingent purchase consideration, retirement benefit obligations, deferred tax liabilities, lease liabilities and other central administration liabilities.
| Depreciation, amortisation | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Additions to non-current assets | and impairment | |||
| Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | |
| 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| Process Safety | 4.1 | 41.7 | 11.3 | 9.7 |
| Infrastructure Safety | 18.1 | 100.7 | 21.7 | 22.5 |
| Environmental & Analysis | 8.0 | 14.2 | 15.9 | 17.4 |
| Medical | 49.6 | 126.3 | 24.1 | 22.8 |
| Total segment additions/depreciation, amortisation and impairment | 79.8 | 282.9 | 73.0 | 72.4 |
| Unallocated | 33.8 | 31.6 | 20.1 | 17.5 |
| Total Group | 113.6 | 314.5 | 93.1 | 89.9 |
Non-current asset additions comprise acquired and purchased goodwill, other intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, interests in associates and other investments.
During the year impairment losses of £2.8m were recognised on Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, of which £0.4m was recognised in Process Safety, £0.5m was recognised in Infrastructure Safety, £0.9m was recognised in Environmental & Analysis, £0.5m was recognised in Medical and £0.5m was unallocated (2020: £5.2m comprising £2.0m in Infrastructure Safety, £1.6m in Environmental & Analysis and £1.6m in Medical). Impairment losses mainly related to capitalised development costs and were recorded as a result of changes in the expected outcome of projects.
Geographic information
The Group's non-current assets by geographic location are detailed below:
| Non-current assets | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| United States of America | 659.7 | 755.0 |
| Mainland Europe | 240.7 | 254.0 |
| United Kingdom | 263.1 | 224.4 |
| Asia Pacific | 118.7 | 114.5 |
| Other countries | 6.4 | 8.0 |
| 1,288.6 | 1,355.9 |
Non-current assets comprise goodwill, intangible assets, interest in associate and other investments, and property, plant and equipment.
No single customer accounts for more than 5% (2020: 5%) of the Group's revenue.
Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share are calculated using the weighted average of 379,157,495 shares in issue during the year (net of shares purchased by the Company and held as own shares) (2020: 379,086,833). There are no dilutive or potentially dilutive ordinary shares.
Adjusted earnings are calculated as earnings from continuing operations excluding the amortisation of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; restructuring costs and profit or loss on disposal of operations. The Directors consider that adjusted earnings, which constitute an alternative performance measure, represent a more consistent measure of underlying performance as it excludes amounts not directly linked with trading. A reconciliation of earnings and the effect on basic and diluted earnings per share figures is as follows:
| Per ordinary share | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | |
| 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | pence | pence | |
| Earnings from continuing operations attributable to owners of the parent | 203.4 | 184.4 | 53.61 | 48.66 |
| Amortisation of acquired intangible assets (after tax) | 32.0 | 30.3 | 8.44 | 7.98 |
| Acquisition transaction costs (after tax) | 1.6 | 5.3 | 0.43 | 1.41 |
| Adjustments to contingent consideration (after tax) | 0.7 | (2.5) | 0.20 | (0.66) |
| Release of fair value adjustments to inventory (after tax) | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.52 | 0.78 |
| Disposal of operations and restructuring (after tax) | (17.1) | (2.9) | (4.53) | (0.78) |
| Adjusted earnings attributable to owners of the parent | 222.6 | 217.6 | 58.67 | 57.39 |
The Board uses certain alternative performance measures to help it effectively monitor the performance of the Group. The Directors consider that these represent a more consistent measure of underlying performance by removing non-trading items that are not closely related to the Group's trading or operating cash flows. These measures include Return on Total Invested Capital (ROTIC), Return on Capital Employed (ROCE), organic growth at constant currency, Adjusted operating profit and Adjusted operating cash flow.
Note 1 provides further analysis of the adjusting items in reaching adjusted profit measures.
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Profit after tax | 203.3 | 184.4 |
| Adjustments1 | 19.2 | 33.2 |
| Adjusted profit after tax1 | 222.5 | 217.6 |
| Total equity | 1,167.6 | 1,136.9 |
| Add back net retirement benefit obligations | 22.5 | 5.2 |
| Less associated deferred tax assets | (4.0) | (0.5) |
| Cumulative amortisation of acquired intangible assets | 297.2 | 283.5 |
| Historical adjustments to goodwill2 | 89.5 | 89.5 |
| Total Invested Capital | 1,572.8 | 1,514.6 |
| Average Total Invested Capital3 | 1,543.7 | 1,426.5 |
| Return on Total Invested Capital (ROTIC)4 | 14.4% | 15.3% |
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Profit before tax | 252.9 | 224.1 |
| Adjustments1 | 25.4 | 42.9 |
| Net finance costs | 10.0 | 12.1 |
| Lease interest | (2.3) | (2.1) |
| Adjusted operating profit1 after share of results of associates and lease interest | 286.0 | 277.0 |
| Computer software costs within intangible assets | 6.0 | 5.9 |
| Capitalised development costs within intangible assets | 38.9 | 36.1 |
| Other intangibles within intangible assets | 3.4 | 3.1 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 180.8 | 184.3 |
| Inventories | 167.8 | 170.6 |
| Trade and other receivables | 268.0 | 286.6 |
| Trade and other payables | (186.7) | (186.7) |
| Lease liabilities | (13.3) | (13.0) |
| Provisions | (35.4) | (28.0) |
| Net tax receivable | 7.5 | 1.3 |
| Non-current trade and other payables | (16.8) | (13.3) |
| Non-current provisions | (8.4) | (21.6) |
| Non-current lease liabilities | (51.7) | (48.5) |
| Add back contingent purchase consideration | 29.4 | 40.1 |
| Capital Employed | 389.5 | 416.9 |
| Average Capital Employed3 | 403.2 | 387.9 |
| Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)4 | 70.9% | 71.4% |
1 Adjustments include the amortisation of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; and significant restructuring costs and profit or loss on disposal of operations. Where after-tax measures, these also include the associated taxation on adjusting items. Note 1 provides more information on these items.
2 Includes goodwill amortised prior to 3 April 2004 and goodwill taken to reserves.
3 The ROTIC and ROCE measures are expressed as a percentage of the average of the current and prior year's Total Invested Capital and Capital Employed respectively. Using an average as the denominator is considered to be more representative. The 1 April 2019 Total Invested Capital and Capital Employed balances were £1,338.3m and £358.9m respectively.
4 The ROTIC and ROCE measures are calculated as Adjusted profit after tax divided by Average Total Invested Capital and Adjusted operating profit after share of results of associates and lease interest divided by Average Capital Employed respectively.
Organic growth measures the change in revenue and profit from continuing Group operations. This measure equalises the effect of acquisitions by:
a. removing from the year of acquisition their entire revenue and profit before taxation;
The results of disposals are removed from the prior period reported revenue and profit before taxation.
Constant currency measures the change in revenue and profit excluding the effects of currency movements. The measure restates the current year's revenue and profit at last year's exchange rates.
Organic growth at constant currency has been calculated for the Group as follows:
| Revenue | Adjusted* profit before taxation |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | |||
| 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | |||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||
| £m | £m | % growth | £m | £m | % growth | |
| Continuing operations | 1,318.2 | 1,338.4 | (1.5)% | 278.3 | 267.0 | 4.2% |
| Acquired and disposed revenue/profit | (72.4) | (4.5) | (12.6) | (0.6) | ||
| Organic growth | 1,245.8 | 1,333.9 | (6.6)% | 265.7 | 266.4 | (0.3)% |
| Constant currency adjustment | 14.0 | – | 2.6 | – | ||
| Organic growth at constant currency | 1,259.8 | 1,333.9 | (5.6)% | 268.3 | 266.4 | 0.7% |
Organic growth at constant currency is calculated for each segment using the same method as described above.
| Process Safety | Adjusted* | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | segment profit | ||||||
| Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | ||||
| 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | ||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| £m | £m | % growth | £m | £m | % growth | ||
| Continuing operations | 188.8 | 200.0 | (5.6)% | 36.6 | 43.9 | (16.7)% | |
| Acquisition and currency adjustments | (12.5) | – | (2.2) | – | |||
| Organic growth at constant currency | 176.3 | 200.0 | (11.9)% | 34.4 | 43.9 | (21.5)% |
| Infrastructure Safety | Revenue | Adjusted* segment profit |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | |||
| 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | |||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||
| £m | £m | % growth | £m | £m | % growth | |
| Continuing operations | 450.5 | 466.5 | (3.4)% | 110.6 | 107.7 | 2.7% |
| Acquisition and currency adjustments | (7.4) | (1.6) | (1.7) | – | ||
| Organic growth at constant currency | 443.1 | 464.9 | (4.7)% | 108.9 | 107.7 | 1.2% |
| Environmental & Analysis | Adjusted* | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | segment profit | |||||
| Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | |||
| 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | |||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||
| £m | £m | % growth | £m | £m | % growth | |
| Continuing operations | 308.8 | 325.0 | (5.0)% | 77.4 | 69.4 | 11.4% |
| Acquisition and currency adjustments | 4.5 | (2.9) | 1.4 | (0.7) | ||
| Organic growth at constant currency | 313.3 | 322.1 | (2.7)% | 78.8 | 68.7 | 14.7% |
| Medical | Adjusted* | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | segment profit | |||||
| Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | Year ended | |||
| 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | |||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||
| £m | £m | % growth | £m | £m | % growth | |
| Continuing operations | 371.3 | 347.2 | 7.0% | 86.6 | 84.4 | 2.6% |
| Acquisition and disposal and currency adjustments | (43.0) | – | (11.0) | 0.1 | ||
| Organic growth at constant currency | 328.3 | 347.2 | (5.4)% | 75.6 | 84.5 | (10.5)% |
* Adjustments include in the current and prior year the amortisation of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items and significant restructuring costs and profit or loss on disposal of operations.
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Operating profit | 240.8 | 233.4 |
| Add back: | ||
| Acquisition items (note 1) | 5.2 | 7.5 |
| Amortisation of acquired intangible assets | 42.3 | 38.3 |
| Adjusted operating profit | 288.3 | 279.2 |
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Net cash from operating activities (note 26) | 277.6 | 255.5 |
| Add back: | ||
| Net acquisition costs paid | 2.4 | 5.2 |
| Taxes paid | 53.8 | 52.4 |
| Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | 0.9 | 1.9 |
| Share awards vested not settled by own shares (Note 24) | 7.8 | 6.0 |
| Less: | ||
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (22.8) | (31.2) |
| Purchase of computer software and other intangibles | (4.0) | (2.9) |
| Development costs capitalised | (15.4) | (14.7) |
| Adjusted operating cash flow | 300.3 | 272.2 |
| Cash conversion % (adjusted operating cash flow/adjusted operating profit) | 104% | 97% |
Adjusted*
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Interest receivable | 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Net interest credit on pension plan liabilities | 0.1 | – |
| Fair value movement on derivative financial instruments | 0.1 | – |
| 1.0 | 0.6 |
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Interest payable on borrowings | 7.7 | 8.7 |
| Interest payable on lease obligations | 2.3 | 2.1 |
| Amortisation of finance costs | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| Net interest charge on pension plan liabilities | – | 0.8 |
| Other interest payable | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| 10.8 | 12.5 | |
| Fair value movement on derivative financial instruments | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| 11.0 | 12.7 |
Profit before taxation comprises:
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Revenue | 1,318.2 | 1,338.4 |
| Direct materials/direct labour | (551.0) | (559.6) |
| Production overhead | (113.9) | (113.3) |
| Selling costs | (120.3) | (136.6) |
| Distribution costs | (24.3) | (25.4) |
| Administrative expenses | (267.9) | (270.1) |
| Operating profit | 240.8 | 233.4 |
| Share of loss of associate | – | (0.1) |
| Profit on disposal of operations | 22.1 | 2.9 |
| Net finance expense | (10.0) | (12.1) |
| Profit before taxation | 252.9 | 224.1 |
Included within administrative expenses are the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, transaction costs, and adjustments to contingent consideration. Included within direct materials/direct labour is the release of fair value adjustments to inventory.
| Year ended 31 March |
Year ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 31 March 2020 |
||
| £m | £m | ||
| Profit before taxation is stated after charging/(crediting): | |||
| Depreciation | 37.3 | 35.8 | |
| Amortisation | 53.0 | 48.9 | |
| Impairment of intangible assets | 2.3 | 5.2 | |
| Impairment of property, plant and equipment | 0.5 | – | |
| Impairment loss on trade receivables (note 16) | 0.5 | 8.3 | |
| Research and development* | 54.9 | 57.3 | |
| Foreign exchange loss/(gain) | 2.8 | (0.4) | |
| Profit on disposal of operations (note 30) | (21.6) | (2.9) | |
| Loss/(profit) on sale of property, plant and equipment and computer software | 0.7 | (0.1) | |
| Cost of inventories recognised as an expense | 664.9 | 672.9 | |
| Staff costs (note 7) | 366.4 | 376.4 | |
| Auditors' remuneration | Audit services to the Company | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Audit of the Company's subsidiaries | 1.2 | 1.1 | |
| Total audit fees | 1.7 | 1.6 | |
| Interim review | 0.1 | 0.1 | |
| Other services | – | – | |
| Total non-audit fees | 0.1 | 0.1 | |
| Total fees | 1.8 | 1.7 |
* A further £15.4m (2020: £14.7m) of development costs has been capitalised in the year. See note 12.
Strategic Report Strategic Report
GovernanceGovernance
The average number of persons employed by the Group (including Directors) by entity location was:
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| Number | Number | |
| United States of America | 2,427 | 2,282 |
| Mainland Europe | 1,152 | 1,126 |
| United Kingdom | 2,201 | 2,303 |
| Asia Pacific | 1,246 | 1,187 |
| Other countries | 94 | 94 |
| 7,120 | 6,992 |
The monthly average number of persons employed by the Group (including Directors) by employee location was:
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| Number | Number | |
| United States of America | 2,395 | 2,302 |
| Mainland Europe | 1,117 | 1,098 |
| United Kingdom | 2,224 | 2,229 |
| Asia Pacific | 1,237 | 1,225 |
| Other countries | 147 | 138 |
| 7,120 | 6,992 |
Group employee costs comprise:
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Wages and salaries | 300.7 | 309.6 |
| Social security costs | 40.8 | 42.9 |
| Pension costs (note 29) | 11.5 | 11.6 |
| Share-based payment charge (note 24) | 13.4 | 12.3 |
| 366.4 | 376.4 |
The remuneration of the Directors is set out on pages 129 to 139 within the Annual Remuneration Report described as being audited and forms part of these financial statements.
Directors' remuneration comprises:
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Wages, salaries and fees | 4.0 | 4.9 |
| Pension costs | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Share-based payment charge | 3.1 | 2.9 |
| 7.2 | 7.9 |
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March 2021 |
31 March 2020 |
|
| £m | £m | |
| Current tax | ||
| UK corporation tax at 19% (2020: 19%) | 11.5 | 12.3 |
| Overseas taxation | 40.7 | 30.5 |
| Adjustments in respect of prior years | 1.7 | (2.9) |
| Total current tax charge | 53.9 | 39.9 |
| Deferred tax | ||
| Origination and reversal of timing differences | (4.4) | (0.4) |
| Adjustments in respect of prior years | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| Total deferred tax credit | (4.3) | (0.2) |
| Total tax charge recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement | 49.6 | 39.7 |
| Reconciliation of the effective tax rate: | ||
| Profit before tax | 252.9 | 224.1 |
| Tax at the UK corporation tax rate of 19% (2020: 19%) | 48.1 | 42.6 |
| Overseas tax rate differences | 6.3 | 6.1 |
| Effect of intra-group financing | (6.5) | (6.2) |
| Tax incentives, exemptions and credits (including patent box, R&D and High-Tech status) | (4.4) | (3.8) |
| Permanent differences | 4.3 | 3.7 |
| Adjustments in respect of prior years | 1.8 | (2.7) |
| Total tax charge recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement | 49.6 | 39.7 |
| Effective tax rate | 19.6% | 17.7% |
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Adjusted* profit before tax | 278.3 | 267.0 |
| Total tax charge on adjusted* profit | 55.8 | 49.4 |
| Effective tax rate | 20.1% | 18.5% |
* Adjustments include the amortisation of acquired intangible assets, acquisition items, significant restructuring costs and profit or loss on disposal of operations. Note 3 provides more information on alternative performance measures.
The Group's future Effective Tax Rate (ETR) will mainly depend on the geographic mix of profits and whether there are any changes to tax legislation in the Group's most significant countries of operations. The UK government announced in the Budget on 3 March 2021 an intention to increase the UK corporation tax rate from 19% to 25% with effect from 1 April 2023. This change will impact the value of our UK deferred tax balances as well as the tax charged on UK profits from the effective date.
In addition to the amount charged to the Consolidated Income Statement, the following amounts relating to tax have been recognised directly in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure:
| Year ended 31 March 2021 |
Year ended 31 March 2020 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Current tax | £m | £m |
| Retirement benefit obligations | (2.5) | – |
| Deferred tax (note 22) | ||
| Retirement benefit obligations | (3.4) | 4.0 |
| Effective portion of changes in fair value of cash flow hedges | 0.2 | (0.1) |
| (5.7) | 3.9 |
In addition to the amounts charged to the Consolidated Income Statement and the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure, the following amounts relating to tax have been recognised directly in equity:
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Current tax | ||
| Excess tax deductions related to share-based payments on exercised awards | (1.6) | (1.4) |
| Deferred tax (note 22) | ||
| Change in estimated excess tax deductions related to share-based payments | 0.4 | (0.5) |
| Impact of changes in accounting policies: IFRS 16 'Leases' | – | (0.9) |
| (1.2) | (2.8) |
| Per ordinary share | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended 31 March |
Year ended 31 March |
Year ended 31 March |
Year ended 31 March |
||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||
| pence | pence | £m | £m | ||
| Amounts recognised as distributions to shareholders in the year | |||||
| Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2020 (31 March 2019) | 9.96 | 9.60 | 37.7 | 36.4 | |
| Interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2021 (31 March 2020) | 6.87 | 6.54 | 26.0 | 24.8 | |
| 16.83 | 16.14 | 63.7 | 61.2 | ||
| Dividends declared in respect of the year | |||||
| Interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2021 (31 March 2020) | 6.87 | 6.54 | 26.0 | 24.8 | |
| Proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2021 (31 March 2020) | 10.78 | 9.96 | 40.8 | 37.7 | |
| 17.65 | 16.50 | 66.8 | 62.5 |
The proposed final dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 22 July 2021 and has not been included as a liability in these financial statements.
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Cost | ||
| At beginning of year | 838.4 | 694.0 |
| Additions (note 25) | 20.6 | 122.5 |
| Adjustments to prior years (note 25) | 3.6 | 0.4 |
| Disposals (note 30) | (3.8) | – |
| Exchange adjustments | (50.3) | 21.5 |
| At end of year | 808.5 | 838.4 |
| Provision for impairment | ||
| At beginning and end of year | – | – |
| Carrying amounts | 808.5 | 838.4 |
The Group identifies cash generating units (CGUs) at the operating company level as this represents the lowest level at which cash inflows are largely independent of other cash inflows. Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated, at acquisition, to the groups of CGUs that are expected to benefit from that business combination.
Where goodwill has been allocated to a cash-generating unit (CGU) group and part of the operation within that unit is disposed of, the goodwill associated with the disposed operation is included in the carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain or loss on disposal.
Before recognition of any impairment losses, the carrying amount of goodwill has been allocated to CGU groups as follows:
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| Process Safety | £m | £m |
| Gas Detection | 14.4 | 15.9 |
| Bursting Discs | 8.4 | 9.3 |
| Safety Interlocks and Corrosion Monitoring | 55.9 | 61.4 |
| 78.7 | 86.6 | |
| Infrastructure Safety | ||
| Fire | 114.2 | 112.4 |
| Doors, Security and Elevators | 112.2 | 116.0 |
| 226.4 | 228.4 | |
| Environmental & Analysis | ||
| Water | 74.4 | 75.7 |
| Optical Analysis | 64.1 | 74.9 |
| Environmental Monitoring | 12.7 | 9.3 |
| 151.2 | 159.9 | |
| Medical | ||
| Life Sciences | 37.6 | 40.3 |
| Healthcare Assessment | 184.4 | 176.8 |
| Therapeutic Solutions | 130.2 | 146.4 |
| 352.2 | 363.5 | |
| Total Group | 808.5 | 838.4 |
Goodwill values have been tested for impairment by comparing them against the 'value in use' in perpetuity of the relevant CGU group. The 'value in use' calculations were based on projected cash flows, derived from the latest budgets prepared by management and strategic plans approved by the Board, discounted at CGU specific, risk adjusted, discount rates to calculate their net present value.
The calculation of 'value in use' is most sensitive to the following assumptions:
CGU specific operating assumptions are applicable to the forecasted cash flows for the year to March 2022 and relate to revenue forecasts, expected project outcomes and forecast operating margins in each of the operating companies. The relative value ascribed to each assumption will vary between CGUs as the forecasts are built up from the underlying operating companies within each CGU group. A short-term growth rate is applied to the March 2022 forecast to derive the cash flows arising in the years to March 2023 and March 2024. A long-term rate is applied to these values for the year to March 2025 and onwards. The potential impacts of climate change are not currently considered a key assumption and no imminent risks or opportunities are assumed as the Group is at a relatively early stage of its climate change journey and no material risks and opportunities which should be included in the relevant future cash flows have currently been identified. However, we have taken initial steps during the current year towards assessing these potential risks and opportunities and further work will be performed in the coming year. All CGU groups have significant headroom and any future impacts of climate change are not expected to have a material impact on the carrying value of goodwill.
Short-term growth rates for the years 2023 and 2024 for all CGU groups are based on sector strategic plans. Long-term growth rates are capped at the weighted average GDP growth rates of the markets into which that CGU group sells.
Discount rates are based on estimations of the assumptions that market participants operating in similar sectors to Halma would make, using the Group's economic profile as a starting point and adjusting appropriately. The Directors do not currently expect any significant change in the present base discount rate of 9.26% (2020: 9.36%). The base discount rate, which is pre-tax and is based on short-term variables, may differ from the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC). Discount rates are adjusted for economic risks that are not already captured in the specific operating assumptions for each CGU group. This results in the impairment testing using discount rates ranging from 7.92% to 12.58% (2020: 8.39% to 13.19%) across the CGU groups.
CGU groups to which 10% or more of the total goodwill balance is allocated are deemed to be significant. The assumptions used to determine 'value in use' for these CGU groups are:
| Risk adjusted discount rate | Short-term growth rates* | Long-term growth rates | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| Fire | 11.43% | 12.23% | 10.14% | 12.90% | 2.04% | 1.99% |
| Doors, Security and Elevators | 10.50% | 11.83% | 10.14% | 12.90% | 2.04% | 1.99% |
| Healthcare Assessment | 12.58% | 13.19% | 8.32% | 11.22% | 1.87% | 2.04% |
| Therapeutic Solutions | 10.95% | 11.45% | 8.32% | 11.22% | 1.87% | 2.04% |
* Applied to calculate year two and three cash flows in the current year, and year three cash flows only in the prior year.
The Directors believe that no reasonably possible change in any of the above key assumptions would cause the carrying value of any unit to exceed its recoverable amount.
| Acquired intangible assets | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer and supplier relationship1 £m |
Technical know how2 £m |
Trademarks, brands and patents3 £m |
Total £m |
Internally generated capitalised development costs4 £m |
Computer software £m |
Other intangibles5 £m |
Total £m |
|
| Cost | ||||||||
| At 1 April 2019 | 284.2 | 88.6 | 65.9 | 438.7 | 91.1 | 20.7 | 4.6 | 555.1 |
| Assets of businesses | ||||||||
| acquired | 41.5 | 56.7 | 15.2 | 113.4 | 0.9 | – | – | 114.3 |
| Additions at cost | – | – | – | – | 14.7 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 17.6 |
| Disposals and | ||||||||
| retirements | – | – | – | – | (0.6) | (0.8) | (0.1) | (1.5) |
| Exchange adjustments | 9.7 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 14.7 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 16.9 |
| At 31 March 2020 | 335.4 | 148.6 | 82.8 | 566.8 | 107.7 | 22.9 | 5.0 | 702.4 |
| Assets of businesses | ||||||||
| acquired (note 25) | 7.3 | 5.9 | 2.2 | 15.4 | – | – | – | 15.4 |
| Assets of business sold | (1.9) | (2.9) | (2.1) | (6.9) | (0.4) | (0.4) | (0.5) | (8.2) |
| Additions at cost | – | – | – | – | 15.4 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 19.4 |
| Disposals and | ||||||||
| retirements | – | – | – | – | (4.4) | (1.1) | – | (5.5) |
| Transfers | – | – | – | – | (0.4) | 1.0 | – | 0.6 |
| Exchange adjustments | (20.9) | (10.5) | (4.9) | (36.3) | (4.6) | (1.0) | (0.5) | (42.4) |
| At 31 March 2021 | 319.9 | 141.1 | 78.0 | 539.0 | 113.3 | 24.2 | 5.2 | 681.7 |
| Accumulated | ||||||||
| amortisation & | ||||||||
| impairment | ||||||||
| At 1 April 2019 | 161.5 | 34.6 | 39.1 | 235.2 | 58.0 | 15.2 | 1.5 | 309.9 |
| Charge for the year | 24.6 | 9.2 | 4.5 | 38.3 | 7.9 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 48.9 |
| Impairment | – | – | – | – | 5.2 | – | – | 5.2 |
| Disposals and | ||||||||
| retirements | – | – | – | – | (0.6) | (0.8) | – | (1.4) |
| Exchange adjustments | 7.2 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 10.0 | 1.1 | 0.4 | (0.1) | 11.4 |
| At 31 March 2020 | 193.3 | 45.1 | 45.1 | 283.5 | 71.6 | 17.0 | 1.9 | 374.0 |
| Charge for the year | 25.2 | 12.0 | 5.1 | 42.3 | 7.9 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 53.0 |
| Assets of business sold | (1.9) | (2.9) | (2.1) | (6.9) | – | (0.3) | (0.3) | (7.5) |
| Impairment | – | – | – | – | 1.9 | 0.4 | – | 2.3 |
| Disposals and | ||||||||
| retirements | – | – | – | – | (4.4) | (1.0) | – | (5.4) |
| Transfers | – | – | – | – | – | 0.5 | – | 0.5 |
| Exchange adjustments | (14.5) | (3.9) | (3.2) | (21.6) | (2.6) | (0.8) | (0.2) | (25.2) |
| At 31 March 2021 | 202.1 | 50.3 | 44.9 | 297.3 | 74.4 | 18.2 | 1.8 | 391.7 |
| Carrying amounts | ||||||||
| At 31 March 2021 | 117.8 | 90.8 | 33.1 | 241.7 | 38.9 | 6.0 | 3.4 | 290.0 |
| At 31 March 2020 | 142.1 | 103.5 | 37.7 | 283.3 | 36.1 | 5.9 | 3.1 | 328.4 |
1 Customer and supplier relationship assets are amortised over their useful economic lives estimated to be between three and 20 years. Within this balance individually material balances relate to:
– CenTrak: £13.5m (2020: £16.4m);
– Mini-Cam: £11.0m (2020: £12.7m); and
– Ampac: £13.4m (2020: £15.9m).
The remaining amortisation periods for these assets are 10 years, seven years, and 12 years respectively.
2 Technical know-how assets are amortised over their useful economic lives, estimated to be between three and 15 years. Within this balance individually material balances relate to:
– CenTrak £8.9m (2020: £11.8m);
– NeoMedix £8.5m (2020: £10.1m); and
– NovaBone £20.8m (2020: £24.7m).
The remaining amortisation periods for these assets are five years, 13 years, and 14 years respectively.
3 Trademarks, brands and patents (which include protected intellectual property) are amortised over their useful economic lives estimated to be between eight and 20 years. There are no individually material items within this balance.
4 Internally generated capitalised development costs are amortised over their useful economic lives estimated to be three years from the date of product launch. There are no
individually material items within this balance, which comprises capitalised costs arising from the development phase of the R&D projects undertaken by the Group.
5 Other intangibles comprise licence and product registration costs, and customer lists, amortised over their useful economic lives, estimated to be between three and five years.
| Plant, equipment Right-of-use Freehold Leasehold assets and land and buildings and (Note 28) buildings improvements vehicles Total £m £m £m £m £m Cost At 1 April 2019 – 53.9 22.0 188.7 264.6 Impact of changes in accounting policies – IFRS 16 95.0 – – – 95.0 Transfer between category – – 0.1 (0.5) (0.4) Assets of businesses acquired 5.8 1.4 1.6 3.6 12.4 Additions at cost 16.1 2.0 3.0 26.2 47.3 Disposals and retirements (9.8) – (1.4) (7.9) (19.1) Exchange adjustments 2.2 1.9 0.3 4.2 8.6 At 31 March 2020 109.3 59.2 25.6 214.3 408.4 Transfer between category – 0.1 (0.1) (0.7) (0.7) Assets of businesses acquired (note 25) 0.6 2.4 – 0.6 3.6 Assets of business sold (4.0) – (0.4) (6.6) (11.0) Additions at cost 23.7 4.6 1.3 16.9 46.5 (16.6) – (4.4) (9.9) (30.9) Disposals and retirements Exchange adjustments (6.1) (2.7) (0.9) (9.6) (19.3) At 31 March 2021 106.9 63.6 21.1 205.0 396.6 Accumulated depreciation At 1 April 2019 – 14.3 13.3 124.6 152.2 Impact of changes in accounting policies – IFRS 16 49.6 – – – 49.6 Transfer between category – – – (0.4) (0.4) Charge for the year 13.2 1.1 2.3 19.2 35.8 Disposals and retirements (9.8) – (1.1) (6.4) (17.3) Exchange adjustments 0.9 0.4 0.3 2.6 4.2 At 31 March 2020 53.9 15.8 14.8 139.6 224.1 Transfer between category – 0.1 (0.1) (0.6) (0.6) Charge for the year 14.4 1.2 3.2 18.5 37.3 Impairment 0.2 – – 0.3 0.5 Assets of business sold (2.4) – (0.3) (3.9) (6.6) Disposals and retirements (16.2) – (4.1) (8.7) (29.0) (2.6) (0.7) (0.5) (6.1) (9.9) Exchange adjustments At 31 March 2021 47.3 16.4 13.0 139.1 215.8 Carrying amounts At 31 March 2021 59.6 47.2 8.1 65.9 180.8 |
Owned assets | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 31 March 2020 55.4 43.4 10.8 74.7 184.3 |
Note 28 Leases contains further details of the Group's right-of-use assets. None of the property, plant and equipment has been pledged as security.
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Interest in associate | 1.4 | – |
| Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income | ||
| – Equity instruments | 7.9 | 4.8 |
| 9.3 | 4.8 |
| 31 March 2021 £m |
31 March 2020 £m |
|
|---|---|---|
| Interest in associate | ||
| At beginning of the year | – | 3.9 |
| Additions in the year (note 30) | 1.4 | – |
| Group's share of loss of associate | – | (0.1) |
| Disposal (note 30) | – | (3.8) |
| At end of year | 1.4 | – |
During the year, the Group incorporated a new entity, OneThird B.V., to spin out the food technology start-up business from Ocean Insight, investing £0.9m on set up. On 26 March 2021, OneThird B.V., issued new shares to external investors that reduced the Group's ownership interest from 60% to 35.3%, valuing the Group's share at €1.5m (£1.4m) and resulting in a gain on deemed disposal of £0.5m. Following the deemed disposal, OneThird B.V. now meets the tests to be accounted for as an associate.
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Aggregated amounts relating to associate | ||
| Current assets | 1.2 | – |
| Current liabilities | – | – |
| Net assets | 1.2 | – |
| Group's share of net assets of associate | 0.4 | – |
| Total revenue | – | 10.3 |
| Loss | – | (0.5) |
| Group's share of loss of associate | – | (0.1) |
The results of associate in the prior year related to the Group's previous associate, Optomed, prior to its disposal.
Equity investments at FVOCI comprise the following individual investments:
| 31 March 2021 £m |
31 March 2020 £m |
|
|---|---|---|
| Unlisted securities | ||
| Owlytics Healthcare Limited | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| Valencell Inc. | 3.2 | 3.1 |
| Oxbotica Limited | 3.0 | – |
| 7.9 | 4.8 |
During the year no gains or losses were recognised in other comprehensive income relating to these equity investments (2020: £nil).
Further information on methods and assumptions used in determining fair value is provided in note 27.
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Raw materials and consumables | 92.0 | 90.1 |
| Work in progress | 15.8 | 16.9 |
| Finished goods and goods for resale | 60.0 | 63.6 |
| 167.8 | 170.6 |
The above is stated net of provision for slow-moving and obsolete stock, movements of which are shown below:
| 31 March 2021 £m |
31 March 2020 |
|
|---|---|---|
| At beginning of the year | 27.1 | £m 21.5 |
| Write downs of inventories recognised as an expense | 7.4 | 3.9 |
| Recognition of provisions for businesses acquired | 1.2 | 1.8 |
| Derecognition of provisions for businesses disposed | (0.4) | – |
| Amounts reversed against inventories previously impaired and utilisation | (3.1) | (0.8) |
| Exchange adjustments | (1.7) | 0.7 |
| At end of the year | 30.5 | 27.1 |
In the year ended 31 March 2021, previous write-downs against inventory were reversed as a result of increased sales in certain markets or where previously written down inventories have been disposed.
There is no material difference between the original cost of inventories and their cost of replacement. None of the inventory has been pledged as security.
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Trade receivables | 238.8 | 249.8 |
| Allowance for doubtful debts | (11.2) | (12.7) |
| 227.6 | 237.1 | |
| Other receivables | 8.7 | 11.0 |
| Prepayments | 17.4 | 18.3 |
| Contract assets (note 18) | 14.3 | 20.2 |
| 268.0 | 286.6 |
Other receivables comprise various financial assets across the Group, including sales tax receivables and other non-trade balances.
Receivables due in more than one year comprise of £nil (2020: £0.3m) in trade receivables and £1.9m in other receivables (2020: £2.2m).
The movement in the allowance for doubtful debts in respect of trade receivables during the year was as follows:
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| At beginning of the year | 12.7 | 5.0 |
| Net impairment loss recognised | 0.5 | 8.3 |
| Amounts recovered against trade receivables previously written down/amounts utilised | (1.8) | (0.9) |
| Recognition of provisions for businesses acquired | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| Exchange adjustments | (0.3) | 0.1 |
| At end of the year | 11.2 | 12.7 |
The Group assesses on a forward-looking basis the expected credit losses associated with its trade and other receivables carried at amortised cost.
The Group assessed that no provisions or impairments were required in relation to contract assets (2020: £nil).
The fair value of trade and other receivables approximates to book value due to the short-term maturities associated with these items. There is no impairment risk identified with regards to prepayments or other receivables where no amounts are past due.
The ageing of trade receivables was as follows:
| Trade receivables | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross trade receivables | net of doubtful debts | ||||
| 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | ||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||
| £m | £m | £m | £m | ||
| Not yet due | 181.2 | 181.4 | 181.0 | 181.1 | |
| Up to one month overdue | 32.0 | 34.6 | 31.5 | 34.3 | |
| Between one and two months overdue | 7.7 | 10.5 | 7.5 | 10.5 | |
| Between two and three months overdue | 5.7 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 4.5 | |
| Over three months overdue | 12.2 | 18.3 | 2.1 | 6.7 | |
| 238.8 | 249.8 | 227.6 | 237.1 |
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Trade payables | 84.8 | 89.5 |
| Other taxation and social security | 11.4 | 8.7 |
| Other payables | 6.0 | 7.0 |
| Accruals | 67.1 | 64.0 |
| Contract liabilities (note 18) | 16.0 | 16.2 |
| Deferred government grant income | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| 186.7 | 186.7 |
Other payables comprise various balances across the Group including share-based payments related amounts of £2.0m (2020: £2.4m), deferred R&D expenditure tax credits and other non-trade payables. These comprise £5.3m of financial liabilities and £0.7m of non-financial liabilities.
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Contract assets (note 16) | 14.3 | 20.2 |
| Contract liabilities current (note 17) | 16.0 | 16.2 |
| Contract liabilities non-current (note 21) | 11.0 | 10.0 |
| Total contract liabilities | 27.0 | 26.2 |
| Contract assets | Contract liabilities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March 2021 £m |
31 March 2020 £m |
31 March 2021 £m |
31 March 2020 £m |
||
| Amounts included in contract balances at the beginning of the year | 20.2 | 9.1 | (26.2) | (18.6) | |
| Transfers to receivables during the year | (17.7) | (9.5) | |||
| Performance obligations arising in the current reporting year | |||||
| Increases as a result of billing ahead of performance | (16.7) | (29.5) | |||
| Decreases as a result of revenue recognised in the year | 15.1 | 23.5 | |||
| Increases as a result of performance in advance of billing | 13.7 | 20.2 | |||
| Amounts arising through business combinations | – | – | – | (1.0) | |
| Exchange movements | (1.9) | 0.4 | 0.8 | (0.6) | |
| Amounts included in contract balances at the end of the year | 14.3 | 20.2 | (27.0) | (26.2) |
In some cases, the Group receives payments from customers based on a billing schedule, as established in our contracts. The contract assets relate to revenue recognised for performance in advance of scheduled billing and has decreased as the Group has provided less services ahead of the agreed payment schedules for certain contracts. The contract liability relates to payments received in advance of performance under contract and varies based on performance under these contracts.
| 31 March 2021 £m |
31 March 2020 £m |
|
|---|---|---|
| Loan notes falling due within one year | – | 74.2 |
| Overdrafts | 3.0 | 0.9 |
| Total borrowings falling due within one year | 3.0 | 75.1 |
| Unsecured loan notes falling due after more than one year | 105.3 | 108.6 |
| Unsecured bank loans falling due after more than one year | 217.0 | 236.4 |
| Total borrowings falling due after more than one year | 322.3 | 345.0 |
| Total borrowings | 325.3 | 420.1 |
The loan notes falling due within one year at 31 March 2020, related to the first repayment due under the United States Private Placement completed in November 2015 which were repaid in January 2021.
In the current and prior year, the loan notes falling due after more than one year relate to the remainder of the United States Private Placement.
Information concerning the security, currency, interest rates and maturity of the Group's borrowings is given in note 27.
Provisions are presented as:
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Current | 35.4 | 28.0 |
| Non-current | 8.4 | 21.6 |
| 43.8 | 49.6 |
| Contingent purchase consideration £m |
Dilapidations £m |
Product warranty £m |
Legal, contractual and other £m |
Total £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 April 2020 | 40.1 | 2.3 | 6.2 | 1.0 | 49.6 |
| Additional provision in the year | 3.5 | 0.6 | 4.1 | 2.0 | 10.2 |
| Arising on acquisition (note 25) | – | – | 0.1 | 3.2 | 3.3 |
| Liabilities of business sold | – | (0.1) | – | – | (0.1) |
| Utilised during the year | (9.9) | – | (1.5) | (1.3) | (12.7) |
| Released during the year | (3.0) | (0.3) | (0.8) | (0.5) | (4.6) |
| Exchange adjustments | (1.3) | – | (0.2) | (0.4) | (1.9) |
| At 31 March 2021 | 29.4 | 2.5 | 7.9 | 4.0 | 43.8 |
The provision at the beginning of the year comprised £19.1m payable within one year relating to the previous acquisitions of Navtech, Visiometrics, LAN, Enoveo, NeoMedix, NovaBone and Spreo. The balance at the beginning of the year due after more than one year of £21.0m related to the estimate for the final earnout period for Navtech and earnouts for Invenio, Enoveo, Infowave, NeoMedix, FireMate, NovaBone and Spreo.
The £3.5m additional provision in the year related to revisions to the estimates for Navtech (£1.5m increase), Infowave (£0.9m increase), FireMate (£0.9m increase) and Spreo (£0.2m increase).
The £9.9m utilised during the year related to the second earnout period for Navtech (£5.6m), the earnout for FireMate (£3.5m), the first NovaBone holdback amount of (£0.5m), first earnout period for Invenio (£0.2m) and LAN (£0.1m).
The £3.0m released during the year related to the revisions to the estimate of NeoMedix (£1.7m reduction), Invenio (£0.8m reduction) and Enoveo (£0.5m reduction).
The closing total provision is £29.4m, of which £26.1m is payable within one year, includes amounts based on actual results for the final earnout period for Navtech, the first earnout periods for Infowave, Spreo and NeoMedix, and the second earnout period for Invenio. It also includes estimates for the final earnout period for Visiometrics, for the year ended 31 December 2018, which is subject to final agreement, estimates for the future earnouts for NeoMedix and LAN and the remaining holdback amount for NovaBone.
The balance due after more than one year of £3.3m comprises the final earnout periods for Infowave, NovaBone, Invenio and Spreo.
The total contingent purchase consideration payable in future for the existing acquisitions is a minimum of £12.2m with a maximum possible payable of £70.7m.
The basis for the calculation of each contingent consideration arrangement is set out on page 201 in note 27, including sensitivity of the estimation of the liabilities to changes in the assumptions.
The dilapidations provisions are for the continuing obligations under leases in respect of property dilapidation and reinstatement provisions. The provisions comprise the Directors' best estimates of future payments to restore the fabric of buildings to their original condition where it is a condition of the leases, prior to return of the properties.
These commitments cover the period from 2021 to 2029 though they predominantly fall due within five years.
Product warranty provisions reflect commitments made to customers on the sale of goods in the ordinary course of business and included within the Group companies' standard terms and conditions. The warranties represent assurance type warranties within the definition of IFRS 15. Warranty commitments cover a period of between one and five years and typically apply for a 12-month period. The provision represents the Directors' best estimate of the Group's liability based on past experience.
Legal, contractual and other provisions comprise mainly amounts reserved against open legal and contractual disputes. The Company has on occasion been required to take legal or other actions to defend itself against proceedings brought by other parties. Provisions are made for the expected costs associated with such matters, based on past experience of similar items and other known factors, taking into account professional advice received, and represent Directors' best estimate of the likely outcome. The timing of utilisation of these provisions is frequently uncertain reflecting the complexity of issues and the outcome of various court proceedings and negotiations. Contractual and other provisions represent the Directors' best estimate of the cost of settling future obligations. Unless specific evidence exists to the contrary, these reserves are shown as current.
However, no provision is made for proceedings which have been or might be brought by other parties against Group companies unless the Directors, taking into account professional advice received, assess that it is more likely than not that such proceedings may be successful.
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Other payables | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Other taxation and social security | 2.5 | – |
| Accruals | 0.6 | 0.1 |
| Contract liabilities (note 18) | 11.0 | 10.0 |
| Deferred government grant income | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| 16.8 | 13.3 |
| Retirement benefit obligations £m |
Acquired intangible assets £m |
Accelerated tax depreciation £m |
Short-term timing differences £m |
Share-based payment £m |
Goodwill timing differences £m |
Total £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 April 2020 | 0.5 | (69.4) | (6.3) | 4.1 | 5.6 | 18.1 | (47.4) |
| Credit/(charge) to Consolidated Income Statement |
0.1 | 10.3 | (1.2) | (1.6) | – | (3.3) | 4.3 |
| Credit/(charge) to | |||||||
| Consolidated Statement of | |||||||
| Comprehensive Income | 3.4 | – | – | (0.2) | – | – | 3.2 |
| Charge to equity | – | – | – | – | (0.4) | – | (0.4) |
| Arising on acquisition (note 25) | – | (2.9) | (0.2) | 0.7 | – | (0.1) | (2.5) |
| Deferred tax of business sold (note | |||||||
| 30) | – | – | 1.2 | 0.1 | – | 0.9 | 2.2 |
| Exchange adjustments | – | 3.3 | 0.5 | (0.3) | – | (2.2) | 1.3 |
| At 31 March 2021 | 4.0 | (58.7) | (6.0) | 2.8 | 5.2 | 13.4 | (39.3) |
| Retirement benefit obligations £m |
Acquired intangible assets £m |
Accelerated tax depreciation £m |
Short-term timing differences £m |
Share-based payment £m |
Goodwill timing differences £m |
Total £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 April 2019 | 7.0 | (46.6) | (5.4) | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.3 | (31.8) |
| Impact of changes in accounting policies: IFRS 16 'Leases' (Charge)/credit to Consolidated |
– | – | – | 0.9 | – | – | 0.9 |
| Income Statement | (2.5) | 8.0 | (0.6) | (1.7) | 0.8 | (3.8) | 0.2 |
| (Charge)/credit to Consolidated Statement of |
|||||||
| Comprehensive Income | (4.0) | – | – | 0.1 | – | – | (3.9) |
| Credit to equity | – | – | – | – | 0.5 | – | 0.5 |
| Arising on acquisition | – | (30.0) | (0.1) | (0.2) | – | 16.9 | (13.4) |
| Exchange adjustments | – | (0.8) | (0.2) | 0.4 | – | 0.7 | 0.1 |
| At 31 March 2020 | 0.5 | (69.4) | (6.3) | 4.1 | 5.6 | 18.1 | (47.4) |
Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:
| 31 March 2021 £m |
31 March 2020 £m |
|
|---|---|---|
| Deferred tax liability | (40.6) | (48.7) |
| Deferred tax asset | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| Net deferred tax liability | (39.3) | (47.4) |
Deferred tax balances expected to unwind in less than one year are insignificant.
Movement in net deferred tax liability:
| 31 March 2021 |
31 March 2020 |
|
|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | |
| At beginning of year | (47.4) | (31.8) |
| Impact of changes in accounting policies: IFRS 16 'Leases' | – | 0.9 |
| (Charge)/credit to Consolidated Income Statement: | ||
| UK | (2.0) | (2.1) |
| Overseas | 6.3 | 2.3 |
| Charge to Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income | 3.2 | (3.9) |
| Charge to equity | (0.4) | 0.5 |
| Arising on acquisition (note 25) | (2.5) | (13.4) |
| Deferred tax of business sold (note 30) | 2.2 | – |
| Exchange adjustments | 1.3 | 0.1 |
| At end of year | (39.3) | (47.4) |
It is likely that the unremitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries would qualify for the UK dividend exemption such that no UK tax would be due upon remitting those earnings to the UK. However, £84.7m (2020: £75.1m) of those earnings may still result in a tax liability, principally as a result of the dividend withholding taxes levied by the overseas jurisdictions in which those subsidiaries operate. These tax liabilities are not expected to exceed £6.4m (2020: £5.7m) of which only £0.7m has been provided as the Group is able to control the timing of the dividends. It is not expected that further amounts will crystallise in the foreseeable future. Temporary timing differences in connection with the interest in associate are insignificant.
At 31 March 2021 the Group had unused capital tax losses of £0.3m (2020: £0.3m) and other tax losses of £0.8m (2020: £nil) for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised.
| Issued and fully paid | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Ordinary shares of 10p each | 38.0 | 38.0 |
The number of ordinary shares in issue at 31 March 2021 was 379,645,332 (2020: 379,645,332), including shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust of 891,622 (2020: 760,894).
The total cost recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement in respect of share-based payment plans (the 'employee share plans') was as follows:
| Year ended 31 March 2021 | Year ended 31 March 2020 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity settled £m |
Cash settled £m |
Total £m |
Equity settled £m |
Cash settled £m |
Total £m |
|
| Share incentive plan | 1.1 | – | 1.1 | 0.9 | – | 0.9 |
| Executive share plan | 11.9 | 0.4 | 12.3 | 10.5 | 0.9 | 11.4 |
| 13.0 | 0.4 | 13.4 | 11.4 | 0.9 | 12.3 |
Shares awarded under this Plan are purchased in the market by the Plan's trustees at the time of the award and are held in trust until their transfer to qualifying employees; vesting is conditional upon completion of three years' service. Forfeited shares are reallocated in subsequent grants. The costs of providing this Plan are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement over the three-year vesting period.
Under the ESP, in which executive Directors and certain senior employees participate, deferred share awards are made as either performance awards or deferred awards. Performance awards vest after three years based on Earnings Per Share and Return on Total Invested Capital (ROTIC) targets, and after two or three years for deferred share awards based on continuing service of the employee only. Awards which do not vest lapse on the second or third anniversary of their grant. Shares awarded under this Plan are purchased in the market by the Plan's trustees and are held as own shares until their transfer to qualifying employees. Under the terms of the trust deed, Halma is required to provide the trust with the necessary funds to purchase the shares ahead of vesting. Dividends accrue on unvested awards and are settled in cash on vesting.
The following table shows the number of deferred shares granted and outstanding at the beginning and end of the reporting period:
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of | Number of | |
| shares | shares | |
| awarded | awarded | |
| Outstanding at beginning of year | 2,175,864 | 2,289,919 |
| Granted during the year | 726,410 | 757,280 |
| Vested during the year (pro-rated for 'good leavers') | (870,681) | (761,652) |
| Lapsed during the year | (225,263) | (109,683) |
| Outstanding at end of year | 1,806,330 | 2,175,864 |
| Exercisable at end of year | – | – |
The performance shares outstanding at 31 March 2021 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 13 months (2020: 12 months).
The fair value of the awards was calculated using an appropriate simulation method, with the inputs below:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected life (years) | 2/3 | 2/3 | 3 |
| Share price on date of grant (p) | 2,260.0 | 2,046.0 | 1,370.0 |
| Option price (p) | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Fair value per option (%) | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Fair value per option (p) | 2,260.0 | 2,046.0 | 1,369.2 |
Awards under the above plans are normally settled in shares but may be settled in cash at the Board's discretion or where required by local regulations. Cash-settled awards follow the same vesting conditions as the plans under which they are awarded.
The Group withholds an amount for an employee's tax obligation associated with a share-based payment and transfers that amount in cash to the relevant tax authority on the employee's behalf. The deferred shares granted under the ESP include a net settlement feature under which shares are withheld in order to settle the employee's tax obligations.
Where permitted by local regulations, the Group is settling the deferred share grant on a net basis by withholding the number of shares with a fair value equal to the monetary value of the employee's tax obligation and only issuing the remaining shares on completion of the vesting period. An amount of £7.8m was withheld and paid to the taxation authority in relation to the deferred shares granted in July 2017 (2020: £6.0m).
In accounting for acquisitions, adjustments are made to the book values of the net assets of the companies acquired to reflect their fair values to the Group. Acquired inventories are valued at fair value adopting Group bases and any liabilities for warranties relating to past trading are recognised. Other previously unrecognised assets and liabilities at acquisition are included and accounting policies are aligned with those of the Group where appropriate.
During the year ended 31 March 2021, the Group completed the acquisition of the Static Systems Group.
Below are summaries of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the purchase consideration of:
c) the aggregate adjustments arising on prior year acquisitions.
Due to their contractual dates, the fair value of receivables acquired (shown below) approximate to the gross contractual amounts receivable. The amount of gross contractual receivables not expected to be recovered is immaterial.
There are no material contingent liabilities recognised in accordance with paragraph 23 of IFRS 3 (revised).
The combined fair value adjustments made for the acquisitions above under IFRS 3, excluding acquired intangible assets recognised and deferred taxation thereon, decreased the goodwill recognised by £1.3m (2020: £2.7m increase).
As at the date of approval of the financial statements, the acquisition accounting for all prior year acquisitions is complete. The accounting for the current year acquisitions is provisional; relating to finalisation of certain provisional balances.
| Total £m |
|
|---|---|
| Non-current assets | |
| Intangible assets | 15.4 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 3.5 |
| Current assets | |
| Inventories | 2.0 |
| Trade and other receivables | 2.5 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 7.9 |
| Total assets | 31.3 |
| Current liabilities | |
| Trade and other payables | (3.7) |
| Lease liabilities | (0.2) |
| Provisions | (0.1) |
| Corporation tax | (0.2) |
| Non-current liabilities | |
| Lease liabilities | (0.3) |
| Provisions | (3.2) |
| Deferred tax | (2.5) |
| Total liabilities | (10.2) |
| Net assets of businesses acquired | 21.1 |
| Non-controlling interest | (1.4) |
| Initial cash consideration paid | 37.0 |
| Additional amounts paid in respect of cash acquired and other adjustments | 6.9 |
| Total consideration | 43.9 |
| Goodwill arising on acquisitions (current year) | 20.6 |
| Goodwill arising on acquisitions (prior year) | 3.6 |
| Total goodwill | 24.2 |
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Initial cash consideration paid | 37.0 | 226.2 |
| Cash acquired on acquisitions | (7.9) | (8.0) |
| Initial cash consideration adjustment and other amounts paid to vendors on current year acquisitions | 6.9 | 4.1 |
| Contingent consideration paid and loan notes repaid in cash in relation to prior year acquisitions* | 10.4 | 10.5 |
| Net cash outflow relating to acquisitions (per Consolidated Cash Flow Statement) | 46.4 | 232.8 |
* The £10.4m comprises £9.9m contingent consideration paid and £0.5m other amounts in respect of prior period acquisitions all of which had been provided in the prior period's financial statements.
| Total £m |
|
|---|---|
| Non-current assets | |
| Intangible assets | 15.4 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 3.6 |
| Current assets | |
| Inventories | 2.0 |
| Trade and other receivables | 2.4 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 7.9 |
| Total assets | 31.3 |
| Current liabilities | |
| Trade and other payables | (3.9) |
| Lease liabilities | (0.2) |
| Provisions | (0.1) |
| Corporation tax payable | (0.2) |
| Non-current liabilities | |
| Lease liabilities | (0.3) |
| Deferred tax | (3.3) |
| Total liabilities | (8.0) |
| Net assets of business acquired | 23.3 |
| Initial cash consideration paid | 37.0 |
| Additional amounts paid in respect of cash acquired and other adjustments | 6.9 |
| Total consideration | 43.9 |
On 18 December 2020, the Group acquired the Static Systems Group ('Static Systems') for an initial cash consideration of £37.0m adjustable for cash acquired and other adjustments. The adjustment was determined to be £6.9m. The acquisition comprised of the entire share capital of Static Systems Holdings Limited and its subsidiary Static Systems Group Limited (formerly Static Systems Group Plc).
Static Systems, based in Wolverhampton, UK, is a designer, manufacturer and installer of critical communication systems, which are central to UK healthcare trusts' patient care infrastructure. Its technology enables hospital patients to alert healthcare specialists in an emergency, protecting lives and decreasing the response time of care provided. The company continues to run under its own management team and has become part of the Group's Medical sector.
The excess of the fair value of the consideration paid over the fair value of the assets acquired is represented by customer related intangibles of £7.3m; trade name of £2.2m and technology related intangibles of £5.9m; with residual goodwill arising of £20.6m. The goodwill represents:
a) the technical expertise of the acquired workforce;
b) the opportunity to leverage this expertise across some of Halma's businesses through future technologies; and
c) the ability to provide a route to the UK healthcare market for certain existing products and services within the Group's Medical sector.
Static Systems contributed £6.6m of revenue and £1.0m of profit after tax for the year ended 31 March 2021.
If this acquisition had been held since the start of the financial year, it is estimated that the Group's reported revenue and profit after tax would have been £14.9m higher and £1.7m higher respectively.
Acquisition costs totalling £0.5m were recorded in the Consolidated Income Statement.
The goodwill arising on the Static Systems acquisition is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
c) Adjustments in respect of prior year acquisitions
| Total | |
|---|---|
| £m | |
| Current liabilities | |
| Trade and other payables | 0.2 |
| Non-current liabilities | |
| Provisions | (3.2) |
| Deferred tax | 0.8 |
| Total liabilities | (2.2) |
| Net adjustments to assets of businesses acquired in prior years | (2.2) |
| Non-controlling interest | (1.4) |
| Adjustment to goodwill | 3.6 |
In finalising the acquisition accounting for the prior year acquisition of NeoMedix, an adjustment of £3.2m was made to include a legal provision in relation to a case in existence at the acquisition date. There was an adjustment made to decrease the related deferred tax liability of £0.7m. Overall this resulted in an increase in goodwill of £2.5m.
In finalising the acquisition accounting for the prior year acquisition of Ampac, an adjustment of £0.2m was made to decrease trade and other payables and £0.1m was made to reduce deferred tax. Overall this resulted in a corresponding decrease in goodwill of £0.3m.
In finalising the acquisition accounting for the prior year acquisition of FireMate, a correction of the calculation of non-controlling interest was made resulting in an increase in goodwill of £1.4m.
The adjustments were not material and as such the comparative balance sheet was not restated; instead the adjustments have been made through the current year.
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Reconciliation of profit from operations to net cash inflow from operating activities: | ||
| Profit on continuing operations before finance income and expense, share of results of associate | ||
| and profit on disposal of operations | 240.8 | 233.4 |
| Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss | – | 0.1 |
| Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment | 37.8 | 35.8 |
| Amortisation and impairment of computer software | 2.8 | 2.2 |
| Amortisation of capitalised development costs and other intangibles | 8.3 | 8.4 |
| Impairment of capitalised development costs | 1.9 | 5.2 |
| Amortisation of acquired intangible assets | 42.3 | 38.3 |
| Share-based payment expense in excess of amounts paid | 3.7 | 4.8 |
| Payments to defined benefit pension plans net of charge | (13.1) | (12.5) |
| Loss/(profit) on sale of property, plant and equipment and computer software | 0.7 | (0.1) |
| Operating cash flows before movement in working capital | 325.2 | 315.6 |
| Increase in inventories | (6.7) | (5.1) |
| Decrease/(increase) in receivables | 4.3 | (9.0) |
| Increase in payables and provisions | 7.9 | 8.9 |
| Revision to estimate of, and exchange differences arising on, contingent consideration payable | 0.7 | (2.5) |
| Cash generated from operations | 331.4 | 307.9 |
| Taxation paid | (53.8) | (52.4) |
| Net cash inflow from operating activities | 277.6 | 255.5 |
| Year ended 31 March |
Year ended 31 March |
|
|---|---|---|
| 2021 £m |
2020 £m |
|
| Analysis of cash and cash equivalents | ||
| Cash and bank balances | 134.1 | 106.3 |
| Overdrafts (included in current borrowings) | (3.0) | (0.9) |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 131.1 | 105.4 |
| 1 April 2020 £m |
Cash flow £m |
Net cash/ (debt) acquired £m |
Net (cash)/ debt disposed £m |
Loan notes repaid £m |
Additions £m |
Exchange adjustments £m |
31 March 2021 £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analysis of net debt | ||||||||
| Cash and bank balances | 106.3 | 24.5 | 7.9 | (0.4) | – | – | (4.2) | 134.1 |
| Overdrafts | (0.9) | (2.1) | – | – | – | – | – | (3.0) |
| Cash and cash | ||||||||
| equivalents | 105.4 | 22.4 | 7.9 | (0.4) | – | – | (4.2) | 131.1 |
| Loan notes falling due within one year |
(74.2) | – | – | – | 72.2 | – | 2.0 | – |
| Loan notes falling due after more than one year |
(108.6) | – | – | – | – | – | 3.3 | (105.3) |
| Bank loans falling due after more than one |
||||||||
| year | (236.4) | 7.3 | – | – | – | – | 12.1 | (217.0) |
| Lease liabilities | (61.5) | 16.4 | (0.5) | 1.8 | – | (25.0) | 3.8 | (65.0) |
| Total net debt | (375.3) | 46.1 | 7.4 | 1.4 | 72.2 | (25.0) | 17.0 | (256.2) |
The net increase in cash and cash equivalents of £29.9m comprised cash inflow of £22.4m, cash acquired of £7.9m and cash disposed of £0.4m.
The net cash outflow from loan notes of £72.2m arose on the maturity of the first tranche of USPP loan notes in January 2021.
The net cash outflow from bank loans of £7.3m comprised repayments of £7.3m.
Liabilities from financing activities are those for which cash flows were, or will be, classified as cash flows from financing activities in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement.
| Borrowings £m |
Leases £m |
Overdraft £m |
Total liabilities from financing activities £m |
Trade and other payables falling due within one year £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 April 2019 | 253.8 | 50.3 | 9.1 | 313.2 | 164.8 |
| Cash flows from financing activities | 156.3 | (15.8) | – | 140.5 | (9.0) |
| Acquisition of subsidiaries | – | 8.2 | – | 8.2 | 11.4 |
| Exchange adjustments | 9.1 | 0.7 | – | 9.8 | 0.5 |
| Other changes* | – | 18.1 | (8.2) | 9.9 | 19.0 |
| At 31 March 2020 | 419.2 | 61.5 | 0.9 | 481.6 | 186.7 |
| Cash flows from financing activities | (79.5) | (16.4) | – | (95.9) | (7.8) |
| Acquisition/disposal of subsidiaries | – | (1.3) | – | (1.3) | 2.7 |
| Exchange adjustments | (17.4) | (3.8) | – | (21.2) | (5.2) |
| Other changes* | – | 25.0 | 2.1 | 27.1 | 10.3 |
| At 31 March 2021 | 322.3 | 65.0 | 3.0 | 390.3 | 186.7 |
* Other changes include movements in overdraft which is treated as cash, interest accruals, reclassifications from non-current to current liabilities, lease additions and other movements in working capital balances.
The Group's treasury policies seek to minimise financial risks and to ensure sufficient liquidity for the Group's operations and strategic plans. No complex derivative financial instruments are used, and no trading or speculative transactions in financial instruments are undertaken. Where the Group does use financial instruments, these are mainly to manage the currency risks arising from normal operations and its financing. Operations are financed mainly through retained profits and, in certain geographic locations, bank borrowings. Foreign currency risk is the most significant aspect for the Group in the area of financial instruments. It is exposed to a lesser extent to other risks such as interest rate risk and liquidity risk. The Board reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks and these policies are summarised below. The Group's policies have remained unchanged since the beginning of the financial year.
Details of the significant accounting policies and methods adopted (including the criteria for recognition, the basis of measurement and the bases of recognition of income and expenses) for each class of financial asset, financial liability and equity instrument are disclosed in the Accounting Policies note.
The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as going concerns while maximising the return to stakeholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, which includes the borrowings disclosed in note 19 to the Financial statements, cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to equity holders of the parent, comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity.
The Group is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements.
The Group is exposed to foreign currency risk as a consequence of both trading with foreign companies and owning subsidiaries located in foreign countries.
The Group earns a significant proportion of its profit in currencies other than Sterling. This gives rise to translational currency risk, where the Sterling value of profits earned by the Group's foreign subsidiaries fluctuates with the strength of Sterling relative to their operating (or 'functional') currencies. The Group does not hedge this risk, so its reported profit is sensitive to the strength of Sterling, particularly against the US Dollar and Euro. The Group also has transactional currency exposures. These arise on sales or purchases by operating companies in currencies other than the companies' operating (or 'functional') currency. Significant sales and purchases are matched where possible and a proportion of the net exposure is hedged by means of forward foreign currency contracts.
The Group has significant investments in overseas operations in the USA and EU, with further investments in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Brazil, China and India. As a result, the Group's balance sheet can be affected by movements in these countries' exchange rates. Where significant and appropriate, currency denominated net assets are hedged by currency borrowings. These currency exposures are reviewed regularly.
The Group is exposed to interest rate fluctuations on its borrowings and cash deposits. Where bank borrowings are used to finance operations they tend to be short-term with floating interest rates. Longer-term funding is provided by the Group's bank loan facilities which are at floating rates, or by the Group's fixed rate United States Private Placement completed in November 2015.
Surplus funds are placed on short-term fixed rate deposit or in floating rate deposit accounts.
Credit risk is defined as the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. The Group has adopted a policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss from defaults. Credit ratings are supplied by independent agencies where available, and if not available, the Group uses other publicly available financial information and its own trading records to rate its major customers. Credit exposure is controlled by counterparty limits that are reviewed regularly.
Trade receivables consist of a large number of customers, spread across diverse industries and geographic areas. Ongoing credit evaluation is performed on the financial condition of accounts receivable and, where appropriate, credit guarantee insurance cover is purchased.
The carrying amount of trade, tax and other receivables, contract assets, derivative financial instruments and cash of £402.8m (2020: £386.3m) represents the Group's maximum exposure to credit risk as no collateral or other credit enhancements are held.
The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies.
The Group has a syndicated multi-currency revolving credit facility of £550m. The facility, in Sterling, US Dollar, Euro, Australian Dollar and Swiss Franc, currently runs to November 2023.
In addition, in November 2015 the Group completed a United States Private Placement and issued US\$250m of loan notes in January 2016, repayable at five, seven and ten-year intervals, of which the first tranche was repaid during the year. These facilities are the main sources of long-term funding for the Group.
The financial covenants on these facilities are for leverage (net debt/adjusted EBITDA) of not more than three times and for adjusted interest cover of not less than four times. Net debt and adjusted EBITDA are on a pre-IFRS 16 basis. All covenants have been complied with.
The Group has a strong cash flow and the funds generated by operating companies are managed regionally based on geographic location.
Funds are placed on deposit with secure, highly-rated banks. For short-term working capital purposes, some operating companies utilise local bank overdrafts. These practices allow a balance to be maintained between continuity of funding, security and flexibility.
It is estimated, by reference to the Group's US Dollar and Euro denominated profits, that a one per cent change in the value of the US Dollar relative to Sterling would have had a £1.4m (2020: £1.3m) impact on the Group's reported profit before tax; and a one per cent change in the value of the Euro relative to Sterling would have had a £0.3m (2020: £0.3m) impact on the Group's profit before tax for the year ended 31 March 2021.
The Group has net foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities that are assets and liabilities not denominated in the functional currency of the underlying company. These comprise cash and overdrafts as well as certain trade receivable and payable balances. These foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities give rise to the net currency gains and losses recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement as a result of movement in exchange rates. The exposures are predominantly US Dollar and Euro. Group policy is for a significant portion of foreign currency exposures, including sales and purchases, to be hedged by forward foreign exchange contracts in the company in which the transaction is recorded.
The Group's financial assets which are subject to interest rate fluctuations comprise interest-bearing cash equivalents which totalled £3.9m at 31 March 2021 (2020: £1.6m). These comprised Sterling denominated bank deposits of £0.1m (2020: £0.1m), and Euro, US Dollar and Renminbi bank deposits of £3.8m (2020: £1.5m) which earn interest at local market rates. Cash balances of £130.1m (2020: £104.7m) earn interest at local market rates.
The financial liabilities which are subject to interest rate fluctuations comprise bank loans and overdrafts which totalled £220.0m at 31 March 2021 (2020: £237.3m). All bank loans bear interest at floating rates where the fixed period can be up to six months. Interest rates are based on the LIBOR of the currency in which the liabilities arise plus a small margin. Bank overdrafts bear interest at local market rates.
The loan notes related to the United States Private Placement attract interest at a weighted average fixed rate of 2.63%.
The Group's weighted average interest cost on net debt for the year was 3.22% (2020: 3.52%). Excluding IFRS16 lease liabilities, the weighted average interest cost on net debt for the year was 3.13% (2020: 3.48%).
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 £m |
2020 £m |
|
| Analysis of interest-bearing financial liabilities | ||
| Sterling denominated bank loans | 44.0 | 50.0 |
| US Dollar denominated bank loans | 110.7 | 146.7 |
| Euro denominated bank loans | 23.9 | – |
| Australian Dollar denominated bank loans | 21.0 | 30.5 |
| Swiss Franc denominated bank loans | 17.0 | 9.2 |
| Brazilian Reais denominated bank loans | 0.4 | – |
| Total bank loans | 217.0 | 236.4 |
| Overdrafts (principally Sterling and US Dollar denominated) | 3.0 | 0.9 |
| Sterling denominated loan notes | 59.0 | 82.0 |
| US Dollar denominated loan notes | 22.5 | 51.4 |
| Euro denominated loan notes | 23.8 | 49.4 |
| Total interest-bearing financial liabilities | 325.3 | 420.1 |
For the year ended 31 March 2021 it is estimated that a general increase of one percentage point in interest rates would have reduced the Group's profit before tax by £2.2m (2020: £1.8m).
Maturity of financial liabilities
The gross contractual maturities of the Group's non-derivative financial liabilities that are neither current nor on demand are as follows.
| One to two years £m |
Between two and five years £m |
After more than five years £m |
Gross maturities £m |
Effect of discounting/ financing rates £m |
Total £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 31 March 2021 | ||||||
| Accruals | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.6 | – | 0.6 |
| Other payables | 0.8 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 2.0 | – | 2.0 |
| Contingent purchase consideration | 3.0 | 0.3 | – | 3.3 | – | 3.3 |
| Bank loans | 0.4 | 216.6 | – | 217.0 | – | 217.0 |
| Loan notes | 73.1 | 38.2 | – | 111.3 | (6.0) | 105.3 |
| Lease liabilities | 16.1 | 37.7 | 17.3 | 71.1 | (19.4) | 51.7 |
| 93.5 | 293.3 | 18.5 | 405.3 | (25.4) | 379.9 |
| One to two years £m |
Between two and five years £m |
After more than five years £m |
Gross maturities £m |
Effect of discounting/ financing rates £m |
Total £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 31 March 2020 | ||||||
| Accruals | 0.1 | – | – | 0.1 | – | 0.1 |
| Other payables | 1.2 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 2.5 | – | 2.5 |
| Contingent purchase consideration | 14.4 | 4.4 | – | 18.8 | – | 18.8 |
| Bank loans | – | 236.4 | – | 236.4 | – | 236.4 |
| Loan notes | 2.0 | 75.7 | 35.0 | 112.7 | (4.1) | 108.6 |
| Lease liabilities | 15.1 | 35.1 | 15.0 | 65.2 | (16.7) | 48.5 |
| 32.8 | 351.9 | 51.0 | 435.7 | (20.8) | 414.9 |
The Group's bank loans are revolving credit facilities and the amount and timing of future payments and drawdowns is unknown. It is therefore not possible to calculate the interest arising on these loans and we have therefore not disclosed the maturity of the gross cash flows (including interest) in relation to these liabilities.
The Group's principal sources of long-term funding are its unsecured five-year £550m Revolving Credit Facility and its US\$250m United States Private Placement. The Revolving Credit Facility was refinanced in November 2016 and initially ran to November 2021. Effective November 2017, the Group extended this facility for a further year to November 2022, and effective November 2018 for a further year to November 2023.
The United States Private Placement of US\$250m was completed in November 2015. The unsecured loan notes were drawn on 6 January 2016 as £82m, €56m and US\$64m at a weighted average fixed interest rate of 2.53%. The loan notes mature at five, seven and ten-year intervals, with the first tranche of £72.2m maturing in January 2021. The remaining loan notes as at 31 March 2021 were £59m, €28m and US\$31m at a weighted average interest rate of 2.63%. Interest is payable half yearly.
The Group's undrawn committed facilities available at 31 March 2021 were £333.4m (2020: £313.6m) of which £nil (2020: £nil) matures within one year and £333.4m (2020: £313.6m) between two and five years.
The Group has an additional short-term unsecured and committed US bank facility of £12m maturing in November 2023. The facility was undrawn at 31 March 2021.
The Group has a Brazilian Reais bank loan of £0.4m (2020: £nil) maturing in February 2023.
Other short-term operational funding is provided by cash generated from operations and by local bank overdrafts. These overdraft facilities are uncommitted and are generally renewed on an annual or ongoing basis and hence the facilities expire within one year or less.
UK companies have cross-guaranteed £26.5m (2020: £15.3m) of overdraft facilities. Total overdrafts for the Group as at 31 March 2021 were £3.0m (2020: £0.9m).
Other information
Other Information
With the exception of the Group's fixed rate loan notes, there were no significant differences between the book value and fair value (as determined by market value) of the Group's financial assets and liabilities.
The fair value of floating borrowings approximates to the carrying value because interest rates are reset to market rates at intervals of less than one year.
The fair value of the Group's fixed rate loan notes arising from the United States Private Placement completed in January 2016 is estimated to be £107.5m (2020: £187.4m). The fair value is estimated by discounting the future contracted cash flow using readily available market data and represents a level 2 measurement in the fair value hierarchy under IFRS 7.
The fair value of derivative financial instruments is estimated by discounting the future contracted cash flow, using readily available market data, and represents a level 2 measurement in the fair value hierarchy under IFRS 7.
The fair value of equity investments held at fair value through other comprehensive income is based on the latest observable price where available. Where there are no recent observable prices, adjustments are made based on qualitative indicators, such as the financial performance of the entity, performance against operational milestones and future outlook. This represents a level 3 measurement in the fair value hierarchy under IFRS 7.
The fair value of deferred contingent consideration arising on acquisitions is calculated by estimating the possible future cash flows for the acquired company identified as best, base and worst-case scenarios, using probability weightings of 25%, 50% and 25% respectively. These scenarios are based on management's knowledge of the business and how the current economic environment is likely to impact it. The relevant future cash flows are dependent on the specific terms of the sale and purchase agreement. Those terms are as follows:
This calculation represents a level 3 measurement in the fair value hierarchy under IFRS 7. The fair value is sensitive to the weighting assigned to the expected future cash flows. For those earnouts where the payable is based on expectations of future cash flows, a change in weighting of 10 percentage points towards the best-case scenario would result in an increase in the estimate of future cash flows as follows:
| Current expected |
10 pp shift in weighting |
|
|---|---|---|
| future cash flow £m |
towards upside expectation £m |
|
| Invenio | 0.6 | – |
| Enoveo | – | – |
| Infowave | 1.1 | 0.1 |
| NeoMedix | 4.9 | 0.1 |
| NovaBone | 1.2 | 0.5 |
| Spreo | 0.5 | – |
All financial assets and liabilities, with the exception of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income, derivatives and contingent purchase consideration, are classified as amortised cost for accounting purposes.
Derivatives in a hedging relationship are classified as cash flow hedging instruments. Derivatives not in a hedging relationship are classified as fair value through profit or loss.
Contingent purchase consideration is classified as fair value through profit or loss.
The Group's policy is to hedge significant sales and purchases denominated in foreign currency using forward currency contracts. These instruments are initially recognised at fair value, which is typically £nil, and subsequent changes in fair value are taken to the Consolidated Income Statement, unless hedge accounted.
The following table details the foreign currency contracts outstanding as at the year end, which mostly mature within one year and therefore the cash flows and resulting effect on profit and loss are expected to occur within the next 12 months:
| Average exchange rate/£ Foreign currency Contract value |
Fair value | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March 2021 |
31 March 2020 |
31 March 2021 m |
31 March 2020 m |
31 March 2021 £m |
31 March 2020 £m |
31 March 2021 £m |
31 March 2020 £m |
|
| Forward contracts not in a designated cash |
||||||||
| flow hedge | ||||||||
| US Dollars | 1.37 | 1.27 | 11.8 | 1.4 | 8.6 | 1.1 | – | – |
| Euros | 1.11 | – | 1.8 | – | 1.6 | – | (0.1) | – |
| Other currencies | – | – | – | – | 8.1 | 1.4 | – | (0.1) |
| 18.3 | 2.5 | (0.1) | (0.1) | |||||
| Forward contracts in a designated cash flow hedge |
||||||||
| US Dollars | 1.42 | 1.28 | 8.3 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 4.2 | 0.2 | (0.1) |
| Euros | 1.12 | 1.13 | 22.8 | 24.0 | 20.3 | 21.2 | 0.8 | – |
| Other currencies | – | – | – | – | 7.1 | 10.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| 33.3 | 35.7 | 1.1 | 0.1 | |||||
| Total forward contracts |
||||||||
| US Dollars | 1.39 | 1.28 | 20.1 | 6.7 | 14.5 | 5.3 | 0.2 | (0.1) |
| Euros | 1.12 | 1.13 | 24.6 | 24.0 | 22.0 | 21.2 | 0.7 | – |
| Other currencies | – | – | – | – | 15.2 | 11.7 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 51.7 | 38.2 | 1.0 | – | |||||
| Amounts recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement | (0.1) | (0.1) | ||||||
| Amounts recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure | 1.1 | 0.1 | ||||||
| 1.0 | – |
The fair values of the forward contracts are disclosed as a £1.7m (2020: £1.0m) asset and £0.7m (2020: £1.0m) liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Any movements in the fair values of the contracts in a designated cash flow hedge are recognised in equity until the hedged transaction occurs, when gains/losses are recycled to finance income or finance expense.
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Analysis of movement in the Hedging reserve | ||
| Amounts removed from Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and included in Consolidated | ||
| Income Statement during the year | (0.1) | (0.4) |
| Amounts recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure | 1.1 | (0.1) |
| Net movement in the Hedging reserve in the year in relation to the effective portion of changes in fair | ||
| value of cash flow hedges | 1.0 | (0.5) |
Hedge effectiveness is determined at the inception of the hedge relationship, and through periodic prospective effectiveness assessments to ensure that an economic relationship exists between the hedged item and hedging instrument.
There was no ineffectiveness arising with regards to forward contracts in a designated cash flow hedge.
The foreign currency forwards are denominated in the same currency as the highly probable future transactions.
With the exception of currency exposures, the disclosures in this note exclude short-term receivables and payables.
The Group's activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Group enters into derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to foreign currency risk, including:
Bank loans and loan notes with a carrying value set out in the table on page 199 as well as non-GBP intercompany loans are used as net investment hedges for foreign currency net assets with carrying value of €56.0m (2020: €56.0m), US\$183.5m (2020: US\$246.5m), A\$38.0m (2020: A\$61.8m), CHF22.1m (2020: CHF11.1m) and NZ\$10.9m (2020: NZ\$10.6m). The hedging ratio was 1:1. The change in the carrying value of the borrowings that was recognised in other comprehensive income was a gain of £19.9m (2020: loss of £11.9m).
Market risk exposures are measured using sensitivity analysis as described below.
There has been no change to the Group's exposure to market risks or in the manner in which these risks are managed and measured.
The Group is mainly exposed to the currency of the USA (US Dollar) and the currency of Mainland Europe (Euro).
The carrying amount of the Group's US Dollar and Euro denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities at the reporting date are as follows:
| Assets | Liabilities | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| US Dollar | 895.1 | 1,007.6 | 266.5 | 327.9 |
| Euro | 251.3 | 254.5 | 97.3 | 97.4 |
If Sterling increased by 10% against the US Dollar and the Euro, profits before taxation and other equity would decrease as follows:
| US Dollar | Euro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| Profit | 12.7 | 12.3 | 3.2 | 3.0 |
| Other equity | 57.1 | 61.8 | 14.0 | 14.3 |
The profit sensitivity arises mainly from the translation of overseas profits earned during the year. 10% is the sensitivity rate which management assesses to be a reasonably possible change in foreign exchange rates. The Group's profit sensitivity has increased against the US Dollar because more of the Group's profits is earned in this currency.
The Group has lease contracts for land and buildings, as well as various items of plant, machinery, vehicles and other equipment used in its operations. The Group also has certain leases of machinery with lease terms of 12 months or less and leases of office equipment with low value. The Group applies the 'short-term lease' and 'lease of low-value assets' recognition exemptions for these leases.
Set out below are the carrying amounts of right-of-use assets recognised and the movements during the period, split by asset category:
| Plant, | Total £m |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Land and | equipment and vehicles £m |
||
| buildings | |||
| £m | |||
| Cost, net of accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment | |||
| At 1 April 2020 | 53.9 | 1.5 | 55.4 |
| Assets of businesses acquired (note 25) | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.6 |
| Additions at cost | 23.0 | 0.7 | 23.7 |
| Assets of business sold | (1.6) | – | (1.6) |
| Impairment | (0.2) | – | (0.2) |
| Disposals and retirements | (0.4) | – | (0.4) |
| Depreciation charge for the year | (13.7) | (0.7) | (14.4) |
| Exchange adjustments | (3.5) | – | (3.5) |
| At 31 March 2021 | 57.6 | 2.0 | 59.6 |
| At 31 March 2021 | |||
| Cost | 103.5 | 3.4 | 106.9 |
| Accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment | (45.9) | (1.4) | (47.3) |
| Net carrying amount | 57.6 | 2.0 | 59.6 |
Set out below are the carrying amounts of lease liabilities included under current and non-current liabilities and the movements during the period:
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| At 1 April 2020 | 61.5 | – |
| Arising on adoption of IFRS 16 | – | 50.3 |
| Additions | 22.7 | 16.0 |
| Accretion of interest | 2.3 | 2.1 |
| Payments | (16.4) | (15.8) |
| Liabilities of business acquired | 0.5 | 8.2 |
| Liabilities of business disposed | (1.8) | – |
| Exchange adjustments | (3.8) | 0.7 |
| At 31 March 2021 | 65.0 | 61.5 |
| Current | 13.3 | 13.0 |
| Non-current | 51.7 | 48.5 |
| At 31 March 2021 | 65.0 | 61.5 |
The maturity analysis of lease liabilities is disclosed in note 27.
The following are the amounts recognised in Consolidated Income Statement:
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Depreciation expense of right-of-use assets | 14.4 | 13.2 |
| Impairment expense of right-of-use assets | 0.2 | – |
| Interest expense on lease liabilities | 2.3 | 2.1 |
| Expense relating to short-term leases and leases of low-value assets | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Total amount recognised in Consolidated Income Statement | 17.2 | 15.6 |
The Group had total cash outflows for leases of £16.4m in the year (2020: £15.8m).
The Group did not have any leases impacted by the COVID-19-Related Rent Concessions – amendment to IFRS 16 Leases.
Some leases of buildings contain extension options exercisable by the Group before the end of the non-cancellable contract period. Where practical, the Group seeks to include extension options in new leases to provide operational flexibility. The extension options held are exercisable only by the Group and not the lessors. For extension options exercisable within 5 years of commencement the Group assesses at lease commencement whether it is reasonably certain to exercise the extension options. For options that are exercisable more than 5 years from commencement the Group assesses whether it is reasonably certain to exercise the option when this option becomes exercisable within 5 years. The Group will also reassess whether it is reasonably certain to exercise the option where there is a significant event or change in circumstances within its control.
As at 31 March 2021, potential future cash outflows of £23.0m (undiscounted) (2020: £12.5m) have not been included in the lease liability because it is not reasonably certain that the leases will be extended. During the current year the financial effect of revising lease terms to reflect the exercising of extension and termination options was an increase in recognised lease liabilities and rightof-use assets of £0.2m (2020: £0.1m). No other lease modifications occurred during the year.
The future cash outflows relating to leases that have not yet commenced are £3.0m (2020: £nil).
Group companies operate both defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans. The Halma Group Pension Plan and the Apollo Pension and Life Assurance Plan (both UK) have defined benefit sections with assets held in separate trustee administered funds. Both of these sections had already closed to new entrants in 2002/03 and closed to future benefit accruals for 2014/15. From that date, the former defined benefit members joined the existing defined contribution section within the Halma Group Pension Plan.
Overseas subsidiaries have adopted mainly defined contribution plans, with the exception of small defined benefit plans in the Swiss entities of Medicel AG and Robutec AG.
Total pension costs of £11.5m (2020: £11.6m) recognised in employee costs (note 7), comprise £10.9m (2020: £10.8m) related to defined contribution plans and £0.6m (2020: £0.8m) related to defined benefit plans, including administration expenses of £nil (2020: £0.5m).
The amount charged to the Consolidated Income Statement in respect of defined contribution plans was £10.9m (2020: £10.8m) and represents contributions payable to these plans by the Group at rates specified in the rules of the plans. The assets of the plans are held separately from those of the Group in funds under the control of trustees. Where there are employees who leave the plans prior to vesting fully in the contributions, the ancillary contributions payable by the Group may be reduced by the amount of forfeited contributions.
The Group's significant defined benefit plans are for qualifying employees of its UK subsidiaries. Under the plans, the employees are entitled to retirement benefits of up to two- thirds of final pensionable salary on attainment of a retirement age of 60, for members of the Executive Board, and 65, for all other qualifying employees. No other post-retirement benefits are provided. The plans are funded plans.
The most recent actuarial valuation of the Halma Group Pension Plan was carried out for the Trustees of the Plan as at 30 November 2017 by Mr A Gibbons, Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, of Mercer Limited. The present value of the liabilities was measured using the Projected Unit method. This method is an accrued benefits valuation method in which the plan liabilities include an allowance for projected earnings.
The most recent actuarial valuation of the Apollo Pension and Life Assurance Plan was carried out for the Trustees of the Plan as at 1 April 2018 by Mr M Whitcombe, Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, also of Mercer Limited. The same Projected Unit method was used.
The current triennial valuations for both schemes, are underway as at 1 December 2020 and 1 April 2021 respectively.
An alternative to the projected unit credit method is a valuation on a solvency basis, which is an estimate of the cost of buying out benefits with a suitable insurance company. This amount represents the amount that would be required to settle the plan liabilities rather than the Group continuing to fund the ongoing liabilities of the Plans. The most recent estimate of the solvency liability was £375.4m as at 30 November 2017 for the Halma Group Pension Plan and £104.2m as at 1 April 2018 for the Apollo Pension and Life Assurance Plan.
| 31 March 2021 |
31 March 2020 |
1 April 2019 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Key assumptions used (UK plans): | |||
| Discount rate | 1.95% | 2.55% | 2.40% |
| Expected return on plan assets | 1.95% | 2.55% | 2.40% |
| Expected rate of salary increases (while still applicable) | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Pension increases LPI 2.5% | 2.10% | 1.85% | 2.10% |
| Pension increases LPI 3.0% | 2.40% | 2.05% | 2.40% |
| Inflation – RPI | 3.20% | 2.50% | 3.20% |
| Inflation – CPI | 2.40% | 1.70% | 2.20% |
CMI tables have been used, consistent with those used in the last completed triennial valuations. The assumed life expectations on retirement at age 65 are:
| 31 March 2021 Years |
31 March 2020 Years |
31 March 2019 Years |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Retiring today: | |||
| Males | 22.4 | 22.1 | 22.1 |
| Females | 24.3 | 24.0 | 24.0 |
| Retiring in 20 years: | |||
| Males | 24.2 | 23.5 | 23.5 |
| Females | 26.2 | 25.5 | 25.5 |
The sensitivities regarding the principal assumptions used to measure the UK plan liabilities are set out below:
| Assumption | Change in assumption | Impact on plan liabilities |
|---|---|---|
| Discount rate | Increase/decrease by 0.5% | Decrease by 8.8%/increase by 9.6% |
| Rate of inflation | Increase/decrease by 0.5% | Increase by 5.8%/decrease by 5.6% |
| Rate of mortality | Increase by one year | Increase by 3.9% |
Amounts recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement in respect of the UK and Swiss defined benefit plans are as follows:
| 31 March 2021 | 31 March 2020 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK defined benefit plans £m |
Other defined benefit plans £m |
Total £m |
UK defined benefit plans £m |
Other defined benefit plans £m |
Total £m |
|
| Current service cost | – | 0.6 | 0.6 | – | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Net interest (credit)/charge on pension plan liabilities | (0.1) | – | (0.1) | 0.8 | – | 0.8 |
| (0.1) | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.1 |
Actuarial gains and losses have been reported in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure.
The actual return on plan assets was a gain of £30.8m (2020: gain of £4.5m).
The cumulative amount of actuarial losses recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure since the date of transition to IFRS is £89.8m (2020: £59.2m).
The amount included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet arising from the Group's obligations in respect of its defined benefit retirement plans is as follows:
| 31 March 2021 | 31 March 2020 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK defined benefit plans £m |
Other defined benefit plans £m |
Total £m |
UK defined benefit plans £m |
Other defined benefit plans £m |
Total £m |
|
| Present value of defined benefit obligations | (347.6) | (8.0) | (355.6) | (296.1) | (7.9) | (304.0) |
| Fair value of plan assets | 327.0 | 6.1 | 333.1 | 293.3 | 5.5 | 298.8 |
| Net Retirement benefit obligation | (20.6) | (1.9) | (22.5) | (2.8) | (2.4) | (5.2) |
| Plans with net retirement benefit assets | – | – | – | 5.4 | – | 5.4 |
| Plans with net retirement benefit obligations | (20.6) | (1.9) | (22.5) | (8.2) | (2.4) | (10.6) |
Under the current arrangements, cash contributions in the region of £14-15m per year will be made for the immediate future with the objective of eliminating the pension deficit.
Movements in the present value of the UK and Swiss defined benefit obligations were as follows:
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| At beginning of year | (304.0) | (331.4) |
| Service cost | (0.6) | (0.3) |
| Interest cost | (7.4) | (7.8) |
| Remeasurement gains/(losses): | ||
| Actuarial losses and gains arising from changes in financial assumptions | (53.7) | 25.1 |
| Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments | (0.2) | (0.1) |
| Contributions from plan members | (0.9) | (0.5) |
| Benefits paid | 10.6 | 11.5 |
| Exchange adjustments | 0.6 | (0.5) |
| At end of year | (355.6) | (304.0) |
Movements in the fair value of the UK and Swiss plan assets were as follows:
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| At beginning of year | 298.8 | 292.2 |
| Interest income | 7.5 | 7.0 |
| Actuarial gains/(losses) excluding interest income | 23.3 | (2.5) |
| Contributions from the sponsoring companies | 13.7 | 12.8 |
| Contributions from plan members | 0.9 | 0.5 |
| Benefits paid | (10.6) | (11.5) |
| Exchange adjustments | (0.5) | 0.3 |
| At end of year | 333.1 | 298.8 |
The net movement on actuarial gains and losses of the UK and Swiss plans was as follows:
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Defined benefit obligations | (53.9) | 25.0 |
| Fair value of plan assets | 23.3 | (2.5) |
| Net actuarial (losses)/gains | (30.6) | 22.5 |
The analysis of the UK plan assets and the expected rate of return at the balance sheet date were as follows:
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Equity instruments | 94.8 | 77.1 |
| Debt instruments | 204.8 | 194.4 |
| Property/infrastructure/cash | 27.4 | 21.8 |
| 327.0 | 293.3 |
All the UK plan assets are market quoted.
| Expected rate of return | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31 March 2021 % |
31 March 2020 % |
|
| Equity instruments | 1.95 | 2.55 |
| Debt instruments | 1.95 | 2.55 |
| Property/infrastructure/cash | 1.95 | 2.55 |
| 1.95 | 2.55 |
Assets in the non-UK plans are primarily insurance assets.
Strategic Report
Strategic Report
Governance
Governance
In conjunction with the trustees, the Group conducts asset-liability reviews for its defined benefit pension plan. The results of these reviews are used to assist the trustees and the Group to determine the optimal long-term asset allocation with regard to the structure of the liabilities of the plan. They are also used to assist the trustees in managing the volatility in the underlying investment performance and risk of a significant increase in the defined benefit deficit by providing information used to determine the plan's investment strategy.
As a consequence, the Group is progressively giving more emphasis to a closer return matching of plan assets and liabilities, both to ensure the long-term security of its defined benefit commitment and to reduce earnings and balance sheet volatility.
Based on the most recent actuarial valuation, the estimated amount of contributions expected to be paid to the UK and Swiss plans during the year ended 31 March 2022 is £14.6m.
The levels of contributions are based on the current service cost and the expected future cash flows of the defined benefit pension plans. The Group estimates the plan liabilities on average to fall due over 20 and 25 years, respectively, for the Halma and Apollo plans.
The Group has considered the requirements of IFRIC 14 with respect to the UK plans and has determined that it has an unconditional right to a refund under the plans and therefore IFRIC 14 does not have any practical impact on the plans and so no allowance for it (and, in particular, no allowance for the asset ceiling) has been made in the calculated figures.
The expected maturity analysis of the undiscounted pension obligation for the next 10 years is as follows:
| Less than one year £m |
Between one and two years £m |
Between two and five years £m |
Between five and ten years £m |
Total £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 31 March 2021 | |||||
| Halma | 9.5 | 9.8 | 31.2 | 58.7 | 109.2 |
| Apollo | 1.0 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 6.3 | 11.8 |
During the current year the Group recognised a profit on disposal of operations of £22.1m (2020: £2.9m), which comprised the following:
On 17 December 2020, the Group disposed of its entire interest in Fiberguide Industries, Inc. to a third party for proceeds of US\$37.6m (£27.6m). This transaction resulted in the recognition of a gain in the Consolidated Income Statement as follows:
| £m | |
|---|---|
| Proceeds of disposal | 27.6 |
| Less: net assets on disposal (including deferred tax) | (3.9) |
| Less: allocation of goodwill disposed | (3.8) |
| Less: costs of disposal | (1.1) |
| Add: foreign exchange gain recycled to the Consolidated Income Statement on disposal | 2.8 |
| Profit on disposal | 21.6 |
On 26 March 2021, OneThird B.V., a company that was incorporated to spin-out the food technology start-up business from Ocean Insight, issued new shares for €0.8m (£0.7m) to external investors that reduced the Group's ownership interest from 60% to 35.3% resulting in a gain on deemed disposal of £0.5m (net of disposal costs of £0.4m). Following the partial disposal OneThird B.V. meets the tests to be accounted for as an associate.
Cash received on disposal of operations in the year of £26.1m comprised proceeds from the sale of Fiberguide Industries Inc., of £27.6m, less £1.1m of disposal costs, less disposal costs of £0.4m relating to the spin-out and partial disposal of OneThird B.V..
In the prior year, in January 2020, the Group disposed of its entire interest in Optomed Oy to third parties for sale proceeds of £7.6m less disposal costs of £0.4m. £0.8m was also received from escrow relating to the previous sale of Accudynamics.
On 24 November 2017, the European Commission (EC) published an opening decision that the United Kingdom controlled foreign company ('CFC') group financing partial exemption ('FCPE') constitutes State Aid. On 2 April 2019, the EC's final decision concluded that the FCPE rules, as they applied up to 31 December 2018, constitute State Aid. As previously reported, the Group has benefitted from the FCPE with the total benefit for the periods from 1 April 2013 to 31 December 2018 being approximately £15.4m in respect of tax.
Appeals have been made by the UK government, the Group and other UK-based groups to annul the EC decision. Notwithstanding these appeals, under EU law, the UK government is required to commence collection proceedings. In January 2021, the Group received a Charging Notice from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for £13.9m assessed for the period from 1 April 2016 to 31 December 2018. The Group has appealed against the notice but as there is no right of postponement the amount charged was paid in full in February 2021. In February 2021, the Group received confirmation from HMRC that it was not a beneficiary of State Aid for the period from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2016.
The final impact on the Group remains uncertain. However, based on its current assessment, the Group considers that the appeal will be successful and therefore £13.9m is included within non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet to reflect the Group's view that the amount paid will ultimately be recovered.
In April 2021, a Charging Notice for £0.8m was received. The £0.8m comprised interest on the £13.9m assessment noted above and the interest was paid in May 2021.
The Group's maximum potential exposure at 31 March 2021 in respect of recoverability of non-current assets is £13.9m.
The Group has widespread global operations and is consequently a defendant in many legal, tax and customs proceedings incidental to those operations. In addition, there are contingent liabilities arising in the normal course of business in respect of indemnities, warranties and guarantees. These contingent liabilities are not considered to be unusual or material in the context of the normal operating activities of the Group. Provisions have been recognised in accordance with the Group accounting policies where required. None of these claims are expected to result in a material gain or loss to the Group.
From 1 April 2021, the Group aligned its organisational structure and financial reporting with our purpose and focus on safety, environmental and health markets. The three sectors are called Safety, Environmental & Analysis, and Medical. Each sector is led by a Sector CEO and small sector support team. Process Safety has been combined with Infrastructure Safety to form a single Safety sector, with the exception of the Group's two Gas sensor companies (Crowcon and Sensit), which have moved from Process Safety to Environmental & Analysis. We will report on the basis of this revised structure in the Interim Statement for the six months ending 30 September 2021.
On 27 April 2021, the Group acquired PeriGen, Inc., (PeriGen), based in North Carolina, USA. PeriGen's advanced technology protects mothers and their unborn babies by alerting doctors, midwives and nurses to potential problems during childbirth. The cash consideration for PeriGen was US\$58m (approximately £42m), on a cash and debt free basis. A detailed purchase price allocation exercise is currently being performed to calculate the goodwill arising on acquisition. The company continues to run under its own management team and has become part of the Group's Medical sector.
The Group has also acquired the following bolt-on acquisitions.
On 1 April 2021, Fortress Interlocks Pty Limited, an industrial access control company in the Group's Safety sector, bought the assets and IP associated with monitored safety valves from FluidSentry Pty in Australia for consideration of A\$0.6m (£0.3m).
On 26 April 2021, Argus Security S.R.L., a fire safety company in the Group's Safety sector, purchased its Italian distributor for consideration of €0.5m (£0.4m).
On 30 April 2021, Crowcon Detection Instruments Limited, a company in the Group's Environmental & Analysis sector purchased its UK flue gas analyser distribution partner, Anton Industrial Services Limited, for consideration of £1.9m.
On 3 May 2021, the Group acquired Orca GmbH, a German manufacturer of ultraviolet disinfection systems, primarily for the food and beverage sector, for an initial consideration of €6.2m (£5.3m). The maximum contingent consideration payable is €2.5m (£2.2m) based on profit-based targets for the years ending 31 March 2022, 31 March 2023 and 31 March 2024. The company has become part of the Group's Environmental & Analysis sector.
On 7 May 2021, Rudolf Riester GmbH, a company in the Group's Medical sector acquired RNK, a US-based digital stethoscope company, for an initial consideration of US\$2.7m (£1.9m).
There were no other known material non-adjusting events which occurred between the end of the reporting period and prior to the authorisation of these financial statements on 10 June 2021.
Trading transactions
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Associated companies | ||
| Transactions with associated companies | ||
| Purchases from associated companies | – | 1.0 |
| Balances with associated companies | ||
| Amounts due to associated companies | – | – |
| Other related parties | ||
| Balances with other related parties | ||
| Amounts due to other related parties | – | – |
All the transactions above are on an arm's length basis and on standard business terms.
The remuneration of the Directors and executive Board members, who are the key management personnel of the Group, is set out below in aggregate for each of the categories specified in IAS 24 'Related Party Disclosures'. Further information about the remuneration of individual Directors is provided in the audited part of the Annual Remuneration Report on pages 129 to 139.
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Wages and salaries | 6.1 | 7.8 |
| Pension costs | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| Share-based payment charge | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| 10.6 | 12.3 |
Capital commitments Capital expenditure relating to the purchase of equipment authorised and contracted at 31 March 2021 but not recognised in these accounts amounts to £3.1m (2020: £1.6m).
| 31 March | 31 March | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | 2021 £m |
2020 £m |
|
| Fixed assets | |||
| Intangible assets | C3 | 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Tangible assets | C4 | 7.8 | 6.4 |
| Investments | C5 | 347.5 | 300.0 |
| Retirement benefit asset | C13 | – | 5.4 |
| Deferred tax asset | C10 | 2.9 | 0.7 |
| 359.1 | 313.2 | ||
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | C6 | 742.0 | 806.9 |
| Short-term deposits | 0.1 | 0.1 | |
| Current tax | 3.3 | 0.6 | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 11.7 | 1.6 | |
| 757.1 | 809.2 | ||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | |||
| Borrowings | C7 | 22.6 | 99.0 |
| Creditors | C8 | 74.8 | 80.5 |
| 97.4 | 179.5 | ||
| Net current assets | 659.7 | 629.7 | |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 1,018.8 | 942.9 | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year | |||
| Borrowings | C7 | 321.9 | 345.0 |
| Retirement benefit obligations | C13 | 8.3 | – |
| Creditors | C9 | 13.1 | 21.2 |
| Net assets | 675.5 | 576.7 | |
| Capital and reserves | |||
| Share capital | C11 | 38.0 | 38.0 |
| Share premium account | 23.6 | 23.6 | |
| Own shares | (20.9) | (14.3) | |
| Capital redemption reserve | 0.2 | 0.2 | |
| Other reserves | (40.6) | (29.5) | |
| Profit and loss account | 675.2 | 558.7 | |
| Total equity | 675.5 | 576.7 |
The Company reported a profit for the financial year ended 31 March 2021 of £198.2m (2020: £108.5m).
The financial statements of Halma plc, company number 00040932, were approved by the Board of Directors on 10 June 2021.
Andrew Williams Marc Ronchetti Director Director
| Share capital |
Share premium account |
Own shares |
Capital redemption reserve |
Other reserves |
Profit and loss account |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| At 1 April 2020 | 38.0 | 23.6 | (14.3) | 0.2 | (29.5) | 558.7 | 576.7 |
| Profit for the year | – | – | – | – | – | 198.2 | 198.2 |
| Other comprehensive income and | |||||||
| expense: | |||||||
| Actuarial losses on defined | |||||||
| benefit pension plan | – | – | – | – | – | (23.2) | (23.2) |
| Tax relating to components of other | |||||||
| comprehensive income and expense | – | – | – | – | – | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Total other comprehensive expense | |||||||
| for the year | – | – | – | – | – | (18.8) | (18.8) |
| Dividends paid | – | – | – | – | – | (63.7) | (63.7) |
| Share-based payment charge | – | – | – | – | 6.6 | – | 6.6 |
| Deferred tax on share-based payment | |||||||
| transactions | – | – | – | – | (0.3) | – | (0.3) |
| Excess tax deductions related to | |||||||
| exercised share awards | – | – | – | – | – | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| Purchase of own shares | – | – | (16.2) | – | – | – | (16.2) |
| Performance share plan awards | |||||||
| vested | – | – | 9.6 | – | (17.4) | – | (7.8) |
| At 31 March 2021 | 38.0 | 23.6 | (20.9) | 0.2 | (40.6) | 675.2 | 675.5 |
| At 1 April 2019 | 38.0 | 23.6 | (4.7) | 0.2 | (22.2) | 494.8 | 529.7 |
| Profit for the year | – | – | – | – | – | 108.5 | 108.5 |
| Other comprehensive income and | |||||||
| expense: | |||||||
| Actuarial gains on defined | |||||||
| benefit pension plan | – | – | – | – | – | 19.5 | 19.5 |
| Tax relating to components of other | |||||||
| comprehensive income and expense | – | – | – | – | – | (3.5) | (3.5) |
| Total other comprehensive income | |||||||
| for the year | – | – | – | – | – | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Dividends paid | – | – | – | – | – | (61.2) | (61.2) |
| Share-based payment charge | – | – | – | – | 5.7 | – | 5.7 |
| Deferred tax on share-based payment | |||||||
| transactions | – | – | – | – | 0.1 | – | 0.1 |
| Excess tax deductions related to | |||||||
| exercised share awards | – | – | – | – | – | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Purchase of own shares | – | – | (16.7) | – | – | – | (16.7) |
| Performance share plan awards | |||||||
| vested | – | – | 7.1 | – | (13.1) | – | (6.0) |
| At 31 March 2020 | 38.0 | 23.6 | (14.3) | 0.2 | (29.5) | 558.7 | 576.7 |
Corporate Information
Halma plc (the Company) is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England, United Kingdom (registration number 00040932). The registered address of the Company is Misbourne Court, Rectory Way, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, HP7 0DE, United Kingdom.
The separate Company financial statements are presented as required by the Companies Act 2006 and have been prepared on the historical cost and going concern basis, and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 'Reduced Disclosure Framework' except for the revaluation of certain financial instruments, pension assets and contingent purchase consideration at fair value as permitted by the Companies Act 2006.
The principal accounting policies have been applied consistently in both the current and prior year.
The Company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions under FRS 101:
The following Standards and Interpretations applied for the first time, with effect from 1 April 2020, and have been adopted in the preparation of these Company Accounts.
None of the above mentioned new Standards and Interpretations have affected the Company's results.
In preparing the financial statements, management has made judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of the Company's accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Significant accounting estimates are used is in determining the value of the future defined benefit obligation which requires estimation in respect of the assumptions used to calculate present values. These include future mortality, discount rate and inflation. Management determines these assumptions in consultation with an independent actuary. Details of the estimates made in calculating the defined benefit obligation are disclosed in note 29 to the Group accounts.
In addition, significant estimates are required in determining whether there is impairment of the Company's investments which requires estimation of the investments' 'value in use'. The 'value in use' calculation requires the Company to estimate the future cash flows expected to arise from the investments and apply suitable discount rates in order to calculate present values.
There are no significant judgements used by management in preparing the Company's financial statements.
Transactions in foreign currency are recorded at the rate of exchange at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are reported at the rates prevailing at that date. Any gain or loss arising from subsequent exchange rate movements is included as an exchange gain or loss in the Profit and Loss Account.
The Company recognises financial instruments when it becomes a party to the contractual arrangements of the instrument. Financial instruments are de-recognised when they are discharged or when the contractual terms expire. The Company's accounting policies in respect of financial instruments transactions are explained below:
The Company recognises its financial assets into one of the categories discussed below, depending on the purpose for which the asset was acquired.
Other than the financial assets in a qualifying hedging relationship, the Company's accounting policy for each category is as follows:
Fair value through profit or loss –These are carried in the balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in the Profit and Loss Account.
Amortised costs – Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They arise principally through the provision of goods and services to customers (other group companies), but also incorporate other types of contractual monetary asset. They are initially recognised at fair value plus transaction costs that are directly attributable to their acquisition or issue and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less provision for impairment.
The Company's receivables relate entirely to balances due from other group companies. Where the intercompany receivable is payable on demand the Company determines whether any impairment provision is required by assessing the Company's ability to repay the loan. Where it is considered that the Company does not have the capacity to repay the loan or the loan is not repayable on demand, an expected credit loss model is used to calculate the impairment provision required.
The Company classifies its financial liabilities into one of the categories discussed below, depending on the purpose for which the liability was acquired.
Fair value through profit or loss – These comprise out-of-the-money derivatives and contingent purchase consideration. They are carried in the balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in the Profit and Loss Account.
At amortised cost – Financial liabilities at amortised cost including bank borrowings are initially recognised at fair value. Such interest-bearing liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.
Interest bearing loans and borrowings are initially recognised in the balance sheet at fair value less directly attributable transaction costs and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.
The Company has adopted IFRS 2 and the accounting policies followed are in all material respects the same as the Group's policy. This policy is shown on page 166.
Investments are stated at cost less provision for impairment.
Fixed assets are stated at cost less provisions for impairment and depreciation which, with the exception of freehold land which is not depreciated, is provided on all fixed assets on the straight-line method, each item being written off over its estimated life. The principal annual rates used for this purpose are:
| Freehold property | 2% |
|---|---|
| Plant, equipment and vehicles | 8% to 33.3% |
The Company makes contributions to defined contribution pension plans, which are charged against profits when they become payable. The Company also operates a UK defined benefit pension plan. For defined benefit plans, the asset or liability recorded in the Company Balance Sheet is the difference between the fair value of the plan's assets and the present value of the defined obligation at that date. The defined benefit obligation is calculated separately for the plan on an annual basis by an independent actuary using the projected unit credit method.
Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full in the year in which they occur, and are taken to other comprehensive income.
Current and past service costs, along with the impact of settlements or curtailments, are charged to profit and loss. The unwinding of the discounting on the net liability is recognised within finance income or expense as appropriate.
Tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises both current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the Profit and Loss Account except to the extent that it relates to items recognised either in other comprehensive income or directly in equity.
Current tax is the expected tax payable, on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted, or substantively enacted, at the balance sheet date, and any adjustments to tax payable in respect of previous years.
Deferred taxation is provided on taxable temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and their corresponding tax bases. Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse, based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax assets are only recognised if recovery is considered more likely than not on the basis of all available evidence.
The recognition of deferred tax assets is dependent on assessments of future taxable income.
As the Company is included in the consolidated financial statements, made up to 31 March each year, it is not required to present a separate profit and loss account as permitted by Section 408(3) of the Companies Act 2006, as such the Profit and Loss Account of Halma plc is not presented as part of these accounts. The Company has reported a profit after taxation for the financial year of £198.2m (2020: £108.5m).
Auditors' remuneration for audit services to the Company was £0.5m (2020: £0.5m).
Total employee costs (including Directors) were:
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Wages and salaries | 18.0 | 20.3 |
| Social security costs | 2.3 | 2.6 |
| Pension costs | 0.3 | 1.1 |
| 20.6 | 24.0 |
Included within wages and salaries are share-based payment charges under IFRS 2 of £4.9m (2020: £5.5m).
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| Number | Number | |
| Monthly average number of employees (all in the UK) | 80 | 79 |
Details of Directors' remuneration are set out on pages 129 to 139 within the Annual Remuneration Report and form part of these financial statements.
| Computer | Other | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Software | intangibles | Total | |
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Cost | |||
| At 1 April 2020 | 1.8 | – | 1.8 |
| Additions at cost | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.8 |
| Disposals | (0.3) | – | (0.3) |
| At 31 March 2021 | 2.2 | 0.1 | 2.3 |
| Accumulated amortisation | |||
| At 1 April 2020 | 1.1 | – | 1.1 |
| Charge for the year | 0.3 | – | 0.3 |
| Impairment | 0.3 | – | 0.3 |
| Disposals | (0.3) | – | (0.3) |
| At 31 March 2021 | 1.4 | – | 1.4 |
| Carrying amounts | |||
| At 31 March 2021 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.9 |
| At 31 March 2020 | 0.7 | – | 0.7 |
| Freehold properties £m |
Plant equipment and vehicles £m |
Total £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | |||
| At 1 April 2020 | 6.3 | 1.7 | 8.0 |
| Additions at cost | 1.7 | 0.1 | 1.8 |
| Disposals | – | (0.1) | (0.1) |
| At 31 March 2021 | 8.0 | 1.7 | 9.7 |
| Accumulated depreciation | |||
| At 1 April 2020 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.6 |
| Charge for the year | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.4 |
| Disposals | – | (0.1) | (0.1) |
| At 31 March 2021 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.9 |
| Carrying amounts | |||
| At 31 March 2021 | 7.0 | 0.8 | 7.8 |
| At 31 March 2020 | 5.4 | 1.0 | 6.4 |
| C5 Investments Shares in Group companies |
|||
| 31 March 2021 |
31 March 2020 |
| £m | £m | |
|---|---|---|
| At cost less amounts written off at beginning of year | 300.0 | 284.3 |
| Increase in investments | 48.6 | 20.5 |
| Decrease in investments | (1.1) | (4.8) |
| At cost less amounts written off at end of year | 347.5 | 300.0 |
The increase of £48.6m in the year comprises additions from the acquisition of Static Systems Holdings Limited of £43.9m and additional investments into existing subsidiaries: £0.5m additional investment in Halma Euro Trading Limited and £4.2m in Halma Ventures Limited. The decrease in investment of £1.1m relates to the disposal of LAN Control Systems Limited (LAN). As part of an internal group restructuring LAN was sold to FireMate Software Pty Limited, a subsidiary company 70% owned by the Group.
In the prior year the increase of £20.5m in the year comprised additions from acquisitions in the period: £4.9m for the acquisition of Invenio Systems Limited including estimated deferred contingent consideration of £1.5m and £5.4m for the acquisition of Ampac Europe Limited. There was also an additional investment of £0.6m in the year in an existing subsidiary, Halma Euro Trading Limited and an investment of £9.6m in a new subsidiary incorporated in the year, Halma Ventures Limited. The decrease in investment of £4.8m related to the return of capital from Halma Ventures Limited on the sale of its investment in Optomed Oy.
Details of the Company's subsidiaries at 31 March 2021 are below.
| Name | Registered Address | Country | Class | Group % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A & G Security Electronics Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Accutome, Inc. | 3222 Phoenixville Pike, Malvern PA 19355 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| ADI Holdings LLC | 240 Kenneth Welch Drive, Lakeville, 02347 MA |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Adler Diamant BV | Simon Homburgstraat 21, 5431 NN Cuijk |
Netherlands | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Advanced Electronics Limited | The Bridges, Balliol Business Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE12 8EW |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Advanced Fire Systems Inc. | 100 South Street, Hopkinton MA 01748 | United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Alicat Scientific, Inc. | 7641 N Business Park Drive, Tucson AZ 85743 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Alicat BV | Geograaf 24, 6921 EW Duiven | Netherlands | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Ampac Europe Limited | Unit 2, Waterbrook Estate, Waterbrook Road, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2UD |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Ampac NZ Limited | 125 The Terrace, Wellington Central, Wellington, 6011 |
New Zealand | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Ampac Pty Limited | 7 Ledgar Road, Balcatta, Western Australia, 6021 |
Australia | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Analytical Development Company Limited |
(1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Apollo (Beijing) Fire Products Co. Ltd | Block A5, Jinghai Industrial Park, No. 156 Jinghai Fourth Road, BDA Beijing |
China | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Apollo America, Inc. | 25 Corporate Drive, Auburn Hills MI 48326 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Apollo Fire Detectors Limited | 36 Brookside Road, Havant, Hampshire PO9 1JR |
United Kingdom | Ordinary & Deferred Shares |
100* |
| Apollo GmbH | Am Anger 31, D-33332 Gütersloh | Germany | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Aquionics, Inc. | 1455 Jamike Avenue, Suite 100, Erlanger Kentucky 41018 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Argus Security S.R.L. | Via Maurizio Gonzaga no. 7, Milan, 20123 |
Italy | Quotas | 100 |
| ASL Holdings Limited | Ty Coch House, Llantarnam Park Way, Cwmbran, Gwent NP44 3AW |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Avire Elevator Technology India Pte. Ltd | Plot A/147, Road No. 24, Wagle Industrial Estate, Thane West, 400604 |
India | Ordinary & Preference Shares |
100 |
| Avire Elevator Technology Shanghai Ltd | 4th Floor, Building 75, No.1066, Qinzhou Road, Shanghai, 200233 |
China | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Avire Global Pte. Ltd | 80 Raffles Place, #32-01 UOB Plaza, 048624 |
Singapore | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Avire Inc. | 415 Oser Avenue, Suite Q, Hauppauge NY 11788 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Avire Limited | Unit 1 The Switchback Gardner Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 7RJ |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Avire Trading Limited | Unit 1 The Switchback Gardner Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 7RJ |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Avire s.r.o. | Okružní 2615, České Budějovice, 370 01 | Czech Republic | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Avo Photonics (Canada) Inc. | 20 Mural Street, Unit 7, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 1K3 |
Canada | A & B Shares | 100 |
| Avo Photonics, Inc. | 700 Business Center Drive, Suite 125, Horsham PA 19044 |
United States | A & B Preferred Stock & Common Stock |
100 |
| B.E.A. Holdings, Inc. | 100 Enterprise Drive, RIDC West, Pittsburgh PA 15275 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| B.E.A. Inc. | 100 Enterprise Drive, RIDC West, Pittsburgh PA 15275 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| B.E.A. Investments, Inc. | 100 Enterprise Drive, RIDC West, Pittsburgh PA 15275 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Baoding Longer Precision Pump Co., Ltd |
Building A, Chuangye Center, Baoding National High-Tech Development Zone, Baoding, Hebei, 071051 |
China | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| BEA Electronics (Beijing) Co Ltd | Room 5959, Shenchang Building, No.51, Zhichun Road, Haidian District, Beijing |
China | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| BEA Electronics Singapore Pte. Ltd | 16 Raffles Quay, #38-03 Hong Leong Building, Singapore 048581 |
Singapore | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Subsidiaries continued | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Registered Address | Country | Class | Group % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEA Japan KK | 154-0012 Komazawa, Setagaya-ku 3-28-11, Tokyo |
Japan | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Beijing Ker'Kang Instrument Limited Company |
Unit 316, Area 1 Tower B, Chuangxin Building, 12 Hongda North Rd, Beijing, 100176 |
China | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Berson Milieutechniek BV | PO Box 90, 5670 AB Nuenen | Netherlands | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Bio-Chem Fluidics, Inc. | 85 Fulton Street, Boonton New Jersey 07005 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Bureau d'Electronique appliquée S.A. | Allée des Noisetiers 5, Liège Science Park B-4031 LIEGE-Angleur |
Belgium | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Business Marketers Group, Inc (trading as Rath Communications) |
24720 N Corporate Cir, Sussex WI 53089. |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Cardios Sistemas Comercial e Industrial Ltda |
Avenida Paulista, 509, 1º e 2º andares, conjuntos 201, 212, 213 e 214, Bela Vista, São Paulo, Estado de São Paulo, CEP 01311-910 |
Brazil | Quotas | 100 |
| Cardio Dinâmica Ltda | Avenida Paulista nº 509, 16º andar, conjuntos 1601 e 1602, São Paulo, Estado de São Paulo, CEP 01311-910-0 |
Brazil | Quotas | 100 |
| Castell Interlocks, Inc. | Suite 865, 150 N Michigan Avenue, Chicago Illinois 60601 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Castell Locks Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Castell Safety International Limited | The Castell Building, 217 Kingsbury Road, London NW9 9PQ |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Castell Safety Technology Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| CEF Safety Systems BV | Delftweg 69, 2289 BA Rijswijk | Netherlands | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| CenTrak, Inc. | 125 Pheasant Run, Newton PA 18940 | United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Clinical Patents, LLC | 125 Pheasant Run, Newton PA 18940 | United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Cosasco Middle East (FZE) | P.O Box 442042, Dubai | UAE | Common Stock | 100 |
| Cosasco Middle East (FZE) | PO Box 8186, SAIF Zone, Sharjah | UAE | Common Stock | 100 |
| Cranford Controls Limited | Unit 2, Waterbrook Estate, Waterbrook Road, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2UD |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Crowcon Detection Instruments Limited |
172 Brook Drive, Milton Park, Milton, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SD |
United Kingdom | A & Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Diba Industries Limited | 2 College Park, Coldhams Lane, Cambridge CB1 3HD |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Diba Industries, Inc. | 4 Precision Road, Danbury CT 06810 | United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Eco Rupture Disc Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Eiffel APAC PTE. Ltd | 4 Shenton Way, #15-01, SGX Centre II | Singapore | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Eiffel Holdings Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Eiffel Investments UK Limited | 2 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2 |
Ireland | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Eiffel Management Services Ltd | 2 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2 |
Ireland | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Elfab Hughes Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Elfab Limited | Alder Road, West Chirton Industrial Estate, North Shields, Tyne & Wear NE29 8SD |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| F.I.R.E. Panel, LLC | 8435 N. 90th St., Suite 2, Scottsdale AZ 85258 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Fabrication de Produits de Sécurité SARL |
21 Rue du Cuir, ZI Sidi Rezig, Mégrine, 2033 |
Tunisia | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| FFE B.V. | J. Keplerweg 10S, 2408AC Alphen aan den Rijn |
Netherlands | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| FFE Holdings Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Deferred, A & Ordinary Shares |
100* |
| FFE Limited | 9 Hunting Gate, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 0TJ |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Fire Fighting Enterprises Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| FireMate Software Pty Limited | Unit 1, 83 Alfred Street, Fortitude Valley, QLD, 4006 |
Australia | Ordinary Shares | 70 |
| Firetrace Aerospace, LLC | 8435 N. 90th St., Suite 7 Scottsdale, AZ 85258 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Name | Registered Address | Country | Class | Group % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firetrace International Asia Pte. Ltd | 16 Collyer Quay, #11-01, Hitachi Tower, Singapore, 049318 |
Singapore | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Firetrace USA, LLC | 8435 N. 90th St., Suite 2 Scottsdale, AZ, 85258 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Fluid Conservation Systems, Inc. | 502 Technecenter Drive, Suite B, Milford OH 45150 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| FluxData Inc. | 176 Anderson Ave, STE F304, Rochester, NY 14607 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Fortress Interlocks Limited | 2 Inverclyde Drive, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV4 6FB |
United Kingdom | Ordinary & Preferred Shares |
100* |
| Fortress Interlocks Pty Ltd | Ross Wadeson Accountants, Unit 13, 20–30 Malcolm Road, Braeside VIC 3195 |
Australia | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Halma Australasia Holdings Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Halma Australasia Pty Ltd | 7 Ledgar Road, Balcatta, Western | Australia | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Halma (China) Group | Australia, 6021 Block 1, 3rd Floor, No. 123, Lane 1165, |
China | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Jindu Road, Minghang District, Shanghai, 201108 |
||||
| Halma Do Brasil – Equipamentos De Segurança Ltda |
Av. Tancredo Neves 620, Salas 1003/1004, Caminho das Árvores, Salvador, Bahia, 41.820-020 |
Brazil | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Halma Euro Trading Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Halma Europe DS BV | J. Keplerweg 14, 2408 AC Alphen aan den Rijn |
Netherlands | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Halma Financing Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Halma Holding GmbH | PO Box 35, Bruckstrasse 31, D-72417 Jungingen |
Germany | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Halma Holdings, Inc. | 8060 Bryan Dairy Road, Largo, FL, 33777 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Halma India Private Ltd | 'Prestige Shantiniketan', Gate 2, Tower C, 7th Floor, Whitefield Main Road, Mahadevapura, Bengaluru, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560048 |
India | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Halma International BV | De Huufkes 23, 5674TL Nuenen | Netherlands | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Halma International Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | A & Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Halma Investment Holdings Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Halma IT Services Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Halma Overseas Funding Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Halma PR Services Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Halma Resistors Unlimited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Halma Safety Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Halma Saúde e Otica do Brasil – Importação, Exportação e Distribuição Ltda |
Avenida Marcos Penteado de Ulhoa Rodrigues, n. 1119, 11th Floor, Suite 1102, Tambore, Barueri/São Paulo, 06.460- 040 |
Brazil | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Halma Services Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Halma UK DS Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Halma Ventures Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Hanovia Limited | 780/781 Buckingham Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4LA |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| HFT Shanghai Co., Ltd | Floor 2, No. 1 Factory Building, No. 123, Lane 1165, Jindu Road, Minghang District, Shanghai, 201108 |
China | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| HWM-Water Limited | Ty Coch House, Llantarnam Park Way, Cwmbran, Gwent NP44 3AW |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Hydreka Enoveo SAS | 51 Rosa Parks Avenue, Lyon, 69009 | France | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Hydreka SAS | 1 Chemin des Vergers, Batiment 2A, 69760, Limonest |
France | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Hyfire Wireless Fire Solutions Limited (previously Sterling Safety Systems Limited) |
B12a Holly Farm Business Park, Honiley, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1NP |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Infowave Solutions Inc. | 11495 N. Pennsylvania Street, Suite 240, Carmel, IN, 46032 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Invenio Systems Limited | Ty Coch House, Llantarnam Park Way, Cwmbran, Gwent NP44 3AW |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| InPipe GmbH | Walserstraße 92a, 6991 Riezlern im Kleinwalsertal |
Austria | Ordinary Shares | 90 |
| Iso-Lok Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
Subsidiaries continued
| Name | Registered Address | Country | Class | Group % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keeler Instruments, Inc. | 456 Parkway, Lawrence Park Ind. Estate, Broomall PA 19008 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Keeler Limited | Clewer Hill Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 4AA |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Kerry Ultrasonics Sdn Bhd | 10th Floor, Wisma Havela Thakardas, No. 1, Jalan Tiong Nam, Off Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan |
Malaysia | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Kirk Key Interlock Company, LLC | 9048 Meridian Circle NW, North Canton OH 44720 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Klaxon Signals Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Labsphere, Inc. | 231 Shaker Street, North Sutton NH 03260 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| LAN Control Systems Limited | H1 Ash Tree Court, Mellors Way, Nottingham Business Park, Nottingham. NG8 6PY |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 70 |
| Langer Instruments Corporation | 7641 N Business Park Drive, Tucson AZ 85743 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Limotec bvba | Bosstraat 21, 8570 Anzegem (Vichte) | Belgium | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Maxtec LLC | 2305 South, 1070 West, Salt Lake City, UT, 84119 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Meadowbridge Holdings Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Medicel AG | Dornierstrasse 11, CH – 9423 Altenrhein | Switzerland | A & B Preference & C Ordinary Shares |
100 |
| MicroSurgical Technology, Inc. | 8415 154th Avenue NE, Redmond WA 98052 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Mini-Cam Limited | Unit 4 Yew Tree Way, Golborne, Warrington, WA3 3FN |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Mini-Cam Enterprises Limited | Unit 4 Yew Tree Way, Golborne, Warrington WA3 3FN |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Mini-Cam Holdings Limited | Unit 4 Yew Tree Way, Golborne, Warrington, WA3 3FN |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Mistura Systems Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Morley Electronics Limited | The Bridges, Balliol Business Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE12 8EW |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Navtech Radar Limited | Home Farm, Ardington, Wantage, Oxfordshire. OX12 8PD |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| NovaBone Products, LLC | 13510 NW US Highway, 441 Alachua, FL, 32207 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| NB Products, Inc | 1551 Atlantic Blvd, Suite 105, Jacksonville, FL, 32207 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Ocean Optics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd | Block B, 3rd Floor, No. 123, Lane 1165, Jindu Road, Minghang District, Shanghai |
China | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Ocean Optics Asia LLC | Suite 601, Kirin Tower, 666 Gubei Road, Shanghai, 200336 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Ocean Optics BV | Geograaf 24, 6921EW Duiven | Netherlands | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Ocean Optics, Inc. | 8060 Bryan Dairy Road, Largo, FL, 33777 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co, Inc. | PO Box 1327, 1701 West Tacoma, Broken Arrow OK 74013 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Palintest Limited | Palintest House, Kingsway, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead Tyne & Wear NE11 0NS |
United Kingdom | Ordinary & Deferred Shares |
100* |
| Palmer Environmental Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Palmer Environmental Services Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | A & Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Perma Pure India Pte Ltd | Plot No. A/147, Road No. 24, Wagle Industrial Estate, Thane West, Maharashtra, THANE 400064 |
India | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Perma Pure, LLC | 1001 New Hampshire Ave., Lakewood NJ 08701 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Pixelteq, Inc. | 8060A Bryan Dairy Road, Largo Florida 33777 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Power Equipment Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Preference & Ordinary Shares |
100* |
| Radcom (Technologies) Limited | Ty Coch House, Llantarnam Park Way, Cwmbran, Gwent NP44 3AW |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Radio-Tech Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Name | Registered Address | Country | Class | Group % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCS Corrosion Services Sdn. Bhd | Level 21, Suite 21.01, The Garden South Tower, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan |
Malaysia | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| RCS International Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Research Engineers Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Reten Acoustics Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Riester USA, LLC | 507 Airport Blvd Ste 113, Morrisville NC 27560-8200 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Robutec AG | Dornierstrasse 11, CH – 9423 Altenrhein | Switzerland | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Rohrback Cosasco International Limited |
OIL (Offshore Inc Limited) PO Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Centre, Road Town, Tortola |
British Virgin Islands | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Rohrback Cosasco System China Corporation |
No. A, Apartment 15F, Building 1, Tianchen Plaza, Yi-12 Chaoyangmen North Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020 |
China | Common Stock | 100 |
| Rohrback Cosasco Systems LLC | Gulf Consulting House Al-Shablan Tower – 5th Floor King Fahd Rd, Al Hizam Al Thahabi P.O.Box 3140 AL Khobar, 31952 |
Saudi Arabia | Common Stock | 100 |
| Rohrback Cosasco Systems Pte Ltd | Ardent Business Advisory, 146, Robinson Road, #12-01, Singapore, 068909 |
Singapore | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Rohrback Cosasco Systems Pty Ltd | Unit 5, 17 Caloundra Road, Clarkson, WA |
Australia | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Rohrback Cosasco Systems UK Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Rohrback Cosasco Systems, Inc | 11841 Smith Ave, Santa Fe Springs CA 90670 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Rudolf Riester GmbH | Bruckstrasse 31, D-72417 Jungingen | Germany | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| S.E.R.V. Trayvou Interverrouillage SA | 1 Ter, Rue du Marais Bat B, 93106 Montreuil, Cedex |
France | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Sensit Technologies LLC | 851 Trasnport Drive, Valparaiso, IN. 46383 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Sensit Technologies EMEA S.r.l | Via Tortona, n.33 Milan, 20144 | Italy | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Sensorex s.r.o | Okružní 2615, České Budějovice, 370 01 | Czech Republic | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Sensorex Corporation | 11751 Markon Drive, Garden Grove CA 92841 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Setco S.A. | c/Miquel Romeu 56, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, 08907 |
Spain | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Shanghai Labsphere Optical Equipments Co., Ltd |
Block 1, No. 123, Lane 1165, Jindu Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 201108 |
China | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Smart Process Safety China Ltd (previously Castell China Ltd) |
Section A, Floor 2, Block 23, No. 1 Factory Building, No. 123, Lane 1165, Jindu Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 201108 |
China | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Smith Flow Control Limited (previously Swift 943 Ltd) |
(1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Smith Flow Control, Inc. | 1390 Donaldson Rd, Suite B, Erlanger Kentucky 41018 |
United States | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Sofis BV (previously Netherlocks Safety Systems BV) |
J Keplerweg 14, 2408 AC Alphen aan den Rijn |
Netherlands | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Sofis GmbH | Hahnenkammstrasse 12, 63811 Stockstadt |
Germany | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Sofis Limited (previously Smith Flow Control Ltd) |
Unit 7b West Station Business Park, Spital Road, Maldon, CM9 6FF |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Sonar Research & Development Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Static Systems Group Limited | Heath Mill Road, Wombourne, Wolverhampton, WV5 8AN |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Static Systems Holdings Limited | Heath Mill Road, Wombourne, Wolverhampton, WV5 8AN |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| SunTech Group EB Trustee Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| SunTech Medical (USA), LLC | 507 Airport Boulevard, Suite 117, Morrisville NC 27560-8200 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| SunTech Medical Devices (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd |
2-3/F, Block A, Jinxiongda Technology Park, Guanlan, Bao'an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518110 |
China | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
Subsidiaries continued
| Name | Registered Address | Country | Class | Group % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SunTech Medical Group Limited | Oakfield Industrial Estate, Eynsham, Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 4TS |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| SunTech Medical Limited | Oakfield Industrial Estate, Eynsham, Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 4TS |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| SunTech Medical Ltd (Hong Kong) | 8th Floor, Gloucester Tower, The Landmark, 15 Queen's Road Central |
Hong Kong | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| SunTech Medical, Inc. | 507 Airport Boulevard, Suite 117, Morrisville NC 27560-8200 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| T.L. Jones Ltd | 50 Hazeldean Road, Addington, Christchurch, 8024 |
New Zealand | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Talentum Developments Limited | 9 Hunting Gate, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 0TJ |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Telegan Gas Monitoring Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Texecom Limited | Bradwood Court, St. Crispin Way, Haslingden, Rossendale, Lancashire BB4 4PW |
United Kingdom | Ordinary Shares | 100* |
| Thinketron Precision Equipment Company Ltd |
Room 813 8/F Tai Yau Building, 181 Johnston Road, Wan Chai |
Hong Kong | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Value Added Solutions LLC | 26 Duane Lane, Burlington CT 06013 | United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Visiometrics S.L. | Argenters, 8. Edifici 3, Parc Tecnològic del Vallès, 08290 Cerdanyola |
Spain | Ordinary Shares | 100 |
| Visual Performance Diagnostics, Inc. | 26895 Aliso Creek Rd, Suite B223, Aliso Viejo CA 92656 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Volk Optical Inc. | 7893 Enterprise Drive, Mentor Ohio 44060 |
United States | Common Stock | 100 |
| Wilkinson & Simpson Limited | (1) | United Kingdom | Deferred & Ordinary Shares |
100* |
* Directly held by the Company.
(1) Misbourne Court, Rectory Way, Amersham, Buckinghamshire HP7 0DE.
| 31 March | 31 March |
|---|---|
| £m | 2020 £m |
| 1.2 | – |
| 729.7 | 795.8 |
| – | 0.3 |
| 11.1 | 10.8 |
| 742.0 | 806.9 |
| 2021 |
| C7 Borrowings | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Falling due within one year: | ||
| Overdrafts | 22.6 | 24.8 |
| Unsecured loan notes | – | 74.2 |
| 22.6 | 99.0 | |
| Falling due after more than one year: | ||
| Unsecured loan notes | 105.3 | 108.6 |
| Unsecured bank loans | 216.6 | 236.4 |
| 321.9 | 345.0 | |
| Total borrowings | 344.5 | 444.0 |
The Company has two sources of long-term funding, which comprise:
Further details are included in note 27 to the Group accounts.
The bank overdrafts, which are unsecured, at 31 March 2021 and 1 April 2020 were drawn on uncommitted facilities which all expire within one year and were held pursuant to a Group pooling arrangement which offsets them against credit balances in subsidiary undertakings.
The Company is part of an arrangement between UK subsidiaries whereby overdraft facilities of £26.5m (2020: £15.3m) are crossguaranteed. Total overdrafts for the Group as at 31 March 2021 was £3.0m (2020: £0.9m).
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Trade creditors | 2.0 | 2.4 |
| Amounts owing to Group companies | 53.6 | 60.1 |
| Other taxation and social security | 1.2 | 1.3 |
| Other creditors | 0.5 | 0.9 |
| Provision for contingent consideration | 9.6 | 5.7 |
| Accruals | 7.9 | 10.1 |
| 74.8 | 80.5 |
| 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Amounts owing to Group companies | 12.3 | 11.7 |
| Other creditors | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Provision for contingent consideration | 0.4 | 9.2 |
| 13.1 | 21.2 | |
| These liabilities fall due as follows: | ||
| Within one to two years | 0.8 | 9.0 |
| Within two to five years | – | 0.5 |
| After more than five years | 12.3 | 11.7 |
| Retirement benefit obligations £m |
Short-term timing differences £m |
Total £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 April 2020 | (1.0) | 1.7 | 0.7 |
| Charge to Profit and Loss account | – | (0.1) | (0.1) |
| Credit to comprehensive income | 2.6 | – | 2.6 |
| Charge to equity | – | (0.3) | (0.3) |
| At 31 March 2021 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 2.9 |
| At 1 April 2019 | 4.1 | 1.2 | 5.3 |
| (Charge)/credit to Profit and Loss account | (1.6) | 0.4 | (1.2) |
| Charge to comprehensive income | (3.5) | – | (3.5) |
| Credit to equity | – | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| At 31 March 2020 | (1.0) | 1.7 | 0.7 |
| Issued and fully paid | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | ||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||
| £m | £m | ||
| Ordinary shares of 10p each | 38.0 | 38.0 |
The number of ordinary shares in issue at 31 March 2021 was 379,645,332 (2020: 379,645,332), including shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust of 891,622 (2020: 760,894).
The Capital redemption reserve was created on the repurchase and cancellation of the Company's own shares. The Other reserves represent the provision being established in respect of the value of equity-settled share awards made by the Company. Own shares are ordinary shares in Halma plc purchased by the Company and held to fulfil its obligations under the Group's share plans.
The Company participates in, and is the sponsoring employer of, the Halma Group Pension Plan. The plan closed to new entrants in 2002/03 and to future benefit accrual in 2014/15. From that date, the former defined benefit members joined the Company's existing defined contribution plan.
There is no contractual agreement or stated policy for charging the net defined benefit cost within the Group. In accordance with IAS 19 (Revised 2011), the Company contribution made to the defined benefit plan during the year ended 31 March 2021 was £3.7m (2020: £3.5m).
Net interest credit on pension plan assets/liabilities of £0.3m (2020: net interest charge of £0.4m) were recognised in the Profit and Loss Account in respect of the Company defined benefit plan.
The net movement on actuarial gains and losses of the plan reported in the Company Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure was as follows:
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| Defined benefit obligations | (40.6) | 19.8 |
| Fair value of plan assets | 17.4 | (0.3) |
| Net actuarial (losses)/gains | (23.2) | 19.5 |
The actual return on plan assets was a gain of £23.5m (2020: gain of £5.3m).
The amount included in the Company Balance Sheet arising from the Company's obligations in respect of its defined benefit retirement plans is as follows:
| 31 March | 31 March | 31 March | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Present value of defined benefit obligations | (268.7) | (231.5) | (255.2) |
| Fair value of plan assets | 260.4 | 236.9 | 232.9 |
| (Liability)/asset recognised in the Company Balance Sheet | (8.3) | 5.4 | (22.3) |
Under the current arrangements, cash contributions in the region of £9m per year will be made for the immediate future with the objective of eliminating the pension deficit that arises on a technical provisions basis which is the basis on which the deficit reduction payments are determined.
Movements in the present value of the defined benefit obligation were as follows:
| Year ended | Year ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March | 31 March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| £m | £m | |
| At beginning of year | (231.5) | (255.2) |
| Interest cost | (5.8) | (6.0) |
| Remeasurement (losses)/gains: | ||
| Actuarial gains and losses arising from changes in financial assumptions | (40.6) | 19.8 |
| Benefits paid | 9.2 | 9.9 |
| At end of year | (268.7) | (231.5) |
| Movements in the fair value of the plan assets were as follows: | ||
| Year ended 31 March 2021 £m |
Year ended 31 March 2020 £m |
|
|---|---|---|
| At beginning of year | 236.9 | 232.9 |
| Interest income | 6.1 | 5.6 |
| Actuarial gains/(losses), excluding interest income | 17.4 | (0.3) |
| Contributions from the sponsoring companies | 9.2 | 8.6 |
| Benefits paid | (9.2) | (9.9) |
| At end of year | 260.4 | 236.9 |
Further details of Halma Group Pension Plan, including all disclosures required under FRS 101, are contained in note 29 to the Group accounts.
| (Restated) (note 5) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011/12 £m |
2012/13 £m |
2012/13 £m |
2013/14 £m |
|
| Revenue (note 1) | 579.9 | 619.2 | 619.2 | 676.5 |
| Overseas sales (note 1) | 454.3 | 503.6 | 503.6 | 548.6 |
| Profit before taxation, and adjustments (note 2) | 120.5 | 130.7 | 128.5 | 140.2 |
| Net tangible assets/capital employed | 163.3 | 188.7 | 188.7 | 189.7 |
| Borrowings (excluding overdrafts) | 64.0 | 160.0 | 160.0 | 107.6 |
| Cash and cash equivalents (net of overdrafts) | 45.3 | 49.7 | 49.7 | 33.1 |
| Number of employees (note 1) | 4,347 | 4,716 | 4,716 | 4,999 |
| Earnings per ordinary share (note 1) | 23.01p | 25.22p | 24.79p | 28.14p |
| Adjusted earnings per ordinary share (note 2) | 24.46p | 26.22p | 25.79p | 28.47p |
| Year-on-year increase in adjusted earnings per ordinary share | 19.4% | 7.2% | 5.4% | 10.4% |
| Return on Sales (notes 1 and 3) | 20.8% | 21.1% | 20.8% | 20.7% |
| Return on Capital Employed (restated – note 4) | 78.6% | 76.4% | 75.8% | 76.6% |
| Return on Total Invested Capital (restated – note 4) | 17.6% | 16.9% | 16.6% | 16.7% |
| Year-on-year increase in dividends per ordinary share (paid and proposed) | 7% | 7% | 7% | 7% |
| Ordinary share price at financial year end | 381p | 518p | 518p | 579p |
| Market capitalisation at financial year end | 1,440.8 | 1,962.6 | 1,962.6 | 2,192.6 |
Notes:
1 Continuing and discontinued operations.
2 Adjusted to remove the amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets and acquisition transaction costs, release of fair value adjustments to inventory, adjustments to contingent consideration (collectively 'acquisition items') and restructuring costs. IFRS figures include results of operations up to the date of their sales or closure but exclude material discontinued and continuing profits on sales or closures of operations. In 2013/14 only, the effects of closure to future benefit accrual of the defined benefit pension plans have also been removed. In 2018/19, the adjustments also include the effect of equalising pension benefits for men and women in the Group's defined benefit pension plans.
3 Return on Sales is defined as profit before taxation, the amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets; acquisition items; restructuring costs, profit or loss on disposal of operations; the effect of equalising pension benefits for men and women in the defined benefit pension plans (2018/19 only); and the effects of closure to future benefit accrual of the defined benefit pension plans net of associated costs (2013/14 only) expressed as a percentage of revenue.
4 See note 3 to the Report and Accounts for the definitions of ROCE and ROTIC. The ROCE and ROTIC measures were restated in 2014/15 and for all prior years to use an average Capital Employed and Total Invested Capital respectively. This measure is considered to be more representative. For 2019/20 and 2020/21, the measures include the impact of adopting IFRS 16 'Leases'. There is no material impact on either measure from its inclusion.
5 IAS 19 (as revised in June 2011) 'Employee Benefits' was adopted by the Group in 2013/14. To aid comparison, and as required by IAS 19 (revised), the Consolidated Financial Statements and affected notes for 2012/13 were restated as if IAS 19 (revised) had always applied during that year. Results prior to 2012/13 were not restated.
6 The 2015/16 figures were restated in 2016/17, as required by IFRS 3 (revised) 'Business Combinations', for material changes arising on the provisional accounting for acquisitions in 2014/15.
| (Restated) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 £m |
2019/20 £m |
2018/19 £m |
2017/18 £m |
2016/17 £m |
(note 6) 2015/16 £m |
2014/15 £m |
| 1 ,318 2 |
1 ,338 4 |
1 ,210 9 |
1 ,076 2 |
961 7 |
807 8 |
726 1 |
| 1 ,104 6 |
1 ,117 2 |
1 ,010 0 |
902 9 |
806 7 |
663 0 |
587 8 |
| 278 | 267 | 245 | 213 | 194 | 166 | 153 |
| 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 389 | 416 | 358 | 322 | 302 | 258 | 219 |
| 5 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| 322 | 419 | 253 | 290 | 262 | 296 | 140 |
| 3 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 131 | 105 | 72 | 69 | 65 | 49 | 39 |
| 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| ,120 | ,992 | ,508 | ,113 | ,771 | ,604 | ,328 |
| 53 | 48 | 44 | 40 | 34 | 28 | 27 |
| .61p | .66p | .78p | .69p | .25p | .76p | .49p |
| 58 | 57 | 52 | 45 | 40 | 34 | 31 |
| .67p | .39p | .74p | .26p | .21p | .26p | .17p |
| 2 | 8 | 16 | 12 | 17 | 9 | 9 |
| 2 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 5 |
| % | % | % | % | % | % | % |
| 21 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 21 |
| 1 | 9 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| % | % | % | % | % | % | % |
| 70 | 71 | 75 | 71 | 72 | 72 | 77 |
| 9% | 4% | 1% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 6% |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 |
| 4% | 3% | 1% | 2% | 3% | 6% | 3% |
| 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| % | % | % | % | % | % | % |
| 2374 | 1921 | 1672 | 1179 | 1024 | 912 | 701 |
| p | p | p | p | p | p | p |
| 9 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| ,012 | ,293 | ,347 | ,476 | ,887 | ,462 | ,661 |
| 8 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
Annual Report and Accounts 2021 227
| Annual General Meeting | 22 July 2021 |
|---|---|
| 2020/21 Final dividend payable | 12 August 2021 |
| 2021/22 Half year end | 30 September 2021 |
| 2021/22 Half year results | November 2021 |
| 2021/22 Interim dividend payable | February 2022 |
| 2021/22 Year end | 31 March 2022 |
| 2021/22 Final results | June 2022 |
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interim | 6.87p | 6.54p | 6.11p | 5.71p | 5.33p |
| Final | 10.78p* | 9.96p | 9.60p | 8.97p | 8.38p |
| Total | 17.65p | 16.50p | 15.71p | 14.68p | 13.71p |
* Proposed.
Visit our website, www.halma.com, for investor information and Company news. In addition to accessing financial data, you can view and download Annual and Half Year Reports, analyst presentations, find contact details for Halma senior executives and subsidiary companies and access links to Halma subsidiary websites. You can also subscribe to an email news alert service to automatically receive an email when significant announcements are made.
Please contact our Registrar, Computershare, directly for all enquiries about your shareholding. Visit their Investor Centre website www.investorcentre.co.uk for online information about your shareholding (you will need your shareholder reference number which can be found on your share certificate or dividend confirmation), or telephone the Registrar direct using the dedicated telephone number for Halma shareholders: +44 (0)370 707 1046.
Shareholders can arrange to have their dividends paid directly into their bank or building society account by completing a bank mandate form. The advantages to using this service are: the payment is more secure than sending a cheque through the post; it avoids the inconvenience of paying in a cheque and reduces the risk of lost, stolen or out-of-date cheques. A mandate form can be obtained from Computershare or you will find one on the reverse of your last dividend confirmation.
The Company operates a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) which offers shareholders the option to elect to have their cash dividends reinvested in Halma ordinary shares purchased in the market. You can register for the DRIP online by visiting Computershare's Investor Centre website (as above) or by requesting an application form direct from Computershare.
Shareholders who wish to elect for the DRIP for the forthcoming final dividend, but have not already done so, should return a DRIP application form to Computershare no later than 22 July 2021.
All shareholder communications, including the Company's Annual Report and Accounts, are made available to shareholders on the Halma website and you may opt to receive email notification that documents and information are available to view and download rather than to receive paper copies through the post. Using electronic communications helps us to limit the amount of paper we use and assists us in reducing our costs.
If you would like to sign up for this service, visit Computershare's Investor Centre website. You may change the way you receive communications at any time by contacting Computershare.
Misbourne Court Rectory Way Amersham Bucks HP7 0DE Tel: +44 (0)1494 721111 [email protected] Web: www.halma.com
Registered in England and Wales, No 040932
Charles King Head of Investor Relations Halma plc Misbourne Court Rectory Way Amersham Bucks HP7 0DE Tel: +44 (0)1494 721111 [email protected]
Computershare Investor Services PLC The Pavilions Bridgwater Road Bristol BS99 6ZZ Tel: +44 (0)370 707 1046 www.investorcentre.co.uk
Auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 40 Clarendon Road Watford Hertfordshire WD17 1JJ
Credit Suisse International One Cabot Square London E14 4QJ
Investec Investment Banking 30 Gresham Street London EC2V 7QP
Andrew Jaques/Giles Robinson MHP Communications 4th Floor 60 Great Portland Street London W1W 7RT Tel: +44 (0)20 3128 8100 [email protected]
Lazard & Co., Limited 50 Stratton Street London W1J 8LL
Credit Suisse International One Cabot Square London E14 4QJ

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Halma plc Misbourne Court Rectory Way Amersham Bucks HP7 0DE
Tel: +44 (0)1494 721111 www.halma.com
Halma plc
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
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