Annual Report • Apr 30, 2020
Annual Report
Open in ViewerOpens in native device viewer






FBD Holdings plc Annual Report 2019
FBD at a Glance Financial Highlights Our Purpose Chairman's Statement 2019 in Pictures Review of Operations Our Business Model Our Strategy Risk & Uncertainties Report Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Information
Consolidated Income Statement Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity Company Statement of Financial Position Company Statement of Cash Flows Company Statement of Changes in Equity Notes to the Financial Statements
Alternative Performance Measures

Visit our website to find out more: www.FBD.ie or follow us and join the conversation

Gary and Paul O'Donovan Rowing Chloe Watkins Hockey Rhasidat Adeleke Athletics Emma Slevin Gymnastics
Established in the 1960s by farmers for farmers, FBD has built on our roots in agriculture to become a leading general insurer directly serving the needs of agricultural, small business and consumer customers throughout Ireland.
Profit before tax €112m (2018: €50m)
Return on Equity 30% (2018: 15%)
Combined operating ratio 72% (2018: 81%)
Per Share Dividend Proposed 100c (2018: 50c)
Gross premium written €370m (2018: €372m)
Net Asset Value 1,068c (2018: 818c)
| 2019 €000s |
2018 €000s |
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross premium written | 370,063 | 371,504 |
| Net premium earned | 337,553 | 337,903 |
| Profit for the financial year | 98,225 | 42,383 |
| 2019 Cent |
2018 Cent |
|
| Basic earnings per share | 281 | 122 |
| Diluted earnings per share | 2761 | 1122 |
| Net asset value per share | 1,068 | 818 |
| Ordinary dividend per share proposed | 100 | 50 |
| Ordinary dividend per share paid | 50 | 24 |
1 Diluted earnings pershare reflectsthe potential vesting ofshare based payments
2 Diluted earnings pershare reflectsthe potential conversion of convertible debt up until the date of purchase and cancellation of the convertible debt and the potential vesting ofshare based payments
| Preliminary announcement | 27 February 2020 |
|---|---|
| Dividend record date | 14 April 2020 |
| Annual General Meeting | 8 May 2020 |
| Dividend payment date | 15 May 2020 |
FBD's purpose is to support, protect and stand with Ireland's families, farms and businesses to enable our customers to grow and thrive in a vibrant society and economy.
We are proud of our roots in farming and of our Irish heritage. We are proud of our expertise and appreciate the trust of our loyal customers. We take pride in being part of the communities we serve. We look forward to supporting families and family businesses for generations in the same way we have supported Ireland's farmers.
To support our customers we must first look after ourselves and each other.
This excites our people, because we are a team that wants to succeed. We are a team that evolves and grows. We are continually developing.
We are also in the service of others: each other, our customers and society. We believe our work is worthwhile work that is worth doing. Our products help our customers to prosper.

LAIM HERLIHY | Chairman
I am pleased to present our excellent financial results for 2019 and in particular I am very pleased to propose a substantial dividend payment to our shareholders. We have reported a Group Profit before Tax of €112m and our Net Asset Value (book value) per share grew to 1,068 cent. Our Solvency Capital Ratio continues to be very strong at 192%. FBD is today in a very strong financial position.
2019 has seen a continuation of excellent financial results for our business. Despite competitive headwinds in some areas, our strategy and our discipline continue to deliver positive results for FBD.
I am very grateful for all we have accomplished and specifically, I want to thank all of our loyal FBD staff, in Bluebell and in our branches up and down the country, for their contribution to our success. Their dedication to our customers and to great customer service continues to be a key differentiator for FBD. The commitment shown across the Group in delivering for the business, while outperforming on expectations, has been nothing short of remarkable.
GROUP PROFIT BEFORE TAX
€112m
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
1,068c
PER SHARE DIVIDEND PROPOSED
100c

I am delighted to welcome the two new Independent Non-Executive Directors who joined our Board in 2019. Richard Pike and Sylvia Cronin bring a wealth of business experience to FBD and I am sure they will make a very valuable contribution over the coming years.
Fiona Muldoon, Chief Executive Officer, has informed the Board that she will leave her position as Executive Director and CEO during 2020. Fiona has been CEO since August 2015 having joined FBD as Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer in January 2015. Fiona has transformed the commercial fortunes of FBD over the past five years. Her relentless focus on the business and its customers has been remarkable. The shareholders and the community we serve have benefitted from her tireless efforts.
The appointment of a successor CEO is actively underway. The process is now at an advanced stage and we hope to be in a position to comment further on this important appointment soon.
FBD's Team Ireland sponsorship was ramped up in 2019 and is a big investment as we enter Olympic Year 2020 and start to focus on the main event in Tokyo next summer. This sponsorship will encompass all of the Olympic Federation of Ireland's activity, both in Ireland and internationally. This partnership is very exciting for both FBD Insurance and the Olympic Federation of Ireland and shows our continued commitment to supporting and protecting all of the communities from which Ireland's Olympic heroes emerge.
Local communities are the foundations of support that enable our Irish athletes to compete on the world stage. At FBD, we have a unique connection with our local communities through our nationwide branches and our direct customer relationships. As a truly local Irish insurer we are proud to partner with Team Ireland on what is sure to be an exciting journey for Ireland's talented athletes, their coaches, their families and their communities as they progress to the biggest sporting stage of all in 2020, the Tokyo Olympic Games.
This major sponsorship in its third year will peak when the Games are held in summer 2020. It sits in the portfolio of our other national sponsorships including the National Ploughing Championships. As part of our strategy to continue to protect and grow our rural customer base as well as to enable continued growth in urban Ireland, this sponsorship of Team Ireland will provide a nationwide
platform for FBD. It highlights both our local pride and our commitment to communities across Ireland.
Innovation is key for FBD and we had many new ideas successfully brought to life in 2019. Our Farm Uplift product contains quite a few 'firsts' for farmers; including increasing Public Liability limits and offering Environmental (pollution) Liability cover as standard. There was also our new Small Business product, the improvements in Motor pricing on renewal, a low mileage Motor product, our Friends and Family discount scheme and Claims Fraud propensity modelling. Our newest innovation is only live since November and it improves the digital car insurance journey by allowing the customer sign the proposal documents there and then and to upload their No-claims cert using their phone camera. I am proud that FBD continues to be market leading for its customers and we will keep this going for 2020 and beyond.
FBD is committed to working with and supporting local communities. For over 50 years FBD has been committed to ensuring farms, businesses and wider communities feel real economic and social benefits as a result of our business activities. FBD is a responsible member of the community. We set high standards for ourselves and insist that all of our business activities are conducted lawfully and ethically.
In supporting Irish communities, FBD displays commitment to partnerships with local communities. We also provide insurance cover to sectors which are crucial to the economic and social fabric of the many communities we serve, particularly in rural Ireland.
Farming is a unique way of life with many positive aspects to it. However, by its nature, it is also a hazardous occupation. The high number of farm accidents annually is cause for great concern to us. FBD supports many initiatives which make the farm a safer place for all. In addition we have dedicated employees who work directly with farms and businesses to help improve safety standards and safety awareness in the workplace.
As an organisation that works to protect and safeguard our customers' future, we are also working to improve our sustainable business practices. FBD actively measures, manages and mitigates our carbon footprint and aims to minimise our environmental impact. Adapting smarter business practices has a powerful role to play in our business and it is something our whole organisation plays a part in. Company-wide initiatives raise awareness amongst employees on how simple, effective and relevant activities can contribute to a healthier planet. Our sustainability projects include a commitment to using less paper, printing less and being more efficient in our energy usage.
FBD welcomes the progress made in improving the claims environment such as the establishment of a Personal Injuries Guidelines Committee charged with providing guidelines on soft tissue injuries. We await the findings of this Committee in the belief that it has the potential to drive real change from the judiciary. It is also welcome that courts are showing an increased willingness to recognise that individuals have some responsibility for their own personal safety. In the meantime the level of compensation remains too high and without reform Irish farmers, businesses and consumers will continue to bear the cost of significantly higher premiums than those seen in other countries.
The Board believes that it is in the long-term interest of all stakeholders to maintain a strong solvency margin and it is focussed on ensuring that the Group's capital position is robust and its financial position well managed.
Following the excellent financial performance for 2019 the Board proposes to pay a dividend of 100 cent per share for the 2019 financial year. This is equivalent to a pay-out ratio of approximately 35% in respect of 2019 profits. This represents a significant increase on the 50 cents (40%) paid in 2018 as our profits are significantly higher. It reflects our continuing confidence in the profitability and future prospects of the business. The Group continues to target a 20% to 50% annual pay-out range of full year profits when appropriate, recognising extreme weather events and inherent cyclicality are features of all insurance businesses.
This conservative Dividend Policy is designed to recognise the importance of full year earnings in determining dividends while protecting the capital position of the Group.
I would like to thank the Board for their continued support and hard work throughout the year. In an uncertain world, I am confident that whatever challenges lie ahead, FBD is strong and will continue to prosper as a business.
Finally, as always, thanks to our customers for their continuing support, loyalty, trust and confidence. Because of them, FBD is strongly positioned for the future.
With Best Regards.
26 February 2020

O'Donovan brothers visit to Scoil Bhríde, Dunleer

Launch of FBD sponsorship of Tipperary County Championship

Presentation to the winner of the Holiday Competition at Bloom



2019 National Ploughing Championships FBD sponsored gold medal winning garden at Bloom

Macra 75th Dinner Celebrations

Tullamore Show

Tadhg Furlong & Fiona Muldoon pictured at the announcement of FBD's sponsorship of New Ross Rugby Club

O'Donovan brothers visit to Scoil Bhríde, Dunleer

Interview with Kellie Harrington from the FBD stand at Bloom
FIONA MULDOON | Group Chief Executive

Our FBD team has delivered a great result for 2019 due to our excellent customer service, our disciplined underwriting, some good luck with the weather, a rebound in investment markets and strong claims settlement activity.
We welcome the increasing stabilisation evident in court awards and resulting strong claims settlement activity in 2019. However, all consumers urgently need claims costs to come down through lower awards, lower legal and medical costs and the increased recognition of personal responsibility in injury cases. FBD continues to call for systemic reform to lower the cost of insurance for all.
FBD's strong out-turn for 2019 has been built from sound underwriting and risk selection decisions over the last few years and I am delighted to see those benefits come through so strongly. In my last full year review I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my colleagues who delivered this result and to wish our loyal customers and shareholders every success for 2020 and beyond.
FBD delivered an excellent profit of €112.5m before tax and an exceptional 30% return on equity. This result was driven by a number of factors primarily our strong underwriting result but also including unusually benign weather, significant positive prior year reserve development and better than expected investment returns. The underwriting profit has increased to €93.7m (2018: €63.4m).
RETURN ON EQUITY
30%
UNDERWRITING PROFIT
€94m
NET CLAIMS
€149m
Strong competition in all customer segments has resulted in a decrease in Gross Premium Written of €1.4m to €370.1m (2018: €371.5m). Increases in SME Business and the introduction of the An Post partnership were offset by reductions in Agri and Consumer as we reduced prices in the face of strong competition to defend our book. We continued to maintain our underwriting discipline on risk selection and price adequacy. We believe that our strong customer relationships, risk selection and underwriting capabilities are a core strength. New business volumes grew by 13%, primarily in personal lines. Retention rates are generally satisfactory across the book thanks to our excellent customer service.
Average premiums reduced by 2.2% across the book. Average Motor premiums reduced by 4.2% and Farm reduced by 2.5%, despite increases in exposures following the improvements in our Multi-Peril product with increased cover for Public Liability and Environmental (pollution) Liability. Business premiums increased by 1.8%, primarily due to changes in mix as opposed to rate increases.
Our underwriting track record over the past few years supported the successful renegotiation of our 2019 reinsurance programme at satisfactory rates.
Net claims incurred amounted to €148.7m (2018: €183.4m). There were positive prior year reserve releases of €40.1m as our claims experience from older years continued to show improvements relative to provisions (2018: €28.7m). These releases have been driven primarily by better than expected settlements and a very low large claims frequency in some recent accident years. In particular our latest view of the 2016 accident year continues to be better than previous expectations.
The Group incurred a net charge of €8.0m (2018: €7.1m) relating to the MIBI levy and its MIICF contribution which are calculated based on the Group's expected share of the motor market for 2019 and its motor gross premium written respectively.
We welcome the increased stabilisation in the Irish claims environment, in particular:
Currently the level of compensation is too high for soft tissue injuries in Irish courts and the negligence standards imposed by courts for farmers and small businesses remain too onerous. The Personal Injuries Commission found that the average soft tissue award in Ireland is more than 4 times that in the UK. We believe important reforms would lower insurance costs for all our customers:
In addition, there are remaining issues outstanding that may further increase the cost of claims such as:
n the Consumer Insurance Contracts Act, while introducing reforms for consumers that are generally welcome but has the potential to increase costs and create upward pressure on pricing;
While award stability is welcome after many years of uncertainty, in the absence of real reform of the claims environment, Irish businesses, farmers and consumers will continue to bear too-high insurance costs and volatile underwriting capacity in the market caused by withdrawal of foreign competitors and niche operators.
An unusually benign 2019 resulted in no weather events of note and the lowest quantum of weather claims in many years.
There was a modest reduction in Motor injury frequency during 2019 with the benign weather a contributing factor. We are closely monitoring Employer's Liability claims frequency which was running at a three year high in the middle of 2019 but is showing more positive trends in the second half of the year. It is likely that it is a result of increased economic activity.
The number of large Casualty claims greater than €250k reported in 2019 is slightly higher than the average number reported in the previous 7 years. The number and size of large claims can vary greatly from year to year.
The Group's expense ratio was 25.9% (2018: 24.9%). Other underwriting expenses were €87.3m, an increase of €3.2m. The increase is explained by €1.2m more in commission payments in respect of our intermediary partner, €1.2m in increased salary costs and a €1m increase in marketing costs offset by modest reductions elsewhere.
FBD generated an underwriting profit of €93.7m (2018: €63.4m) which translates to a COR of 72.3% (2018: 81.2%).
FBD's total investment return for 2019 was 2.7% (2018: -0.5%). 1.7% (2018: 0.2%) is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement and 1.0% (2018: -0.7%) recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Other Comprehensive Income (OCI). The strong returns are a result of investment gains across all asset classes.
The Income Statement return reflects the strong performance of the Group's risk asset portfolio, in particular equities. FBD's global equity fund was up 24% during the year as this asset class performed strongly with the easing of geo-political tensions and challenging low interest environment. Falling interest rates and an easing of monetary policy in the Eurozone resulted in a strong positive Mark to Market return on FBD's sovereign and corporate bond portfolios and this is reflected in OCI.
The Group's financial services operations delivered a profit before tax of €3.7m for the year (2018; €2.5m). The life, pension and investment broking operation (FBD Financial Solutions) increased revenue by 12% to €4.3m (2018: €3.8m) with marginal cost increases. Other financial services fees increased by 5%. Holding company costs decreased from €3.5m to €2.9m mainly due to lower legal expenses.
The diluted profit per share was 276 cent per ordinary share, compared to 112 cent per ordinary share in 2018.
Ordinary shareholders' funds at 31 December 2019 amounted to €372.2m (2018: €283.5m). The increase in shareholders' funds is mainly attributable to the following:
Net assets per ordinary share are 1,068 cent, compared to 818 cent per share at 31 December 2018.
| 31 December 2019 | 31 December 2018 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| €m | % | €m | % | |
| Corporate bonds | 509 | 46% | 498 | 47% |
| Government bonds | 302 | 27% | 297 | 28% |
| Deposits and cash | 168 | 15% | 157 | 15% |
| Other risk assets | 111 | 10% | 79 | 8% |
| Investment property | 19 | 2% | 18 | 2% |
| 1,109 | 100% | 1,049 | 100% |
The allocation of the Group's investment assets is as follows:
The Group adopts a conservative investment strategy to ensure that its technical reserves are matched by cash and fixed interest securities of low risk and similar duration. FBD allocated an additional €22m to our Risk Assets portfolio during 2019 to move closer to the Group's target Strategic Asset Allocation.
The latest (unaudited) Solvency Capital Ratio (SCR) is 192% compared to the 2018 SCR of 165%. The SCR includes the foreseeable ordinary dividend of €34.9m. For the first time the SCR calculation excludes a substantial portion of the value of the Group's TIA policy administration system.
The TIA system is the principal operating and core technology platform of the business. The impact of this change in the SCR calculation is a reduction of eight percentage points. There is no impact on the Group's IFRS financial statements.
Our mission is to be the Irish insurer of choice by putting our customers and communities at the heart of who we are and what we do. We believe this approach delivers sustainable returns to shareholders and ensures the ongoing profitability of FBD.
We welcome the strong stance taken by the judiciary towards fraudulent and exaggerated claims, the increasing stabilisation of award levels and some recognition of increased personal responsibility in court awards. In non-co-operation cases judges may now issue penalties. Claims may be dismissed if a claimant's affidavit is false or misleading. FBD contests all suspect claims and we advocate for penalties for false or exaggerated claims in order to deter these claimants. However, progress in reducing injury awards remains the key driver in reducing future costs for all our customers.
We are operating in a very competitive market. All business, new and existing is fiercely competed. We believe underwriting and pricing discipline is key to our future success.
We have successfully renegotiated our 2020 reinsurance programme at satisfactory rates. The structure of our programme is largely unchanged from 2019.
We are preparing to limit the operational impacts on our supply chain following Brexit. However the impact on our customers; the consumers, farms and businesses around the country, is still very uncertain. We will continue to monitor this economic impact and to advocate for sensible solutions as the situation evolves.
FBD is strongly positioned for the future.
FBD's Team Ireland sponsorship will give us a nationwide platform. It highlights both our local pride and our commitment to communities all over Ireland.
"Boxing is all about respect – respect for your own team, respect for your opponent and respecting the hard work and dedication needed to make it."
Kellie Harrington Boxing

Governance

FBD empowers its people to deliver for customers and shareholders alike.

The expertise, experience and local knowledge of our 900 employees provides our customers with tailored service based on in-depth awareness of their requirements.

FBD is a responsible member of local communities throughout Ireland and works hard to provide significant support to farm, business and community groups.
| e |
|---|
FBD seeks to maintain a resilient and stable balance sheet that is well reserved with a low-risk investment portfolio.

Founded by farmers for farmers, FBD has an unrivalled knowledge of farm enterprises through 50 years of protection and close relationships with farming organisations. Today FBD has expertise in three key customer segments: Farm, SME and Consumer.

FBD's reinsurance program reduces our exposure to adverse weather while maximising the protection that we offer our communities.

FBD has evolved with changing customer needs for over 50 years. FBD will continue to change and adapt to offer unrivalled service and protection in the digital era.
Inputs How it Works
FBD creates value through our customer centric focus and our expertise in three main customer segments: Farm, SME and Consumer.
FBD offers products that meet the customer where they wish to shop, where we can deliver a better service proposition and an underwriting advantage.
FBD strives to deliver for all stakeholders. We support and develop our employees. We protect and support our customers through our quality products and services. We deliver strong returns to our shareholders.
As Ireland's home grown Insurer, our customers and our communities are at the heart of who we are and what we do. We offer clear solutions to customer's insurance needs through our 34 local branches nationwide, on the phone, online or through our broker network.

Through our 34 offices located across the country, we are never far away and always ready to protect our customers.
At FBD we understand the Irish farm, SME and consumer customer. We measure and model risk effectively which enables us to price accurately, competitively and fairly.
FBD maintains it's customer centric focus throughout the customer journey. We are focused on paying honest claims quickly and efficiently.
FBD has a prudent approach to reserving; supported by strong governance including extensive peer reviews and regular external reviews.
FBD follows a conservative investment policy. We manage our assets and claims liabilities to ensure we meet our obligations to our policyholders.
FBD protects our customers through our range of farm, SME and consumer products.
FBD offers great service through our 34 branches, on the phone or digitally. We also deliver through our broker network, and our partnerships. We meet the customer where they choose to shop.
FBD Life & Pensions provides advice to personal and corporate customers, through our team of financial planning advisors in our 34 branch network.
We protect our customers by delivering products that meet their needs. We deliver sustainable returns for our shareholders primarily through growth in book value.
We invest in our people, helping them grow their skills and expertise so that they excel in their careers. We provide market competitive rewards and benefits linked to individual and Group performance.
We invest in the communities in which we operate through corporate sponsorship (Corporate Social Responsibility on pages 26 to 32) and by partnering with charities, trusts and local events.
Through our profit generation we reinvest in our people, property and technology to continue to generate value for FBD.
Our mission is to be the Irish insurer of choice. We aim to be truly customer centric; delivering the best customer experience, no matter the way the customer chooses to shop with us.


Be truly customer centric
Delivering the best customer experience, no matter the way the customer chooses to shop with us.

Our customers and communities are at the heart of who we are and what we do.

Respect Belief Innovation Community Ownership Communication
Our strategy for 2020 is to continue growing our capabilities in Commercial and Consumer coupled with relentless focus on our premier position in Farm
Maintain underwriting discipline, continue to improve risk selection and develop opportunities to safely grow our footprint
Deliver customer centred products and service
2019 is an excellent underwriting result for FBD
Risk taking is inherent in the provision of financial services and FBD assumes a variety of risks in undertaking its business activities. FBD defines risk as any event that could impact the core earnings capacity of the Group; increase earnings or cash-flow volatility; reduce capital; threaten business reputation or viability; and/or breach regulatory or legal obligations.
The Group has adopted an Enterprise Risk Management approach to identifying, assessing and managing risks. This approach is incorporated in the Risk Management Framework which is approved by the Board and subject to annual update and review. The key components of the Risk Management Framework include Risk Appetite; Risk Governance; Risk Process and People.
Risk appetite is a measure of the amount and type of risks the Group is willing to accept or not accept over a defined period of time in pursuit of its objectives. The Group's risk appetite seeks to encourage measured and appropriate risk-taking to ensure that risks are aligned to business strategy and objectives.
The risk appetite in the Group's underwriting subsidiary is driven by an over-arching desire to protect its solvency at all times. Through the proactive management of risk, it ensures that it does not take on an individual risk or combination of risks that could threaten its solvency. This ensures that it has and will have in the future sufficient capital to pay its policyholders and all other creditors in full as liabilities fall due.
The Board set the business strategy and have ultimate responsibility for the governance of all risk taking activity in FBD. Risk is governed through business standards, risk policies and Oversight Committees with clear roles, responsibilities and delegated authorities.
FBD uses a 'three lines of defence' framework in the delineation of accountabilities for risk governance:

Risk, including emerging risks, is identified and assessed through a combination of top-down and bottom-up risk assessment processes. Top-down processes focus on broad risk types and common risk drivers rather than specific individual risk events, and adopt a forward-looking view of perceived threats over the planning horizon. Bottom-up risk assessment processes are more granular, focusing on risk events that have been identified through specific qualitative or quantitative measurement tools. Top-down and bottom-up views of risk come together through a process of upward reporting of, and management response to, identified and emerging risks. This ensures that the view of risk remains sensitive to emerging trends and common themes. FBD measures risk on the basis of economic capital and other bases (where appropriate) to determine materiality, potential impact and appropriate management. Risks are recorded on the Group Risk Register.
We regularly monitor our risk exposures against risk appetite, risk tolerances and limits and monitor the effectiveness of controls in place to manage risk. Reporting to the Risk Committees is dynamic and includes material risks, emerging risks, risk appetite monitoring, changes in risk profile, risk mitigation programmes, reportable errors, breaches of risk policies (if any), results of independent assessments performed by the Risk Function.
Risk Management is embedded in the Group through leadership, governance, decision making and competency. The Risk Management Framework establishes the roles and responsibilities of risk resources. A risk training programme is in place to ensure all risk resources have the knowledge and competency to perform their roles effectively.
In accordance with Group policy, business unit management has primary responsibility for the effective identification, management, monitoring and reporting of risks. There is an annual review by the Risk Committee of all major risks and emerging risks, to ensure all risks are identified and evaluated. Each risk is assessed by considering the potential impact and the probability of the event occurring. Impact assessments are made against financial, operational, regulatory, reputational and customer impact criteria.
The Board reviews all key risk policies and governance structures, at least annually. This includes the Risk Management Framework; internal control systems; outcomes of Risk and Audit reviews. Key risks were reviewed regularly by the Board and Risk Committees. Some of these Risks, together with key controls and mitigants are outlined below. Emerging risks are captured via a variety of channels and get reported to and challenged/discussed at Board meetings. Escalation parameters for key risks that are outside of tolerance/appetite and a 'three lines of defence' system, complemented with external reviews are in place. The Board is satisfied that FBD maintains a robust and effective risk management framework.

The risk that the Group fails to maintain an adequate regulatory solvency position.

This is the risk that underwritten business is less profitable than planned due to insufficient pricing and setting of claims case reserves as a result of higher than expected claims frequency, higher average cost per claim and catastrophic claims.
The Group manages this risk through its underwriting strategy, proactive claims handling and its reinsurance arrangements.
n The Group purchases reinsurance protection to limit its exposure to single claims and the aggregation of claims from catastrophic events. The Group's reinsurance programme is approved by the Board of Directors on an annual basis. FBD has purchased a reinsurance programme which has been developed to meet the local domestic risk profile and tailored to FBD's risk appetite. The programme protects, Motor, Liability, Property and other classes against both individual large losses and events.

The Group has invested in term deposits, listed debt securities, investment property and Collective Investment Schemes. These investments are subject to market risk, whereby the value of the investments may fluctuate as a result of changes in market prices, changes in market interest rates or changes in the foreign exchange rates of the currency in which the investments are denominated.
This is the risk of loss in the value of financial assets due to counterparties failing to meet all or part of their obligations and/or over allocation to a single entity that may default or fall in value resulting in adverse financial impact.

This is the risk of insufficient liquidity to pay claims and other liabilities due to inappropriate monitoring and management of liquidity levels or inadequate Asset Liability Management.
n The Group manages liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and ensuring that the maturity profile of its financial assets is shorter than or equal to the maturity profile of its liabilities and maintaining a minimum amount available on term deposit at all times.

The risk that the strategy adopted by the Board is incorrect or not implemented appropriately resulting in sub-optimal performance and impact on profitability.
n The Group has a strategic planning cycle which commences with a fundamental review of strategy at least every 5 years (normally every 3 years). Further supporting this is an annual review of the strategy by the Board to determine the continuing relevance. To ensure the strategy is implemented effectively, the Group engages in a robust business planning and review process that results in an annual plan including key initiatives and budget.
Operational risk could arise as a result of inadequately controlled internal processes or systems, human error or from external events.
This definition is intended to include all risks to which the Group is exposed and that are not considered elsewhere. Hence, operational risks include for example, information technology, information security, human resources, project management, outsourcing, taxation, legal, fraud and regulatory risks.
n Extensive second and third line challenge over the operational control environment.
n Sound information technology controls are in place across the Group, including a dedicated IT security team with overall responsibility for managing information technology security standards, which together with on-going employee training and regular cyber-risk reviews are used to mitigate such information technology risks.
n The Group has taken significant steps to minimise the impact of business interruption that could result from a major external event. A formal disaster recovery plan is in place for both workspace recovery and retrieval of communications, IT systems and data. If a major event occurs, these procedures will enable the Group to move the affected operations to alternative facilities within very short periods of time. The disaster recovery plan is tested regularly and includes disaster simulation tests.
n The Group is dependent upon the quality, ability and commitment of key personnel in order to sustain, develop and grow its business. There can be no assurance that the Group will be able to retain all of its key employees. The success of the Group will depend upon its ability to retain, attract, motivate and develop key personnel.

The risk of reputational or brand damage arising from inadequate or failed processes and systems or badly executed strategy/poorly executed communication.
One key aspect of the Risk Management Framework is to identify and if necessary take appropriate action in response to future risks which could impact the Group. We have a defined process in place for the identification of Emerging Risks, which is informed through the use of subject matter experts, workshops, Risk and Control Self Assessments and consulting a range of external documentation. Key emerging risks are regularly reviewed by the Risk Committee to assess whether they might become significant for the business. Key Emerging Risks include:
The UK legally left the EU on 31 January 2020 and have entered into a Transition Period, which is due to end on 31 December 2020. Brexit uncertainty continues as the UK and EU must negotiate and agree the detail of the terms of their future trade relationship. The impact of Brexit on the economy is still uncertain. The Irish government has stated that it will be following a "No Deal" approach to implementing Budget 2020. Leaving without a trade deal would involve tariffs, or import taxes on many goods, notably food and would also involve significant bureaucracy and disruption to trade. Brexit introduces business and trading uncertainty for all indigenous Irish businesses, including FBD and the Group's core customers in farming and other small businesses. As mentioned previously the financial impact of Brexit on FBD is mitigated by our exclusive focus on the Republic of Ireland for insurance business and our low level of exposure to sterling assets in our investment portfolio. Operationally, we are in communication with all relevant UK service suppliers and are satisfied that Brexit does not pose a material threat. To the degree that there might be an impact on the carrying value of our assets, this risk is managed. FBD have set conservative Strategic Allocation levels across investment assets and these have been stress-tested for a Brexit scenario. Brexit related risks are managed in line with our Risk Management Framework as outlined on page 18. We continue to review and plan for operational impacts which may arise including supporting the needs of our customers.
For over 50 years FBD has been invested in agriculture, farming and rural life generally. We believe farms, businesses, consumers and wider society feel real economic and social benefits as a result of our business activities. As an organisation that plans for the future, we are mindful of our impact on Society, the Environment, and the Communities in which we operate. FBD's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are aligned to the UN 17 point Sustainable Goal Charter to assist FBD focus and influence on improving the lives of our customers and wider Irish society.
FBD's initiatives in supporting Irish communities has Quality Education (SDG 4); Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8); Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9); Life on Land (SDG 11) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17) at their core. We display our commitment to strong partnerships and cooperation by supporting communities and providing insurance cover to difficult sectors which are crucial to the economic and social fabric of the communities we serve. An example of this is FBD's ongoing commitment to insuring livestock marts as they are an important component of the farming economy and the social fabric of Irish rural life.

The FBD Trust was initially established to advance the interests of Irish farm families along with the communities in which they live and work. The FBD Trust supports research grants and educational scholarships for farming related training and development. It also supports groups and organisations that advocate for Irish farmers and their communities. FBD is immensely proud of the numerous innovative projects and initiatives that are supported by the FBD Trust.
The annual FBD Student of the Year awards presented to the highest achieving graduates from Teagasc colleges across the country. A bursary and travel opportunity is presented to the overall winner. Nominees for these awards are the next generation of farm leaders and innovators.
Dr. Aoife Osborne is a lecturer for farm health and safety within the School of Agriculture, University College Dublin. This position is sponsored by FBD Trust. Dr. Osborne has a central role in educating the emerging generation of farming experts at Ireland's largest university.
FBD sponsors the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Programme. This programme provides Agri-scholars the opportunity to achieve a global perspective and exposure to new methods and ideas. Scholars regularly go on to become influencers of sustainable change and improvement within their sector. FBD supports Nuffield scholarships to promote excellence by developing and supporting individuals with leadership. The current FBD Nuffield scholar, Karina Pierce PhD is conducting an investigation entitled 'Future Proofing the Irish Agri-Food Sector through Robust Research'.
The Agricultural Science Association is the professional body for graduates in agricultural, horticultural, forestry, environmental and food science. It is the voice of the Agricultural profession in Ireland. FBD provides financial support and assistance to the ASA Annual Conference.

FBD's 'Supplier Charter' outlines the standards that we expect to see throughout our supply chain. We set high standards for ourselves and our Suppliers. We insist that all of our business activities are conducted lawfully, sustainably and above all ethically. Our charter sets out FBD's zero tolerance approach to modern slavery in all its forms in our own business and in our supply chain. This means not using forced or compulsory labour, and/or labour held under slavery or servitude. We also understand how important prompt payment is to our suppliers. Our standard payment terms are net 30 days and we work hard to make sure we meet this. FBD expects that all of our Suppliers pay employees at least the minimum wage, and provides each employee with all legally mandated benefits.
FBD collects and retains information from and about our customers and third parties. This is a vital and necessary part of providing insurance products. Keeping information secure is a top priority for us. We continue to implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect data from unlawful or unauthorised processing and against accidental loss, destruction, damage, alteration or disclosure.
We understand that some insurance terminology can be complex and difficult to understand. We aim to write all our customer documents in plain language to ensure that we are more readily understood. Our documents are approved by the National Adult Literacy Agency before they are published.

The FBD 'Young Farmer of the Year' is a national competition in conjunction with Macra na Feirme that recognises and rewards top-performing young farmers. It also promotes knowledge-sharing and networking to help with the isolation of running a farm on your own. Adjudication is based on a number of criteria including business initiative and innovation on the farm. Also considered are farm efficiency levels and enterprise quality, farm safety environmental protection awareness, as well as agricultural knowledge and community involvement.
The National Dairy Open Day is an international flagship outdoor event in Teagasc's world leading Dairy Campus at Moorepark, Co Cork, and is sponsored by FBD. This event is free to attend and provides a valuable learning experience for dairy farmers along with the wider dairy industry. World leading dairy sustainability,production research and technologies are promoted to a national and international audience.
The CellCheck Milking for Quality Awards is an initiative held in conjunction with Animal Health Ireland (AHI) to recognise and reward excellence on Irish dairy farms. Since the inception of the Awards in 2014, FBD has sponsored the 'Best 500' Award for the 500 milk suppliers nationally with the lowest weighted annual average somatic cell count.
Run by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, the FBD €uro-Star €200 awards recognises excellence in beef breeding in both pedigree and commercial suckler herds.

A founding member of Agri Aware, FBD was one of a number of agri-businesses that recognised the need for an independent body to provide the general public with information and education on the importance of agriculture and the food industry to the Irish economy. FBD's support assists Agri Aware in continuing its programme of educational and public awareness initiatives among the non-farming community. Topics include modern agriculture, the rural environment, animal welfare, food quality and safety.


Thomas Duffy (Macra); Fiona Muldoon (FBD), Liam Hanrahan (2019 FBD Young Farmer of the Year), picturedwith Joe Healy (IFA)

FBD is a proud member of the Guaranteed Irish programme. As Ireland's only indigenous insurance company, FBD has a proud heritage of supporting local communities. The Guaranteed Irish symbol is awarded to companies that create quality jobs, contribute to local communities and are committed to Irish provenance.
With 34 branches located around Ireland, FBD is a committed member of many local Chambers of Commerce. Working collaboratively with local businesses, Chambers of Commerce provide a forum to promote initiatives, knowledge sharing and to assist local business in communities across Ireland.

FBD employees are active in supporting a wide range of local and national charity and community based organisations. At a Group level, FBD employees chose to appoint the Jack & Jill Children's foundation and the Alzheimer's Society as our charity partners for 2019.
FBD employees teamed up with The Jack & Jill Children's foundation to help make a difference for a little girl named Einín and her family. FBD volunteers from across the Group worked hard over six weeks to provide her with a beautiful sensory outdoor play experience. FBD's award winning garden from Bloom was utilised extensively and recycled throughout this project.

Farming is a unique way of life and many positive aspects are associated with the occupation. However, by its nature, it is also a hazardous occupation. The continually high number of farm accidents is cause for great concern to us. FBD's mission is to support initiatives which will make the farm a safer place for all. This embodies SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being. In addition we have dedicated employees who work directly with farms and businesses to help improve safety standards and awareness in the workplace. Ciaran Roche, FBD Risk Manager, represents FBD on the National Farm Safety Partnership.
FBD's Farm Protect campaign aims to encourage farmers to make small but meaningful changes to their working behaviour. While farmers' attitudes to health and safety are generally positive, simple changes can make a big difference. We focus on promoting awareness of the critical behavioural changes required through press and online adverts, social media and through distributing safety materials at events and through our network of branches.

FBD works closely with Livestock Marts to provide a safe and suitable environment for all patrons. Free Risk Assessments are carried out by qualified health and safety professionals from a third party professional risk manager, Farm Relief Services (FRS). These Risk Assessments are intended to help mart managers. They identify hazards within the mart and advise on best practice to mitigate these risks. This service complements the significant FBD efforts made in improving Livestock Mart risks including; Safety Training Videos, a Lockdown Code of Practice and an On-line BeSmart Risk Assessment Tool developed in partnership with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and the Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society (ICOS).
"National Marts Farm Safety and Remembrance Week" was sponsored and organised by FBD in partnership with the HSA, ICOS, Associated Livestock Marts (ALM), The Farm Safely Partnership and Embrace. During this week there was a minute silence held at all ICOS and ALM mart sales followed by an educational session promoting safe work practices. This week commemorates the loved ones lost in farming accidents, and also promotes safety awareness and our individual commitment to farm safety. This campaign connects directly with 10,000 farmers annually.
For seven years, FBD has led "Champions for Safety" seminars across Agricultural Colleges around the country. Speakers include staff from FBD, Teagasc, the HSA, ESB Networks and farm accident survivor testimonials who raise awareness of the importance of safety for the students' on-farm work experience.

Through 2019, an additional 10,000 farm safety signs were produced and distributed free of charge to farmers all around the country. This brings the total number of signs provided to farmers to over 95,000. The concept of the sign is to improve and reinforce safety awareness on the farm on a daily basis and to help keep farmers, farm workers, family farm members and visitors focused on safety when they enter the farm.
FBD and Teagasc brought the topic of farm safety to the fore through the use of theatre at the Teagasc Moorepark Dairy open day. This live event demonstrates the trauma of an accident and its aftermath. This innovative approach to communicating farm safety messages builds on research
internationally showing theatre has the potential to assist with changing values and practices regarding safety.
FBD supports the Farm Relief Services (FRS) tractor training skills course for young people over the age of 14, to ensure that safe driving practises are adopted early.

Farm Safety Live at the Tullamore Show
Each year FBD, FRS and the HSA bring 'Farm Safety Live' to the Tullamore Show. This consists of an arena specifically dedicated to farm safety demonstrations throughout the day. This popular and educational event provides practical and relevant farm safety tips through live and interactive demonstrations which can be taken home and implemented by farmers.
"Safeguarding the Future of Farming" was the main theme of this year's safety conference supported by FBD Insurance and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
FBD conducts all aspects of its business activities in such a way as to achieve the best possible standards of Health and Safety and Welfare for its employees. We have an approved Health & Safety statement.

Consistent with SDG 5 – Gender Equality, FBD seeks to ensure all employees are treated with dignity and respect, receive equal opportunities and are not subject to discrimination. We work to ensure that respect for diversity, equality and inclusion are embedded in all the services we provide and in the work that we do. It is FBD's policy that all employees may perform their work in an environment that is free of harassment, bullying and intimidation and where employees' right to dignity at work is respected. Harassment and bullying is not tolerated.
FBD are proud members and supporters of the '30% Club'. This International organisation was established with a goal of achieving a better gender balance on boards and in executive leadership. 30 per cent of the Board of Directors of FBD Holdings plc is female along with 38 per cent of Executive level and 41 per cent of Manager/Specialists level in FBD. 60 per cent of FBD's overall headcount are female.
This conference acknowledges and celebrates the essential role that women play on farms and more generally in the wider agri-sector. This is a calendar highlight for women involved in the agricultural sector. It also provides an opportunity to network and engage with relevant discussions on topical agenda items.
As an organisation that plans for the future and in keeping with SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and SDG 13 – Climate Action we are working to become a leader in sustainable business practices in our industry. FBD actively measures, manages and mitigates our carbon footprint and aims to minimise our environmental impact. Adopting smarter business practices is the right thing to do and it is something the organisation is embracing and playing a part in realising. Companywide initiatives raise awareness amongst internal stakeholders and employees on how simple, effective and relevant activities can contribute to a healthier planet. Our sustainability projects include a commitment to using less paper, printing less and being more efficient in our energy usage.

Strategic Report


MaureenO'Meara, Head of Sales, Munster, addressing the delegates at Women & Ag Conference


In 2019 FBD once again engaged with Vita Ireland to purchase voluntary carbon credits to offset the tonnes of carbon created by our business kilometres, using carbon credits from Vita's innovative Green Impact Fund. Vita is an Irish overseas development agency working in Africa fighting hunger and the impacts of climate change. FBD's longer term goal is to build the business case for achieving Carbon Neutral status, aided by Vita Ireland this goal helps support SDG 2 – Zero Hunger.

Through our paper reduction campaign, FBD is committed to reducing printing on a daily basis. We have also committed to reducing the number of printers in the organisation. We are seeking to challenge ourselves to be considerate of the environment. Since the introduction of the 'Leave it on the screen' campaign in August 2019, we have seen average monthly printing reduce by 27%.
Our commitment to sustainable business practices has begun in our branches and encompasses all areas of our business. Our upgrading of the branch network and Mullingar Service Centre to LED lighting has resulted in significantly less power consumption. This is a significant financial saving, and also generates 25% more light. LED is a more energy efficient and environmentally friendly light source.
FBD participates in 'The Cycle to Work Scheme', which aims to encourage staff to use bicycles for their daily commute, helping to reduce our overall carbon footprint. Under this tax incentive scheme, FBD pays for a new bicycle and our employee then repays the cost in regular installments from their gross salary.

FBD is happy to sponsor 'Grass10' a multi-year campaign launched by Teagasc to increase grass utilisation on Irish livestock farms. Achieving 'Grass10' targets will require changes in farm practices associated with both grass production and utilisation, delivering best practice, and promoting sustainable agricultural methods.
FBD has proactively engaged with the Carbon Disclosure Project to better understand and mitigate our environmental impact. CDP is a non-profit charity which supports the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts. CDP takes independently verified information supplied by FBD, and scores our progress on climate action on a scale from A to F. FBD's 2019 score is B; which signifies the 'Management' band – we are taking coordinated action on climate issues. This is higher than the Europe regional average of C and higher than the financial services sector average of C.
Dublin 12 Ulster Bank
Goodbody Stockbrokers Danske Bank Ballsbridge Park Deutsche Bank AG Ballsbridge Goldman Sachs Dublin 4 D04 YW83 Solicitors Ireland Dillon Eustace
Shore Capital Dublin 2 The Corn Exchange D02 XK09 Fenwick Street Ireland Liverpool L2 7RB United Kingdom Registrar
PricewaterhouseCoopers Citywest Business Campus Chartered Accountants and Statutory Audit Firm Dublin 24 One Spencer Dock D24 AK82 North Wall Quay Ireland Dublin 1 D01 X9R7 Ireland
FBD House Allied Irish Banks plc Bluebell Bank of Ireland D12 Y0HE Barclays Bank plc Ireland BNP Paribas Close Brothers International Stockbrokers Credit Suisse (UK) Limited
33 Sir John Rogerson's Quay
Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited
centricCustomer
During 2019 our commitment to improving our customer experience included improving our products and the ease of doing business with us. We aim to deliver a great customer experience no matter how the customer chooses to shop – via our nationwide branch network, on the phone or on-line.
"The support we receive from our local community helps us strive to be the best and make them proud, helping us put Skibbereen on the map and show the world what the support of your community can help you achieve."
Paul & Gary O'Donovan Rowing
Biographical details of the Directors in office on the date of this Report are as follows:

Liam Herlihy

Fiona Muldoon

Walter Bogaerts

Mary Brennan

Sylvia Cronin
CHAIRMAN APPOINTED ON 01/09/2015 Age: 68
GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTED ON 19/01/2015 Age: 52
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTED ON 26/02/2016 Age: 62
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTED ON 31/08/2016 Age: 54
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTED ON 28/11/2019 Age: 57
Mr. Liam Herlihy is a farmer and was appointed Chairman in May 2017. He was appointed Chairman of the Teagasc Authority in September 2018 and was, until May of 2015, Group Chairman of Glanbia plc, a leading Irish based performance nutrition and ingredients group, having served in that role for 7 years during which he presided over a period of significant structural change and unprecedented growth for Glanbia plc. Mr. Herlihy completed the Institute of Directors Development Programme and holds a certificate of merit in Corporate Governance from University College Dublin. He brings to the Board a wealth of commercial experience and some deep insights into the farming and general agricultural industries in Ireland which, together, comprise the Group's core customer base.
Ms. Fiona Muldoon joined the Group in January 2015 as Group Finance Director Designate and member of its Board. Later in 2015, Ms. Muldoon was appointed as Group Chief Executive. A Chartered Accountant, Ms. Muldoon was Director of Credit Institutions and Insurance Supervision at the Central Bank of Ireland from 2011 until 2014. Prior to this she was with XL Group for seventeen years and held a number of senior roles with this NYSE listed Property & Casualty Insurance company in Ireland, UK and Bermuda, including two years as Group Treasurer until July 2010. On 12 June 2015 Ms. Muldoon, was appointed as a non-executive Director of Bank of Ireland. Ms Muldoon is also a board member of Insurance Ireland, the Insurance Industry members association.
Mr. Walter Bogaerts was General Manager of the Corporate Insurances Division of KBC Insurance based in Belgium prior to his retirement in 2013. He joined KBC Group (previously ABB Insurances) in 1979 and has gained extensive experience throughout his career with KBC in underwriting, reinsurance, audit, risk management and sales. He was general manager in charge of KBC Group's Central-European insurance businesses until appointed to his most recent role in 2012. In that role he was a member of the Supervisory Boards, Audit and Risk Committees of KBC's insurance subsidiaries in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Bulgaria. He holds a Commercial Engineering degree from the Economic University of Brussels.
Ms. Mary Brennan is a Chartered Director, Certified Investment Fund Director and a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland. In a career spanning over 30 years, Ms. Brennan has worked internationally in audit in KPMG and in a number of publicly listed companies, including Elan plc and Occidental Petroleum Corp. She is a highly experienced Non-Executive Director with a portfolio of companies, previously serving as Director and Audit Committee Chair of BNP Paribas Ireland. Ms. Brennan was appointed as Independent Non-Executive Director to Macquarie Capital (Ireland) Dac during 2019.
Ms. Sylvia Cronin was Director of Insurance Supervision in the Central Bank of Ireland until October 2019 and was a Member of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority ("EIOPA") Board of Supervisors. Before joining the Central Bank, Ms Cronin spent the majority of her career working in the insurance industry, most recently as Chief Executive of Augura Life Ireland Ltd. Previously, Ms Cronin was the Chief Executive of MGM International Assurance Ltd. and spent several years with the AXA Group where she was head of Business Development, Services and Marketing in Ireland. Ms Cronin started her insurance career with the Fortis Group where her focus was on IT Management. Ms Cronin holds a Masters in Business Administration, was admitted as a Chartered Director to the Institute of Directors in London and is a CEDR Certified Mediator.

Joe Healy

Richard Pike

David O'Connor

John O'Grady

Padraig Walshe
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTED ON 09/08/2017 Age: 52
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTED ON 18/09/2019 Age: 52
SENIOR INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTED ON 05/07/2016 Age: 62
GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR APPOINTED ON 01/07/2016 Age: 58
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTED ON 23/12/2011 Age: 62
Mr. Joe Healy runs a dairy and cattle farm in Athenry, Co Galway with his family. He was elected the 15th President of the Irish Farmers' Association in April 2016. Prior to that, he represented Galway IFA on the IFA National Farm Business Committee. Previously, he was actively involved in the young farmers' organisation Macra na Feirme and was elected President of that organisation from 1995- 1997. Mr Healy represents Irish farmers at EU level on COPA (Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations), which is the official umbrella representative body for European farmers. He chairs the COPA Food Chain Working Group, which is seeking a stronger position for farmers in the food supply chain. He is a Non-Executive Director of Bord Bia – the Irish Food Board – which is responsible for the marketing of Irish food and drink abroad.
Mr Richard Pike has extensive experience of working with financial institutions throughout the world, assisting companies in managing enterprise risk more efficiently while addressing local regulatory guidelines and standards. As well as being the founder and CEO of Governor Software, Richard is currently Chairman of Citadel Securities (Ireland) Ltd and an Independent Non-Executive Director, National Cyber Security Society, JPMorgan fund administration, JPMorgan hedge fund administration and Citadel Securities Europe. Prior to Governor Software, Richard has worked in various senior banking, insurance, credit and market risk roles at Wolters Kluwer Financial Services, ABN AMRO, Bain, COMIT Gruppe and Quay Financial Software. In 2009, Richard was recognised as a "Top 50" Face of Operational Risk by Op Risk & Compliance magazine and was a contributing author to two books on risk management. Richard has also received the designation of 'Certified Bank Director' by the Institute of Banking.
Mr. David O'Connor is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries in Ireland. He commenced his career in New Ireland Assurance before joining Allianz Ireland in 1988 to set up its non-life actuarial function. He was a member of Allianz Executive Management Board and held a number of senior management positions there prior to joining Willis Towers Watson in 2003 to set up its Property and Casualty consultancy unit in Dublin, where he worked until June 2016.
Mr. John O'Grady is a Chartered Accountant and an experienced insurance executive. He joined FBD from Liberty Insurance Limited where he held the role of Finance Director. Prior to his role in Liberty, Mr. O'Grady worked for Aviva and its predecessor companies in Ireland in various roles between 1989 and 2012, including Finance Director, Claims Director and Operations Director.
Mr. Padraig Walshe is Chairman of Farmer Business Developments plc, the Company's largest shareholder, and a dairy farmer. He is a past President of COPA, the European Farmers' Organisation and of the Irish Farmers' Association. Mr. Walshe previously served on the Board of FBD between 2006 and 2010, and rejoined the Board in December 2011. Mr. Walshe's extensive leadership experience at national and international level and his deep understanding of Ireland's farming community and the Irish food sector are of immense benefit to the Board.
Strategic Report
Governance
The Directors present their report and the audited financial statements for the financial year 2019.
FBD is one of Ireland's largest property and casualty insurers looking after the insurance needs of farmers, private individuals and business owners through its principal subsidiary, FBD Insurance plc. The Group also has financial services operations including a successful life and pensions intermediary. The Company is a holding company incorporated in Ireland.
The review of the performance of the Group, including an analysis of financial information and the outlook for its future development, is contained in the Chairman's Statement on pages 4 to 6 and in the Group Chief Executive's Review of Operations on pages 8 to 11. Information in respect of events since the financial year end and a review of the key performance indicators are also included in these sections. The key performance indicators include gross premium written, earnings per share, loss ratio, expense ratio, combined operating ratio, profit for the year, net asset value per share and return on equity.
The results for the year are shown in the Consolidated Income Statement on page 80.
The Group makes routine use of financial instruments in the carry-on of its activities. The use of financial instruments is material to an assessment of the financial statements. Detail on the Group's financial risk management objectives, policies and it's exposure to liquidity, market, foreign currency, credit and concentration risk are included in Note 41 of the financial statements.
On 26 February 2020 the Board of FBD Holdings plc proposed a preference dividend of €113,000 on the 14% preference shares, €169,000 on the 8% preference shares and €34,862,000 on the ordinary shares. The proposed dividends are subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 8 May 2020. Please refer to note 35 for further details.
There have been no subsequent events that would have a material impact on the financial statements.
A description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Group are set out in the Risks and Uncertainties Report on pages 18 to 25.
The Company's principal subsidiaries, as at 31 December 2019, are listed in note 36.
The present Directors of the Company, together with a biography on each, are set out on pages 36 and 37. The Board has decided that all Directors continuing in office will submit themselves for re-election at each Annual General Meeting, except for Joe Healy who has announced his intention not to stand for re-election.
The Directors who served at any time during 2019 were as follows:
| Liam Herlihy | Chairman |
|---|---|
| Walter Bogaerts | IndependentNon-Executive Director |
| Mary Brennan | IndependentNon-Executive Director |
| Dermot Browne | SeniorIndependentNon-Executive Director(Resigned 10 May 2019) |
| Sylvia Cronin | IndependentNon-Executive Director (Appointed 28November 2019) |
| Joe Healy | IndependentNon-Executive Director |
| Orlagh Hunt | IndependentNon-Executive Director (Resigned 10 May 2019) |
| Fiona Muldoon | Group Chief Executive |
| David O'Connor | SeniorIndependentNon-Executive Director |
| John O'Grady | Group Chief FinancialOfficer |
| Richard Pike | IndependentNon-Executive Director (Appointed 18 September 2019) |
| Padraig Walshe | Non-Executive Director |
The Annual General Meeting is scheduled to be held on Friday, 8 May 2020. The notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company will be sent to shareholders giving 21 clear days' notice.
The interests of the Directors and Company Secretary (together with their respective family interests) in the share capital of the Company, at 31 December 2019 and 1 January 2019 (or date of appointment if later) were as follows:
| Number of ordinary shares of €0.60 each |
||
|---|---|---|
| Beneficial | 31 December 2019 |
1 January 2019 |
| Liam Herlihy | 8,000 | 8,000 |
| Walter Bogaerts | 0 | 0 |
| Mary Brennan | 0 | 0 |
| Dermot Browne | 0 | 0 |
| Sylvia Cronin | 0 | 0 |
| Joe Healy | 281 | 281 |
| Orlagh Hunt | 0 | 0 |
| Fiona Muldoon | 44,779 | 4,000 |
| David O'Connor | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| John O'Grady | 0 | 0 |
| Richard Pike | 0 | 0 |
| Padraig Walshe | 1,100 | 1,100 |
| Company Secretary | ||
| Derek Hall | 7,383 | 1,755 |
There has been no change in the interests of the Directors and Company Secretary (together with their respective family interests) in the share capital of the Company up to the date of this report.
The interests of the Directors and the Company Secretary in conditional awards over the share capital of the Company under the shareholder approved Performance Share Plans are detailed in the Report on Directors' Remuneration on pages 57 to 67.
For the purposes of Regulation 21 of the European Communities (Takeover Bids (Directive 2004/25/EC)) Regulations 2006, the information on the Board of Directors on pages 36 and 37, the Performance Share Plans in note 39 and the Report on Directors' Remuneration on pages 57 to 67 are deemed to be incorporated in this part of the Report of the Directors.
As at 31 December 2019 the Company has been notified of the following interests of 3% or more in its share capital:
| Ordinary shares of €0.60 each | No. | % of Class |
|---|---|---|
| Farmer Business Development Plc | 8,531,948 | 24.5% |
| FBD Trust Company Limited | 2,984,737 | 8.6% |
| M&G Investment Management Ltd. | 2,696,353 | 7.7% |
| Fidelity Management and Research Company |
1,910,153 | 5.5% |
| INVESCO Asset Management Ltd. | 1,695,383 | 4.9% |
| Highclere International Investors LLP |
1,652,369 | 4.7% |
| Black Creek Investment Management Inc. |
1,444,926 | 4.1% |
| 14% Non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each |
No. | % of Class |
|---|---|---|
| Farmer Business Developments plc | 1,340,000 | 100% |
| 8% Non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each |
No. | % of Class |
| FBD Trust Company Limited | 2,062,000 | 58.38% |
The Group had four classes of shares in issue at the end of the year. These classes and the percentage of the total issued share capital represented by each are as follows:
| Voting shares | Number in issue |
% of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary shares of €0.60 each | 34,862,464* | 87.7% |
| 14% Non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each |
1,340,000 | 3.4% |
| 8% Non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each |
3,532,292 | 8.9% |
| 39,734,756 | 100.0% |
* excluding 598,742 shares held in treasury
The Company's ordinary shares of €0.60 each are listed on the Main Securities Market of Euronext Dublin and have a premium listing on the UK Listing Authority. They are traded on both the Euronext Dublin and the London Stock Exchange. Neither class of preference share is traded on a regulated market.
Each of the above classes of share enjoys the same rights to receive notice of, attend and vote at meetings of the Company.
| Non-voting shares | Number in issue | |
|---|---|---|
| 'A' ordinary shares of €0.01 each | 13,169,428 |
The rights attaching to the 'A' ordinary shares are clearly set out in the Articles of Association of the Company. They are not transferable except only to the Company. Other than a right to a return of paid up capital of €0.01 per 'A' ordinary share in the event of a winding up, the 'A' ordinary shares have no right to participate in the capital or the profits of the Company.
EU Non-Financial Disclosure Regulations (Directive 2014/95/EU) were transposed into Irish law in Statutory Instrument No. 360 of 2017 and became effective for financial years commencing on or after 1 August 2017. Under these regulations, FBD Holdings plc must provide a brief description of the Groups's Business Model and disclose information in relation to:
Any risk relating to the above matters are identified, assessed, managed and reported in line with the risk management framework as outlined on page 18.
FBD's business model is outlined on pages 14 and 15. Our model starts with a sound strategy, focussing on our customers and our community. Our strategy is delivered through our great people and the right culture. We create value through our business activities and unique level of service. We reinvest in the Group while providing positive returns to our shareholders, our local communities and our people.
FBD started measuring our use of energy nine years ago. This commenced through an engagement with the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). CDP is a not-for-profit charity that runs a global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts.
Initially, this initiative was about understanding how the use of energy is measured and in turn managing FBD's own use of energy. In 2016, a decision was made to undertake third party validation of the energy consumption data and in 2018 a further step was taken in the journey to look beyond "Energy Management" to the consideration of Climate Change and the Environment. These decisions were driven by the growth of concern regarding climate change and the environment from shareholders, employees, the management team and the wider community.
Overall emissions have decreased by 6 tCO2 e, on the previous year. The savings have resulted from investment in energy efficient lighting and improved energy control equipment.
| Scope 1 | Scope 2 – Location Based | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope descriptions | Includes CO2 emissions generated from gas and heating oil. |
Includes emissions from the purchase of electricity by location. Individual FBD Property consumption approach. |
| 2019 Consumption | 89 tonnes CO2 e |
978 tonnes CO2 e |
| 2018 Consumption | 88 tonnes CO2 e |
985 tonnes CO2 e |
| Progress in 2019 | Scope 1 emissions are up by 1 tCO2 e, the increase is 1% on the previous year. |
Scope 2 location based emissions are down 1% on the previous year, due to a reduction in consumption and a reduction in the emission factor. As the grid uses more renewables, the All Ireland emission factor reduces. |
In 2019, in recognition of FBD's environmental responsibilities and the Global Community, FBD once again purchased voluntary carbon credits to offset our business kilometres with Vita Ireland. Please refer to our Corporate Social Responsibility Statement on pages 26 to 32 for further details on this initiative.
FBD has a range of policies in place to ensure full compliance with legislation and with our commitment to providing a safe and supportive working environment for our employees. Fundamental to these policies and the embedded culture, is a regard for the individual, their rights and the mutual advantage of fostering our employees' potential and supporting their career development.
These policies are communicated to all staff joining FBD as part of the on-boarding process. They provide information, guidelines and rules where appropriate in relation to every stage of employment including recruitment and selection; equality and diversity; probation; learning and development; all types of leave; benefits; remuneration; disciplinary and grievance.
These policies are reviewed regularly and updates are notified to employees. Additional policies are introduced from time to time to support the organisation's focus on enhancing the working environment and ensuring full compliance with legislative requirements.
Under FBD's Equality and Diversity Policy, all employees who work in FBD, and those who use services provided by FBD, are treated with dignity and respect, receive equality of opportunity and are not subject to discrimination. FBD seeks to ensure that respect for diversity, equality and inclusion are embedded in all the services we provide and the work we do. To this end, FBD's Supplier Charter details how FBD supports the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and will work to enforce these rights within our supply chain.
FBD requires all employees at all times to act honestly and with integrity and to safeguard the resources for which they are responsible. Our Code of Conduct Policy sets out the professional and responsible behaviour expected to ensure that we are appropriately focused on delivering the right outcomes for shareholders and customers, meeting our
legal and regulatory requirements and appropriately managing and mitigating risks.
This is further underpinned by our:
PricewaterhouseCoopers, Chartered Accountants and Statutory Audit Firm, were appointed by the Directors in 2016 to audit the financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2016 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is four years, covering the financial years ended 31 December 2016 to 31 December 2019. PricewaterhouseCoopers have signified their willingness to continue in office in accordance with the provisions of Section 383(2) of the Companies Act 2014.
Regarding disclosure of information to the Auditors, the Directors confirm that:
As far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Group's statutory auditors are unaware; and they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a Director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Group's statutory auditors are aware of that information.
The Directors have taken appropriate measures to ensure compliance with Sections 281 to 285 of the Companies Act, 2014 – the requirement to keep proper accounting records – through the employment of suitably qualified accounting personnel and the maintenance of appropriate accounting systems. The accounting records are located at FBD House, Bluebell, Dublin 12, Ireland.
The Directors of the Company acknowledge that they are responsible for securing the Company's compliance with its relevant obligations (as defined in the Companies Act 2014 (the "2014 Act")) and, as required by section 225 of the 2014 Act, the Directors confirm that:
The Corporate Governance Report on pages 44 to 53 forms part of this report and in this the Board has set out how it has applied the principles set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018, which was adopted by both the Euronext Dublin and the UK Listing Authority, the Irish Corporate Governance Annex, and the Central Bank of Ireland Corporate Governance Code requirements for Insurance Undertakings 2015.
The Board has established four committees to assist it in the execution of its responsibilities. These are:
The Group did not make any political donations during 2019.
The Directors have assessed the prospects of the Group and its ability to meet its liabilities as they fall due in the medium term. The Directors selected a three year timeframe which they consider appropriate as this corresponds with the Board's strategic planning process. The objectives of the strategic planning process are to consider the key strategic choices facing the Group and to incorporate these into a financial model with various scenarios. This assessment has been made with reference to the Group's current position and prospects, the Group's strategy, the Board's risk appetite and the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group, as outlined in the Risks and Uncertainties Report on pages 18 to 25.
The Directors review and renew the Group's three year plan at least annually. Progress against the strategic plan is reviewed regularly by the Board and senior management. Associated risks are considered within the Board's risk management framework.
The strategic plan has been tested for a number of scenarios which assess the potential impact of some of the strategic and commercial risks facing the Group. The Group performs an ORSA at least annually which subjects FBD's solvency capital levels to a number of extreme stress scenarios. This was last performed in December 2019. Based on the results of these tests the Directors confirm that they have performed a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, its future performance and solvency and that they can have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of the assessment.
The Group's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and financial position are set out in the Chairman's Statement and the Review of Operations, as is the financial position of the Group. In addition, the Risks and Uncertainties Report on pages 18 to 25 and note 41 of the financial statements include the Group's policies and processes for financial risk management.
The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future being a period of at least twelve months from the date of this report. As a result they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. In forming this view, the Directors have reviewed the Group's budget for 2020 and forecast for 2021 and 2022, which take account of reasonably foreseeable changes in trading performance, the key risks facing the business and the medium-term plans approved by the Board in its review of the Group's corporate strategy along with the Group's capital projections and requirements under the Solvency II regime. The Directors have concluded that there are no material uncertainties that cast significant doubt over the Group's ability to continue as a going concern.
The financial statements were approved by the Board on 26 February 2020.
Signed on behalf of the Board
Liam Herlihy Chairman
Group Chief Executive
26 February 2020
Your Board of Directors is committed to the highest standards of corporate governance. Good governance stems from a positive culture and well embedded values. FBD's core values of respect, belief, innovation, community, ownership and communication are central to how the Board conducts its business and discharges its responsibilities. Equally, however, these values are as relevant to every employee working throughout the Group in their interactions with each other, and with our customers, shareholders and other stakeholders.
The UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 ("the Code") and the Irish Corporate Governance Annex ("the Annex") codify the governance arrangements which apply to listed companies such as FBD. Combined, these represent corporate governance standards of the highest international level.
Throughout 2019 and to the date of this report, we applied the principles of the Code and except where otherwise expressly stated complied with the provisions of both the Code and the Annex.
This section of the Annual Report sets out the governance arrangements in place in FBD Holdings plc.
| Listing Rule | Information to be included: |
|---|---|
| 6.1.77 (4) | Refer to Report on Directors' Remuneration on pages 57 to 67. |
No information is required to be disclosed in respect of Listing Rules 6.1.77 (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14).
The Group is managed by the Board of Directors.
The primary role of the Board is to provide leadership and strategic direction while maintaining effective control over the activities of the Group.
The Board has approved a Corporate Governance Framework setting out its role and responsibilities. This is reviewed annually as part of the Board's evaluation of its performance and governance arrangements. The Framework includes a formal schedule of matters reserved to the Board for its consideration and decision, which includes:
This schedule ensures that the skills, expertise and experience of the Directors are harnessed to best effect and ensures that any major opportunities or challenges for the Group come before the Board for consideration and decision. The schedule was last reviewed in February 2020.
Other specific responsibilities of the Board are delegated to Board appointed committees, details of which are given later in this report.
At 31 December 2019 the Board comprised two Executive Directors and eight Non-Executive Directors, including the Chairman. This structure was deemed appropriate by the Board.
The Board deemed it appropriate that it should have between 8 and 12 members and that this size is appropriate, being of sufficient breadth and diversity to ensure that there is healthy debate and input.
Six of the Non-Executive Directors in office at the end of 2019 were considered to meet all of the criteria indicating independence set out in the Code.
| Date first elected by shareholders |
Years from first election to 2020 AGM |
Considered to be independent |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Brennan | 31 Aug 2016 | 3.75 | Yes |
| Walter Bogaerts | 29 Apr 2016 | 4.0 | Yes |
| Sylvia Cronin | Awaiting election |
- | Yes |
| Joe Healy | 4 May 2018 | 2.0 | Yes |
| David O'Connor | 31 Aug 2016 | 3.75 | Yes |
| Richard Pike | Awaiting election |
- | Yes |
Mr. Walshe, who is chairman of the Group's largest shareholder, Farmer Business Developments plc, is not considered to be independent.
The role of the Chairman is set out in writing in the Corporate Governance Framework. He is responsible, inter alia, for:
The role of the Group Chief Executive is set out in writing in the Corporate Governance Framework. She is responsible, inter alia, for:
The Senior Independent Director is responsible for:
The Company Secretary acts as Secretary to the Board and to its Committees. In so doing, he:
Board effectiveness is reviewed annually as part of the Board's performance evaluation process. The Chairman is responsible for ensuring that each Director receives an induction on joining the Board and that he or she receives any additional training he or she requires. The induction itself is organised and delivered by the Company Secretary and other members of the management team.
Every year the Board evaluates its performance and that of its Committees. Directors are expected to take responsibility for identifying their own training needs and to take steps to ensure that they are adequately informed about the Group and about their responsibilities as a Director. The Board is confident that all of its members have the requisite knowledge and experience and support from within the Group to perform their role as a Director of the Group.
Towards the end of 2018, the Board had its evaluation process externally facilitated by Independent Audit, an independent consultancy which has no other connections with the Group.
The purpose of the process was to identify areas where the Board can benefit from improvement and to affirm positively those areas where it is playing an effective role in leading the Group. This was achieved through a combination of reviewing Board and Committee papers, observing Board and Committee meetings and comprehensive interviews with individual Directors and Executives. The evaluation process recommended that the Board maintain a relentless focus on the customer and utilise the changes to the Corporate Governance Code to further enhance its ways of working.
Further details of the 2019 Board Effectiveness and Performance Evaluation are set out in the Report of the Nomination and Governance Committee.
The Board has, since 2011, adopted the practice that all Directors will submit themselves for re-election at each
Annual General Meeting regardless of length of service or the provisions of the Company's Articles of Association.
All members of the Board have access to the advice and the services of the Company Secretary who is responsible for ensuring that Board procedures are followed and that applicable rules, regulations and other obligations are complied with.
In addition members of the Board may take independent professional advice at the Company's expense if deemed necessary in the furtherance of their duties.
If a Director is unable for any reason to attend a Board or Committee meeting, he or she will receive Board/ Committee papers in advance of the meeting and is given an opportunity to communicate any views on or input into the business to come before the Board/Committee to the Board/Committee Chairman.
Each of the committees has written terms of reference which were approved by the Board and set out the Committees' powers, responsibilities and obligations. The terms of reference are reviewed at least annually by the Board. These are available on the Group's website www.fbdgroup.com.
The Company Secretary acts as secretary to the committees. Minutes of all of the Committees' meetings are available to the Board.
Each of these Committees has provided a report in the sections following.
| Nomination and | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Board | Audit | Governance | Remuneration | Risk | |
| W Bogaerts | 10/10 | 5/5 | 3/3 | 6/6 | 5/5 |
| M Brennan | 10/10 | 5/5 | - | - | - |
| D Browne | 3/3 | 3/3 | - | - | - |
| S Cronin | 1/1 | - | - | - | - |
| J Healy | 6/10 | - | - | - | - |
| L Herlihy | 10/10 | - | 3/3 | - | 5/5 |
| O Hunt | 2/3 | - | - | 3/3 | 1/2 |
| F Muldoon | 10/10 | - | - | - | - |
| D O'Connor | 10/10 | 2/2 | 3/3 | 5/6 | 4/5 |
| J O'Grady | 10/10 | - | - | - | - |
| R Pike | 2/2 | - | - | - | - |
| P Walshe | 10/10 | - | - | - | - |

Committee Chairperson
| Length of time served on committee |
||
|---|---|---|
| M Brennan | Committee Chairperson, Independent Non Executive Director |
3.33 years |
| W Bogaerts | Independent Non Executive Director |
3.83 years |
| D O'Connor | Independent Non Executive Director, Senior Independent Director |
0.58 years |
| D Browne (resigned 10 May 2019) |
Committee Chairman, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director |
2.90 years |
The Committee members have been selected to ensure that the Committee has available to it the range of skills and experience necessary to discharge its responsibilities.
The Board agrees that all Members are considered to have recent and relevant financial experience and qualifications. The Committee as a whole has the competence relevant to the General Insurance sector.
To assist the Board of the Group in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities for such matters as financial reporting, the system of internal control and management of financial risks, the audit process and the Group's process for monitoring compliance with laws and regulations.
The Committee met on five occasions during 2019. Attendance at the scheduled meetings held during 2019 is outlined on page 46. Meetings are attended by Committee members. The Chief Financial Officer, the Statutory Auditor, the Head of Group Internal Audit, the Head of Actuarial Function, the Chief Risk Officer and the Chief Executive Officer are invited to attend all scheduled meetings of the Committee. The Committee regularly meets separately with the Statutory Auditor and with the Head of Group Internal Audit, without members of management present.
The minutes of Committee meetings are circulated routinely to the Board. The Committee chairperson also provides a verbal report to the Board after each Committee meeting. The Committee reports formally to the Board annually on the overall work undertaken and the degree to which it discharged the responsibilities delegated to it.
The principal activities undertaken by the Committee during 2019 include:
In 2019 the Committee considered the independence of the Auditors and acknowledged the independence and quality control safeguards operated within PricewaterhouseCoopers. No non-audit services were provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers other than the audit of those elements of the Solvency and Financial Condition Report that PricewaterhouseCoopers are required to audit and the provision of certificates of premium amounts to the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland. In addition, the Board has approved a Non-Audit Services Policy which is in place to mitigate any risks threatening, or appearing to threaten, the external audit firm's independence and objectivity arising through the provision of non-audit services.
As part of its responsibilities the Committee reviews the External Audit Plan, the audit approach and objectives and Audit Findings and has concluded that the external audit process has remained effective.
PricewaterhouseCoopers were reappointed as Auditors of the Group in respect of the financial year ended 31 December 2019. The audit was last put out to tender in 2015 and PricewaterhouseCoopers was appointed as Auditors from 2016. PricewaterhouseCoopers have been auditors to the Group for four years.
The significant issues, critical judgements and estimates used in the formulation of the financial statements are set out in note 3. All are considered by the Committee, with particular focus on the following in 2019:
n Insurance contract liabilities and related reinsurance assets. The Group had net claims outstanding of €617.0m and Net UPR of €183.5m at 31 December 2019. In order to satisfy itself that the balances were appropriately stated, the Committee reviewed the Actuarial Reserve analysis and margin for uncertainty prepared by Management, which are also subject to the approval of the Reserving Committee of FBD Insurance plc, and subject to both internal and external actuarial peer review. The Audit Committee concluded that the carrying value of claims outstanding and UPR included in the financial statements are appropriate.
The Committee formally advises the Board on whether the Annual Report and financial statements, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable, in accordance with Provision 27 of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018. The Committee must ensure that the Annual Report and financial statements also provide the information necessary for Shareholders to assess the performance of the Group, along with its business model and strategy and the Committee is satisfied that the above requirements have been met.
The Committee has reviewed the activities which it performed and its overall effectiveness and has concluded that it has operated effectively in providing the Board with the assurances needed to discharge it's responsibilities.
On behalf of the Audit Committee
26 February 2020

Committee Chairman
| Length of time served on committee |
||
|---|---|---|
| W Bogaerts | Committee Chairman, Independent Non Executive Director |
3 years |
| L Herlihy | Independent Non Executive Director and Board Chairman |
3 years |
| D O'Connor | Senior Independent Non-Executive Director |
3 years |
| O Hunt (resigned 10 May 2019) |
Independent Non Executive Director |
2 years |
The Committee members have been selected to ensure that the Committee has available to it the range of skills and experience necessary to discharge its responsibilities.
The Board Risk Committee is the forum for risk governance within FBD. It is responsible for providing oversight and advice to the Board in relation to current and potential future risk exposures of the Group and future risk strategy. This advice includes recommending a risk management framework incorporating strategies, policies, risk appetites and risk indicators to the Board for approval. The Risk Committee oversees the risk management function, which is managed on a daily basis by the Chief Risk Officer.
n present a profile of the Group's key risks, risk management framework, risk appetite and tolerance and risk policies at least annually together with a summary of the Committee's business to the Board.
The Committee met on five occasions during 2019. Meetings are attended by Committee members. The Chief Risk Officer, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Underwriting Officer, the Head of Actuarial Function, the Head of Compliance and the Head of Internal Audit are invited to attend all scheduled meetings of the Committee.
The minutes of Committee meetings are circulated routinely to the Board. The Committee chairman also provides a verbal report to the Board after each Committee meeting. The Committee reports formally to the Board annually on the overall work undertaken and the degree to which it discharged the responsibilities delegated to it.
The principal activities undertaken by the Committee during 2019 include:
The Committee has reviewed the activities which it performed and its overall effectiveness and has concluded that it has operated effectively in providing the Board with the assurances needed to discharge it's responsibilities.
On behalf of the Risk Committee 26 February 2020

Liam Herlihy Committee Chairman
| Length of time served on committee |
||
|---|---|---|
| L Herlihy | Committee Chairman, Non-Executive Director, Board Chairman |
3.58 years |
| D O'Connor | Senior Independent Non-Executive Director |
2.66 years |
| W Bogaerts | Independent Non Executive Director |
0.58 years |
| D Browne (resigned 10 May 2019) |
Senior Independent Non-Executive Director |
2 years |
To ensure that the Board and its Committees are made up of individuals with the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to ensure that the Board is effective in discharging its responsibilities.
During 2019 the responsibilities of the Committee were expanded to include corporate governance and the Committee was renamed the Nomination and Governance Committee.
n overseeing, in conjunction with the Board Chairman, the conduct of the annual evaluation of the Board, Board Committees, Chairman and individual Director Performance.
The Committee met three times during 2019. The Group Chief Executive may attend meetings of the Committee but only by invitation and not at a time when her succession arrangements are discussed.
The minutes of Committee meetings are circulated routinely to the Board. The Committee chairman also provides a verbal report to the Board after each Committee meeting. The Committee reports formally to the Board annually on the overall work undertaken and the degree to which it discharged the responsibilities delegated to it.
Further details of their activities are laid out in on the Nomination and Governance report on pages 54 to 56.
The Committee has reviewed the activities which it performed and its overall effectiveness and has concluded that it has operated effectively in providing the Board with the assurances needed to discharge it's responsibilities.
On behalf of the Nomination and Governance Committee 26 February 2020

| Length of time served on committee |
||
|---|---|---|
| D O'Connor | Committee Chairman, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director |
2.66 years |
| W Bogaerts | Independent Non Executive Director |
3.66 years |
| O Hunt (resigned 10 May 2019) |
Committee Chairperson, Independent Non Executive Director |
2.68 years |
Following the resignation of Ms Hunt, Mr O'Connor was appointed as Committee Chairman following receipt of approval from the Central Bank of Ireland. In line with Provision 32 of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018, Mr O'Connor had served on the Remuneration Committee for at least 12 months prior to his appointment as Chairman of the Committee.
To assist the Board of the Group in ensuring that the level of remuneration in the Group and the split between fixed and variable remuneration are sufficient to attract, retain and motivate Executive Directors and senior management of the quality required to run the Group in a manner which is fair and in line with market norms, while not exposing the Group to unnecessary levels of risk.
The Committee met six times during 2019. The Group Chief Executive may attend meetings of the Committee but only by invitation and not at a time when her individual remuneration arrangements are discussed.
The minutes of Committee meetings are circulated routinely to the Board. The Committee chairman also provides a verbal report to the Board after each Committee meeting. The Committee reports formally to the Board annually on the overall work undertaken and the degree to which it discharged the responsibilities delegated to it.
The principal activities undertaken by the Committee during 2019 include:
Full details of Directors' Remuneration are set in the Report on Directors' Remuneration on pages 57 to 67.
The Committee has reviewed the activities which it performed and its overall effectiveness and has concluded that it has operated effectively in providing the Board with the assurances needed to discharge it's responsibilities.
On behalf of the Remuneration Committee 26 February 2020
FBD has identified the following as its key stakeholders:
The Board is committed to ensuring that excellent lines of communication exist and are fostered between the Group and its stakeholders. Initiatives undertaken are outlined in the Corporate Social Responsibility report on pages 26 to 32.
A planned programme of investor relations activities is undertaken throughout the year which includes:
Should a significant proportion of votes be cast against a resolution at any general meeting, the Board will endeavour to identify the shareholders concerned and will initiate contact with them with the view to understanding the reasons for the adverse vote. In 2019 no resolution had 20% or more votes cast against it.
The Board receives reporting on shareholder engagement which includes details of meetings held, feedback received and issues either of interest or of concern raised. Any issues arising are managed at board meetings.
FBD has numerous channels through which it can engage with customers. FBD has 34 Branches in its network making face to face contact easily accessible for customers. In addition FBD is present at a significant number of events throughout the country.
Through regular meetings with board members and senior management the Group has an engaging relationship with the Central Bank of Ireland, its regulator. Through attendance at Oireachtas meetings on insurance related matters the Group engages with Government bodies.
Ms Sylvia Cronin has been appointed as Non-Executive Director for engagement with the workforce and it is intended that feedback will be regularly reported to the Board.
The CEO of the Group is a Board Member of Insurance Ireland which is the Voice of Insurance in Ireland and represents the Irish general insurance, health insurance, life assurance, reinsurance and captive management sectors. In addition FBD spokespeople on Insurance, Farm Safety and the Claims Environment participate in and contribute to societal debate on topical issues.
The Company's Annual General Meeting is held each year in Dublin. The 2020 meeting will be held on 8 May 2020.
All formal resolutions are dealt with on a show of hands. Once the vote is declared by the Chairman, the votes lodged with the Company in advance of the meeting are displayed prominently in the venue for those present to see. Immediately after the meeting is concluded the results are published on the Group's website www.fbdgroup.com and also via the Euronext Dublin and London Stock Exchange.
The notice of the Annual General Meeting is issued to shareholders at least 20 working days in advance of the meeting.
The Board has overall responsibility for the Group's system of internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness. Such a system is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives and can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss.
In accordance with the revised Financial Reporting Council (FRC) guidance for directors on internal control published in September 2014, "Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and Business Reporting", the Board confirms that there is an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating and managing any significant risks faced by the Group, that it has been in place for the year under review and up to the date of approval of the financial statements and that this process is regularly reviewed by the Board.
The key risk management and internal control procedures which cover all material controls include:
The Annual Budget, Half-Yearly Report and Annual Report are reviewed and approved by the Board. Financial results with comparisons against budget are reported to Executive Directors on a monthly basis and are reported to the Board at each Board meeting.
The risk management, internal control, reporting and forecasting processes are important to the Board in the exercise of its Governance and Oversight role. The Board constantly strives to further improve their quality.
The Group has established a 'Speak Up' Policy for employees the purpose of which is to reassure employees that it is safe and appropriate to raise any concern that they may have about malpractice and to enable them to raise such concerns safely and properly. This policy is reviewed annually and circulated thereafter to all Group employees.
The Board confirms that it has reviewed the effectiveness of the Group's Systems of Internal Control for the year ended 31 December 2019. The 2019 internal control assessment provides reasonable assurance that the Group's controls are effective, and that where control weaknesses are identified, they are subject to management oversight and action plans.
On behalf of the Nomination and Governance Committee, I am pleased to set out a summary of its activities during 2019.
In October 2019, Ms Muldoon informed the Board that she will leave her position as Executive Director and CEO during 2020. Following this announcement the Committee engaged an external executive search specialist firm, Odgers Berndtson, to assist in identifying a suitable replacement to lead FBD into the future.
In addition, Mr Dermot Browne and Ms Orlagh Hunt did not go forward for re-election at the 2019 Annual General Meeting. Following the departure of Mr Browne and Ms Hunt there were two vacancies on the Board. In planning for Board appointments the Committee considered the current Board diversity, mix and skills and engaged Odgers Berndtson, to assist in identifying suitable candidates in line with the needs of the Board. Appointments are made, on merit, against objective criteria and with due regard for the benefits of diversity on the Board. All appointments to the Board are subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Ireland. Odgers Berndtson has no connection with the Group or any of its Directors.
During 2019 the Nomination and Governance Committee recommended the appointment of Ms Cronin and Mr Pike as Independent Non-Executive Directors to the Board. The Committee welcome the new skills and additional financial services, regulation, risk and technological experience these individuals bring to the Board.
The Board has a formal Diversity Policy in place, the objective of which is to ensure the appropriate balance is achieved in the composition of the Board. The Board values the major contribution which a mix of backgrounds, skills and experience brings to the Group and sees merit in increasing diversity at Board level in achieving the Group's strategic objectives. Differences in background, skills, experience and other qualities, including gender, are always considered and formally discussed at the Nomination Committee in determining the optimal composition of the Board, the principal aim being to achieve an appropriate balance between them.
While all appointments to the Board will have due regard to diversity, they will be made on merit, ensuring that the skills, experience and traits noted by the Board as being of particular relevance at any time are present on the Board and included in any planned recruitment.
The Board continues to comprise of a mix in backgrounds, experience and gender in line with the policy. As at the date of this report, the Board was comprised as follows:
| 0 – 2 years | 20% |
|---|---|
| 3 – 6 years | 70% |
| 7 – 9 years | 10% |
| Over 9 years | 0% |
| Male | 70% |
|---|---|
| Female | 30% |
| Non-executive 80% |
|
|---|---|
| Executive | 20% |
The skills and experience identified by the Board as critical to its composition and that of its Committees at this time included expertise in insurance or other financial services, actuarial, general and farming/agri industry experience, corporate finance, accounting and auditing, corporate governance, compliance, executive reward, risk and technology.
The percentage of the Board having the requisite skills and experience were as follows:
| Insurance or financial services | 80% |
|---|---|
| Actuarial | 10% |
| General industry | 100% |
| Agri/farming | 30% |
| Corporate finance | 40% |
| Accounting and Auditing | 30% |
| Corporate Governance | 80% |
| Compliance | 70% |
| Executive reward | 40% |
| Risk | 80% |
| Technology | 20% |
FBD are proud members and supporters of the '30% Club'. This international organisation was established with a goal of achieving a better gender balance on boards and in executive leadership. 30 per cent of the Board of Directors of FBD Holdings plc is female along with 40 per cent of Executive level and 41 per cent of Manager/Specialists level in FBD. 60 per cent of FBD's overall headcount are female.
The gender balance of those in the senior management and their direct reports.
| Gender Female |
Gender Male |
|
|---|---|---|
| Executive Management Team | 40% | 60% |
| Direct Reports | 43% | 57% |
Diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our Culture programme. In 2018 we launched our Culture programme to ensure our employees were focussed on value adding and deepening customer relationships. In 2019 we launched 'Our Values and Behaviours' with over 30% of the organisation collaborating to develop a framework that is authentic to FBD and supports a diversity and inclusion culture.
The Board is committed to ensuring that the culture programme is embedded into the organisation and monitors compliance regularly. A number of key initiatives were delivered in 2019 with continuous updates to the Board throughout the year. The values and behaviours rolled out in December 2019, align the Group's purpose, value and strategy and a presentation was made to the Board as part of this roll out.
The Committee is responsible for reviewing the Talent Management and Succession Plan. The Succession Plan was last reviewed in December 2019 and as part of this process FBD had documented succession plans for the board and senior roles with a view to ensuring that FBD develops and retains talent and is best placed to replace key roles in as seamless a manner as possible should they arise.
A comprehensive Senior Management Development Plan has been a key focus during 2019 and senior management have taken part in this programme. In addition, specific innovation projects to support long term retention and development of key pipeline talent have been undertaken.
Focus at executive management level has been to inspire employees to drive performance to deliver for our stakeholders.
The success of FBD is directly related to the capabilities of our employees and our ability to achieve standards of excellence through the services we provide our customers. In order to achieve and sustain these standards of excellence we are committed to providing employees at all levels with appropriate training, development and education.
Employee development is a continuous process. Development progress is regularly measured to ensure an optimum contribution to the Group's achievements and employee development needs. This ensures that there is a mutual benefit ensuing from the development plan. In the first instance we aim to provide a comprehensive internal training and development programme to employees of the organisation at all levels, and to supplement this where necessary or appropriate with external development and education.
The training needs of employees are identified through performance management and operational planning in line with best practice and legislative guidelines. Additionally, FBD supports further educational and professional development of its employees.
Every year the Board evaluates its performance and that of its Committees. The evaluation of the Board for 2019 involved the following:
n Completion by each Director of a detailed questionnaire covering key aspects of Board effectiveness including composition of Board, meetings and processes, Board performance and reporting and performance of Board Committees.
The Senior Independent Director is responsible for leading the evaluation of the performance of the Chairman and this was carried out through a meeting with the Directors in the absence of the Chairman. Feedback is provided to the Chairman through the Senior Independent Director.
The Board Evaluation was externally facilitated by Independent Audit at the end of 2018. Recommendations from this review were addressed and progressed in line with an agreed action plan. Independent Audit are assisting the Chairman, the Senior Independent Director, and the Directors in carrying out the Board evaluation for 2019 and are assessing progress against the 2018 action plan. In assisting with the evaluation Independent Audit will meet individually with the Directors and attend a board meeting in an observatory capacity. Any additional recommendations arising from this evaluation will be addressed as appropriate.
On behalf of the Nomination and Governance Committee
26 February 2020
Dear Shareholder,
On behalf of the Remuneration Committee and the Board, I am pleased to set out in the section following, the details of the Directors' Remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2019.
The Committee ensures alignment of risk appetite and remuneration metrics with the long term interests of the Group's key stakeholders by aligning remuneration metrics with the Group's business model and strategic objectives and by ensuring sufficient stretch in the performance targets.
Willis Towers Watson continued to provide advice in respect of FBD's Remuneration Policy in 2019. I was employed by Willis Towers Watson from 2003 to 2015, however, I currently have no financial connection with Willis Towers Watson nor does any of my income derive from it or any of it's affiliated entities.
Despite the fact that there is no obligation to do so under Irish Law, the Board, on the recommendation of this Committee tables the Report on Directors' Remuneration at the Annual General Meeting each year for an advisory note. At the 2019 AGM, this report received 99% support from shareholders.
The Committee requests shareholders to consider and approve the annual remuneration report set out on the pages following at the 2020 AGM.
Chairperson of the Remuneration Committee
26 February, 2020
Responsibility for determining the levels of remuneration of the Executive Directors has been delegated by the Board to the Remuneration Committee whose membership is set out in the Corporate Governance Report.
In framing remuneration strategy, frameworks and policies, the Committee gives full consideration to the principles and provisions of the Corporate Governance Requirements for Insurance Undertakings 2015 and UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 and takes into account the long term interests of shareholders, investors and other stakeholders of the Group.
The duties of the Remuneration Committee are to determine Directors Remuneration policies and practices by reviewing performance structures, performance metrics, target setting and application of discretion.
The Remuneration Committee also reviews overall workforce remuneration and related policies and alignment of incentives and rewards with culture and takes these factors into account when setting the policy for Executive Director remuneration.
The Committee considers and reviews the remuneration policy and are in agreement that it is operating as intended in respect of group performance quantum.
In determining outcomes under the bonus and the LTIP, the Remuneration Committee considers performance achieved during the year and satisfies themselves that the incentive outcomes were appropriately aligned with the extent to which the Group met its strategic goals and the shareholder experience.
Remuneration arrangements are determined throughout the Group based on the same principle – reward should be sufficient in order to attract, retain and motivate high performing individuals who are critical to the future development of the Group. The fair distribution of our Group's profits is an integral part of our corporate culture as we wish to reward our employees' contribution to the success of the Group.
The performance measures ensure everyone is focussed on delivering the same business priorities and that employees share in the success if the business strategy is delivered.
It is the policy of the Group to provide all members of executive management, middle management and employees of the Group with appropriate remuneration and incentives that reward performance and ensure that they are, in a fair and responsible manner, rewarded for specific contributions which align to the financial success of the Group. The appropriateness is assessed with reference to internal and external sources. This is done by ensuring that the principles of sound, prudent, risk management are fully reflected and that excessive risk taking is neither encouraged nor rewarded.
The Committee has aimed to build simplicity and transparency into the design and delivery of our Remuneration Policy. The remuneration structure is simple to understand for both participants and shareholders and is aligned to the strategic priorities of the business. We aim for our disclosures to clearly explain the design of our arrangements and the way that they have been operated so that they can be fully understood by all stakeholders.
The Policy includes a number of points in it's design, the aim of which is to mitigate potential risk:
We aim for our disclosure to be clear to allow Shareholders to understand the range of potential values which may be earned under the remuneration arrangements. All incentive arrangements have defined and disclosed limits on pay out/ award levels.
A significant proportion of executive director remuneration arrangements is share-based and we also require significant holding of shares which ensures that remuneration outcomes are closely aligned to shareholder returns for example, the CEO is required to build and maintain a shareholding equivalent to two times annual salary.
It is also the policy of the Group to provide a remuneration framework that attracts, motivates and rewards Executives of the highest calibre who bring experience to the strategic direction and management of the Group and who will perform in the long term interests of the Group and it's shareholders.
As part of our annual remuneration cycle a comprehensive analysis is completed in respect of comparison of changes to salary, benefits and annual bonus for Executive Directors, senior management and all employees. A gender pay gap comparison and gap analysis is also completed in respect of both pay and bonus around total workforce remuneration.
Base salaries are reviewed annually with effect from 1 April taking into account the individual's role and experience, group performance and personal performance. Market practice and benchmarking is also taken into account and a comprehensive review of our pay model and benchmarking exercise was completed in 2019. Although salaries are reviewed annually there is no automatic right for any Executive to receive a salary increase.
The following table sets out the key elements of the Remuneration Policy for Executive Directors and Senior Executives, their purpose and how they link to strategic rational.
| Element and link to strategy |
Policy and operation | Changes to policy |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary (fixed remuneration) | ||
| To help recruit and retain senior |
Base salaries are reviewed annually with effect from 1 April taking the following factors into account: |
No change to policy |
| experienced Executives |
The individual's role and experience n |
|
| Group performance n |
||
| Personal performance n |
||
| Market practice and benchmarking n |
||
| Although salaries are reviewed annually there is no automatic right of any Executive to receive a salary increase. |
||
| Benefits (fixed remuneration) | ||
| To provide market | Benefits provided take the form of a motor allowance and an agreed | No change to policy |
percentage contribution to health and other insurance costs.
competitive benefits
| Element and link to strategy |
Policy and operation | Changes to policy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pension Provision (fixed remuneration) | |||
| To provide market competitive benefits |
All employees are provided with retirement benefits under a defined contribution arrangement from 1 October 2015. |
No change to policy | |
| and reward performance over a long period, enabling |
The Group's defined benefit pension scheme has been closed to future accrual since September 2015 and to new members since 2005. |
||
| Executives to save for retirement |
Mr O'Grady receives a taxable cash allowance in lieu of pension benefits. | ||
| Annual Performance Bonuses (variable remuneration) | |||
| To reward achievement of group targets, personal performance and contribution |
The performance measures for annual performance bonuses for the Executive Directors and other Senior Executives are based on attainment of Combined Operating Ratio (66.6%) and Gross Premium Written growth (33.4%) targets for 2019. |
There have been no changes to either the policy or the operation of annual |
|
| The maximum bonus potential as a percentage of base salary for the Chief Executive for 2019 was 105%. |
performance bonuses. |
||
| The maximum bonus potential as a percentage of base salary for the Chief Financial Officer for 2019 was 60%. |
|||
| More detail on the actual operation of the Annual Performance Bonus arrangements appear later in this Report. |
Executive Directors receive defined contribution pension benefits (or equivalent cash in lieu), in line with existing scheme arrangements available to the wider workforce. The Remuneration Committee have determined that the level of pension contribution for any newly appointed Executive Director will be set in line with levels in operation for the majority of the workforce as is the case with all employees.
Current contribution levels for existing Executive Directors are 20% (Fiona Muldoon, CEO) and 15% (John O'Grady, CFO) of salary. The Committee will continue to monitor market and best practice in this area and consider whether any adjustments to these arrangements would be appropriate in the future.
| Element and link to strategy |
Policy and operation | Changes to policy |
|---|---|---|
| Longer Term Incentives – the FBD Performance Share Plan ("LTIP") (variable remuneration) | ||
| To align the financial interests of Executives with those of Shareholders |
The Group Performance Share Plan ("LTIP") was approved by shareholders in 2018. |
No change to policy. |
| Under the LTIP, the Remuneration Committee may, at its sole discretion, make conditional awards of shares to Executives. Conditional awards of shares under the LTIP are limited to 10% in aggregate with any other employee share plan of the Company's issued ordinary shares of €0.60 each over a rolling 10 year period. |
||
| The market value of the shares which are the subject of a conditional award to an individual may not, in any financial year, normally exceed 150% of the participant's base salary as at the date of grant. |
||
| The Remuneration Committee set performance conditions each year, selecting appropriate metrics based on key strategic priorities. The period over which the performance conditions applying to a conditional award under the LTIP are measured may not be less than three years. The extent to which a conditional award may vest in the future will be determined by the Remuneration Committee by reference to the performance conditions set at the time of the award. These conditions are designed to ensure alignment between the economic interests of the plan participants and those of shareholders. Different conditions, or the same conditions in differing proportions, can be used by the Remuneration Committee in different years under the LTIP rules, provided that the Committee is satisfied that they are challenging targets and that they are aligned with the interests of the Company's shareholders. |
||
| The LTIP rules allow the Remuneration Committee (at it's sole discretion) to make awards which may be subject to an additional post-vesting holding period. Awards will vest after three years once applicable performance conditions have been achieved and the vested shares (net of tax) may be required to be held for a further two-year period to provide continued alignment with shareholders. |
||
| The LTIP includes provisions that allow the Remuneration Committee to withhold, reduce or require the repayment of awards for up to two years after vesting (i.e. up to five years after grant) if there is found to have been (a) material misstatement of the Group's financial results or (b) gross misconduct on the part of the award holder. |
The information below on pages 57 to 67 of the Report on Directors' Remuneration identified as audited forms an integral part of the audited financial statements as described in the basis of preparation on page 89. All other information in the report on Directors' Remuneration is additional information and does not form part of the audited financial statements.
During 2019 one Conditional Award of shares was made under the Performance Share Plan. This was made in March 2019 to Executive Directors and senior management.
The conditions attached to the award, which reflect the Board's strategic plans, were based 100% on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of Net Asset Value (NAV) per share, relative to the 1 January 2019 NAV for the three years ending 31 December 2021. The NAV has been chosen because the Committee considers it is the controllable measure most closely correlated to share price and ultimately to shareholder return.
Vesting levels range between a threshold level of 25% to a maximum of 125% for outperformance. The CAGR target for NAV is up to high single digit percentages. The actual percentages are not disclosed due to commercial competitor sensitivity and because to do so would also constitute forward looking guidance.
The Committee will publish details regarding targets and vesting levels at the end of the performance period (2022).
The Committee has decided not to include relative performance to market targets as there is no relevant comparator in the Irish market.
The maximum and threshold for vesting for the performance conditions are as follows:
| Threshold Level | Proportion vesting | Upper Level | Proportion vesting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAV CAGR | >3.4% | 25% | High single digits | 125% |
The Committee considered the extent to which the performance conditions underpinning this award were met in the three financial years 2016 to 2018 (the 'Performance Period'). The Committee concluded that 59.0% of the business results and 16.5% of market share performance conditions were met and therefore the conditional awards granted in March 2016 was 75.5% vested. The Committee used their discretion to allow vesting in respect of share price given it was 1c lower than minimum vesting threshold.
Details of the conditional share awards to the CEO, CFO and to the Company Secretary made under the 2007 and 2018 LTIP plans are given in the table below. In respect of the 2017 awards, the number of shares is the maximum possible number which could vest for the individual concerned if all of the performance conditions previously described are met at stretch target level. In respect of the 2018 and 2019 awards the number of shares could increase to a maximum of 125% of the number of shares outlined below if the performance conditions previously described are met at stretch target level.
| At 1 January 2019 |
Granted during year |
Vested during year |
Lapsed during year |
Forfeited during year |
At 31 December 2019 |
Performance Period |
Earliest vesting date |
Market price on award € |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Directors | |||||||||
| Fiona Muldoon | 54,545 | - | (42,317) | (12,228) | - | - | 2016-2018 | Mar-19 | 6.60 |
| 54,961 | - | (42,640) | (12,321) | - | - | 2016-2018 | Mar-19 | 6.55 | |
| 45,283 | - | - | - | - | 45,283 | 2017-2019 | Mar-20 | 7.95 | |
| 33,256 | - | - | - | - | 33,256 | 2018-2020 | Aug-21 | 10.83 | |
| - | 40,955 | - | - | - | 40,955 | 2019-2021 | Mar-22 | 8.79 | |
| Total | 188,045 | 40,955 | (84,957) | (24,549) | - | 119,494 | |||
| John O'Grady | 22,138 | - | - | - | - | 22,138 | 2017-2019 | Mar-20 | 7.95 |
| 17,737 | - | - | - | - | 17,737 | 2018-2020 | Aug-21 | 10.83 | |
| 15,927 | - | - | - | 15,927 | 2019-2021 | Mar-22 | 8.79 | ||
| Total | 39,875 | 15,927 | - | - | - | 55,802 | |||
| Company Secretary | |||||||||
| Derek Hall | 15,114 | - | (11,725) | (3,389) | - | - | 2016-2018 | Mar-19 | 6.55 |
| 11,006 | - | - | - | - | 11,006 | 2017-2019 | Mar-20 | 7.95 | |
| 11,316 | - | - | - | - | 11,316 | 2018-2020 | Aug-21 | 10.83 | |
| - | 12,969 | - | - | - | 12,969 | 2019-2021 | Mar-22 | 8.79 | |
| Total | 37,436 | 12,969 | (11,725) | (3,389) | - | 35,291 |
The total number of shares subject to conditional awards outstanding under the 2007 and 2018 LTIP Schemes amount to 658,704 being 1.9% of the Company's ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares) at 31 December 2019 (2018: 642,974) shares and 1.9% of ordinary share capital.
The aggregate limit of the number of shares over which conditional awards are permitted under the 2007 and 2018 LTIP scheme rules is 10% of the Company's issued share capital over a rolling 10 year period. Since 2008, there have been 10 conditional awards with an aggregate of 1,825,214 shares or 5.2% of the Company's ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares).
The Remuneration Committee concluded that 75.5% of LTIP 2016 performance conditions were met. In relation to the share price condition the Remuneration Committee used their discretion to take into account a short averaging period rather than an unrepresentative spot price to allow this portion of the award to vest.
The Group incentivises its Executive Directors and Senior Executives with equity based awards under the Group's shareholder approved share schemes. Central to the philosophy underlying awards is the goal of aligning the economic interests of those individuals with those of shareholders.
Executives are expected to maintain a significant long-term equity interest in the Company. The requirement, which is set out in a policy document by the Remuneration Committee, approved and reviewed annually, is to build and retain a valuable shareholding relative to base salary, at a minimum, as noted hereunder. Executive Directors have not built up to the requirement yet due to the relatively short time in their roles. Until such time as this requirement has been met, those to whom the Policy applies are precluded from disposing of any shares issued to them under the Group's share schemes.
| Executive | Share ownership requirement |
|---|---|
| Group Chief Executive | 2 times annual salary |
| Other Executive Directors | 1.5 times annual salary |
| Other Senior Executives | 1 times annual salary |
The remuneration of the non-Executive Directors is determined by the Board, and reflects the time commitment and responsibilities of their role. In setting this level, the Board has regard to the fees payable to the Non-Executive Directors of the other Irish publicly listed companies and also to the developments and policy for the remuneration of the employees in the wider Group.
The basic non-Executive Director fee is €50,000 and this was last reviewed in July 2016. Directors receive additional fees for being members of and/or chairing Board Committees as outlined within the Corporate Governance Report on pages 44 to 53. These fees are reflective of their added responsibilities.
The Chairman, Mr Liam Herlihy received fees of €118,500 during the year (2018: €118,500) inclusive of the basic non-Executive Director fee. Mr David O'Connor, received fees of €70,455 during the year as he took the position of Senior Independent Director (2018: €60,000) inclusive of the basic Non-Executive Director fee, and reflecting his additional responsibilities as Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.
Non-Executive Directors are not members of the Group's pension schemes and are not eligible for participation in the Group's long-term incentive schemes.
The service contract for the Group Chief Executive and the Group Financial Officer provide for the following periods of notice of termination of employment:
| Executive | From Company | From CEO/CFO |
|---|---|---|
| Fiona Muldoon CEO | 12 months | 6 months |
| John O'Grady CFO | 6 months | 6 months |
In recognition of the benefits to both the Group and to our Executive Directors serving as Non-Executive Directors of other companies, our Executive Directors are, subject to advance agreement in each case, permitted to take on an external non-Executive appointment and to retain any related fees paid to them.
During the year, Ms Muldoon served as a non-Executive Director of the Governor and Company of Bank of Ireland, for which she received fees of €78,625 in the period.
As previously noted, the overall Annual Performance Bonus arrangements, the targets and their achievement are approved by the Remuneration Committee each year. Specifically the Remuneration Committee approve the merit pay and bonus arrangements for the Executive Directors in line with FBD's Remuneration Policy.
The 2019 annual performance bonus scheme was designed such that on plan group performance for the year 2019 would deliver 100% of the target bonus. 66.66% of the bonus pool is determined by Combined Operating Ratio and 33.34% by Gross Premium Written growth. The Gross Premium Written growth measure came in below the minimum threshold target of €7m and therefore no bonus is deemed payable under this measure. For the remaining 66.6% of the bonus pool, at less than 91% Combined Operating Ratio, 100-150% is deemed payable. In 2019, a COR of 72.3% was achieved and therefore 150% of the Combined Operating Ratio measure is deemed payable.
Accordingly the Remuneration Committee has approved a maximum bonus pool of 100% of target for all eligible employees to be split according to performance.
In the case of Ms Muldoon and Mr O'Grady for 2019, 66.6% of the annual performance bonus is determined by Combined Operating Ratio and 33.4% is determined by Gross Premium Written growth, subject to individual performance against agreed objectives. Accordingly the Remuneration Committee has decided bonuses of €414,000 and €112,000 are payable.
We are committed to ongoing and constructive engagement and use a number of channels to support our engagement process to ensure a process of two way engagement in order to incorporate their views into our business activities.
Among our key stakeholders is the Farmers Business Development plc and as FBD's largest shareholder have a seat on the board which benefits the Group as they share knowledge in respect of our largest customer base.
FBD is committed to being open and transparent in respect of its remuneration arrangements for all employees and as part of this transparency table the Report on Directors' Remuneration at the Annual General Meeting each year for an advisory note. The FBD Performance Share Plan (LTIP) was approved by Shareholders at AGM on 5 May 2018. FBD engaged individually with a number of shareholders prior to the AGM in respect of the Long Term Investment Plan.
As part of our annual pay cycle a communication is issued to all employees explaining how their bonus aligns to the Group strategy and the steps taken to ensure fairness of distribution for all employees. Regular engagement takes place with employer representative bodies to discuss remuneration and other matters.
FBD also have a programme of Investor Relation Activities where we engage with all Shareholders in order to enhance bilateral communication by fostering objective orientated dialogue with Shareholders.
The following table sets out in detail the remuneration payable by the Group in respect of any Director who held office for any part of the financial year:
| Fees1 €000s |
Salary2 €000s |
Other Payments3 €000s |
Benefits4 €000s |
Pension Contribution5 €000s |
2019 Total €000s |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Directors: | ||||||
| Fiona Muldoon | - | 450 | 414 | 39 | 90 | 993 |
| John O'Grady | - | 280 | 112 | 18 | 52 | 462 |
| Non-Executive Directors: | ||||||
| Liam Herlihy (Chairman) | 119 | - | - | - | - | 119 |
| Joe Healy | 50 | - | - | - | - | 50 |
| Padraig Walshe | 50 | - | - | - | - | 50 |
| Dermot Browne | 31 | - | - | - | - | 31 |
| Orlagh Hunt | 22 | - | - | - | - | 22 |
| David O'Connor | 70 | - | - | - | - | 70 |
| Walter Bogaerts | 71 | - | - | - | - | 71 |
| Mary Brennan | 62 | - | - | - | - | 62 |
| Richard Pike | 14 | - | - | - | - | 14 |
| Sylvia Cronin | 5 | - | - | - | - | 5 |
| 494 | 730 | 526 | 57 | 142 | 1,949 |
The following table sets out the detail for the previous financial year (2018):
| Fees1 €000s |
Salary2 €000s |
Other Payments3 €000s |
Benefits4 €000s |
Pension Contribution5 €000s |
2018 Total €000s |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Directors: | ||||||
| Fiona Muldoon | - | 450 | 354 | 39 | 90 | 933 |
| John O'Grady | - | 268 | 126 | 18 | 33 | 445 |
| Non-Executive Directors: | ||||||
| Liam Herlihy (Chairman) | 119 | - | - | - | - | 119 |
| Joe Healy | 50 | - | - | - | - | 50 |
| Padraig Walshe | 50 | - | - | - | - | 50 |
| Dermot Browne | 85 | - | - | - | - | 85 |
| Orlagh Hunt | 60 | - | - | - | - | 60 |
| David O'Connor | 60 | - | - | - | - | 60 |
| Walter Bogaerts | 70 | - | - | - | - | 70 |
| Mary Brennan | 58 | - | - | - | - | 58 |
| 552 | 718 | 480 | 57 | 123 | 1,930 |
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and financial statements, in accordance with the Companies Act 2014 and the applicable regulations.
Irish company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under the law, the Directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union ("relevant financial reporting framework"). 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 assets, liabilities and financial position of the Company as at the financial year end date and of the profit or loss of the Company for the financial year and otherwise comply with the Companies Act 2014.
In preparing each of the Company and Group financial statements, the Directors are required to:
The Directors are responsible for ensuring that the Company and the Group keeps or causes to be kept adequate accounting records which correctly explain and record the transactions of the Company and the Group, enable at any time the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the Group to be determined with reasonable accuracy, enable them to ensure that the Annual Report and financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2014 and the Listing Rules of the Euronext Dublin and enable the financial statements to be audited.
They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Directors are also required by the Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 (Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2015) to include a management report containing a fair review of the business and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group.
Under applicable law and the requirements of the Listing Rules issued by the Euronext Dublin, the Directors are also responsible for preparing a Directors' Report and reports relating to Directors' remuneration and corporate governance that comply with that law and those Rules. The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Group's website. Legislation in Ireland governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge and belief:
On behalf of the Board
Liam Herlihy Chairman
Fiona Muldoon Group Chief Executive
26 February 2020
to the members of FBD Holdings plc
In our opinion, FBD Holdings plc's group financial statements and company financial statements (the "financial statements"):
We have audited the financial statements, included within the Annual Report, which comprise:
Certain required disclosures have been presented elsewhere in the Annual Report, rather than in the notes to the financial statements. These are cross-referenced from the financial statements and are identified as audited.
Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the Audit Committee.
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (Ireland) ("ISAs (Ireland)") and applicable law. Our responsibilities under ISAs (Ireland) 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 Ireland, which includes IAASA'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 IAASA's Ethical Standard were not provided to the group or the company.
Other than those disclosed in note 7 to the financial statements, we have provided no non-audit services to the group or the company in the period from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019.
Overview

Key audit matters
n Valuation of claims outstanding
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. As in all of our audits we also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.
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.
Referto page 48 (Report of the Audit Committee), pages 93 to 94 (group accounting policies), page 103 (critical accounting estimates and judgements in applying accounting policies) and pages 127 to 129 (note 27(a) to (c) to the group financialstatements).
The provision for claims outstanding is the group's largest liability and its valuation involves considerable judgement.
The booked amount comprises:
The actuarial best estimates is determined using complex actuarial calculations and requires the consideration of detailed methodologies, multiple assumptions and significant judgements. Methodologies and assumptions vary by class of business.
The key items underlying the calculations are past claims development patterns and assumptions in respect of expected loss ratios and the expected frequency, severity and duration of claims.
The valuation is also dependent on the completeness and accuracy of the data used in the actuarial modelling, in particular data relating to amounts of claims paid and incurred in the current and prior years.
As a result of the judgements and level of estimation detailed above, the valuation of claims outstanding was a key area of focus in our audit.
We performed procedures to understand the claims and actuarial reserving processes as they relate to financial reporting.
We tested the design and operating effectiveness of the controls over claims processing and payment and actuarial reserving. This testing included controls addressing the valuation of claims outstanding.
Based on the results of our risk assessment and materiality, we selected certain classes of business for independent valuation by our actuarial specialists using the group's data.
The results of our independent valuation were compared to the group's valuation to assess the reasonability of the estimate.
In respect of the segments not subject to independent valuation we assessed the group's valuation with the assistance of our actuarial specialists. This involved:
We assessed the rationale for the margin over actuarial best estimate with particular focus on the consideration of the appropriateness of changes in the amount since the prior year.
We tested the reconciliations of the data used in the actuarial models to the underlying systems and reconciled the actuarial valuation outputs to the financial statements.
Based on the results of these procedures we concluded that the valuation of claims outstanding included in the group's financial statements is reasonable.
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, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which the group operates.
The group consists of the holding company, FBD Insurance plc, an insurance provider, 5 immaterial entities (4 of which are non-trading) and a group shared services entity, FBD Corporate Services Limited. All group entities are managed and reported on from a single head office. The group financial statements are a consolidation of these individual entities.
On the basis of the group structure all audit procedures were performed by a single group audit team. We performed a full scope audit of the complete financial information of FBD Insurance plc and the holding company. Specific audit procedures on certain balances and transactions were performed in respect of FBD Corporate Services Limited. We also tested the consolidation process. This gave us the desired level of audit evidence for our opinion on the group financial statements as a whole.
This gave us coverage in excess of 95% of group revenues, 95% of group profit before taxation and 90% of the group's total 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:
| Group financial statements | Company financial statements | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall materiality | €4.0 million (2018: €4.0 million). | €960,000 (2018: €920,000). |
| How we determined it | Circa 1% of revenue. | Circa 1% of equity attributable to equity holders of the parent. |
| Rationale for benchmark applied |
We have applied this benchmark as it provides a more stable measure as the group's result has fluctuated significantly in recent years. |
We have applied this benchmark as it is considered appropriate given the company's activity as a holding company. |
We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them misstatements identified during our audit above €200,000 (group audit) (2018: €200,000) and €48,000 (company audit) (2018: €46,000) as well as misstatements below that amount that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.
In accordance with ISAs (Ireland) we report as follows:
| Reporting obligation | Outcome |
|---|---|
| We are required to report if we have anything material to add or draw attention to in respect of the directors' statement in the financial statements about whether the directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements and the directors' identification of any material uncertainties to the group's or the company's ability to continue as a going concern over a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements. |
We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to. However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the group's or the company's ability to continue as a going concern. |
| We are required to report if the directors' statement relating to going concern in accordance with Rule 6.1.82 (3) (a) of the Listing Rules for Euronext Dublin is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit. |
We have nothing to 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 Report of the Directors, we also considered whether the disclosures required by the Companies Act 2014 (excluding the information included in the "Non Financial Statement" as defined by that Act on which we are not required to report) have been included.
Based on the responsibilities described above and our work undertaken in the course of the audit, ISAs (Ireland), the Companies Act 2014 (CA14) and the Listing Rules applicable to the company (Listing Rules) require us to also report certain opinions and matters as described below (required by ISAs (Ireland) unless otherwise stated).
included in the Corporate Governance Statement, is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with section 1373(2) of the Companies Act 2014. (CA14)
We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to regarding:
We have nothing to report having performed a review of the directors' statement that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the group and the directors' statement in relation to the longer-term viability of the group. Our review was substantially less in scope than an audit and only consisted of making inquiries and considering the directors' process supporting their statements; checking that the statements are in alignment with the relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the "Code"); and considering whether the statements are consistent with the knowledge and understanding of the group and the company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit. (Listing Rules)
We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when:
As explained more fully in the Directors' Responsibilities Statement set out on page 68, 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 (Ireland) 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.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the IAASA website at:
https://www.iaasa.ie/getmedia/b2389013-1cf6-458b-9b8f-a98202dc9c3a/Description_of_auditors_ responsibilities_for_audit.pdf
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 section 391 of the Companies Act 2014 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.
Under the Companies Act 2014 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, the disclosures of directors' remuneration and transactions specified by sections 305 to 312 of that Act have not been made. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.
We are required by the Listing Rules to review the six specified elements of disclosures in the report to shareholders by the Board on directors' remuneration. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.
We are required to report if the company has not provided the information required by Regulation 5(2) to 5(7) of the European Union (Disclosure of Non-Financial and Diversity Information by certain large undertakings and groups) Regulations 2017 in respect of the prior financial year. We have nothing to report arising from this responsibility.
We were appointed by the directors on 10 August 2016 to audit the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement is 4 years, covering the years ended 31 December 2016 to 31 December 2019.
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers Chartered Accountants and Statutory Audit Firm Dublin 26 February 2020
During 2019 we added Environmental Liability cover for the first time to our Farm product. We launched a new Small Business product and a low mileage Motor product. We enabled a straight through digital journey for the motor customer that improves the customer experience and eliminates unnecessary paper. We improved claims fraud propensity modelling to help tackle fraudulent claims.
"Representing Ireland is something I am very proud of and the support from everyone gives me the confidence to believe I can deliver a winning performance."
Nhat Nguyen Badminton
For the financial year ended 31 December 2019
| 2019 | 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | €000s | €000s | |
| Revenue | 4(a) | 394,639 | 396,003 |
| Income | |||
| Gross premium written | 4(c) | 370,063 | 371,504 |
| Reinsurance premiums | 4(c) | (31,836) | (36,735) |
| Net premium written | 4(c) | 338,227 | 334,769 |
| Change in provision for unearned premiums | 4(c) | (674) | 3,134 |
| Net premium earned | 4(c) | 337,553 | 337,903 |
| Net investment return | 5 | 17,892 | 2,482 |
| Financial services income – Revenue from contracts with customers | 4(a) | 4,268 | 3,754 |
| – Other financial services income | 4(a) | 5,557 | 5,282 |
| Total income | 365,270 | 349,421 | |
| Expenses | |||
| Net claims and benefits | 4(c) | (148,679) | (183,367) |
| Other underwriting expenses | 4(c) | (87,259) | (84,054) |
| Movement in other provisions | 28 | (7,946) | (7,064) |
| Financial services and other costs | 4(e) | (6,081) | (6,548) |
| Impairment of property, plant and equipment | 13 | (246) | (1,034) |
| Finance costs | 29 & 30 | (2,579) | (5,453) |
| Exceptional loss on purchase and cancellation of convertible debt | 29 | - | (11,836) |
| Profit before taxation | 6 | 112,480 | 50,065 |
| Income taxation charge | 10 | (14,255) | (7,682) |
| Profit for the financial year | 98,225 | 42,383 | |
| Attributable to: | |||
| Equity holders of the parent | 98,225 | 42,383 | |
| Earnings per share | |||
| Basic | 12 | 281 | 122 |
| Diluted | 12 | 2761 | 1122 |
The 'A' ordinary shares of €0.01 each that are in issue have no impact on the earnings per share calculation.
1 Diluted earnings pershare reflectsthe potential vesting ofshare based payments.
2 Diluted earnings pershare reflectsthe potential conversion of convertible debt up until the date of purchase and cancellation of the convertible debt and the potential vesting ofshare based payments.
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements. The financial statements were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 26 February 2020.
For the financial year ended 31 December 2019
| 2019 | 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | €000s | €000s | |
| Profit for the financial year | 98,225 | 42,383 | |
| Itemsthatwill or may be reclassified to profit orlossin subsequent periods: | |||
| Net gain/(loss) on available for sale financial assets during the year | 11,356 | (7,744) | |
| Gains transferred to the Consolidated Income Statement on disposal during the year |
(432) | (101) | |
| Taxation (charge)/credit relating to items that will or may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods |
(1,366) | 981 | |
| Itemsthatwill not be reclassified to profit orlossin subsequent periods: | |||
| Actuarial (loss)/gain on retirement benefit obligations | 31(d) | (4,236) | 3,232 |
| Taxation credit/(charge) relating to items not to be reclassified in subsequent periods |
31(d) | 530 | (404) |
| Other comprehensive income/(expense) after taxation | 5,852 | (4,036) | |
| Total comprehensive income for the financial year | 104,077 | 38,347 | |
| Attributable to: | |||
| Equity holders of the parent | 104,077 | 38,347 |
At 31 December 2019
| ASSETS | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | €000s | €000s | |
| Property, plant and equipment | 13 | 28,114 | 28,340 |
| Policy administration system | 14 | 38,603 | 40,152 |
| Intangible assets | 15 | 2,155 | 355 |
| Investment property | 16 | 18,693 | 18,310 |
| Right of use assets | 9 | 6,115 | - |
| Loans | 17 | 611 | 615 |
| Deferred taxation asset | 18 | 1,222 | 1,081 |
| Financial assets | |||
| Available for sale investments | 19(a) | 811,986 | 795,717 |
| Investments held for trading | 19(a) | 111,399 | 78,778 |
| Deposits with banks | 19(a) | 60,000 | 70,998 |
| 983,385 | 945,493 | ||
| Reinsurance assets | |||
| Provision for unearned premiums | 27(e) | 1 | 6 |
| Claims outstanding | 27(e) | 66,349 | 80,919 |
| 66,350 | 80,925 | ||
| Retirement benefit surplus | 31(f) | 8,723 | 12,944 |
| Current taxation asset | 20 | 3,949 | 3,949 |
| Deferred acquisition costs | 21 | 33,182 | 31,956 |
| Other receivables | 22 | 63,866 | 62,868 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 23 | 94,982 | 77,639 |
| Total assets | 1,349,950 | 1,304,627 |
At 31 December 2019
| EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | €000s | €000s | |
| Equity | |||
| Called up share capital presented as equity | 24 | 21,409 | 21,409 |
| Capital reserves | 25(a) | 22,811 | 20,430 |
| Retained earnings | 328,008 | 241,645 | |
| Equity attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent | 372,228 | 283,484 | |
| Preference share capital | 26 | 2,923 | 2,923 |
| Total equity | 375,151 | 286,407 | |
| Liabilities | |||
| Insurance contract liabilities | |||
| Provision for unearned premiums | 27(d) | 183,545 | 182,875 |
| Claims outstanding | 27(c) | 683,332 866,877 8,417 49,485 6,222 4,905 3,128 35,765 974,799 |
738,025 |
| 920,900 | |||
| Other provisions | 28 | 7,738 | |
| Subordinated debt | 30 | 49,426 | |
| Lease liability | 9 | - | |
| Deferred taxation liability | 32 | 3,610 | |
| Current taxation liability | 33 | 3,312 | |
| Payables | 34(a) | 33,234 | |
| Total liabilities | 1,018,220 | ||
| Total equity and liabilities | 1,349,950 | 1,304,627 |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.
The financial statements were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 26 February 2020.
They were signed on its behalf by:
Liam Herlihy Fiona Muldoon Chairman Group Chief Executive # Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the financial year ended 31 December 2019
| 2019 | 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | €000s | €000s | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | |||
| Profit before taxation | 112,480 | 50,065 | |
| Adjustments for: | |||
| (Profit)/loss on investments held for trading | (10,741) | 4,411 | |
| Exceptional loss on purchase and cancellation of convertible bond | - | 11,836 | |
| Loss on investments available for sale | 4,025 | 4,825 | |
| Interest and dividend income | (11,102) | (12,072) | |
| Depreciation/amortisation | 13,14 & 15 | 10,503 | 11,682 |
| Depreciation on right of use assets | 9 | 771 | - |
| Share-based payment expense | 39 | 2,381 | 704 |
| Revaluation of investment property | 16 | (290) | (310) |
| Impairment of property, plant and equipment | 13 | 246 | 1,034 |
| Decrease in insurance contract liabilities | (39,448) | (20,480) | |
| Increase in other provisions | 28 | 679 | 1,091 |
| Operating cash flows before movement in working capital | 69,504 | 52,786 | |
| (Increase)/decrease in receivables and deferred acquisition costs | (2,839) | 3,390 | |
| Increase in payables | 5,082 | 8,472 | |
| Interest payments on convertible debt | - | (5,130) | |
| Interest payments on subordinated debt | 30 | (2,500) | (589) |
| Interest on lease liabilities | 9 | 278 | - |
| Purchase of investments held for trading | (29,689) | (82,916) | |
| Sale of investments held for trading | 7,807 | 45,075 | |
| Cash generated from operations | 47,643 | 21,088 | |
| Interest and dividend income received | 11,717 | 11,992 | |
| Income taxes paid | (14,129) | - | |
| Net cash generated from operating activities | 45,231 | 33,080 | |
| Cash flows from investing activities | |||
| Purchase of available for sale investments | (152,656) | (138,798) | |
| Sale of available for sale investments | 143,289 | 89,101 | |
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment & policy admin. system | 13&14 | (8,932) | (13,003) |
| Sale of property, plant and equipment | 13 | - | 90 |
| Purchase of intangible assets | 15 | (1,935) | (399) |
| Decrease in loans and advances | 17 | 4 | 66 |
| Decrease in deposits invested with banks | 19(a) | 10,998 | 124,987 |
| Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities | (9,232) | 62,044 | |
| Cash flows from financing activities | |||
| Ordinary and preference dividends paid | 35 | (17,714) | (8,602) |
| Purchase and cancellation of convertible debt | 29 | - | (86,059) |
| Proceeds from issue of subordinated debt | 30 | - | 50,000 |
| Principal elements of lease payments | 9 | (942) | - |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (18,656) | (44,661) | |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 17,343 | 50,463 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year | 23 | 77,639 | 27,176 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year | 23 | 94,982 | 77,639 |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.
For the financial year ended 31 December 2019
| Called up share capital presented as equity |
Capital reserves | Retained earnings | Other reserves | Attributable to ordinary shareholders |
Preference share capital |
Total equity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | |
| Balance at 1 January 2018 | 21,409 | 19,726 | 212,259 | 18,232 | 271,626 | 2,923 | 274,549 |
| Transitional adjustment IFRS 15 | - | - | 2,404 | - | 2,404 | - | 2,404 |
| Profit after taxation | - | - | 42,383 | - | 42,383 | - | 42,383 |
| Other comprehensive expense | - | - | (4,036) | - | (4,036) | - | (4,036) |
| 21,409 | 19,726 | 253,010 | 18,232 | 312,377 | 2,923 | 315,300 | |
| Dividends paid and approved on ordinary and preference shares |
- | - | (8,602) | - | (8,602) | - | (8,602) |
| Recognition of share based payments | - | 704 | - | - | 704 | - | 704 |
| Purchase and cancellation of convertible debt | - | - | (2,763) | (18,232) | (20,995) | - | (20,995) |
| Balance at 31 December 2018 | 21,409 | 20,430 | 241,645 | - | 283,484 | 2,923 | 286,407 |
| Profit after taxation | - | - | 98,225 | - | 98,225 | - | 98,225 |
| Other comprehensive income | - | - | 5,852 | - | 5,852 | - | 5,852 |
| 21,409 | 20,430 | 345,722 | - | 387,561 | 2,923 | 390,484 | |
| Dividends paid and approved on ordinary and preference shares |
- | - | (17,714) | - | (17,714) | - | (17,714) |
| Recognition of share based payments | - | 2,381 | - | - | 2,381 | - | 2,381 |
Balance at 31 December 2019 21,409 22,811 328,008 - 372,228 2,923 375,151
At 31 December 2019
| 2019 | 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | €000s | €000s | |
| ASSETS | |||
| Investments | |||
| Investment in subsidiaries | 36 | 91,831 | 91,831 |
| Financial assets | 1 | 1 | |
| 91,832 | 91,832 | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 734 | 59 | |
| Retirement benefit surplus | 1,946 | 3,006 | |
| Deferred taxation asset | 351 | 1,158 | |
| Other receivables | 4,101 | - | |
| Total assets | 98,964 | 96,055 | |
| EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | |||
| Equity | |||
| Called up share capital presented as equity | 24 | 21,409 | 21,409 |
| Capital reserves | 25(b) | 22,811 | 20,430 |
| Retained earnings | 48,930 | 46,647 | |
| Shareholders' funds – equity interests | 93,150 | 88,486 | |
| Preference share capital | 26 | 2,923 | 2,923 |
| Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent | 96,073 | 91,409 | |
| Deferred taxation liability | 243 | 368 | |
| Payables | 34(b) | 2,648 | 4,278 |
| Total equity and liabilities | 98,964 | 96,055 |
The Company's movement in retained earnings is total comprehensive income for the financial year of €19,997,000 and dividend paid of €17,714,000 (2018: €7,497,000 and dividend paid of €8,602,000).
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.
The financial statements were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 26 February 2020.
They were signed on its behalf by:
Liam Herlihy Fiona Muldoon Chairman Group Chief Executive
For the financial year ended 31 December 2019
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||
| Profit before taxation | 20,960 | 6,471 |
| Adjustments for: | ||
| Share-based payment expense | 2,381 | 704 |
| Operating cash flows before movement in working capital | 23,341 | 7,175 |
| (Increase)/decrease in receivables | (3,293) | 899 |
| Decrease in payables | (1,659) | (484) |
| Net cash generated from operating activities | 18,389 | 7,590 |
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||
| Decrease in deposits invested with banks | - | 850 |
| Net cash generated from investing activities | - | 850 |
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||
| Ordinary and preference dividends paid | (17,714) | (8,602) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (17,714) | (8,602) |
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 675 | (162) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year | 59 | 221 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year | 734 | 59 |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of the financial statements.
For the financial year ended 31 December 2019
| Called up share capital presented as equity |
Capital reserves | Share option reserve | Retained earnings | Other reserves | Attributable to ordinary shareholders |
Preference share capital |
Total equity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | |
| Balance at 1 January 2018 | 21,409 | 11,593 | 8,133 | 47,752 | 18,232 | 107,119 | 2,923 | 110,042 |
| Profit after taxation | - | - | - | 6,927 | - | 6,927 | - | 6,927 |
| Other comprehensive income | - | - | - | 570 | - | 570 | - | 570 |
| 21,409 | 11,593 | 8,133 | 55,249 | 18,232 | 114,616 | 2,923 | 117,539 | |
| Dividends paid and approved on ordinary and preference shares |
- | - | - | (8,602) | - | (8,602) | - | (8,602) |
| Recognition of share based payments |
- | - | 704 | - | - | 704 | - | 704 |
| Purchase and cancellation of convertible debt |
- | - | - | - | (18,232) | (18,232) | - | (18,232) |
| Balance at 31 December 2018 | 21,409 | 11,593 | 8,837 | 46,647 | - | 88,486 | 2,923 | 91,409 |
| Profit after taxation | - | - | - | 20,962 | - | 20,962 | - | 20,962 |
| Other comprehensive income | - | - | - | (965) | - | (965) | - | (965) |
| 21,409 | 11,593 | 8,837 | 66,644 | - | 108,483 | 2,923 | 111,406 | |
| Dividends paid and approved on ordinary and preference shares |
- | - | - | (17,714) | - | (17,714) | - | (17,714) |
| Recognition of share based payments |
- | - | 2,381 | - | - | 2,381 | - | 2,381 |
| Balance at 31 December 2019 | 21,409 | 11,593 | 11,218 | 48,930 | - | 93,150 | 2,923 | 96,073 |
For the financial year ended 31 December 2019
FBD Holdings plc is an Irish registered public limited company. The registration number of the company is 135882. The address of the registered office is given on page 33. The nature of the Group's operations and its principal activities are set out in the Review of Operations on pages 8 to 11 and in the Report of the Directors on pages 38 to 43.
The Directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. Further detail is contained in the Report of the Directors on pages 38 to 43.
The Group and Company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs") adopted by the European Union and therefore the Group financial statements comply with Article 4 of the EU IAS Regulation. The Group and Company financial statements are prepared in compliance with the Companies Acts 2014.
In the current year, the Group has applied a number of amendments to IFRSs issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) that are mandatorily effective for an accounting period that begins on or after 1 January 2019.
The adoption of these standards has not had a material impact on the financial statements of the Group. Further detail with respect to IFRS 16 Leases, is included below.
IFRS 16 Leases became effective on 1 January 2019 and was adopted by the Group on that date. The Group has applied the modified retrospective approach and have not restated comparatives for the 2018 reporting period, as permitted under the specific transitional provisions in the standard.
The lease obligations were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the Group's Incremental Borrowing Rate (IBR) as of 1 January 2019. The weighted average IBR applied to the lease liabilities on 1 January 2019 was 4.41%.
The adjustments recognised on adoption of IFRS 16 from the date of initial application are shown below:
| Operating lease commitments disclosed as at 31 December 2018 | €9.6m | |
|---|---|---|
| Discounted using the Group's incremental borrowing rate at the date of initial application | €7.1m | |
| Less short term leases recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense | (€0.2m) | |
| Lease liability as at 1 January 2019 | €6.9m |
On adoption of IFRS 16, the Group recognised a lease liability and a right of use asset for each of the leases which had previously been classified as 'operating leases' under the principles of IAS17 Leases. The right of use assets were measured at the amount equal to the lease liability, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments relating to that lease recognised in the Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 2018. There were no onerous lease contracts that would have required an adjustment to the right of use assets at the date of initial application.
The Group has elected to apply the practical expedient permitted by the standard to recognise operating leases with a remaining lease term of less than 12 months as at 1 January 2019 as short-term leases. The Group has also elected to apply the practical expedient to use hindsight in determining the lease term where the contract contains options to extend or terminate the lease.
The adoption of IFRS 16 affected the following items on the Statement of Financial Position on 1 January 2019:
Right of use assets €6.9m Lease liability €6.9m
The adoption of IFRS 16 did not have a material impact on the key metrics or alternative performance measures (APMs) of the Group.
IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts1
IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022.
IFRS 17 is expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group. There is a project team in place and training has been provided on the impact of the new standard. The Group implementation programme is progressing in line with expectations.
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments in respect of the consolidated financial statements is being considered as part of the project for the adoption of IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts.
The principal accounting policies adopted by the Board are detailed below. All accounting policies are applicable to the consolidated and company financial statements unless stated otherwise.
The consolidated and company financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of property, investments held for trading, available for sale investments and investment property, which are measured at fair value.
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings to 31 December. Control is achieved when the Company:
The Company reassesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the elements of control listed above.
When the Company has less than a majority of the voting rights of an investee, it has power over an investee when the voting rights are sufficient to give it the practical ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee unilaterally. The Company considers all the relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether or not the Company's voting rights in an investee are sufficient to give it power, including:
Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the subsidiary.
Profit or loss and each component of other comprehensive income are attributed to the owners of the Company and to the non-controlling interests. Total comprehensive income of subsidiaries is attributed to the owners of the Company and to the non-controlling interests even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.
All intra-Group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation.
Changes in the Group's ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control over the subsidiaries are accounted for as equity transactions. The carrying amount of the Group's interests and the non-controlling interests are adjusted to reflect the changes in their relative interests in the subsidiaries. Any difference between the amount by which the non-controlling interests are adjusted and the fair value of the consideration paid or received is recognised directly in equity and attributed to the owners of the Company.
The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of the acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair values, at the date of exchange, of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed, and equity instruments issued by the Group in exchange for control of the acquiree. Any transaction costs incurred are expensed in the period in which they occur. The acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities that meet the conditions for recognition under IFRS 3 are recognised at their fair value at the acquisition date, except for non-current assets (or disposal groups), that are classified as held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5, Non Current AssetsHeld for Sale and DiscontinuedOperations, which are recognised and measured at fair value less costs of sale.
Goodwill arising on acquisition is recognised as an asset and initially measured at cost, being the excess of the cost of the business combination over the Group's interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities recognised. If, after reassessment, the Group's interest in the net fair value of the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities exceeds the cost of the business combination, the excess is recognised immediately in the Consolidated Income Statement.
When the Group loses control of a subsidiary, the profit or loss on the sale is calculated as the difference between (i) the aggregate of the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of any retained interest and (ii) the previous carrying amount of the assets (including goodwill), less liabilities of the subsidiary and any noncontrolling interests. Amounts previously recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income in relation to the subsidiary are accounted for (i.e. reclassified to profit or loss or transferred directly to retained earnings) in the same manner as would be required if the relevant assets or liabilities are disposed of. The fair value of any investment retained in the former subsidiary at the date when control is lost is regarded as the fair value on initial recognition for subsequent accounting under IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement or, when applicable, costs on initial recognition of an investment in an associate or jointly controlled entity.
Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost less accumulated impairment losses.
Dividend income from investments in subsidiaries is recognised when the Company's right to receive has been established.
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents gross premiums written, broking commissions, fees, other commissions, interest and dividends receivable, rents receivable, net of discounts, levies, VAT and other sales related taxes.
Revenue from insurance contracts is accounted for in accordance with accounting policy (E).
Interest income is accrued on a time basis with reference to the principal outstanding at the effective interest rate applicable.
Broking commission is recognised as the Group satisfies its performance obligations. The Group's performance obligation in relation to broking commissions is satisfied at the point in time when the underlying policy has been contractually agreed between the insured and the provider. The transaction price is the expected commission income receivable by the Group for the satisfaction of this performance obligation. The transaction price includes a variable consideration estimation on the basis that elements of commissions receivable are dependent on the outcome of future events, namely the underlying policies sold remaining in force, and are paid in future periods. Thus an expected level of lapses is applied to policies sold in order to calculate an appropriate commission receivable in relation to the satisfaction of the performance obligation.
Fees for liability claims handling are recognised in the year to which they relate.
Dividend income from investments is recognised when the shareholders' rights to receive payment have been established.
Rental income is recognised on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.
Premiums written relate to business incepted during the year, together with any difference between booked premiums for prior years and those previously accrued, and include estimates of premiums due. Premiums written exclude taxes and duties levied on premiums.
Unearned premiums are those portions of premium income written in the year that relate to insurance cover after the year end. Unearned premiums are computed on a 365th of premium written. At 31 December each year, an assessment is made of whether the provision for unearned premiums is adequate as set out in accounting policy E (iv) below.
Deferred acquisition costs represent the proportion of acquisition costs, net of reinsurance, that are attributable to the unearned premiums. Acquisition costs comprise the direct and indirect costs of obtaining and processing new insurance business. These costs are recognised as a deferred acquisition cost asset and amortised on the same basis as the related premiums are earned, and are tested for impairment at 31 December each year.
At 31 December each year, an assessment is made of whether the provision for unearned premiums is adequate. Provision for unexpired risks is made where the expected claims, related expenses and deferred acquisition costs are expected to exceed unearned premiums, after taking account of future investment income. At each reporting date, the Group reviews its unexpired risks and carries out a liability adequacy test for any overall excess of expected claims and deferred acquisition costs over unearned premiums, using the current estimates of future cash flows under its contracts after taking account of the investment return expected to arise on assets. If these estimates show that the carrying amount of its insurance liabilities (less related deferred acquisition costs) is insufficient in light of the estimated future cash flows, the deficiency is recognised in the Income Statement by setting up a provision in the Statement of Financial Position.
Claims incurred comprise the cost of all insurance claims occurring during the year, whether reported or not, and any adjustments to claims outstanding from previous years.
Full provision, net of reinsurance recoveries, is made at the reporting date for the estimated cost of claims incurred but not settled, including claims incurred but not yet reported and expenses to be incurred after the reporting date in settling those claims. The Group takes all reasonable steps to ensure that it has appropriate information regarding notified claims and uses this information when estimating the cost of those claims. Claims reserves are not discounted.
The Group uses estimation techniques, based on statistical analysis of past experience, to calculate the estimated cost of claims outstanding at the year end. It is assumed that the development pattern of the current claims will be consistent with previous experience. Allowance is made, however, for any changes or uncertainties that may cause the cost of unsettled claims to increase or reduce. These changes or uncertainties may arise from issues such as the effects of inflation, changes in the mix of business or the legal environment.
Receivables arising out of direct insurance operations are measured at initial recognition at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost, after recognising any impairment loss to reflect estimated irrecoverable amounts.
Premiums payable in respect of reinsurance ceded, are recognised in the period in which the reinsurance contract is entered into and include estimates where the amounts are not determined at the reporting date. Premiums are expensed over the period of the reinsurance contract, calculated principally on a daily pro rata basis.
A reinsurance asset (reinsurers' share of claims outstanding and provision for unearned premium) is recognised to reflect the amount estimated to be recoverable under the reinsurance contracts in respect of the outstanding claims reported under insurance liabilities. The amount recoverable from reinsurers is initially valued on the same basis as the underlying claims provision. The amount recoverable is reduced when there is an event arising after the initial recognition that provides objective evidence that the Group may not receive all amounts due under the contract and the event has a reliably measurable impact on the expected amount that will be recoverable from the reinsurer.
The reinsurers' share of each unexpired risk provision is recognised on the same basis.
The Group's share of Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland "MIBI" levy and related payments is based on its estimated market share in the current year at the Statement of Financial Position date, and an estimate of the levy to be called by MIBI in the following 12 months.
The Group's share of the Motor Insurers' Insolvency Compensation Fund "MIICF" and related payments is based on 2% of the Group's Motor premium for the year.
Property held for own use in the supply of services or for administrative purposes is stated at revalued amounts, being the fair value at the date of revaluation which is determined by professional valuers. Revaluations are performed with sufficient regularity such that the carrying amount does not differ materially from that which would be determined using fair values at the reporting date. Any revaluation increase arising on the revaluation of such property is credited to the revaluation reserve except to the extent that it reverses a revaluation decrease for the same asset previously recognised. A decrease on revaluation is charged as an expense to the extent that it exceeds the balance, if any, held in the revaluation reserve relating to previous revaluation of that asset.
The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an asset is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in the Income Statement.
Computer equipment and fixtures and fittings are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.
Depreciation is provided in respect of computer equipment and fixtures and fittings, and is calculated in order to write off the cost or valuation of the assets over their expected useful lives on a straight line basis over a three to ten year period. Depreciation on assets in development commences when the assets are ready for their intended use.
The Policy Administration System is stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Amortisation is provided in respect of the Policy Administration System and is calculated in order to write off the cost of the asset over its expected useful life on a straight line basis over a five to ten year period.
Intangible assets are valued at cost less accumulated amortisation and less any accumulated impairment losses. Intangible assets comprise computer software and these assets are amortised over expected useful lives on a straight line basis over a five year period.
Investment property, which is property held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation, is recognised initially at cost and stated at fair value at the reporting date being the value determined by qualified independent professional valuers. Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value are recognised in the Income Statement for the period in which they arise.
An investment property is derecognised upon disposal or when the investment property is permanently withdrawn from use and no future economic benefits are expected. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the property (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in the Income Statement for the period in which the property is derecognised
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Statement of Financial Position when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
The Group derecognises a financial asset only when the contractual rights to the cash flows of the asset expire, or when it transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of the ownership of the asset to another entity. If the Group neither transfers nor retains substantially all the risk and rewards of ownership and continues to control the transferred asset, the Group recognises its retained interest in the asset and an associated liability to the extent of its continuing involvement in the financial asset. If the Group retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of a transferred financial asset, the Group continues to recognise the financial asset.
The Group derecognises financial liabilities when, and only when, the Group's obligations are discharged, cancelled or they expire.
Investments held for trading are stated at fair value and include quoted shares, quoted debt securities and collective investment schemes. They are recognised on a trade date basis at fair value and are revalued at subsequent reporting dates at fair value, using the closing bid price, with gains and losses being included in the Income Statement in the period in which they arise.
Investments are held for trading if:
Investments other than investments held for trading may be designated at FVTPL (fair value through profit or loss) upon initial recognition if:
Financial assets at FVTPL are stated at fair value, with any gains or losses arising on remeasurement recognised in the Income Statement. The net gain or loss recognised in the Income Statement incorporates any dividend or interest earned on the financial asset and is included in the 'net investment return' line item in the Income Statement.
Available for sale investments include quoted debt securities and unquoted investments, and are stated at fair value where fair value can be reliably measured. Fair value is calculated using closing bid prices. They are recognised on a trade date basis at fair value, and are subsequently revalued at each reporting date to fair value, with gains and losses being included directly in the Statement of Comprehensive Income until the investment is disposed of or determined to be impaired, at which time the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income, is included in the Income Statement for the year.
Loans are recognised on a trade date basis at fair value plus transaction costs and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. When it is not possible to estimate reliably the cash flows or the expected life of a loan, the projected cash flows over the full term of the loan are used to determine fair value.
The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a debt instrument and of allocating interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the debt instrument, or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount at initial recognition.
(iii) Loans and other receivables (continued)
Amounts arising out of direct insurance operations and other debtors are measured at initial recognition at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost, after recognising any impairment loss to reflect estimated irrecoverable amounts.
Amounts arising out of other debtors are measured at initial recognition at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost less expected credit losses. Expected credit losses is a forward looking measure of impairment calculated on a probability of credit losses basis.
Term deposits with banks comprise cash held for the purpose of investment. Demand deposits with banks are held for operating purposes and included in cash and cash equivalents. Deposits with banks and cash and cash equivalents are valued at amortised cost.
Subordinated debt issued by the Group comprise callable dated deferrable subordinated notes.
The financial liability is initially recognised at fair value of the subordinated notes net of costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, the subordinated debt is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.
Interest and amortisation relating to the financial liability is recognised in the Income Statement.
The Group applies the temporary exemption from IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, as defined in the amendment "Applying IFRS 9 Financial Instruments with IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts – IFRS 4 amendments" issued by the IASB in September 2016, in its consolidated financial statements. This amendment allows an entity to defer the implementation of IFRS 9 if its activities are predominantly connected with insurance. As a result, the Group will continue to apply IAS 39, Financial Instrument: Recognition and Measurement in its consolidated financial statements until the reporting period beginning on 1 January 2022.
During 2018 the Group performed an assessment of the amendments and reached the conclusion that its activities were predominantly connected with insurance as at 31 December 2015. The Group's percentage of its gross liabilities from contracts within the scope of IFRS 4 relative to its total liabilities at 31 December 2015 was 94.5% which is in excess of the 90% threshold required by IFRS 4. There has been no significant change to the activities of the Group requiring reassessment of the use of the temporary exemption from IFRS 9 to 31 December 2019.
IFRS 9 financial instruments deferral disclosures, as defined in IFRS 4, are included in Note 42.
Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognised on a straight-line basis over the operating lease term.
(ii) The Group as Lessee
For the 2018 comparative period; all of the Group's leases qualified as operating leases under IAS17. Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to income on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to enter into an operating lease are also spread on a straight-line basis over the operating lease term.
For any new contracts entered into on or after 1 January 2019, the Group considers whether a contract is, or contains a lease. A lease is defined as 'a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to use an asset (the underlying asset) for a period of time in exchange for consideration'. To apply this definition the Group assesses whether the contract meets three key evaluations which are whether:
At lease commencement date, the lease liability is measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the Group's incremental borrowing rate. The right of use asset is recognised as an amount equal to the lease liability, adjusted for amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments relating to the lease.
The Group depreciates the right of use assets on a straight-line basis from the lease commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right of use assets or the end of the lease term. The Group also assesses the right of use assets for impairment when such indicators exist.
Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability are made up of fixed payments, variable payments based on an index or rate, amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee and payments arising from options reasonably certain to be exercised.
Subsequent to initial measurement, the liability will be reduced for payments made and increased for interest. It is re-measured to reflect any reassessment or modification, or if there are changes in in-substance fixed payments.
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and demand deposits with maturities of 3 months or less held for the purpose of meeting short-term cash commitments rather than for investment or other purposes. Deposits with banks and cash and cash equivalents are valued at amortised cost.
Income tax expense or credit represents the sum of income tax currently payable and deferred income tax. Income tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit before tax as reported in the Consolidated Income Statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and further excludes items that are not taxable or deductible. The Group's liability for income tax is calculated using rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date. Income tax is recognised in the Income Statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity.
Deferred income tax is provided, using the liability method, on all differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year when the asset is expected to be realised or the liability to be settled. Deferred tax assets are recognised for all deductible differences, carry forward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses, to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary differences and the carry forward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses can be utilised. The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit would be available to allow all or part of the deferred income tax asset to be utilised.
Deferred taxation liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary differences and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
Deferred taxation assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current taxation assets against current taxation liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle on a net basis.
The Group provides either defined benefit or defined contribution retirement benefit schemes for the majority of its employees.
A full actuarial valuation of the scheme is undertaken every three years and is updated annually to reflect current conditions in the intervening periods for the purposes of preparing the financial statements.
The liability or asset recognised in the Statement of Financial Position in respect of defined benefit pension plans is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the end of the reporting period less the fair value of plan assets. The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms approximating to the terms of the related obligation. In countries where there is no deep market in such bonds, the market rates on government bonds are used.
The net interest cost is calculated by applying the discount rate to the net balance of the defined benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets. This cost is included in employee benefit expense in the Income Statement.
Remeasurement gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are recognised in the period in which they occur, directly in other comprehensive income. They are included in retained earnings in the statement of changes in equity and in the Statement of Financial Position.
Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation resulting from plan amendments or curtailments are recognised immediately in the Income Statement as past service costs.
Costs arising in respect of the Group's defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged to the Income Statement in line with the service received.
For the purpose of the consolidated financial statements, the results and financial position of each group company are expressed in euro, which is the functional currency of the Company, and the presentation currency for the consolidated financial statements.
In preparing the financial statements of the individual companies, transactions in currencies other than the entity's functional currency (foreign currencies) are recognised at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At each Statement of Financial Position date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing at that date. Non-monetary items carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at the date when the fair value was determined.
On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of the Group's non Eurozone operations are translated at exchange rates prevailing on the reporting date. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the period unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly, in which case the exchange rates at the date of transactions are used. Exchange differences that are classified as equity are transferred to the translation reserve. Such translation differences are recognised as income or expense in the period in which the operation is disposed.
The Group operates a long-term incentive plan based on market and non-market vesting conditions. The fair value of the market based awarded shares is determined at the date of grant using either the Black Scholes or Monte Carlo Simulation models. The fair value of the non-market based awarded shares is determined with reference to the share price of the Group at the date of grant. The cost is expensed in the Income Statement over the vesting period at the conclusion of which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the options. The corresponding amount to the expense is credited to a separate reserve in the Statement of Financial position. At each period end, the Group reviews its estimate of the number of options that it expects to vest and any adjustment relating to current and past vesting periods is brought to the Income Statement. The share awards are all equity settled.
Where any group company purchases the Company's equity share capital, the consideration paid is shown as a deduction from ordinary shareholders' equity. Consideration received on the subsequent sale or issue of treasury shares is credited to ordinary shareholders' equity. Treasury shares are excluded when calculating earnings per share.
At each reporting date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated to determine the extent of the impairment loss, if any. Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit to which the asset belongs.
The recoverable amount is the higher of the fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-taxation discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.
If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. A revaluation loss is recognised as an expense immediately, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.
Where a revaluation loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no revaluation loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of a revaluation loss, other than in relation to goodwill, is recognised as income immediately, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the revaluation loss is treated as a revaluation increase.
Financial assets, other than those at FVTPL (fair value through profit or loss), are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting date. Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial assets, the estimated future cash flows of the investment have been impacted. For listed and unlisted equity investments classified as Available for Sale ("AFS"), a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the security below its cost is considered to be objective evidence of impairment.
For all other financial assets, objective evidence of impairment could include:
For certain categories of financial asset, such as trade receivables, assets that are assessed not to be impaired individually are, in addition, assessed for impairment on a collective basis.
For financial assets carried at amortised cost, the amount of the impairment is the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the financial asset's original effective interest rate.
The carrying amount of a financial asset is directly reduced by the impairment loss for all financial assets.
When an AFS financial asset is considered to be impaired, cumulative gains or losses previously recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income are reclassified to the Income Statement in the period.
With the exception of AFS equity instruments, if, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the previously recognised impairment loss is reversed through the Income Statement, to the extent that the carrying amount of the investment at the date the impairment is reversed does not exceed what the amortised cost would have been had the impairment not been recognised.
In respect of AFS equity securities, impairment losses previously recognised in the Income Statement are not reversed through the Income Statement. Any increase in fair value subsequent to an impairment loss is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
The costs of the restructuring of the Group's operations, such as redundancy costs, provision for lease termination costs or other rationalisation costs, are charged to the Income Statement when the decision to restructure is irrevocable and has been communicated to the parties involved.
Other financial services income comprises interest on instalment premiums which is recognised on an effective interest method and other financial services income as detailed in accounting policy (D).
Compound financial instruments issued by the Group comprise convertible notes that can be converted to share capital at the option of the holder, when the number of shares to be issued is fixed.
The liability component of a compound financial instrument is recognised initially at the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an equity conversion option. The equity component is recognised initially at the difference between the fair value of the compound financial instrument as a whole and the fair value of the liability component.
Subsequent to initial recognition, the liability component of a compound financial instrument is measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. The equity component of a compound financial instrument is not re-measured subsequent to initial recognition.
Interest relating to the financial liability is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement. On conversion, the financial liability is reclassified to equity and no gain or loss is recognised.
Exceptional gains and losses are recognised in the period in which they are incurred and are reported in the Income Statement. Exceptional gains or losses are one-off items or items not in the ordinary course of business which have a material impact on the underlying profit.
The principal accounting policies adopted by the Group are set out on pages 89 to 104. In the application of these accounting policies, the Directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. There are no significant judgements exercised in the preparation of the financial statements and the key sources of estimation are detailed below. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.
The following are the critical estimates that the Directors have made in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.
Claims provisions represent the estimation of the cost of claims outstanding under insurance contracts written. Actuarial techniques, based on statistical analysis of past experience, are used to calculate the estimated cost of claims outstanding at year end. Allowance is made for any changes or uncertainties that may cause the cost of unsettled claims to increase or reduce. At each reporting date liability adequacy tests are performed to ensure the adequacy of the liabilities. Any deficiency is recognised in the Income Statement. Further details are set out in note 27 to the financial statements.
The Group spends substantial sums to purchase reinsurance protection from third parties and substantial claims recoveries from these reinsurers are included in the Statement of Financial Position at the reporting date. A reinsurance asset (reinsurers' share of claims outstanding and provision for unearned premium) is recognised to reflect the amount estimated to be recoverable under the reinsurance contracts in respect of the outstanding claims reported under insurance liabilities. The amount recoverable from reinsurers is initially valued on the same basis as the underlying claims provision. The amount recoverable is reduced when there is an event arising after the initial recognition that provides objective evidence that the Group may not receive all amounts due under the contract and the event has a reliably measurable impact on the expected amount that will be recoverable from the reinsurer. To minimise default exposure, the Group's policy is that all reinsurers should have a credit rating of A- or better or have provided alternative satisfactory security.
Property held for own use in the supply of services or for administrative purposes is included in the Statement of Financial Position at fair value. Property valuations are affected by general economic and market conditions. The fair value of property held for own use is determined by valuations conducted at the reporting date by independent professional valuers, CB Richard Ellis, Valuation Surveyors. A decrease in the valuation of the property is charged as an expense to the Income Statement to the extent that it exceeds the balance, if any, held in the revaluation reserve relating to previous revaluation of that asset.
Properties are held at fair value less any subsequent depreciation in line with the accounting standard.
As described in note 19, the Group uses valuation techniques that include inputs that are not based on observable market data to estimate the fair value of certain types of financial instruments. Note 19 provides detailed information about the key assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of financial instruments. The Directors believe that the chosen valuation techniques and assumptions used are appropriate in determining the fair value of financial instruments.
Deferred acquisition costs represent the proportion of net acquisition costs which are attributable to the unearned premiums. Acquisition costs comprise the direct and indirect costs of obtaining and processing new insurance business. These costs are recognised as a deferred acquisition cost asset and amortised on the same basis as the related premiums are earned, and are tested for impairment at 31 December each year.
Investment property, which is property held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation, is recognised initially at cost and stated in the Statement of Financial Position at fair value at the reporting date. The fair value of investment property in Ireland is determined by valuations conducted at the reporting date by qualified independent professional valuers. Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value are included in the Income Statement for the period in which they arise.
The valuation of the pension scheme is provided by the Group's consultant actuaries. The critical accounting estimates and judgements in recognising the defined benefit pension surplus are the measurement of the defined pension obligation and the recoverability of the defined benefit asset.
The valuation of the defined benefit obligation is sensitive to actuarial assumptions. These include demographic assumptions covering mortality and longevity, and economic assumptions covering price inflation and the discount rate used.
The Directors have concluded that when all members have left the scheme, any surplus remaining would be returned to the employers in accordance with the trust deed. As such the full economic benefit of the surplus under IAS19 is deemed available to the employer and is recognised in the Statement of Financial Position.
The allocation of debt and equity for the consideration paid for the purchase and cancellation of the convertible bond during the comparative period is a matter of judgement. As per the guidance of the accounting standards, the loss is split between the debt and equity components based on the fair values of each component at the time of the transaction. The Directors relied on the assistance of independent valuation experts in arriving at the allocation between the debt and equity components.
Note 41, Risk Management identifies the Group's key sensitivity factors and tests the impact of a change in each one of these factors has on pre-taxation profit and shareholders' equity.
The principal activities of the Group are underwriting of general insurance business and financial services.
For management purposes, the Group is organised in two operating segments - underwriting and financial services. These two segments are the basis upon which information is reported to the chief operating decision maker, the Group Chief Executive, for the purpose of resource allocation and assessment of segmental performance. Discrete financial information is prepared and reviewed on a regular basis for these two segments.
The following is an analysis of the Group's revenue and results by reportable segments.
| Financial | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Underwriting | services | Total |
| €000s | €000s | €000s | |
| Revenue | 384,814 | 9,825 | 394,639 |
| Investment return | 17,892 | - | 17,892 |
| Finance costs | (2,579) | - | (2,579) |
| Profit before taxation | 108,736 | 3,744 | 112,480 |
| Income taxation charge | (13,592) | (663) | (14,255) |
| Profit after taxation | 95,144 | 3,081 | 98,225 |
| Other information | |||
| Capital additions | 9,385 | - | 9,385 |
| (Impairment)/Revaluation of other assets | (1,908) | 1,952 | 44 |
| Depreciation/amortisation | (10,503) | - | (10,503) |
| Statement of Financial Position | |||
| Segment assets | 1,335,431 | 14,519 | 1,349,950 |
| Segment liabilities | 967,810 | 6,989 | 974,799 |
Included above in the current period is a net non-cash revaluation charge relating to investment property and property held for own use of €44,000 (2018: €724,000), of which a loss of €1,908,000 relates to the underwriting segment and a gain of €1,952,000 relates to the financial services segment.
| Financial | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Underwriting €000s |
services €000s |
Total €000s |
|||
| Revenue | 386,967 | 9,036 | 396,003 | |||
| Investment return | 2,482 | - | 2,482 | |||
| Finance costs | (5,453) | - | (5,453) | |||
| Profit before taxation | 47,577 | 2,488 | 50,065 | |||
| Income taxation charge | (7,165) | (517) | (7,682) | |||
| Profit after taxation | 40,412 | 1,971 | 42,383 | |||
| Other information | ||||||
| Capital additions | 10,342 | - | 10,342 | |||
| Impairment of other assets | (724) | - | (724) | |||
| Depreciation | (11,674) | (8) | (11,682) | |||
| Statement of Financial Position | ||||||
| Segment assets | 1,292,719 | 11,908 | 1,304,627 | |||
| Segment liabilities | 1,011,473 | 6,747 | 1,018,220 | |||
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group accounting policies. Segment profit represents the profit earned by each segment. Central administration costs and Directors' salaries are allocated based on actual activity. Restructuring costs and income taxation are direct costs of each segment.
In monitoring segment performance and allocating resources between segments:
An analysis of the Group's revenue by product is as follows:
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Direct insurance – motor | 182,586 | 181,858 |
| Direct insurance – fire and other damage to property | 107,399 | 110,859 |
| Direct insurance – liability | 74,690 | 73,200 |
| Direct insurance – interest and other revenue | 14,751 | 15,463 |
| Direct insurance – other | 5,388 | 5,587 |
| Financial services revenue | 9,825 | 9,036 |
| Total revenue | 394,639 | 396,003 |
The Group's customer base is diverse and it has no reliance on any major customer. Insurance risk is not concentrated on any one area or on any one line of business.
The Group's operations are located in Ireland.
| 2019 | 2019 | 2018 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | |
| Earned premiums, net of reinsurance | ||||
| Gross premium written | 370,063 | 371,504 | ||
| Outward reinsurance premiums | (31,836) | (36,735) | ||
| Net premium written | 338,227 | 334,769 | ||
| Change in provision for unearned premium | ||||
| Gross amount | (670) | 3,133 | ||
| Reinsurers' share | (4) | 1 | ||
| Change in net provision for unearned premium | (674) | 3,134 | ||
| Premium earned, net of reinsurance | 337,553 | 337,903 | ||
| Claims paid, net of recoveries from reinsurers | ||||
| Claims paid: | ||||
| Gross amount | (182,434) | (203,793) | ||
| Reinsurers' share | 3,467 | 12,129 | ||
| Claims paid, net of recoveries from reinsurers | (178,967) | (191,664) | ||
| Change in provision for claims | ||||
| Gross amount | 54,693 | 26,987 | ||
| Reinsurers' share | (14,570) | (9,642) | ||
| Change in insurance liabilities, net of reinsurance | 40,123 | 17,345 | ||
| Claims handling expenses | (9,835) | (9,048) | ||
| Claims incurred net of reinsurance | (148,679) | (183,367) | ||
| Motor insurers bureau of Ireland levy and related payments |
(7,946) | (7,064) | ||
| Management expenses | (86,499) | (84,220) | ||
| Deferred acquisition costs | 1,226 | 590 | ||
| Gross management expenses | (85,273) | (83,630) | ||
| Reinsurers share of expenses | 2,479 | 2,876 | ||
| Broker commissions payable | (4,465) | (3,300) | ||
| Net operating expenses | (87,259) | (84,054) | ||
| Underwriting result | 93,669 | 63,418 |
Net claims incurred in 2019 were €148,679,000, down 19% on the net claims incurred of €183,367,000 in 2018. The improvement is mainly as a result of an increase in positive prior year development in 2019 and an absence of weather and large claims.
The Group's reinsurance policy dictates that all of the Group's reinsurers must have a credit rating of A- or better, or provide alternative satisfactory security. The impact of buying reinsurance was a debit to the Consolidated Income Statement of €40,464,000 (2018: €31,370,000).
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Employee benefit expense | 47,629 | 46,418 |
| Rent, rates, insurance and maintenance | 6,367 | 6,497 |
| Depreciation/Amortisation | 10,503 | 11,674 |
| Other | 22,000 | 19,631 |
| Total underwriting management expenses | 86,499 | 84,220 |
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Employee benefit expense | 3,553 | 3,280 |
| Rent, rates, insurance and maintenance | 396 | 336 |
| Depreciation | - | 8 |
| Other | 2,132 | 2,924 |
| Total financial services and other costs | 6,081 | 6,548 |
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Actual return | ||
| Interest and similar income | 11,658 | 11,899 |
| Net income from investment properties | 554 | 596 |
| Realised losses on investments | (814) | (1,193) |
| Dividend income | 59 | 94 |
| Revaluation of investment properties | 290 | 310 |
| Unrealised gains/(losses) on financial investments | 6,145 | (9,224) |
| Total investment income | 17,892 | 2,482 |
| By classification of investment | ||
| Deposits with banks | 10 | 81 |
| Investments held for trading | 10,649 | (4,417) |
| Investment properties | 843 | 906 |
| Available for sale investments | 6,390 | 5,912 |
| Total investment income | 17,892 | 2,482 |
Interest and similar income received by the Group's underwriting segment during the period was €12,271,000 (2018: €12,589,000).
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Profit before taxation has been stated after charging: | ||
| Depreciation and amortisation | 10,503 | 11,682 |
The remuneration of the Directors is disclosed in the audited section of the Report on Directors' Remuneration on pages 57 to 67. These disclosures form an integral part of the financial statements.
An analysis of fees payable to the statutory audit firm is as follows:
| 2019 | 2018 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Group | Company | Group | |
| €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | |
| Description of service | ||||
| Audit of statutory financial statements | 65 | 296 | 60 | 275 |
| Other assurance services | - | 116 | - | 142 |
| Total auditors' remuneration | 65 | 412 | 60 | 417 |
Fees payable by the Company are included with the fees payable by the Group in each category.
In 2019, other assurance services relate to Solvency II audit which are prescribed under legislation or regulation.
In 2018, this category related to Solvency II audit and fees in respect of the issue of the subordinated debt.
The average number of persons employed by the Group was as follows:
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Underwriting | 887 | 875 |
| Financial services | 28 | 25 |
| Total | 915 | 900 |
| 2019 | 2018 | |
| The aggregate employee benefit expense was as follows: | €000s | €000s |
| Wages and salaries | 47,505 | 45,803 |
| Social welfare costs | 5,530 | 5,236 |
| Pension costs | 3,867 | 4,907 |
| Share based payments | 2,381 | 704 |
| Total employee benefit expense | 59,283 | 56,650 |
All leases are property leases for office space for the Group's branches. The Group holds a number of property leases with remaining terms ranging from three to thirty-five years. None of the Group's leases have options for extensions or to purchase. There are no contingent rents payable and all lease payments are fixed and at market rates. The Group has applied the modified retrospective approach as stated within Note 3 and therefore has not restated comparatives for the 2018 reporting period. Additional information on the Group's leases is detailed below:
| Balance as at 31 December | 6,115 |
|---|---|
| Additions | - |
| Depreciation charge for the year | (771) |
| Balance as at 1 January | 6,886 |
| €000s | |
| 2019 |
| Total undiscounted lease liabilities at 31 December | (7,831) |
|---|---|
| More than five years | (3,573) |
| One to five years | (3,341) |
| Less than one year | (917) |
| Maturity analysis - contractual undiscounted cash flows | €000s |
| 2019 |
| Current | (903) |
|---|---|
| Non - current | (5,319) |
| Lease liabilities included in the statement of financial position at 31 December | (6,222) |
| 2019 | |
| Amounts recognised in profit or loss | €000s |
| Depreciation charge on right of use assets (included in Other underwriting expenses) | (771) |
| Interest on lease liabilities (included in Other underwriting expenses) | (278) |
| Expenses related to short-term leases (included in Other underwriting expenses) | (41) |
| Expenses related to leases of low value assets that are not shown above as short-term leases | - |
| Income from sub-leasing right of use assets (included in Other financial services income) | 85 |
| 2019 | |
|---|---|
| Amounts recognised in statement of cash flows | €000s |
| Total cash outflow for leases | (942) |
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Irish corporation taxation charge | (13,967) | (3,140) |
| Adjustments in respect of prior financial years | 30 | 186 |
| Current taxation charge | (13,937) | (2,954) |
| Deferred taxation charge | (318) | (4,728) |
| Income taxation charge | (14,255) | (7,682) |
The taxation charge in the Consolidated Income Statement is higher than the standard rate of corporation taxation in Ireland. The differences are explained below:
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Profit before taxation | 112,480 | 50,065 |
| Corporation taxation charge at standard rate of 12.5% (2018: 12.5%) | 14,060 | 6,258 |
| Effects of: | ||
| Differences between capital allowances for period and depreciation | - | (94) |
| Non-taxable income/unrealised gains/losses not chargeable/ deductible for taxation purposes |
(38) | 1,682 |
| Higher rates of taxation on other income | 263 | 22 |
| Adjustments in respect of prior years | (30) | (186) |
| Income taxation charge | 14,255 | 7,682 |
| Taxation as a percentage of profit before taxation | 12.7% | 15.3% |
In addition to the amount charged to the Consolidated Income Statement, the following taxation amounts have been recognised directly in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income:
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Deferred taxation on: | ||
| Actuarial loss/(gain) on retirement benefit obligations | 530 | (404) |
| (Gain)/loss on available for sale investments | (1,366) | 981 |
| Total income taxation (charge)/credit recognised directly in the | ||
| Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income | (836) | 577 |
The Company's profit for the financial year determined in accordance with IFRS, as adopted by the European Union, is €20,962,000 (2018: €6,927,000). The Company's other comprehensive expense for the financial year is €965,000 (2018 other comprehensive income: €570,000).
In accordance with section 304 of the Companies Act 2014 the Company is availing of the exemption from presenting its individual Income Statement to the Annual General Meeting and from filing it with the Registrar of Companies.
The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to the ordinary shareholders is based on the following data:
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Earnings | ||
| *Profit for the year for the purpose of basic earnings per share | 97,943 | 42,101 |
| *Profit for the year for the purpose of diluted earnings per share | 97,943 | 46,357 |
| 2019 | 2018 | |
| Number of shares | No. | No. |
| Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of basic earnings per share (excludes treasury shares) |
34,817,297 | 34,666,201 |
| Weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of diluted earnings per share (excludes treasury shares) |
35,472,380 | 41,507,329 |
| Cent | Cent | |
| Basic earnings per share | 281 | 122 |
| Diluted earnings per share | 2761 | 1122 |
* Profit for the purpose of calculating both basic and diluted EPS is stated after taking into account preference dividends.
The 'A' ordinary shares of €0.01 each that are in issue have no impact on the earnings per share calculation. See Note 24 for a description of the 'A' ordinary shares.
| Property held for own use €000s |
Computer Equipment €000s |
Fixtures & Fittings €000s |
Total property, plant and equipment €000s |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost or valuation | ||||
| At 1 January 2018 | 20,889 | 92,110 | 21,113 | 134,112 |
| Additions | 3,555 | 1,378 | 1,022 | 5,955 |
| Assets under development | - | 1,452 | 595 | 2,047 |
| Disposals | (90) | - | - | (90) |
| At 1 January 2019 | 24,354 | 94,940 | 22,730 | 142,024 |
| Additions | - | 1,875 | 1,817 | 3,692 |
| Assets under development | - | 826 | - | 826 |
| Reclassification to investment property | (130) | - | - | (130) |
| At 31 December 2019 | 24,224 | 97,641 | 24,547 | 146,412 |
| Comprising: | ||||
| At cost | - | 97,641 | 24,547 | 122,188 |
| At valuation | 24,224 | - | - | 24,224 |
| At 31 December 2019 | 24,224 | 97,641 | 24,547 | 146,412 |
| Property held for own use |
Computer Equipment |
Fixtures & Fittings |
Total property, plant and equipment |
| €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accumulated depreciation and revaluation | ||||
| At 1 January 2018 | 6,135 | 82,172 | 18,507 | 106,814 |
| Depreciation charge for the year | - | 5,309 | 527 | 5,836 |
| Impairment | 1,034 | - | - | 1,034 |
| At 1 January 2019 | 7,169 | 87,481 | 19,034 | 113,684 |
| Depreciation charge for the year | - | 3,734 | 671 | 4,405 |
| Reclassification to investment property | (37) | - | - | (37) |
| Impairment | 246 | - | - | 246 |
| At 31 December 2019 | 7,378 | 91,215 | 19,705 | 118,298 |
| Carrying amount | ||||
| At 31 December 2019 | 16,846 | 6,426 | 4,842 | 28,114 |
| At 31 December 2018 | 17,185 | 7,459 | 3,696 | 28,340 |
Properties held for own use at 31 December 2019 and 2018 were valued at fair value which is determined by independent external professional valuers CB Richard Ellis, Valuation Surveyors. The valuers confirm that the properties have been valued by a valuer who is qualified for the purpose of the valuation in accordance with RICS Valuation – Global Standards 2017 (Red Book) incorporating the IVSC International Valuation Standards issued June 2017.
The valuation report states that the valuations have been prepared on the basis of "Market Value" which is defined in the report as "the estimated amount forwhich an asset orliability should exchange on valuation date between awilling buyer and awilling sellerin an arm's-length transaction, after proper marketingwhere the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently andwithout compulsion". The report also states that the market value "has been primarily derived using comparable recent market transactions on arm'slength terms".
The valuers state that they made various assumptions as to tenure, letting, taxation, town planning and the condition and repair of buildings and sites, including ground and groundwater contamination. They have determined market value using a range of capital values per square metre based on appropriate local evidence. The valuer states that they have not viewed any tenancy agreements and have assumed for the purposes of valuation that the properties (with the exception of FBD Offices at Lakepoint Retail Park Mullingar, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath) are subject to vacant possession.
The Directors believe that the market value, determined by independent professional valuers is not materially different to fair value.
Had the property been carried at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated revaluation losses, their carrying amount would have been as follows:
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Property held for own use | 16,767 | 17,111 |
Fair value hierarchy disclosures required by IFRS13 Fair Value Measurement have been included in Note 19, Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement.
The most significant investment by the Group in recent years is in its underwriting policy administration system. The Group's policy administration system, TIA is the principal operating and core technology platform of the business.
| Cost | Policy Admin System €000s |
|---|---|
| At 1 January 2018 | 48,376 |
| Additions | 3,988 |
| Assets under development | 1,013 |
| Disposals | - |
| At 1 January 2019 | 53,377 |
| Additions | 4,414 |
| Assets under development | - |
| Disposals | - |
| At 31 December 2019 | 57,791 |
| Accumulated amortisation | Policy Admin System €000s |
| At 1 January 2018 | 7,423 |
| Amortisation charge for the year | 5,802 |
| At 1 January 2019 | 13,225 |
| Amortisation charge for the year | 5,963 |
| At 31 December 2019 | 19,188 |
| Carrying amount | |
| At 31 December 2019 | 38,603 |
| At 31 December 2018 | 40,152 |
| Computer Software €000s |
|
|---|---|
| Cost: | |
| Cost as at 1 January 2018 | - |
| Additions | 399 |
| Cost as at 31 December 2018 | 399 |
| Additions | 1,279 |
| Assets under development | 656 |
| Cost as at 31 December 2019 | 2,334 |
| Accumulated Amortisation: | |
| Accumulated amortisation as at 1 January 2018 | - |
| Amortisation charge for the year | (44) |
| Amortised as at 31 December 2018 | (44) |
| Amortisation charge for the year | (135) |
| Amortised as at 31 December 2019 | (179) |
| Net book value at beginning of year | 355 |
| Net book value at end of year | 2,155 |
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fair value of investment property | €000s | €000s |
| At 1 January | 18,310 | 18,000 |
| Net gains or losses from fair value adjustments | 290 | 310 |
| Reclassification from property, plant & equipment | 93 | - |
| At 31 December | 18,693 | 18,310 |
Investment property includes commercial rental property in Dublin city centre and land in the United Kingdom.
The investment property held for rental in Ireland was valued at fair value at 31 December 2019 and at 31 December 2018 by independent external professional valuers, CB Richard Ellis, Valuation Surveyors. The valuation was prepared in accordance with RICS Valuation – Global Standards 2017 (Red Book) incorporating the IVSC International Valuation Standards issued June 2017. The valuers confirm that they have sufficient current local and national knowledge of the particular property market involved and have skills and understanding to undertake the valuations competently.
The valuation statement received from the external professional valuers state that the valuations have been prepared on the basis of "Market Value" which they define as "the estimated amount forwhich a property should exchange on the date of valuation between awilling buyer and awilling sellerin an arm's-length transaction after proper marketingwherein the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently andwithout compulsion".
The land held in the United Kingdom is under price negotiation under the terms of an option agreement with a third party developer and as at 31 December 2019 the property has been included within the financial statements at a value relying on a letter from Sheldon Bosley Knight, Land and Property Professionals regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, with offices in South Warwickshire.
The Directors believe that market value, determined by independent external professional valuers, is not materially different to the fair value.
There was a net increase in the fair value in 2019 of €290,000 (2018: €310,000).
The rental income earned by the Group from its investment properties amounted to €901,000 (2018: €1,028,000). Direct operating costs associated with investment properties amounted to €343,000 (2018: €250,000).
The historical cost of investment property is as follows:
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Historical cost at 1 January | 20,080 | 20,080 |
| Reclassification from Owner Occupied | 130 | - |
| Historical cost at 31 December | 20,210 | 20,080 |
| 2019 | 2018 | |
| Non-cancellable operating lease receivables | €000s | €000s |
| Not longer than 1 year | 704 | 1,027 |
| Longer than 1 year and not longer than 5 years | 2,817 | 4,107 |
Fair value hierarchy disclosures required by IFRS13 Fair Value Measurement have been included in Note 19, Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement.
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Other loans | 611 | 615 |
| Total loans | 611 | 615 |
Fair value hierarchy disclosures required by IFRS13 Fair Value Measurement have been included in Note 19, Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement.
| Accelerated capital allowances |
Insurance Contracts |
Losses carried forward |
Other timing differences |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | |
| At 1 January 2018 | 668 | (1,830) | 6,629 | - | 5,467 |
| (Debited)/credited to Consolidated Income Statement |
(82) | 915 | (5,389) | 170 | (4,386) |
| At 31 December 2018 | 586 | (915) | 1,240 | 170 | 1,081 |
| (Debited)/credited to Consolidated Income Statement |
(351) | 915 | (691) | 268 | 141 |
| At 31 December 2019 | 235 | - | 549 | 438 | 1,222 |
A deferred taxation asset of €549,000 (2018: €1,240,000) has been recognised in respect of losses carried forward. The Directors have considered and are satisfied that the deferred taxation asset will be fully recoverable against future taxable profits.
| 2019 | 2018 €000s |
|
|---|---|---|
| €000s | ||
| Financial Assets | ||
| At Amortised Cost: | ||
| Deposits with banks | 60,000 | 70,998 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 94,982 | 77,639 |
| Loans | 611 | 615 |
| Other receivables | 63,866 | 62,868 |
| At fair value: | ||
| Available for sale investments | 811,986 | 795,717 |
| Investments held for trading | 111,399 | 78,778 |
| Financial Liabilities | ||
| At Amortised Cost: | ||
| Payables | 35,765 | 33,234 |
| Subordinated debt (Note 30) | 49,485 | 49,426 |
The following table compares the carrying value of financial instruments not held at fair value with the fair value of those assets and liabilities:
| 2019 Fair value €000s |
2019 Carrying value €000s |
|
|---|---|---|
| Assets | ||
| Loans | 733 | 611 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Subordinated debt | 53,148 | 49,485 |
| 2018 Fair value €000s |
2018 Carrying value €000s |
|
| Assets | ||
| Loans | 738 | 615 |
| Liabilities |
The exemption from disclosing the fair value of short term receivables has been availed of.
Certain assets and liabilities are measured in the Statement of Financial Position at fair value using a fair value hierarchy of valuation inputs. The following table provides an analysis of assets and liabilities that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable.
Subordinated debt 49,817 49,426
| Total €000s |
Level 3 €000s |
Level 2 €000s |
Level 1 €000s |
2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | ||||
| 18,693 | - | 18,693 | - | Investment property |
| 16,846 | - | 16,846 | - | Property held for own use |
| Financial assets | ||||
| 111,399 | 3,133 | - | 108,266 | Investments held for trading – collective investment schemes |
| 811,174 | - | - | 811,174 | AFS investments - quoted debt securities |
| 812 | 812 | - | - | AFS investments - unquoted investments |
| 958,924 | 3,945 | 35,539 | 919,440 | Total assets |
| - Total €000s |
- Level 3 €000s |
- Level 2 €000s |
- Level 1 €000s |
Total liabilities 2018 |
| Assets | ||||
| 18,310 | - | 18,310 | - | Investment property |
| 17,185 | - | 17,185 | - | Property held for own use |
| Financial assets | ||||
| 262 | - | - | 262 | Investments held for trading - quoted shares |
| 78,516 | - | - | 78,516 | Investments held for trading – collective investment schemes |
| 795,094 | - | - | 795,094 | AFS investments - quoted debt securities |
| 623 | 623 | - | - | AFS investments - unquoted investments |
| 909,990 | 623 | 35,495 | 873,872 | Total assets |
A reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurement of financial assets is shown in the table below:
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| At 1 January | 623 | 844 |
| Additions | 3,436 | - |
| Disposals | - | (250) |
| Unrealised (losses)/gains recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement | (114) | 29 |
| At 31 December | 3,945 | 623 |
The maximum exposure the Group has in relation to Level 3 valued financial assets is €3,945,000 (2018: €623,000). The Directors do not consider it necessary to provide a sensitivity analysis on financial investments grouped into Level 3 as they do not consider the impact of a change in one or more valuation inputs to be material.
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Income taxation receivable | 3,949 | 3,949 |
The movements in deferred acquisition costs during the financial year were:
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| At 1 January | 31,956 | 31,366 |
| Net acquisition costs further deferred during the year | 1,226 | 590 |
| At 31 December | 33,182 | 31,956 |
All deferred acquisition costs are expected to be recovered within one year from 31 December 2019.
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Policyholders | 42,703 | 42,923 |
| Intermediaries | 6,853 | 6,946 |
| Other debtors | 7,659 | 6,067 |
| Accrued interest and rent | 30 | 136 |
| Prepayments and accrued income | 6,621 | 6,796 |
| Total other receivables | 63,866 | 62,868 |
The Directors have performed an impairment review of the receivables arising out of direct insurance operations and no objective evidence came to their attention that an impairment exists. There is no significant concentration of risk in receivables arising out of direct insurance operations or any other activities.
The Directors consider that the carrying amount of receivables is approximate to their fair value. All receivables are due within one year and none are past due.
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Short term deposits | 91,177 | 74,770 |
| Cash in hand | 3,805 | 2,869 |
| Total cash and cash equivalents | 94,982 | 77,639 |
| 2019 | 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Number | €000s | €000s | |
| (i) Ordinary shares of €0.60 each | |||
| Authorised: | |||
| At the beginning and the end of the year | 51,326,000 | 30,796 | 30,796 |
| Issued and fully paid: | |||
| At the beginning and the end of the year | 35,461,206 | 21,277 | 21,277 |
| (ii) 'A' Ordinary shares of €0.01 each | |||
| Authorised: | |||
| At the beginning and the end of the year | 120,000,000 | 1,200 | 1,200 |
| Issued and fully paid: | |||
| At the beginning and the end of the year | 13,169,428 | 132 | 132 |
| Total – issued and fully paid | 21,409 | 21,409 |
The 'A' ordinary shares of €0.01 each are non-voting. They are non-transferable except only to the Company. Other than a right to a return of paid up capital of €0.01 per 'A' ordinary share in the event of a winding up, the 'A' ordinary shares have no right to participate in the capital or the profits of the Company.
The holders of the two classes of non-cumulative preference shares rank ahead of the two classes of ordinary shares in the event of a winding up (see note 26). Before any dividend can be declared on the ordinary shares of €0.60 each, the dividend on the non-cumulative preference shares must firstly be declared or paid.
The number of ordinary shares of €0.60 each held as treasury shares at the beginning (and the maximum number held during the year) was 795,005 (2018: 795,005). 196,263 ordinary shares were re-issued from treasury shares during the year under the FBD Performance Plan. The number of ordinary shares of €0.60 each held as treasury shares at the end of the year was 598,742 (2018: 795,005). This represented 1.7% (2018: 2.2%) of the shares of this class in issue and had a nominal value of €359,245 (2018: €477,003). There were no ordinary shares of €0.60 each purchased by the Company during the year.
The weighted average number of ordinary shares of €0.60 each in the earnings per share calculation has been reduced by the number of such shares held in treasury.
All issued shares have been fully paid.
| Share premium €000s |
Capital conversion reserve €000s |
Capital redemption reserve €000s |
Share option reserve €000s |
Total Group €000s |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at 1 January 2018 | 5,540 | 1,627 | 4,426 | 8,133 | 19,726 |
| Recognition of share-based payments | - | - | - | 704 | 704 |
| Balance at 31 December 2018 | 5,540 | 1,627 | 4,426 | 8,837 | 20,430 |
| Recognition of share-based payments | - | - | - | 2,381 | 2,381 |
| Balance at 31 December 2019 | 5,540 | 1,627 | 4,426 | 11,218 | 22,811 |
| Share premium €000s |
Capital conversion reserve €000s |
Capital redemption reserve €000s |
Share option reserve €000s |
Total Company €000s |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at 1 January 2018 | 5,540 | 1,627 | 4,426 | 8,133 | 19,726 |
| Recognition of share-based payments | - | - | - | 704 | 704 |
| Balance at 31 December 2018 | 5,540 | 1,627 | 4,426 | 8,837 | 20,430 |
| Recognition of share-based payments | - | - | - | 2,381 | 2,381 |
| Balance at 31 December 2019 | 5,540 | 1,627 | 4,426 | 11,218 | 22,811 |
The capital conversion reserve arose on the redenomination of Company's ordinary shares, 14% non-cumulative preference shares and 8% non-cumulative preference shares of IR£0.50 each into ordinary shares, 14% noncumulative preference shares and 8% non-cumulative preference shares of 63.4869 cent. Each such share was then renominalised to an ordinary or a non-cumulative preference share of €0.60, an amount equal to the reduction in the issued share capital being transferred to the capital conversion reserve fund.
Capital redemption reserve arose on the buyback and cancellation of issued share capital.
Share option reserve arose on the recognition of share-based payments.
| 2019 | 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Number | €000s | €000s | |
| Authorised: | |||
| At the beginning and the end of the year | |||
| 14% Non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each | 1,340,000 | 804 | 804 |
| 8% Non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each | 12,750,000 | 7,650 | 7,650 |
| 8,454 | 8,454 | ||
| Issued and fully paid: | |||
| At the beginning and the end of the year | |||
| 14% Non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each | 1,340,000 | 804 | 804 |
| 8% Non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each | 3,532,292 | 2,119 | 2,119 |
| 2,923 | 2,923 |
The rights attaching to each class of share capital are set out in the Company's Articles of Association. In the event of the Company being wound up, the holders of the 14% non-cumulative preference shares rank ahead of the holders of the 8% non-cumulative preference shares, who in turn, rank ahead of the holders of both the 'A' ordinary shares of €0.01 each and the holders of the ordinary shares of €0.60 each.
| MS OUTSTANDING | |
|---|---|
| CLAI | |
| 27 | |
| Prior years €000s |
2010 €000s |
2011 €000s |
€000s 2012 |
2013 €000s |
2014 €000s |
2015 €000s |
2016 €000s |
2017 €000s |
2018 €000s |
2019 €000s |
Total €000s |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate of cumulative claims: | ||||||||||||
| At end of underwriting year | 332,367 | 243,158 | 232,311 | 245,007 | 307,517 | 302,581 | 253,962 | 247,145 | 252,435 | 219,244 | ||
| 316,414 | 216,308 | 215,445 | 236,839 | 342,422 | 304,108 | 235,972 | 223,322 | 235,902 | - | |||
| 314,526 | 225,300 | 224,720 | 266,183 | 344,123 | 326,052 | 220,376 | 205,505 | - | - | |||
| 310,583 | 230,001 | 235,965 | 260,580 | 333,544 | 318,467 | 206,578 | - | - | - | |||
| 308,360 | 234,204 | 233,434 | 257,859 | 326,714 | 288,395 | - | - | - | - | |||
| 306,442 | 227,755 | 231,159 | 244,922 | 318,944 | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 305,963 | 226,348 | 229,271 | 243,163 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 305,581 | 224,753 | 228,677 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 307,121 | 224,265 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 307,764 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Estimate of cumulative claims | 307,764 | 224,265 | 228,677 | 243,163 | 318,944 | 288,395 | 206,578 | 205,505 | 235,902 | 219,244 | ||
| Cumulative payments | (293,818) (215,643) (210,701) (215,524) (266,178) (195,108) (134,465) (114,959) (103,308) (56,276) | |||||||||||
| Claims outstanding at | 10,875 | 13,946 | 8,622 | 17,976 | 27,639 | 52,766 | 93,287 | 72,113 | 90,546 | 132,594 | 162,968 | 683,332 |
| Claims outstanding at | 16,058 | 14,911 | 12,116 | 23,570 | 35,765 | 75,493 | 148,209 | 101,571 | 125,000 | 185,332 | - | 738,025 |
| Movement during 2019: | (5,183) | (965) | (3,494) | (5,594) | (8,126) (22,727) (54,922) (29,458) (34,454) (52,738) 162,968 | (54,693) | ||||||
| Prior years €000s |
2010 €000s |
2011 €000s |
2012 €000s |
2013 €000s |
2014 €000s |
2015 €000s |
2016 €000s |
2017 €000s |
2018 €000s |
€000s 2019 |
Total €000s |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate of cumulative claims: | ||||||||||||
| At end of underwriting year | 262,562 | 214,923 | 214,793 | 228,819 | 256,663 | 270,279 | 228,107 | 212,750 | 228,501 | 206,343 | ||
| One year later | 247,735 | 192,904 | 201,171 | 217,098 | 292,223 | 274,000 | 219,905 | 199,086 | 216,210 | - | ||
| Two years later | 248,931 | 201,181 | 210,422 | 243,373 | 295,223 | 284,636 | 205,320 | 186,058 | - | - | ||
| Three years later | 245,617 | 205,434 | 221,438 | 237,733 | 290,243 | 275,909 | 190,732 | - | - | - | ||
| Four years later | 243,668 | 209,533 | 218,979 | 233,750 | 283,929 | 262,801 | - | - | - | - | ||
| Five years later | 241,134 | 205,131 | 217,104 | 226,331 | 275,559 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Six years later | 239,086 | 204,140 | 215,179 | 224,386 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Seven years later | 238,667 | 202,480 | 214,396 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Eight years later | 239,555 | 201,897 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Nine years later | 239,836 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Ten years later | ||||||||||||
| Estimate of cumulative claims | 239,836 | 201,897 | 214,396 | 224,386 | 275,559 | 262,801 | 190,732 | 186,058 | 216,210 | 206,343 | ||
| Cumulative payments | (229,809) (193,319) (196,509) (199,894) (223,881) (179,779) (126,896) (106,798) (98,578) (56,454) | |||||||||||
| Claims outstanding at 31 December 2019 |
10,682 | 10,027 | 8,578 | 17,887 | 24,492 | 51,678 | 83,022 | 63,836 | 79,260 | 117,632 | 149,889 | 616,983 |
| Claims outstanding at 31 December 2018 |
15,598 | 11,354 | 12,159 | 23,671 | 32,705 | 75,004 | 119,460 | 94,084 | 108,412 | 164,659 | - | 657,106 |
| Movement during the year | (4,916) | (1,327) | (3,581) | (5,784) | (8,213) (23,326) (36,438) (30,248) (29,152) (47,027) 149,889 | (40,123) |
27 (b)
Net Claims Outstanding 2019
CLAIMS OUTSTANDING (continued)
Full provision, net of reinsurance recoveries, is made at the reporting date for the estimated cost of claims incurred but not settled, including claims incurred but not yet reported and expenses to be incurred after the reporting date in settling those claims. The Group takes all reasonable steps to ensure that it has appropriate information regarding notified claims and uses this information when estimating the cost of those claims.
The Group uses estimation techniques, based on statistical analysis of past experience, to calculate the estimated cost of claims outstanding at the year end. It is assumed that the development pattern of the current claims will be consistent with previous experience. Allowance is made, however, for any changes or uncertainties that may cause the cost of unsettled claims to increase or reduce. These changes or uncertainties may arise from issues such as the effects of inflation, changes in the mix of business or the legal environment.
At each reporting date, liability adequacy tests are performed to ensure the adequacy of the insurance liabilities. In performing these tests, current best estimates of future cash flows and claims handling and administration expenses are used. Any deficiency is immediately recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement.
| Gross | Net | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Balance at 1 January 2018 | 765,012 | 674,451 |
| Change in provision for claims | (26,987) | (17,345) |
| Balance at 31 December 2018 | 738,025 | 657,106 |
| Change in provision for claims | (54,693) | (40,123) |
| Balance at 31 December 2019 | 683,332 | 616,983 |
The following changes have occurred in the provision for unearned premium during the year:
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Balance at 1 January | 182,875 | 186,008 |
| Net premium written | 338,227 | 334,769 |
| Net premium earned | (337,553) | (337,903) |
| Changes in provision for unearned premium – reinsurers' share | (4) | 1 |
| Provision for unearned premium at 31 December | 183,545 | 182,875 |
| Claims outstanding |
Unearned premium reserve |
|
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Balance at 1 January 2018 | 90,561 | 4 |
| Movement during year | (9,642) | 2 |
| Balance at 31 December 2018 | 80,919 | 6 |
| Movement during year | (14,570) | (5) |
| Balance at 31 December 2019 | 66,349 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Balance at 1 January | 7,738 | 6,647 |
| MIBI levy reserve release | - | (1,812) |
| Provision for MIBI levy and MIICF contribution | 7,946 | 8,876 |
| MIBI levy and MIICF contribution paid | (7,267) | (5,973) |
| Balance at 31 December | 8,417 | 7,738 |
The Group's share of the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland "MIBI" levy for 2019 is based on its estimated market share in the current year at the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position date.
The Group's contribution to the Motor Insurers' Insolvency Compensation Fund "MIICF" for 2019 is based on 2% of its Gross Written Motor Premium.
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Balance at 1 January | - | 52,525 |
| Amortised during the year | - | 1,062 |
| Derecognition of convertible debt upon purchase and cancellation | - | (53,587) |
| Balance at 31 December | - | - |
On 1 October 2018 FBD Holdings plc announced that its subsidiary FBD Insurance plc had entered into an agreement to purchase and cancel the €70,000,000 7% Convertible Notes which were in issue for €86,059,000. The below table shows the loss recognised as a result of the purchase and cancellation of the Notes.
Interest costs associated with the Notes totalling €nil (2018: €4,864,000) as result of the purchase and cancellation of the Notes.
| Purchase and cancellation of the Convertible Notes | 2019 €000s |
2018 €000s |
|---|---|---|
| Carrying value of bond on date of settlement (as per above table) | - | 53,587 |
| Carrying value of equity on date of settlement | - | 18,232 |
| Total carrying value of convertible debt on date of settlement | - | 71,819 |
| Consideration paid for the convertible bond | - | (86,059) |
| Loss on purchase and cancellation of the convertible bond | - | (14,240) |
| Loss on purchase and cancellation of the bond attributable to: | ||
| A) Statement of Changes in Equity: | ||
| – Loss on equity portion | - | (2,763) |
| B) Consolidated Income Statement: | ||
| – Loss on debt portion | - | (11,477) |
| - | (14,240) |
| Balance at 31 December | 49,485 | 49,426 |
|---|---|---|
| Amortised during the year | 59 | 14 |
| Recognition of subordinated debt on issue | - | 49,412 |
| Balance at 1 January | 49,426 | - |
| €000s | €000s | |
| 2019 | 2018 |
On 2 October 2018 FBD Insurance plc successfully agreed to issue €50,000,000 of new Callable Dated Deferrable Subordinated Notes due 2028. The agreed coupon for the notes was 5%. Interest costs associated with the subordinated notes totalling €2,500,000 (2018: €589,000) were incurred and recognised during the financial year.
The Group operates defined contribution retirement benefit plans for qualifying employees who opt to join. The assets of the plans are held separately from those of the Group in funds under the control of Trustees. The Group recognised an expense of €3,513,401 (2018: €4,387,648) relating to these pension schemes during the year ended 31 December 2019.
The Group also operates a legacy funded defined benefit retirement pension scheme for certain qualifying employees. This scheme was closed to new members in 2005 and closed to future accrual in 2015. The defined benefit pension scheme is administered by a separate Trustee Company that is legally separated from the entity. The Trustee Company, who is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Pensions Act 1990 and other relevant legislation, is composed of an independent Trustee and representatives from both the employers and current and former employees. The Trustees are required by law and by its Articles of Association to act in the interest of the fund and of all relevant stakeholders in the scheme, i.e. deferred members, retirees and employers. They are responsible for the investment policy with regard to the assets of the scheme.
Under the defined benefit pension scheme, qualifying members are entitled to retirement benefits of 1/60th of final salary for each year of service on attainment of a retirement age of 65. A full actuarial valuation of the defined benefit pension scheme was carried out on 1 July 2016. This valuation was carried out using the projected unit credit method. The minimum funding standard was updated to 31 December 2019 by the schemes' independent and qualified actuary. This confirms that the Scheme continues to satisfy the minimum funding standard. The next full actuarial valuation of the scheme is expected to be completed by March 2020 with a valuation date of 1 July 2019.
The long-term investment objective of the Trustees and the Group is to limit the risk of the assets failing to meet the liabilities of the scheme over the long term, and to maximise returns consistent with an acceptable level of risk so as to control the long-term costs of the scheme. To meet these objectives, the scheme's assets are primarily invested in bonds with a smaller level of investment in diversified growth funds and property. These reflect the current long-term asset allocation ranges, having regard to the structure of liabilities within the scheme. The scheme typically exposes the Group to actuarial risks such as: investment risk, interest rate risk and longevity risk.
| 2019 % |
2018 % |
|
|---|---|---|
| Inflation rate | 1.30 | 1.50 |
| Salary rate increase | N/A* | N/A* |
| Pension payment increase | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Discount rate | 0.90 | 1.80 |
*No longer applicable asthe scheme closed to future accrualwith removal ofsalary link at 30 September 2015.
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| Years | Years | |
| The average life expectancy of current and future retirees used in the scheme at age 65 is as follows: |
||
| Male | 21.7 | 21.5 |
| Female | 24.1 | 23.9 |
The weighted average duration of the expected benefit payments from the scheme is circa 16 years.
As required by IAS 19 disclosures; the discount rate is set by reference to yields available at 31 December 2019 on high quality corporate bonds having regard to the duration of the schemes liabilities. The actual return on the scheme assets for the year was a gain of €9,764,000 (2018: €2,259,000).
| 2019 €000s |
2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | ||
| Charged to Consolidated Income Statement: | ||
| Service cost: employer's part of current service cost | 338 | 347 |
| Net interest credit | (233) | (173) |
| Past service costs | - | 132 |
| Charge to Consolidated Income Statement | 105 | 306 |
Charges to the Consolidated Income Statement have been included in other underwriting and financial services and other costs.
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Remeasurements in the year due to: | ||
| – Changes in financial assumptions | 11,173 | (1,655) |
| – Changes in demographic assumptions | - | - |
| – Experience adjustments on benefit obligations | 1,120 | (999) |
| Actual return less interest on scheme assets | (8,057) | (578) |
| Total amount recognised in OCI before taxation | 4,236 | (3,232) |
| Deferred taxation (credit)/debit | (530) | 404 |
| Actuarial loss/(gain) net of deferred taxation | 3,706 | (2,828) |
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | |
| Present value of defined benefit obligations | 93,958 | 83,434 | 88,103 | 90,887 | 106,490 |
| Fair value of plan assets | 102,681 | 96,378 | 97,877 | 99,602 | 115,600 |
| Net pension (asset)/liability | (8,723) | (12,944) | (9,774) | (8,715) | (9,110) |
| Experience (losses)/gains on scheme liabilities | (1,120) | 999 | 150 | (266) | (401) |
| Total amount recognised in OCI before taxation | (4,236) | 3,232 | 275 | (12,233) | 15,914 |
The cumulative charge to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income is €104,806,000 (2018: €100,570,000).
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Debt securities - quoted | 84,561 | 78,543 |
| Unit trusts - quoted | 5,169 | 7,672 |
| Managed funds - quoted | 6,920 | 3,916 |
| Managed funds - unquoted | 5,419 | - |
| Cash deposits and other - cost | 612 | 6,247 |
| Scheme assets | 102,681 | 96,378 |
| Actuarial value of liabilities | (93,958) | (83,434) |
| Net pension surplus | 8,723 | 12,944 |
The assets are part of unitised funds which have a broad geographical and industry type spread with no significant concentration in any one geographical or industry type.
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Net surplus in scheme at 1 January | 12,944 | 9,774 |
| Current service cost | (338) | (347) |
| Past service costs | - | (132) |
| Employer contributions | 120 | 244 |
| Interest on scheme liabilities | (1,474) | (1,508) |
| Interest on scheme assets | 1,707 | 1,681 |
| Total amount recognised in OCI before taxation | (4,236) | 3,232 |
| Net surplus at 31 December | 8,723 | 12,944 |
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Assets | ||
| Assets in scheme at 1 January | 96,378 | 97,877 |
| Actual return less interest on scheme assets | 8,057 | 578 |
| Employer contributions | 120 | 244 |
| Interest on scheme assets | 1,707 | 1,681 |
| Benefits paid | (3,581) | (4,002) |
| Assets in scheme at 31 December | 102,681 | 96,378 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Liabilities in scheme at 1 January | 83,434 | 88,103 |
| Experience gains and losses on scheme liabilities | 1,120 | (999) |
| Changes in financial assumptions | 11,173 | (1,655) |
| Current service cost | 338 | 347 |
| Past service costs | - | 132 |
| Interest on scheme liabilities | 1,474 | 1,508 |
| Benefits paid | (3,581) | (4,002) |
| Liabilities in scheme at 31 December | 93,958 | 83,434 |
The sensitivities regarding the principal assumptions used to measure the scheme liabilities are as follows:
| Retirement benefit surplus |
Unrealised losses on investments & loans |
Revaluation surplus on investment properties |
Other timing differences |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | €000s | |
| At 1 January 2018 | 1,222 | 1,352 | 1,271 | - | 3,845 |
| Debited/(credited) to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income |
404 | (981) | - | - | (577) |
| (Credited)/debited to the Consolidated Income Statement |
(8) | (46) | 58 | 338 | 342 |
| At 31 December 2018 | 1,618 | 325 | 1,329 | 338 | 3,610 |
| (Credited)/debited to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income |
(530) | 1,366 | - | - | 836 |
| Debited/(credited) to the Consolidated Income Statement |
1 | (46) | 502 | 2 | 459 |
| At 31 December 2019 | 1,089 | 1,645 | 1,831 | 340 | 4,905 |
A deferred taxation liability of €1,089,000 has been recognised in 2019 in respect of the retirement benefit asset of €8,723,000. In 2018 a deferred taxation liability of €1,618,000 was recognised on the retirement benefit asset of €12,944,000.
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Income taxation payable | 3,128 | 3,312 |
This balance relates to corporation taxation payable.
(a) GROUP
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Amounts falling due within one year: | ||
| Payables and accruals | 28,348 | 26,822 |
| PAYE/PRSI | 1,674 | 1,368 |
| Payables arising out of direct insurance operations | 5,743 | 5,044 |
| Total payables | 35,765 | 33,234 |
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Amounts falling due within one year: | ||
| Payables and accruals | 2,648 | 4,278 |
| Total payables | 2,648 | 4,278 |
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Paid during year: | ||
| 2018 dividend of 8.4 cent (2017: 8.4 cent) per share on 14% non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each |
113 | 113 |
| 2018 dividend of 4.8 cent (2017: 4.8 cent) per share on 8% non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each |
169 | 169 |
| 2018 final dividend of 50.0 cents (2017: 24.0 cent) per share on ordinary shares of €0.60 each |
17,432 | 8,320 |
| Total dividends paid | 17,714 | 8,602 |
| 2019 | 2018 | |
| €000s | €000s | |
| Proposed: | ||
| 2019 dividend of 8.4 cent (2018: 8.4 cent) per share on 14% non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each |
113 | 113 |
| 2019 dividend of 4.8 cent (2018: 4.8 cent) per share on 8% non-cumulative preference shares of €0.60 each |
169 | 169 |
| 2019 final dividend of 100 cent (2018: 50.0 cent) per share on ordinary shares of €0.60 each |
34,862 | 17,333 |
| Total dividends proposed | 35,144 | 17,615 |
The proposed dividend excludes any amounts due on outstanding share awards as at 31 December 2019 that are due to vest in March 2020 and is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 8 May 2020. The proposed dividends have not been included as a liability in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.
| (a) Subsidiaries | Nature of Operations | % Owned |
|---|---|---|
| FBD Insurance plc | General insurance underwriter | 100% |
| FBD Insurance Group Limited | Investment services, pensions and life brokers | 100% |
| FBD Corporate Services Limited | Employee services company | 100% |
The Registered Office of each of the above subsidiaries is at FBD House, Bluebell, Dublin 12.
All shareholdings are in the form of ordinary shares.
The financial year end for the Group's principal subsidiaries is 31 December.
FBD Holdings plc is an Irish registered public limited company. The Company's ordinary shares of €0.60 each are listed on Euronext Dublin and the UK Listing Authority and are traded on both Euronext Dublin and London Stock Exchange.
All individual subsidiary's accounts are prepared in accordance with FRS 102, the financial reporting standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland with the exception of FBD Insurance plc whose accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs") adopted by the European Union. The Directors considered it appropriate for FBD Insurance plc to transition to IFRS during 2019, mainly, as this will allow for uniformity when applying IFRS 17 – Insurance contracts, reference Note 3.
Capital expenditure contracted for at the end of 2019 but not recognised as liabilities for intangible assets is €nil (2018: €711,000).
There were no contingent liabilities or contingent assets at either 31 December 2019 or 31 December 2018.
Conditional awards of ordinary shares are made under the FBD Group Performance Share Plan ("LTIP"). The LTIP was last approved by the shareholders of FBD Holdings plc at the 2018 AGM.
Conditional awards up to 2016 under the LTIP are dependent on the Group meeting onerous performance targets in terms of total shareholder returns, combined operating ratio, business scorecard metrics and share price performance (market conditions). The market conditions were removed from conditional awards in 2017 and subsequent years which are solely based on the non-market conditions as detailed. The extent to which these conditions have been met and any award (or part of an award) has therefore vested will be determined in due course by the Remuneration Committee of the Board of FBD Holdings plc. Further detail on the LTIP is available within the Report on Directors' Remuneration on pages 57 to 67.
The fair values of the below listed conditional share awards have been calculated as follows using the assumptions noted in a Monte Carlo simulation model.
| LTIP award March 2015 |
LTIP award October 2015 |
LTIP award March 2016 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Share price at grant | €10.80 | €6.65 | €6.55 |
| Initial award price | €10.80 | €6.65 | €6.55 |
| Expected volatility | 30% | 35% | 35% |
| Expected life in years | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Risk free interest rate | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Expected dividend yield % | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Fair value | €8.49 | €5.39 | €5.25 |
Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group's share price over the previous two to three years preceding the date of grant.
The fair value of the LTIP awards for 2017, 2018 and 2019 were determined to be equal to the share price at the grant date on the basis that no market conditions were attached to these awards.
| Grant date | Number outstanding at 1 January 2019 |
Granted during year |
Vested during year |
Lapsed during year |
Forfeited during year |
Number outstanding at 31 December 2019 |
Performance Period |
Earliest vesting date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09.10.2015 LTIP | 54,545 | - | (42,317) (12,228) | - | - | 2015-2017 | Mar-19 | |
| 23.03.2016 LTIP | 195,313 | - | (153,946) (41,367) | - | - | 2016-2018 | Mar-19 | |
| 28.03.2017 LTIP | 189,046 | - | - | 1,455 | - | 190,501 | 2017-2019 | Mar-20 |
| 23.08.2018 LTIP | 204,069 | - | - | - | - | 204,069 | 2018-2020 | Aug-21 |
| 25.03.2019 LTIP | - | 264,134 | - | 264,134 | 2019-2021 | Mar-22 | ||
| Total | 642,973 | 264,134 | (196,263) (52,140) | - | 658,704 |
| Grant date | Vesting period (years) |
Number outstanding at 31 December 2019 |
% of options expected to vest % |
Share price at grant date € |
Fair value of share award at grant date € |
2019 €000s |
2018 €000s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02.03.2015 LTIP | 3.00 | - | 0% | 10.80 | 8.49 | - | 16 |
| 09.10.2015 LTIP | 3.00 | - | 0% | 6.65 | 5.39 | 56 | (5) |
| 23.03.2016 LTIP | 3.00 | - | 0% | 6.55 | 5.25 | 220 | 11 |
| 28.03.2017 LTIP | 3.00 | 190,501 | 90% | 7.95 | 7.95 | 483 | 420 |
| 23.08.2018 LTIP | 3.00 | 204,069 | 125% | 10.80 | 10.80 | 1,009 | 262 |
| 25.03.2019 LTIP | 3.00 | 264,134 | 125% | 8.79 | 8.79 | 613 | - |
| Total | 658,704 | 2,381 | 704 |
During the financial year 42,317 shares of the October 2015 and 153,946 shares of the March 2016 awards vested, with a combined value of €583,235. It is not expected that any further shares will vest relating to these.
The Directors estimate 90% of the March 2017 awards will vest, 125% of the August 2018 awards will vest, 125% of the March 2019 awards will vest.
Farmer Business Developments plc and FBD Trust Company Ltd have a substantial shareholding in the Group at 31 December 2019. Details of their shareholdings and related party transactions are set out in the Report of the Directors on pages 38 to 43.
As part of the subordinated debt investment in 2018, Farmer Business Developments invested €20.0m and FBD Trust Company Ltd invested €13.0m. Please refer to note 30 for further details.
For the purposes of the disclosure requirements of IAS 24, the term "key management personnel" (i.e. those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group) comprises the Board of Directors and Company Secretary of FBD Holdings plc and the Group's primary subsidiary, FBD Insurance plc and the members of the Executive Management Team.
The remuneration of key management personnel ("KMP") during the year was as follows:
| 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|
| €000s | €000s | |
| Short term employee benefits1 | 3,501 | 3,545 |
| Post-employment benefits | 305 | 297 |
| Share based payments | 993 | 316 |
| Charge to the Consolidated Income Statement | 4,799 | 4,158 |
1 Short term benefitsinclude feestoNon-Executive Directors,salaries and othershort-term benefitsto all key management personnel.
Full disclosure in relation to the 2019 and 2018 compensation entitlements and share awards of the Board of Directors is provided in the Report on Directors' Remuneration.
In common with all shareholders, Directors received payments/distributions related to their holdings of shares in the Company during the year, amounting in total to €27,830 (2018: €3,571).
The Group is committed to managing its capital to ensure it is adequately capitalised at all times and to maximise returns to shareholders. The capital of the Group comprises of issued capital, reserves and retained earnings as detailed in notes 24 to 26. The Group has an Investment Committee, a Pricing & Underwriting Committee, a Capital Management Forum, an Audit Committee, a Reserving Committee and Board and Executive Risk Committees, all of which assist the Board in the identification and management of exposures and capital.
The Group maintained its robust capital position and complied with all regulatory solvency margin requirements throughout both the year under review and the prior year. In 2019, the Group maintained its Solvency Capital Requirement (SCR) coverage above its target range of 120-140% of SCR.
An experienced Actuarial team is in place with policies and procedures to ensure that Technical Provisions are calculated in an appropriate manner and represent a best estimate. Technical Provisions are internally peer reviewed every quarter, audited once a year and subject to external peer review every two years.
An approved Reinsurance Programme is in place to minimise the Solvency Impact of Catastrophe events to the Group.
The annual ORSA provides a comprehensive view and understanding of the risks to which the Group is exposed or could face in the future and how they translate into capital needs or alternatively require mitigation actions.
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for consideration of the implications for capital position as part of the strategic planning process and key strategic decision-making and for ensuring appropriate action is taken as approved by the Board/CEO/relevant committee.
On at least an annual basis, a target range for its SCR Ratio, developed as part of the annual planning/budgeting process, is approved by the Board as part of the Risk Appetite Statements in the Risk Appetite Framework.
The Group also devotes considerable resources to managing its relationships with the providers of capital within the capital markets, for example, existing and potential shareholders, financial institutions, stockbrokers and corporate finance houses.
The Group is exposed to daily calls on its cash resources, mainly for claims payments. The Group manages liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and ensuring that the maturity profile of its financial assets is shorter than or equal to the maturity profile of its liabilities and maintaining a minimum cash amount available on short term access at all times.
The following tables provide an analysis of assets and liabilities into their relevant maturity groups based on the remaining period to contractual maturity. The contracted value below is the undiscounted cash flow.
| Assets – 2019 | Carrying value total €000s |
Contracted Value €000s |
Cashflow within 1 year €000s |
Cashflow 1-5 years €000s |
Cashflow after 5 years €000s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial assets | 871,174 | 881,186 | 179,209 | 567,255 | 134,722 |
| Reinsurance assets | 66,350 | 66,350 | 19,701 | 37,854 | 8,795 |
| Loans and receivables | 64,477 | 64,477 | 64,477 | - | - |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 94,982 | 94,982 | 94,982 | - | - |
| Total | 1,096,983 | 1,106,995 | 358,369 | 605,109 | 143,517 |
| Liabilities - 2019 | |||||
| Insurance contract liabilities | 866,877 | 866,877 | 283,051 | 475,893 | 107,933 |
| Payables | 35,765 | 35,765 | 35,765 | - | - |
| Other provisions | 8,417 | 8,417 | 8,417 | - | - |
| Convertible debt* | - | - | - | - | - |
| Subordinated bond** | 49,485 | 72,500 | 2,500 | 10,000 | 60,000 |
Total 960,544 983,559 329,733 485,893 167,933
*See note 29
** See note 30
Cashflow after
Governance
Carrying value
| Assets – 2018 | total €000s |
Value €000s |
1 year €000s |
1-5 years €000s |
5 years €000s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial assets | 866,091 | 888,704 | 144,927 | 640,873 | 102,904 |
| Reinsurance assets | 80,925 | 80,925 | 25,262 | 49,119 | 6,544 |
| Loans and receivables | 63,483 | 63,483 | 63,483 | - | - |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 77,639 | 77,639 | 77,639 | - | - |
| Total | 1,088,138 | 1,110,751 | 311,311 | 689,992 | 109,448 |
| Liabilities – 2018 | 920,900 | ||||
| Insurance contract liabilities Payables |
33,234 | 920,900 33,234 |
300,983 33,234 |
510,677 - |
109,240 - |
| Other provisions | 7,738 | 7,738 | 7,738 | - | - |
| Convertible debt* | - | - | - | - | - |
| Subordinated bond** | 49,426 | 75,000 | 2,500 | 10,000 | 62,500 |
| Total | 1,011,298 | 1,036,872 | 344,455 | 520,677 | 171,740 |
Contracted
Cashflow within
Cashflow
*See note 29
** See note 30
The Group has invested in term deposits, listed debt securities, investment property, quoted and unquoted shares and externally managed collective investment schemes which provide exposure to a broad range of asset classes. These investments are subject to market risk, whereby the value of the investments may fluctuate as a result of changes in market prices, changes in market interest rates or changes in the foreign exchange rates of the currency in which the investments are denominated. The extent of the exposure to market risk is managed by the formulation of, and adherence to, an Investment Policy incorporating clearly defined investment limits and rules, as approved annually by the Board of Directors and employment of appropriately qualified and experienced personnel and external investment management specialists to manage the Group's investment portfolio. The overriding philosophy of the Investment Policy is to protect and safeguard the Group's assets and to ensure its capacity to underwrite is not put at risk.
Interest rate and spread risk arises primarily from the Group's investments in listed debt securities and deposits and their movement relatively to the Group's liabilities. The Group reviews its exposure to interest rate and spread risk on a quarterly basis by conducting an asset liability matching analysis. As part of this analysis it monitors the movement in assets minus liabilities for defined interest rate stresses and ensures that they remain within set limits as laid out in its Asset Liability Management Policy. Similar monitoring is done for spread risk.
At 31 December 2019, the Group held the following deposits and listed debt securities:
| 2019 | 2018 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Value €000s |
Weighted average interest rate % |
Market Value €000s |
Weighted average interest rate % |
|
| Time to maturity | ||||
| In one year or less | 169,259 | 1.81 | 135,517 | 1.13 |
| In more than one year, but not more than two years | 148,245 | 0.88 | 182,949 | 2.19 |
| In more than two years, but not more than three years | 185,279 | 1.21 | 133,480 | 1.03 |
| In more than three years, but not more than four years | 157,866 | 1.11 | 181,957 | 1.25 |
| In more than four years, but not more than five years | 67,902 | 1.35 | 129,182 | 1.17 |
| More than five years | 142,623 | 1.20 | 103,006 | 1.57 |
| Total | 871,174 | 866,091 |
The Group is subject to equity price risk directly due to its holdings in quoted and unquoted shares and indirectly due to its holdings in collective investment schemes which invest in equities.
The amounts exposed to equity price risk at the reporting date are:
| 2019 €000s |
2018 €000s |
|
|---|---|---|
| Equity exposure | 45,714 | 23,962 |
The Group does not directly hold investment assets in foreign currencies; however, it does have exposure to non-euro exchange rate fluctuations through its collective investment scheme holdings. The underlying exposure to foreign currency is as follows.
| Assets | 2019 €000s |
2018 €000s |
|---|---|---|
| Emerging Markets | 32,928 | 22,023 |
| USD | 4,554 | - |
| Other OECD | 743 | - |
The Group did not directly hold any derivative instruments at 31 December 2019 or 31 December 2018.
Credit risk is the risk of loss in the value of financial assets due to counterparties failing to meet all or part of their obligations.
Financial assets are graded according to current credit ratings issued by the main credit rating agencies. Investment grade financial assets are classified within the range of AAA to BBB ratings. Financial assets which fall outside this range are classified as speculative grade. All of the Group's bank deposits are with financial institutions which have a minimum A- rating. The Group holds the following listed Government bonds (average credit rating: A) and listed corporate bonds (average credit rating: A-), with the following credit profile:
| 2019 | 2018 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Value €000s |
Weighted Average Duration |
Market value €000s |
Weighted Average Duration |
|
| Government bonds | ||||
| AAA | 54,997 | 1.1 | 55,181 | 2.1 |
| AA+ | 21,306 | 3.6 | 21,067 | 4.6 |
| AA | 42,579 | 5.4 | 41,023 | 3.2 |
| A+ | 41,060 | 2.2 | 41,288 | 3.2 |
| BBB+ | 71,236 | 6.9 | 42,039 | 7.2 |
| BBB- | 71,178 | 2.8 | 96,786 | 3.5 |
| Total | 302,356 | 3.8 | 297,384 | 3.8 |
| Corporate Bonds | ||||
| AAA | 937 | 1.7 | 2,252 | 1.6 |
| AA | 12,508 | 1.5 | 12,584 | 2.5 |
| AA- | 45,509 | 1.9 | 34,710 | 2.3 |
| A+ | 45,133 | 2.1 | 62,939 | 2.6 |
| A | 68,909 | 2.2 | 73,793 | 2.4 |
| A- | 96,016 | 2.8 | 91,648 | 2.7 |
| BBB+ | 109,077 | 2.5 | 115,365 | 2.8 |
| BBB | 100,812 | 2.9 | 78,759 | 2.8 |
| BBB- | 29,917 | 2.6 | 25,659 | 2.5 |
| Total | 508,818 | 2.5 | 497,709 | 2.6 |
All of the Group's current reinsurers either have a credit rating of A- or better. The Group has assessed these credit ratings and security as being satisfactory in diminishing the Group's exposure to the credit risk of its reinsurance receivables. At 31 December 2019, the maximum balance owed to the Group by an individual reinsurer, including reinsurers' share of insurance contract liabilities not yet called, was €11,295,000 (2018: €19,790,000).
The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements, net of any allowances for losses, represents the Group's most significant exposure to credit risk. There are no financial assets past due but not impaired.
Receivables arising out of direct insurance operations are considered by the Directors to have low credit risk and therefore no provision for bad or doubtful debts has been made. All other receivables are due within one year and none are past due.
Concentration risk is the risk of loss due to overdependence on a singular investment or category of business. The main concentration risks to which the Group is exposed, and how they are mitigated, are as follows:
Receivables arising out of direct insurance operations and other receivables have no significant concentration of risk.
The table below identifies the Group's key sensitivity factors. For each sensitivity test the impact of a change in a single factor is shown, with other assumptions left unchanged.
| Sensitivity factor | Description of sensitivity factor applied |
|---|---|
| Interest rate and investment return | The impact of a change in the market interest rate by an increase of 1% or a decrease of 0.25%. For example if a current interest rate is 2%, the impact of an immediate change to 3% and 1.75%. |
| Exchange rates movement | The impact of a change in foreign exchange rates by ± 10%. |
| Equity market values | The impact of a change in equity market values by ±10%. |
| Available for sale investments | The impact of a change in corporate bond market values by ±5%. |
| Property market values | The impact of a change in property market values by ±10%. |
| Net loss ratios | The impact of an increase in underwriting net loss ratios by 5%. |
The pre-taxation impacts on profit and shareholders' equity at 31 December 2019 and at 31 December 2018 of each of the sensitivity factors outlined above are as follows:
| 2019 €000s |
2018 €000s restated |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Interest Rates* | 1.0% | (30,650) | (27,720) |
| Interest Rates* | (0.25%) | 7,784 | 7,076 |
| 2019 €000s |
2018 €000s |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| FX rates | 10% | 3,822 | 2,202 |
| FX rates | (10%) | (3,822) | 2,202 |
| Equity | 10% | 4,571 | 2,396 |
| Equity | (10%) | (4,571) | (2,396) |
| Available for sale investments | 5% | 40,558 | 39,786 |
| Available for sale investments | (5%) | (40,558) | (39,786) |
| Investment property | 10% | 1,869 | 1,830 |
| Investment property | (10%) | (1,869) | (1,830) |
| Net loss ratio | (5%) | 16,878 | 16,895 |
* Interestrate sensitivity numbers have been restated for 2018,the Group has based the newcalculations on the capital modelwhich are more accurate than the simplified methodology used in previous years.
The sensitivity of changes in the assumptions used to calculate general insurance liabilities are set out in the table below:
| 31 December 2019 | Change in assumptions |
Increase in gross technical reserves €000s |
Increase in net technical reserves €000s |
Impact on profit before taxation €000s |
Reduction in shareholders' equity €000s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Injury claims IBNR and IBNER | +10% | 8,666 | 6,191 | (6,191) | 5,417 |
| Other claims IBNR and IBNER | +10% | 99 | 45 | (45) | 39 |
| Legal fees revert to pre PIAB levels | 6,845 | 6,160 | (6,160) | 5,390 | |
| 31 December 2018 | |||||
| Injury claims IBNR and IBNER | +10% | 8,207 | 5,593 | (5,593) | 4,894 |
| Other claims IBNR and IBNER | +10% | 204 | 177 | (177) | 155 |
| Legal fees revert to pre PIAB levels | 7,220 | 6,498 | (6,498) | 5,686 |
The above tables demonstrate the effect of a change in a key assumption while other assumptions remain unchanged. In reality, there is a correlation between the assumptions and other factors. It should also be noted that these sensitivities are non-linear, and larger or smaller impacts should not be interpolated or extrapolated from these results. The sensitivity analysis does not take into consideration that the Group's assets and liabilities are actively managed. Additionally, the financial position of the Group may vary at the time that any actual market movement occurs.
Other limitations in the above sensitivity analysis include the use of hypothetical market movements to demonstrate potential risk. They represent the Group's view of possible near-term market changes that cannot be predicted with any certainty and assume that all interest rates move in an identical fashion.
As set out in accounting policy K, the Group has chosen to defer application of IFRS 9 due to its activities being predominantly connected with insurance.
To facilitate comparison with entities applying IFRS 9, the table below presents an analysis of the fair value of the classes of financial assets as at the end of the reporting period, as well as the change in fair value during the reporting period. The financial asset classes are divided into two categories:
| Financial assets | Financial assets that passed SPPI €000s |
Financial assets measured on a fair value basis €000s |
Total €000s |
Financial instruments held for trading €000s |
Total Fair Value €000s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other receivables | 63,866 | - | 63,866 | - | 63,866 |
| Deposits with banks | 60,000 | - | 60,000 | - | 60,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 94,982 | - | 94,982 | - | 94,982 |
| Available for sale investments | - | 811,986 | 811,986 | - | 811,986 |
| Investments held for trading | - | - | - | 111,399 | 111,399 |
| Total Financial Assets | 218,848 | 811,986 | 1,030,834 | 111,399 | 1,142,233 |
| Financial assets | Financial assets that passed SPPI €000s |
Financial assets measured on a fair value basis €000s |
Total €000s |
Financial instruments held for trading €000s |
Total Fair Value €000s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other receivables | 62,868 | - | 62,868 | - | 62,868 |
| Deposits with banks | 70,998 | - | 70,998 | - | 70,998 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 77,639 | - | 77,639 | - | 77,639 |
| Available for sale investments | - | 795,717 | 795,717 | - | 795,717 |
| Investments held for trading | - | - | - | 78,778 | 78,778 |
| Total Financial Assets | 211,505 | 795,717 | 1,007,222 | 78,778 | 1,086,000 |
For receivables, loans and cash and cash equivalents carried at amortised cost, the carrying value is considered to be approximately equal to fair value.
The below table presents fair value movements on financial assets measured on a fair value basis and investments held for trading.
There was no material change in fair value during the year in respect of financial assets that passed the SPPI test.
| Financial assets measured on a fair value basis €000s |
Financial instruments held for trading €000s |
|
|---|---|---|
| Balance as at 1 January 2018 | 795,717 | 78,778 |
| Additions | 152,658 | 29,687 |
| Disposals | (143,289) | (7,807) |
| Realised gains | 432 | 138 |
| Unrealised gains | 6,468 | 10,603 |
| Balance as at 31 December 2019 | 811,986 | 111,399 |
For financial assets whose cash flows represent SPPI as defined above, the table below provides information on credit risk exposure. The financial assets are categorised by asset class with a carrying amount measured in accordance with IAS 39 requirements.
| Rating | Other receivables €000s |
Deposits with banks €000s |
Cash and cash equivalents €000s |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | - | - | 6,577 |
| AA- | - | - | 18,000 |
| A | - | 30,000 | 38,216 |
| A- | - | 30,000 | 33,242 |
| BBB | - | - | (1,053) |
| Unrated | 63,866 | - | - |
| Total | 63,866 | 60,000 | 94,982 |
| Rating | Other receivables €000s |
Deposits with banks €000s |
Cash and cash equivalents €000s |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA- | - | - | 3,918 |
| A+ | - | 15,000 | - |
| A | - | 30,000 | 50,748 |
| A- | - | 25,998 | 20,202 |
| BBB | - | - | 37 |
| BBB- | - | - | 2,734 |
| Unrated | 62,868 | - | - |
| Total | 62,868 | 70,998 | 77,639 |
Detail with respect to concentration risk is included at note 41(e).
There have been no subsequent events which would have a material impact on the financial statements.
The Group uses the following alternative performance measures: Loss ratio, expense ratio, combined operating ratio, annualised investment return, net asset value per share, return on equity and gross premium written.
Loss ratio (LR), expense ratio (ER) and combined operating ratio (COR) are widely used as a performance measure by insurers, and give users of the financial statements an understanding of the underwriting performance of the entity. Investment return is used widely as a performance measure to give users of financial statements an understanding of the performance of an entities investment portfolio. Net asset value per share (NAV) is a widely used performance measure which provides the users of the financial statements the book value per share. Return on equity (ROE) is also a widely used profitability ratio that measures an entity's ability to generate profits from its shareholder investments. Gross premium written refers to the revenue of an insurance company and is widely used across the general insurance industry.
The calculation of the APM's is based on the following data:
| Note | 2019 €000s |
2018 €000s |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Loss ratio | |||
| Net claims and benefits | 4(c) | 148,679 | 183,367 |
| Movement in other provisions | 4(c) | 7,946 | 7,064 |
| Total claims incurred | 4(c) | 156,625 | 190,431 |
| Net premium earned | 337,553 | 337,903 | |
| Loss ratio (Total claims/Net premium earned) | 46.4% | 56.3% | |
| Expense ratio | |||
| Other underwriting expenses | 4(c) | 87,259 | 84,054 |
| Net premium earned | 4(c) | 337,553 | 337,903 |
| Expense ratio (Underwriting expenses/Net premium earned) | 25.9% | 24.9% | |
| Combined operating ratio | % | % | |
| Loss ratio | 46.4% | 56.3% | |
| Expense ratio | 25.9% | 24.9% | |
| Combined operating ratio (Loss ratio + Expense ratio) | 72.3% | 81.2% | |
| Note | 2019 €000s |
2018 €000s |
|
| Investment return | |||
| Investment return recognised in Consolidated Income Statement | 5 | 17,892 | 2,482 |
| Investment return recognised in Statement of Comprehensive Income | 10,924 | (7,845) | |
| Total investment return | 28,816 | (5,363) | |
| Average investment assets | 1,073,429 | 1,047,711 | |
| Investment return % (Total investment return/Average investment assets) | 2.7% | -0.5% |
Financial Statements
| 2019 | 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | €000s | €000s | |
| Net asset value per share | |||
| Shareholders' funds – equity interests | 372,228 | 283,483 | |
| Number of Shares | |||
| Number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding treasury) | 24 | 34,862,464 | 34,666,201 |
| Net asset value per share (NAV) (Shareholders funds/Closing number | Cent | Cent | |
| of ordinary shares) | 1,068 | 818 | |
| Return on Equity | |||
| Weighted average equity attributable to ordinary equity holders | |||
| of the parent | 327,856 | 277,555 | |
| Result for the period | 98,225 | 42,383 | |
| Return on equity (Result for the period/Weighted average equity | |||
| attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent) | 30% | 15% |
Gross premium written: The total premium on insurance underwritten by an insurer or reinsurer during a specified period, before deduction of reinsurance premium.
Expense ratio: Underwriting and administrative expenses as a percentage of net earned premium.
Loss ratio: Net claims incurred as a percentage of net earned premium.
Combined Operating Ratio: The sum of the loss ratio and expense ratio. A combined operating ratio below 100% indicates profitable underwriting results. A combined operating ratio over 100% indicates unprofitable results.

Printed on paper sourced from sustainably managed forests.
Building tools?
Free accounts include 100 API calls/year for testing.
Have a question? We'll get back to you promptly.